by SW Matthews
Bash nodded. “I agree that your woman is much more intelligent than you, AJ.”
Andy lowered the gun and placed it on the porch. “If you want to kill me, do it before she wakes up. Then go and let your score be settled. Leave her alone.”
Bash stepped forward and retrieved the weapon. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” He released the hammer, then handed the gun back to Andy, grip first. “I will not kill you, AJ. Or Piper.”
Andy cautiously accepted the gun and placed it back into his shoulder holster.
Bash extended his hand. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial.”
Andy grasped Bash’s hand. The scarred man pulled the pilot to his feet and embraced him.
“Forgive me, my friend,” Bash whispered. “I thought my path was righteous, but Satan clouded my view. My discussion with your wife raised a suspicion of doubt in my mission, and your words lifted the veil from my eyes. You have been tormented, yet you persist, even offering your life for the woman you love, while asserting that you would risk your life, many times over, for your team. You are a good man, AJ. I see that now.”
The two men stepped back from one another. “Thank you, Bash.”
Bash smiled. “For what it is worth, I forgive you, mon ami, even though now I am not sure there is anything to forgive. You are right. Melissa would have tried to save everyone also. She would forgive you as well.”
Andy’s eyes began to well up with tears. “Thank you,” he whispered. He wiped his eyes, then knelt down beside Piper and tried to rouse her.
After a few moments she started to stir. She sat up slowly. Blood had run down her face from a cut on her forehead. The bleeding had stopped now, but her face was a mess. Andy tried to wipe it clean as Piper came to her senses.
She met his eyes. “Andy? You’re alive?”
He smiled and kissed her gently on the lips. “Of course.”
She looked at him, then over his shoulder at Bash, still standing in front of the porch. “But he was going to kill you…”
Andy stood and helped Piper to her feet. “Hey, I can take care of myself.”
Piper eyed him suspiciously. “Okay, okay. Well, he was going to kill me then. But we made up. He’s actually a really nice guy when he’s not on a murderous rampage.”
Bash stepped forward and cut Piper’s hands loose. “I am sorry, mon chèr. I promise you, I will not hurt you or AJ. God has cleared my vision.”
Andy and Piper hugged tightly.
From just inside the doorway, Skinner groaned. “You might want to go check your handiwork,” Andy said to Bash.
Bash nodded and entered the cabin.
“You guys are really okay?” asked Piper when he was gone.
Andy wiped more blood from her face and kissed her again. “Really. Where’s Tuck?”
“He dumped him in Denver.”
“Denver?”
“He said he needed to keep him out of the way, so he hijacked Skinner and flew there.”
Andy nodded. “He wouldn’t kill him. Makes sense, I guess. In a brain-injured, holy roller, vengeance-seeking kind of way. So, your SUV is at Skinner’s?”
Piper shrugged. “I woke up on the Skeeter.” She blinked a few times, then looked over Andy’s shoulder. “Is that Bandit?”
Andy turned. “Yeah, Bash laid him out pretty good. We should go check on him.”
Together they walked across the yard toward the unconscious young man.
“I guess the boys are in China,” said Andy as they walked.
“What?”
“Bandit said Doc sent them to China to try and negotiate or something.”
“So Braxton is already moving ahead?”
“Guess so.”
Bandit was moaning quietly. Andy knelt down to inspect him, then looked up at Piper. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up? I’ll wake him up, then try to get in touch with Doc and see if they need any help. We’ll leave in an hour or so.”
“Leave?”
“We need to go get Tuck.”
Chapter 50
Earth underwent substantial transformation during the second half of the twenty-first century. The cataclysm of 2051 caused significant changes to the planet’s topography. Land erupted and cracked, and entire countries disappeared into the oceans. The nuclear war that followed resulted in temperature and weather changes that eventually increased the surface area covered by water from approximately seventy-one percent to just over ninety percent.
The United States of America and Canada joined to form United North America in 2055. One of the first acts of the newly formed country was to reorganize its military force. Due to the increased need for water-based operations, the army was absorbed into the navy, which was now responsible for all underwater, planet surface, and lower atmosphere operations. The air force maintained authority over all high atmosphere services, and a new subdivision was created, the Space Corps, which was to operate all extra-orbital functions.
The first major project for the navy was the design and development of the submersible supercarriers. Their planned stealth, speed, and ability to launch airstrikes, cruise missiles, and nuclear weapons would make the underwater aircraft carriers a force to be reckoned with, but they required massive amounts of money to develop, and even more time. The first feasible plans weren’t ready until 2068, and construction didn’t begin until 2074. After many delays and numerous cost overruns, the first ship was completed in 2095. UNA president Deborah Tessier formally commissioned the NAS Pence in 2099, and it was first deployed and in active duty during the final years of the Mexican War. The second submersible supercarrier, the NAS Cotton, was delivered in 2108 and deployed for active duty in 2111.
Currently, both the Pence and the Cotton were off the coast of Asia, about fifty miles apart. The majority of their bulk was concealed by the dark waters of the Bay of Bengal, with only the smooth, curved tops of the crafts above the waterline.
