The Tsunami

by Marshall Miller

  “Well, investigate away, Commissioner. It frees my people up to insure no other Eaters are floating around.”

  Commissioner Miller turned to a still seething Torbin. “At the risk of losing my teeth, Major, let me tell you what, from a civilian perspective, this all means.”

  He pointed to Torbin. “You, whether you want to admit it or not, are a hero. By definition, a hero is one who has done heroic acts. Key West is an ultimate example of a heroic act.”

  “Now Commissioner…” Torbin tried to interject.

  “Don’t interrupt your elders. You know what heroes and heroic acts mean to the great unwashed civilian masses out there? After having survived some six years of being eaten, beaten, starved, and frozen in the Long Winter? It gives them hope. Hope with a capital ‘H’.”

  He took a deep breath. “So pardon the hell out of me and the rest of the civilians if we want to be part of this ‘hope’ by helping a hero out when we can. It’s a way to say ‘Thank you’. You know about saying ‘thank you’, right Major? I think you just said it to that young Lieutenant’s wife over there. And I bet you will say thank you to that big beast of a dog Captain Young has just taken for a well-deserved rest. So please, do not turn into a prima donna, complaining that the public won’t let you alone. A ‘hero’ has additional responsibilities. Sorry, that is just the way life is. We need you to accept our ‘thank you’. Got it?”

  Commissioner Miller turned to the General. “If you want to chew me out for lecturing one of your officers, have at it. Sorry, but it needed to be said.”

  General Reed laughed. “Chew you out? Hell, I want you as a motivational speaker at the next Basic Training Graduation, especially for the officers. We forget what the civilians are living through, have lived through, and what they need from us. Feel free to remind us anytime.”

  Director Miller tuned to Torbin. “Well Marine, are you going to kick my ass, or shake my hand as I say ‘thank you for your deeds’?” He held out his hand. Torbin took it, the anger gone. It was surprising how sometimes it took someone completely outside your experience to put things in perspective. He noticed some muscle in the beefy man, almost twice Torbin’s age.

  “You don’t miss much, do you, Commissioner?”

  “Years of being an investigator. It becomes second nature.”

  Torbin frowned. “Are you serious about that murder thing?”

  “Well, you and your friends did a real number on some of Great Falls’ not so finest during Oktoberfest. They may have deserved it, but that doesn’t stop them from wanting revenge.”

  The Commissioner paused, looking around. “One reason while I’m in town is that there are a lot of rumors of things, animals, being moved around a lot, especially at night. You move things at night to hide them from prying eyes. Since this whole shebang of mine, Federal Law Enforcement, is still so new, I’m making sure we get a correct start on any investigations. I have a lot of new as well as rusty personnel. We have to get back in the swing of good old police work.”

  Torbin looked at his home. “If there is anything I can do to help…”

  “Well, in the future, I may ask to borrow you from the General for some good old kick ass weapons and combative training. I understand you and Captain Young are the go to experts.”

  “We try, Commissioner. I’m willing, time permitting.”

  General Reed cut in. “I think we can adjust your schedule. I don’t want someone being killed due to poor or no training.”

  At that moment, K-9 Handler Sergeant Martinez approached the group. The Commissioner saw her and turned to address her.

  “Well, Sergeant, did your dog find anything?”

  She snapped to and saluted General Reed and Torbin.

  “So, my people are helping you out already.”

  “Yes General. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “What’s mine is yours, within reason. We’re all in this leaky boat together. So, my good Sergeant, what did you find for the Commissioner?”

  “Sirs, Ginger here picked up strong Eater scent from that bedroom window there, out to the curb there. Then nothing, except she seemed to catch a residue scent in the air when she raised her head, like maybe a vehicle had been parked there with something smelly in it. She showed interest a little ways down the street, then nothing.”

  The Commissioner looked at her intently. “Your dog is good?”

  Her chest swelled a bit. “Sir, my dog’s the best. She’s a Shepherd/Retriever mix, has a fantastic nose, with a strong hunting drive. And she hates Eaters. She’d drag me down the street if she had strong Eater scent.”

