DEADLY DILEMMA by Dan Stratman (story read aloud .txt) 📗

in her defense. “When I saw the desperation in your eyes, I knew you were telling the truth. Us girls, we have to stick together.”

Cyndi thought of Ruby standing up for herself back in the coal mines and nodded approvingly. “Yes, we do.”

“This is very troubling,” Wilmer said. He paced the floor, deep in thought, and then stopped. “Luckily, there were plenty of witnesses who heard General McNeil confess. I don’t see any reason why this information should leave the room. Why don’t we just keep this to ourselves?” Wilmer pointed at the ceiling. “And get your friend over here ASAP. Tell him to bring a miniature camera and a dead battery.”

“A dead battery?” Crawford asked, looking confused. There was more than enough space in her head for the wheels to turn freely. Her brow furrowed as she thought about Wilmer’s suggestion. Suddenly a big smile emerged on her face. She tapped her temple then pointed her finger at Wilmer. “I get it. The dead battery would explain why there’s no recording.”

“Precisely,” Wilmer said, flashing a smug grin.

“Well aren’t you the smart one?” Crawford went over and hooked her arm through Wilmer’s. Her ample breasts just happened to press up against him. “You’re gonna have a lot on your plate after all this, Colonel—excuse me—General Wilmer. I happen to be available if you need a clever sidekick.”

“No offense intended, Miss Crawford, but”—Wilmer unfurled her fingers from his arm and backed away—“hell no.”

She shrugged. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

Wilmer took an anguished breath and massaged his temples. “General Rayburn is going to have a coronary when he hears what happened. His pet project is guaranteed to be canceled after all this.” He swallowed hard. “Heads are going to roll.” Wilmer’s eyes narrowed. He turned and shot a sideways glance at Cyndi.

A startled look flashed across her face. “Why are you looking at me?”

“You were the one in command out there,” Wilmer said sheepishly.

“Don’t even think about it, Wilmer.” Crawford stepped between the two. “If you ask me, Captain Stafford here is the one who deserves a medal. She just saved the world from disaster. Cut her some slack.”

Her defense of Cyndi was interrupted by a loud commotion in front of the building. The four hurried over to the window.

News vans had pulled up to the headquarters building. Reporters clutching microphones poured out of the vans and were rushing up the steps and into the lobby. Their cameramen trailed close behind.

“Crap, what am I going to tell those vultures?” Wilmer said under his breath.

“The truth,” Cyndi said sternly.

“The truth? Are you crazy?”

“If you don’t do it, I will,” Cyndi said.

Wilmer nearly choked at hearing her ultimatum.

“As you said, I was the crew commander. It’s only right I tell them everything that happened.”

Wilmer held both hands up. “Don’t be rash. Let’s think about this.”

“Everything,” she reiterated, arms tightly crossed. “The taxpayers have a right to know.”

“Don’t forget about the president,” Lance added with a chuckle. “I’m sure he’ll want to talk to you personally, sir.” Lance slowly shook his head. “Man, I wouldn’t want to be in the Oval Office when he calls China and tells them your base almost nuked them.”

“But I had nothing to do with this!” Wilmer said in a full panic.

“Welcome to the club,” Lance said with a wry smirk.

“I think I might have a solution,” Cyndi said.

She proceeded to tell Wilmer everything that had happened at Alpha One. And a way to spin it to his advantage.

Wilmer paced the floor. He mulled over what he’d heard. “Hmm…this just might work.” He stroked his chin and thought out loud. “The old, leaking fuel tank suddenly exploded after years of budget cuts that left the ground-based nuclear facilities in dangerous shape. You two had no choice but to evacuate.” He smiled and nodded. “I’ll seal off the area for a mile in every direction. No one will be allowed anywhere near it. For the protection of the public, of course.” General Wilmer snickered. “The best part will be watching the media and the politicians play right into my hands when they panic. When I explain to Rayburn that it will be the perfect opportunity to demand a huge increase in his budget to fix these ‘problems,’ I’m sure he’ll overlook everything else that happened.” If Wilmer could have reached around and patted himself on the back, no doubt he would have. “And I’ll come out of this looking like a genius.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Crawford said rudely, pointing at Cyndi and Lance.

“Oh yeah, right,” Wilmer said. “You two are off the hook. I’ll see to that.”

“That’s it?” Crawford sneered. “After all they did?”

Wilmer looked confused. “What else is there?”

“There’s two more things I think I deserve, sir. To express your gratitude for everything I’ve done for you, Global Strike Command, and world peace, you’ll be approving my transfer to Laughlin Air Force Base,” Cyndi said. “To attend pilot training with Lance.” She snatched the file off the desk. “And I keep this.”

By this time, Wilmer was willing to do just about anything to get them out of his thinning hair. “Fine. Take it. Miss Crawford draw up the transfer orders.”

“I ain’t your secretary,” she shot back.

“You are now,” Wilmer replied. “Have the documents on my desk by the end of the day.”

“Yes, sir, General.” Crawford gave him an exaggerated salute.

“Get your notepad and come with me, Miss Crawford. Let’s get this over with.”

She strutted over and opened the office door for him. “After you, General. On the way to the lobby we’ll talk about my raise.”

Wilmer looked at his new secretary, shook his head, and whined, “I’m going to regret this.”

Crawford gleefully hooked his arm and led him down the hall.

Lance went over to Cyndi. “Hell of a day, Captain Stafford.”

She sighed heavily. “Hell of a day, Lieutenant Garcia.” A slight smile emerged on her pretty face. “The upside is we’ll never have to sit alert again. And we didn’t have to give a sappy going-away speech at this