Jacob and Tiffany II NIS The Density Force BeginsEpisode 51
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Tiffany
Personal log (voice), Tiffany French, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, 12:10am, November 1st, 2006
I grabbed my coke and slice of pizza and sat down on the sofa.
"Did you see the way those tough guys ran when they saw that headless horseman image?" Lucy asked.
"Did I?" Debbie laughed. "I saw them running past the gate. It was soooooo cool."
"I bet." Mr. Mason added. "Ok everybody, you can enjoy the laughs later. Time to see how well we did. Karen, have you finished counting the money?"
"Yep."
Diane asked, "How well did we do?"
Karen checked a slip with a few numbers on it. "Ticket sales were five hundred thirty three dollars. The snack and souvenir tables brought in another hundred twelve dollars and change. The total is six hundred twelve dollars and forty cents."
I took another bite of my pizza. "Let my get this straight. All this money was from tonight only?"
"That's right."
"You know Tiffany, if we did this for a week or two before Halloween next year, we could really make out like bandits."
"She's right." Debbie added.
Daphne looked between Karen and me. "Remember what happened the last time you started volunteering people, Karen?"
"True. But she can't deny I'm right."
"No, I can't. And I might even cooperate. But I've a more pressing matter. Remember that you guys decided to make my AIDS research the group's project for the 4-H Science Fair?"
"Yes." Daphne said. "Why do you ask?"
"Because today I received the information for our first mission. We have to go central Africa. According to Dr. Lacroy we need to get some plant that the locals have locked up rather tight."
"More of that profit above all shit?" Karen asked.
"Right. But there are a few sites that are not as well known. Smugglers go through there all the time."
"Ok. We have to talk about this."
"We do???" I asked. "I'm going there. Alone if I must."
"I'm not arguing that point. What we need to talk about is the 4-H's involvement in the trip."
"I'm missing something here." I said as I looked back at Mr. Mason.
"Simple. If this is to be a 4-H project, I need to be in charge."
"You are in charge of the 4-H group."
"I have to be in charge during the trips, too."
I was shocked.
I nearly spilled my soda onto my jeans.
Is that man out of his mind?
He cannot be serious.
I quickly put my food down before I was tempted to throw it at him.
"What, Mr. Mason, can possibly be going through that electrified sponge you presume to call a brain that makes you think you are capable of commanding the Flying Dutchmen?"
"Calm down, Tiffany." Diane interrupted. "I'm curious though. Why are you doing this to her?"
"I'm not doing anything. But the 4-H insurance requires that an adult be in control. That's just to start with. The insurance company has already told me they're not going to cover us for this trip."
"Why not?" Karen asked. "You tell them where we're going?"
"No. Besides until five minutes ago, I did not know where we'd be going. They say the Flying Dutchman is unproven technology. Our policy does not cover that."
Debbie chimed in. "Then make it a volunteer trip. God knows, after what happened last week, I trust it."
"Hell," Diane added, "I'd trust the Dutchman to take me to and through Hell."
Karen was curious. "Well, if the insurance is not covering it, why are you still interested?"
"Because it still is a worthy project..."
A worthy project?
The others in the room could sense the impending eruption.
Too bad I didn't give them any time to do anything about it.
"A worthy project, is that what you said?? Just a project? Like breeding rabbits with softer fur or growing bigger pumpkins? Can you really be that dense??"
Mr. Mason stood up. "Now wait one minute."
I stood up to match him tone for tone. "Don't you understand? I'm dealing with my life and how long it continues. This is not some bit of amusement for me. I'm a high school cheerleader for god's sake. Fun is not something I have trouble finding. I don't need you or this group for amusement." I went and grabbed my coat. Maybe this is a waste of time. "It's obvious that you're just using my bad situation to benefit you and your group. A group, I might add, that I thought had better standards of behavior than this."
Somebody put a hand on my shoulder as I turned to leave.
I turned to see just who was that brave. Or stupid.
It was Diane.
"Yes?" I asked her.
"He said it badly, but he has a point. We all know your side and how you feel on this. Try looking at it from his side."
"His side ticks me the hell off."
"Why? A few badly chosen words shouldn't cause this much trouble."
