Page 2 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
“That’s me.”
They shared a glance, then nodded at each other. The younger of the two I put at roughly a few years of my age, with brown hair.
“Take a seat,” I invited, since the open door hadn’t been enough to usher them into my office.
Another nod, then the younger man spoke. “Lock the door behind us, please.”
They stepped in and took seats while I locked the door behind us all.
I rounded my desk and sat. “What brings the…” I paused and studied the insignia on the older man’s uniform, “... Army… to me today?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m Brigadier General James Block.” He paused and motioned. “This is Lieutenant Colonel Floyd Smith.”
I nodded at each of them.
“Colonel?” Block prodded.
Smith nodded. “Right.” His eyes trained on me. “Doctor Wallace, may I assume you remember protocols regarding classified information?”
I blinked. “Of course. I hope you’re not insinuating that I divulged classified info.”
Colonel Smith shook his head. “Nothing of the sort, but I do need to inform you that today’s meeting is classified.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Understood.”
“Your security clearance is still valid, correct?”
I nodded. “Valid, but not active. It’s been about eighteen months since the project that needed it concluded.”
“Not ideal,” General Block stated, “but close enough given the circumstances. I just have a few things to confirm before we continue.”
“Shoot.”
“Both your parents are deceased, and you have no immediate family?” Colonel Smith asked.
“That’s right?” I replied with a frown.
“Have you developed any significant attachments since your clearance was last reviewed? Dating, marriage?”
“Still single,” I sighed.
“Thank you.”
I glanced between them. “What does my family and dating life have to do with why you’re here?”
“Doctor,” he started, “the US government would like to recruit you to a position of indeterminate duration.”
“You need me to study something?” I asked. “I take it you’ll be supplying me with data and a stipend to hire graduate students?”
“Not exactly,” General Block replied. “This is a hands-on position. You’d be required to relocate to a secure location for the extent of your time with us.”
“What about my classes?”
He shook his head. “Impossible.”
I leaned back in my chair. “I’m afraid I’ll have to refuse. I have other obligations that I can’t just abandon for some vague reason.”
“We thought you might say something like that,” Colonel Smith replied. He turned and reached into a briefcase, then handed over several MRI printouts.
