The Mullinix Book 1: Ascension

  Chapter 68 - Where The Hell Is Stack?

  "Ok," LaPorte said, "This isn’t funny. Where the hell did Tony Stack go?"

  "I haven’t seen him for hours," the young man said, "Is there anything I can do, Colonel?"

  "Yes," LaPorte nodded, "Find the little fucker. I need to know more about what Facie has planned and I can’t find his paperwork."

  "I’ll do the best I can," the young man said and walked out of the room.

  Colonel LaPorte walked around and looked at the moon, which was full and clear over Cirrus that night. He maneuvered the bulk of his oversized body back and forth over the balcony and looked at the dark landscape. The only lights in the area were the ones in officer country, the enlisted men were forbidden lights after 9pm.

  "All mine," LaPorte smiled, "Just a few more days…"

  "Colonel LaPorte," a young aid said frightfully, "Insegniferro is on the line for you."

  "Great," LaPorte grumbled, "Very well, I shall be there in a few minutes."

  "This is the elder, sir," the young man said, "He said immediately."

  "I am the Colonel," LaPorte said irritably, "Get out of my sight. I’ll get there when I’m ready!"

  LaPorte smacked the young man, sending him flying against the wall. The young man stood up and scurried out of the room. LaPorte growled and cleaned off his hand from the blood and rolled his head around a little, cracking his neck. He walked, or more accurately waddled, out to the control room. He went inside and saw Tolando’s blood stain still on the floor.

  "Why hasn’t this been cleaned up?" LaPorte barked, "I want this cleaned up tonight!"

  "Yes Colonel!" a young man exclaimed, not wanting to be struck and scurried out of the room.

  LaPorte sat his large frame in a metal chair and pushed the button to take the line feed into the room.

  "Colonel LaPorte here," he said, trying not to sound bored, "How can I help you?"

  "Where have you been, LaPorte?" Insegniferro’s voice said, "I’ve been waiting here for ten minutes."

  "I apologize sir," LaPorte said, "I was busy chastising an officer who was sleeping on the job."

  "A lot of people are sleeping on the job down there, LaPorte," Insegniferro said gruffly, "It’s been a bad week. Kindly avoid making it worse than it is."

  "Yes sir," LaPorte agreed, knowing he was about to make it much worse, "How can I help?"

  "Have you found my man yet?" Insegniferro asked him, "He can’t have gotten far."

  "No sign of him sir," LaPorte lied, "Maybe he’s on his way to Taliaferro Village?"

  "He’d have gotten there by now," Insegniferro said, "There have to be some clues around there. Personal representatives do not just disappear!"

  "This one must have," LaPorte told him, "Are you calling me a liar?"

  "Not yet," Insegniferro said, "But if you don’t have any news by tomorrow I am sending my own team down there. I’ve had enough with the mess that Cirrus is becoming."

  "That is uncalled for," LaPorte said indignantly, "I have done my job dutifully and with all possible diligence."

  "And a lot of bullshit," Insegniferro replied, "I’ve been reading the reports from the local commanders. A lot of it doesn’t fit with what you’ve been telling me. Care to explain that?"

  "I’ve busted a few people for giving me bad reports," LaPorte lied, "Give me a listing and I’ll do a report reconciliation."

  "All in good time," Insegniferro told him, "I need Paulus back here. We’ll take care of that after the conference this week. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Do not make me wait again."

  LaPorte was about to say something else when Insegniferro cut off the line. The large Colonel slammed his way out of the room and stormed back to his own office. He fumed a little and pondered sending Insegniferro his precious Paulus’s head on a silver platter.

  "Maybe later," LaPorte said to himself, "Maybe later."