Long Blonde Hair, Sky Blue Eyes Pt. 11

The assumed main site had been cleared of brush and leveled, and stakes were in place if she stayed with the original building plans. The assaults in LA and her confinement to the recovery center brought it all to a screeching halt, awaiting her decisions. The general contractor was ready to begin when she gave him the word, or new plans.

Annika walked away from the others and around the site without comment or conversation, taking in everything from the surrounding wall of pines and the red clay soil to the width of the curved road leading in.

The others gave her space, remaining in a group while she took it in and considered whether to proceed. She returned wearing a serious look, took Erik's hand, and said, "I've resented your decision to separate our projects ever since I was forced to sign the documents from my hospital bed. That has been a sticking point in my recovery, and, honestly, was the major reason for the cold way I greeted you in the recovery center.

"But now I understand. Our projects are incompatible on the same site, and this is a perfect location for what I want to do. My mind is already making plans for the many acres that won't be used for my businesses, and I love this red hillock surrounded by towering pine trees, which must not have been consumed in the 2011 forest fire."

He confirmed they weren't and pulled her into a hug. "I hated making the decision, but when I saw the scope of the project the government had in mind and it's purposes were explained, I understood their insistence. You probably already figured out that more will be housed over there than the SEAM control center and the manufacturing facility for the module. The entire second floor underground will include a research center to promote and support emerging technologies, another to monitor the use of artificial intelligence, and that's about all I can say about that.

"The third floor is housing, and production of the module will occur in the sterile center rooms of the fourth floor. I have an inkling of what will happen in the rooms at the end of the tunnels on level U4, and I honestly don't want to know more.

"I hand-picked your site after flying over the available land near our home and then surveilling it with drones, so I can't properly express how happy I am that you like it. It has amazing potential, and I knew your creative mind would know how to use all of it.

"Just remember to leave space for the solar array. I'm placing them where they help hide the low-profile building. You, however, may prefer to make a showcase of your buildings, as a part of your marketing plans."

They rode into Bastrop to brunch at Madeline's downtown, rode among the historic homes and businesses, and enjoyed each other's company. The ladies then demanded a stop at Specs, told the men to stay in the vehicle, went in alone, and came out carrying large paper sacks. They wouldn't disclose the contents of the sacks, which they stashed in the back.

They were back on 71 heading east when Hanna spoke up. "It's good to see you two together and planning a future again, which frees me to remind you that Johnny and I delayed our wedding last summer because Erik was gone on a walkabout and Annika was behind locked gates. We rescheduled for June 1, so if you're planning another sabbatical Down Under or at the North Pole, Erik, Johnny is going to need a new best man. And if you are going to do something stupid in Hollywood, AGAIN, Annika, I'm going to need a new maid of honor.

"So, if you two can postpone disappearances and stupid dog tricks until after June 1, we'd greatly appreciate it! If not, give us enough warning that we can secure someone other than our best friends to stand beside us!"

Annika was appalled at her role in destroying their wedding, and her own, and began mournfully apologizing, but Erik started laughing and interrupted her. "That is one of the best shamings I've ever heard, Hanna, much less endured! And you did it in such a pleasant voice! You should probably be going to Hollywood with Annika - you're that good!"

It's a bad idea to tease someone sitting behind you who can reach over the seat and wallop you on the shoulder, which she did, but it made her and everyone else but Annika laugh. KJ added his appreciation: "You sounded like this old coach I had in college. He could castrate you verbally without raising his voice, and he used sarcasm like a razor, always in this kind voice that made you listen to every word to figure out what he really meant."

Cassie chimed in, "Or like my sweet little grey-haired great granny, who could make a child or a grown man cry without anyone but her target hearing. Outstanding work, Hanna!"

"Okay, okay! Maybe I laid it on a little thick, but you never know with these two, and I'm not postponing my wedding AGAIN!"

After returning to the house the entire group gathered around an oversized monitor for a laptop to hear Bill Hammer's plans for their advanced training, and how that would differ from their initial training exercises. They were to be housed at the Swahn's Lakehouse with a two-person security team, and the house would be surrounded by other team members ensconced in the brush or other buildings.

