CHAPTER 11: I fucking hate politicians!

Anja capped the test tube of blood and looked at SEAL Team 12 Petty Officer who sat on the table with no shirt. She had spent the better part of the morning drawing blood from the team members for studying, and doing quick but thorough exams. All of them bore the scars of countless battles over the years and these she noted and compared to their files, which were quite extensive to begin with.

"You're all done". She spoke to him. "Thank you."

Anja turned to make some notations on a data pad as the Petty Officer got up and put his shirt on as he walked away. She turned back around to conduct her next exam and came up short when she saw the sweat coated upper body of Martins second in command, Daniel Simpson. She recognized him from this morning at the meeting.

"Sorry I just came from the gym."Dan Simpson spoke as he settled onto the table.

Anja looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "You couldn't shower first". She spoke with some hostility.

"I was under the impression you wanted to do this quickly Commander." Dan replied in the same tone." I wasn't going to interrupt my normal routine by waiting in line. Im here now."

Anja shook her head, "Fine. Please stand up."

Dan stood in front of her and she realized her was considerably taller than her, at least the same height as Martin if not a couple inches more. His upper body was coated in sweat, the bright light in the lab reflecting off his caramel colored skin. Anja couldn't help but notice the extremely sculpted muscles of his abdomen and chest. All of the genomes in Martins team were in superb physical condition, yet some of them, to include Martin, were exceptionally well defined. Anja took note of the many scars on his chest, and one particularly nasty scar along his lower abdomen. As her hands touched his skin to get him to move his arms or turn around, Anja felt her skin becoming flush and warm while the medic assisting her finished taking his blood sample and turned to the small table.

"How.... how did you get this?" She asked, tracing the scar on his lower abdomen. "It doesn't seem to resemble any sort of knife or shrapnel wound."

Dan chuckled a little bit." It's from the busted end of a steel pipe." He replied. "I got careless with a group of prisoners during a mission into Basra. We were supporting the Iraqi forces in a snatch and grab op. One of the prisoners happened to bust off a piece of plumbing and thought hed use it to bash my head in."

"I'm glad glad to see he didn't succeed." Anja said. She looked into Dans light brown eyes and saw a twinkle in them.

"So was I." Dan answered." Are you feeling ok?" He asked, noticing the flushness in her cheeks.

Anja nodded. "Yes it just it suddenly got warm in here."

"Thats my fault. Sorry."

Anja looked at him." What do you mean?:

"Genome body temperatures tend to run higher than normal humans." Dan told her. " I thought you knew that."

"Yes! Yes of course I knew that". Anja turned quickly so he could not see her cheeks grow even more flushed. A vision of Dans sweaty body on top of hers flashed , like a deep rich caramel, her hair shoulder length. Her fatigues did little to hide her very curvy figure. She stepped up to Dan, her hand going around his waist, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"I guess so". Dan told Petty Officer Julie Collins.

"You like her don't you?" Julie asked her fingers stroking his shoulder.

"I don't think shes as bad as Marty makes her out to be."

Julie smiled." She seems like she is holding an awful lot of pent up emotions in?" Julie said gripping his arm. She and Dan had been an item for a number of years now, and they cared deeply for each other, but both knew that something was missing from their lives.

"I think she is in way over her head and is treading water pretty hard to keep her head above the surface. Dan spoke thoughtfully. The Senator and his druggie son have twisted her head pretty good."

"Shame really". Julie said. "She is irresistible to look at."

Dan nodded slowly and looked at her. "You're attracted to her too aren't you?"He said.

Julie looked at him." Who wouldn't be? Shes gorgeous". She told him with a smile." I saw my little pet twitch when she touched you."

Dan grinned as he draped the towel over his shoulder. "Ah well. You still have me."

Julie smiled and nibbled his shoulder. "Yes and that makes me very happy too. "

Admiral Wallace looked up from his desk as Senator Graham marched into his office without permission or welcome. He was turned out in an impeccable suit and tie, as was Kevin, who followed closely behind him. Richard came to a halt in front of the Admirals desk, as if waiting for him to offer him a chair. Wallace leaned back in his chair and smiled.

"Good morning Senator. To what do I owe this visit?"

Graham settled into the chair without being asked as if he owned the place. He smoothed out his pants and looked at William." I believe we need to have a talk Admiral." He said.

"Regarding what Senator?"

"I am on a fact finding mission Admiral. You are aware of the reasons for this visit, and also why Commander Peterson is here. I have the authorization from the Senate Armed Services Committee; and the Joint Chiefs. I'm confused as to why you are putting up barriers to everything I have requested". Graham spoke.

"And what barriers are those Senator?" Wallace asked.

"The access to areas of EDEN granted to my son and I to begin with. The issues with Commander Peterson not getting the corporation she has requested. I could go on if need be. Richard explained. I only need to make a vid call Admiral and I will get everything I want."

Wallace chuckled. He reached across his desk and turned the flat screen monitor to face Graham. "Please Senator, by all means do so".

"Admiral we were promised your complete cooperation in this matter!" Graham spoke more firmly." Do I need to call your superior officer?"

"As I said Senator please do. You'll have to route your call through White House Signals though. My direct superior is the President of the United States. I don't believe he has anything on his schedule today". William told Graham with barely a concealed grin. He got up from his desk and moved to the counter. "Can I get you some coffee?"

"I don't drink coffee." Graham retorted.

"Sorry that is all I have to offer you." William said. He poured himself a mug and then returned to this chair. "Allow me to give you some information Senator. EDEN is my base. The President selected me I answer to him directly. Not to the Armed Services Committee and most definitely not to you. In regards to the Security Access granted to you and your son well that was the decision of my Security Chief which I fully endorsed. Your son has a criminal background Senator, whether you want to admit it or not. He will not be allowed access to any secure areas of this base for any reason. Period! Your clearance allows you access to most of the areas on EDEN with an escort of course. If you are upset because you are not free to roam this base as you do the Senate Office Building well Im not losing any sleep over that. As for Commander Peterson she will receive everything she asks for within reason, and I believe her exams have already begun on Team Twelve. She will not be granted access to areas that are not within her realm of influence. And since she is an active member of the US Navy, the US Navy decided to have her fulfill her commitment to the Navy actually doing something for which she was trained. Not working in your office as one of your personal hatchet agents. If you have a beef with that I suggest you take it up with MILPERSEN. Now if Im not mistaken your tour of the medical and training facilities is starting in twenty minutes. I wouldn't want to hold you up."

Graham came to his feet, his back ram rod straight. "This is not over Admiral Wallace."

William looked at him." Yes Im afraid it is Senator."

Graham spun around and stormed out of the office, Kevin dragging along behind him like a dog. William shook his head as he lifted his coffee mug to his lips.

"I fucking hate politicians!" William muttered.