by S. L. Menear
“No, dear, this was the fault of evil men. I’m okay, and my nails will grow back eventually. Why are we acting like criminals? Where’s Ross?”
“Ross was ordered to hold us in a MI6 safe house. I guess the Brits and Americans are fighting over custody of me. Both countries want Poseidon’s Sword. If we had gone with Ross, you wouldn’t be allowed to see Duncan. He needs you. For now, we’re keeping our location a secret.” I turned to avoid a radio tower.
My mother sighed. “How did we get into this mess? Poor Duncan. He must be in a lot of pain.”
“My crew and passengers from the Petra tour were attacked too. Fortunately, they survived unharmed, but the Black Sun won’t stop targeting them until they find me.”
“What can be done to end this safely? Can’t the military stop them?”
“They need to find their home base so they can take out the leaders—cut off the head of the snake. Until the military is able to do that, this will never end.”
I flew without position lights, hoping I could complete the low flight undetected. My destination was the Leeds-Bradford International Airport twenty miles from York. The GPS indicated its only runway was 7,382 feet, perfect for my plan.
It was dim twilight when I saw the Runway 14 lights in the distance. I set the radio to the tower frequency and heard an airliner was cleared to land on Runway 14. They were low enough that our airplane would be lost in the ground clutter on the radar as we merged with their blip.
I seized the opportunity and intercepted their approach path at a position slightly above and behind the airliner. Mom kept quiet as we piggybacked the jet.
I stayed above it until the jet touched down so I could avoid the wake turbulence. The private terminal was on the opposite side of the runway from the airline terminal.
I had plenty of airspeed when I shut down the engine, did a side-step maneuver, and glided to a silent landing on the parallel taxiway. I popped open the canopy, turned into the ramp, and coasted to a stop near the private aircraft terminal.
No one noticed our silent landing on the taxiway in the dim light. I put the aircraft key in the map compartment and pulled on my helmet.
“Okay, Mom, we need to get out fast.” I jumped out and helped her down.
Colin and Suzanne Covington were waiting for us inside. I handed Mom my folded note for Ross.
“Make sure Ross gets this. My life may depend on it.”
I nodded at the Covingtons. “Thank you. Please leave right away for the hospital.”
I hugged Mom. “Go with them. I have to stop the Black Sun. I love you.”
“Wait! Where are you going? Sam, come back!” Mom yelled.
I ran outside to the Gulfstream G650 idling on the ramp.
Inside the corporate jet, the steward took my weapons and helmet, scanned me for electronic signals, retracted the airstairs, and closed the entry door.
As the airplane taxied to the runway, a tall blond man waved me to a seat beside him.
“Welcome aboard, Samantha, or should I say Golden Twin? My name is Werner. Buckle up.”
The Gulfstream jet roared down the runway and lifted off.
The Highlands
Earlier, Ross and his men paused at the base of the mountain where the hiking trail ended. An old stone church stood nearby. The valley was cold and silent.
“Surround the church. They must be hiding inside.” Ross ran to the door.
The team circled the church and guarded every window. Derek backed up Ross at the door.
Ross pointed to where the old lock had been forced open with a knife. “Ready?”
Derek nodded.
Ross yanked the door open, and they rushed inside.
“Check the pews. You take that side.” Ross pointed to his left.
They covered the small church sanctuary in thirty seconds. Ross pointed at the restrooms.
Derek checked the men’s room while Ross searched the ladies’ room.
“I found paper towels with blood stains in the bin,” Ross said when they met in the hall. “Look for hiding places while I check the office.” Ross walked behind the altar.
Moments later, Ross returned to the sanctuary.
“The office is empty and appears undisturbed. They were here, though. What are we missing?”
Derek looked deep in thought with his hands on his hips. His emerald-green eyes brightened. “Call Charlie. Ask him what he and Sam did the last time they were here.”
“They never said anything about this place.”
“Aye, and they never told you about the secret passage in the cavern. Could be there’s a lot they didn’t mention. Probably thought it wasn’t important after everything was over.”
