Major Bauer
by
Karen Anne Summerfield
© September 2004
Part III
"Colonel Bradley requests your presence in his office at oh eight thirty, Major Bauer," the breakfast hostess informed me as I entered the club for breakfast with my roommates two months later. "Class A uniform, I believe you call your dress one?"
"Major Bauer reporting at ordered, sir." I saluted.
"At ease and be seated, Major." He extended a thin sheaf of papers.
"Your orders. You will be shipping out tomorrow morning, Anne Marie."
"Where am I going?" I asked.
"Honestly, I do not know. In all my twenty-eight years of service, I’ve never encountered the level of security that surrounds you and your two roommates. Other than flight training, I don’t know why you and the two CF-112’s are here. Hell, I didn’t even know that two 112’s still existed, let alone to have them in my hanger.
"You’ll be flying out on a Four Oh Seven Squadron CP-140 Aurora at oh nine hundred and your initial destination is Nineteen Wing, Comox, BC. Beyond that, I’m sure you’ll be told prior to departing there.
"Pretty place, Comox, a hell of a lot nicer than this frozen tundra," he chuckled.
"Before you go, I need to brief you on some classified information and have you document what I’m about to tell you." In a nutshell, what I was to swear to was that where I’d been for the past four months, what I’d been doing and what aircraft I’d been flying were classified, Top-Secret.
He grinned at me after placing the documents in an envelope also stamped, ‘Top-Secret’.
"Now that business is concluded, I’ve a little present for you. You’ll be at Comox for at least ten days, officially you’ll be ‘on leave’ – a bit of R&R.
"I’ve no sure idea what your answer might be if I would ask you what you might most like to have and I probably don’t have the resources or ability to fulfill it anyway. So, I’ve used my observations of you over the time you’ve visited here.
"I’ve cut orders for Flight Nurse, First Lieutenant Marley to fly to Comox with you and granted her ten days leave also, before she is scheduled to return "
Standing, I walked to his chair, bent forward and gave him a big kiss.
"Thank you, sir!"
"I was torn between Angela and your other ... ahem, interest, but it was just not in my ... ability to grant Private Jerkin the same."
"Angie will be most suitable and is greatly appreciated, sir." I gave him another kiss.
He cleared his throat... "It’s been a pleasure, Major. That will be all." I was dismissed, as Col. Bradley didn’t even look up when I returned his salute.
I’d nothing better to do than pack, but I went to the hanger for one last look at the plane I’d fallen in love with.
"You must stay near the door, Major. You may no longer have clearance to go near the Blackbird," Sergeant Brewer informed me when I’d entered the hanger. A look towards my plane told me the reason.
Parked near the CF-112’s was a black C-130 Hercules with USAF markings. A team of about twelve men wearing powder blue flight suits were all over my plane. I’d witnessed such an event only once before when a SR-71, towards the end of her career, had made an emergency landing at our base and an almost identical scene had unfolded on the other side of the base before it climbed out of sight the following day. All I’d heard anyone say about it was ‘classified’. I knew better than to ask about what they were doing to my plane.
"Good morning, Lieutenant," I said to Angie in the deepest voice I could manage. She was bent over a filing cabinet when I entered her area.
"Be with you in just a moment, sir," she said with her back to me.
"Anne Marie!" she grinned.
"Can you break free for lunch?" I asked.
"In about fifteen minutes, I’m free for the next eleven days. God, it’s going to be nice to see the sun and breathe real air.
"They granted me leave to Comox for ten days. I fly out in the morning." Apparently they hadn’t told my girlfriend the entire story and I decided to play ignorant. "Totally unexpected as I’d not even applied for it. But I’m sure not going to complain.
"We can talk about it over lunch." Angie gathered her purse, "I’m just going to say, ‘good-bye’, be right with you," she said and disappeared in the back.
We saved our conversation until we were seated in the O’club. "I hope you don’t get too lonely whilst I’m on holiday, Anne-Marie." Angie squeezed my hand.
"Oh ... I don’t think so." My blonde girlfriend had a devilish grin.
She chuckled, "If you are thinking you’ll be having your favourite PE tech to play with whilst I’m not here to keep you in line, forget her. They shipped her and the rest of your ground crews out before the sun rose – destination, ‘Classified’. Word is your forces are taking your birds out soon."
"I’ll miss her," I said with lowered eyes.
"Which, Josie or your plane?"
"Honestly ... both," I stated when I faced her.
We’d a very nice lunch and I kept my secret while my girlfriend enthusiastically talked about her upcoming leave.
"I’m free this afternoon, would you like me to accompany you to do a little shopping for things to wear or do you want to save it until we can see what the shops in Comox offer?" I asked after I’d paid the bill.
"There’s only a few things I really need. Sure, I’d welcome your company, Anne Marie."
Not knowing when I’d the next chance to shop for personal care items and such, I stocked up too.
"You look like you’re getting set for a...
"Oh my god!"
"What is it Angie?" I innocently asked.
"You little bitch," she punched my shoulder.
"Your PE tech and ground crew are gone, your birds are going and you said," she paused to playfully punch me again, "you said when ‘we shop in Comox’."
"Yes, I believe I did say something to that affect, Angie," I teased, but didn’t continue to.
"They’re sending a CP-140 for us and we’ve the next ten days together on leave before I depart for destinations to remain classified.
"This is going to be the best vacation I’ve ever had!" Angie enthused.
"Do me a really big favor tonight, pretty please?" Angie asked when I picked her up after I’d packed. We both wore our cheongsams for dinner.
"If I can. What would you like, Angie?"
"Since I first arrived here, I made it obvious what my preferences are. No one has ever asked me to the Flight Bar as a date."
I’d established my flying credentials in polished granite and all the guys knew they weren’t for me and vice versa. My confidence in myself had grown tremendously after what my Air Force had done to me.
"Angie, I’d love to have you as my date tonight in the Flight Bar, please?"
"Yo guys!" someone shouted as I opened the door. "China Doll and her girlfriend are here! Party time!"
The bell behind the bar started to ring and I turned to look and neither Angie nor I were wearing hats. Col. Bradley stepped forward with his flight cap on askew.
"Ladies, please be my guests tonight?" He stowed his head gear. I accepted his hand when he offered it to lead me to several tables that had been shoved together to form a very large one.
I was seated at the head with Angie to my right and Col. Bradley to my left. The rest of the Forty-third filled the remaining seats with the Colonel’s staff.
"OK, boys! Listen up!" The room fell quiet. "I’m buying the first round!" They cheered again. "Then all of the pilots of the Forty- three Squadron with the rank of Captain and above are buying the next rounds for the bar in turn. They all had the honor of being shot down by our soon to be departed China Doll. This is China Doll’s last night here for a while."
"Shot down in more ways than one, sir!" someone out of sight said.
"Simmer down, stud! Another stated.
"Colonel Davidson?"
He stood, "While you all get their drinks, there is a matter I must correct, before we get to serious drinking.
"First Lieutenant Harry Stevens, front and centre!" Harry looked worried as he made his way to the head of the table.
"Damn it, Lieutenant, you are out of uniform!" Col. Bradley barked loudly!
