The dependent wife, Mrs. Brown, had been easy. After telling her the exact questions she would be asked and letting her know how great she looked in the new dress she had gotten, Sue Brown had finally calmed down a bit. “I’m sorry Ma’am,” the young wife said. “I’ve never been on television before. I don’t want to make a fool of myself, and embarrass my husband.”
“This from a woman who tried to take on Eaters barehanded? Come on.”
She blushed. “I just did what anybody would do, I tried to help. Fuzz did all the hard work, fighting those Eaters.”
With the mention of the dog, Alesha felt a quick stab of fear that she quickly suppressed. She needed to get through this night, get by this fear. Then she planned on getting a bit smashed.
“You’ll do just fine.” She flashed her best smile at the woman, then sent her to back to her waiting husband. Alesha took a deep breath. Now, she had to meet the war dog.
She walked to the back of the stage and waited. Almost immediately, she heard the sound of human footsteps, and the sound of a dog snuffling a bit as it checked out all the new smells. Captain Abigail Young, resplendent in her dress blues, came with a very large dog at her side. Sergeant Fuzz, K-9 War Dog. He was now rapidly becoming a national symbol, a hero. Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, every Hollywood dog hero rolled into one, in the flesh. Alesha tried to take a step forward and froze. Waves of fear she had not known still existed froze her like a statute as Captain Young, seeing her, came forward with a smile and her hand extended. Then she saw the look of abject fear in Alesha’s eyes as the broadcaster fixed her gaze entirely on Fuzz.
“Fuzz, halt. Sit.” She gave the commands in English, so that Alesha could understand. Fuzz responded as if it were Romanian, being bilingual. Abigail slowly stepped up to Alesha.
“You are deathly afraid of dogs, aren’t you?”
Somehow, Alesha croaked out, “Yes.”
Abigail smiled a bit. “Well, Fuzz is not a dog. He is just a big teddy bear in disguise. See, I’ll show you.” With a couple of quick commands, Fuzz stood up, took a step forward. He then laid down, rolled over on to his back, legs up and sprayed out, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. He did not move.
“That’s his ‘dead bug’ impression. Major Bender helped develop it.” She took Alesha’s hand, slowly lead her forward. The black woman began to shake.
“It’s okay, Ma’am. I’ve got complete control. Now just kneel down, and I’ll let you see how soft Fuzz’s teddy bear fur is.”
Somehow, Alesha let Abigail guide her hand toward Fuzz’s chest. “Scratch, here, and here. That’s it.”
Alesha scratched the soft chest and stomach fur of the canine. And of course, thanks to thousands of years of relations with mankind, Fuzz’s right rear leg began to jerk and kick a bit as he let out little grunts and sighs of doggy pleasure.
“See, he likes that.”
Alesha kept scratching, as a tear ran down her cheek.
“Were you bitten once?” Abigail asked.
“Chased and tracked. I heard my relatives get dragged down,” Alesha answered, her voice quavering.
“Well, dogs are shaped by the people around them. So there are good ones and bad ones. Just like us.”
Alesha was shaking a bit, so Abigail decided to try something else. “So, Ma’am, go ahead and stop scratching. Now, go ahead and sit back a bit while I reposition Fuzz.”
Alesha was wearing a nice pants suit so she sat back cross legged. Slowly, Abigail had Fuzz rise up, and move to the broadcaster’s right side. She then gently took Alesha’s right arm and placed it around the canine’s neck.
“Go ahead. Hug him like he is a person. He is, you know. He just has four legs instead of two.”
Alesha slowly, cautiously followed Abigail’s directions. Later she would think about how trusting she was of this stranger. After all, she knew Abigail Young only by reputation. As she began to hug Fuzz with one arm, Abigail took her left arm and had it join her right, slightly turning her body. Before she knew it, Alesha was feeling Fuzz’s soft, warm fur on her cheek. Fuzz began to laugh in the slight huffing manner dogs do that often goes unnoticed by humans. At that, Fuzz’s tongue lolling with pleasure from his mouth, Alesha began to gently sob. Fuzz, realizing this nice lady was sad, did what dogs did with sad humans. He gave her a doggy kiss, a lick, then another as he tried to lick her tears away.
