The Gathering Storm Read online

  “Then, for whatever reason, that idea changed. I’d like to believe it is because I am such a sterling example of humanity. But I know it isn’t. I don’t need a reason. Things have just changed. As things change in this screwed up world, I have learned to accept them and move on. I have to.”

  He gazed deeply into her eyes. “I need you. The people need you. Whether you like it or not, you are becoming a symbol of hope; hope for a better tomorrow for at least part of mankind. But if you want to leave, I understand. You just saved my life, so I owe you yours.”

  Kathy’s mind was trying to go in several directions all at once. Somehow, she refocused her thoughts, got past the awful hurt and feelings of loss. She sighed. “Adam, my fiancé’s name was William. I miss him so much it still feels like a piece of me is missing, even six years later. Maybe it’s because I have an idealized memory of him, frozen in time. Hell, I’m no psychiatrist. I don’t know. I just know how I feel.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I also love the hell out of you. You remind me of William, and yet you’re different. I was ready to hate you, to play you. Now, I can’t.” She was shaking, some from the post shooting shock, some from fear of what she was going to say.

  “I knew that someone like Jackson existed. I did not know it was him. I have not had contact with anyone since just before I arrived. I was supposed to contact someone by passing a note through a mailbox in the Conch area of Key West. I never did. That is the truth, Adam. If you wish to kill me, I think you’d be doing me a favor. It would end the pain.”

  As Adam often had to do before, he made a decision, and there was no turning back. “Kathy, this stays between us. It ends here. If you want to kill me later, I will probably even help you. I suddenly feel very old, and very tired. I will not give up on the Mission. But, I may not be able to see it through to the end.”

  Kathy kissed him. “Don’t give up! No, you’re not perfect, but you’re here for a purpose, otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to save so many people, and delay the end of us all.”

  “Yes,” she continued. “You have done that, somehow. Don’t forget that, whatever your failures.” She wiped her eyes, smearing makeup. Then, she flashed her signature perky smile. “It’s showtime again, Boss. I’ll swallow the pain if you will.”

  Adam thought for the thousandth time what cruel God had thrust this role on him. Why had he not been killed six years ago in Atlanta?

  He walked Kathy back to the plane, and straight to where Mary Lou’s was sitting. He knelt before her seat. “Mary Lou, please forgive my physical abuse. I lost my temper and should not have. I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

  Mary Lou took his face in her hands, and kissed him. “Boss, you did what you figured was right. I owe you too much to hold a grudge. May I speak to Kathy, alone?”

  “No fighting?”

  “No fighting, Boss.”

  Mary Lou found Kathy outside the plane, staring at the burning Cessna. She stood beside her. “Kathy, I owe you for saving Adam. I was completely helpless, and you were not.” She sighed. “I still don’t trust you, and I don’t know if I can like you. But, as we agreed that first night we talked, we need to call a truce for Adam’s sake.”

  Kathy continued to watch the flames as she responded. “Yes, but we are going to have accept the reality of the situation. We both love Adam, and he loves us both. Equally. So, sure, truce.”

  “Truce. But my original warning stands. Don’t screw Adam over, or I will mess you up.”

  The two beautiful women regarded one other. There was still a part of them that wanted to beat the crap out of each other. But, that would cause pain to Adam, and distract him from his Mission. So, truce. For now.

  They returned to the plane, as the two pilots tried to obtain alternate air transport. The port engine was scrap.

  “Someone placed an explosive charge on the engine, so small it wouldn’t be noticed,” the Captain informed Adam. “I don’t know if the dead Sergeant planted it, or someone else did. It was enough to really trash the engine, though.”

  Adam grunted. “Well, I guess my Security Chief has a sabotage investigation on his hands. Thanks, Captain. By the way, the way you and your co-pilot greased this Gooney Bird onto this field with only one engine did not go unnoticed. Look for a bonus.”