"Colonel Davidson, correct this matter immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
"You are not entitled to wear these insignia!" He removed Harry’s silver bars and casually tossed them on the table.
"Damn it, Colonel, I ordered you to correct this!" Colonel Bradley sounded angry.
"China Doll, could you come help me, please?" Totally bewildered, I stood. Poor Harry seemed near to tears. Col. Davidson passed me a small card. I looked to see gleaming Captain’s bars.
"I’m sorry to have to do this, Harry," I said trying to sound sincerely sad, "but I must." I pinned on his new rank.
"It’s done." He was shaking with his eyes squeezed tightly closed.
"Now give me a nice kiss, Top Gun." I pulled him close and pressed my lips to his. "Congratulations, Captain Stevens!
"Gentleman! Captain Stevens!" I lifted his hand high.
All started to cheer. "I guess next round is on me!" He pulled me for another kiss.
Angie sought my hand when I sat. "No more showing off tonight, China Doll," her voice was soft and smooth, "…unless it is official stuff." I lightly kissed to acknowledge the obvious order.
Judy and Elise joined the party and we enjoyed beer and pizza with the guys while exchanging ‘war stories’. I was having a good time, but briefly thought about the past. I’d been a T girl all my life, but had never felt comfortable around men while dressed as Anne Marie. Prior to my forced transition, I could never have pictured sitting in a bar surrounded by a bunch of men, especially horny macho types. That evening, I was and I was completely at ease, talking and joking with them; even allowing an occasion kiss, delivered under the auspicious of a ‘good-bye’.
"Guys and girls, Anne Marie and I are going to call it a night." Angie had stood and pulled me to my feet. Must admit, I’d had a bit too much to drink and she had to steady me on my feet, especially since I was in six-inch heels.
"One kiss each then I’m taking her to bed." It would be after I’d slept it off that I fully realized that she’d offered me to them. Though she stood right next to me with her arm around my waist, my girlfriend allowed them more than just a kiss. When some fondled my breasts, it really felt good.
*****
"How do you feel this morning?" Angie asked as we dressed.
"I’m fine. You?"
"A little hung over. You must have drunk enough beer to float this ship last night, Anne Marie. At least I didn’t have to actually carry you back here."
"Really, I’m fine."
It was the first time I’d seen Angela in her Class A uniform; something other than the crisp whites she normally wore or her civies.
We went to my quarters where she helped me change into my full flight suit and finish packing all of my things then we went with my roommates, Judy and Elise, for breakfast at the club.
"Now that our birds are going away..."
"Quiet, Major." Judy was always the serious one. "The matter is classified. Change the subject and do not ask your question."
"Yes, Judy," I meekly acknowledged.
"Have either of you been to Comox? Angie and I will be spending our leave there?" I felt that was a safe question.
"Several years ago I was socked in there. It was January and it blew rain, sleet and snow, so I didn’t see much, but those based there said it was one of the best stations in Canada they’d ever had," Elise answered.
"Being mid-summer, you should have great weather there," Judy added. "My parents took me to Victoria for holiday when I was young and rented a sailboat. That was a lot of fun. If you are into that, you might have a good time, but like the rest of our oceans, the water is far too cold to go swimming unless you’re a polar bear," Judy joked.
All too soon it was time to depart, and my friends accompanied us to the tarmac where the Aurora was waiting. We said our final ‘good-byes’. Although I’d have loved to have hugged and kissed both, it was totally inappropriate in front of the men.
"Good morning, Major Bauer," a Captain greeted after exchanging salutes. "Ryan Windsor and my co-pilot, Tom Chesterfield. Our navigator, Carl McFadden." I acknowledged each and introduced Angie as ‘Flight Nurse, Angela Marley’.
"I think I’m going to be sick." Carl hugged his stomach and contorted his face.
"A couple of three-litre enemas and I’ll have you feeling like you never have before, sir. We can get started right now if you’d like?" Suddenly, Carl was feeling much better as his crewmates laughed.
"Seems to have worked like magic," he grinned.
The enlisted crew took our luggage as we climbed aboard.
"Major Bauer, I’m a certified pilot examiner," Captain Windsor began. "It has been suggested that you might like to fly our plane this morning. I’ll be in the right seat should you encounter any difficulties."
I saw Angie look away for a moment. When she turned back to face me and meet my questioning eyes, she said, "I know flying is your second love, go ahead, Anne... Major."
I believe that Captain Chesterfield sized up the situation first. "Lieutenant, there’s an extra seat in the cockpit reserved for you. This way."
I took the left seat and adjusted it for my build and the rudder pedals to suit then strapped in. "Checklist, please?" I reached back over my shoulder without looking while I studied the controls and instrument panel. Though I’d never flown any four-engine plane before, nothing was that unusual.
"Number two first, Ryan?"
"Number two," he nodded.
"Clear left," I stated after I’d looked out of the cockpit windows then set all of the controls and switches to what I thought appropriate while following the checklist then twirled my finger to the ground crew. They acknowledged. All four were soon running.
"Site Eighteen tower..."
"What’s our call sigh, copilot?" I felt a bit stupid that I’d completely forgotten to ask.
"Aurora niner six, six, four."
"Site Eighteen tower, Aurora niner six, six, four, request flight clearance."
"Aurora niner six, six, four, you are cleared to..." I shot it back faster than he’d given it.
Ryan didn’t say one word until I’d leveled at FL three one zero. "Set cruise at three hundred fifty knots, Major."
"Rodger."
Instead of engaging the autopilot, I flew the plane by hand for the entire four and a half hour duration. The only thing I had to have any instruction on was how to synchronize the props. I never gave Ryan any reason to say anything regarding my flying or even move towards touching the controls.
"You are one darn good pilot," he complimented as we descended to land on a beautiful day at Comox.
Even though we were officially on leave, Angie and I had to report to the command post to advise them of our intentions.
"We’ve never been on the Island before; can you recommend good accommodations, Sergeant?" Angela asked when we concluded our formalities.
"The Port Augusta Inn is probably the best in town, ma’am," he replied.
"Thank you. Would it be too much trouble for you to ring them and reserve a suite for the Major and I then secure a taxi, please?"
Less than a half hour later, Angie and I were in a large two bedroom suite, complete with kitchen facilities and a balcony that overlooked the harbor; she’d secured the charges on her credit card.
"Anne Marie, sit a moment, I’d like to discuss something with you, please?" I moved to sit on the bed. Angie sat to face me.
"Probably just like me, you didn’t have that much need to spend your pay on the ‘Ark’. You know I’ve been there just over two years. I’d like our holiday together to be my treat, please?
"Just be quiet, please?" she said when I was about to reply.
"You are the best thing to ever happen to me. Now I know you’ve some big important mission you are supposed to complete ... we’ll not go there. I want this to be my treat and to try and convince you to come back to me after you complete it.
"You will be successful, won’t you?" she concernedly asked.
"I certainly want to be with you after this is concluded. My Air Force said they’d release me if I pull it off.
"Please understand, I cannot talk about it, Angie?"
She pressed two fingers to my lips and pinched them together gently, "Then don’t. While we are together, no more military stuff." Angela pulled me to kiss.