The Pence was the first to act. The top of the hull slid open, and the ends of the one-thousand-foot-long ship lowered, exposing the flight deck, which was bustling with activity. As soon as the roof had cleared the airspace, four Super Bee helijets lifted from the commotion and moved toward the coast, gradually gaining speed and altitude. When they reached land, two veered northwest and the other two went north.
On the Pence, the air boss, Commander Timothy Jacob, was waiting in the “press box”—the station that overlooked the flight deck. Less than one minute after the helijets took off, his commlink came alive.
“All four Bees are away, Commander,” said his miniboss, Lieutenant Commander Steven Hackett. He was on the “bench,” interacting directly with the flight crew.
“Thanks, Stevie. Is the first wave ready to go?”
“Aye, sir. The buses are loaded and good to go.” “Buses” referred to the troop carriers.
“Coordinate with Jerome over on the Cotton. It’ll be a goddam goat show if we start launching at the same time. The cap’n will shit a brick if this doesn’t go smoothly.”
The miniboss stifled a laugh. “Yes, sir. No brick shitting today, sir.”
The air boss ended the call and placed another. He had been ordered to report directly to the commanding officer, Captain Newman, bypassing all of his supervisors, including the XO. It was an unusual order and one that didn’t sit well with the other officers, but there was little he could do except follow it.
There were whispers that Captain Newman was starting to become unhinged. He was an old man, having served for over fifty years. His record was impeccable, but everyone knew he had seen more than his share of tragedy. Most also agreed that the captain had been acting exceptionally strange for this entire mission. Of course, everyone knew it was a strange mission to begin with. A rushed loadout, including advanced, sophisticated equipment never before used, and silent soldiers manning all of it. The soldiers who had left on the Super Bees were the most concerning. Huge men, wearing futuri
stic body armor, their heads covered by rubber mesh hoods. There had been eight on each helijet, and not one of them had spoken a word.
“Cap’n,” Commander Jacob reported, “all four CNS teams have been deployed and are en route.”
“Thank you, Timothy,” replied Captain Newman.
“Yes, sir. The first wave is ready for deployment at your order, sir.”
There was no response.
After a few silent moments the air boss asked, “Did you copy that, sir?”
“I did, Timothy,” came the somber response. “Thank you for the notification. Stay grounded for now. I will call you directly when the time comes to deploy.”
“Yes, sir.”
“It could be soon, Timothy. Remain vigilant.”
“I will, sir.”
When the call ended, Timothy Jacob began to wonder if there was some truth in the murmurs he had been hearing about his commanding officer.
Chapter 51
The small base had been built into the mountain after the cataclysm of 2051, but before Lhasa was made the new capital of China. It was designed to withstand nuclear war and house the top leaders of China and their families, as well as a support staff of fifty and an additional one hundred soldiers. Provisions were in place for its occupants to last three years without emerging.
The base was one of China’s many secrets. There was nothing to suggest the mountain had any strategic significance, and only one unpaved road led to the unassuming entrance, which appeared to consist of nothing but a chain link fence with a gate. A small guardhouse stood off to the side.
Today the weather was unusually sunny, with only a slight breeze. The guards had heard the explosions in the valley, over the city of Lhasa, and had been notified of the attack on the city. Their orders were to remain at their post and notify their commanding officer of any unusual activity. The area was already monitored by cameras—some hidden around the mountain, others in the sky via drone surveillance and even higher, on satellites—but the guards manned their post tirelessly.
The sun beat down relentlessly, but the soldiers did not dare loosen their collars or remove their headgear, especially with the top leaders at the base. A drink of water was permitted though, as long as it was quick, and they took turns.
“I’m going to get a drink,” said Sergeant Won.
Sergeant Tu nodded. “Make it quick.”
Won walked to the guardhouse, his legs stiff and sore. He stepped inside, retrieved his canteen, and stepped back outside. As he drank he let his gaze wander across the sky, away from the city he had been watching all morning, and up the mountain. That was when he saw them. Thousands of people silently walking down the mountain toward him.
He staggered over to Sergeant Tu and nudged him, keeping his eyes on the coming horde.
“What? Oh, thanks,” said Tu, apparently thinking he was being offered a drink. Then he noticed his partner’s gaze and followed it.
“What the hell?”
“We need to call the captain,” said Won.
Tu ran to guardhouse.
***
“Are they military?” Captain Shu asked. He had joined the two guards and was peering through his binoculars at the mass of green cloaked people quietly descending the mountainside above.
“I think they’re Xanwiti, sir,” Won said.
“Xanwiti?”
“Yes, sir. I heard they wear green cloaks like that.”
The captain looked flustered. “I’ll notify the major.”
The guards saluted, and the captain hurried off.
When he was gone, Won turned to Tu. “Do you think the Xanwiti is behind this attack?”
“I don’t think they have that type of weaponry.”
Won nodded in agreement.
After more officers came to assess the situation and, in turn, notify their superior, the general finally arrived. By this time the group was almost upon the gate, General Jintao didn’t need binoculars.
“It is the Xanwiti,” he said.