“I doubt my mobile will work in this valley. I’ll step out and call him on the satellite phone.”
Charlie sounded eager to help. “Aye, Sam used the computer in the kirk to send the email to Emily. Then we borrowed the van to take the lads to the barn, but Sam returned it before she went to the airport. I don’t think the church ever knew we borrowed it.”
“What airport?”
“There’s a grass airport in the valley on the way to Inverness. She rode the motorcycle there and took the airplane.”
Ross heard distant helicopters. “Thanks, Charlie. Stay close to the phone in case I need you again.”
He contacted the lead Lynx. “Land in the valley near the stone church. We’re all here, except Chris.”
Five minutes later, Ross and his teams boarded the helicopters. He sent the team in the second Lynx to pick up Chris and ordered the lead Lynx to land at the grass airport.
It wasn’t long before Ross’s team was on the ground searching the airport.
He spotted a horse tied between two T-hangars.
“Derek, help me check that empty hangar.” Ross ran beside his second-in-command.
The mobile phone was in plain sight on the wood wheel chocks. Ross checked its call log and called Corporal Burns on his SATCOM.
“Burnsie, find out who these two numbers belong to, but don’t call them.” Ross recited the numbers. “Get back to me ASAP.”
Derek stood beside Ross. “The aircraft’s tail number is on the wheel chocks, NX70SX.”
“Any clues on the aircraft type? I noticed the Piper Cub Special she took last time has been repaired and is parked in its hangar.”
“No idea, but Burnsie can use the tail number to find the aircraft type and owner.”
Ross’s SATCOM rang. “Who did she call?” His face brightened as he listened. “What about the other number? Right. I’ll hold while you look up the owner and airplane type for NX70SX.”
Ross turned to Derek. “Burnsie said the first number she called was Lord Covington’s phone. She must be taking Loren to visit Duncan. The other number was a burner phone like this one. No name.”
Burnsie spoke on the SATCOM. “A Swearingen SX300. It’s a two-seat American homebuilt airplane made from a kit designed by a Texan named Ed Swearingen. It’s all metal and flies like a fighter. Top speed is close to 300.”
“Do you have the owner’s phone number?”
“I called him. He said the private airport is owned by a group of pilots who share the expenses. Each member has a key to the fuel pumps. His airplane is parked in T-hangar number seven.”
“Not anymore. Sam took it. We can’t tell anyone about this. If we put out an alert for that tail number, the Americans will take her.”
“What are your orders, Captain?”
“Find airports near York that have long enough runways for that airplane. She’s probably trying to fly under radar. It must be very small if it only has two seats. We’ll head back to base and refuel. Then I’ll take a team to York. Oh, and Burnsie, we’re bringing back four DBs for identification.”
Ross’s team gathered around him, and he made a radio call. “Team Two, take the bodies from the cave back to base for ID and fly at normal altitude. We’re heading back.”
Team One boarded the Ly
nx, and Ross sat beside Derek as they flew to the base at maximum speed.
“I hope the Americans aren’t watching Duncan’s room,” Ross said. “Sam will arrive about an hour before we can get there. Our advantage is being able to land on the hospital roof. That will save time.”
“Mayhap she heard us talking about the safe house. That would explain why she took Loren. She knew her mother would want to be with Duncan. No telling what mental condition she’s in after the torture.” Derek winced.
“I don’t know. I’d like to think Sam trusts me enough to talk to me first about her concerns. I have a sick feeling this is about something much bigger. Wish I knew who else she called.” Ross shook his head.
Twenty
The moment the lynx touched down on the York hospital roof, Ross and his men jumped out. He had called ahead for Duncan’s room number.
Ross addressed his men inside the stairwell where the walls muted the sound of the thumping blades. “Derek and I will go to room 610. Will, secure the hallway outside the room. Steve, guard this stairwell for the extraction.”