Mr. Mason nodded at that.
I growled right back. "You know damn well that that's not the only thing bothering me right now."
"Is it fair to bite his head off for that?"
"Look. I'm not Jacob Stone. I only dated him. Briefly. I can't turn my emotions on and off when I choose."
"I'm calling your parents." Mr. Mason added.
I seriously considered backslapping him into the fireplace. "Listen up. I'm only going to say this once. I do not have parents. Understand me? I have a mother. That's all. If you ever say, or even hint, that that piece of... of... I can't think of a word bad enough for him, if you ever make it seem that that person has a say in my life, you'll be extremely lucky if they can hold me back. Am I being clear?"
Diane moved between us before he could start yelling himself. "I'll tell you more about why later. Trust me that she's being calmer than I would in her shoes."
"Ok. I'll call her mother."
"May I say something?" Karen asked.
We all turned to look at her.
She continued. "First, I understand where both of you are coming from. But does one of you have to be wrong? Look, Tiffany, we all know that no matter who sits in the chair, you'll really be running the ship. Is it so bad to let Mr. Mason have his peace of mind? And Mr. Mason, you know very well there are things in that ship that none of us has any understanding of. So what is wrong with Tiffany sitting in the chair, since she knows it better than anybody else here?"
Mr. Mason and I both stared at each other while Karen's words sunk in.
"That could work." he said.
"I think I can live with it. You can seem to be in charge, so long as you understand that I am keeping the right to overrule you if needed."
"I can accept that, so long as you do not make a habit of overruling me."
"Excellent." Karen said. "So when is the first trip?"
"As soon as I can get everybody together for it."
"But what about school?"
"Personally, I don't care. But the rest of you probably do."
"You should, too. How about Friday night? That should give us all time to get ready."
Chapter 60Adam Stone
2 am, November 1st, 2006
(5pm local time, Palestine)
They said I needed to keep up my exercise. So I limped around the base. According to the base doctors, this was supposed to help my leg. All it was doing for me was fostering a greater respect for the inventor of painkillers.
I walked by the spot Jacob had moved his ship to. It worried me that he felt the way he did. I wondered if the man who understood science so well needed a few lessons on the real world. High ideals don't last long if they have nothing to protect them.
I saw a lot of people saluting out of the side of my eyes.
I turned and saw General Smith coming towards me. I quickly switched the cane to my left hand so I could salute with my right hand.
General Smith returned our salutes and indicated he wanted to speak to me alone.
Everybody else got real scarce, real fast.
The General asked me "Is the ship really all that I've heard it to be?"
I replied "I'm the wrong person to ask. I just saw the ship yesterday. Why do you ask, Sir?"
"Your offer interested me."
"What offer?"
"The offer about your brother and his ship."
"Sir? Are you serious?"
"Yes, Marine, I am."
"May I speak freely?"
"You may."
"Jacob really does not like military authority. He hates most people in the armed forces."
"I've noticed."
"Actually, sir, I'm probably understating the case. Outside of possibly a half dozen at most, he absolutely despises the people in the armed forces. The problem with this is he's always respected the job the military is supposed to do."
"Sounds like a stressful contrast."
"Yes, sir. That's why this would be a challenge. You want to get him to help a group about whom he has contrasting feelings. It would have to be a really important goal."
"He already got a hint of the mission."
"Was that what we were talking about this morning?"
"Correct."
I checked around to make sure there was nobody within hearing range. "You mean that was not clever phrasing?? We have a real lead on Bin Laden??"
"Yes, we do. A lead I would bet my stars on. Do you think getting Bin Laden would be an important enough goal for him?"
"Hell yes!!!"
General Smith just looked at me.
"Sorry about that."
"It's ok. I did give permission for you to speak freely." He looked at the ship. "Do you think we can get aboard?"
"Well, Sir..." I hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I do have the code to get in. But he said it's for emergencies only. Great as that mission is, it is not an emergency. The family's trying to get him to want to work with the military."
Smith looked back at me somewhat annoyed. "Can you guess what he'd want?"
"Want??? Oh, you mean so that he'd not get upset about me letting you see inside the ship? There is only one thing you have that Jacob wants, and that is all the details on the mission that killed David."
