"Commander," he said loudly over the dying roar of the helicopter blades. "I'm Staff Sergeant Hanson. Please don't wander. Are you ready to enter the facility?"
"Yes, carry on," she said distractedly, more than a little curious to see how things unfolded.
Hanson looked to the pilot and received a thumbs up and another from his counterpart on the other side of the helicopter before speaking into his headset. "We're secure, let it drop," he said and then added. "Commander, please stand inside the barriers."
She let her gaze drop to her feet and was surprised when the ground began to sink from underneath her. The barriers made themselves readily obvious as she found herself on a platform about the size of a tractor-trailer. Within a few seconds, a wave of warm air assaulted her and she chuckled as the platform lowered them, helicopter and all, into the facility, the floor of which was about two stories beneath them.
"Imagine that," she whispered.
--------
Corky looked on with interest as the platform began its descent, her eyes searching for the woman that would no doubt be a thorn in her side for the duration of the rapidly approaching winter. She wasn't alone in her curiosity, for she couldn't see a face among the personnel that wasn't present.
Her eyes tracked to the figure standing next to the helicopter, which she assumed was soon to be their fearless leader. As the platform got closer to the ground she frowned, the woman was wearing a battered black sombrero that had the front brim pinned back to the crown with the little gold insignia of her rank.
"She looks unorthodox from here," Clovis grumbled good-naturedly from beside her.
"No kidding," she replied, scrutinizing the woman from a distance. Her features couldn't be made out, due in part to the glacier goggles that covered her eyes and the shadow her ridiculous hat cast upon her face.
Corky watched grimly as Larry approached the platform when it completed its journey and offered her his greetings. She wished she were close enough to hear what was being said.
--------
"Commander Lovecraft," he said, offering her his hand. "I'm Larry Daniels, it's good to meet you."
"A pleasure," she said with a smile.
"We need to get the platform back up. Hanson and Terrel will get your gear stowed in your quarters," Larry said. "It seems everyone came out to greet you, any objection to introductions?"
"Not at all, lead the way," she said and followed him off the platform to the group of people waiting in the distance.
"Great," he said. "Afterwards, I'll give you the nickel tour?" He looked at her for approval and got both a nod and another smile.
--------
"Here she comes, Rivers," Clovis whispered. "Square those shoulders and puff out that chest."
She swatted him playfully. "Shut up," she added as she watched the woman stride gracefully in their general direction. They came to a halt in front of Mark Isaaks and her eyes widened in appreciation as the sunglasses came off and the sombrero was swept back to hang from a cord around her neck.
Oh, my gosh. She's stunning.
Corky's eyes took in the wealth of thick, dark red hair that suddenly flowed down past the woman's shoulders, the hair framing a face that was classically beautiful and home to a pair of startling pale blue eyes.
She was jarred from her thoughts as the woman stopped in front of McNeely and he saluted her crisply. She turned to Clovis and brought a finger to her mouth in a gagging gesture, getting a subdued laugh from her companion.
Malory saw the pantomime out of the corner of her eye and covertly studied the two as she continued making her way through the line of introductions. Catching the undeniably attractive and dark featured little woman rolling her eyes more than once. About the fourth time the gesture repeated itself, she was more than a little irritated.
"This is Clovis Stokes, our senior archeologist," Larry said as she came abreast of a sandy-haired and monolithic man easily six inches taller than her own five-ten height and from the look of it, almost two hundred pounds heavier.
"A pleasure," she said, her hand disappearing within the enormous grasp of his greeting.
"Nice to meet you, Commander," Clovis replied.
"This is..." Larry started as they moved to stand in front of Corky, who had an expression of mortal boredom etched onto her features.
"No need for introductions here, Mr. Daniels," Malory interrupted. "I would recognize the janitor anywhere."
It took several long seconds and a few audible snickers from those close enough to have heard the comment for Corky to get past the initial shock of being so blatantly insulted.
Malory beat back a pleased smile as the woman visibly ground her teeth.
"Actually, this is Corky Rivers, our MD," Larry said carefully, afraid that his own amusement might show itself.
The Commander shrugged indifferently. "My apologies," she said, extending her hand in the brunette's direction and waiting until Corky's grasp was within her own before adding, "It was an honest mistake."
Corky paled in the effort to keep her composure. "Charmed," she finally ground out sarcastically, quickly withdrawing her hand.
"Of course you are," the Commander said condescendingly before moving on to the next in line, purposely dismissing her as insignificant.
What a fucking bitch! Corky fumed silently as the woman moved away.
"And this is..." Larry continued but Malory's thoughts were miles away. It looks like the next six months won't be so boring after all!
--------
The tour ended with Larry showing her to her quarters that consisted of two rooms, one of which served as her office. She noted that all of her gear was stacked neatly against a wall and she took a seat in one of the two chairs that sat in front of the desk, gesturing for Larry to take the other one.
"The facility is impressive to say the least," she said.
"Yes, it is," Larry agreed as he seated himself. "Any last minute questions?"
"A few, if you don't mind?" she asked. "I understand you're flying out tonight and the facility is to be sealed upon the pilot's return?"