"For the next ten days, OK nine if we don’t count today, I want you to let me do things for you and only ask that you let me."
Angela left the bed and walked to one of her cases. "Get undressed, please?" she asked while opening it.
I stood and started to remove my flight suit, gloves and boots. I’d not worn the rubber underwear.
"Turn around, please?" I felt her on my corset’s laces. "I ordered some pretty things for you to wear from Mrs. Hwang, but expected to give them to you later, never thinking you’d be leaving so soon."
Angie started to tighten my corset from top to waist and hips up. "I’ve wanted this closed for the longest time, but was concerned that might interfere with your official duties." My pleasing Angela was a high priority, I offered no resistance to what she was doing and didn’t complain about the discomfort it caused, especially in my chest.
When not wearing the pink latex undersuit, I usually wore black opaque, thigh-hi stockings under my flight suit, Angela stared a moment.
"Have you the suspender straps for the corset?" she asked.
"I do, but my stockings are ‘stay-ups’, Angie?"
"So I see, but I’d like you to wear real stockings whilst we are together." I searched and found the ten wide garter straps in my luggage. She fitted them to my corset then ordered me to remove my opaque stockings.
"A bit kinky, Angie?" I joked when she handed me the thin package.
"When I said ‘real’ stockings, now you know what I meant. I certainly can’t wear them on duty and on the ‘ark’ they just might generate too much attention. I rosed one of the sheer black stockings, struck my toes in then smoothed it up my leg. "Be sure you centre the heel accent and straighten the seam. I’m going to be a real bitch about you having straight seams." The first time, she helped me with the stockings and gartering them.
I’d used Mrs. Hwang to order a pair of plain black pumps with six-inch heels to wear with my civilian dresses when I was off duty. Angie produced a pair of white calfskin ones then put them on my feet. "How high are these heels?" I asked.
"Twenty-one centimetres and the platforms are four," she casually informed me as she buckled the ankle strap.
"Other foot."
"And you expect me to walk in these?"
"Un huh. With the rounded toes and tapered platforms your feet are really going to look tiny and I like that." She started to giggle, "I’ve read up on what your ancestors did to make their women’s feet look small and brought enough bandages to get you started on that technique, if you complain that those are too high, Doll.
"Oh, that’s all the name you’ll have while we’re together, ‘Doll’. Be sure to remember it."
"You’re turning into a real domme, aren’t you"
"What’s that mean? Oh, dominatrix, spot on, Doll. From when I first put you on the table and in stirrups, I sensed that you wanted me to be one and though we could never really get into it there, you haven’t made the slightest move or said anything to stop me. So ... don’t pretend that you don’t want exactly that.
"Stand up and come over here, please?" For the next ten minutes she added more makeup to my face, especially my eyes.
"Here’s your cheongsam." I was give a white brocaded satin dress and put it on while she changed into a casual denim skirt and black pullover.
"Angie, I look like a whore in this outfit!" I protested when I moved to look in the full-length mirror. The hem of the cheongsam was just fingertip length and the right side was slit several inches above that.
"And a very pretty one too.
"Here," my girlfriend offered a tiny white purse on a thin shoulder strap.
While I was protesting; inside I wanted to look as I did. My total appearance was not that unlike some of the things I’d dressed in, in my past; when I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Still, I was more than a bit nervous about going out looking as I did then.
I laughed. "Share with me?"
"Just a thought from a song, Angie. ‘If they could only see me now’. Gypsy Rose Lee, I think."
"And what’s the significance of that?"
"I didn’t always look this attractive," I answered with a grin.
"Would you like something to eat or just explore the town, Doll?" I elected to explore. I needed to adjust to my tighter corset before I was ready to put anything in my stomach. Before leaving the hotel, Angela reviewed all the advertising folders in the rack and selected a bunch.
"You can be our navigator," she grinned and handed me a map before we went outside.
"Doll, when your service is over, will you return to Canada or will try to talk me into moving to the States?"
"I’d like to think more about moving to your country, so long as you don’t try to talk me into living in an igloo above the Artic circle."
She laughed, "No chance of that. Yellowknife is bad enough in the winter."
"How about you, where do you think you’d like to live in Canada, Angie?"
"Cape Breton is home, so I’m more than a little partial to eastern Nova Scotia, but Toronto had an appeal too. I’d also like to check out Vancouver someday."
"I’ve visited both and, given a choice, Vancouver wins, but I’m not thrilled with big cities despite all they can offer.
"I assume that part of Nova Scotia is pretty rural?"
"Pretty and rural. My parents own a two hundred acre farm that hasn’t been worked for some time except to lease out to a neighbor to grow hay for his cattle. It borders the bay and is really pretty. I love it there. Dad’s ready to retire and said that if I want, the place if mine when I leave the Forces."
Mostly, we window shopped as we walked through the quaint town. The clothing stores offered nothing that appealed to either of us and we certainly didn’t have any need for crafts or decoration type knickknacks. Angela did however; take me into every jewelry store as if looking for something.
"I like that anklet," she stated and pointed to a medium thick, silver herringbone chain with twin hearts on it.
"It’s nice. Why not buy it if you like it then?"
"I will.
"Sir, I assume you can engrave this?"
"Certainly," he took it from the display case. "Sterling plated with iridium so it won’t tarnish, Ms. Just sixty dollars with engraving."
"Can you also remove the catch and solder it closed so it can’t be removed?" Angela asked. The jeweler looked at me before he answered.
"Yes, I can do that, if you’d like.
"Is it for her?"
"Yes. I’d like it engraved, ‘Angela’s Doll’ then fasted on her left ankle, please?"
Forty-five minutes later, we left the shop with the silver jewelry ‘permanently’ surrounding my ankle under my stocking. "What’s next ... a permanent collar, Angie?" I asked a little shakily.
"I think that will have to wait," she giggled. Her arm had mostly been around my waist since we’d left the hotel and pulled a little closer.
Late afternoon, we were walking on the docks and found a place that rented boats. Angie inquired about renting a sailboat as Elise had suggested, but they wouldn’t agree until we took lessons at a cost of one hundred dollars each. Angela said she’d give it some thought and let go at that.
"We can sail when we move home," she stated after we’d left.
*****
Much too soon, our wonderful vacation was over. I boarded a USAF C-130 Hercules at oh five hundred and Angie would start her trip back to Site Eighteen a few hours later. Though I was treated with the courtesy my rank was due, the crew were all business. I was shown a seat and not invited to fly, nor did any of the officers talk to me.
Angie had taken all my civilian things back with her, but for my long cheongsam and accessories. The only ‘memento’ I retained of my relationship with my lover was the silver anklet soldered in place.
"Major Bauer," A Lt. Colonel saluted me upon landing after the twenty-seven hundred mile flight. "I’m Colonel Spencer, come with me, please?" A sergeant took my only bag and we entered a staff car.
After checking my orders and ID, I was given a security pass during the ride to the Base Headquarters building.
"Take a few moments to freshen up. I’ll wait, Major," Col. Spencer motioned to the restroom. I did as suggested.
