Maddy sat quietly at the breakfast table. She heard her parents talking last night even if she could only hear garbled sentences. The only audible words that carried to her bedroom were a string of curses her father cut loose with. Maddy could only remember him ever using foul language only a couple times in her life. Whatever happened to Skye and her friend….wait, Maddy remembered hearing a comment that Skye and Tasha were OTG yesterday. It had to be something happened to them and they got hurt.
"Maddy."
She looked to the sound of the voice. Her mother was smiling at her, "You are quiet. How did your birthday go?" Maddy was already in bed when her mother and Josh got home.
"Oh," Maddy shrugged, "I had a great time. How come you didn't let me stay for Josh?"
"I had clients and I know how much you hate the sight of blood so didn't want you getting ill on your birthday," the half lie flowed easily from her mother's lips.
"Who was hurt that late in the day?"
"Nobody I'm talking about. Josh, are you able to work today?" Elizabeth ended the discussion with her daughter by switching to her son.
"I need the money, so yeah. I'll have Carver give me something my hand can handle."
"I think you need to take a few days off," his father commented, but it came out as an order.
"I don't think so, Dad," Josh spoke quietly, but didn't back down.
"You're not going to be any use to Carver with your dominant hand all bandaged up."
"You let me worry about that," Josh shoveled food in fast so he could get away from the confrontation he didn't want.
"What are you doing today, Maddy?" Elizabeth tried to dispel the sudden tension that sprang up between the men.
"Oh, I'm going OTG…." she didn't get anything else out before both parents yelled "No," in unison.
"Jeeze," Josh spouted, "first I can't go to work and now Maddy can't do her job either. What's wrong with you two?"
Jim and Elizabeth shared a look and Jim spoke, "It's dangerous OTG right now. In fact, I expect Taylor to cancel all but essential crews for the next few days."
"What's going on, Dad?" Josh spoke first.
"I can't tell you," Jim knew he wouldn't be challenged with that tone.
Josh and Maddy headed to the hub of activity together letting their father take Zoe to school with the excuse they had to get to work. Maddy filled her brother in on what she and Mark saw the night before.
"You're friends with Skye. Stop by and see what's going on," they parted and he said he would.
"Daddy," Zoe was holding her father's hand as they walked to the school.
"Yes?" he really wasn't listening and his mind on the tragedy that befell Skye and Tasha the day before. He wanted to get to the office and find out what Taylor knew. Elizabeth told him about the attack, but was fuzzy on details that didn't involve her medical skills.
"Who won the bet?"
"Huh?" he had no idea what she was talking about.
"You know, the bet where you or Mommy have to help me with my homework."
"Oh, well, ahhh, I'll have to ask Mommy today. I forgot to see who won, but I'll find out," he forced a smile down at her. "I hope I lost."
"Why?"
"That way I get to spend more time with you," he hugged her tightly before watching her walk into the school and start talking to a girl her age.
He hurried to the Command Center only to find it empty. A plexpad was on his table and flashing that he had a message.
'Shannon,' the face of Nathaniel appeared, 'I've taken a unit to retrieve Skye's rover. Elizabeth was given permission to tell you what happened. The girls don't want anyone to know the details. Today, Wash, Debora and they will concoct a story for why their faces are battered. For now, they are staying at Debora's. If we don't run into trouble, I'll be back in a few hours. Delete this message.' The screen went blank.
He looked up as Wash wandered in yawning repeatedly, a hand over her mouth. Normally he would make a suggestive comment at what was keeping her up at night, but it wasn't appropriate this morning. "Taylor went to get the rover and I heard the facts, but not the details. Can you fill me in?"
Alicia sat down and grabbed her plexpad. She hit a command, "There, it's on your unit."
"He read the details and looked at the photos of the six perpetrators, "I remember seeing most of them in the colony."
"Yeah, me too. I had a drink with the one called Monte Gautier and stole his access unit to take part of the fence sensors down."
Jim moved to her table and sat down, "You remember that?"
She nodded.
"Do you remember not coming with my family?" he spoke softly. He'd never brought it up after she told him she didn't remember. And after the one time she did admit to remembering everything, he didn't really believe her and was convinced she was trying to get him to back off.
"I remember everything up to and including the flash from the end of Lucas' gun," her dark eyes bore into him.
