A Soldier’s Passion Read online

  Vincent sighed. “Sir, there are some things we all know Joint Command will not tolerate. Tell him, Rik. He needs to know.”

  “We are a bonded pair, sir,” I said levelly. “We have not been separated since days after the Tribunal, nor will we be. You know how the military feels about that – even if we are valuable assets.”

  “Damn, I bet no one saw that coming.”

  “Frankly, sir, neither did we,” I said with a smile. “But we still want serve our government, and as we have agreed in writing, we will always respond to dire defense needs.”

  “We’ve given up a lot for our service. We just can’t give up each other,” Vincent said quietly.

  “I understand,” Braun said with a sigh. “And I believe in your commitment to continued service. Your Benefactors made a brilliant choice in you two. Personally, I think the Altered Program needs to change direction to rebuild trust with the public and the civilian government. But mine is only one opinion. You have your retirement, but this will not be an easy transition.”

  “We know sir. And we will take care,” I said.

  “I will do what I can to deflect problems or alert you to them,” Braun said. “Please, keep me informed.”

  “We sill, sir,” I said meeting his gaze. “Thank you for your support.”

  “Yes, thank you, sir,” Vincent added.

  “Good day.”

  We didn’t speak until the car’s engine sounds faded from our ears.

  “Wow,” Vincent said. “Didn’t expect that.”

  “Me either, but then our Benefactors were certain we’d have support from the military,” I said as I returned to my lunch.

  “Most of them, anyway.”

  “Yeah. That’ll get better when they realize that we make them look good.

  “Here’s hoping. Eat your lunch.”

  I obeyed as I always did under the pleading gaze from those beautiful, amber-gold eyes.

  “So, Bobby will be in his own room which is detached from ours,” Vincent said casually.

  “With all that expensive electronic equipment, why?”

  “I like it when you get loud,” Vincent murmured wickedly. “I love how you cry out my name.”

  I smiled at that. “And I love the way you moan ‘please.’”

  “So we can get loud now?”

  “You can have you way with me.”

  “Hmmm, I love hearing that.”

  “I thought you’d ask about developing our combined skills,” I said with a chuckle. “You’re insatiable.”

  “I want to do that, too. But by the time we set up Bobby’s room and test the alarm system, all we’ll have time for is making each other scream,” he replied softly, his eyes flashing.

  “You’re going to pay, brat. You know you make me crazy,” I whispered

  “You? Rik, I want you so badly right now, if I touch you at all, I couldn’t stop,” Vincent said hoarsely.

  I took a deep breath while I drank in that beautiful face, the golden eyes, the flushed cheeks and the lush parted lips. “You should be dragged across this table and feasted upon until you’re spent.”

  His gasp didn’t help matters. “Rik...god...”

  “The workmen are finished in the backyard,” I said trying to calm myself. “Let’s work out there while they put in the shutter system.”

  “But they’ll see what we can do together.”

  “They won’t know what they’re really seeing,” I replied. “It’ll sound like exaggeration. If we don’t work out, the workmen will see something they really shouldn’t see. Outside.”

  I could feel energy pulsing between us as we did our stretches. The energy grew as we grew more focused in the meditation.

  “I can feel you...all around me,” Vincent murmured.

  “I can feel you, too. Let’s see how far apart this will work.”

  We did a combination of katas and handsprings back and forth down the length of the yard. The furthest distance that we felt a strong presence from each other was six feet. I didn’t try to shield us both until the second time down the yard when we really powered up. I put a strong field around us as Vincent slammed a hand on the ground that sent us both in the air. It was high enough to clear the house. I used the field to set us down gently.

  “It’s really powerful,” Vincent said breathlessly. “I bet if we focus it...”

  “I don’t want my lawn destroyed, love,” I replied w a wry smile. “We’ll take it to the range later this week. Let’s have some fun with the shields.”

  We experimented with how quickly I could surround us when running or tumbling. As long as we were within six feet, I could do it quickly. The energy was strong enough to see the shields and I could easily levitate us both for long stretches.

  “It’s amplifying between us until we expend it,” I mused as we floated down to the ground. “I’m not tired at all.”

  “I’m not running hot,” Vincent added. His smile was saucy. “It felt like coming.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed softly. “It was amazing.”

  Vincent’s eyes danced with glee. “I think we found a way to combine my favorite things. Fighting and coming.”

  “And you call me twisted,” I laughed.

  “Because you are.”

  The workmen looked at us in awe but said nothing as they packed up. The foreman showed us how to activate the system and the features before leaving. He also assured us that the schematics of our system would be treated with the highest confidentiality. We tipped them well, and then armed the system with our own pass codes. After that, we set off for Bobby.

