Green Book 11
The Wednesday in the bullpen was business as usual. Bobby kept a careful eye on Sue. She seemed to be holding up well. There had only been one late night phone call and it had been incredibly awkward. And then, there was Jack, hovering protectively. The tall Aussie shook his head. The sheila certainly had a special magnetism. It worked differently on different people. He thought about it. Myles was the most obvious change around Sue. Bobby smirked and shot a peek at the Bostonian.
Myles caught the Aussie grinning in his direction and narrowed his gaze. "What ever you are planning, it won't work, Manning."
"What?"
"Whatever it is you are planning."
Bobby gave his best 'who, me?' and winked at the blonde agent.
Myles squinched his face and returned to his work.
The Aussie looked at his open files on the computer. There was a message in his in box. It was marked from the DoD.
Agent Manning,
For Saturday.
You have been requested to attend a seminar on disarmament of simple devices. Homeland Security feels that this style of weapon could be the next step in small time terror.
The seminar begins at 0900 hours sharp at Andrews AFB.
Sincerely,
Brigadier General Clayton Abernathy
"Heads up, people. The higher ups have scheduled one third of the units in the building for seminars this weekend. Sorry to spoil any plans you might have had but when Uncle Sam calls, we answer. If anyone has a question about where or why, see me later in my office." Ted Garret stopped in long enough to make the announcement before disappearing back down the hall.
Immediately, the team reached for their computers to check for messages to see where they might be going.
Jack looked a bit surprised but nodded with a bit of enthusiasm. "Looks like I'll be at Quantico checking out the latest and greatest in target and tracking gear."
"Mine is with the professor who created the algorithms that we use to break codes. It's an 'outside the box' thinking day," Tara piped from her desk. "What about you, Lucy?"
"I get to stay in town. The rotor pool is going to update and streamline processing procedures so we can move requests faster."
Myles stood. "I have the privilege of attending a forensics lab with the Chief of Forensics at Quantico."
"Can I catch a ride with you then, Leland? I have the same seminar." D grinned knowing the blonde agent would be piqued. As Myles began to sputter, the other man laughed. "Kidding. I have to stay in town as well. Like Lucy, I'm going to a streamline conference."
"And what about you, Crash?" This from Jack.
Bobby nodded. "I get to go not quite boom over at Andrews." He looked a little green around the gills. The room sobered a bit remembering the box. Taking a breath, the Aussie smiled. "No worries."
Jack motioned to Sue. "I'm going to military field unit to observe their field communication techniques. It seems they want my input on how well an outsider can read and interpret their signals."
"Ooooo," said Lucy, "A group of guys in camouflage and grease paint. Sounds like fun." She waggled her eyebrows at her friend.
Sue just shook her head. 'You are incorrigible.'
"Does it say where?" Tara looked at Lucy who signed to Sue.
"Yes. It's at Andrews as well."
"Darn. I was hoping I could catch a ride with someone. I have to go to MIT."
Well, if I were going that direction, you surely would have a ride," Myles offered gallantly. "As it is, Jack, do you want to ride with me?"
"Only if I get to bring some of my own music." A chuckle rolled around the room. "Let's wrap up today's loose ends so we don't have to tomorrow."
Everyone got back on task except for Bobby who sauntered over to the blonde analyst's desk. When she looked up, he asked "Do you want to ride with me to Andrews?"
"Sure. What time do you have to be there?"
"09:00. What about you?"
"8:30. If that's too early…"
Tilting his head and raising a finger, he said, "No, the offer stands. Besides, it's a big base and I know my way around a bit. Won't be a problem. Bring a printout of your email so we can find the right range."
Sue nodded. It would be good to go with someone she knew.
dvdv
Blue Book 11"So explain this again to me? Why do I have to go train today? I can't even see." Wreck tried to sit patiently as Doc and I'Lee cut the bandages loose from his upper torso. "Hey, careful, the hair's attached."
The nurse poked him in the leg.
"Doc, you ought to do something about your help here. This one keeps abusing me."
The medic tsked the sailor. "Funny, they keep telling me I should do something about the patients…"
I'Lee snickered as Wreck gave a martyred sigh. "I can't catch a break, can I?"
"No." The doctor and nurse replied in unison.
"So, why do I have to train?"
"Well, somebody thought you'd like to get out of here for a while." Doc looked at the silent man standing nearby, watching the whole exchange. "Now hold still, I need to check these and make sure they are nice and tight."
The mahogany medic peeled the bandages away from Wreck's back and I'Lee winced. She still couldn't believe what they had done to the sailor. Doc took a close look at some of the burns that had patches on them to help with faster healing. "The burns are coming along okay. Don't hit him with anything." The statement was directed to the silent man who nodded. Doc then checked the bruises, most of which were now a dull purple. The cuts took a little longer. He wanted to make sure the stitches were tight and not pulling. After gently poking about six, he stopped when Wreck tensed. "What's the matter?"
The silent man moved forward and nudged the nurse away. He motioned Doc away as well. The two stood back where they could watch and help if needed.
Wreck clenched his hands and drew his shoulders tightly to his head. His arms started shaking and he hunched into himself. Doc started forward and the silent man held him back. The trio watched as the tremors built tighter until the sailor was almost red in the face. Then, imperceptibly, he began to relax. It took twice as long as the onset but he stayed calm.
Psyche-Out came rushing in. "Is he all right?"
A hand held up signaled 'Wait.'
Wreck took a shuddering breath and managed to croak out, "Flashback."
Psyche looked at the silent man and then at Doc. "Are you sure letting him train is a good idea?"
"Hello, in the room…"
Ignoring the sailor, Doc glanced at the other man who nodded. "I trust SE to be careful. Most of the injuries are healing very well. Just don't hit him…"
"If you say so. What happens if he has an episode?" the psychiatrist asked.
The silent man made a little wave as if to say 'Hello, I can handle it.'
"I'd feel better if one of the nurses went and observed."
Doc shook his head. "We only have two on shift right now and Beach is running drills. You know how that goes. Besides, Red will be there as back up. If those two can't handle him, I don't know who can."
Wreck sat listening to the conversation and shook his head. He mumbled to himself, "Yes, dad. I'll be home by twelve."
"They only want what's best, you know. They, we, are trying to take care of you." I'Lee began dressing his back and shoulders. She was about to start on his chest when he touched her hand.
He forced down another shudder as he whispered to her, "Please, don't touch me. Not...not here. It hurts."
Forgetting he couldn't see her, she nodded then gave him gentle poke in the leg. He gave a tight smile as Doc finished up.
