Ryan Quinn and the Rebel's Escape

by Ron McGee

  Ryan met his gaze head-on. “Call it a family tradition.”

  “In the end, Myat Kaw is nothing but one sad little voice against the power of Andakar’s generals.”

  “Well, she certainly scared you,” Ryan said.

  “When she’s gone, no one will remember she ever existed.”

  “Then someone new will step up to take my place,” Lan said, defiantly. “There’ll always be someone to stand up to tyrants like you.”

  Annoyed, Aung Win stepped forward, raising his gun … but then, hearing something, he hesitated. It was the roar of a helicopter outside, getting closer by the moment.

  “This is the FBI,” a voice from a bullhorn bellowed. “Lay down your weapons and lie on the ground!” Confused, Aung Win looked to Ryan.

  “Sounds like they’re talking to your men,” Ryan said. “But I think you’re the one they really want.”

  Aung Win sneered. “Your FBI and police can’t touch me. I have diplomatic immunity.”

  “You also have a plane full of stolen top secret military technology sitting on the runway.” Ryan saw Aung Win’s bravado falter. “That’s espionage. Immunity won’t protect you.”

  Aung Win couldn’t disguise his panic as the reality of his situation set in.

  “Lower your weapons immediately!” the bullhorn thundered once more. Aung Win involuntarily glanced toward the door and Ryan sprang forward, knowing this might be his only chance.

  He grabbed Aung Win’s wrist, jerking his arm straight up as Aung Win fired. The blast so close to his ear was disorienting, but Ryan managed to rip the gun from Aung Win’s grasp, knocking it away. Ryan tried driving an elbow into Aung Win’s stomach, but the older man was too fast. He ducked the blow and punched Ryan hard in the small of the back.

  Ryan stumbled as Lan charged, the wrench held high. Her uncle easily sidestepped the attack, using Lan’s own momentum to send her sprawling onto the concrete. Turning to Ryan, Aung Win produced the switchblade. The knife flicked open in his hand.

  “You should have just given me the traitor.” Aung Win lunged, the blade barely missing Ryan as he twisted out of reach. He took off running, hoping to lure Lan’s uncle away so she could escape. But within a few feet, he realized he couldn’t outpace Aung Win.

  Changing direction, Ryan sprinted toward the bi-plane. As Aung Win reached him, Ryan dropped into a slide, gliding on the smooth concrete floor underneath the plane’s body. It bought him a few seconds, as Aung Win had to go around.

  As he ran, Ryan’s shoulder grazed a tall metal rack filled with airplane parts, and it swayed, pieces falling to the floor. On the top shelf, a small propeller rattled precariously, giving Ryan an idea. He backed up to the corner of the rack, waiting.

  Aung Win came around, stopping as he spotted Ryan. Ryan grabbed the edge of the rack and pulled with everything he had. The propeller tumbled off the top shelf and hit Aung Win’s head. The rest of the rack followed as Ryan brought the entire thing crashing down, pinning Aung Win underneath!

  As Aung Win moaned, Ryan came around and stared down at him. “That’s for my mom.”

  “Ryan, come on!” Lan yelled.

  Ryan glanced once more at Aung Win, who was stunned and immobile, then joined Lan across the hangar. They made it to the far door, exiting just as the FBI stormed in. They surrounded Aung Win, taking him into federal custody.

  CHAPTER

  58

  LOCATION

  UNKNOWN

  Tasha didn’t like the man in the bow tie. But he was a necessary evil. She had learned that you don’t always have to like the people you work for.

  And he did pay well.

  The room they were using was dark and dingy, but the smell of sea salt in the air made it almost bearable. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be here long. Just long enough to get the information they needed.

  John Quinn struggled against the leather cuffs that secured him to the chair. It was probably a good thing he was gagged, Tasha thought. Based on the hate-filled glare he was giving her, she didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

  “This will be easier if you don’t resist,” said the man in the bow tie. He was short and bald with pale skin. People who met him often guessed he was a professor, timid and brainy. But Tasha had learned not to underestimate him. The man in the bow tie was the most dangerous person she had ever met.