"He doesn't think small, does he? The mission is so classified that there are only eight people outside the United States that know all the details."
"No." I replied, "tapping the hull of the Hades, he does not think small."
"Agreed."
"Sir?"
"I agree. I'll personally brief your family on the raid your brother was killed on in exchange for Jacob's cooperation."
"Very well, sir." I turned and opened the hatch.
We both boarded.
No sooner did I turn on the lights and the computer systems than the General's mouth dropped.
"My God. If we only had this back in 2002, god only knows the trouble we could have avoided in the second Gulf War. The militants would never have gained control of large sections of Iraq either in the aftermath. What took us years to settle could have been done in months."
I escorted the General out and turned off the lights. "As you can see, the ship is all you heard it was."
Chapter 61Aide to Senator Clinton
3 am, November 1st, 2006
(6 pm local time, Palestine)
Soon enough I plan to run for the Senate. Eventually Hillary is going to need a successor when she runs for President. That is the only reason I'm here. This place is dusty, dirty, has no cable and no pizza delivery people within five hundred miles.
Melanie 4:02pm, November 5th, 2006 9:02am November 6th, 2006 (local time) I wonder if my boyfriend is still... To find out, I stuck my head through the hatch to the bridge. Yep. He still is. This is ridiculous. He needs sleep like the rest of us. Kevin turned. He saw my face and paled a little. Excellent. The only time men obey women without question is when they are aroused... aroused or scared. "Kevin! Why the hell are you not in bed?" "I'm not tired." his yawn betrayed...
Dr. Lacroy 12:22 pm, November 5th, 2006 5:22 am, November 6th, 2006 (local time) I was working in my lab when the phone rang for the fifteenth time. "Will somebody please get that before I do something very unscientific to them?" My patience had decided to go for a vacation quite a while ago. I had reviewed every bit of research I had. All futile. It was either all under development and too experimental to try, or already determined as not likely to work. So be it. I did not get this...
Adam Stone 11:31 pm, November 4th, 2006 4:31 pm November 5th, 2006 (local time) The table was set up perfectly. There were two cups of tea with the rest of the tea set off to the side. The cups were positioned in front of the chairs. Condiments were close by. A small plate held crackers and cheese. All was indeed in readiness, I saw Jacob arrive. Jacob paused at the entrance to the mess hall. He clapped once. A member of the Density Force ran over to help him stand for a moment. Jacob...
View of Sgt. Matthew Lane 5:45 am, November 4th, 2006 11 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) I met Major Stone at the door to the private ward. "Thank you for coming." Stone told me. "I got the message. However, I'm surprised that Jacob wants to see me enough to send for me." "He doesn't know. My wife and I decided to send for you." "What do you expect to happen?" "We don't know. But something happened that night in the mess hall. His mother and I expected him to take you...
Personal log (voice), Tiffany French, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, 9 am, October 28th 2006. I sat in the command chair of the Flying Dutchman. Karen was right about one thing. With this ship, I can do anything. Anything at all. The only request Jacob had of me is that I flew no higher than 25 miles until after Jacob made his orbital flight. I had no problem with that. It was time to begin. "Joe, activate mission log." "Activated." "Let the record show that I, Tiffany Mary...
General Smith 12:10 am, November 4th, 2006 6:10 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) I was just thinking how I was so lucky it was Jacob's father who was assigned to run things. He was a Marine who had been under my command. He knew me and I knew him. Furthermore he respected me. All that and he was a Marine too. Then my luck changed. I saw a woman walk in. She started whispering to Major Stone. Then Major Stone handed her the school jacket he was wearing. She put it on. Another student...
Vice Admiral Bright 9:50 am, November 4th, 2006 3:50 am November 5th, 2006 (local time) The view from the jet reminded me of one of the bad things about being promoted to Admiralty rank. I can no longer enjoy the thrills of being a fighter pilot. "Incoming signal." my pilot let me know. "American source?" "No. Somehow however, they matched our signal codes exactly. Whoever they are, they are damn clever, Sir." "The Stones." I muttered. "Put it though the headphone...
