The town that the company had chosen to rest at was small and almost abandoned save a few settlers seeking refuge from the ever raging war that had engulfed their world. Everything looked as if its previous occupants had simply turned to dust leave café tables and chair set out, shop display windows still preserved a way of life that may never be recaptured in this sleepy French town.
Cali noticed the sky glowed a deep glistening red to the east, I couldn't be morning already…could it?
Winters noticed her quizzical stare and made to approach her on the bridge, he was checked by Nixon.
"Watch yourself,"
"What?!" Winters was surprised he even needed to ask
"just saying….ah its nothing," Winters could see that Nixon was loving this just a bit too much, a mischievous smile had crept across his face and he could no longer hide his joy at perceiving the conspiracy that had been playing on his friends mind.
"Trust the intelligence officer to rat me out," Winters smiled, in some way he enjoyed that him and his old friend could share a secret that had no official secrecy papers to sign. That however did not subtract from the fact that any feeling he may have for Cali would have to be quickly quelled. He was an officer and any such relationship would be completely inappropriate and could find them both in serious trouble. Still…. No...
Cali left the glowing sky after deducting that the red ambiance was not due to any sun springing forth, but the low rumble of heavy artillery in the distance. She strolled through the street of the misty town, taking in the life that was. Balconies overlooked the narrow cobbled streets, smoky cafés and bars sat silenced and empty, her sister had moved to a similar French town many years ago. She had married and settled down, something Cali had never imagined herself doing. Cali had moved from place to place, job to job, never really finding a place that she belonged. Perhaps her job here was simply the latest in a long line of flings, but something felt different.
A sharp shrill whistle pierced the crisp air; Cali jumped in her boot and locked on the source of the sound.
It was Malarkey, his wolf whistle had taken her by surprise to the amusement of Bill, Lutz and Webster who chuckled and choked on cigar fumes. Malarkey signaled her over and she perched on the arm of his chair, the boys had evidently found the bars cellar ad helped themselves to beer and port. She took a swig of the port that ran through her mouth like a fire and stung her dry throat.
"Eaaaasy girl…. Save some for the rest of us hey?" Lutz jibed, Cali responded with a sarcastic glare and took another swig, the night was early and she had no intention of another sleepless night.