That thrice damned alarm again. Every time I slap it off the nightstand into the wall it breaks, but then is fine and back in position the moment my back is turned. It was infuriating. Today was back to the grind. I would be on call, but not active duty. Karen cleared it after last night.

I completely understood why. I was still a mess.

So no training today, even though later on I would be expected to be at the base for tomorrow. I knew Karen would be by soon so I snagged some coffee and started toast. Toast is essential to a good day.

"Grex, Veni huc!"

He appeared in the chair in front of me. He actually looked contrite.

"You called mistress?"

"Grex you are never to pull the crap you pulled on my family to anyone else. Got it?"

"I...understand mistress. I will not manipulate such situations again... unless you order it of course."

Well I never would, so that works.

"Good. You may have some coffee, but save some for Karen."

"Thank you mistress."

The book reading and coffee sipping calmed me a bit, esoteric elements theory taking some of the sting out. At least till I read far enough.

"Who the hell could believe this crap?!? The four elements making up matter themselves? The body being made up of the right elements mixed? This book is garbage!"

I caught Grex's glance at the cover.

"You're correct, it was written well before human understanding of such concepts of cells and atoms existed, and is therefore incomplete. It does however still serve as a viable method to learning spells based on nature, for those that can fathom such."

He actually just said it. While I was still pissed at him.

"Are you calling me stupid?"

"Not at all. I am merely saying that it is a simplistic approach to creating spells dealing with nature. Obviously with the advancements in mankind's understanding that approach is dated. You don't need it in any case."

"I don't? Why...."

Karen chose that moment to interrupt, her yell of 'hi!' probably woke everyone on the floor. She didn't bother with knocking, or a key. By the way she all but teleported to my side, she was also a fan of blitzkrieg.

"How are you this morning?"

The chipper tone belied the concern in her eyes. I replied in like tone.

"I'm fine, I make it a point to only shatter once a day. Grex and I have just finished 'the talk', where he agrees to be less of a scumbag because I order it."

Karen spared a glance at Grex, who remained impassive.

"Good talk."

"I liked it."

She poured herself some coffee and sat.

"So what are you planning to do today? We will need to have you at the base by tomorrow for training, but that leaves some time."

"Not a clue."

"Then let's wake up a bit then go have some fun."

Fun huh?

"Alright I'll bite, what do summoners do for fun?"

"A little of this, a little of that. We'll think of something. For starters lets just get some breakfast in us and then drive around like we have somewhere to be. Then we can simply do whatever strikes us."

"Alright. Grex, cook us breakfast. I want eggs sausage and toast...and no surprises of any kind."

"As you wish mistress."

Karen's thumbs up wasn't exactly a surprise. I swear she thinks with her stomach.

"That's telling him. Last summoner that didn't make sure ended up with some questionable meat on his menu... it was a bad day."

The silence as we were eating quickly became a bit awkward. I didn't mind that much though.

"So um, looks like element magic."

Karen seemed to though.

"Yeah, that book is a load of crap. Flies full in the face of science."

"Um, isn't what we do flying in the face of science?"

"Possibly, do we know enough to be sure?"

"Ummm, we do?"

"Maybe we do, maybe we don't. Not willing to give up on magic being explainable by science just yet."

The bemusement chased the confusion from her face.

"Good luck with that."

"Meh. Everyone needs a hobby. So you about ready?"

"Let me finish my coffee."

"Alright, be right back."

Ok, so I was a bit neurotic. Wasn't going to eat breakfast without brushing my teeth after. Dressing was probably a good idea too. Some fatigues later and it was time to go.

"Ok let's roll."

"Alright, your car."

"Fine."

It took me a few steps before I realized we were short one.

"Grex get out here, you're coming."

"Of course mistress."

He came out and locked up... and had a travel mug in his hand.

"Seriously?"

"What mistress? I like your coffee. Seems a shame to waste any."

"Whatever."

At least driving was relaxing. Not as relaxing knowing a demon was in the seat behind me, and Karen singing along to pop tunes she inflicted my radio with wasn't helping. No idea who it was, but they were annoying.

"Onward! Take a left here."

