Chapter 3
Jeff
ran down the dark and dingy hallway as fast as his legs could take him. People
watched as he ran by and almost on instinct started to pack up any belongings
they had. Some would poke their heads out of their hiding space to see what he
was running from. He skidded to a stop at the top of the ladder that joined the
lower floors with the upper one. A guy in his 20's was climbing the ladder and
some dust and gravel sprayed off the edge at him.
"Watch
it, you ass!"
"I've
got a message for the General from Door C! Move!" He barked at the young
man.
"Really?"
The guy answered, but he already was half convinced by Jeff's tone.
"Yes!
Really!"
The
young man leaped off the ladder and back to the ground. Jeff spun around and
started trying to slide down the ladder, but lost his grip. He fell and landed
flat on his back, it knocked half the wind out of him. The guy grabbed his arm
and helped him back to his feet.
"Hurry
up man, It must be important!"
Jeff
started running, trying to get his breath back. The guy running next to
him…
"Go!
Go! Breath later."
Jeff
got to the Command shanty. The make shift office was hidden in the deepest
recess of the compound. Cables and wire from all over converged into one giant
tentacle that went inside. Two large older guys who must have been in their
late 20's, or even early 30's… were blocking the door. They had phase
plasma rifles liberated from Terminators, and their insignia badge showed them
as the personal guards of the General. Jeff hoped one day he would earn the
right to wear a Black Ninja.
As he
cautiously approached the main door the two men aimed their weapons at him.
"Identify
yourself!"
Jeff
snapped to attention and sounded off.
"Eastep,
Private DNC300211. Assigned Hot Door Charlie. I have an urgent message for the
General."
"Charlie,
there's a warn on that door," one of the guards said.
"Yes,
Sir. We put that warn up Sir," Jeff responded.
"You
ran all the way from Charlie Door?"
"Yes
Sir."
"General's
busy. Give us the message."
"Sorry
Sir. The guy in the Cold Room claims to be from Global Ops. General's
ears only."
The
guards gave Jeff a hard look.. He didn't shrink, but his eyes lowered and moved
off to the side.
"He's
older than you guys, and he just came out of the snow in moonlight. If he's not
a machine…" Jeff looked right back at them, "No way am I
telling him 'I' couldn't deliver his message."
The
two guards looked at each other and smiled.
"Kids
on the Hot Door," one of them said, to the other.
"Spread
'em'", the other told Jeff. One guard kept him covered while the
other patted Jeff down.
The
door to the shanty slid open. Two more Black Ninja's were aiming at Jeff as he
entered. In the middle of the shanty was a huge map of Washington State with
pins and markers all over it. There were other men and women at computer
terminals set up around the room. Occasionally one would step up to the Map and
change something, then step back. Jeff stared around, slack jawed. The door was
one thing, but this was an honor. One of these people… was the General.
The one who organized and rallied Seattle, the person who stood up to the
machines that no one else would, or could. Jeff rallied his thoughts… He
was HERE for a reason.
"General,
Private Jeff Eastep, DNC300211. Assigned Hot Door Charlie. I have an urgent
message for you from a man claiming to be from Global Ops."
A
voice from the back of the room answered.
"Leave
it."
Jeff,
searched the back of room for where the voice had come from, but none of people
even looked like they were paying attention. He took a deep breath.
"With
all due respect, it was a verbal message. The man is still waiting in the cold
room." Jeff gulped.
One
of the people from the back of the room walked up right next Jeff. He was still
looking in back when he felt the tap on his shoulder. He looked at the woman
standing next him. She was about an inch taller than he was. Her was face was
beautiful even behind the small wrinkles around her eyes and through the
streaks of grey that ran through her hair. He had never seen her this close. He
was speechless.
"What's this message Private?"
He
stared at her blankly. Her face became contorted with frustration.
"Well!"
Jeff
started hyperventilating, then caught himself in a fashion.
"There's
ahhhhh… this guy in the Cold Room who the dogs don't like… but
Ok…. but they're not
barking and he says he's from Global Ops but he's kinda scary and he says he
can only talk to you because it's important and… and…
and…"
She rolled her eyes and then slaped him lightly.
"Wanna try that again soldier."
"He says he can only talk to you, General
Guevara."
"Global
hasn't sent word in 11 days. I'm not in the mood for company. Dogs don't like
him, shoot him. We're on our own." She turned and started to walk back to
the terminal at the far end of the room. Jeff gulped.
"General…
Ma'am. He said if you said that, tell you… and these are his exact
words… 'Stop being a bitch Max, you're the Jam Pony messenger not me. Now
get out here and sign for this. Bip bip bip?'"
Max
stopped dead in her tracks as everyone in the room turned and looked at Jeff at
one time. Jeff took a few steps back into the two Black Ninjas.
"His
words… not mine." Jeff felt the world swimming under his feet even
though he wasn't moving.
Max turned slowly. Any age on her face was wiped away by her smile. Whoever was at the door was friend. An old friend.