Freedom Forged

by Alan Austin

  Everyone chuckled at the joke, but the quiet laughs faded quickly at the memory of their friend. None of them had been offered the time to grieve him, and there was no such opportunity in sight at the moment. Sam felt a tear forming, but he sat up, shook his head, and wiped it away.

  He felt much stronger after the revitalizing sleep and was happy to have the others looking out for him. He might have pushed to stay up longer and work out more details of what needed to be done, but the rest was a much better idea. He could already see the speed of his thoughts improved and started going over the plan one more time as Rosalyn woke next to him with a big yawn.

  She sat up and gave him a quick kiss which felt far more natural to Sam than it should have after everything else, but it was a welcome feeling. With his mind functioning at full speed and his heart full, Sam felt good after the final walkthrough and forced himself to leave everything be, not wanting to stress himself or anyone else out anymore than he already had. The cabin was quiet as they descended. DaVinci kept them above the cloud cover to conceal the fact that all of them had come together, and Rosalyn and Sam climbed aboard one of the small ships that were lined up on either side of the walkway.

  These ships were nothing at all like the divers the gang had created and used in the past, but Mac walked Sam through the operation and they were not nearly as complicated. The wings were fixed and there were wheels on the bottom so landing would be a piece of cake compared to what they’d gone through with the diver. The most complicated aspect of them was the steering which required both foot pedals and a stick.

  Not long after they were inside, DaVinci gave Mac a nod, and he closed the canopy which Sam quickly locked from the inside. Unlike their own airship, the resistance ship did not release the smaller ships. Instead, they all had their own internal release mechanism.

  “Would you do the honors?” Sam said back over his shoulder, and Rosalyn reached around him and pulled the lever back which dropped them instantly.

  Despite being the one who had controlled the release, Roz let out a screech as they fell out of the sky and Sam could not keep his laughter to himself.

  He nosed the ship down and was very quickly able to pull up and begin the glide down. Mac had warned him to keep the speed down as much as he could to keep stability, so Sam held a circling pattern as they entered the clouds, slowly descending toward the city below. The cloud cover seemed to go on forever, and with no visibility, Sam started to lose track of which way was up. When they finally emerged, he found that their speed had fallen far more than he intended and the ship began to lose control.

  “What’s wrong?” Rosalyn shouted from the back as the ship shook slightly and felt as though it was falling backwards.

  “I wasn’t descending fast enough,” Sam replied hurriedly. “I need to get some speed back to regain control.”

  He pushed the stick forward, trying to get the nose of the ship down, but it refused to cooperate and instead started falling backwards. In a panic, he pulled the stick back and it flipped all the way over before picking up even more speed with the nose down. It was what he wanted, but he was far closer to the ground than he’d realized. He started to pull back on the stick purely out of fear, but recalled what Mac had told him about recovering from a stall in flight. He had to let it get more speed or he’d only ensure their death. He pushed the nose back straight down and waited until the last second to pull up. From his perspective in the cockpit, it appeared as though they were cutting the grass of the field they buzzed across before they pulled back up some and began to gently descend down onto the grass.

  Sam felt the thud of the wheels touching down twice after the ship bounced after the first touchdown, and it slowed quickly once all three wheels were down. Sam looked over at the charge handle that was beside his seat to the left and wanted to kick his own ass for forgetting that he could have released that to come out of the stall if he’d not panicked and completely forgotten about it.

  Sam and Rosalyn just sat in silence as they both caught their breath after the near-death experience, and before they had even opened the canopy, another airship was coming over the hill to their right with a dozen soldiers on horseback riding along underneath of it. The British had likely been on the lookout and had most certainly seen their harrowing approach.

  Sam popped the canopy open and Rosalyn pulled the gun from her leg holster and pushed it into his back.

  In the softest whisper, she said, “Remember – we need to keep up appearances.”

  There was no surprise to her action as it had been a part of the plan, but Sam was still less than comfortable having a loaded gun in his back. Rosalyn had offered to fake it, but he feared that someone might somehow find out and ruin the whole plan. It needed to be authentic.

  “Get out. NOW!” she screamed as the closest rider dismounted his horse and raised his rifle at the pair.

  “I am here to see General Clive,” she shouted. “My name is Rosalyn and he is expecting me. I have what he asked. This is Sam Rosecrans.”

  “We know who you are,” the man said. “We were afraid you had trouble with your prisoner from your approach. Is everything alright?”

  “Just some technical difficulties,” she replied. “Nothing to worry about now.”

  Another man joined the first and they did not wait for Sam to climb out of the cockpit. They grabbed him and dragged him out, raking his still-bruised ribs across the meal edge of the ship. He cried out in pain, but no one seemed to care. He knew that Roz did, but she couldn’t show it.

  Once he was laid out flat on his stomach, the men cuffed him, tied his ankles, and tossed him over the back of one of the horses. Rosalyn was given another spare horse that had been brought with the group and they started making their way back toward the city.

