Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Librarian

   By deGaffer

   Copyright (c) 2008 by deGaffer

   SUMMARY: A wealthy and politically connected college librarian
manipulates a group of students and encourages them to put together a team
that the Confederacy shouldn't ignore.
UNIVERSE: The Swarm Cycle
WARNING: This story contains material unsuitable for minors and
narrow-minded individuals.  It probably contains sex, violence, and other
socially unacceptable material.  You have been warned!
CONTENT: no-sex ScFi
This story is set in the Swarm Cycle Universe created by Thinking
Horndog.  Get a grip; this is fiction.  Any resemblance between the content
of this story or any of the characters depicted herein with real persons,

places or events is totally coincidental.

   It started with a simple concept that should have been a short story,
but it seems to have morphed into an epic saga of scheming, planning,
deception, and of course, sex.

   I very much appreciate the patience and efforts of Mulligan.  His help
has made this a much better story.  I claim full responsibility for all
errors and omissions.

   Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyrighted with all
rights reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.  Reproduction
for profit is forbidden.  Any distribution must include this note and the
author's email address.

   CHAPTER 23: Guys and Dolls

   It was four-and-a-half hours straight through from Marietta to Bedford
in the Aztec.  No one wanted to do that again.  Even Jake and Toby's
bladders were feeling the strain.  It wasn't one of Misty's best landings,
either.  Holding an airplane steady while doing the pee-pee dance was not a
skill that she had acquired.

   Jake had been concerned about traveling to Boston.  After all, he was
out on bail pending trial for felony assault.  Lesa assured him that
nothing would be said.  He was innocent until proven guilty, and being
charged with a felony would not hamper his right to vote, carry firearms,
or travel to another state.  She had it on good authority that his case
would not come to trial as long as the incumbent District Attorney was in
office.

   Jake had asked her, "How can you be so sure I won't be prosecuted?"

   Lesa explained, "Because I know almost everyone the District Attorney is
sleeping with.  He likes young stuff, very young stuff.  The DA determines
which cases are brought to trial and when.  I predict that when he does go
to the Grand Jury with your case they're going to return a 'no bill' and
the charges will be dropped."

   It was the Friday after Thanksgiving and the MIT campus was mostly
deserted, but arrangements had been made with some of the principal
contacts in Boston.  Few of the physics geeks had a life away from campus.
Some had gone to their parents' houses for the holiday celebration, but
most used the quiet time to get more work accomplished.

   Misty and Janet had a room with two queen beds, but Jake, Toby, Leslie
and Tiffany had a three-room suite.  The central room had a wet bar and
kitchenette.  It was setup more as a den or living room than as a bedroom.
To the left and right past the kitchenette from the entrance were doors to
the adjacent rooms.  There was even a balcony through sliding doors that
were located directly across the room from the entrance.  Tiffany and Toby
had taken the room with two queen-size beds; Leslie and Jake were in the
one with a king-size bed and a Jacuzzi tub.

   Toby had finally cornered Darlene and browbeaten her into meeting him at
Finnegan's Pub on Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving Day.  He skipped the
late lunch with his traveling companions at the hotel and headed for
Finnegan's after dropping his bags in his hotel room.  He figured he'd get
a sandwich at the pub while waiting for Darlene.  He'd been at the pub for
over an hour and was about to give up waiting and go searching for her when
her silhouette appeared in the entrance.

   There was no mistaking Darlene's unique fashion sense.  She stood out in
any crowd wearing a beige long-sleeve turtleneck sweater above a similarly
drab pleated skirt that almost reached the floor.  Her glasses were much
too big for her face, and her mousey brown hair was a disaster.  The insult
'you're ugly and you're mother dresses you funny' would not have been out
of place.

   Toby jumped off of the barstool and headed for the door as though he'd
been shot from a cannon.  Darlene's eyes had not adjusted to the darkened
room; so, she couldn't see his hasty approach.  Her nerves were failing,
and she was about to retreat through the door when she was captured by
Toby's two-handed grip on her hand and elbow.