  The Captain shrugged. “Comes with the job, Director. Besides, you don’t know it yet, but I owed you big time since that last group of newbies came in.”

  Adam looked at him quizzically. “How so?”

  “You and the Chief found my daughter and son-in-law. I’ve discovered that I’m going to be a grandfather. Now, Sir, excuse me while I get you another plane to ride.” He turned to radio Key West.

  Not for the first time, Adam allowed himself a small feeling of self-satisfaction. Three more lives in the plus column. If only he could reduce the minus column.

  CHAPTER 14

  MALMSTROM AIR BASE, UNOCCUPIED STATES OF AMERICA

  Aleksandra was helping Torbin put his Marine Corps dress uniform together, something he had not worn since being commissioned. He and Aleksandra looked over the details in the full length mirror.

  “Torbin, yours has to be the most colorful uniform I have ever seen. I must admit, I am jealous,” the Russian Captain teased as she brushed off pieces of lint.

  “Yes. Don’t you think I fill it out nicely? Especially the pants?”

  She playfully slapped him. Then she kissed him. “You are a typical crazy American Yankee. Why did I have to fall in love with you?”

  “Fate, kismet, whatever. You are a hard ass Russian. Why did I fall in love with you?”

  Aleksandra grabbed his right hand and pushed it to her left butt cheek. “Squeeze it. It is not hard. It is firm, but soft and sexy. You are wrong again, Americanski.” They kissed. Wartime romance was rough and dangerous, especially when both people involved went into harm’s way. But, when you found someone who fit you, who completes you, danger be damned.

  Aleksandra gently pushed him away. “Let me finish helping you, Torbin. You must look perfect for your Madam President. Tomorrow, the rest of us meet her. Today, it is your time.” Torbin felt embarrassed. The General had told him the President, who had somehow managed to sneak onto the base without any fanfare, had specifically asked the General for his presence ASAP. She apparently had an award or medal to give him, and then wanted one on one time with him, about what, no one knew.

  A few finishing touches and he was a handsome Marine in traditional dress blues. Aleksandra squeezed his arm, and sent him on his way. Torbin marched smartly to the General’s office a few blocks away, the light exercise helping to quiet the butterflies in his stomach. Rubbing shoulders with a combat team was his idea of fun, not rubbing shoulders with the upper Chain of Command, especially the President. He quickly covered the distance, and his NCOIC waved him toward the door. Torbin Bender sharply knocked on the door, and entered upon hearing “Enter.” He stopped in front of the General’s desk, smartly saluting. “Reporting as ordered, Sir.”

  Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the President, Sandra Paul, sitting alone in a comfortable chair. No staff, no security. Noted for her attractiveness, she had a firm chin, straight yet feminine nose, and a full head of shoulder length brown hair with small streaks of gray. Even well into her fifties, she had a young, vibrant demeanor. She was a very fit woman who had engaged in multiple sports, including judo. Probably the most famous woman in North America, she was a legend.

  Her pre-Squid political critics had written her off as a conservative bimbo because of her good looks, Midwestern demeanor and her uncompromising politics when it came to a strong, moral America. She had weathered many a political caricature of her, her family, her background, her residence in Alaska. Now she had the last laugh. Ninety-nine percent of her critics were dead, many eaten. She often joked afterward, “They were right. I was too tough. Yes, too tough to eat.”

  She stood up and approached Torbin. He turned toward her
, still at ramrod attention, and snapped a parade field perfect salute. To his surprise, Madam President returned it with the same parade field precision. “Madam President. Reporting as ordered, Ma’am.”

  “At ease, Captain. And I do mean at ease. Relax. You Marines seem to be unable to relax past a stiff Parade Rest. Now, relax.That’s an order.”

  Torbin tried to let his spine relax. He managed to obtain a five percent decrease in his stiffness.

  The President chuckled. “Well, I guess that is all I am going to get. General, let’s all have a sit down around your coffee table. And break out that bottle you have hidden in your desk. The good Captain and I could both use a drink.”

