Blood on the Water

by Mark Hildebrandt

  At first his words stirred her anger, just like shaking a stick inside a beehive stirs the anger of the inhabitants. No one had ever dared turn her away, but as soon as that thought went through her mind, she realized no one ever loved her enough to turn her away. James wanted her, there was no doubt, and she could see it in those eyes. This was the first man she had ever known, who was concerned for her, and not just himself. “James, you are right of course,” she said in a shaky voice. He would not be the only one with a good grasp on his emotions, she vowed to herself. “Life has been a bit like a tornado these past few days. I seem to have gotten caught up in the vortices.”

  Both were still sitting on the bed, looking at each other trying to figure out what to say next. During the silence, Cassandra was busy rebuilding her facade. She had spent her whole life behind that cool exterior. It should be familiar and comfortable, much like an old friend, she thought, but right now she didn’t want to be with an old friend. She wanted to be held by James. “Oh James, just hold me.”

  She found comfort and peace in his arms, and hoped it felt as good to him as well. The two slowly reclined back onto the bed and allowed the emotional turmoil to gradually transform into a soft serene euphoria, and once caught in its grip, both drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 23

  - You’re all wet -

  Cassandra was awakened by an enthusiastic banging at the door. Shaking the sleep from her head, she called out, “Come in,” and as soon as she said it, she thought to herself, see they wouldn’t dare just barge in.

  Having lost none of his joviality, Optio bounded in, “I think we are set.” He declared. “I have found the ideal remote spot.” He moved to the desk and produced a map-reader. With most of the cobwebs having been replaced with curiosity, Cassandra pulled James from the bed and the two joined him. The map-reader, much like the holographic communicators, displayed a three-dimensional map that could be viewed at any scale desired, from continental outline to basketball sized rocks. He activated the map and pointed to a spot in the Rocky Mountains. “This is by far the best place I could find. There is a primitive training shelter high in these mountains. It is situated next to a small mountain stream.”

  Cassandra smiled to herself, the area Optio was pointing to was made up of some very rugged mountains. No one would be able to sneak up on them, and it was unlikely there would be any Militia in the area. Her daydreaming was interrupted when James said, “I know that area. It’s called Wyoming, and the place Optio is pointing appears to be in the middle of the Grand Tetons.” He smiled, and then nodded agreement, “Not much there but a few hikers and grizzly bears.”

  Cassandra noticed Optio staring suspiciously at James. She hoped he would ignore the comment. She was not yet ready to explain Trans Dimensional Physics.

  Still watching James, Optio slowly continued, “That’s about right, there is nothing anywhere near that spot, which is why it fits our needs perfectly.”

  Cassandra smiled and patted Optio on the back, by the gods, she thought, the wooden table has more give than his back and shoulders. “I agree an excellent choice. When do we leave?”

  “Our transport departs at zero four hundred hours, a couple of hours to the drop point, and then a few hours on foot to the camp. We will be comfortably situated just after midday.”

  Soon after Optio provided the details on their destination, Team one and two returned with the gear and transport. It took almost two trips for the two teams to carry all the gear into the barracks. Optio ordered Amicus and Corvin divide up the gear, and spread it out on the floor, so he could conduct a mental inventory. After he had examined everything, he turned to his men, “Excellent, I cannot think of anything you forgot. It’s eighteen hundred and time for supper. Team one relieve team three on surveillance and send them after chow. Team two, begin packing your gear.” As the teams quickly moved to carry out his instructions, Optio led Cassandra and James to a corner of the barracks and begin explaining the gear and its function.

  The clothing and sleeping gear did not require much explanation. Cassandra had used similar equipment for years. She was pleasantly surprised to see James seemed to catch on very quickly as well. He told her he had spent many a vacation, backpacking, whatever that was, and was familiar with outdoor equipment. She somehow doubted that the equipment in his world was much like this, but he nevertheless seemed to be catching on. As far as the clothing was concerned the concept was simple, get moisture and heat away from the body, during activity, retain heat during inactivity, and at the same time keep external moisture out. Wearing the proper under and outer garments would do just that over a very broad temperature range.