   "Darlene, I'm so glad you could make it.  Please, join me at my booth."
The fact that he had been sitting at the bar was something he was sure he
could overlook.  He considered sitting on the same side of the table as
Darlene, but though that would too obvious an attempt at trapping his
seriously nervous quarry.

   Toby signaled a barmaid with his hand.  "What would you like to drink,
Darlene?"

   Darlene mumbled as though she were speaking to her hands, "I don't
really drink much."

   Toby glanced up at the waitress, but kept his attention on Darlene. 
"I'd like another Guinness and bring a Miller Lite for the lady, please."
Toby captured both of Darlene's hands in his left hand, and only allowed
one of them to escape.  "Tell me what you've been up to since the sorority
party.  It's been what, almost a month?  You were telling me about a
fascinating experiment you were about to try with a plasma beam."

   Darlene fidgeted and shrugged, "We were able to sustain a
deuterium-deuterium reaction for twenty-two seconds before the excess heat
tripped the safety."

   Toby sounded more impressed that he was, "Wow, that long.  There must
have been a lot of energy to heat the toroid that fast."

   Darlene was a little more animated, "We didn't use magnetic confinement.
We were experimenting with inertial confinement of linear plasma beams and
triggered the reaction with a laser."

   Toby kept Darlene talking and drinking for over an hour.  He almost lost
her when he suggested that they meet his friends at their hotel.  But the
modest quantity of alcohol Darlene had ingested was sufficient to impair
her judgment just enough to be pliable.

   The three-block walk in the brisk air was almost enough to clear
Darlene's head and restore her flight response, but Toby got her into the
lobby.  Fortunately Leslie was just inside the entrance waiting for Charles
Brenner and stood up as the pair approached.  "Hi Leslie, you remember
Darlene." Toby then asked, "I was wondering if you'd mind if we joined you
and Charlie this evening."

   Leslie wasn't sure how Charles would take to the idea.  "Sure.  You
know, Darlene, you're about the same size as Tiffany.  How about we see if
she has something you can wear?" Leslie got on her cell phone and spoke
with Tiffany.  "... Thanks.  We'll be right up."

   "She's not expecting Henry for another two hours and hasn't started
getting ready yet.  Come with me, Darlene." As they were walking away
Leslie asked over her shoulder, "Be a dear and entertain Charles for me."
Toby nodded assent.

   Toby greeted Charlie when he arrived.  Toby and Charlie had been in the
hotel's piano bar for almost an hour when Leslie got their attention. 
Charlie left enough cash on the bar to cover their tab, and the two went to
join Leslie and the cute brunette standing a bit behind her.  Toby was
about to ask what happened to Darlene when he realized that the slender
frame in her shadow belonged to Darlene.

   Charlie stepped up and kissed Leslie, "Hello beautiful.  I've put off
our reservation for an hour and asked Toby to join us.  I hope you don't
mind.  We need to get rolling or we'll even be late for the later
reservation." His eyes finally left Leslie, "Who is this?  ... Darlene?"
His surprise registered with his recognition of the brunette.

   Leslie stepped aside, "Tiffany and I put together a few things.  Thank
heavens Darlene had contact lenses with her.  Those awful glasses totally
hid her beautiful eyes, don't you think?"

   Toby and Charlie were stunned.  Soft brown curls framed Darlene's face.
The hint of mascara and eye shadow enhanced her large brown eyes. 
Strategic shadows and pale lip-gloss drew attention away from her nose and
made it appear smaller, almost cute.  She was wearing a sheer blue dress
over a camisole and half-slip.  There was only so much exposure that
Darlene could handle.  It had almost required physical restraint for her to
leave the ridiculous bra she had been wearing upstairs.  It was obvious
that there were real tits under the thin material.  The brown loafers
didn't quite match the outfit, but Tiffany and Leslie's selection of sexy
flip-flops was more than Darlene could endure.

