Ralph pulled Rose to the side during their self-defense class. “Rose, have you noticed any changes in Gabriella lately?”
“Yup. I thought it was just me but wanted to touch base with you to see if you saw the same thing. Gabriella is going through the practice motions, but the snap and aggressiveness don’t seem to be there anymore.”
“Yeah,” Ralph answered, “All of the moves are correct, but something has changed in her delivery. It looks so passive and uninspired. She’s not fighting at all.”
“Exactly what I’ve been observing. Have you been putting it into any of your reports, Ralph?”
“No, not yet, but I think we need to send the info upline. It could be significant,” Ralph glanced over to Gabriella. “She is doing some light sparring, but is in a defensive mode rather than counter-attacking.”
“That concerns me, Rose. She went from someone who could care less if she seriously hurt four attackers, to someone who seems to be, well, another soft model type. I don’t get it. Why the change?”
“Well, given a close friend and coworker was killed by his wife while he was at work, it would seem natural it would change her views on life.”
“I guess so, but this seems like an extreme change for one person dying. I’ve been in Iraq and taken out a few people. My friends have died, too. I guess I don’t have the same feelings towards the loss of enemy life. Something else is going on.”
They both filed their reports.
***
Lance contacted General Cunningham. They discussed courses of action if Gabriella couldn’t be changed back to someone who could kill if necessary.