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From: "Bill Morgan" <morg1058@chartervt.net>
Subject: {ASSM} NEW from Morgan: KELLY, 2 of 4; M/F Rom
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 01:10:01 -0400
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<1st attachment, "Kelly 2.txt" begin>

The following is a work of fiction regarding sexual
relationships.  If you feel that it is illegal, immoral, or
otherwise improper for you to read this, then DON'T READ IT.

* * *

Kelly

Copyright 1989, 1998, 2001 by Morgan. All rights reserved.

You will note from the copyright dates above that this book was
written before the fall of the Berlin Wall.  One does get lucky
sometimes.  What did not happen, though, was the overthrow of the
Soviet government; it's most of the same people wearing different
titles.

Incidentally, you will find occasional entries, _word_.  The
reason for this is that MS Word's Auto Format function puts a
word preceded and followed by an underscore in italics; that's my
intent.  Similarly, *word* results in the word appearing in bold
face.  If you use Word's Auto Format, it will take care of
things; if you don't, you at least know why it's there.

More of my works are posted on my site <www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Morgan/www> If
you like it -- or if you don't -- please let me know at
morg105829@aol.com.

Incidentally, _Kelly_ in its complete form is also on my site in
.rtf format.  It enables the reader to read it with appropriate
accents, italics, etc.

* * *

Chapter 8

Kelly and Catherine King went to the Officers' Club which
appeared to be an English pub.  Cathy told her it had been one
until SACEUR took it over.  Kelly was glad she was wearing her
new silver oak leaves.  Her rank got them a table by themselves
in the corner in spite of the fact that the club was very
crowded.  Theirs was the last vacant table.  As they were being
seated, three young officers headed over towards them.  Kelly
thought they looked drunk.

One came up and said, "We trust you candy-assed ladies won't mind
giving us your table.  We're combat troops!"

Although Kelly wasn't wearing her decorations, she was wearing
her insignia including the paratroop badge she had earned in
Quantico as well as her Combat Infantry Badge.  She noticed that
the officer's name was MURPHY and he was a first lieutenant in
the 82nd Airborne Division.

Lt. Murphy looked at Kelly, bleary eyed.  It was obvious he was
having trouble focusing his eyes.  He peered at her uniform and
saw the paratroop and combat infantry badges.  "What are you
wearing those for, sister?  Did your lover give you his towear?"

Kelly rose from the table and faced Murphy.  "Lieutenant, you're
making a very big mistake.  Did you notice my rank insignia?  It
says lieutenant colonel!  Now blow, before I call the MPs!"

"Why don't you make me, sister?  You'll wish you were never
born!"

Kelly could see Murphy was reeling, but his friends were backing
him up.  He made a sudden move to grab her.

She saw his move coming and said, "I'm sorry, Lieutenant."  Then
she grabbed his head and slammed his face against her rising
knee.  She heard a sickening crunch as Murphy's nose was broken.
The other two officers, both second lieutenants, came towards
her.  Kelly grabbed their heads and slammed them together, trying
to avoid serious injury.  The two officers immediately lost
consciousness and dropped to the floor.

Murphy, who had fallen to the floor, got up again with blood
streaming from his broken nose.  Kelly looked at him, grabbed his
wrist and pulled him into their table.  She had pulled his head
down exposing the back of his neck.  Kelly used a karate chop
against it and put him out cold.

Meanwhile, Cathy King went to a phone.  She called Sam Adams at
his office.  "General," she said, "I'm at the O-Club with Colonel
Jackson.  There's some trouble here.  We need some MPs fast,
sir!"

Moments later she heard the scream of sirens.  A squad of MPs
entered the club and picked up the three officers.  The sergeant
in charge saluted Kelly and said, "Colonel, we're sorry for the
trouble.  We'll take care of things from here."

The two junior officers were helped to their feet and hustled out
of the club.  Murphy, still unconscious, was carried out.

Kelly sat down again and Cathy King looked at her.  "Colonel,
weren't you scared?"

Kelly looked at Catherine King with an impassive expression on
her face.  She replied, "They were drunk.  I hope I didn't hurt
Lt. Murphy too badly.  I know I smashed his nose, but I hope it
wasn't anything more serious."  A smile started as she said, "And
my name is Kelly.  I hope you'll allow me to call you Cathy."

Cathy King was taken aback.  She looked flustered but said, "Of
course you can call me Cathy if you want to, Colonel."

Kelly looked rueful as she said, "Cathy, it isn't going to work
for me to call you Cathy if you call me Colonel.  The name is
Kelly, or Kel, or you dumb broad.  I answer to all of them.  Then
there are a few in Russian I won't go into."  She looked at the
woman and said, "How old are you, Cathy?"

She looked startled but replied, "I'm thirty-two.  Why do you
ask?"

Kelly grinned and said, "Because I'm only nineteen.  You make me
feel like an old woman when you call me Colonel."

Cathy's mouth opened as if to speak and then closed again. 
"Kelly, you're only _nineteen years old?_  I can't believe it!"

"Ask your boss," Kelly said.  Then her expression became serious.
 "Cathy, why don't you like me?"

Cathy was about to deny her feelings when she stopped herself. 
She decided to be honest.  She said, "Because you wear too much
makeup.  You look cheap."

With a self-deprecatory smile Kelly asked, "Are you sure?"

Cathy looked at her carefully and suddenly her eyes widened, "My
God!  You're wearing no makeup at all, are you?"  She looked at
Kelly very carefully and added, "I don't think you're even
wearing lipstick!  I'm wearing more than you are and have the
nerve to say you're wearing too much.  What is it about you?  You
glow.  You're vibrant!"

She looked at the younger girl intently, and then said, "It's
sex, isn't it?  I've heard people talk about 'a well-fucked look'
but didn't know what they were talking about.  Now, I think I do.
 You are well fucked, aren't you, Kelly?"

Kelly smiled a very friendly smile.  Her eyes lighted up as she
said, "I certainly am, Cathy.  I guess I've slept with Mike
Callahan almost every night since we met.  I guess I average
about ten orgasms a day.  Yes, Cathy, I guess I'm very well
fucked.

"Now what about you?  You're madly in love with Sam Adams.  You
thought I was a little chippie who Sam was keeping and you were
jealous, weren't you?"

Cathy smiled ruefully and replied in a small voice, "Yes.  I was
jealous...  Very!"

"Well why in hell don't you do something about it?  Cathy, do you
have a figure?" Kelly asked.

"I beg your pardon!" Cathy responded, blushing.

"I asked if you have a figure.  I can see your face and it is
very pretty.  Why do you always wear your uniform blouse?"

"What do you think I am?  The idea!  I'm not a whore, for God's
sake!"

"What does that have to do with wearing your blouse?  I'm sure
that's a full uniform shirt you're wearing.  You wouldn't be nude
if you took off your blouse," Kelly replied reasonably.  "I
notice Sam doesn't wear his blouse in the office.  Why do you?"

Cathy looked puzzled and didn't reply.  Kelly continued.  "You
get teed off at me because you think I'm stealing your man.  Does
he think you think he's your man?  Why on earth would he?  You
seem to do your level best to appear to be a piece of office
furniture -- Government-issue furniture at that.  It isn't the
first thing a guy will think about when he wants to unwind.  I
ask again, do you have a figure?"

"Yes, damn it!  A very good one, too.  I work out all the time. 
I... I've got a trim ass, very nice legs, and... and... good
tits."

Kelly smiled warmly and said, "That came hard, didn't it?  Are
you experienced with men?"

Cathy's eyes widened.  "Of course I'm experienced..."  Her face
fell and she said, "The hell I am!  I guess I can count on the
fingers of one hand the number of times I've been with a man...
and I'd have fingers left over."

She looked at Kelly, abashed.  "I guess I'm a real mess, aren't
I?  I love the guy, hate any girl that gets near him, but don't
do a damn thing myself."  She looked straight at Kelly who could
see tears forming in the woman's eyes.  She said, "You must think
I'm the funniest thing in the world.  Why aren't you laughing?"

"Because I don't see anything funny," Kelly replied.  Then she
smiled a very warm smile at Cathy and asked, "Would you like to
win Sam Adams?"

Cathy's face registered shock, then pleasure, and then
determination.  She returned the smile and said, "Damned right, I
would!"

"Well, let's get going then.  I'll take your word for your
figure.  Are you comfortable with a man?  What would you do if
Sam grabbed your ass?"

Again Cathy looked shocked.  "Why... why...  I don't know.  What
should I do?"

Kelly said, "Do what feels right.  Mike is wonderful with me.  He
knows how, and in what ways, I was abused by the Russians.  He's
always gentle.  Lately, though, he's become more aggressive as he
learns what I like and how I respond."

There was warmth in her eyes as she spoke.  "When we had our
little apartment at Quantico, I always cooked.  One evening we
had just made love and I was starting dinner.  I hadn't bothered
to get dressed.  He came out to the kitchen and I was standing at
the sink peeling... carrots, I think.  Anyway, he grabbed me
softly by my buns and squeezed lightly.  I could feel my knees
turn to rubber.  The next thing I knew, he had lifted my hips and
entered me from the rear."

Kelly's smile turned into a grin.  "Can you imagine?  Here I am
with my ass in the air being reamed by his glorious sex and I'm
still trying to peel the damned carrot!"  She looked at Cathy and
said, "How do you think you would react?  I gather it's never
happened to you."

"No, it hasn't."  Again she smiled ruefully.  "Kelly, I think I'm
passionate.  I think I would melt if Sam grabbed me.  Do you
think I should?"

Kelly said, "It's worth a try.  Now, there are two suggestions. 
First, take off your tunic in the office.  What about your
uniform shirts?  Are they government-issue or are theytailored?"

Again Cathy reddened.  Then she said, "I've got to knock off this
shit, don't I?  If I'm going to get Sam between my legs...  My
God, Kelly, that's the first time I've ever said it out loud!  I
want him between my thighs!"

Then she smiled.  Kelly thought it was the first real smile she
had seen and it lit up her face.  She thought the older woman was
very pretty... beautiful, in fact.

Cathy continued, "I have one tailored shirt.  And would you
believe it?  I've never even had the nerve to wear it.  I've been
too afraid.  I'll get more and throw out the others.  Whatelse?"

"Underwear.  Cathy, I could swear you're wearing a girdle.  But
you said your figure is good."

"You're right.  It's armor.  Okay, the girdle goes.  What else...
 No.  I know what else.  The underwear goes.  I'm wearing GI bras
and panties.  Could I go without a bra?"

Kelly smiled and said, "You said your tits are good.  Do you want
to prove it?"

Cathy didn't answer.  Instead she left the table and headed for
the ladies room.  A few minutes later she returned and Kelly
smiled.  Cathy was moving easier... looser.  There was no girdle.
 She stood at the table and asked Kelly, "What do you think?"

Kelly grinned and said softly, "Catherine King!  If I didn't know
better I would swear you're wearing no underwear at all."

Cathy grinned back and nodded her head vigorously.  She sat down
again.  "I think I ought to wear something, don't you?"

Kelly said, "I think I can help you.  You can get to a store soon
enough, but I'll send you a couple of pairs of bikini briefs in a
courier pouch.  And Cathy, do me a favor?"

Cathy nodded and said, "Of course.  What?"

"Keep me posted on progress?  I think I can help and would be
happy to.  I know it would be good for you and I think it would
be very good for Sam.

"One more thing:  For heaven's sake, change your hairdo!  Don't
look like a spinster.  You should wear your hair so you don't
have to do anything with it at night.  One of my great joys is to
sleep with Mike and feel his hands running through my hair.  I
love it!  But I almost cut it off when we met.  When I was a
prisoner I was forced to lick the sexual fluids off Russian cocks
and then use my hair to dry them.  Mike wouldn't let me cut it
off and now I'm glad that he didn't."

Cathy looked chagrined.  "My God, what a fool I've been!  Kelly,
I don't know what to say.  You are a marvelous person.  It's
becoming clear that you lived through hell on earth and yet
you're interested in helping me in spite of the way I acted
toward you.  Why?"

Kelly smiled and shrugged.  "I wasn't a very nice person, Cathy.
Maybe I'm trying to make up for it.  I think you're very nice. 
Now will you please change your hair?  You're off for the rest of
the day and under my orders.  My orders are to get a new hairdo
-- one that's easy to care for.  I don't want you to have to put
your hair up before you sleep with Sam.  Now beat it!"

The girls smiled at each other and left the pub.  Kelly retrieved
the jeep and returned to the country home they were using as a
base of operations.

The next morning Tom Hawkins named Kelly the unit's adjutant and
Mike, director of operations.  Tom smiled at Kelly when he gave
her the assignment and said, "It's going to be hell around here
when you and Mike go off.  I lose my entire senior staff."

He looked at her and shook his head.  "Kelly, I haven't had the
chance to talk to you alone.  I just want you to know that you're
the best thing that's happened to this unit since Mike Callahan.
Your performance yesterday was absolutely magnificent. 
Incidentally, I got calls from both Sam Adams and Ned Carlson
saying the same thing.  It's getting a little boring to keep
hearing that you can't be only nineteen!  There's an office for
you.  Now get to it!"

Tom had asked Kelly to be in uniform.  She didn't ask, but she
sensed there was a reason for the request.  At eleven o'clock,
she received a call from the front gate.  There was a Colonel
Harding to see her, if it was convenient.  The guard added that
he had three other officers with him.  She told the guard to
admit them.  Minutes later there was a knock on her door and an
orderly admitted the four officers.

Harding, a colonel in the 82nd Airborne, was ramrod straight. 
Behind him were the three officers from the previous day. 
Murphy's nose was bandaged and he now had two huge black eyes. 
One of the other officers had his skull bandaged.  Harding
approached her desk and saluted Kelly smartly.  She returned it
as smartly, and rose to greet them.

"How do you do, Colonel?  I'm Tom Harding.  I have the misfortune
to command a unit with junior officers who try to defy the laws
of nature by living without brains.  May we have a few minutes of
your time?"  Kelly had given him a firm handshake and told him
she would be happy to spend a few minutes.

She asked the reason for the visit.  Harding smiled and said,
"Colonel, I would like to use you as a live training aid, if I
may.  Murphy, what is the senior decoration Colonel Jackson is
wearing?"

Murphy peered at Kelly's breast with bloodshot eyes and saw the
blue ribbon with white stars.  His eyes bulged as he said, "I
believe it's the ribbon of the Medal of Honor, sir."

"Good for you, Murphy," Harding responded sarcastically.  "Now
Miller, what's the next decoration?"

Miller was the second lieutenant whose head was bandaged.  "I
think it's the Silver Star, sir," he replied cautiously.

"Now, Haggerty, what is the third ribbon?"

Haggerty answered with more confidence than was shown by his
buddies.  "It's the Purple Heart, sir."

"Good for you all.  My God, there may be some vestige of a brain
up there after all.  Colonel, you may have done me a real
service.  These guys have skulls so thick nothing could get in. 
Maybe they needed to be banged around a little so learning could
take place.  Now, Murphy, what did you call the Colonel
yesterday?" he asked sternly.

Murphy's face was beet-red but replied, "A candy ass, sir."

Kelly was doing her best to maintain a straight face.  Murphy was
a good looking Irishman with black hair and blue eyes.  All three
were built like Mike: well over six feet and over 200 pounds.

Harding continued, "What is the Medal of Honor given for, Murphy?
 Good typing?"

The junior officers were standing at strict attention with their
eyes front.  Murphy replied, "It is the highest award given by
the United States for bravery in combat, sir."

"And how many do you have, Murphy?"

"None, sir," was the embarrassed reply.

"Colonel, with your permission may my men take seats?  They
aren't in such great shape."

Kelly could only nod.  She was afraid that if she tried to speak,
she would crack up with laughter.

Harding continued, "Colonel, I understand you put these three on
the floor without mussing a hair.  It's really none of my
business, but how much do you weigh?  I would guess about 120?"

Again Kelly nodded.

"Hmm, paratroops..." Harding said reflectively.  "Our first-line
assault troops.  Pride themselves on being tough as nails. 
Specialists in all forms of combat, but particularly unarmed
combat.  These men are three of my best.  I guess they outweigh
you by about 100 pounds each.  And there are three of them and
one of you.  Something's wrong."

He turned to his men and smiled grimly.  "Turkeys, the 'something
wrong' is Colonel Jackson is the best we've got in unarmed
combat.  It seems there was a small war because they wanted her
to be in charge of instruction.  It seems there are three top
sergeants -- explosives, unarmed combat, and small arms -- who
have never been beaten in their specialties.  Until Colonel
Jackson came along.  She not only beat them all, she then
proceeds to drink them all under the table.  That had never been
done, either.

"It seems that about once a year a top candidate comes through
the school.  As a rather strange mark of respect, they get the
individual so drunk he can't function on graduation day.  Colonel
Jackson led the company which set every record they have.  She
personally set every individual record they have.  Therefore
gentlemen, in the future would you confine yourselves to picking
on someone you can handle?  A kindergarten girl, perhaps?

"Colonel, I have been asked by General Ames, CO of the 82nd to
extend the formal apologies of the Division to you.  General Ames
said he had the pleasure of meeting you at General Adam's
briefing.  He says you are the loveliest, deadliest person in the
Army... and the smartest.  He asked me to give you his personal
assurance an incident like this will _never_ happen again. 
Never!  Now gentlemen, what do you have to say?"

Murphy stood up at attention.  "Lieutenant Kevin Murphy, sir.  I
was stupid and totally out of line.  I apologize, sir!"

Kelly got up and went around her desk.  "At ease, Kevin.  My
name's Kelly.  May I look at your face?"  She went up to him and
made a face.  "Oops, I really made a mess, didn't I.  How do you
feel?"  She grimaced, "That's really a stupid thing to say, isn't
it?  It must hurt like hell!  Will you shake?"

Murphy was speechless.  Finally, he stammered, "I beg your
pardon, ma'am?"

Kelly smiled warmly and held out her hand.  "I said I'm sorry for
breaking your nose.  I want to apologize.  Will you forgive me?"

Murphy took her hand like it was fine china and held it limply. 
Kelly grinned and squeezed, and he squeezed back.  He looked
startled and then shocked as she stood up on tiptoe and kissed
him on the cheek.  He turned bright red and just touched his
cheek with his finger tips where she had kissed him.  "You can't
do that, sir," he protested.

"What can't I do?" she asked quietly.  "I do outrank you by
several grades."

"You can't apologize, sir.  I was a fool and deserved everything
I got."  He looked at her in utter amazement.  "Why did you do
it, sir?"

Before Kelly could reply, Harding spoke.  "Because she's Kelly
Jackson, you idiot.  How do you think she got the record-setting
performance from her company?  It was considered superhuman.  She
didn't drive them, she led them.  She's probably the outstanding
combat officer in the Army.  By the way, when you met her, she
had just been with General Adams... a name I hope you recognize.
Her companion was General Adam's private secretary."

For the first time, Harding grinned.  "Colonel, you have to give
it to these guys:  When they screw up, they do it big time.  You
idiots couldn't have picked two worse people to pick on if you
had the whole damned Army to chose from.  Miller, what do you
have to say?"

Miller snapped to attention in front of Kelly who was sitting on
the front edge of her desk.  "Second Lieutenant William Miller,
sir.  I apologize for being such a horse's ass, sir!"

Kelly stood up and said, "Stand at ease.  How do you feel, Bill?
I hope your head isn't too bad."

Miller grinned and said, "It's not bad, Kelly.  I hope you'll
forgive me for being such a fool."  Miller blushed beet red. 
"I'm sorry, sir!  I forgot myself, sir!"

She grinned back and asked, "Bill, how old are you?"

He looked puzzled and replied, "I'm twenty-three, sir."

"Well, I'm only nineteen and I do answer to Kelly.  And I'm
certainly not insulted.  Shake?"  She took his hand in a firm
grip.

He returned the grip, but looked at her in utter amazement.  "But
you can't..."  He looked at her closely and for the first time
saw beyond the rank insignia and the awards to the girl wearing
them.  "My God!  You are!  And you're beautiful."

"And engaged," she finished, "But thanks for noticing."

Harding was also struggling to maintain a straight face but he
managed to say, "You're next, Haggerty."

Miller sat down and Haggerty stood at attention.  "Second
Lieutenant John Haggerty, sir.  I'm sorry, sir.  We were idiots
and horse's asses.  I hope the Colonel will forgive me."

"How are you feeling?  And is it John or Jack?"

"I'm fine, sir.  Just a little headache.  I got off easy.  And
it's Jack, sir."

"As I said to your buddy, it's Kelly.  Shake on it, Jack?"

Haggerty had been watching the prior exchanges and had recovered
from his earlier amazement.  He put out his hand and Kelly
gripped it firmly.  They both smiled as the phone rang.  It was
the scrambler from SACEUR headquarters.  Kelly picked it up and
said, "Jackson."

"Kelly, it's Sam Adams.  What's this I hear about you being
attacked in the O-Club by some idiots from the 82nd Airborne?"

"General, what does Cathy say about it?  She was there."

There was silence on the phone for a moment.  Then he spoke again
in a very thoughtful tone, "That's another thing I want to talk
to you about.  But the answer is, she said nothing.  She said she
missed it and I should ask you.  If what I heard is true, though,
there are some lieutenants who will be eating their balls for
breakfast!"  There was an embarrassed silence on the line, and
Adams said, "I apologize, Kelly.  That was obscene."

"General, I told you yesterday I've done it all.  You can't
embarrass me.  As for the Officers' Club, there was a problem.  I
guess a couple of junior officers had more to drink than they
should have.  Anyway, one tripped and fell into our table top. 
He was bleeding like a stuck pig, and I think he may have a
broken nose.  The other two fell over him and I think they banged
heads.  At any rate some MPs picked them up and got them out.  I
hope no one was hurt too badly."  She winked at Harding as she
spoke.

"What was the other thing you wanted?  Something about Cathy?"

"Kelly Jackson, what did you do to my secretary?"

"Sir?  I didn't do anything except have a couple of beers with
her and talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Girl talk, sir.  You wouldn't be interested.  But why do you
ask?"

"Because this morning she comes in with a new hairdo.  She's
working out of her uniform tunic.  This is the first time that's
happened in the seven years she's been with me.  Kelly, she's
beautiful!  I never thought of her as a woman before, but, God,
is she lovely!"

"What's the problem, General?  It sounds like things are fine. 
We had a nice talk, and she's really a lovely person."  Kelly
lowered her voice and turned away from the others in her office,
"You already know she's madly in love with you, Sam."  She
restored her voice to its normal register and said, "Thanks for
calling, General.  I hope I cleared up any confusion."