   The four of them got into Charlie's car and headed toward dinner at a
very nice restaurant.

   Charlie knew Darlene, but the two had never collaborated on a project.
Neither of them had much in the way of social skills, although Charlie had
been included in some group activities that had netted him some sexual
experience.  He kept dividing his attention between the sexual superiority
of Leslie's charms and the astounding changes in Darlene's appearance.

   After dinner, neither Charlie nor Darlene was interested in dancing, and
there was nothing at the theaters that appealed to them either.  Rather
than call it a night, they both agreed to return to the suite with Toby and
Leslie.  Charlie held to the hope that something would happened while
Darlene was secure that nothing would happen with both Charlie and Leslie
present.

   During the short ride back to the hotel, Toby broached the subject of
the impending Sa'arm occupation of Earth.  During the conversation it
became clear to Leslie that she was the only person in the car with a CAP
score below six-point-five.  While it was depressing in some respects, it
was encouraging at the same time.  The more sponsors than could be
included, the bigger the colony and the better the chance they had for
success.

   Both Charlie and Darlene expressed a desire to leave Earth, but not in a
combat role.  They each felt that they could contribute more through
technological advancement than through their tactical capacity, so neither
had volunteered.

   While both Toby and Leslie were aware of the attraction between Darlene
and Charlie, they mutually agreed to keep the pressure on with the original
pairings.  They were not confident that Charlie could be assertive enough
to penetrate Darlene's defenses.

   Toby had not been able to draw either Darlene or Charlie into a
technical discussion since leaving the restaurant.  The intellectual
discussions focused on the changes in society and personal relationships
since 'Average Joes' became a popular series.  Both Darlene and Charlie
were clearly anticipating some kind of social encounter with Toby and
Leslie, though not necessarily sex.

   *-*-*

   Misty and Janet had arranged to double with Harry Mulligan and Jamal
Warner, two of the five associates of Dr.  Grayson who were at the sorority
party.  The plan was to talk them into a tour of the lab.  Failing that,
Janet and Misty would find a way to be invited to the apartment the two men
shared.

   Harry was a typical physics geek right down to his maroon cardigan
sweater and gray corduroy slacks.  He was a bit short and round, barely
taller that Misty.  He had dark brown hair and eyes, was a bit chubby in
the cheeks, and of course, wore the obligatory thick wire-rim glasses.

   Jamal was tall and lanky.  He would have been a good candidate for
basketball if he had had any kind of hand-eye coordination at all.  Jamal
looked the part of the athletic black man, right down to his short Afro,
but he was terminally clumsy.  Jamal was a mathematician and specialized in
probability.  He was a wiz at predicting molecular collision outcomes, and
was banned from most of the casinos along the east coast because of his
knack for predicting cards from a five-deck shoe.  To Jamal, nothing was
truly random.

   Misty and Janet stepped out of the elevator five minutes after Harry
called them from the lobby.  They were not advertising and planned to make
Jamal and Harry work for every inch of ground they won.

   Misty wore a white long sleeve blouse with Irish lace collar and cuffs.
The dark gray wool skirt came almost to her knees.  The white and gray
diamond pattern socks almost reached her knees from the brown penny loafers
that dressed down the outfit.

   Janet wore a scoop neck, pale blue sweater that matched her eyes.  The
cable knit pattern added just enough bulk at strategic points to make it
unclear whether or not her D-cups were unfettered.  Her tight wool skirt
was a few shades darker that the sweater and her stockings were a darker
blue than the skirt.  She wore a pair of navy blue low-heeled sandals to
keep from towering over everyone.

   The foursome went to a popular club after dinner.  It only took a couple
of trips to the dance floor for Jamal to be reasonably certain that all
Janet wore above the waist was what he could see.  Janet had also allowed
some exploration of her ass, and Jamal was also correct in his prediction
that the skirt only concealed a garter belt and the tops of her stockings.