"Sir, what are the chances of something to eat, please? I was given nothing during the flight and haven’t eaten since last night."
"We cannot accommodate that right now, Major. This way please?"
The ‘secure room’ I was escorted to was occupied by high ranking military officers and civilians. I was told to be seated before the raised dais with all the accoutrements of a courts marshal!
"Major Bauer, I’m Cynthia Bloom, Department of State," The woman of about fifty began.
"You are going to be transported to a base on the southern coast of Taiwan by one of their planes tomorrow at oh three hundred," she stated.
I’d nothing to lose! "Ma’am, before we proceed, I want to be fed! My Air Force and my government have made a major investment in the hope that I will succeed in this Mission Impossible gig you’ve booked. I’m not going to succeed if you starve me!"
"You are out of line, Major!" A Major General barked! My thought was to tell him to ‘F’ off! But I checked it and just glared at him in return.
"The Major is correct," Ms Bloom stated and whispered to an aide behind here.
I wasn’t exactly trilled with the cold McDonalds Happy Meal® they delivered, but ate all of it.
"Thank you for the cold food. You may proceed, ma’am."
"Thank you, Major," she spoke condescendingly.
The ‘briefing’ lasted ten hours! I had been given a cold boxed meal. Hungry and tired, I was escorted under armed guard to a room. I hoped that the Taiwanese treated me better than my own government!
Awakened by one of my guards, I was told to get ready at oh two hundred. At least someone had the decency to provide me with a satisfying hot breakfast.
The plane my armed guards escorted me to was Boeing 767 with military markings. Easily it had the range to reach Taiwan without refueling. Totally the opposite of my treatment by my government, the Chinese crew acted as if I was royalty. Technically, their dialect was Taiwanese and, while I speak fluent Cantonese, we still communicated easily in Chinese and it delighted the girls serving me in the otherwise empty cabin.
They had probably been instructed or ordered not to discuss or ask anything about me and what was in my future, but openly talked about themselves. During the near nine hour flight, I had two nice Chinese meals and was able to sleep several hours.
"We will be landing soon, Major Bauer, perhaps you would like to refresh?" The head stewardess said upon awakening me.
It was obvious that I was on a military base and not a civilian airport when I disembarked to be met by a General, several other high raking officers and armed guards.
"Major Bauer, most to be pleased to greet you to Taiwan," the General said to me in English, as we saluted.
"It is my pleasure to arrive, sir, to assist your just cause," my response was spoken in Cantonese, which delighted him immensely.
He escorted me to an aged Cadillac limousine in excellent condition that took us to a building on the far side of the base.
"Do you require use of the facilities, Major?"
"Thank you, not presently, sir." We spoke only Chinese.
"Your comfort is of most importance. Please speak of what we might do to increase it?" On a lower level, I was led to what can only be described as a modern dungeon. Two gorgeous girls in long black cheongsams awaited there.
General Chaing turned serious as he faced me. "You are utmost importance to our success, Major, however, we must make assurances that your loyalties remain in our best interests." Beside a table, he picked up a plain metal collar and one of the women lifted a highly decorated gold and red enameled one.
"The collar Lian is going to lock about you neck is identical in function to this one." I flinched when the cold metal encircled my throat, but knew I was not on a position to resist.
"It contains a geographic position satellite transmitter so that we know at all times exactly where you are." The collar clicked loudly. It fit snuggly and felt heavy.
"It also contains these." He pointed to two needles that projected about two inches diagonally from the inside surface on opposite sides. "On your collar these are currently retracted. Do not cause them to extend," he warned.
"What happens if they do?" I’d already guessed, but wanted him to confirm my conclusion.
"You will die a very painful death, Major." His voice was without inflection.
"And what will cause them to do that, General?"
"It has been suggested that you might foolishly think to steal our airplane. It has also been suggested that you might not drop the bomb where you are told to.
"Major, many things have been suggested. I see no need to state the entire list. To remain a happy pretty lady, I will instruct you to do what we tell you, when we tell you to do it.
"You are obviously an intelligent woman or you would not be visiting with us. I see no need tell you the technical details of our gift of pretty jewelry." He turned to the two women.
"Permit me to introduce, Lien and Nudan." The women bowed formally to me. Their names translate to Lotus and Peony. "They will be your constant companions during your visit except when you are flying.
I watched Nudan lift a length of chain and two locks from the table. "When I state constant, I mean exactly that." Lien lifted her long hair so Nudan could lock one end of the chain to the back of her plain collar then moved behind me to lock the other end. About ten feet of links connected us.
"Your servants will attend to all of your needs. They will also assure that you do not attempt to tamper or damage the gift of jewelry we have generously given to you."
"Thank you for your kindness, General." I bowed to him and he smiled.
"Very well. Your servants will escort you to your room then bathe you and dress you prior to a feast that is being prepared to welcome you." He bowed to me, turned and left the chamber.
Lien gently tugged my leash and motioned that I should follow Nudan. We passed through a massive door which she unlocked then relocked once we had. Each side of the stone corridor had similar doors and appeared to be a cellblock.
When Nudan opened one, I was pleasantly surprised that we entered a luxurious apartment and not a Spartan cell. The door closed and locked and Nudan remained on the other side. With a bow, Lien smiled and moved to face me then began to undress me.
"I will bathe you now, Nu Zhuren." She addressed me as, ‘mistress’. Once I was naked, Lien removed her cheongsam and slipped off her slides; she had worn nothing else but the silk dress and shoes.
The bathroom was as large as the bedroom with a large sunken tub. She started the water then invited me to adjust the temperature to my liking while she poured in generous amounts of oils and other liquids in causing a deep layer of bubbles to form.
Taking my hand, Lien guided me down the steps at one end then placed her hand on my shoulder until we settled on the bottom. With a pretty smile, my companion began to wash me.
"Is it alright for Lien to wash here, Nu Zhuren?" Her free hand was high on the inside of my right thigh. I answered by spreading my legs and returning her smile.
Though she made no sexual overtures, Lien made my bath a most pleasant experience.
"Does your collar and leash bother you, Nu Zhuren?" she asked when I tossed the chain angrily over my shoulder as we climbed out of the tub.
"I am not accustomed to being collared and leashed like a pet dog." I answered.
"It will become natural. You are very valuable to our military and it is necessary to make sure that no harm comes to you."
Lien did everything for me. My hair had grown long enough in Canada so that I had no longer needed the wig. I was recorseted with a pair of the stockings Angie favored then my long green cheongsam and black pumps. She was an expert in doing my makeup quite heavily. My lover would have liked the look my servant had given me.
"We will go to dinner now, Nu Zhuren." Lien knocked on the door and Nudan opened it – there was no keyhole on the inside. Once we were in the corridor, Nudan accepted the middle of our leash and led us from the dungeon to a dining room where six officers were waiting. She handed the chain to General Chaing.
"You are a very pretty woman, Major."
"Thank you. Please, my name is Anne Marie?" He nodded.
"Would you like a cocktail?" I asked for plum wine and another woman, identically dressed as my two companions served it.
"To your successful mission, Anne Marie," he toasted.
"Are your rooms satisfactory?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Does it bother you that you are to be locked in a dungeon?"
