Snippet #2787004

"Director." Marlene corrected. "Your nerves are getting the best of you, that's not good under pressure." She said, closing the binder in front of her with a somewhat satisfied smile on her lips.

"I can smell your fear, Major." The woman said coolly.

There was a long pause, and a look of satisfaction as she took it all in. "That's what makes us human, that's what separates us from the savages at the gates. You channel that fear into purpose, you channel that purpose into results."

Marlene leaned back into her chair, and it creaked under her weight. "Sometimes we have to do things, that we thought we were never capable of. If only to show the enemy our will." Marlene said, pulling out a pocket knife, and looking down at the blade, she examined it.

The blade glinted in the light.

"Your record shows me, that you're capable of setting aside your fear, setting aside your hesitation. Even your revulsion." She said, turning the knife over.

"Every natural inhibition that during battle can mean the difference between life, and death." She added, holding the knife up.

"When you can be this? For as long as you have to be. Then you're a razor."

She placed the knife on the glass desk with an audible clack.

"The Navy expects you all to become razors. Because if you don't, you don't survive. And then we don't have the luxury of becoming simply human again, do you understand me?" Marlene asked.