by T V Scribner
A cheer went up from those outside, who had patiently waited, for the ordeal to end safely. Within a few minutes, the box was hoisted into a waiting helicopter, while the physicists headed to the decontamination trailer. Inside the trailer, the physicists were individually frisked-out, which entailed having their clothing ‘frisked’, using a Radiac to scan their suits, at the rate of about two inches per second.
Following this, regardless, whether or not, any radiation was found, the clothing was put in yellow poly bags, and jay-sealed (ends twisted and taped, then folded over on themselves and taped again). The tools would be either decontaminated, or disposed of, by two men from the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), who oversee explosive ordinance disposals.
Once the Doctors, went through their frisking process, they exited the lab and boarded the heli with the deactivated bomb, and it left immediately, heading to a secret location. Boone, Paisley and the rest of the men in the camp, were the next to undergo the frisking procedure.
When Boone and Paisley, finished the decontamination process and left the trailer, a Sikorsky CH-53E, Super Stallion helicopter (for carrying heavy equipment), was warming up in the field. This was the biggest helicopter she had ever seen, and as she glanced around at the used-to-be camp, it shocked her to see the tents were gone, and the last of the heavy equipment, being driven up the ramp, and into the gaping cargo bay,
She was awed by the size of the enormous helicopter, "It looks like a giant grasshopper sitting on the ground, ready to flit off at the slightest movement," she said to Boone as she watched the men boarding along with more equipment and gear. The only thing left, were two transport vans.
"What about us?” she asked. She was drowned out by the roar of the helicopter’s engine, as the large flying beast stirred up dust and debris with its whirring rotors, as it prepared to lift off. Boone didn't answer right away, but instead walked over to gather his gear, before heading for one of the transport vans. He turned his head to look back at her and motioned her with his free hand, to do the same.
Tired to the bone from the stress of the day, she picked up her gear, which somehow had magically been packed, and shuffled after Boone, hanging onto her backpack's straps with one hand, and her cap with the other, as the rotor wash attempted to relieve her, of both. The dust and debris made her cover her eyes, and when it subsided, she was left standing there, with a whole new hairdo! She caught up to Boone, brushed herself off and dumped her gear on the ground next to his, then leaned against the van.
Boone grabbed her gear and tossed it in the back of the van with his, "C'mon! Jump in!" He stood aside and helped her into the van's second seat, then climbed in and sat next to her. Shorty, their driver, sat in the front seat, and started the engine, and they buckled their seatbelts. Both transports pulled away, leaving the site as pristine as it had been before the arrival of Alpha Team. It
"It seems like we've been living some sort of unbelievable dream?" she mused out loud as she gazed out the window, as the trees and brush passed by, and she felt the lurch of the van, once more.
Boone heard her question, but had just called Riley, "We're on our way back to base camp," he said, and she could faintly hear Riley say, "Roger that, Boss."
"What happens now?" she said wearily, as she leaned her head back on the seat.
"Well," Boone paused for a moment, “mission accomplished! We go home." He grinned, then fell silent, staring out the window the rest of the way to base camp.
Paisley, dozed off in the van, which wasn't easy to do, as it bumped around on the rutted road, but felt mildly refreshed from her catnap anyway, when she stepped out of the van, upon arrival at base camp. She stretched her arms and legs before grabbing her duffle bag..
Next, she surveyed the area, and noticed Alpha Team's gear organized and placed in several piles at the edge of the clearing. When she glanced back at the van, Boone disembarked, and a feeling of elation came over her as she remembered the mission was over. Boone caught her eye as he grabbed his duffle and strode towards her, and though he gave her a smile, his face betrayed the strain he’d been under, for the last few days.
He said, "Well, we made it!"
She wanted to run up to him and convey her excitement at finally having the mission complete, but restrained herself and just smiled pleasantly, replying, "Yep!"
The rest of the base camp team busied themselves, by loading their gear into the respective vans.