"I am positive that you have good reason. This does bother me, sir." I touched my collar.
He nodded, "I have told you why it is necessary. The collar will be removed once you have succeeded in your mission and you will be returned to your forces. We do not want you to fail."
*****
My guardians knew my measurements and were prepared with new fight suits. Lien had tightened my corset to its limit, just as Angie had. The new latex under-suit was the same as a pair of sheer black stockings and complete with heel accents and seams; it was just as see-through too. It made me look even more like a fetish model from the pages of Marquis® than in the Canadian one. It didn’t stop with just the catsuit; Lien fitted me with a full helmet of the same latex. Its eye and mouth holes were outlined dramatically in black.
Devoid of any insignia, the form-fitting flight suit was of bright red silk with a gold brocade pattern and styled, as before, like a cheongsam. It confirmed that they didn’t care if there was a fire and I was burned.
Instead of the large dining room, I was taken to a smaller one where General Chaing awaited me for breakfast.
"I trust you spent a most pleasant night, Anne Marie?"
"I slept well, thank you. I was quite tired from the long flight, but feel refreshed."
"I’m pleased. When you are not so fatigued, make use of your servant to pleasure you. I am told that she is quite expert with a woman." He’d a lecherous grin when his eyes fell on her where she knelt behind me.
"You would probably like to see your airplane and I thought that we might do that this morning."
"Yes, that would be nice," I answered.
"May I know when you expect me to fly the mission?"
"We do not believe that you do. The secrecy surrounding this is a primary matter. Not that you will be permitted and we have taken every precaution that you cannot, but there is the very remote possibility you might try to communicate that information to those who might wish your mission were to never occur.
"Not that you are James Bond, Anne Marie, but in his books and motion pictures, some miracles always happened to allow him to defeat his enemies. We do not wish you to have or cause miracles.
"Of course you will have the opportunities to fly the plane so that you are accustomed to it and comfortable chained in it."
"Chained in it, General?"
"But of course.
"You must realize that we what this mission to succeed. If you foolishly think you have defeated your collar and you elected to fly the craft over the ocean and found your fleet, you might have the thought to ditch, climb out and destroy the plane while being saved. This you will not do.
"The mechanism for the ejection capsule has been removed. Also, the canopy cannot be opened from the inside. You will remain in the seat and inside of the plane until you return here and are released."
"But suppose there is a mid-air emergency?"
He laughed. "Then you must make every effort to return here. Were you to eject, the plane would be destroyed in any event.
"You may look and speak Chinese and perhaps your parents are Chinese, but in here and in here," he touched his chest and head, "you are American. Americans would not make very good kamikaze pilots." His grin was pure satisfaction.
After a nice American style breakfast, I was introduced to Lt. Colonel Li. She was in her mid-thirties I guessed and bore pilot’s wings on her breast.
"Colonel Li will be your instructor, Anne Marie. Enjoy your day and I look forward to dining with you this evening." Lt. Col. Li seemed hard as nails and didn’t speak to me then. She gripped our leash and led Lien and me from the room.
We walked from the Headquarters building to a hanger over a mile away. If she was aware of how high my heels were, she certainly didn’t act as if she cared. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter and I saw manned anti-aircraft emplacements too; both guns and SAM’s.
"That is your plane." Lt. Col. Li said. As the hanger only contained one, gleaming white bird, she didn’t have to point it out to me. While I’d studied the plane and manuals at Site Eighteen, I was still a bit unprepared to see that it was so big. The CF-123 was half again larger that the CF-112.
As we neared, I counted five stanchions under each wing; each with three air-to-air missiles that bore the telltale flags on their safety pins.
"Are the missiles armed, Colonel?"
"Of course they are!" she snapped. "The bomb is in the fuselage. You have no need to ever see it."
"Mount the platform!" She released her grip on my chain to allow Lien and I to climb up. It was only then that I realized a Sergeant had joined us inside the hanger and he came up too.
Lien stood before me and opened the frogs on my flight suit and slipped it off my shoulders. "Take it off, Major!" Lt. Col Li ordered with a grin. "You do not need a pretty suit to fly." I was embarrassed to do so in front of the man. I felt even more so when Lien knelt and he handed her the rubber thing from the opened cockpit so she could fit it into my crotch.
"From henceforth, Lien, put that on before she leaves her rooms."
"Yes, ma’am."
As soon as I saw it, I knew the butt plug on the seat was fatter than that on my Blackbird. My pretty assistant helped me climb in and settle onto it. It felt as big as it looked and was very uncomfortable.
Instead of webbing, like all other cockpit harnesses with which I was familiar, those on my seat were countered cast aluminum. As Lien latched each one, she turned the individual key to lock it in place and handed that key to the Colonel.
Lien lifted the huge dildo between my thighs and, as gently as she could, inserted it into my pussy. It too locked. Both of my hands were cuffed. There was enough chain so I could reach everything in the cockpit that I needed to, but my body or harness.
"Lean forward, Nu Zhuren," Lien asked. She unlocked our lead from my collar then placed my helmet on me. It fit well despite not having any custom pads installed. She pushed my head back and I felt her lock my collar to the seat. The helmet’s aluminum chinstrap was also locked. She smiled and left my view. Lt. Col Li took her place.
"We believe that it would benefit you to spend a day in the cockpit familiarizing yourself with the instruments and the feel, Major, though we know you’ve trained in similar.
"It is also thought to be a good exercise for you to realize the situation you are in." She showed me the ring full of keys. "Every lock securing you requires a different key to open it. A very long time will be needed to cut all of your restraints and there is no antidote for the two different poisons in your collar. You will have suffered a very excruciating death, before any would-be rescuer could even open the cockpit to begin extricating you.
"Your mission is to deliver the bomb to its designated target. We promise you that after you have done that and have returned here, we will return you safely to your government.
"Think about these things today." She turned and motioned to the sergeant.
The canopy lowered and was sealed. Several minutes passed before electric power came on in the cockpit. But for the communication radios and the weapons, everything was activated. No GPU was connected, so I couldn’t start the engines and the hanger doors were closed besides.
My situation was not a very good one, which was abundantly clear! The State Department had made a very strong point that if I detonated a nuclear weapon on whatever target the Taiwanese designated, my execution was certain. The Taiwanese had made it clear that if I deviated from course, they’d send a signal to the collar locked around my neck and execute me. As General Chaing had pointed out, I was not the Kamikaze type. I wanted to live. I wanted to be with Angela and to be left alone! I hadn’t exactly volunteered for this Ian Fleming adventure!
From a ‘save-my-ass’ perspective, completing the mission and taking my chances with the consequences of having done so was the best choice, exactly what my warders wanted, but I’d have the guilt of killing millions and starting World War III on my conscience for as long as I lived was a bit heavy and not an option.
*****
I flew nearly every day, just as in Canada, at all times of the day and night and in whatever the weather conditions were. Though the plane was laden with weapons, the firing circuits were disabled. While I’d been in love with my Blackbird, the CF-123 was in another world. It had to be the best aircraft ever built and pure joy to fly.
With Lien never more than ten feet from me and seeming to watch my every move, I saw little chance of escape.