  Cassandra tuned out, when the lecture turned to food. She hated the military provisions. Whenever she went on a backcountry trip, she always managed bring some real food to supplement salted cardboard, packed into the military provisions. That was the worst part of this trip; Optio was keeping everything to standard Legion issue. She sighed and thought, oh well at least there won’t be any surprises come mealtime.

  Next came the tactical gear, and Optio started with the helmet. He explained an integral part of the headgear is the communications system and sensor array. Since they were acting as a solo team, the communications functions operated simply as an intercom between team members. Had they been part of a large military thrust, there would be layers of communications with other teams and commands. There was also a heads-up display that could be used to show a verity of information. Functions included biometric information, on other team members, sensors capable of detecting other humans or large animals at varying distances, and vehicles. The biological sensors displayed a blue ghost like image and are effective for about a mile. A number is displayed on the image of other team members to help differentiate friend or foe. And the vehicle detectors display both ground and air craft out to a range of about twenty miles. Cassandra listened to Optio during his explanation and thought -so what- but when she looked at James, she had to smile. He was taking it all in; his enthusiasm was childlike, and contagious.

  Finally, Optio got to the weapons. Other than knifes, Cassandra and James would only be carrying two, a small hand-held weapon, and light shoulder fired rifle. Both launched Projectiles, which were small points made of a special ferric metal alloy propelled by electro magnets. “The rifle is deadly accurate and almost silent. A lethal combination in covert operations,” Optio explained, and told them each team will also carry a larger magnetic gun for long-range shots.

  Optio helped them collect the gear, pack and store it in the training officer room. He then looked first at Cassandra and then James and said, “If you two were younger, I would recommend you for a position in the Third. You both seem to catch on quickly. Of course, James will have to shave that stuff around his mouth.” He smiled and started to leave, but stopped and turned around the smile replaced with a stern look pointed directly at Cassandra, “Permission to speak freely?”

  Cassandra remembering a similar request three days ago on the plane frowned and said, “Not again Optio. As I recall the last time you spoke freely I didn’t much like the discussion.”

  “Yes, ma’am that’s what I wanted to talk about. I agree our first discussion did not go very well. I thought at the time, this was going to be a very difficult assignment. I assumed you would be just like all the other Ministers and family members I have worked with. The people who insist on giving the orders, even if the orders pertain to items they don’t know anything about. I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for letting me do my job. I don’t think we will have any problem delivering you and Dr. Woodman safe and sound next week.”

  Cassandra froze for a moment. A part of her had come to respect this crusty old legionnaire. He had kept them alive on Cozumel, he assembled the equipment and transportation to get them safely out of Cuba, and she was beginning to trust him. That was something she would have never thought possible, yet it was happening, and something in her was changing. She wondered; if she
allowed these feeling to grow, could she still be strong enough to be a Vespus? Damn right she decided, and if not, maybe being Vespus isn’t such a good thing. She smiled and in her most authoritative voice said, “Optio, I have only one thing to say to you. Do your job.” She stared into his eyes and extended her arm. Optio took it, clasped her forearm with his, and returned the stare. Nothing was said at first, but when the clasp broke Cassandra continued looking at Optio and said, “Do what you need to do, to get us safely back to Rome.”

  “Yes ma’am”

  The stare was followed briefly by silence. Silence that was broke when team three arrived with dinner.

  ◆◆◆

  At three fifteen the lights came on, and it was a mad scramble to dress and collect gear. Considering the bedlam, Cassandra found herself wishing there was an easier way. She missed her sticky buns and coffee and grumbled to herself as she collected her things. Oh well, at least by tonight they would be out in the open under a star filled sky. That thought brought a brief smile to her face, a smile that was soon lost in the chaos.

