(Capt. Grey) “But Senator, they’ve already been paid for, they already exist, employees already work there and this is what they do. And the launch providers already pay for leased space at these facilities. How many times do I have to pay for the same thing?”
(Sen. Lascombe) “But Mr. Grey, you are a very wealthy man and you are taking advantage of the American people’s generosity and providing nothing in return.”
(Capt. Grey) “Senator, when I won the lottery last year, the IRS took $135 million in income tax before I ever saw a dime! What is it that you want? The rest?”
(Sen. Lascombe) “Madam Chairman, I have no further questions.”
(Sen. Stoddard) “Thank you. Senator Landers?”
(Sen. Landers) “Thank you Madam Chairman. Captain Grey, amongst your many military decorations are the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. Is that correct?”
(Capt. Grey) “Yes sir.”
(Sen. Landers) “Might I ask how you received these decorations?”
(Capt. Grey) “You already know that sir.”
(Sen. Landers) “Yes, I do. But would you please enlighten the rest of the people in this chamber?”
(Capt. Grey) “If you wish. I was an EOD – Explosive Ordinance Disposal – team leader in Kuwait in 1991, during the oil well fires. Our mission was to dispose of unexploded ordinance and booby traps left by the Iraqis so that fire fighters could extinguish the hundreds of wellhead fires. At one site, one of my team members and I… goofed. We overlooked a very well concealed booby trap, and it exploded, severely injuring my team member.”
(Sen. Landers) “And yourself?”
(Capt. Grey) “Yes sir.”
(Sen. Landers) “Please continue, Captain.”
(Capt. Grey) “Not much else to tell, sir. I hoisted the man over my shoulder, carried him back to our vehicle, and drove to a medical aid station.”
(Sen. Landers) “You are much too modest, Captain. Yourself severely injured, you carried him in the blackest of black nights, with flaming wellheads in every direction as far as the eye could see… across 200 yards of antitank minefield, did you not?”
(Capt. Grey) “Yes sir.”
(Sen. Landers) “And did this man survive?”
(Capt. Grey) “Yes sir, he did.”
(Sen. Landers) “Captain, I wonder if we might have his name for the Congressional Record?”
(Capt. Grey) “Master Chief Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician Garland Stewart, United States Navy, Retired.”
(Sen. Landers) “Captain, I cannot find the words to adequately apologize for the disrespect shown you today by some members of this committee. God bless you sir. Madam Chairman, I have nothing further.”
(Sen. Stoddard) “Thank you, Senator. And, Captain Grey, I thank you for your service, from a grateful nation. Senator Marshall?”
(Sen. Marshall) “Mr. Grey, you and your crew are an impressive bunch, I’ll give you that much. And you certainly seem to know what you are talking about. Still, I’m inclined to agree with Sen. Fairchild; I think you are way out of your league. If this body finds it necessary to restrain you from making a foolish mistake, I trust you will understand that it is in the best interests of the public and not a personal issue.”
(Capt. Grey) “Senator, I understand that Congress will do whatever it feels it has to do. And I would hope that, come what may, you will likewise understand that I will do whatever I have to do to see this mission through to completion.”
(Sen. Marshall) “What are you suggesting, Mr. Grey?”
(Capt. Grey) “Dr. Lú, if you would be so kind.”
(Dr. Lú) “Of course. 如果美国政府决定站在我们的方式，我们将寻求更多合作的政府。坦率地说，我们不是所有的特别。我们都已做好准备来行使各种选项。”
(Sen. Marshall) “Excuse me?”
(Capt. Grey) “Thank you. Ms. Mallory, if you would?”
(Ms. Mallory) “Si le gouvernement américain décide de se dressent sur notre chemin, nous chercherons un gouvernement plus coopératif. Franchement, nous ne sommes pas tout ce que particulières. Nous sommes bien préparés à exercer une variété d'options.”
(Capt. Grey) “Very kind. Dr. Frederick, if you please.”
