Tim stuck his tongue out at the General. The man’s face went red, but he was silent. He gave Tim an awful look, spun on his heels, and walked quickly out of the tent. The Major followed him.
“That was a silly thing to do,” Ed lectured sternly. “He is trained to be that way, and you shouldn’t provoke someone like that. You never know where it might lead, Sonny Boy.”
“I know, but he thinks he’s in charge, and I don’t like to be pushed around,” Tim said.
“Look Son, there’s always someone that will be able to tell you what to do, always,” Ed tried to explain.
“Not me!” Tim stated.
“What’s that suppose mean?” Ed asked annoyed.
“Nothing!” Tim changed the subject. “When is Ann going to get here? I’m sure you’d like to have that little talk.”
“She will be here shortly,” Randy said. He and Ed excused themselves and left the tent.
*
Tim laid back on the cot and waited. I’m going to have to play this thing tough if I’m going to get us both out of this dilemma. At least I’ve got their attention.
Tim was having trouble staying awake. But I can’t take the chance of falling asleep because I’m certain I can’t trust these bozos. Both Ed and Randy had left the tent, but there were plenty of guards right outside the door. He had checked. He was getting impatient, and suspected they were going to stretch his tolerance to the limit.
*
Later, he was just about to yell for someone from the door of the tent when he spotted Ed headed his way.
“I just got word, your friend will be here in ten minutes,” Ed said as he closed the distance to the tent. “What are your intentions then, may I ask?”
“I really don’t know. You got any suggestions?” Tim asked.
“Like I said before, you cooperate with us, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t know if I can, but we’ll discuss it when Ann’s here.”
*
A helicopter was coming into view from the Northwest, the direction of Mountain Cove.
Tim watched it descend and land.
When the rotors began to slow, a woman dressed in fatigues jumped down, followed by Ann. Ann was smiling and having a conversation with the woman as they walked toward Tim.
When Ann saw Tim, she hurried her pace.
“Hi, glad to see ya. I’ve been having a great time. Tim, this is Lieutenant Nelson,” Ann introduced the woman. “She’s really neat. We flew over everything, and it sure looks awful. What have you been doing?”
“Mostly waiting for you,” Tim responded.
“Why?”
“Can we talk about this, alone?” Tim asked.
“Oh Tim, it’s no big deal. They haven’t even asked me a thing,” she leaned over and whispered, 'lately'.”
“Can we just talk alone, please, everyone?” Tim looked around to the woman and to Ed who was standing fairly close by.
Tim took Ann’s arm and led her around to the side of the tent, then away from it a few feet.
“I think it’s time we go, don’t you?” he asked Ann.
“I’m not sure I want to, if you mean back?”
“Don’t start that silly thing again,” Tim said as he winked and tried to gesture to Ann to be quiet about the subject. “We don’t want to stay with these guys because we can make it on our own, what’cha say?” Tim asked.
“I don’t think I want to Tim. They’ll take me someplace safe, so you won’t have to worry. Please, I don’t want to go back there,” Ann pleaded.
“What about your cabin?”
“Oh Tim, it was just something to pass the time, that’s all. I know you want to go back, so go. I just wouldn’t be happy. We will see each other again, I promise.”
I’m in a Catch-22. They know about Timtown, or know something is there. They don’t know exactly what it is, but they want it, and probably will stop at nothing to get it. I also know that at all costs I must keep them out, even if it means drastic measures. I don’t want to argue with Ann, which probably won’t get me anywhere, anyway, but she has to come back with me. They’ll use her to make me comply. Damn her. I tried to get her to wear one of the protection suits, but she refused. They can’t hurt me, but she is vulnerable. How the hell do I get them to let Ann and me go. Ed might be the only hope. I think I might be able to deal with Ed.
Tim walked back around the tent and called to Ed.
“Now we talk, where?” Tim asked, as he walked up.
“What would make you comfortable?” Ed answered.
“Someplace with just you and I, oh, and Ann has to be there.”
Ed walked up close to Tim and leaned over, “She’s bugged.”
