Taking hold of the flag placed on the westernmost extremity of this pattern, he moved the pin to the map’s extreme border, over twice the distance to the west. Satisfied that he had accurately marked the site where the Marlin had made its discovery, he stepped back and pivoted as a voice came from behind.
“These guys in Washington are going to have my sanity yet,” observed the senior officer, who had hung up the phone and stood to approach his new guest.
“Not only do they expect us to get the Condor out of mothballs overnight, but now I’ve got to deal with the surprise arrival of Secretary Fitzpatrick tomorrow afternoon. Don’t they know that there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all of this?”
Richard could only shrug his shoulders and offer a compassionate smile. This simple gesture served to lighten Lansford’s mood considerably. Rubbing his forehead, he approached the scientist.
“I’m sorry, Doctor. I’m sure you don’t care to hear my bellyaching. You probably have enough problems yourself. Did you make it down to Point Arguello?”
Stepping aside, Richard pointed toward the map. It took Lansford several seconds to spot the new flag.
When he eventually did, his face lit up in amazement.
“Do you mean to say that the Marlin picked up that piece of debris way out there? Why, that almost doubles our search area! Is it possible that the currents swept it out there?”
The Nose researcher shook his head.
“That’s extremely unlikely. The currents there run mostly in a north-south flow. Though there’s always the possibility of a shift, it’s doubtful that we’ll ever witness one with enough force to move this debris such great distances. I’d say that it was lying right where it originally fell.”
“Great,” sighed the disgusted officer.
“Now I’ve got twice the area to search. With only two salvage vessels, it could take us months to find that nose cone and then figure out just why the Titan went down in the first place.”
Richard instinctively softened his tone.
“It’s not all that bad, Colonel. In a way, this new discovery could be a blessing in disguise.”
“Why’s that?” asked the officer.
Fuller responded slowly.
“When I arrived at the Arguello storage facility, I got a chance to meet with both Will Pierce of the Marlin and a Mr. David Downing with McDonnell-Douglas. Downing seems to think that the piece of debris that the Marlin chanced upon comes from the Titan’s upper portion, directly below the payload fairing. If that’s indeed the case, there’s a very good chance that the Keyhole itself is lying close by.”
This revelation brought a grin to Lansford’s face.
Before he got too excited, Richard Fuller added, “Of course, the subterranean canyon in which it may lie can offer us some unique difficulties in itself. Not only are its walls extremely rugged, but its floor is narrow and lies over sixteen hundred feet below sea level. Even if the Marlin can locate it, conveying it topside could be extremely hazardous.”
“At least we seem to be getting closer to that nose cone,” said Lansford, his eyes still on the map.
“Did Downing offer any opinions as to what may have brought the Titan down?”
Richard answered a bit hesitantly.
“One thing that he seemed to rule out was an explosion in the missile’s solid-rocket boosters. If that had been the case, that portion of debris we recovered would have been blown to pieces. I think we should keep our minds open to the possibility that it wasn’t necessarily a mechanical problem that brought the rocket down.”
Lansford’s curious gaze shifted to the face of his guest as the Nose researcher continued, “Commander Pierce mentioned something about the Razorback chasing off a suspected Soviet submarine prowling close by. Is it possible that the Titan could have been sabotaged?”
Lansford’s face reddened.
“Oh, come now. Doctor, aren’t you pushing things a bit far? By even mentioning such a ridiculous thing, you question the very ability of the Air Force to properly police this installation.
Few areas on this planet are as tightly secured as Vandenberg. Just try penetrating the base’s boundary without a proper pass. I guarantee you that you wouldn’t get more than a hundred yards without us knowing that you were there. As to the possibility of Soviet sabotage, I won’t give such a remark the dignity of further comment. I’d appreciate it if you would refrain from even mentioning such a thing, unless you have one hell of a case to back it up.”
