“OK, smart-ass, let's see what we've got here.” Tzu opened the file of Hospice Nurse, Warrant Officer Ann-Marie Bournelle. The file had the customary military data, but it was the special background information that Piper had dug up that really caught his attention.
Before the Nibiru flyby, Bournelle ran one of the best brothels in all of Northern Nevada. She managed a clean and lively shop, paid her taxes and earned the loyalty of her ladies of the night and gentlemen customers alike. One of those customers, it seems, happened to be certain Colonel Arthur Jones of the NRO, a.k.a. Master Sergeant Vigo Jones. According to several of the interviews, she personally serviced Jones and nobody else."
“How the hell did you get this, Piper?"
“One of those favor-for-a-favor, clerk kinds of things."
“And of course you are not free to divulge your sources?"
“Can't go there,” he winked. “Shall I send her in?"
“OK, Radar, send her in?"
“Radar?"
* * * *
THE UNIFORMED NURSE seated before him was a remarkably attractive 38-year old redhead with soft green eyes. Warrant Officer Ann-Marie Bournelle's personnel file was filled with glowing performance reviews, and the Los Gatos Triage Center would be her first assignment in California. If the chemistry between her and Jarman worked out, she'd be shipping out for Los Gatos with him that afternoon after they get their injections.
“You have an excellent record,” remarked Tzu while trying to keep his eyes off of her voluptuous figure and plump, perky breasts. He shuffled some papers and held up the personnel jacket so he could only see her round, glowing face and tied-back auburn, bouncy hair over the edge of the folder. “My clerk tells me that you have something I need to hear. What is it?"
His visual avoidance humored Ann-Marie, who was well accustomed to being ogled by men. “Look, let's be frank. I used to run a brothel in Nevada. It's all there in your file, and if isn't, I'd be surprised since your orderly room clerk is such a clever fellow. When this posting for Las Gatos came up, I saw an old name on the roster that rung a bell, which is why I want this posting. You see, I personally took very few johns myself and the ones I did were strong, interesting and mysterious. One of them was a man seeking comfort after being widowed for almost a year. He goes by the name of Sergeant Vigo Jones.” Ann-Marie leaned back into her chair, relaxed and enjoyed the interesting play of expressions upon Tzu's face that was now faking surprise to the best of his ability.
After a moment, Tzu rubbed his jaw reflectively and finally said, “Warrant Officer Bournelle..."
“Please just call me Ann-Marie, or Ms. Bournelle if you wish,” she said nonchalantly.
Tzu nodded gently, “Very well, Ann-Marie. Tell me in exactly ten words or less, the most important thing I should know about this man."
Ann-Marie held up her hand. “Interesting question. Before I answer that, I want you to know I'm glad you decided to call me Ann-Marie."
“And why is that?” he asked with a curious grin.
She chuckled a bit and finally answered, “I never put my trust in people who call me Ms. Bournelle, because they're usually the type that ask expensive questions. You know, like lawyers and tax auditors."
Tzu chuckled. “I'm no lawyer,” he said waving his hands. “Not that my dear departed Mother didn't try to push me into law school.” They both laughed. “But I do have one very pointed question for you. To whom do you give your loyalty?"
Ann-Marie's eyes shot up. “That's a pretty direct question, so let me answer it the way I know best. I'm loyal to whoever is paying the freight, and in this case, that would be you."
Tzu smiled warmly. “Wise answer, Ann-Marie, and thankfully brief as well. Let me be equally brief. Sometime this morning, hopefully sooner than later, a truck is going to pull up in front of my dome with two men in it, both of whom will be stationed in Los Gatos. One is this Sergeant Jones fellow we've already discussed. The other, is an ELMO by the name of Captain Anthony Jarman."
“You've got to be kidding me,” she stammered. “Everybody in my MOS knows about him. I get to work with Jarman?” Excitement and admiration resonated in her voice.
“If he accepts you, yes. Given your unique abilities, I'm sure that will not be a concern."
“I'll try my best,” she said with wide eyes.
“I know you will; however I need to get to the crux of the matter. Simply put, I believe this Sergeant Jones shares some history with Jarman. How or what, I have no idea but it does exist. With this in mind, I need you to tell me in exactly ten words or less, the most important thing I should know about Jones."
