 | ShatterStorm Productions
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| ShatterStorm Productions
|
It was perhaps one of the most singularly odd moments in all of my life.
I think it's safe to say that now. At least I hope it's safe to say that now. Who knows? Maybe something else will replace it for its sheer oddity. But I suppose I should write it down, on the off-chance that I'll actually forget it, right?
I was working in my lab at the CDC, like I've been doing for months now, since I got returned to the States from Saudi Arabia. Went from one hot, humid armpit in the world to its twin. Atlanta, Georgia. Could I seriously have been thrilled to be moved here? I mean, yes, I'm doing work that I've always wanted to do, what I studied to do. But why couldn't I have been sent to a more hospitable climate?
But I guess that's neither here nor there, isn't it? I go where Uncle Sam and the USAF say I should go. That's how I ended up in Southwest Asia. That's how I ended up in Saudi. And that's how I ended up here. And it's how I'll end up wherever I'm sent after this assignment.
Unless I choose to leave the Air Force.
Yeah, that's actually been a consideration recently. I'm sure it's just due to the whole heat and humidity thing. Maybe my next leave I should head back home and visit Momma. Maybe see those pesky little brothers of mine. Just recharge my “place in the grand scheme of things” battery or something like that.
Then again, after that phone call today, I may not have the chance to visit home for a while. It kind of threw me for a loop at the time. A General Hammond stationed out in Colorado Springs called for me this morning. I was in the middle of a test simulation on a vaccine for that new virus I've been studying the past few months. Scared the ever-loving tar out of me when Sally came in and told me I was wanted on the phone by a general, and that she wasn't allowed to take no for an answer. I had no damned clue what was going on, but shut down the simulation, praying it wouldn't set me back too much in my research, and headed for the nearest semi-private phone.
He introduced himself only as working with NORAD, and asked how I liked my work with the CDC. I answered him truthfully that I loved the work, but hated the weather. He chuckled, which I think was a good sign, and commented on growing up in Texas and how horrid the humidity could be here. I had no idea where he was going, but agreed with him anyway. No sense in pissing off a general, whether he was directly in my chain of command or not. Then he got really serious all of a sudden and asked me again if I liked my work here. Again, I told him that I enjoyed the work, the chance to work with these exotic and potentially dangerous and/or deadly viruses.
And then he asked me that fateful question….
He wanted to know if I would consider a transfer to the NORAD facilities in Colorado Springs. What in the hell would I be doing at NORAD? I'm a medical doctor, with a specialization in virology. What could possibly be so damned special at NORAD that they'd need me? Or was he simply a Southern good old boy who was planning to bring me in as his token pretty-girl doctor that actually got treated like a first year nurse? I bit my tongue to keep from asking that question of him. Instead, I found a more polite, respectful way of asking what his idea of changing postings would entail. He wouldn't give me a straight answer, which only led me to believe my theory was correct. He kept telling me that I would do wonders for the facility at NORAD, but that he couldn't tell me anymore until I agreed to the transfer.
Now how the hell am I supposed to make a decision on a transfer if I don't know what I'll be doing? I mean, really! This is just insane! And I told him so, though I phrased it a little more respectfully. But again, he said that there were classifications and gag orders in place that didn't allow him to explain further unless I agreed to the transfer. That it was out of his hands. But he was insistent that it would be in my best interest to agree to this. I told him flat out that I'd have to think about it. I mean, I'm doing what I love here at the CDC, even if I can't stand the weather. I'm doing what I love to do. And weighing that against the unknown of this new posting is driving me insane.
He did tell me that if I accepted the posting, I'd be doing things beyond my wildest imaginings. And that I could do more for my country than I currently was. I promised him I'd think about it and get back to him as soon as possible, and then I returned to my work.
But of course, my mind wasn't on my work completely anymore. I was weighing the pros and cons of this unknown transfer. What I don't understand is why he's asking me for permission on this transfer. He's a general, for God's sake! I'm just a captain. If anything, I should be asking him about this transfer, not the other way around. But he sounded sincere, and like he really wanted me to agree to the transfer, so that he could tell me what was going on. It sounds like he really wants me in his command. I just don't understand how I can be so important to that facility, nor why he can't tell me what I'd be doing.
