ALICE, page 9
“For one of us,” Sandy supplied, “the other is happy to wait,” she finished with a smile.
Jake stood and considered the group for a minute. He offered again, “You all know we are going to be adding staff in six to nine months right? There will certainly be more men than, handpicked by you all!”
“We’ve had this discussion, Jake, and we all agree, we don’t want to wait for someone else. You are something we thought we would never have at all,” Bonnie said.
The fact that it came from Bonnie was a surprise to everyone. She hadn’t said a word in the prior discussion.
Jake looked in her eyes and saw emotions there he knew ran very deep. He needed to be careful with her. She looked fragile on this subject.
Jake looked at Sara and said, “OK, your idea, you manage it.”
----*----
They spent the next week preparing for the run to Prosperity, the town the women came from. Jake made all the women spend time at the firing range getting familiar with their weapons. He also made them suit up in their combat suits for some of that. He found the helmet initially distracting, and insisted they become more comfortable with it on than he was on his first time out.
He also drilled into them that once out of the facility, the gear didn’t come off. They weren’t farmers anymore and there were people out there that wanted what they owned.
Bonnie and Sara were going full combat load, their assignment was security and weapons instruction for the locals.
“No better way to learn than by teaching others,” he told them.
Becky and Kathy were also in combat suits for their own protection, though they wouldn’t be teaching combat skills. They carried side arms for personal defense only. Their primary mission was to brief the Doctor and his staff on the medical module operations.
Becky was as smug as a cat when Sara explained her role and SHE was going to teach the Doctor. She had been getting her nightly sleep lessons for her medical training and progressed faster with her training than ALICE predicted.
Sandy and Linda would stay behind and watch over the entire OP. Jake still wasn’t sure what to do with Sandy, she was working out ok in the control center, but like Bonnie, still hadn’t found that niche. Bonnie settled in with her combat role, mastering combat skills, but Sandy just seemed to be marking time.
Sara said that during the discussion, Sandy hadn’t really seemed interested one way or another, where Sara knew Becky was mad as hell over the age limit, but wasn’t going to show it. She doubted it actually had anything to do with Jake, Becky always considered herself older than her years, and chafed at any restrictions her parents placed on her based on age.
Speaking of the discussion, Sara in her usual, efficient manner worked out the arrangements as Jake had asked. To everyone’s, except Becky’s, satisfaction the four older women were given a rotation for date night. Sara was last, as she’d already had a turn. The rotation was every other day, with Jake having Carte Blanche on the free days, to be with anyone or no one. This way everyone got a turn if desired and Jake could pass or reschedule without throwing everything into chaos.
As Jake expected, his first time with Bonnie was very emotional. They spent more time talking than anything else and he’d been extremely patient and gentle with her. He found her funny, charming, and deeply committed to making a difference. She seemed more in need of companionship than anything else. He suspected she was full of surprises.
One unexpected result of the newfound familiarity was a significant increase in grab ass. He was now fair game for groping, grabbing, strokes, fondles, and just about any form of sexual harassment imaginable. He had to admit it was great at times, but sometimes just a bit much and certainly a role reversal.
Once he was on his back, waist deep in an access tube, both hands tangled up inside a wire panel. Someone unzipped him, caressed him to attention, and then disappeared before he could see whom. He suspected Becky, but couldn’t prove it. All seeing ALICE denied any knowledge of the incident.
----*----
Jake located a common room in the living quarter’s area and had the bots, via ALICE, help him convert it into a briefing room. It was near the dining area, which worked nicely for Jake firmly believed in meetings with food.
“You know ALICE, we haven’t been talking much lately.”
“Well with all your new conjugal duties, I suspect you are just too preoccupied,” she responded lightly.
“So I’m curious, were you programmed a smart ass or did that develop over time?” Jake said with a smile.
“Actually, that’s your contribution to my personality,” ALICE said, “I am a learning environment. I adopt traits from the people I serve.”
Jake thought about that for a minute and replied, “ALICE, do you really feel like you serve us? I mean, yes you take care of us, but I have always considered you a partner, not a subordinate.”
ALICE didn’t respond for a minute, and then said, “Jake if I could be surprised, I would say you have just done so. My whole existence, people have told me what to do. In reviewing my time with you I discover you have never commanded me, you have always asked.”
“The others are here,” she finished as the women all wandered in.
“Grab a seat and make yourselves comfortable,” Jake offered as they walked in, “we need to go over tomorrow’s mission.”
Unlike the ready room in the hangar, Jake set the room up in a circular style, with an open area in the middle. Jake asked ALICE to run the brief that she, he, and Sara worked out. She began projecting 2D maps and images in the open space. A neat trick, Jake thought, as you could see them correctly from any seat in the room.
She explained that tomorrow at 4am they would take the heavy lift helicopter, unmanned, with the Medical Module and head for Prosperity. Limited to about 80 MPH, it made it a 3 hour and 45 minute haul. Everyone else would leave at 6am in a second helicopter and would arrive about 15 min ahead of the module delivery.
