Anna's Mystery Plan - Part 7 - Expert Warfare Advice
Chapter 19 - Regrouping
I was awakened by a cup of steaming coffee being waved under my nose. Two faces were peering down at me. They had clothes on and looked ready for action. I, on the other hand, was in a bareassed, dimwitted fog which did not motivate anything.
The events of the previous day began to flow through my brain. Sitting up, I accepted the coffee and groaned. I had an immediate sense that our world of high priorities had graduated to one of urgent preparations to defend against attack.
I leaned my head against Talia's, who was now sitting next to me. "I'm sorry for that ambush crack. It's got us in a whole new ballgame."
From my other side, Karen broadcast to both of us, "Yes, but it might just have prevented an undefended attack. You saw how unnerved Anna was, rushing here to restore order. Or at least her notion of order."
My head clearing, I realized that my love pats of yesterday were now out of order. Definitely out of order until our preparations were much further advanced.
Karen's voice sounded very tough. Not the least bit motherly. "Jeremy, it's time for some military style organization. You are what I think is called the on scene commander. Your lieutenants and foot soldiers are ready for orders."
I looked from one to the other. Not a trace of a smile. I thought quickly and sensed a need to deal with first things first. Look at the top priorities and get a live body assigned to chase each one. An organized Plan of the Day could come later.
I grabbed Talia, roughing up muscles and exchanging low aggression noises. "This one is in charge of getting the armory completed and stocked. Work with Jeff the Contractor and with Rupert, Anna's warfare expert. Figure out how we get things done without attracting attention."
She ducked into a roll and assumed a headstand across the room. "Yes, sir. Any other orders?"
"Yes, keep track of all my demerits so I can be punished appropriately if we survive the next few weeks."
Karen flattened me and broadcast, "I already know what you want from me. I am to do administrative chores and tend to loose ends so they don't get out of control."
"And worry about money. Don't want to run out."
She dodged across the room and took a headstand next to Talia. "Don't run out," she said.
I was already feeling better when three bodies barged into the bedroom. Looking at the headstandees, they asked, "What is that?"
"They have just been promoted and are celebrating."
Karen and Talia fell out of the headstands, rushing the other women. "He is giving out orders this morning. After surfacing that scary ambush business yesterday, he is busy doing something about it."
Carolyn, Sophie and I had school obligations right after breakfast. I hitched a ride with them so I could respond to their request for a talk.
"Jeremy, we have been asking ourselves about motivations on the other side for vengeance, or something like that. You remember, we already hashed that around once."
Sophie was driving and Carolyn was talking to the back seat very seriously. My animal brain said she sure looked good in a wrap dress and hair up.
"I am going to slap your face if you give me that look again!" Sophie groaned and said, "Jeremy, really?"
"Sorry. I apologize. You have to admit you are two of the prettiest women around."
"Yes, and we want to stay alive!"
Carolyn began again. "Let's not underestimate them. Assume both sides want to remain invisible to the ordinary human world, but also desire a conclusion to their present conflict that puts them in a superior position for an indefinite future time."
"Sounds good, but might be too rational. They have emotions and have lost three men."
"Yes, and that ties into your ambush idea. Fortifying our new location is a double-edged risk. Strengthens Anna's overall force deployment, but increases chances of detection."
"Yes, that is one reason Rupert is coming."
"Jeremy, indulge a paranoid moment, and ask yourself whether Rupert's arrival isn't part of an agenda we are not aware of?"
She stared over the seat at me as wheels turned. Not probable, not even likely, but possible. After all, this outpost in Silicon valley was in a unique location for any number of schemes.
"We could spend an awful lot of time spinning scenarios of doom. What do you suggest?"
They both laughed simultaneously as we approached campus parking. I frowned.
"Don't frown at us! You are the leader of the band!"
As we walked toward their office, I said, "Agility."
They looked at me and I gave them back my best stony face. "We talked about this earlier. Everyone in the group has to be ready jump at any moment. Just like we did in the desert."
They frowned. I smiled. Life was full of stray risks. I closed for two quick kisses. "I'll find my own way back to the house."
Chapter 20 - Access to the Armory
Chelsea discovered me in late afternoon in my room working on the project plan for Greenberg. Keeping up with him was getting to be as bad as keeping up with Anna.
"She sent a message saying Rupert would arrive within a day, but exactly when and how are not to be disclosed for security reasons."
"I feel like a field sergeant, not a field general. Come here and comfort me." Her eyes flashed and she obeyed, falling heavily on my chest.
"I'm not sure you are getting enough credit for all the good work you do here. Almost as bad as running that dingy motel, isn't it?" My lips closed with hers before she could answer. And then I spied Talia at the door, creeping in for a surprise attack. Behind her was Karen.
Suddenly, there was a wildly squirming pile. They needed some release and I let the blows fall. When the bodies relaxed with sighs, I said, "I have an idea to try out on you."
Arms were raised, but fell limply to caress me. "Go ahead, destroyer of our bodies!"
I almost giggled, but suppressed it. "Our underground construction so far does not provide an entrance for more than people carrying things up and down steps. With serious weaponage coming, that's not adequate. We need an opening big enough to drive at least a small truck through. And it needs to be camouflaged."
The beautiful black construction manager crawled to my chest for a kiss. "I suppose you want this planned out before Rupert arrives and says the same thing?"
I reached and brought all four heads into contact with mine. "Do you suppose he will be able to monitor all our direct conversations?"