Colonel Chan was standing next to him. “Should we notify—”
The general cut him off with a raised hand.
The soldiers watched in silence as the Xanwiti approached. The group slowed and stopped in front of the gathered soldiers. Silently the mass of people parted and a smiling old man appeared, walking toward the soldiers with the help of a cane. Three small hooded figures followed him. When they were directly in front of the general, the old man spoke.
“Hello. We are the Xanwiti. I am Mr. Ken.”
“What are you doing here?” asked the general.
“May I know who I am addressing, sir?” Mr. Ken asked.
“I am Senior General Fan Jintao, and you, Mr. Ken, is it? You are in dangerous territory. This is a private military installation, and I am well within my rights to order an attack on you and your… cohorts. Minister Aigu would be very pleased indeed if I were to report the annihilation of the Xanwiti right outside his quarters. You would be wise to answer my questions with answers, instead of more questions.”
Mr. Ken smiled and nodded. “Ah, yes, Fan Jintao. The spoiled son of an arrogant diplomat. Raised to a position of power by corruption and threats. Never a good soldier, were you? No, never really good at anything. Kicked out of school after school, saved only by your family’s connections and money, lots of money. Instead of being dismissed for your follies, you were promoted, again and again, until you reached one of the highest positions in the Chinese army. Quite remarkable, and sad.”
The general blinked, then turned to Colonel Chan, who was looking back and forth between him and the old man. Jintao turned back to Mr. Ken. “How…?”
“Oh, I know much, and more! I know that any troops you have here are greatly outnumbered by my own, and that any attack on us would be utter nonsense on your part, although that does not mean it may not happen. But I would advise that your troops would be better used against the UNA and the coming attack.”
“Is that why you are here? To help the UNA?”
“Our goal is to stop the useless violence being forced on us, by both the UNA and China. Now, be a smart boy for once and go tell Vice President Zhen that the UNA ambassadors are here for their meeting.”
Jintao looked at Mr. Ken uncertainly. “What do you mean, the UNA ambassadors? What foolishness is this?”
The three small figures stepped forward and lowered their hoods. Sounds of surprise and disbelief spread throughout the soldiers. These were mere… children. And their skin tones…
The pale boy stepped forward. “Hello, General. I am Pol Smallboy. These are my brothers, Gill and Leef. We are here to speak with Vice President Zhen on the behalf of United North America, in the hopes of stopping a devastating and pointless battle.”
General Jintao stared at the boys for a few seconds, then, gesturing to his officers to follow, he turned and walked back toward the mountain base, apparently to notify his superiors of the unusual, and unexpected, development.
The two sergeants remained at their posts. Won looked at Pol curiously, clearly baffled by the disconnect between the boy’s appearance and his speech.
What age do you start school in America?” he asked.
Chapter 52
The two vans were a block away from Denver University Hospital when Kat’s suit started beeping.
“What is that?” asked Rosie from the passenger seat.
“Someone’s calling you,” replied Jaq as he turned the last corner.
“Calling me?” Kat said. “I didn’t even know this thing had a commlink.”
“Oh, yes, Ms. Kat,” said Jaq. “It has a direct line to the physical therapy department. It allows the PT to check in on you. It’s for monitoring purposes and to give instructions or guidance. It’s only a short- distance system, but I guess we are now in range.”
“How do I answer it?”
“Let me see,” said Doc. He moved over beside his sister and began searching her exo-suit. “Here… let’s try this.”
<
br /> The beeping stopped.
“Hello?” Kat said.
“Kat?” It was Skorz.
“Hi, Charlie.”
“Kat! For fuck’s sake, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for hours! Are you okay? Are you still with Jaq?”
“We’re fine, and yes, we’re with Jaq.”
“Jaq, goddammit! I told you to call me! What the fuck is going on?”
“Sorry, sir,” replied Jaq meekly.
“We’ve been busy, Dr. Skorz,” said Rosie.
“Yeah, me too, kiddo. Thoracotomies, bowel resections, pronouncing the president dead, you know the routine. Listen, I got a call from your friend Andy.”
“Andy?” Doc exclaimed.
“It was over an hour ago. He said he and Piper and some other guy were on their way to come pick up Tucker, and he asked if you needed any help. I told him you’d take all the fucking help you could find. He should be landing here at the hospital any minute now. Where are you guys?”
“About one minute away,” Jaq said.
“Good, good. I’m about to start another case, but you’re all welcome to my office if you need it. Keep me posted.”
The call ended.
Rosie looked at Kat, then Doc. “Andy and Piper are okay?”
“I wonder what happened with that Sebastian character,” said Doc.
“Maybe he’s the guy with them?”
“Maybe. Or maybe Tuck was wrong about what was going on.”
“Dad, Dr. Skorz said they were coming to get Tuck. They don’t know what’s happened. They don’t know he’s dead.”
Doc sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll tell them,” he said quietly.
Rosie reached back and placed a hand on her father’s shoulder. “I can do it, Dad.”
Doc shook his head. “No, sweetie, I can do it. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve known them a long time. It may be a little easier coming from me.”