"Does Taylor know?" he took a sip of rapidly cooling coffee.
"No, I never told him."
"Are you going to?"
Alicia graced him with a slightly crooked smile, "I don't plan on it. He carries a lot of guilt for what Lucas did. That's one dog I'd like to leave sleeping."
"I won't tell on you, but I'm happy you recovered your memories even if they aren't the best. Have you been by Debora's this morning?"
She shook her head, "No, I just woke up. I've been sleeping a lot lately. I think my body is demanding I slow down."
Jim grinned, "I think it's called getting old."
Alicia threw her stylus and it arched right into his coffee cup, "You're older than me by a few years so would know all about it."
He laughed and pulled it out. Handing it back still dripping he watched her use the tail of her tee-shirt to dry the instrument off and reattach it to her plexpad. "Say, isn't that Taylor's shirt?"
"She was spared an answer by her radio squawking, "Washington," she still used her maiden name at work.
"Hey Wash," the voice of Nathaniel floated into the room, "we're here and nothing's been touched. I sent Thomas on ahead to see if he can get a direction on the tracks. I'll be back in an hour."
"Right," she let him cut the connection.
"What did the scene look like?" all teasing was gone from Jim's demeanor.
"They ransacked the vehicle and took anything they could use, but left the batteries. Nathaniel left a note saying he was going out early. He wanted to be on scene at first light," she finished with another yawn.
"Maybe you should go home and get some more sleep," Jim was starting to worry about her. The Wash he knew was always sharp.
Wash threw a look over her shoulder, "There is a bed here. I think I will lie down for a little bit. I can't keep my eyes open."
"Do you need to see Elizabeth?" Jim was genuinely concerned.
"If this keeps up, yes. I think I'm just stressed with what happened and not sleeping like I should." She stood and moved out of sight to the back of the command area where a partitioned off section still existed from when Nathaniel used it as his quarters. It was his home when they first arrived and got the building constructed, with a rock jail below and quarters for the soldiers above, out of reach of the marauding carnos before the fence was finished.
Nathaniel bounded up the steps into the Command Center. He saw Jim sitting at his assigned table making notes on a plexpad. "What you doing?" he went for coffee before joining him, sinking into a chair at the table.
"Research and putting profiles together on all the Phoenix soldiers we can identify. Might come in handy if we encounter them."
"Good," Nathaniel looked around. "Seen Guz?"
"He left a message that he took Beta unit and went on patrol. I put Charlie unit on heightened standby at all gates and towers. All I told them was the Phoenix were spotted nearby. That got them looking sharp and business like."
"Good job. Is Wash at Debora's?" Nathaniel figured Shannon had been filled in on that particular detail.
"No, she's sleeping over yonder," he gestured to the back of the commodious room.
Nathaniel followed the path she took an hour and half earlier. He saw her turned on her side away from him and settled his weight on the edge of the narrow cot. He ran his hand up her bare arm and under the short sleeve of what was obviously his shirt and pushed towards her breast.
"You better be my husband or you'll be explaining broken fingers to the doctor."
"Roll over so I have easier access," his voice told her who was molesting her. "You know if I find you in a bed I get to claim marital rights."
With a smile, she rolled onto her back and his hand wasted no time in sliding under his tee-shirt to cup a bra clad breast. She stretched with her arms over her head and brought a hand back down to rest on his thigh near his crotch.
He smiled, "Close, but no cigar."
"Are we alone?" her voice was still husky from sleep and he responded naturally, moving her hand to cover his growing arousal.
"Shannon won't come in here. He better not," Nathaniel leaned over and drew her into a deep kiss, his tongue invading her mouth, inviting her to reciprocate. Her tongue matched his and her hand massaged him through his pants until he moaned and broke off. "We haven't broken in this bed," his hands reached for the buckle on her belt.
"We can't do it with Shannon in hearing range."
Nathaniel thought of the possibilities, "Shannon," he roared and watched his wife remove her hand and he reluctantly shifted his to her hip.
Jim hesitated stepping behind the partition, but he was summoned after all. What he saw would stay with him for a long time. Wash was in a state of arousal with her mussed hair and swollen just kissed lips, and her shirt pushed up exposing her creamy abdomen. "Sir," he focused on Taylor, who was smirking at him.
"Take your work to the balcony. Don't let anyone come in."
