Fatatatutti International Airport
2:20 PM
Marie-Louise strode through the main concourse of the terminal building, dressed in camouflage and a red beret, and approached the information desk.
"General," the commissionaire smiled. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"I'm here to meet the President of O5vx and his party."
"Ah, yes. We didn't know you'd be coming in person. Just let me give you a security tag. He wrote her name on a self-adhesive label and handed it to her. "I don't suppose I actually need to put your name on it. Everybody knows you."
Marie-Louise slapped the tag on the front of her shirt. It said, 'Visitor: No Escort'.
"Just return that, please, when you leave. It's Gate Five. I'll send somebody along to unlock the door for you. Al?"
A rather portly commisionaire stood up, smiling broadly.
"Al, would you go along with the General please, and unlock Gate Five for her?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, General. This way."
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you too, Al." She followed him toward a set of unassuming glass doors that led out onto the tarmac.
He reached into his shirt pocket and put on a pair of glasses, then looked over his shoulder and blocked the view of the door as he punched in the combination. "There you go, General. Do you want me to escort you?"
"Thanks, Al, but maybe you want to wait here where it's cooler. No sense in both of us sweating in the sun."
"Whatever you think best, General." He glanced at the parachute badge above her left breast pocket. "I was a trooper too, General, a long time ago. I was in better shape then."
She smiled. "You've earned a little relaxation. What was your regiment?"
"The 33rd," he said proudly.
She nodded. "That's a good outfit." She patted his shoulder. "I'll be back with the President." She stepped out onto the heat of the tarmac.