My hosts were generous, if nothing else. When I requested new clothing or accessories, they ordered whatever I wanted and I was given it only a few days later.
My opportunity came when a new pair of green leather pumps was delivered. Each shoe had a strip of thin steel in it to hold their shape! I was elated! Fortune was with me!
"Lien, I would like to use the toilet, please?" Dutifully she rose and went with me. It was her practice to not watch as I emptied my bladder or bowels.
Quickly, I bent the strips and worked them under my collar. They would need more work, but I could tolerate the discomfort until I’d the opportunity.
*****
A week more passed flying with the Taiwanese in mock combat. There would have been no contest were they flying against my Canadian friends. The Chinese fighter pilots were among the best I’d flown with and damn tough competition; they pressed me very hard.
"Tonight you will deliver our present to Beijing, Anne Marie," General Chaing informed me on a rare day I’d been kept locked in my rooms and not flown.
"Lien will prepare you to fly."
Nudan delivered our meals as Lien was completing my makeup. I normally wore the kinky rubber helmet every day and took it off after my flying activities were concluded, but my faithful servant always had me in full, heavy makeup both under it and without it.
The briefing I was given consisted of nothing more than the weather, the course and the destination. Take off was scheduled for twenty-three hundred.
After Lt. Col. Li checked that I was all locked in properly and had all the keys but those to my collar and helmet, everyone but Lien had left the platform.
She leaned her head next to mine so our cheeks pressed. I felt her fingers under my collar and froze. "You have not fooled me, Nu Zhuren. I want you to win. Please do and do not drop the bomb!" She kissed me then placed my helmet and fastened the remaining two locks.
The canopy sealed, I ran the checklist and taxied to the runway with at least twenty-four escort fighters behind. They were of no comfort. Their job was first to shoot me down if I deviated from course and only to protect my return were I to complete my mission.
I planned neither.
On takeoff, for the first time since flying the CF-123, I did a maximum performance climb – full burners and fifty degrees nose up at Mach one point two five. They were lost in my wash.
At FL seven zero zero I turned northeast halfway across the Taiwan Strait and reduced speed. On climb out, I’d switched the transponder and most of the other electronics to standby.
To fly at altitude at high speed took a tremendous amount of fuel that I could not then afford to expend. Japan was dead ahead, but I was not clear of any threats.
To all defense radars, I was a high speed intruder, a UFO!
I turned on my own defensive and offensive systems.
"Damn!" I swore aloud. There were several formations rising from the north and northeast with all appearances to intercept me! My high-performance climb to leave my ‘friends’ from Taiwan behind had burned more fuel than I’d wanted and I didn’t have a complete understanding of what fighter capabilities the Communist Chinese had.
I did know that they had purchased MIG-31’s from the Soviets and certainly they were serious competition. My fuel state did not permit me the luxury of plugging in the afterburners and running east towards Guam or some other safe haven as I’d have preferred!
Thinking of my options, of which I concluded that I had very few, I did a hard one hundred eighty degree turn and dove to take out seven of the Chinese with just seven missiles! As it was dark, the fight was like playing a computer game against a black screen. I’d only the radar and instruments to guide me until the red and yellow fireworks illuminated beyond the windscreen.
While I’d taken out seven, five others were closing and more were launching, both from the north and the south including ones from Japan!
An active night time dogfight between me and two MIG-31’s took nearly all my skills to shoot them from the sky along with eight more of my precious weapons.
Four were closing from my left and two, probably Taiwanese from my right and Japanese were climbing to intercept from in front.
"Milkbar one one eight degrees one five niner miles, China Doll! Flight Level three five zero. Get yer pretty arse in gear!" My earphones spoke.
Huh? "Judy?" Getting no reply I switched to guard and queried again!
"You bet yer arse, Doll!" As I spoke, two eight ship formations ripped past going in the opposite direction. I’d no way to see more of them than their blue tail flames.
"Milkbar, Milkbar, China Doll, I need to suckle." I’d not been given any official call sign.
"Hi ya, Doll. Dairy zero niner. We’re a kilo charlie seventeen at flight level thirty five zero zero. Squawk three five one seven ident...
"Tally ho on radar. Descend to and maintain flight level three four five. Course one two one. Nav lights on.
"Three four five, one two one, lights on," I acknowledged.
Aerial refueling requires most of a pilot’s full concentration. Only when I parted from the boom did I realize I’d company. Since they were friendlies, I guessed the boom operator saw no need to tell me of their presence.
The very familiar shape of a CF-112 slipped to the nozzle.
"Relax doll, you are in good hands now and we aren’t your auto insurance company," It was Elise joking over the radio. I looked out to see ten F-14 Tomcats on my wings.
"Where’s Judy?" I hesitated to ask.
"Just fly your plane!" She snapped! I shut up.
"Canada Goose zero one, breaking off. Thank you, Dairy zero niner.
"Join my left wing, Doll." I obeyed. An F-14 moved to the boom.
"Less than five hours to Hickham. Are you up to that or do you want Wake instead?" Elise asked.
"Hawaii sound fine to me, but I’ll need another pit stop before we get there, Goose."
"We both will. The Tomcats are returning to their carrier."
Though it had every bit of modern technology that could be crammed into a fighter, one feature almost no airplane of that type has is an autopilot; I’d have to fly it by hand all the way.
"Canada Goose, Moonbeam three seven, squawk two niner four zero, ident.
"Rodger, two niner four zero, ident."
"Canada Goose, what is your altitude and destination."
"Flight level four six zero, Destination Hickam Air Force Base."
"Canada Goose, Moonbeam three seven, Standby."
"Wilco, Canada Goose."
"Who are they, Elise?"
"SAC AWACS," she answered.
Over three minutes elapsed before they came back. "Canada Goose, negative Hickam. You are ordered to Edwards Air Force Base.
"Come left course zero seven eight."
"Left zero seven eight, Canada Goose." I did not look forward to flying my plane almost seven thousand miles.
During the long and tiring flight, Judy’s absence really bothered me. I know she’d been there for me when they intercepted, but what had happened? Had she been shot down? Did she eject safely? My military discipline kept me from asking again over the radio.
We refuel two more times en route.
"Canada Goose, San Francisco Center, switch to Edwards Approach two, three five decimal seven."
"Wilco, Edwards, two, three five decimal seven. Canada Goose.
"Edwards Approach, Canada Goose, two ship, flight level two three zero."
"Canada Goose, Edwards Approach, squawk one seven, zero, zero, ident.
"One, seven zero, zero, ident, Canada Goose.
Twenty minutes later, I’d parked and shut down on a remote part of the base. Once we were within range about two hundred miles out, I fully briefed the command post on my locked in condition.
It actually took the crew longer to open the cockpit without damaging the plane; about an hour, than it did to grind open all of the locks that held me in the seat. I’m positive my kinky latex catsuit gave the guys lots of ideas about what they’d like to do to or with me.
Thankfully, an airman handed me a Nomex® flight suit as soon as I was out of the cockpit.