"Kelly Jackson, you're going to have to get married.  You're much
too dangerous to be allowed to run around loose."

"I'm not at all loose, General.  Good bye, sir."  She hung up the
phone.

Harding spoke.  "Am I correct in assuming that was General
Adams?"  Kelly smiled and nodded.  "And I expect from what he
said there were some obscene remarks about three junior officers
from the 82nd attacking senior officers in the O-Club.  Then I
hear you lie through your teeth... to the commanding general, no
less.  Gentlemen, Kelly has just saved your asses!  Why she did
it is beyond me, but she did."

He got up from his chair and stood facing his men.  "You have
just seen what command is all about.  You learned she's nineteen.
 I have never encountered a greater level of maturity or a better
instinct for leadership.  All I can say is you men owe your lives
and careers to her.  I can tell you General Ames will be very
pleased.  He would have been reamed out by Adams... who can do
it, and has."

He turned to Kelly and said, "Since I've already taken your
morning, could I borrow you for a few minutes more?  There's a
firing range here, isn't there?"  Kelly said there was.  Harding
looked at his men and said, "Haggerty, you're about the only one
in shape to do anything, but you're also the top small-arms man
in the Division."  He turned to Kelly and said, "Will you fire a
round against him?"

Kelly agreed with a smile.  She took them to the firing range and
turned to Haggerty.  "What sort of weapon do you want to use?  We
have them all.  Allied and Russian."

Haggerty said, "How about an AK-47?  You go first."

Kelly smiled and took off her uniform blouse.  The gunnery
sergeant took out an AK-47 and two clips and gave the weapon to
Kelly.  She moved to the firing position and on the order, opened
fire in very short controlled bursts.  In moments, all of the
targets were riddled.  She cleared the weapon and gave it to
Haggerty.

The targets were replaced and Kelly's were brought back for
scoring.  Out of 40 rounds fired, all eight targets were riddled
with only five bullets out of the ten-ring.

Haggerty swallowed hard and went up to the mark.  He opened up
and emptied the magazine.  His score wasn't close to Kelly's.

She grinned at him and asked for another target set.  She
appeared to be very casual as she emptied the weapon again.  When
the second set of targets were returned, she had beaten Haggerty
by a single point.  "I guess the first set was a lucky round.  I
just edged you," she said.

Harding broke out laughing.  "Sure, Kelly.  Luck!  Haggerty, you
made two blunders.  First, given the nature of her work -- you
may not know it, but Kelly works behind enemy lines -- I'm sure
she's far more familiar with Soviet weapons than you are.  She
has to be.  The second blunder was asking Kelly to go first.  She
hadn't seen you shoot, so she had to do it right.  If you had
gone first, you would have had the second result.  She would have
edged you.  Now _that_ is brilliant shooting.  She is so good,
she shot for a particular score and did it.  Try it yourselves,
sometime.

"Gentlemen, is there anything you would like to say to the
Colonel before she throws us out?"

"It's been said, Kelly," Kevin Murphy said.  "We were fools!  But
such fools!  If we can ever do anything to help you, we will."

Harding said, "That's a promise from the Division, Kelly.  While
you were setting up, I called General Ames.  He asked me to tell
you, 'If you ever need help -- in anything -- that's in the power
of the 82nd to provide, you'll get it!'  And he asked me to
extend his thanks again."  He saluted and turned to go.

"Colonel," Kelly said sharply, "Aren't you forgettingsomething?"

Harding stopped and turned towards her, looking puzzled.  "I
don't think so.  Am I?"

"Colonel, I beat your man.  The least you turkeys from the 82nd
can do is buy the lady a lunch!"

They all laughed and went off to the O-Club to eat.  When they
finished, Tom Harding asked the others to leave him alone with
Kelly.  They left the table to wait for the colonel outside.

When they were gone he looked at Kelly and shook his head. 
"Kelly, you are a piece of work!  I had heard some interesting
things about you.  Now I'm sure that, not only are they true,
they're probably understated in the interests of believability. 
This has been a very rare pleasure.  Just remember: the name
Kelly Jackson is magic in the 82nd.  Thank you."  He leaned over
and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

She smiled at him and got up and shook his hand.  "It's been very
educational, Tom.  I enjoyed it."  Then she kissed him
back.Chapter 9

Two weeks later, Kelly was in her office when Mary Harris came
bouncing in.  She closed the door and sat down.  Sagging into a
chair, she spread her thighs wide.  "My God, Kelly... excuse me,
Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Jackson, U.S. Army, sir... I can't take
a lot more of this."  She was grinning broadly as Kelly threw a
rubber eraser at her, hitting her shoulder.  "Kelly, do you ever
feel you're not normal if your thighs aren't spread wide to
welcome Mike inside?  I thought I was in great shape coming out
of Quantico, but I'm not sure I'm in shape for bedroom athletics.
 But if you can die from it, what a great way to go!"

Kelly just grinned.  "Your trouble, Lieutenant Harris, is you
weren't broken in by the Russians.  I guess that's how I felt
about a year ago.  But the answer is, you'll recover.  How do you
stand on preparations?  It looks like we're going to be hauling a
lot of gear.  Any ideas?

Mary instantly appeared serious.  "I think Mike has it all worked
out.  Don't you two ever talk?  Or do you just make love?"

Kelly answered serenely, "We just make love.  Is there more to
life than making love?"

Mary threw the eraser back at Kelly who easily ducked.  She stuck
out her tongue.  "My goodness!  Assaulting a superior officer. 
Terrible!"  She, too, grew serious, "Let's hear it.  What's the
plan?"

"The plan is for little Kelly to look beautiful..."  Mary looked
at Kelly pensively, and then shrugged, "Well, I guess you'll have
to fake that part.  Then we hijack a Russian truck... two,
actually.  Mike figures, as you did, there's no way we can be
airlifted close to the target area.  It's too heavily covered by
radar and missiles.  How does it sound?"

"It makes sense to me," Kelly replied.  She got up from her desk
and uncovered a map on her wall.  She pointed out the east-west
road at a point about 50 kilometers east of the suspected target
area.  "Landing here, we just join up with the normal westbound
supply traffic.  I think the road will take us where we want to
go.  Agreed?"

She looked at Mary and smiled again.  "That's assuming you can
get in shape by then.  How's everything else?  Are you glad you
and Ken volunteered for this assignment?  You've got your necks
stuck out a mile, you know.  And there are thousands of Russians
waiting to chop them off.  It's not a lot of fun."

Mary grinned at Kelly and said, "Colonel, your honor, sir, I just
got an interesting piece of news.  I am the proud owner of
several 'MH' awards from Quantico."

Kelly raised an eyebrow suspecting she was walking into
something.  "And what, may I ask the lieutenant, is an 'MH'
award?"

"Oh," said Mary blithely, "that stands for Merely Human to
differentiate us mere mortals from Superwoman.  At any rate, I
set a couple of records myself."

Kelly pretended to glare at Mary.  "Harris, wait until I prefer
court-martial charges: insubordination, conduct unbecoming an
officer and a gentleman -- or is it officer and a lady, do you
suppose? --  aggravated assault...  And I'm just getting started.
 With any kind of luck you'll spend the next forty years at
Leavenworth or wherever the hell they ship broads.  As if I don't
get enough shit already."  Kelly grinned and said, "Now get your
overworked ass the hell out of my office!"

Mary walked to the door.  As she opened it, she gave her hips a
very professional bump and grind.  She stuck out her tongue and
ducked out, but not fast enough to avoid being hit by another
flying eraser.  The headquarters phone rang on her desk and Kelly
grabbed it.  "Jackson," she said.

She heard a warm chuckle and then, "King here, Colonel.  Kelly,
do you have any tie free this afternoon?  I would like to come
down and see you.  Is it possible?"

Kelly smiled to herself hearing Cathy's voice.  "I'll be here all
day chained to the desk.  How do you paper-pushing types take
this shit every day?  Ten minutes of it has me climbing trees...
or wishing I could."

She heard a warm chuckle and then the pitch of Cathy's voice
changed to one of hauteur, "One needs to develop an appreciation
for bureaucratese.  It grows on one, like a fine wine."  She
laughed merrily and said, "Besides, it serves you right.  It
gives you an appreciation of what us poor slobs live with every
day.  I'll see you at 1400."

Promptly at two o'clock there was a knock on the door.  Kelly
said, "Come in," and Cathy entered.  She closed the door and
stood posed like a model.  Kelly looked at her, jumped up and ran
around from behind her desk.  She grabbed Cathy in her arms and
hugged her.  "Cathy, you are outrageous!  You are absolutely
gorgeous!"

Cathy's hair was shorter and very feminine.  It was the perfect
easy-care hairdo that Kelly had had in mind.  But the way she
stood and the way she moved was the big change.  Cathy shrugged
off her tunic and stood in front of Kelly.  She had a beautiful
figure and now it showed.  "Cathy King, you have that well-fucked
look!"

Cathy's eyes glistened brightly and she nodded her head
vigorously.  "I sure do, don't I?  Can I buy you a beer?  I have
a few papers to deliver personally.  It's the ostensible reason
for the trip down.  My own helicopter, no less.  The pilot's off
having a cup of coffee and is in no rush to get back.  Can we do
it?"

Kelly signed for the papers and locked them in her safe.  She
grabbed her uniform jacket and the girls went off to the O-Club.

Again they had the table in the corner.  They had just seated
themselves when Kevin Murphy and John Haggerty came up.  Murphy
introduced himself and Haggerty to Cathy.  He looked at her
strangely and finally said, "You are the same officer who was
with the Colonel when we...  met the last time, aren't you,
ma'am?"

Cathy said she was.

Kevin looked puzzled, "Ma'am, you look different, somehow. 
Anyway, we were in the Colonel's office when General Adams
called.  He told Kelly... pardon, the Colonel... that you hadn't
said anything and to ask her about it.  Jack and I want to thank
you for not telling General Adams what happened.  If he knew what
we had done..."  Kevin whistled softly.

Cathy looked at him and smiled.  "First, Kevin, you're right, I
do look different.  I hope I look better, but thanks for
noticing.  Second, it was between you and Kelly."  Her smile
became broader as she added, "I don't think you disturbed Kelly
the least little bit.  But how are you feeling?  I don't think
it's correct to say Kelly left you...  undisturbed?"

Kevin's eyes were now in full bloom, with the black eyes now
displaying all sorts of colors.  His nose was still taped.  In
spite of it, he grinned.  "Captain, it was a lesson learned. 
I... I couldn't have chosen a worse person to pick on than Kelly.
 But thanks, Captain.  We appreciate it."

They stiffened to attention, and returned to the bar.  Just then
another group of junior officers came in looking for a table and
started back toward their corner.  Kevin Murphy got off his stool
and interposed himself between the officers and the table.  Kelly
saw him put up his hands and start speaking.  She could see eyes
widen and men swallowing hard.  They turned around and went to
the bar.

Cathy had been watching and grinned at her companion.  "Kelly,
tell me.  How does it feel to be the terror of the Officers'
Club?"

Kelly grinned back and said, "Since you ask, it feels great!  But
Cathy, you look absolutely marvelous.  What's happened?"

"I'm now Sam's mistress, is what happened.  Kelly you were so
right it hurts.  Before I forget, I have something for you."  She
reached into her purse and gave Kelly three pairs of bikini
briefs.  They were beautiful, lacy, and very expensive.  Kelly
said as much and pointed out she had only given Cathy two.  Cathy
shrugged and said they must have reproduced.  Her eyes were
gleaming as she said, "Kelly, half the time I don't even wear
pants.  I want Sam to have full access to me at all times.  And
God, does he take advantage of it.  It's so wonderful!"

"How did it happen?" Kelly asked.

Cathy smiled and said, "It was our first conversation coupled
with some of the other phone calls.  You're a great coach, by the
way.  I think what finally did it was the musk oil you sent me. 
I put it between my breasts.  They're boobs now, by the way.  Sam
likes to call them boobs... and in my cunt lips.  We were working
late.  I was at my typewriter and Sam was standing over me.  I
saw him sniffing and then he asked what he was smelling.  I told
him it was me, and I kissed him.  He said he loved the smell, so
I told him to kiss me again, because the odor would intensify. 
He did, and it did.

"We went out to dinner.  Then he drove me back to my quarters and
I asked him up.  I asked him to please make love to me.  He was
startled, but I had started to strip like you told me.  I wasn't
wearing a bra.  I took off my tie, and slipped off my skirt and
pants.  The shirt tails just barely reach to my crotch.  then I
unbuttoned the shirt but left it on.  I came close and he spread
the shirt and started to caress my boobs while I started to
undress him.  Then he took me on my bed."

Kelly was beaming at her friend.  "Let me guess what you said
afterwards."  Cathy nodded vigorously.  "Cathy, you said it was
wonderful, please do it again."

Cathy looked chagrined and pouted.  "How did you know?"

"Because that's the kind of girl you are.  Then, I'll bet Sam
said something like he had never been seduced before, and you
said no, it was just the first time a girl had told him he had
been seduced.  Right?"

Cathy smiled and shook her head.  "Kelly, you're too much.  Then
what happened?"

"That's easy!  After probably one more time you went back to his
quarters and spent the rest of the night there so he could be
close to his phone.  Am I right?" she asked.

"Of course.  I should have known better.  Kelly, how do I look?"
she asked.  From the seriousness of her expression, Kelly decided
the time for teasing was over.

"Cathy King, if you looked better it would be sinful.  I doubt if
you've ever looked this good.  Ever!"

The girl smiled and nodded, "As usual, you're absolutely right.

"By the way, Sam asked about you.  That night in his bed he asked
me if you had anything to do with what happened.  By this time we
were exhausted.  He was on his back and I had my head on his
shoulder.  I took a leaf from your book.  I put his hand on my
boob and covered it with mine.  Then I said you had everything to
do with it.  I said it wouldn't have happened in a million years
if it hadn't been for you.  Then we went to sleep.  Kel, I had
the sweetest dreams that night!  And when I woke up, his hand was
still over my boob.  He gave it a little squeeze and took me
again.  It was heaven!  And I've been in heaven ever since."

Cathy turned serious.  "Kelly, they're relocating SACEUR
headquarters down this way.  I'm being transferred.  Since Sam
doesn't think it's right for his future wife to be his secretary,
one of the letters I brought down is a letter saying I'm being
transferred to you effective with the relocation of
headquarters."  Cathy's eyes sparkled as she added, "I won't need
local housing.  But I will be able to take the shit off your
hands."

"When's the wedding?" Kelly asked.

"When this mess is over.  Kelly, if you're right... and Sam is
certain you are... it will be over in a few months.  The only
other thing is your availability to be my maid of honor.  I told
Sam about you and he wouldn't have it any other way."

Kelly was surprised to see tears form in the girl's eyes. 
"What's wrong, Cathy?  You're crying!"

"It's because I'm so happy and love you so damned much.  Kelly
Jackson, all the happiness I hope to have for the rest of my life
is your fault.  And that includes the children we hope to have. 
My God!  Can you imagine?  Carrying Sam's baby in my belly?  It
never registered that he didn't have any children.  His first
wife couldn't have any.  But I can.  At least the doctor says
there's no reason why I can't."

A wonderful smile appeared through her tears.  "Kelly, it was so
easy!  And so good.  Do you mind me becoming your secretary?  I
really should have asked first."

Kelly smiled and said, "It's my chance to get even.  You can have
all the fun with the forms.  Cathy, I'm delighted!"

When the girls left the club, Cathy went off in the chopper while
Kelly returned to the work in her office.

*  *  *

It was the day to move out.  The teams were being flown to a
small landing strip in Germany where they were to board a
helicopter for insertion behind the lines.  In the morning Mike
and Kelly were ordered to headquarters for a final briefing. 
Once again they entered the briefing room.

Again, General Carlson was present with his aides, but the
reception was dramatically different this time.  Carlson beamed
as Kelly entered.  "Kelly, we're all set.  We're going back over
this afternoon, too."  They chatted for a few moments and then
Sam Adams came in.

The briefing began.  Carlson showed the disposition of forces. 
His armored spearhead was scheduled to launch its attack in
seventy-two hours at dawn aimed at the junction of Soviet and
East German divisions.  Carlson smiled at Kelly and said his
people had been doing some serious reading, too.  They found that
Russian was the command language, but in Warsaw Pact forces,
understanding of Russian did not often reach below the battalion
level.  They were hoping that language confusion could aid the
troops.  The Warsaw Pact forces were, indeed, in a defensive
posture.  No new information had surfaced on the location of the
reserves.  There was still the same tiered antiaircraft defenses
covering the wooded area Kelly had identified and there was a
constant stream of truck traffic flowing into it.

Carlson added that Air Force A-10 ground support planes had been
very effective in hitting supply trucks moving both ways.  This
was important, he felt, because he knew Callahan's people were
going to hijack trucks to move their own equipment into position.
 Because of the losses inflicted by Allied aircraft, one or two
trucks would never be missed.

Kelly commented, "General, I've been continuing my reading..."

General Carlson grinned and said, "Kelly, why in hell don't you
confine your reading to Gothic romances or something?  You are
disturbing as hell.  This is more from your Russian literature
collection?"

Kelly had reddened, but smiled.  "Yes, sir, it is.  I was trying
to find out as much as possible about the use of mobile reserves.
 We all know it's a favorite defensive tactic of theirs, but we
don't know exactly how they execute it.  Sir, I found out some
things that could help.  It might give your troop commanders some
things to watch for.

"Apparently, their favorite is a 'twin gate' kind of thing.  The
unit at the brunt of the attack gives way and swings back like
two wings, apparently opening an alley for the attackers.  The
mobile reserve concentrates and smashes the spearhead while their
units at the point of attack counterattack on the flanks."  She
then went through several other options.  When she was finished,
she realized she had been speaking for almost thirty minutes and
apologized for taking so much of their time.

John St. Clair said, "Kelly, any time you can condense Soviet
strategy and tactics specifically applicable to the situation we
now face the way you just did, I, for one, will be happy to
listen.  Again, on behalf of the intelligence staff, I want to
apologize for our lack of sophisticated comprehension of
Russian."

He looked at General Adams and added, "General, there's another
element here.  We have any number of Russian-language experts. 
The problem is, by and large they have no military sense.  They
can give you a good translation of anything, but they don't
appreciate the significance of what they read.  I think the
problem here is no one -- before Kelly -- realized the
mother-lode of information available to us.  No one asked because
no one knew what to ask for.  Thanks, Kelly."

Kelly smiled at him warmly and said, "General, my bet is the
'gate'.  Tell your commanders to be particularly alert to oblique
withdrawals."

Carlson looked at Kelly and said, "Kelly, I have a question. 
I'll take your word for what the Russians plan to do.  If we get
your BINGO signal, it means that the reserve is immobilized. 
What do we do then?"

Mike was studying his hands and keeping his face impassive.  He
never ceased to be amazed at the depth of knowledge and
understanding of this "stupid" girl.  He listened as Kelly stood
up straight in front of the situation map.  "General, what forces
do you have in your spearhead?"

"We intend to attack with six armored divisions: three of ours,
two German, and one British."

"General, I would be inclined to break off two and have one swing
north and the other south to pound the Soviet and East German
divisions to prevent the counterattack.  Then I would roll east
with the other four as far and fast as possible.  It should be
possible to pull a Patton and hit their rear areas before they
even know you've broken through."

Carlson smiled and looked at Sam Adams.  "It makes a lot of sense
to me, Sam.  What do you think?  There are going to be some very
surprised Russians when their blocking force isn't there."

Sam said, "I agree, Ned.  Kelly, would you like a job after the
war lecturing at the War College?  I think it would be a lot of
fun for a high-school dropout to lecture to those eggheads. 
Thank you, Kelly.  I'm noting this for your record.  You may end
up with as many commendations for distinguished service as for
bravery.  That set of comments was masterful."

There was a final check of communications frequencies and call
signs.  Carlson ended the briefing by saying, "There's one more
thing, Kelly: CAVALIER."  He looked at General Adams who nodded.
"All you need to do is go on the radio -- any channel -- and call
MAYDAY with the CAVALIER identification.  We'll be poised to do
the rest."  He smiled at Kelly and Mike warmly and added, "Good
luck, and keep your heads down."

The briefing broke up.  Again, Sam Adams asked to see Kelly
alone.  They went back to his office and Kelly noticed that Cathy
wasn't at her desk.  Adams went behind his desk, motioning to
Kelly to take a seat.  He sat and looked at her with a very stern
expression on his face.  Kelly was feeling uneasy as he looked at
her steadily.

Finally, he spoke.  "Jackson, you have a hell of a nerve!  I
thought I had seen everything in my military career, but you've
shown me a thing or two.  I know good secretaries are essentially
extinct.  But stealing the secretary from the commanding
general!?  The best damned secretary in the Allied forces?  That
has to be the all-time record!  What do you have to say for
yourself?"

Kelly swallowed hard and said, "Nothing, sir."

"Nothing!" Adams roared.  Then he relaxed and shook his head. 
"Kelly Jackson, you are a piece of work.  Do you just go around
fixing things?"  His expression changed from sternness to warmth.
 "Do you realize I've never had it so good?"  She looked at him
and realized he looked younger.  She said so.  "That's your
doing, too.  I'm getting more...  exercise."  There was a knock
on the door and Cathy came in with a box.  She closed the door.

"Sam, are you terrorizing this poor girl?" she said.

"'This poor girl' indeed!  That's like calling a Siberian tiger a
pussy cat."  Cathy went over and kissed him warmly.  Adams
responded and placed his hand on her shapely ass.  Then he
remembered Kelly was present and snatched his hand away.  Cathy
just straightened up and smiled.

"Sam, darling, I told Kelly that I'm your mistress now.  She
knows you do a lot more than just grab my buns.  But that feels
wonderful, too, dear."  She kissed him lightly and left the
office while he just shook his head.

"Thank you, Kelly.  You gave me the most wonderful gift possible.
 And Cathy has been under my nose for years.  You just released
what was there, didn't you?"  Kelly just shrugged.  "Kelly, we
want you to be Cathy's maid of honor at our wedding.  To try to
be sure you'll be there I have something for you."  He picked up
the box and opened it.  Inside was a camouflaged flak jacket. 
"Would you try this on?  It's supposed to be custom-made for
you."

Kelly took off her uniform coat and slipped on the flak jacket. 
It fit perfectly.  She had found that even the smallest vests
were much too big for her and were made for a man's build, not a
woman's.  The new one was shaped to her breasts.  "Thank you,
General.  How did you get it, though?"

He smiled and said, "There's a letter that came with it.  It's
from the President of Smith & Wesson.  In addition to their small
arms, they're the nation's largest maker of Kevlar vests.  Here,
read it."  He passed a letter over to Kelly saying, "I think this
will explain everything.

