Chapter 2
"She's been promoted. Let me introduce you to Colonel Bitch."
Captain Bitch, now Colonel Bitch POV
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Pierre's hand jumped to mine, not to pull it away, but to ascertain it was really my hand on his face. Never taking his eyes off mine, he shook his head no. We stared at each other for too long. No doubt, people in the restaurant were watching two brown-skinned giants staring at one another.
Perhaps Manoso noticed other patrons looking at us. "Colonel, please sit," Manoso invited. Someone had grabbed a spare chair and set it next to Pierre's place at the table, but he remained standing. He continued to stare, probably wondering if he was dreaming. He had not seen me since Billabong bar, a decade and more ago.
I sat down and glanced up at the still-standing man. "Sit down, handsome," I said, smiling.
His eyes betrayed he remembered me uttering those same words to him years before in the bar far away. He slowly lowered his large frame gracefully onto the chair, his eyes never leaving mine.
The curly-haired woman broke the spell, "Excuse me, ma'am, I take it you know Ranger and Tank from the Army?"
I turned away from Pierre and cocking my eyebrows upward, asked, "Ranger?" I didn't let on I already knew Carlos' nickname as well as Pierre's.
"It's the street name I picked up when I got out."
Nodding, I said, "Appropriate." Then, turning to the right I said, "You go by Tank? My name for you stuck?"
"Yes, ma'am, " he said softly.
The curly-haired woman jumped in, "You named Tank?"
"Yes, it seemed and still seems appropriate. He was big, strong, indomitable, and most lethal."
"He still is," inserted the blond. Extending his hand, "Colonel, I'm Lester Santos." His eyebrows flirted to further catch my attention.
Then the man next to him joined in, "I'm Bobby Brown."
The big blond at the end of the table remained quiet and motionless.
"Harold," I spoke softly, "I hope you aren't in the same condition I left you in all those years ago." He was quite drunk that day. I also knew he now went by the name Hal but couldn't let on, yet.
"You remember me?" He looked surprised or maybe hopeful I had forgotten him.
I smiled and added, "You've bulked up a bit like Pierre here, but you're the same handsome gentleman with those lovely, china blue eyes."
He blushed but didn't slump down. He was still a soldier, if not still in service.
The curly-haired woman smiled, "Hal, I didn't know your name was Harold. Hal fits you." Then turning to me she extended her hand, "I'm Stephanie Plum. I assume you don't want us to call you Colonel Bitch." Her eyes were dancing with excitement.
Laughing I said, "It is well suited, but I usually go by VC. It's the short form of Vassiliki Christofondodoulos.
"Yipes," said Lester, "VC is so much easier."
I smiled and nodded, "And easier to spell. One tends to get lost halfway through."
Manoso, now Ranger began, "Single-handedly, the Colonel, back then a Military Police Captain, took down six Rangers. It was a bad day for Rangers and Special Forces."
Stephanie was impressed, "Everyone? By yourself?"
"No, Harold, ah, Hal here was already hammered. He wasn't fighting that afternoon. He remained seated."
Bobby was smiling, "Go on, please." He could not imagine anyone besting Ranger or Tank.
My mind scanned its memory, Robert (Bobby) Brown, Medical Doctor, a former medic, Army Ranger joined Manoso's unit 2 years after the Philippines. "I had just been promoted to Captain and was assigned to the Philippines. We got a call about rowdy Americans at an Australian Navy bar. We weren't expecting six elite Rangers."
I paused and sipped my coffee. "I went in with Sergeants Ron Peterson and Silvio Rodriguez."
"Our Silvio?" Lester asked. Once again my mind rolled through the memory files; Lester Santos, cousin to Manoso. Also a Ranger, his specialty was human Intel collector due to his proficiency in languages but doubled as a combat engineer. He was an exceptionally intelligent, excellent leader, but cocky when he wasn't in command. From the way he looked at me, I'd have to add possible 'player'.
"Yes, your Silvio. When the Sergeants saw six Rangers they called for back-up. It was an automatic, self-preservation move."
That got a chuckle from the group.
"I was there to observe only. The Australian MPs were on site but had their hands full keeping their guys from pounding our guys into mush for trespassing. It would have been a lovely brawl: Marines versus Rangers," I sighed. "Lieutenant Manoso and his pals were itching for action, especially Simpson. Unfortunately, things got active before our back-up arrived."
