Read Online Piranha by Jim DeFelice, Dale Brown - Free Book Online

a waiter in a
high-class restaurant.
                 A
true achievement, since the man was a bomb ordie on
special assignment. Dog marked him down mentally for a weekend pass.
                 “Water,”
said the admiral.
                 “Evian,
or perhaps Dolmechi ?”
                 “ Dolmechi ?” said the admiral. “The Italian mineral water?”
                 “Yes,
sir.”
                 “Very
good,” said Allen. “I haven’t had that since I visited Naples.”
                 The
waiter—who had obviously been heavily briefed by Ax—turned toward the colonel.
                 “I’ll
have a burger,” said Dog. “And a Coke.”
                 “Yes,
sir. Captain?”
                 Danny
glanced at Dog. “I was thinking I might catch up on some items,” said Freah.
“Since we’re not in a secure area.”
                 “Very
good, Danny.”
                 “Admiral.”
Danny nodded, getting up to go.
                 “Just
a second.” Allen rose and stuck out his hand. “Some of my Marines made sure I
heard about what you did in Iran for them. Good work, son.”
                 “Thank
you, sir,” said Danny.
                 “You
ever think of switching commands, remember the Pacific,” said Allen.
                 Danny
smiled and nodded, then left.
                 “An
impressive officer,” said Allen.
                 “One
of the best,” said Dog. “That’s why he’s here.”
                 “And
you’re wondering why I am, aren’t you?” said Allen. He smiled, showing signs
that somewhere beneath the weight of command he did have a sense of
self-deprecating humor.
                 Maybe.
                 “Actually,
Admiral, what I’m wondering is why you didn’t give us a heads-up that you were
coming,” said Dog.
                 “That’s
not the way I do things,” he said abruptly.
                 The
colonel looked over at the airman approaching with their drinks. He didn’t
intend on getting into a pissing match with Allen, who as commander in chief of
the Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) was one of the most powerful people in the
military. The admiral commanded all forces in the Pacific, including Air Force
and Army units as well as Navy. He also had considerable input at the Pentagon
and, more important, the White House.
                 On
the other hand, Dog wasn’t going to roll over for anyone. Allen had no more
real business here than Dog did on the flight deck of his carriers.
                 Admiral
Allen took a small, almost dainty sip from his mineral water as the waiter
retreated. “Colonel. Tecumseh—can I call you that?”
                 “My
friends call me Dog.”
                 Allen
smiled indulgently. “Dog. How’d you earn that?”
                 “It’s
God spelled backwards,” said the colonel, who didn’t mind telling the story on
himself. “I was a flight leader with a bit too much of an attitude, and some
people thought it fit. They were probably right.”
                 Allen
laughed. “This was before you shot down the MiGs in the Gulf, or after?”
                 “My
kills were unconfirmed,” said Dog, though there was little doubt he had indeed
splashed the enemy planes.
                 Another
indulgent smile from Allen. “Let’s cut to the chase,” said the admiral. “The
Piranha report—what’s it going to say?”
                 “I
would imagine it will say something along the lines of what Commander Delaford
said—the system is ready to be implemented, and it’s ready for the next phase
of tests, if that’s approved.”
                 “Specifically,
concerning the test.”