“I figured that. Can’t we take them off her?” Tim asked.
“I can’t, because they don’t belong to me, but why does she have to be there?” Ed asked.
“So she’s safe.”
“Tim, she’s safe. No one is going to jeopardize this whole mission by hurting an innocent girl. They would pay dearly and they know it.”
“What if we don’t make a deal?” Tim questioned.
“If you feel that you ‘can’t’, or ‘won’t’ deal with me, she will not be used as leverage.”
“I don’t trust you,” Tim said matter of factually.
“Let me ask you this; how much does she know?”
“That’s not relevant to me. I want her in my sight ‘at all times’, understand?” Tim commanded.
“Yes, yes I do. I’m beginning to admire you Son. You do mean business.”
“You’re damn right I do. Mr. Adams, please understand this is serious business, maybe the most serious business of your life.”
“Now, I’m really interested. We need to find a place to talk that’s not open to other ears, am I correct? Oh, and Ann is to be rid of the little bugs? Would that suit you?”
“If you can guarantee all that, you bet. And Mr. Ed Adams, you have to be clean also.”
“Son, I work directly for the President. No one puts a bug on me.”
“I’m not worried about you for christ sakes; I’ll be talking to you.”
“Look, I’m an adviser to the President. I analyze what I hear and I give a summary, along with my recommendations to him. Nobody, I repeat, nobody supersedes what I do. Got that?”
“Yeah, I’m impressed.”
“Well, what can we do? Have you got any suggestions?” Ed asked.
“We could talk right where you guys grabbed us.”
“Oh, and it would be a short hop to safety for you.”
“Yes, is there anything wrong with that?” Tim asked.
“I doubt the military would go for that,” Ed replied.
“The farther I have to go to get back, the more people will get hurt,” Tim stated firmly.
“You’re serious then?” Ed paused for a moment. “Are you telling the truth about nobody being able to stop you?”
“Yes!”
“You will kill to get free?”
“If I have to protect Ann, yes.”
“I take it Ann is not privileged to your skills?”
“She has me, and that is enough for now. Are we going to get on with this, I mean, I have some things you will be fascinated with? You will be totally amazed Mr. Adams. Do you want that?”
“Yes, but I have to call my boss. He’s the only one that can okay something like this.”
“Get on it,” Tim said.
*
“This is ridiculous!” General Miser roared. “I’m not going to authorize this fucking thing. We have that little bastard, and now you want to let him go. Jesus H Christ man, what the fuck is on your mind. If I do this, I’ll be a goddamn private by next week.”
“General, I’m going over your head, way over, so don’t worry about your ass. If I get this okayed it will be out of your hands,” Ed said.
“Okayed, oshmayed, what the fuck is the difference? Do you know what my bosses are going to do to
me if I let this kid go? We have somebody that possibly possesses military secrets, and in my book that constitutes a ‘national threat’, and you want to let him go! That, Mr. Adams, is against the law. You or anybody else cannot, I repeat, cannot break the law.”
“Your interpretation of the law is correct, but your definition of the subject is incorrect. It seems to me, we want to steal what he has. Maybe he’ll want to prosecute us? Did that ever cross your mind, General?”
“You think this kid is really something, don’t you? This goddamn kid has got you scared shitless! Pussies!”
“General, you piss me off and you won’t have to worry about your current bosses. Your next trouble will be with your new boss, an assistant manager of a McDonalds on Guam. You get my drift?”
The General was tight lipped as Ed continued.
“There is a distinct possibility that this kid can lay you and your boys to waste. So smarten up, and keep quiet!”
*
A radio operator in the command center indicated to Ed that his call to the White house had gone through. Ed instructed everyone to leave, and the General gave the command with disdain on his face.
Ed gave his summation to the President, and they talked for a short period.
“Yes, Sir, I think that’s the only way to proceed. He hasn’t really elaborated, so I can’t comment on what little I know, but I think we have to do this thing his way for now. If we don’t, we may lose any chance to find out what’s in there. That’s my recommendation.”
