scoonts.theminotaur-第35章

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　〃Maybe；〃　said　Luis　Camacho；　weighing　it。　〃Or　maybe　they're　hoping　this　whole　thing　will　crawl　into　a　corner　and　die　quietly　without　being　a　major　embarrassment。　Budgetary　blood　feuds　in　Congress；　some　big…ticket　military　programs　on　the　chopping　block；　Gramm…Rudman…hell；　they'd　be　less　than　human　if　they　didn't　try　to　play　ostrich　for　a　while。〃
　〃So　what　are　we　gonna　do　about　Smoke　Judy？〃
　〃What　would　you　suggest？〃
　〃That　shithead　is　shopping　secrets　to　defense　contractors。　He　wants　more　than　a　military　pension。　What'd　the　boss　say　when　you　told　him　this　morning？〃　His　voice　had　a　belligerent；　bitter　edge。
　〃Hang　loose。　Keep　an　eye　on　him。〃
　〃Fuck　us！　The　same　old　story。　No　matter　what　we　turn　up；　we　get　the　same　answer　from　ol'　brass　ass。　Be　cool；　guys！〃
　〃Calm　down；　Dreyfus。　You've　been　around　long　enough…〃
　〃How　much　shit　you　gonna　eat；　Luis；　before　you　decide　you　don't　like　it？　Right　now　the　Minotaur　is　busy　figuring　what　secrets　to　give　away　next　and　scribbling　another　little　love　letter　to　the　Russian　ambassador。　Terry　Franklin　is　still　running　around　loose；　you're　sneaking　code　words　from　friends　in　the　Pentagon…we're　doing　some　dynamic　drifting　but　our　investigation　is　going　nowhere。　You　know　that！　And　the　sickening　thing　is　the　mittee　is　quite　fortable　with　that　state　of　affairs。〃　His　voice　had　risen　to　almost　a　shout。　〃I'll　tell　you　what　I　think…I　think　the　guys　on　that　mittee　are　laughing　themselves　silly。　I　think　they're　tickled　pink　that　the　fucking　Russians　are　seeing　this　stuff。　That's　what　the　hell　I　think。〃
　〃I　think　you're　an　idiot；　Dreyfus；　with　a　big　mouth　and　a　piss　ant's　view　of　the　world。　I've　heard　enough。　Now　get　back　to　work。〃
　Dreyfus　bounced　to　his　feet　and　rammed　his　right　hand　out　in　a　Nazi　salute。　〃Ja　wohl…〃
　〃You　son　of　a…〃
　〃Don't　bullshit　yourself；　Luis。　I　know　you're　doing　the　best　you　can。　But；　goddamn；　I'm　sick　of　this　fucking　around！〃　Camacho　jerked　his　head　at　the　door　and　Dreyfus　went。
　
　13
　
　The　Naval　Weapons　Center；　China　Lake；　lies　in　the　desert　of　southern　California　east　of　the　range　of　mountains　that　form　the　eastern　wall　of　the　San　Joaquin　Valley。　The　air　at　China　Lake　is　clean；　hot；　and　dry。　Tuesday　afternoon　Jake　Grafton　dragged　in　lungfuls　of　it　as　he　walked　across　the　baking　concrete　toward　the　air　terminal　with　Helmut　Fritsche　and　Samuel　Dodgers。　Behind　them；　still　trading　quips　with　the　female　crew　of　the　T…39　that　had　flown　them　here　from　Andrews　AFB　in　Washington；　via　NAS　Moffett　Field　where　they　had　collected　Dodgers；　Toad　Tarkington　and　Rita　Moravia　supervised　the　loading　of　the　luggage　into　a　navy　station　wagon。
　An　hour　later　Dr。　Dodgers　lifted　his　ball　cap　and　scratched　his　head。　He　was　standing　with　Grafton　and　Fritsche　in　a　hangar　that　was　empty　except　for　an　A…6E　Intruder。　Sentries　were　posted　on　the　outside　of　the　doors　with　orders　to　admit　no　one。
　The　men　were　examining　grease…pencil　marks　placed　on　the　plane　by　Fritsche。　These　were　the　locations　he　remended　for　the　special　antennas　of　Dodgers'　Athena　system。　And　Sam　Dodgers　was　scratching　his　head　as　he　surveyed　Fritsche's　artwork。　〃Well；〃　he　said　unenthusiastically；　〃I　guess　these　spots　will　work　okay；　after　we　tweak　the　output　of　each　antenna。　But。。。〃　His　voice　trailed　off。　Jake　glanced　at　him　without　curiosity。　He　had　already　discovered　that　Dodgers'　enthusiasm　came　in　uneven　dribbles。
　〃It's　the　left　side　of　the　airplane　only；〃　Fritsche　said　firmly。　〃Fourteen　antennas。　Side　of　the　tail；　fuselage；　left　outboard　pylon；　under　the　cockpit　rail；　forward　on　the　nose。。。　and　one　on　the　left　wingtip　in　place　of　the　position　light。〃