   Harry was less certain about what he would find if he started undressing
Misty and the possibilities of what he might find there kept him in a state
of sexual excitement.  That made him very pliable to anything Misty
suggested.  Harry had pretty much ignored the dumb blonde that was
occupying Jamal's attention, but somewhere in the course of the evening it
occurred to him that she had kept Jamal talking about his wild theories of
probability all evening.  Could she really be engaging him in an
intellectual conversation?  Surely not!

   Misty knew she was not the intellectual equal of anyone in the foursome.
She kept Harry entertained with topics that may not have been as lofty as
nuclear physics, but were relevant to the social climate and current
events.

   Both Jamal and Harry were eager to show off their academic achievements,
and they had access to the physics lab even on a holiday weekend.

   "This is really cool," Misty commented as they entered the main computer
room for the Department of Physics.

   Harry was almost apologetic, "What we do here is mostly theoretical. 
The actual experiments are conducted in Texas or New Mexico where there is
less population density in the event something goes wrong."

   Janet asked, "What could go wrong with a fusion reactor that a little
Spackle and paint couldn't fix?" Jamal and Harry gave her dumfounded looks.
When she could no longer hold a straight face, she burst into laughter.

   Harry spent about a half-hour showing Janet and Misty the current
experiments that they were developing, none of which appeared applicable to
high-tech weapons.  Janet asked, "What are some of the experiments others
are pursuing?"

   Harry brought up a secure site's Web page that listed the title,
staffing, and synopsis for all of the active experiments.  Janet noticed
that there was only a couple of minor, low priority tasks with Charles
Brenner's name associated with them.  This seemed very odd because Brenner
wasn't really the graduate student he always claimed to be; he was actually
a junior member of the faculty.  Janet found absolutely nothing with Dr. 
Grayson's name.

   "Is Dr.  Grayson no longer directly involved in any research?" Janet was
genuinely confused.

   "Not at this facility," Jamal replied.

   Misty was following Janet's line of inquiry, "Where does he do his
research if not here?"

   Both Jamal and Harry appeared evasive and just shrugged their shoulders.

   Rather than let the mood of the room tank, Janet asked, "Okay, so who in
the physics world around here are the biggest party animals?  Misty and I
want to host a party before we apply to the graduate school just to be sure
we're not moving into a dead zone." She leaned in and kissed Jamal, "Come
on, you can tell us who the bad boys and girls are that you hang out with,
can't you?"

   Misty added, "Yeah, bring your address books with you and we'll head
back to our hotel and see what kind of last-minute get-together we can
swing for tomorrow night.  We can probably get a meeting room at the hotel
along with a couple of suites and play some party games that the sorority
house couldn't get away with."

   Janet upped the ante with, "If you guys can coax some guys and gals to
the hotel tomorrow, then we can see who's timid, and who's up for a round
of 'Hide the Salami'.  What do you say?"

   Jamal and Harry almost hurt themselves shutting down the center and
locking up in record time.  However, as Harry was driving across the campus
enough blood drained out of his dick for him to be able to think of
something other than a mental picture of Misty impaled on his spike.  Jamal
was at a disadvantage because Janet's sweater was easily defeated by his
roaming fingers giving him no chance to think with his big head.

   Harry turned to Misty at a stop sign, "Why are you doing this?  What are
the two of you really after?"

   Misty paled slightly, but recovered well.  "What do you mean?  We just
like to party."

   Harry shook his head as he eased through the intersection and continued
across the abandoned campus.  "No, you guys are too hot to have to come all
the way here from Georgia just to party.  Even if you did, Jamal and I are
hardly prime party animals.  Why are you here, really?"

   *-*-*

   Jake spent Friday evening at the campus library researching published
graduate theses.  This was something he could have done from the hotel, but
wanted to get a feel for the facility and see who he might encounter on a
holiday weekend.

   He had copied several papers to a memory stick and was sitting at a
table looking them over when one of the library staff approached him.  "The
library closes in fifteen minutes.  I haven't seen you around here before.
Forgive me, but you appear much too young to be a student.  Perhaps I can
help you find what you're looking for?"

