Many thanks to my generous Beta. What a treasure she is and I can only hope she will be willing to continue with me.
Chapter 5
Meeting with the General
As soon as I stepped into his office I knew this was not going to be pleasant or acceptable. This was a chess game. Whoever managed to stay two to three plays ahead would win.
I waited for the general to speak first. He knew the drill but I could outwait him.
Finally he spoke, Manoso, it seems to me that this exercise is going quite well. I realize that some of it may be a little inconvenient for you and your company, however, with Lucia's help and the new personnel we should be able to wrap this up fairly soon, say six months or so."
"Six months or so? I think not general. Sir, I believe you have made some gross miscalculations in your planning As I pointed out to you at the beginning of this negotiation, my existing staff and personnel had the background, training and capability to carry out this mission as well as anyone else. Again, six months is unacceptable. I probably won't have the capability of retrieving my people after six months. Rangeman was a first class operation I has taken me years to get it where it was prior to your direction and I want it back intact.
"Lucia can direct and handle it more efficiently" the bastard says. "She is accustomed to dealing with threats in the confines of our borders."
Blank face in place, Ranger firmly states, "With all due respect , General, I don't think she could find her own ass or anything else with six hands, a flashlight and a roadmap. She opens her mouth and spews venom when she thinks no one else can hear her.. And, I am damned if I will play newlywed with that pit viper. Surely she can be sent to some other country where her brand of command and discipline is more acceptable. Is it now possible to consider some other plans?"
As the General leans back in his chair and smiles he agrees to some additional planning. "I do think it is only fair to ask Lucia to join us. She is here in the building. Lets ask her to come in."
The General using the intercom to asks Colonel Lucia Martinez to come in.
Ranger shrugs his shoulders and says "It's your party General."
Colonel Lucia Martinez enters the office . She is in full uniform. She salutes the General and asks permission to sit down. Barely acknowledging Major Manoso , she takes her seat and begins by saying "I am pleased to be invited to participate in the discussion. I would like to make a full report on the progress made if that is appropriate and as an aside to Major Manoso, I would like to state that I always know where my ass is."
Ranger nods and acknowledges "I was unaware that you had such a talent for eavesdropping Lucia. Please let us hear your report".
As Lucia gives the General and Ranger a written copy of her report. She also reads it to them "The majority of the Rangeman employees have either been terminated, required to get more education in various fields or have been demoted to rank and file .The one exception is Tank, Pierre Marquette, The current employees respect his authority. Tank doesn't seem to respect mine just yet but I believe in time he will come to appreciate it. Further he is still valuable with the old, established customer of Rangeman. The only difficult employee was Ms. Stephanie Plum. She has quite an extensive and creative vocabulary. She even threatened me."
A growl or a groan escaped from Ranger but he made no comment.
"To continue," smiled Lucia, while ignoring Ranger's obvious discomfort, "We wish to seem to be the normal Rangeman Company. My main complaint is Major Manoso. It is obvious he does not respect my status as his "wife, or even that I am a superior officer. I am more than willing to appear as a happily married couple, but I can't do it by myself.
Ranger stood and faced Lucia, The blank face was gone as he stated,, No way in hell would I ever be willing to act as a loving or any kind of husband with Colonel Martinez. And now if we have time, I would like to make some proposals of my own to complete this situation with as much honor as we can all manage.