　〃You　really　need　one　in　front　of　the　left　intake；　where　that　flat　plate　is。　That　plate　is　probably　the　biggest　single　contributor　to　the　plane's　RCS　when　viewed　from　this　side…makes　up　maybe　half　of　it。〃
　〃Can't　put　one　there。　Might　get　broken　off　by　the　airflow　and　go　down　the　intake。　It'd　destroy　the　engine。〃
　〃How　about　in　front　of　that　plate？〃
　They　discussed　it。　Yes。
　〃This　jury　rig　is　just　for　test　purposes；〃　Fritsche　told　Jake。　〃An　operational　Athena　system　for　an　aircraft　will　have　to　have　conformal　antennas；　'smart　skin'　in　the　jargon　of　the　trade。　Literally；　the　antennas　will　be　part　of　the　aircraft's　skin　so　they　won't　contribute　to　drag　or　ever　be　broken　off。〃
　〃How　much　is　that　going　to　cost？〃
　〃Won't　be　cheap。　Conformal　antennae　are　under　development；　but　they'll　be　new　technology　and　aren't　here　yet。〃
　〃Forget　I　asked。〃
　Jake　wandered　over　to　where　Tarkington　and　Moravia　stood　with　mander　L。D。　Bonnet；　the　manding　officer　of　the　A…6　Weapons　System　Support　Activity；　which　owned　the　airplane。　All　three　saluted　Jake　as　he　approached　and　he　returned　the　gesture　with　a　grin。　〃So；　L。D。；　are　you　going　to　let　these　children　fly　your　plane？〃
　〃Yes；　sir。　They　appear　sober　and　reasonably　petent。〃
　〃I　appreciate　your　letting　us　borrow　the　plane　and　hangar　for　a　few　days。〃
　〃Admiral　Dunedin's　very　persuasive。〃
　Jake　flashed　a　grin。　L。D。　must　have　hesitated　a　few　seconds　before　he　agreed　to　the　Old　Man's　requests。　〃Here's　what　I'd　like　to　do。　Fritsche　and　Dodgers　are　going　to　take　a　day　or　two　to　install　some　little　antennas　on　the　left　side　of　the　plane。　They'll　use　glue　and　drill　a　few　holes；　then　install　a　tiny　fairing　in　front　of　each　antenna。　They're　going　to　need　the　help　of　a　couple　of　good；　capable　airframe　technicians　who　can　keep　their　mouths　shut。〃
　Bonnet　nodded。
　〃Then　Rita　and　Toad　will　fly　the　plane　up　to　the　Electronic　Warfare　range　at　Fallen　since　the　EW　range　here　at　China　Lake　is　out　of　service　this　week。　Fritsche　and　I　will　fly　up　there　ahead　of　them。　Dodgers　will　stay　here　to　work　on　the　gear　in　the　plane。　Rita；　I　want　you　to　keep　the　plane　under　three　hundred　knots　indicated　to　minimize　the　airflow　stress　on　these　antennas。　They're　gang　to　be　jury…rigged　on　there　with　a　little　bubble　gum　and　Elmer's　glue。〃
　〃Aye　aye；　sir；〃　she　said。
　〃L。D。；　I　need　you　to　loan　me　a　couple　of　young　officers　with　at　least　ten　pounds　of　tact　each。　They'll　alternate　duty；　so　that　one　of　them　will　be　with　Dodgers　day　and　night。　They're　to　escort　him　to　work；　stay　with　him　all　day；　escort　him　to　the　head；　take　him　back　to　the　BOQ；　eat　with　him；　see　that　he　talks　to　no　one　but　them。　And　I　mean　no　one。〃
　After　discussing　the　details；　mander　Bonnet　departed。　Jake　Grafton　explained　to　Rita　and　Toad　exactly　what　he　expected　of　his　flight　crew。　He　finished　with　a　caution。　〃This　device；　the　project　name；　everything；　is　classified　to　the　hilt。　Admiral　Dunedin　tells　me　he　has　cells　reserved　at　Leavenworth　for　anyone　who　violates　the　security　regs。　I　don't　want　you　to　even　whisper　about　this　in　your　sleep。〃
　〃I　love　secrets；〃　Toad　said。
　〃I　know。　Just　my　luck；　I　get　one　of　the　world's　great　secret　lovers。　Keep　it　zipped；　Toad。〃
　Jake　went　back　to　watch　the　installation　process；　so　Toad　and　Rita　set　out　on　foot　for　base　ops　to　plan　their　nights　to　and　from　Fallen；　Nevada。　As　they　walked　along；　Rita　asked；　〃What　was　it　that　Captain　Grafton　wanted　you　to　keep　zipped；　Toad？　Your　mouth　or…〃
　〃Never　ask　a　question　if　you　think　you　might　not　like　the　answer。　That's　Tarkington's　Golden　Rule　for　survival　in　Uncle　Sam's　navy。〃
　They　grinned　at　each　other。　Her　hand　slipped　into　his　for　a　fleeting　squeeze。　Instinctively　they　both　knew　to　play　it　cool。　No　hand…holding　or　huggy…squeezy　or　deep　eye　contact　during　duty　hours。　No　winks　or　sighs　or　casual　touching。　If　Captain　Grafton　saw　any　of　that；　the　roof　would　fall　in。