Ross ran down the stairs and slowly opened the door to level six. All clear. He waved his men forward to room 610. Edging the door open, he saw Loren sitting beside Duncan’s bed, her eyes red from crying. Lord and Lady Covington sat near the window.
“Hello, everyone.” Ross glanced around the room as Derek checked the bathroom. “Where’s Sam?”
“Oh, Ross, thank God you’re here! You have to save her. Sam sacrificed herself to protect us. She left about an hour ago in a private jet.” Loren stood and pulled the note from her pocket. “It’s all in this note.” She handed it to Ross.
Ross read aloud:
Ross, I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. All the attacks were because of me. The Black Sun thinks I’m the Golden Twin. They won’t stop targeting people I care about until they have me. Find their base, or this will never end. I had to do this to help you destroy them.
I’m leaving England with their leader in a Gulfstream G650 from the Leeds-Bradford International Airport. Don’t know where they’re taking me, but Germany is a good guess. I’ll activate the emergency signal at an opportune time, assuming they don’t take my watch.
Ross, you’re my only hope. I’m counting on you to find the Black Sun and rescue me. Please understand I had to protect all the innocent people I put at risk. I would never betray you. This was the only solution. I knew you’d never let me do it if I told you. You’re a good man, and I’m grateful you’re in my life. Please don’t be angry. If this doesn’t go well, I’d hate for you to remember me in a bad light.
Mother might be able to help you. She needs to calm herself and allow a vision to enter her mind.
Godspeed.
Love, Sam
Duncan’s voice was weak. “Ross, kill those Black Sun bastards and save Sam.”
“Aye, Duncan, I’ll find them. Loren, tell me about the men who took you.”
“They’re German, and their leader, Werner, is a merciless monster. He’s tall and fit with a blond crew cut and cold blue eyes. I think he enjoyed ripping off my fingernails.” Her voice quavered. “They wanted Sam, and now they have her.”
Ross touched her shoulder. “Have you had a vision about Sam?”
“No, I’ve been too upset. I feel calmer now that you’re here. Let me try again.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and released it slowly.
After a few moments, she straightened, gasped, and opened her eyes. “I didn’t see Sam, just the man who ripped off my fingernails.”
“Where is he?” Ross tried to remain calm.
“I don’t know. I only saw his evil face.” She bit her lip. “Does anybody have some chocolate?”
“Here, honey, I always carry some in my purse.” Suzanne handed her a truffle.
“Thank you. Chocolate soothes me.” Loren peeled back the wrapper and took a bite.
Ross called the DSF on his SATCOM. “Sir, I need military flight tracking on a Gulfstream G650 that left Leeds Bradford about an hour ago. The Black Sun has Samantha Starr on that airplane. We think they’re going to Germany. Loren Starr is safe at the York Hospital with Duncan MacLeod. My team is with them at the hospital.”
Ross looked at the expectant faces in the room. “DSF Brent Barnes is arranging the tracking. He’ll call back soon with the info and a plan of operation.”
“Sounds like we may be going to Germany.” Derek glanced at his watch.
Ross paced. “It’s a big country. We need to know where they’re taking her after they land.”
Duncan pressed the electric control on his bed to sit up. “Maybe Loren can help you with the location.”
Ross stepped closer to Duncan’s bed. “Sorry, my brain was so focused on the mission, I forgot to ask about you, old friend.”
“The doctor said I’ll be good as new in a few weeks. Please see to it Loren’s hand is tended to. She refuses to leave my side.”
Derek checked her hand. “I’ll find someone to get this looked after.” He nodded at Ross and left the room.
Suzanne whispered something to her husband, and he nodded.
“Captain Sinclair, you and your men are welcome to use our private jet,” Suzanne said.
“Yes, our Gulfstream is set up for ten passengers at Leeds Bradford,” Colin said.
“Would you like us to call our pilots? They live nearby,” Suzanne said.
“One moment. Let me take this call.” Ross answered his SATCOM.