Ann-Marie quickly saw where things were going. Keep an eye on Vigo while working under Jarman's command or go back to the assignment pool, and wait for whatever boring assignment came next, which was not her style. She preferred mysterious challenges.
“In answer to your question, the most important thing you need to know about Jones, is that he is as honest as he can be. And yes, I'll be your eyes and ears in Los Gatos, providing Jarman gives me the OK."
They shook hands and struck a bargain that day that would never appear on any scrap of paper, nor ever be mentioned to any third parties. Yet, it would endure longer than either could imagine.
“Wait in the mess hall till my clerk sends for you."
“We're going to ambush Jones, huh?"
Tzu laughed. He picked up a small book up from credenza. “This was written twenty four hundred years ago. It's called the Art of War by Sun Tzu. You might find it interesting while you're enjoying your coffee, or whatever they call that brackish mop water they serve these days. Just remember to give it back to me."
“Sure. By the way, are you any relation to this Sun Tzu fellow."
“I'd dearly like to think so, but I doubt it."
* * * *
VIGO DROVE THE truck up to the Port Ord main gate and showed the guard their orders. Anthony could see a wanted poster taped to the back of the guard's clipboard. He recognized the faces of the men he'd seen in Vigo's memories—the ones he had killed as easily as one would when snapping a chicken's neck. He answered a few questions posed to him by the guard as he slowly smoked his cigarette. Satisfied with their credentials, the guard showed them how to find Colonel Tzu's dome and lifted the gate arm so they could pass.
Vigo parked his truck across the street from Tzu's office, and the two men walked into the dome and introduced themselves to the orderly room clerk. Despite his rough looks, Anthony was somewhat rested. Vigo, on the other hand, looked far less tired than he actually felt. The man was trained for endurance.
Moments later, the two were standing in front of Tzu's desk. “Please be seated.” He pointed at the chairs in front of his desk and cleared his voice. “I wish I had time for civilities today, but I don't. So let's get to it. Captain Jarman, your next duty station will be the Los Gatos Triage Center. Sergeant Jones, you will be assigned there as well, as their fixer. As you know, the Three Gorges virus has hit the Bay Area, and this morning, the new UNE governor has put a new quarantine order into effect. Any civilian that sets foot in a triage center doesn't leave until he or she dies, or the quarantine is lifted. Before you ship out this morning, each of you will get a flu vaccine shot. Keep in mind, gentlemen, that this stuff is more precious than gold and in very limited supply. Only medical and key governmental personnel can get it and it's not foolproof either. It's only about seventy percent effective, but if you follow the protocols like you're told, you shouldn't have any problems."
Tzu's already somber tone darkened even further. “Now, how dangerous is this situation? Well, cute phrases like ‘in the event our efforts to contain it should fail,’ are pure crap. Before the Nibiru flyby, we had the resources to save people. Now, we're simply stretched too thin. I'm afraid we're facing a huge epidemic with a substantial loss of life in the Bay Area, and if we cannot contain it, God only knows where else it'll go."
Pausing to take a sip of his Ginseng tea, he ope
ned a side drawer, removed a leather folder and passed it to Vigo. “Everything you'll need for your first assignment is in that folder. You're to drive down to San Diego, and pick up a load of medical supplies, including several kilograms of pure heroine from the DEA. In addition to the usual folk, Captain Jarman, here, is also authorized to sign for the heroin when you deliver it to Los Gatos."
Tzu slowly stood up, and Vigo and Anthony both rose with him until he pointed a hand at Anthony. “Please remain seated, Captain. We have several other matters to discuss.” Vigo continued to rise as Anthony sat back down with a curious glance. “One of my staff is already waiting for you at your truck, Sergeant. He'll show you to your quarters and expedite the servicing of your vehicle. Also, be absolutely sure to stop by the dispensary and get inoculated. The rest is all in that bag you're holding. Now, unless you have any other questions, Sergeant Jones, you are dismissed."
“Everything is quite clear, sir,” Vigo answered with a crisp salute.
