Chapter 62

John took a trip into town for supply’s. Mostly he wanted to get Theresa something for her birthday. One the way he kept one eye in the mirror. A car dropped in behind him not far out of town. He went about his business, but kept an eye to the rear. The car stayed with him all day.

“Well, that tears it.” he mumbled to himself.

He made his way back to the silo. The car drove past as he turned into his road. A short time later it passed the opposite way on its way back into town.

John loaded the things from the cruiser onto his snowmobile and the toboggan that had come with the girls. It was a full load. He locked up the shack again, leaving several hairs across the door gap. Stuck by his saliva. Then headed back to the silo.

The girls all poured out to meet him as he pulled up. Having been alerted by the now constantly active road sensors.

“The Russians are coming, The Russians are coming.” he chuckled as he got off.

“You had a tail?” Cindy asked.

“Like a bunny rabbit.” he grinned.

“So that’s it then. Now what do we do?” Cindy asked.

“Well, first I dig back into my old business cards. Somewhere I have the number of a real, honest to god Rear Admiral. He’s retired now, but he’ll know just who to call on our end.” John chuckled.

“You know an Admiral?” Theresa asked, respect in her voice.

“Just met him once, at a classified seminar. I doubt he’ll remember me, but the facts are easy enough to check.” he said.

It actually took John hours to find the card. But first he sent an encrypted E-mail message to both Sally and to Sheila’s new E-mail account he’d set up that morning. He used a program not thought of favorably by the NSA, because it took too much of their precious computer time to bust the encryption.

A short time later he made his first phone call to an Admiral.

“Admiral, I doubt if you remember me, as we only met once at an EW seminar. This is John Stevens ... You do? I’m honored.

Anyway, have I got a story for you. See I’m living now in this old missile silo ... yes sir, that’s right. A missile silo ... I won the lottery ... anyway...” so the conversation went.

John explained most everything. Then he got the Admiral’s E-mail address along with one he suggested. An Admiral’s suggestion is worth much more than a government agency’s promise written in triplicate and countersigned by every living president.

John edited the message he’d sent to Sally and added more facts. Then he sent it to both the Admiral and the other address he’d been given.

Bill Howdy was a long time employee of Uncle Sam. He’d been in the intelligence business since a tour with “The Company” in Cambodia, during the Vietnam era. He’d been section chief of the soviet task force and served several active missions within the eastern block. Now his job was dealing with the counter-espionage desk for the United States. His job wasn’t really listed with any visible agency, in fact information flowed much too freely out of those other agencies to be of much use to him. They did forward him reports on the activities of suspected operatives from all over the U.S. and its many interests.

Secured in his In basket was a Red Flag report from three different sources. Something going on with the Russian Agents in both San Francisco, and New York. The third flag came from DISCO, which dealt with industrial security clearances. The flag verified too many requests for data on one John Stevens.

Accompanying the report was Stevens file. Not bad, but nothing overly significant to warrant the interest of the Russians. Just the same he scribbled some instructions on the report and moved it to his Out basket lock box. Then he turned to his morning E-mail.

“I’ll be god damned!” he said in amazement. There was a message to him from one John Stevens!

A second message came from an old friend and colleague. A retired Rear Admiral he respected greatly.

He read the Admiral’s message first. It contained an exact duplicate of the one from Stevens, but with analysis and recommendations.

For the next half hour he read in amazement. Chuckling from time to time. Then he busted out laughing when he read what Stevens proposed. Then he read over the Admiral’s analysis, he sobered when he read the recommendations.

“Not bad ... Not bad at all. And dirt cheap!” he muttered to himself.

He got his aid on the phone and started the ball rolling.

First item; Verify all of Stevens facts. The psychic triplets left a bad taste in his mouth. Too damn weird. And if true; Too Damn Weird.

Second; Verify identities of all parties involved. Perform thorough background checks on all parties.

Third; Evaluate information garnered by actions one and two.

Fourth; If item three warrants it and items one and two verify it, then meet with Stevens. Tour and observe conditions of obsolete silo.

Five; Evaluate status based on items one through four.

Six; Recommend course of action indicated by items one through five to his superiors. In Howdy’s case that was a high level official in the White House.

Howdy got confirmation of item one within a day. Within a few more he had the facts from item two. He sat down with them all and thought about it for a full day.

