They gave the man their luggage and quickly boarded the car.  Tom explained he would be riding in the car behind.  As Bette pulled the door shut, she was surprised by how heavy it was.

The man in front said brusquely, “Reinforced,” as he helped her shut the door.

Bette and Tina exchanged glances as the convoy drove off rapidly.  Wow, what were they getting into?

Less than half an hour later they were pulling into a checkpoint.  The man riding in front explained they were entering the US compound.

After moving through several more checkpoints, they disembarked.  Tom joined them, wheeling their luggage behind him.  He smiled quickly, “Welcome to Kabul, your home for the next few days, at least!”

He flashed his badge at the guard standing outside a metal gate.  The guard inspected his badge, then allowed him, followed by Bette and Tina, through the pedestrian gate.  Tom lifted their bags onto a roller that led into a scanner, then helped them lift the bags out, after the bags passed inspection. 

“I’m taking you to our liaison’s office, and she’ll take over from me,” he explained quickly, as he handed them their badges.  “Wear these at all times,” he instructed.

They zigzagged along a path, marked all along its perimeter by sandbags held together and secured by criss-crossing wires.

They arrived at a non-descript office.  He offered them some coffee, as Bette and Tina took the seats he’d pointed out.  “Okay, I’ll leave you two here.  Cheryl will be here any minute.  Make yourselves at home while you wait, ok?”

Bette and Tina nodded, thanking him as they accepted the coffee.  They pushed their sunglasses up, resting these on their heads, as if the glasses were headbands.  They shook their heads in wonderment, and held hands, as they waited.

Five minutes later, a blonde woman opened the door Tom had exited, talking on her phone, “Yeah, they’re here.  I’ll get them set up in their quarters, then see what we can do to get them out where you are.”

She hang up, and extended a hand.  “Hi, I’m Cheryl,” she greeted them warmly. “Bette,” Bette introduced herself, shaking the offered hand. “Tina,” the blonde said, shaking Cheryl’s hand also, as she eyed the other blonde warily.  Another blonde bombshell, she thought.  Cheryl was smiling at Bette, after exchanging glances with Tina.