"Uhh, right," Jim couldn't get away fast enough. He grabbed his plexpad and jacket and moved to the cool balcony making sure the door was firmly shut. He sat at the chessboard with a smile. It had been many years since he occasionally waylaid his bride at the hospital and they would make use of the various rooms.
He saw Chang, head agriculturist hurrying in the direction of the Command Center. He watched as the Asian man took the stairs two at a time and panted in front of him. It was obvious he ran from a long distance. Jim let him catch his breath.
Finally Dr. Chang spoke, "We have a major theft in the back field where the tubers are ready to be harvested."
"Wildlife?" Jim asked the most obvious.
Chang shook his head, "Not unless they've taken to wearing shoes."
"Okay, hold on," Jim reached for his radio. "Shannon to Thomas."
"Go ahead, Sir," Sergeant Thomas promptly responded.
"Are you near the colony?"
"We're heading back, about five klicks out."
"Report as soon as you get back and be ready to leave again."
"Yes, Sir."
Jim turned back to Chang, "I'll tell the Commander. He's in a private meeting. Sit down and wait if you want. I know Taylor will want to check this out for himself."
Chang gratefully sank into the seat across from Jim, "You play?"
"I've been known to play a mean game. I did a lot of chess playing in Golad," Jim made a move from the game board, which was set for a new game.
Chang made a move and the game was on. About ten minutes later Nathaniel emerged from behind the closed door. "Chang, I thought the OTG log stated you'd be harvesting today."
Chang gave up the game and looked up at the Commander. "Part of the field was stolen."
"Thomas is almost back and I told him to be ready to leave again," Jim added.
"Okay, any theories?"
"Well, the Sixers were known to help themselves to our crops, but we always planted more for them and to counter the losses," Chang answered and figured it was Mira and her people, but the amount was far greater this time.
Nathaniel nodded, "Looks like our guests may be running low on food and thanks to Mira or Fickett, knew where to scavenge what they need."
"They took enough to make the colony run short. I see food rationing for our most staple item. We use those ancient potatoes in everything from starch to baby formula. We'll have to make a list of priorities," Chang spelled out the worse of it.
"Come with me," he motioned to Chang and prayed his wife was decent and at her worktable. Jim smirked as they caught gazes, which Nathaniel returned.
"Wash," Nathaniel roared when he saw she was missing. He figured she was still behind the partition and made for that area. It was empty so he knocked on the bathroom door and then opened it when no answer was returned. It was also empty. 'Where could she have gone?' He marched out to the balcony and sure enough, her rover was missing. He grinned, knowing she went home to clean up properly. Wiping the smile off his face, he returned to his office where Chang and Shannon were waiting.
"She'll be along," he heard the call to raise the gate and hurried back out with Jim and Chang on his heels. At the bottom of the steps he turned to the trailing duo, "Shannon, stay here, Chang, you're with me." He pulled his radio out of the pocket of his leather jacket, "Taylor to Guzman."
"Guzman here."
"Where are you, Guz?"
"We picked up a set of tracks heading north towards the badlands. Do you want me to pursue and take care of our little problem," Guzman's tone suggested the Commander better say yes.
Nathaniel paused and finally issued his verdict, "If you can get to them before they reach the badlands and can safely overtake them, do so. You know what to do. Also, they may have the back of their troop carrier full of stolen food. Bring everything back if you can."
"Understood," Guzman's tone changed to satisfaction.
"Turn back if they reach the badlands," Nathaniel reiterated.
"They won't get away; I have the tracer on Fickett. Do you want him back?"
"Nope, he's used all his lives up and is a monster. I trust Beta Unit is ready to camp out for days?"
"I don't take a unit out that's not."
"Good luck, Taylor out."
Guzman called his driver to stop and got out. He motioned his unit out of their vehicles to gather round. "I just spoke with the Commander. We have permission to follow these tracks and catch up with Fickett before he reaches the badlands. I have a location on Fickett and he's close. I figure we'll come upon them either tonight or tomorrow. They may travel all night trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the colony because they stole a large portion of our winter crop. Taylor wants them dead including Fickett. That is our mission, find and exterminate. Any questions?"
"We're not taking prisoners?" a young private asked.
"These men have committed additional crimes against colonist. We will make an example out of them, that's an order. Let's move out."