“Aye, sir, understood. Her mother has visions about her. When they arrive at their destination in country, Loren may be able to tell us where they took her.” He checked the time. “Our Lynx is standing by on the roof. We can be at the airport in five minutes.”
He listened again. “Right, we’ll head for Germany and jump over the target as soon as we know where it is. The Germans will want in on this. Understood. We’ll do a joint op with their GSG-9 counter terrorism unit. Thank you, sir.”
Ross faced the Covingtons. “Thank you for your generous offer, but we’re going on a military jet. We’ll need to parachute in to save time.”
Wewelsburg, Germany
We followed a curving road up the hill in Werner’s black Mercedes. Towering above us, the unlit castle looked sinister. The triangular-shaped fortress had three circular towers, one at each junction of the triangle.
“What a magnificent castle! Is that where we’re going?” I tried to sound excited.
“Are you familiar with Wewelsburg Castle?” Werner seemed taken aback.
“No, but I love castles. The histories and designs fascinate me.”
“Ah, this one has a dark history. It was built in the early 1600s, but the Nazis used it for occult purposes. It holds more secrets than you. In fact, it’s designed to expose your secrets.” He gave me an evil smile.
“Werner, I came with you willingly. Remember our agreement?”
“Then you intend to answer all our questions? Tell us whatever we wish to know?”
“I can only tell you what I know. I may not have the knowledge you seek, but I’ll certainly do my best to give you the answers you want.”
“If you don’t have an answer, you can ask your special twin or all three triplets.”
“They aren’t here.”
“Do not toy with me. I know the prophecy. They don’t need to be here. I’m a citizen of the Black Sun. My people have mastered the power of Vril. You can’t deceive me. Don’t test me again, or the result will be extremely unpleasant for you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Please understand I’m in the habit of dealing with the unenlightened. You clearly deserve to be treated as an equal. Mea culpa.” I looked into his icy-blue eyes and smiled.
The driver turned onto a narrow access road beside the moat and switched off the headlights before slowly driving around the castle. When he stopped near the north tower, we stepped out into the cold night air.
“Ah, my dear, the moment of t
ruth has arrived. You will soon meet Master. First, one more scan.” He waited while the driver ran the scanner over me.
“She’s clean.” The driver pocketed the device.
“Come with me.” Werner opened the access door to the north tower. “I’m taking you down to the vault, a circular room designed with special acoustics.”
Our footsteps echoed off the stone steps as we descended into a round room where twelve pedestals lined the perimeter, each with a wall niche above it holding a lit candle.
A swastika with ornamentally extended arms was centered on the domed ceiling. Beneath it, a wide circular area was recessed two feet into the floor with a gas-fed flame burning in the center.
A frail man in his seventies with round wire-rimmed spectacles waited opposite the entrance. His pale, blue-gray eyes focused on me in my black combat attire.
“Ah, the Golden Twin, Samantha Starr, welcome. I am a master of the Black Sun. You will call me Master. I must say your choice of clothing is a bit odd. Not at all what I expected.” His gravelly voice resonated in the acoustics.
“The British SAS made me wear this so the Americans wouldn’t recognize me. I’m honored to meet you, Master.” I did a half curtsy.
“You came with Werner in exchange for us to stop targeting your coworkers and family.”
“Yes, the attacks have become tiresome. I’d rather work with you and perhaps find a solution that will satisfy everyone.”
Master stepped closer and scrutinized my face. “Are you from Atlantis?”
“No, my ancestors are from Atlantis. I was born in America.”
“Good, you are telling the truth. It would be unwise to lie to me. Who raised the triplets?”
“The Dragon Society found and raised them. They too are aware of the ancient prophecy.”
“Where is Poseidon’s Sword?”
“I was closing in on it when your men interfered in Hong Kong, Agra, and Petra. A trail of clues intended for me alone was laid thousands of years ago.”
“Not the triplets?”
“The clues were intended for the Golden Twin. Surely you know that. Dragon Master is holding the triplets prisoners as incentive for me to locate Poseidon’s Sword.”