Ed listened for a moment and then spoke again.
“Thank you Mr. President, I won’t let you down. What would be the best way to get this thing implemented, quickly? The military smucks here are ready to revolt. I swear they’d try fighting anything with sticks.”
Ed listened again, and then spoke. “I know that’s the way they’re supposed to be, but somebody is going to get hurt.”
Ed listened some more.
“Yes Sir, I think he’d go for it. I’ll try, thank you.”
*
Within fifteen minutes, General Miser got a phone call he didn’t like, from someone obviously equally as perturbed about the orders as he was.
“Bullshit!” he bellowed at Ed. “This is a bunch of shit.”
“Just do your job. You can complain all you want afterwards,” Ed ordered.
*
Ed went back to Tim with the news of his success with Tim’s request. Ed was relieved. He had worried about not getting permission to take Tim and Ann back. He was convinced; the kid was indeed dangerous. Most important, he wanted to find out what was going on in that mountain, and it would be difficult with bullets and laser beams flying everywhere.
Tim asked Ed to bring Ann back, and Ed left the tent to get her. He returned a couple of minutes later with a cellular phone. Ed shrugged and gave the phone to Tim. “You’ll have to talk to her because I can’t get anywhere.”
No doubt he’s been talking to Ann, Tim thought as he took the phone.
*
Nothing worked and nothing was going to. Ann was already on a chopper and was not going to come back. Her mind was made up and that was that. Tim would have to go back without her.
He wasted no time in trying to manipulate Ed.
“I want you to guarantee Ann will be safe, and that she will not be bothered about this whole thing. She can’t do a thing for you. You do this now, otherwise I’m going to make a statement, a very physical statement, and then you will get nothing,” Tim said the whole thing seriously.
“Just a minute, I have to call my boss again,” Ed said as he left the tent again.
*
Ed returned a couple of minutes later.
“Ann is directly under the protection of the President,” Ed said. “They are waiting for the chopper, and when it arrives they will take Ann and put her aboard Air Force One, the President’s personal plane. I can guarantee her safety.”
“You expect me to go on that alone?” Tim asked.
“I do because it is my word also, and if I don’t come through, you won’t. It’s that simple. Do you know the President has put his butt on the line for you? Don’t let him down!” Ed reiterated.
“If she’s safe, I’ll give you as much as I think I can, and if we work together, this whole situation can be figured out. I want it to turn out for the best, believe me. Otherwise I wouldn’t still be here,” Tim said.
*
Randy returned with the confirmation; the three of them would be taken out to the Walls by chopper in ten minutes. Randy, Ed, and Tim left the tent and headed toward the helo pad. They had gotten halfway when Tim spotted the nasty Major headed toward them.
The Major stopped just as he reached them and spoke. “We’ll be lifting off real quick. What are the exact coordinates?” The Major directed the question to Ed.
“You know them, Major,” Ed answered. “You are to return us to the same place that we found Tim at.”
“I see, and then we question him there? Is that the plan?” the Major asked.
“That is not the plan, Major. You are requested to just get us there, and then you back off. Is that understood?” Ed said in an annoyed voice.
“Sorry gentlemen, but I have my orders. You won’t be getting rid of me that easy,” the Major said with a smirk on his face.
“You get me Miser! Now Major!” Ed said loudly.
“Sorry Mr. Adams, but the General has left and cannot be raised.”
“Look you military genius,” Ed’s voice was raised, “I don’t know what kind of crap you’re trying to pull here, but you have gotten your orders, and you are to deliver myself, Mr. McAllen here, and Mr. Randell to a set of coordinates, and then make yourself scarce until your presence is requested again. Do I make myself clear?”
“No Sir, that is not clear, Sir!” The Major stood tall, stretching to look more attuned to his new and important mission. “My orders are to transport the prisoner to a set of coordinates and assist in the interrogation of that prisoner. I am ordered to gain access to whatever information he is hiding, no matter what!” The Major spouted as he quickly drew his pistol and pointed it at Tim. “If the prisoner does not cooperate, I am to use any necessary means to extract the information we desire. If the prisoner attempts to escape, I will, and I repeat, I will shoot the prisoner.”