Boone grabbed his duffle and back pack, and said, “C’mon, grab your bag and come with me."
She did what he asked, and they began to walk in the direction of another van, but he put his arm around her shoulder, and pulling her with him, helped her veer away from the a UH-1N Huey. It was a twin engine, medium-sized military helicopter, and would transport some of the men who weren’t taking a transport van.
"We're getting on the other copter at the far end of the clearing, it’s a Sikorsky MH-60G PAVE. It will fly us back to Pinecrest," he informed her.
"Well, I guess it's nice to know people in high places," she said with surprise, "because I've never been on a helicopter before!"
"Trust me, you'll love it!"
"What about the rest of the men?"
"They'll be taking the transports back. They're going to a different location."
He helped her into the copter, tossed in their gear, then walked back to the men waiting to board their transports. He gesticulated with his arms, as he spoke to them, congratulating them for the final time. They shook hands all around and patted backs, then he waved as he headed back to the copter.
"What was that all about?" She yelled, as he climbed in and seated himself next to her. The rotors were turning and the noise became loud enough, that it was time for headphones. He handed her a set and she put them on.
"Now, what did you say?" he asked?
"I was asking, what was going on out there?"
She adjusted her headphones. They seemed oversized to her, but what did she know?
"I thanked my men for a job well done, and once they arrive at their destination, I gave them a few directions”
"Then I'm guessing, that you're very pleased with the operation," she said into the microphone connected to her head set.
He nodded. Boone leaned forward to talk to the pilot for a minute and then slowly at first, the helicopter lifted off the ground, rising into what had become, a cloudless late afternoon sky. Before veering into a long turn to the right, the copter tilted towards the side where Paisley sat, which gave her a panoramic view of the area where they'd just been. It was a thrilling.
She was mesmerized by the view as she looked for miles, over the verdant wilderness beneath her, with the lakes shimmering like diamonds, in the late afternoon sun. The helicopter straightened out and she looked towards Boone, noticing his brow was no longer furrowed, his jaw was unclenched, and he still hadn’t shaved. There was much more than a five o’clock shadow!
Boone sat in his seat looking relaxed, so she ventured again, “How do you think things went today?"
"In my estimation, it went very well," he said turning his head towards her. "The suitcase bomb was indeed there, and Drs. Moto and Steinhoff, with their impressive expertise, opened and disarmed it with alacrity, preventing little to none radiation from escaping. Even so, the fact that the bomb was basically still intact after all these years, was shocking to everyone."
With her elbow on the arm rest of the seat and her chin in her hand, she listened intently to his summation, then joked, "So you did save the world after all!"
They both laughed. "But what exactly happened to Delta Team?" She wasn't sure if she was treading on thin ice by being so inquisitive.
"Here's what I'm permitted to say," he began, using air quotes on the word permitted.
"Air quotes? Seriously?" She chuckled.
He ignored her comment and continued thoughtfully, "Mitch relayed the info he received from Riley, concerning the ambush of Zolotov, and the subsequent defeat of
the Russian contingent. As it turns out, they didn't give up easily, there was a tremendous firefight, but Delta, comprised of my finest recruits, forced some of them out of their buildings, with a barrage of flash bangs, grenades and guns, and now they’re prisoners"
"What about the RPGs?"
"Because it was a surprise attack, we destroyed the RPGs, before they could be used. Unfortunately, when that happened, it sparked a conflagration when it set fire to the munitions stored in their outbuilding. The men inside never had a chance, and everything was destroyed. Only fourteen were captured—wounded, but alive. Three of our men were wounded, one seriously, but it looks like he'll recover. So, overall, it was a massive success."
"Where are the men of Delta Team now?"
"They've already been picked up, along with their prisoners, and their equipment, by the another CH-53E heli. The Delta Team causalities, are being taken to a hospital, and the rest have boarded separate helicopters bound for the parts unknown, aka, the enforcement facilities of the FBI's special forces, where they’ll be debriefed."
