Meg: Origins Read Online Free

United States following the Spanish-American War. Guam’s location between Hawaii and the Asian mainland rendered the island a strategic location for a U.S. military base, and it is now home to five installations, including the main naval base on Orote Peninsula on the central west coast and Andersen Air Force Base on the northeastern tip.
    · · ·
    Command Master Chief Steven Lebowitz’s gaze shifted from the dark gray skies to the black Cadillac SUV now approaching the main gate. Rear Admiral Kevin Quercio’s unannounced visits were more social call than inspection, his V.I.P.s always political allies or elite members of the military industrial complex. At the end of the day (or days) everyone had a good time, entertaining themselves on a taxpayer-funded holiday.
    With Danielson gone and a typhoon on the way, the last thing Lebowitz needed to deal with was the renowned partying admiral and his inebriated guests.
    Lebowitz saluted Quercio as the imposing man climbed out of the SUV.
    “Admiral, welcome back to Guam.”
    “Chief, good to see you. You remember Senator Michaels?”
    The Republican from Alaska nodded.
    “And these two gentlemen… well, let’s just call ’em Mr. Black and Mr. Blue to make life easier.”
    Lebowitz recognized the two executive officers from Brown and Root and BP Oil. “Gentlemen. My apologies. Admiral, Captain Danielson is away on a mission, and we’re busy preparing for Typhoon Marian. However, if you need me to arrange accommodations off the base—”
    “Already handled, Lebowitz, we’ll be staying at the Radisson. But I promised our guests a helicopter tour of the island. Where’s Mac?”
    Lebowitz’s heart skipped a beat. “Sir, Commander Mackreides is securing his airships in their hangars. Perhaps I can arrange for Commander Rosario to escort your party.”
    Admiral Quercio placed a hand on Lebowitz’s shoulder, leading him away from his guests. “Let’s dispense with the horseshit, son. Go find Mac and tell him to meet us at the helipad in exactly ten minutes, or it’s your ass and his.”
    · · ·
    Commander James “Mac” Mackreides’ hawkish eyes moved from the pair of jacks in his right hand to the D-cupped breasts barely contained beneath the brunette’s olive-green tee-shirt. “You’re bluffing again, Rudd. I can always tell when you’re bluffing because your nipples get hard.”
    Natalie Rudd blew him a kiss. “The bet’s a hundred, Mac. Like your hookers say, are you in or out?”
    “They’re not hookers, Rudd, they’re military escorts.” Mac glanced down at the dental assistant’s remaining chips. “Tell you what. I’ll see your hundred and raise you two hundred.”
    “Asshole. You know I haven’t got two hundred, I only have sixty.”
    Warrant Officer Vicky Baker rolled her eyes. “Here we go again. What’s it going to be this time, Mac? Shots at Geronimo’s or a drive down to Facpi Point?”
    “Quiet, Baker, we’re negotiating. Actually, Rudd, if you lose, I was thinking about a weekend’s stay at Pago Bay. Just you, me, and the twins.”
    “Vic, lend me the buck-forty so I can call this gorilla’s bluff.”
    “Let me see your cards.”
    Rudd passed her friend the hand.
    “Call,” said Vicky, adding her own chips to the pile.
    “If you’re so sure, Baker, why not raise me?”
    “And give you a chance to raise the pot again and draw me into your childish games? Not a chance.”
    “Think about it, Baker. You, me, and Rudd, alone in a bungalow.”
    “Sounds like fun, Mac, but what will you do?”
    The enlisted men whistled cat calls.
    “Okay, Rudd, I call. Show me your pair… and your cards, too.”
    The brunette turned over her hand. “Full house, tens over threes.”
    Mac ground his teeth, snapping the wooden match in his mouth. “Take it.”
    Rudd high-fived her friend. “Pleasure doing business with you, James.”
    “Aw, poor guy,” Vicky pouted, “He looks like he’s gonna have a Mac Attack.”
    Mac was about