by Ahern, Jerry
“How many people will this thing hold?” Paul shouted forward to her.
“Supposedly two fully equipped squads with light weapons,” Natalia answered. These raggedly dressed creatures were some of the captured women. It would be tight, getting them aboard, but she wouldn’t leave any of them behind.
She saw Michael clearly now, saw him limping but otherwise seemingly unhurt. She wanted to get out from behind the controls, run out to him, hold him. Natalia stayed where she was.
John Rourke’s left forearm was clamped tight over Martin’s neck, his left hand knotted on Martin’s right ear, the muzzle of his gun against Martin’s right temple.
Paul and Annie were in the fuselage doorway, Paul helping the women inside, Annie behind the doorgun, ready to use it.
Through the cockpit bubble, he could see Natalia.
Michael limped past him. “Come on, Dad.”
John Rourke knew what he would do, if he could do it. It would be the only way to save Sarah’s life, to bring her back.
He was grateful that this offspring of their bodies didn’t know rum any better. As John Rourke edged himself and Martin back toward the gunship, Martin tried to break away and John Rourke told him, “Do it and ITl blow your brains out!” He would never have shot any man that way, least of all this man.
“I got him!” Michael shouted, the muzzle of his revolver going to Martin’s head as Michael and Paul hauled Martin up and into the machine.
John Rourke jumped aboard.
“Get us out of here, Natalia!” Michael shouted.
The machine lurched, rose, slipped to port a litde and was airborne.
They wouldn’t be followed, because they had Martin, and Martin was their leader.
The enemy-the Armed Forces of Eden, the Nazis who aided them, the Land Pirates-would expect a deal, a bargain.
John Rourke remembered the words of Winston Churchill when Churchill commented on making an alliance with Stalin to >. defeat Hider. John Rourke would not make an alliance with the ‘ devil, but he would bargain for the devil’s life. Michael said, “We made it.”
John Rourke said nothing, just reached out and took his son, Michael’s hand, for a moment. His son…