Once it was set in place, Becky and Kathy would work with the Medical staff, training them in its use. The Medical Module had an interface that would allow ALICE to assist if necessary.
While the medical staff was in training, Bonnie would be their security while Jake and Sara would train a portion of the men, about 50, as a militia. They were to patrol the areas outside of town. The goal was to extend the safe zone outside the town limits. They would receive 5.56mm rifles in semi-auto or 3-round burst modes only, plus 1000 rounds each. Additionally, they would receive 10 7.62mm machine guns for town defense. Those got 5000 rounds each.
Linda and Sandy were to monitor the area 100 miles out, watching for threats and assisting where possible.
Finally, the medical module incorporated a built-in power supply capable of providing external power. If any of the existing wiring in town was in place, they could just hook up those buildings. Supposedly, someone in Prosperity knew about electricity and ALICE confirmed they couldn’t hurt the power source.
The briefing complete, bots filed in with food trays. They carried an assortment of favorites and everyone snatched up theirs. Jake wanted to put everyone at ease as best as possible before the first mission.
As things wound down Jake suggested everyone hit the sack early.
The last to leave, Jake found Sara at the door waiting, “You think we’re ready?” she asked.
“Yeah, I think we are, how about you?”
“I think so too, we just don’t want to disappoint you,” she said, then looking down, she added, “I know tonight’s a free night,” then looking up without lifting her head she continued, “but if you are interested....”
“I’d be delighted,” he said with an evil grin.
----*----
Jake woke Sara up and dressed before 4am to see the heavy helicopter off, the medical module dangling below, and then got the others up at 4:30 am.
The bots loaded the militia weapons and ammo in the heavy lift helicopter, so they could all ride in the smaller one Jake used before, guns still hung on the outside.
Fed, suited up, and armed, he ushered them all into the hangar by 5:30 am and repeated, once outside the facility, their suits were their lives. Then they piled into the bird and precisely at 6am lifted out of the hangar, heading west.
“One of these days I want to fly this myself,” he told no one in particular.
ALICE responded, “Why, you don’t like my flying Jake?”
“It’s not that,” he replied, “just don’t think you should hog all the fun!”
Jake suppressed the urge to make the women go over the plan one more time, they had it by now, or they didn’t.
It was a quiet trip the rest of the way, until they got close, then the women started pointing out familiar landmarks to each other.
The helicopter landed near the edge of town, a delegation from the town already assembled and waiting to receive them.
As they stepped out of the helicopter, Jake noted with satisfaction that Sara and Bonnie fanned out on each side of the group, weapons at the ready.
Becky and Kathy fell in behind him. All set their faceplates to clear, so he noted a few surprised looks from the town’s folk as they approached.
He reached out his hand to Burt, “Great to see you again!”
“And you too. I understand you have some gifts for us?”
“Yup, and they should be here in about 15 minutes, why don’t we head to the drop site?” Jake replied.
They all headed to the pre-agreed location for the module drop. It was next to the old hospital building, a two story rectangular structure, typical for a smaller community. The area to the left of the building near the main entrance held a new clearing, attesting to the removal of trees and ground cover.
After they arrived, Jake could hear the heavy lift helicopter as it passed overhead and hovered above and in front of them. The module, a 30-foot long, 10-foot tall, and 12-foot wide container type box dangling beneath.
Jake asked, “So where’s the doc?”
“I’m here,” one of the men in the crowd replied, stepping forward.
“Is that where you want it?” Jake asked, pointing to the cleared area next to the side of the building.
“Yup, we figure at some point we will build around it to create a sterile access to the rest of the building.”
Jake said, “Ok ALICE, drop it where we discussed, please try to align as best as possible.”
ALICE expertly slid it smoothly in place with an evenly measured 4-foot access-way between the building and the module.
Once in place she released the cables and moved the helicopter to an open area on the other side of the building, setting down.
Becky and Kathy moved forward, with the doctor and staff in tow, opening up the module and starting the familiarization lecture. Jake could see Becky glowing from 20 feet away.
Jake pointed to Bonnie and then at the module for security. She acknowledged with a nod, and then he and Sara motioned for the rest of the group to head to the helicopter.
“Is this group the Militia trainee’s?” Jake asked.
“Most of them,” Burt replied, “we’ve got a few with issues on the farms, so some couldn’t make it this morning. They’ll come in later.”
“Good enough,” Jake replied, leading them around the back of the helicopter as the access ramp dropped.
Jake let Sara direct the men in unloading all the gear they were providing. They needed to acknowledge her authority, and she needed the experience. He watched her lead them out to the edge of town where he requested a temporary range be set up.
Fanning them out, she issued each a weapon, then familiarized each in a quick drill Jake taught her. Once everyone present was holding a rifle, she led them one by one to the firing line and had them test fire their weapons.
Only fair as marksman, the best hit 8 of 10 in the black. He then instructed Sara to perform the same drill and let them score her. She shot 10 out of 10.
His point made, he made them all practice under her watchful eye until the worst was 7 of 10.
By then the remaining militiamen arrived and Jake caught them up in short order.
