The air whistled
past Andrea’s face as she hurtled down towards the ground, the coldness
stinging her cheeks. Anyone watching
might have thought that she was plunging to her doom as she tumbled through the
blue sky, if it weren’t for the broad smile on her face. After a couple of weeks, she was really
starting to get the hang of being able to fly.
The
soul-clutching exhiliration of soaring free in the air still affected her every
time, causing a giddy rush of excitement to fill her every pore. It was hard to compare it to anything else. There was nothing else like it. It was simply amazing.
She was
particularly savouring the sensation at that moment since she didn’t have much
chance to completely cut loose like she was doing now. The military and scientific staff were
always very cautious about outside training activities, having to verify that
they wouldn’t be observed by members of the publuc before giving the
go-ahead. All it took was one stray
fishing boat and the purpose of the base would be exposed.
It was hard to
curb her enthusiasm though, and not soar off amongst the clouds or down over
the seas. She was still hundreds of
feet above the water now, and the vista that stretched out below her was simply
breath-taking. Even a hardened cynic
like Andrea couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the impressiveness of
nature when viewed from so high. It was
also profoundly humbling, making her realise just how small she and everyone
else was when compared to the vastness of the ocean or the mountains the loomed
on the horizon of the Scottish mainland.
It was a sight that no human being was ever meant to see in this way,
and yet here she was, blessed with this very special view on the world. She recognised that it was indeed a
blessing, and not something to be feared or wary of as she had been
initially. She was priveleged to have
this opportunity and she was going to grab it with both hands and savour the
experience to the full.
However, as she
zoomed downwards at greater and greater speed she found it increasingly
difficult to see with the chill air bringing tears to her eyes. Wiping them away, she resolved that she
would have to ask about getting some sort of eye protection in the future. The clothes she wore weren’t particularly
suitable either, she considered, the combat outfit being tugged at viciously by
the wind. She really needed something
more stream-lined.
Andrea?
The Major’s voice
crackled over the small earpiece she wore.
For a moment she considered ignoring it, pretending the communications
link was broken. She was still
interested to see how they might stop her if she refused to come down, but
decided she wouldn’t try and find out today.
“Yes, I’m here.”
If you’ve
finished having fun, we’re ready to go when you are.
“I’ll get into
position,” she informed the Major.
Andrea glided
through the air to hover a few hundred metres above the target area in
readiness. She knew that somewhere
below they would be observing her every move, not to mention the monitoring
sensors she wore dotted about her body under her clothes, feeding back
telemetary on her energy usage amongst other things. She also wore her power regulator as always. Following the car accident, the army had
conducted a finger tip search of the field to find it – they couldn’t chance
someone stumbling across it and discovering what it was.
“Ok, I’m ready,
just give the word,” Andrea said over the small microphone that snaked across
her cheek.
On the count
of three then, the Major
said, before launching into the countdown.
3…2…1…Go!
Andrea launched
herself downwards at the signal, flying as fast as she could to the
target. As she got closer she could see
the red of the material flapping in the wind.
She could also see the blur of movement sweeping across the open ground
in its direction, intent on beating her to it.
Seeing that she didn’t slow, though she knew it would take a fine
judgement to get her descent right, to pull up in time and not splat herself
all over the heather.
She was about
twenty metres away now, still going hard at it. Ten…five…
Her fingers
closed over the material and she whipped the flag away, straining to alter her
direction as she did. She just managed
to angle herself parallel to the ground, actually feeling the slight brush of
the heather across her body, she was so close.
Having managed to stabalise her flight she slowed and set her feet down
on the ground again, clutching the flag triumphantly as Tom whizzed round to
come to a halt beside her.
“Too slow!” she
taunted, waving the flag at him.
He made a
disgusted face at her. “I’m sure you
went before the ‘go’”, he suggested petulantly
“You are such a
poor loser,” she said, still with a grin on her face, “I’m afraid it looks like
I’m quicker than you are.”
Suddenly Tom
moved. At least Andrea thought he had,
though he was standing back in front of her again already. He looked rather smug now, though, and
glancing down at her hand she saw that she no longer held the flag.
“Ha! Who’s slow
now?” teased Tom, holding up the red material that was in his possesion.
“You cheat! That wasn’t part of the deal!” Andrea lunged for his hand, but he easily
whipped it out the way, laughing as he did.
As they danced
around in circles, a voice disturbed their game. “Now, now, children.”
It was the Major,
heading over the grass in their direction.
She strode confidently over the open ground of the island in her combat
gear of camoflague trousers and jacket, with her sturdy boots leaving imprints
in the mud as she went.
“Nice try, Mr
Parsons,” she said as she reached them, “But I’m afraid that round goes to
Andrea.” She turned to Andrea now. “Well done, she said, smiling up at the
young woman, That was some neat flying, though I have to admit my heart was in
my mouth there for a minute. I really
thought you were going to hit the ground.”
“Thanks,” replied
Andrea, returning the smile, strangely warmed that the Major seemed so
concerned for her wellbeing. “If I’m
honest I wasn’t entirely sure I wasn’t going to hit it either.”
“That’s
reassuring,” noted the Major with a wry laugh.
“I couldn’t let
Tom win, could I?” added Andrea
“Indeed not,”
agreed the Major, smiling at the young man who still looked rather miffed. “I think that’s enough for today. Let’s head back over to the monitoring truck
to download the readings and then we can get back inside for some dinner.”
