Still no word …

 
… and in this case, no news definitely is not good news.

The commanding general declined to take action in our case. That’s not the end of it ― it will be referred to yet higher headquarters ― but the farther the matter gets from anyone actually involved with our mission, the lower our chances are.

On top of that, we’ve run out of time. We should have left last week, according to our original orders, but the joint task force we’re supporting really wanted us to remain until a relief team arrived. Waiting for a final ruling, we used up the last of all possible margin. Before, we were due to leave unless something allowed us to stay; now, we’re leaving unless we get last-minute orders canceling our departure.

Could still happen. Not very likely now. We submitted projects, got them approved, and had them ready to do … and now there’ll be no one on hand to carry them through, because we’re GONE.

Damn it.