  Torbin took the glass offered, found a chair, and finally began to relax a bit. President Paul produced a very normal large female purse that matched her dark blue skirted business suit. “After reading your file, Captain Bender, I know you hate pomp and circumstance. So here.” She pulled some small objects out of her purse, and reached out her hand to pass them to Torbin. “A Distinguished Service cross, a special medal and citation from the Japanese government, and a Hero of Free Russia cross. Congratulations. And I do mean congratulations. Your country recognizes your unique abilities. You have managed to cobble together an alliance between three remote countries.”

  “Begging your pardon Ma’am, but it has been the General…”

  “Stow it, Marine,” General Reed ordered. “Accept the fact that, despite your expertise in resolving conflicts at the trigger end of a gun, you now have a new skill set. You are also an excellent diplomat.”

  Torbin blushed. The last thing anyone had ever said about him was that he was diplomatic. His idea of diplomacy was a two by four to the head to get the attention of the other parties involved.

  Madam President continued, “The Japanese government left Lt. Yamamoto, soon to be Captain, here in your tutelage in order to assist Pappy Gunn in adapting Tschaaa technology to our uses. Now, we have a nearly operational delta. The three Russian officers have been a godsend in developing trusted relations with the Russians. You were instrumental in keeping them productive and happy. Every time something improves, your name is involved somehow.”

  She took a large sip from her drink. “Good scotch, General. My husband was a scotch drinker, and he taught me to appreciate the difference between the good stuff and swill. But I digress… I don’t know if you were blessed or born with the talent, but all I know is that, every project you touch becomes golden. Don’t argue with your President.”

  Torbin took a drink rather than answer. He had difficulty accepting compliments.

  “Now, Captain, the bad news. An attempt we orchestrated to assassinate Director Lloyd recently failed. All of our agents are dead, except for one that was apparently was turned by the Director. Again.”

  General Reed snorted in disgust and frustration. “Lloyd must be a combination of Svengali and Rasputin. No one seems to be able to keep focus on the mission against him once in his company.”

  “Especially women, General. Captain, the woman we inserted into Lloyd’s inner circle was Kathy Monroe. I believe she was your late brother’s girlfriend.”

  Torbin froze. “Actually, Madam President, they were engaged to be married.”

  “An Air Force Captain was going to marry a porn star? I can’t imagine his commanders would have approved.”

  “He was going to resign his commission, Ma’am.”

  “Why, in all that is holy, would he even entertain that thought?”

  Torbin slowly stood. He felt a white hot anger that surged through his entire body. “Madam President, General, with all due respect, they were madly in love. I know. I met her. War or no war, that’s my younger brother we are talking about, and I can’t stand here and allow you to question his honor. I request that you take back your comments, immediately, or I will be forced to resign my commission.”

  He knew he was probably looking at the end of his career, but fuck them. Family was family, dead or alive. You do not disrespect them.

  The President observed Torbin in contemplation for a moment. She turned to Reed. “You’re absolutely right, General. Captain Torbin has the requisite toughness and intensity. Captain, I apologize for the crass test, but I needed to know just how much of a spine you have.”

  She stood up and extended her hand. “Please accept an old, tough broad’s heartfelt apology. I know what it is like to have your family besmirched. And then to lose them.”

  Torbin knew she had one daughter still living. Her husband, son, and another daughter were dead. He took her hand and had to control himself from crushing it. His brother was one subject that was still very raw to him, even six years later.

  “Captain, we have a very tough and classified mission for you. This is why only the three of us are here right now. Director Lloyd and his Tschaaa Lordship seemed to have the unique ability to figure what we are going to do before even we know what we are doing. You will pick the team that you will use. Everyone will only know what they need to know to do their job. Only we three will have the full mission plan. Understood?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He met the President’s eyes. “What do I have to do, Madam President?”