Surprised by the strong reaction this innocent suggestion generated, Richard felt like a chastised schoolboy. He was relieved when Lansford’s eyes went to his watch.
“I’m afraid that’s all the time I can spend with you today, Doctor. The Secretary’s abrupt decision to visit us has thrown my schedule into a shambles. I’d appreciate it if you could put together a detailed chart of just where the Marlin will be exploring tomorrow.
I’m certain Mr. Fitzpatrick will find it most informative.
“I’ll work on it tonight, and bring it by in the morning,” said Richard flatly.
Nodding that this was fine with him, Lansford escorted his guest to the door.
“Now, I’ve got to attend an emergency staff meeting. We might have to work through the night, but this base is going to be positively shining by dawn.”
“If this fog sticks around, the Secretary will never know the difference,” said the Nose researcher in an attempt to lighten the mood.
The lieutenant colonel couldn’t help but smile.
“You just might have something, Doctor. Yet, with all my luck, tomorrow the sun will be out in all its glory. No, the men need this shake-up anyway. Hell, if they’re doing their duty right in the first place, they won’t have anything to worry about, will they now?”
With this comment, Lanaford opened the door and led the way into the outer office. Richard followed close behind.
Outside, waiting anxiously beside the master sergeant’s desk, was Miriam Rodgers. Upon viewing this newcomer, the lieutenant colonel greeted her somewhat nervously.
“Ah, Miss Rodgers, you just caught me on the way out. I hope the master sergeant was able to conveniently reschedule this afternoon’s meeting. I had been anticipating hearing how your progress is going, but unfortunately duty calls me elsewhere.”
Not only had Miriam been looking forward to this appointment for a full day, she left the camp late and had been forced to drive down the fog-enshrouded roads faster than she would have liked to. Disappointed that their meeting had been abruptly cancelled, she was about to vent her frustrations when she set her eyes on the tall, blond-haired figure who followed Lansford out of his inner office. A lump formed in her throat, and she found herself speechless.
From the other side of the room, Richard Fuller couldn’t help but spot the attractive redhead who stood there gaping at him. His own heart fluttered in his chest as he identified her as Miriam Rodgers, his first college sweetheart. He hadn’t seen her in over a decade, and she was just as pretty as she had been fifteen years before. Still unable to find the words to greet her, he merely stood there while Lansford made his apologies.
As the officer prepared to hurriedly leave his office, with Master Sergeant Sprawlings at his side, he remembered his guests.
“I’m sorry. Miriam Rodgers, I’d like you to meet Dr. Richard Fuller. I hate to run off like this, but my staff is waiting. I’ll try to talk with you both tomorrow.”
Without further comment, Lansford slipped out the door. Preparing the exit himself, the master sergeant quickly turned and addressed the two civilians who still stood inside.
“Sorry again, folks, but these things happen.
Please be so good as to close the door behind you when you leave. Now, I’d better get trucking. Talk to you both soon.”
With Sprawlings gone, Miriam and Richard had the outer office all to themselves. Only then did they slowly approach each other.
“This has to be a dream,�
�� mumbled the Nose researcher as he took in the trim figure and shining face of the girl he had once loved.
“I feel likewise,” responded the archaeologist shyly.
“Is that really you, Richard?”
Unable to hold her emotions back any longer, she flung herself into Fuller’s awaiting arms. When their lips finally met, her cheeks were already wet with tears.
“Good Lord, I missed you. Redhead,” whispered Richard.
“It’s like I’ve been suddenly taken back into the past, yet this time you’re even more gorgeous.
What in the world are you doing here at Vandenberg of all places?”
“I hope you don’t mind if I ask that same question.
Are you in the Air Force, Richard Fuller?”
“Not I, Princess. Actually, I work for the Department of the Navy, with the Naval Oceans Systems Command.”
“You’ve come a long way since those Viet Nam protests, my dear. Is your doctorate in biology?”
