The Hades Factor Read Online Free PDF Page A

Okinawa.”

“You're kidding.”

“We'd given up.” He grinned. His girlfriend, Miko, was stationed on Okinawa.

“Better tell the boss right away,” Sandra warned. “It means teaching a new clerk to deal with the goddamned absentminded professors we got here. She'll be pissed. Man, they're all out of their minds today anyway with this new crisis, aren't they?”

“Screw her,” Specialist Takeda swore cheerfully.

“Not in my worst nightmare.” Sgt. Maj. Helen Daugherty stood in her office doorway. “Would you care to step in here, Specialist Takeda?” she said with exaggerated politeness. “Or would you prefer I beat you senseless first?”

An imposing six-foot blonde with the shoulders to offset all her whistle-producing curves, the sergeant major looked down with her best piranha smile at the five-foot-six Takeda. The clerk hurried out of his cubicle with a nervous show of fear not entirely faked. With Daugherty, as befitted any good sergeant major, you were never fully sure you were safe.

“Close the door, Takeda. And take a seat.”

The specialist did as instructed.

Daugherty fixed him with a gimlet eye. “How long have you known about the possibility of this transfer, Hideo?”

“It came out of the blue this morning. I mean, I just opened the letter.”

“And we put it in for you... what, almost two years ago?”

“Year and a half, at least. Right after I came back from leave over there. Look, Sergeant, if you need me to stick around awhile, I'll be---”

Daugherty shook her head. “Doesn't look like I could do that if I wanted to.” With her finger she stabbed a memo on her desk. “I got this E-mail from the Department of the Army about the same time you must've opened your letter. Looks like your replacement's already on her way. Coming from Intelligence Command over in Kosovo, no less. She must've been on a plane before the letter even got to the office.” Daugherty's expression was thoughtful.

“You mean she'll be here today?”

Daugherty glanced at the clock on her desk. “A couple of hours, to be exact.”

“Wow, that's fast.”

“Yes,” Daugherty agreed, “it sure is. They've even cut travel orders for you. You've got a day to clear out your desk and quarters. You're to be on a plane tomorrow morning.”

“A day?”

“Better get at it. And best of luck, Hideo. I've enjoyed working with you. I'll put a good report in your file.”

“Yessir, er, Sergeant. And thanks.”

Still a little stunned, Takeda left Sergeant Major Daugherty contemplating the memo. She was rolling a pencil between her hands and staring off into space as he enthusiastically dumped out his desk. He repressed a war whoop of victory. He was not only tired of being away from Miko, he was especially tired of living in the USAMRIID pressure cooker. He had been through plenty of emergencies here, but this new one had everyone worried. Even scared. He was glad to get the hell out.

__________

Three hours later, Specialist Four Adele Schweik stood at attention in the same office in front of Sergeant Major Daugherty. She was a small brunette with almost black hair, a rigid carriage, and alert gray eyes. Her uniform was impeccable, with two rows of medal ribbons showing service overseas in many countries and campaigns. There was even a Bosnian ribbon.

“At ease, Specialist.”

Schweik stood at ease. “Thank you, Sergeant Major.”

Daugherty read her transfer papers and spoke without looking up. “Kind of fast, wasn't it?”

“I asked to be transferred to the D.C. area a few months ago. Personal reasons. My colonel told me an opening had suddenly come up at Detrick, and I jumped at it.”

Daugherty looked up at her. "A little overqualified, aren't you? This is a backwater post. A small command not doing much and never going overseas.

“I only know it's Detrick. I don't know what your unit is.”

“Oh?” Daugherty raised a blond eyebrow. There was something too cool and composed about this