Nathaniel looked at the back part of the field where the scavengers methodically dug a quarter of the field and stole the tubers. Footprints matched the digital photos from the other crime scene so Nathaniel was justified in ordering their deaths. He only wished he was in on the attack. They could do nothing here except post guards, which Nathaniel did the moment he got back to the colony.
"Taylor to Washington," he noticed she never returned from their morning liaison.
"Here, Commander."
"Where are you?"
"Debora's."
He started to ask how it was going and caught himself. "Can I stop by?" he asked instead.
"Yes," she didn't want to give anything away on her end either.
It was noon and the girls were awake, but still in bed. Debora took the day off work and made soup for them which they were eating when Nathaniel knocked.
"That'll be Nathaniel," Alicia called out from where she was sitting with Tasha. She heard his voice and him talking in Skye's bedroom before he made an appearance. He smiled brightly at Tasha and winked at Wash.
"Tasha, I want you to know your father is hot on the trail of the men who did this to you."
Tasha put her cup of soup down on her lap, "Will I have to testify against them?"
"No, we're at war and they'll be handled in military fashion if you father finds them," he shot a warning look at his wife.
"What does that mean?" Tasha wanted to know.
Nathaniel looked carefully at her swollen face, "It means they'll be executed for their crimes against not only you and Skye, but also the colony. We're not taking prisoners or having those types of people free to do this again."
Alicia held her tongue, but garnered much from his dialog with Tasha. He'd fill her in later she knew, but for now, she wanted to change the topic. "Tasha has been invited to live here with Debora and Skye and she's accepted. So Max and Hunter need to be informed they have to find a roommate and fast as I don't think they make enough to foot the rent on a house."
"Alright, we'll track the boys down and explain the situation to them. Tasha, I'm sure they'll want to visit. Are you up to company maybe as early as tomorrow?"
"No. I don't want them to see me like this."
Her answer was good enough for him, "That's fine, but they need to be told something for you two to have just up and vanished. Have you ladies come up with a solution yet?"
Tasha looked at her mug and shook her head while Alicia stood, "Let's find Debora and see if we can agree on something." She led the way to Skye's room, "Debora, Skye, have you two formulated a story yet?"
Debora spoke up, "We agreed that Skye and Tasha got attacked by the Sixers and beat up and robbed. The Sixers have never to our knowledge sexually assaulted anyone so a simple beating is plausible."
Nathaniel nodded, "We can make that version fly. Any particular Sixers in mind, Skye?"
"Umm, I think Carter and Mira along with Wickett and Nessen. I've been threatened by all of them at one time or another."
"Yep," Nathaniel agreed, "I know what you mean; they're a mean bunch and would be believable to those who knew them. That's the story we'll circulate starting today. I need to steal Wash away. She'll be back this afternoon to take statements from both of you," Nathaniel took Alicia's elbow and escorted her from the house.
He had walked to Debora's house knowing the other vehicle was with her. "Feed me woman."
"I'm starving also," she admitted. "Do you want to go home or eat in the market?"
"Home," he climbed in the passenger side.
"There's Max," Alicia stopped a little over halfway to their home, "Max," she called him to the vehicle.
With a wide smile, the lanky young man loped over and leaned over bracing his forearm against the top of the rover.
"Have you heard anything about Tasha and Skye?" she got right to the point.
His smile slipped, "Only Tasha didn't come home last night."
"She is convalescing at Debora Tate's. While they were OTG, the Sixers caught and beat the crap out of them."
"Wow," Max looked shocked.
"They've requested no visitors," Alicia continued. "Right now they are sleeping and the doctor gave them sedatives. I don't want you boys hanging around, they need rest."
"Could I just stop and not stay, but see what happened myself?"
"I don't think you'd get past Mrs. Tate."
"Okay, I'll tell Hunter."
"Do you have anyone in mind for a roommate? Tasha's decided to stay with the Tate's."
"We're leaning towards Josh Shannon."
Alicia nodded, "Don't wait too long or you'll come up short on rent money."
"I won't, bye," he waved and hurried back to his lunch.
Nathaniel put a hand on his wife's thigh and squeezed as she continued to their home. After a minute he observed, "You do have a way with those young guys. Every one of them is in love or lust with you."
"I prefer older men," she parked.
He smiled as he got out, "Just one I hope."
She grinned back, "If I wasn't so hungry, I'd give you another demonstration."
