and a half. Oh, and some duct tape. You can never have too much duct tape.'
'Good idea. I wear a women's nine. Did you copy that -Sergeant?'
'Copy that, Colonel. It will be there in five minutes or less.'
I had expected him to ask about the car batteries and stuff but he didn't. He just followed orders and didn't waste time. Good soldier.
'Colonel, you guys look thirsty. I have some sodas in a cooler in the shack there if you want them and there's a water cooler back there, too.' Airman Jason said. I could tell Airman Jason wasn't from the South. The thing about there being 'sodas' instead of 'cocolas' in the cooler was a dead giveaway.
'Airman, I want you to get in your truck and drive south at least ten miles before you stop,' Tabitha ordered him.
'Sorry, ma'am. From the sound of it you two will need some help carrying all those car batteries. I'm going with you. Besides, my Aunt Rosie lives about five miles from where you are talking about. If I can help, I plan to. '
'Airman!—' Tabitha started in on him. I interrupted her.
'Tabitha, he's right. We need the help. I don't want anybody else involved either, but he signed on to help protect the country. This is his job.'
Tabitha scowled at me and stormed over to the truck. She didn't say a word. She rummaged through the cooler for a soft drink. I followed her.
'What?' I asked her. I did something wrong. I could tell.
'Anson, I love you, but never, and I mean never, contradict me when I'm giving orders to subordinate soldiers.'
'Tabitha I love you too—more than anything in the world. But, I'm not a soldier and I don't have to follow orders here. We aren't on the Shuttle anymore. And although I will admit that you are better suited to be in charge here, if you do something wrong or if I disagree with you I should be able to tell you. Shouldn't I?'
'Next time do it in private!'
'Yes ma'am, Colonel.'
'Don't Colonel me, civilian,' she tossed right back at me. She was still obviously sore at me, but not as much. After all, I had invented the warp drive.
'Listen,' I began. 'You're right and I'm right. I don't want to involve anyone else either. Hell, if there was a way that I could do this myself and put you in that truck with Airman Jason I would do it.' Tabitha halted me there.
'The hell you would!'
'Well, I'd try. Maybe between Airman Jason and me we could hogtie you and throw you in the back of that truck.'
'There would be a helluva fight,' she said. Then she smiled. That was good. I didn't want Tabitha mad at me. We had enough on our minds.
We grabbed a Coke each and started drinking them. I managed to get out of Airman Jason that he was from Ohio somewhere and his Aunt Rosie was retired and living here in Florida.
Tabitha and I both needed the caffeine and sugar rush. Of course, neither of us needed to be dehydrated and that is just what the caffeine will do to you. We chased the Cokes by filling the bottles with water from the water cooler in the guard shack.
About three minutes had passed since the radio conversation. I looked at my watch. There were only about seventeen minutes left. Whoever was coming had better hurry.
'If they don't show within ten minutes, all three of us are getting in that truck and heading south,' I told Tabitha and Jason.
Then a jet silently passed into view from behind a small hill. A few seconds later we could hear it. It came straight for the clearing at the guard shack.
'That's a Harrier Jump Jet,' Tabitha exclaimed.
'Doesn't look like any helicopter I have ever seen,' I replied.
'Yeah, I like Harriers. The VTOL capability makes them very useful like a helicopter, but still as effective as a fighter jet. Just check out how it lands in as small a space as a chopper can.' Tabitha watched in approval of the pilot's skill.
The jet landed in a small clearing and two men crawled down from it. One of them was carrying a small duffle bag. The pilot confronted Tabitha.
'You Colonel Ames?'
'That's right, Captain. I thought I asked for a helicopter.'
'Sorry ma'am. All the helicopters were ordered out when the tornadoes came through. There are none within twenty minutes of here. This Jump Jet came in just after the storms. We were fortunate to get it. It is a real mess out there.' He pointed to the southeast.
The other man handed me a flight suit, a pair of socks, and a pair of combat boots. Then he handed the duffle bag to Tabitha, after he saluted her of course. Tabitha looked around and then stepped behind the truck.
'Gentlemen, please look the other way. Anson, get dressed quick.'
I was still trying to tie my boots when Tabitha stepped out from behind the truck.
'Captain, I'll take your gear. Dr. Clemons will take the lieutenant's. Move it!' The two of them moved it.
'Sorry, Airman. I guess you won't get to go with us after all.' I shook his hand.
