ALICE, page 15
“How could I compete with a stud muffin like that?” he flipped back at her, “none of you would listen to a word I say, with him there.”
“OH we listen,” Sharon offered, “Sara made sure we all saw the combat holograph.”
Sharon was a little younger than Sara was, with brown hair and a slender frame. She had beautiful green eyes and was very smart. She picked up the analytical work in no time and seemed to enjoy the combat training like a PE class in school.
“Besides,” Bonnie offered, “Joe jumped at the chance to go with me and play with things that go boom rather than a dull ride up to the frozen north.”
“I say again, her own kingdom!” Jake exclaimed.
“Never my lord” Bonnie replied, standing to bow to him with a flourish, “may I take my leave?”
“You watch out and be careful,” Jake replied, taking a more serious tone, “if I have to come rescue you I’ll flatten that town.”
“We will,” she replied, “I was taught by the best” she finished, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek and then the mouth.
“Besides, ” Bonnie said while straightening up, “It’s not the town I need to watch out for. It’s you!”
She finished with a smile and a wave as she left the room.
“What did she mean by that?” Sharon asked.
“I have no idea,” Sara said with a smirk and a glance at Jessie.
Jake noted that Jessie was suspiciously quiet on the subject.
----*----
Bonnie headed to the control room. She had a million things to do and very little time to get them all completed before tomorrow. She had bet that Jake would approve the mission as planned and so set everything in motion yesterday. She just needed to check status and add a few final additions to her plan.
She was crazy about Jake, that she was sure. It was not just because he was the Alpha male. He had a charm and sensitivity to him. She wasn’t sure it was love, she always identified that, with exclusive relationships, and that was something she didn’t ever see happening here. In fact, she heard Karen had approached Jake about adding some of the new additions to the rotation, thus the comment about watching him.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about Karen’s request. The emotional, likely hormonal, part of her was jealous of his time and affections. Bonnie felt a special connection and closeness with Jake, his recent trip with Sara notwithstanding. It surprisingly hadn’t upset her, she recognized Sara had a different relationship with Jake as well. That’s part of what made him so special, he was a different man with each of them.
The rational part of her completely understood the position of the new women, she’d been there. She also knew the baby inside her was just one of several the ALICEs were pushing for. It was clearly a ‘the more the merrier’ situation for them and they were making every effort to make it happen.
She mentally set it all aside as she walked into the control room. Sandy and Linda were in a discussion and Barb was busy at a computer workstation. They were supposed to be putting the final touches on the Texas mission.
Barb made Bonnie stop and think a moment. It was funny how many curvy, 20 something near blondes there was here. It certainly described her and her sisters. Sandy, Kathy, and Linda were the exceptions, although they were gorgeous, she knew they were not the primary selections at the time ALICE located them for rescue. ALICE explained to her once that they’d just been scooped up in the same net when Jake went to recruit Sara. Now that she knew the grand plan, she began to suspect that ALICE had pegged Jake for a “type” and based recruiting on that. They were going to insure he had little reason to say no to any of them.
“Hey Bonnie,” Sandy said, breaking her train of thought, “I was just going over some things with Linda to handle for while I’m gone.”
Bonnie could tell Sandy was as excited as she was about this mission. Maybe even more so as, not counting the recruiting run to Prosperity and Kern, it would really be her first trip outside.
Sandy just loved to negotiate. She seemed to delight in getting people to agree with one another, or more specifically, with her. For her it would be an ever-expanding web of trade and support agreements. Bonnie just needed her to be patient and wait for her part. Bonnie needed to establish initial contact first and then set things up for Sandy.
In Bonnie’s case, this trip represented her chance to do something that mattered before the baby came. Becky’s passion was for medicine and helping people. Sara loved to lead, her position, as Jake’s second in command was dreams come true event for her. Bonnie wanted to do something worth remembering, to do something that really mattered. Her dad used to take her out in the fields and tell her that the farm was his legacy to her and her sisters.
With this mission, they would be establishing the base of operations for all the central southern US and into Mexico, eventually linking into the southwest. Not that any of the national boundaries mattered anymore, people would come for the security and trade. That could be half of her legacy. She knew, that once the baby came it, would be the entire focus of her life and the other half of her legacy. It would be the continuation of Jake’s line and continued existence of the facility command structure.
“That’s OK. I’m just swinging by to check with Barb,” Bonnie replied, “She was doing the final work-up on the locals and our initial contact approach with the patrol.”
Barb and Bonnie worked out a timetable based on the locals patrol habits. The goal was to intercept a patrol far enough out that they could establish contact and not alarm the town’s people. The ALICEs had the area under surveillance. The problem was there wasn’t a geosynchronous satellite in the area for constant observations, so they were doing snap shot updates.
So far, they were like clockwork, regular patrols with regular routes. They picked a spot far enough out that they wouldn’t startle either the town or the patrol. They would get there early and give the patrol plenty of warning, being visible from miles off. Once in contact they would have the patrol escort them in for introductions and negotiations, simple.
