by SW Matthews
William Braxton the Sixth was standing on the deck outside his mansion on Rainier Island. It was currently his largest estate, but would soon be surpassed by the one being built outside of Calgary, near Banff. Initially he had hesitated to greenlight the construction of his new mountain chateau, but now that his home in Denver had been destroyed, it worked out well. Besides, Calgary was growing, as was his need to be close to Congress and the lobbyists. The new estate would make it much easier to convince the government cogs of his generosity when his requests were fulfilled.
It did not have views like this, though. The Pacific Ocean expanded before him, the midday sun reflecting off the deep blue water, the breeze counteracting the heat from above to create a perfect day. The wind passed through his thin linin shirt and pants, his bare feet cool on the tile. He smiled and took a sip of his whiskey.
The door behind him opened, and Veronique Chaloux stepped out. She was wearing a light robe, untied, and nothing else. Her French-Canadian heritage was clear in her perfect porcelain skin, slightly blushed on her wide cheekbones, and her long, light brown hair, still damp from the shower. Her bright hazel eyes remained fixed on her lover as she approached. Her upbringing as the daughter of a wealthy industrialist was evident in the grace and poise she displayed as she gently caressed his arm and kissed his cheek.
“I just spoke with one of my contacts in China,” she said, her voice melodious. “Symon Cole has arranged a clandestine summit with Vice President Zhen.”
Braxton slipped one arm inside her robe and around her waist. The other raised his glass for another drink. “My kids met with him earlier,” he said. “I don’t know what was said, but somehow they commandeered a drone. It appears we now know why.”
He drained his glass and lamented the fact that the serum he used to maintain his health also made it essentially impossible for him to become intoxicated. He had not truly desired to feel the effect of alcohol for quite some time, but now that his children were back in his life, he was beginning to miss it.
Glancing at the woman beside him, her robe moving in the breeze and teasing what was beneath, he was reminded of another effect of the serum—one that made his time spent with Veronique much more pleasurable. He considered the tradeoff worth it.
He placed his glass on the table next to him and slid his other hand inside the robe, embracing Veronique. He gently kissed her on the mouth, then the cheek, then the ear.
“Why don’t you go finish getting dressed,” he whispered. “I need to call Sully—then we can go have lunch.”
As she re-entered the suite, Braxton walked down the deck to his private office. It was immense, and the wall facing the ocean was made completely of windows, all of which were open. The thin curtains billowed in the breeze, gently pulling at the black iron rods that held them. Braxton sat at his huge alder-wood desk and activated his private comm.
“Yes, Will?” Admiral Sullivan answered.
“Cole met this morning with my kids,” Braxton said. “Now he has arranged for a private meeting with Zhen—”
“Zhen can’t do anything,” Sullivan interrupted.
“I know that!” Braxton snapped. “Shut up and listen to me!”
The line was silent.
“They have somehow ordered a drone for transportation,” Braxton continued. “I’m not sure how, but they are part of the family, so it’s feasible they have some friends in the company willing to help them. Anyway, that’s not important. I’m not sure who’s going to this meeting, but I’m assuming it will be my son, perhaps my granddaughter. I’m going to allow this development to unfold for the time being, but there are a few things I need you to do in order to prepare for the next step.”
“What is the next step?”
“I will tell you that when you need to know.”
The line was silent again.
“The first thing you are to do is track the drone. It is already scheduled for departure tomorrow morning, with a destination of Lhasa. Do not lose contact with it. I want it monitored the instant it takes off tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I also want you to position additional soldiers in Denver.”
“We are currently moving Secret Service, police snipers, and ground troops into the city. We’re stationing them as far as one thousand yards out in every direction from the capitol, in preparation for the president’s speech tomorrow,” Sullivan answered.
“Yes, I know,” Braxton said, slightly exasperated. “I said additional soldiers. I want them around Denver University Hospital. Call Governor Braun. Have him call in the state guard and put them around the hospital.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I also want you to deploy the submarine supercarriers. I want them out today, and I want them on China’s coast two days from now.”
“Sir, I need a few days to—”
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Sully! You and I both know it can be done! Do it!” Braxton demanded.
After a moment, Sullivan conceded. “Yes, sir.”
“And I want two CNS teams sent to Lhasa, and two sent to Kashgar. They need to be deployed as soon as the subs reach the coast. Is that clear?”
“Two to Lhasa and two to Kashgar. Yes, sir. But sir, I should remind you, the CNS units have never been used in combat. They’re still very experimental.”
“Yes, thank you for reminding me of things I already know, Sully. Your concern is noted. I am confident they will perform above your expectations. Remember, I have been testing them here for quite some time.”
“Yes, sir. I will notify you when the subs are within striking distance of China.”
“Oh, I have a feeling I will be speaking to you before then,” Braxton said before ending the call.
As he stood from his desk, the secretary of state walked in from the deck. Her hair was now pulled back with a floral headband, and her bright blue dress complemented her flat yellow sandals. Her golden necklace held a pale green stone. She was the picture of island living.
“Any new developments?” she asked.
“Just preparing,” Braxton replied. He grasped her hand in his and they returned to the deck.