“Sorry about your makeup Ma’am. Fuzz loves to give women doggy kisses. He is quite the ladies man.”
Alesha began to hug Fuzz a bit tighter. She had not realized how much she had missed the feel of a teddy bear like large creature. She had blocked out all her childhood experiences with dogs after the near fatal escape of her mother and her. Now, these memories all came rushing back. The memories of warm fur, happy barks, rolling around on grass as a family dog licked and nuzzled her. She buried her face into the furry shoulder of Fuzz, feeling the muscles underneath.
Finally, Alesha let go, leaning back a bit. Abigail had Fuzz sit in front of Alesha, so they could easily see each other. The pretty black lady wiped her face with her hands, then smiled. “My makeup is trashed. Some of it’s on Fuzz. Sorry.”
Abigail smiled. “No need to apologize. Like I said, Fuzz is a ladies man. He’s used to getting makeup on him.”
Fuzz extended the Paw of Friendship. Alesha took it, and shook it. Then, she leaned forward and kissed him on the nose. He caught her with a quick slurp before she could back out. Alesha giggled.
“I feel like a little girl again, on a summer afternoon. I grew up with dogs. I have just blocked almost all my memories out since my mother and I escaped.” She paused. “My mother had to kill one with a knife she had as we fled from the main group. It was going after me when she jumped in front, let it bite her.” She shivered. “As we ran, we could hear the screams of the others as the dogs and assholes got them. Some were my cousins. We haven’t seen a family member since.”
She looked at Abigail. “Thank you and Fuzz for helping me recover some pleasant memories, the summers I had with dogs before the Squids showed up. I have forgotten how nice it is to hug a furry dog, get licked in the face. Unconditional love from a dog is something I’ve completely missed due to my fear. Now, I can think about having a dog in my life, and my mom’s life.”
Abigail looked at Fuzz. Then, she spoke to him in Romanian, touching Alesha to draw his attention to the woman even more. Whatever Abigail said, he seemed to understand it. “What did you tell him? And is that Romanian? I had heard that you talked to him in Romanian.”
“Yes, it is Romanian. Someone, possibly connected to my uncle the dog trainer at one time, trained him in Romanian. Sometimes it helps when other people can’t tell what you are saying. When I speak Romanian to him, he knows it is serious.”
“So, if I can be nosey, what did you say?”
“I told him that he needed to guard you. To protect. You are now one of a handful of people he has filed away as being worthy of protection. Which means he will kill for you. Not to be taken lightly.”
Alesha shivered. “Is that what he was doing when the Eaters tried to get to Major Smirnov?”
Abigail gave a wry smile. “Yes. Though some of that is because she was pregnant. He thinks of it as with pups, so he is protecting future members of “his” pack. See, we belong to him. He only listens to me because he loves me. And I love him.”
Alesha snorted. “That’s like a lot of men. Other than the one woman they love, the rest of us are just so much window dressing. And sometimes that one woman is treated like window dressing.”
The two women chuckled a bit. Then. Alesha stood up. “I need to get cleaned up. This whole shebang is going to be televised. Afterwards, I interview Mrs. Brown, then you and Fuzz. I don’t think you’ll need any preparation. You seem able to handle almost anything.”
“Well, I’d not go that far. Warrior related things I’m good at. With other subjects and activities not warrior-related I have gaps and blind spots. Including soci
al activities with men. How men and women are supposed to act around each other away from military operations or fighting still confuses me.”
Alesha laughed. “Lady, it confuses everyone. Especially when we have Squids trying to screw with our hormones and DNA, at the same time as we are in danger of being eaten by them.”
Alesha stuck her hand out. “You’ll do just fine. Just wait after the memorial and award services by the stage entrance. My producer will let you know when to come up for the Interview. We’ll wait until people are leaving, then do the interviews with the backdrop of the ceremonial area. Seeing that big U.S. flag behind us as we talk will focus the audience on what the story we are trying to tell.”
Abigail looked a bit puzzled as she shook the proffered hand, “What story is that, Ma’am?”