(Dr. Frederick) “Если правительство Соединенных Штатов принимает стоять на нашем пути, мы будем добиваться более активного сотрудничества правительства. Откровенно говоря мы не все, что особое. Мы также готовы осуществить целый ряд вариантов. Or if you prefer, Förenta staternas regering beslutar att stå på vårt sätt, att vi söka en mer samarbetsinriktad regering. Ärligt talat, vi är inte så särskilt. Vi är väl förberedda att utöva en mängd olika alternativ.”
(Sen. Marshall) “Thank you for the linguistic demonstration Mr. Grey but what is your point?”
(Capt. Grey) “As your Mandarin, French, Russian, and Swedish are apparently a bit rusty, Senator, I’ll translate. If the United States government decides to stand in our way, we will seek a more cooperative government. Frankly, we’re not all that particular. And, as you may surmise, we are well prepared to exercise a variety of options.”
(Sen. Marshall) “I see. Mr. Grey, is that a threat? This is the United States Senate.”
(Capt. Grey) “I am perfectly aware of where I am, Senator. And, no, it is not a threat, merely a statement of fact. If the United States government decides to bury our mission under bureaucracy, we’ll just find another government that is more interested in exploration and discovery than red tape and political cronyism. This mission will go forward, and that’s all there is to it. To paraphrase General Patton, Senator, either lead, follow, or get out of the way!”
(Sen. Marshall) “Madam Chairman, I would request that at this time, the gallery be cleared and we move into closed session.”
(Sen. Stoddard) “No, Senator, I don’t think so. I believe we have heard quite enough testimony today on this matter. Captain Grey, do you have a closing statement?”
(Capt. Grey) “Madam Chairman, I believe I just made it.”
(Sen. Stoddard) “Very well. Captain Grey, Dr. Frederick, Dr. Lú, Commander Nolan, Ms. Mallory, I do apologize if this hearing was a bit rougher than you expected, but there are very serious issues in question here. Thank you all for your testimony. This hearing is adjourned.”
CHAPTER 9
As Jeff and his group walked through the Dirksen Building foyer, heading for the car, they were met by Senator Landers’ executive secretary, Debra Miller. “Could you wait just a moment? The Senator would like to have a word with you.”
Jeff nodded to her. “Sure.”
Abby turned to Jeff. “Think we’re in trouble?”
“Beats me.”
After a minute Senate Landers showed up wearing a broad grin and reached out and shook Jeff’s hand. “Excellent. Good job.” He glanced around at the rest of Jeff’s team. “Good job, all of you. Well done.”
Jeff looked at him a bit surprised. “I thought maybe we laid it on a bit thick at the end there, didn’t make any friends.”
The senator laughed. “And you’re not going to, unless you write them very large checks.”
“I’m not gonna do that.”
“Good for you. Jeff, the last thing on Earth some of those people want to see is for you to succeed. It can’t be allowed. Because if you are successful, you make Reagan’s point – government isn’t the solution, it’s the problem. So, rather than face potential embarrassment, they’re gonna throw up every roadblock they can think of. Better to not do it at all than to let you do it.”
Jeff shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Oh Jesus. What about you?”
Landers smiled. “I happen to think Reagan was right. Look, don’t worry about it, just go on about your business. You can’t win your case in there, don’t waste your time trying. You need to make your case in the court of public opi
nion. Do that, and you’ll put their feet to the fire. But that won’t be easy, because an awful lot of people in this country couldn’t care less if you go to Mars because they don’t see anything in it for them. Jeff, figure out how to turn this into a popularity contest, and win it. That’ll clear the road.”
Jeff nodded. “Gotcha. We’ll work on it. Thank you, Senator. It’s been quite an experience.”
“No problem. Okay, I’ll be in touch. Hang in there.”
“Yes sir, thank you.”
In the limousine on their way back to Manassas airport Gabe hung her head and groaned, “I am exhausted.”
Susan nodded. “Amen to that.”
“As much as I hate to agree with these slackers,” Chrissie said, “they have a point. We ever gonna get a break from this?”