  Riding a horse wasn’t comfortable in Sam’s opinion in the best of times, but he hadn’t been at all prepared for the throttling he received tossed sideways over the back of one. His only consolation was that they were keeping the horses to a slow gallop. If they’d gone much faster, Sam was convinced he would have passed out, unable to get a breath as his battered body was pummeled by the beast’s back with each hoof-step.

  The seemingly endless journey took place without a single word being spoken that Sam could hear. When they finally arrived in the city, the only thing he heard were the gasps of passersby at the sight of him over the back of the horse and a few whispers of his name. He knew that he had a reputation with the British government, but to be recognized by the civilians was quite unexpected. The people stopped to stare all the way down the street until the caravan stopped and Sam was untied and pulled abruptly from the back of the horse. Pain shot through his body as he tumbled down onto the concrete walkway, but once again, no one cared about his discomfort. They hauled him up to his feet and prodded him forward into the building in front of him.

  As soon as he was through the door, he knew who he was meeting. There were scantily clad dancers on two stages on each side of the venue with a single man sitting and watching the show. He had his back to the door which was an extreme show of trust for a military man – either trust or stupidity. Some of the women were topless while others had not quite reached that state of undress yet and in any other situation, Sam would have quite enjoyed the show.

  “Mr. Rossecrans,” the man said with so much arrogance that it took an act of will for Sam not to tell him that he was being played and that his arrogance was foolishness. “It is good to finally meet you in person. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

  The man turned to look at Sam as he asked the question.

  “I just wish we’d met under different circumstances,” Sam replied.

  “I’m sure you do,” the man jeered. “And what circumstances would you have liked to meet me?”

  Sam pushed aside all the pain and mustered his biggest smile before answering. “Well, seeing that wedding ring, I’d say I wish I met you on a heist so I could take who I can only imagine to be
your much younger, and quite attractive bride for a real ride before robbing you blind.”

  Sam had expected a longer conversation, but the man’s face turned red at his response and with a nod to one of the men standing behind Sam, he decided that he’d had enough already. Sam felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and the lights went out.

  With no clue at all how long it had been, Sam woke to hear the roar of the train he was now aboard. He scrambled out of the cot he’d been left in and stumbled over to the small window. All he could see was ocean. How long had it been? When was his rescue coming?

  A moment of regret for pissing the general off passed quickly as he realized that he’d do the same thing again, if given the chance. It had been too sweet a reward to see how easily he’d gotten under his skin. Unfortunately, it had left him with no knowledge of how things had progressed after that. Had they boarded the right train? Did Rosalyn come with them? So many questions and no way to get answers.

  “Hey there sleepyhead,” Roz’s voice called out from behind him.

  She was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He’d glanced in that direction, but somehow missed her.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “You ran your mouth and got knocked out. Typical Sam Rosecrans,” she said with a smile. “But don’t worry, everything else is going according to plan.”

  Sam felt the heavy weight lift from him chest.

  “How long has it been?” he asked.

  “Longer than you’d think. It’s nearly time. I thought I might have to wake you.”

  Roz stood up and walked over, looking Sam over to make sure he was okay.

  She smiled as her eyes met his again and said, “You’ve been beaten up too much in the past little while. When this is all over, we need to get away and make sure you get the rest and attention you deserve.”

  “When this is done,” Sam said. “No time to think about that now. Do you have the key?” he asked looking at the door to what he guessed was his makeshift cell aboard the train.

  “No,” Roz replied. “They locked me in with you when I asked if I could make sure you were okay. You’ll need to get them to come in when it is time.”

  Sam lay back down in the bed to rest a moment while he still had the chance and Rosalyn curled up next to him. “The good news is that the lock is loud, so there’s no danger in getting surprised if they are coming in. It takes a few seconds to get that door open.”

  She kissed him and let one of her hands slide down his body, and Sam couldn’t deny that it felt good, even in his current condition. Unfortunately, that loud lock she was talking about made a clang sound as the guards prepared to open the door.

  “I should go,” she said. “I don’t want to raise any suspicions.”

  Rosalyn was on her feet and waiting by the door before it was open and she thanked the guard and departed as he entered.

  “The general wants to see you,” the guard said.

  Sam couldn’t believe his luck. He was going to get taken out of the room just before the raid started. Hopefully Boomer was already in position. Apparently, the general was smart enough not to keep Sam locked in the same car that he was travelling in and Sam was led through three cars before finally arriving in the most luxurious one of all where many well-to-do men sat talking and smoking cigars.

  Sam looked around the room and did not see Boomer anywhere, but before he lost hope, he spotted him in a British uniform standing at the far door. Sam was always amazed at how easy it was to blend in somewhere where by all accounts someone should notice that you don’t belong, but they did it all the time. His help was in place, and though he couldn’t nod or gesture in any way, the held eye contact for the briefest of moments was enough.

  “Hello again, Mr. Rosecrans,” the general spoke once more. His plump face and dark eyes looked a little less menacing in the better light coming in the windows than they had in the dark club where they’d first met, but he Sam still felt his blood begin to boil at the sight of the man. It was an even stronger response than he’d had the first time, and he wasn’t sure why, but there was no denying it.

