Weapon – Growing
#3 of Weapon
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Oh, and making the transition from Aussie military stuff to US military stuff was a shock, so much differant there.
"So how are we going to play it Sir?" I asked The General.
"We play this, however you want to, its your call Sergeant." He shocked me with the reply. But not as much as, "Oh, and by the way, your test scores came back on your latest aptitude test. Its good to have you aboard, Lieutenant Colonel."
"What? But? I didn't do any apti-" I began, almost speechless.
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Those last batch of tests back in the lab, just happened to be the same tests required for the completion of officer training." He replied, with a very sly look.
I took three deep breaths, he was testing me, the bastard, always testing me. "Ok, we confirm that a new test has been successful, it had some side effects that would prove it to be unsuitable in future but that the test case has been released back to active duty. If you want, I will be present at the press conference, but I would likely recommend a second conference with select media who will be sympathetic and not publicise what we don't want."
"Sounds good Colonel. Make it so." Was his reply.
As I left the press agent all but tackled me to the floor to discuss the plan, the initial release was made early the next day, with the private press conference to be held in the afternoon, giving me enough time to have a uniform made up to fit for my new rank.
I was sitting nervously, I kept reaching up and touching the leaf on my shoulder, hoping it might make me feel more like an officer by association.
"You doing ok Colonel?" The press agent's assistant asked me, the guy was just doing his job but it wasn't helping.
"I am fine, I just need a little-" I began.
"Ok your on." He cut back in, propelling me to the wings of the stage.
I stepped out and there was a collective gasp as I made my way to the podium, "And I will now hand you over to Lieutenant Colonel Walters." The script had read 'wait for polite applause before beginning', but the place was dead silent.
I looked down at the script needlessly, and began, "Hello, I am Lieutenant Colonel Walters, you have likely seen my video floating around the 'net, and I would like to state that the person who took that completely failed to get my good side." They laughed, it was a quiet laugh, but I got it out of them and relaxed into my part.
"The day that video was taken I was returning from my first command since undergoing an experimental treatment to enhance a soldiers physical and mental traits. The treatment has been successful in my case so far, no other subjects are showing any improvements." Yes, being able to tell half truths with a strait face is part of the job sometimes. "I myself have only shown limited increase in physical attributes, that is, I am a bit stronger and my reflexes are a little sharper than they were. Also my mental faculties have been increased to an extent as well. What this treatment is not considered is a success, the side effect of it," I gestured to my face, "in no way compensates for the improvements, and we are not planning to continue the treatment at all in the future." The best lies are ones buried under a ton of truth and bullshit.
"The operation I was returning from was to liberate four United States Citizens from a terrorist camp in Pakistan." The Pakistan government were not happy about us releasing their countries name, but agreed after we made sure it would be in a positive light. "We successfully did that with the assistance of allied and US forces in the area. The Pakistani military and government were very helpful in this endeavour and this joint venture has improve the already exemplary relations with their country. The United States looks down upon anyone who wishes our citizens harm and favourably at those who support us in any action to defend our people."
"I know you have not been allowed to bring in any cameras at this time, our press department has made pictures and footage available exclusively to you to compensate for this. Are there any questions?"
The press agent pointed to one man raising his hand, "To what extent are you more physically apt?" The journalist asked.
"As I said, I can lift and work out at a higher level than I did prior to the treatment. It has made keeping up with the grunts a lot easier." I replied, getting a few chuckles.
Another press member was singled out, "You mention Pakistan, are the terrorists tied to them in some way?"
"Once again, it was with the aid of Pakistani forces that we were able to rescue our people. They are working tirelessly with allied forces to the end of stamping out terrorism and our relations with the country of Pakistan have never been higher than at this moment." I stated.
"This will be the last question..." And the press agent followed that up by pointing out another journalist.
"You recently were promoted from a non commissioned officer to your current rank. Was this mission the reason for that or is the treatment responsible?" Oh, someone who can read between the lines and do research, fun...
"Yes, I got my confirmation of rank yesterday, but only for tests and training I completed nearly two weeks ago, the wheels of bureaucracy, even in the military, don't spin fast enough for a same day promotion. Particularly in this fashion." I replied, giving a sardonic smile. Thankfully earning further chuckles from the press.
"Now you will have to excuse me, I am sure the is a general somewhere who is itching to chew me out for something I have said here today. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and thank you for finding the time to see me." I picked up my unread cards and walked off the stage.
"You did perfectly, I notice you didn't use your cards but you stuck to the scripts. Nice work on the jokes too, it helps remind them that you are still, uh... human." The press agent finished, realising he had managed to jam not only his foot but half his leg down his throat.
Not wanting to make his job any harder, I reassured him, "Its ok, I get that a lot these days. Underneath I am still human."