  “Well, Sergeant, I think you verified what I thought. Someone figured a way to transport those BEMS without getting eaten themselves, then somehow sicced them on these quarters.”

  “Begging your pardon, Sir, but the forensic people told me there was Eater puke on the window sill.”

  Commissioner Miller smiled. “I love it when a story comes together. Put some Eater vomit, stomach acid as a trail of breadcrumbs that they cannot ignore, as Eaters queue in on other Eaters vomit. It tells them that something is being eaten. Then, they reach the cracked open window, smell prey on the hoof—dog and woman—and go into a feeding frenzy.”

  He looked toward Abigail’s side of the duplex, saw her standing there, about to go in. “Think I can meet this beast of a dog, Fuzz, who spoiled their plans?” He asked the Sergeant.

  “Sir, he’s been sedated. If I may suggest another time?”

  He looked at Sergeant Martinez. “You have a connection with him also, don’t you?”

  The Sergeant smiled a bit sheepishly. “I tried to train him first. He kept trying to eat the kennel master, and just about everyone else. If he hadn’t found Captain Young, he would have been put down.”

  “Ah kismet. Karma. What a wonderful thing. Things often all fit in together for some bigger reason. Like pieces of evidence in an investigation.” He looked at the three military members. “I know, I’m off on a tangent. But mark my words. This will all soon fit together.”

  “General, do you think you can get me the videos from the entrance gates so I can check for vehicles big enough to transport the two Eaters?”

  “Your wish is my command. I’ll get the Base Commander on it right away. He’s at the command post right now.”

  “Thank you, Sir. Hopefully, I’ll have some good targets for investigation in the next few hours.”

  Abigail went into her side of the duplex, glad to be away from all the hustle and bustle. She could hear the beginnings of the repairs to Aleks’ and Torbin’s quarters, happy that someone had gotten to it so fast. She would have been glad to have Aleks stay with her, but she knew that Aleks was more comfortable in her own place. She made her way back to her room and Fuzz. He was still crashed out on her bed, sleeping the sleep of the good and innocent. She smiled. He deserved all the tlc she could give him.

  It was still late afternoon, working into evening, so it was early for Abigail to hit the rack. But, the stress of thinking Fuzz had been seriously hurt was draining. She got her field bed roll from her closet, spread in out next to the bed. She shucked her clothes, striping down to just her panties, slipping on an old t-shirt Torbin had given her. She stretched out next to the bed and Fuzz, was quickly asleep.

  While Abigail slept, the civilian workman did quick work on Torbin’s and Aleks’ place. The hallway, bedroom window and french sliding door were soon as good as new. Torbin obtained the workers’ names, said drinks were on him when they had a chance.

  “Major, just kill a Squid for us the first chance you get,” the senior man, Tom, replied. For the first time, Torbin Bender realized just how connected everyone was to the conflict. He had thought in terms of small actions by the military, forgot that each action he and others took invited swift retaliation on civilian areas. He had been living with a set of blinders, not thinking in terms of a long, strategic war and the effect this would have on everyone, not just the military. That ended now.<
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  “I’ll try to bring a tentacle back for you, Tom. Thanks again.” He shook their hands and watched them leave. Then he went and found Sergeant Sorenson. He approached and stuck out his hand. “Sergeant, please accept my apology. I can be a real asshole sometimes. Your brother-in-law’s people did an excellent job. I owe you and them.”

  Sgt. Sorenson smiled. “No problem, Major. They just like to feel useful. They have felt helpless for much too long.”

  “Well, tell your friends and relatives that I forgot who we really work for. The military exists for the protection of all the men, women, and children around the world. They do not exist for our own benefit. So, tell them thanks again, Sergeant Sorenson.”

  As Torbin was thanking the good Sergeant, Commissioner of Enforcement Miller was getting the first bits of information from the base entrance gates and his forensic personnel that tended to confirm his worst fears. But he was not ready to share them with others. Not yet.

