"BRIGHT LIGHTS" PART 5

It's still coming. This will be the fifth installment of the story "Bright Lights".

Hope everyone is happy so far. With luck, it should be finishing up before too much longer. I really didn't expect this story to take on a life of its own, but it has. Sometimes, it just works out that way.

That said, shall we get started?

For those who have lost track:
The first installment is here .
The second is here .
And the third is here .
And the fourth is here .

Frankin spent the next day going through records to find the "right" group for this assignment. There were a lot of people to sort through for the right qualifications. She couldn't believe how hard it was to find a crew with outstanding weapon skills, that were above reproach and could keep their mouths shut. On top of being good drivers, athletic and able to think on their feet. She had thought that in a department the size of theirs, the list would have been longer.

But, by the time she was done narrowing it down, there were only fourteen to chose from. Three of them were out on medical, and two more were on desk duty pending the outcome of cases and internal investigations. It never fails, you work a case for months, then you are under the microscope until the last piece of paper is stamped and signed. Until then, you ride a desk. The last four were on active cases, and couldn't be pulled. So, the group pretty much defined itself.

The crew was almost to the turn off into the mountains before Frankin pulled herself out of her reverie and got on the radio. "OK, boys and girls, look alive. When we start up the road, keep it cool. Just follow my lead, and don't do anything, but, follow. Got it?"

The first two teams answered with a "Roger". Team Three, Pascal and Kaiser, "Roger'ed", but asked why they were taking the "back way", the old, rough, access road, up.

Frankin answered that the old road was more secluded, not only from traffic, but also from curious people. "We're trying to 'not' attract attention, remember?"

"Just can't find good help these days," she muttered after unkeying the mic. She was now glad that they decided to have Dept. radios in the vehicles. They would need them to monitor for "animal response" calls and to wave off regular patrols from those calls if they were to do what needed done.

This brought a fit of giggles from Switt. "You don't suffer fools well. And you've got a pair of jokers in this deck," she said, before settling down. Switt realized her nerves were strung a little tight also, from the apprehension and anticipation of the assignment. It was just so unusual for a lid to be on this tight. What could be so BIG, she thought.

About a mile of crawling over some of the roughest and rutted road in the county, they came upon a couple hunters walking down the road, their rifles cradled in proper "travel safety" positions.

Switt thought this was unusual, as there wasn't a season open yet. The hunters were dressed in typical gear, jackets and pants in woodland camo, hunter orange vests and Elmer Fudd hats for safety. But their rifles looked a little off, for 30-06's or 30-30's. They looked like a larger bore. And the sights on them were wrong as well, they were HUGE, and appeared to be modified.

She was having a bad feeling about this when the hunters waved to stop Frankin. Frankin quietly said, "stay cool." That stopped Switt from finishing reaching for her automatic under her jacket.

Frankin stopped the Cherokee and rolled down the window.

The man on her side approached slowly, tipping the brim of his hat. "Ma'am," he said cordially. "Here to do some huntin'?"

"Yes we are. Any luck?"

"Depends what you're after."

"Albino snow pig, and maybe a moon-bat. Just got our licenses."

"Hope you got the right sack?"

"Yup, double weave, burlap gunny."

"Well, happy huntin'." With that he waved up the road and stepped back.

"Now, WHAT the HELL was that?" Switt growled, after the window was closed and they were headed on.

Before Frankin could answer, they rounded a curve in the road, and passed a couple soldiers in full uniform, one stationed behind a 60-caliber machine gun, and the other holding a flame-thrower. Both aimed uphill. AND, they were in the general direction the "hunters" waved at. Switt was now asking herself, what the hell had she gotten herself into.

Frankin looked her way, and with an apologetic look on her face said, "you'll soon find out. Okay?"

"I guess. It's too late to ask you to turn around now. Besides," she said with a slight smile on her face, "you always make things interesting." She patted Frankins leg and wished her stomach was as amused as her face was.

Frankin kept quiet; knowing they were all bursting with questions that would be answered soon enough.

Pulling into the clearing in front of the lodge, Frankin parked and waited for the rest to get settled in. As the last one was parking, the General came out of the lodge and headed over to Frankins Jeep.

"Morning, Detective. This your crew?"

"Yes, they are, General. Don't let the looks mislead you."

"Worked the field, and the streets, Detective. I've looked worse myself. If you back them, that's good enough for me. By the way, I've done some checking..."