He nodded and we parted company.
Following the 'coming out', I ended up as an odd jobs officer, where ever The General would find a need I would be there, either commanding, training or just being 'The Hero' of the moment. I continued training of course, I managed after twelve months to extend my range to thirty feet, and sharpened my reflexes. My physical strength remained reasonably constant, it ramped up a little, but no more than if a normal human worked out hard for the same period of time.
I received another promotion, after some particularly nasty work in Afghanistan, I was now a 'full-bird' Colonel. Just still with no command bar what I was sent to deal with.
"Get in her Colonel, I have a new job for you." The General told me one day.
"Sir?" I said, entering his office and coming to attention.
"At ease. This job will likely be one of the more pleasant, there is a gala dinner to be held in Washington. All high ranking officers in the armed forces will be there along with the majority of the government. Its an event to herald in the new year and also there will be quite a few back room meetings to decide new policies, and everyone who is anyone wants to be available to get their piece of the pie. Yes, even me." He sighed, "This job is getting more and more about politics and less about defending the country every day, the way the under secretary keeps pressuring me I believe they want me in their camp and have even hinted that you would be groomed as my replacement." I was started nearly to interrupting him, but of course, training held me back. "No, don't panic, there's more war left in this old horse yet. But what I do need is a competent advisor and aide for this event, and you do firmly fit that role, be ready at twelve hundred, have your dress uniform ready, all those shiny medals polished, but don't forget your side arm, you will be doubling as security, and although I had to notify the Secret Service that we both would be carrying, they consider it standard fare for a soldier. Pick your jaw up. Dismissed."
I packed my gear and managed to get a nights sleep regardless of the odd feeling I had.
The breeze on the tarmac was refreshing, such a shame to have to climb into the staff jet The General has on hand.
"Sir." I greeted him, putting down my rucksack and giving him a salute.
"At ease, damn it, still can't get the Sergeant out of the soldier can I?" He said, tempering it with a grin and we boarded the plane.
After stowing our gear and getting seated I decided to air my worry, "Sir, this feels bad, too many targets in one place, what if the-" He cut me off with a gesture.
"What could possibly happen? All the attendees are billeted widely over the city, hell no more than one third will even be at the same location on the same night, settle down, relax a little." He reassured me. "And even failing that, there are key members in the chain of command who will specifically not be here, just to cover for worst case scenarios. Now, relax, and that can be considered an order soldier!"
"Sir." I replied, still not able to shake the feeling.
We arrived at Andrews Air-force Base and were met by representatives from the department of defence, were given a government car to use for the duration and told where we would be billeted.
"Wow, almost out in the sticks as it were." The General stated. I punched the address into the vehicles GPS and started driving us to the building.
It was a military owned building usually kept aside for officers on leave who require residence in the capitol. We had a couple of rooms to ourselves, and once we unpacked our gear I got changed into some evening attire, and met with General Ruggers in the communal living room.
"Damn girl, you make a man want to be thirty years younger." He said, thankfully now out of uniform, I could relax on the salutes.
"Yeah you wish old timer." I bantered and we made our way downstairs.
"I know a little place that serves good food around here, I called ahead and booked." He told me, surprising me a little. Up till now I had had very little contact with The General outside of duty. "Here, I know the way, let me chaperone you around for a bit."
But I was adamant, I was still his subordinate and assistant even out of uniform and he had little chance of physically wrenching the key from my grip so conceded and simply supplied directions.
It was as I was getting out of the car that he said, "You're actually wearing your sidearm in that dress?".
Damn, he had noticed, oh well, "Yeah, I am your security remember, besides, I saw the outline of yours in that shoulder holster." He made to pat his dinner jacket back, realised it and just laughed.
"Can't teach old dogs new tricks." He said as we entered.
The concierge started briefly at our appearance, well, likely my appearance but another man in a suit appeared just as we did. "Harry you old dog!" The new-comer exclaimed, moving forward to shake hands with the general. "And who is your lovely escort?" Yeah, right, as if there was more than one anthropomorphic fox in the world.
"This is Anita, she is the 'plus one' I told you about." The General replied convivially.
"Jean, please show these people to our best table." The man told the concierge, giving a little nod to him at his implied query, obviously 'best table' wasn't always the same one, nor likely the best.
We were seated and had a most amazing meal, but then considering I can only remember ever eating military food, that's not saying too much.
We finished up our meal and made to leave, "What about the bill?" I asked Ruggers.
"That's already dealt with, we are here on official business, the taxpayer is paying for this one." And he gave me a wink. Bloody hell, I could take a rough guess at how much it cost, poor taxpayers.
We returned to our billet and discussed what would happen on the first two days, going over who we needed to speak with and how much time we should allot to each.
Finally calling it a night, I still couldn't stop the nagging little voice...