   Jake looked up into the rather plain face of a brunette who was not much
older than him.  "Hi, I hope I'm not in the way or keeping you from closing
and going home."

   The brunette put a hand on Jake's shoulder, "Oh no, not at all.  I'll be
here until closing.  I'd just hate to have to run you out before you got
what you came for." She had worked herself around the corner of the table
where she could see what had Jake's attention.  "Oh my, that's a very
advanced paper.  Do you really understand what it's about?" She appeared
skeptical.

   Jake nodded, "Yeah, I'm looking for a topic that will get Dr.  Grayson's
attention.  I really want to study under him next fall."

   The girl blinked, "He only works with graduate students.  You'd never
get into one of his classes as an undergraduate, especially not as a
freshman.  You should have plenty of time to prepare something, if he's
still here when you're old enough.  He may be retiring this year, next year
for sure.  My mom and grandmother have really been on his case to slow down
ever since his heart attack last month."

   Jake was trying to piece her references together through his concern for
Dr.  Grayson's health, "Your mom and grandmother?"

   "I'm sorry," the girl held out her hand.  "I'm Denise Trudeau.  Dr. 
Grayson is my grandfather."

   "I'm very pleased to meet you," Jake responded as he stood up.  "I'm
Jake Caulfield.  I'm up here with some friends from Georgia Tech.  Several
of us are in the process of applying for graduate study here next fall,
primarily because of your grandfather's high-energy research.  I major in
physics there and expect to graduate this June."

   Denise sat against the edge of the table; so Jake returned to his seat.
Denise, like most people who meet Jake, was confused by his academic level
and young appearance.  "I'm sorry, Jake.  I just assumed you were a local
high school student, but your accent should have eliminated that idea."

   Jake could tell she was avoiding asking the question, but took mercy on
her.  "I'm sixteen, but will be seventeen in March.  I've been taking
college-level classes for several years and should have enough credits by
June for my bachelor's degree."

   "Why do you want to study with my grandfather?  He hasn't done much
research in several years." Denise was intrigued by the young man seated
before her and subconsciously twisted to face him and put most of her
120-pound weight on her right thigh which she had shifted onto the table
top.

   Jake maintained contact with Denise's curious eyes and did his best to
ignore the panty clad beaver shot she had presented to him with the change
in position.  "I want to help create weapons that can be used against the
Sa'arm, and your grandfather has been deeply involved in non-ballistic
weapons research for decades."

   Denise sighed, "The Navy has refused to develop any of his inventions,
preferring to stay with traditional weapons."

   Jake nodded without breaking eye contact, "Yes, tradition seems to be
the Navy's stock in trade.  They had to be forced into using aircraft
carriers in the 1940's and didn't abandon their big guns for another sixty
years." Jake turned and concentrated on shutting down his notebook.  "Would
you please join me for coffee after the library closes?  I'd like to know
more about your grandfather, if you're willing to give me an advantage."

   Denise finally realized why Jake had been so intense with his eyes and
jumped off the table.  "Oh my God, I'm so sorry to have flashed you like
that.  I forgot I was wearing a skirt.  It wasn't a come-on, I assure you.
If your interest is my grandfather and not my underwear, then I'd be
pleased to join you."

   Jake gave her a reassuring smile.  "My primary interest is learning what
I can about your grandfather, but I must admit that I'm not disinterested
in your lovely underwear."

   "Oh my," Denise smiled.  "Aren't you the charmer, especially for one so
young?  Please wait here and I'll get my things."

   Denise collected her things from the kiosk and returned to where Jake
had completed gathering his possessions together.  A matronly librarian
didn't appear pleased as she watched the pair head toward the employee
lounge were Denise needed to go in order to clock out.  They exited the
building through the small side entrance that was always locked from the
outside.

   Denise asked, "Where would you like to go?"

   "Lady's choice," Jake replied with a flourish.

