In the Golden Triangle

Chapter 3: They're Real

        Kitt scratched at his neck as he watched the beaten down Jeep ascend the final hill and come to a stop before the front gate of the camp. The brakes squealed and everyone grimaced as the noise cut through the silence.

"Joom, I thought you fixed the Jeep?" Kitt asked as he glared at the shorter man. Joom shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"I can fix it all day, but we need new brake pads." His handsome face settled into its perpetual smirk when he answered and Kitt hated to admit that he was right.

Hin elbowed him and he turned back to the Jeep. The rear door popped open and a short man stepped out.

Kitt had not really looked at the file Lt. Colonel Khamsi had given him. Unlike the rest of the camp, he had next to no interest in the newcomers. As far as he was concerned, they were a nuisance and the faster they left the faster he could get back to his job.

Had he looked at the files he might have been able to prepare himself a little more.

The man was slight. His skin was very dark, and his black hair was cut neatly. Two gold earrings hung on his left ear. Were it not for the scowl that rested on his face, he would have looked like just another person on the street.

Hin seemed to stand up a little straighter beside him and plucked at his collar. Kitt glanced at him but Hin was focused on the Jeep.

The front doors of the jeep opened simultaneously, and the reporter slid out of the Jeep. Strangely, the first thing Kitt noticed were the thick leather boots she wore. The laces were done up tightly and the brown leather was scuffed and scarred. She stepped out of the Jeep and immediately sized up the situation.

Kitt was acutely aware of what she was seeing.

He had tried to keep the men away. He didn't want to make this a big deal. But they were curious and those that didn't have immediate work had gathered around to welcome the foreigners. Technically none of them had to greet them. But Lt. Colonel Khamsi wanted to make a good impression.

Kitt still refused to roll down his sleeves.

The American shook hands with Khamsi and they chatted for a moment. Kitt took the time to examine the woman who, he was sure, was going to be a huge pain in his ass. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back into a braid and she was wearing a pair of jeans and a loose fitting button up shirt. Light freckles dotted along her cheeks. Her skin was very pale, something he would have noticed even if she had not been standing next to her very dark companion. Objectively she was a good looking woman, and he could hear the men behind him begin to whisper.

Khamsi nodded once then gestured to Kitt. The Lt. Colonel led the two toward Hin and Kitt, clearing his throat.

"Sargeant Ayuyen, this is Devon Pritchard and her aide John Varadkar." Kitt nodded to them and was surprised to see Devon bow slightly and wai.

"Sawasdee kha." She greeted them both.

John watched her greet them but did not repeat the gesture of placing his palms together in front of him.

Kitt and Hin responded with their own greetings. Up close Kitt could see that Devon had dark green eyes that complimented her round face.

Khamsi nodded once. "Well, I leave you then." He said abruptly, turning on his heel and walking back towards his office. Kitt knew he was busy, but he floundered at being left with the responsibility of the two.

The silence extended between them and the moment became awkward.

Hin coughed a little. "I'm Hin." He was talking to the group, but his eyes lingered on the short man in front of him. John met his look and raised an eyebrow at the attention.