“You blithering idiot, I hope you didn’t come up with this on your own,” Ed said, as numerous soldiers with their weapons drawn, surrounded Ed, Tim and Randy.
“No, Mr. Adams, this is a direct order from a superior, and you will comply!” Major Warren stated.
“You had better get Miser on the phone, now, you shit head!” Ed shouted.
“General Miser has been called away on a delicate mission and can’t be contacted. My orders have been given to me, and that gentleman, is that.” The smirk on Major Warren’s face was growing with his confidence.
“Get me a phone!” Ed yelled.
“Sorry Sir, can’t do that. I have my orders,” the Major returned.
Ed and the Major continued to argue. Randy stood back with his mouth open, watching the soldiers around him with suspicion. Tim noticed that all the soldier’s weapons were pointed directly at him.
“Major,” Tim spoke up.
“Shut up, you little bastard! You will speak, only when spoken to,” the Major snarled.
“Major,” Tim said again a little louder, “I think—”
“I told you to ‘shut the fuck up’!” The Major screamed.
“Major, you are not listening,” Tim tried again. “Major I don’t—”
The Major’s face turned crimson and he shouted, with spittle flying, “Shuuuuutttt up!”
“Fuck you, you squirrel!” Tim said defiantly.
The Major’s face now went white. “You stupid little bastard,” he said through clenched teeth, “don’t threaten me. Your little friend is in a very precarious spot. Don’t get her sweet ass in deeper than she already is!”
“What the h
ell are you talking about?” Ed shouted. At the same time Randy also jumped forward, yelling at the Major. All the soldiers jumped back.
The Major was yelling about how the General had personally taken Ann and was going to get the information he wanted, one way or another. Ed wanted a phone, Randy was yelling about nobody listening, and half the soldiers had lowered their weapons. The yelling continued until Tim pointed his left hand at the middle of the hill behind the Major and fired. The energy beam, at full charge, blew out a considerable bunch of rocks, and the noise stopped the argument, sending the soldiers, the Major, Ed, and Randy diving for cover. A lieutenant, with the soldiers, had seen Tim fire the energy beam and remained on his feet.
The Major was the first on his feet. “Set up a perimeter!” he screamed. “Lieutenant, get some men up that hill, then get some men down that wash, and get some men—”
“Sir,” the Lieutenant said to the excited Major, but the Major wasn’t listening; he was just spouting more orders. “Get some men here, get some men there.”
“Sir,” the Lieutenant tried again. “Sir!” he finally shouted above the Major.
“Lieutenant, you are not following my orders!” the Major shrieked. “We are under attack, and you aren’t following my orders! I’ll have you shot!”
“Sir, we aren’t under attack,” the Lieutenant repeated.
“I want a perimeter set up!” the Major screamed.
“Major, the perimeter is secure. Sir, we are not under attack! Sir, the kid did it.” The Lieutenant pointed at Tim.
“I want a perimeter!” continued the Major.
“Sir, the perimeter has been in place since we got here,” the Lieutenant tried again.
“Someone has breached it!” the Major was still shouting. “Goddammit, you, there,” the Major pointed at some soldiers, 'get that perimeter secured'!” the Major was now shouting orders to anyone that would listen.
Tim watched as soldiers ran everywhere. The Lieutenant was trying to explain the situation to the Major while watching the perimeter, he had established the night before, crumble as the soldiers ran amuck. The Lieutenant looked at Tim, shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. Ed and Randy had gotten up and were dusting themselves off.
“Major.” The Lieutenant was finally able to get the Major’s attention only because the officer had tired himself out with the constant barrage of orders. “Major, the kid did it.”
The Major looked at the Lieutenant for a moment. “The kid?”
“Yes, Sir. I think he used that laser we heard about. He blew a big hole in the side of the hill, there.” The Lieutenant pointed to the hole that still had wisps of smoke curling out.
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