“Always preparing,” she said with a laugh. “Always staying ahead of everyone else!”
“That’s why I win, Roni.” They started toward the dining room. “Make sure your friends in China take this secret meeting seriously.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she said. “They’re terrified right now. They’ll do anything to stay on our good side. They’re very confused about this ‘terrorist’ attack last night.”
“Perfect,” said Braxton. He opened the door to the dining room. “You know,” he said, “when this is all over, we probably won’t have much need for a secretary of state at all.”
Roni smiled. “That’s all right,” she said. “It’s actually quite a bore.”
Chapter 27
The boys had plenty of time to dress, eat, and even fish for a while before the drone appeared in the sky. It started as a small dot on the horizon, but it quickly grew into a cylindrical-shaped craft. It settled down in a flat area by the cabin. When its engines shut off, the four helijet props retracted into its sides, and its canopy opened.
As Bandit and the boys hurried up the hill toward the vehicle they heard Doc’s voice calling from within. “Boys? Are you there? Hello?”
Bandit was the first to reach the drone. He reached into the open cockpit and activated the communicator. “We’re here, Dad.”
“Oh, wonderful,” said Doc. “Are the boys ready to go?”
“We are,” replied Pol.
Gill was walking around the drone, studying it. “This thing is kind of funny-looking,” he said.
“Yes, it’s not your typical aircraft,” said Doc. “Apparently it was originally designed for unmanned surveillance, but several have been retrofitted with pressurized cabins for passenger use. I guess Dad used to send people all over the world to negotiate deals. He’s not a patient
man, and these were the fastest option.”
Gill inspected the jet engine that made up the bulk of the drone. “How fast is it?” he asked.
“It’s hypersonic,” said Doc. “I don’t really know what that means, technically, but it can get you to China in a just a few hours.”
“Wow,” Gill whispered, running a hand over the sleek fuselage.
“It really is small,” said Pol, peering into the passenger area. “With the three of us, it will be a little cramped.”
“It’s a short trip,” said Doc. “We’ll bring you back here first, then you’ll leave for China in the morning.”
Pol turned and hugged his cousin. “We’ll see you soon, Bandit.”
Bandit hugged him back, then helped him into the cockpit.
“Thank you for your help, Uncle Bandit,” said Leef as Bandit lifted him into the craft as well.
“You’re welcome, Leef.” Bandit’s eyes were starting to water. “You guys be careful, and take care of each other.”
“We will,” said Gill as he climbed into the cockpit on his own.
As the three boys secured themselves into the seats, Doc’s voice came back over the speaker. “Is everyone all set?”
The other boys nodded at Pol, who said, “We’re ready.”
“Okay, then just press the flashing green button. We’ve already programmed your route.”
Pol pressed the button. The canopy closed, and the helijet props extended from the hull. Slowly the drone lifted into the sky, turned to face west, and accelerated.
As they pulled away from Hourglass Lake, Leef looked back at Doc’s cabin—and his cousin standing beside it. Bandit had tears on his cheeks.
“Bandit is very sad to see us leave,” Leef said.
Pol nodded. “He is a very good person. But he has had a very difficult life. In many ways, even more difficult than ours. Much more difficult, in fact.”
“What are you talking about?” Gill asked.
Pol shook his head. “It’s not my place to talk about. He will tell you, once you get to know him better.”
“Was he tortured?” Leef asked.
“Most definitely,” said Pol.
“Then I’m sad for him. No one should ever be tortured.”
“That’s true, but he won’t want you to be sad. He’ll just want you to be his friend.”
“I already am,” said Leef.
***
As the Braxton helijet approached Lakeland Transit, Piper sat reclined in the copilot seat, boots off, feet on the console. “I didn’t realize what a goofball Stockton was,” she said.
Andy smiled. “Yeah, he got pretty excited, didn’t he?”
“Oh my gosh!” She sat up and turning toward her husband. “When you told him this thing was called the bee…”
“Super Bee.”
“Right, Super Bee… I thought he was going to lose it!”
“He really enjoyed the flight though.”
“He sure did! I’ve never seen that grumpy bastard so happy.”
“He told me I should paint it yellow with black stripes.” Andy laughed.
Piper shook her head. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with all that extra honey and mead he gave us.”
Andy grinned. “I know what to do with the mead.”
***
Thirty minutes later they were on the ground.
“I say we just store everything in the cargo hold tonight,” Andy said. “First thing tomorrow we can go to Ely and deliver to the pub.”
“Sounds good to me, I’m pretty tired,” Piper replied.
As she headed straight for the office, Andy grabbed three bottles of mead and started hobbling up the hill. He found Tuck in his usual spot, tending the fire, with Chief at his side. Two large birds were on the rotisserie, their skin just starting to brown.
“Hey, Tuck,” said Andy. “Where’d you get the grouse?”
“Chief and I went for a little hunt while you were gone.”
Andy sat next to him and handed him one of the bottles.
“Is this mead?” Tuck asked.
“Yep. We had to run up to Darkwater and then to Stock’s place.”