"I remember it being pretty one-sided, your side," muttered Tank.
Reaching over and putting my hand on his, "It was fun, until..." I looked at him with remorse.
"Go on," said Bobby as he glanced at my hand atop Tank's. He wasn't the only one to note my touch.
"I was standing back, observing my men. Peterson and Rodriguez informed the men they were out of bounds and needed to leave immediately. The response was laughter, a good indication there would be a fracas. Then Simpson pointed to me and said, "Maybe the bitch in the back would like to order us to leave. Whereupon, I came forward and said, "That's Captain Bitch to you."
Stephanie, Lester, and Bobby chuckled. Hal blushed. Ranger shook his head as if he didn't want to be reminded. Tank continued to stare at me. I wasn't sure if he was listening or in a daze.
I continued, "Simpson unbuttoned his pants, pulled out his penis and said, 'Captain Bitch, you need to salute General Johnson."
"What did you do?" gasped Stephanie.
Waving my hand back and forth, "It wasn't the first time a soldier flashed me. It was just a boy showing off his toy. After I told him to tuck his teeny weenie back in bed, he got angry. He picked up a beer bottle, broke it and made a move towards me."
Bobby winced, "And..."
"It got fun. I kicked the table sending it into Simpson's privates, then jumped onto the table and kicked the bottle out of his hand. Next thing he knew, he was flying across the table into Peterson's arms to be cuffed. In the meantime, the second in line, Kinsley, grabbed my arm and swung me around. I saw Manoso coming after me so I side kicked him in the carotid. My aim was perfect. He went down immediately. Kinsley was getting ready to slug me. I deflected the punch, elbowed his face, and sent him off to Rodriguez. Baca wanted to fight next, but was so drunk he couldn't decide what punch to throw. While he was trying to decide, I pushed him down on the table and cuffed him and gave him to Peterson. I reached down and cuffed Manoso before he woke up. Olsen," indicating Hal, "was pretty far gone. He never stood up so I suggested he put his head on the table and sleep. That left this man." I reached over to touch Tank's hand again.
Tank was listening after all. He continued the story, "It was embarrassing. We spent months training and a lady MP blew through us like the wind. We were drunk, but I didn't think we were that far gone."
I continued, "I told Pierre I was surprised they allowed the First Cav equipment into the bar. He was confused so I explained, 'Tanks usually remain out on the road."
"That's how he got his name?" Stephanie asked.
"Apparently, though I'm surprised others didn't use it before."
"They had other names," he mumbled, "I didn't find your nickname as offensive because it came from such a pretty lady."
Others at the table raised their eyebrows at his compliment. Apparently, it was completely out of character. I blushed. I don't receive personal praise like that so I was taken aback. "Thank you, sir," was all I could say evenly, without sounding like a schoolgirl.
Returning to my story, "I gave him a chance to walk away, telling him he was drunk, too drunk to fight as I had done with Harold. He claimed he had consumed only two beers. More likely, he had consumed two at that bar, but more elsewhere. The longer he stood swaying on his feet, the more time he had to think. He went on and on about needing to uphold Army Ranger honor."
"You fought Tank?" Lester said in awe.
"I told him the Rangers' honor didn't need to be upheld and his group was just acting like jackasses. Through the alcohol haze, he remained a gentleman and still thinking, but conflicted. He didn't want to fight a woman and especially not an officer. I was an expert in hand-to-hand and told him I would gladly spar with him instead. I promised I wouldn't hit his knees as he was too valuable to the Army or his nuts as I didn't want to ruin his sex life. Also, I didn't want to hurt that pretty face." I reached up and touched his jaw again.
Lester laughed and Tank growled.
I remained facing Tank and explained, "I had previously watched you in hand-to-hand training. I knew you'd beat me so I thought by setting parameters beforehand you'd let up a bit on me. Plus, I wanted to impress on my men that I wasn't afraid of action. It was a new command for me. Mostly though, I wanted to play. I had twenty years martial arts and, of course, Army MP training. The Army knew MPs would run up against rowdy Special Forces and Rangers."
"What about Delta?" Bobby asked.
I turned my head and smirked, "They are the worst. Only silver bullets or stakes in the heart stops them." It was a gentle insult to a table of Rangers and was taken in humor.