  The younger Greven was really happy with his room if the hug was any indication. I was really happy when he disappeared into his room after his shower. I took the opportunity to drag Vincent into our bedroom forsaking the mugs of cocoa. We went at each other, but in the end, I pinned him down intent on leisurely tonguing his sweet, tawny skin. I got him to moan my name out loud as he clutched at me helplessly when I finally pushed inside him. And I cried out his name as he clenched around me.

  There were no appointments or pressing tasks over the next few mornings, so Vincent and I took off to work on our skill after dropping off Bobby. At first we were going to go to the combat training field, but we thought better of it. There were cameras and telemetry devices everywhere, and we still weren’t ready to share this discovery. Vincent had the idea that we go back to the place we came together. The military, the media and the public had forgotten it. The crater had been filled in and paved over, but it was still a little strange to be there. I ignored the feeling to set up the mini-generator and the recorder instead.

  “Let’s see what we can do at varying distances,” I said after we warmed up.

  We made some interesting discoveries as we moved. The intensity of the energy between us didn’t vary unless we were further than six feet apart. Within that zone, it was very powerful. My energy bursts were strong enough to turn boulders to dust while Vincent was smashing through thick stonewalls with hardly any effort. I could levitate both of us the equivalent of three stories. Next, we practiced moving together to stay within that zone. It was easier for Vincent who lived to improvise. I had to re-think my training and use my instincts just to stay close to my lover.

  We worked for three hours before I called for a halt. Afterward, I held him like I would after we made love. Vincent clung to me for a long moment.

  “This is a good start,” I murmured. “Let’s get a hot soak and a nap before we pick up Bobby.”

  “I need to get some stew meat for tonight,” Vincent yawned. “The good stuff will be gone by the afternoon.”

  We packed up quickly and were home in less than an hour. We didn’t linger in the tub though we did manage to relax enough to nod off quickly and sleep deeply. Later, Bobby patiently followed his brother’s staccato instructions to help prepare the large pot of stew for the dinner meeting with Remak and Maximilian.

  While they worked and muttered at each other, I
jotted down thorough notes from that morning’s experiment. The recorder captured everything including telemetry. I planned on turning everything over to the Benefactors and Joint Command though I wasn’t sure when. I decided to show it to Doc Auerbach first thing in the morning and get his judgment on it.

  Remak and Maximilian arrived on time. She brought a lovely bottle of wine and he brought a lovely fruit tart. We enjoyed the meal with causal conversation. Bobby showed off his room and talked about his manifestation. His earlier enthusiasm about the change had been tempered. I think he was reluctant to leave his brother so soon after moving in. We shifted to the business at hand over dessert and coffee.

  “How is the lay of the land?” I asked.

  “There is the lunacy of Raden angling for your job,” Remak said dryly. “No one is paying that any mind.”

  Vincent snorted into his coffee, but made no comment.

  “What about the Generals?” I asked.

  “General Braun has been doing his best to make the transition go smoothly,” Remak replied. “He asked me to relay any concerns or problems you or Vincent have at any hour of the day or night.”

  “At any hour?” I asked.

  “What is he worried about?” Vincent wondered.

  “He did not elaborate,” Remak said. “General Mueller has requested that you both attend the squad maneuvers,” Remak continued. “A formal request will be sent by Friday.”

  “It’s a sensible request,” I said. “But Doc Auerbach won’t clear us for a another week or he’d lose credibility.”

  “That time table would fit my arrangements,” Remak replied.

  “We’ll be seeing the Doc tomorrow. I’ll let him know,” I said.

  I could tell Vincent was pleased. The past two exercises had whetted his appetite for battle. I shared his excitement, but I was more interested in furthering the development of our skills.

  “How is the squad?” I asked.

  “They are saddened at losing you,” Maximilian said. “They realize that you were an extraordinary leader who shielded us and pushed us to be the best. You will be hard to replace.”

  “But they knew you were unhappy,” Remak said. “Most are fine with the decision. I think the unit will remain in tact.”

  “I’m glad,” I said. “They function well together. Now, let’s talk about your careers.”

  They, too, liked the salaries and the perks that came with their new positions. They were career soldiers, but the idea of a little luxury did not seem to bother them in the least. They signed off on their service contracts straight away.

  “I want to talk about how to improve the training of Altereds,” I began. “We need to develop a program that instills discipline and respect for command but nurtures them emotionally and psychologically.”