  He held up a syringe with a thin needle. “Sodium thiopental. Commonly called truth serum. But this is my own formula—I think you’ll find it’s quite effective.”

  Quinn thrashed harder against the cuffs. But it did him no good. He wasn’t getting away.

  “You’re going to give us names,” the man in the bow tie told him. “That doesn’t sound too difficult, does it? Names, addresses, contact information. And the best part is, when we’re done—you won’t remember a thing. Two days from now, you’ll be back home with your family. Safe and sound with no memory whatsoever of what went on here.”

  John Quinn went still. He had finally realized what was happening. The Emergency Rescue Committee was about to be destroyed. And he was the one who would bring it down.

  Quinn looked to Tasha, begging her with his eyes not to let this happen. But it was too late to turn back now.

  The man in the bow tie turned to her. “I think it’s time you made the call. We don’t want his family to worry. Tell them he’ll be home soon.”

  Tasha took out her phone and dialed. She turned away. The betrayal in John’s eyes made her uncomfortable. Thankfully, her call was quickly answered.

  “Tasha?” said Jacqueline Quinn, miles away in America.

  “Jacqueline—thank goodness! Are you all right?”

  “I am now. Are you with John?”

  “Yes,” Tasha said. “We made it across the border. He’s with the doctors, but they’re fixing him up. He’s going to be fine.”

  Behind her, John Quinn roared beneath his gag. But it only lasted a few seconds. After that, there was silence.

  CHAPTER

  59

  NEW YORK,

  USA

  Ryan finally got to hug his mom.

  They held on for a long time, knowing how close they had come to losing each other. Finally, Jacqueline pulled away, smiling.

  “Dad’s okay. He’s out of Andakar.”

  Ryan couldn’t believe it. “He called?”

  “Tasha Levi did. She found him and helped him cross the border.”

  “She made it!”

  “Tasha can be challenging, but she’s tough. They’re in Thailand now. Dad was in surgery for his wound, but Tasha says he’ll be out soon and he’s doing well. They’ll fly home tomorrow or the day after.”

  Ryan turned to Lan, just getting out of the banged-up Lexus at the curb of the brownstone. “My dad got away,” he told her. “You did it—you saved him.”

  He’d never seen Lan smile so brightly. She hugged him with relief as Steeg joined them on the sidewalk.

  “Mom, this is Lan,” Ryan said, as they parted.

  “I know exactly who she is.” Jacqueline took Lan’s hands in her own. “You’re a courageous young woman. We’re going to do everything we can to help you.”

  “Your family’s already done too much.”

  Ryan looked up at Kasey on the brownstone’s front steps. “How’s Danny?”

  “Loving the attention. He’ll probably be on every evening newscast before he’s done. I think it’s now up to four muggers that he single-handedly fought off.”

  Ryan laughed. Steeg just shook his head.

  “Happy to see you’re feeling better, Ryan.” They all turned to discover Agent Calloway. Ryan and his mom instinctively moved closer together. “Have to say, you both look like you’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

  Her gaze was piercing, but Jacqueline didn’t miss a beat. “Is there something we can help you with, agent?”

  “I just came to say thanks.” She turned to Kasey. “I thought I might find you here. We were so appreciative to
get that video you sent.”

  “I’m happy to help,” Kasey said without any hesitation. “It was pure luck I happened to go into that particular warehouse.”

  “With your camera running,” Calloway added. “Very lucky.”

  “Sometimes things just work out.” Ryan had to keep himself from grinning. Kasey was playing it so cool.

  “Our associates at the FBI caught Aung Win and his men red-handed. And the Andakar military leadership is denying all knowledge of his activities. So he’ll be going away for a long time.” She suddenly focused on Lan. “And who are you?”

  “Emma Manado,” Lan said, using the name on her fake passport. “I’m visiting.”

  “She’s a foreign exchange student,” Jacqueline offered.

  “From Indonesia,” Ryan said. “She’ll be staying with us awhile.”

  They were a united front. Agent Calloway nodded, looking at each in turn, letting them know she didn’t believe them for a second. “Well, welcome to America, Emma Manado. I hope you like it here.” She looked at Jacqueline. “I’ll be anxious to talk to your husband when he returns. We still have a lot of questions.”