  Abigail slept on, as Aleks was brought home with a clean bill of health, her unborn children still not ready for a full birth yet. Torbin bundled her off to bed, his wife falling asleep in his arms. He said an infrequent prayer, thanking the ultimate boss for creating such a beast as Fuzz. Then he fell asleep, to dream of his unborn sons.

  It was late and dark when Abigail was awoken with a slurping canine kiss.

  She reached out to her furry friend. “How’re you feeling, fella?” He nuzzled her, telling her he needed to go out. She got out of her bed, shivering in the cold. She used little artificial heat in her home, as she was used to using her own body heat as well as Fuzz’s to warm the area they were in at any given moment. She let Fuzz out the sliding door, leaving it open despite the cold. She knew Fuzz would be wary of any closed doors between him and his “people” for a while. She concentrated and stopped her body from shivering, almost enjoying the cold. When Fuzz finished and re-entered the home, Abigail shut and locked the door.

  They both returned immediately to the main bedroom, where Fuzz stopped at the bed and looked at Abigail. She smiled, crawled in first under the covers. Fuzz then followed, doing the traditional circling and nest making, then laying close to Abigail. This was the routine each night.

  She put her left arm around Fuzz. “Big fella, you are better than any teddy bear. You are loved. Always remember that.” Fuzz “woofed”, and thumped his tail once. Abigail said a nightly prayer thanking the Lord again for having Fuzz find her, then set her internal clock. Tomorrow would be another busy day.

  CHAPTER 11

  I have found during my research that most everyone, both the public and historians, forget about many of the characters who orbited the sphere of control near Director Lloyd. They existed and some would come to play extremely important roles in Tschaaa and human relations.

  -Excerpts from the Works of Princess Akiko, Free Japan Royal Family

  KEY WEST, FLORIDA

  Adam Lloyd, Chief Hamilton, and Heidi walked down the dock to the Admiral’s Hatteras yacht the morning of Fuzz verses the Eaters. The Admiral had asked the two men to come with him on a “men only” fishing outing, with his “Amazons” and Heidi to remain on shore. He said it was for “male bonding”, but the three women knew it more likely a discussion of something the three officials wanted to keep as private as possible. The Amazons—Susanne and Sharon, respectively—had been with the Admiral some five years, being his now highly trained bodyguards and companions. They had become used to the Admiral’s desire for secrecy, so long as it did not interfere with their protection of him.

  “Permission to come aboard, Admiral,” Adam called out.

  “Permission granted. Stow your gear, grab a beer, and we’ll be under way.”

  Adam turned to Heidi. “Here are the vehicle keys. I have no idea how long we will be out. Sometimes these fishing outings turn more into voyages of discovery. If you need to head back to Base, go ahead. The Admiral will make sure we get home safe and sound.”

  “If it’s alright with you Boss, I’ll just hang around with the two ladies here. I imagine we can find something to do.”

  Adam shrugged. “Suit yourself. I don’t want you to feel stuck, waiting for me.

  Susanne, the Amazon brunette, smiled. “Don’t worry, Director. We’ll keep her entertained and secure.”

  Adam smiled back. “I imagine you will.” He faced the boat. “Shall I shove off, Admiral?”

  “Yes. Undo the bow and stern lines. Daylights a-wasting.”

  The three female bodyguards watched as the Admiral made a skillful exit from the dock area, out to the passages and channels thru the reef areas. If someone did not know the Keys or the reefs, they could wind up with a trashed propeller and a broken prop shaft quite easily.

  “He actually knows how to drive that thing, doesn’t he?” Heidi asked.

  “Yes, he does.” Sharon, the blonde, answered.

  “Now, let’s head up to the main building. There is a nice hot tub there we can use.” Fall in southern Florida was quite nice during the day, even if it was a bit cold at night. In fact, the daytime temperature was nicely warm, rather than hot and humid like the summer heat.

  The three ladies made their way up to the hot tub and jacuzzi. Susan went to the nearby wet-bar and made margaritas for the three. They went to the jacuzzi, Sharon turning it on. “The filters were just cleaned, and the water flushed, so I guess you can say this is a ‘virgin’ pool.”

