Weller--A Novel In Work (4) Turning away from Gallagher, Holmes strided away with a purpose into the open garage, adjacent to the house. Gallagher followed as Holmes was lifting the lid on what appeared to be a common household freezer. Gallagher noted that the former contents of the freezer stacked on the floor, defrosting in the summer heat. Moving up beside Holmes, Gallagher peered into the freezer as Holmes extracted his pocket knife and cut a neat slit in a hefty bag and pulled the incision open. Looking down, Gallagher was momentarily taken back. What is this Ollie, a joke, Gallagher questions? It’s no joke Roy, it’s fucking ET!! Captain Bill Gartner assembled his two companies of Rangers as they disembarked from their Hueys on the tarmac at Foot Hood logistics command center. He was met there by the Division Commander, General Jason Black. Captain, I’ve set up a debrief for you and your men in the hanger, assemble your troops post haste. Affirmative Sir, Gartner acknowledged. Moving his men into the Hanger, Gartner noted the heavy presence of military police assembled in and around the area. The hanger was brightly lit and a podium was present just to the left of the entrance. General Black, stepped up to the podium and begin to address the assembled Ranger companies. “Men, you have all been witness to extraordinary events tonight. Events, I’m sure none of you would have ever imagined taking place in your lives. Obviously, what happened tonight is a matter of vital, national security to your country. Therefore, you are ordered, each and everyone one of you to never divulge anything that you witnessed or participated in tonight. You all served your country proudly tonight!! You all did the job you were trained to do and did it in the excellent traditions of Army Rangers!! I am very proud of you all, and your country owes you a debt of gratitude!! A debt that will be paid in full!! Over the next few days, I will be meeting with each and everyone of you on a personal basis. Effective immediately, all present here tonight are advanced in grade. Each of you will be given the opportunity to pick whatever new duty assignment you wish, and you will all be receiving the equivalent of five years combat pay on your next pay allowance!! Those of you interested in in advancement through Officer Candidate School, will received priority classification. Officially Gentlemen, what happened tonight, NEVER HAPPENED, but your service to your country will not be forgotten. Major Gartner, you may dismiss your Troops.” Peanut Brown, looked up at General Alfred Crocker from his command console and gave him a thumbs up sign. The C5A is airborne sir, ETA Groom Lake, 2 hours 20 minutes. We’re going to have to drop Blalock and his men down at Jefferson County Airport for refueling before they can RTB, but it should be no problem. It will just look like a normal refuel stop to the locals. Hendrix rubbed his eyes, it had been a very long, stressful night, and he was beginning to feel it’s effects. What he needed now was a hot shower, and warm bed. Crocker was already dreading the return trip to his quarters. No doubt, his wife would be as mad as a wet hen and she wasn’t going to be satisfied with the matter of vital, national interest explanation he had to offer for leaving her long planned and anticipated dinner party. Even worse, he’d only be home long enough to shower and change clothes before boarding his private MAC Lear Jet to brief the President in Washington. Peanut Brown, quickly and deftly extracted a backup disc from his computer and nonchalantly slipped it into his pocket. It was time for shift change, as Brown gathered up his lunch kit and jacket. Crocker started to walk away, then turned back to Brown and Hendrix. Good work tonight men. You are both ordered to stand down for 72 hours of R & R. Go fishing, or whatever. Do something you enjoy, because we all know this is just beginning. With those final words, the General walked away to face the wrath of his better half. The sun was just starting the rise above the horizon as the C5A climbed to it’s cruising altitude of 27 thousand feet. Four F-15 Eagles formed up in a loose diamond around the Galaxy and four more F-15s took up position in a loose circle approximately five miles out. Wow, that’s strange, Marc Williams the Air Traffic Controller at the Jefferson County Airport remarked to his fellow controller, Harry Thomas!! What, Thomas asked? I just had a new contact show up on my screen. Looks like it took off from the Inland Paper