  She turned and walked off.

  “Man, I don’t know how much of this I can take,” Steeg said. “I thought playing for the junior varsity championship was intense. But it’s nothing compared to this.”

  Ryan grabbed his shoulder. “You kidding? You were awesome out there tonight.”

  “It was pretty exciting.” He turned to the Lexus. “Though I don’t think my dad’s gonna be nearly as stoked.”

  “Don’t worry about the car,” Jacqueline said. “We’ll get it fixed, along with a good cover story for your father.”

  Ryan turned to Kasey. “We better hurry or we’re not gonna make it.”

  She was confused. “Make it where?”

  “The Autumn Carnival Dance—it starts at eight, right?”

  “Ryan, I was just kidding earlier,” Kasey said. “We don’t have to go—not after everything that’s happened.”

  “I want to go. Lan’s free, my parents are safe, and we just pulled off the craziest idea I’ve ever had in my life. Tonight, I just want to be a normal kid and go to my very first school dance.” He turned to his mom. “If that’s okay?”

  “I think it sounds like a great idea.”

  Kasey looked down at her shirt and jeans. “Well, I can’t go looking like this.” She headed for the car, grabbing Steeg. “You’ve got to get me home to change!”

  Steeg looked to Lan, nervous. “I don’t— I mean, this is probably weird, but … if you wanted to—”

  Ryan smiled as the big jock fumbled, then saved him. “I think what he’s saying is, how’d you like to go to the dance with him?”

  “Yeah.” Steeg nodded. “What he said.”

  Lan was excited. “I’ve never danced with a boy.”

  “We don’t have to dance if you don’t want to.”

  “Oh, I want to!” They both had those goofy grins again.

  Kasey opened the door for Lan. “Then get in—I’ve got the perfect dress for you to borrow.” Lan climbed in as Steeg hurried to the driver’s side. Kasey got in and slammed the door, then looked at Ryan. “See you soon.”

  As the Lexus raced off, Jacqueline put her arm around Ryan.

  “I’m so proud of you. I hope you know that.”

  Ryan still felt some resentment about his parents’ lifelong deception, but there’d be time to work through that later. “I’m just glad everybody’s okay.”

  “We’ll have a long talk when Dad gets home. There are things you need to know. But tonight, just have fun. Be a teenager—you deserve it.”

  Ryan had a feeling there was something else bothering his mother, something other than the Emergency Rescue Committee and its work. But for tonight, he was gonna take her advice and not worry about it.

  Tonight, he was gonna have fun.

  EPILOGUE

  NEW YORK,

  USA

  The Autumn Carnival Dance was a riot of yellow and orange, with streamers draped everywhere and pumpkin-shaped paper lanterns suspended from the school cafeteria’s ceiling. The floor was covered with countless red-and-gold maple leaf cutouts, giving Ryan the impression he was walking on a forest floor.

  The party had been in full swing for a while now as he entered, a bass beat thumping and kids dancing to a hip-hop song Ryan didn’t recognize. He searched the crowd and spotted Kasey, already heading toward him.

  “You look incredible!” she said, taking in his new clothes. Ryan wore a sleek black blazer with gray skinny jeans and cherry-red high-tops.

  “I didn’t have much time to shop,” he admitted. “Mom helped me pick everything out. Except for the high-tops—those were all me.”

  “Well, you’ve got excellent taste.”

  “That’s what I kept telling her.” Kasey laughed as Ryan admired her dress, a shimmering, silver, 1920s flapper style, with fringe that sparkled as it moved. “Wow. You’re like a disco ball.”

  Kasey twirled, the fringe flaring and creating little flashes of light. “This was my costume for a musical production of The Great Gatsby last year. I know it’s kind of gaudy, but I love it.”

  “It’s perfect,” Ryan said, totally meaning it.

  “They’re cute together.” Kasey nodded across the room, where Lan clung to Steeg’s arm, both of them dressed up now and looking great. Steeg was over a foot taller than Lan and held her close, protective as she marveled at the dancing kids, the loud music, and all the decorations.

