Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(50)

"When are you going out?" Nathan pulled into a driveway located between two concrete buildings.

"Tomorrow-we have some planning to do and connections to be made," Richard said.

"Good enough, I'll let Captain Finch know."

"You do that," Rafe said.

*

"I've seen worse," Rafe said as he surveyed the kitchen. Saltillo tile covered the floors, more tile covered the counters, the stove was small and looked as if it were twenty years old or more, the refrigerator almost as old.

"The window is filthy," Opal said, attempting to peer through it.

"It's pointed toward the other building-the filth may turn into a blessing," Rafe said.

"Nah, I want to see this Finch guy if he decides to visit," Opal said.

"He'd better bring everybody he has," Nick growled. "Anybody who makes that kind of snap judgment needs his ass kicked."

"I'll let you be in charge of ass-kicking, then," I said. "My solution is to send him to Bora Bora."

"Bora Bora is too good for an *," Maye said. "I've been there."

"Panama?"

"Better, but still too good for *s."

"Siberia," Rafe said.

"Bingo," Opal touched her nose.

As if on cue, the * knocked on our door. Nathan, following in Captain Francis Finch's wake, looked apologetic as Finch stormed into our kitchen.

"What's this I hear about you having possible missile coordinates?" he demanded.

"Well, hello to you, too," Opal said, lifting an eyebrow at Finch.

Finch looked to be a welterweight in mixed martial arts, with buzzed dark hair, green eyes and a nose that had been broken a time or two. The scowl he wore was extra, strictly for our benefit.

"You know, someone three miles away may not have heard you. Would you like to repeat that-louder, this time?" Nick asked. "It's classified information-we're allowed to share it with you and your team, nobody else."

"Then show me."

I wanted to tell him to ask nicely. I didn't. Instead, Richard pulled the satellite images up on his tablet and handed it to Finch.

"Here," Richard pointed out the light that flared on the surface, and the time stamp on the image. "The plane was destroyed right after," he said, pulling up the following images.

"I see it," Finch grumbled, going back to the first image, and then to the second. "I'd like to send Lieutenant Cross with you tomorrow, when you go to this site."

"If he wants to come," Richard shrugged. "We may end up spending at least one night in the wilderness-this is up a mountainside and may take time to get there."

"I'll come prepared," Nathan promised. I could tell he was more excited to be coming with us than staying with Captain Finch. Oddly enough, I felt the same way.

"We need to check the climbing equipment," Rafe nodded to Nick.

"I'll get on it," Nick said.

I knew what they were thinking-that Nathan Cross would slow them down. I hoped that wasn't the case. We had to be on guard, however, and make sure everyone stayed in character.

"What time should I be here tomorrow?" Nathan asked.

"Oh-six-hundred," Nick said.

"I expect a full report." Finch turned and stomped out the door.

"I think he can expect a full bag of dog shit," Nick muttered. Opal snickered.

Nathan wanted to smile but held it back. "I'll be here," he said and followed Finch out the door.

*

"I think he was offended by our uniforms," I said. We had a video conversation going with Auggie and Matt.

"Khaki is not what he's upset about," Auggie snapped. "He says you were rude."

"So he heard the dog shit comment?" I asked.

"What dog shit comment?"

"Okay, pretend you didn't hear that," I said. "How were we rude? I don't recall being rude."

"He says one of the men complained about the loudness of his voice."

"Oh, that," I said. "If he'd bothered to allow us to introduce ourselves, then he'd know who to blame for that," I added. "And he was loud. Blustery. Also rude and offensive."

"He's effective," Matt offered. "Just do the best you can to work around him. I hear Lieutenant Cross is going with you in the morning?"

"That's right," Rafe sat beside me and nodded. "I hope he doesn't slow us down."

"Just stick to protocol. I'm not sure whether you'll find anything useful, but you'll know what to do," Auggie nodded to me.

"I do."

"Good. Keep me apprised."

"Yes, sir." Rafe ended the video call.

"I hate khaki already," I mumbled. Rafe laughed.

*

Finch is effective, like Matt says, but his methods aren't always the best, I responded to Maye's mental question over dinner. I read in Lieutenant Cross that Finch manages to annoy or alienate anybody he meets.

What did you see in him? she asked.

He thinks he's God's gift to the world, and everybody should bow first and then get out of his way.

He's not short enough to have a Napoleon complex, Rafe supplied.