Chapter 28: Pulling It Off

Janet, Misty and Ralph were having dinner across the campus at 'The Bistro', which was anything but. It wasn't a dive; it was just poorly named.

Their waitress, Peggy, kept her left profile away from the trio. But Janet caught a glimpse of a blackened eye and swollen cheek as Peggy made notes on her pad. Looking closer, Janet noticed that the bright red lipstick and heavy makeup were masking a swollen lip. There were even some old purple and yellow bruises on her forearms.

Peggy was about 5'5" tall and a matronly 140 pounds. She had muscular legs, a bit of a potbelly, and a chest measurement that exceeded Janet's by at least two inches. Her brown hair showed some gray flecks and was mostly gray at her temples. She had slightly bloodshot brown eyes that were constantly in motion.

"It's too bad we're not going to walk with the graduating class. My Pop is going to be upset about that." Misty was making small talk as she watched dark clouds pass over Janet's expression as their waitress came and went.

Ralph nodded, "Mine, too. But we need to be in Virginia before the commencement ceremony is scheduled. We're going to be lucky to get our diplomas before we head out, right Janet?"

After a brief silence, Janet looked at Ralph, "Hum?"

Misty looked a bit concerned, "What has you distracted, Janet?"

"Our waitress," Janet replied. "I'm pretty sure she's being abused by someone. She even has a slight limp."

Ralph agreed, "Yeah, I noticed her make some awkward moves to keep her left side away from us."

While Ralph was standing at the register, a burly man came in, grabbed Peggy by the arm, and got in her face. Peggy was clearly cowed and appeared to agree with everything the man said to her. She gave him something from her pocket without even looking at it.

Janet wandered over to the frightened woman after the man left and asked, "What time do you get off, Peggy?"

"Midnight," Peggy answered before thinking. She was very apprehensive when she made eye contact with Janet.

"Would it be alright if my friends and I come back? I'd like to talk with you in private," Janet did her best to reassure the woman with a comforting touch.

"I can't spend much time or I'll miss my bus. I have to get home so that my babysitter can get home," Peggy explained.

"My friend at the register has a car. We can give you a ride home and talk then, okay?" It was clear that Janet wasn't going to take 'No' for an answer. Peggy just nodded. Janet then asked, "Do we come inside, wait out front, or is there a backdoor that you use when locking up?"

Peggy was hesitant again, but answered, "I go out the door near the north corner of the building."

"We'll be there at midnight," Janet assured her.

"What's going on?" Ralph asked as they walked across the parking lot toward his car.

"We're coming back at midnight to give Peggy a ride home. If we play our cards right, she just may give you a ride, Ralph." Janet smiled at her tall friend.

"I get more than enough rides from the two of you," Ralph responded. "I don't need any more."

"Then I might just have to get you some help," Janet added with a giggle. "I'm going to need four more companions in less than two months. I have a feeling we just found the wet-nurse Misty and I spoke about a few months ago." Misty smiled and nodded agreement.

They didn't have to wait long. At midnight on the dot Peggy emerged from the building. Janet stepped out of the car to greet her and led her to the passenger door where she could give directions to Ralph.

"Why are you doing this?" Peggy was clearly nervous from being in a car with three strangers.

"I think we can develop a mutually beneficial relationship if you're open to leaving Earth and having sex with the three of us and three others to be named later." Janet just laid all of her cards on the table at once.

It was too much for Peggy. She cowered against the door, "Please, I have three young children. The youngest is just five weeks old. Don't hurt me. I don't think I can take being hurt again right now."

Ralph and Janet both said, "We're not going to hurt you." Ralph mumbled, "Sorry to interrupt, Janet."

Janet asked, "Does your husband beat you often?"

"Victor isn't my husband, but he is the father of my baby girl," Peggy replied hesitantly.

"Was that Victor in the diner earlier this evening?" Peggy just nodded in answer to Janet's question.

Peggy spoke to Ralph, "Turn left at the second light. My apartment building is on the right three blocks after the turn." Ralph just nodded.

"Yes, that was Victor. He took my tip money and I'm barely going to have enough to pay Anita everything I owe her," Peggy lamented.

"I'm sure this isn't the first time," Janet commented. "How old is Anita?"

"She's a very responsible sixteen-year-old who lives two floors above me," Peggy answered. "That's my building there. Thanks for the ride."

"May we come up with you? I'd really like to talk with you about joining my family group. I need a good mother. Do you think you can be a stay-at-home mom?" Janet started pitching hard as Ralph parked the car.

"How many kids do you have?" Peggy asked as they walked across the parking lot to the old building.

