Wednesday 10:09
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Commander Harmon Rabb Jr and Lieutenant Meg Austin had spent the night at a small motel in the centre of Colorado Springs. After an enjoyable breakfast two USAF officers had picked them up with their jeep. The two lawyers were a bit confused as the Airmen had assured them that they wouldn't need to stay at the motel anymore. From then on the men hadn't said any other word. So Harm and Meg had just observed their surroundings as they drove into the complex that they assumed is Cheyenne Mountain. There didn't seem to come an end to formalities. This must be the third or fourth roadblock they came across but apparently it was the last as they parked the jeep and got out.
"This is it." The officer says and motions them to get out of the vehicle.
"Nice." Meg says with a small frown as she gets out, followed by Harm.
"Very, didn't know the USAF were moles." Harm jokes a bit lamely as he receives a glare from the two officers.
"If you would just wait here for a minute." They say and then walk off to yet another security point where one of them makes a telephone call.
"Try not to cause havoc, sir." Meg warns Harm only half kidding.
"What? Me? Never." He smirks and looks around. "Come on, you must admit this is a bit weird. What is the airforce doing in the middle of Colorado anyway? They're supposed to fly planes, not crawl underground."
"Harm, that's a stereotype." Meg rolls her eyes at him.
"I know, I know." Harm sighs. "I just don't get it. Why the hell are we here?" He asks, as if he is expecting Meg to reply.
Meg shrugs. "Beats me, but I guess we'll find out soon." She motions with her head towards the two officers that are coming back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." One of them says as he hands each of them a pass. "It's been a real pain to get clearance for you two to be allowed inside." He explains, making it sound as if Harm and Meg requested permission to enter. "Hold on to that, you'll need them." He says pointing to the pass. "Now follow me." With that he turns, not waiting for them to ask any more questions as he walks up to the door and opens it for them.
Harm and Meg look at each other, both shrug and decide this will go a lot faster if they just do what they are asked.
"Ladies first." Harm says and winks at Meg, following her inside. As soon as they are inside the iron door close behind them and an audible click indicates that it is firmly locked. They are lead into the corridor, one of the officers in front of them, the other behind.
Harm and Meg look curiously around. The only light in here is coming from the TL-lights and everything seems to be made from concrete and metal. Harm can't think he would like working here. Compared to this the mess that is the bullpen at JAG HQ seems to be paradise. Their footsteps sound hollow through the empty corridor and he can't shake the feeling that somehow they just entered an enormous labyrinth. For just a brief second he wonders if there will be a Minotaur waiting for them in the middle. Then, he is forced out of his thoughts as they come to a stop in front of a metal door. The officer in front uses his own pass to open the doors and it soon becomes clear that they're at the elevator.
"We'll have to go down some levels." He explains as he gets inside and waits for them to enter too.
Meg gets in and Harm follows, both lawyers are quiet as they are somewhat imitated by these new surroundings. Harm studies the inside of the elevator, wondering how deep they are really going. His eyes go over Meg who seems to be looking a bit nervous. He swallows as he remembers that she is claustrophobic and moves a bit closer to her.
"You ok with this?" He asks softly as he is concerned about her. Not that she ever had let her claustrophobia interfere with her job.
Meg nods. "Yeah, I will be alright." She assures him, giving him a small smile.
Harm smiles back at her and nods. "Good, but if you're not feeling alright, tell me ok?" He looks at her pleadingly, knowing full well she won't do that. That didn't mean he couldn't offer though.
"I will be fine, Harm." Meg assures him again but looks at him grateful. "Besides, I got you to annoy me so I won't have to concentrate on it." She jokes.
"Good to see I'm still useful." Harm chuckles as the elevator stops and the doors open.
"This is our flour." The Airman says and exits the elevator. Harm and Meg enter what seems to be an exact replicate from the first corridor they were in. The only difference seems to be that instead this one isn't empty. There are a lot of people walking through the corridor and not all of them seem to be USAF. Some are wearing their dress blues, others are in BDU's while there seem to also be civilians and doctors around. They are guided through the corridor until they end up in front of another metal door. This time the Airman just knocks and enters until he receives permission from inside.
"Sir, I have Commander Rabb and Lt Austin here." He informs the people inside.
"Let them in." The answer comes and the Airman leaves again, motioning Harm and Meg to enter. They nod their goodbyes and do as they are asked.
Both NAVY officers stand to attention inside the briefing room, very well aware that the eyes of the five people who are already inside are upon them. Somehow Harm got the feeling that not every pair of eyes was happy to see them.
"Commander Rabb and Lt Austin reporting as ordered, sir." He says, not sure what else to say as this was all making him very uncomfortable. The whole place just is creepy and he isn't sure that is because this is USAF territory or something else.
"At ease." The man who seems to be the CO around here and probably is Admiral Chegwiddens friend say. "Please, take a seat."
Harm can see there are two more free chairs at the end of the table, furthest away from the man. He just nods and notices in the corner of the eye that Meg is doing the same. He can't help but feel relieved as the newness of the situation seems to be doing very good at keeping Megs attention from the walls. Silently they each take a seat and give themselves some time to familiarise with the people sitting around the table.