"Yes, and General?"

"...you don't exist. Officially, anyway. Glad to have you on board. Now let's get the troops inside and get this going."

Frankin was concerned what the General knew. Couldn't be much. Still.

"OK, folks. Let's follow the General inside and get this going." Frankin called to the assembled group.

Almost in a single voice, several in the group muttered, "General?" Everyones attention and curiosity was now at peak level. This was a military operation, of sorts, judging by the armed men on the road coming up. And they were there, for some reason. This has to be big. And quiet. The tension was a living thing in the air at this moment. Even Switt was antsier than a skittish cat. Oh, there was going to be some explaining happening after this, Switt decided.

Inside, the general had the meeting room set up with tables and chairs, and a projector with screen was also set up. Food, coffee and snacks were on tables along the wall. The general was prepared for a long meeting and hungry people being present. Briefs were at each setting at the tables, and there were notepads and pens ready also. The general left nothing to chance; he was efficient mused Franklin.

The general gave a condensed version of the same information he gave Frankin two days previous. Afterwards, he answered questions that came flooding his way when he finished. When he answered everything he could, or would, he took them back to see what it was they were looking for.

The response from the group was as to be expected. Sounds of shock, awe, and disgust were heard. It didn't take much for the humor to come out to try to mask their feelings.

Pascal was the first. "Man, that is almost as disgusting as the stuff Kaiser eats." She wrinkled her nose for effect. And, Kaiser of course, had to shoot back with, "Looks like some of the guys you date."

Jimenez looked disgusted, and said it looked like the bugs from the tenement he grew up in. And Whitedove made comments about insect "power signs" she heard about from her Indian uncles. She reacted more with awe and reverence, than fear or repulsion.

Jackson and Kowzlowski both were looking at one of the "spiders" as though looking for a weak spot to best hit it from.

Switt circled the tank thoughtfully. It was plain by the look on her face that she wasn't thrilled with the targets. One moved and she froze until it stopped, then started her slow walk around the tank again. It wasn't a stop out of fear, more, if she held still, it wouldn't notice her. The stalking technique of many predators.

Corson was standing next to Frankin during the show. "Street savvy group; confident, relaxed, cocky, yet they have a quick eye and mind for detail. All undercover, I presume."

"Except Switt. She's a uniform."

"Won't be for long. She has what it takes. Either work the streets or become a detective like yourself, maybe higher up the chain if she desires."

Frankin wasn't too surprised by the generals' ability to read people. It's necessary in order to lead. Read the people and find the leaders in a group, make them do what you want and get the rest to follow. "What else can you tell me about the crew."

"Well, five are married, and three are single. Two of the married ones will sleep together during this situation," pointing towards Pascal and Kaiser. "Two will never get married in a conventional way," the general pointed at Jackson and Kowzlowski. "Jimenez kicked the habit before joining the force. That gives him the drive to run the street. And Whitedove, left the reservation to come here. She is still debating going back, feels like she ran out on the family."

Franklin turned and glared at the general. "You've got their 'jackets'."

"Nope. Just read them like a book. Survival, Detective. You learn that if you want to stay alive in my business. Don't cross a 'T', dot an 'I', or if you misread between the lines, you're retired. Permanently."

The general turned and looked at Frankin. "I can't figure you, or Switt out, other than her drive to advance and her ability to be a great cop. That's good enough though. I don't think I want to know you any better. It 'feels' safer that way. So don't look for me to ask about it. We keep this in the present tense, and we'll both be happier. And maybe healthier."

Frankin turned her attention back to the group, as did the general.

"You read very well, General." She didn't tell the general that Switt just passed her test for Sergeant. Or that she was going to be given a Detective's badge if she wants it. Even Switt doesn't know yet.

Corson only grunted in reply. "Okay. Enough gawking. It's time for the target range and some training on the weapons you'll be carrying."

Comments

[bogie]

As usual, you leave me wanting for more!

[Wichi Dude]

With the extra hours and stuff needing done at home, it may come in smaller doses for a little bit. I hope to bring this to conclusion soon, maybe as quick as the next installment, just don't know yet.

[Buffy]

AWwwwwwwwww MAN! You opened the door to a full length novel with this chapter. Write faster!

[Wichi Dude]

You know, it almost seems like it could turn into a novel. I don't think I want it to though.