Chapter 1: The Premise

“What are you going to do, Doc?” Olé asked

“Since the project is ended, I think it’s a good time for me to retire. I’ll go home to my farm and raise my son.”

Doc said smiling.

“I didn’t know you had a ... wait just a minute! Morgan? Morgan is your son? Why didn’t you fess up and tell me? Didn’t you trust me? Well, I should have guessed, it’s so evident when I think about it! The way you love that boy, it’s all too obvious now!”

Olé laughed and hugged Doc, his drinking buddy, pal, best friend, oldest friend, and comrade/brother/sister in arms.

“It’s your turn to buy pal. You’re becoming more and more absent-minded about paying for around.”

Doc reminded him, grinning.

“Rain-check, Pal! The game’s on! What’s the word, Top?” Olé asked.

“Outside parked by the flag pole, there is this beautiful old classic limo. The fellow claiming to own it is named Warren Norman. He has four women with him, and one is the Empress’ aide Lieutenant Cruz. They ask to see you and asked me to give you this official-looking letter,”

Top Sergeant almost saluted while passing over the letter.

Olé ignored Top’s aborted salute,

“It’s hot as blue blazes out there. Bring all of them in. You escort them in, Top. I want you here to witness.”

“Look, Doc! This is a letter from the President!”

“Open it! It’s probably important. Maybe you’ve been drafted into the army again. Read it. What’s it say, Olé?”

“I can’t open it Doc!”

Doc was worried Olé was having a stroke. All of his color drained from his face and he was suddenly pale. Olé continued and explained.

“It’s not mine. It’s addressed to a Lieutenant General Skarston? Also, says to Acting Secretary of State Skarston!”

Olé offered Doc the letter.

“Beer, General?”

Bella stood at Olé’s elbow with a bar tray stacked with a forest of long-necks.

“Hello! Nice to see you again General, Doctor. No doubt you remember me? Warren Norman always with all the GREAT News. This is my wife Linda and my daughter Anna. One of my ladies is painfully shy and elected to remain in the car. Oh! Hello Bella. Darlings, let me introduce you to the original Bella! She formerly had careers as a Registered Nurse, Executive Secretary, Teacher and School Principal, a news source, and bar waitress. Her knee problems necessitate frequent career changes! Still can’t keep those knees closed together, can you Bella? Sorry, General, I thought you knew. Well, I’ve always had a big mouth. A real talent for broadcasting the news. As the chef, while plating ordinary meatloaf said, the secret ingredient is always in the style of presentation! Don’t get mad, I have astounding news to share. I’m here at the President’s request.”

Olé pointed to a stool at the bar for Warren Norman to sit. Olé and Doc remained seated at their accustomed table with a view of the security monitors. Warren’s wife sat next to him. Lieutenant Cruz stood hovering near Doc. Bella waited behind the bar with a concealed pistol and barely concealed enmity towards Warren Norman.

“I’m Olé. This is Doc Skeet, and you already know Bella. I intend to call you Warren when I’m in a good mood. At the moment I’m feeling sort of eh, unpersuaded. Sitting on the fence.”

“We all wanted the Empress to cease being Empress even if it means she must cease being! Now she has disappeared. Vanished! We have a new and more powerful enemy. An enemy powerful enough to take out the empress in a snap of his fingers. An old Chinese proverb from the Art of War says, the enemy of my enemy is an ally. We have to be allies, like it or not! I retain command of the Empress’ forces. I notified the President the empress is AWOL. The President commissioned Warren and me to treat with you. The US armed forces are reactivated and you and I are reinstated. The President promoted you both to Generals. Congratulations to both of you.”

“Bella! Remember! Squeeze, don’t jerk the trigger.”

Olé instructed.

“My pleasure cariño!”

Bella racked the slide, cocking and chambering a round. She aimed the 1911 colt .45 auto at Lieutenant Cruz, using a double-handed grip. The muzzle was steady and unwavering.

“That’s unfriendly! I’m no longer your enemy. We’re officers in the same army again.”

Lieutenant Cruz complained, raising her hands in the “don’t shoot!” surrender mode.

“Lieutenant?” Olé and Doc spoke in unison.

Lieutenant Cruz quickly converted her raised hands position into a military posture, coming to attention, and saluted.

“Reporting for duty, Generals!”

“Welcome, back to the right side lieutenant,”

Said Doc and Olé in unison, as they returned her salute while remaining seated.

“I think you should read these, Ma’am. And I recommend you read your letter, General Skarston.”

Lieutenant Cruz passed two official envelopes to Doc. One from Army Chief of Personnel, and the other from the Office of President of the United States.

“This is too unreal!”

Olé shouted and jumped to his feet then promptly sat down again. Hard!

“The President suggested and approved my promotion to Lieutenant General and has also nominated me as Secretary of State and nominated you as Surgeon General! We’re to be confirmed immediately, as the President’s party controls the Senate.”