“Last one there’s
a stinky Chaddy sock!” cried Tom, before sprinting off in a blur.
Andrea let him
go, since to pursue would leave the Major to make the walk back to the road on
her own. “I think I’ll let him win one
today,” she remarked to the Major.
They naturally
fell in step side by side as they turned to make the short walk. It wasn’t long before the Major broke the
silence.
“I thought you
might like to know that Dr Todd thinks your ability to fly is the result of the
conversion into kinetic energy of the of the energy you absorb from light and
store in your body as chemical energy.”
Andrea raised her
eyebrows. “Really? Are you sure Dr Todd doesn’t just make some
of this technobabble up sometimes, to cover up what he doesn’t know.”
The Major let out
a laugh. “You know, I do wonder myself
sometimes, but the readings seem to support his theory. How are you doing with your powers anyway,
starting to get used to them a bit more?”
“Well, I don’t
know if I’m still entirely comfortable with the idea of being a mutant, but I
have to say it does have its compensations.”
“The flying?”
offered the Major, though it was more a statement than a question.
“Yes, I wish I
could explain it, it’s just so…so…”
The Major came up
with a few suggestions. “Breath-taking?
Uplifting? Awe-inspiring?”
Andrea glanced to
her side where the Major was regarding her keenly. “Something like that, and so much more. Perhaps I should take you up for a spin sometime to give you some
idea?”
The Major looked
like she didn’t know quite how to respond to the offer and Andrea mentally
kicked herself for making it. Sailing
was one thing, an intimate experience like flying together was something else
entirely. For a start Andrea would have
to have hold the Major in her arms the whole time.
Just as Andrea
was starting to form a not unpleasant mental picture of that, the Major finally
replied. “Thank you,” she said, “Though
I might have to be convinced you won’t plough us into the ground by accident first,
considering your admission about the earlier exercise.”
“I wouldn’t be so
reckless if you were with me,” insisted Andrea.
Andrea was
bewildered by her own words, wondering what in the hell she was doing. The Major had given her an out and here
Andrea was still pressing the issue.
“Well, maybe we
will go up, one day,” allowed the Major.
Andrea just about
stopped her conspiratorial mouth from asking when exactly that might be. “The offer’s always open,” she said instead,
thinking that was almost as bad. The only
thing that might have made it worse was if she’d winked while saying it. She really hoped she hadn’t by accident.
The Major merely
smiled back, before changing the topic, much to Andrea’s relief. “I’ve arranged your first counselling
session too, by the way. With Dr Shah
tomorrow after training. She’s an
independent counsellor, in case you were worried, not directly part of the
military though we have used her sevices in the past. She’s very good by all accounts.”
“I guess I’ll
find out soon enough,” remarked Andrea, still a little wary of discussing her
innermost feelings with a stranger, “But thank you for setting it up.”
“No problem, it’s
what I’m here for.”
Andrea smiled in
response as they made it to the road where Tom was waiting for them by the
truck. Andrea could see him eyeing the
pair of them suspiciously and he hung around while Andrea removed the small
electronic monitoring device from her waistband and waited for Dr Todd to
verify he had what he wanted.
“Are the two of
you riding back with us?” asked the Major as Dr Todd tapped away at his
keyboard in the back of the vehicle.
“I think I’ll
walk back with Tom,” said Andrea, “Give you two a chance to pour over your
readings.” She could see Tom was
itching to talk to her about something, not to mention that allowing the Major
to ride back separately would stop Andrea’s mouth making any more stupid
suggestions without her brain’s permission.
“Ok, see you
later then.”
……………
The Major watched
Tom and Andrea heading off over the open heath in the direction of the
base. She could see that Tom had
started talking enthusiastically to Andrea who looked a bit disgruntled by
whatever line of questioning he was persuing.
The spring sunshine emerged from behind the clouds at that moment,
sweeping across the vast grassy field.
As it crossed Tom and Andrea’s location the Major couldn’t help but
notice the way the sunlight dappled across Andrea’s hair, bringing out the
brilliant golden colour of it.
“Thinking about
our new recruit?”
“Yes,” replied
the Major honestly in response to Dr Todd’s question, though she realised that
he probably didn’t think those thoughts extended to the qualities of her hair
in the sun.
“I have to say
there’s been a marked improvement in her behaviour, ever since that second
unscheduled trip off the base,” he noted.
“There has,
hasn’t there,” she agreed distractedly, still watching the ever smaller
figures. Finally they disappeared over
the crest of the hill and she turned her full attention to Dr Todd.
“What did
you say to her that night?” he asked.
The Major laughed
at his inscrutable expression. “I could
tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” she joked, “I can’t go around giving
away all my secrets can I, especially not in my line of work.”
“Whatever it was,
I have to congratulate you. It’s almost
like she’s a whole different person.
Suddenly she’s eager, keen to impress.
Though there’s still all those questions about every little thing.”
The Major
considered his words for a moment, glancing off to where Andrea had recently
disappeared. “I don’t think she’s
changed that much, not deep down. I
think that what we saw when she first got here was partly a front, a defensive
barrier. Now she’s seen we’re not a
threat, she’s started to drop it a bit.
Not that she can’t still be bolshie, arrogant and cocky,” she allowed.
“Indeed,” agreed
Dr Todd, “Though for a while I thought we might be heading for some serious
problems, at least in terms of security.
