Jacob and Tiffany II NIS The Density Force BeginsEpisode 48
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Diane
6:43 pm, November 4th, 2006
11:43 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)
I watched the map roll on my screen. It was programmed apparently to keep pace with the Flying Dutchman's current location. Right now it showed us crossing over the Eastern Shore.
I sooo liked this craft. There are times when girls wish they could be invisible so that they could hear more about what others thought or noticed.
Right now I was effectively invisible. I know this because the Flying Dutchman just flew over Dover Air Force Base without causing a single alarm to sound. This kind of thing almost makes one feel godlike. Or it my case, goddess like.
A few minutes later I made a course correction. "That will do it. We're on our final course leg now."
"Thank you." Tiffany answered me. She leaned forward a bit in the control seat. "Debbie. Is the Hades still in the District of Columbia?"
"Yep. Sitting as pretty as you please. If I'm reading this properly, the Hades is just off of the Rose Garden."
"Rose Garden? As in the White House Rose Garden?"
Debbie nodded her answer to that.
Karen shook her head in resignation. "We should have known."
"Shouldn't we let Base Command know what we are doing?" I asked. I was pretty sure that we were breaking some rule. My only question was whether it was a rule the Density Force recognized.
Tiffany nodded. "Time indeed to let Base Command know we are back in the game. Mr. Mason, could you open a channel to Base Command?"
"Sure." he hit a few controls. "We have Lou standing by for visual."
"Thank you. Activate the visual."
Lou's face appeared on the screen. "What can I do for you?"
"Just checking in to see if our orders have changed, or if we're still supposed to destroy the Hades on sight."
"Ah, yes. About that." Lou looked down at something for a second. "There are new orders on that. You are to observe the Hades and watch what goes on around it."
"That's it?" Tiffany was a bit surprised by this change. "I thought you guys were really upset that they had the ship, that you wanted it back or else destroyed."
"That's still true. But the Stones' made a deal with General Hambright. They promised not to attack any military targets in the continental United States unless they attacked us first."
"How about if they harbor our enemies?"
"I think there is something in there about that."
"I see. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Base Command out."
Tiffany thought for a few minutes. "Mr. Mason, I'm about to do another thing you're not going to like. I ask for you to trust that I know what I'm doing."
Mr. Mason looked at Tiffany. "I'll go along. I just hope I do not regret this."
"Thank you. Open a channel to General Hambright at NORAD."
"What are you going to do?" I asked her.
"Remind them that the Density Force is not entirely in the Middle East."
"Be careful. Remember that the policy of the Density Force as far as I've been able to follow it is not to burn every bridge."
"I will not burn them all. But I reserve the right to aim a couple flamethrowers."
"I expected you would." Mr. Mason chuckled darkly. "The channel to General Hambright is open."
"On screen."
Mr. Mason hit a few buttons. "Ready."
"Good evening, General Hambright. In case you do not remember, I'm Captain Tiffany French of the Flying Dutchman."
"I know. Mrs. Stone told me about you."
"She did, did she? Well, we were just told about the deal she made with you. Accordingly I have to tell you I am declaring the White House a target for sheltering Colt and his crew."
"That's something the deal allows. What are you going to do?"
"Probably come in cloaked, and then strike as strong as we can to render it inoperable. We don't want to destroy it completely, especially as the blast radius might reach a quarter mile."
"More like three dozen miles." Jacob interrupted. "I'm not sure. I never tried to blow up one of my own ships before. Speaking of which, you have three hours to get any of your allies out of the area before I activate the self destruct."
It had just become a conference call.
Luckily two of the parties to the call were not running on bad emotions right now.
"You can't do that!" both of the other parties in the call shouted back at once.
Jacob just raised an eyebrow.
Hambright got his objections in first. "What about all the people in that area? They are innocent of Colt's crimes. Hell, most of them have no idea what's going on. You can't kill millions of people just to solve the problem of one ship."
Tiffany followed up. "Not only the people. What about the museums, the national treasures that are down there. You told me once that the past was the forecaster of the future. If you believe that you cannot destroy the cultural heritages protected down there."
There was a long pause.
"Damn it, you are both right. Washington DC shall not be destroyed. Instead I shall plan a show of force. Tiffany, move the Dutchman to a safe observational position. If the Hades moves, follow it."