Mill strip. What’s so strange about that, Thomas remarked, those guys have a fleet of planes moving in and out all the time? True, Williams replied, but how often are their flights escorted by fighters? Fighters, Thomas quarried? Yea, Fighters, Williams replied, take a look, we’re both ex military, so I know you can see the pattern. Looking over at William’s Screen, Thomas let out a soft whistle. No shit, the President doesn’t get that kind of escort. Wonder what’s up, Williams mused? No telling, Thomas replied, but it’s not our problem, we’ve got Army Choppers inbound for refuel. Roger that, Williams replied. What are we doing for lunch? Jesus man, it only 7:30 and your already thinking about lunch? I’m thinking we hit the Airport Café, Williams replied. No, you’re thinking about hitting on Suzy, the waitress at the Airport Café, Thomas said with a grin. Like you never think about it, Williams said with a touch of righteous indignation. Shit, I think about it all the time, Thomas laughed. Peanut Brown eased through security passing a few casual words with the guards. They never checked him, he was part of the wood work at Crystal Mountain. Opening his trunk he deposited his lunch kit and reaching into the spare tire bay, withdrew a cell phone. It was a Pay as you go phone, virtually untraceable. He quickly tapped in a text message. “Happy birthday, sending your present today.” Not waiting for a reply, he exited the secure parking lot and drove to the local Post and Parcel Center. Extracting the disc from his pocket, he slipped it into a UPS Next Day Air Envelope, fill in the ship to address, made up a fictitious return address, wiped his prints from the envelope, and paid the cashier in cash for the shipping charges. Bone tired, Brown drove to his apartment and climbed into bed. The next few days would be hectic, but right now he needed sleep. Roy Gallagher, let out a soft whistle. Man, I’ve heard rumors about this kind of shit, but I never gave them much thought. Likewise, Holmes replied. Friend of mine down in Florida told me his SAC had been involved in something like this, but it sounded like bullshit to me!! So what’s the deal here Ollie, Gallagher asked with renewed interest. In-fucking-credible story, to say the least, Holmes replied. Come on, let’s go meet Mr. Weller, I think you’ll find he’s your kind of guy!! Sheriff Dick Culbertson sat patiently with the phone to his ear. No Will, I’m telling you nothing happened. So, some FEMA guy drove over from Houston last night, he probably had a hot date. Bullshit Dick, Will Adams, New Director at KMJT TV exclaimed!! This guy was running hot all the way and had DPS clearance!! Well, then it’s Federal shit, Will, Culbertson replied. Why don’t you call them? Because they’re not talking Dick, Adams replied!! So, what do you want me to tell you, Culbertson ask, with obvious exasperation in his voice? Tell me what you know Dick, Adam replied, equally exasperated. Not a damn thing happens in this county that you don’t know about, and we both know it!! Well, your vote of confidence is noted and appreciated Will, but I’m telling you, I don’t know anything about any FEMA guy, okay? Whatever Dick, but I think you’re shining me on, Adams replied. I’m hurt Will, Culbertson exclaimed with just a touch of indignation, me mislead the media? Oh, very funny Dick, Adams now quite obviously pissed off exclaimed!! You know, our editorial board supported you in the last election? And I appreciate your support Will, Culbertson replied, but the fact remains, that I can’t tell you what I don’t know!!! Okay Dick, Adams replied, I’m going to let this go for now, but if you really don’t know, maybe you should check into it. I will, I promise, Culbertson acknowledged, and if there’s anything in the public interest you should know, I’ll get back to you. Fair enough? Fair enough Dick, Adams replied, satisfied he had made his point with the apparently divinely ordained Sheriff of Jefferson County, Texas. Culbertson, hung up the phone and hit the speed dial on his Cell phone. Hey Dick, what’s up, Agent Oliver Holmes answered. You got FEMA guys out there Ollie, Culbertson asked, One, Holmes replied, why do you ask? Loose lips Ollie, Culbertson replied. I just got off the phone with the News Director at KMJT. What did Will want, or more specifically, how did he know, Holmes replied. Well, he wanted to know what I knew about a FEMA guy running into town last night code three, Culbertson replied? I suspect he knows, because he’s sleeping with a chick who dispatches