The letter was addressed to General Adams.  The President of
Smith & Wesson acknowledged the communication requesting a Kevlar
vest for Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Jackson who had been awarded
the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.  He
concluded that Colonel Jackson had seen a lot of action and had
been wounded at least once.  Recognizing that the overwhelming
majority of Medals of Honor are awarded posthumously, it was
obvious that she needed a Kevlar vest.  Accordingly, it was his
pleasure to send the enclosed vest as a gift to Colonel Jackson
from the workers at Smith & Wesson who hope it will keep her
safe.

Kelly took it off and saw a label inside.  It was woven with her
name and rank and said it was a gift from the workers at Smith &
Wesson.  She looked up at the General and said, "Thank you, sir.
I'm busy today, so would you ask Cathy to send a letter to them
for me thanking them for their kindness."  She looked at the vest
and said, "I don't think I've ever seen one like it."

Adams smiled and said, "That's probably because there isn't
another one like it.  Kelly, if you had to buy that damned thing
it would cost thousands.  I sent the letter and then got a call
from Johnson, the S&W president.  I explained the Medal of Honor
and with the help of Cathy, we got all the measurements they
needed."  He shook his head and said, "They took your
measurements and went all through the company to find a girl
whose shape was the same as yours.  They found a receptionist,
got a combat uniform for her, and used her as a live model to
form the Kevlar.  The whole damned thing was done in two weeks. 
I don't know if the folks at that plant did anything else."

His face grew serious as he added, "Kelly, for God's sake, keep
your head down!"  He rose and came around the desk.  She rose and
he kissed her softly on the cheek.  He said softly, "We love you,
Kelly.  Thank you."

She left the office with tears rolling down her cheeks.Chapter
10

Under cover of very heavy Allied air activity, two Blackhawk
helicopters with their sound mufflers on landed near the road
behind the Russian lines.  Kelly was wearing German peasant dress
-- a blouse and skirt.  The others were in full combat camouflage
uniforms.  Helped by helicopter crewmen, they quickly stacked
their supplies just off the road.  Mike stayed with Kelly while
Ken and Mary split and went up the road in opposite directions. 
They were looking for likely targets and covering against
surprises.

Soon Ken reported on the radio that a single truck -- similar to
an Allied ten-by-ten -- was coming.  Kelly stood by the side of
the road and waved as the truck approached.  It slowed and then
stopped.  She spoke to the driver in German, but he just shook
his head.  Switching to a rudimentary Russian that a German might
speak, she asked for help and he nodded.  The driver got down and
the guard opened the door on the other side.  When the driver was
close, Kelly slipped a knife through his ribs into his heart. 
She withdrew the blade, wiped it on his uniform and dragged the
body into a ditch.  Mike had similarly disposed of the guard.

Checking with the other team on the radio, they were told another
single was on its way from the east.  The process repeated, but
this time Kelly acted frightened.  They left the legs of the
guard visible, making it appear the first truck had been ambushed
by guerrillas.  The truck stopped and the driver and guard jumped
down with their weapons drawn.  There was the whisper from a
silenced MP-5 as Mike cut them down in two quick bursts.

He called the others on the radio and reported they were all set.
 While they waited for Ken and Mary, Kelly started changing into
her uniform.  Mike grinned as she carefully fastened her new flak
vest.  "I feel a lot better when you're wearing that thing,
Kelly.  On you it looks great!"  She returned the smile and then
started to scramble into the back of the truck to examine the
cargo.

By the time she finished her inspection, Ken and Mary had
rejoined.  After burying the bodies in a nearby drainage ditch,
Mike and Ken took the drivers' positions and they drove off
towards a spot on the map Kelly thought would be a likely place
for the reserve headquarters.  They drove for 40 kilometers and
entered the woods.  At its perimeter was the first battery of
antiaircraft missile defenses.  One of the elements of their
preparation had been to study the movement of supply trucks. 
They had found that they traveled at a steady forty kph.  Mike
was careful to maintain that speed and Ken maintained an interval
appropriate to trucks traveling in convoy.

When they reached the center of the woods, Kelly saw a track off
to the left.  It looked like it provided for access to the forest
in peacetime, but there was no sign of recent use.  Fortunately,
the ground was dry.  As they drove off the road and onto the
track, the truck tires did not leave obvious marks of their
passage.  The trucks went over a rise and then dropped below a
ridge hiding them from the road.

Mike stopped the vehicle and they got out to check.  Mary and
Kelly went back to the road and pulled some dead branches over
the track to conceal their tire tracks and obscure the existence
of the woods road itself.

They had landed late at night.  Now with dawn breaking to the
east, Mike selected a spot for a temporary campsite.  He took the
first watch while the others took out their sleeping bags.

In what seemed only seconds later, Kelly felt a pressure on her
shoulder.  She opened her eyes and found herself looking into
Mike's.  She smiled warmly as he bent down to kiss her.  "Good
morning, husband-to-be," she whispered.  She unzipped her
sleeping bag and got up.  After eating they located their
position on the map.  Each took a sector and went out on patrol
to try to locate the command posts.

Kelly moved west.  She found a clearing with the ground rising
into a wooded area further to the west.  She moved up the hill. 
As she approached the crest she dropped to her hands and knees
and crawled the rest of the way.  Looking down from the ridge she
saw heavy tanks and several trailers parked in a clearing below.
One trailer caught her eye.  It had ten wheels on three axles
while the others she had seen had six wheels on two.  There was a
heavy prime mover parked close by, apparently its towing vehicle.
 Trailers were normally pulled by ordinary trucks.  She concluded
that the trailer was heavily armored.

She watched carefully and noticed a sentry guarding the door
which was on the side away from her position.  While she watched,
senior officers came and went.  She had found the command post. 
After crawling back down from the crest, she called Mike on the
radio.  He joined her and they waited for news from the others. 
Mike had picked out a position he thought would be a good one for
artillery.  It was a section that in recent reconnaissance photos
appeared to be woods although peacetime photographs and talks
with German officers indicated there should be a large clearing.
It appeared to be perfect for heavy artillery.

While they waited, Mike unfastened Kelly's flak vest and her
combat jacket and started to toy with her breasts.  She lay on
her back enjoying the sensation.  Smiling up at him she said,
"This is a strange place for heavy necking, isn't it?  By the
way, if I ever see that dumb broad in New York, I'll have to
admit you finally got to first base!"

Finally, they heard from the others.  Ken and Mary had found the
artillery command post and were coming back.  When they
rendezvoused at the trucks to compare notes, Kelly told them
about the armored trailer.  Ken had spotted a similar but less
elaborate one set a little apart from some others at the gun
park.

They spent the next day moving their gear into position and
getting rid of the trucks.  They set up separate camps and sent a
message to headquarters saying they had located their targets.

Now with nothing to do but wait, time passed slowly.  It was a
very strange two days Kelly and Mike spent in the woods. 
Although they were only yards away from the Russians, they were
left alone.  There was no sign of even the most rudimentary
patrolling.  Kelly noticed that their lovemaking was almost
overpowering in its intensity, possibly resulting from their
proximity to danger.

Finally, the night before the attack, they were observing the
clearing with light-gathering binoculars.  Although the area was
in pitch darkness the glasses made it appear as if it was
twilight.

Suddenly, Kelly had an idea.  She tapped Mike on the arm and
motioned him back off the ridge.  "Darling, how would it be if we
try to bug that command vehicle?  I just realized the damn thing
is steel and steel conducts sound.  Could we put a radio bug on
it?  Then we would know the exact instant to fire:  When the
commander has told the units at the front to execute their
maneuver, but before he initiates action here."  She was excited
and Mike caught her enthusiasm.

They went into their supply pack and found a radio bug: a tiny
listening device with its own power source and short-range radio
transmitter.  Mike picked up his MP-5, checked to be sure he had
a full clip, and disappeared.  Kelly smiled to herself
remembering the time at the bridge and how she had snuck up on
Mike.  Subsequently, she had learned that he could move as
silently as an Apache Indian and as invisibly.

Even though she knew what she was looking for and knew where he
would be, she sensed more than saw him through her glasses.  She
did get a good look when he was under the trailer.  She could see
him manipulate the bug while listening with a receiver in his
ear.  When he had it positioned to his satisfaction, he appeared
to melt away.

Moments later she heard the chatter of an automatic weapon
followed by a curse in Russian.  A guard while checking his
weapon had accidentally fired it.  Kelly felt a sudden pain and
knew Mike had been hit.  She muttered, "Oh shit!" under her
breath.  Minutes later Mike reappeared.  He had a combat bandage
tied over his left sleeve.  She helped him back to their campsite
and got him to a blanket as he fainted.

When Mike regained consciousness he was looking into Kelly's blue
eyes.  She was looking at him wryly and shaking her head.  He
heard her say, "My poor babies."

He was in their tent with a shielded lantern providing light. 
She had stripped off his flak vest, combat jacket, and tee shirt
and had him resting on his right side.

"Here we go again," he said softly.  "Dr. Jackson is preparing to
operate, I can tell.  Where's the release you want me to sign?" 
He grinned at her.  His arm and shoulder hurt like hell.  He
winced as she glared at him.  "What did I do?" he asked, "And
what's this 'poor babies' stuff.  I thought it was 'poor baby',
but with you glaring at me like that, I guess it wasn't."

Her expression changed to her normal loving one and she ran her
cool hand over his forehead.  "Darling, I was feeling sorry for
our babies.  With a father who walks into every stray piece of
flying metal and a mother who's going to be a thirty-year-old
high-school dropout, what chance do they have?"

She glared at him, but it scarcely concealed a smile.  "Michael
Callahan, if you don't take the cake.  Do you know what happened?
 Because I do.  Some dumb shit of a guard is playing with his
weapon and accidentally fires it... into you.  The shouting was
the sergeant of the guard reading him the riot act."  She shook
her head and added, "It's got to be the cheapest damned Purple
Heart in history!"

Again her expression changed.  "As far as the release is
concerned, I signed it for you as 'mistress'.  And honey, the
bullet hit your arm, glanced off the bone, went around your rib
and is now in your back.  I'm about to go in and get it.  Okay?"

He grinned and nodded.  Kelly had on her surgical gloves and had
scrubbed the area around the bullet.  She could see the bullet
clearly, lodged just under the skin.  She made an incision
following the grain of the muscle.  Using retractors she pulled
back the muscles and the bullet popped out.  She carefully
cleaned the area and retrieved some cloth driven in ahead of the
bullet.  After suturing the wound closed and sprinkling
antibiotic powder on it, she finished by covering it with a stack
of gauze compresses. 

She wiped her forehead and sat back on her heels.  "Give me your
arm, please, Mike."  He put out his arm and she inserted a plasma
needle into a vein and then gave him a shot of tetracycline. 
"I'm going for my MD," she said quietly.  "I'm getting a little
tired of operating on you whenever we're in action.  This time I
even had to stitch you up!  Wait until the doc sees my nice neat
sutures!"

Very carefully, Mike rolled his weight back on the wound.  He was
amazed to find it didn't hurt.  She said, "You're cushioned with
a lot of gauze there, Darling.  It ought to be all right.  How do
you feel?"

He grimaced and said, "Like a jerk.  How do you think I'd feel? 
Darling, did you read your little book again?"

She smiled and said, "Actually, I studied the whole damn thing
before we came out.  And I'm sure you noticed we took the biggest
medical kit there is.  Can you move your left hand?"

He moved the fingers and made a fist.  When he started to clench
it, he winced.  "It's okay as long as I don't try to grip
anything tightly.  Then I feel it in the shoulder. 
Congratulations on your second successful operation.  What now?"

"Now you make love to me just where you are.  Then you sleep and
I watch.  I'll wake you at dawn when the shit is scheduled to hit
the fan."

Mike was amazed.  Kelly was wearing a full combat uniform,
complete with camouflage makeup on her face.  She had scrubbed it
off her hands before operating.  Nonetheless, she was incredibly
sexy and tantalizing as she slowly stripped off her clothes.  She
left her combat jacket on, but unbuttoned.  Mike reached up and
cupped her breasts while she stripped off his trousers and his
underwear.

She went down on him and caressed his huge cock with her mouth. 
Then she knelt over him and slowly impaled herself on it.  She
reflected how well they now fit together.  Her cunt seemed to
automatically moisten to welcome his cock.  Kelly was now even
accustomed to the heightened sensitivity of her circumcised clit.
 After a series of minor orgasms, she came with him in a flood.

Kelly collapsed on top of him and he stroked her flanks and back.
 When their passion had ebbed, she got off him, cleaned off his
cock, and helped him get dressed again.

He murmured, "Kelly, that was delicious," and then fell asleep.

Kelly dressed and put camouflage makeup back on her hands.  Then
she went to their vantage spot with the radio receiver and the
low-light glasses.  It was the first chance she had to try the
bug.  Mike had done an excellent job of positioning it:  She
could hear everything said in the van.  The conversation she
heard was the routine chatter of bored soldiers.  She was amused
to hear a candid discussion of the physical and sexual
attractions of various girls the men knew.

Kelly checked her watch.  The attack was scheduled for 0430.  It
was now 0355.  Kelly picked up the radio whose antenna was
already aimed at a communications satellite.  Quietly, she said,
"This is BLUE LEADER.  Get me AJAX."

Moments later she heard, "This is AJAX.  Go ahead BLUE LEADER."

She recognized Ned Carlson's voice and asked him if things were
on schedule.  She told him that they were now able to provide
positive confirmation on the reserve units.

She heard him whistle softly and say, "Kelly, from you, I would
expect nothing less.  From anyone else it would be a miracle.  Go
to it!"

At 0415 she awakened Mike and they ate a quick breakfast.  Then
they moved the TOW missile launcher into position and tested the
control unit.  They agreed Kelly would use the silenced sniper
rifle and would tap him on the head as a signal to fire the
TOW's.  At 0430 they were in position and waiting.

Suddenly, she heard an alarm come over the Russian radio net.  A
messenger was sent for the commanding officer -- a lieutenant
general, she learned.  Clearly, he was one of the senior field
commanders in the West.  Minutes later the general entered his
command vehicle.  Kelly smiled because with him present her job
became much easier.  In the trailer the general was given only
important information.  There was no more idle chatter.

Both the East German and Russian division commanders were
reporting the Allied assault.  Initially, they reported seeing
tanks but had no sense of numbers.  A short time later both units
reported that the Allies were attacking in force.  The general
agreed with his commanders on the line that it was a major push.
She could hear the thunder of the Allied big guns firing ahead of
their attack.

The Russian general was cool.  He ordered a messenger to assemble
his deputy and all division and assistant division commanders in
the command vehicle at once.  It was almost too good to be true!
All the senior officers were going to be together in one place. 
She whispered the news to Mike and told him they had better use
two or three TOW rounds to be sure.  She picked up the radio when
she heard the general give the order to the front-line units to
use a twin-gate maneuver.

The East German commander requested clarification.  The general
explained to him that his men were to fall back obliquely toward
the southwest.  The Russian unit would go the opposite direction,
going toward the northwest.  The order was understood and would
be executed immediately.  The general said the reserves would be
moving within fifteen minutes and would be in position within
thirty.

Kelly called for AJAX on the Radio.  "AJAX, this is BLUE LEADER.
Enemy is using a twin-gate.  They will be falling back obliquely
as discussed.  Good luck, AJAX.  BLUE LEADER out."

Mike was all set.  She heard the door to the command trailer
close and lock after the General's aide reported that all the
officers were present.  Kelly had seen senior officers running up
and driving up from all directions.  There appeared to be at
least five sets of commanders.  She tapped Mike on the helmet. 
An instant later she saw the rocket roar down and strike the side
of the trailer.  Although it was armored, the TOW had a
spent-uranium warhead that melted through the armor like it was
butter.  A moment later, a second round went down, and then a
third.  Kelly put the receiver back in her ear.  The only sounds
she could hear were the crackle of flames.

Back on the radio she said, "AJAX, this is BLUE LEADER.  BINGO,
BINGO.  BLUE LEADER out."

A moment later she heard BLUE ONE -- Ken Carson and Mary Harris
-- report the destruction of their target.  Kelly picked up her
transmitter and said, "AJAX, this is BLUE LEADER, over."

"BLUE LEADER, this is AJAX, go ahead."

"AJAX, we scratched a lieutenant general, his deputy, and at
least five division commanders.  The Russian units are smaller
than ours, but there are at least five armored divisions here --
without heads.  We'll try to keep it that way.  Over."

"Kelly, I don't know how you do it, but by God, you do it.  Keep
your head down!  Out."

Kelly took her silenced rifle up to her firing position.  She
checked on Mike.  "How do you feel, darling?  That was great
shooting."

He smiled at her and said, "Honey, I feel fine.  Now for heaven's
sake, keep your head down.  And come here."  She lowered her head
and he kissed her passionately.  Then he hooked the chin strap of
her Kevlar helmet and made sure her flak jacket was wellsecured.

Kelly winced when she looked back and saw the extent of the
rocket flashback.  Their location wasn't going to remain a
secret.  Mike had moved the TOW launcher out of the way after
using the remaining rounds on interesting-looking trailers.  He
replaced it with a light machine gun, along with boxes of
ammunition open and in position for fast reloading.  They had
agreed Kelly would take the single targets and he would handle
groups.

The Russian armor in sight did not move.  Kelly looked for the
most impressive pennants and waited for officers to appear.  When
they did, she dropped them with her rifle.  The hours passed. 
Small groups of Russians started to focus on their positions and
bullets were now flying around like bees.  Kelly had long since
put aside her silenced sniper rifle and was now using her
unsilenced MP-5.

Several times she was knocked to the ground by bullets hitting
her Kevlar vest.  Once she was almost knocked out by a bullet
that hit her stomach and knocked the wind out of her.  Mike was
keeping up very effective fire when a grenade exploded near him.
Shrapnel fragments shredded his left arm.  Kelly fired a series
of bursts using her MP-5, taking out the Russians closest to her.
 Then she grabbed a battle dressing and wrapped his arm.  She
could feel blood running down her own arm, but didn't feel
anything.

Then she remembered.  She picked up the radio and said, "MAYDAY,
MAYDAY, this is CAVALIER.  MAYDAY."

An instant later she heard, "CAVALIER, this is RED CONTROL.  What
is your home address in New York?  Over"

"This is CAVALIER.  It's 565 Park Avenue.  Over."

"CAVALIER, can you activate your blue beacon.  Over?"

Kelly reached under her flak jacket for a small package the size
of a cigarette pack.  There was only a single on/off switch.  She
turned it on.  "RED CONTROL, this is CAVALIER.  The blue beacon
is active.  Over."Chapter 11

In an AWACS plane flying high behind Allied lines, the commander
received the message.  He opened a secure line and said "ACME,
this is RED CONTROL.  We have a MAYDAY from CAVALIER, over."

"RED CONTROL, this is ACME.  Let's do it!  Out."

"AJAX, this is RED CONTROL.  We have a MAYDAY from CAVALIER,
over."

"RED CONTROL, AJAX, what is present status?"

While the AWAC commander was communicating with headquarters,
other officers were checking forces available for immediate
response.  The commander was handed a slip of paper.  "AJAX, wait
one.  CAVALIER, this is RED CONTROL.  Help arriving nine-zero
seconds.  Keep your head down, over."

"RED CONTROL, I'm trying!  Out."

"AJAX, two A-10's are due over in nine-zero seconds.  More will
be arriving about every one-five seconds thereafter, over."

"RED CONTROL, AJAX, good work."  Ned Carlson put down the radio.
The breakthrough was moving without a hitch.  Three divisions had
already broken through the Russian line and the other three were
following.  As Kelly had suggested, one peeled off north and
another south, while the remainder raced straight ahead.

He picked up a field telephone and called Jim Ames at the 82nd
Airborne.  "Jim, it's Ned.  I need help!"

"Ned, come on!  We're extended to beat hell.  What's the
problem?"

"It's CAVALIER, Jim.  We need help."

There was silence on the line for a few moments.  Then Ames was
back.  "Why the hell didn't you say so?  My first units will be
in the air in nine-zero seconds.  It will be an assault platoon.
Ned, I have an idea.  Kelly said there's a landing zone behind
her.  I propose to commit the full division.  We can use it as an
anvil for your armor to smash the Russians against."

Ned said, "That's affirmative, Jim.  Go to it!  How soon can you
be there?"

"It's a matter of transport, Ned, but we should be pretty well
there within four hours."

*  *  *

Kelly put down the radio and concentrated on the Russians.  She
used a larger sniper rifle to pick off an officer 300 meters away
who looked like he was trying to organize an assault on her
position.  She fired at any unbuttoned tank.  The controller had
said in ninety minutes.  She didn't think she could hold out that
long.

Seconds later, the ground in front of her exploded.  There was a
hail of 30mm rounds from airborne Gatling guns in an A-10.  She
smiled to herself as she realized she had misunderstood.  The
controller had said seconds not minutes... and they were ontime.

She decided she had a remarkable vantage point.  The A-10's were
followed by helicopter gun ships that floated in using their
miniguns to make mincemeat of anything that moved.  She figured
that the antiaircraft had been suppressed by this time and the
Allies had complete supremacy in the air.

She used the respite to check on Mike.  He was still unconscious.
 She removed the battle dressing and started to examine his
shoulder and arm.  There were some ugly shrapnel pieces imbedded
with most of them in or near the shoulder.  She took the
first-aid kit and cleaned the wounds, then put large gauze pads
in place and set up a plasma bottle.  Mike had been bleeding like
a stuck pig, but his respiration was normal, and his pulse felt
strong.  When she held his face and kissed him, his lips felt
cold.  When the plasma bottle was drained, she replaced it with a
fresh one.  As he took the fluid into his body, she thought she
could see his color improve.

Kelly went back to her vantage point.  Again, she could see the
Russians grouping in the woods across from her position on the
ridge.  She picked up the radio that she was now thinking of as a
friend.  "RED CONTROL, this is CAVALIER, over." 

There was an instant response.  "CAVALIER, go ahead."

"I've got more company in the woods across from my position.  Do
you have any woodcutters handy?  Over."

"Sure do, CAVALIER.  ETA three-zero seconds.  CAVALIER, I've been
told by the Supreme Commander to tell you, quote, Keep your shiny
golden head down!  We need you around here!  unquote."

Kelly grinned and said, "Tell ACME, yes sir, your honor, sir! 
His wish is my command.  And add, I'll ask my secretary to send
him a confirming letter.  Over."

A moment later she got a call from RED CONTROL.  "ACME says to
tell you he had almost forgotten how mad he was at your stealing
his secretary.  'Why in hell did you have to remind me?'  Over."