“It’s Alesha. Ma’am is my mom. The story is that no matter what the Squids and their minions throw at us, we’ll bounce back. Because of people like Mrs. Brown and yourself. And people like Fuzz there. The bastards cannot keep us down.”
Alesha introduced Abigail to her Producer, Patty Lindstrom, a middle-aged stocky brunette with soon to be permanent facial worry lines. As Patty walked Abigail and Fuzz back toward the seating area, Abigail noticed in passing some workmen bringing equipment into the auditorium. She started to answer some background question that the Producer had just asked when Fuzz topped and stood stock still. Abigail stopped and looked to where Fuzz was looking, his nose working furiously. A low growl began in his chest, the sound that his action engine was revving up. Abigail quickly stepped up and touched his collar.
“What is it, Fuzz?” Now noticing his human was with him, he began to walked purposefully toward where the workmen was unloading large boxes and pieces of equipment.
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” Abigail threw over her shoulder to the Producer as she went with Fuzz.
Two of the men had just finished manhandling a very large box from the back of an electric moving cart. Though made of thick cardboard, the bottom had been reinforced with wooden slats. Fuzz was agitated and went straight to the box, growling.
“Hey lady, watch your dog.” A greasy-looking skinny man called at her.
“What’s in the box, gentlemen,” Abigail asked with a smile.
“None of your fricking business.” This came from a stockier, taller man.
“No need to be rude. It’s just that my dog senses something…wrong.” Fuzz, heard the aggressive tones of the two men and tried to keep an eye on them and the box.
“Well, it’s just equipment for this ceremony. Don’t ask me exactly, I’m just paid to de….”
Something in the box moved, shaking the box. Fuzz went nuts, growling, barking and circling.
“Equipment doesn’t move…” Abigail did not have the chance to add ‘on its own’ as the taller man slashed at her with a box cutter. He didn’t stand a chance. Before he realized it, he was down on the floor with a broken wrist and dislocated elbow, screaming. The skinny man tried to run and draw a pistol at the same time. He made about two strides when Fuzz slammed into him. The K-9 probably weighed as much the skinny man and had more muscle. The result was the man was slammed into the wall next to the double loading area door, the pistol he was pulling knocked from his grasp. He screamed as Fuzz sunk his teeth into the man’s groin, the canine jerking and twisting his head. The war dog released and the man slumped to the floor, still screaming.
Then there were many Military Police with assault rifles around everywhere. They recognized Abigail, as they had all trained with her and Torbin. “Captain Young. What is going on here?” The NCO in command asked as his men covered and then began to restrain the two injured men.
“There is something alive in that box they don’t want anyone to see. They tried to pull a box cutter and a pistol on Fuzz and I.”
Sergeant Renfro, a tall redhead, laughed. “Didn’t know you, did they?”
“I guess not, but the box is still moving.” Whatever was in the box was now becoming agitated also. Then Abigail heard a cry and almost scream that she had heard many times before.
“Eater. It’s an Eater!”
“Shotgun!” Sgt. Renfro commanded. An E-3 stepped up with a buckshot loaded 12 gauge pump. He pointed at the box just as a claw began ripping the side of the box open. Two point blank rounds stopped the escape attempt of the Eater. By now, everyone in the world was showing up. The President was to arrive at any time. She couldn’t if things were not secure. Not to mention all the people who would be in attendance.
The Military Police checked every single box after locking down the area. A Hazmat team showed up, wrapped up the Eater containing box with heavy duty plastic and then removed it. Alesha and her Producer Patty were shuffled off to the side as all this was being done, and watched. Fuzz, not trusting the humans’ noses, checked every single box with his nose, then walked over to stand with Abigail.
“Good dog, big fella. Everyone missed that. But not you.” She scratched his ears, and Fuzz grunted in appreciation. Then she turned her head and noticed Alesha and Patty standing, a large MP in full battle rattle next to them. She turned and walked toward the two women, Fuzz automatically in tow.
The MP snapped to attention, and saluted. “Good afternoon, Captain Young.”
“Good Afternoon, Corporal. I’ll stay with them if you can be used elsewhere.”
