…
Welcome to the final chapter. This was going to be a five chapter story but everything came together so well that three chapters is all it took. I'm okay with that, it's more my style until I can come up with a short novel style of story. Until then, TV episodes for all. Oh I don't speak Spanish, only German so hello Google translate.
...
Raiders of the Sun: Chapter 3
...
Jonny and Jessie are lead into a cave entrance and travel down a dimly lighted cave until they reach a hollowed out section. Generator is running off to the side and a long makeshift table is in the center of the room with a large group of guys who are focused on a man wearing a white jacket and pants who is speaking to the men in Spanish.
As the kids are pushed closer they are stopped just before reaching the table and pushed down to their knees. Their hands still tied behind their back both scanning the room counting people, exits and gear as they make mental notes to themselves different plans of escape.
The man in the white jacket stands up from the table and makes his way over to the kids. This guy has a good bit of weight on him but it looks like he has a lot more muscle then fat. He stops just in front of them looking down at the two.
"Do you know who I am?" The man has a very thick Spanish accent.
"The new owner of Taco Bell?" Jonny's quick wit coming out. Jess snickers.
"You should have more respect, young man." The man is not amused.
"You shouldn't try to demand respect from those you kidnap." It's Jessie's turn to speak up.
He smiles and speaks Spanish to his men. "Me gusta cabezas rojas. Son luchadora." (I like red heads. Their feisty.) He laughs and so does his men.
"Desátame y yo te mostraré luchadora." (Untie me and I'll show you feisty.) Jessie response.
The group stops laughing as the man looks back at her.
"My mother's Colombian. Problem with that?"
"No, not at all senorita." He gives her a devilish smile. "Did you enjoy your flight?"
"Nope. No meal and the in-flight movie was horrible." Jonny again quick to answer.
"Plus Turner wouldn't shut up talking about my dad this and my dad that." Jess making fun of him.
"You might want to keep an eye on him." Jonny adds. "If he has a man crush on Race, he could cause problems. There was this one movie with Arnold…." Jonny was cut off.
"Shut it, gringo." He tells him calmly.
"I'm just talking about Arnold." Jonny mumbles.
"Damn right." Jess response while turning to Jonny. Both giving each other a smile.
"Enough." He turns to the table. "How long do we have until we leave."
"Two hours, Santiago." Turner answers.
"Good. Gag both of them and keep them close. I don't want them trying anything."
…
About an hour later, Race and Alpha team make their way on foot to a cave entrance. At first the team wasn't sure if they finally found the correct cave until a man in hiding lights a cigarette then another walks out.
"Gotcha." Race turns to the SGT and uses hand signals to identify the two guards. Colemen nods and directs a two man team to take them out as they move closer.
The two guards are now moving back and forth from the entrance to the small 10 foot drop off in front of the cave. When both guards reach the edge to look out they don't notice the two Rangers below, armed with knives, and in perfect timing, both grab the belts of the guards with their off hand and pull them off the edge.
Once clear the team moves inside. They follow the packed foot trail left by the security detail about 50 yards to a Y split. Taken the path most traveled, they come to a cut out in the cave that's set up like a small barracks. Seeing that it dead ends the team decides to back track until a small tin can rolls into the middle of the pack.
"Flash!" one of the Rangers yell out. Everyone turns away and closes their eyes tight as a loud 'POW' echoes through the cave. Since the team is cornered the sound is five times worse then it should be. Even though their ears are ringing they try their bast to refocus and regroup until they see the large group of ten men pointing weapons at them. Two to one odds are not good for the team especially now that they are partly blind and can't hear anything, they do the only thing they can and slowly remove their hands away from their weapons.
The Cartel men remove the teams weapons and have them kneeling in the middle of the barracks room until Turner shows up and to his surprise spots Race among them.
"Well, well, well. Do my eyes deceive me? How ya doing Racer." Turner just smiling brightly.
"Turner." Is all Race says.
"With a Ranger team as well. You must have called in a lot of favors for this."
"How did you know we where here?" Race questioned.
"You know, you would be amazed on what a $200 dollar laptop and a few wireless motion sensors can do for you. It's your fault for living in a high tech environment all the time. Makes you weak."
"Give me the chance and I'll show you how weak I am." Race has an undertone of anger in his voice.
"Wow, Jessie said something similar to Santiago not too long ago."
"Where's my daughter, Turner?"
"Straight to the point, huh Racer. Tell you what." Turner turns to one of his men. "Secure him and bring him with us. We'll let Santiago decide on what to do with the rest of them."
Race is pulled from the team and his hands zip tied and is pushed away from the others.
…
Jessie and Jonny were placed against the wall in the main room. Jonny leaning against the cave wall with Jess against his right shoulder. To the guards, the two are just trying to stay close but in fact Jonny is trying to cut through the zip ties holding his hands together, with a flat steel knife. Race taught him to always carry a knife and in worse case scenarios keep a backup and hide it. Unfortunately the mini pocket knife is only good for cleaning your finger nails. If he doesn't get the 'taken care of your tools' lecture from Race, when they get out of this, he'll get it from Jessie.
Jonny is almost through when Turner comes back with Race in tow. Even though they are gagged, you can hear both of them call for Race, dad from Jessie.
Race is dropped to his knees with a gunman behind and Turner beside him.
Santiago looks at Race then back to Turner. "Who the hell is this?"
"This is Race Bannon, Jessie's father. He was caught with a group of Army soldiers at the east entrance."
"Mierda! How did they find us this quickly?"