for the DPS. Damn, is there anything you don’t know Dick, Holmes questioned? Not much, it’s my business to know things Ollie, Culbertson replied. Well, what did you tell him Dick, Holmes questioned. The truth Ollie, I didn’t know anything about any FEMA guy coming into town last night, and that kind of pisses me OFF!! Sorry Dick, it wasn’t intentional, Holmes replied, things are just moving kind of fast out here. Okay, but you need to get this shit cleaned up Ollie, I do not want this thing blowing up in my face. Won’t happen Dick, I promise, Holmes replied. Gallagher gave Holmes a questioning look as he hung up his phone. What was that about, Gallagher asked? Apparently, a local new guy is sharing pillow talk with a dispatcher at the DPS and your quick trip over from Houston drew some unwanted attention. DAMN, Gallagher exclaimed, I’ll have her ass drawn and quartered!! Things to do later Roy, let’s get on with our business now. First, things first, get on the horn to your team and make sure they don’t make anymore waves coming into town, okay? Got it, Gallagher replied, already hitting speed dial keys on his cell phone. General Alfred Crocker’s aide handed him a folded piece of paper and waited patiently. Glancing at the dispatch, Crocker was relieved to know that the C5A had touched down safely at Area 51. Hairy shit sir, Crocker’s aide, Col. Chris Courville remarked. It was to be expected Chris, Crocker replied. Maybe, but they almost never come out during daylight hours. True, Crocker replied, but they can’t be too happy that we have one of their ships. Good call on the fighter escort Sir, Courville noted. Just more to deal with Chris, now we have 8 more people in the loop. Eight more promotions and transfers. Still, looks like our guys did their jobs, Courville remarked. Full court press, Crocker agreed. Four Angles, even at two to one odds, I’m sure our men had their hands full. No doubt, Courville acknowledged, but they smoked one of the bad guys!! Lucky break, Crocker exclaimed, it was an ambush plain and simple. Yes Sir, Courville agreed, but it worked to our advantage. Hitting us over Arizona like they did. Zero population where the Angle went down, so no witnesses. What’s our ETA Chris, Crocker ask. We’re about 30 minutes out of Andrews Courville replied. Okay, let’s see what we can do about getting the downed Angel cleaned up, get me General Black on the line. General Jason Black was conferring with his aide, eager to start the process of personally debriefing each member of the Ranger companies involved in the UFO recovery. Black was a hard-core commander and die hard patriot. My country right, or wrong!! No doubt, this was the most bazaar circumstance he had ever been involved in during his dedicated career in the defense of his beloved United States, but he did not question, he followed orders!! The intercom on his desk chirped, and he reached down to answer. I have General Crocker on the line sir, his duty Sergeant informed him. Patch him through, Top, Black ordered! What can I do for you General, Black asked. We have a problem, Jas, Crocker replied. We got hit on the way to 51. The transport made it in okay, but our fighters took down one of the aggressors. What can the Rangers do for you, General, Black replied? Look Jason, this thing is growing bigger by the hour and I’ve already got my hands full trying to maintain containment, so I’m going to have to lean on you and your men. I know your guys are probably beat, but I need people who are already in the loop to make the recovery. Understood sir, Black responded. My men are Rangers, they’ll get the job done!! Roger that Jas, Crocker agreed. Blalock did a damn fine job commanding the assault team. He and his men should be touching down at Hood any minute now. Confirm General, Black acknowledged, I was just about to head down to the logistics center to meet them. Okay Jason, Crocker replied. Let’s get them back in the air to 51. I’ll have choppers standing by for their arrival. I need to get them out to the crash site post haste. Done Sir, Black confirmed without hesitation!! One more thing Jason, Crocker offered…there’s an opening coming up for Theater Commander in Europe. I’m on my way to meet with the President now, and I’m sure he will be receptive to my recommendation for filling that command. Black was temporarily taken back by Crocker’s statement. Theater Commander sir, Black asked tentively? You’ve earned it Jason, Crocker replied and the line went dead. Holmes and Gallagher sat at the kitchen table