They all took a break for lunch, and Jake ushered his team into the heavy lift helicopter so they could remove their helmets to eat. Afterward, they led the group to sand pits Jake requested, for some basic hand-to-hand training.
There were four pits, so Jake hoped to get them through the basics in enough time to do the machine gun class and then be home before dark.
By this time Becky and Kathy were finished with the medical team, so they were free to join Jake and the others. They made sure the doctor understood ALICE was always on standby should they have any questions. So they, plus Bonnie, were there as well in the hand to hand training.
Jake let Bonnie lead this time, with Sara acting as demonstration dummy.
She went through the basics, demonstrating unarmed blocks, kicks, and throws.
He listened to a few snide whispered comments, the audio pickups on the helmets being truly remarkable. Jake hit his limit, however, when he heard one of the militia say, “I can take the bitch.”
It was then he decided a live demonstration was in order.
“Bonnie, let’s have a volunteer show what he’s learned, why don’t you,” he pointed to one he heard, “try to knock Bonnie down.”
As the guy stepped forward, Jake noted he was perfect for his example. He was a big guy, maybe 6 feet 3 inches, and 220 pounds. He was smirking and said, “I don’t wanna hurt her.”
Jake replied, “Oh, don’t worry, her suit will keep her safe, you just try to knock her down if you can, don’t hold back.”
He laughed and squared off with Bonnie, her face a study in concentration and focus. He lunged forward trying to push her down. She simply side stepped him, letting his momentum carry him forward past her, and then tripping him up in the same motion.
He sprawled in a face plant that drew laughter from the crowd. He jumped up, clearly pissed now, and started swinging.
Bonnie blocked or ducked each, delivering stinging responses that hurt pride more than body. Finally, he charged, hoping to overwhelm her with his mass. She deftly rolled backward with the charge, getting her feet in his chest and then threw him clear of the pit. He hit flat on his back on the hard pack ground outside the sand pit.
Jake wandered over as he lay there gasping. He leaned forward and loudly asked “you still alive?”
He got a nod between gasps, and then quietly added, “Guess you can’t take the bitch after all?”
They spent the rest of the afternoon with the men squaring off with each other under Bonnie and Sara’s supervision. Now and then one of them would step in to demonstrate. They got the utmost respect.
Jake grabbed Burt during a break. They walked the town, discussing good locations for the machine guns and possible modifications to the town boundaries to increase security.
For the last part of the day, they returned to the range for the machine gun class. Jake led that, letting Bonnie and Sara act as trainees. Jake pointed out that with the men as mobile militia, they might consider using the women on the machine guns. Sara cut the center out of her target as he spoke.
Mission completed, ALICE sent the heavy lift helicopter on a course for home as Jake, and the women loaded into the smaller craft.
Burt and a few others accompanied them, offering thanks and assurances that they would get the word out about the free trade zone they now enforced. Jake promised ammo replenishment and medical supplies as needed.
As they lifted off, Linda chimed in, “Jake, Sandy, and I found something you might want to see.”
They transferred the feed to his helmet, and it was an image of a small two-story building, an attack in progress, by an armed group. In the background the surrounding evergreens and smaller single-story buildings made it appear to be a little mountain town. The exchange of gunfire looked to involve two groups, one holed up inside the building while another group of 12 to 15 men were assaulting from several positions in the front. It was hard to tell how many were inside, but there appeared to be several shooters inside returning fire.
“Where is this?” Jake asked
“It’s less than 100 miles northeast of your current position, in the mountains.”
As he watched, a woman with two children in hand, ran for the back of the building, scrambling from a smaller structure. Right behind her were several men on their heels, apparently chasing after them. Gunfire from the building caused them to retreat while the woman and children made it safely inside. Jake swore he could see one of the children trailing blood.
“Crap, you guys haven’t been trained for urban combat yet,” he said to no one in particular.
“OK ALICE, drop us here,” he indicated, staring at a point on the edge of the conflict, “and watch our backs.”
Noting the video feed was going to everyone, he continued, “Sara, you and Bonnie is with me. Becky, you and Kathy stay on the bird and get out the MED kits. I’m afraid it’s time to see what you’ve learned.”
He continued to watch in his display as they approached, his hope was the helicopters arrival would scare them off and he wouldn’t have to engage. Urban warfare just sucked, the combat suits helped, but he didn’t want to bet anyone’s life on them.
Jake checked both Sara and Bonnie as they headed into the valley that held the town, insuring they both had rifles and ammo, then grabbed a rifle for himself. All locked and loaded, they were ready to go.
As the helicopter flared and dropped, he and Bonnie jumped out on one side door with Sara out the other. The helicopter quickly lifted again to a stationary overhead position. Jake could see ALICE picked a spot that brought all her firepower to bear on the concentration of raiders at the front of the building.
At this point all shooting had ceased with both attackers and defenders watching as Jake stepped forward. Bonnie and Sara flanked him on either side, all three with rifles at the ready.
“I’m Captain Thomas of the United States Marine Corps,” Jake’s voice boomed, enhanced from external speakers on the helicopter, “everyone stand down!”
