On 02/01/2005 04:08 PM, David McMillan said:
GL Sandborn wrote on 1/4/2005, 5:53 PM:
days. Despite his feelings about the picture over what it might
represent to his squadron, nobody else seemed to notice.
Well, the girls seem to have their heads screwed on straight. Jeff
apparently gets an exemption, unlike the hapless bandleader last
week.
Hey! The bandleader survived.
"Oh," Jeff acknowledged with a nod. "Of course. Be sure to thank
the paint shop people for such an professional job."
I *still* bet there's some very tiny affectionately-ribald graffiti
on that plane somewhere. Like "Big Chief Hung Well" or something.
At least in this squadron there's no question about who's the best
equipped pilot.
"I guess we better saddle-up," Jeff said, frowning at the
procession. "It looks like her highness is in a hurry."
No walkaround? That could come back to bite him. OTOH, if you can't
trust Gail...
It's still a good point. Trust, but verify.
"Congratulations on your appointment, Sir. Accordingly, there are
a few things you need to deal with," she said in a firm voice.
Good gravy, she's Radar O'Reilly, but with an attitude!
She's had Jeff on the run since chapter 2. "They're pink, sir,"...
Cindy plopped the stack of papers on his desk. Two of her young
assistants waddled into the room, both of them loaded down with
armloads of paper. "As you know, the Colonel used to be the acting
Cindy Wallace: Enemy of the Environment.
Enemy of All That Grows?
base commander. In the short time I've known him, I have reached
the conclusion he isn't much for doing paperwork. His many
distractions have given him the opportunity to avoid doing the
unavoidable. Since
"opportunity" = "excuse" maybe?
Virtually certain. I think she used the word in irony.
Yep. She's an idiot. But we already knew that.
And how come she can tap a (assumedly) secure RDF tactical channel?
I certainly wouldn't have given her the codes for it. Not even the
frequency.
"Well, I'm certainly glad she's your problem and not mine. I'll
let you know if anything develops. Black Lodge out." The
Commander's calm voice was tinged with disdain. It was obvious he
also had little regard for the Ambassador.
So far, it's unanimous. So what idiot assigned her to this job? And
do they really want her to tank the negotiations?
I try not to take sucker bets. I was expecting her same-gender
inclinations to set the Yorkies off, but the Zentraedi beat her to it.
Jeff, Jeff, Jeff. Perceptive as a lead brick. Haven't you noticed
yet that most of these girls would rather follow you into Hell on
short ammo than retire to Paradise Island?
That's one of his endearing characteristics. He never expects undying
loyalty even though he's very good at causing it.
And if the one he's touching now blows up on its next landing,
someone's gonna scream "RDF Sabotage!"
That won't be a problem...
The only incident came when the guards engaged in a debate over
whether or not the nail clippers found in Katherine's bag
constituted a weapon or not.
<eyeroll> These are ex-TSA agents, aren't they?
Good thing they didn't notice her nail file.
Without moving his head, he caught the Ambassador sliding her hands
down the outside of Katherine's sleeves. The look on his
executive officer's face was priceless.
"Sir? A little *help*? *Please*?"
"Ambassador, please don't molest my executive officer. Until after
the meeting is over, anyway."
"SIR!!!"
Shouldn't that be "Ambasador, please wait until after the meeting to
molest my executive officer."?
"It is to their credit they have accepted this opportunity to clear
up any misunderstandings and by that extend a hand of friendship
to their neighbors."
Translation: They were nice enough to at least make one stab at
getting what they need by talking before reaching for the giant can
o'whoop-ass.
My understanding is that that can of theirs is nearly empty.
"Ambassador, we have fulfilled the requirements of our escort
duties. This is now a military matter. Black Hawk out." Jeff
almost surprised himself at how calm his voice sounded. To assure
himself there would be no arguments, he quickly switched to RDF
tactical frequency.
Ah. *That* explains how she got on the line.
Except, why was he talking to his Ops officer on any other channel?
Ah, to Dr. Takahashi's tender minis...trations.... QUICK! If you
run, Jeff, you can still save her!
Hey, Doc, that was a joke! Put the needle down, okay? Doc? Uh,
*Doc*? Heeeeeeelp!
That's unfair! She has a wonderful manner with Zen.... nevermind.
"bending over"? Why? He's not sitting down. Is she just leaning in
his direction or something?
(You'll note I'm manfully *not* making any of the many hentai
comments that just *spring* to mind, here.)
I'm proud of you. Hm, who are you?
Somebody just threw a match into the powderkeg in the strategic
situation, and the Foxes are about to find themselves neck-deep.
Kathy is going to have to turn the tyros into survivable pilots in
jig time, or things are going to get hairy.
They're going to get ape hairy regardless.