  “We are weapons,” Vincent said quietly. “But it’s wrong to make us feel like coming back safe doesn’t matter. That’s a strange way to treat a valuable investment.”

  “Many commanders will have to be re-educated,” Maximilian said. “I have often been sent into battle like I were a tank or an artillery shell.”

  “You work on an officer re-training plan, Julian,” I said. “Start by interviewing Commanders about how they view Altereds. You’ll have some cute assistants and an expense account for that.”

  “Very shrewd,” Maximilian said with a chuckle.

  “Ouida, I want you to interview every Altered you can about their training,” I said. “You may begin with us and use us as examples in other interviews.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Rik, please. I’m retired. When the interviews are complete, we can begin a training proposal to take our Benefactors and the joint Command,” I continued.

  “You’ll have the interviews to back up your plan,” Bobby said. “That way, they can’t argue.”

  “Oh, they can argue,” I said with a wry chuckle. “And they will. The interviews just make it harder for them to win.”

  We talked over the timetable for the start of the job before the meeting concluded. I was pleased at the outcome.

  “This is a good start,” I said. “Next week, let’s see what questions you came up with --- maybe interview us. And we can finalize the details on the squad exercises.”

  “Right, sir...Rik,” Remak sputtered. “May we help with cleanup?”

  “That’s why we have a teenager,” I replied. “Bobby.”

  “Great...just great,” he muttered. “Indentured servitude.”

  Vincent smiled wickedly. “I’d better go help. Goodnight guys.”

  “Good night, lads,” Maximilian said. Remak echoed that as I showed them out.

  “Are you certain you are safe out here without the guards?” Remak asked.

  “We had Alarmcorps secure the building today,” I said. “And I have you both on speed dial.”

  ***

  Auerbach was riveted by the recording. He played it twice and seemed to watch it without blinking. He then looked at both of us for a long moment before scanning us with the diagnostic device.

  “Doc, will you say something?” Vincent demanded. “You’re wigging me out.”

  “My apologies,” he said. “You are both back to 100%. Better than 100%. I noticed it last week when you were still healing. You are both more robust. There is a high energy reading in both of you though you’re clearly relaxed, and you are not running hot. Extraordinary.”

  “There is evidence of this on the post-mortem to Hogan’s Alley,” I said. “Why would Joint Command ignore such a breakthrough?”

  “Do you really think they want the pair of you as a mega-weapon?” He asked with a sigh. “I think they would be very interested in developing a pair from youth or an older pair they could control, but not you two.”

  “This isn’t something you can make happen,” Vincent retorted.

  “I know, Hardcase. You two are connected on every level a humans can be connected,” he said thoughtfully. “That is the only way that you could be so in tune that your abilities are affected.”

  “But someone like Mueller will think it’s just a matter of throwing a pair of hormone crazed kids together,” I muttered.

  “Yes, the most intense and must unstable relationship possible,” Auerbach said. “It would be extremely damaging psychologically. I don’t think it wise to present this to Joint Command at this time. This is a matter for the Foundation to study.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I said with relief.

  “Yeah, Doc, you’re okay,” Vincent said.

  “I try,” He said with a smile. “As for the exercises, I’d prefer you didn’t, but I see no way for you to refuse. I do insist you wait until next week.”

  “Should we use the new ability?” I asked.

  “From what I saw on the recording, I don’t think you can stop yourselves,” Auerbach replied. “You are retired and under contract with the Foundation. You are under no obligation to explain anything. The Benefactors will handle the Military where this is concerned. Protect yourselves.”

  “We will,” I said.

  “Good. Now, the Benefactors have a request,” he continued. “Say yes only if you are comfortable with it.”

  “Oh-kay,” I said warily.

  “The press has been admirably reserved where you two have been concerned. We want to cultivate a positive relationship with them,” Auerbach said. “To that end, the Benefactors have asked you to give an in-depth interview and a slice of life video to coincide with the announcement of the Foundation.”

  “I don’t feel comfortable with any strangers in our home,” I said. “Especially strangers with cameras.”

  “They could follow you while you’re both out,” he suggested.

  I looked at Vincent. He shrugged. “We’re public figures, I suppose.”

  “Can we meet the reporter first?” I asked.

  “Of course. If you both can cope with her, you’ll do it?”

  I nodded though I was really reluctant.

  “Goo
d, shall we say 1300...where?”

  “Central Market Café,” I replied automatically. “Oh, I need the full records on our Alteration, development and training to help with research.”

  Auerbach whistled then chuckled to himself. “I was about to ask if you thought you could handle it, but you survived it. I’ll have it sent to your house by end of business.”