0800. Hours
The couch was plush and the air was pleasant in the stronghold that had once been the dwelling of the now deceased chancellor. Quartermaster Lieutenant Benjamin R. Hass tapped his fingers on one of the two items that the General requested, certain that he would be pleased in the accommodations down here. He started a new fire in the fireplace. It added warmth and light to the fine setting of velvet and leather accompaniments.
The General would want more though.
He had a fetish for young women, sometimes two a night. Often the lieutenant would have to straighten out the situation after the General got into one of his bouts of drinking, leaving his wounded for Hass to straighten out. Hass hated this part of his job. He didn't know what he was going to walk into half the time, but the General for the most part, had been satisfied with the swiftness and confidentiality that only Hass could provide. He dealt with each situation with a trusted expertise. Now Hass waited for the General to arrive. He stared at the sparkling fire; it rose and fell with a soft crackling momentum. A telephone rang, and Hass picked it up on the first ring.
"Yes. Very good." He stood as the door opened.
General Daniel M. Quaid stepped in and glanced around at the large room.
"Sir." Hass stood erect saluting the General.
"At ease, Lieutenant." The General mumbled as if he had more important things on his mind. His cold blue eyes now surveyed the Lieutenant and continued to look around indifferently at his new found home.
"How was your trip sir?"
"Exhausting."
"Is there anything I can get you sir?"
"No, no."
"I trust the lodging is to your liking?"
"It will do for now." His said in annoyance. Hass was hovering too much. "Hand me the Sweep Component." He made a gesture to the elaborate square metal case lined up next to the couch as he sat down.
Hass picked it up and handed it to him.
"Did you get her IMS code?"
"Uh...Yes sir." He reached into a small brief case retrieved a file, and handed it to the General.
"Excellent." He opened the file and gave a satisfied smile. He punched in a secret key code on the end of the Sweep Component, and reached into his uniform for a special flat key attached to a chain with other keys. He inserted the key and punched some more codes. The titanium case flipped open.
Hass watched the General's face. A small blue light brightened his eyes, giving them an eerie glow. The General looked up at Hass with a grin, and then glanced at the small liquor bar in the corner. "Let's say you and I have some scotch together to celebrate the moment."
Hass looked at his watch and was about to protest, but did not want to say no to the General.
"Yes sir". He went over to the bar and glanced over his shoulder. The General typed the code from the file. Hass poured the scotch and put one on the table in front of the General.
"Read off the code to me Lieutenant." He handed the file to Hass.
"Yes sir. One, Five, Six, Victor, Seven, Niner, Zero, Zero, Zero, Three, Seven, Q.
The General picked up the scotch and held it up. "Well, Lieutenant. Here's to freedom."
Touching glasses, they looked at each other and smiled in understanding. The General and the Lieutenant laughed as he punched the last code and hit "mark".
Across the world somewhere in San Francisco California, the former Mrs. Doris Ann Quaid, IMS-156V7900037Q, collapsed and died instantly.
"Now." He finished his scotch and put the glass down. "Let's see what else you have for me." He held out his hand for Hass to place something in it.
"Yes sir."
Hass handed him the private memoirs of one Dr. Dana Stanton.