Kevin Personal log (voice), Kevin, Captain of the Mary Ellen 9:35 pm, November 3rd, 2006 3:35 am November 4th, 2006 (local time) Now it is time to really take this attack on the offensive. Until now we've only been an annoyance. Well, maybe a little more troubling than that. But leveling targets doesn't do much towards rescuing Jacob and crew. We're going to have to land our people eventually. I just hope I'm returning with the same number of people as I left with. "Approaching...
Gunny Colepepper Personal log (voice), Colepepper, Captain of the Montezuma's Revenge, 10:31 pm, November 3rd, 2006 4:31 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) "Minimal damage." The environmental agent called out. "Shields holding." "Return fire!" The weapons agent did so. "No apparent damage." the environmental agent informed them. "Let's move. No need to stay here now. Let's try out this thing's orbital capacities." The piloting officer adjusted the course accordingly and...
Partial transcript, America over All 7:04 pm November 5th, 2006 12:04 pm November 6th, 2006 (local time) Many events happened recently that are of great interest to all pure Americans. First, our hero, General Colt was recently appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by the God Given President. Second, the Association For An Almighty America went public. Let me strongly recommend that every person listening to this broadcast join this blessed organization. They, more than any...
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Lou 9:24 pm, November 4th, 2006 2:24 pm November 5th, 2006 (local time) I watched as he was wheeled in. Jacob Jehosophat Stone. I'm betting he never expected this. Truth be told, neither did any of us. But now he's back. The problems will soon be fixed. Soon we will all be able to go home. Then again I'm not sure I want to try explaining all that's happened recently to my parents either. Johann wheeled Jacob in. Jacob stood up briefly. He looked around. Somebody came to talk to...
Reverend Black 9:09 pm, November 5th, 2006 2:09 pm, November 6th, 2006 (local time) Lou and Carl assisted Jacob to the ground. Jacob slowly worked his way down to the place his family told him was right. I really hope they were not getting my hopes up about that weird treatment they did. Lazy people might not like walking, but they'd miss it too after too long in a wheelchair. The next design change I will make will make Density Force handicapped assessable. His parents split up. His...
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Jacob. Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Hades, 3:50 am, October 31st, 2006 (1:50 pm local time) I felt my pulse starting to speed up again. Odd. Why should a simple recounting of the story cause this? My mother spoke as I paused for more tea. "You never told me you planned something this advanced." "You never asked." I told her. "To finish the report. The missile hit the outermost shields and exploded. Harmlessly as far as we were concerned. Not so for the other...
Ali Alibaba 10:49 pm, November 5th, 2006 3:49 pm, November 6th, 2006 (local time) "Praise to Allah!" cried our leader. "Allah akbar!!" I shouted back gleefully. "Have you acquired the craft?" "Yes." "Are the items placed where they should be?" "Indeed. The infidels have no clue." "Excellent." "Have we all the information we need?" "That and more." "Allah is merciful. Our day of destiny in soon to be upon us." Chapter 278 Ashley 11:10 pm, November 5th,...
Kevin 2:56 pm, November 5th, 2006 7:56 am, November 6th, 2006 (local time) When will that woman stop pacing? I swear she's trying to wear a hole in my deck. She stopped suddenly. "Anything?" she asked Sam. "Nothing." She started pacing again. I stopped not being annoyed. "That's the eighth time you asked that question. What is so wrong? Why are you pacing around here like that?" "Because we should have heard from them by now." "Heard from who?" "The carrier. We had to...
General Colt, USMC 1050 pm November 2nd, 2006 3:50 pm November 3rd, 2006 (local time) I watched two burly MPS came in. They were the same ones who arrested me a few days back. I stood happily to one side as they grabbed General Smith and dragged him out as if he had never been their commander. I stood there for a few moments enjoying the memory. Then I called my secretary in. He came in and stood in front of my desk. He didn't even come to attention. I could see that I was going to...
Ms. Q. 8:54 am, November 4th, 2006 2:54 am November 5th, 2006 (local time) I finished filling out my current report. I put the report in its correct folder and reached for the next folder. Nobody told me back in college just how much paperwork a career in education contained. Sigh. And I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the Program. This week seemed too quiet. I do not need all the excitement of last week, but a week with no problems is just unnatural in a high school. There...
