A Tan Beret Goes to Nellis

[Wolfman]

Once you're used for bait, you're not good for much else. I'm hoping I'm wrong.

That makes two of us…

[Poohbah]

21 January 1988
Officer's Club
Sheppard Air Force Base
Wichita Falls, TX

AFN was doing what their DJ Valerie Salquist called Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, all music, no DJ patter to interrupt the vibe. The lack of covert messages to partisans drove Ivan nuts; they hadn't figured out that the medium was the message, as Marshal McLuhan would say.

Some band had recorded, of all things, a rockabilly cover of Safety Dance. Sophie and Kathy were cutting up the dance floor to the general enthusiasm of the gathered crowd, who were clapping along in time with the music.

The music shifted to Video Killed the Radio Star, and they stepped off the dance floor. Kathy said, "We need to work out the romeos--"

"The romeos are simple enough: we grab a trailer in the Ramada Inn complex, and we do the Horizontal Mambo."

Kathy smiled and said, "You think you can keep up with me, little girl?"

Sophie arched an eyebrow. "Afraid you won't? I mean, you definitely have the curves, Sugar-Tits, but do you have the moves to go with them?"

Kathy laughed. "Ah, the impetuous overconfidence of youth."

Sophie smiled, "So, we wait for something that's a cross between romantic and sleazy, and we dance somewhat raunchily to it, and then go get a room."

Grace Jones' "Pull Up to the Bumper" came on.

Sophie grinned broadly and pulled Kathy back to the dance floor. "And. Here. We. Go."

* * *

Later, in one of the trailers, Kathy stretched catlike. "Holy shit, woman, where did you learn all that?"

"The fine ladies of Uncle Sam's Flying Circus in Las Vegas."

"Jesus Gawd, you were sleeping with some seriously bisexual women your entire time at Nellis?"

Sophie chuckled. "Yes."

Kathy snuggled next to Sophie. "Well, you definitely are a fast learner."

"Comes with the mutant math ability. I really did once calculate how many licks it would take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. Came in downright handy for determining how many licks it takes toMMMPH--"

Kathy broke the kiss and said, "Please try to keep sex at least somewhat romantic, Sophie."

* * *

22 January 1988
MAG-11 HQ
Sheppard Air Force Base
Wichita Falls, TX

Kathy came in while Sophie was reviewing the morning traffic. The coffee was brewed, so she poured two mugs and handed one to Sophie. Sophie sipped silently as she flipped through the message board. Her mug suddenly stopped halfway to her mouth.

Kathy asked, "What have you got?"

"STRATMAT came in at 0331 local. Someone stole a semi full of ammounium nitrate last night in over in Ardmore." She set her mug down and flipped through the STRATMAT reports. "And we have a few hundred pounds of aluminum bar stock missing, and a couple dozen grinder wheels went bye-bye out of a shop out in town last week, and blasting caps are literally a dime a dozen if the dime in question is silver." She picked up the phone and dialed the fuels officer, Captain Roberta Paulson. "Hey, Bobbi." Pause. "Yeah, you'd like her. Listen, I need you to run an audit on your diesel stocks right now." Pause. "Yesterday, and you're verified good? Vreeland go anywhere near the inventory audit?" Pause. "Just checking. Check it again, please? I've got a few STRATMATs that might be nothing, or they might be something."

Ten minutes later, the phone rang. "MAG-11 S-2, Chief Henrix--Bobbi, whatcha got?" Pause, followed by a grim expression. "All right, thank you. Please send Vreeland over to the Molehole on an errand. With any luck, you won't be getting him back. Catch you later."

Sophie looked at Kathy. "3 drums of diesel, signed out on Vreeland's card last night. Charge number expired last September. Enough for a very big VBIED, or a lot of little IEDs." She picked up the phone again and dialed the Molehole. "Chief Henrix calling for Major Cowley." Pause. "Sir, Master Sergeant Vreeland will be arriving shortly. Please detain him under 31-303. My authority." Pause. "Suspicion of espionage against the United States, and actively aiding and abetting attempted sabotage against the United States." Pause. "Thank you, sir."

After she hung up, she said, "We need Master Sergeant Vreeland to be focused."

Kathy nodded, her expression grim.

[Matt Wiser]

Ingredients for a big Ka-BOOM or some smaller ones... That Barmaid is cooking up something and she's up to no good.

[jemhouston]

As usual it boils down to what's the target(s) and when.

[Wolfman]

Things are getting interesting in Wichita Falls…

[Poohbah]

22 January 1988
Sheppard AFB
Wichita Falls, TX

Jacqueline Kovacs took orders at various tables and noticed Sophie's eyes on her from the 335th's area, where Captain Blanchard and Sophie were the only two people there this early.

Well, time to start the dance.

She made her way to the 335th's area and said, "What'll you folks have?"

Henrix gave her a look that was just above polite interest and said, "A 7&7, please."

Kovacs, when she came back, asked, "Anything else I can get you?"

Sophie smiled and asked, "Any suggestions?"

Kovacs smiled. "I make a damn good chili--not that silly stuff they call 'chili' wherever you're from, but honest-to-Sam-Houston Texas Chili. How about dinner at my place tomorrow?"

Sophie's smile grew wider. "I'm in."

* * *

After Kovacs left, Sophie saw Ryan Blanchard looking at her.

"What?"

"You sure about this? Just because she invites you to her place doesn't mean she's a spook. I mean, you do have a certain reputation around these here parts, one you have worked mightily to cultivate, I might add. She might just be horny."

Sophie said, "Ryan, liars might be able to figure, but figures just can't lie to me. The numbers are rock-solid. She's plugged in on too many circuits. And my intuition is backing those numbers up. Once I start moving, have your band of merry men and women be ready to go. There will be trade."

Blanchard nodded. "Right. Break-break, I'm getting someone tomorrow morning, TDY from Scott Air Force Base, of all places, she's with some outfit at MAC. Master Sergeant Karen Sisco."

Sophie blinked. "MAC Rapid Ops Support Staff?"

"Yeah. Never heard of them before."

"You're not supposed to. They do spook and special ops stuff. She probably got sent down here by my rabbi once I clued him in. I know her mostly by reputation. Steady hand, good operator . . . when she's not trying to steal my boyfriend."

Blanchard almost choked on her drink.

"I keep forgetting this whole lesbian bit is cover for status with you. You're not holding a grudge, are you?"

"She struck out, which merely demonstrates that Adam is a man of both superior intellect and discerning taste."

Blanchard sipped her beer, shaking her head in disbelief. "Anyone tell you you're awfully damn conceited?"

"It ain't bragging if you can actually do it."

Blanchard laughed. "Point taken. Now go pick up some chick before people start speculating irresponsibly about which team I bat for."

[Matt Wiser]

Either in civilian life as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, or a special operator wearing the uniform, Sisco is not to be trifled with.

[Johnnie Lyle]

Either in civilian life as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, or a special operator wearing the uniform, Sisco is not to be trifled with.

Good game wardens make good poachers.

[jemhouston]

Either in civilian life as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, or a special operator wearing the uniform, Sisco is not to be trifled with.

Sisco will be the second most dangerous person on the base.

Good thing both women know where the line is. The bad thing is they know six ways from Sunday to bend it into a pretzel.