It seems you were right all along though, believing that she would turn
a corner.”
“Oh, I had my
doubts too, believe me,” admitted the Major.
“I guess we’re
lucky you managed to contain the second incident as you did.”
“Yes, I even
managed to keep a few select details out of my report to the Colonel. Oh, he was displeased, but not as displeased
as he would have been if he knew how Andrea had gotten drunk, used her powers
and then nearly died.”
Dr Todd was one
of the few people who knew the full details of that night; Doc Whitman, the
Major and Andrea herself being the others.
The Major’s mind drifted back to it now as they journeyed back to the
base in the truck. She had to admit
that when Andrea had collapsed after pulling the car from the water, the degree
of anxiety that had swept through her had been surprising. She’d managed to contain it at the time, as
her command training took over and she was swept up in organising help and
making sure Andrea was all right. It
had seemed entirely natural to sweep the younger woman up in her arms and hold
her in an attempt to comfort her. In
fact she realised that in a strange way it had made her feel better too. To sense the warmth of Andrea’s body, the
rhythm of her heartbeat and know that she was still alive had been a powerful
feeling.
………………
Andrea and Tom
had just about made it out of earshot of the Major and Dr Todd back in the
truck, when Tom swung his head towards her.
“Well, well,
well, who’s the new favourite then?”
Andrea had
thought this was coming, but played dumb anyway. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh come on,” he
said rolling his eyes, “‘Well done,
that was some neat flying’” he continued, doing a passable impression of the
Major, “’my heart was in my mouth…’”
Andrea quickly
cut him off before he continued any further.
“And she’s never paid you a compliment before?”
“Not like that!”
“Like what?”
“With that sort
of soft, pleased expression on her face.”
Andrea looked at
him as if he were crazy. “Are you sure
you didn’t hit your head while training, because I’d swear you were
hallucinating.”
“Try and deny it
if you like, but you got to go on the Dorset Flyer for god’s sake! Plus you looked very chummy walking over
here. Face it, you’re the new teacher’s
pet! And don’t tell me you don’t like
it – the way you were beaming when she was praising you.”
Andrea realised
that things must be getting obvious if Tom had noticed. She would be losing her hard won reputation
as a rebellious troublemaker at this rate.
The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she was a conformist
pushover. She’d made a career out of
getting up the nose of the establishment, though it was hard to carry on doing
that when the establishment persisted in being so nice. In fact, nice didn’t really cover it at all. The Major seemed to be going out of her way
for Andrea more and more. Now they had
started down the path of a friendly relationship it appeared there was no
turning back. Not that Andrea would
have wanted to turn back if she could, now she realised how much more pleasant
this route was to the antagonistic one.
Anyway, she considered that she still had Lieutenant Chadwick for a good
old bit of authority baiting. He still
showed absolutely no signs of warming to her at all.
Andrea realised
Tom was waiting for her to respond to his accusation. “I may have been smiling,” she allowed, “But that was only
polite. I was not ‘beaming’”
“Yeah right!”
cried Tom, “Your grin was practically splitting your cheeks. I almost wish for the a return to ‘Icy-bitch
Andrea’ if the other prospect is ‘Whatever-you-say-Major Andrea’. What exactly did the Major do to you that
night when you ran off, was it some kind of secret military brainwashing?”
Andrea had to
remember that the others didn’t know the exact details of the night of the
accident. They certainly didn’t know
that she had saved the Major’s life, or how the Major had subsequently
comforted Andrea through her seizure.
She had let it be known about Maria’s death. Not so everyone would feel sorry for her, she couldn’t really
care less what they thought the cause of her actions might be, but more to
quash some of the rumours that had been spreading round the base about her and
the Major in the wake of their trip to the funeral and their boat trip
together. These ranged from the absurd
– that they were testing some secret weapon that required Andrea’s powers – to
the ridiculous – that they were in the midst of some torrid affair.
Thinking she
didn’t want to encourage them, Andrea hadn’t revealed any other details of that
night or anything else for that matter.
That was between her and the Major and she certainly didn’t want anyone
else knowing of her weakness.
Andrea decided to
go on the offensive instead to deflect Tom from his line of questioning.
“You were the one
who kept telling me to give her a chance and now you’re complaining? Anyway, maybe the Major appreciates someone
who can be serious and professional?”
Tom looked
hurt. “The rest of us can be
professional, we just don’t need to kiss-arse while we’re doing it.”
“I’ll do more
than kiss your arse in a minute!”
Andrea just
managed to catch him with a glancing slap on the backside before he was off
sprinting at unimaginable speed across the grass in the direction of the
base. Andrea didn’t even bother giving
chase, knowing she had no chance of catching him. Though she had been taunting him before about being quicker, that
was only because they made Tom start from so far away from the target. In reality he could run much faster than she
could fly. Instead she made her way
back at her own pace, passing a group of soldiers on their way out to do some
of their own training as she entered the main complex building.
During the walk
back Tom’s words had played over in her mind.
Was she really the Major’s favourite?
She was sure the Major didn’t have such things; she was interested in
the welfare of all her operatives. It
was only because Andrea was new and the recent trauma of Maria’s death that she
was getting special attention, if indeed that was the case.
When she got to
the second floor Andrea was turning for her quarters when she heard voices
round the corner. It was the Major and
Doc Whitman. Andrea had identified the
Major’s voice immediately; it was funny how it seemed to stand out even when
Andrea wasn’t actively listening for it.
