The Rescuer Pt. 07

"I want everyone going out there already verified that they are our people. Watch for rogue vehicles. I want you five to come up with a plan to re-secure the base. Find that God damn book they keep talking about and see if there is a procedure for that. Check Barry's office, I bet you find it there."

The first three aircraft to land is all security and Intel people. They quickly take over doing security. I notice that they are all wearing the new uniforms and have a newly sewn patch. Smart, we know who the new people are.

The general is quick to exit his plane and get into an armored vehicle. I have him brought in through the west doors, I don't want him seeing blood. He overrides my orders, he wants to see the carnage.

As the general arrives, they announce him, and the entire place stands, salutes, and holds until he returns the salute. He is a medium sized man, well into his sixties, yet very energetic. The man comes directly to me, smiles, and salutes me. I return his salute.

He starts off with, "I take it you didn't realize it was me on the other end of the phone, did you."

My legs turn to jelly, I am light headed and feel sick, I turn a bright shade of red. Penny and Mary struggle to hold me up.

The General pushes me back into my chair and says, "At ease son. Penny and Mary, please continue while we chat." Now his eyes are on me. "We have been listening to this room since my phone call. I have made several inquiries including talking to your wonderful wife, Kim. I know what happened. I know what you did. I know everything that is going on."

He kneels to one knee so that he is at my level now, "You know, the stories describe you as a much larger man and they certainly undersold Mary and Penny. Nobody has ever talked to me like you have." He stops me from talking. "You were right. I had turned into a paper pusher and worried that every "I" was dotted and have not been worrying about what is important."

He smiles big now, "I took your advice. The manual doesn't cover how to secure a base. I brought enough people to take care of that. Both sets of parents are now on the way. A holding pen is being constructed, gaggles of doctors and specialist are here to assist. I have a mess tent to feed my people, the prisoners, and to give your people a rest. That was a genius move using the cashiers. I also brought tents, cots, blankets and all the support we will need including more vehicles. It will take a while, but it is coming."

He looks at Penny and Mary fielding questions and making decisions, "I like your style. You weren't equipped to deal with this, you knew it, and you adapted. The perfect soldier. I stole the command structure from a nearby base, in an hour you will be relieved of command. I dare say they can't fill your shoes, but they have training for this, and I think we need to go see Barry."

He looks around, "Where are your dogs?"

I smile, I can talk again, "Too hot in here. They are helping guard Kim."

There are two female guards with him.

He says, "Jan and Toni, find Kim, she never leaves your sight. You are responsible for her until I say different." They quickly leave the room.

A chair is brought over, he sits in it.

He says to me, "My name is Tom. I am sorry that you and your family were put in this position. Barry is an old war buddy, he means the world to me. We were too slow to respond and didn't really realize what happened. Nobody attacks a military base."

Penny interrupts me and asks Tom, "We have too many prisoners, we need help quick."

Tom looks at me, "You are in charge, I am here to check up on my friend and bring re-enforcements."

I command, "In the northeast corner are two solid walls. Have the prisoners set up tents, that will keep them busy. Put down barb wire and set up two M-50 machine guns. We need portable lighting out there. A more permanent solution is being built."

Six young officers walk in, set up a table with radios, computers, and charts.

When done, a Major Johansen comes up to me, "Sir, it is 1634, I am taking command until a permanent replacement is assigned. It is an honor to take over from you. We have been listening and asking questions. We can take it from here. Time for all of you to go see Barry."

As we are walking away, I hear one of them say to another, "I thought he would be bigger." That brought a smile to my face.

He salutes me and then announces that he is the officer on duty. All reports now go to him, and I am a free man again. I am numb, Penny grabs my hand and then Mary follows suit. A Jeep is waiting outside for us, and soon I am greeted by two dogs as we walk up to the hospital. That woke me up. Kim and her two shadows are also there to greet me. Only Kim kisses me, but I can see the desire in the face of the other two. I introduce Tom to Kim. We all go up to check up on Barry.

He is looking weak still but in much better spirits. He smiles.

Tom says with a smile, "That smile isn't for me, I know you. It's for all the beautiful women that came in with me. It's ok, I understand."

Nurse Karen comes to me for a hug, "Thanks. With all the crap going on, how did you remember that the nurses needed to be relieved?"

I blush, "It wasn't so bad. Mary and Penny took most of the questions and made decisions. That gave me time to think of the details. You think I would forget you so easily? He looks a lot better today."

Karen explains for Barry, "He thought you were dead. That was the plan, kill him, you, Penny, Kim, and Mary. It was 50% revenge and 50% to get a nuke. The terrorists didn't know you were late. Your clearing the front gate was huge, it gave us the chance to get back into control. Barry seeing you alive was a huge weight off his grieving heart. As you can see, he does look much better."

Tom commands the room now as he speaks to Barry, "Your American soldier assessed the situation very well. He liberated the front gate, then took over Operations. Him, Mary, and Penny ran Ops from yesterday until fifteen minutes ago. I called him at breakfast because he wasn't following the manual and the forms weren't being filled out. He told me to fuck myself and not bother him until some help showed up."

Tom is all smiles now, "Well, he set me straight. I know how to issue commands as well. I borrowed a command staff and fifteen hundred people to bring some relief and control back to this base. It'll be straightforward now, your boy has everything started, I just need to finish his work. He found the traitors and killed them. Unless you want a red carpet, your conference room needs remodeling, but I'll give you a budget for that."

Mom, dad, and Mary's parents all show up, and we get quick hugs and a crying session.

Barry's voice is weak, "What the hell happened to my base?"

I spent two hours detailing what I did, what I know, and what I think is right but all that will need to be verified by the police.

To be continued ...