Major Daniel Stone, 6:42 pm, November 3rd, 2006 12:42 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) I turned and thought about what else I should be doing about the situation. Then I remembered that I better make sure the surrender took hold and that Colt had no more fanatics on the base. "Get me the Flying Dutchman." "This is the Flying Dutchman, Mister Mason speaking." "This is Major Stone. Stand by for new orders." I hit the mute and asked the crew if the Hades had been recovered...
Valerie Dash Noon If that West Point recruiter had any idea in hell what I'd been left alone with, he'd join the Peace Core. It would be that dramatic a shock to his world view. I picked up the West Point recruiting materials again. With this barn's security systems running, I might be the safest person in the area. Of course the phone rang then. I hit the speaker phone button. "Speak to me." "Is this the Stone farm?" "Who wants to know?" "Staff Sergeant Rogers. I'm trying...
Jacob Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, 2:34 pm, October 28th 2006. I sat on the bench watching Kevin do incomprehensible things with the game. We were nearing the end of the second half and I think the opposing team just received some sort of penalty. That meant Fred got to kick the football. It went through the goal posts. Even I know that meant we got 6 points. Touchdown I think that move is called. When I remarked on this, I was informed that a penalty...
Saturday Chapter 236 Ashley 12:20 am, November 5th, 2006 5:20 pm, November 5th, 2006 (local time) And here I thought my workouts were harsh. He's been at it for the last twenty minutes and I've barely heard him complain. He really must have some demons he's trying to forget. Jacob grabbed a drink from a table at the side of the room. "You might want to slow down a bit. You don't have to do the whole week's regimen in one go." the trainer told him. Jacob did not so much as...
Megan 10:30am I drove to the Stone farm as fast as I could. This morning I didn't care if I got ticketed. Hell, this morning I wouldn't cared if I had to run barefoot over shattered glass with a broken leg. There was just no way I was going to miss this appointment. It just wasn't going to happen. It wasn't every day that people got an invitation to become part of Stone's project. But that was not what had my mother thrilled. I was being given an exclusive. I was to be the first...
Chapter 216 Major General Edwards 4:40 pm, November 4th, 2006 10:40 am November 5th, 2006 (local time) To say that General Hambright was annoyed was not doing justice to the concept of annoyed. Epically enraged did not cover how he was feeling either, but it at least came closer to the truth. He had just spent the past eight minutes telling me why. A few things sunk in from his tirade. At this point, I couldn't be bothered with military protocol. "What the fuck did you just...
Vice Admiral Bright 10:20 pm, November 4th, 2006 3:20 pm November 5th, 2006 (local time) I found him precisely where she told me he'd be. He did not react. That meant he already knew I was here. I know I made the trip quickly, but I also knew enough not to think that I moved faster then the high school kids could gossip. Jacob Stone sat at the lake side watching the birds along the shore. In his lap was a load of papers. They looked about a foot high. He was reviewing them....
Staff Sergeant Rogers. 11 am Tuesday, November 1st, 2006 I met my superior in the oddest place yet. The abandoned outhouse of an 18th century farm. I understood the need for secrecy, but I swear they were finding me some really out of the way places to meet at. I swear if satellite photography revealed the entrance to the mythical Greek underworld, they'd plan a meeting in it's lobby. "You're early." Major General Edwards informed me. I turned and saluted. He returned my salute....
Captain Amy 'Rolling Stone' Stone, USAF Sunday, 4:25am. "Rolling Stone, you are cleared for landing. Winds are adverse at 30 miles an hour." Adverse winds. Ha! I barely looked at the controls of the fighter. I didn't need too. Despite what my flight instructor said, there were only so many controls that were important at any one time. And I landed smoothly. I hopped out of the fighter and moved towards the pilots lounge. With luck, I had time to grab a quick bit of coffee and a...
Colt 4:53 pm, November 5th, 2006 9:53 am November 6th, 2006 (local time) The briefing hall was crowded with Marines paying attention. Excellent. Time to tell them why we are all here. I nodded. A Captain stood up and moved to the podium. "Attention to orders. Today's briefing will be delivered by General Colt." The Marines in the room snapped to attention. I moved to the podium as they stood there. Then I let them stand there a few minutes longer to see whose face would break...