   "The Omelet Shoppe is within walking distance," Denise suggested.

   Jake hesitated a moment to take in Denise's figure before following her
lead.  She was maybe 5'6" in her sensible shoes that added no more than an
inch to her height.  Her hips appeared a bit wide for her height and a bit
high as well.  She had very long legs and a short waist.  Her rib cage
seemed to end within inches of her hips.  Jake picked up his pace and
walked beside her after they got on the concrete path that ran the length
of the library.  She didn't have much mass jostling around under her blouse
as she walked with long strides.  The nipple bumps that were fleetingly
visible under the pale streetlights hardly moved.  She either had small,
firm breasts, or a very unusual foundation garment.

   Jake did his best to redirect his attention back to the discussion of
Denise's family.  "So, tell me about what you do.  Why is the granddaughter
of a famous physicist working at a college library on a holiday weekend?"

   Denise laughed, "I'm interning here this semester.  It's really hard to
get a job without some experience.  I really have no advantage because of
my grandfather, other than living with him while I'm here."

   "So, Boston isn't your home?"

   "My parents live in New York," Denise replied shaking her head.  "I'm a
junior at Vassar."

   Jake almost stopped walking as he turned to Denise, "Vassar?  I have a
good friend who attended Vassar.  Lesa Crews, she's a librarian at my
school.  But I doubt you'd know her, she graduated from Vassar almost
twenty years ago."

   After they finished their coffee and pie, Jake insisted on accompanying
Denise home in a cab.  It was much too late for him to meet her
grandparents, but she promised to introduce him before he had to return to
Atlanta on Sunday.  Jake had a lot to think about on the short taxi ride
back to his hotel.

   *-*-*

   Tiffany waited in the suite until Henry Cohen called from the lobby. 
After all, she didn't want to appear too anxious.  Eyes in the lobby turned
in her direction when she stepped out of the elevator in a slinky, floor
length gown in antique white.  The neckline plunged to her navel showcasing
her runway model figure and smooth chocolate-colored skin.  The slit up the
side almost reached the neckline exposing a very shapely leg and a good bit
of hip.

   A single strand of pearls was the only thing that drew someone's eyes
away from the soft swells that were partially revealed by the dress and
onto her classic triangular face.  Earrings that matched the necklace
dangled to her chin and helped define her eyes, high cheekbones, and soft
jaw line.

   Henry was quite dapper in his classic tuxedo complete with white shirt,
black bowtie, and powder blue cummerbund.  He had tickets for the theater
company's closing performance of "Madam Butterfly" that evening.  They
would be joining the cast at a party afterwards.  Their first stop,
however, was a restaurant that overlooked Boston Harbor.

   The couple was definitely the center of attention as they made their way
across the lobby and into the waiting limousine.  Inside the limousine,
Henry introduced Tiffany to Alexander and Nancy Saunders.  Alexander was
the School of Science dean at MIT.  Tiffany had asked Henry for an
introduction and opportunity to spend time with someone in authority, and
Henry had provided.  Tiffany knew how to operate on a social level that few
of her companions from Georgia Tech could enter.

   The conversation through dinner and during the intermission remained
typically trivial.  Each of the four dropped a name here and there to
impress the other three.  This was an environment Tiffany had known since
birth.

   At the cast party, Tiffany began asking Alexander questions about the
staff, funding, and the projects in his school associated with Dr. 
Grayson. She was distressed to learn that Dr.  Grayson's health was pushing
him to retire and that other members of Dr.  Grayson's staff were handling
his duties at present until a suitable replacement could be identified. 
Alexander was aware of the grant being sponsored by Congressman Worley, and
was surprised that Tiffany knew of it.  MIT would certainly participate,
but it might not be Dr.  Grayson's staff who would present MIT's
application for the grant.

   It was well after midnight when Nancy and Alexander were delivered to
their home.  Tiffany was not sure who would be in her hotel suite; so she
suggested that the limousine be released for the night at Henry's apartment
building.