“Oceanography,” replied Fuller, who stepped back to take in Miriam’s full figure.
“I’ve no doubt that, if you haven’t signed up with the Air Force yourself, you’re here digging up some old Indian bones.”
“They are Chumash remains to be exact, and yes, that’s what has called me down to Vandenberg. I’m presently here with a student crew, on a State University grant which covers the entire summer.”
“Well, one of us was able to fulfill their lifetime goal,” returned Richard.
“I’m damn proud of you, Princess.”
Following this remark with another kiss, he looked to her left hand. Seeing no wedding ring there, he cautiously probed.
“Have you accumulated any husbands or little ones through the years?”
Miriam’s glance narrowed.
“I guess I’ve been too busy with my career and all for that kind of thing, Richard. Although, maybe after you, I was just spoiled. How about yourself?”
“Same with me. Princess. There was someone a few years back who I thought I might be able to get serious with, but she ran off with a professional surfer to Hawaii. Since then, I’ve kind of written that chapter of my life off, and dedicated this new one to giving one hundred percent to my job.”
A wave of emotion suddenly overcame Miriam, and she hugged her old love tightly. Responding to this, Richard stroked the soft, long hair that cascaded down her supple back.
“It’s been much too long, Redhead. You don’t know what seeing your smiling face has done for this tired old researcher. For some reason, I’m still waiting to open my eyes and find out that this is all a wonderful dream. Whatever broke us up anyway?”
Fighting back the tears, Miriam answered, “The years that we were together weren’t the easiest to promote a personal relationship. The war and all forced us to look inward. When we finally rediscovered our social consciousness, we somehow lost the magic that brought us together. You know, too often I think about what our lives would have been like if we’d stuck it out.”
“A lot less lonely,” said Richard, who squeezed Miriam tightly, as if to make certain that she weren’t an apparition.
“Say, since your meeting’s been cancelled, would you like to have dinner with me? That is, if you don’t have any other plans.”
Miriam looked up into his eyes.
“I can’t think of anything that I’d enjoy more. Have you made any of your famous fettucini lately?”
Richard’s gaze sparkled.
“As the fates would have it, I just bought the fixings earlier today, while stocking the condo that the Air Force has so graciously lent me. If you’d like, we could pick up some of that chianti you used to love, and I could whip you up a Fuller Special.”
Kissing him on the cheek, Miriam responded, “That sure sounds more interesting than the grub we’ve been throwing together back at camp. Speaking of the devil, I’d better be giving them a call and letting them know I’ll be missing dinner. With this fog, they’ll be worried sick if I don’t show.”
Walking over to use the master sergeant’s telephone, Miriam hastily dialed the number of the pay phone that was set up between the trailers. Watching her every movement, Richard Fuller, for the first time in months, found his mind stirring with an anticipation not focused on mere work.
The condominium that the Air Force had provided for Richard was located in Lompoc, only a couple of miles from the base’s eastern boundary. Tastefully decorated with oaken furniture and a complete supply of household utensils, the one-bedroom unit provided a somewhat cramped, yet cozy temporary living space. The tiny kitchen proved more than adequate for the Nose researcher to demonstrate his cullinary abilities. The results of this preparation had been served in the condo’s dining room. Though two candles still burned from the glass table, the diners had already emptied their plates. They were presently relaxing in the adjoining living room.
Richard and Miriam sat on a white-shag throw rug. Before them blazed a compact gas fireplace that Richard had conveniently ignited with the push of a button. With wine glasses in hand, they leaned back onto the large pillows that lay at the couch’s base.
“I hope you don’t mind the champagne,” reflected Richard, after taking an appreciative sip.
“But I guess they just don’t import those straw-wrapped bottles of Italian chianti like they used to.”
“It’s fine,” answered Miriam dreamily.
“To tell you the truth, I’m not much of a drinker these days. One thing that sure hasn’t changed, though, is your cooking.
That fettucini was as good as ever.”