Kelly's laughter could be clearly heard in the AWAC's plane.  The
commander said to his deputy, "I don't know who in hell CAVALIER
is, but she certainly has powerful friends.  When was the last
time you heard someone surrounded by the whole damned Russian
army cracking jokes?  And with the supreme commander yet!"

Just then he got a dispatch.  He read it and whistled softly. 
"Bill, I don't think we know the half of it.  Here's a message to
CAVALIER from Jim Ames... that's what he says... 'Jim Ames'.  He
happens to command the 82nd Airborne.  Listen to this."

He hit his communication button to talk to Kelly.  "CAVALIER,
this is RED CONTROL.  I have a message for you.  It reads, 'Units
of 82nd will reach your position within five minutes.  Full
division on the way.  We try to look after our friends.'  It's
signed 'Jim Ames.'"

There was merry laughter on the radio.  Then Kelly said, "Please
ask the General how he takes his coffee.  I'll be happy to have
him visit.  And if he hustles, he can be here in time to do
lunch.  Over."

"Yes, ma'am," the commander replied.  "I'll forward your
message."  He looked at his assistant and said, "With someone
like her, what can you say."  He picked up another communicator
and called Ames.  "82ND COMMAND, this is RED CONTROL, over."

"RED CONTROL, this is 82ND COMMAND, Ames.  Go ahead."

"General, I have a message for you from CAVALIER.  She wants to
know how you take your coffee.  And she said to tell you that if
you hustle, you can be there in time to do lunch.  And sir, she
did say 'do lunch'.  Who in hell is she, sir?"

"She's just the most courageous and intelligent person it's ever
been my good fortune to meet.  She has a Medal of Honor already,
and I can guarantee she's just earned an oak leaf cluster for it.
 Does that answer the question?  Tell her I like my coffee black
and sweet, and I would be happy to do lunch."

"CAVALIER, this is RED CONTROL.  Ames replies he likes his coffee
black and sweet, and he would be happy to do lunch.  He's on his
way."

*  *  *

The air support promised for thirty seconds later was on the dot.
 Wave after wave of A-10's swept over the woods, riddling it with
30mm shells and napalm.  As hostile fire diminished markedly, she
heard sounds to her rear.  She turned and saw men of the 82nd
running towards her position through the woods.  The leader had a
bandage on his nose and came running up to her.  He gave her a
snappy salute and said, "I hope we're not too late for the party,
Colonel?"

"Why, Kevin Murphy, I do declare!" said Kelly with a southern
accent that dripped with magnolia blossoms.  "I didn't know you
were invited to this ball, too.  You simply must save me a
dance!"  She grinned and held out her hand.

Kevin took it and looked at his sergeant.  "First Sergeant, now
do you believe me?  I told you Colonel Jackson is something very
special."

While they were talking, his men were taking up positions on the
crest of the ridge.  When the Russians next appeared, they were
hit by a storm of fire.  Kelly called for a corpsman to examine
Mike.  He looked him over and said, "Ma'am, do you carry a doctor
around with you?  This man already has had more care than I can
give.  We'll just get him down to a safer spot."  They carefully
put Mike on a stretcher and took him to a spot sheltered by rocks
further down the hill.

When additional units arrived, they started moving carefully down
the hill toward the Russians.  One of the men came back to Kevin.
 "Lieutenant, what's been going on around here.  The side of the
hill is like a slaughter house!  We've counted over seventy
bodies already.  Who's been here?"

Kevin pointed to Kelly.  "Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Jackson, U.S.
Army Special Forces, sergeant.  Colonel Jackson already has the
Medal of Honor, and I think you've just seen why she's about to
get number two."

Kelly asked Kevin if he had some coffee and explained why.  The
coffee was made, and Kelly had it in her hand when Jim Ames and
his aide ran up.  "Your coffee, General, black and sweet.  So
good of you to join me for luncheon," she said in her best Park
Avenue society tone.  As soon as he took the coffee, Kelly felt
her knees buckle, and she slipped to the ground.

The men surrounded her in an instant.  She heard Kevin Murphy
frantically shout for a corpsman and heard Ames say, "My God, her
sleeve is soaked in blood!"  Then everything went black.Chapter
12

Kelly awakened and was surprised to see Cathy at her bedside. 
She blinked and said, "I guess I ought to say something stupid
like, 'Where am I?'  Cathy, you look great!"

"You're back in England.  They wanted to send you to your
quarters, but I insisted you stay in the hospital.  It's good for
the image.  Besides, it's sort of tacky to get the Purple Heart
without ever being in the hospital.  How do you feel?"

Kelly moved around and found she really felt fine.  She moved her
arms and legs and everything worked.  There was a small bandage
on her left shoulder, but that was all.  "What happened?  It
doesn't look like I got hit very hard.  Where's Mike?"

"You didn't.  You just got nicked by a piece of shrapnel but you
bled like a stuck pig.  I don't know how many units of blood they
pumped into you, but your crankcase was nearly empty.  Mike's
fine, but he's going to be here for a while.  They had to do some
serious excavating to get all the shrapnel out.  Do you want to
try to get up?  You can, if you want to."

Kelly sat up in the bed.  So far, so good.  She swung her legs
over the side of the bed and carefully stood up.  There was a
wave of dizziness, but Cathy was holding her arm.  The dizziness
passed, and she walked over to a chair in the room.  Then she
realized she was wearing one of the classic backless hospital
gowns.  She grimaced at Cathy, but sat down.  "Ouch!  This seat
is cold on my bare ass."

Cathy went to the closet and brought her a lovely flannel bath
robe.  She slipped it on and sat down again.  "How long have I
been here, anyway?  What's happening in Germany?"

"You've been here two days.  The doctor says you were unconscious
for about twenty-four hours from blood loss, and then you slept
for another twenty-four.  Right now our armored units are about
200 miles east of where we started.  The Russians are reeling. 
Your comments on the command structure were prescient.  They
can't seem to get organized enough to give the right orders. 
We're hitting units that aren't even set up in battle formation."
 She shook her head and said, "Kelly, you really called it!"

Cathy cocked her head and looked at her friend.  "Now would you
like to visit your intended?  He's next door.  I don't know if
he's conscious yet from his last bout with surgery, but at least
you can see that he's more or less in one piece."

They went next door.  Mike was asleep with his left shoulder
heavily bandaged.  Cathy said, "He'll be fine.  By the way, have
you been playing with your carving set on Mike's back?"  Kelly
nodded and smiled sheepishly as Cathy pressed Mike's call button.
 Moments later a nurse appeared, followed by a doctor.  Cathy
said, "Doctor, I would like to introduce you to Kelly Jackson,
your patient.  She's also a competitor.  She's the one who
stitched up Mike's back.  I knew it had to be her."

The doctor smiled and shook hands with Kelly.  "Colonel, how far
did you go in your medical education?  That was a bullet removal,
wasn't it?"  Kelly said it was and asked what he thought of it. 
"It is as fine a piece of work as I've ever seen.  And I must
say, your sutures are much neater and finer than mine.  There
should be no scar at all."

"Damn!" Kelly exclaimed in exasperation.  "I was hoping there
would be something nice to show our children.  'This is where
Mommy carved up Daddy.  And it wasn't even Thanksgiving.'  As far
as your question goes, Doctor, I haven't graduated from high
school yet.  My qualifications consist of flunking biology
twice."

The doctor's jaw dropped.  "You can't be serious!" he exclaimed.

"She's very serious, doctor," Cathy said, "And I happen to know
it's the absolute truth.  After all, she's only nineteen."

"Come on!  That's impossible!  She's a lieutenant colonel in the
army.  She can't be nineteen!"

"You're incorrect, doctor.  She's now a full colonel.  The
President approved her promotion yesterday.  Kelly gets a
promotion more or less with every paycheck.  She was commissioned
as a Captain in March, and it's now July.  She's definitely doing
well in this man's army.  By the way, when can she go home?"

The doctor just shook his head.  "Kelly, how do you feel?  You
look fine."

"I feel fine, Doctor.  But what about my shoulder?  Will there be
a big scar?"

"I don't think there will be any at all, Kelly.  The shrapnel cut
you, it didn't embed.  You were stitched by a plastic surgeon
who's awfully good.  General Adams ordered it.  In fact, I'm
confident there will be no scar at all."

"Well, can I check myself out then?" Kelly asked.

"I am supposed to check with General Adams, Colonel.  Just a
moment."

The doctor went to the phone and placed a call.  He told the
office that Colonel Jackson was conscious and ready to go home. 
He was told to ask her to please wait for a few minutes.  He
relayed the message to Kelly who went back with Cathy to her
room.

She sat at the sink while Cathy shampooed her hair, dried it and
began to brush it out.  "Your hair is the most beautiful I have
ever seen," Cathy said.  "It's the color of yellow gold.  With
your eyes, you are a knockout!  Kelly, I'm sure Sam is going to
present you with a medal.  I have a pair of pajamas for you. 
They're men's, but you could wear the top.  Do you want to?"

Kelly said that was a great idea.  Cathy got the pajamas and
Kelly stripped off the hospital gown and put on the pajama top. 
Cathy just shook her head in amazement as she saw Kelly's nude
body.  "Kelly, you have to be the most beautiful girl in the
Army.  Hell, in the country!  Your figure is marvelous.  Want to
get back in bed now?  I think your visitor will be here in a few
minutes."

Kelly grinned and clambered into bed.  She felt wonderful after
the shampoo and the extended hair brushing.  A few minutes later
there was a knock on the door.  Kelly said, "Come in!" and the
door opened.  It was General Adams.  He looked at Kelly and
breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her alert and smiling.

Adams walked up to the edge of the bed.  "Colonel, you disobeyed
orders.  I distinctly remember ordering you to keep your head
down!"

Kelly grinned at him and said, "I'm sorry, sir.  I tried."

He turned from the bed and went to the closet.  Hanging there was
Kelly's flak vest.  He brought it back to the bed.  "How's your
stomach feel?" he asked.

Kelly said it was fine and then touched it.  She suddenly
realized it hurt.  She moved her hand around and found that much
of her body was bruised.  She looked puzzled.  Adams had been
watching her movements and showed her the flak vest.  "Kelly,
this has had a workout.  We recovered two intact slugs.  You were
hit in the body at least five times.  The Kevlar stopped the
slugs, but they still hit hard.  You should be bruised.  There
are three more hits on your helmet.  You are a very fortunate
young lady."

He stepped away from the bed and gave Cathy a group of small
boxes to hold.  He kept one and went back to the bed.  "Kelly, I
have a few mementos for you.  It is my honor, Colonel, to present
you with the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat."  He
pinned the medal to Kelly's pajama top, being careful not to
stick her with the pin.  He turned back to Cathy who gave him
another box.  "This is the Distinguished Service Cross, for the
planning you did that made our breakout possible."  He pinned the
second medal.  It was repeated with the Legion of Merit for her
original plan.

Finally, he said, "The President has instructed me to tell you
that a second Medal of Honor will be presented to you as soon as
you can conveniently visit Washington to receive it. 
Incidentally, you missed something, Kelly.  A few minutes after
you passed out, a West German armored spearhead penetrated and
started tearing up the remaining Russian tanks.  It was quite a
sight!

"I have also been asked by the Chancellor of Germany to tell you
two things:  First, the new bridge they're planning across the
Weser River is to be named the Kelly Jackson Bridge.  Second, he
has received permission from our President to award you the
Golden Order of the Knight's Cross, the highest military
decoration his nation can award.  He leaned over and kissed her
on the cheek.

Then he said softly, "Kelly, how fast can you be ready to be
Cathy's maid of honor?  I can't wait much longer."

She smiled up at him and then looked at Cathy.  "The next thing
you know, General, you're going to be asking me to give her
leave, aren't you?  How about if you two get married on Saturday,
and I give her the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday off?  As
long as she's in the office bright and early Monday morning?"

Adams grinned back at her and said, "That's what we love about
you, Kelly.  You're all heart!"  He stepped back from the bed and
said, "The doctor tells me you're ready to leave.  I would like
to buy you lunch and talk about a temporary assignment.  Do you
feel up to it?"

At the mention of food Kelly suddenly realized she was starving
and said so.  Sam left the room, and Cathy helped Kelly dress. 
Kelly hadn't realized how sore her body was.  She looked at the
flak vest carefully and said, "Cathy, I have to write a letter to
Smith & Wesson.  I wonder if they have a reconditioningservice?"

Cathy asked Kelly to check herself in the mirror.  She had tied
the girl's hair back in a pony tail.  Kelly realized that Cathy
was way ahead of her.  Although the decorations had just been
awarded, she saw that the top row showed the Medal of Honor, and
the DSC; the second row had the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star
and now an oak leaf cluster on her Purple Heart, along with her
new silver eagles of a full colonel.

Cathy just shook her head.  "Kelly, there's no one alive with the
set of decorations you're wearing.  And you're getting an oak
leaf cluster for the Medal of Honor.  You look like you stepped
out of a recruiting poster."  Cathy stood at attention and
saluted smartly.  "Is the Colonel ready to meet her public?"

Kelly grinned and returned the salute.  "Lead on, Captain."

Kelly signed herself out of the hospital and went out to the curb
where Adams' driver was waiting.  He saluted smartly as Kelly
approached, and she returned his salute.  As she got in the car
the driver said, "You look great, Colonel.  It's good to see you
on your feet."

Kelly stopped and smiled.  She said, "Thank you, Sergeant. 
That's very thoughtful of you to say."  They drove off toward the
Senior Officers' Mess.

Sam said, "Kelly, that's why you are the sweetheart of the troops
here."

She looked at him in surprise.  It was news to her.

Adams continued, "Kelly, everyone knows about your performance in
action.  The word is out, though, that you have a kind word for
everyone.  You don't take yourself seriously.  In fact, you don't
seem to care about yourself at all.  You just care about others,
starting with Mike Callahan.  But the list just grows.  There's
me, Cathy, Ned Carlson, Jim Ames and the whole damned 82nd
Airborne..."

He looked at her, shook his head and continued, "You really don't
understand, do you?  Jim Ames told me what happened.  You're
under murderous enemy fire, and in your best Park Avenue accent
you ask him to 'do lunch'.  Then you greet him with a cup of
coffee prepared exactly the way he drinks it."

He slowly shook his head.  "Kelly, those men are tough.  They're
probably the toughest we have.  Yet when the word spread that you
were down, they just went berserk.  When the armor arrived, there
were just a few stray pieces to pick up.  I can tell you there
were tears when they brought you out in an evacuation helicopter.
 I don't think the President himself gets the level of cover you
had.  Kelly, there were four helicopter gun ships that escorted
you all the way back.  Then there were F-15's and even more stuff
up high."

He smiled and added, "Kelly, I guess the reason the guys all love
you is that you don't understand.  You just do things and are
surprised when people are astounded at what you've done."  He
looked outside as they rolled up to the entrance to the mess.

The three had a table in the corner.  After ordering, Sam brought
up the new assignment.  "Kelly, John St. Clair has asked for you
to be temporarily attached to his group.  He's persuaded me that
he needs you.  You may remember the last briefing?  Well, he
wasn't blowing smoke.

"It's like computers.  There are people who are experts in
computers but don't have the foggiest idea of what the users'
needs are.  Then there are the users who don't have the faintest
idea of what the computers are capable of providing.  He
described the situation quickly at the briefing.  He has a bunch
of people who are fluent in Russian but who have no sense of
strategy or tactics.  They can translate, but they have no clue
what they should be translating.  Then we have a bunch of line
officers who don't know what information could be available, so
they don't ask for it.

"Kelly, you are the first person John has ever seen with fluency
in Russian and an incredible sense of strategy and tactics.  He
wants to put you in charge of his translators.

"Then there's Ned Carlson.  He is still shaking his head about
the breakthrough.  It was letter perfect.  I don't think there's
been a military operation like it since we were hit at Pearl
Harbor.  Our casualties were zilch.  You chopped off the head,
and the body had no direction at all.  Carlson wants you to
extend your activities and work with the LRRP units.  He thinks
he can do it again, and he wants to borrow you... in your spare
time, of course."

Adams grinned at her and added, "I told him he would have to
fight McDonald's for your services.  That is the career of choice
for high-school dropouts, isn't it?"

Kelly grinned back and nodded her head vigorously.  "It sure is.
And I've decided I look good in a uniform, too.  Cathy says I
have a bright smile, so I think I can make it as a counter girl,
don't you?"

"Kelly Jackson, you are too much!  Your problem is you're so
damned smart, you don't realize how smart you are.  To get even,
I am going to set you up at the War College later.  You will cut
those eggheads to pieces.  And it will serve them right!"

He looked at her thoughtfully and continued, "I said it initially
as a joke, but the more I think about it, the better it sounds. 
The fact is there are a bunch of eggheads there who think that if
you don't have Ph.D. after your name, you can't know anything. 
Furthermore, actual combat experience is virtually a
disqualifying  defect for employment.  I think you would cut them
to ribbons.  And it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of guys!"

It was agreed that Kelly would move her office to SACEUR
headquarters.  After lunch, he showed her around the headquarters
while Cathy took care of moving her things.

John St. Clair came in to welcome her.  "Kelly, you're looking
good.  How do you feel?"

She smiled at him and said, "General, aside from a few bruises,
I'm fine.  I am a little sore, though."

He shook his head and said, "A few bruises?  I saw your flak
jacket, young lady.  Your body took a pounding.  'A few bruises'
indeed!  Are you up to meeting your staff?"

She said she was, and a meeting was called for thirty minutes
later.  While she was waiting, she got a call from Ned Carlson. 
He talked to her about the LRRPs -- Long Range Reconnaissance
Patrols -- and asked if she could work with them.  She said of
course she would, so they made arrangements for her to fly over
to Germany the next day for a briefing session.  She checked her
watch and walked into the conference room.

Kelly was surprised to see there were over thirty officers
present who were called to attention when she entered.  St. Clair
came in a moment later and introduced her.  "Gentlemen, this is
Colonel Kelly Jackson.  Since this concerns Russian documents, I
am asking her to conduct the meeting in Russian."

Kelly glared at him -- it was news to her -- but she began in
fluent colloquial Russian.  She started by describing the basic
Soviet military textbooks.  She pointed out that many things in
the Soviet Union were essentially unchanged from the time of the
Czars.  They were almost embedded in the Russian character.  The
first is an authoritarian structure.  The command pyramid is
rigid:  All orders flow from the top.  Second, there is a
deep-seated conservatism.  Once they find a formula that works,
they stick with it religiously until it no longer works.  The
current Russian formula -- essentially unchanged since World War
II -- uses massed artillery and tanks, with the tanks often used
as mobile artillery.  She then issued a series of assignments and
divided the work.  Then she took questions.

"Colonel," a major asked, "Where did you get your education in
Russian?  You speak like a native, but you don't look like one."

"Major, I got my education at the end of a whip.  When your body
is being cut to ribbons and your blood is constantly dripping on
the floor, it provides a certain incentive.  I learned.  Next
question?"

There was a gasp from the group and a lieutenant colonel said,
"You can't be serious, Colonel.  That's a joke, isn't it?"

Kelly smiled ruefully and said, "I wish it were!  I could still
show you a few scars, but they are mostly around my loins and my
breasts, so I'll pass.  It is true, though."

John St. Clair rose at this point.  Although he understood
Russian and had been able to follow the questions, he was not
comfortable speaking the language.  He shifted back to English.

"Gentlemen, I should tell you a few things about Colonel Jackson:
First,  I regret to say everything she has just told you is the
absolute truth.  There are other matters, though.  You may hear
rumors about her.  I want to set the record straight at the
outset.  First, the reason she looks so young is... she is. 
Kelly is nineteen years old.  Second, she has more personal
decorations for valor than the average combat division.  She 
wears the Medal of Honor and is receiving an oak leaf cluster in
lieu of a second award.  She has the Distinguished Service Cross,
the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart with
oak leaf cluster.  She holds every personal record in the book in
small arms, demolition, and unarmed combat.  She also has an
incredible sense of humor.  Kelly was only released from the
hospital this morning.  She was in Germany at the time of the
breakthrough making it happen.  She did what she is now asking
you to do: she read the Russians' books.

"At any rate, she was alone behind enemy lines.  Her partner had
been wounded and was unconscious.  Kelly's flak jacket was hit by
at least five rounds, most of which would have been lethal had
she not been wearing it.  Nevertheless, she invites the
commanding officer of the 82nd Airborne Division to 'do lunch'
with her.  There is an indomitable spirit here.

"Finally, she is now a full colonel, and it is permanent rank and
a Regular Army commission.  It would be very unwise for any of
you to get crosswise with Kelly.  It is fair to say she has
influence in high places, particularly including SACEUR and the
White House.  Any other questions?  Kelly has made assignments. 
Let's get going!"

Kelly went back to the hospital that evening.  Mike was just
regaining consciousness as she sat by his bedside.  She was
holding his hand in hers as his eyes blinked and then opened. 
"Hi," he said softly.

"Hi, yourself," Kelly replied, blinking back a tear.  "Michael
Callahan, what am I going to do with you?"

He smiled at her weakly and said, "Do what you've been doing. 
Pick up the pieces and sew me back together.  Darling, thanks
again.  Incidentally, why didn't you handle the shrapnel?  I
thought you liked to dig in me the way most kids like to dig in
the sand?"

"Darling," she said softly, "there's been a clear breakdown in
communication.  I don't like to dig in you.  I like you in me. 
That glorious cock of yours in my poor excuse for a cunt."

He formed his mouth in an "O," and smiled, "Now I get it!  That's
different.  I won't walk around looking for stray pieces of
flying metal to walk into anymore.  I promise."  She saw his eyes
start to close, and she bent over and kissed him softly.  In
spite of his condition, she felt the same electricity flow
between them.

"Good night, darling," she whispered.  She left the room and
closed the door.

The next morning Kelly was on a courier plane flying to eastern
France.  At the French airport she boarded a waiting helicopter
that took her to a location in Germany just behind the lines --
or where the lines had been just a few days earlier.  The front
was now over 200 miles east of her present position, and the
distance was lengthening by the hour.

Kelly was wearing her combat fatigues including her beat-up flak
vest when she was greeted warmly by Ned Carlson at the airstrip.
He took her to a tent where the briefing was scheduled to be
held.  The men were called to attention when he entered and
strode to the podium.

"Gentlemen, welcome.  It's my pleasure to introduce Colonel Kelly
Jackson who will conduct the briefing.  There are a couple of
words of introduction.  First, I know you men think of yourselves
as the best there is.  You're very damned good.  But Kelly's
better.  She has two Medals of Honor and a bunch of lesser
hardware.  I want you to know that she has personally done things
that leave everyone's head shaking.  Most recently, she left over
eighty enemy dead with her patented small-arms fire:  They all
were dead with bullets in the brain."