“Yes Ma’am. Thank you. Just wanted to make sure they were safe and out of the way.” Abigail knew it was probably more of the latter than the former reason. The Corporal turned and saluted them, then Abigail. “Ladies,” he said, then turned to regain his unit.
Alesha looked at Abigail. “I just happened to turn around and saw all that. Are you and Fuzz always this quick and…deadly?”
“When need to be, Ma’am, I mean Alesha.” The broadcaster looked at the Avenging Angel. She had been told stories about this young lady, younger than herself. She had to admit she had hesitations, questions when she had heard that Abigail was from Deseret, thanks to the stories about how they had treated people of color. Now, after the time with her and Fuzz, then seeing her in action, Alesha could not imagine Abigail doing anything wrong, hurtful, to the innocent. To the enemy, to evil doers, she was a wraith.
“That thing woke up too early, was going to be released during the ceremonies, services, that was the plan, wasn’t it”
“Probably, yes, Alesha. Many people would have been injured in the panic. The Eater might have hurt, even killed people before being brought down.”
“One of them could have been me, Patty here, or the President.”
“That was probably the plan. Even with no fatalities, the terror they generated would have been a strong message that they are a lot stronger, these Krakens and Squids, than we realize. That we exist at their pleasure, nothing more.”
Alesha shivered a bit. She looked at Fuzz, who seemed nonchalant about the whole affair, now that the Military Police had taken control. “He sensed something wrong, didn’t he?”
Abigail smiled. “He has a good nose, is always on duty, and like all dogs, hates Eaters. I have heard they have a similar reactions to Squids, lizards, and grays. Dogs can tell that they did not originate here on Earth, and do not belong here.”
“Can I pet him?” Patty asked.
“Yes. Fuzz, come closer.” Fuzz stepped up and Patty began to pet, then scratched his ears. He groaned and grunted in appreciation. The middle-aged woman smiled.
“We owe him. And you. You two make quite the team. I think that will show through during the interview.”
“If I don’t get too nervous,” answered Abigail. “I’m not used to being on television.”
“You’ll do just fine,” said Patty. “I’ve been in this business for almost twenty years, survived the Long Winter. I can see naturals when I see them. You two are naturals for television.”
Before Abigail could answer, someone called out, “Ten hut! General in area.”
Abigail automatically came to attention, and
saw General Reed approaching. Fuzz automatically stood to also, sitting tightly next to his mistress. General Reed saw her, and veered off toward her.
“Captain Young. I understand you and Fuzz have been busy again. I thought you were here for a ceremony, not to work.”
Abigail snapped her signature parade ground salute and the General returned it. “We couldn’t help it, Sir. Fuzz got a whiff of the Eater, everything else just followed.”
The General looked at the K-9. “Sergeant, I wish you could talk human. I would sure like to know what goes on in that brain of yours. Well, I’ll guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with the results.”
Fuzz looked at him as if to say, “What did you expect?” Fuzz did what came naturally to him. Protecting his humans was his natural function. And he did it quite well.
The General then looked at the broadcaster and her producer. “Ladies, I can tell you got a good look see at the workings of this big beastie and his mistress here. I hope you can get what they do across to everyone watching tonight. This will let people know the type of personnel, soldiers we have in this war.”
“Yes, General, that is what we hope to do,” Alesha said. She stuck her hand out for the General to shake. “I hope I can interview you sometime, about your job.”
The General shook her hand, then snorted. “I am old, boring, and not sexy enough for television. I’d put everyone to sleep. Keep the televised interviews with the youngsters on the front lines, like the good Captain here. She and Fuzz are a lot more photogenic than I am.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I need to make sure everything is secure for Madam President.” He turned to Abigail. “Carry on, Captain, Sergeant Fuzz.” He gave her a quick wink with his off eye so the two media people did not see it. Abigail snapped a salute back, trying not to smile. Sometimes, he felt like a father to her. It was a nice feeling.
After he walked away, Abigail turned to Alesha and Patty. “I’m going to head down, to get a good seat. Most of the pall bearers of the three coffins are my friends. I like them to see me, know I’m there for support. Dealing with children’s deaths is difficult.”
The Tsunami Page 45