"And the prisoners?"
"They're off to an undisclosed location for interrogation, along with their weaponry, vehicles and communication materials and anything saved from the fire, that destroyed their headquarters. This all took place at night, so our helicopters could travel back and forth covertly, because, as you can imagine, they would draw a lot of unwanted attention."
"Well, that's certainly an understatement!" she said, as she gazed out the window and listened.
Boone changed the subject. "How are you doing, Ms. Ingles?"
She smiled slightly at his use of Ms., and twisted her hands in her lap, thought a minute then said, "I'm relieved and worried, at the same time.”
Surprised by her answer, he looked at her with concern asking, "Why is that?"
"Because I don't know what happens next, my life is topsy-turvy, and my direction is gone! I have no idea how my Aunt really is, I haven't had a chance to grieve over my uncle's death, or Aunt Olga's dog, or your friend Dave, who was murdered, I have no idea what will happen with my job and..."
"Stop!" he said, and put a hand on hers to prevent her from continuing. Startled, she turned and looked at him.
He said, "I know it won't be easy, but I've seen what a strong person you are and I know you'll be okay." He saw a tear roll down her cheek and brushed it away with his finger.
“Sadly, I don't feel like I'm that person you're talking about, right now."
"Look at me. What would you say, if I told you I'd like to treat us both, to a delicious steak dinner when we get to Washington, D.C.?”
"What?" She sat up straight, in her seat,”What do you mean, in Washington?"
"Oh, didn't I mention it? We're going to Bureau Headquarters, in Washington, D.C., to be debriefed concerning our recent adventures."
She brightened! "No! I think you must have forgotten to tell me that part!" However, she deflated again, after remembering her responsibilities. ”Sorry, but I can't. I have to go back to work and get everything straightened out there."
Boone put his head back on the seat, "Nope! The arrangements have already been made. Captain Bower, at the precinct, knows and sends his regards, and your Aunt has also been contacted. All is well, and all are excited for you. Besides, how does a nice big, juicy steak dinner sound? I thought we could go out and grab one at some fancy restaurant, after all, I think we deserve it!"
Although there was still a frozen look of surprise on her face, she answered, hesitantly, "Okay," then added jokingly, "although, the MREs weren't really that bad..."
"Great!" he said, while giving her an amused look, and continued, "By the way, you said you’ve never been on a helicopter before?"
"Not ever! This whole week or so, has been full of not-evers.” She also copied Boone, by using air quotes, for not-evers.
He laughed, "Okay, okay—I get it, no more air quotes! However, now it's time for us to put our heads back on the seat and at least get a cat nap before getting back to civilization, such as it is."
She wanted to ask more questions, but fatigue was taking its toll, and with no words left to say, she laid her head back and listened to the rhythmic whomp-whomp, of the copter’s blades, as they lulled her into a much-needed, restful sleep.
CHAPTER 41
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Brainerd, Minnesota
Three days after their return to Brainerd, Ingles barely had time to visit with Aunt Olga, or go to dinner with her two best friends, Millie and Sue, before she had to be packed and ready to say goodbye, once again, to travel to DC. It was different to see Boone again, after all they'd been through, when she met him at the airport.
The first thing he said to her when he saw her was, "Hey Ingles! How’re you doing?”
"I'm doing great," she said self-consciously.
"If it's all right, may I call you Paisley? I'll use Ingles when we're at headquarters... but since we've been through so much together, I feel it would be nice, to be a little more personal," he grinned.
She was shocked, and mumbled out, "Sure, why not?" then laughed and replied, "But, I still want to call you Boone, if that's okay with you—I like that name, and it feels personal to me!"
"I'm fine with that, too," then he gave her a friendly hug, and said, "Let's go!"
As they boarded their plane at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, their destination was Washington, D.C., where they had an appointment with the FBI, at the J. Edgar Hoover Building, and she could hardly believe it.