Chapter 222General Smith
7:20 pm, November 4th, 2006
12:20 pm November 5th, 2006 (local time)
I'd rather face an irate congressional committee of inquiry then the meeting that is due to happen next. At least with the congressional committee I would know where I stood. That's not so with Jacob Stone. The kid's been on a roller coaster ride of feelings since he first heard about his brother's death. What's happened since then has not helped much with his equilibrium.
There was a knock on the door.
I took one last look around. Everything was in place. "Enter please."
First to arrive was Major Stone. He entered with a slight hesitation.
As well he might. It was now a time of transition. With his son back, he and his wife were no longer the leaders of the Density Force. They had a choice they needed to make soon. Would they return to active duty in the United States armed forces, or would they join their son permanently? The choice is his to make, but he needs to make it soon.
Next to arrive was Jacob Stone. He was wheeled in by one of the teenagers that made up the Density Force.
Jacob looked around. He indicated the chair on his father's right.
The teenager nodded once. He picked up the chair and put it off to the side. Then he wheeled Jacob's chair into the spot the chair previously occupied. "Anything else I can do for you?"
Jacob looked around the room. "Yes Johann. Please step outside and make sure we are not disturbed."
Johann nodded. "Yes Jacob."
Jacob held up his hand. "One other thing. Find out Ashley's plans for the remainder of the weekend without contacting her. I may want to join her, but I do not want her changing them in any unwarranted deference to me."
"Certainly, Jacob. I'll do it immediately."
"Thank you."
I watched as Johann walked out to take up his post. I found it interesting that Jacob accomplished more with a quiet set of words then most officers I knew did with lots of shouting.
Then I took the time to look both of them over. Major Stone sat rigidly in his chair. He was projecting both authority and respect. I'm guessing the authority was aimed at his son and the respect at me. There was another notable thing about his appearance. He was dressed in his class A uniform, right down to his sword. He was dressed as if he was about to attend a promotion ceremony, as opposed to being seated at a meeting where he was going to lose the unique position of power he currently held. Jacob on the other hand looked a lot different then I expected. He was clean shaven and his hair was freshly cut. His broken glasses had been replaced. From the waist up he was dressed and groomed as if he was attending a political meeting. Well in a way, he was. From the waist down he still was covered in blankets. I guess they are still trying to get clothes made to cover the leg casting. Jacob's face was blank with the barest hint of a pleasant grin. It was obvious to me that both were making statements before even speaking. Jacob was saying that he was recovered enough to deal with the mess we caused. The hint of a grin looked like the kind all clever people wear when it amuses them to solve everybody else's problems. Major Stone's statement was saying that he wanted to be a marine again, but was still going to look out for his son.
I decided to give him a simple test to prove my unspoken thoughts are correct. Without coming out and saying it, I'm going to order him to tell Jacob why we are meeting today. "Major, I think you should tell your son what's brought us to this point."
"Certainly, General." Major Stone half turned to his son. "Jacob, how much have you pieced together about the Density Force's attack on Camp Carter?"
Jacob spoke with none of the recent anguish that I had heard he had. His voice was clear, even and he enunciated each word as though he was an Oxford English professor. "What happened is exactly what I expected would happen. It was a choice I wish I never had to make. Nonetheless I'm not so deep into my scientific creating that I am unaware of the world around me. And the typical mentality of the human beings that inhabit it."
I should not have been surprised. But I was. "You expected them to attack this base?"
"No. I expected trouble. So I let into the Density Force somebody who used a tool I prefer not to. Death. The only need for this person to take command was if I were incapacitated before I could pass the mantle to somebody else. It was that exact situation that I planned for. The success of this plan showed me that I was both right to think I would need such preparations, and right to expect to regret at least some of the results."
"That's what we need to know, if you are aware what happened next."
"Very well dad. You want a rundown from my view. You shall get one. It will be based on what happened, with things held back if they are not material to this conversation." Jacob's voice became clipped, absolute. "What happened was simple. I was taken by Colt's forces. The way they did it isolated me from getting any messages out. They thought they were being clever. What they were foolish enough to forget was one vital thing. The absence of a message can sound as loud, if not a lot louder than a message given normally. A group got together to rescue me. Expectations would have been one ship. Things got out of hand a little."
"A little??" I gasped. "My base, the wounded, the dead!!"