"None at the moment," Janet answered smiling, "But I hope to have several this time next year." Peggy gave her a puzzled look, but didn't comment.

The four got off of the elevator on Peggy's floor and waited as she unlocked the door to her apartment. Inside the apartment, they found Anita curled up in the corner closest to the door crying. Her clothes were torn and there was blood on her pubic hair and legs.

"What happened?" Peggy gasped as she knelt in front of the terrified girl.

"I don't know what to do," Anita spoke trough her sobs. "I know I'm not supposed to have visitors, but my boyfriend was here with me when Victor came in. He ran Bobby off and threatened to tell my parents he was here unless I was nice to him. I tried to stop him, but he ripped my dress open, tore my panties off, and raped me. I can't go home like this. If Mom finds out that I let Bobby in here, she'll throw me out. You know how she is."

"Where's Victor now?" Ralph asked as Misty was dialing emergency services.

Anita pointed toward the hall, "I think he passed out in your bedroom."

Misty spoke into her phone, "Yes, I'd like to report a rape. I need an ambulance and a squad car. The rapist is still inside the apartment, please hurry." Misty stayed on the line giving additional information. In less than ten minutes, two uniformed officers were knocking on the door.

Misty let the policemen and the female detective who was close behind them into the apartment. She gave the officers a brief description of Victor and told him she believed he was in one of the bedrooms. Anita hadn't moved. After a brief glance in her direction, the two officers moved quickly across the living room. The officer in the lead drew his nightstick, and the other one drew his revolver.

Anita tried to hide when the two officers brought Victor through the room in handcuffs. She was nearly hysterical, and the responding paramedic gave her a sedative to calm her before they strapped her to the stretcher and took her to the hospital. Misty rode to the hospital with Anita while Ralph and Janet stayed with Peggy.

"When Anita recovers from her trauma, you may have only two slots to fill, Janet," Ralph observed. Janet just nodded as she held the distraught Peggy. The three of them fell asleep on the couch.

"Mom, there's a Decurion Chalmers on the phone for you," Sarita shouted from the kitchen.

Lesa was already on her way back to the kitchen after changing out of her work clothes. She gave Sarita a puzzled look as she picked up the phone. "This is Lesa Crews, how may I help you?"

The voice on the phone was clear and confident, "Mrs. Crews, I'm Decurion Chalmers of the Confederacy Civil Service. I had the pleasure of speaking with an acquaintance of yours earlier this year, Mr. Jacob Caulfield. He's a very impressive young man. The project he initiated is doing quite well. But, I didn't call to speak with you about that project. I have a Captain McGregor of the Confederacy Space Marines in my office. He knows another acquaintance of yours, Lieutenant Marvin Clark who is also of the Confederacy Space Marines. He's very impressed with your talents and would very much like to meet with you at your earliest convenience."

Lesa's head was spinning, "Why would he want to speak with me?"

"This is not a secure line," Decurion Chalmers explained. "It's in regard to a project of yours that Lt. Clark has related to Capt. McGregor."

"Yes, of course," Lesa felt very much like she was under a microscope. "When and where would be a good time?"

"I don't want to put you to any trouble, Mrs. Crews," Chalmers voice carried an apologetic tone. "Would it be acceptable for the two of us to stop by your residence this evening after dinner? Would eight or nine o'clock be convenient?"

"Let's make it nine o'clock," Lesa suggested. "That will give me a chance to get my younger children into bed."

"Yes, of course," Chalmers acknowledged. "The captain and I will call on you at nine. Good evening until then."

"Do you..." Lesa was going to inquired whether or not they needed directions, but the call had been terminated.

Sarita gave her mother a questioning look. Lesa told her, "We'll be having company after dinner tonight. Do we have any kind of cookies that would go with tea?"

Sarita suggested, "Lorna Doones?"

Lesa nodded, "Let's get dinner started. I'm not expecting Jake tonight, but you never know."

After dinner, Lesa showered and changed into one of the short halter dresses with a maternity panel that she had purchased while shopping with Leslie. It was a floral pattern in shades of gold, yellow, and orange. She considered wearing stockings, but decided to just shave her legs and wear a pair of beige high-heeled sandals.

Sarita wore a similar outfit, except in shades of brown with a pair of brown flats. Neither of them wore anything beneath the simple dresses.

Lesa had just added boiling water to the teapot and covered it with the cozy when the doorbell rang precisely at nine. Two incredibly tall men in uniform filled the doorway when she opened it to admit her guests. "Good evening, Mrs. Crews," The man in the gray uniform spoke up. "I'm Decurion Chalmers and this is Captain McGregor." Lesa extended her hand to each of the men.