   Henry's suspicions of what her gown concealed were confirmed when
Tiffany removed it to the safety of his valet stand.  All she had on was
her earrings, necklace, and a pair of white high-heeled sandals.  As
stunning as she was when she had stepped out of the elevator at her hotel,
she was even more stunning when she struck a pose in her heels without the
dress.  Henry agreed to deliver Tiffany to her hotel after breakfast.  But,
at that point he would have agreed to anything that kept Tiffany in his
bedroom.

   "So," Tiffany spoke to a stunned Henry, "Have I thanked you for a lovely
evening and for introducing me to Alexander and Nancy?" She was very
relaxed as she strutted toward him in her heels and jewelry to help him get
out of his tuxedo.

   *-*-*

   As soon as the foursome entered the suite, Leslie turned on the portable
stereo that she had previously queued to play slow music and stepped into
Charlie's arms without waiting for an invitation.  Toby took the jacket he
had loaned Darlene to fight off the cool night air and laid it aside before
taking her into a close embrace and began swaying to the music.  Darlene
was a little frightened by this development, but she noted that Leslie and
Charlie were only dancing and not groping each other.  When Toby didn't
press his advantage, she began to relax and enjoy the benefits of male
companionship.  The gentle caresses she was getting from Toby did wonders
for her suppressed ego.

   Leslie took Darlene into the bedroom she shared with Jake to use the
larger bathroom in there to freshen up.  It's a universal girl-thing to
retreat to the ladies room in groups.

   Leslie suggested, "Let's get more comfortable," as she kicked off her
shoes and asked Darlene to unzip her dress.  Darlene was a bit embarrassed
when Leslie let the dress drop from her shoulders.  Leslie stood in the
room wearing only a garter belt and stockings.  Darlene clutched at her
garments when Leslie offered to help her change out of the borrowed
clothing.  Leslie removed her remaining clothing and walked around the room
stark naked while searching for her long T-shirt.

   Toby smiled when the ladies returned and Leslie said, "There, this is a
lot more comfortable.  Why don't you guys loosen up a bit as well? 
Darlene, you should at least take off your shoes."

   Toby opened the small refrigerator, "Would anyone else be interested in
a small vodka and orange juice.  I might even be able to put together a
Bloody Mary if that's anyone's preference."

   After distributing the drinks, Toby joined Leslie who was sitting on the
floor in front of the coffee table shuffling a deck of cards.

   "Leslie, you're going to be at a real disadvantage if you're thinking
about playing strip poker," Toby observed.

   Both Charlie and Darlene blushed, but they sat down on the carpeting
across the coffee table from Leslie, Charlie opposite Leslie and Darlene
opposite Toby.

   Leslie was expertly shuffling the cards in her hands.  "Truth or dare,
high card asks the next high card.  Refusal requires you to forfeit an
article of clothing.  The first one naked has to ... what?"

   Toby suggested, "Spend seven minutes on the balcony with the partner of
his or her choice?"

   Leslie laughed, "I like it!  But, they can only come back inside if they
have lip prints below the waist."

   Darlene was shaking her head, "I don't know if I could do that."

   Leslie cocked her head, "Kiss someone's foot?  Sure you can.  Besides,
I'm the most likely loser.  All it will take is one question I won't
answer, or one dare that I won't do.  Is everybody game?" She didn't wait
for an answer as she dealt four cards face-up, one in front of each person.

   Leslie looked between Darlene and Toby, "You're the queen, Darlene. 
Toby is next with a ten.  So, what'll it be Toby, truth or dare?"

   Toby looked at the nervous Darlene and decided to give her a break. 
"Truth," he told her.

   Darlene asked the question that had been nagging her all day, "Why are
you interested in me?"

   *-*-*

   Misty had not answered Harry's question.  In fact, the group remained
silent all the way to the hotel.  Janet spoke from the backseat, "If you
guys would like to come upstairs for a minute, we'll try to explain."