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2006 Chapter 76 Military reporter for the Stars and Stripes 12:04 am November 2nd, 2006 (5:04 pm local time, Palestine) This was the strangest trial I ever attended. The Commandant on the Parris Island Marine Base Training Camp is not the sort of defendant I expected to meet on my beat in the Middle East. And he was on trial for piracy. Not even in my most drunk and drugged party state in college would I have thought this would happen. The defendant looked...
Tiffany Personal log (voice), Captain French of the Flying Dutchman, 2:19 pm, November 3rd, 2006 8:19 am November 4th, 2006 (local time) The Flying Dutchman flew on through the stratosphere. Nobody knew they were there. That was of no concern to the occupants. With all the systems smarter than the people inside of it, they had a bigger problem. It was finally sinking in to them exactly what they were about to do. Debbie for one was looking back and forth between the holographic...
Fred 9:50pm Jacob watched everybody from the chair he was sitting on. He finished his beer and looked at it for a moment. Then he put it down. I grabbed Dave as he passed by. "Can I get another Killiens?" "Sure. I never knew you were into the imported stuff." "I'm not. But Jacob likes it." "Not the Jacob?" "Yep. He's in the chair in the corner." "Will wonders never cease. Take as many as you want. Nobody will ever believe I provided beer for Jacob Stone." I went over to...
Lt. Anna 'Thunderfeet' Cork 9 pm November 2nd, 2006 2 pm November 3rd, 2006 (local time) I caught up with Ashley as she was leaving the gym. "Did you think any more about what I said about Jacob?" "No!" Ashley snapped. "No? Why not?" "Because I've bigger issues to deal with than some guy." she said with some anger. I finally turned to look at her. Ashley had a look on her face that reminded me of the time I had to tell my husband I smashed the Trans Am into a china shop. It...
Captain Amy 'Rolling Stone' Stone, USAF Sunday, 12:20pm I banged my fist on the computer desk in frustration. "Six times I've checked now and still no response." I muttered in disgust about the situation. "Six times! This should not be possible." I seriously wanted to shove the computer through the bulkhead. "What's wrong?" Anna 'Thunderfeet' Cork asked. She had a concerned look on her face. "Is the stress of the routine finally getting to you?" "I can't reach Jacob to...
Major Daniel Stone, U.S.M.C. 8:53 pm, November 3rd, 2006 2:53 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) It has been nearly three hours since I took command of this mess. Nearly eight hours since the teens started to attack the base, if the rumors could be believed. It was time to start to get a firmer picture of where we stand. "Okay, all, reports. Lou, you start. What's the status of the Density Force in and of itself?" "All missions accomplished. The ships were redeployed as per orders as...
General Colt 4:12 pm, November 3rd, 2006 10:12 am November 4th, 2006 (local time) I drove away from any conceivable major target. My job here was nearly finished. By now any Association agents will be pulling out. But before that they would no doubt have killed Stone and everybody that was with him. I chuckled to myself. The funny thing about it all was that I never had to order them to do so. Their orders said that neither they nor their prisoners were to fall into enemy hands. But their...
Karl 5 pm, Tuesday, November 1st, 2006 I closed my geology textbook as the mantle clock chimed five o'clock. It was time. They say we nerds are clever plotters. Tonight I was going to prove them right. If what I'm thinking works out, let's just say that I'll be very happy. I went upstairs to take a quick shower. Afterwards I looked through clothes for something that would not provoke Julia. I was going to take a big risk tonight. Selecting clothes that would not upset her was the...
Libra 2:15 pm The conference room was as bland as possible. There was nothing that would give any immediate clue either as to the owner, or the owner's tastes. It was in a building designed to be so ordinary that nobody would notice it, even if they were staring right at it. I arrived and looked at the other eleven seated at the table. As was traditional, none of us spoke. We all exchanged computerized greetings. Sagittarius looked around and then bent over the keyboard in front him. As...