　As　Toad　walked　his　shoulders　were　back　and　his　head　up。　He　was　acutely　conscious　of　how　good　he　felt；　how　pungently　vigorous　and　healthy。　Takes　a　woman　to　do　that　for　you；　he　told　himself；　and　began　whistling　a　lively　little　tune　that　seemed　appropriate。　Life　is　good。
　Toad's　feeling　of　euphoric　bonhomie　lasted　precisely　one　hour　and　thirty…seven　minutes；　just　the　length　of　time　it　took　to　plan　the　flights　to　and　from　the　Electronic　Warfare　Range　near　Fallen；　Nevada；　fill　out　the　flight　plans；　visit　casually　with　the　weather　briefer　about　the　long…range　forecast　for　the　next　three　or　four　days　and　make　a　pit　stop　in　the　head。　On　the　walk　back　to　the　hangar　where　Grafton　and　the　wizards　labored；　Rita　was　quieter；　more　subdued　than　she　had　been　the　last　few　days。
　〃Do　you　like　me？〃　she　asked　finally；　wearing　a　gentle　semiserious　look　that　Toad　Tarkington；　man　of　the　world；　recognized　as　trouble。
　His　jovial　mood　returned　to　earth　with　an　unpleasant　splat。　mitment　time！　It's　their　hormones；　biology　maybe；　something　to　do　with　genes；　〃Sure。　You're　a　very　nice　lady　who's　fun　to　be　with。〃
　〃Oh。〃
　〃You　know　what　I　mean。　You're　not　one　of　those　girls　who　write　poetry　until　two　in　the　morning　and　read　Albert　Camus　in　the　cafeteria。〃
　〃Uh…huh。〃
　〃You're〃…and　here　Toad　grinned　broadly　and　arranged　his　features　in　what　he　always　thought　was　his　most　sincere；　let's…fuck…tonight　look…〃you're　the　kind　of　girl　a　guy　likes　to　be　around。〃
　〃I　understand；〃　Rita　said；　nodding。　〃You　like　girls　who　open　zippers　with　their　teeth　and　wear　crotchless　panties。〃
　He　didn't　like　the　way　she　said　that；　with　lips　parted　but　almost　immobile；　her　eyes　narrowing　ever　so　slightly。
　〃Rita；　I　try　to　avoid　discussing　serious　relationships　at　mid…afternoon　in　parking　lots。〃
　〃Maybe　if　I　shave　my　pussy　and　put　four　or　five　earrings　in　my　left　ear？〃
　Oh；　so　she　wanted　a　little　blood；　huh？　〃Right　ear。　Left　ear　is　for　lesbi…〃
　〃You　asshole！〃　She　stalked　away；　her　head　down；　braced　against　the　hurricane。
　〃Hey；　Ginger。。。〃　Ginger　was　her　nickname；　what　the　other　aviators　called　her。　She　even　had　it　on　the　name　tag　of　her　flight　suit。
　She　spun　around　to　face　him；　her　hands　clenched　at　her　sides。　〃Don't　you　ever　call　me　that；　Tarkington。　Not　ever。　Not　you。〃
　〃Hey…〃　he　said；　but　he　was　talking　to　her　back。　He　raised　his　voice　and　shouted；　〃I'd　like　to　get　to　know　you。　But　I'm　not　getting　engaged　in　a　parking　lot；　not　even　if　you're　the　Queen　of　Sheba。〃
　When　she　was　fifty　feet　away；　she　turned　to　face　him。　〃I　wasn't　asking　you　to　get　engaged；〃　she　shouted　back。
　〃Oh　yes　you　were！　Crotchless　panties；　shaved　pussies；　what　the　hell　is　wrong　with　you？〃
　She　was　walking　away　again。　Toad　turned　back　toward　base　ops。　Ten　feet　away　a　lieutenant　mander　stood　looking　at　him；　shaking　his　head。
　〃You　know；　Lieutenant；　when　I　discuss　intimate　apparel　or　personal　hygiene　with　a　lady　friend；　I　usually　try　to　find　a　slightly　more　private　place。〃
　Toad　turned　beet　red。　〃Yessir；〃　he　mumbled　through　clenched　teeth　and　stalked　by　with　his　head　down。
　Samuel　Dodgers　forked　his　food　without　wasting　an　erg　of　precious　energy。　The　utensil　bit　into　the　mashed　potatoes　and　peas　in　one　swift；　brutal　motion；　then　soared　aloft　by　the　most　direct　route　to　the　waiting　depository；　where　it　was　wiped　clean　in　the　blink　of　an　eye　and　dispatched　down　for　another　load。　A　man　working　this　hard　should　devote　his　attention　to　the　job　at　hand；　and　Dodgers　wisely　did　so。　If　he　heard　the　conversation　around　him；　he　gave　no　sign。
　Toad　Tarkington　gave　Rita　a　hopeful　wink　when　her　eyes　shifted　to　him　from　Dodgers　and　his　rapidly　emptying　plate。　Her　eyes　mapped　down　to　her　food。　She　pressed　her　lips　firmly　together　and　inhaled　deeply　through　her　nose；　which　strained　the　clot