"We can always take a long lunch," the door closed on his proposal.
"Dr. Shannon," Alicia entered the Infirmary unnoticed and walked up behind the doctor.
Elizabeth turned and smiled, "Please tell me Jim was telling whoppers when I had lunch with him."
Alicia smirked right back, "I wouldn't believe anything Shannon tells you especially if he wasn't peeking."
"Lucky you," Elizabeth murmured. "Are you ready?" They had arranged to go together this afternoon and check on the girls.
"I half expected to walk in on you and your other half after Nathaniel gave him the idea," they left the clinic for the walk to Debora's house instead of driving. The rains had still let up and it was enjoyable to visit as they ambled along not particularly in a rush.
"I don't have the ability to kick the patients and nurses out like the Commander does. Jim said you were sleeping."
"For the last few mornings I haven't been able to wake up. I may have a touch of something. I do feel off kilter, but can't put my finger on it. Nathaniel is long gone before I'm awake and is nice enough not to make me get up."
"Maybe you should let me check you out," Elizabeth volunteered.
"I'm not bleeding all over so I'll pass. I try and avoid doctors at all costs."
"You may not believe this, but I have the same affliction." Both women laughed and turned into the house.
The walk back was lacking the warm comradeship after more details of the attack emerged.
"I hope Guz finds them," Alicia vented in rage when they were a space from the house and nobody was close enough to overhear.
Elizabeth had a different concern, "I'm worried about what this is going to do to them long term. They are putting on a brave front, but what they went through is bound to have repercussions."
Alicia gave that some thought, "Skye, I predict will overcome, but Tasha may have difficulties. I just hope neither pushes men off for long because of it. I'll talk to them about the difference between love, sex and assault."
"Do you want me along?" Elizabeth had training and plenty of experience working in the state hospital dealing with sexual assaults. Alicia also had training through the military.
"I think I can handle that talk. I'm going to wait for a week or two until the girls are ready to rejoin the colony. I am more worried about Skye of the two, though, not because of the assault. She'll get over that, but it's the fear of details getting out that might do her in."
"Because of her earlier problems," Elizabeth accurately guessed.
"Yes, I think another blow from the colony in her eyes could push her over the edge. Nathaniel told me she's done with procurement until the Sixers and Phoenix are completely eradicated."
"Jim told me Guzman has been given permission to kill them," Elizabeth wanted confirmation.
"We are at war," was Alicia's rejoinder. "I want you to have second thoughts about training Skye to work in the lab, which is what she really wants to do."
"Does the Commander blame me for her being OTG?"
"He's not that petty. If anything he'll blame himself."
"I can give her a try, but she has to be able to learn the educational part of the program."
"I'll tell Nathaniel and he can talk to her and see if she still wants to work in the lab," they parted in front of the Infirmary and Alicia went on to the Command Center.
Inside, Chang was waiting for her, "Lieutenant, we need to talk."
"I'm here, Chang. Do you have a list of requisite priorities?" she sat at her table and motioned him to take a seat. Nathaniel and Jim were no place in her vicinity so she assumed they were on patrol of the colony taking advantage of the nice day.
"I do," he sat and transferred his ideas to her plexpad.
She looked at the revised plan and nodded. "This will do. We ate much of those nuts before you came and got the fields planted. Many of the colonists have never had to eat these, but will when food becomes scarce."
"Our fresh produce is running out and we are starting to bring the potatoes in from the fields today. I figure three month's supply was taken," Chang filled in more numbers for the rest of the freshly grown products.
"When Taylor was OTG with the military, all they had to eat was fish and these nuts. They did just fine," Alicia looked up as Malcolm entered and took a seat.
"Chang," he started in, "why did I hear about the food theft from Maddy Shannon?"
"It's my department and I'll handle all provender," Chang countered.
"Food is still a department of science and as such is under my jurisdiction," Malcolm looked peeved at not being kept in the loop.
"I have high hopes that Lieutenant Guzman will retrieve our missing food. We have everything under control and you'll be getting a finished report so don't have to micromanage," Chang gave a subtle dig.
Alicia stepped in, "I've sent you the list, Malcolm. Chang and I were just going over it. Now we wait to see if we implement the backup plan."
Chang stood, "Thank you, Lieutenant," with a nod to Malcolm, he left.