* * * *
PIPER HAD WAITED for this moment with eager anticipation and struggled to keep a straight face as the knob on the inner door between his office area and Colonel's Tzu's private office turned crisply. He took one last look at Ann-Marie Bournelle sitting patiently with a small book in her hand. “It's show time!” he whispered out loud. She winked back at him and turned her face to the window.
As he walked to the door, Vigo felt his exhaustion draining him more quickly now. That last ten yards was always the worst. Now, all he wanted was a hot shower, a cool cot and a little privacy. The rest would be details.
Then, mid-stride, he saw her and froze in his tracks. She turned and zoomed in on his eyes. “Oh my,” she exclaimed softly as she rose to meet him, “You know, Sergeant, you're so cute I might just tuck you in my purse and take you home."
Vigo stood there in total amazement, his jaw grinding noiselessly for words. First, the handshake thing with Anthony and now this—how was he to play it? He saw her sitting next to a young private and waived his finger at them. “So are you two an item?” he joked.
She cocked an eye at him and leered. “Vigo, behave yourself."
Piper loved every moment of the encounter. Watching this gruff old sergeant getting caught flatfooted by this madam was a pure joy to behold and so he decided to make things more difficult for Jones. He gestured to the young man to come to his desk. “Stand and report."
The young soldier did as he was instructed and announced himself. “Private First Class Charlie Gibbs reporting for duty as the new aide for Captain Anthony Jarman. I will also be his armorer.” Gibbs looked like most of the young kids in the military these days—tall, skinny and alert, although he did have piercing black eyes and a strong jaw that seemed to indicate a bit more depth than usual.
However, Piper's interest was keenly focused on how the sergeant was now smiling at Ann-Marie Bournelle. His face was filled with a gentle radiance that just seemed to melt her like butter as a friendly connection clicked in their eyes. The picture was undeniable; they'd seen some history together and genuinely liked each other. Piper stood up. “You have your orders, sergeant, and someone from the motor pool will be here in about ten minutes or so to help you with your vehicle and quarters."
He gestured towards the door to Tzu's office “Warrant Officer Ann-Marie Bournelle and Private First Class Charlie Gibbs, please follow me."
Ann-Marie winked at Vigo, “Time for us to present our bona fides to the boss I guess. Catch you later, handsome."
* * * *
THE MOTOR POOL sergeant pulled up next to Tzu's dome in a freshly serviced HUMVEE. It was already loaded with Bournelle's personal gear, and Vigo helped him pack in the rest belonging to Jarman and his new orderly, Charlie Gibbs.
Corporal Piper joined them and instructed Charlie that he would drive Jarman and Bournelle to Los Gatos in the HUMVEE after they got their injections at the dispensary.
Meanwhile, the motor pool sergeant climbed into the passenger side of Vigo's truck and waited for him. The sergeant would see to it that he got what he needed along with a shower, a hot meal and some much needed rest.
Bournelle opened the rear door of the HUMVEE as Vigo walked up to her and pointed to an empty spot between Tzu's dome and the one next to it. “May I speak with you in my office Ann-Marie?"
She smiled. “We'll need to make it kinda quick, but yes.” He led her around the back of the dome to a private place, away from prying eyes.
“I'm glad to see you're alive, Ann-Marie.” He exclaimed happily, as he wrapped his arms around her in a big, warm hug.
“You too, Vigo,” she replied warmly. “Honey, you'll always be the brick for me."
“So, what are you doing here?"
“Being a hospice nurse just seemed like the thing to do. Besides, I'm a pretty darn lucky gal to be working for Captain Jarman.” Then she poked a stiff finger in his chest. “I haven't got to know him yet, but I can tell you this already. If anyone wants to get him, they'll have to come through me."
He put his lips to her ear and said, “For the record, Ann-Marie, anybody who wants to hurt Jarman will not have to go through you. He'll have to go through us. So listen; you just do your job the best way you see fit and we'll both get along just fine.” He kissed her gently on the cheek and gently pulled her towards him, “After all the bombs, bugs, shakes, waves and who know what else, we're both still alive. Seeing you again, Ann-Marie, does my heart good."
She had always loved his scent and wanted more than anything to melt into his arms, but there would time for that later on. She gave him a tight hug and said, “Me too, Vigo. Don't disappear on me again."