  By three forty the transport was loaded and speeding to the airstrip. The bedlam in the barracks was duplicated on the airstrip, but on a much larger scale. Transports were everywhere and scurrying around like angry fire ants were decums trying to locate their assigned craft. Optio commented to Cassandra and James on the team intercom, “Can’t find better cover than this. All these Decums are going in different directions for survival training. We are simply one anonymous Decum lost in the many.”

  One in many they were. They loaded the plane, a typical military craft, not remotely like the one that brought them here from Rome. The inside was bear composite skin and ribs, with bench seats lining the walls. The team in full battle dress filled the two bench seats, while Optio went to the flight deck to confirm destination with the engineers. Cassandra looked out the window and watched as at least twenty-five craft, exactly like the one they were on, began moving in an orderly fashion to the take off point.

  Ten minutes later the crush of acceleration was pushing Cassandra into James arm and shoulder. Being pushed against him was somehow comforting, and she glanced around the dimly lit cabin to see how the rest of the Decum was reacting. A quick gaze reveled most were asleep, heads back against the bulkhead, mouths agape. Well, she thought, not much in the way of an immediate threat, at least not one they could do much about.

  Two hours later the craft was circling a desolate landing strip carved into the high desert sagebrush. The strip paralleled a north south river at the base of the mountains. The plane shuddered a few times passing through air pockets during the descended, and then landed smoothly. When it came to a halt, Optio appeared at the flight deck door, “Collect the gear and deplane as quickly as possible, the engineers are in a hurry to get back to Cuba,” he told them.

  Optio activated his map-reader and began pointing out the route. “We cross this river, circle this lake, the trail then enters the mountains, just over there,” he said first pointing at the map then looking up and pointing to a notch between two peaks, “As you can see from the map and switch backs, it is pretty steep. There is about a twenty-five-hundred-foot elevation gain between here and the shelter. The shelter is here next to a cool mountain stream. Sounds like a perfect summer vacation. Doesn’t it?” Optio said smiling. It seemed the mountain air had reinforced the thrill he derived yesterday from telling a Legatus what to do.

  “I have enjoyed summer trips just like this one in the Alps.” Cassandra said. She was beginning to feel rejuvenated by the scenery and clear mountain air as well. “I’m ready.”

  She noticed a strange look on James’s face. He stood up, looked around, then kneeled back down and studied the map intently. He seemed unaware the others were watching him. Finally, Cassandra said, “What is it James?”

  “I have been here. I was here last summer. There is an airport here, in this very spot. It’s called Jackson Hole Airport. That river is called the Snake and this lake,” he said excitedly pointing at the map, “Is call Phelps Lake. I hiked a trail in the same spot as this one.” He said pointing to the one Optio had pointed out earlier.

  “That’s nice,” Cassandra interrupted trying to ease his excitement and hopefully change the subject. She wanted to get moving. Her attempt failed.

  Optio’s apparent agitation finally erupted, “Look. This is military property. Civilians are not allowed here. We occasionally must chase out some of the indigenous people, but even that doesn’t happen very often. How could you have possibly been here?”

  James very quickly developed a pensive expression at Optio’s outburst and looked from Optio to Cassandra. “I think it would be best if Dr. Vespus explains how I was here.”

  Damn it she thought. She did not want to try and explain her research to Optio just yet. The telling would take entirely too long, she wanted to get moving, and away from this airstrip. “James is right. I should explain, but Optio it is a long story, one best told when we get to camp.”

  “Very well Dr. Vespus. But before we get started, tell me, was he here? Because if he could get here, anyone could.”

  How to say this, she wondered. Nothing came to mind, so she just started. “Optio, he was not – here.” She said emphasizing the here, and then noticed James slowly shaking his head. She wasn’t sure if in negation or disbelief, either way she had to satisfy Optio and get moving. “Look, I told you, this is a difficult story. He was at a place exactly like this, but it was not here. I assure you he did not break any military regulations, because he was not in this place.”

