"What kind of shit is this Captain?" asked the quiet voice. "I have never seen such a stupid set of orders. 'Liason to the Navy' is not a high priority mission, yet your General Henry put you on my courier flight. Liason is a job for a diplomat and a young Leautenant, not a Captain. Especially not a hot shot, Pentagon trained, financial type. Oh don't be so surprised, I have my sources too. Two stars don't hurt when your curious and that's just what I am. Damn curious. Who are you...really?" The man asking the question was General Davidson, the Wing Commander for the Bomb Wing at Yokota AFB.
"I am just following my orders, Sir. I was told to report to you personally, and that my destination was Yakuska Naval Station. I have had no personal communication with General Henry, and have no remaining line of communictation with him." The half truth was not hard to tell. As of yet Jim had no way to contact General Henry, nor any reason to. "Don't you have additional orders for me, Sir...I mean...I assumed..."
"Well mister, you assumed quite wrong. I have no orders at all concerning you..." the general was interrupted by the buzzer on his desk and the secrataries voice, "Lt Ariens with Flash from PACAF, General."
"Step outside Presbly, Okay Joyce send Ariens in."
Jim passed a young Lt. carrying an 8 1/2 X 11 folder on his way out. The document had the familiar red and yellow stripes indicating Top Secret across the folder. The decoding officer handed the General the deciphered sheet just as Jim closed the door. He had not taken two steps from the door when he heard the General's shout, "Presbly, get your butt back in here."
"Sir", he expelled in a short breath, as he braced once again at the General's desk.
"Let me read you this, I think you'll be interested."
'PACAF Headquarters, April 3, 1983. By order of the Secratary of
the Air Force, the rank of Major, is awarded to James Allen Presbly,
USAF, U.S. Air Force Reserve, until such time as time in rank equals the
criteria set by the Major Review Board, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
Major Presbly is to take commission at Yokota AFB, Japan, from Wing
Commander, 5033 Bomb Wing, Fifth Air Force, Yokota AFB, Yokota, Japan.
Furthermore, Major James Allen Presbly is temporarily released from
duty in the United States Air Force.
ORDERS: James Allen Presbly is granted the temporary Commission of Lt. Commander, United States Navy, such rank being awarded by Submarine Fleet Commander, Yasuka Submarine Naval Station, Yasuka, Japan.
Futhermore, Lt. Commander James Allen Presbly is to assume duties
as Liason/Protocal Officer, 7th Fleet, 53rd Submarine Squadron, Pacific
Region, PACAF, Yasuka, Japan. Commander Presbly is to report by April
7, 1983 to Yasuka Naval Station. Signed the Secratary of the Air Force,
Admiral James Kirk Allen, US Seventh Fleet, CINCPAC, Lt. Admiral Brian
Kingsley, PACSUBCOMFLT.", and General James Henry, USAF Space Command,
the Pentagon, Washington D.C.,
"Now what the Sam Hell is going on here?""You know as much as I do, Sir."
"Well hell, son, I am damned confused. I'm supposed to promote you to Major, then remove your damn leaves and put you into a Navy uniform, and then scoot you down to the Navy at Yasuka. Damndest business I ever saw. You sure Henry is not pulling some joke on me?"
"I sincerely doubt it, Sir. If I make a suggestion, Sir?"
"Go ahead, I'm outta good ideas at this point."
"Perhaps the General should travel with me to Yasuka, and he and the Admiral can sort this out between them."
"Damn, that's a stupid idea. I'm not leaving here till I find out what the hell's going on. Joyce, get me Admiral Allen, PACAF, NOW. Let me show you how things our done in the rarified atmosphere of Field Generals...you know, outside the five sided demon house? Sit down and take a load off boy. We got business to conduct here. Joyce you got the Admiral yet? Common on, we ain't got all day, Joycie!"