“Get me a flight to ... Make it Hill Air Force base in Utah. Then a long range chopper fueled and ready when I arrive. I’ll give the chopper pilot final instructions when we’re in the Air.” Howdy told his aid.

“How should I reach you sir? If a situation comes up?” his aid asked.

“E-mail me at this address. Encrypted using PGP. The password is this ... memorize it and then destroy it.” Howdy told the aide.

His aid chuckled as he read the note.

“Not likely to forget that one ... Something big stirring?” he asked.

“You know better than to ask that.” Howdy said.

“Yes sir. I’ll see to your flight.” the aide said.

Four hours later he touched down at Hill AFB. Ten minutes later he was in the air again.

He first made a stop at Dougway Proving Grounds. Home to some of the deadliest nerve toxins on earth. He was met by an armed escort who ferried him to the area where the nastiest ones were kept. Then the escort slowly ferried him back to the waiting chopper.

The pilot didn’t like this at all. Howdy carried a small aluminum case like it was made of the finest crystal. The pilot said a silent prayer as he lifted off.

“Where to Sir?” he asked.

“Due west for ten minutes. Report your course as due west and then shut off the radio.” was Howdy’s only reply.

The pilot shivered and complied. There was something very clandestine and nasty about this.

Ten minutes to the second later Howdy handed the pilot his final coordinates. It required a change of direction.

“Drop to the deck and stay there until we land.” Howdy told him.

“Beg pardon sir?” asked the pilot.

“I want this thing to scare the fucking ants until we touchdown. You got that?” Howdy asked.

“Yes sir. Can do.” the pilot said, complying.

“Watch for power lines.” Howdy mentioned.

“Always sir.” the pilot said.

Some time later John heard the beat of a rotor. He scrambled to the entry followed by Theresa. They suited up and met the chopper.

“Shut down completely. No radio. No nothing.” Howdy ordered.

The pilot complied. The rotor still spun for quite a while. Seemingly the instant it stopped, a tarp was being pulled over the chopper. Only then did Howdy disembark. Carrying his package again like fine crystal.

John stepped up onto the pad. Theresa motioned the Pilot to follow her.

“John Stevens?” Howdy asked.

“Yes Sir, Bill Howdy?” John asked.

“Yes Sir.” Bill replied.

They shook hands, each man evaluating the other’s firm grip. John led them inside. Bill and the Pilot both were grateful as it was freezing on the pad. A blast of comfortable warm air met them as they stepped inside.

Theresa unsuited, much to the Pilots discomfort. She wore one of the most outstanding outfits he’d ever seen. It fit her like a second skin. She motioned to him and he followed her to the elevator. This was definitely not a well known facility. The pilot knew of many of them from his time in the service. He was floored when Theresa led him around the corner into one of the most modern, comfortable kitchen’s he’d ever seen.

“Now, what to drink?” Theresa asked.

“Beg pardon, Ma’am?” the pilot responded.

Theresa sighed, which added to the pilots discomfort. Her nipples were clearly discernible beneath the thin fabric.

“My name is Theresa, that’s all you need to know. I don’t need to know your name. You will be here at least long enough for one alcoholic beverage to fully wear off and eat a meal. Now we have a very fine bar. So again, What to drink?”

The pilot gulped. He could use one.

“I’m partial to single malt scotch if you have any. On the rocks.” the pilot replied.

“Oh, I think you’ll be quite happy with that choice.” Theresa said, moving to the bar.

Her flip side was as dangerous as her front side. The pilot suppressed a groan, hoping his flight suit was baggy enough to cover his reaction.

Theresa poured him two fingers of Laphroaig 20 year old over two cubes and handed it to him. Suppressing her own grin over his reaction to her.

“Not bad looking ... I wonder if he likes kids.” she thought.

She poured herself a glass of Wine. She seated him on the sofa, sitting on the opposite end. She pulled her legs up to his vast discomfort. He took a long pull on the most excellent scotch he’d ever tasted. The rich smoky taste took him by surprise and he smiled despite the odd conditions of his arrival.

Theresa beamed at his smile.

“That for me?” John asked, once they were in the Com room.

“Yeah, you can keep the box. I’d dip it in everything you’ve got, considering where it came from and what it might have held.” Howdy told him.

John casually accepted the case and opened it. Inside was an autographed copy of the Admiral’s book on Electronics Warfare. John smiled and thanked Howdy. He set the book on a shelf and stashed the box in a cabinet.

