Earth Awakens (The First Formic War 3)

"You're asking me to argue with you?"

"And hit me as hard as you can."

Pipo smiled. "I like this idea."

He told her what he had in mind and they made their way to the commissary where the officers ate. The trick was to pick the right target. It needed to be an officer of high rank, someone who had access to the entire facility and who could access MOPs without first going to a superior. A colonel or higher, Bingwen figured. And he needed to be an unsympathetic soldier, a real rulebook zealot.

Bingwen knew he couldn't break into the restricted area. There was too much tech, too much security. But he also knew he didn't need to. As long as adults thought they were in control and making the decision, you could get them to do whatever you wanted.

He and Pipo hid in the tunnel outside the commissary until Bingwen saw the perfect candidate: a callous-looking colonel who snapped at a junior officer for not immediately forfeiting his place in line for someone of superior rank. The junior officer bowed and begged pardon, but the colonel kicked the man out.

"You want to talk to that guy?" asked Pipo. "He's a buffalo butt."

"Exactly," said Bingwen. He reached into his knapsack and pulled out a map of an abandoned military base where he and the MOPs had once camped. It wasn't the perfect prop for the job, but it would have to do.

He and Pipo waited until the colonel finished his meal and made his way back to his vehicle parked out in the tunnel. Then Bingwen ran up to him with the map in his hand and bowed low.

"Please, sir, please take this. One of the Anglo men must have dropped it."

The colonel looked ready to give Bingwen a kick then stopped. "Anglo men?"

"In the restricted area," said Bingwen. "Please. Could you return it? I'm sure the man will want it back."

The colonel snatched it from Bingwen's hand and examined it. Deen had scribbled a few notes on the map, identifying a few of the buildings in English as Bingwen translated the Chinese characters.

"You say this came from one of the Anglo men?" the colonel said. "That's impossible. They don't come over here."

Bingwen looked uncomfortable. "No, sir. They're not supposed to. But ... he ... I mean, the man ... sometimes at night..."

The colonel narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "What man?" He grabbed Bingwen by the shoulder. "Answer me."

Pipo ran up on cue and bowed low. "Sir, forgive my brother. He is a fool. I will take that map. It belongs to our sister."

Bingwen glared at her. "Go away, Pipo. I'm giving it back."

"It's not yours to give, Bingwen. It belongs to Ju-long."

"Who is Ju-long?" said the colonel.

"Our older sister," said Pipo. "She prizes that map, sir. Ignore my brother."

"Did one of the Anglo men give this to your sister?"

"We do not want trouble, sir," said Pipo. "Forgive the intrusion. You are a busy man. We will not bother you any further." She extended her hand for the map.

The colonel clung to it. "I asked you a question."

"You're making it worse," Bingwen said to Pipo. "Go away." He looked back at the colonel. "It is not Ju-long's fault, sir. She is beautiful to look upon. She did not ask for the visitor."

"Visitor, eh?" said the colonel. "When? When did he see her?"

"Don't say another word, Bingwen," said Pipo.

"Please do not fault Ju-long," Bingwen said to the colonel. "She is eighteen. He promised to marry her after the war, take all of us out of China."

"Shut up," said Pipo.

"I do not believe the man, sir," said Bingwen. "He only says what Ju-long wants to hear. He gives her gifts to be alone with her. Like this map."