CH26
It was now 3 months later:
Rick had tried getting her to go to a hospital now that she was in such better shape, but Kate wouldn't let him. She felt fine and didn't want to be stuck in some bed in a hospital while they poked and prodded and drained her dry trying to get their samples.
Rick did however get her to let Lanie look her over completely as she could in the comfort of their bedroom. It wasn't ideal, but it was something Kate would allow. Still it meant Kate got poked and prodded and sucked partially dry giving Lanie her samples.
Rick had gotten to shoot off his fireworks none the wiser to what Johanna and Kate already knew.
Since all of them were multi-shot boxes, Rick had put three of them together and tried to get the fuse's for all three in the same area, then used a propane torch to light all 3 at the same time. Then ran for it and stood back and watched like all the others as each box shot off either 9 or 12 shots.
Rick did this 4 times until he ran out of boxes, then he handed out sparklers for everyone. He had enough for 2 per person.
Alexis had tried to stay awake for it and Rick was doing all he could to help her stay awake, but she failed. Kate had carried her downstairs and tucked her into bed, then kissed her forehead. "I love you pumpkin."
Kate could actually feel her in her heart with how much she loved her. Was joining the police such a good idea? It was a dangerous profession after all.
Right now all three of them were in a hotel room getting ready to go out in search of dinner. They were going to be here for two weeks.
Rick had used Kate's passport and birth certificate to get her a replacement driver's license along with a license to ride her motorcycle. Since Kate didn't remember how to ride it, it was shipped over and guided into the storage shed. Where it still sat.
Kate may have a driver's license but she didn't remember how to drive a car either.
Rick had gotten lucky and one of his phone calls had gotten them an invite to the FBI training range in Quantico. In addition they were both going to learn defensive driving here from the FBI too.
All it cost was Rick to sign every book everyone in the office brought him. Seems he had fans in the FBI.
Alexis was going to be dropped off with daycare, which was going to be new for her. And Rick! Something that didn't sit well with him. He had promised he would never leave her again. But he had also promised he would help Kate.
Turns out the FBI office had a built-in daycare sight, so Rick and Kate would both be in or near the same building Alexis would be in.
They were sitting and waiting after ordering. "Nervous?" Rick asked her since Kate had been rather silent lately. Only getting her to nod her head.
"About using a gun for the first time? Driving a car? Or about your job choice?" Rick was curious and was still in help mode.
"Yes." Kate answered. Getting Rick to start laughing. "Well in 2 weeks we're both going to find out if you are cut out for this line of work."
The next morning after dropping off Alexis at day care and staying for a bit and let her get used to being there, finding out what toys she liked to play with and meet some of the other children that were there, they moved on.
The first thing Rick found was 14 books for him to sign first thing. He tried to give each of them a special note after finding out the name of each books owner.
They both started with a simple gun range and learned how to shoot and do it safely. The old FBI Pistol Qualification Course required agents to fire 50 rounds, more than half of them from between 15 and 25 yards.
The new course involves 60 rounds, with 40 of those fired from between three and seven yards. It also requires agents to draw their weapons from holsters concealed by jackets or blazers to replicate the traditional clothing worn by FBI special agents.
As part of its overall improvement in handgun training, the FBI has also made a significant investment in virtual simulation. Similar to the technology used in movies such as "Lord of the Rings," the Virtual Simulator Tactical Training system or VirtSim was implemented into FBI training in February 2012.
VirtSim is a three-dimensional technical simulator using wireless and motion-capture technology to create a virtual 360-degree tactical environment. The system captures full-body motion for each of the participating students and projects corresponding aggressor and hostage actions within the virtual environment.
Both Rick and Kate were trained in the use of the following list of weapons.
MP5/10 submachine gun
M4 carbine
M1911A1 Springfield Professional Custom .45 ACP pistol
Glock pistol .40 S&W
Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun
At the end of the week they had both passed the course and they both found out that neither of them were going to win any awards for long range shooting.
Both of them were however expert marksmen for close range shooting. While Kate was more practical about her weapons of choice, Rick had fallen in love with using the MP5/10. The idea of using a submachine gun had drawn him in, even if he was more accurate with a simple hand gun.
The use of the VirtSim had shown that Rick was more easily distracted, while Kate was more focused and always had her eyes scanning the area and not moving her head, just like she was taught.
Kate had also found that she liked wearing jackets and already had two new ones in her suitcase even before starting the defensive driving course. She had even gotten some tips on how to run in heels. And now had a new pair of 4-inch heel boots that were fast becoming her favorite pair of shoes.
Rick had been signing his life away each and every day. Word had got out that he was in the building and soon his daily signing requirement had grown into the 20's each day, along with having his picture taken with a few of the FBI people. Both men and women.