  Heidi laughed. “Virgin. Hell, I wish it could make me a virgin again.”

  The three laughed as they unselfconsciously shed their clothes, and climbed in nude. Heidi could not help but notice the tight and well-shaped bodies of the two Amazons. Nearly six feet tall each, their legs were long and shapely, hips smooth and rounded.

  “I have to ask. Sharon. Susan. What did you do before you wound up here? You did not get those strong bodies overnight. Or, just since you hooked up with the Admiral.”

  “Well, Heidi, while you was joining the Coast Guard before the first rock strike, Susan and I were beach volleyball players. We were quite good, if I say so myself.”

  “Yes,” Susanne chimed in. “We had gotten out of high school, and were headed to college or maybe an Olympic slot. A coach of the last team that had medaled saw us during a local competition put on by some major beer company, and really liked us. The fact we blew the competition away helped. We are both tall, fast, good spikers and servers. Not to mention having a kickass defense.” The two friends laughed.

  “We were on a small team bus the beer company had provided, heading to another put on competition as part of an advertising campaign. It was to be our last, the Olympic coach told us to call him just as soon as we were done. Man, you should have seen all the guys with their tongues hanging out.

  All three women laughed. Then Sharon frowned. “The first rock hit while we were on the road up toward Georgia. Then another and another. The bus pulled over at a rest stop. Everyone was panicking around us. Things began to fall apart as Atlanta was hit. Then the harvesters started coming down.” She shivered despite the warm water.

  “One landed on the freeway, a couple of miles away, part of the first wave. Twelve hours in, the sun was down and we were huddled with several other women in the bus. About a half hour after the landing, the first harvester robs showed up in the rest area. The rest is a bloody blur.”

  Susanne slid over and put her arms around Sharon. “Every time we talk about this, it’s like it happened just last week,” said Susan. “We were friends from high school, first time away from our parents.” A tear ran down Sharon’s cheek. Susanne wiped it away and kissed her on the cheek. “We made it through, though. We had each other’s backs, didn’t we, Sharon?” Sharon smiled, and kissed her back.

  “Somehow, we made it to Florida in a borrowed RV. Found this strange gentleman’s club that had become an oasis in a desert of destruction and panic. That’s where we met Hernando and John.”

  Now it was Sharon’s turn to continue the story. “Aft
er a short conversation with Hernando, the manager and now owner of the place by default, we put together a ‘show’ for the clientele. Hernando and John the bouncer became like big brothers to us after we made sure they understood we were nobody’s bitches. They hired a couple of armed security guys, made sure we had plenty of guns and ammo, which they sometimes took as payment. Thanks to our prodding, we soon had a full time doctor for us and the other women, as Hernando located and hired some local talent to provide sexual services in a luxury tour bus they found. We talked them into building a workout room in the back, put some weight machines, treadmills and stuff, so we could keep in fighting trim.”

  Heidi looked at the two women. “I have to ask. What was the show you put together?”

  “Why, some good old lesbian action.” Susan answered. “Nothing keeps a guy’s attention like two beautiful women fooling around with each other. And yes, we like men. But we also really like, love each other.”

  Sharon continued. “We added some catfight scenes, storylines, and gymnastics. We dressed in historical costumes. Soon, it became more like a theatrical production than a nudie bar. Broadcast television was pretty dead, except for some people who tried to keep a couple of local stations broadcasting in the clear. They only showed old movies, religious rants, pornography, or weird self-help shows depending on who was in charge that week. So, just like ancient men and women huddled around the campfire, telling stories to ward off the night and the demons, that was us in the club. There was no government, so the Toy Shop became a meeting place for locals to make deals, knowing it was a big neutral zone. No one wanted to screw-up a good thing—a place where you could relax, and drink alcohol that wouldn’t make you blind.

  Pablo, a Mexican hiding his family from the harvesters, showed up with this huge taco truck one day. Soon, we had a kitchen, and served food. The barter system set up meant people brought in fresh fish, meat, canned goods that were in good condition, and some fruit and vegetables. It became the community meeting place. We were not hit as hard by the Long Winter as most.”