  Ryan understood how strange and bewildering this all must be for her—it still felt that way to him a lot of the time. But the truth was, kids around the world weren’t actually all that different. They just wanted the freedom to be themselves, whoever that might be.

  “Have you seen Danny?” Ryan asked.

  “This way.” She took his hand, leading him through the crowd. “Your mom made him a hero.”

  They found Danny sitting on a cafeteria table that had been pushed to the wall, surrounded by guys and girls, all listening with rapt attention. His arm was bandaged and hung in a sling around his neck.

  “The guy was trying to rob this little old lady and I was like, ‘Dude, back off, or I will take you down!’” Ryan smiled as Danny acted out his story. “So I’m all ready to do some karate on him, and then he pulls out this machete!”

  “A machete?” Ryan said.

  “Ry-ry!” Danny winked at a pretty girl who was smiling at him, then joined Ryan and Kasey. “Today was so worth five stitches.”

  Ryan laughed—Danny’s enthusiasm was infectious. “Apparently.”

  “So what happens next? Are we, like, official members of the ERC now? Do we get to go rescue people and stuff?”

  “I don’t know.” Ryan looked to Kasey, too. “All I know is, working together we managed to do something that none of us could have accomplished alone. So, thanks.”

  “Enough shop talk, boys. We came here to dance!” With a playful grin, Kasey beckoned them both to the dance floor. Danny followed, already grooving, even with his arm in a sling.

  Ryan was nervous. Would he look like an idiot trying to dance with all these kids who knew what they were doing? He took a deep breath, telling himself to just get it over with, when Principal Milankovic stepped in front of him.

  “Mr. Quinn. It’s good to see you’re feeling well again.”

  “Oh, uh—yeah. Thanks.” Principal Milankovic wore a stern expression, and Ryan could tell he was skeptical. “I’ll be sure to bring a note from my parents on Monday.”

  The principal nodded, his attitude softening. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried.”

  “Thanks.” There was something odd in his manner, Ryan thought, like it was personal to him. But Ryan had known Milankovic for only the past couple of months. Shaking off the weird feeling, he started toward the dance floor, when the principal suddenly grabbed his elbow, stopping him.

  “You have to talk to
your parents,” he whispered urgently. He looked up, scanning the room as if to make sure no one was watching them. “There’s so much you don’t know.”

  “About what?”

  “It’s not my place to say. But you deserve the truth.” Now, he looked Ryan right in the eye. “The truth about who you really are. Ask your parents.”

  Abruptly, Principal Milankovic let go and walked away. He strode off through the crowd, leaving Ryan confused.

  What did he mean, the truth about who you really are?

  Ryan started to go after him, but Kasey was suddenly at his side, taking his hand.

  “Come on,” she encouraged. “It’s not that scary!”

  Ryan glanced toward Milankovic’s retreating figure but finally allowed her to lead him toward the dance floor. A sea of dancing teenagers quickly engulfed him.

  “It’s okay to let go,” Kasey shouted over the music. “It’s all over now.”

  Ryan knew in his heart it wasn’t over at all. In fact, this felt more like a beginning. But she was right. For tonight, everyone was home and life was good again.

  So Ryan made himself forget about what might be ahead and focus on where he was right now. He knew he wasn’t a very good dancer, but that didn’t seem to matter much. Surrounded by his friends, Ryan finally let loose, the music and laughter washing over him, and, for a little while at least, life was perfect.

  TO BE CONTINUED …

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo by Ron McGee

  RON McGEE is a winner of the 2013 Children’s Long Form or Special Television Writers Guild of America Award for his work on the Disney Channel’s Halloween hit Girl vs. Monster. A writer and producer of TV series, he has written for the crime drama Rizzoli & Isles and the action-adventure The Nine Lives of Chloe King. Ron has penned numerous movies for television, covering everything from the story of boy band the Monkees to epic disasters to behind-the-scenes dramas of sitcom favorites Saved by the Bell and Full House. Ron lives with his family in California, and this is his novel-writing debut. You can find out more about what he’s up to at www.ronmcgee.com.

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