Mr. Bacon 9:50 am November 3rd, 2006 I put the phone down. Last time I received this many calls, there was a rumor a TV crew was coming to film part of a show at the high school. Every time the phone rang, I wanted to throw the phone against the wall. And every time I picked up the phone, it was the same thing. The phone rang. Like now I bet. I hit the speakerphone again. "Yes?" "This is Mrs. Luxor. I'm calling because I received a call from your truant officer about my son." "Yes...
Bill 11:45 am, November 2nd, 2006 "Bill? Do you have a moment?" I checked my watch. "Sure. I'm not in any rush, given what's on the menu." "What, they let the Home Ec class cook lunch?" "I wish they did. It would at least be looking better than what I'm seeing over there. What can I help you with?" "Come outside with me." I followed him curiously. "Rumor has it, you can give students advice almost as good as your father." "True. But if it's that important, you should...
Lance Corporal Flack 1 pm, October 31st, 2006 (4 am the next day, local time) I sat there staring at my chicken. It was all very nice and good. But I would have killed for a slice of old english pizza. I went and got some dessert. After this I was going back to my tent. As I reached my table again I overheard an interesting conversation at the table next to me. The conversation got far more interesting when somebody came up to the table. I'm not sure what assignment the Special Forces...
Lt. Anna Cork 3:30 pm, November 2nd, 2006 (8:30 am November 3rd, local time) I was doing something my job as a fighter pilot didn't give me enough time to do. I was waiting outside the guest barracks to pounce on Ashley. It wasn't that I expected her to be up to no good or anything like that. I just needed some mother-daughter time with Ashley. Ashley walked by a few minutes later. She was carrying her gym bag. "Where are you going?" She patted her gym bag. "I'm off to practice my...
An Association Agent 6:03 am November 3rd, 2006 I looked around. The Philadelphia Naval Yard had been closed several years ago by a short sighted congress. But at least our friends were able to slow things down so the ships they thought were going to be sold for scrap to pay for their bleeding heart liberal programs were saved. It was aboard one such ship that the Association had a base. A lot of us found it rather funny that someplace this ship was listed as scraped and sold. Those...
Jacob Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Hades, 12:33am, October 30th 2006. I just keep doing stupid things. Anybody with an ounce of sense would still be in bed. A full ounce of sense isn't even required to know that. A tenth of an ounce would do. But that fucking military once again involved themselves in my life. I don't want to hate them. Really, I do not. But how can I respect them when every behavior they show ranges from the tactless to tonight's attempt of...
Karl 8:53am Somebody must have seriously lost their minds. Either it was me shortly after I walked in to the office and I'm dreaming what I just heard, or it was the school staff. "Why me?" I was flabbergasted. "Remember what happened the last time you guys put somebody 'different' through the Program? Don't you guys know what will happen the moment I show my scrawny ass naked in that hallway? Wasn't last week bad enough?" I looked at them like they were experiments that had...
4pm I went into the usual chat room online. Maybe PuckPusher 3000 would be on today. She really seems to be an interesting young lady. Of course with my luck she's 43, weighs 305 pounds and is male. To quote a Meatloaf song, 'you never can be too sure about the girl'. Me? You can be sure about me. I'm Karl Whittiker. German on my mother's side, English on my father's. I turned 18 last year. Despite the promises of my ex, I remained a virgin. In fact I broke up with her that night. I...
Tiffany Personal log (voice), Tiffany French, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, 9:35am, October 31st, 2006 I'd like to say the class was interesting. I would, but it would be a lie. The fact is I did not give a damn about the recent deaths of Arafat and Sharon. It's true that I was sitting in current events class. Current events to me involves rock singers and television. That and medical science. The teacher was going on. "Those of us with relatives in the Middle East may be more aware...
Kevin 10:30am, October 28th, 2006. I watched Jacob's ship land at the side of the school field. He got out and came over. As he limped my way, I saw he was dressed in his normal outfit. That was going to have to change. Then again, I really wasn't comfortable with what was going down here anyway. Jacob had little sports experience outside of watching the Olympics. It was true he was the manager of the soccer team. Sports wise, that's mainly a social job. He didn't need any sports...