Jacob's voice now had none of affability it had before. "Be silent General. It is now my turn. Things started getting out of hand with the recruitment drive. Apparently I failed to compensate for the fact that the high school gossip net does not shut down for the night. This led those running things at the time to launch a full scale attack force. As it was later explained to me, the realization that Colt's people had infiltrated the base so well meant they figured that for at least the beginning of the battle, they would be fighting the whole base. They did so. Successfully. All the rescues were carried out, either immediately, or as soon as they were aware there was a need to do that rescue. My parents took command about that point and accomplished the surrender of the base. Colt escaped with the Hades. The Density Force took over local military affairs. In time I recovered and retook control. The next moves are still being made. That is all."
Time to start reasserting my control around here for real. Everything I've learned tells me that the Density Force does not want war with the United States. No, that's not all. I snapped. I was getting slightly nettled by this teen's attitude. How could he discuss what happened as if he was with a bunch of friends discussing whether to go out for chicken or pizza? "Tell him, Major."
This time nobody could mistake the intention. It was clearly an order.
"How dare you talk to my father like..." Jacob started.
"It is alright Jacob. We all knew this moment would come soon enough. Remember that your group spent a lot of time trying to keep your mother and I out of the line of trouble so this time would go smoother? What you also need to know is that we accept our responsibilities. And that includes you."
"I see. What did you do, father?"
"I do not think I deserve that tone. I did what I needed to do to save lives. Lives on both sides."
"Go on." Jacob's tone softened, if only a little.
"I made a deal with General Smith here. In exchange for the bases surrender, you and I would agree to a punishment of his choosing."
"Indeed."
The others who heard that comment half expected that the desert outside would be turned into an arctic wasteland from the chill in that statement.
Jacob continued. "And why, in the name of all that has ever been worshiped on this planet would I, Jacob Jehosophat Stone, Supreme Commander of the Density Force itself, possibly wish to comply with any terms from the base that incarcerated me???"
Why do I get the sense of impending disaster??
I suddenly got the most unmarine like urge to duck behind my desk.
"Jacob, you'll do it because I told you to." Major Stone's voice was uncompromising.
Neither was Jacob's voice. However, Jacob's voice also had disbelieving shock added on top of it. "Oh you do, do you?" Jacob paused, as if he was trying to grasp the enormity of the concept. "You do indeed? Have you forgotten that someplace on this base my cat was shot? My cat for the fate's sake. Not even a lifeform with opposable thumbs. And that's before we get into all that was done to my family. And I'm supposed to be in the mood to be merciful?"
"I know he's special to you, but he's just an animal." General Smith learned how big a mistake he made moments after he finished making it.
Jacob's temper went through the roof at that at speeds normally reserved for people driving on the German autobahn. "An animal?? Just an animal??? Need love be based on sentience? Then how about what nearly happened to my mother? What would have happened to my traveling companion if they had caught her?? This meeting is concluded. Think carefully before you presume to judge my actions. In terms card players use, I not only have the trump card, I hold most of the rest of the deck." Jacob wheeled himself out.
What did I say wrong?
"I'm sorry Sir." Major Stone apologized. "I think I better go." he gestured towards the door his son just stormed out of.
"Dismissed, Major."
"Thank you, Sir." he hurried after his son.
I waited a few minutes to makes sure, and then called out "You heard?"
Admiral Bright stepped out of my closet. "Yes. Not the smoothest of meetings, from both sides."
"It looks like your work is cut out for you." I commented.
Chapter 223Lt. Anna Cork
7:46 pm, November 4th, 2006
12:46 pm November 5th, 2006 (local time)
Something is bothering her. A mother can tell. Especially when it involves her daughter. The problem is figuring what it is that is, as the youth say these days, stressing her out. Is it Jacob? Is it the accusations of her former coach? Is that what brought her to this point?
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...
Jacob Personal log (voice), J. J. Stone, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, 11:30 am, October 29th 2006. The Hades was the second of the Dutchman class vessels to be launched under the command of Jacob Jehosophat Stone. It was the first of it's kind to circle the earth at 45 miles altitude. It was also, as far as I knew, the only manned craft to fly comfortably at that height. Everybody aboard the Hades was in position. Since this was a simple flight, they were mainly here for window...
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...
Major General Edwards 1:06 am, November 4th, 2006 7:06 pm November 4th, 2006 (local time) The Marine General representing the Committee was beginning to wonder if he wouldn't rather fight a hopeless battle against all powerful aliens bent on wiping out all life as he knew it. At least then he'd know more about what to do. None of his training ever covered the situation he was in now. Now some of the politicians were embracing a force that the country was technically at war with. I guess...
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...
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...
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...