  “You, Captain Torbin, are going to help me capture or kill Director Lloyd, and nuke that Squid.”

  CHAPTER 15

  CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA

  Even at this much later date, some twenty five years after the events, there are still those who find it difficult to understand why very highly educated and scientific-minded individuals bought into the Protocol of Selective Survival’s promises made by Director Lloyd. Some say that, much like those who aided the Nazi’s Final Solution or the racism based greater East Asian co-prosperity sphere of Imperial Japan, anyone who aggressively helped Adam Lloyd in his projects must have been evil or deranged.

  However, I do believe there is one extremely salient difference when you compare the events of World War Two and those of the Tschaaa Invasion and Infestation. The Tschaaa threatened to kill and eat everyone, if humans were not found worthy of client status. So, despite the Tschaaa preference for those of darker skin, many members of the alien species would just as soon feed humans to their young as to wait for us to prove our worth for something greater. Thus, a select few humans, as well as Tschaaa, believed they had to prove humanity’s worth as being more than just tasty protein.

  At one time, horses were treated as wild game. Then, the Mongols and others found they could be ridden and pull war chariots. Suddenly, they had a much more important role than being just another source of meat.

  But of course, in a pinch, horses could still be eaten.

  - Excerpts from the Literary Works of Princess Akiko, Free Japan Royal Family.

  It had been a tense day for Professor Joseph Fassbinder. When word had come that the Director would be delayed due to the failed attack, Joseph’s initial fear was that everything would be delayed. He had busted his butt to get himself and the space plane ready for launch and he did not want the launch date to be set back, for fear that it would be cancelled.

  So, when he heard that Adam Lloyd and company were again en route, he breathed a sigh of relief. His wife Sarah had remained at Key West, as she was involved in setting up a truly adequate education system for the increasing population. Now that she had a function that actually helped people, she was much happier. She still had her basic beliefs concerning the unfairness of it all, but she was making the best of it.

  Joseph had been in a crash course of physical fitness and nutrition to get him ready for space. Lots of food, lots of exercise, and many long hours as he prepared everything technical for the launch. He had filled out some so he did not have the look of a walking cadaver, but he would never be fat. He still had the slim build and physical resemblance of a World War II-era Charles Lindbergh.

  The meeting scheduled with the Director and Kathy Monroe was for a broadcast showing everyone in North America just how close they were to launch
ing back into space. Security was tight. How many robocops there were, he had no idea, only that there were more than he could count. There were also lizards and few of a new soldier class of artificial beings, grown in tanks like the grays.

  Human security was rather slim, but there were a couple of people who had worked at the Cape pre-rock strike, so they had intimate knowledge of the set up. The Cape had largely been spared. One small rock hit the administration building and that was it. Strikes at Homestead Field, Miami, and other parts of Florida had led to the area eventually being pretty depopulated. Only within the past year had Director Lloyd located enough human scientists, engineers, and support personnel to start full operations again.

  The numerous Tschaaa breeding areas along the Florida coast, ensured that the Director always had access to a substantial amount of alien support. Many younger Squids were seen both in and out of the water, working around the Cape. They provided all the sea-based security. Needless to say, any human wanting a swim had better find an inland pool.

  Joseph was meeting the Director’s party at the base of the main launch gantry. The size of the structure made the humans and even the Tschaaa in the area appear ant-like in comparison. Standing next to Joseph was Andrew, the robo assigned directly to the Director. “The Director should have let me escort him here, Professor,” Andrew said in his signature baritone. “Then no one would have considered attacking him.”

  “Well, Andrew, you know the Director wants to appear as independent as possible. But you could have forced him to accept your security presence, couldn’t you?”

  “I have been directed by his Lordship to follow the Director’s directions as long as he isn’t trying to commit the equivalent of suicide. Otherwise, he can make as many mistakes as he wishes, as long as the ultimate desired results are eventually reached.”