“So let’s get down to business.” Howdy said.

“Fine by me. Scotch?” John said.

“As I’ll be here a while, yes. On the rocks.” Howdy said.

“The only way I like it.” John said, pouring from an identical bottle to the one Theresa had poured from.

John made himself one and then sat back on the triple chaise.

“So what do you want?” Howdy asked.

“Not much in terms of money out of anybody’s budget. As corny as it may sound; I am a patriot.” John said.

“Nothing wrong with that. I don’t think it’s corny at all. So exactly what do you have in mind.” Howdy asked again.

“Well, first off. I want my freedom and that of those involved on my end. I value that very much. What I have in mind for the government, does the scam royally on the Russians, while insuring that my freedom continues.

I accept that in some ways, I’ll never be free again. I’ll always have a shadow anywhere I go on the planet. But I’m willing to accept that in return for relatively small compensation.” John said.

“How small?” Howdy asked.

“Oh ... how about five miles by fifty? In a strip of land from the road to past my property. And minimal maintenance of the road, which I have now but wouldn’t press for.” John said.

“That’s one hell of a lot of land.” Howdy said.

“Not really. It’s BLM land. Owned by the government. I want free title to it. Including water and mineral rights. Right now it’s mostly growing sage brush. I’d agree to leave over 50% of it as a natural habitat. But I’d like some trees added around here. And the whole piece fully fenced and wired. Oh, and basically a free hand to build what I wish.” John said.

“Why don’t you tell me exactly what you have in mind.” Howdy told him.

John chuckled. “Well, you started the whole thing by coming here. Right now there’s some very curious Russians glued to their monitors over there.

It’s not hard to distinguish a helicopter sitting under a tarp, especially because they probably watched it land. If they didn’t, they’ll notice it soon and will definitely watch you take off and trail you. If I guess right they watched you leave Dougway and followed you all the way here. So the balls rolling. What I’d like to do now, is convince them.” John said.

“In what manner.” Howdy asked, sipping his scotch. He was beginning to like John Stevens, a lot.

“By building a thriving little secret community surrounding this silo.” John said.

“That sounds like a whole lot more money to me.” Howdy said.

“Nope. I’ll pay for the whole thing.” John said.

“You haven’t got that kind of money.” Howdy stated, honestly.

“I will have shortly. You saw that outfit that Theresa was wearing?” John asked.

“A man’s not likely to miss that sort of thing.” Howdy replied, chagrined.

“Yeah, I know. She’s been living with me over a year now. Anyway, we knocked that outfit off from scratch in about twenty minutes.” John said.

“You’re kidding! I would have sworn it came from the finest salon and cost a bloody fortune.” Howdy said.

“It did come from the finest salon. Right here in the silo. I own the patent to the machine that made it, outright. Within a year we intend to go nationwide, in five world wide. It cost me three dollars to make that outfit. It would sell for close to a thousand.” John said.

“That’s a damn big leap for a bunch of rookies.” Howdy said.

“You did your homework, or you wouldn’t be here. That’s what Sheila’s for. You know if anybody can do it, she can.” John said.

“Granted. So you’ll probably have the money. Who’s going to live in this little community?” Howdy asked.

“Hand selected homeless people.” John replied.

“Kind of hard to keep security on that.” Howdy said, dubiously.

“Not really. They never get near this place. Just the housing. While they’re here they study and learn skills to better their lives and enrich the world. The government could do the same thing, but they’d fuck it up.” John said.

“And who would do the picking of these folks?” Howdy asked.

“I would, based upon my own criteria for ethics and an honest desire to change their lives.” John replied.

“Sounds like a pipe dream.” Howdy said.

“Maybe. But if it turns out so, what has it cost the taxpayer? If it succeeds, the Russians end up committing major resources to watching the place and everybody they think is connected with it. If they’re watching it, others will too. It’s all a sham, but nobody knows that but us. You and me, mainly. The Admiral because I had to use him to get to you. The girls don’t even have to know the whole story.” John said.

“Speaking of which, This is some lifestyle you’re living. Seven active girlfriends, lesbian leanings. Add two more in New York. Five of them under the age of eighteen.” Howdy prodded.

“Don’t patronize me! And don’t feed me that goody two shoes crap. You did your homework. I know you did. You know what kind of lives those girls came from.