After having been in the plane so long, I needed help to walk and was taken by ambulance to the base hospital for a full checkup. Once my collar was cut off, the Chief Flight Surgeon decided that I should spend the night there for observation. Once they’d fed me, I didn’t argue and was quickly asleep.
"Good morning, Anne Marie," Elise wearing her Class A uniform greeted me while I was finishing breakfast.
"Good morning. Elise, what happened to Judy, is she OK?"
"Judy was shot down, but ejected safely. She was picked up by a Japanese fishing boat in the East China Sea. She’s in the hospital Yokota Air Base. I’m not sure when they are going to fly her out, but other than a few bruises, Judy’s OK.
"I brought you a uniform. They want to debrief us as soon as you are ready."
"Do I have time to shower and get pretty?"
"Sure. What was it you said in Canada? ‘What are they going to do, fire me and send me home?’ " We both laughed.
"I certainly hope so?" I took my sweet time to get dressed and do my makeup as Lien had applied it.
"Major Bauer and Major Campbell, reporting as ordered sir?" I saluted a Lt. General in the briefing room. Ms. Bloom from the Department of State was seated next to him.
"Good morning, ladies. At ease and be seated please?
"The proceedings are classified Top Secret.
"I’m Lieutenant General Powers. I believe you’ve met Ms Bloom." We nodded to each other.
"Take your time and tell us everything that transpired from the time you departed Hickam Air Force Base, Major Bauer."
I did just what he requested and he stopped me at the point we’d made contact with the AWACS plane over the Pacific.
"Tell us what you can about the bomb, Major," a Colonel asked.
"I know absolutely nothing about it. I’ve never even seen it and it is only hear say that it was even in the bomb bay, sir."
"Most definitely it was there," he confirmed.
"How were you instructed to deliver it?"
"I had coordinates to fly to at an altitude of eighty five thousand feet and a speed of four hundred knots, break the safety wire on the switch cover then activate the switch at a second set of coordinates, sir. That is the extent of what I know."
"Do you remember those coordinates, Major?" I stated both sets. They waited while a Lt. Colonel wearing Command Navigator wings input the laptop computer in front of him.
"Based on the limited aerodynamics we know about the weapon, it should have detonated in a two mile circle over the population center of Beijing, sir."
"These proceedings are closed," General Powers declared. "Dismissed."
"Sir?" I stood when everyone else had.
"Yes, Major?"
"Sir, what happens to me now?"
He turned to a nearby officer. "Major Dickenson, is there a convenient office we might use?"
"This way please, sir?"
Elise was not invited in when the two of us entered the room and he closed the door.
"There will be no medals for what you accomplished, Major." General Powers began. "Officially, the CF-123 does not exist. We also cannot risk upsetting either Chinese government by even acknowledging you were there.
"Oh, by the way, our intelligence suggests that what they wanted you to do was a secret operation conducted by General Chaing and his supporters. It appears that the mission was unknown to the government and not sanctioned by them."
"I see."
"As to what happens to you... What would you like, Major?"
"To be given my passport and an Honorable discharge. If it within the power of our government. There is a First Lieutenant Angela Marley in the Canadian Forces that would also like to be discharged, sir." I had nothing to lose by asking.
"Are you in love with her, Major."
"Yes. It’s my intent to emigrate to Canada and disappear, which I’m sure the State Department will be pleased to hear."
"Yes ... I’m sure they will.
"I’ll see what I can do to get you an expedited passport and leave orders cut for you.
"What unit are you assigned to, Major?"
I laughed. "As soon as someone tells me, I’ll be able to tell you, sir. For over a year, I’ve not been assigned to any unit that I’m aware of."
He smiled. "In the meantime, report to the Base CO here. They’ll keep you informed."
"Can you tell me, Anne Marie?" Elise asked.
"I asked for a passport and a discharge. The general couldn’t promise anything, but to check into things for me. That’s about it.
"I need to see the Base Commander here." We walked to that office and I explained my situation to the Master Sergeant in the outer office the best that I could without divulging classified information which wasn’t very well. At least he was successful in getting the Brigadier General to see me.
"Frankly, Major," General Addams said, "I’m rather confused. You flew across the Pacific and landed here with a Canadian, but every other detail you tell me is classified. You have no unit, no orders and no ID."
"That’s correct, sir."
"Can you tell me what type of plane you flew here?"
"A CF-123, sir."
He stared at me in question a moment then picked up his phone and pressed the buttons.
"Sergeant, this is General Addams. Do we have a CF-123 here?
"I see. Under whose orders was it directed to land here?
"NORAD and the Department of State?" His glare intensified and his brow wrinkled.
"What marking does the plane have? ...None? Are you sure?
"Where did the flight originate?
"That data is classified?
"What is here? ...A SAC C-130 also with no tail number and they’ve established a secure zone with armed personnel around the 123?
"More?" he listen for a minute.
"Thank you Sergeant."
He disconnected and dialed again, to his clerk. "Bill, see if you can get General Powers on the phone or that State Department woman."
He stared at me a moment. "Let me see if I can guess how this went down...
"You stole a plane that doesn’t exist from a foreign government, it has a nasty weapon on board, you were in at least one air engagement and, if I were to check, your flight here, probably never officially occurred."
"Something like that, I guess, sir." I grinned and he returned it.
"How many did you shoot down, Major?"
"Seven during the first engagement and two in the second."
"What were they?"
"I never had a visual as it was night. I think it might help and not violate security if I told you my guess is that they were MIG-31’s. There aren’t many fighters that could engage me at seventy thousand feet."
"Seventy thousand feet?" he repeated with a shake of his head. "You engaged at that altitude?"
"I didn’t feel comfortable about taking my plane higher with the fuel reserves I then had, sir."
"Higher?" again he shook his head as the phone rang.
"Yes, Sergeant, put the general through...
"General Addams. Thank you for taking your time, sir.
"Major Anne Marie Bauer is I my office. What..." he stopped talking and took up his pen to begin writing as he listened. Occasionally he wrinkled his brow and only once glanced at me.
Five minutes after his phone had rung; he disconnected and called his clerk.
"Sergeant, you’ve met Major Bauer. See that she immediately has proper identification and a guest membership at the Officers’ Club. Also cut orders for the Major to report to me. Contact payroll for an advance of three thousand dollars cash.
"Next, contact the Department of State..." he offered one of the papers he had written on. Use that contact information to secure an Official Passport on an emergency rush basis.
"Oh, reserve a VIP suite for her in VOQ.
"If anyone questions this or Major Bauer, it is classified, ‘Top Secret – Need to Know Only’. The Major reports to me.
"That will be all Sergeant.
"Major Bauer, please work as much as possible with Sergeant Miller. He is quiet capable of resolving most problems that might arise. That will be all."
Elise, who had waited in the outer office stood when I came out. "How’d it go, Anne Marie?"
"Major, it will be tomorrow before I can do anything for you," Sgt. Miller sounded apologetic. As it was seventeen hundred, I’d no reason to question that as fact. He took out his wallet and counted five twenties.
"That should carry you until I have your pay matter under control, ma’am."
"Thank you Sergeant." I accepted the loan.
"Ten hundred would probably be a good time in the morning, ma’am." We exchanged salutes and I left with Elise.