"That's correct. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and lounging around in a warmer climate for a few months," he said with a smile.
Malory chuckled; she liked the man. "Well then, I won't keep you any longer than I have to."
"What would you like to know?"
"The military personnel, what are their current duties here?"
"Well, from the Air Force there's Lieutenant Ring the helicopter pilot. Then there's Tech Sergeant Alvarez, Staff Sergeants Hanson and Terrel, and Airmen Daly and Cohen, all of whom are assigned to flight operations, supply, equipment maintenance, and mechanical," Larry reported. "From the Coast Guard there's SCPO Reynolds, the station engineer. PO's DeSoto and Butler, who manage computer operations and communications, PO's Percy and Coy are paramedics. From the Army there's only Sergeant Major McNeely, who oversees day to day operations and takes care of all ordinance and demolition."
"Any problems I should be aware of?"
"Not a one," Larry said. "All of them have performed flawlessly and have been invaluable in service."
"Glad to hear it, " Malory said. "I'll meet with them individually over the next few days. Is there anyone among the NSF I should keep an eye on?"
Larry thought carefully, assessing the woman across from him. There was no mistaking the warning volley she had fired at Corky earlier; indeed, it was the rare person who could flummox the volatile little doctor as easily as she had. In fact, Corky had been suspiciously missing from her post when he had shown the Commander the medical facilities. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to soften the road a little bit.
"Dr. Rivers."
"I kinda figured," she answered with a grin. "What's the story?"
"It's complex."
"I kinda figured that too," she said with a chuckle. "Gimme a summary."
"Let's just say she's had the military run roughshod over her on a fe
w occasions," he explained. "Some of it's very personal and she's still bitter."
"Good enough."
"Commander, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that if she were incapable of doing her job, I wouldn't have approved her position here. In fact, she's one of the most talented doctors I've ever met. Despite any personality she might throw at you, underneath it all she's a very outgoing and friendly person."
"Don't worry, Mr. Daniels," she said. "She'll still have a job when you return."
Larry sighed in relief. "I was worried. She knows how to push the envelope."
She laughed. "Sounds like a challenge."
--------
Malory watched with a nagging feeling of foreboding as the men pulled the ski-equipped helicopter off the platform with elbow grease and the assistance of an ATV. It was the last thing to be done before the platform was raised for the winter. She didn't know why, but suddenly the idea of being trapped inside for almost eight months was unnerving. They had of course, the means to travel in the event of emergency, but that luxury was all too dependent on the violent Antarctic winter. A winter spent over a thousand miles from any established outpost on an area of the continent that had an average temperature of eighty-seven degrees below zero and was, more often than not, buffeted by wind speeds ranging from forty to a hundred and twenty miles per hour.
She tried to suppress a shudder as she surveyed the cavernous chamber that served as the entrance and Receiving. She estimated the size of the area to be an acre or larger and the white walls that had been carved from the ice, seemed to be a great deal more ominous now than they had when she arrived. Irritated with herself for her case of the creeps, she was glad to hear Hanson yell out to her.
"Commander, we're ready to seal her up."
It took her a second to give the order. "Do it."
She watched as Hanson spoke into his headset and gave a thumbs up in the direction of a long, narrow window that was situated several meters off the ground in one of the far walls. The distance made it impossible to identify the figure behind the glass of Operations, but she assumed it to be Chief Reynolds.
The platform started its ascent and she abruptly decided that she didn't want to be present when it completed its journey. Her first thought was to return to her quarters and begin the tedious task of unpacking, but she changed course impulsively. She had seen Daniels off earlier, watching with interest as everyone had materialized to bid farewell to the man. Of particular note was the little figure that had rushed forward to embrace him, eventually letting him go and quickly retreating down a hallway, wiping at her eyes.
She entered Medical unnoticed, Dr. Rivers was speaking to the man she remembered as Percy and both had their backs to her. Content to remain unobserved, she waited patiently and inquisitively took in her surroundings, her attention eventually landing on a specimen jar filled with a vile looking green liquid. Morbidly curious, she stepped closer and examined the contents of the container, unable to identify the squishy looking organic mass floating within. Engrossed in her study, she was startled when her presence was finally noticed.
"Commander," Percy exclaimed, coming to attention and throwing her a salute.
"Percy," she said. "Lose the salute or its gonna be a long winter."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, standing a little easier.
"Lose the ma'am too," she added, noting that the doctor hadn't bothered to turn around or acknowledge her in any way. "Commander or Lovecraft will do in a pinch."
"Very well, Commander," he replied with a little grin.
"Pass the word, will ya?" she requested. "I don't wanna have to go through this with everyone."
"Will do," he said. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Nope, was hoping to have a word with Dr. Rivers."
"Oh," he said, standing uncomfortably in place for a moment and then lighting up in sudden understanding. "Oh, of course. Excuse me, Doctor," he added hastily, skipping into a less than graceful exit.
Malory watched him leave with a look of amusement, a little miffed that the doctor still hadn't bothered to acknowledge her. Not wanting to be the first to give in, she hopped up on one of the examination tables, reclining with her hands behind her head and crossing her feet at the ankles.