He turned to Kelly and asked, "Kelly, have you found out where
the heart is yet?"

She grinned, shook her head and said, "I'm still working on it,
sir.  But I _am_ making progress... I think."

Ned turned back to the troops and said, "I should explain that
little byplay.  Kelly claims that the reason she aims for the
head is that she flunked biology twice.  She's not too sure where
the heart is, but she can see the head.  I can tell you
sharpshooters that the first time she fired a rifle in her life,
she fired eight rounds and put each round into the brain of a
Russian at an average range of about 150 meters.  She's here this
morning to talk to you about some work she did which opened up
the road we're running on right now.

"I don't know how many of you know it, but the Russians had five
armored divisions poised to close the hole we opened in their
line.  They never moved.  Kelly ensured that they didn't.  By the
way, I notice she's wearing her custom-made flak jacket.  It was
a gift to her from Smith & Wesson.  It's a little messed up now
because it absorbed five rounds, at least three of which would
have been lethal.  Kelly tells me she's still a bit stiff and
sore, so be nice to her.  Kelly?"

Kelly stepped up to the podium and looked out over the faces. 
"Wow!  After that introduction, I don't know what to say.  I'm
here to talk about expediting our advance.  I'm going to tell you
what we did and then answer questions about what you are likely
to face.  First, how many of you understand spoken Russian?  Let
me see a show of hands."  A few hands were raised, but very few.

"Well, for most of the teams you won't be able to do it quite the
way we did.  But let me start at the beginning.  The Russians are
a command-oriented army: everything is top down.  For example,
many of their tanks have no radio transmitters.  They can receive
orders but not give them.  If you take out the lead tank in a
group of three, you effectively disable the other two.  In all
likelihood the others don't even know what their unit's mission
is.

"The second element, related to the first, is the need to keep
things simple.  If you must give detailed orders to get something
done, the task has got to be fairly simple, or you'll be
overwhelmed by misunderstanding and resulting confusion.

"The third element is stick with what works until it doesn't work
any more, then look for something new.  Until last week the
Russians were never beaten in a major tank battle since the Great
Patriotic War... World War II.  On the offensive, they use massed
artillery and tanks, with the tanks used almost as mobile
artillery.  On defense -- now -- they employ a tactical reserve.
They wait for the attacker to commit, then throw in their reserve
in the most effective way they can.

"This brings us to last week:  The Russians had a tactical
reserve of five armored divisions.  We attacked at the junction
where a Russian division was flanked by an East German division.
The Russian plan was a 'double gate.'  The two divisions attacked
would withdraw obliquely, swinging like a gate.  Allied troops
would pour through the gap to be clobbered by the five armored
divisions while they were disorganized.  The two line divisions
would then simultaneously counterattack on both our flanks."

Kelly looked up and saw a hand raised.  "Yes, you have a
question?"

"Colonel, how do you know all this?  You sound pretty certain,
but we haven't even picked up all the pieces yet.  How can you
know?"

Kelly started to reply when she saw Ned Carlson on his feet.  He
told Kelly he would like to field the question.

"Son, you walked right into that one.  The reason Kelly knows is
she listened to the Russian lieutenant general commanding their
ground forces in the sector tell it to the East German division
commander... in detail.  It also explains why she said at the
outset that not many of you can do what she did.  You see, her
partner put a bug on the command trailer.  Kelly, who speaks
perfect Russian, listened to the whole thing.  Then what
happened, Kelly?"

"We waited until the order was given for the front-line units to
open an alley.  When the division commanders and deputy
commanders of the five reserve divisions were gathered with the
group commander for final orders, we zapped them.  We hit the
armored command trailer with three TOW's and I understand we made
a hell of a mess inside.  Suffice it to say, there was no one
alive to give the order to move out.  We then picked off anyone
in sight who seemed to be exercising any initiative.  It was
painfully simple, really.

"Now, to your operations:  We want you to go head-hunting for
senior officers.  We've found out two things.  First, the
Russians seem fond of command trailers.  Second, the more armored
it is, the more senior the officer inside.  The trailer we hit
was differentiated in two ways: first, it had three axles rather
than two... it was a ten-wheeler; second, there was a prime mover
nearby that obviously is used to move it around.  Trailers are
usually hauled by ordinary trucks.  Without a knowledge of
Russian, and a guy like my partner -- my fiance -- Mike Callahan,
who can move like a ghost, you can't get quite so tricky.  You
can do a lot of damage, though.

"There is one important thing: timing is critical.  The Russians
aren't short of officers, and any officer can be replaced... but
not in ten minutes or less.  What you need to do is locate your
targets and hit them just as we launch our attack -- a minute or
two later is better.  It's better because it prevents the
Russians from using an alternate chain of command which they may
have."  Kelly smiled and stepped away.  "Now, are there any
questions?"

"Colonel, do you mean to say that you listened in to orders being
given and then popped the guy as he's about to blow thewhistle?"

"I guess so.  It wasn't very hard."

"Ma'am, I've heard of being cool as a cucumber, but I ain't heard
nothing that describes what you did!  My God!  No wonder it was a
walkover.  The line units were waiting for the reserves that were
coming into position, but the reserves never moved!"

The speaker addressed Ned Carlson, "General, is that what the
Colonel received the second Medal of Honor for?"

Carlson smiled and said, "No, lieutenant.  It was for
singlehandedly putting down eighty of the enemy at close range. 
I don't think they know what to give her for winning the battle
for us.  Incidentally, she addressed SACEUR in terms similar to
what you just heard.  She conceived the whole plan of attack and
then played the critical role in achieving its success.  What do
you think she deserves?"

"Any damn thing she wants, General.  And then double it."

"I think that's a fine idea, son.  I'll pass it on to General
Adams," Carlson replied.  "Any more questions?"

There was a long exchange about penetration and target
identification.  Finally, the briefing ended.  Kelly rose to
leave and all the men were standing at attention.  One started to
applaud and in no time there was a pandemonium of applause and
whistling.  Kelly waved and left with the general who escorted
her to the mess tent.

Once there, Kelly insisted on going through the mess line. 
Carlson smiled and led the way.  Kelly was secretly amused at all
the double-takes.  The men saw the silver eagles on her collar
and then saw her beautiful young face.  As they moved through the
line, she heard a buzz of whispers behind her.  They found seats
at a table in the corner.

When they were nearly finished eating, a young officer came up
and saluted smartly.  "General Carlson, request permission to
speak to the Colonel, sir."

Carlson tried to hide a smile and said, "Speak away, son."

Kelly realized the officer was a captain in the tank corps. 
"Colonel, you're Kelly Jackson, aren't you?"  She realized her
flak jacket covered her name tape.

Kelly read his name tape, WILLIAMS.  "That's me, Captain
Williams.  What can I do for you?"

Williams reddened but held his ground.  "Colonel, I commanded one
of the lead tank companies that hit the line last week.  I have
been asked by my men to thank you for what you did.  They say you
can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, and warfare can be
hazardous to one's health.  We were in a pretty exposed position
where casualties are expected to run very high.  Colonel, due to
your brilliance and your bravery, we took no casualties.  None!"

He snapped his fingers and said, "No, ma'am, I misspoke.  Private
Washington sprained his ankle jumping down from his tank when it
was all over, but he's always doing dumb things like that."  He
looked at her like he was looking at an angel.  "Ma'am, on behalf
of Bravo Troop, 7th Armored Cavalry, I want to thank you for what
you did.  And ma'am, would it be possible to get yourautograph?"

Kelly smiled at him warmly and saw him melt.  She said she would
be happy to if he had something for her to write on.  He produced
a copy of the Op order from the previous week's assault.  When
she saw that his unit was one of the first spearhead units named,
she asked him what his first name was and he replied, Jim.

She wrote, "To Captain Jim Williams and all the men of Bravo
Troop, 7th Armored Cavalry:  With men like you, we're going to
win this one -- and win big.  With gratitude for all you've done
and are doing."  She signed it Kelly Jackson, Colonel, U.S.A.

Williams looked at it and didn't believe what he read.  "But
ma'am... Colonel... this isn't right!  We did nothing!  Well, I
guess that's not true either.  We were one of the first units to
reach your position.  We were a couple of minutes behind the
Germans.  We accepted the surrender of a few Russian armored
divisions and helped disarm the prisoners.  Then we used the
prisoners to clean up after you, ma'am."

He grinned and added, "I understand you didn't stay around to
survey the wreckage you created.  Ma'am, it was an awful mess!"

She grinned at Williams and said, "Captain, will you do me a
great favor?"  He agreed instantly.  "Promise not to tell my
fiance what a terrible housekeeper I am?  I'm an awful slob, but
he doesn't know it yet.  With luck, he won't find out until after
we're married.  Will you help me keep it quiet?"

She saw a kaleidoscope of emotions pass over Williams' face. 
"Ma'am, I just do not believe that.  I think you're teasing me. 
I will say, ma'am, that the man who's engaged to you is the
luckiest man alive.  Will you please tell him so for me, ma'am?"

He had been studying her face as if he was trying to memorize her
features.  He turned to leave and then turned back, "Ma'am, I
realize it's impertinent of me, but could you tell me how old you
are?"

Kelly grinned and said, "Younger than you are, Captain.  I'm
nineteen."

Williams' jaw dropped.  General Carlson said, "It's the God's
honest truth, son.  Kelly Jackson is only nineteen.  Just turned
nineteen a couple of months ago in fact.  Don't you think she has
to be the most beautiful colonel in the Army?"

"Of that, General, there is no doubt.  Thank you, ma'am.  I'm
sorry for taking your time."  Williams disappeared and Carlson
looked at her and shook his head.

"There's another Kelly Jackson story.  If you ever need any
armor, you know where to look.  Kelly, those men would follow you
to hell."

He shook his head and said, "You are a piece of work.  You really
are!  No wonder those people in Quantico set every record in the
book!  You are the best damned natural-born leader it's ever been
my privilege to see.  Damn it!  I was wrong.  I said they would
follow you to hell.  They sure would.  But they would think it
was a rare privilege to be allowed to keep you company!"

They walked out to where a helicopter was waiting.  Carlson gave
Kelly his very best salute which she returned as smartly.  He
then took her in his arms and kissed her on the cheek.  "Kelly,
count me a member of Kelly's army.  Take care of yourself, kid."

She waved gaily and boarded the helicopter.

A few hours later, she crawled into her bed in her quarters in
England and was almost instantly asleep.Chapter 13

The morning after her return from Germany, Kelly was in the Army
hospital at Mike's bedside when he awakened.  He looked up and
found her staring at him, while tears were rolling slowly down
her cheeks.  The surgery on his shoulder had been completed
successfully with all of the shrapnel removed.  "Hello, darling,"
he said to her softly.  "What's wrong?"

She ignored his question.  Instead, she replied.  "How do you
feel?  How's the shoulder?"

"It's been better.  But you didn't answer me.  What's wrong?"

Kelly tried to smile, but the tears kept running.  "I'm sorry. 
Nothing's wrong, really.  Maybe I'm happy that you're alive." 
She sat up straight in her chair, and said, "I'mlying, Mike.  I'm
crying because it's not fair!"

"What's not fair?" Mike asked, showing concern.

"I've been promoted again!  I'm a full colonel.  I outrank you,"
she wailed.

Mike reached across the bed with his good right hand and took
hers in it.  "Congratulations, darling!  I think it'swonderful."

"And I think it stinks!  It's not fair.  Mike, you're West Point.
 You've studied this military stuff.  You're a career officer. 
I'm a damned high-school dropout who can't do anything right!" 
Her tears started to flow again.

Mike said sharply, "Jackson!  Stand at attention!"

Kelly unthinkingly dropped his hand and stood at attention.

"Jackson," Mike ordered, maintaining the same command tone, "What
are those ribbons on your chest?"

"Sir!  The first is the Medal of Honor, the second..."

Kelly appeared startled as she realized what he was doing.  She
frowned and said, "Mike Callahan!  You can't do that.  I outrank
_you!_  You can't give me...  Michael Callahan, now I know the
truth for sure.  Your parents were never married, and your mother
was a female dog!  You are cruel, mean, nasty..."

She stopped as she saw a grin spread across his face which drove
away her tears as she finished, "But I love you anyway!"

Being careful to stay clear of his shoulder, she took him in her
arms and kissed him.  The kiss was loaded with love and passion.
She felt better as his good right arm closed around her.

She heard him whisper in her ear, now so close to his lips,
"You're awfully cute for a bird colonel... especially when you're
mad."  He pulled her face down to his and kissed her again.  When
she finally straightened up in her chair he could see the love
shining in her eyes.  "Are you sure you still want to marry me? 
You outrank me now."

"The answer is yes!" she answered brightly.  "I just realized
there are some advantages: For example, you can be on permanent
KP.  And you can get to walk the floor with the baby at 0200
and..."

Mike's eyes widened.  "Kelly!  You wouldn't!  You wouldn't use
your rank..."

"...then there are other things," Kelly ignored the outburst. 
Her eyes took on a faraway look as she continued, "I can order
you to strip for me so I can look at your body...  Of course,
it's getting pretty shot up, so I'm not really sure it's worth
looking at any more."  She got to her feet and bent over to kiss
him again.  "But there are still the bells!  God, I love kissing
you!"  And she did, again.

She smiled and then returned to her office where Cathy gave her a
message to call John St. Clair.  When she reached John, he asked
her to go to Germany.  "Kelly, we have a strange situation. 
Using the Kelly Jackson/George Patton assault, we've captured
several Soviet headquarters with their staffs intact.  One of
them appears to be the Russian headquarters for the Western
front.  However, we can't find the commanding general.  We think
we identified the man, but he's wearing the uniform of a
lieutenant colonel.  Could you go over and take a look?"

Kelly agreed.  John pointed out that it was no longer necessary
to wear a combat uniform since the front was now hundreds of
miles further to the east.  Spearheads were now in Czechoslovakia
and East Germany and moving rapidly eastward.

Cathy made immediate transport arrangements and buzzed Kelly,
"Colonel Jackson, ma'am, you're going to have to start traveling
incognito.  I said we needed transportation for Colonel Jackson
and nearly triggered a riot as the guys fought over who was going
to get to fly you over.  And you realize, I hope, that normally
VIP flights are detested.  Anyway, a chopper will be on the pad
in five minutes."

Kelly went out and boarded the waiting helicopter.  The crew
chief gave her his very best salute and welcomed her on board.  A
short time later they were on the strip in Germany.  Kelly was
driven to a POW compound and greeted by Ned Carlson's chief of
intelligence, Tom Marlow.

He saluted smartly and said, "General Carlson's respects,
Colonel.  Welcome to Germany.  I... I've heard so much about you,
I didn't know quite what to expect.  I guess you know that Kelly
Jackson is a legend with the troops over here.  In fact someone
has a big mouth.  They heard you were coming, so they organized a
little surprise for later this afternoon.  I hope you don't
mind."

Kelly had shaken hands but now looked puzzled.  "Colonel, I don't
understand.  I just came over to see if I could help you with a
POW problem.  What is it, by the way?  General St. Clair said you
would fill me in."

"Colonel," he said, "We have a guy with an ill-fitting lieutenant
colonel's uniform.  The other Russians... particularly including
generals... appear to defer to him.  He insists he's only a
lieutenant colonel.  Right now he's in an interrogation room. 
And that's going slowly, too:  My G-2 people's Russian is
inadequate for the questioning, so we need an interpreter.  Maybe
you can us help there, too.  I hear your Russian is prettygood."

By this time they had reached the POW compound and the
interrogation center.  Marlow led Kelly into an observation room
separated from the interrogation room by one-way glass.  Kelly
glanced at the man being questioned.  He was very big, although
being seated it was not clear how tall he was.  Even seated,
though, he had an aura of command.

Kelly turned to Marlow and asked, "May I go in?"  He nodded, and
took her out to a door.  He knocked and entered.

Kelly went past him and said in her fluent Russian, "Uncle
Mischa!"

The Russian jumped to his feet, shocked.  He looked at Kelly who
took off her uniform cap and tossed it into the corner, shaking
her golden hair free.  He looked at her again, and there was
clear recognition in his face.  He grabbed Kelly, enfolded her in
his arms like a bear, and kissed her.  She kissed him back.  Then
he held her away at arms length and saw the rank insignia and the
ribbons for the medals she was wearing.

Slowly shaking his head he said, "I told them they were making a
very dangerous mistake, didn't I, my pet?"

The Americans in the room had been watching the unfolding scene
with utter amazement.  Kelly put her arm around the Russian's
waist and turned to Marlow.  "Colonel, it's my pleasure to
introduce you to General... or is it Field Marshal now?"

She looked at him, and he gave a little shrug and a grin.

She continued, "Field Marshal Mikhail Solov, commander of all
Warsaw Pact forces in the West.  Mischa, this is Colonel Thomas
Marlow, chief of intelligence for the Allied Forces.  Tom, I
think you'll want to call Ned immediately.  Mischa, will you give
me your parole for the rest of the day?  I would like to get us
to some place more comfortable."

"When you ask, Kelly," he replied, speaking excellent English,
"how can I refuse?  Of course.  I promise to be a good boy for
the rest of the day."

They left the interrogation room, and Marlow, still stunned by
the sudden turn of events, took him to a German castle now being
used as Carlson's headquarters.  Ned Carlson was waiting for them
as they drove up.  He saluted Kelly and then gave her a big hug
and a kiss.

She poked him in the ribs and said, "General, I wish you would
quit picking on poor defenseless little girls.  You big lug! 
It's bad for my image, besides: being manhandled by a dirty old
man!"

At that both Ned and the Russian cracked up in laughter.  Ned
looked at Solov and said, "Does she look like a defenseless
little girl to you, Marshal?  She's about as defenseless as a
Siberian tiger!"  Solov nodded his agreement.  They were still
grinning as Kelly made the introductions.

Ned led the way into his office and told Marlow that he would
like to talk with the Marshal and Kelly alone for a while. 
Marlow excused himself while the others took seats.

Kelly said, "General, do you recall me mentioning Field Marshal
Vasilly Solov who wrote the book on Russian tactics?  Mikhail is
his grandson.  He now commands... or did... all Warsaw Pact
forces here in the West."

Carlson just shook his head in amazement.  He looked at Kelly and
asked, "And how is it you know the Field Marshal?"

Kelly sat up straight in her chair and her face became impassive.
 "Because I entertained him at the school, General.  Or I was
supposed to.  Actually, we spent the night with him coaching me
for a Russian test I had to take the next day."

She turned to Solov and asked, "How is your daughter, Katrina, by
the way?"  Turning back to Carlson, she said, "He told me a lot
about her that night."

Solov had been studying Kelly, and he now spoke.  "General, will
you answer some questions for me if I give you my word of honor
nothing will leave this room or ever be used against you or your
forces?"

Carlson looked at him thoughtfully for a few moments and then
looked at Kelly who nodded.  "Yes, Marshal.  Agreed.  What
questions?"

"General, we know Kelly killed Major Vishinsky.  No loss, I
should add.  We believe she killed a guard on the street with the
same knife a few minutes later.  General, she dynamited the
bridge over the River Weser, didn't she?"

Carlson nodded and said, "Yes, but how did you know?"

"We didn't.  The KGB and the GRE still don't.  However, there was
a guard on the bridge -- later executed for dereliction of duty
-- who claimed someone crossed the bridge several times under
orders from Major Vishinsky.  The description he gave seems to
fit.  That was Kelly, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was," Carlson admitted.

"I could not get the KGB to abandon their little home at the
school.  I told them that making war on women and children would
be very expensive.  I never dreamed it could be so expensive!  It
may have cost us the war."

He turned to Kelly and said, "You asked about Katrina.  The
answer is, I don't know where she is.  I suspect she, too, is a
prisoner.  Could you find out for me?"

Kelly looked at Carlson who nodded.  She asked, "What is her
name, rank, and serial number?"  Solov gave Kelly the
information, and she left the office.  She found Marlow waiting
outside and after explaining what she wanted, he placed a call
and waited.  A few moments later he told Kelly that Captain
Katrina Solov was a prisoner in an Allied POW camp and could be
brought to headquarters in an hour.  She gave the order and
returned to Carlson's office.

She told Solov that his daughter was, indeed, a prisoner and was
being escorted to headquarters.  Carlson wanted to talk with
Kelly alone so Marlow came in and escorted the Marshal to the
senior officers' lounge.

Carlson looked at Kelly and shook his head.  "Jackson, is there
anyone you don't know?  In any army?  It seems the Marshal takes
credit for being the first to sense that you had a natural sense
of weapons, tactics and so forth.  How did you ever get on such
subjects?  You were a prisoner."

Kelly smiled as she remembered.  "General... Sir, do you mind if
I call you Ned?  This gets a little personal."

Carlson looked at her fondly and said, "Kelly, I wish you would.
Go on."

"Ned, first of all, I wore no clothes after the Russians arrived.
 Correction.  I wore clothes when I was on stage, but only to
take them off.  Anyway, I guess I was the school's featured
attraction.  I was offered to Solov for the night following a
show.  He didn't want to accept the favor.  He felt the whole
arrangement was a disgrace to the Red Army.  Then he thought he
could do me a favor, so he accepted.

"It seems I remind him of his daughter, Katrina.  His wife is
dead and she is all he has.  We were in the VIP suite together
all night."

She smiled wryly as she remembered.  "The funny thing is we were
awake all night, so we were suitably tired the next day.  But
instead of taking me, he talked to me.  I practiced my Russian. 
What we talked about was what he was most interested in and
knowledgeable about... Russian strategy and tactics.  Ned, I was
kneeling on the bed naked while he still had his full uniformon.

"And by the way, I owe him.  For my dancing they put makeup on my
back and legs to conceal the whip marks.  He washed my back and
got some ointment to put on them.  He was most kind to me,
really.

"Ned, I think there's a better-than-even chance I could get him
to defect.  Are you interested?"

Carlson had been striving to keep his face impassive as he
listened to Kelly's recital.  When she mentioned "defect," he
nodded and picked up a direct telephone to headquarters.  He got
Sam Adams on the line and said, "Your favorite teenybopper
colonel is here with me, Sam.  She thinks we could get Field
Marshal Mikhail Solov, commander of all Warsaw Pact forces in the
West to defect.  Interested?"

Adams chuckled and said, "I thought you told her to confine her
reading to Gothic novels?  Can't she follow orders?"

"Sam, I'm only a troop commander.  If the Commander in Chief
can't even keep his secretary out of her clutches, what the hell
does he expect me to do?"

