VAMP page 53

In OPS, Victor looked on as Big Bill explained the various video feeds into the large wall monitors to Heaberlin. Big Bill did not notice immediately that Heaberlin was not paying attention to him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the new recruit staring slack-jawed towards one of the entrances. Big Bill looked around and laughed.

“Hey, man. Close your mouth. Something’s gonna crawl in there and do something nasty,” Big Bill joked.

“That’s Kristi Tanner,” Heaberlin said.

“Yeah,” Big Bill said matter-of-factly.

“What’s she doing here?”

Tanner walked up to Victor. “Hey, Vic. Guess you’re going to give me a ride to the Dome.”

“Yeah. I guess so,” Victor replied.

Heaberlin nudged Big Bill with his knee.

“Kristi. Let me introduce you to the FNG. Eric specifically recruited this guy,” Big Bill said.

Tanner stepped over to Heaberlin. “Mike Heaberlin, Kristi Tanner. Kristi, Mike. I think this guy is a fan.”

Tanner shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Heaberlin was grinning from ear to ear. “The pleasure is mine.”

“What do you do Mike?”

“Write programs, play video games and probably grin way too much,” Heaberlin said with enthusiasm.

“We’d better get going,” Victor interrupted.

“Right,” Tanner said. “I’ll be seeing you around, Mike.” She turned to Big Bill. “Be nice to him, Bill.”

“Surrrreee.”