"Maddy was telling me she saw Skye and Tasha coming out of the Infirmary last night," Malcolm smoothly initiated the real reason he came to the Command Center, gossip that Maddy talked him into finding out.
"She was supposed to have gone home," Alicia made a mental note to have a talk with one Reynolds.
"According to her, she and Mark stopped in the shadows to have an intimate moment, her words, not mine," he smiled.
"They had a little run in yesterday with the Sixers. Kind of like the one I had," she let him make the reference to the time she and Dunham were caught outside the gate.
"That would explain why Skye didn't show up for work and Debora called to say she's taking an unspecified amount of time off from her duties in the market. I got that from Casey," Malcolm added.
"I didn't have a choice, I had to work with a split lip and bruise, but I'm old enough not to let it bother me. They are young enough for vanity to reign over occupation."
Nathaniel entered and grabbed his plexpad, "Wash, I have a religious function tonight. I want you to go as my wife."
"What do I have to do?" she saw Malcolm laughing quietly at her.
"Umm, it says here it's the combined far eastern gathering. Look beautiful on my arm. It'll last about an hour so let's go home and get ready and eat first."
"Well, Malcolm, did you pump me for enough information to share with Miss. Shannon?"
Malcolm stood, "No, but a little bug tells me I've pumped your well dry," he left.
Nathaniel was reading his plexpad and frowning. Alicia figured he was reading her report.
Jim came in, "Hey, Wash, how are the girls?"
"Recovering. Cover story is they got caught by Sixers and beat up badly."
"Got it."
"Your daughter saw them come out of the Infirmary last night. I'm going to have a talk with Reynolds. He was supposed to be well away when they left. Seems like they were lurking in the shadows."
"Oh, if you're going to have a talk with Reynolds, I want to be present."
Alicia looked over at her husband, "Do we have time for me to yank Reynolds' chain?"
"If you hurry," he didn't look up.
"Washington to Reynolds, report to the Command Center ASAP."
Nathaniel finished and gave the plexpad to Jim, "Read fast as this is encrypted and I have to make it go away to a safe place."
Jim realized he was reading the details of the assault and felt anger all over again and slightly sick to his stomach. His face took on a grave expression. It was that look that Mark Reynolds walked into. Jim favored him with an absent look and Mark knew he was in trouble, but couldn't remember what he did.
"Lieutenant, you wanted to see me?" he stood at attention in front of her table. He saw from the corner of his eye the Commander sitting back with his hands linked behind his head looking at him.
"You were instructed to take Miss. Shannon home and violated a direct order," she stood to look him in the eye.
Mark panicked, somehow they knew. 'How did they find out?'
Alicia continued getting satisfaction out of his startled expression, "What did you see?"
He swallowed, "I saw Dr. Shannon and Mrs. Tate and what appeared to be Skye and Tasha leaving the Infirmary."
"And that was after you'd been given specific instructions?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he saw disappointment settle into her features. He worked so hard to have the Lieutenant, whom he idolized, to only praise his work and the person he was. "I'm sorry I disappointed you and the Commander," he chanced a look in his direction, and for good measure looked further to Jim Shannon. He saw Mr. Shannon's cold stare and little did he know the details on the plexpad caused that look.
"Where were you skulking?"
"We were under the balcony in the shadows of the Command Center, Ma'am."
"I know, I saw," she hoped he was telling the truth for her small lie.
"You did?"
"This is how you treat my daughter?" Jim finally jumped into the reprimand session. When Mark turned fully to him, he stalked up to him and glowered, "You're no different than Curran are you. I don't think I want my daughter dating a soldier; you're all the same, platitudes to our faces and skullduggery behind our backs."
Marks face turned red, partly from embarrassment and the other part anger at being compared to Curran, an unjust comparison in his opinion. "I was curious who was inside the Infirmary. With the Commander and Lieutenant Guzman standing outside, I knew something bad had happened."
"You disobeyed a direct order and implicated my daughter in your delinquency. She's going to be punished for going along with you. I don't want you two to see each other for a month. She's off limits for that long."
"But the holidays are here. We have plans…Sir," he remembered after a pause. Mark started to panic; surely, Mr. Shannon didn't mean he couldn't see his girlfriend for an entire month.
