"BRIGHT LIGHTS" PART 6

"Bright Lights" is now up to Part 6. I bet no one, including myself, would have thought this would get so long. It has been an unusual run for a story that originally was only going to go for two parts. It seems, as it developed, it grew. Taking on a life of its own, it, at times, kept me guessing where I was going to take it next. Or, more appropriately, where it was going to take me.

I find I can identify with the Dr. Frankenstien, creating something out of bits and pieces and watching it attain life. Wondering how to guide it. I am not unhappy with the outcome, merely stunned and amazed.

It has been fun so far. I hope I am still holding peoples interest. I still have a few items, thoughts, snippets, lines, what have you, to take care of.

So, let's begin:

Once again, for those who have missed the first five parts, they can be found here:

Part One ,
Part Two ,
Part Three ,
Part Four ,
and Part Five .

Corson and Frankin led the group to the "target range" to get them familiar with the weapons they would be needing for the duration.

It was like leading a school field trip for a bunch of fourth graders. They were all hyped and stoked over the events brought to their attention. Plus, they were getting new "toys" to play with. What could be more fun. The chatter was held to a low volume, but the electricity in the tones, and their body language showed they were ready to burst. Best they take that out on the targets, Frankin thought.

Dr. Willems and a couple assistants greeted the group as they arrived. Within minutes, everyone was engaged. Assistants matched up with the members of the crew and the training began. Corson and Frankin were impressed that this wired up group dropped right into a very professional mode immediately. Lost was all the banter and bravado that followed the group up. Attention hung on every word said.

Once the hands on target exercises started, the General was engrossed with the behavior and accuracy of each member. The whole group was good. Jimenez and Kowzlowski were above average shots though. Pascal and Kaiser were equally matched though not quite as good as the two hot shots.

The rest were average except Switt. Switt was at home with the weapon from the start. The others were mastering the mechanics of the guns, but Switt was a natural. Pushing her abilities, at one point, she had her target sent to the limit of the larger gun range. The gun resting on its pad, as the target reached limit, and still swaying from the movement, Switt raised, and fired the weapon. No sighting, or settling, of the weapon, just raise and fire. A perfect bulls-eye, at max range of 60 meters, using the plasma gasses.

The group, as well as the General, was impressed by the shot. Kaiser called it a lucky shot. Switt replied by firing at his target and tagging the "eye" there as well. Switt was swamped by congratulations, and everyone asking her to tips. Switt basked in the attention for a couple minutes then started looking uncomfortable. It took a while for the group to settle down, but they did, and got back to work.

Frankin knew by the files, that Switt, as well as the rest, were top of the class at the range. But that was with familiar weapons on familiar targets. This weapon was unfamiliar, on a different range, yet Switt aced it. Frankin wondered what Switt could do with a familiar weapon. She couldn't help but feel admiration for her.

Frankin and the General watched, and evaluated. Both were happy with the speed the group picked up the use of the guns, and their limitations.

Frankin also noticed the General worrying something in his hand. It looked like a stone. "A little fidgety with that rock, aren't you General?"

"Hmm? Yes...a stone...but a stone that belonged to my great-grandfather. He gave it to me when I joined up. He carried it around for most of his life." Looking into his hand at the stone, "He called it a 'worry stone'. Said whenever he got worried, or unsure of something, he would worry the stone instead of anybody else." Chuckling at that thought, "I think it saved his marriage to my great-grandmother."

"Why are you worried? Is there something you haven't told us?"

"No. I worry whenever an untested piece of equipment, is given to untrained or proven personnel, against an unknown enemy. Too many variables...not enough answers." Then, after a second of thought, he collected himself, looked at Frankin, and said, "So I worry this stone. Like my great-granddaddy did."

After the exercise, it was back to the lodge for a final briefing. Along the way Kaiser said, "So. When you gonna blast these nuclar bugs? At night, or during the day?"

"That's 'new-clear', not 'nu-klur', bugs. OK?"

"And we haven't decided when we will hit them. Probably at night, when it's cooler, as they are most dormant then. That way my people don't tramp the dirt down chasing them." Corson told the lie with a straight face.

"I wouldn't do it at night. Light up the whole mountain. People would talk about that for months. Not very subtle."

