BW
Director Ives was starting to become concerned. Five of the groups of infiltrators that had been sent out, hadn't reported in on time. True, some of them weren't to good at reporting their progress, but they did report in sooner or later. Now, the members of at least two of those groups had been found dead. He was sure that at least one group had been killed in a drug deal gone bad. Another had been sent out one to many times, and was recognized. Ives had a great deal of pleasure sending in the Chinese forces on that one. The Chinese were such a good choice. There were no Christians among them, so they had no problem entering churches, and killing everyone inside. Well, almost everyone. After all, since the government of China established a one child per family policy, female children were often killed, and every trace of their birth was erased. That way the family could try again at getting a male child to carry on the family name. The obvious result was a shortage of women. That was one of the chief incentives to get the men here. Almost unlimited women.
When they went into a church, they would pull out all of the young and attractive women. Once they were outside, the troops would open fire on all who remained. That is if they didn't just blow up the building, or set fire to it. The women then became almost willing sex slaves, knowing what their fate would be, should they resist.
Now he was wondering about the group he had sent into the mountains to the east. He knew these three were little more than thugs, but they had managed to eliminate a number of those people. He was just about to launch a satellite search for their car, when there was a knock at the door.
"Enter."
"Sir, we've found two of the missing teams."
"Are they alive?"
"I'm afraid only one man is Sir."
"What happened."
"One team was found still in their car. It had been raked with automatic weapons. All of them are dead. We think it was a case of mistaken identity, and they were shot by the Chinese. The other team seems to have run into a wall at high speed. The two in front were killed on impact. The one in the back seat is alive, but just barely. They don't expect him to make it."
"Can he speak?"
"He's out cold Sir. They might be able to rouse him, but it would almost certainly kill him."
"Wake him up. Find out what happened."
"Sir?"
"He's going to die anyway, from what you tell me. At least get whatever information from him that you can, before he does."
"Yes Sir."
The man left quickly. He knew better than to disobey any order the Director gave. For his part, Ives realized that first he was going to need a new group of infiltrators. New faces that hadn't been seen yet. And the strategy would have to be adapted. The old methods were starting to break down. As he contemplated what to do, the matter of Charlie, Jack and Johnnie completely slipped from his mind.
It was after noon by the time Bob, Maria, Tom and Sam came bouncing back up the dirt trail from 'Dead Mans' Curve' having finished with their unpleasant task. Tom and Sam were somewhat white faced from what they had, had to do. While they were also upset over the grisly task, Bob and Maria each managed to put on a brave face for the younger folks. Bob stopped the go cart near the shed where he kept the truck and 4X4. Tom and Sam climbed off of the trailer. Bob addressed them.
"Gentlemen, you did a fine job today, and I know it wasn't easy. But you both carried out your duties well."
"But I threw up." Tom said.
"Me too." Sam added.
"L know. To tell you the truth, I nearly did myself. Even so, you did what had to be done, without a complaint. I'm proud of you both. Now why don't you go get cleaned up?"
"Who goes first?"
"That is up to you."
Tom looked at Sam and said, "Race you."
Tom started to run past Sam for the shower, only to be tripped by him, and Sam took off like a rabbit.
"No fair." Tom called out, and began to chase his brother.
Bob and Maria chuckled at the scene, and began to unload the shovels and other equipment from the trailer. Bob looked at Maria and told her,
"I'll take care of this. Why don't you go wash up as well?"
"What? You want Kathy to get mad at me? No way. I'll help out."
"Really, I can handle this. Kathy won't get mad about picking up some shovels and a come-a-long. I'll even use my left hand. You go wash up."
"What about you? Don't you need someone to get your back?"
Bob looked up at Maria, and saw a twinkle in her eye.
"Now, now, my Dear. We must set the example for the younger folks. Now you go ahead.'
"That's not exactly what I meant, but O.K. I'll go."
She turned and started to leave. That's when Bob shocked himself, by reaching out and patting her on the backside. Maria turned again, and for a moment Bob thought he had overstepped the bounds. Instead, Maria smiled at him and continued on her way.
Bob turned back to the job at hand, when he heard from behind him.
"Ahem."
Turning he saw Michelle standing there.
"Oh. Hi. I didn't see you."
"Obviously. Bob we need to talk."
"Michelle, are you upset with me over what happened just now?"
"What? No, not at all. Mom is old enough to know what she is doing, and I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. No, it is something else."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. What's the problem?"
"It's Barbara."
"Oh? What about her?"