  “Have you had a good rest since we last spoke?” he asked.

  Sam scowled, “What do you want with me?”

  “This again?” the man asked.

  What did he mean, again? Sam had hardly had time to say anything the last time they’d spoken. Had he come to once already and just lost that time with the concussion he likely had?

  “Tell me where your gang is operating. The bitch insisted that you had moved, but I think she was lying. Tell me the truth and I might spare your life.”

  Sam was about to respond when he heard something that brought a smile to his face. It was faint, but it was a noise unlike those of the train. No one else seemed to hear it, but when he looked over to Boomer, the man’s expression had changed and he knew that it was time. That sound had been Mac setting down on the roof of the car.

  “Do you recall how I said I wish we’d met under different circumstances?” Sam asked with a little grin.

  The smug look on the general’s face changed and he looked quizzically back at Sam.

  “What are you playing at?” the big man asked. “You’re in a room with ten guns that would be more than happy to kill you if you tried anything. Do you really think it’s the time to threaten me?”

  “Sam shrugged and looked down at the ground a moment before jumping into action.

  None of the guards that had escorted him had their guns drawn. Sam leapt straight up in the air and swung his cuffed hands under his legs before reaching for the nearest holstered weapon on one of the guards. The only two men in the car with guns ready were the guards at each door, both armed with their rifles, but Boomer was one of those guards. He was ready for Sam’s move and shot the other guard before the man could even think to shoot Sam. With the his newly acquired pistol in hand, Sam shot the soldier he’d taken it from and three of his friends before a fourth guard was quick enough to draw on him, but Boomer took him out just in time leaving one remaining guard who’d been fumbling around, trying to get his gun out, and the general as the only two remaining armed men.

  Whether it was overconfidence or laziness, the general had not even tried going for his gun until it was too late and he now had Sam’s pistol pointed right at his face. It was easy to get the other guard to drop his weapon with the General at gunpoint, and now Sam was back in control. The moment Boomer had his rifle on the man, Sam swung his arm hard across his face, smashing his cheek bone with the grip of the pistol. It was a small thing, but it made him feel better.

  “You’ll never get away with this,” the general screamed.

  “Oh,” Sam replied, doing his best to replicate the same arrogance the general had shown him, “but I will.”

  “I believe you made a promise,” Rosalyn said, now standing beside him.

  She must have heard or seen the ship landing as well. Sam shot her a shocked look. He couldn’t believe she was crossing the general in front of him. Had she changed her mind and planned to kill him now, or did she think he’d buy that she was just playing her role to protect her daughter. The other surprise for Sam was hearing her suggest that he go through with what he’d said to piss the man off so much in Boston.

  “Should I really do it?” Sam asked.

  “Do what?” the general said, still holding his cheek.

  Rosalyn just smiled and nodded.

  “Where is she?” Sam asked, now looking back to the general.

  “Not on-board you son of a bitch. I’ll kill you slowly for even thinking that.”

  “She’s in the dining section just through those doors,” Boomer replied with a grin of his own now. “She was out here about half an hour back.”

  “NO!” the general screamed at the top of his lungs now. “You’ll regret this if you go through with it!”

  Sam pistol whipped the man again and then nodded to Boomer, telling him to keep his gun on the man without sayi
ng a word. After everything, Sam was more than happy to deliver a special punishment to this man if Roz was okay with it.

  After having Boomer undo his cuffs, he marched through the door separating the sections within the car and found two more guards and a few women sitting at the bar. Catching them completely by surprise, Sam downed the guards with two shots as the screaming women hit the floor. All the women were attractive, but there was one with a more youthful look that he just knew belonged to the most important man on the train. All the high-ranking Englishmen were the same, all taking trophy wives to show off wherever they went.

  Motioning with the gun in the general direction of the women, Sam said, “Come with me, Mrs. Clive.”

  Sure enough, the youngest of the women stood up and followed the gestures of his pistol back through the doors and into the cabin where her husband was being held at gunpoint.

  “Do her right here in front of him,” Roz squealed when Sam led the woman into the room.

  “Abigail – no! I’m so sorry. Please don’t do this. I can help you!” The general shouted.

  Sam doubted that he even cared about the woman. It was his ego that was being damaged the most.

  “Sorry Boomer, but I think this man deserves a show,” Sam said as his friend shook his head and laughed.

  Sam pushed her down to her knees on the floor in front of her husband and looked at him with venom in his eyes. He could see the fear in Clive’s face now and he could taste the sweetness of victory in his mouth. It wasn’t the mission, but for some reason, punishing this particular man felt more rewarding than any other.

  Sam unzipped his pants and let them fall far enough that the woman’s eyes bulged.

  “You’ll pay for this!” the man shouted from behind her.

  Sam pointed his gun at her and said, “You know what to do.”

  Her back was to her husband, which was probably a good thing for her, because Sam saw the same familiar look in her eyes that he had in so many of the others. She was horrified by the situation, for sure, but there was something about this that excited her – at least a little.