I dealt with the instructions, mainly through deep breaths and counting. Then I realized where she was telling me to go.

"The mall? Really? Haven't we...."

"No! No, there is no such thing as too much shopping. You need real clothes rather than just fatigues. Besides there are other things to do at the mall."

"Like what?"

"Like movies, and the food court, and book stores, and...."

"Alright, alright, I get it."

I parked out in the parking lot boonies as is my usual wont, hiking past the tumbleweeds. Karen looked more than a little put out, but I found it hard to care. The crazy grin as she started by dragging me into shops however was something I cared about. I was rather forced to.

Petty revenge apparently involves make up counters.

I put my foot down in time to catch the early matinee, late '60s spaghetti summoner movies I wanted to laugh through. They were every bit as lol worthy as anticipated. Karen was her usual loud self and even Grex chuckled a few times. The only minor hitch was I had to pay to get him in... after all he was passing as human.

I never liked these movies much as a child; my mom used to call them trash, and I figured she of all people would know. Dad watched a few of the more notable ones, but I didn't want to know. Catching up now only seemed fitting. And of course, the very activity that was supposed to get me thinking of something else brought me back to my parents.

Sometimes I was a genius. Yul Brenner made an excellent summoner though. All dark and evil seeming. How they managed to get that one guy look like such a realistic demon though, I'll never know. It went well beyond rubber or latex.

Very much the opposite of say, godzilla.

Nevertheless what little we could watch of it (all day matinee, and we had to leave after 3 movies in) did it's job. We were both laughing so hard that the ushers were all set to ask us to leave...then they really saw us. They just quietly walked back out. We got the message though and stifled ourselves till we made it out of the theatre.

"Can you believe that guy? He's all having that touching dying scene with demons all around him and they don't just rip his head off once! Such bullcrap."

I shook my head as Karen skipped ahead of me; that statement had drawn a few stares from pissed off movie-goers.

"well that's hollywood for you. Didn't want to show the real blood and guts back in those days."

My reply of course, drew more stares, this time from people actually looking at us and taking in my fatigues... and my hair. While the lighting was a bit low to see my eyes, white hair was usually a sign of someone surviving an incident of great stress. Car wrecks, drowning, combat, and most importantly demon attack... all these things had been known to turn human hair white.
I was encouraging people to make that assumption. My playful mood wasn't really logical and acting like a grizzled veteran wasn't really charitable of me... but I didn't give a damn.

"Ugh, I'm already sick of packing."

I got in my car and Karen followed with a shrug.

"You'll get used to it."

"I really hope not, but you're probably right."

"The best way to do it is to have 3 or 4 different bags, all for different places. Like a duffel full of fatigues and stuff for the base, and extra robes and such for the station, and regular clothes for just whatever. Then you put them all in your car and vary between them."

"Sounds like too much work; laundry day would suck."

Karen nodded.

"It does, especially when you forget a bag. But usually the benefits outweigh the stinky risks."

"I'll think about it."

Of course to truly have such bags work for me I'd have to have multiples of everything; toothbrushes, shampoo, etcetera. A bit expensive but it might work. And of course Grex could do my laundry. Why? Because it's Grex. Right now any dirty job I could come up with was too good for him.

The drive seemed to fly by yet drag at the same time. I was getting that a lot lately. I wanted to believe that it was related to my new powers, but knew it wasn't.

"you're too quiet."

"Sorry Karen, nothing really to say."

"No worries. Well we're here, time to split up."

I'd almost forgotten that she had to report in too.

"OK then, your car this time. Not taking mine out into that desert den of thieves and cutthroats."

"Ha! sure. You know where I'm parked. You'll likely get done before me; just be patient ok?"

"Sure."

I wanted to make Grex pack for me; but I knew I couldn't really trust him to. knowing my luck my fatigues would end up the newest goth fashion. So I did the next best thing, as soon as I got my door open.

"Grex, make me some green tea; the correct way, none of the instant."

He bowed and smirked, the bastard.

"Of course mistress."

I took cleansing breaths as I packed. And of course I packed according to my list, so I wouldn't forget anything. then I double checked it; after all, I had time.

"Mistress, tea is ready."

"Put it in the thermos Grex. Any book you'd recommend I take?"

