Artificial Earth

                                  32

Kennebeck Stadium
6:30 a.m

        THE MP AND BRIAN WERE BOTH SITTING OUTSIDE the waiting room of the evacuation centers temporary command post. They were both told to wait outside for the lieutenant and that the lieutenant will be with them shortly....an hour has passed. The waiting room was dimly lit, small gas lanterns were placed on all four corners of the room, rows of vacant chairs were lined up, filling the entire side of the wall, in front, a makeshift desk was manned by an enlisted officer, on the other side, ten commandos in full battle gear were seated, gaurding the entrance of the meeting room.
       "I told you they wouldn't let us through 'till the meeting ends." the MP said.
        "They should've." Brian replied.
        "Let me get this straight.....You told me a while ago that one your crew died..." the MP was saying.
          "Murdered." Brian corrected.
           "Okay....One of your crew was murdered....Who do you think would do that?"
           "I don't know."
            "Someone with a grudge maybe?"
             "I doubt that....The old man can sometimes can be a pain in the ass but he's not that bad. No one really hates him..."
            "How about vices? Like gambling..."
            "Yeah...I mean, he's no angel. Plays cards with us, drinks a lot too..but always pays up."
             "Geeez....So you think the killer could be anyone?"
            "Maybe. Maybe more than one."
            "The guys who saw his body....Where are they now?"
             "Don't know, haven't tried to reach them yet, told them to get their assess back."
           "Okay, Automatically that makes them suspects."
           "What? You think my guys killed the old man? They've known each other for like years.."
            "That doesn't change the fact that they were there and found the body....that makes them suspects."
             "I know Jimmy and Earl from way back and them guys may be a little wierd and stubborn from time to time but they're no killer."
             "Hey...just saying...."
       The door of the meeting room opened and lieutenant Greene strutted out followed by another officer. Immediately, the commandos seated near the doorway stood up and greeted their commanding officer.
      "Lieutenant....An MP and the head of maitenance been waiting for you." One of the Commandos said.
       "What do they want?" Lieutenant Greene asked.
      "They're right there sir." the Commando said, pointing at their direction.
        Lieutenant Greene walked forward and both the MP and Brian stood up.
        "Lieutenant Sir! MP Macdonald from the 21st Station sir!" the MP said, introducing himself.
         "At ease." the lieutenant replied.
         "You're the head of maintenance........I was on my way over to ask you personally what's with the delay with the generator..." Lieutenant Greene added.
           "Ummm, about that sir....." Brian cut in. "The generator's gone sir..."
            "What do you mean gone? Was it stolen?"
             "No sir, I mean...Someone tore the generator apart."
             "Who did this?" Lieutenant Greene asked, turning to the MP.
             "We don't know sir..." the MP replied.
              "Find out those responsible for this and bring them to me."
               "Yes Sir!" MP Macdonald replied.
                "Can we still fix the generator?" Greene asked Brian.
                "I don't think so sir..." Brian replied.
               Lieutenant Greene thought for a moment then sat in the chair in front of him.
              "Major's definitely gonna be pissed...." he said mostly to himself.
             "Ummm.....Sir?" MP Macdonald hesitated.
              "What?"
                "I think we have a far bigger problem sir..."
               "What problem?"
        MP macdonald elbowed Brian.
               "Oow....Sir, One of my crew was murdered while working on the generator sir." Brian said.