Richard grinned.
“You know, that’s still about the only decent dish that I can prepare. Other than a mean tuna-fish salad, that fettucini is the extent of my repertoire. I’ve got to admit that I’ve cut down on the butter and cream that I used to pour into it. That old thirty-inch waistline has gone the way of thirty cents-a-gallon gasoline.”
“I don’t know, Dr. Fuller. You still look in pretty good shape to me. I doubt if you’ll ever have to seriously worry about fighting the battle of the middle-aged bulge.”
With his gaze set on the flickering flames, Richard fondly reflected,
“Do you remember that Jimi Hendrix concert? Boy, was that a night!”
As her own thoughts went back in time, Miriam couldn’t help but laugh.
“What were you planning to do up on the stage with Jimi anyway?”
“I don’t know, but when I saw his guitar go up in flames, something inside of my head called me up there to put that fire out.”
“I think I know what that something was, my dear,” admitted Miriam.
Well aware of the artificial stimuli that had most probably prompted his mad dash for the stage, Richard shook his head.
“I don’t know how, but somehow we managed to survive those crazy days. And now look at us. We’ve turned out to be just the type of responsible citizens that we swore never to become. It’s ironic, isn’t it?”
Not bothering to respond to this, Miriam snuggled up against Richard’s side. Richard put his arm around her waist and hugged her tightly.
“I’m glad you called your people again and told them that you’d be staying in town tonight. There’s no way that I’d let you out in that fog now.”
“I’m glad that I called too,” said Miriam.
“Those kids are very capable of getting by without me.
Sometimes I wonder who’s taking care of whom. It’s funny, but things seem different now. My students seem to have a much better idea of who they are and where they’re headed.”
“Don’t ever forget who paved the way for them,” said Richard.
“It was because of our generation that the very consciousness of the country was altered.
The kids today don’t have to fight the same battles that we fought, because we’ve already made the sacrifice for them.”
Absorbing this observation, Miriam sighed.
“I guess I’m really not th
at excited to get back to camp anyway. Ever since the Air Force moved’ us off Tranquillon Ridge, it just hasn’t been the same. Sure, we’ve got an auxiliary dig site now, a mile south of Ocean Beach Park, yet you wouldn’t believe how promising our original excavation appeared.”
Sensing Miriam’s frustration, Richard pulled her closer.
“Hey, no more talk of work, okay? I could easily get into my own current troubles, but it’s better for both of us to just put them on hold for the time being. Believe me, they’ll still be right there waiting for us in the morning however much we worry about them tonight.”
Richard’s words of wisdom hit home as Miriam took a sip of champagne and looked up into his eyes.
“You’re right. Dr. Fuller, this special evening’s not for discussing problems. Take me back to those carefree days when we had no responsibilities but each other.”
Richard responded by leaning over and kissing his guest’s full, luscious lips. Miriam had earlier decided that she would let herself go completely this night, and she passionately returned his kiss. It had been much too long since either of them had felt real desire, and a tingling electric warmth passed between them.
With no other thoughts in their minds but each other, they put their glasses aside and returned to a much simpler, happy time. Since the fates had brought them together, both knew that they would never have such an opportunity again. Taking full advantage of this chance meeting, they surrendered to their hungers.
Richard took the lead, as his hand slipped beneath Miriam’s sweater. Her skin was warm and soft, and his fingers all too soon found their way to her pert breasts. The intensity of her kiss indicated that this touch was most welcomed, and Richard delicately traced the stiffening aureoles of her nipples.
As their tongues continued their mad probings, Miriam’s hands began their own wandering. Adroitly unbuttoning Richard’s shirt, her fingers touched the tight skin of his chest. Only then did she push herself away.
With her gaze locked on that of her lover, she went about the task of removing her sweater and pulling off her pants. Richard followed by tearing off his own clothes, and soon both parties were completely naked.
Flight of the Condor Page 20