That was momentarily sobering, but they had all endured heavy security before when with Annika and Erik, so this was nothing to dampen their last evening in Bastrop County. The girls announced this was Margarita Party Night and disappeared into the kitchen.

Johnny closed his eyes and muttered, "Oh no! This is the group Joe Nichols sang "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" about!"

KJ replied that they'd already seen each other's women in bikini's, so what's the problem? Then teased, "Although I've never seen this version of Annika in a bikini, so tonight could be an adventure!"

After a few minutes of blenders crunching ice, Erik stuck his head in and declared that he only drank Margaritas on the rocks and he was no sissy, so make his margarita the way they make them south of the border - potent!

Annika grinned and held up a pitcher and a glass with a few cubes of ice. "Way ahead of you, but don't drink too much - you know how tequila affects me!"

"Pour the ice in the pitcher, add more tequila, and I'll drink that. I should be in fine shape by the time your clothes start falling off."

She poured him a glassful and brought it to him. "One glass at a time, and I'll cut you off the first time you stagger or don't make sense! No limp dicks allowed in my bed!"

He laughed, nodded at the blended concoctions, and replied that cut both ways. "If you used the 4-2-1 mix like you should have, those three pitchers should make you stagger and stutter, so don't start in on me."

"4-2-1?" Cassie asked, "I thought it was 3-2-1."

"Where I come from, only a sissy uses that ratio. Ask Johnny," he replied.

She didn't; she got the measuring cup, poured more tequila, ran the blender for a few seconds to mix it in, and said, "We ain't no sissies!"

That was a decision they would rue tomorrow, but it made for a great, if short, margarita night, and an easter egg-like search for clothing and jewelry the next morning. The bad news was the headaches they endured, but the lubricated tongues and depressed inhibitions of the night before made the pain worth it.

****

A decent breakfast substituted for 'hair of the dog,' after which they all felt good enough to pack and load their gear and themselves for the trip to Canyon Lake. Bill and Milly were their hosts for 'lupper' so they skipped lunch in favor of getting settled in and enjoying a nap and/or afternooner before the meal at five. Bill loved his ribs - both pork and beef - and Milly tempered that with green beans, potato salad, corn, and a tray of raw veges.

The beverage choices were beer, cokes, or water, but only Johnny and Erik chose beer over water. Milly finally asked why everyone looked so green around the gills and acted so subdued. "Margarita night," KJ explained; Milly tsk-tsked them knowingly, then winked at Bill, who winked back. Been there...

The early meal allowed an early bedtime and the opportunity to top the tequila-hangover afternooner.

They revisited the course on Monday, using the same weapons they used in their basic training. Bill and the other instructors were surprised and pleased with what had been retained, and at the continued development of their skills. Cassie and KJ were naturally competitive, naturally talented, and treated it like a game. Hanna had been the fastest learner in basic skills, had excellent discernment skills, and her shooting skills had continued to improve. Annika was the most serious; she had been in a gunfight, and she knew what it took to survive. She was good on the first pass, and even better on the final.

Johnny and Erik were shooting before they were in school, and they had keen eyes from hunting varmints and game animals. They saw more, more quickly, got in position faster than the others, and were deadly with any weapon provided. Bill knew he would hire either if they applied, and would have recruited them as Texas Rangers if given the opportunity.

Erik appeared marginally better, but Bill knew he was holding back. His amazing reflexes coupled with his acute senses, processing speed, and athleticism masde an extremely rare combination. His problem: he feared no evil because he considered himself the baddest MF in the valley. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor, and his enemies were real, not cardboard, so Bill and the instructors set about teaching him a few lessons. Fortunately, the others were through, and Bill shepherded them into the debriefing room for final feedback. Unfortunately, Annika asked where Erik was, and when told he was reentering the course, insisted on watching the feed before debriefing.

They all huddled facing the monitors, and Bill regretted his decision. He didn't want to embarrass his godson, who was facing the most advanced course available, but he couldn't think of a good reason to refuse Annika's request. Oh well, a little humility wouldn't hurt him.