Jim knew he'd be fighting a losing battle on the home front, but he was still sore at having missed his daughter's birthday celebration after missing the previous two and didn't consider the short time he got to spend with her yesterday a good tradeoff with this usurper wanting to take her away from him. "And I have a gun," he reminded the young soldier.
Mark wisely shut up and turned back to Washington. To his consternation, she looked amused.
"Corporal Reynolds," he stiffened at her title, "I believe Mr. Shannon has meted out your punishment. You have a month without your girlfriend to think about disobeying a direct order. On your off time, you'll avoid the Shannon place and not be seen with Maddy Shannon. After the New Year you'll have a new start, both with her, if she's still interested," she had to throw that in, "and with Mr. Shannon's approval and you stay out of trouble, you may resume your courtship."
"Any other punishment but that," he never pleaded in his life, but this was more than he could accept.
"The only other option is go to an outpost for a month."
He nodded, "I would like that. If I'm near Maddy, I'll never make a month."
"You leave in the morning for outpost seven and send Private Nelson back."
Mark turned to the Commander, who hadn't moved. He stared back without speaking, but his silence was as loud as if he were the one issuing orders. Mark then turned to Jim, "Sir, permission to say goodbye to Maddy?"
Jim relented, "You may see her tonight before you leave."
"Dismissed Corporal…and Mark," he turned back to Washington, "this will count as your mandatory outpost duty."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Dismissed," they watched him hurry out.
Jim smiled, "My father-in-law imposed a restriction that I couldn't see Elizabeth in his home where she was living at the time. I was living with two other guys and it was a real frat house so I couldn't take her there. I looked for a small apartment that I couldn't afford and rented it anyway. As soon as her father found out, he was more than happy to let me come into his house to be with my girlfriend under his watchful eye. Reynolds has a lot to learn."
"You think he should have stayed and snuck behind your back?" Nathaniel was grinning now.
"I would have."
"Josh," Hunter called and rushed to intercept him. "Heard you can't handle a simple task of washing dishes without your Mommy fixing your booboo."
Josh held his bandaged hand up, "I can still slap the crap out of you with it."
"Hear what happened to Skye and Tasha?" Hunter got past the male posturing.
"Maddy said she thinks they may have gotten hurt. I was on my way to Mrs. Tate's to see if Skye was taking callers."
"She is off limits. I already tried and didn't make it past the front door. Max told me they got caught out by the Sixers and worked over."
"Man, that's rough," Josh was deathly afraid of the enemy and especially crazy Lucas.
"Tasha has moved in with the Tate's and we're hard up to stay in the house with just the two of us and are scouting for roomies. The position's open, but not for long so don't lose your chance to become a man," Hunter went back to his ribbing.
Josh sobered at the thought of taking the large step of leaving the nest. He was getting along a lot better with his father, but it was still his father's house and his rules. "I'll let you know soon," and they parted. Josh went to try his luck with Mrs. Tate.
The monsoons started again that night while Nathaniel and Alicia were going home from the chapel. They rushed inside their home where Nathaniel laughed and kissed a drop of water off the end of her nose. "You look beautiful tonight," he pulled her close.
"Only tonight?"
"You know what I mean. You made me look good as I knew you would. I always hated these functions, but with you to look at, the time passed swiftly."
"You can take me to bed and show your appreciation," her suggestive tone made him quickly lock the door and lead her to their bed.
In the pouring rain, the tracks Guzman was following quickly washed away, but he pressed on, guided by the biochip in Fickett's back. Taylor had sedative placed in his food and the doctor tattooed the invisible ink biochip near his upper back where he couldn't reach and scrape it off. As far as they knew, he never discovered the illegal chip. At first Dr. Shannon had ethical issues, which Taylor had to address and with his persuasive eloquence had her performing the task in no time. She reminded him of an old war that had been fought to discontinue the use of such tracking of the human race and their ability to do commerce without being scanned. He told her the military and law enforcement still used it on violent criminals. Only after Jim confessed he was aware of the practice did she relent. Jim reminded her, the tracking chip Golad put in him was easy to cut out and painful to insert and only a tattoo would be undetectable to Fickett.
"They've stopped, Lieutenant," Sergeant Benson called out.
"How far away?"
"Close, five klicks."
"Keep closing, they may be stopping for food or the night. Don't let them clear the forest as the streams and arroyos will be swelling." He stopped and quickly spread the word for radio silence and prepare for action.