As she drew back from him, Vigo felt an undeniable spontaneous urge well up suddenly within him. He kissed her tenderly on the lips, “I'll see you in Los Gatos."
* * * *
THE FLAGMAN WAVED their HUMVEE to stop at the entrance to Highway 9 in Felton. They had already been on the road for nearly an hour since leaving Port Ord and PFC Gibbs looked back at Nurse Bournelle sitting behind them. “We're nearly halfway there. I've been up and down Highway 9 most all my life ma'am. It will be a little bumpy from here to Los Gatos because of the quake damage, but I'll steer clear of the potholes. Just hold on.” Ann-Marie hoisted a silent thumbs-up.
Gibbs expertly navigated the HUMVEE along Highway 9, now the only available road between Santa Cruz to the north of Port Ord and Los Gatos. At 500 feet above sea level, the sight of burnt remains of coastal Redwoods standing in great piles of powdery gray ash dominated the view. When and if this area ever greened again, Anthony felt it would start there.
Winding their way up the twists and turns of the narrow 2-lane road, Gibbs pulled up to the gate of a military truck park just north of the small town of Boulder Creek.
The guard checked their papers and said, “From here to Los Gatos is a single lane. Landslides and quake damage, you know, the usual stuff. The next single lane convoy to the other side of the mountain is forming up at the back, but won't head over for about another two hours.” He pointed their attention to a single file row of vehicles. “I suggest you park and then go to the field kitchen on the far side. They're serving buffalo stew and potatoes, and it's hot. It will be your last chance to eat for at least another four to five hours."
“Thanks,” Gibbs answered as the guard raised the gate. “Buffalo sure beats the horsemeat we've been eating."
Anthony leaned over and gestured Gibbs to wait. “Private, I want a guard posted on this vehicle."
The guard leaned down and saw Anthony's rank and medical insignia. “Yes sir, I'll let my sergeant know. We'll keep an eye on your vehicle."
* * * *
WHILE ANN-MARIE was not about to admit it, her backside was sore—real sore. Setting her tray down on the picnic table across from Anthony and Private Gibbs was more involved than she had first supposed. As she slowly swung her leg over the seat and swiveled into place, she pretended to ignore the smirks on the faces of her traveling companions
.
“Whoever the cook was,” she said as she spooned the contents of her tray around, “should have been shot and canned as well.” What had obviously started out as a perfectly good package of freeze-dried potato flakes had been turned into a runny and lumpy, starch-like gruel. The stew, on the other hand, had come straight out of a can, and there wasn't much anyone could do to ruin it.
Anthony and Charlie quietly dug into their own trays, as they both saw no point in complaining. Like death and taxes, government chow was dependably awful.
Eating slowly, Ann-Marie finished her stew and a few spoonfuls of the potato gruel and pushed her plate aside. “Are you finished with that?” Charlie asked. Ann-Marie nodded and pushed her tray at him. “Thanks, Ma'am. Calories are calories, and I don't much care how I get them these days."
Anthony laughed, and pushed his tray towards Charlie with his half-eaten portion of potatoes and the better part of a biscuit. “Eat up, Charlie. You've got a long drive ahead.” He turned to face Ann-Marie. “I've got some brandy in my bag, and since Private Gibbs here is our designated driver, may I interest you in a wee pull of the cork?"
Her eyes lit up. “You sure may! Lead on, kind sir."
Anthony pulled a silver flask and two small cups from his bag he'd left sitting on the bench and gestured toward a few bales of hay at the edge of the truck park now used for bedding. They strolled over to the bales and settled in, whereupon Anthony carefully poured the first drink and handed it to Ann-Marie who sniffed it with great appreciation. “It's been too long,” she sighed gratefully.
“I know the feeling,” He answered as he poured his own drink and tossed it down. Setting down the cup, he rubbed his left shoulder. “That injection still hurts. Damn, what in the hell did they put in that shot? I've had flu shots before but this one is a real pain."
“Trust me, I know how you feel,” Ann-Marie answered. “It will hurt for a bit, but just be glad you got it—real glad It is a 3G inhibitor."
Godschild Covenant: Return of Nibiru Page 18
