AL:ICE-9

by Charles Lamb

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Troy finally snapped, “I’ve changed my mind!”

  “So the deals off?” Jake asked, slowly closing the distance even more.

  “Yeah, with you as a hostage…” Troy didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence as Jake drove his right hand into Troy’s throat, crushing his esophagus, while snatching the knife from his belt with his left hand.

  While Troy grabbed his throat with both hands, choking, Jake spun to his left, sending the knife flying at the man with the gun and hitting him squarely in the chest. The blade sunk hilt deep, killing him. However, not before he got a shot off that hit Jake solidly in the left side. Staggered but still on his feet, Jake continued his spin, grabbing the gun from Troy’s belt with his right hand.

  Still clutching his throat, Troy slid to the ground while Jake finished his rotation left and pointed the gun at the remaining two men, both of whom stood in stunned disbelief. Neither moved as Jake motioned for them to raise their hands.

  “Hector, a little help,” was all Jake could muster, holding his left arm to his side as the sound of boots echoed throughout the hangar. Within seconds, the entire space filled with suited troops, hustling the women out and subduing the two standing men.

  Medical staff members checked out both the two downed men and Jake. The former, pronounced dead were beyond help, while the medic assisting Jake was perplexed. She could find no blood at all, just a hole in his shirt where the bullet passed through. Then she nodded, obviously remembering the undergarment they all wore for combat usually bore the same color as the outerwear. No one had seen a white one before but Jake’s Alaskan crew. This one had done its job in stopping the bullet.

  Stripping off his long sleeved shirt and pulling down the undergarment, Jake had the beginnings of a colossal bruise. As they normally wore multiple layers of the bullet stopping material to dissipate the impact, this was far more painful than Jake had experienced from previous hits. Because it was his side and not in front or back, the rigid panel formed by the material at impact, was far smaller in area, transferring greater forces into Jake’s side.

  “Major, we need to get you to medical, you may have a broken rib,” she said, looking up at him from her kneeling position.

  As they all headed out of the vehicle park, Jake noticed the two surviving outlaws ahead of him. He paused as he watched them walk away under guard.

  “Wait,” he called out.

  The guards held up as Jake gingerly approached, wincing as he walked. He then waved the three women captives over and once all were gathered, he asked the women, “Did either of these men mistreat you?”

  The three women looked at each other in confusion before one replied, “No sir, it was them other two, they were the mean ones.”

  Jake looked at the two men for a minute and then back to the pile of gear stacked by the helicopter.

  “Let’em go,” Jake said to the guards.

  There were confused looks all around as Jake said to the two men, “Go grab a rifle, ammo and a pack and get into that helicopter before I change my mind.”

  The two men stared at Jake as if this were some kind of joke.

  “GO!” Jake shouted, sending the two scrambling and causing him a great deal of pain.

  As the others watched in disbelief, the two men did as told, each grabbing one rifle, several ammo packs, and one of the backpacks each, staggering under its weight. They then clambered up into the open door of the helicopter standing by next to the pile.

  After the helicopter door closed, and the blades started rotating, Jake announced as loudly as he could for all to hear, “ALICE, I want you find an island so far away we will never see those two again, and drop them there.”

  With that Jake turned and limped his way to medical, his overly attendant medic in tow.

  ----*----

  The following morning, Jake awoke in the infirmary with a bruised side, a broken rib, and severe tongue-lashings from everyone for all his troubles. Heather had insisted he stay in the infirmary for the night for observation, and ALICE confirmed the decision. Heather had been the acting doctor here in Washington, since Jake had sent her up with Jason and a team, months ago. Sent just to open this location, she had stayed on continuing her education here. While she had far to go as a doctor, being all of 19, with intensive training she had received from the sleep-learning and assisted by the capabilities of the automated ALICE systems, she had everything well under control.

  She also had a room full of patients as the full beds lining the wall were all occupied. Jake had refused special treatment, proclaiming if he wasn’t fit to return to his own room, then he was to be here with the rest.

  In the bed to his right was the facility's commander, Sharon, fresh out of ICU and swearing up and down she was fit for duty, although no one was listening. To his left was one of the new recruits they brought in from Republic, and Katrese was her name. Having grown up in Republic, she was devastated to learn of the three deaths in the hangar. Two of the women they had lost had been close friends to her, and all excited to begin their new life here.

  Resting now, Jake was bracing himself for round two of his ritual beatings though, as he’d been notified that Sara had learned of his adventures in the hangar and was on her way. She was currently in transit and would arrive within the hour. Besides working as his outstanding XO she was, without question, the love of his life.

  This was not something he had ever publically disclosed however, as he was in somewhat of a precarious position with six other women, four of whom were either pregnant by him or had already borne him children. Linda was the most recent, having delivered a healthy baby girl named Tracy just a few weeks earlier. Named after Linda’s deceased mom, her sister Kathy was just as thrilled at the choice as anyone was. Jake insisted he be at every delivery and so far, he was 100%. Jessie, the last still pregnant, wasn’t due for a while, but he still got regular updates on her progress and tried to visit when he could. The whole arrangement still unsettled him at times, but the women all seemed satisfied with it.