The BX would be closed at that time so we went to the club for dinner then the VOQ so I could check in.
"I’ve no personal care items or a change of clothing, Airman. Can you suggest someplace where I might get things that I need, please?" I asked the clerk.
"Ma’am, a female captain delivered two cases to your suite a short time ago. Might I suggest that you check there before you leave the base to shop tonight?"
"Thank you, I will." He gave me the key and directed me to my room.
As the clerk predicted, I’d been provided with all I needed and more. I had makeup, a new leather, dress uniform purse, underwear, pantyhose and a couple of nighties along with civies. Someone had done some ‘homework’ and bought me two short cheongsams and a floor length one.
*****
Elise had told me that her orders were to accompany me and nothing until further ordered. Judy, her face still slightly bruised joined us two days after we’d arrived with the same orders.
Two weeks after I’d landed from my trans-pacific solo on the wing of Elise’s CF-112, I was summoned to the Base Commander’s office. As Judy and Elise were also ordered there we walked together. We all wore our dress uniforms.
"Go right in, Majors," Sergeant Miller instructed, "you’re expected."
"Good morning, ladies," General Addams causally greeted with a salute. "Please be seated.
"Major Bauer, this should make your pay current though the end of next month, which should make your accrued leave current also." He handed me a number ten envelope then a second one.
"Our government offers an expression of their gratitude for mission accomplished. I strongly conclude from the very little, trust it is very little, that almost no one thought you’d recover the plane too. The consensus was you’d go down in flames."
"You’ve never flown with our China Doll. My strong suggestion is, do not fly against her, General," Elise stated with a smile. "I’d not and I have in practice games and she didn’t have a 123 then."
"I’ll heed your recommendation, Major.
"Your replacement bankbooks.
"Your new passport." He paused a moment to smile at me.
"I know very little about you, Major Bauer, but suspect that you will not object if there is no Dress Parade upon your discharge." I was given another paper.
"These are your Permanent Residency papers and card. The visa is stamped in your passport."
"Excuse me sir, but for my discharge, none these have my name of them," I stated.
"Sush, Anne Marie!" Judy said. "You just do not realize what has happened yet," Judy, the always logical one, quieted me.
"Major Ellsworth is correct. Major Anne Marie Bauer will soon cease to exist, Miss Jaeger.
"May I continue?" he asked; a bit stunned, I nodded.
"The State Department has provided you with a biography. I strongly suggest you study it.
"What else, birth certificate, driver’s license, Social Security card, commercial pilot’s license," he passed them over. "Sheepskin," I was given a rolled parchment tied with a pink ribbon.
"Last, Flight orders to CFB Greenwood. I’ve not checked where that is."
"Nova Scotia, Anne Marie," Elise squeezed my hand.
General Addams grinned. "I’ve been told a civilian will be there to meet you and provide additional information.
"Major Ellsworth and Major Campbell, fight orders from your government and reassignment orders to Nineteen Wing, CFB Comox."
"Jeses heavies, they’ll be different, but I’ll certainly take Comox over Site Eighteen," Elise grinned.
"That concludes my business with you, ladies. I wish you the very best of good fortune and happiness in your futures." We stood when he had.
"Unfortunately, I have another engagement this evening, otherwise I’d invite you to join me for a grand departure dinner at the club. However, I’ve made arrangements for you to put it on my bill. Please enjoy?"
We all gave General Addams a kiss and a big hug.
For the evening, I dressed in my long cheongsam. I regretted losing all of the clothing I’d acquired prior to my forced transition and the beautiful things since, but the ‘Thank you’ check from my government was for two-million dollars after taxes. I wasn’t going to complain too vigorously.
Two CP-140 Aurora’s awaited us when the staff car drove onto the tarmac the following morning; one from Four Oh Seven Squadron, Comox and the other Four Oh Five Squadron, Greenwood. I said my good-byes in the car and boarded the plane with tears in my eyes. Definitely I was going to miss Judy, but more so Elise.
After Major Marks introduced me to his crew, he invited me to fly the plane to Nova Scotia; an invitation I readily accepted. Flying took my mind off of leaving my good friends.
As General Addams had hinted and I’d hoped, Angie was waiting for me in the Operations building at Greenwood. ‘Fire me and send me home!’ They’d done just that! I greeted her with a very tight hug and deep kiss!
"It’s about a two hour drive to my farm, Doll," Angie informed once we’d settled in her small car.
"They fired me," I told her. "Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve a new name too."
"So I heard, Miss Jaeger. I’d have thought they’d have named you with one more fitting your look. Doesn’t matter, you’ll have a proper English name soon." Her smile filled her pretty face.
"Mrs. Anne Marie Marley will do you just fine."
"Is it common when a couple like us marries in Canada that one takes the other’s surname?" I was ignorant.
"No, not at all, but our laws permit it. You’ll be getting a proper engagement ring soon and then a wedding band when you have all of the arrangements made. I want no doubts that you are mine, Doll."
"Do I have any say in any of this?" I was a bit unsure that I was ready to accept her level of domination so quickly.
Not answering immediately, Angela drove a few miles then pulled over and placed her car in ‘Park’.
Our eyes locked for a moment. "Will you marry me, Angela?
"To control you as I see fitting and you need?
"Will you accept my everlasting love?"
There was no need to think my answer; I’d thought of little else when I’d no other demands pressing my mind for attention. I wanted to be with her.
"Yes," I whispered. She pulled me for a deep kiss.
One could hardly call Port Hawkesbury a city; it was more of a small town or a village. Angie parked and led me to a jewelry shop.
"Hello Mr. Hawkes," she greeted a man who I guessed to be the proprietor. He returned it.
"This is Anne Marie Jaeger, my fiancée. I’d like to pick up her engagement ring, please?"
"Pleased to meet you Anne Marie," the old man grinned. "You’ll be a beautiful bride." He turned to the antique safe and searched for a minute than handed Angie a ring box.
"You are mine forever, Doll," she slipped the small diamond solitaire in a gold setting on my ring finger. We embraced and kissed. I gave no thought to how large the stone was. I wanted to be with Angela.
Her parent’s farm was like some I’d seen in parts of Vermont and Maine. There was no doubt it was established about two centuries previously and it was remote. She parked and took my hand to take me inside. I was happily surprised that the house had been recently modernized.
"Mum, Dad, I’m home."
Angie’s father was the first to greet us in the foyer. He was tall and hard looking like a strong farmer. With long gray hair in a man’s ponytail, I guessed him to be about fifty-five.
He embraced me in a hug, "You must be Anne Marie. I’m Hank." He gave me a light kiss on the lips only.
In contrast, Angie’s mom was shorter than I am. "Hello Anne Marie. Welcome to our family!" We hugged lightly and only touched cheeks in greeting. "I’m Helen, please?" She was a pretty brunette of forty-five.
"I love your dirndl Helen, it’s very pretty."
"Doll is half German, Mum," Angie explained. "I prefer her in China Doll dresses but a pretty dirndl might be nice for a change."
The End
*********************************************
© 2004 by Karen Anne Summerfield. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all
articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No
portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or
otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.