'I just hope this blows over soon, ' came the pensive thought, followed by, 'Though looking at what a zoo this place has turned into, a six month time...frame might just be a bit optimistic.'As these thoughts ended, the mental voice of Lannee, chimed in with, 'Lord Coordinator, I apologize for the interruption, but several of our listening posts have begun picking up on a world-wide stirring of intelligence agencies. So far, we have detected nothing within the continental US, other than the usual. ”He glanced over Esmeralda with a bit of trepidation. “And your companion... ?”“Yes, she is.” I knew damn good and well he was asking for her name, but I’ve learned not to feed lawyers any more than necessary. Esmeralda looked smug, but kept her tongue.He looked a little disgruntled. Or perhaps constipated; it can be difficult to tell the difference with lawyers. “I’d rather keep this confidential.”I gave the slightest of condescending smiles. “And so we will.”He managed to look even more. She was relaxed and happy. It was a hot day andshe peeled-off her t-shirt. The captain and his friend both gave heradmiring glances and captain said it was great to have such aknowledgeable and beautiful member of the crew onboard. Karenlaughed. She asked if they minded if she removed the shorts, too. Notunsurprisingly, they said they would be fine with this. Karen jokedthat given that she was wearing only her bikini now that the others onthe boat should also strip-down to shorts only. We. The Gunny started laughing as she realized that she had, indeed, done so. He took it from her when she showed him, at a stoplight, and told her what the markings on it meant. She nodded, and put it back in her bag.The Gunny was chuckling still, as they walked in the house. "Your mail's on the table," he said. "Supper first or bed first?"Lenore found the gauge and instrument catalogs she remembered she'd called for weeks before. Was it really so long ago? It seems like so much has happened..