Lester was smiling, "Please continue…"
"We traded blows, threw each other a few times. We were really just sparring, testing each other. I was having fun. It probably looked intense."
"I had a few bruises afterward," he mumbled.
"I'm sorry," I said as I squeezed his arm this time. I normally don't touch people, it is against my code and Army regulations, but this was something more. The men and woman at the table were watching my display.
"Unfortunately, I went for a pectoral hit to hopefully knock him back, but I slipped on spilled beer and my kick went too high. I hit him right on the jaw and broke it."
"You broke Tank's jaw?" Stephanie gasped.
"And I've felt awful about it ever since."
"Why?" Tank looked confused.
"I promised I wouldn't hurt you."
Looking at the others I said, "Afterwards, I ordered this handsome gentleman to sit down. I sat on his lap to keep him from jumping up while I examined the jaw. Using several bandanas I created a sling to hold the jaw in place until he got to the hospital." No way was I mentioning how instantly stimulating sitting on his lap was for both of us.
"Where did you learn to stabilize the mandible?" Bobby asked.
"It was done to me years before."
"And you kissed me," Tank continued.
Laughing, "Yes, I did, right here…" and I reached over and touched the spot on his forehead. I would have kissed it again, but I had already been too overt.
"That was it?" Stephanie asked dismissively.
"Well, it was a public location like here and I was and am an Army officer. For their actions, five men spent the night in detention, sleeping off the alcohol. Pierre went to the hospital to have his jaw set.
"I figured my kissing him would cause me a boatload of problems. Those who saw it didn't mention it, except Simpson. I got creamed though. Simpson's daddy had political clout. I was brought up for court-martial."
"WHAT?'" Tank nearly leaped from his chair. I grabbed his arm to keep him down.
"I nearly killed two Army Rangers and injured a third."
"The hell you did," Tank blustered.
"I knocked Manoso unconscious and I broke your jaw in an unprovoked attack. Furthermore, I endangered Simpson's health and heritage by bruising his penis."
"That's bullshit," Tank shot back.
"That's not what the courts found."
"They never talked to me," Tank mumbled.
"... or to any of us," added Ranger.
"No, you were suddenly shipped to Australia including Pierre, contrary to the doctor's advice. Simpson remained behind because of his bruises. The Aussie MPs saw a whole different display. They thought I was well contained and were so impressed they wanted me to train their MPs, but their testimony was ruled ineligible."
"Why?"
"From the start, it was obvious the whole proceeding was rigged. The charges began in Washington, from Simpson's father, not in the Philippines. My poor JAG rep was pulling his hair out, trying to create a defense, but everything was ruled inadmissible by the head judge. Simpson didn't have to appear in person, an affidavit was enough. He was never cross-examined. Later, he transitioned out of the Army on a medical."
"For a bruised dick?" Lester spewed. "I should have been out the first week."
"Your daddy wasn't a US Senator. Ultimately, the head judge's verdict was 'guilty of attempted murder'."
"Bullshit." Tank uttered, quietly enough not to be heard beyond the table.
"The other two judges ruled 'not guilty'. One even suggested the whole proceeding was illegal and unnecessary."
"That's quite a difference from attempted murder," Ranger replied.
"The sentence went to arbitration. The head judge pushed for 20 years in Leavenworth, but that was excessive. Finally, it came down to loss of grade, busted back to Lieutenant and barred from any law enforcement: no MP, no CID, nor Judge Advocate. I had to be totally reclassified."
"You didn't appeal?"
"My father, a Colonel, contacted me and said to ride it out, there was far more at stake than just me. He hinted at the stench in Washington.
"Why didn't you receive a DD, dishonorable discharge?" Lester asked.
"That was what the head judge wanted after he couldn't get Leavenworth. The other two looked at my record and couldn't justify it, plus they too were suspicious something was amiss. Eventually, an investigation was started, but in the meantime, I got a new assignment."
"Reclassified as what?" Ranger asked.
I chuckled, "Everyone thought I'd end up minding a desk somewhere out of the way, maybe a weapons depot. Nope, Senator Simpson was out for blood. I was retested: fitness, strength, intelligence plus weapons proficiency. On the firing range, I shot a perfect score on three different weapons. Fitness, strength, agility, intelligence, and so on I scored in the upper 10%." Turning to Ranger, "Where would you have put me?"
"Special Forces."
"Except women weren't allowed in Special Forces."