"Well, what would you suggest?" Corson goaded.

"I'd do it at dawn. After first light, but before true sun-up. Still cold, but more light to diffuse the shots from the guns. Could write it off as "dew-glistening", first light off the dew cover in the mountains. Beautiful in the right conditions."

"I'll give that some thought." Corson said. He was more impressed by this crew all the time. They learned the weapons quickly, paid more attention than most officers he knew, and thought on their feet. Asked crisp, to the point, questions, and had solutions to the questions they did ask. Good group.

At the lodge, Corson gave the members of the group a last chance to back out of the operation. No one raised their hands.

So he continued. "You were never up here."

"WE", meaning the military, "were never up here."

"This, never happened."

"Anything other than that warrants treason. You can be executed for treason."

"I have been told you could be trusted with this. This is something that will be YOUR personal little treasure, and secret, for the rest of your lives. This is classified. Even if you walk out now, those are the rules."

"Understood?"

Every member of the group thought for a split second then gave a slight nod of understanding.

Corson was happy. Instinctively, he knew, deep down, every one of them meant it. This would be a secret even after a night of heavy drinking, where you might air out the dirtiest laundry of your life. Read them like a book.

Frankin took center stage after that, to run down the schedule.

"All right gang, last run down before hitting the road. First off, keep your Department radios on. We will monitor the air traffic for any suspicious "animal" activity. Typical stuff, trash cans being raided, things up in trees, dogs going crazy, things on the roofs,...stuff like that. If the surveillance choppers report a sighting in the area of the call, take it. Radio in and say you are in the area and taking the call. No need for a marked car to respond. Otherwise, stay off the air. Monitor only. OK?"

"Next, we will be running 12 hour shifts. They will run 6pm to 6am, 12am to 12pm, that's midnight to noon in case you want to argue, then 6am to 6pm, and noon to midnight." A quick scan of the group showed that most of them realized the first watch run would be a solo. They were wrong. Stinks to be the boss sometimes.

"Switt and I will work the 6pm to noon shift tonight. That will take care of the six hour offset. Relieved at that news I'll bet. Rank has its privilages and penalties, so relax."

"The team shift assignments are, Pascal and Kaiser, 6p to 6a. Switt and I will be the midnight to noon watch. Jackson and Kowzlowski have the 6a to 6p run, and Jimenez and Whitedove will do the noon to midnight shift."

"Remember, one of you in the vehicle at all times, motor running. That means, food, facilities, anything other than responding to a call."

"The General's people are central to this. His people will be calling sightings from the air and monitoring our frequencies. If the chopper, civil call and indications are a mark, keep this base informed on their channel. We are working for them, and they are equipped to complete the call."

"Any questions?" The group shook their heads in unison.

"Good. Unless the General has anything to add," Corson shook his head, "then, I suggest you grab your gear and get going."

As the group started heading out, Frankin called to Pascal and Kaiser. "You two start out over on the West Side. Switt and I will take the East. I'm sure we'll cross paths several times over the course of the shift, but don't worry about it. Let's just make sure we aren't bunched up in the same area." The rest of the teams listened also and nodded in agreement, then left.

Switt came over shrugging into her weapon pack, and carrying Frankins. "Going to be a long night", she said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Yep. You up to it?" Frankin asked, wondering about Switt's overall mood. There was a lot of information to absorb today, and Frankin was sure Switt was a little put off by the lack of early warning. Might be a long night at that.

Switt thought about it for a moment. Her features softened up slightly. "I'll be with you, cooped up in a car, for 18 hours." Then she smiled. "Yeah, I'm up to it."

Frankin could only shake her head. Why me, she thought.

"Detective," General Corson said, walking up to Frankin, "you didn't inform them to exercise extreme discretion."

"Didn't need to. They live on the street, and know the drill. Their lives depend on discretion, as you know."

Corson smiled at her. "You are, as I've learned, correct."

"Be careful, and take care of your charge." Corson said, nodding to Switt. He then extended his hand to both of them.

Heading out the door, Frankin thought to herself, "Yup. Gonna be a long night."

Comments

[Bogie]

What a treat; I get back from vacation to find some great reading waiting for me!

[Wichi Dude]

You're welcome.