Tuck pulled the cork from the bottle and took a long drink. He smiled and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Stock is a helluva guy.”
“He is,” agreed Andy, also taking a drink.
“That’s a pretty long trip.”
“Not with Gertie. It was quick.”
“Just like your sex life.”
Andy smiled. “Not if I drink enough of this.”
Tuck’s left eye squinted shut, to match his still-swollen right eye. He grinned through his beard, and the two men clanked their bottles together and drank again.
“Did Stock give you any honey?” Tuck asked.
“Yeah, a bunch. Not sure what to do with all of it.”
“We could put some on these birds.”
Andy turned to him. “You want me to walk all the way back down there to get you some honey?”
“Honey-roasted grouse sounds pretty good, don’t you think? Besides, you need to exercise that ankle if you want it to get better.”
Andy sighed, took another drink, and started to limp back down the hill.
***
Sebastian Nix was sitting in his kayak, about a thousand feet from the dock, when AJ started to descend the hill again. Sebastian nonchalantly paddled past the cabins, being careful to not draw attention to himself as he watched the pilot. He had scouted the grounds earlier that day, while his friend and canine companion were out hunting in the woods. He knew his targets kept their doors unlocked, he knew the keys to the SUV were in the ignition, and he had located a suitable back up escape, should it become necessary.
Now he was just waiting for nightfall.
***
Doc, Rosie, and Jaq were waiting at the landing pad with a wheelchair when the drone arrived. Leef was the first one out, and he leapt into his uncle’s arms.
“Uncle Doc! That was an amazing ride! We were so high!”
Doc laughed, but he was taken aback by the coolness of his nephew’s skin. He started rubbing the boy’s arms. “You’re freezing!” he said.
“It was a little cold up there,” admitted Pol as he and Gill exited the craft.
“You boys need to get in this wheelchair and cover up with blankets,” Rosie instructed them.
Doc sat Leef in the seat and the other two boys squeezed in side by side on top of him. Rosie covered them with the blankets, and they turned to the hospital, Jaq pushing the wheelchair.
“Mmmm, nice and warm with these blankets,” said Leef. “But a little uncomfortable with you two on top of me.”
“Do we really need to hide?” Gill said. “I want to explore. No one will probably even notice us.”
“Don’t bet on that,” said Doc. He turned to Jaq. “Can you get them some coats or something? Tomorrow’s flight is going to be longer, and higher.”
Jaq nodded. “I’ll find something.”
Chapter 28
Tuck was right: the honey did make the grouse much better. The skin was sweet and crispy and the meat tender and juicy. Combined with the mead and another fresh loaf of sourdough bread, it all made for a very satisfying supper. In fact, it was the best meal Andy had eaten in a long time—even better than the synthetics at Braxton’s Denver cabin. Piper even admitted that Andy had been right—again!—for having Tuck stay behind while they completed the deliveries.
“Twice in one day!” Andy exclaimed as the three friends sat around the fire pit, watching the stars appear overhead.
“What can I say? You’re on a roll,” Piper replied.
As the night grew darker and the fire pit dimmer, the dishes were gathered and the area cleaned. Tuck and Chief disappeared into the woods, retreating to Tuck’s isolated cabin for the night, and Andy and Piper moved to their own cabin. Both were slightly intoxicated, and their lovemaking was gentle and lengthy.
Afterward, And
y lay on his back, with Piper’s head on his chest. While she snored softly, he reflected on the last few days. He had helped save not one, but four people. Against the odds, and using his skill and cunning—not following orders, but making decisions himself—he had been instrumental in making things happen. Important things. And now the boys and Bandit were safe at Doc’s cabin, Doc and Rosie were safe with Skorz, Kat was recovering… and he and Piper had a new aircraft—a real aircraft. Already the new helijet had proven to be even more useful than he had expected, which had him dreaming of an increase in income.
Not to mention, Piper had told him he was right—twice. Then a great meal, followed by sex with the woman he loved. It had been the perfect ending to a great day. He was starting to feel like his old self—the confident, capable pilot he had thought would never return.
There was a smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep. The breeze blew through the open windows, the curtains fluttering delicately, and the faint, pleasant smell of the fire wafted through the cabin. In the distance, frogs and insects performed their nightly serenade. His sleep was calm and peaceful, full of sweet and enjoyable dreams for the first time in many years.
***
Andy awoke suddenly, during the coldest and darkest time of night. The air was still and silent, the room pitch black. He wondered what had roused him.
Then he felt it. Cold steel against his neck, with just enough pressure to keep him from moving.
“Good morning, AJ,” came the chilling voice from his past.
Andy froze, waiting to wake from the dream—but it didn’t happen. Instead, the light on the bedside table blinked on.
“Bash?” Andy whispered.
Sebastian smiled. He was sitting on the bed, casually holding a knife to Andy’s throat. “It’s nice to know you can still recognize me, even after all the damage you’ve caused,” he said, motioning to his scarred face.
Andy kept his head still but frantically looked around the room. “Where’s Piper?” he asked.
“I have already taken her. You are quite the sound sleeper, to not even stir when a beautiful woman is removed from your bed.”