Krissy 2:58 pm, November 4th, 2006 8:58 am November 5th, 2006 (local time) "Are you sure?" my boyfriend asked. He had an unsure look on his face. It was so cute. "Yes. It's better for me to do it. Remember what you said in the hallway?" "Yes. But moments ago I realized that I was more concerned about you." "That's sweet. Don't worry. I can handle it." "What could possibly have happened that was so bad?" the annoying visitor asked, his attitude up there with nails on...
Krissy 7:10 am, Tuesday, November 1st, 2006 I went down to a breakfast of burnt toast. This was nothing new. In case I hadn't mentioned it, both of my parents are in public service. My mother works on the hospital's ambulance. My father is a policeman in Annapolis. Dad's shifts are never constant and mother got called in. Both have to leave often and suddenly. I trashed the burnt toast. Then I put a couple of English muffins in the toaster and waited. Any minute now. The phone...
Monday Chapter 27 Jacob Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Hades, 12:03am, October 30th 2006. Somebody was once reported to have said, 'I'm going to bed now. Someone please wake me if there's any other way we can screw up tonight.' The bed part was excellent advice. The problem was that moving made me feel really sick. My stomach was queasy and it felt like there was a gang of rioting musicians playing poorly on purpose in my head. If this was the result of getting...
Julia 12:12 pm, November 3rd, 2006 I got lunch and looked for a seat in my usual area. For some reason, empty seats didn't seem to be so hard to find today. At least lunch didn't look like road kill today. It always helps the digestion when I am able to in fact eat the food. As I sat down, I realized that the lunchroom was a bit emptier than normal. I gave a quick check out the window. Nope, no blizzard. As far as I knew there was no special events going on today that would give that...
Krissy 11:43 am, November 4th, 2006 5:43 am November 5th, 2006 (local time) Soup? After all the time I've been in this school, does the cafeteria staff think I am stupid enough to eat their soup? I've heard even the biology department won't touch it. I'm betting it would only take two or three lightning bolts to change it into some new life form. I joined the crowds of students grabbing only chips and sodas. "Hey Krissy." I turned. It was Frank. "Hey Frank what's up? Frank...
Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Hades, 9:19pm, October 29th 2006. I must be seriously insane. Crazier than anybody has yet accused me of being. There can be no other reason for what I'm doing tonight. I hit a few more keystrokes. I had another problem. I was once invited to this party. However I was not sure the guest of honor wanted me there today. Good thing it was a costume party. I had already changed into my costume. A wooden leg encasing my bad leg and some makeup...
Karl 10:25am The bidding was getting hot. "Nineteen fifty." "Twenty." "Twenty two." "Twenty three." Time to get involved. "Twenty five." "Twenty six." the guy I outbid came back. "Twenty seven." the guy he last outbid called. "Twenty eight." "Twenty nine." I saw the two of them double checking their wallets. That wasn't going to help them. I still had all the money I received because my parents made me work when everybody else was doing their Halloween...
General Hambright 11:40 pm, November 3rd, 2006 5:40 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) I've never seen so much of our military might planned to be concentrated on such a small area of land. Oh sure, I remember my grandfather's stories about D-Day and a few other of battles World War Two. But there had been no real question about whether we should have fought these battles. Hitler had to be taken down. Then it wasn't just a matter of principle, it hadn't been for years by that time. The...
Ashley's stepfather 6:08 pm November 2nd, 2006 11:08 am November 3rd, 2006 (local time) I was sitting in a cabin so far in the middle of nowhere that most people got lost at least five times looking for the place. It was the one place I could go to escape the vultures who were circling after that bitch of a coach lied like she had. Luckily I was coming home from a business trip in Boston when the story broke. I came here and asked my best friend to watch the house. He had a few choice...
Captain Amy 'Rolling Stone' Stone, U.S.A.F. 3am. (1 pm local time.) I stood on the windswept deck of the carrier waiting for the Hades to land. I was not the only person. Besides me was Thunderfeet. She wanted to know why her daughter was aboard. Also beside me was Vice Admiral Bright. He wanted to meet my son, try and convince him to at least respect the Navy. He was carrying a radio set tuned to the tower frequency. That alone was attracting a crowd. I think every off duty person...