   Jamal asked, "Why can't you explain here in the car?" The quiet drive
had given Jamal the time he needed to cool off enough to realize the truth
in Harry's observations.

   "It's complicated," Janet said.  "Well, not complicated so much as
twisted.  What is your CAP score, guys?" When Jamal and Harry frowned she
continued, "No, Misty and I aren't looking for free ride.  Well, not that
kind of ride anyway." Her attempt at levity only had marginal success.  She
pulled her CAP ID from the small clutch purse she had carried and handed it
to Jamal.

   Jamal's jaw dropped when he looked at the card.  His eyes snapped back
to Janet.

   Concerned, Harry asked, "What is it, Jamal?" Jamal couldn't speak.  He
just handed the card to his friend.  "Holy shit!" Harry exclaimed before
he, too, looked at Janet with new respect.

   When Harry turned a questioning look at Misty, she just smiled and
showed him her card.  "Not me, I'm just a five-point-four."

   "I need a drink," Janet remarked.  "Please, park the car and come up to
the room with us where we can talk more comfortably, okay?"

   Harry did as Janet requested.  He and Jamal followed Misty and Janet
into the hotel's bar.  They sat at a table across the room from the door
after placing their order with the bartender.  The waitress, if there was
one, had gone home for the night.

   Harry had shown them his 7.9 CAP identification and Jamal had produced
his 8.8 ID card.  Everyone sat quietly at the table as they processed the
unusual distribution of Capacity-Aptitude-Potential scores of the foursome.

   Misty broke the silence.  "We, Janet and I, are more than a couple.  Our
friend, Ralph, will be part of our family group if we can get picked up
together.  There are a growing number of us at Georgia Tech with various
scores all working for a common goal.  We're looking for a way to attract
the Confederacy's attention for a big pickup in July."

   Janet took up the story, "Three of us have CAP scores of eight or more.
We believe we can better serve the Human race as scientists than as
soldiers.  We need weapons far more advanced that what the Darjee have
provided if we hope to contain the Sa'arm, much less stop them from
destroying Earth.  I know that the experts predict there is no hope of
saving Earth, but we frail humans thrive on lost causes." Her smile was
infectious.

   Harry smiled back, "This just brings us back to my last question.  Why
are you here, really?"

   Janet and Misty looked at each other.  Janet shrugged and Misty turned
to Harry, "Because Dr.  Grayson is the most accomplished researcher in the
field of high-tech weaponry that we have a chance of working with, and you
two have a working relationship with him."

   It was Harry and Jamal's turn to sit back and look at each other.  Jamal
spoke for the pair, "Our projects are more theoretical nuclear physics. 
Our work is developing theories for a sustained fusion reaction; something
that could make a practical fusion power reactor possible.  None of our
work could be applied to any kind of weapon."

   Janet took Jamal's hand, "You might be surprised to learn just how much
power some weapons require.  Even short bursts of power can have practical
applications in weapons systems."

   Harry nodded, "You're here to recruit members of Grayson's staff and
think Jamal and I are vulnerable to your feminine wiles." Harry thought for
a minute, "I can be used that way.  How may I be of service, ladies?"

   Jamal nodded his agreement and Janet continued to hold his hand as she
rose from her chair.  "Let's go upstairs and investigate your servicing
skills.  There are people with us I'd like for you to meet ... in the
morning."

   Misty cocked her eyes at Janet; then smiled at Harry as she rose, took
him by the hand, and followed the other couple out of the lounge and into
the elevator.

   *-*-*

   Jake noticed that Toby and Tiffany's door was closed; indicating that
one of them was in there with a guest.  His and Leslie's door was open, but
the room was empty.  He put his keycard on the end table with the other two
cards and wondered who was in Tiffany's room.  His curiosity almost drove
him to peek through the door, but he pushed himself to ignore their door
and get himself to bed.  He left his bedroom door open to make the room
available for whoever the fourth person was, in the event that they
returned before dawn.