with Dan Weller drinking freshly brewed coffee. Weller had showered and changed clothes, so he was feeling a lot more human then he had upon Holmes arrival. I’ve got to tell you Dan, that’s the most in-fucking-credible story I’ve ever heard, Gallagher offered. You actually set this all up to ambush aliens in an attempt to get someone to believe you about what’s been happening in your life over the last 20 years? Weller, just sat silently, not really knowing how to respond. Gallagher’s team had been filtering in over the last hour and he had them hard at work down in the field using Weller’s tractor and chain saw to clean up the destruction. What happens now, Weller asked? My orders are to finish the clean up here and then drive you out to Fort Hood Dan, Gallagher replied. Why Fort Hood, Weller asked with a touch of suspicion? Don’t know Dan, those are just my orders, Gallagher stated with a slight shrug of his shoulders. And, if I don’t want to go, Weller asked with a touch of defiance? Gallagher, sat quietly for a moment, before responding. That would be bad Dan. Nothing else needed to be said, as Weller fully understood the implication. What about our little friend in the freezer. Holmes asked? My guys will take care of him, Gallagher replied. Shanna Weller sat up with a start. Looking around, she was completely disoriented. Where am I she thought to herself? Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, it was obvious that she was in a hospital room. Looking to her right, she saw her son sleeping peacefully in the bed next to hers. Climbing out of her bed, she picked her son up in her arms and held him close. Tears began to swell up in her eyes as she was overcome by the trauma of the past hours. She sensed a change in the room as the door opening and a nurse clad in white entered. Mrs. Weller, my name is Cynthia and I’m your nurse. Doctor Phillips will be here in a moment, but I just wanted to check in on you. Would you like something to eat, or drink. Suddenly, Shanna realized that she was starving and thankfully accepted the nurse’s offer of food. Where am I, she asked. You’re at the base hospital, Fort Hood, Texas the nurse replied. How did I get here, Shanna asked, now even more confused. You were brought in by Ranger Medics, Mrs. Weller, the nurse replied. I understand you and your son were involved in an automobile accident. I need a phone, I need to call my husband Shanna stated with urgency in her voice!! He’s on his way now Mrs. Weller, but you can use my cell, if you’d like to call him. Shanna thanked the nurse and took the cell phone she offered, urgently dialing her husband’s cell phone number from memory. Hendrix was awaken by the violent ringing of his phone and drug reluctantly from his deep sleep. Grabbing the receiver he barked, Hendrix speaking. Sorry to wake you Matt, General Alfred Crocker replied. Ahh, no problem sir, Hendrix stammered. Look Matt, I know I promised you a few days off, but the situation has changed. Our transport was hit on the way to 51 and we took down another Angel in the dog fight. I’ve got Blalock’s Ranger company in transit to handle the retrieval, but I need you on site to be my eyes. Can do Sir, Hendrix replied. Catch the next commercial flight out to Vegas, then hop the shuttle flight out to 51. Crocker ordered. Plain clothes Matt, You know the MUFON guys are always watching the shuttle terminal, and we don’t want them to see uniforms on site. Understood, sir, Hendrix replied. Call me when you get on site and have a SitRep. Will do Sir, Hendrix reply. So much for a few days off Hendrix thought to himself as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes and hurriedly began stuffing essentials into a duffle bag. Peanut Brown, rolled over, lifted one eyelid and noted the new text message waiting on his cell phone. Reaching over, he picked the phone up and attempted to focus his sleep filled eyes on the small print. “Free for Breakfast?” was all the message said, but he understood it’s meaning. Hitting the reply key, he typed in “ How about lunch?” 