The House was What I expected, a red brick two-story house, Simply elegant. It was nice, with the smell of antique wood, It was late in the evening, and the commander, jeff, and I retreated to the study. "You know, I could use your expertise tomorrow." He sighed. It appeared to be an honest observation.
"You know I am going to need something, to grantee I can negotiate on your behalf... And of course something to negiote with." I sighed
The commander slowly nodded. "Burbon?" He asked. "Some times it helps to think."
"Really?" Jeff asked stunned. "I kinda expected the opposite."
"The ritual kid, not the drinking." He laughed. I let that one pass. I nodded at him, he poured the three of us a but. He put the glass to his mouth. "Sniff it..." He said to Jeff. "let the smell into your nose. What does it smell like?"
Jeff smelled it. "Rubbing alcohol..." He wrinkled his nose. "But not quite, and its spicy... I think."
"It's' a start." The commander nodded. "Now take enough to get your lips wet, think about the taste the same way." Jeff did, we winced. "Now a sip."
It was amazing to see Jeff so solom. His focus never wavered from, the expirnce of the ritual. "Rituals are good, alcohol, sparingly." I grunted.
"Yes of course!" The commander sighed. "Coffee in the morning, is much the same, and millions of people do it, and don't realize it."
"We will do this with coffee." I nodded at Jeff.
"Why?" Jeff asked.
"I have so many officers in the drunk tank...." The commander said sitting up. "...They turned to the bottle, after the fall... More than anything, what I am doing is for them..."
"And not for you wife or kids?" Jenn, his wife asked from the door.
"Hun..." He started with remorse.
She chuckled. "Yes, I know, you have always carried the weight of the world on your shoulders...." She turned to Jeff. "They are of course right." A mom tone stern in her voice. "How do you feel?"
"Better thanks."
"You do, have one thing, the ranchers need." His wife said.
"Protection?" Jeff asked.
"No, we will protect them..." I sighed. "But suspicion, will make them think of that organized crime thing I mentioned." Jeff nodded.
The commander lit up. "Power..." he grinned. "Electricity rather."
"We can print any spare part they need, in metal or plastic." I sighed.
"You can?" The commander shot me a glance.
"My workshop was metal, and we are otherwise sulfsufficant." I nodded back. "Same for you."
"About your defense force?" The commander asked. "How do you think we should start?"
"Think, a boot camp, but short, foucing on deffensive tatics, and hostage recovery..."
"Hostage recovery???" The commander scoffed. "Who here has experience at that? We were a small base, barely kept open."
Everyone else turned to me. "I could." I sighed. "That is half of what my team did.... It would be good to start as soon as possible, when can you take the wind farm?"
"We are still trying to take, and clear the road out of Cheyenne out of it, but it has been slow going...."
"Your BBQ, should be soon." Jeff nodded. "You should give a speech, announcing the power plan, the defense force."
"Food and medince increases, and the commerece center in the airport, and housing at the college." I paused and let the commander grin, to enjoy the moment. "Like the day after we take the college. So your defense force can take the windfarm with you."
Jeff shot me a glance. "So the people of Cheyenne can feel like it is their town again." I nodded at Jeff.
"Two or three reasons?" The commander nodded. "Poor Percy." He laughed. "Would you lead my teams tomorrow?" He asked, again with simple humility. It radiated out his eyes, towards me.
"Then, we should get to bed." I sighed. Jenn showed Jeff to his room.
"You love him?" The commander asked. Panic shot its icy tentacles into my chest. "That is why you punched me." I nodded. "I get why it's something you keep secret, Despite being 'acceptable', it isn't accepted is it?"
"No." I said devoid of passion and feeling.
"I am sorry." He sighed. "It was a cold thing to say. I think that the only things that should matter in the military, is your ability, to serve, and the respect that comes with doing so... So we are clear, that is something I am planning on bringing to Cheyenne..." He left it at that, leaving me wondering how he knew in the first place He took me to Jeff's room, and we slept.