  This was all due to an effort by the ALICEs to provide a Jake fathered child for each of the eight ALICE locations, insuring there would never again be a chance of loss of lineage. Fortunately, with the discovery of Patti and Jacob in California, as they are Jake’s couple of great’s grandchildren, it forestalled the immediate need for any more children. As it was, the last two women on Jake’s “Hit” list were both just over 18 and the result of Jake’s all or nothing ultimatum.

  When first approached with the proposition of “dating” his troops, Jake had stipulated that sleeping with any of them would create resentment and accusations of special treatment. The military refers to avoiding this as non-fraternization, and Jake agreed with it completely. He felt he was on safe ground insisting it had to be all or nothing. So he was completely floored when they all agreed for it to be “all,” he was completely unaware of the ALICEs influence in the women’s decision. Because these two were under age at the time, as far as Jake was concerned, he postponed any “relationships” with them for as long as he could.

  After breakfast, and why the food always tastes worse in a hospital Jake could never understand, came the morning’s visitations. First on the list were the three women Jake had rescued, insisting on thanking him personally. He acknowledged their gratitude, and himself apologized for allowing them to be placed in such a position.

  Next came the four who were the victims of the deception, apologizing for all the trouble and thanking him for letting them come anyway. Jake assured them no one held them responsible, and that everyone was happy to have them here. He wished them well and assured them he would be checking on them in the future.

  What followed last was a blonde whirlwind. Sara burst into the room, still in her flight suit minus her helmet. She had hastily put her hair in a ponytail on her way in and rushed over to Jake, first kissing him square on the mouth. Finally drawing back, she smacked him firmly in the chest, pr
oviding an un-needed reminder of why he had his ribs wrapped.

  “Oh My God, what the hell were you thinking?” Sara exclaimed.

  Before Jake could respond, she continued, “There I was, trying to run things in your absence while you were gallivanting all over god's creation, when, what do I hear? Jake’s been shot and is in medical in Washington. AND I don’t even hear that until the next DAY?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry” was all Jake could slide in before she continued, cutting him off.

  “WORRY? Why would I be worried, I mean you get shot every day, right?”

  By now, all the other patients were watching the exchange, most confused. Sharon however had a huge smile on her face, enjoying the front row seat to the show.

  Jake held up both hands in surrender, wincing in the process, “OK, look I’m sorry, but I asked everyone to keep a lid on things until this morning. I knew you would come as soon as you heard and Heather insisted in sedating me so you would just sit fretting while I slept. This way we all got a good night’s rest.”

  Sara just stood glaring at him for a few seconds, which seemed like hours to Jake. Soon enough, her expression softened, and she slid a chair up, next to his bed.

  Taking her hand, he quickly changed the subject, asking for status on the various activities they had in flight, as well as a short mention of changes to the recruiting procedures. He didn’t want to get her going on that subject again, but clearly, things need to change. He did not want a repeat performance to what he had just been through in the hangar.

  By the time they finished, it had been almost two hours and Jake was getting antsy. He was not one of those people who could lounge around in bed all day. He felt it was proper time for a medical release. As Heather made one of her regularly scheduled rounds, he asked as she made it to his bed.

  “So doc when can I get up?”

  Reviewing his vitals and then poking him in a few delicate spots, while assessing his response, she replied, “So long as you take it easy, you can go now. I have some pain meds for you, don’t skip them and if the pain gets worse, we need to know right away.”

  “So I can go too?” Sharon asked from the next bed, motioning as if to get up.

  “Not likely,” Heather replied, waving her back to bed, “you and I are going to spend some quality time together for a few more days,” she finished with a smile. Clearly, she was enjoying her newfound power over her boss.

  With Sara helping him, Jake gingerly got up and dressed. He made the rounds to visit with all the other patients before leaving the infirmary, Sharon being the last.

  “Ok, you listen to the doc and don’t try to rush your recovery,” he said to her.

  “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” she replied, and then added, “I know Hector has it covered, he’s a good guy. You know he was one of Robert’s men. They were a good find.”

  “Yeah, we talked. And I agree they all seem to be rising to the top,” Jake agreed.

  As they headed out, Sara commented to Jake, “Patti is going to be ecstatic to see you. She just finished up her analysis of the last engagement and is dying to do the review for you.”

  Jake was not so enthusiastic about that news, he was positive it meant a lot more work coming his way.

  Chapter 3

  Patti was just finishing the review of her notes for her presentation to Jake and the senior staff. She had received word earlier that day that Jake was heading back to ALICE-1, where she had set up camp, so to speak. She could not speak for anyone else, but she tended to think of ALICE-1 as home. This was her first facility, the one where she first arrived as a recruit. While almost everyone tended to travel between locations, both for training and work, she was able to stay put for the most part and she liked that.

  For the better part of a month, she had been working with the ALICEs and a team of analysts specifically assembled for the task. Their goal was to complete more than a review of the last battle, they were to take a step back and review all their activities and interactions with the NeHaw to date. So far they had defeated the NeHaw three times, a feat beyond reason considering everything involved. The big plus out of all that was they had established relations with the five other alien races in the sector the NeHaw called Nu Tau Beta.