"I recommend you finish the Agrippa. It may help you."

"Yeah how so?" I threw the bag his way and picked up the offending piece of nonsense.

"Because it has good rituals for elemental protection, mainly. A good look at page 379 will show you a way to mitigate the lightning that Karen's lackey is always throwing around."

"Are there really that many demons that use lightning?"

His response was tol hold up a hand of flickering, arcs of blue. I sighed.

"Of course, everybody and their brother uses lightning. How could I be so dense?"

"Well mistress, it's not quite that bad. Far more use fire. but lightning can be very destructive. Most of us of the 9th circle know at least a little of that element."

"OK. Suppose I'll learn. Come on Grex, you get the bag."

I sipped tea while walking down, with Grex deferentially behind. Reaching the parking lot I leaned up against Karen's Hum-vee. And sipped, and waited. And sipped, and waited. What the hell did she have to pack anyway? It was a military base, and her bag was supposedly already in the back! I checked, there were two bags.

So I sipped a bit more, and waited. Grex was playing some sort of cat's cradle with strings of fire, and I watched idly. I probably should put a stop to it... but screw it. It was more entertaining than staring at the parking lot. I kind of expected it to garner more of an audience, but it didn't.

"Ok, ready to go? Oh...huh. Neat trick Grex."

"Thank you Karen. Your sense of timing leaves much to be desired, as usual."

Holy crap. She had two suitcases. Two! What the hell, was she moving in?

"Staying a month or something?"

"Nah, just the two days, or I'd be having you drive your own car. Just got some extra stuff I need to hand the general."

"So one is full of work? Does that mean you need to handcuff it to yourself?"

She unlocked the car and climbed in. I followed, belting up.

"Nah, that kind of thing went out of vogue in the 70's, when people starting just cutting the hands off."

Ouch.

"That would have to suck. Anyone you know?"

"Hah, no. Just read the old records when you get to the base, the Russians weren't always nice, even when they were our
allies."

I caught myself gaping and closed my mouth.

"You mean the Russians did that to us?"

"It happened a few times. I think they are more circumspect now, and a bit less bloodthirsty. Could have to do with their country suffering regular invasions now. That seems to clear up any anti-American shenanigans or cold war type bullshit right off."

I sipped a bit.

"Yeah I can see how having your country get owned by demons would make for a bit of mellowing towards your fellow humans. So how bad is Russia anyway? The newscasts are kind of sketchy."

"Always are anymore; we learned the value of generalities a good 20 years ago."

I assume she meant the army there.

"So?"

"Same as everywhere else really. Slowly losing ground. They haven't suffered a full invasion yet, France is taking most of the brunt there. But still, regular incursions of demons numbering in the hundreds enter the country each year, and we have a large presence there working with local troops in order to keep the territory from going up in flames. At least none of the major cities have fallen yet."

"That's an achievement."

She shook her head as we hit the road out of town.

"Yes and no. The cities don't fall because the russians just throw people at the demons until they go down; that is no way to win a war. That's not even a very good way to buy time. They even train prisoners and send them out; it's said that thievery and assault are death sentences for that very reason. Murderers are just driven to the frontier by truck and marched out with a blade. I've seen it. The demons wait for the soldiers to leave then jump the prisoners. The field is littered with thousands of runed daggers that the soldiers don't dare try to recollect."

OK, that was shudder worthy.

"I almost think I'd rather be posted in France."

"Can't really say which one is worse to be honest; they both have their good points. Russia is only subject to incursion, not demonic occupation. France is... well France is a hell of sorts. At least occupied France is."

Grex decided to add his two cents.

"I've been to france. It wasn't that bad. Now Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia... those places remind one of home."

"Thanks Grex, for that lovely commentary. Now please be silent for a bit unless my life is in danger, OK?"

He nodded, unperturbed. Karen shot me a glance in between watching the road.

"Still pissed huh?"

"Perhaps a bit. So, you were saying?"

