Super Secret HLS 2/5

Major Danny Boom still didn’t know what to make of his new transfer. Two day’s before, he still hadn’t heard of the Hot Librarians Squad or anything about their mission. He truly expected something else when his former commanding officer notified him of “an important transfer straight from the desk of the Secretary of the Joint Chiefs.”

Now, Major Boom found himself standing in the middle of a large situation room, complete all manner of computerized information and communications devises. Gazing at one of the large computer screens, he recognized his own military record detailing his skills as a crack cargo-helicopter pilot.

As he reviewed his record, he heard a whirring behind him and turned to see a stocky man with a grey crew cut whirring towards him in some kind of motorized captain’s chair. Major Boom snapped to attention, saluted smartly and barked “Major Daniel Boom reporting for duty, sir.” “There’s no need for that Mr. Boom, we find little use for such formalities here.” Major Boom relaxed slightly, waiting for the man in the chair to make the next move. “I see that you found your way down here all right” said the man in the chair. “My instructions were very specific, sir” replied Major Boom. “Very well,” said the man, “follow me.”

With that, the man in the chair whipped it around and started whirring off to a large door and the far end of the room. “My name is Commander Pace Harrington, and I’m responsible for the Squad and its operations.” Though he was likely in his sixty’s, Major Boom noticed that the man was in excellent physical condition. His sinewy build denoted a lifetime of physical training. Major Boom concluded that the man did not need to be riding in the chair. Major Boom also noticed the man’s glasses.

“Right now,” said the commander “the Squad is in a training session: close proximity combat and defense, you’ll get to meet them shortly.” Major Boom followed Pace into a wide metal walled corridor. “You’ll find that they are different than most of the people with which you have worked in the past. Our operatives, though highly trained in special operations, are primarily librarians. Their commitment is to the mission of the HLS: to preserve America’s knowledge base through the protection of its libraries. You will be one of the few non-librarians on our team, you were chosen because we needed your skills as a pilot. Our last pilot was killed in action.” Though Major Boom was no stranger to risk, the thought of filling a dead man’s shoes discomforted him. “Oh,” said the commander, “I see the training session is over.

Three men and two women emerged from a door on Major Boom’s left. They were all dressed in black combat gear complete with body armor. Two of the men bore large black backpacks that seemed to be filled with books. They all appeared to be in their late twenties and most were wearing glasses.

“You must be the new pilot,” said the woman closest to Major Boom, “Welcome to the team.” “Shooter isn’t going to be very pleased with this development,” said one of the men eliciting a chuckle from one of the other men. “Shooter is just going to have to cowboy up,” said the commander, “Sara, will you show Mr. Boom to his habitation.” “Sure,” said one of the two women, “right this way Mr. Boom.” Major Boom followed Sara further down the corridor.

“You sure are talkative,” said Sara, “Cat got your tongue?” “I’m sorry” said Major Boom, “I am just a little confused. I mean, I am in a secret base located beneath a university with the mission of flying helicopters for commando librarians . . . ?” “I see,” said Sara understandingly, “you’ll catch on soon enough.”

As they walked further down the corridor, Major Boom noticed more about Sara. She was tall and athletic with a blond bun of hair that poked out under the black hockey helmet that all of the squad apparently wore to training. Major Boom had never seen body armor look so good on anyone before.

As they rounded a corner, Major Boom came face to face with a muscular man with sharp features. Before Major Boom could say “excuse me,” the man growled, “you must be Boom. I just want to get one thing straight, you’re not a librarian, and I don’t like you.” “Grow up Shooter,” scolded Sara. “He’s the best of the best and you know it.” “Okay,” said Shooter, “but I’ll be watching you and if you screw things up even one little bit, I’ll kick you to pieces.” With that, shooter turned and walked swiftly down the corridor.

“Is everybody so intense around here?” asked Major Boom. “No,” said Sara “We’ve all been a little on edge since the crash.” “What crash,” asked Major Boom “I don’t really want to talk about right now,” said Sara. Major Boom thought it best not to press the issue.

“If you want to see your ride, they main hangar is in here,” said Sara, opening pushing open a door. To Major Boom, it was a grand site. He didn’t recognize the make of the immense helicopter but its aerodynamic body seemed to fill the hangar. His heart pounded. Leaving Sara standing at the door, he walked to the vehicle’s side, climbed the moveable tarmac stairs and slid into the chopper’s pilot seat. Surveying its modern flight controls Major Boom surmised that the vehicle was one of a kind, designed and made for one application: to schlep around commando librarians and their books. Caught up in the glory of the moment Major Boom’s thought to himself, “And, who . . . who is the only pilot good enough to handle this magnificent beast? Danny frickin’ Boom, that’s who.” At that moment he knew that this was going to be a good transfer.