"I expect it to be a challenge to you, Ned!  Do as I say, not as
I do.  The answer is the usual one.  When a girl is winning the
war for us at a negligible cost in casualties, you stick with
her.  She's authorized to do any damn thing she wants to!  Fair
enough?"

"Yes, sir.  I'll tell her.  Incidentally, Sam, the last time I
saw you, you looked about ten years younger and happier than I
can remember you looking in years -- at least since your wife
died.  What's going on?"

Again there was a chuckle on the phone.  "What the hell do you
think is happening?  It's another of Colonel Kelly Jackson's
spare-time projects.  Ask her."

Carlson hung up and looked at Kelly.  Kelly just smiled at him
sweetly.  "Jackson, what did you do for General Adams?"

"Nothing, sir.  I did absolutely nothing for General Adams.  What
did he say?"

"He told me to ask you.  As for Solov, you have a blank check. 
What do you want to do?"

"I want to spend the day with him and his daughter.  Colonel
Marlow said there was some surprise for me later today.  What is
it?"

He smiled and shook his head.  "I can't tell you, Kelly.  But if
you get the Marshal and his daughter to give their paroles -- he
already has, so you only need hers -- they would be interested
spectators at the surprise.  It's scheduled for 1500 hours.  As
for the defection, go for it."

Carlson's phone buzzed and he picked it up.  He said, "Fine, have
them wait," and hung up.  "Kelly, your guest is here.  Whatnow?"

She had been thinking quickly while Carlson made the phone calls.
 She replied, "Ned, I want to be with them alone.  Is there a
good place where we could eat lunch?  A _really_ good place?" 
Carlson nodded and had his aide make a reservation for three.

They left the office and found two MPs seated flanking a blonde
young woman.  The woman was wearing the uniform of a captain in
the Red Army and was glaring at everyone.  As Kelly and the
General came out of the office, the girl stood up along with the
MPs and saluted.

Kelly smartly returned the salute.  She dismissed the MPs and
stuck her hand out, "Captain, I'm Kelly Jackson.  I wish we could
be meeting under more pleasant circumstances."

The girl glared at Kelly and said, "Who are you?  Some general's
mistress?"

Kelly ignored the remark and looked at the girl carefully. 
Katrina was blonde and very pretty but not quite as tall as
Kelly.  Like Kelly, she had a slim figure.  Kelly turned to
Carlson and said, "General, do you suppose you could find some
civilian clothes that would fit the captain?"

She asked Katrina to come with her.  They were escorted to the
lounge where Solov was waiting with Colonel Marlow.  When they
entered, Marlow excused himself and Solov rushed up to his
daughter and took her in his arms.  Kelly could see tears form in
his eyes as he held her tightly.  He kept his arm around her as
they followed Kelly to an office made available for her use. 
They went in and Kelly closed the door.

When they were seated in comfortable leather chairs, Kelly smiled
at them both.  "Katrina, I would like you to give me your parole
for the day.  Will you?  It will make things much easier all
around."

The girl's eyes widened, and she was about to refuse indignantly
when she saw her father nod emphatically.  Reluctantly, she
agreed.  There was a knock on the door, and an aide brought in
clothes on hangers which she left over a chair.  Kelly went
through a side door and found there was a full bathroom. 
"Katrina, we're going out for lunch.  There is a bathroom next
door.  Perhaps you might want to take a shower and change.  I
hope the clothes here fit."

The girl went into the bathroom, and Kelly and Solov chatted. 
Awhile later she emerged and stood close to the door.  Solov
rushed over to her and kissed her, "Katrina, you look beautiful!
That dress is lovely on you."

Kelly realized the girl was accustomed to wearing a uniform and
didn't know what to make of herself in the dress.  She had lovely
blue eyes and a dancer's figure, although she was anything but
flat-chested.  Solov went into the bathroom to change, and
Katrina sat down carefully in an easy chair.  Kelly was amused. 
She could tell that Katrina wanted to dislike her but didn't. 
She was upset at herself because of it.

Kelly started to talk to her in English which the girl spoke
well, albeit with a stronger accent than her father did.  Kelly
shifted to Russian, and the girl's eyes widened.  She realized
that Kelly's Russian was near-perfect while her English needed a
lot of work.  In a few minutes Solov rejoined them wearing slacks
and a sport shirt.  Kelly smiled at him and said he looked like a
very friendly Russian bear.

Solov returned the smile.  He looked at his daughter and said,
"Katrina, this is the American girl I told you about, the one who
was held prisoner by the KGB."

Katrina looked askance at her father and then at Kelly.  "You
told me she had been beaten.  This girl, whoever she is...
probably the general's mistress... has never been touched!" she
said vehemently.

Kelly looked at the girl with her face expressionless.  She rose,
went to the door and locked it, then undressed.  When she was
naked she went back to where Katrina was sitting and turned her
back to the girl.  Mikhail was impassive as he pointed out the
marks on Kelly's back.  She then turned and faced them.  He
showed her where her breasts, inner thighs and loins had been
whipped.  Although the marks had faded, they were still visible.
Still without a word, Kelly put her uniform back on and satdown.

"Now, young lady, I expect you to apologize to Colonel Jackson at
once!  We may be enemies, but we should also be civilized.  As
you have just seen, some of our comrades aren't nearly as
civilized as they should be.  That is another story, however.

"Captain Solov, you disgust me!  You have the nerve to say that
Colonel Jackson is a general's mistress.  Do you know what the
first ribbon she's wearing signifies?  Or the last?"

Katrina shook her head, obviously abashed by her father's attack,
but also by what she had just seen.  She realized the girl was
truly beautiful and she had been beaten savagely for an extended
period.  She looked at the ribbons her father had indicated.  The
first was somehow familiar, but she couldn't place it.  She had
no idea about the others.  She shook her head and said softly,
"No, Comrade Field Marshal.  I do not know."

Solov looked at his daughter sternly.  "The first is the ribbon
of the Medal of Honor.  It is the highest award for valor given
by the United States.  The last, the purple ribbon, is the ribbon
of the Purple Heart given to those wounded in combat.  The small
cluster on it is in lieu of a second award.  There are no service
ribbons.  All of her ribbons are for gallantry and service of the
highest order.  I happen to know that she is, in fact, a colonel
in the American army.

"Kelly," he said, turning away from his daughter, "There's one
more thing.  You were captured at a town check point with a man,
weren't you?"  She nodded.  The Marshal smiled.  "Of course!  It
had to be you.  After blowing the bridge... Katrina, this girl
blew the River Weser bridge by herself!... you were headed toward
your pickup point and were arrested.  You were taken to the
cellar at KGB headquarters for questioning.  After a while you
came up and demanded passes out of town which were provided.  You
said the officer who had taken you to the basement didn't wish to
be disturbed.

"Later in the day they finally investigated.  There were four
men, all dead with bullets in their brain.  One man... known for
his sadism and brawn... had two.  There was a whip that showed
signs of recent use.  There was blood on it that hadn't yet
dried.  They whipped you, didn't they, Kelly?  Somehow, you got
free and shot them all, then brazenly walked out using your
fluent Russian to obtain passes out of town.  Am I right?"  Again
Kelly nodded.  "And the man?  I'm told you're engaged to be
married.  He's the one, isn't he?"

This time Kelly smiled warmly and said, "Yes, Uncle Mischa, he's
my fiance.  We were together."

He returned the smile and then turned to his daughter.  "There's
one more thing.  Kelly is only... about nineteen, isn't it?"

Kelly smiled again and nodded her head.  "I had forgotten what a
memory you have.  Nineteen is correct."

Looking back at his daughter he continued, "Do you now believe
what I have been telling you?  How short-sighted the KGB has
been, forgetting the morality of making war on civilians?  You
have seen the evidence.  Now do you believe?"

Katrina had received a series of stunning shocks in a short space
of time.  She just shook her head doggedly.  Finally, she said
softly, "But Father, it can't be!  We wouldn't do things like
that.  We shouldn't!"

Kelly decided the time had come.  With the daughter still shaking
her head, they left the office.  She took them to a restaurant
for a lovely lunch.  Eyebrows were raised at the Russian-language
conversation, but there were two burly MPs on guard at the door,
so nothing was said.  As the meal progressed, Katrina slowly
started to loosen up.  Kelly thought the girl was likely to hold
the key to a defection if there was to be one.

Finally, she spoke to Kelly very shyly, "I have heard my father
refer to your fiance.  Your parents have arranged a marriage for
you?"

Kelly looked at the girl, smiled and vigorously shook her head. 
"There isn't very much of that in the United States, and it
certainly doesn't apply here.  Mike rescued me from the school
where your father met me.  He... He put me back together. 
Katrina, when I escaped, I wanted quick revenge and then suicide.
 I didn't want to live.  Mike persuaded me I had something to
live for.  Katrina, I love him more than life itself."

Katrina had been watching Kelly's face as she spoke.  She saw her
face light up as she spoke of Mike.  When Kelly finished the girl
said, "You do love him a lot, don't you?  Where is he now?"

"He's in a hospital in England.  He was wounded last week in the
breakthrough.  He'll be all right, though.  I can't wait for the
fighting to end, so we can be married.  She smiled warmly at
Katrina and asked, "What about you?  Do you have a boyfriend?"

The girl shook her head.  "No.  It... It is hard.  My father is a
candidate member of the Politburo.  As a result, I have many
friends... and no friends.  But I'm sure you don't understand."

Kelly took her hand and squeezed it.  "Believe me, I do. 
Moreover, I'm sure it's as if you were a member of royalty.  You
can only associate with a selected... and very small... group of
people socially."

The girl looked at her startled.  "How could you know that?"

"I suspect, Katrina, I know a good deal more about Russia than
you do about the United States."  Kelly then changed the subject.
 "What did you do before you joined the Army?  Were you in
school?"

"I was in college.  I... I liked it, but..."

"...but the other students didn't like you," Kelly finished.  "Or
if they did, you couldn't trust their motives."

By now the Russian girl was enthusiastic.  "You _do_ understand.
But... what could I possibly do in the West?"

Kelly smiled at her and replied, "Any number of things.  For a
start, you could be a fashion model.  You are truly beautiful. 
What do you like to do?  You may do anything you're capable of
doing."  Kelly glanced at her watch and said, "It's time to go. 
There is some surprise scheduled at 1500.  I'm supposed to be
there, and you are also invited.  Would you care to come?"

Marshal Solov answered immediately, "Colonel, it would be a great
pleasure.  Shall we go?"

The car placed at Kelly's disposal took them to a large field. 
There was a very large temporary structure with steps leading up
from the rear.  Kelly went up the steps followed by the two
Russians.  They were greeted by Ned Carlson who greeted Katrina
Solov warmly.  He turned to Kelly and said, "Colonel, this is for
you.  Will you come with me, please?"

Kelly realized that the structure was a reviewing stand crowded
with senior officers, mostly generals.  After she was escorted to
the front row, Carlson gave a signal.  A brigadier general
saluted Kelly smartly and stepped in front of the microphone.  He
gave the order, "Pass in review!"  Then he stepped off to the
side as a military band struck up.

It was the U.S. Third Army band.  The band marched across the
field and passed in front of the reviewing stand with the
bandmaster giving Kelly his best salute which she returned.  The
band continued down the field and doubled back, coming to a stop
facing the reviewing stand.

Troops were marching down the field.  She was shocked to see the
first unit was from the 82nd Airborne Division led by its
division commander, Jim Ames.  Rank after rank they came,
marching in a company front.  Kelly could feel tears starting
down her cheeks as the troops snapped an "Eyes right" with the
company guidons dropping in salute as they passed.

Following were troops from U.S. infantry divisions, as well as
British, French, and German troops.  When the marching troops
passed, they were followed by armor.  Kelly got a lump in her
throat when she saw the first armored unit was Jim Williams and
the 7th Armored Cavalry.  Williams made sure she saw his salute.
The parade went on and on.  There were also German and British
armored units.

As they passed, Carlson whispered in her ear that these were the
assault divisions from the breakthrough.  Both the units and
their governments insisted on paying tribute to Kelly Jackson. 
Finally, the troops were massed on the field, almost covering it.
 Kelly thought there must be 60,000 men or more.

Kelly was then presented with the Croix de Guerre by the French
government and the Victoria Cross by the British.  The
presentations were made by their senior generals in Germany. 
Carlson whispered that the awards had been cleared with the
President; he added that the German government had other more
elaborate plans.

Finally, it was over.  Kelly turned to go and almost walked into
a tall officer.  She looked up and recognized Jim Ames.  He held
out his hand after saluting smartly.  "Kelly, I'm not sure I'm
speaking to you anymore," he said sternly.

Kelly was taken aback and her face fell.  "I'm sorry, sir.  What
did I do?"

"You stood me up, is what you did.  You asked me to 'do lunch'
and then you stood me up.  And there's an official record of your
invitation, too."  He was grinning as he added, "The coffee was
great, though.  But can I have a rain-check on the lunch?"

She looked at him and said, "General, I'll ask my secretary to
check my calendar.  You see, I had an opening that day.  And
there really aren't many... and..."  She grinned and said, "Could
we get a hot dog somewhere?  Don't they usually sell hot dogs at
parades?"

Ames just shook his head.  "Kelly, you are a piece of work!  You
really are.  All I can tell you is if I ordered the Division to
go straight and you turned right, they would be following you,
not me."

Then he grinned and said, "This is Germany, and damn it, there
ought to be someplace we could get a hot dog!"  He escorted her
off the reviewing stand.  His aide was waiting for him at the
foot of the stairs.  Ames whispered a few words to him, and the
officer ran off.

Kelly introduced him to Field Marshal Solov and Katrina.  She
told him that Solov was the grandson of the author of the Russian
book on armored tactics and commanded the Warsaw Pact troops in
the East.  Ames eyebrows raised as he took in the information. 
General Carlson was there along with his aide and more MPs.

As they talked, they heard a helicopter approach and land close
by.  Ames' aide got out, followed by Kevin Murphy who was
carrying a cardboard box.  He ran up and saluted Kelly who then
looked at him carefully.  His eyes still showed black, but there
was now only a Band-Aid across the bridge of his nose.  He
saluted Ames and said, "General, your lunch, sir!"

He opened the box and Kelly started to laugh.  In the box were a
dozen wrapped hot dogs.  She helped herself and passed the box
around.  Solov took one, as did Carlson.  Ames grinned and helped
himself.

Katrina was looking baffled but took one, too.  She was the first
to speak.  "Colonel, I do not understand.  Did they fly in...
_frankfurters?"_

Kelly shook her head and grinned, "Katrina, I'm afraid so. 
General Ames commands the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division.  I guess
it comes from jumping out of airplanes.  You land on your head a
few times and your brains get a little scrambled.  But they're
nice guys, really."

She looked over and motioned to Kevin Murphy who came running
over.  "Kevin, I would like you to meet Katrina Solov.  Her
father is a dear friend of mine."

Murphy looked at the Russian girl and smiled.  He held out his
hand and said, "Miss Solov, I'm very glad to meet you."

Katrina was looking at Kelly's uniform.  "Colonel..."

Kelly interrupted her by saying, "Katrina, please do me a big
favor?  The name is Kelly.  I'm younger than you are, so please
call me Kelly."

Katrina smiled and started again.  "Kelly, are you not wearing a
paratroop badge also?  It looks like Lieutenant Murphy's."

Kelly grinned at him and said it was.  "But Katrina, girls aren't
nearly so clumsy.  We're smart enough to land on our feet not on
our heads.  Kevin, how are you feeling?"

Katrina looked at him and made a face.  "Oh dear, you've been
injured!  What happened?"

Kevin looked at her wryly and said, "Miss Solov, I made a
terrible mistake.  I got into a fight with America's top
unarmed-combat specialist.  The result was a broken nose.  I
didn't do too well."

"But, Lieutenant, what brute could have done that to you?  And
what happened to him?  He assaulted a superior officer!"

Kevin looked increasingly chagrined.  "Katrina... may I call you
Katrina?"  She nodded eagerly and he continued.  "There are only
three things wrong with that statement.  First, he's not a brute.
 He's only five feet nine and weighs about 120 pounds... about 50
kilos or so.  Second, he's not a he, he's a she.  Third, she
outranks me.  And in addition, I was grossly out of line when it
happened.  My behavior was atrocious!"

Katrina looked even more puzzled.  "But Kevin, I don't
understand.  You said the best unarmed-combat specialist.  It
must be a man and a brute to do such a thing to you!  Who did it?
 Who is this person?"

"Katrina," Kevin said sheepishly, "'this person' is Kelly
Jackson.  Incidentally, I had help, for all the good it did me. 
There were three of us.  We all ended up on the floor
unconscious."

Katrina wheeled on Kelly, "Kelly... this can't be true!"

Kelly had been trying to conceal a grin while Kevin's story
unfolded.  Finally, she nodded and said, "I'm afraid it is true.
I was a brute; I admit it.  I did apologize to you, Kevin, didn't
I?"

He grinned at her and said, "You sure did.  Kelly, don't forget.
You still owe me a dance!"

Kelly had an idea.  She went to Carlson who listened, smiled, and
nodded.  Then she went to Jim Ames.  "Jim, thank you so much.  It
was delightful!  And thank you for saving my life.  I owe you and
your men more than I can ever say, let alone repay.  All I can
say is, I'll always remember."

Ames just shook his head slowly.  "It's another Kelly story! 
Damn it, Kelly, you can too repay!  You can come over sometime
and clean up my quarters.  Then we'll be even.  You leave us all
the shit details: burying the Russian dead and preparing the POW
lists.  Hell, my clerks are beginning to hate you.  But if you
clean up after me, we're even.

"Kelly, I guess you don't understand this review we just had,
even yet!  I know you know a Captain Williams in the 7th Armored
Cav.  His unit led the armor.  You saw German and British units,
too.  They were also spearhead units.  They were paying tribute
to the girl who saved their lives!

"I realize you're a high-school dropout, so you don't know
anything about military matters," he said with an eyebrow raised.
 "Airborne units are first-line assault troops, too.  Casualties
in assault units normally run very high.  Do you know what our
casualties were? _Do you?"_ he demanded.  Ames had his face only
inches from hers.

Kelly could only shake her head.  She could see that Jim was very
upset.

"Kelly Jackson, our casualties were _three!_  Not three thousand.
 Not three hundred. _*Three!*_  We lose far more than that in a
training exercise!  Kelly, we value our lives, too!  Can't we be
grateful to you?  Just once?"

She held out her hand and he took it.  She gripped his firmly and
said, "We're still going to do lunch, Jim.  My treat.  Promise?"
He grinned and nodded.

Then she said, "Jim, can I borrow Lieutenant Murphy for a while?
It's important.  I really need him now."

Ames looked at her quizzically.  "You're going to take Murphy off
my hands?  What do I have to do to make it happen?"  Then he
grinned and said, "Kelly, you can have him for as long as you
want."  He turned to Kevin and said sharply, "LieutenantMurphy!"

Kevin ran up and saluted smartly.  "Lieutenant Murphy, sir!"

"Murphy, you're assigned temporary duty -- TD -- to Colonel
Jackson.  You are under her orders until released.  Understand?"

Murphy grinned broadly when he heard the orders.  "Yes, sir!"  He
saluted the general smartly and then wheeled to face Kelly.  He
saluted her even more smartly and said, "Lieutenant Kevin Murphy,
reporting as ordered, sir!"

It was all Kelly could do to keep a straight face.  She smartly
returned his salute and said, "Carry on, Lieutenant.  I'll give
you your assignment in a short time.  Now let's get back to the
Solovs."

As they walked slowly back to where Katrina and her father were
waiting, she whispered to Kevin that the assignment was very
important and could help to quickly end the war.  He looked at
her with amazement showing in his face.  He asked what he had to
do and was told just to be himself.  They rejoined the Russians.

Kelly looked at her watch and said, "It's almost time for dinner.
 Katrina, do you need to change?  Or you, Uncle Mischa?"  They
both shook their heads, and Kelly took them over to the Officers'
Club.

She thought that peace had really returned to this part of
Germany.  Not only was the O-Club running flat-out with a packed
house, but there was even a dance band hired to play for the
evening.  Although protocol dictates there is no saluting in the
club, Solov noticed how all the officers they encountered stood
at attention as she entered and walked by.  Carlson had made
reservations for them.  Kelly walked into the cocktail lounge
where they were seated at a quiet table.

Katrina looked around at the Allied officers enjoying themselves
in the bar.  She was astonished at the informality.  Turning to
Kevin she asked, "You are one of the ruling class in the United
States, Kevin?"

Kevin looked at her, startled.  "Ruling class?  Katrina, first,
there is no such thing.  Second, my father owns a hardware store
and my mother is a school teacher.  Does that sound like 'ruling
class' to you?"

"But you're an officer!  You must be ruling class."

"There is no ruling class in the States, Katrina," Kevin said. 
"Honest!"  Marshal Solov was watching the exchange with
amusement.

Katrina was looking puzzled.  "But there must be!" she insisted.
"There always is!"

Solov spoke up.  "Katrina, they're right... as usual."

Turning to Kelly, he said, "May I change the subject?  That
review -- and the presentations -- were very impressive.  I
happen to know the awards you received are the highest awards for
gallantry those nations can award.  In your words, Kelly, they
don't give them with every package of tea.  Then the troops:  Of
course, I recognized your 82nd Airborne.  I saw armored cavalry.
Kelly... and Katrina... I was seeing top-flight assault troops. 
I promised nothing I saw or heard today would ever be used
against you or your country.  I reaffirm my promise and want you,
Katrina, to give your word, too."  Katrina looked startled but
did so.

Solov looked pensive and spoke as if he were thinking out loud,
"The Victoria Cross, the Croix de Guerre, and the Medal of Honor.
 Three of the highest military awards in the world.  From three
governments... but awarded at a single ceremony.  I can only
conclude that your action, Kelly, was so dramatic it was
considered to be of incalculable value to all three governments.

"Then the assault troops:  Now why would they show affection...
No! love... for a very young colonel?  The obvious answer is you
did something that was of great value and earned their intense
respect.  "The obvious answer?  The breakthrough!  Kelly, you
made it happen.  You probably engineered the whole thing, didn't
you?"

Kelly started to say that things were being blown out of
proportion when Kevin interjected, "Marshal, I understand that
this whole conversation is confidential, am I correct?"  Solov
said it was.

"Marshal, Katrina... you could be here for ten days and never get
anything from Kelly.  Sir, I'm sure you guessed some of it and
saw even more.  Kelly planned the breakout and then made it
happen.  She took out your general commanding the reserve troops
just after he gave the order for the line divisions to execute a
'double-gate' maneuver but before he could order the reserve
armor into action.  Your front-line units pulled back opening a
huge gap.