“I didn’t ask for any of this. But I damn sure wasn’t going to walk away from a single one of them. Which is a damn site more than the ultra benevolent Uncle Sam ever did for them.

“I don’t deny a single thing. You have my statement indicating exactly what my relationship is with each of them. I’m not ashamed of a single act I performed with any of them.

“Those five underage girls, are women. They’ve earned the title. Some by going through more shit than you or I could comprehend. To think of them as girls is the exact same attitude as sending a man into combat and then not letting him buy beer back home.

“Fact is that in 80% of the world, they’d all be expecting their second or third child.

“All I’m asking for, for the girls; Is their freedom.

“You send Cindy or Theresa back to their folks, and you’ve got two dead girls on your conscience. Because I know that either of them would kill themselves before they’d go back to that hell, or any other the government chose for them.

“The same goes for the triplets and that asshole hick that bought them for an old tractor, then raped them as soon as they started to bleed. Do you know that those three and Candice never heard of a tampon before they came here? Nobody ever bothered to tell them how a woman’s body worked. That’s the kind of world that they’re here to recover from.

“So if you are here to preach morality to me, you can just go climb back in your chopper and my next phone call will be to the Washington Post.” John said, angrily.

“Settle down. I just wanted to hear it from your own lips. Nothing is ever what it seems. I know you’ve used your own money and resources to help those girls. I know you physically saved the lives of at least four of them and then risked your own life to insure their freedom. My point was that you’ve benefited from it in a manner that most men would die for.” Howdy said.

“I don’t deny it ... But sometimes I just long for peace and quiet.

“Look, Theresa is going off to school. Cindy too, I hope, but she wants to stay here with me for some reason. Both those two could now pass exams well into mid-college level. When they came here, they had at best a seventh grade education. And not much of that.

“The triplets are learning to read now, that’s where they are this minute, in the library reading to each other. Except for Alice who is in San Francisco with Sheila. Candice is there too, but you know that.

“I fully expect the triplets to outgrow me. I’m not a young man. I’m ... well you know.

“In the mean time I’m doing my damnedest to give them a loving environment and a decent education. That’s more than they’ve ever had in their lives. More than they ever dreamed of.

“I won’t play the bad guy because three beautiful women want to make love to me. They’ve been having ... sex. —It was really child rape—, since they were twelve. Now it’s four years later. Four years of pure hell. You want to tell me that they’re not women?

“I can tell you this, that now, they enjoy sex, instead of spending their whole lives bitter and hating it and men. They now know what the hell an orgasm is. They learned that from me and those around me who love me. But they did it of their own free will. I didn’t coerce any one of them. That applies to all of them. And I have hard evidence of this fact. If necessary I could prove it.” John said.

“How?” Howdy smirked.

“You’re a bright boy, you figure it out.” John said.

Howdy looked around, then nodded.

“I presume this is being recorded as well?” he asked.

“You presume correctly. If we come to an agreement, you and I will go jointly to the area where the recorders are. There are two machines running on this room right now, with six views on each tape. We will each sign the label on both tapes. You will take one to your superiors, I will retain one as my insurance policy the government doesn’t change its mind in the future.” John said.

“Smart. What’s to keep me from swooping down on this place with a commando team and taking the lot.” Howdy asked.

“Nothing but your ethics.” John said.

Howdy nodded.

“So what exactly do you want concerning the girls?” Howdy asked.

“Their freedom. Specifically ... papers. Theresa turns seventeen in a few days. Cindy did a month ago. God, was it only that long ago?...

“Anyway, I want legal identities for them stating that they are both eighteen. The same for the triplets. They’re all sixteen now, but will be seventeen in another month. So basically, I want you to bend the law a maximum of thirteen months.

“Then there’s dealing with those who made them what they are. Theresa and Cindy are bound to become celebrity’s of some sort from this fashion thing, the triplets too. If either Theresa or Cindy’s parents raise their ugly heads, I want somebody to explain to them, quite seriously, what a dim view the law takes on child abuse. The same goes for that asshole Nick.

“I also want immunity from prosecution should anybody ever get wind of this. I’m not talking about the silo scam, I’m talking about the girls. So it would apply only to the past. Their papers making them legal will cover the future. I also want a hands off policy concerning my relationships. You well know by now that I’m stuck with my ethics. It’s those who want to cram morality down my throat that I don’t want to have to deal with.