Satisfied there were no changes, Bonnie headed to the hangar to inspect the helicopter they would be taking to ALICE-2. With seven on board and a 5 ½ to 6 hour flight, they decided to use a larger model helicopter than the ones they used in the past though it wasn’t as big as the heavy lift helicopter. Jake said it’s about the size of a Blackhawk whatever that was.
She was also starting to appreciate all that Jake had on his plate. She was running just one part of what he dealt with on a daily basis and it was taking all her attention. She needed to be extra nice to him the next time they were alone together, she thought with a laugh.
----*----
Jake headed back to his room after eating to shower and change. He was tempted just to relax for a bit, but knew he needed to review both missions one more time before tomorrow morning, or he would never sleep. He headed back to the control room, where he found Sandy and Linda huddled over a workstation, while Barb was working across the room and talking to the ceiling, which meant ALICE.
As he approached the pair, the movement caught Linda’s eye, and she turned with a beamingly bright smile for him. Sandy turned at that and they both said “Hi Jake” in unison.
“Ladies,” Jake replied with a smile in return, “I hope I’m not disturbing anything, but I hoped to get a review of both mission’s status?”
“Not a problem,” Linda responded, “we were just discussing post contact logistics, manpower estimates, and communications. I know we have the ALICEs but we both agree that we should have a manned presence handling the day to day communications and stuff.”
“Sounds like a staffing issue to me,” Jake said with a grin, “just add it to our wish list I guess.”
“Will do, ” Linda agreed.
“So are we ready to go?” Jake asked.
“The Alaska trip is on track for a 6am departure. The aircraft is loaded with six days’ worth of supplies for four people and all the equipment necessary to locate and clear an access portal. You have about a 6-hour flight time. We have identified three likely access points near the landing zone,” Linda finished.
“How bad is it?” Jake asked hesitantly.
“Well, the closest one is under at least 5 feet of snow and ice while the other two are about a mile hike in different directions into the surrounding hillside. One is possibly obstruction free. The other is likely partially covered in loose dirt and rock.”
“OK and Texas?” Jake asked.
“We are still putting the finishing touches on that one,” Sandy said, indicating Barb working on the other side of the room.
“The plan is completed and the helicopter is ready, we are just monitoring the town and patrols for changes in patterns. We only get about 20 minutes every 4 hours from various satellites, so we update based on that.”
Sandy continued, “They will depart at 6:30am with about the same flight time as the Alaska mission. Once they arrive at ALICE-2, Jason will immediately replace the breakers, while the rest of the team settles in.”
“As they received sleep lessons in drivers training the last two nights, the following two days the team will practice driving on the underground test track. Jason will continue his maintenance activities during that time. On the third day, everyone, including Jason, will take three vehicles and intercept the daily patrol. They will take two of the enclosed jeeps with mounted 20mm machine guns. The third vehicle will be one of the 10 man assault transports with a 30mm cannon.”
Jake knew the one she was referencing. He pointed it out to the team earlier as a land alternative to the Amtrak. It was similar to the Stryker that Jake knew, though with the improved lighter composites for structure and armor, and it was a six-wheeled vehicle instead of the Stryker’s eight wheels.
“That will carry rifles and ammo for 40 militiamen and 10 machine guns intended for the town. Assuming we can strike a deal, of course,” Sandy finished with a smile.
“That’s not what I worry about,” Jake replied, “I’m sure you’ll get your deal, it’s those unexpected surprises.”
“Like what?” Sandy asked.
“I don’t know. That’s what worries me!”
----*----
Early the next morning Bonnie and Team 1 were in the hangar preparing for their departure, so they were on hand to see the Alaska team off. Jake took the opportunity to remind her that if anything went sideways, she was to pull back and we would try another time.
Even though ALICE, or to be precise the ALICEs were flying the aircraft, Jake grabbed the pilot's seat in the cockpit and was tracking their flight as they took off. Jake continued to watch their progress in the cockpit while Sara and the rest of team 2 settled in the back. They had been in the air for almost two hours, the navigation system showing them over Oregon, soon to be over water and close to ALICE-4 in eastern Washington. Jake figured they should make a stop there at some point, maybe on the way back. All the ALICEs needed something done, why miss the opportunity.
As he was looking out the window, Jessie stuck her head through the doorway.
“Mind if I come up?”
“Not at all, ” Jake replied, “Have a seat.”
He said, pointing to the empty co-pilots seat as she entered.
Everyone was suited up in combat suits for the trip, but helmets were optional until they landed. Jessie had removed her DBU top as well, presumably for comfort, and Jake assumed it was in the back somewhere with her helmet.
The undergarment they all wore was like spandex and hers was clinging to her skin as if painted on, leaving no doubt, she wore nothing under it. As Jessie slid into the cockpit, Jake was amazed at how, with everyone in the same uniforms, the woman could make it look so damn sexy. Her large bust line was quite an eye catcher. Jake forced himself to look away, focusing on the navigation display.