"We poured six armored divisions through the hole.  You saw
representative units from all of them today.  Our casualties were
extremely light.  Nothing, really.  Kelly then picks off anyone
at the reserve headquarters who looks like he might get things
moving again.  The reserves never moved!  I was the first man to
reach Kelly.  We brought in the entire 82nd to back her up.  She
was there with her fiance on the ground, unconscious.  The whole
area was littered with bodies.  There were about eighty.  All
with what we call the Kelly Jackson trademark... bullets in the
brain.  Marshal, she beat you... all by herself!"

Katrina was looking at Kelly in awe as Kevin told the story. 
Kelly was very red-faced when he finished.  She said, "Kevin, all
I tried to do was keep my head down, and I didn't even do that
very well!"

Kevin looked at her quizzically and continued, "She didn't do
that very well.  No, she got nicked by shrapnel.  Marshal, what
she did do -- and I heard it on the command communications net --
was ask Jim Ames who commands the 82nd to 'do lunch.'

"Sir, I don't know if you've ever heard that expression.  It's
used in business and society circles in the States.  She also
asked him how he drank his coffee and... with bullets flying all
around... made sure she had a cup prepared just the way he likes
it when he arrived.  I _saw_ her do that.  I get there and her
first words to me were, in an accent straight from the American
South, 'Why Kevin Murphy, I do declare!  I didn't know you were
invited to this ball, too.  You simply must save me a dance!' 
Sir, that's exactly what she said to me.

"Then Ames arrived, and Kelly handed him the cup of coffee as she
passed out from loss of blood.  She had been nicked in the
shoulder by shrapnel, and her shirt sleeve was saturated and
dripping with her blood.  She was still smiling, sir, as she lost
consciousness.  That's what it was all about, Marshal.  I don't
know what you call it in the Red Army, but we call it gallantry
of the highest order!"

Marshal Solov looked around the room quickly.  They were seated
in a darkened corner of the lounge and the room was quiet. 
Satisfied that no one was watching them, he sat up straight and
gave Kelly a meticulous salute.  She was startled.

He said, "Lieutenant, I knew Kelly was a remarkable girl when I
first met her, but I had no idea how truly remarkable she could
be.  And I don't believe she did, either."  He smiled at Kelly,
and his smile was very warm.  "In fact, I don't think she either
understands it or really believes it herself.

"Lieutenant, I believe I heard you say that her fiance was
unconscious?"  Kevin said that was correct.  "I think she was
just protecting him.  You were, Kelly, weren't you?"

"Yes, sir, I guess I was," she admitted sheepishly.  "Uncle
Mischa, I love him desperately!"

Solov looked at her closely and then looked at his daughter. 
"Katrina, I think there is something you should say to Kelly."

The pretty Russian girl was blushing with chagrin.  She said, in
English, "Kelly, I don't know how to apologize to you.  I
couldn't even do it in Russian!  I have heard stories my
grandfather told about the Great Patriotic War and the acts of
heroism that occurred.  But I have never heard a story such as
this.  And I said you were the mistress of a general!  Papa said
it all.  You have medals for heroism... the highest awards in the
world... that you earned by your actions.  Can you forgive me,
Kelly?"  When she finished, tears were streaming down hercheeks.

Kelly smiled and said, "I was just trying to keep my fiance alive
until I can marry him.  In the meantime, let's eat!"

They went to their table in the dining room and ordered.  The
orchestra was playing and Kevin asked Katrina to dance.  The girl
was startled but agreed with a warm smile.  They went towards the
dance floor, and Kelly watched them move.  As she expected,
Katrina moved like a trained dancer.  She decided the girl and
Kevin made a very handsome couple.

As she was watching, Solov started to speak to her softly. 
"Kelly, I have been thinking.  I'm on the wrong side in this war.
 I told them the venture was stupid... criminal, in fact.  They
wouldn't listen!  Now they are going to destroy the Rodina...
Mother Russia.  I don't know how it's been going over the last
few days.  I do know since the breakthrough, we've been getting
crushed.  Kelly, I think I see your hand in this, too.  Time
after time, the Allies launch an attack, and our troops in
position fail to go into action.  You're taking out our senior
officers simultaneous with the attack...

"Of course!  It has to be you!  You understand our structure:
everything is top down.  And you read Russian.  I heard you refer
to Grandfather's book.  It doesn't exist, except in Russian! 
You've studied it, haven't you?"  Kelly just nodded.

He continued, "No wonder there was the review!  Kelly, you did it
all, didn't you?  You planned it and you played the critical role
in its execution.  They're thanking you for such a great victory
with such an incredibly small number of casualties.  Kelly, I am
very serious.  And I am now decided.  Can Katrina and I stay
here?  I think I can help the United States and its Allies and,
more important to me, help Russia.  May I?"

Instead of answering directly, Kelly asked, "What about Katrina?
I know how much she means to you.  She's your life.  Will she
come over, too?"

Solov smiled and said, "Kelly, I heard the young lieutenant say
that you asked him to save you a dance when you were on the
battlefield.  Could you ask him for that dance when he brings
Katrina back?"

She quickly agreed, and they continued to talk.  Kelly told him
that spearheads were driving east through East Germany and down
into Czechoslovakia.  He said that if American troops reached
Poland and Hungary, Russia was in a desperate situation.  Kelly
said she thought it was only a matter of days.  She didn't know
how many Warsaw Pact units had been overrun.  There were too many
even to keep an accurate count.

Katrina and Kevin returned to the table.  Kelly said, "Kevin, as
long as you're on your feet, may I have that dance now?"

Kevin looked pleasantly surprised.  "I would be delighted. 
Kelly, may I have the pleasure of this dance?"  They went to the
dance floor, and Kevin took her in his arms.  As they danced, he
said softly, "Kelly, you're a better dancer than Katrina, and I
didn't think that was possible!  She's the best dancer I've ever
danced with in my life.  Do you know if she was professionally
trained?"

Kelly looked up into his face and said, "She probably was.  She's
a beautiful girl, too.  Do you like her?"

Kevin held her away and looked down at her face.  "Kelly, are you
kidding?  She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, except
for you!"

They continued to dance and talk quietly.  It was obvious that
Kevin was smitten by Katrina, and it had been obvious to Kelly
that Katrina was strongly attracted to him.  When the music
stopped, they returned to the table.  Marshal Solov rose when
they returned.  Kevin seated her and took his seat.

Solov looked at Kelly and said, "May I assume that everything
said tonight is in strictest confidence?"  Kelly said it was. 
Solov continued with a nod of his head.  "My daughter, Katrina,
and I wish to ask for asylum in the United States.  We can no
longer continue this senseless war of aggression that our side
began.  I hope to be able to work to bring it to a quick
conclusion on terms that do not destroy Mother Russia.  I do not
believe such destruction is in anyone's interest, do you,Kelly?"

"No, Marshal, I do not.  If there was freedom in the Soviet
Union, and if the Soviets allowed their satellites to hold free
and open elections, perhaps we could finally live in peace."

She smiled at him warmly.  "Marshal, I learned that Medal of
Honor winners have a unique privilege: Their sons and daughters
rate automatic Presidential appointments to our armed service
academies.  Uncle Mischa, I don't want them to have to fight.  If
God is willing, and I didn't get too badly hurt by your friends,
I want a lot of children.  I told Mike... my fiance... that my
breasts would swell, my belly would swell, my ankles would swell
and I would be a mess.  But I'll be the happiest mess on the face
of the earth with Mike's baby growing inside me.  I can't wait! 
I want this stinking war to end with the fewest possible
additional casualties on both sides.

"Marshal Solov, I have been authorized by the Supreme Commander
to offer you asylum in the United States.  Whatever you want, you
will have."

Katrina and Kevin were watching Kelly carefully.  Suddenly, Solov
started to laugh.  It came from deep in his body.  It was almost
a rumble of laughter.  He laughed harder and harder and tears
started to flow.  He held on to the table to keep from rolling
off his chair.  Finally, he regained control.

He ignored Kelly and looked at Kevin instead.  "Lieutenant
Murphy, Colonel Jackson has struck again!  She sensed I was
thinking about coming over.  She had it all set up in advance. 
I'm certain she was telling the absolute truth.  She has been
authorized to make the commitment in the name of the Supreme
Commander.  Kevin, have you ever heard of such a thing?"

Katrina spoke up.  "I have, Father.  I believe Alexander the
Great was only in his teens when he conquered the then-known
world.  I don't think it's happened since, though."  She smiled
at Kelly and took her hand.  "Thank you, Kelly, with all my
heart!"

Kelly smiled at the girl and her father.  "Katrina, I don't know
about you, but I'm starving to death.  I just told you how I
expect to swell up pretty soon, but in the meantime, Mike is
starting to frown.  He thinks I'm getting a little small on top.
As a personal favor to me, could we order and eat?"

Katrina smiled.  Kelly thought it was one of the most beautiful
smiles she had ever seen.  She said, "Kelly, I already
aplolgized.  Can I presume to ask to attend your wedding?"

"Katrina," Kelly replied with a warm smile, "would you consent to
be one of my bridesmaids?  To be in my wedding?  It will be in a
church, though."

Katrina looked at Kelly and her mouth formed an excited "O."
"Father," she said, "may I tell her?  Would it be all right?"

Her father smiled and said, "Katrina, of course you can tell her!
 Kelly already knows enough to hang us both ten times over."

The girl looked at Kelly and said, "We... I am a Russian
Catholic.  Of course, I've never been in a church... a real one,
that is.  You will be married in a church, Kelly?"

"Katrina, the plans aren't yet made, but I do know my parents. 
They want us to have a big wedding.  It will be in St. Patrick's
Cathedral in New York City.  It's a very big and very beautiful
church.  Will you be in my wedding party?"

"Oh, Kelly, thank you!  I would be so pleased.  I have never seen
such a thing, but I have heard about it.  You walk all the way
down the aisle, carrying flowers.  And then the bride comes in!"
The girl's eyes started to tear.  She looked at Kelly carefully
and said, "Kelly, you will be the most beautiful golden bride! 
Will your dress be white?  With a long, flowing train?"  Kelly
nodded.

Katrina took her in her arms and kissed her.  She said, "Kelly,
nothing would give me greater pleasure.  Except being the bride
myself someday, perhaps."

Kelly excused herself and went to the club office.  She
identified herself to the manager who had jumped to his feet as
she entered.  He already knew who she was.  She asked if there
was a telephone she could use, privately.  He offered his private
line, left the office and closed the door.

She called Ned Carlson's office.  Ned answered personally.  She
said, "Ned, this is not a secure line.  They are coming over, and
he will work with us.  It's done.  We are about to eat dinner
now.  Could you let the others know?"

There was silence on the phone for a couple of seconds.  Then Ned
said, "Damn it, Kelly!  Will you kindly knock off this shit!? 
We're running out of medals, for God's sake."  Then his voice
changed from feigned anger to great warmth.  "Kelly, thank you. 
That's all.  Just thank you.  I'll be over later.  Please wait
there for me."

Carlson hung up the phone and looked at it for a few moments. 
Then he picked up his secure phone and called Sam Adams.  Sam
picked up instantly.  "Sam, it's Ned.  Kelly has done it again. 
Field Marshal Mikhail Solov is requesting asylum in the United
States.  He will actively help us in the prosecution of the war.
Sam, what do we do with her?"

"Ned, I have to level with you.  You said I was looking younger.
It's Kelly.  I'm getting married soon to Cathy King, my former
secretary.  That was Kelly, too.  Ned, I'm calling the President.
 My Cathy pointed out that Kelly has been getting a promotion
with every paycheck.  If you agree, I'm asking the President to
promote her to brigadier general.  You know, us flag officers are
a bunch of old farts.  Of course, with Cathy, I don't feel so old
anymore.  And as a general, Kelly will certainly brighten things
up around flag quarters.  What do you think?"

"Sam, what can I say?  If you went down the specifications for
general officer rank, she has them all.  There's none better.  Of
course I agree."  He paused for a moment and then continued, "I'm
going over to meet Solov in a while.  Is there anything you want
me to say?"

Adams replied immediately.  "That's easy.  If he asks for it, the
answer is yes.  I don't give a damn what it is, either.  Thanks,
Ned!  And do something for Kelly, will you?  Buy her an
after-dinner drink, maybe?"

Carlson laughed and said, "That's what I like about you, Sam. 
You're all heart!"

When Carlson arrived at the Officers' Club, he found the table
empty.  A waiter, immediately recognizing him, brought an extra
chair up to the table.  Ned looked out at the dance floor and saw
Kelly dancing with Marshal Solov.  He noted again that Solov was
a huge bear of a man who seemed to envelop Kelly in his arms, but
she was dancing with him very smoothly, nevertheless.  He also
saw Katrina Solov in the arms of the young paratroop lieutenant
who Kelly had borrowed from Jim Ames.  The girl had her head on
his shoulder and looked like she would like to keep it there
permanently.  Just then the music stopped.  He saw the girl lift
her head from his shoulder and tilt it.  Ned saw her melt into
the boy's arms in a lingering kiss.  He just shook his head
again.

He rose as Kelly and Solov returned to the table and Katrina and
Kevin floated back.  He held out his hand to Solov and said,
"Field Marshal Solov, welcome!  Colonel Jackson tells me you wish
asylum in the United States.  It has been granted by the
President of the United States, personally.  General Adams bought
champagne to celebrate the occasion."

He looked at Katrina and Kevin who were still lost in each
other's eyes.  "Miss Solov," he said.  She jerked up with a
start.  He continued, "Watching you and Lieutenant Murphy on the
dance floor suggests there may be something else to celebrate
before too long."

Katrina blushed red as a beet and held on to Kevin's hand for
dear life.

Kelly said, "I think it's awfully cute, myself.  Did I hear
something about Adams actually buying something?"  Just then the
manager came over and whispered in General Carlson's ear.

Ned frowned and shrugged.  "Sam beats us again.  Kelly, today you
were awarded the Croix de Guerre.  It is the highest award for
bravery the Republic of France can award to anyone.  As a token
of their esteem, they have sent over a case of champagne for you.
 They claim it is the finest in all of France.  At any rate, it's
yours.  May we serve some tonight?"

Kelly looked at him and smiled, "Of course.  It's truly a night
to celebrate."

As she said it, Ned saw the glow go out of her eyes.  He had made
another call and thought it would soon be back.  He looked over
Kelly's head and saw an officer coming toward them with his left
arm in a sling.  He came up behind Kelly and kissed her ear.

She whirled in the chair, and looked up at Mike standing bent
down beside her.  Carefully, she kissed him.  She said softly,
"Why aren't you in the hospital where you belong?"

Mike just grinned at her and said, "Good evening, everyone.  I'm
Michael Callahan.  I usually spend my time in hospitals while my
bride-to-be wins wars."

Marshal Solov jumped to his feet and held out his big hand.  Mike
gripped it in his.  Solov beamed at him and said, "I am Field
Marshal Mikhail Solov.  I hope you are worthy of this girl.  I
shall watch you very carefully.  I love her almost as much as my
own daughter, Katrina, here."

Mike carefully shook hands with Katrina and then with Kevin.  A
chair was brought up for him, too.  He sat down and looked at the
others.  "Am I in time?"

Kelly smiled wryly.  "Callahan, they're about to serve _my_
champagne!  It's a gift of the government of France.  I picked up
some more hardware today."

"Yeah, I heard," Mike said with a deprecating smile.  "Just some
loose change... the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre...
your usual."  He looked over at Solov, "Marshal, are there any
people in the Red Army who have three rows of ribbons without
getting through the ones for gallantry?"

Solov frowned at Mike and said, "Of course not!  No one in Russia
is so stupid as to stick his neck out repeatedly like that.  Why?
 Is there any such person alive?"  Then he grinned at Kelly and
added, "Aside from Kelly Jackson, of course."

He looked across at her.  With the arrival of Mike Callahan, she
had blossomed out like a flower opening in the sun.  He had never
seen her look so beautiful.  Meanwhile, the wine steward had
opened and poured the champagne which had no identification on
the bottle.  Solov was asked to taste it.  He had never tasted
anything nearly so good in his life.

The glasses were filled, and then Solov rose from the table.  "I
would like to offer a toast.  Mike, earlier this evening, Kelly
told us all she wants lots of babies.  As she spoke of you and
your children, she glowed.  It was nothing compared to the way
she looks now with you here.  I would like to offer a toast to
you, Michael Callahan.  You are the luckiest man alive.  You have
the love of a truly beautiful and unique individual, Kelly
Jackson.  May you be as happy as you are tonight for the rest of
long and fruitful lives!"

Kelly smiled her thanks and Mike took her in his arm and kissed
her softly.  Kelly put her arms around him and kissed him back
passionately, ignoring the others at the table.  When they broke,
her breathing was unsteady, and her eyes were glowing.

Mike whispered, "Darling, I have bad news.  The only way I could
get over was to promise the doctors I would turn myself in to the
hospital here tonight.  I hope you don't mind too much?"

"I have one thing to say to you, Michael Callahan!" she said
feigning anger.  "Wait until I get you to the altar.  Just you
wait!"  Then she grinned, "Mike, I really can't wait.  I love you
so damned much.  I only hope you love me a little bit as much as
I love you."

They drank the superb champagne and toasted the evening. 
Finally, they left with Mike turning himself in to the hospital,
while Ned took Solov back to his quarters as his guest.  Katrina
was to spend the night at Kelly's quarters, which the general had
arranged.Chapter 14

Kelly's quarters were in an apartment building.  She was mildly
surprised to see military guards on the building and very
surprised to see two MPs at the door to the apartment assigned to
her.  They saluted and greeted her by name as she opened the door
and went in followed by Katrina.  The girls looked around and
Kelly smiled.  She muttered under her breath, "Those bums!"

Katrina heard her.  "What did you say, Kelly?"

Kelly turned to her and smiled.  "I just said, 'Those bums!'. 
Supposedly, my trip over to Germany this morning was a
spur-of-the-moment thing.  It's pretty obvious that I was set up.
 You don't organize a 60,000-man parade in two hours!  Then she
smiled and added, "Katrina, I ask you.  If you can't trust your
secretary, who can you trust?  It's obvious from my clothes and
stuff that my secretary was in on the deal.  Wait till I get her
alone!"

Katrina had been looking at Kelly with increasing puzzlement. 
"But Kelly, I don't understand.  I'm sure my father was right:
They wanted to show their gratitude and affection for you, and
their respect for what you have done.  Why are you angry?"

Kelly smiled at the girl and said, "I'm not angry, really."

Then her face fell as she added, "Katrina, we have a problem.  I
guess all you have is the dress you're wearing and your uniform
back at headquarters.  I don't mind sleeping this way, and I hope
you don't.  The bedroom has two beds, so we should be allright."

They went into the bedroom which was very comfortable.  Entering
the bathroom, she grinned wryly.  All of her toiletries were laid
out in the same pattern she used in her quarters in England.  She
went back to the bedroom and undressed, carefully hanging up her
uniform.  She looked at Katrina and said, "I always sleep in the
nude.  I hope it doesn't bother you."

Katrina had been standing in the room not knowing quite what to
do.  She watched as Kelly, now fully undressed, went back into
the bathroom.  When she came out she saw Katrina was now naked as
well.  The Russian girl was standing up straight, but was
obviously embarrassed.

Kelly smiled at the girl and said, "Katrina, your body is
glorious!  It's almost a crime to cover it."  Katrina was also a
blonde, but where Kelly's hair was golden, Katrina's was silver
blonde -- nearly white.  Her small patch of pubic hair was only
slightly darker.  Katrina went into the bathroom and came out a
few minutes later.

Kelly was in bed, and Katrina climbed into hers.  She looked at
Kelly and asked, "Kelly, do you think Kevin Murphy likes me?  A
little bit, perhaps?"

Kelly smiled.  "Not 'a little bit', Katrina.  A great deal.  Why?
 Do you like him?"

The girl smiled.  It was one of her rare, but very warm smiles. 
"Kelly, he's madly in love with you.  But maybe I could be a
second choice.  He kissed me, you know."

"Yes.  I saw it.  I also saw you kiss him back.  Did you like
it?"

"Oh, yes!  It was heavenly.  I never enjoyed dancing so much.  It
feels so good to be held in his arms!  But when he kissed me... 
Kelly, I thought I would fall.  Suddenly, my legs didn't want to
hold me up any longer.  I felt weak.  What was wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong.  I always feel that way when Mike kisses me. 
Of course, my cunt starts to run in rivers, too."

"Cunt?  What is a cunt?"

Kelly threw back the covers and ran a finger up her slit.  "A
cunt," she said.

Katrina's mouth formed an "O," and then she smiled.  "That was
not in my Russian-English dictionary," she said with a shy little
smile.  "Could you tell me some more... vocabulary."

Kelly decided to tease the serious girl.  "Why do you want to
know those words?  If a word is not in the official
Russian-English dictionary, why would you ever need it?"

Katrina had been watching Kelly and was abashed at first but then
saw the glint in Kelly's eyes.  "Kelly, you are tease...
teasing?... me!  Should I not know?"

Kelly smiled and said, "The word is teasing, and yes, I was
teasing you.  I'm sorry.  It isn't very nice."

"Yes, it is," Katrina said, surprising Kelly.  "It's fun.  My
father is right.  You are a very nice person.  And you are fun."

The girl jumped out of her bed and went to Kelly's.  "Now, you
must tell me!  What are these?  In the book they are...
breasts?...  I think."  She cradled her breasts in her hands. 
They were beautifully formed with small pink nipples.

Kelly said, "You're right.  They are your breasts.  They are also
called 'boobs' and 'tits.'"  She grinned and said, "A few years
ago there were television shows in the United States that were
called T&As.  It stands for 'tits and ass.' They featured very
pretty young women and at least once in every show there was a
scene with a girl running while her boobs bounced around.  Your
tits look very firm.  I don't think they would bounce verymuch."

Kelly was surprised at Katrina's reaction.  She looked dejected.
She looked down at her breasts and then tried to bounce them, but
they were very firm.  "Kelly, is there anything I can do to make
them bigger?  So they'll bounce?"

The girl got off the bed and with her back to Kelly, twisted
around to try to look at her ass.  "It's the same thing here,
Kelly.  There's no padding.  Maybe I just don't eat enough. 
I'm... I don't have big boobs, my ass is too small, I'm too thin.
 What can I do?"