Jeff smiled. “Funny you should ask. Abby, we all set?”
She nodded. “Ready to go.”
They all glanced back and forth at one another. “What are you talking about?” Gabe said.
Jeff nodded. “You’re right. We’re long overdue for a break and Abby and I kind of figured this might be the tipping point, so we, well, she, planned a little vacation.”
Gabe’s eyes brightened. “Really? Where?”
“España. We leave tomorrow evening.”
“Spain?” Gabe gasped.
“Uh huh. So tomorrow pack a bag, you don’t need much; we can get whatever we need over there. Just remember your passports, and let’s go relax for a while.”
Chrissie grinned and nodded. “God I love this job!”
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 (T minus 916 days)
A little past six in the evening, Jeff, Gabe, Abby, Susan and Chrissie settled into the soft leather First Class seats of a British Airways 747 and took off from Boston’s Logan Airport. They changed planes at Heathrow and just before noon the next day landed at Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport outside of Malaga, Spain on the Costa del Sol.
As they departed Customs and headed toward the concourse, Jeff spied a man holding a hand-printed sign that said, “Nolan.” He nudged Abby with his elbow. “That you?”
“I guess. Probably not a lot of Nolans around here.” They walked up to the man and Abby pointed to herself. “Abigail Nolan.”
The man smiled effusively. “Ah, Sí. Welcome to Malaga Señorita Nolan. I am Juan, your car is ready. This way please.”
Parked at the curb, and apparently chaperoned by a uniformed police officer, was a GL-class Mercedes. Juan opened all the doors and handed Abby the keys. “When you return, you may leave the car here and drop off the keys at the Executive Service counter, and we will take care of it for you. Will that be satisfactory?”
Abby nodded. “Thank you. That will do just fine, Juan. Gracias.”
“Gracias, Juan,” said Jeff, and slipped him a €20 note.
“Muchas gracias, Señor.”
Chrissie automatically started for the driver’s seat, but Abby stopped her. “I’ll drive.”
Chrissie shrugged. “Um, okay.”
Jeff took the front passenger seat while Gabe, Susan and Chrissie climbed in back.
Abby pulled away from the curb and headed west.
Gabe asked, “Where are we going?”
“First we’ll stop in Marbella for some lunch,” said Abby. “That’s about a half hour from here. Then we’ll head up into the mountains to a little place called Gaucin.”
“What’s there?”
“In Gaucin? Not much.”
“Then why are we going there?”
Jeff chuckled. “It’s a surprise. You’ll see.”
Susan leaned toward Gabe. “When are you going to learn it’s a waste of time to ask?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just dopey.”
Abby shook her head. “Right, and here we have,” waving her hand around the car, “Happy, Grumpy, Doc and Floozy.”
Gabe stared out the window for a minute then turned back to Abby. “Floozy?”
“Shut up.”
“How do you know so much about this place?”
“I’ve been here before.”
“Why?”
“Like Jeff said, you’ll see.”
They stopped at El Portalón in Marbella for lunch, were seated and ordered drinks. When a waitress arrived with menus, Jeff said. “Almuerzo para cinco. Usted elige.”
The waitress smiled. “Sí Señor,” and left.
Chrissie glanced at Jeff. “I didn’t know you spoke Spanish.”
“Some. I took a couple years in high school, and grew up in southern California where it’s hard not to learn some Spanish. At best I’m tourist fluent.”
“Well, that sounded pretty good.”
“Thanks.”
Gabe frowned. “What did you say to her?”
“Lunch for five, she can choose… I think.”
“We don’t get to look at the menu?”
“Can you read Spanish?”
“No.”
Jeff grinned. “Well?”
“Okay. This should be interesting.” She frowned. “They don’t eat sheep’s eyes or anything like that here, do they?”
Jeff smiled. “Gabe, this is Spain, not Yemen. Relax.”
When the food arrived, Chrissie tentatively took a bite. “Wow! I don’t know what it is, but it’s great,” and they all dug in.