“Where are we?” She asked, leaning into Jake to peer over his shoulder at the display instead of taking the offered seat.
He got the slightest whiff of a delightful perfume. It really struck a nerve deep inside him. Apparently, ALICE’s stores struck again, as he was sure none of them brought anything like it with them. He could feel her mouth next to his ear, her breath warm and sweet smelling.
“Right here,” he said, pointing to the dot on the Oregon coast near the Washington border, “we are about to go feet wet.”
“What’s that?” she asked, leaning in a bit closer as if to get a better look at the display.
Jake turned his head to explain, only to find his mouth, and hers locked in a kiss as she leaned into him, her hand wrapped firmly behind his head. Finally, Jessie leaned back, relaxing her grip.
“I take it you’ve talked to Karen?” was all Jake could say.
Jessie smiled at that and said as she sat in the previously offered seat, “actually she and ALICE were the ones who came to me, asking how I felt about you.”
“And did she tell you all about their evil plans then?” Jake asked.
“I think the best description was they were pimping you out,” she replied with a laugh.
Jake got a big laugh out of that as well and said, “Where in the world did you pick that up from, it’s a great description, I just didn’t expect prostitution to be a big enough issue in Prosperity that you’d know about it.”
Jake was clearly taken by her easy manner and her generally good-natured attitude.
“Actually, I’ve become quite the student of history, particularly the 20th and 21st centuries. Isn’t that around your era?” she said with a grin.
“God, I keep forgetting this is the late 22nd isn’t it?”
“Hey, you do OK for what, 185 years old?”
“Don’t remind me,” he said with a hand wave.
“And you’ve done a masterful job of not acknowledging that kiss,” she said inquisitively.
“I’m at war with myself,” Jake replied after a moment, “the evil Jake wants to lock the cabin door and take you here and now. However, the good Jake knows he is already burning the candle at both ends. Adding fuel to that fire will only increase the number of people who get hurt in the end.”
“You assume too much,” Jessie replied casually, “you think with a 20th century mind. With what I’ve learned in my studies, I have the luxury of seeing both perspectives. You expect each of the women involved to step forward with exclusivity claims and that’s just not going to happen. That’s a 20th century concept. In the 22nd century, we have had to share everything just to survive. Collective farms, communal housing, and unequal ratios of men to women have forced us to rethink the one man one woman's notion.”
Jake started to speak when Jessie cut him off, “I’ve heard your arguments from Karen, about adding us to the rotation. From my point of view, you’re just trying too hard.”
Jessie got up from her seat and closed the cabin door. She turned to face Jake, pulling at the collar of her undergarment. It stretched to bare her shoulders and then continued down to her waist.
“I’m rooting for the evil Jake,” she said as she stepped up and pulled his head to her bare breast.
Chapter 11
Bonnie was looking out of the window as they passed over the New Mexico desert. She put her helmet back on to check in using the internal heads up display. Everyone else still had theirs off and by their side. In addition, they all carried their standard combat loads, including side arms, rifles, and ammo nearby.
She was getting the latest updates from Barb on the target town and their patrols. So far, all was going as planned, which both satisfied and disturbed her. Before he left, Jake pulled her aside to remind her not to take chances.
“No plan survives first contact,” he had said, “just know when to pull back.”
Everything she’d been taught to date discussed the ability of the field commander to adapt to ever changing situations. She just couldn’t see how the town wouldn’t accept their offer? Even if the patrol fired on them, they wouldn’t return fire or be in any danger from it. What else could happen?
----*----
They were about 20 minutes from the landing zone when Jessie stepped out of the cockpit, face flushed and wearing a self-satisfied grin on her face. Jake was back in the pilot’s seat, beating himself up for caving in like that. The strange part was that he seemed to be the only one upset with the whole thing.
He had to admit it, that was a great way of keeping his mind off worrying over this and Bonnie’s mission, and he was now officially a member of the mile high club. However, he wasn’t looking forward to facing Sara. She had to have known what they were up to for so long.
Just then, Sara stuck her head in the doorway, “Sharon now understands Bonnie’s comment at lunch,” she said with a grin on her face.
“It seems I can’t keep my hands to myself,” was all Jake could come up with, not able to look Sara in the eye.
Then he felt her kiss on his cheek, “you know you just don’t stand a chance right? You have eight super computers conspiring to entice you with the most desirable, willing women they can find. And it’s all in the hope of generating enough offspring to secure their future survival.”
She continued, “You need to let go and just love us, stop worrying so much. Because you are clearly upset, I’ll tell you a little secret that ALICE will kill me for letting you know. Did you smell anything with Jessie?”
“You mean her perfume?” Jake asked.
“Made just for you,” Sara said, “we all got some. ALICE said it would reduce barriers. Smells different for each of us so no one knows who is wearing it, but the effects are the same.”
