The Interview

"Rachel Mills," the civilian behind the desk says, in that tone of voice people always use when they're reading from a file.

"Sir," I say.

He reads. I look around. The room is small and bare, like a box. A battered desk, two chairs, fluorescent lighting. And dust. Oh, and a guy in a bad suit who reeks of a past life in black ops. I've met a lot of his type lately.

"Care to explain this?" the guy says, lifting the file.

I flash back to the last time someone held a personnel file in my face. I was in restraints, drugged. There was a bullet hole in my shoulder. Angela Petrelli was talking about Mom--

"What do you want to know?" I say.

"You spent four years in the Marines. Tours in Afghanistan and Iraq."

"Yes, sir," I say.

"Combat decorations. By the way, aren't there still laws against women being in combat units?"

I love guys like this. Not really. Except this one might just be testing me, so I don't offer to hit him.

"You'll have to take that up with the bad guys, sir. I just shoot back when shot at," I say.

"With great accuracy, apparently. Yet you were discharged as a private. Don't the Marines have a mandatory promotion process?"

"To an extent. Yes, sir."

"So then, tell me in your own words how a decorated combat veteran managed to screw up her career so badly? And yet still expect an offer from me?"

I take a deep breath.

• "Well, sir, I was stationed in Iraq"...