Jeff looked around the table. “Hmmm. Looks like lamb, suckling pig, fresh cod, broiled chicken… Gabe, how are you doing?”
Her mouth full, she was unable to speak, so she just grinned and nodded.
#
Back in the car, Chrissie said, “Whew. That was great.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
Abby wound back through town to the highway then headed west again.
“You seem to know your way around here rather well,” said Susan.
“Like I said, I’ve spent some time here.” 20 miles later, Abby turned north on A-377 and followed the winding highway up into the Sierra Bermeja.
After forty minutes of mountain back roads Chrissie said, “Uh, just out of idle curiosity, Abby, are we lost?”
“No, it’s right up ahead.”
They drove into a small village of sunbaked, whitewashed buildings.
“Welcome to beautiful downtown Gaucin,” said Abby.
Susan stared out the window. “Do they even have a post office here?”
Abby smiled. “I’m not sure they know what a post office is here, but the food’s great.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”
“Over there on the east side of town is Castillo del Aguila, the Eagle’s Castle. It’s of medieval origin, but was built on the foundations of a Roman fortress that probably dates back a couple thousand years.”
Gabe craned to see out the window. “Can we go see it?”
“Boss?” said Abby.
“Sure, but not today, I’m tired.”
They slowly wound westward through the hills for another ten minutes then Abby turned off the highway.
“A gravel road?” said Gabe. “Are we going camping?”
Abby chuckled. “Not exactly.”
A half-mile down the valley Abby turned again and wound up the hill for a quarter-mile, then stopped at a large iron gate in a tall adobe arch. She rolled down her window and entered a code. The gate opened, and she pulled forward and parked in front of a sprawling Mediterranean-style villa.
Jeff peered out the window. “Wow.”
“Oh my god,” said Gabe. “What is this place?”
“My folks’ house,” said Abby as she opened her door and got out. “Grab your gear and come on in.” She unlocked the front door, turned off the alarm, and led them through the foyer, the mezzanine, the gallery, and into the salon. It was late afternoon and the sun was low on the horizon. “Drop your stuff and follow me.” She pushed open the double glass doors and walked across the terrace to the pavilion, surrounded on two sides by the swimming pool. “We’ve got a pool, lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, stables, wine cellar, and any
thing you could possibly want to eat.” She pointed off to the southwest. “That mountain over there is Gibraltar. To the south is the Mediterranean and beyond that, Morocco.”
Susan gasped. “Oh my god, it’s beautiful.”
Abby smiled. “Welcome to Andalusia.”
Jeff looked around. “Stables?”
“Yeah. You can’t see them from here, they’re about a hundred yards down the hill.”
“Horses?”
“No, mom and dad are gone too much. But if you want to ride, there’s a ranch about half a mile from here down at the bottom of the hill that has horses and they’d be happy to saddle one up for you. And there’s lots of country up in these hills to ride in.”
Chrissie stood staring across the Mediterranean, her mouth hanging open. “You said your parents lived in Spain but, wow, I had no idea.”
“They like it.”
“They’re not here?” said Gabe.
“No, they’re in California for a few weeks.”
Jeff pointed to a small building on the other side of the pool. “What’s that?”
“That’s where you’ll usually find me.”
“Huh?”
“The bar.”
“Oh, mercy.”
Abby laughed. “Come on, I’ll show you around. This is the pavilion.” She led them back across the terrace toward the main house. “There’s a shower and bathroom on the left side of the bar there and, at the back of the terrace here, a glass-covered outdoor dining area. Inside, this is the salon. There’s a bedroom and bath over on the left, that’s mine. Up here is the dining room. Through that door is the kitchen and over there, the den. Upstairs here are two more bedrooms with baths. Uh, one disadvantage to this place is that it doesn’t have quite as many bedrooms as Wrentham House, so two of you will have to bunk together, but the back bedroom here is quite large and has two double beds. You can sort out the sleeping arrangements.”
Margaritifer Basin (Margaritifer Trilogy Book 1) Page 30
