120 MPH

"Not again," Joe growled under his breath. His foot eased down the brake pedal as he shifted lanes to his right. He glanced in the rear view mirror again at the flashing blue and red lights and pressed a little harder on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop along the freeway. He flicked on the emergency flashers, turned down the stereo, and waited impatiently. After what seemed like forever the policeman stepped out of the cruiser and approached the black car.

"In a bit of a hurry?" the cop asked, his voice dripping with sarchasm.

"No, not really," Joe said. He could be as snarky as he wanted to be. Nothing was going to get him out of another ticket.

"Do you know how fast you were going?" the cop asked, clearly taken aback as the young mans answer. He usually got a bunch of apologies and begging.

"About a hundred and twenty," Joe said in a matter of fact tone.

"You do know that this zone is only sixty-five don't you?"

Joe could tell that the cop was getting irritated; either from Joes' apparent lack of deference to his authority, or the lack of care he seemed to show for breaking the speed limit. Joe was curious just how far he could push this guy. He put on a vapid look, "It is?" he asked with all the innocence he could force into his voice.

"I need your license and insurance," the cop said at last as he shook his head, not quite sure what to make of Joe, but irritated nevertheless.

Joe handed out his license, military ID card, and insurance card.

The cop walked back to his cruiser to enter the information into his computer while Joe tapped idly on the steering wheel. He knew that Commander Cole would find out, but it wouldn't stop him in the future. Ever since Alec had died Joe was unable to control himself when he got behind the wheel. It wasn't as if he had a death wish, though he was sure that the psychologists would say he did. He just felt so free with the road flying past beneath his tires.

Joe glanced up again at the movement in his mirror; the cop was approaching again.

"I am sure you know the drill by now soldier," the police officer said as he handed Joe two slips of paper, "I didn't even know that a person could get that many speeding tickets. The cop shook his head, "The first paper is your fine, the second is from your commander. I contacted him when you came up for arrest for speeding." The cop shook his head and walked away from Joe's car.

Joe sighed and quickly read the message from Major Cole.

Return to base immediately.
Report upon arrival.
Discipline to follow.

As soon as the cop pulled away and was out of sight headed in the other direction, Joe shifted the car to drive and slammed down on the accelerator.