"Well it's... I mean...Oh brother, this is hard."
"Michelle, if you have bad news, just spit it out. Like they say, a sharp knife cuts the quickest, and hurts the least."
"Bob, I don't know how to say this, so just let me get it out, before you say anything. I don't know everything those animals did to her, but one thing I know they did was brainwash her. She is convinced that the leader of a group like this has first claim on all the women."
Bob's jaw dropped. "WHAT?"
"It's true. She was made to believe that a woman's only purpose is to sexually satisfy the men. She asked me if you were going to be as rough with her as those bastards were. She figures that you must have done it with all of us by now, and wanted to know what to expect. Bob, she's only fifteen, and terribly confused about everything after what they did to her."
"Did you straighten her out?"
"I tried, but I don't think she believed me. And it gets worse."
"How?"
"On one hand she thinks it is your right. On the other, she WANTS to show you how much she appreciates being rescued in the only way she knows how. What are we going to do?"
"I don't know Michelle. I've never run into a situation like this before. I know what I'm not going to do. I'm not going to be any place where the two of us are alone together. Have you told anyone else about this?"
"I spoke with Kathy. Seemed like the thing to do."
"Absolutely. I'd like you to also tell your mother."
"I will. Oh yes, I almost forgot. Kathy said she wants you in the office, sitting down, with your shirt off by the time she gets there."
"If you see her, tell her I'm on my way."
Bob was waiting for Kathy, as he had been told. He was looking forward to speaking with her about Barbara when she arrived. So he was a bit taken back when Barbara walked into the room with her. Kathy was immediately all business.
"Alright Bob, before I look, did you do anything I told you not to do?"
"No. I was good. Even though I wanted to do the worst of it, to spare Tom and Sam."
"I appreciate that, but even so, I'm glad you didn't do anything to make things worse for yourself." Kathy walked around behind Bob. She nodded in approval when she saw there wasn't any new blood soaking into the bandage.
"Bob, I'm going to remove this bandage, and it will probably hurt a little. Barbara. Would you go into the room across the hall and see if you can find any more of these large bandages."
Barbara nodded, and left the room. Quickly and quietly Kathy asked Bob, "Did Michelle speak to you?"
"Yes. But I'm at a loss for what to do about it."
"One thing at a time. Ready?"
Bob nodded. Kathy removed the bandage.
"KATHY. I thought you said a little pain. That hurt like fire."
"Sorry, it couldn't be helped." She looked at the wound. "You have a little inflamation, not unexpected considering. Other than that, it's not looking bad. I'm going to give your back a sponge bath, so you don't have to wash it when you clean up. Alright?"
"Sure. I was wondering if I should get someone to help me with that."
Barbara returned, as Kathy was cleaning off the sweat and dirt from Bob's back. She gave Kathy the bandage and waited for her to finish. Kathy worked quickly, and soon had Bob's back clean, and a new layer of disinfectant applied to the wound. As she was putting the fresh bandage on, Maria entered the room, her hair still wet from her shower. She said cheerfully,
"Well Kathy, how's my man?"
Startled, Kathy looked at Maria. She winked at Kathy.
"Oh, he's good. we just have to keep him out of trouble for awhile."
"Glad to hear it." Maria stepped up to Bob, kissed him firmly, and as she hugged him whispered into his ear, "I spoke with Mike. Just follow my lead."
"You got it." He whispered back.
"So can I have him back now? He needs a bath."
"He's all yours."
Maria gently grabbed his arm and said, "Come on Sweetheart. Lets' get you cleaned up."
Arm in arm they left the office. Once out of earshot Bob asked Maria,
"What was that all about?"
"Buying you some breathing room. Mike told me about Barbara. She'll back off a little now that she thinks we are an item. But make no mistake Bob, this isn't over. That girl needs some time and serious help. You stay away from her for awhile."
"You'll get no arguement from me." He looked pensive for a moment before continuing. "You know, I should have seen this coming. The Bible talks about the mental stress people will go through in these days. Hearts failing them for fear, and all that. How could I not see this happening?"
"Bob, nobody is an expert at everything. You've done wonders so far, don't be so hard on yourself. Besides, when it comes to women, what man can really say what we're thinking?" She smiled at him.
"Well, that's true." They stopped outside the house Bob had claimed. "I think I better get clean. Thanks for your help back there."
"No problem. Besides, do you think I want to be out done by a teenaged girl?"
"So are we an item?"
"What do you think?" With that, Maria turned and left Bob to his shower.
BW, Vietnam Vet