She supposed she had walked back to the base slower than she’d realised
if the other woman had beat her back.
Andrea was going to ignore them, though she had to admit she was tempted
to eavesdrop, when something caught her interest and she found herself
listening anyway.
“…I really wish
you would give me these reports without me having to chase after you.”
The thing that
piqued Andrea’s curiosity was that it was Doc speaking. She was surprised at him addressing the
Major in quite such an annoyed tone.
The Major sounded
equally tetchy when she replied. “You
know I’m busy, without having to do something so unnecessary as extra
reporting.”
Andrea wondered
what the extra reporting was, or more precisely who it was about. Considering she was the only new operative
and that there was already something highly suspicious going on where she was
concerned, she thought she had a fair idea who they were talking about.
Doc was
continuing now. “Unnecessary in your
eyes maybe, but the Colonel likes to be kept informed. Far be it for me to tell him otherwise.”
Whatever extra
information the Major was supposed to be supplying she didn’t sound pleased
about it. “Fine, I’ll have it for you
in the morning, all right?”
“Thank you.”
When there was no
more words, Andrea suddenly realised that they must have finished and that Doc
would be rounding the corner any second and running straight into her. She glanced around - there was nowhere to
hide. Apart from…
As Doc came round
the corner he walked straight past Andrea and on down the corridor without
batting an eyelid. Once he had rounded
another corner Andrea floated down from the ceiling where she had been pressed
flat and holding her breath. She allowed
herself a sigh of relief. That would
teach her to listen to other people’s conversations.
Andrea walked off down the corridor to her room, looking forward to a nice long spell under the pounding jets of the shower. Even with superpowers, all the training they were doing was tiring and she’d often find herself worn out by the end of the day. It seemed that the sessions were getting more and more intense and she wondered if there was anything behind that. She still found it hard to believe that there wasn’t some ulterior purpose to their presence on the base, besides research.
It occurred to her that she could just ask the Major outright. However, where once she wouldn’t have cared about offending her superiors, she actually found herself holding back her more rebellious instincts where the Major was concerned. She decided that if it came up in conversation then she would ask, otherwise she would leave it for now.
Entering her quarters she peeled off the combat jacket and flung it on the couch. It was then that something struck her. She cast her eyes around suspiciously. Something wasn’t right. She looked round the shelves and surfaces. The more she did, the more she became convinced that some of her things had been moved. She crossed to the coffee table, picking up the biochemistry journal that sat on top of the wood, turning it over in her hands before glancing back at the tabletop. There had definitely been another magazine on the table when she had left that morning.
Suddenly her bedroom door opened, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. Lieutenant Chadwick came out, a nonchalant look on his dark features
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” demanded Andrea angrily, slapping the journal back down on the table.
“I was just waiting for you, to get a sample for Doc,” he responded evenly, waving a syringe in the air.
“So you thought you’d have a good look through my things while you were at it?”
“No, I was just using the bathroom.”
“There’s another door to the bathroom that doesn’t require you to go through my bedroom,” she reasoned pointing it out. “Or did you want to have a good sift through my underwear drawer too?”
That caused a faint twitch of annoyance in his jaw. “I don’t think I like your tone or the implication.”
“And I don’t think I like you coming into my quarters without permission, looking at my things and moving them around.”
“I told you, I just needed the bathroom, or are you calling me a liar?”
“Yes I am! You’re an arsehole, Chadwick. I better not catch you in here again without me.”
“Or what, you’ll tell your new little friend the Major?” he sneered.
Andrea didn’t like the obvious lack of respect he was showing for the Major. “Yes, if I have to,” she stated.
Chadwick was suddenly up in front of her, trying to intimidate her with his bulk. She thought it was laughable, considering she could probably flick him across the room with her little finger if she wanted to.
“Going to grass me up are you?” he spat, his face mere inches from hers now, “Well, just try it and see how far you get. You think the Major actually cares what you think? She’s just using the lot of you. She just needs to keep you sweet until you’re ready.”
Andrea couldn’t help biting. “Ready for what?”
“Oh, has your good friend not told you then?” Chadwick was smiling nastily at her.
Andrea stared balefully back. “Maybe because there’s nothing to tell,” she proposed. “You’re full of shit, Chadwick. I’ve got your number – you just want to stir things up, make it difficult for the Major. Want her job do you? Like you could do any better. You couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery even if someone got out all the bottles out for you.”
Chadwick was bristling with barely concealed rage now. “You think you’re so bloody superior don’t you,” he seethed, trying to pull himself up even taller so he could tower over her, “Just because you have these super powers. Well, you’re not. You’re just some freak.”
“Better than being a wanker!”
Andrea wasn’t expecting Chadwick to risk any kind of physical confrontation with her, so she was caught completely off-guard when he grabbed for her left arm pulling off her power-regulator in one swift movement.
“Hey, give that back!” she demanded, lunging for it.
He dodged back from her and around the sofa. “Come and get it then,” he taunted, dangling it out at arm’s length.
“You are an utter prick, you know that,” she said scornfully, walking round after him.
He continued to evade her, the pair of them circling the sofa. “Come on, why don’t you fly over here and get me?” he teased once more.
“Because that’s what you want,” replied Andrea, “You actually want me to have a seizure don’t you? Jesus, you are one sick bastard.”
