Part 5 (2/2)
”You think I'm stupid?” asked Torres, slapping me again. ”You are not Latino. Don't speak Spanish to me like you're family. We are not family! I will kill you soon. Lock him up!”
”I have a lot of money,” I offered. ”Maybe I can buy my way out of this?”
”I don't need money,” said Torres. ”If I needed money, I would rob banks.”
”Let me make a phone call,” I said. ”I want to say good-bye to my girlfriend.”
”You have nerve, asking to use a phone,” said Torres. ”Do you think you can call for help? Do you think your call can be traced to us?”
”Everyone here has loved ones who care about them,” I said. ”I do, too. You said you are going to kill me. Fine. I can accept that. I had no illusions when I joined the Legion that I would die a hero, other than I thought it would be spiders, not traitorous humans, who would kill me. I want to say good-bye to Valerie. I'll just send a text if you are so afraid of hidden messages or a trace. Please hand me my communications pad.”
”What does she look like?” asked Torres.
”Valerie looks like a blond Playboy model,” I bragged. ”I'll show you a picture.”
Torres handed me my pad, allowing my one hand to be free. I brought up Valerie's photo. Then I sent her a text. ”Good-bye Valerie. No matter what happens, remember I love you.”
The virtual image of Valerie appeared before me, via the link to my brain. The others could not see or hear her as she said, ”I will not leave your side. I will help you through this, sweetie.” Then she kissed me.
”Valerie is very beautiful,” commented Torres, looking at her database photo. ”Does she have a sister?”
”Several,” I said. ”And they all like men with big guns. I'll put you in contact with them through the database, if you like.”
”Maybe in another place and another time.” Torres sighed. ”Too bad such a lovely woman will be grieving soon.”
”Who is this pig?” asked Valerie.
”Someone that needs killing,” I replied.
Torres slapped me again. The insurgents bound my free hand, covered my head with a bag, dragged me down a hallway, and threw me to the floor of a locked cell. Valerie followed, seething with anger. ”I was able to see out a small window as they brought you here,” said Valerie. ”I have sent enhanced images to Captain Lopez. Several landmarks and even a street sign are easily identified. Sweetie, I promise you will be rescued soon.”
Captain Lopez read the priority text message and sorted through the attachments. Its sender was anonymous. Lopez didn't think it was possible to receive an anonymous priority message, but someone had access to our secure codes. The text was most disturbing. Colonel Czerinski was missing? Kidnapped by terrorists? Colonel Czerinski was missing? Kidnapped by terrorists? Captain Lopez sent a text message to me. No answer. The anonymous sender's a.n.a.lysis of hidden video indicated I was being held at the G Company compound. This was based on a brief image out a window. Captain Lopez sent a text message to Lieutenant Barker, ordering him to report to Legion Headquarters. No answer. Captain Lopez sent a text message to me. No answer. The anonymous sender's a.n.a.lysis of hidden video indicated I was being held at the G Company compound. This was based on a brief image out a window. Captain Lopez sent a text message to Lieutenant Barker, ordering him to report to Legion Headquarters. No answer.
Captain Lopez broadcast a Division alert. All First Division legionnaires were ordered to muster for an a.s.sault on mutinous troops at the G Company compound. Legionnaire commandos quickly attacked through the tunnels and through the front entrance. I was found alive in a holding cell. Lieutenant Barker, Sergeant Toock, Corporal Wayne, and about twenty other legionnaires went missing. A new escape tunnel was later found. The rest of G Company was placed under arrest, pending an investigation and interrogations.
Chapter 9.
”Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids,” said the small child, taking back a cereal box.
”And sometimes for sneaky rabbits,” replied a large proud cartoon rabbit, as he ate his stolen bowl of cereal.
I turned the TV off as Captain Lopez and Guido entered my hospital room. I had some cracked ribs and a concussion. My head and chest throbbed with pain. Valerie slept cuddled next to me under the covers, unseen by my visitors. Her warmth felt so real. She was snoring. Sometimes I think computers go too far in trying to seem real.
”What are we going to do about Barker?” asked Captain Lopez.
”Continue keeping him alive for the next seven months, five hours, and thirty-two minutes,” I answered.
”How is that going to happen?” asked Captain Lopez. ”He's a fugitive. Now the fool is going to be on everybody's Ten-Most-Wanted lists. He was already wanted north of the DMZ. Now he has no sanctuary.”
”We will issue a press release indicating Lieutenant Barker may have fallen victim to the same terrorists that kidnapped me,” I said. ”We will release video images of Desert Claw, David Torres, and the others. I will issue a statement expressing my personal confidence in Lieutenant Barker's loyalty.”
”Who sent me the video of you in the hallway?” asked Captain Lopez. ”Do we have a spy in the insurgency?”
”I can't answer that,” I replied. ”It doesn't matter anyway. All I care about is that Lieutenant Barker lives long enough to win our bet. We need to contain Lieutenant Barker inside the New Gobi Desert region. If he leaves the New Gobi, the bet is void.”
”Actually, the fine print says Barker is to stay at his New Gobi a.s.signment,” corrected Captain Lopez. ”Does that mean he must remain in the Legion?”
”I'll run that by a lawyer,” I advised. ”I think the intent of that clause is to keep Lieutenant Barker from fleeing to an area of safety. He has not left yet. Anyway, Lieutenant Barker is still in the Legion, whether he wants to be or not.”
”What about Corporal Wayne?” asked Guido. ”I can understand Barker and Toock being traitors, but there is no way Corporal Wayne joined a human insurgency.”
”It's a matter of moral character,” commented Captain Lopez. ”Who knows what goes through the mind of a spider?”
”Corporal Wayne is the most moral character I know,” insisted Guido. ”I do not believe he is a traitor. Besides, Corporal Wayne placed a bet on Barker, too.”
”How many people are in on this bet?” I asked.
”People or spiders?” asked Guido.
”How many?” I demanded.
”Just a few,” replied Guido. ”Favors have to be granted and paid back. It's good business and important to maintain goodwill.”
”I learned a long time ago not to ask too many questions about your business dealings,” I commented. ”But make it clear to everyone we cannot let that information get out. I still have a conflict of interest issue to deal with in spite of my precautions.”
”What about Sergeant Toock?” asked Captain Lopez.
”I don't want him back,” I said.
”We should contact Corporal Wayne,” said Guido. ”We need to confirm his situation.”
”Go ahead,” I said. ”Captain Lopez and I sent messages to Barker, but there has been no response. I'm concerned for Wayne's welfare, too.”
Guido sent a text to Corporal Wayne. ”Friend, come back to the Legion. We can work this out.”
The response was immediate. ”I just followed orders. When the legionnaires stormed G Company's barracks, I fled through a new tunnel. I felt I would be killed rather than taken into custody.”
Guido showed me the text. ”Can I promise Wayne amnesty if he comes back?” asked Guido.
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