Kelly realized the girl was serious and was almost in tears.  She
had recalled seeing a couple of magazines in the living room she
knew had been put there to tease her.  She got out of bed and
padded out to the living room, returning with copies of _Playboy_
and _Penthouse._  She sat on her bed cross-legged and motioned
for Katrina to sit beside her.  She opened the first magazine. 
The girl's eyes widened at the pictures as Kelly flipped the
pages.  "It's decadent!  It's awful!  Why would girls do things
like this?"

"Mostly for money," Kelly replied calmly, "but that's not the
point.  The point is, look at these girls.  American men consider
them to be beautiful.  What do you see?"

Katrina overcame her initial shock and started to look at the
photographs carefully.  Kelly was amused as Katrina stood up and
tried to arrange herself in the poses of the models in the
photographs.  Kelly got out of bed and opened a closet door.  As
she suspected, there was a full-length mirror inside it.  Katrina
smiled and took her posing to the mirror.  Finally, she came back
to the bed.  "I don't look quite like the models, but I don't
look so different, either."  The girl looked very serious.

Kelly said, "It's because you look better.  Katrina, you're
beautiful.  Most men like tight buns."  She tapped her ass to
show what she meant.  She was amused as she saw the girl touch
her rear and form the word "buns" silently.  Then she visibly
brightened as she made the word connection.  Kelly continued,
"You aren't going to have any trouble.  What did Kevin say?"

"He said I was beautiful, but I thought that was just because he
wanted... wanted to make love?  Is that the phrase, 'make love'?
I don't know whether to believe him or not.  Kelly, do you think
I should?"

Kelly smothered a smile as she said, "I'm certain of one thing: 
Kevin would love to go to bed with you.  'Make love' is a
wonderful phrase, because that's what Mike and I do...
constantly.  He loves me and claims to love my body.  You know
what?  I believe him now.  I really do.  There's another word you
should know, though.  It's Anglo-Saxon: fuck, fucking, and so
forth.  It means the same thing.  Do you want to make love with
Kevin?"

The girl turned beet red.  Being completely nude, Kelly thought
it was amusing to watch as the color flowed from her loins, to
her breasts, up her neck to her face.  She replied softly, "I
think so."

Katrina then sat down on Kelly's bed with a bounce and looked at
her.  "Kelly, I just realized how strange this is.  I am talking
to you like an older sister, but I'm older than you are.  It is
strange."

Kelly smiled in return.  "That's not the strangest thing,
Katrina.  The strangest thing is I've been fucked by dozens...
maybe hundreds... of Russians, and been made love to by only one
man, an American: Mike.  You're still a virgin, aren't you?"  The
English word obviously puzzled the girl, so Kelly explained,
"You've never slept with a man?  Never been fucked?"

"No, I haven't.  I think I told you why, though.  I never met a
man I would like to make love to... until today.  Could I make
Kevin happy, Kelly?"

"I think you would make him deliriously happy.  However, if you
don't get your tight little ass in that bed and turn out the
light, you will make me very unhappy.  There are some people who
claim I get violent when I'm unhappy!  Now scoot!"

Kelly was amused to see the girl stick out her tongue with a grin
but at the same time jump into her bed.  The girls were asleep
within minutes.

The next morning Katrina was shaken awake by Kelly.  She had been
awakened from a wonderful dream in which Kevin was caressing her
body.  Kelly noticed the loving smile on her face and said, "How
was it?"

"How was what?" the girl replied, looking puzzled.

"Your dream with Kevin."

Katrina looked startled.  Then she just shook her head resignedly
and answered with a warm smile, "It was wonderful!"  Then she
suddenly took a swing at Kelly who reflexively blocked the fist
as she added, "He might have fucked me if you hadn't awakened me
just then.  You're mean!"

Kelly laughed delightedly and said, "We're meeting Kevin in five
minutes.  We're going to run before breakfast.  Now get your
delicate ass out of that bed.  I found shorts and a top foryou."

Kelly was wearing a pair of shorts and a sweatshirt with the
sleeves cut off.  She had another pair of shorts for Katrina to
wear.  The girl ran to the bathroom and came out moments later
with her hair tied back in a ponytail like Kelly's.  She slipped
on the shorts and a sweatshirt and found that the shoes fit. 
They left the apartment and were surprised to find two MPs...
there were now four at the door... fall in behind them.  The
senior had saluted smartly as soon as the door opened.  He said
they had been detailed to guard Kelly as long as she was in
Germany.

They reached the running track and found Kevin waiting.  Katrina
smiled at him shyly, and Kelly noticed that he reddened as he
smiled back.  It was the first time Kelly had ever seen him out
of uniform and she liked what she saw.  She was amused to see out
of the corner of her eye that Katrina obviously liked him a great
deal.

Kelly went out on the track and began by jogging to loosen up. 
When she felt warmed up, she sprinted 100 meters, then switched
to a ground-eating stride learned at Quantico that she was able
to maintain for long distances.  She finished 5,000 meters and
slowed to a walk.  She had lapped the other two by this time. 
She walked around the 400-meter track once more and then sat down
to wait.

The young couple came up panting.  Kelly looked up, shielding her
eyes from the rising sun.  "You two are grossly out of shape.  On
the other hand, it could just be old age starting to catch up
with you."

Katrina made a face at Kelly and then looked at Kevin.  "It's
easy to see that when you attacked Kelly you had been provoked. 
Why don't you hit her now while she's down?"

Kevin grinned at her and replied, "Because she's sneaky.  Not
only is she fast, she's very quick.  Besides, she only said that
to make me look bad in front of you."

Katrina looked at Kelly, stuck out her tongue, and then went to
Kevin.  She put her arms around his neck pulling his head down to
hers.  Standing on tiptoe, she gave him a warm and increasingly
passionate kiss.  When she broke it off, she kept her arms around
him and buried her face in his shoulder.

He had his arms around her back and was holding her tight. 
Finally, he said, "Katrina, that was wonderful.  Why did you do
it?"

"Because I wanted to.  And I wanted to make Kelly jealous because
Mike's not here but you are.  And I had to hold on after I kissed
you to keep from falling down."

"Falling down!" Kevin exclaimed.  "Why would you fall down?"

"Because when I kiss you I hear bells and my knees turn to water.
 Do you mind me holding onto you?"

Kelly covered her mouth with her hand to hide a smile.  Kevin
looked like he had been hit by a truck.  "Do you really feel that
way?" he asked, incredulous.  "I feel like I'm ten feet tall! 
You can't imagine how wonderful it feels to hold you in myarms."

Kelly interjected, "Before you two lovebirds make me sick, could
we go back to the apartment and eat?  Murphy, I'm known for
taking in sick dogs and stray cats, so I guess you can come,
too."

He grinned at her and held Katrina's hand as they walked back. 
Kevin picked up a bag containing his uniform, and, trailed by the
MPs, they returned to the apartment.  Katrina went in to shower
first while Kelly began preparing breakfast.

Kevin watched, leaning against a kitchen counter.  "What's going
on?  Does Katrina know what she was saying?  She can't be
serious."

"She was very serious.  Kevin, I've decided she's a wonderful
young lady.  She's extraordinarily innocent.  She was telling you
exactly what she felt."  She looked him in the eye and liked what
she saw.  "And you know what?  I don't think you'll violate her
trust.  That's what it is, you know.  She thinks you're a
gentleman and will behave like one.  I do too."

"But Kelly, she's saying she loves me!  She can't!"

"Why not?  I thought you were single.  There's no impediment
you've been hiding, is there?  I always got the strong impression
you liked girls."

"But Kelly, that's not fair!  She's... She's had everything. 
She's been raised as a princess!"

"You're right.  She was.  Nonetheless, I'm certain she's madly in
love with you.  I _could_ question her judgment, but she could do
a lot worse.  In fact, she could do a hell of a lot worse.  What
do you think of her?"

"I told you.  When she kisses me, I hear those bells, too.  I
feel ten feet tall.  And I just want to keep my arms around her
to protect her."  He gave Kelly a half grin and added, "It really
sounds trite, corny... dumb!  Doesn't it?"

"Kevin, I think it sounds wonderful!  Remember, though, you just
met her.  All I ask is that you respect her feelings.  Will you?"
 He agreed instantly.

Katrina came out and Kelly scampered in, showered and dressed. 
When she returned, she found Katrina trying to cook the bacon. 
She obviously wasn't used to cooking but was trying hard.  Kevin
went in to shower and change while Kelly gave the girl pointers
on cooking.  When he returned, Katrina proudly served the
breakfast she had helped prepare.  Kelly was amused because she
was certain Kevin would have enjoyed it as much if she had served
him ground glass.

They were driven to Carlson's headquarters and were told he was
waiting to see them.  Entering his office, Ned rose to greet
them.  "Kelly, are you in shape for a little traveling?  The
White House is sending a plane to pick up you, Mike, and the
Solovs and take you back to Washington.  Cathy King has sent your
luggage over.  It's already here."

He turned to Kevin and said, "And as for you lieutenant, you're
detached from the 82nd and assigned to Colonel Jackson." 
Although he was looking at Kevin, he was speaking to Kelly as he
said, "You are receiving orders as her aide.  She will be
receiving her first star from the President."

Kelly's jaw dropped.  She exclaimed, "That's impossible!  That's
the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life!  Whose all-galaxy
dumb idea is this, anyway?"

Ned looked at her and feigned sorrow.  "It's mine, Kelly.  I'm
sorry you don't like it."  Then he brightened and said, "On the
other hand, Sam Adams thought it was a fine idea.  He said
something about getting even.  The President loved it and so did
Congress.  You were promoted yesterday by a special action of
Congress.  Congratulations, General!  Let me be the first."

Carlson turned to Katrina and said, "Now you see what I mean when
I said Kelly doesn't appreciate what she has done.  She really
doesn't.  I'll bet if we were to ask every GI in Europe who
should be promoted to general, it would be Kelly, thousands to
one.  She has to be the only person on the continent who doesn't
think she deserves it.  Miss Solov, what do you think your father
would think?"

"I know what he thinks, General.  He believes she performs
miracles.  He believes she has an intuitive understanding of
Soviet strategy and tactics.  She can put herself into a Russian
mind and determine what actions the Russian will take."  She
smiled warmly at the general and added, "I learned last night
that Kelly averages about one promotion a month.  Is that
correct?"

Carlson returned the smile and replied, "I guess that's about
right.  We're slow to make promotions in the U.S. Army,
sometimes."

They went out to the airport and found one of the White House
fleet of Boeing 707's waiting for them.  As soon as they were
aboard, Kelly made sure she was sitting to Mike's right so she
could sleep on his shoulder flying to Washington.  She
did.Chapter 15

Again Kelly was standing before the President, and Mike and her
parents were with her.  In addition, there was Kevin Murphy and
the Solovs.  Marshal Solov had been greeted warmly by the
President.  He smiled and said, "Kelly, what am I going to do
with you?  Do you realize DOD will need a supplemental
appropriation for medals if you keep this up?" he said with a
frown.  Then he brightened.  "On the other hand, I pointed out to
the Congress that medals are a lot cheaper than death benefits,
and Heaven knows, you've saved thousands of lives.

"It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Congress of the
United States to award you the Medal of Honor... for the second
time.  Young lady, you are joining extremely rare company.  Few
live to receive a Medal of Honor.  Only a tiny handful ever get a
second.  There have been fewer than five in history.  I know that
your gallantry in combat has served as an inspiration not seen
since Joan of Arc.  Thank you!  Finally, it also gives me great
pleasure to promote you to brigadier general.  Congratulations,
General Jackson!  May you serve as brilliantly as another General
Jackson served the South!"

He took Kelly in his big arms and kissed her.  While he was still
holding her he said softly, "Don't forget!  I'm counting on being
invited to your wedding.  And I see you're still extracting metal
from this guy."

He turned to Mike and shook his hand.  "Mike, you're slipping
behind.  I'm only authorized to promote you to colonel. 
Congratulations!  I also have a DSC for valor to go with the one
you were awarded earlier.  What a family!"  The President
presented Kelly with a new cap with the braid appropriate to a
general officer and then replaced the silver eagles of a colonel
with the silver stars of a brigadier general.

The group went off to a hotel in Washington where Bob Jackson
presided over a private celebration.  Champagne was poured and
Bob Jackson rose at the table.  He pretended to be annoyed. 
"Kelly, your mother and I think it's very nice for you to get
another medal.  Of course, she's worried about what all that
weight on your chest will do to your posture:  She's afraid it
will cause you to slump.  But that's all very well and good, but
that's not the problem.  We want to know what you're doing to get
your high school diploma?  As a matter of fact, you're not even a
senior yet, are you?"

Katrina Solov turned to her father, "He's teasing her, isn't he?
That can't be true."

Solov replied, "My dear, he is teasing his daughter, of course. 
But it is true.  I think he's correct.  I don't think officially
she has completed her third year in high school."  He was smiling
broadly as he spoke.

Kelly stood up and said, "Dad, I'm really trying.  But how can I
study when I'm always being interrupted.  I need better study
conditions.  I'm usually in places that are much too noisy.  But
I'll try to do better, Mom and Dad.  Honest!"  Kelly grinned at
her parents and sat down.

After the lunch, Kelly kissed her parents goodbye and went over
to the Pentagon with Mike and the Solovs.  Kevin Murphy was now
wearing an aiguillette on his shoulder showing he was a general's
aide.  It was Kelly's first visit to the Pentagon, and she was
awed by its enormous size.  Moreover, generals and admirals at
the Pentagon are a dime a dozen.  The guards at the entrance were
normally unimpressed by anything less than three stars.  They had
an appointment with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Admiral Charles Bradley.

When the guards saw the young blonde girl walk up, they didn't
notice her stars.  They assumed she was a very young lieutenant,
and studiously ignored her.  Normally, Kelly was embarrassed by
her rank.  However, she was with a field marshal in the Soviet
army.  She went to the desk where there were a captain and four
enlisted men.  She stood in front of the desk for a moment and
then said, "AttenTION!"

Taken by surprise the men jumped to their feet.  Only then did
they realize that the young woman was wearing stars on her
shoulder.  The captain looked at her chest and recognized the
ribbon of the Medal of Honor.  Light glinted off the gold oak
leaf cluster affixed to it in lieu of the second award.  He
snapped to attention and looked into the coldest blue eyes he had
ever seen.  "Captain, do you always ignore general officers?  I
would like to know the name of your superior officer."

The captain saw her black name plate which read, JACKSON, and
stammered a reply.  Suddenly, he remembered a top-priority order
to welcome General Jackson with full honors: She and her guests
had an immediate appointment with Admiral Bradley.  He turned
beet red and saluted.  Instantly he gave orders for two of his
guards to escort the party to Admiral Bradley's office.

Kevin hung back and with a wry grin on his face spoke to the
captain, "That wasn't the smartest stunt I've ever seen,
Captain."

As the party was escorted away, the captain said, "Who is she? 
Is she real?  She can't be a general!?"

"The Congress and the President disagree.  The President
personally pinned the stars on her this morning.  I think you saw
the Medal of Honor with an oak leaf cluster.  Don't mess with
that woman, Captain, or the whole damned U.S. Third Army will be
on your back, starting with Generals Adams and Carlson.  Am I
clear?"  Murphy glared at the captain and ran to catch up with
the group.

Kelly was greeted warmly by Admiral Bradley.  He rose as she
entered his office and came around the desk to greet her.  "I've
heard so much about you, Kelly, I'm delighted to meet you at
last.  Sam Adams tells me to call you Kelly.  I hope you don't
mind.  As a matter of fact, I have a daughter who's older than
you are."

Kelly smiled warmly and said, "Thank you, Admiral."

He looked her over carefully and said, "Wow!  Kelly, you more
than live up to your billing.  Sam told me you are the most
beautiful girl he's ever seen, and I believe him.  Moreover, I
have it on the highest authority that you have a brain that works
better than any computer.  I'm looking forward to working with
you.  Now, would you care to make the rest of theintroductions?"

Kelly introduced the Solovs along with Mike and Kevin.  Kevin
moved to the corner of the room, and the Admiral smiled at him,
"Lieutenant Murphy, I've heard about you, too.  Aren't you a
little large to try to hide in the corner?  Jim Ames tells me you
are one of his finest combat officers.  What do you think of a
tour as a general's aide?"

Kevin stood at attention when he was addressed, but the Admiral
told him to relax.  He said, "Sir, ordinarily I would hate it. 
But with Kelly -- General Jackson -- it's different.  I think I
can honestly say I'm the envy of every junior officer in Europe.
I can't tell you how the troops feel about Kelly, sir.  They hold
her in awe and reverence!  I've never seen or heard of anything
like it.  Of course it's a hell of a responsibility.  If anything
happened to her, my life wouldn't be worth a nickel!"

Mike and Katrina were excused, and  Kelly sent Kevin along with
them.  Solov and Kelly followed the Admiral into a large
conference room.  She was surprised to see that it was filled
with senior officers from all three services.  As usual, she was
the most junior officer present.  Admiral Bradley went to the
head of the table and motioned for Kelly and the Marshal, dressed
in a well-tailored gray tropical-weight suit, to follow him. 
Kelly took a seat at the head of the table to the Admiral's
right.  Solov sat across from her.

"Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Brigadier General
Kelly Jackson.  I know you have all heard of her.  Kelly, would
you please stand?"  Kelly stood at her place, smiled, and then
sat down again.  The Admiral continued, "Kelly received her
second Medal of Honor from the President this morning.  For those
fans of such things, you will see she wears, following the Purple
Heart, the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre.  She is the
only person I've ever heard of with three full rows of
decorations without getting past the Purple Heart.

"There's more: As you know, the Medal of Honor is usually awarded
when someone goes berserk in combat.  The action takes only a
matter of seconds or a few minutes at most.  With Kelly, both
situations lasted for hours.  Then there is her planning skill. 
We still don't know how to reward her adequately, but she
conceived the entire breakout... as a major.  We are pursuing --
and destroying -- Warsaw Pact forces as fast as our armor can
move.  She engineered that, too.

"For those of you who are looking at her strangely, she hasn't
had plastic surgery.  She looks very young because she is.  She's
nineteen years old.  However, any of you who think you can roll
over her because of her youth will be looking at very short
military careers.  Any such action will be considered by myself
and the President as tantamount to a request for immediate
retirement.  I trust I am making myself clear.

"Finally, it could be hazardous to your health.  I'm told she is
the Army's leading expert in small arms, unarmed combat, and high
explosives.  Kelly, welcome!  Gentlemen, let's go."

They proceeded to review the situation in Europe.  Allied armies
were rolling east rapidly.  The problem was no one knew what to
do next.  The discussion went on for over an hour and slowly
wound down.  There were no new ideas.

Finally, the Admiral turned to Kelly and said, with a smile,
"Okay, Kelly, you've just heard America's assembled military
brains.  And there's not an idea among them.  Do you have one?"

Kelly looked at him and said, "Admiral, do you mind if I stand? 
I seem to think better that way."  He said of course not, and she
rose and went to the battle map they had been discussing.

"Gentlemen, it seems the problem is quite simple.  We're rolling
east.  However, this lengthens our supply lines, shortens theirs,
and moves us deeper into the world's largest landmass.  And we
don't like landmass wars.  It seems the question is, how do we
stop?  I propose that Marshal Solov take over the Russian
government, withdraw Soviet troops to Russia, and end the war."

She stopped and looked at the men around the table.  She saw
officers with their jaws hanging open, with two exceptions. 
Bradley was smiling, and Solov was looking thoughtful.

Bradley said, "I think I can speak for the President and our
Allies when I say that would be the ideal outcome.  We have no
wish to invade the Soviet Union.  Can it be made to happen?"

"I think so, sir."  She turned to Solov and said, "Uncle Mischa,
what was the status of Warsaw Pact forces at the time you were
captured?  That was about a week ago."

Solov said, "Disintegration would not be too strong a word,
Kelly.  Now I know how you did it.  Gentlemen, lest you think I
am weak in English, my pronoun is exact.  Kelly did this and is
doing it.  She conceived it, executed the most dangerous first
strike, and has coached other teams with precision to continue
doing it.  She has taken out our command structure.  Our units
are being taken when they aren't even in combat formations!

"It's utterly incredible, but this girl... whom I have come to
love dearly... is doing it.  There is no other word for it.  I
have studied military history.  There is no parallel with the
possible exception of Alexander the Great.  I think it is
possible, Kelly.  What is your idea?"

She said, "Right now, Russia is defenseless.  We have hit so hard
and so fast, we haven't pushed their armies back, we've driven
right through them.  I don't believe there is anything left.

"I propose the following:  First, Russian-language broadcasts by
every means possible describing the situation and offering this
course of action to spare Russia from devastation.  Second,
direct contact with the Politburo, telling them to resign in
favor of Marshal Solov as the chief of an interim government. 
Third, the request in his name, to all Warsaw Pact units to stop
fighting.

"It could work, particularly because the devastation of the World
War II is still a scar on the Russian national memory.  We would
offer peace with honor.  I don't think the price is too high."

She sat down in her chair and just looked down at the tabletop in
front of her.

There was not a sound for minutes as the officers just looked at
one another.  Finally, Bradley turned to Solov and asked,
"Marshal, do you think it could work?"

Solov looked up and said, "Yes, it could.  I do not say it will,
but I say it could.  Admiral, the thing I learned about Kelly
when I first met her when she was a prisoner was her very direct
line of thinking.  I know of no reason why it could not work.  By
the same token, I can see no risk to the Allies nor any
particular cost.  I believe it should be tried if you and the
Allied governments approve."

The meeting broke up, and Bradley set up an impromptu receiving
line for Kelly.  She was introduced to each senior officer in
turn.  She greeted each with a warm smile and a firm handshake. 
Bradley excused himself while they were standing around chatting.
 He returned a few minutes later with the word that the President
had approved the plan for immediate execution.

Then he turned to Kelly and said, "Kelly, the President asked me
to give you a message.  Quote, Damn it, Kelly, I told you just
this morning that you're ruining our budget for awards and
decorations.  I thought you were going to be good for a change. 
When the hell are you and Callahan getting married?  I can't wait
a lot longer.  My term in office ends next January.  End quote.

"Kelly, I told him I was appointing a group here in the Pentagon
to come up with an appropriate award for you.  We've got
thousands of people here and it will keep at least a few of them
out of trouble.  They have their work cut out for them.  I've
never heard of someone winning a war singlehanded, but you seem
to be doing it.  Keep it up!"

To be continued

* * *

Comments and constructive criticism are sincerely welcome.  Let
me hear from you.  morg105829@aol.com

"Kelly"  Copyright 1989, 1998, 2001 by Morgan. 
<morg105829@aol.com>

All rights reserved.  No part may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any electronic means, including photocopying,
recording or by any information and retrieval system, without the
written permission of the author. <1st attachment end>


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