Kate had been forced on numerous occasions to point out that Rick was hers and flash her 4.2 carat engagement ring. But she had also gotten a number of "You are one lucky lady." Which made her feel better.
The defensive driving course was next. Just beyond Hogan's Alley is a 1.1-mile pursuit driving/defensive driving training and skid track. It reminded Rick of a NASCAR track with a couple of S curves that could be taken thru the middle of it. Along with a large flat area that could be set up with cones for various tracks set up.
Both Rick and Kate also found out about the different functions of each vehicle in the surveillance team – command, backup, outriders, and advance. You also discovered how the FBI's stakeout box operates. You learned how the trigger vehicle signals the layup vehicle to pick up the follow when the target drives away.
Even more important, you learned about command of the target. You saw how a cheating command vehicle is located in front of the target. You learned how a commit vehicle is located at a decision point. You saw how the commit vehicle is used to cue a layup vehicle to enter the situation and assume command of the target.
Also graphic examples of teamwork and tactics utilized by the surveillance team. They both learned how to handle intersection turns, U-turns, returning to a parked car, and other situations. Also discovered how the vehicle surveillance team supports the activities of the foot surveillance team.
Wheel artists drive anything and everything, including sedans, coupes, station wagons, pickup trucks, vans, minivans, sport utility vehicles, taxis, motorcycles, commercial trucks, ambulances, 18-wheelers, and others. Both Rick and Kate got their hands on each.
It wasn't a complete course since they were only here for a week instead of the full 20-week course all FBI agents were required to take. It did however give Kate a chance to try and remember how to ride her motorcycle before Spring.
"What motorcycle do you have?" The trainer had asked her.
"94 Harley softail motorbike." Which she worked through high school to pay for.
"Interesting choice. Personally I think it suits you. It's been a blast having you two here. I trust Derek Storm will be doing things a little more authentically from now on." He can't miss a chance at ribbing Rick.
Rick just grins. "He leaned a lot the last two weeks." Rick had a new appreciation for what the FBI did.
"You two come back for a refresher anytime. Just be sure to bring your pen with you." He teases Rick.
They had Alexis in the back seat of their rental car. "You still interested in the NYPD after all that?" Rick wanted to hear her thoughts.
"If I can get into being a homicide detective so I'm not stuck in a police cruiser, then yes, I'm still interested. … I really want to stop what happened to me Rick. And get that jerk who got his hands on Alexis.
Have you noticed that we are being followed?" Kate suddenly asks him.
"I have. Spotted two of the cars 3 blocks ago. One is 3 cars behind us and I'm betting the other is on a side street even with us. I haven't as yet spotted the one in front of us. Provided that they sent more than two." Rick tells her.
"What do you suggest?" Kate asks him. And finds Rick suddenly slam on the brakes and sit there and wait. Then suddenly almost runs a red light leaving their tail behind the red light and trapped behind 2 cars.
"Right or left?" Rick asks her.
"Right." Kate chooses.
They both wave at the FBI car that was running even with them as they traveled thru the intersection seeing it stopped at its red light. Grinning wide at them knowing they had won this little game.
Rick turned left at the next intersection and then left again to get back on the road that leads to their hotel. They flew out in the morning.
"How was daycare pumpkin?" Rick asked her on the airplane. He was worried about leaving her. After that one day with Meredith he had never left her again and he felt bad about that.
"Cool daddy. They had lots of toys. The lady was nice. ..." And Alexis proceeded to tell both of them what she had done at daycare and the kids she had met. Most of them were older than her. And what she ate for lunch.
And could she get skates when she got bigger like the other kids?
It made Rick and Kate feel better about leaving her at daycare. Now how would she take Kate being gone all day when she went to the NYPD academy for 6 months? She was so used to having both of them around 24 hours a day.
Kate applied to the academy the day after they got back home. Gramercy Park, New York.
Recruit Training
Physical Training and Tactics Training
Driver Education Training
Firearms and Tactics Training
Chemical Ordinance, Biological and Radiological Awareness Training
Tactical Training
In-Tac Training
Computer Training
Civilian Training
School Safety Training
Citizens Police Academy
Instructor Development
Criminal Investigation Course
Leadership Training
Human Resources
Kate came home each day and explained to Rick and Alexis what she had done each day.
It had taken a few days for Alexis to get used to the fact that mommy left home during the day in a grey uniform and came home tired, but not too tired to play with her or spend time with her.
Rick found that he liked taking off Kate's uniform each night when she got home. It usually resulted in him making love to her then helping her change into something more comfortable. Then cook dinner for all of them.
When firearms training came around they were momentarily impressed that she had FBI training but quickly didn't care since they had their own method. However Kate breezed thru it and was at the top of her class.