30 seconds later a new message came in. “Call me in the morning.” Looking over at the clock he groaned. If he got up, got moving, and drove all night he could make it. He could sleep, after the meeting, and he knew he’d have to have sleep before making the drive back. 72 hours stand down, he should be okay on time. Lucky break, the General giving him a few days off. Swinging his legs out of bed, he stood up, stretched and padding into the bathroom. Turning the shower on full blast, he took a long look at himself in the mirror. Am I a traitor, or a patriot? Blalock, was met by General Jason Black as he stepped out of his command Huey. Black took Blalock by the arm and guided him away from the noise and rotor wash of the choppers. Joe, we’ve had a situation develop and we’re going to have to push your men on to a new mission. Blalock, stood quietly waiting for Black to continue. We’ve set up a chow line for your men in the hanger. Let’s get them fed and rearmed ASAP. Transports from Kelly will be arriving within the hour. What’s the situation General, Blalock asked. It’s complicated Joe, but in a nutshell the craft you captured and loaded for transport almost didn’t make it. The transport was attacked by additional alien ships. The fighter escort held them off and managed to smoke one of the bandits. It went down in the Arizona desert, and General Crocker has personally requested that your team make the recovery of the downed alien ship. We’ve got fighters flying an air cap over the crash site to keep the aliens away until we can get your team on site, but obviously time is of the essence. I understand sir, Blalock acknowledge, but my men are pretty worn down. I know Joe, but you’ll have a couple of hours to rest on the flight out to Arizona, and I’ve authorized a supply of energy tabs for your troops. “Energy tabs” Blalock thought to himself, a euphemism for amphetamines. Not at all unusual for troops in combat situations, but Blalock really hated the idea of doping his troops. Regardless, as a combat officer, Blalock understood his responsibilities. You will receive additional briefing upon your arrival, so for now get your men fed and mustered for transport. What is our destination General, Blalock asked. Dreamland, Joe, or Groom Lake, Area 51, whatever you want to call it. Officially, the place doesn’t even exist, Black replied. Very Well sir, permission to be dismissed? Granted, Black replied, but one more thing. Reaching into his pocket, Black removed a blue satin covered box. Put these on Joe. It’s not official until acted upon by Congress, but congratulation Lt. Col. Weller’s cell phone rang and glancing down at the caller ID, he did not recognize the number, but answered anyway. Hello, he said. Dan, are you alright? Weller instantly recognized his wife’s voice and was flooding with relief. Where are you baby, he asked? I’m in a hospital at Fort Hood, Shanna replied. Okay, I’m on my way, just sit tight and try to get some rest. When will you be here, Shanna Weller asked with almost a pleading tone. It will be a few hours, but we’re moving fast. I’m with a federal guy who apparently is immune from all speed limit and traffic laws. If we were driving any faster, we’d probably be going back in time. Gallagher, reached over and touched Weller on the arm. Sorry Dan, but cell phones aren’t always secure, so I’d appreciate it if you could talk to her when we get there. Nodding his understanding, Weller assured his wife that everything was fine and he would be with her just as quickly as possible. General Alfred Crocker entered the Oval office as the President stood up from behind his desk and extended his hand. Mr. President, this is my aide, Crocker said, but the President cut the introduction short with his reply. Of course, how are you Chris? Good to see you, how are the wife and kids. Fine Sir, Courville replied, not the least bit surprised the President remembered his name. President Jon Mathews was a consummate politician and before his career in politics, a very successful business man who understood that the best advertising is always word of mouth. So, get me up to speed Al, the President said sprawling back into his overstuffed desk chair, extending his leg over the right arm. Well Sir, there have been some new developments since I spoke with you this morning. Relating the events with the alien ambush and subsequent shoot down, the President remained silent, absorbing every bit of information Crocker proffered. Scary Stuff, Al the President remarked. You know, they’ve been around for centuries and never been a threat. Hell, they even helped us out against the Germans in WW2. I understand sir, Crocker replied, but we simply can’t rely on their demeanor up to this point for the future. It would be foolish to turn a blind eye to their increased abduction activities and apparent genetic experimentation. We know they are engineering genetic hybrid crosses between their species and ours, we just don’t know why? True, the President agreed, that