“Afraid to use your powers are you?”
“No,” she stated. She reached out her hand impatiently and thrust her other hand on her hip. “Now just give it back before I lose my temper.”
“I don’t know,” he said, ignoring the upturned palm, “You have these powers and you won’t even use them. Couldn’t even use them to help your friends could you?”
Andrea was shocked; feeling like her breath had been knocked from her body. “What do you know about that?”
“It’s true isn’t it?” challenged Chadwick, “There was your other friend too, wasn’t there? Maria was it? Shame you couldn’t save her either.”
“Don’t you talk about her!”
“Aw, hit a nerve did I?”
“Shut up!”
“I bet she could have used someone swooping in to her rescue…”
Andrea leapt over the sofa, picking Chadwick up by the scruff of the neck and hurling him across the room to crash against the bedroom wall. Rather than looking hurt, he was actually laughing as he staggered back to his feet. Andrea clenched her fingers tightly into fists.
“Is that the best you can do?” he sneered, wiping away a small trickle of blood from his lip with the back of his hand.
“Fuck you!”
Andrea went to jump at him again when a paralysing jolt of pain stabbed in her chest. She cried out in agony, stumbling against the back of the sofa before she hit the carpeted floor. She screwed her eyes shut as another spasm hit, burning her muscles. Through the haze of pain she could sense Chadwick approaching her prone form. She forced her eyes open, to see him looming over her.
“Oops, need a hand do you?” He was practically laughing at her predicament.
“The…regulator…” she managed, forcing the words out between her clenched teeth, “…give…it…to…me.”
“You mean this?” he asked, dangling it above her, out of reach. Not that she could have moved her arm to go for it anyway. “Why don’t you get it?” he suggested, flinging it to the far side of the room.
Andrea gasped again as she tried to move her head to see where it had gone. The slightest movement brought further agonising bolts of pain.
Chadwick knelt down menacingly by her. “And don’t think about saying anything about this to the Major, or you’ll look even more of a fool than you do now.”
Chadwick produced the syringe from amongst his uniform and jabbed it sharply into Andrea’s arm. Despite the agony she was already in she felt the harsh stab of the needle as he took no care whatsoever in how he injected it. Having drawn out a sample of blood he got to his feet.
“Thanks,” he said before leaving her lying where she was and exiting the room.
Andrea now allowed a sob to escape her lips, since there was no one to witness it. The pain just kept coming in wave after wave. Gritting her teeth she tried to turn her head again. It was pure agony but she managed to crane it round enough to see the regulator sitting on the carpet about ten feet away. Steeling herself she attempted to move her arm to flip herself over onto her front.
Fire shot through her limb and it shook as she placed her hand down on the carpet. She had to lie there, panting heavily before she could go any further. After a couple of seconds she started to haul herself across the floor, clawing at the carpet to crawl the short distance to the object that would relieve her torment.
She was a couple of feet away when another lightning bolt of pain juddered through every sinew of her body. She flopped to the floor, groaning into the pile of the carpet. Her fingers snaked out, searching out the band. It was so close, so tantalisingly close, but just out of reach of her grasping fingers. Then a final wave of pain crashed over her and the blackness shortly followed.
……………….
When Andrea finally drifted back into consciousness, the first thing she did was grab the regulator and fasten it round her arm. Once it was in place she allowed herself a small sigh of relief as she sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa back. She ran her trembling fingers through her blonde hair, trying to compose herself before she attempted to stand.
She couldn’t believe she had let Chadwick goad her like that. It was obvious that it was what he’d wanted all along and she had played right into his hands. He had known just what buttons to push to get her to react. She would be more careful next time, thinking that there would no doubt be a next time. She knew she could report the incident to the Major, but she hardly wanted to look like she couldn’t handle an idiot like Chadwick. It was embarrassing that she’d let him get the better of her. Resolving that she would deal with it herself, she pulled herself up using the sofa to rest against. She tested that she could walk all right before she made for the bedroom.
Thirty minutes later she had showered and changed and was heading down to the rec room. After the confrontation with Chadwick she felt like a bit of company, rather than sitting in her room mulling it over. She also had the strong desire for some chocolate. The lack of it in her cupboards had been most disturbing, so now she was on a mission to find some of the comforting food.
Luckily there were some vending machines just outside the rec room and she selected a huge bar of Galaxy [11] . She had already peeled off the wrapper and eaten a couple of chunks when she made her way into the common room. It was reasonably busy, with both pool tables occupied by soldiers having some fun on their off hours. At the snooker table she spied Lieutenant Chadwick. He had caught her entry too, and was now looking at her with an unmistakable smug expression on his face. A brief flash of anger shot through Andrea and she had to consciously stop herself going over there and having it out with him in front of everyone. However, she realised that it probably wasn’t the most appropriate time and place. She merely returned his look with an equally disparaging one, before turning for the seating area in front of the large television.
Tom was in his usual position on the largest of the sofas, shifting his feet off it when he saw Andrea approaching. “Hey there, you’re just in time for the big match,” he noted with a grin.
“Sorry?” said Andrea distractedly, unable to stop herself from glancing over at Chadwick again. He had returned to his game now, but she had the strangest sense that the laughter he was sharing with his opponent was about her.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know!” cried Tom in amazement.
Andrea turned her full attention to the sandy-haired young man.