The instructor was finishing his explanation and warnings; Erik's face was stoic, but his body seemed keyed up. He took his station, began his stalk, and then all hell broke loose. Erik became a dervish, moving, leaping, diving, darting, and firing. At the midpoint he was still unscathed, every gun-bearing target had been correctly identified and every 'Teddy Bear' wielder remained unscathed.

It got even harder from here, but he forged ahead. When it was finished, he had one possible flesh wound, no injured civilians, and left a plethora of dead or wounded bad guys in his wake. The instructor came out of the course control room and gave him a slow clap. "One of the fastest times and best results we've had! Not bad for an amateur."

Erik was satisfied, but asked if they could watch the video so he could get advice for improvement.

Back in the debriefing room, KJ was first to speak up. "Damn! I thought I did pretty good, but now I'm embarrassed!" Turning to Bill he asked, "Is he really that good, or what?"

Bill's embarrassment at the way Erik handled the most advanced course wasn't as great as his pride. "We ran him through again on the most advanced settings to teach him some humility, because he thinks he's invincible, or at least bulletproof. And, as you know, he takes too many chances.

"Since his are amongst the fastest times and highest scores, I'd have to say yes, he is that good, and add that we need a more advanced, advanced course when a civilian can do that!"

They took seats around the table, received their personalized feedback and things to work on, and then Bill reviewed the additional weapons on which they were going to train, some of which involved more danger detection and response, but using technology rather than firearms.

After his brief debrief from the head instructor, Erik wandered in and joined them, just in time to hear about the tech they would be using. He took a seat and Bill kept talking, but all eyes turned to him. "Heard you got winged," Johnny said when Bill's voice stalled out.

"I did. Those suckers were fast and tricky," Erik replied in a serious voice. "Makes you understand how dangerous it is when you're taking on professionals, and it makes me admire Andi and Annika's work during that gunbattle even more."

"Did you set a course record?" KJ asked with a grin.

"God, no!" he replied. "There are pros that can go through there in a lot less time!"

KJ grinned at Bill and asked, "Is that true?"

Bill grinned back. "He's right; those aren't the course records. But they are close in both speed and accuracy."

Erik's appeared pleased, but turned their attention back to the agenda. "So, what is this tech part about?"

"Drone detection, determination, and defensive measures is first up. You already have a detection device on your phone, Erik, but we have an upgraded version for each of you, and a small device to help make the determinations. The rest we'll go over in the training.

"Haven't gotten to talk with you about it yet, but we're hoping you can spend some time tomorrow afternoon teaching your friends, my guys, and me about the way you use computers and artificial intelligence to gather information about potential threats."

"Sure, Bill, we can do it in here if you want. I'll be set up and ready."

"Thanks, Erik. So, day three will start with sonic attack prevention, detection, and mitigation. This won't take that long, but you need to be aware of the problem and what to do if it is detected. Some enemy states - well, one mainly - are using sonics to sicken and harm critical workers, so it might be something they would try with Greenlight since you guys are on the cutting edge of so many things.

"Once we're done with that, we're going to evaluate and work with each of you on martial arts. We'll have a full staff for that, so you will get to spar with and learn from experts. But this won't be like what you practice. Once we have a good feel for your strengths and weaknesses, we're going to focus on disabling the enemy, and preventing them from doing the same to you."

"Implementation of the improved detection, communication, and response protocols was going to be Thursday, but we're moving it back a day. Erik won't be here Friday, but he's been using it since he made the deal with the Aussies and doesn't need the instruction.

Instead, on Thursday we'll practice using weapons with which none of you are yet proficient. That includes semi- and automatic weapons, tactical shotguns, and explosive devices.

"We don't foresee you using those, but Annika has proven it's impossible to predict what you're going to have available and need to use in all foreseeable circumstances. That also means that anyone living or traveling to locations not in Texas will need to apply for whatever licenses are needed for that state in order to own and carry there.

"Texas is now a 'Constitutional Carry' state, which means any Jackass that meets very low standards is free to carry, and to carry openly. We will ensure that you meet those requirements, just in case you're ever challenged or engaged in a fight involving firearms, but I already know you do.