"Yeah was just going to get to the countries Grex mentioned. Not a single person has made it to Germany in recent years, though some have tried; so we don't know what's going on there. Poland is pretty much gone; the land is diseased somehow and the people are dead. Czechoslovakia, Bosnia, a few other small countries between the old fronts of the war are then same way, but a little less far along. The rumor is that if the land goes to ruin for another 10 to 20 years, we won't ever be able to recover it - it'll be worse than the sahara or gobi for all intents and purposes."

"So where will I get sent when they decide to ship me out, do you think?"

"I think you know it's France for you. The language of love, hot guys, and fine wines all the way. Just my guess though, pretty sure that you won't get sent anywhere else. Knowing the french, they will ask for you by name as soon as they know you're active."

I tore myself from idle speculation about why the road with no lights along it was so bright to me while Karen was squinting.

"Why would they do that?"

"It's a family thing Snow, your mom and dad are well known there. But I wouldn't worry about it now, you likely won't have to do your tour for a year; the ADTF is already raving about you. It shouldn't take too long to entrench you here, provided you want that to happen."

"I don't really have an opinion; I go where I'm sent."

I caught Karen giving me another one of her sideways glances.

"Then you'll likely be staying here for at least six months. The general has you fast tracked; all the best instructers, latest knowledge, and best equipment. You'll be better than he is, if he has anything to say about it. That or you'll crack."

"I won't crack. I'll simply tell my on staff shrink to get the general to lighten up if it becomes a problem."

"Hah! I'll do my best to keep the heat down to a low simmer. Say... what are you drinking?"

"Green tea. I think Grex spiked it with lime though. Want some?"

"Sure."

An easy companionable silence settled over the car; just miles of hypnotizing road and no speech as we passed the thermos between us. By the time we reached the base it was empty. And of course, I didn't know about Karen, but I had to pee like a racehorse. I managed to make it to the base by telling myself if I went in the desert a snake would bite me. It would be silly
to survive all I had so far and die of snake bite.

Karen of course answered my question as she handed our credentials over to the gaurd.

"Hurry up damn it, I have to pee! Stupid tea."

The gaurd smirked and I could feel Grex's amusement just rolling off him in waves from the backseat. He probably planned it or spiked it somehow, the bastard. The guard made an exaggerated show of checking our photos and comparing them to us.

"Here you are ma'am."

Karen took the cards and shot past the guard; he jumped back just in time. Her reckless driving was impressive in a way; she took chances worse than a high school student in a mustang, yet didn't hit anything or anyone. The haphazard parking job was almost a work of art in and of itself, and right in front of the tower no less.

"Come on, come on!"

Karen was out the door and running.

"What about your bags?"

"I'll grab them later! Come on!"

I rolled my eyes,hiked up my robe, and followed.

"Grex, grab my bags and take them to the room I first summoned you in. I'll join you later."

"Yes mistress."

Karen was obviously a bit out of shape; I caught her easily. After a week of running with the ADTF, I was pretty much used to how this body worked. At least for running and shooting; I was pretty sure my hand to hand sucked. Or sucked again, as it were. After a smirk of my own, I passed her just long enough to enter first. She brushed past me and into the first stall as I
stopped. I won't just sit down on any public toilet.

"You know, that stall could be all gross."

"Don't care, got to pee!"

Odd, they were all clean. Like, very clean. Or maybe not so odd, this is a military post. I'm sure cleaning the bathrooms was a standard punishment for screw ups. I finished just slightly before Karen. She came out as I was washing up.

"Wow, I had more tea than you; what were you doing in there, swimming?"

"Ha Ha, you may have had more tea than I did, but I had more whiskey than you."

"You drank?"

Her eyes got shifty.

"Um... I might have. Not while driving, but I might have snuck a few earlier when you weren't looking. That and when you were driving."

Ugh.

"Whatever, just don't do it on the job OK? And if you're going to let me know, I'll drive."

"But I didn't do it while driving, I know my limits."

"I'm sure you do, but that is the same thing drunk drivers say all the time. I'ts a peeve of mine, I'd rather just drive than
worry about it."

She looked like she was a puppy and I'd just kicked her... really, it was a bit disconcerting. Then she ruined it.

"Alright, alright mom. Will do."

I punched her in the arm, and she led the way out laughing.

"Come on, let's go get checked in so we aren't considered AWOL."