The silence stretched into minutes and still the doctor carried on as if she were alone in the room. Grinning at the back presented to her, she raised eyes to the ceiling and began to count the little holes in the tiles above.
A full twenty-minutes passed, the silence finally broken when Clovis burst robustly through the door.
"Hey, Corky. I..." he started but trailed off when he noticed the lounging Commander.
"Uhm... excuse me," he stuttered.
Corky finally turned and opened her mouth to speak.
"Quite alright, Mr. Stokes," Malory interjected quickly. "Dr. Rivers informed me that she wanted to see me naked at the earliest opportunity."
"Uh..." Clovis stuttered but quickly thought the better of it and, with a confused look, simply turned on his heel and left the room.
Malory turned her attention back to the doctor and grinned unrepentantly at the rapidly coloring cheeks, almost laughing as she observed the woman struggle with her temper. When she finally spoke, it came out as a strangled rasp.
"What is it you want?"
"Nothing really," Malory said, smoothing a pretentious finger over an eyebrow. "Was just looking for a place to rest the feet, my dogs are killin' me," she added with a wiggle of her boots.
Brown eyes narrowed to slits. "I thought maybe you had come to apologize?"
"Apologize?" she said with mock confusion. "Whatever for?"
Hands clenched into fists. "Does being in charge entitle you to be a bitch?"
"Nope," Malory replied easily. "I just get off on it."
"Metaphorically or sexually?"
"Perhaps both."
"So our little conversation excites you in some manner?"
"Too early to tell."
"Odd," Corky said thoughtfully. "Scientifically speaking, I was of the understanding that a frigid bitch like yourself couldn't get wet in the shower."
"Oh, that's more like it," Malory exclaimed, raising herself to a seated position. "Now I'm definitely turned on, would you like to confirm? In the interest of science, of course."
Corky wrinkled her face in disgust and stormed silently out of the room.
Mission accomplished, Malory swung her legs around and dropped to the floor. Smiling brightly, she made tracks for her quarters to begin the menial task of unpacking her things.
II
03/07/02 - 1045 hours
The next two weeks passed quickly for Malory as she spent the time familiarizing herself with the staff, summoning a few each day and spending a few moments getting to know them and their assigned duties. She soon came to the conclusion that her position was pretty much a formality. The staff all knew their jobs and were dedicated enough that supervision really wasn't required. That suited her just fine, the less she was needed the more time she would have for herself, and now was a good as time as any to indulge. She reached for the phone to summon the only person she hadn't spoken to formally.
--------
"I'm telling you, Corky," Clovis said over his coffee cup. "She's not as bad as you make her out to be."
"Yeah, right."
"I spoke to her for almost half an hour, she's kinda nice," Clovis admitted. "Not what I expected at all."
"She's an asshole," Corky proclaimed, getting a laugh from her friend.
"You're just mad because she's got your number," Clovis chuckled.
Corky frowned. "I am not."
"You think she's cute?" he asked mischievously.
The frowned deepened. "I think she's an infuriating bitch."
"Okay, okay," he laughed. "Do you think she's a cute infuriating bitch?"
She regarded him coolly and drew in a sharp breath.
"This is Lovecraft," the intercom beckoned. "Dr.
Rivers, would you report to my office, please?"
"Looks like the Commander saved me," Clovis said cheerfully.
"You're not off the hook, Stokes," she grumbled. "I wonder if she'd be pissed if I didn't show up?"
"Probably," he predicted. "She's called everyone in to talk to them. Hell Corky, everyone likes her but you."
"Hmmm."
Clovis grinned. "Go see what she wants."
"Oh, alright," she sighed. "I hope I don't regret this," she mumbled as she rose to her feet and padded out the door.
Her thoughts were dark as she reluctantly made her way through the halls. She had gone to great lengths to avoid the maddening woman since their encounter in Medical. The bitch was an enigma to her, having never met anyone who took such an obvious delight in being irritating. The first words out of her mouth, and just about every word since, had been insulting. What was even more annoying was the fact that the woman had seemingly singled her out of the crowd and targeted her for torment. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out why.
As she approached her destination, she paused to school her features into a bored and indifferent expression. With a deep, calming breath, she traveled the last few feet and knocked on the doorframe.
"Ahh," Malory said. "Come in, Dr. Rivers. Have a seat."
Corky entered warily and gently placed herself in the same chair in which she had received Larry's final lecture. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I did," Malory confirmed. "I've talked to everyone on the staff but you and I was hoping we could take this time to get past any differences you and I might have. After all, we'll both be working together for quite sometime."
Corky eyed the Commander suspiciously. "I wasn't aware that I had done anything that might have given you offense?"
A chuckle. "It usually takes more than one day for someone to muster the nerve to call me a bitch to my face."
"And I suppose you did nothing to warrant such an action?"
"I, of course, admit nothing," she replied with a disarming smile. "But I called you here with the intention of calming the waters."
"How do you propose to accomplish that?" Corky asked trying not to grin at the charm the woman was displaying.
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 57