The Center: Children of the Tainted Water Chapter 9 by Maggie Finson

“Niiice office.” Kris grinned while giving my official digs in Colorado a slow looking over. “I’m jealous.”

“What can I say? My name was on the door when I got here.” I shrugged while waving her to a seat and getting a diet Pepsi for her and a regular coke — I called it unleaded — then handed her drink over while popping the top of mine. “Besides, it’s kind of nice to have people out there taking care of all the niggling little details without me hanging over their shoulders even by accident.”

She nodded, took a sip of her Pepsi then gave me a serious look. “Colonel Harris is very pleased with how you’ve handled things out here, you know. And I don’t just mean that Syndicate crap.”

“Got good people in the right places, is all.” I shrugged. “I let them do their jobs and only butt in if I think something can be improved on without tearing down everything they’ve already done.”

“That’s what I mean, Luce.” Shaking her head she grinned again. “You’re a natural for this kind of thing, and a certain Airborne Colonel speaks very highly of you, too. You’ve already started winning friends, and respect out in the military community.”

“Nice as that is,” I frowned, “I wish some of the reasons hadn’t happened.”

“Yeah, that’s a mess that isn’t going away any time soon.” She agreed while moving a stray hair with a little flip of one hand to get it out of her face. “This Syndicate is still out there, we know of at least three other facilities they have here in the states if not their precise locations. One of those others is out of action now, but they have more that are still active. I can’t say that I like their methods or goals at all, either.”

“I’m with you on that one.”

“One thing you need to be thinking about right now regarding that is that you’re probably pretty prominent on their threat radar, too.” She grimaced. “You’ve been pretty much personally responsible for setting their operations back by months at least.”

“I’m being careful.” I assured her with a little shudder. “Just please don’t saddle me with obvious bodyguard types right now?”

“You can take care of yourself, Luce.” She answered. “Just be careful when you’re out and about is all.”

My phone, on the desk chirped and I shook my head as I got up to take the call. “Xaing.”

I listened for a minute then let out a sigh I was careful to hide from the mouthpiece. “Martin, if the guy is being such an ass about this he can be replaced.”

“Yes, I know we need the stuff.” I agreed then listened again. “If he insists. Put him through.”

Xiang.” I announced shortly once the connection had changed over. “If you aren’t calling to apologize you’d better have a good reason for taking up my time, Mr. Reynolds.”

“I understand.” Nodding and frowning, I listened a bit more before interrupting. “Reynolds, I don’t want excuses. You contracted with us and you haven’t lived up to the agreement. Either have those light panels here by tomorrow morning or I’ll personally pull your contract and mark you as a liability for other military and civilian contractors. Got it?”

I smiled a little grimly at his response. “If, in future, you don’t feel that my people are as accommodating as you’d like. Don’t call me to bitch about it. Oh, if I see one, ONE extra charge for ‘rush delivery’ or anything else, even if you deliver on my deadline, I’ll have your contract and clearances yanked so fast your nose will bleed. Understand me?”

He did, I closed the connection and grimaced. “Sorry about that. The guy is related to some senator and thinks that should get him special treatment.”

Kris just shook her head in bemused wonder. “The Dragoness speaks. I can see you need some time off here, hon.”

“Have to admit a little down time would be nice.” I answered then shrugged. “But there is still so much to do here, I can’t just…”

“Yes you can, and you will.” She firmly told me. “That’s an order and not just from me. The Colonel has it taken care of. Here are your leave papers. Three days off. Period. Go enjoy the mountains and take Sean with you. No arguments, no leaving numbers where you can be reached, go have some fun and relax.”

“But…”

“Luce,” she quite firmly interrupted, “didn’t you just tell me you had good people here for getting this place up and running on time?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Then stop arguing. The place was getting along before you got here — with a couple of regrettable exceptions that you took care of — and it will survive three days without you playing mother hen.”

“Estes Park?” I questioned while reading the hotel reservations included with the official military paperwork involved in a leave.

“Yup.” Kris grinned. “World class hotel, close to here, lots to do and see, and it’s paid for. Here’s your credit card for the other stuff. Just don’t get too creative with how you use it or go overboard. Enjoy.”

I let a dreamy smile slowly take over my expression. Me, Sean, hotel room, no interruptions for a change…

“Okay, okay.” I leaned back and shook my head. “You win. Vacation time starts as soon as I warn people and can round Sean up.”

“Major Fitzhugh, your chief of staff. Remember him? He’s already been informed and is notifying the appropriate people.” Kris gave me an evil grin. “So get your butt out of this office, get packed and you’ll find Sean waiting at the front gates with your transportation. Now go have a good time.”

“Can I finish my Coke first?”

She almost snorted Pepsi out her nose when I asked that one.

A secluded and secure office somewhere in northern New York State.

Carson glanced out the window, barely appreciating the view of forested hills that to the unimformed went against all visions of New York State then returned his attention to the underling who was presenting him with the information. “So that’s her?”

“Yes sir.”

“Lucinda Evangaline Xiang.” He mused and whispered the name while staring at the grainy photo of an absurdly young looking Asian girl with long black hair and startling green eyes. “Hard to believe she’s that dangerous to us.”

“She tracked down our mole in Hom Sec’s Colorado site, resisted what was one of the most powerful dominators we’ve fielded yet, and personally killed her.” The other man pointed out. “Then she orchestrated the take downs of both a minor lab in Limon, Colorado and the strike that took out section three in Arizona. Which she personally took part in and in so doing also managed to kill a very powerful projecting illusion type telepath. The girl is more than simply dangerous, sir. She is an active, deadly threat to our organization.”

“Why then, does it seem like you’re asking for my personal permission to kill her?”

“Sir,” the man let out a sigh, “Homeland Security knows that you are financing The Syndicate even though they have no solid proof as of yet. If this girl is killed, they’ll come after you proof or not, she appears to be that pivotal in their plans regarding these freaks they call ‘emerged’, and they won’t stop until they have you facing a death sentence for murder.”

“Then add her name and description to those already listed under targets of opportunity.” Carson told the man. “Simms, if you can’t handle something that simple maybe it’s time for me to find a new front man for the Syndicate.”

“I’ll have a detailed plan on your desk in the morning, sir.”

“No you won’t.” Carson shook his head at his underling’s sudden bout of stupidity. “I don’t want to know the details. Let me know when she’s dead, nothing else. Get it done.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now get out of here and do what I pay you so handsomely for.” Carson turned away, ending the interview without theatrics. “I’m expecting a call from my — son, and don’t want to be have any interruptions for that.”

This concludes Children of the Tainted Water. Again, many thanks to Persephone, Nancy Cole, Lillith, and all of you who have been following and commenting on this story.

Maggie