“You are in United States territory.” The invisible defender spoke again. “You WILL withdraw your forces.”
Click-clack-click-clack-click-clack......
“Son, you are heavily outnumbered,” The Commander thought the noise was vaguely familiar as he continued to speak. Suddenly, it stopped. He continued; “you need to surrender now or be destroyed.”
“Helloooo boys,” A woman’s voice spoke coyly from the shadows.
The Commander turned his head to the new situation. A few of his men raised their weapons but he waved them off. She was a tall, black woman wearing six inch high heels. Her body English bore raw confidence. It made him pause and observe before making his next move. It then hit him, Jesus; she’s filming us.
“Lady, put that camera down and put it down now.” He pointed a finger at her as his voice issued the command.
“Nope,” She gave a simple reply. “You are on Skype, right now.”
“Skype?” He asked to buy time.
“Yes, Skype link to my newsroom in Washington.” Molly announced. “Anything that happens next has one hell of an audience.”
“Lady........”
“If you want to come take this camera away from me, you can try.” Molly almost teased him. “Then, everything that happens next between The United States Government and the Republic of West Virginia is on your head.”
The Commander paused. Her point was as annoying as it was on target. If Washington was spoiling for a fight with Beauragard this is how it would start. He took a long breath and reminded himself how much he hated those little bastards who reported the news.
“Okay, what’s the next move?” The Commander considered playing for time, wait for a mistake.
“I go upstairs and film the people on the other side.” Molly began.
“Why?” He interjected sharply.
“So, there is a record of their faces.” Molly’s voice was cold but the smile was still there, glistening like ice.. “I want to make sure they don’t just disappear when this is over.”
“Okay, you do that.” The Commander agreed wryly. He turned toward the balcony. “Is that acceptable to the Commander whose forces I am engaging?”
“God damn it, lady.” The Commander heard the voice of his opposite number swear. Then finally, an annoyed reply; “Yes, it is.”
“While I’m doing that,” Molly kept the lens on the Commander as she began to walk toward a set of stairs. “Could you please call General Beauragard and tell him Molly Hunter sends her kindest regards.”
Well shit, the Commander heaved a sigh and felt undercurrents passing through his mission that he could neither control nor relate to. He watched the woman walk toward the stairs and turned to Hojo who was on his left in dimly lit surroundings.
“C’mon Hojo, let’s go break radio silence.”
“Commander.” Hatch called out from the dark.
“Yes?” The Commander turned to the voice that was his opposite number.
“She’s your problem, now.”
Click-clack-click-clack-click-clack-click-clack.........
*
“Miss Hunter, I do declare what a pleasure it is to hear your voice.” Back at the Commander’s vehicle, General Beauragard’s voice spoke silky smooth from the speakers.
“I am charmed as always, General.” Molly had to smile at the sound of those southern tones. Damn, butter would never melt in that man’s mouth.
“I must say,” his voice was almost playful. “I was not aware you had family business in Fort Knox.”
“We all have secrets, General Beauragard.” She played back. “Just sayin,.....”
“Touche.” His laugh was genuine.
“What are you doing, General?” Molly was suddenly serious. “Why are you here?”
“We can talk about that later.” The General was used to her direct approach. He deflected her easily.
“What about the militia people and the others?” Molly kept going.
“Yes, the others,” The General clearly had a smile on his face as he spoke. Molly could feel a trap being sprung. Damn. “My, my, my, aren’t we running with some interesting company, Miss Hunter.”
“Interesting company?”
“Mr. Hatch,” The General zeroed in. “You are of course aware that’s not his real name.”
“Of course,” Molly nodded her head. Shit, really?
“I knew you were smarter than that.” The General drove the point home. Okay, you got me. Molly sighed while she listened to him continue: “What is a lady of your stature doing hanging around with rogues and black ops people?”
“I was just catching a ride.” Molly tried to sound innocent though she knew he wasn’t buying it. “You promised nothing would happen to them.”
“I give you my word as an officer and a gentlemen that they will be relieved of their weapons and detained briefly until an exchange can be made.” The General’s voice touched upon statesman-like. She knew he loved this.
“…and the militia?”
“They are free to carry on their duties beside my troops.” Beauragard continued. “They will have to be relieved of their weapons while we are here.”
“Ask them where the infirmary is.” Molly offered, remembering an old story. “I understand you have wounded. I believe they have a nurse on staff.”
“Commander?” General Beauragard inquired.
“Yes sir, we do have wounded, we will ask right away.” The Commander answered and then stole a look at Molly. “Thank you, ma’am,”
Molly nodded politely. Maybe it was time to start the ying and yang game on this side as well. “Am I free to visit the other…guests?”
“Of course, Miss Hunter.” Beauragard agreed kindly. “Commander, have you had time to make Miss Hunter comfortable?”
“No sir, not yet.”
“Gentlemen, where are our manners?” Beauragard wagged a playful vocal finger at them “We must see to that at once.”
“Yes sir, of course, sir.” The Commander was grateful for the infirmary info but he was still on the cold side.
“Ah, Miss Hunter there is one more thing.” The General had more cards to play. “You will be happy to hear that my men have located your lost Louis Vuitton.”
“My lost….” Molly had a feeling of rising dread but played along. “Yes, did you find it?”
“I knew it was lost, I’ve never seen you without it.” The man was clearly enjoying himself. “I instructed my men to be respectful and not touch anything personal on the inside of your bag.”
“Why thank you, General.” Molly’s gratitude was a false, flat line as she listened.
“I did notice you had two blackberries.” The General’s voice took on a serpentine silk to it. “Who gave you the second one?”
“I think you know who gave it to me.” Molly saw no reason to be false. Damn it, the pentagon is now out of the picture.
“I hope you understand, I have to confiscate it,” Beauragard snapped his second, kindly trap shut.
“Well, a girl can’t have everything.” She kept a brave face