The same happened at driver education training. Finding out she had been trained by FBI in defensive driving training and soon found that it showed compared to all the other cadets. They soon had her helping them train the others.
Rick helped her as much as he could in computer training and they both got Alexis to help her train in school safety training.
Rick had listened and did everything he could to help her thru all of it. Especially on the days when she came home in tears, convinced she was never going to make it thru it all.
It really hurt Rick to listen to her tell private things while holding her close in bed trying to help her calm down so she could sleep.
Kate found out what it was like to be a woman in the police academy. Nothing she did was good enough, especially to the other cadets. It was a man's job and women shouldn't be here.
However Rick and Alexis weren't the only support she had. Johanna, Jim and especially Lanie. Lanie came over almost daily before her late night shift at the 12th to help Kate through all of it. Including the jerks that told her to go home and stay there.
Johanna and Jim are both lawyers and the Academy soon had letters representing their daughter to put an end to it. One of the local TV stations got wind of a problem at the Academy and soon all of them had journalists at the Academy asking questions.
It was like the rape allegations at the Air Force Academy. They didn't listen until it made it to the press. It was after this that 3 cadets were discharged and 8 more had disciplinary actions taken and added to their permanent record.
It helped some, but most of it now happened more silently, underground so to speak. Still Kate got thru all of it and had actually complained when she found out her parents were sending in letters fighting for her. She wanted to graduate on her own terms.
It slowed down Johanna and Jim's complaints to the Academy, but it didn't stop them. She was their daughter! She was strong willed and stubborn but they had grown up with her knowing all that already.
It took Kate six long months of happiness and hell to get to this date but here she was with her family and friends out in the audience cheering her own as she walked across to collect her graduation certificate.
She could now change from cadet gray to police blue as a rookie. It wasn't until a week later that she found out what precinct she was being sent to.
"I'm going to the 12th!" Kate screamed out opening her letter with everyone including Lanie in attendance at her home.
"I bugged Captain Montgomery weekly for him to select you." Lanie confided.
Kate launched herself at Lanie and hugged her. "Thank you. Does this mean I get to see you a lot while at work?"
"You make it to homicide detective and you'll be seeing me a lot. Until that day comes, yes. Provided our hours coincide. … You'll like Montgomery. He's not a hard case by the book kind of guy. He lives in the real world and runs his precinct the same way. Not that he won't jump down your throat if he thinks he has to, because he will." Lanie informs and warns her.
"I look forward to it." Kate hugged Lanie again.
"When do you start?" Rick asked.
Kate looked at her letter. "Monday." Today was Tuesday.
"We have four days to celebrate. Time to paint the town!" Rick declares.
What Kate didn't hear that night:
Beginning another level 3 diagnostic of all systems.
Diagnostic complete, no errors or damage found.
Beginning analysis of repairs of host body.
Building of nanites for immediate and future use continues.
Analysis complete.
Hosts body blood system is now clear of any unwanted chemicals. Continued flushing using normal body blood discharge no longer required.
Repairs of liver is now at 90% completion. Continuing repairs.
Repairs of both kidneys is now at 90% completion. Continuing repairs.
Analysis of hosts lungs still shows moderate to heavy contaminates remain. Continuing repairs.
Hosts body has recently undergone increased physical training. Training is insufficient. Host will need to be encouraged to increase physical training. Hand to hand fighting skills are likely insufficient to counter target of mission.
Motor skills suggests host has had training using weapons. Analysis of how much training and capability of weapons will need to be obtained. Additional training may be required.
Repairs of hosts neuron connections is at 90% for all old memories. Estimate 9% are permanently damaged and unable to be restored. 90% of elimination of unwanted neuron connections have been completed. Estimate 8% will be unable to be removed.
No perceivable result of this will result in permanent damage to host. Psychological damage was anticipated. Host will learn in time to live with final connections.
Analysis of how to communicate with host will now begin. This planets technology appears to be limited. No encrypted subspace communications detected. A new method will need to be obtained.
Analysis indicates that host is sexually active. Memory analysis indicated that there are 2 primary people that are of primary importance to the host. There is a 98% likely hood that the host would sacrifice it's life to save either of them.
Analysis of birth control presently used is not 100% effective, however no action required at this time. Communication with host is required before interfering with host's reproduction capability will be taken.
Analysis indicates that target is equally out of communication with anyone off planet.
Analysis suggests that hosts brain capacity has increased 39% of 1% with 5% as being projected total.
Time estimate of .33 of system standard solar is required until repairs of host body is at 100%.
Main mission will commence when host is at 100% and encrypted and secured communication between us has been established.
End journal entry.