"Weapons or hand-to-hand instructor, then."
"Positions reserved for non-coms. I still had my commission. However, the Senator and his friends wanted me out of sight, gone, preferably dead. On paper, I was sent to an ammunition depot in the desert in Southern Cal just as everyone suspected. Actually, I was at Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona. From there I visited Campbell, Benning, and Bragg. I received a rather unusual MOS in the 35s."
Bobby simply said, "Oh, shit."
Stephanie looked confused but the Army guys around the table shook their heads. "Somebody want to tell me what…?"
"Spook," Ranger said quietly.
"My sex and rank were forgotten and I became an operative, operating in the grey zones where rules don't apply." I looked at Ranger and knew he understood as he, too, had been in the grey zone more than a few times, especially once he left the Army. "They figured I'd get killed. My father could not get involved as he was part of the investigation team probing the Washington and Pentagon cesspool. The scum was baiting him, trying to get him to misstep so they could destroy him, my brother, who is also in the Army, and derail the entire investigation."
"What a horrible father! He was willing to sacrifice his daughter?" Stephanie nearly spit.
"When we take the oath to protect the country and Constitution we accept it may mean personal sacrifice. My father took the same oath I and my brother took," I answered simply.
"You aren't still in it are you?" Lester gasped.
"I was for about six years until I got stuck in the rabbit hole and one step from death, literally. This guy saved me," I said, tapping Tank on the arm.
"Huh?" Tank was surprised and searching his memory.
"No, you didn't know it was me, then or other times. I was invisible. Either I was camouflaged or located out of sight."
"Excuse me, Colonel, what do you mean 'down the rabbit hole'?" Stephanie asked.
"It has several meanings, but here it's a complex, chaotic mission where success or survival is…problematic at best."
Stephanie thought of Ranger and some of the other guys going away 'on missions'. How often were they 'down the rabbit hole'?
Maria and Juanita arrived with our orders. Most everyone had ordered Huevos Rancheros under red chile. The smell was intoxicating. The sweet earthy chile belied the spicy bite. Here they used a hotter Hatch chile. Few people realize Hatch is not only the growing region but also it is the variety, whose seasonal growing conditions and preparation determines the heat. Those unfamiliar with chile are warned to take their chile on the side. Stephanie ordered a giant waffle covered in pecans and whipped cream. My order arrived in a generous bowl, not on a dish.
"What's that?" Tank asked as he looked at my bowl of vegetables.
"Caldo Chile Verde," I answered with a smile.
"Green Chile Stew for breakfast?" Tank asked.
"It is all relative: for some it is breakfast, for others it is dinner."
Ranger froze. He was remembering those words from a mission long ago, uttered by a sniper in a ghillie suit in North Korea. He glanced at me and I nodded and winked back. He stared at his breakfast but couldn't eat.
Tank missed the exchange with Ranger. He was too fascinated with the vegetable stew. "What is in it?"
"It is a meat broth base, this time pork meat, several different vegetables especially calabacitas also known as summer squash, green beans, corn, lots of green chile, and a carb, like potatoes or posole."
"Posole?"
"It is hominy but not the vile, canned stuff. Do you want a taste?"
"You don't mind?"
A surprised and contented look came over Tank's face. "I'm sure Maria would share her recipe if you asked nicely. It's on the menu, Colonel's Special. I've eaten gallons of it here; breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
When everyone was sipping the last of their coffee, I slipped away and went to Juanita, giving her a handful of one hundred dollar bills. "This is for the meal for all of us and a tip."
"Colonel, this is too much!"
"Juanita, it may be the last time I'm here."
"Colonel, are you being reassigned again?"
"Yes. Please use the money to buy your son, Diego, the microscope he wants. I hope he becomes a doctor."
With that, a teary-eyed Juanita threw her arms around me, "Vaya con Dios."
"Gracias a todos para su amistad y amor." I replied (Thank you for your friendship and love). I continued on to the restroom; I had consumed a lot of coffee. When I returned to the table, Ranger uttered, "You didn't need to buy us all breakfast, but thank you."
"Save your money. First thing you need to do is go for burner phones. Now, we need to talk outside, just you, Pierre, and me."
We left the restaurant and I bid goodbye to Stephanie, Lester, Bobby, and Hal. Stephanie wanted to stay with Ranger but Bobby pulled her aside, "Let them talk."