TO BE CONTINUED
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Commander Harmon Rabb Jr and Lieutenant Meg Austin had spent the night at a small motel in the centre of Colorado Springs. After an enjoyable breakfast two USAF officers had picked them up with their jeep. The two lawyers were a bit confused as the Airmen had assured them that they wouldn't need to stay at the motel anymore. From then on the men hadn't said any other word. So Harm and Meg had just observed their surroundings as they drove into the complex that they assumed is Cheyenne Mountain. There didn't seem to come an end to formalities. This must be the third or fourth roadblock they came across but apparently it was the last as they parked the jeep and got out.
"This is it." The officer says and motions them to get out of the vehicle.
"Nice." Meg says with a small frown as she gets out, followed by Harm.
"Very, didn't know the USAF were moles." Harm jokes a bit lamely as he receives a glare from the two officers.
"If you would just wait here for a minute." They say and then walk off to yet another security point where one of them makes a telephone call.
"Try not to cause havoc, sir." Meg warns Harm only half kidding.
"What? Me? Never." He smirks and looks around. "Come on, you must admit this is a bit weird. What is the airforce doing in the middle of Colorado anyway? They're supposed to fly planes, not crawl underground."
"Harm, that's a stereotype." Meg rolls her eyes at him.
"I know, I know." Harm sighs. "I just don't get it. Why the hell are we here?" He asks, as if he is expecting Meg to reply.
Meg shrugs. "Beats me, but I guess we'll find out soon." She motions with her head towards the two officers that are coming back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." One of them says as he hands each of them a pass. "It's been a real pain to get clearance for you two to be allowed inside." He explains, making it sound as if Harm and Meg requested permission to enter. "Hold on to that, you'll need them." He says pointing to the pass. "Now follow me." With that he turns, not waiting for them to ask any more questions as he walks up to the door and opens it for them.
Harm and Meg look at each other, both shrug and decide this will go a lot faster if they just do what they are asked.
"Ladies first." Harm says and winks at Meg, following her inside. As soon as they are inside the iron door close behind them and an audible click indicates that it is firmly locked. They are lead into the corridor, one of the officers in front of them, the other behind.
Harm and Meg look curiously around. The only light in here is coming from the TL-lights and everything seems to be made from concrete and metal. Harm can't think he would like working here. Compared to this the mess that is the bullpen at JAG HQ seems to be paradise. Their footsteps sound hollow through the empty corridor and he can't shake the feeling that somehow they just entered an enormous labyrinth. For just a brief second he wonders if there will be a Minotaur waiting for them in the middle. Then, he is forced out of his thoughts as they come to a stop in front of a metal door. The officer in front uses his own pass to open the doors and it soon becomes clear that they're at the elevator.
"We'll have to go down some levels." He explains as he gets inside and waits for them to enter too.
Meg gets in and Harm follows, both lawyers are quiet as they are somewhat imitated by these new surroundings. Harm studies the inside of the elevator, wondering how deep they are really going. His eyes go over Meg who seems to be looking a bit nervous. He swallows as he remembers that she is claustrophobic and moves a bit closer to her.
"You ok with this?" He asks softly as he is concerned about her. Not that she ever had let her claustrophobia interfere with her job.
Meg nods. "Yeah, I will be alright." She assures him, giving him a small smile.
Harm smiles back at her and nods. "Good, but if you're not feeling alright, tell me ok?" He looks at her pleadingly, knowing full well she won't do that. That didn't mean he couldn't offer though.
"I will be fine, Harm." Meg assures him again but looks at him grateful. "Besides, I got you to annoy me so I won't have to concentrate on it." She jokes.
"Good to see I'm still useful." Harm chuckles as the elevator stops and the doors open.
"This is our flour." The Airman says and exits the elevator. Harm and Meg enter what seems to be an exact replicate from the first corridor they were in. The only difference seems to be that instead this one isn't empty. There are a lot of people walking through the corridor and not all of them seem to be USAF. Some are wearing their dress blues, others are in BDU's while there seem to also be civilians and doctors around. They are guided through the corridor until they end up in front of another metal door. This time the Airman just knocks and enters until he receives permission from inside.
"Sir, I have Commander Rabb and Lt Austin here." He informs the people inside.
"Let them in." The answer comes and the Airman leaves again, motioning Harm and Meg to enter. They nod their goodbyes and do as they are asked.
Both NAVY officers stand to attention inside the briefing room, very well aware that the eyes of the five people who are already inside are upon them. Somehow Harm got the feeling that not every pair of eyes was happy to see them.
"Commander Rabb and Lt Austin reporting as ordered, sir." He says, not sure what else to say as this was all making him very uncomfortable. The whole place just is creepy and he isn't sure that is because this is USAF territory or something else.
"At ease." The man who seems to be the CO around here and probably is Admiral Chegwiddens friend say. "Please, take a seat."
Harm can see there are two more free chairs at the end of the table, furthest away from the man. He just nods and notices in the corner of the eye that Meg is doing the same. He can't help but feel relieved as the newness of the situation seems to be doing very good at keeping Megs attention from the walls. Silently they each take a seat and give themselves some time to familiarise with the people sitting around the table.
TO BE CONTINUED