"Please, come in," Lesa said as she stepped aside to admit the pair. "If you will step into the study to your right, we can get comfortable."

Sarita came in with the tea service before anyone was seated. She placed the tray on a low table in front of a love seat. "This is my daughter, Sara. It will save me having to repeat everything if she can also be present. Sara and I have no secrets and she is fully aware of all of my current activities."

"Including..." Chalmers gave Lesa a questioning look.

Lesa stroked her swollen abdomen. "Yes, she knows that I'm carrying Jacob Caulfield's son. She is also fully informed of our plans to entice the Confederacy into extracting a rather large number of individuals in the near future. I assume one of you spoke with Confederacy contacts in Washington and arranged the award presentation to Admiral Grayson in Arlington when our scheme for a seminar in Atlanta fell apart."

Lesa looked at Sarita, "Would you be Mother, dear?" Lesa and Sarita sat at opposite ends of the coffee table giving them a strategic advantage over the two Confederacy officers because they could not watch both of them at the same time.

As Sarita began pouring tea into the porcelain cups, Capt. McGregor responded, "Yes, I'm aware that one of our contacts in the Pentagon forwarded a recommendation to a key congressman who then initiated the necessary paperwork. I assume you have had discussions with Mrs. Grayson about the significance of the award ceremony?"

Sarita interrupted to ask how they took their tea. When everyone was served and Sarita had resumed her seat, Lesa responded, "Yes, Martha and I have become close friends in the last few months."

Capt. McGregor looked around the well-appointed study. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Crew." He lifted his teacup. "And clearly understand civilized customs such as this, but I understand from Master Gunnery Sergeant Budzinski that you also have a firm grasp of uncivilized customs as well."

"Budzinski was extremely impressed with you and your associates at the dependent pickup that you arranged. The sergeant is very disappointed that he missed the opportunity to meet you in person. I believe you've only seen him from a distance." McGregor glanced at Sarita and decided not to reference Lesa's proficiency with telescopic sights. He could tell that Lesa was uncomfortable with the implied subject as well.

McGregor took a sip of tea and sat back before continuing, "Standing orders are to stun all armed civilians within a containment field. Sergeant Budzinski convinced me that it would have been a disaster if he had tried to followed those orders. His assessment was that your people were too well equipped and trained. He was convinced that a confrontation would have resulted in the loss of his entire extraction squad. I found his assessment incredulous until I examined the surveillance records. Why didn't those men try to force their way into the transporter?"

Lesa smiled, "Ah, you're speaking of the guards I engaged to protect my friends before and after the Confederacy Marines were in a position to protect them. It's very simple, really. They were being paid to do a specific job. Those men take pride in their work and can be counted on to complete the task they have agreed to accomplish."

McGregor asked, "Would it be possible for you to introduce us to them, and perhaps your father as well?"

Lesa's expression went instantly cold and became totally unreadable. Even Sarita felt the chill that descended on the room. "I'm no longer in contact with any of them, or with my father."

"Yes, of course," McGregor backpedaled as quickly as possible. "There are certain other officials who would very much like to meet him as well. My interest is organizing an apolitical resistance force that can remain effective even after the Sa'arm arrive."

Lesa warmed slightly, "If I were to get a message to them, how could they contact you?"

Chalmers spoke up, "Through my office here in Atlanta." He pulled out a few business cards and left them on the table with the tea service. "Is there anything I can do to assist with your group's availability in June?"

Lesa shook her head, "Nothing comes to mind. I have a rather large block of rooms reserved at the Hilton. Travel arrangements have not been finalized, but I don't anticipate difficulty getting my extended family to the award celebration."

"Excellent," McGregor added. "They should be in the hotel or at the award ceremony, and not out shopping or sightseeing."

Lesa's smile returned, "Thank you for the insight. Is there is anything else we need to discuss?"

McGregor nodded, "I'm reluctant to discuss this with your daughter present, but in light of you assurance that she is fully aware of your activities I have been authorized to extend an offer to you. You have a very interesting history, Mrs. Crews. You have been instrumental in the development of more than one emerging country. I believe you have personally determined the outcome of more than one election using an ancient process for removing objectionable candidates."

Lesa took a breath to comment, but McGregor held up his hand, "Please, I admire your courage and commitment. Not many would make such unilateral decisions without so much as consulting superiors, friends, or relatives. I could not have done what you have done, but I concur with every one of your documented actions."