"You think they'll tow your car? I do."

"Nah, they know it's mine, they will leave it where it is for at least an hour. THEN they'll tow it."

I sighed.

"You have kind of a lackluster reputation, don't you?"

"Maybe; but it doesn't matter. Come on!"

She dragged me along back to the middle of the tower, where the administrative section was. There were a dozen clerks, all with large desks - not a single one had a line. Karen walked up to the first one with me in tow, and slapped her card down with a bang. The bored looking man with circles under his eyes looked up briefly.

"Oh it's you, alright, the infamous Kare bear and... who are you?"

"Maeve Numens."

I showed my card.

"Right, Kare bear and miss Numens, reporting for duty. Have fun you guys."

He wrote a note on a sticky pad. I swear....

"Come on, all done. Let's go to the officers' club and see who else is here!"

And again I was dragged away.

"Wait, Karen our cards!"

"Don't worry, don't worry. We can get them later. Let's go see who's here!"

"No need to drag me, I can walk. Sheesh."

"Yes but dragging you ensures you don't walk away. Come on!"

Damn, she knows me well. She didn't let go of my arm until we were actually going inside; I'd never been here before. The place was on the south side, the very right of the tower itself, and had it's own door for those that didn't want to walk through the tower proper.

This was a segregated place; the regular military also had an officers' club on base, but the higher ups wanted to avoid... complications that could be caused if we mingled. And fights. Summoners versus non summoner fights were very rare,but not unheard of. Usually the end results of sucha fight was a death, and training someone to have them die in a barfight was expensive and wasteful.

The place seemed like a typical dingy bar; plenty of smoke in the air, music from the old beaten up jukebox in the corner, and a double line of pool tables. It was nearly packed of course, and that was where all similarities ended. The smoke was redolent of sulfur; speaking to the sudden comings and goings of demons within it's confines. The music was oddly enough, classical; Vivaldi if I wasn't mistaken. And absolutely everyone here was in a robe.

I spotted a few familiar faces among the throng; Justin Bell was playing pool with a woman I didn't recognize. She had a few years on him and I tentatively pegged her as an instructor here... she just didn't look tough enough to be a soldier. At a table near the jukebox and in a position to watch both doors my C.O. Terrence Jones was playing cards. I also recognized
Robert Hood, Sal Lockland, Missy Berret, and Han Chi at the table - they were all from my summoner class and were housed some doors down from myself a week ago.

So they were potentially my squad mates. Terrence being there made it almost a given; he wasn't known for being extroverted. Karen grabbed my hand again and dragged me over. She then drew me up in front of Terrence, who had caught on and was watching us with bemusement. I rolled my eyes and he stifled a laugh. I knew what Karen wanted.

"Maeve Numens reporting for duty, sir."

I snapped as smart and precise a salute as I could. He returned a lazier one.

"At ease Leutinant Snow, please pull up a chair. Now you're all in trouble, our class star is here; try to get perfect scores
now."

I felt my eyebrows lifting at this grandiose anouncement.

"Whatever Leutinant Clay, think I'll just sit over here."

I took a seat opposite him, well away from shenanigan distance, and next to Missy.

"Karen, since you dragged me here, get me a drink? Something cold, wet and beer like?"

"Sure, be right back."

At least on base, the deal was that if you were old enough to summon demons from hell and kill in the name of the United States of America, then you were old enough to drink, period. Hmm, they were playing poker and it looked like Robert was winning. Clay spoke up.

"Since you haven't been formally introduced, I'll go ahead and do it. From the left we have Robert 'Sneaky' hood, Sal 'Grit' Lockland, Missy 'Queenie' Berret, Han 'Hancho' Chi; Everyone, that there is Snow white."

We all said hello to each other in a muted sort of sound cluster that no one really paid attention to.

"So who is sitting out?" I asked.

Clay responded with a grin.

"Hancho there, we cleaned him out earlier. You're welcome to wait and play when one of us bows out, usually we do a poker game or two every friday night."

"I'll just watch for now, you lot scare me."

Clay got the joke, judging by his smirk; the others looked lost.

"Alright Grit, deal... It's your turn, and the night isn't getting any younger."

(tbc)