He rolled his eyes at her continued bemusement. “It’s Liverpool versus Man Utd [12] of course! That’s why I thought you’d come down here.”
“It is?” she asked in surprise, “I guess I must just have lost track of the fixtures with everything else that’s been going on.”
Tom looked abashed at his enthusiasm over a mere football match now that Andrea had reminded him of her recent travails. “Right, yes, of course,” he said awkwardly. “Actually, now you come to mention it, you do look like shit,” he remarked, eyeing her up and down, “Are you all right?”
Andrea made a rueful laugh. “You certainly know how to make a girl feel good about herself.”
Tom laughed too, perhaps more in relief that she had taken his comment lightly. “Oops, sorry, you know us men, sensitive as ever. But seriously is everything ok?”
“Yes, fine,” she replied dismissively, not wanting to get into her Chadwick problems at that moment, “I’m just a bit tired. I’m sure I’ll wake up when we start whipping your butts,” she added more light-heartedly.
“Oh, listen to the confidence!” crowed Tom to no one in particular, “You are in for a world of hurt! There’s no way your bunch of second rate losers is going to beat us.”
“We’ll just watch and see shall we?” she remarked with a sly grin, noting that up on the screen the teams were just exiting the tunnel onto the green grass of Anfield. [13]
“Care to put your money where your mouth is?” pondered Tom by her side.
“Are you trying to tempt an officer of the law into gambling?”
“Come on, it’s just a little wager between friends. Or maybe you’re scared? I would be too given the recent form of your lot.”
“Right, that’s it!” she said with pretend indignation, “I’m not having anyone cast aspersions on Rafa’s men - you’re on! How much do you want to lose?”
“How about twenty quid? And you should be the one preparing to lose it.”
“Twenty it is then,” she agreed offering up her hand for him to shake it to seal the wager.
He had just grabbed it when another voice broke their banter.
“What’s going on here then?”
Andrea’s eyes shot round to see the Major standing behind the sofa, regarding them with friendly suspicion.
“Erm, nothing,” replied Andrea, swiftly dropping Tom’s hand. She suddenly felt like a schoolkid, caught doing something they shouldn’t behind the bikesheds. It was a similar disarming sensation to the one she had felt on the boat. She wondered if the Major had the same effect on everyone. There was just something about her that radiated power and authority, certainly strongly enough to effect someone with Andrea’s normally steely resolve.
It seemed that Tom wasn’t affected, though, since he was laughing at Andrea’s embarrassment. “I’m sure the Major’s not going to be bothered about a spot of small-time gambling. Are you?” he asked using his best puppy eyes on the woman standing behind them.
The Major laughed and uncrossed her arms. “That depends on who you’re betting on,” she remarked, “Though I think I already know the answer in your case Mr Parsons. Which must mean you’ve gone for Liverpool, Andrea.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Andrea couldn’t really think of anything more intelligent to say immediately, finally managing to engage her brain once her eyes had stopped staring at the Major’s open necked uniformed shirt and the skin beneath it. “You know who’s playing then?” she eventually said.
“The small score display in the corner of the screen was a bit of a giveaway,” noted the Major, flicking her eyes at the television, “But, yes, I did know anyway. I thought I might come down here and watch, if you don’t mind me joining you?”
Andrea stuttered ineffectually to formulate a response, the concept of the Major wanting to watch football far too incongruous to allow her to think properly. Luckily for her Tom wasn’t so tardy.
“Sure, pull up a chair,” he said, “Unless you want to squeeze on with us?”
Andrea looked in alarm at the small space left next to her on the sofa. It was designed for three, but it would be a bit of a squash. She let out an inaudible sigh of relief when she saw the Major was making for one of the armchairs instead.
“So who are you going to be rooting for?” asked Tom as she lowered herself into it, neatly crossing her pressed trousers.
“Liverpool, of course.”
“Oh god, not another Liverpool fan!” he exclaimed.
Andrea found it hard to hide her surprise. “You actually support Liverpool? I mean you follow football?”
“Don’t look too shocked,” commented the major with amusement, “Did you think the likes of football was too common for army officers?”
“No,” said Andrea to begin with, before she assessed her thoughts. “Well, yes, maybe a little,” she allowed.
The Major shook her head as she chuckled. “I guess you would be right in the case of some officers. They do like to try and maintain that stuffy image, and a nice civilised game of golf is probably more their cup of tea. But most of us are normal people, we like a bit of football as much as the next person.”
“I don’t know,” interjected Tom, “I’m starting to doubt your sincerity if you claim to be a football fan but at the same time support Liverpool.”
The Major smiled at the gentle punch in the arm Tom received from Andrea for his sarcastic comment.
“I’ve actually supported Liverpool for years,” the Major informed him.
“Ok, so what’s your excuse then?” wondered Tom, “I mean Andrea here has some justification, having been born there. Though I have to say, he continued glancing sideways at the young woman, That it’s a pretty poor reason given that you only stayed there for six months. Mind you, who wouldn’t want to leave as soon as they could?”
Andrea was tempted to deliver him another blow, which he must have sensed as he moved quickly on. “Anyway, I hope you’re not going to tell me you’re a secret scouser too?” he said to the Major.
“Not me, but my father was from Liverpool originally,” she admitted, “It was him who got me interested in the team, even though he’d long since moved on from the city by then. Once a scouser, always a scouser I guess.”