McGregor finished his tea while gathering his thoughts. "I've looked at your CAP test results in detail. Your organizational skills alone should have you in the sevens. Your ability to make hard decisions under pressure and your amazing list of successes should have your score higher, perhaps into the eights. It was confusing; so, I enlisted the assistance of my ship's AI to explain it to me. The fact that you have little regard for authority and base all of your decisions on independent information and thought processes makes you a severe threat to the Confederacy. They don't want people like you in charge of forces that can be turned against them at any time."

Lesa smiled, "I think the old British Navy had a term for that personality trait. They called them 'loose cannons'."

McGregor smiled in return, "Just so. Loose cannons are a bad thing when attacking an enemy, but when you've been boarded, they can be of great benefit to the defenders. I'm authorized to offer you a command position in the Earth Militia pending completion of military training at an off-Earth facility. You will hold the rank of Colonel and be authorized to select four concubines. The only proviso is that you return to Earth and remain within the local solar system until the Confederacy forces stand down. I cannot guarantee your extraction when Earth is overrun by Sa'arm."

Sarita looked at her mother in amazement. She had so many questions, but knew instinctively that now was not the time. Lesa smiled at her daughter before turning a serious expression toward Capt. McGregor. "What about my family?"

"Your family may reside at the location of your choice." McGregor took a less certain expression before continuing. "I believe arrangements can be made for you to visit with them once or twice a year if you choose a residence for them other than within the local solar system. I intend to find others with your distinctive qualities and make them a similar offer. That should increase the probability that visits can be arranged."

Lesa sat in deep thought for a moment; then asked, "When must I give you my decision?"

McGregor smiled as he smelled success, "Sometime in early June will be fine. One more item that's a request from Sergeant Budzinski, he would like for you to bring examples of the equipment you and your associates used during the dependent extraction and secure them in your hotel room in Arlington." McGregor had a distinct twinkle of mirth in his eyes when he added, "I think he's a dedicated admirer, Mrs. Crews, of both you and your collection."

Lesa returned the smile, "I should think he would be rather annoyed with me."

"Oh, he is," McGregor responded. "I'm sure that's why he's such an admirer. Few people can annoy the good Sergeant in the manner you have."

Lesa laughed, "I look forward to meeting him. Is there anything else we need to discuss? It's getting late, and Sara has school tomorrow."

When McGregor and Chalmers shook their heads, everyone stood and made their way to the front door. "Thank you for your concern, gentlemen," Lesa said as they left.

When the door closed, Sarita looked at her mother, "Wow, that was some battle of wits, and those guys are real heavyweights!"

Lesa laughed, "Yes they are, aren't they?"

Sarita took on a serious and somewhat tentative expression, "What was all that about you determining the outcome of elections?"

Lesa sighed, "I really didn't want you to ever know about that part of my life." She hesitated a bit before continuing. "The world is full of people who rise to the top on the bodies of others. Your Grandpa Dean gave me the opportunity to see the real world, and I didn't always like what I saw. I learned a great many skills from some of his associates and applied some of those skills to eliminate candidates that I found particularly objectionable."

"Eliminate?" Sarita turned a puzzled expression toward her mother.

Sighing, Lesa said, "Yes, dear, eliminate. I either had them killed, or I killed them myself."

Sarita was frozen in shock with her mouth hanging open. She looked at the sudden stranger who was her mother. The woman was standing there holding out her arms inviting an embrace, but not advancing. Sarita stepped into the embrace and held her mother for a very long time before the two of them went upstairs.

Janet opened one eye and saw a five-year-old girl with the thumb of one hand in her mouth and a blanket gripped in the other hand. She closed her eye and then opened both eyes. The kid was still there. "Hello, what's your name?" Janet heard her own voice, but the apparition didn't acknowledge her existence. Now that she had both eyes functional she could see that the little girl was not looking at her. She was looking just off to her left. Janet looked to her left and recognized Peggy, the waitress from last night.

After forcing herself to sit up, Janet looked around the incredibly neat, although rundown, apartment. Ralph was on the other side of Peggy with his head at an impossible angle. It was on top of the back of the couch. She could see that he was breathing; so, he wasn't dead. Peggy had her head on Ralph's shoulder.

Looking down, Janet found that she was still in yesterday's clothes. She found her watch. It was on her arm right were she had left it. Shit! It was after seven! Where was Misty? Oh yeah, she had gone to the hospital with the baby sitter, what was her name? She couldn't remember.

"Ralph," Janet's throat was dry. "Ralph! We need to get moving. It's after seven in the morning."

"Huh, what?" Ralph had trouble getting his head vertical. When he saw the little girl he said, "Hello, who are you?"