aspect is very troubling. Look Al, I’m a politician, so that means I often have to kiss ass and compromise to get things done. I live by the motto, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I see our interstellar friends as no different then our own scientist who study animal life forms on our own planet. Even if we went to Mars and found alien life, it’s doesn’t mean we would try to conquer it, we’d only want to study and understand it. I understand Mr. President, Crocker concurred, but as a member of the military, I must offer that given the opportunity to benefit from an alien life form for the good of my country and, or species, it would be my natural inclination to do so. We know next to nothing about their culture or actual interest in our planet, beyond the fact that it is apparently important enough to warrant prolonged and active interest. As an officer sworn to protect the United States of America, I can not overlook that interest, or assume it as non-hostile. Fair enough Al, the President remarked, I just don’t want to see us get into a shooting war against technology we both know we probably can’t defeat. Precisely the problem, Mr. President, Crocker acknowledged. We are out gunned at this time, but we’re catching up everyday. We’ve taken down three of their ships in the less then 24 hours, and we both know we, couldn’t have done that 10 years ago. So far, the small amount of technology we’ve been able to recover and exploit has moved us years ahead of where we’d be without it. I know, I know Al, I’m not questioning your judgment on this issue, I’m just trying to point out all the aspects. I’m a politician, that’s what we do, we try to cover our ass from every angle. Understood Sir, Crocker acknowledged with a slight grin, but trust me on this, the pros far outweigh the cons. All we’ve had to work with up to this point have been fragments of their technology that we recovered from the pieces of their ships we’ve found here and there. Now we have a whole ship, completely intact. It’s a technological gold mine we probably haven’t even begin to imagine!! So just tell me Al, are you going to be able to ride heard on this monster? The situation is explosive, to say the least!! You’ve done a Hell of a job!! More then frankly I would have expected, but there have to be hundreds of people in the loop by now, and it’s ain’t 1947 anymore. This ain’t Roswell, and we don’t have the sway with the media that we held during the cold war. With the exception of FOX, we don’t have friends in the media. Believe me sir, I completely understand Crocker Acknowledged, but we’re on top of the situation. We have and will maintain completely situational control. Okay Al, the President admonished. You have the ball, run with it, but understand that as the President, I must maintain plausible denial. This thing blows up in your face, and I’ll fully expect you to fall on your swords, for the good of the country. I completely Understand Mr. President, Crocker acknowledged. Is there anything else then, the President ask. Just a few matters of Housekeeping Mr. President, Crocker offered as he hand the president a thick folder. Taking a moment to browse through the folder’s contents, the President looked up over his reading glasses at Crocker. Lots of promotions here Al, don’t think this is going to draw attention to your cause? Maybe a little Sir, Crocker replied, but we’ll filter the bulk of it through over the next few weeks, so it should appear fairly routine. Returning his attention to the folder, the President raised an eyebrow and looked back at Crocker. Black, to European Theater Commander? He’s a good man, but he’s Ranger--special forces and you know we typically draw from infantry ranks for a command at that level. With all due respect sir, you are the Commander and Chief, so it’s your call. I doubt anyone of significance will call whatever decision you make into question? Well, at least not publicly the President agreed with a chuckle. Okay Al, run the paperwork. If you hit any snags, let me know. Thank you sir, Crocker confirmed, I will. Sensing the meeting was over Crocker and Courville rose to depart. Standing to shake their hands, the President looked Crocker in the eye. Al, I’ve got 30 months left in this office. You’ve done wonderful things and completely earned my trust and respect at SAC. Make this all work out, and you’ll have your seat with the Joint Chiefs before I steal the office furniture and fine china.
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