  Optio just nodded, “Very well. I’ll wait until we get to camp.” He then turned to his legionnaires sitting at the edge of the airstrip. They were talking quietly and paying little attention to the three of them, “All right people let’s saddle up and get moving. We got some miles to put in.”

  The effect of Optio’s voice was better than any amphetamine-laced tonic. The three teams were on their feet knapsacks slung and split into thirds, before his voice faded to silence. Team one was on the move in the direction of the trailhead, Team two stood next to Cassandra and James waiting to move out, while Team three had moved back a few yards and were scanning the opposite direction. Cassandra and James hefted their knapsacks and began following Team one.

  As the group began to spread out over the trail, James matched his pace to Cassandra’s and walked next to her. “Why have you not told Optio about me and your experiments?”

  “I guess it just hadn’t occurred to me. Damn it James, I never anticipated having to tell bodyguards about my research. I’ll talk to Optio when I have time to explain.”

  James didn’t say anything, simply nodded and continued walking. The trail lead right through the Snake River. Fortunately, it crossed at a wide flat spot, where the water for the most part was only about a foot deep. As they neared the opposite bank that changed, and they had to heft knapsacks to avoid getting them wet in waist deep water. It was fast and the footing precarious. Team One, Cassandra, James and Team Two crossed without problem, but when Team three came across, Pompeius went under. He quickly regained his footing and was only washed down stream a few yards, but water had filled his battle fatigues. The fatigues were designed to let out perspiration, but not a river. Pompeius looked a little like the fat man at the circus.

  Optio was furious and ordered Pompeius to strip on the spot. “Wring out that water and get your ass back into uniform once it and you are dry. We don’t have time to sit here while you take a bath.” He instructed Team one to move out, Cassandra and James to follow then Team two. He followed and turned back to Team three “Once you get that man wrung out and dressed, you will catch up on the double! Is that clear?”

  “Yes Optio,” came the response.

  At first Cassandra couldn’t figure out why the members of Team One and Two were discreetly laughing, that is until she became aware of the pace they had set. It was fast, and she began to understand. The longer it took Pompeius to dr
y and get back into his battle dress, and the faster Team One and Two marched, the longer Team Three would need to run. For whatever reason, one she didn’t quite understand, Team One and Two seemed to think it humorous that Team Three had to run and wanted to make sure they ran as long as possible.

  Soon after crossing the stream, the trail led to a crystal-clear mountain lake. Lake Phelps is what James called it, Cassandra thought. It was beautiful, nestled next to vertical mountains. This certainly rivaled some of the best mountain scenery she had encountered. After passing the lake, the trail went up. This was where the switchbacks Optio pointed out on the map started. Looking up was almost frightening; the switchbacks seemed to extend out of sight. Cassandra wanted to stop and admire the view, but since Team Three had yet to catch them, the other two teams were urging her to keep moving.

  After climbing a couple of switchbacks, Team Three could be seen in the distance, moving at a run. Cassandra felt sorry for them, she was just walking, and was almost out of breath. She looked at her traveling companions and was glad to see, she was not the only one. Even James was breathing hard. Her instinct was to match rhythm and breathing to a pace that could be maintained for long distances. It was slower than the one Team One was trying to set, and Drusus started to complain, but she just glared at him and said. “This is my pace. If you don’t like it keep going. I’ll meet you at the top.”

  Drusus continued grumbling, but was cut off by Optio, “Stow it Drusus. The lady has set a good pace we will match it.”

  About twenty minutes later Team Three caught up. Cassandra thought they looked exhausted, but no one said anything. They just fell in and matched the pace. Shortly after midday, the trail flattened out and twelve tired people reached the shelter. Optio ordered Team Three to search the building and surroundings and allowed the other two teams to rest. Apparently, his displeasure with the water crossing had yet to run its course. Cassandra dropped her pack grabbed a water bottle and slumped to the ground. James and Optio joined her. After several gulps of water Optio turned to Cassandra, “Now you have convinced me, you would make a damn fine legionnaire. If you’ll consider joining, I’ll be happy to recommend you for a position in the Third.”