IMAGINATION'S PLACE
FICTION
SCHEDULED MAINTAINENCE
By; Gerald A. Polley
The Ancient One and his companions stopped at the military
base where he received his messages. He activated the key pad on
the door and entered. His companions followed him. He sat down at
a stool by one of the computers and began to check messages. He
found one from the operations commander of the southern Afghan
theater. He was about to begin reading it when he heard the
keypad on the door.
"Military uniforms!" he snapped. With flashes of light
The Ancient One took on his human form and an Air Force uniform
with general's insignias. His female companion took on a Marine
Corps uniform with major's insignias, and his male companion took
on an Army uniform with captain's insignias. So as the door
opened and a young blonde very attractive female lieutenant
entered in an Army uniform carrying a tool box, they didn't seem
too out of place. When the lieutenant saw them she quickly came
to attention.
"Beg pardon, sir!" she snapped. "Didn't know you
were here, sir! Should I return later, sir?"
"What is your assignment, lieutenant?" The Ancient One
asked, "And, at ease!" The lieutenant relaxed.
"General maintanence, sir," she answered. "Some of
these units are pretty old. The batteries in them need to be
changed."
"Can you begin your work," The Ancient One asked,
"and not disturb this unit?"
"Yes, sir!" the lieutenant answered. "I should be
some time working on the other two before I get to that
one."
"Then carry on!" The Ancient One answered.
"Thank you, sir!" the lieutenant snapped, and quickly
headed for one of the other consoles. "Mind if I
watch?" The Ancient One's male companion requested.
"Not at all!" The Ancient One answered, "If it
will not disturb the lieutenant's work."
"Oh, certainly not!" the lieutenant answered. "If
the captain has any questions I would be glad to answer."
She busied herself and The Ancient One went back to the email.
"General Star, a doctor from Physicians Without Borders has
come to me complaining that we are carrying on a covert germ
warfare operation. He says several key Taliban leaders had sexual
relations with two captured aide workers. Now those men and their
wives all have a virulent form of AIDS that is lethal within a
year. He has found out that both those aide workers died months
after they were released. He says this type of deliberate
infection is against all principles of decency. He says he
believes other men have been infected that kidnapped two girls
that recently moved back into a village. He intends to make
complaints to the proper authorities, and asks that we
discontinue any further operations of this nature! He not only
asks, he demands! Should I take any actions against him?"
The Ancient One sat back, staring at the computer console, then
quickly began typing. "General, take no action. This
situation will be blocked at higher echelon. There is no need to
take any action at your level. The doctor will only be a problem
to us for a few months. No one will take his accusations
seriously. Everyone will just say these Taliban had some bad luck
by putting something where it didn't belong! Good work on
Operation Smoke Screen! Here is the latest information I have for
you." The Ancient One quickly typed out a considerable
amount of data. When he was done he rose. "Did you see what
you wanted to see?" he asked the captain.
"Yes sir!" the captain answered. "I think I'd be
able to handle the procedure if necessary!"
"Good!" The Ancient One answered. "We have to go
now."
"Excuse me sir," the lieutenant spoke up. "If you
have a moment?"
"Certainly!" The Ancient One answered. 'What is it,
lieutenant?"
"Well, sir," the lieutenant began, "you're rather
of the legend around here. Some people think you don't actually
exist, that you're a cover story. Could you give me your
autograph, sir, so I can show it to people and prove to them I
actually met you?" The Ancient One smiled. He picked up a
clip board and took a piece of paper off from a note pad, wrote
on it, signed it, then handed it to the lieutenant. The
lieutenant took it and read it aloud.
"To Lieutenant Merriweather, with depest regards. The next
time she meets her grandfather may she give him my good wishes!
General Northern Star, United States Air Force." The
lieutenant looked up, wide eyed. "My grandfather, sir?"
"Yes!" the general answered. "It's amazing that in
just two generations you have none of your grandmother's Asian
features!"
The lieutenant smiled. "Only somebody that knows my family
would know that!" she remarked. "Thank you, sir!"
The Ancient One nodded and they left. When they were concealed in
the woods they took their true forms. "Why do I get the
feeling," his female companion remarked, "you and her
grandfather had quite an adventure together?"
The Ancient One smiled again. "That's another story,"
he commented, "for another time!"
He winged skyward and his companions followed suit, his male
companion muttering "Damn cliff hangers!"
THE END