Tom muttered to himself for a moment. “I suppose it’s allowed in your case too then,” he said grudgingly.
A sudden increase in excitement from the match commentator caused all three of them to glance at the screen at that moment, though it wasn’t a goal, merely some other incident. Having been diverted to the television they settled down to watch the match.
Since the Major was sitting just ahead of them, Andrea was able to steal a few surreptitious glances in her direction as the game progressed. She seemed enthralled in the match, her lips pursing and releasing in time with the action. Andrea suspected she didn’t even realise she was doing it, that it was just another quirky mannerism to add to the ever growing list in Andrea’s head.
Andrea was still curious about the Major’s Liverpool connection. She couldn’t quite believe the coincidence of them supporting the same team, though obviously there were lots of people who claimed a passing allegiance. Eventually she leaned forward in her seat so she could speak to the other woman without disturbing Tom.
“You think we’ve got a chance?” she asked to open the conversation.
The Major regarded her for a moment, weighing up her answer. “I’d like to think so,” she replied, keeping her voice low too. “Who knows with Liverpool this season, though. We could win 3-0 or lose by the same score, it’s anyone’s guess.”
Andrea nodded. “Indeed, it’s certainly been a bit of a topsy turvy season, though there’s always Europe still.”
“True. Wouldn’t that be fantastic to win the European Cup after so long? Or the Champions League as it is, though it’ll always be the European Cup to me. I wonder if I can get a temporary posting in Istanbul if we get to the final?”
Andrea thought it not a little weird to be discussing the merits of Liverpool football club with the Major. She would never have imagined the other woman would be the sort to be interested in football, but it was obvious she knew what she was talking about. It just went to show that you never should judge by first impressions. She decided to verify if the Major really was the die-hard fan Andrea already suspected she was or just a casual supporter. “How long have you followed them for?” she asked.
“Too many years to count!” replied the Major, “I actually used to go and watch some games at Anfield with my father when I was a girl. When he wasn’t busy off on some exercise or other.”
Andrea could see a slight faraway look crossing the Major’s face, as she no doubt recalled some of those trips. They looked like fond memories. “That must have been exciting,” said Andrea, “To experience the atmosphere of the Kop [14] firsthand.”
“It certainly was, especially when you’re a wide-eyed ten-year-old. Needless to say I learnt the lyrics of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ pretty quickly.”
Andrea didn’t comment straight away – she was still having trouble picturing a wide-eyed Major as a girl. It was a hard image to conjour given that the other woman was one of the most confident and sure people Andrea had ever met.
“You’ve never been then?” the Major asked while Andrea was thinking.
“No, I’ve always meant to go, but you know how things are - you have all these ideas and then life and work get in the way. I just never seemed to get around to it.”
“Maybe I’ll take you some time?” offered the Major.
Andrea’s breath caught in her throat and she had to take an inelegant gulp to clear it. “Thanks, that would be good,” she managed quickly to hide her momentary surprise. She wasn’t sure if it had just been a casual offer, or if the Major really meant it. Maybe she was just responding in kind to Andrea’s earlier offer of a flight.
Tom’s voice rang out in their direction, relieving the need for Andrea to enquire further.
“Oi, Sherlock, stop nattering! Some of us are trying to watch the game.”
Andrea turned and pouted at him before swinging back to the Major.
“Sherlock?” queried the other woman in bemusement.
Andrea sighed. “It’s Tom’s not very inventive nickname for me.”
“I see,” said the Major, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile, “At least that means you must be one of the gang now, if he’s blessed you with your own nickname.”
“Do you have one?”
“Not that I know of,” disclosed the Major, “Though I’m sure I’m the last person Mr Parsons would tell if he did have some other name for me!”
“For what it’s worth, I’ve not heard him call you anything else other than ‘The Major’. I think he has quite a lot of respect for you.”
A smile flashed briefly across The Major’s face. “It’s nice to know someone does.”
“I think most people round here do.”
“Does that include you?”
Andrea wondered why the Major was concerned about what she thought, and yet the other woman seemed to be hanging, waiting expectantly for the answer.
“I would say you’ve started to win me round,” said Andrea, not wanting to make things too easy for the Major.
The Major’s lips turned ever so slightly upwards at the corners of her mouth as she recognised Andrea’s evasive answer. “At least that’s some progress,” she noted with a tilt of the head, “I guess I’ll just have to try that bit harder.”
Again Andrea wondered why the Major was so bothered, why she would feel the need to try harder. She supposed that the Major felt similarly about everyone under her command. That she felt the need to gain their trust. It probably made them easier to command, to have them on your side and believing whole-heartedly in your abilities, rather than going for the other tactic of purely bossing everyone around and making them follow orders just because that was just the way things were.
A small bleep from the Major’s wrist indicated that someone was trying to get hold of her.
“Damn, looks like duty calls,” she said, glancing down at the communicator. “I’m counting on you to uphold the Liverpool side of things in my absence,” she added as she got up from her chair.
“Before you go,” said Andrea waylaying her, “I meant to ask if I could make a phone call this evening.”
“Yes, that’s fine,” replied the Major, “In fact you don’t need to ask in future, we’ll get you permanently connected up. Though of course we will still be monitoring communications.”
“Of course,” agreed Andrea, “But thank you.”
The Major smiled and made her leave from the rec room. It was only when Andrea turned back and noticed Tom studying her that she realised she had been tracking the other woman out the door.