Washington, D.C. The plane departed shortly after noon, and descended two hours, and twenty minutes later, into the partially cloudy afternoon, at Dulles Airport. Not even cloudy weather could dampen the enthusiasm Paisley felt, as she recognized the historic buildings, while flying through the crowded DC streets, in a wild Taxi ride for twenty minutes or so, to their hotel, The Four Seasons.
The Four Seasons was a beautiful red brick building, with a brick tower, displaying a large clock, as it stood like a sentry, guarding the hotel and its grounds. This particular hotel was chosen, for its proximity to FBI Headquarters. Once inside the hotel, Boone motioned Paisley towards a tufted love seat where she could sit, while he checked them into the hotel. She was happy to have a chance sit and glance around the lobby, as she waited.
A tall, leafy-green plant sat on a low table next to her, and she noticed several other chair and couch groupings nearby, with palms placed strategically around the room, their large fronds fanning out, into the room. For Paisley, with her active imagination, these palms conjured up pictures of sinister-looking men—probably spies—carefully parting the fronds, to keep from attracting attention, as they eyeballed the passersby. Several men sat on a love seat across the lobby, looking suspicious, as they peered surreptitiously over their newspapers, looking for—she was sure—their contact!
She was jolted out of her spy fantasy, when Boone said, "Hey! Paisley! I was trying to get your attention …didn't you see me? We're checked in, so we can go to our rooms now." He looked at her quizzically.
"I'm so sorry, I was distracted by the people in this busy lobby," she lied. "It's so elegant!" She wasn't about to tell him of her spy scenario.
"Yes, apparently, the Bureau spared no expense for us...either that, or they're going to charge it to my card, later," He grinned, "and if that's the case, I'll just put it on my expense account," he said, laughing. There’s that wonderful laugh of his, again! His laugh sounded so genuine, she wanted to join in— she hadn't known a man who laughed quite like that. He does intrigue me, she thought!
They both headed for the elevator, which took them to the fifth floor, while the bellman carried their suitcases. Paisley wanted to handle her own small suitcase, but the bellman insisted on taking it, and led them to Room 517, opened the door, then handed her the key card. Boone tipped him, and the bellman left. She wheeled her suitcase inside.
"Well," Boone said, "just so you know, my room is just down th
e hall, Room 521, and since we have to leave early tomorrow for the FBI, I thought we'd order in, for tonight, and call it a day."
"Sounds perfect," she said.
"Get yourself settled, and we'll meet in my room...say, in an hour?" He smiled and turned for the door, then turned back and said, "See you in a bit, Paisley."
She nodded and grinned, grateful for a little alone time to relax. An hour later, she joined him in his room, and they ordered hamburgers and fries. The hamburgers were a fantastic gourmet delight, they were so big, she could hardly open her mouth wide enough, to take a bite. The fries were sprinkled with some sort of secret seasoning of the chef’s, and were the best she'd ever had! Or, maybe she was just hungry, she thought!
Following their delicious repast, Paisley commented, "I think this hotel has a place where we can order an old-fashioned, milkshake, so why don't we go down to the little outdoor terrace cafe, and talk about the plans for tomorrow—the brochure indicates, it has a great view."
"Sure! Why don't you grab a jacket, just in case, and we'll meet at the elevator?"
"I want you to know, I have an ulterior motive." She paused, then continued, "There’re still loose ends for me, about this whole operation, I'd like to tie them up."
Boone nodded his head, "Sure, what a good idea!"
The little cafe on the terrace, was all that the brochure made it out to be, situated on a second-floor balcony, with a breathtaking view of the city lights. When the server arrived, they both ordered milkshakes. Boone chose a White Cow, and Paisley ordered a Mocha Java.
As soon as the server left, she began with her questions, and looking Boone directly in his eyes, she opened with, "I'am curious about exactly why you came to Pinecrest, you told me a little bit, but not everything, so—now, I'm all ears!”