"Any more questions?" Bill asked in closing.

Hanna raised her hand and innocently asked, "Is Erik leaving on another seven month walkabout Friday, or will he only be gone for a few days?"

Bill chucked, KJ, Cassie, Johnny, and Annika burst out laughing, and Erik flipped her the bird. "Nah, just a six month walkabout, smart ass. I should be back at least an hour before your wedding!

"Actually, Karli, Roddie, and Sean are coming in to get the shop set up and prepared for the rest of the team. Roddie is bringing someone from Australia in next week, and Sean says he has a friend and co-worker in Ireland that would be perfect, so we'll be at full staff in a couple of weeks.

"I'll see y'all after you get through here and return to the house. And, Bill, I have a question: can you guys develop a lesson on how to detect drugs added to drinks and food? I don't think the 'don't ever leave your drink on the table or allow someone you don't know to buy you one' is sufficient anymore. They were injecting something into Annika's sealed water bottles, and adding it to her food. Aren't there strips or something that detect that kind of thing?"

"Yes, but all I'm familiar with are sensitive to a single substance or class of drugs. I do have someone who knows much more about that than me; I'll ask her to prepare something we can deliver to you online."

On the ride back to the Swahn's Lakehouse, KJ brought up Erik's performance on the course again. "The old man set that up to teach you a little humility, Batman, and you nearly broke the course! Where the hell did you learn to do that shit?"

"I was on the predecessor to this course by age twelve, and I've run it dozens of times. Johnny has too, for that matter, and we've also run the auto course dozens of times. We were taught from childhood to use weapons properly, and taught the proper ways to shoot, whether handgun, rifle, or shotgun. We competed in 4H shooting competitions as soon as we were eligible, and did pretty well.

"In other words, KJ, I have hundreds, maybe thousands of hours on you when it comes to the skills you need on a course like this."

"That's all true, and I even beat him a few times at 4H, turkey shoots, and other competitions," Johnny interjected. "But I can't do what I watched him do; some of that is developed, but a bunch of it is innate." Then, with a big grin, he continued. "The Wanderer is a rare combination of traits that you, thankfully, don't see very often. Personally, I don't know how Annika puts up with it, or him."

Before she could answer, he said, "Because I can lick my eyebrows, right Honey?"

"If you keep telling people that I'm going to demand you prove it! Although the thought of you licking my cervix doesn't really turn me on like you poking my cervix does," Annika giggled.

It's questionable that any eyebrows or cervix got licked that night, but some cervix must have gotten poked, based on the noises emanating from various locations within the Lakehouse. Those on duty that night enjoyed what they heard, and were sorely tempted to access the video feed from within the house.

Bill would fire them, but it might be worth it, based on what they could see when the couples got out and walked inside, and through the uncommon open window. Lots of very shapely Hard Bodies inside that house.

They ate breakfast early, fired up and ready for Drone Detection, Determination, and Defensive Measures. The instructor was a no-nonsense military type, early thirties at most, and he had impressive credentials as a UAV pilot and as the developer of counter measures for drone surveillance and attack.

The first 90 minutes was lecture, the next hour was exemplification projected onto the big screen, and the last 90 minutes was hands-on experience in piloting small drones, using the detection software on your phone and the handheld determination tool if you weren't certain it was friendly.

The lecture made it sound simple. "Shooting down drones operating in public airspace, which includes airspace above your property, is illegal, but UAS pilots must follow the guidelines spelled out in your packet. Armed drones are also illegal, and drones aren't allowed to take photos of video of you without your permission. That's why it's important to keep the determination device handy.

"If the device identifies the UAS as being armed, or as taking video or photos, you are supposed to report it immediately. That said, all of you will be provided with anti-drone jammers, GPS spoofers, software to hijack them with your computer, and, when feasible, drones of your own to launch as counter measures. And, although this isn't in your packet and we're not providing it, I suggest you keep a full choke 12 gauge shotgun with at least #8 shot shells handy. UAS's are delicate and any sized pellet will bring them down, so the more pellets you throw up the better. #10 or 12 shot is better than #8 but harder to find.