“See,” he said, “It’s like I told you before - you’re the new favourite.”
Andrea blessed him with a withering look. “Just shut up and watch the match!”
……
The Major glanced at her watch in annoyance. She’d been hoping to get back and at least see the end of the game, but the conversation with Colonel Parsons had dragged on much longer than she would have hoped or wanted. Sometimes she did wonder if he trusted her as much as he made out, since he felt the need to check in quite so often.
Or maybe he was just particularly interested in Andrea’s progress, since she had been one of the main topics of conversation. That only served to make her more suspicious about the warehouse incident and more tempted to look into it, even though the Colonel had expressly ordered her not to.
It was now just after ten and the Major supposed there was little point heading back up to the rec room now, she may as well turn in for the night. The Colonel’s persistent questioning had a way of draining her anyway and her bed was looking increasingly attractive.
She was heading for the door to the leave the secure communications centre, when she decided she may as well check in on the men carrying out monitoring next door. It could be a tedious job, stuck in that underground room for hours on end, and a good word from their commanding officer might not go amiss.
As she entered the Major noted the two soldiers sat at the main desk area in the room, one man and one woman. In front of them sat a bank of security monitors, displaying pictures of various locations round the base. Both of them wore headphones and were oblivious to her presence. A third soldier was doing some maintenance on the surveillance and electronic equipment that was stacked in racks around the other walls. He had one box open, wires sprawling all over the place. Hearing the click of the door his eyes flicked up and he quickly leapt to his feat.
“Major,” he said, standing to attention.
She managed to hold back a smile. “At ease, Private Hawkins, before you sprain something.”
“Is there something wrong, Major?” he asked.
“No, just thought I’d pop in to see how you were doing,” she explained. “Having a few problems with the equipment were you?” she asked, indicating the exposed wires with her eyes.
“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he informed her, “Just a bit of routine maintenance. All cameras and devices are working as expected round the base.”
“Good, and nothing else to report?”
“No, a quiet night, just how we like it.”
He reached over to tap the other soldiers on the shoulder and they swivelled round, almost falling off their seats when they saw who was in the room. They quickly removed their headphones, unplugging them so they could hear anything that happened on the speakers. For the moment all that filled the room was the sound of static. Both of them then shot up from their chairs, standing stiffly.
“At ease,” the Major ordered for the second time, “I just came in to see how you were doing, it’s not an official inspection.”
They visibly relaxed. “We’re good thanks, Major,” answered the man.
The Major glanced oddly at the female soldier who was staring back like a deer caught in the headlights. “And are you all right, Private Ramis? You look rather flushed.”
The woman managed to stutter out her answer. “Y-yes, I’m fine, thank you, Major.”
Suddenly there was a crackle from the speakers and a familiar voice resounded round the room. It was Andrea. She was obviously just starting a phone conversation.
“Sorry, I’ll put it on the headphones,” said Ramis, diving for them.
“No, it’s all right,” the Major said, stopping her, “It was only a flying visit, I’ll leave you to it since you’re busy.”
“Right you are, ma’am.”
The Major just about prevented herself from rolling her eyes at the terminology. Having wished them goodnight, she made for the door but found herself stopping for a moment to listen to the broadcast conversation. She told herself that it was just to make sure that Andrea didn’t abuse her newfound freedom, and nothing to do with being nosey. Andrea had actually stopped speaking now and another woman’s voice filled the room. It took a couple of seconds for the Major to place it as that of Meg, Andrea’s former girlfriend who she had met briefly at Maria’s funeral.
“Gerry’s fine, though I think he hates having to stay in
for hours while I’m at work”
“Well, you could always leave him out, I’m sure he can
fend for himself. He should be
acclimatised to his new surroundings by now,” replied Andrea.
“Maybe, but I don’t want to lose your cat for you. I want to keep him safe and sound until you get back here, whenever that might be. Any idea when you’re going to be finished doing whatever it is you’re doing?”
There was the minutest of pauses before Andrea answered. “No, I’m afraid not. Hopefully I’ll be back to London at some
point soon.”
“Is there any chance we can meet up before then? Just for a chat or a drink or
something. I don’t want to lose touch.”
“I’m not sure if that’s really possible,” replied Andrea evasively.
“Bloody hell, it sounds like you’re in prison or
something…you’re not are you?”
Andrea’s laugh was detectable over the speakers. “No, I’m not in prison! I’m just doing something for the government which is why I can’t really talk about it, the Official Secrets’ Act and all that.”
“Ok, I just hope it’s finished soon…” there was a pause in the conversation, and the Major thought for a moment that the line had gone dead. “I miss you, you know,” added Meg eventually. The Major thought she heard a sigh from Andrea’s end. “Sometimes I just wonder if we were too hasty in breaking up, just because…”
“Meg…” Andrea was quick to intervene in a wary tone, no doubt to cut Meg off before she revealed something Andrea didn’t want those listening to know.
“I know, I know, raking over old ground,” said Meg,
an air of resignation in her tone, “It’s all right, you don’t have to say
anything, it’s just me being maudlin.”
The Major was starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable listening to the personal conversation. She had monitored lots of calls in the past, yet for some reason this particular one was making her uneasy. She decided that the best way to relieve that was to leave the room, though another part of her was desperate to stay and listen to the rest of the call. She almost had to force herself out the door and into the quiet corridor.