  Terrestrially, Jake and his recruits had occupied six of the eight ALICE facilities and established working relationships with a multitude of stable external communities. With those relationships came an expanded degree of civility to the areas participating, by organizing and arming forces to drive out the lawless. Accomplishing this feat in each local area was a group known as the community patrol. Each patrol, created and supported as an armed unit, was overseen by a nearby ALICE facility. With eyes everywhere, little escaped their attention.

  The main goal of the patrols was to establish order and discourage lawlessness. While it was up to each region to interpret what lawlessness meant, if it violated the 10 Commandments or the Bill of Rights, you could be sure Jake would not approve. Moreover, make no mistake, if Jake did not approve, you were on very shaky ground.

  Though he would never acknowledge it, Jake had the absolute last word, outside or inside the facilities. All the ALICEs identified him as the sole authoritative presence in any location, though the recently discovered new genetic additions, Jake’s two great grandchildren, Patti and her brother, extended that. With over 3,000 occupants and growing in the six activated locations, the staff and ALICEs were his to direct.

  All the community patrol members at least knew of Jake. All knew what he was doing to better things for everyone. Each patrol group had town leaders who directed the day-to-day activities, but Jake was their field commander. As was usually the way in these cases, his embellished reputation had grown beyond absurd, but that too served a purpose. All understood, should anyone choose to go “freelance” with the gear provided them, Jake would be coming to collect.

  With everything in order, Patti decided to get a bite to eat and clean up before the dog and pony show.

  ----*----

  Jake and Sara arrived at ALICE-1 well after lunchtime. They each flew their own fighters down, but as Jake had mentioned to Sara before departing, this was to be Low and Slow. Inertial dampening or not, just the thought of being bounced around caused him to wince. For Jake, it was to be a minimum effort activity and while he could have had ALICE do the flying, his pride prevented those words from escaping his lips.

  As his fighter settled in to an approach over the Nevada desert, so did a feeling of coming home. Jake had grown up in the southwest and while he had never called Nevada home, ALICE-1 certainly felt like it.

  Once they set down in the hangar, a crowd of well-wishers descended upon the two. It was now common knowledge about Jake’s resolution to the hostage taking in ALICE-4. As was usually the case in these things, if a video was available, it spread like wildfire. Thankfully, someone had clearly intervened and the reception committee numbers were small. As he climbed down, he could make out several familiar faces in the group.

  Facilities commander Linda was there leading the group, newborn Tracy in her arms. As commander, he expected her, but her sister Kathy was by her side, holding Timothy as well. It still amazed him that as awkward as this should be, all involved seem to take it in stride. To add to the mix, he noticed Sandy was there standing behind the two of them, smiling and waving.

  Jake’s first thought was to run. It was like having your wife and ex-girlfriends all in the same room. Then he remembered that was his issue, they were all good with this, or at least they claimed they were. Still, he laughed to himself, thinking, the panic was hard to shake.

  Sara was the first to reach the hangar floor, dropping her helmet in the fighter seat as she climbed down, leaving both hands free for hugs. Jake’s movements were a little slower as he gingerly repeated her actions. Emerging from around the nose of Sara’s fighter, everyone enveloped him in the celebration surrounding Sara.

  Once all the kisses,
hugs, and fatherly doting had subsided, Jake caught Patti’s attention.

  “So I hear you are finally ready with your after action report?”

  “Oh we have way more than that for you!” she replied with a smile.

  “When?” he asked.

  “Well, I know your fondness for meetings with food, so how about 6pm local in the large dining hall. That gives you time to clean up and rest if you like. We really need to include more than just the core team here,” she offered

  “Think so, huh?” Jake replied, wary of what she had in mind, “OK, then you better work out the details on the links to the other locations as well.”

  “Already taken care of, see you at 6,” she answered, then turned and hurried off. Jake would almost swear she was skipping as she headed into the facility doors.

  ----*----

  At the appointed time, Jake found himself and Sara ushered into the large dining hall. They had managed to change clothes, showering together with a minimum of intimate contact. With his wrap removed, Sara could see the extent of the bruising on his ribs and berated him again for taking such foolish risks. Jake resisted the urge to remind her three lives were hardly trivial, instead he just “Yes Dear’d” her.

  The room layout normally had all the tables in rows covering most of the exposed floor space, but for this meeting, all attendees occupied places at the perimeter, providing for a large open area in the middle. Once everyone settled in with food, with Jake in the front row, center position, Patti walked out into the open area.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming. As a matter of procedure, can everyone in the other locations hear and see me OK?”

  Jake was aware that all six active ALICE locations were participating, each set up exactly as they were, only seeing Patti in hologram instead of in person.

  With no dissention, Patti continued, “Most of you are familiar with the after action analysis we do when we have any significant combat activity. Some have even worked on a couple of these with me including patrol skirmishes where the locals have asked for assistance. This is nothing like any of that. We started that way, but the deeper we got into the last engagement with the NeHaw, the more questions we had. What we are about to cover is, in part fact, and in part conjecture.”