"That's not the problem, Santiago. The real problem is that we about twenty minutes or so before they send another team for rescue."
Santiago turns away and gives out his orders to his men. "Amigos, lets move. Get my helicopter ready, the kids will come with me." Santiago grabs Jessie by the arm and snatches her up pulling her away.
By the time Jess is on her feet, Jonny pulls hard against his bonds and snaps them. He jumps to his feet and charges at them pulling his gag away.
"Let her go!" he calls out, but, before he can reach them, two of his guards land on top of him, pinning him to the ground. A third comes from behind and puts his knee on Jonny's back and pulls the small knife away. He fights with everything he's got but the combined weight of the three is just too much.
Santiago turns back to him. "I'm impressed with how much fight you have muchacho, but don't worry, your time will come."
"Santiago." He turns to Turner. "I want to trade the boy for Racer."
"Why? You would not get any benefits in sacrificing him."
"Oh, I know. I just like the idea of forcing him to watch." Turner says with a smile.
Santiago can't help but to laugh. "I see no problem with that." He then turns to his men holding Jonny. "Take him out with the others and shoot them."
Jessie calls out to Jonny and tries to pull away from Santiago but he keeps his hold on her and pulls her closer grabbing her neck from behind.
"Oh no, senorita. You stay with me."
"Let the kids go and you might live through this." Race demands.
He slowly laughs at Race. "Why just live through this, when I can live through everything."
Jonny is still fighting as the two men pick him up to his feet. "I swear, if you take her outta here, nothing on earth will stop me from finding you."
He tightens his grip on Jess. "Your love of the girl is strong indeed but after tonight, I will be the only thing that will last forever." He turns pulling Jess with him. "Lets move." Race is pulled to follow as two men pull Jonny in the opposite direction.
…
Jessie and Race are pushed into the helicopter as Jonny is lead out the east entrance. When they walk out of the cave Jonny spots the small Ranger team lined up, side by side at the edge of the drop.
Just before he is added to the line, Jonny spots a green blinking dot on his stomach and then it goes away. He looks over at one of the guys in line and he gives Jonny a wink. Jonny keeps a straight face as he is turned and forced down on his knees. Jonny gets an idea.
As the gunman walks over to the rest of his group Jonny calls out. "This is how your going to do it, firing squad? And here I thought Mexican drug dealers where stone cold killers. You guys are a bunch of putas." Every gunmen and every Ranger slowly turns their head to Jonny. "I bet not one of you has the balls to shoot a kid face to face."
As the gunmen look at each other in a quiet questioning manner, SGT Colemen reaches out and slaps Jonny in the arm with his fingertips. "What the hell are you doing, kid." He whispers out. Jonny just motions to be calm.
"Well come on. Who's it gonna be." Jonny then speaks to himself out loud. "Mexi-CAN my ass."
One brave soul steps out and draws his sidearm and walks toward Jonny. "Hey look, we have a winner." Jonny announces. "Step right up and show us whatcha got."
As the shooter comes within five feet in front of him, Jonny he holds out his hands. "Wait wait wait. Right there. Right there is perfect." Then a green light appears on the shooters chest. When he sees it, he actually tries to brush it off his chest before reality sets in and the backup team of Rangers step out of the shadows with weapons ready. "Distractions are a bitch, huh." Jonny says smiling.
...
Its a thirty minute flight by helicopter to an Aztec temple where everything is set up and ready for the sacrifice, the only thing missing is the sun which is less then an hour away. Once pulled from the helicopter, Race and Jessie and locked in a small room with guards posted outside the door. Once the door's shut, Race ungags Jessie and notices that she has been crying.
"Hey, are you okay?" Race showing concern for his daughter.
"No, dad, I'm not. For all I know Jonny was just…..." Jessie being hysterical.
"Hey, he's fine. Trust me. We had a second team on standby. I'm sure they stopped it." It was true about the second team but he wasn't really sure if they would have made it in time to save Jonny or Alpha team.
"Dad, don't lie to me. I need to know that he'll come for us." Jessie trying to compose herself.
"Jess, when has Jonny ever let us down when something like this happens, especially when it involves you."
Jessie starts to control her breathing better and nods to him. "Okay. Okay. He'll come. He always does."
"As long as we can stay alive, he'll be here, Jess. All he needs is time to find us, like always."
Jess and Race find a spot and try to relax as much as they can. The room stays quiet for a few minutes as Jess is leaning against Race.
Jess is the first to break the silence. "How long have we been gone?"
"Less then twenty-four hours." Race responses, she nods. "How have you two been holding up?"
"Good actually. Although I think this has happened to us too many times. It's like we're not scared of it anymore."
Race nods. "Once you're exposed to something so many times, you become desensitized."
"I know Jonny has. You should have seen him, he was solid as a rock, even cracking jokes until they separated us."
"Ya know Jess, I maybe old but I'm not blind. I see the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him. I just wish you two trust us enough to tell us the truth."
Jess looks over at him. "What do you mean?"
"We know you two are dating. Turner has been following you for almost a month. He sent us pictures."
Jess sits up. "Dad, how long do you think we've been keeping this from you?"
"I don't really know, months maybe." She can't help but to smile.
"What, longer?" The look on his face is priceless.
"No dad, try three weeks at best. We've only been talking about dating. Hell, we haven't even kissed each other until last night."
"So you two haven't been sneaking around behind me and Benton's back."
"Well, since we're being honest." Race gives a stern look. "but not dating or anything like that. Just the normal things teens do. But the thought of dating each other and something going wrong has both of us worried. It's not something easily recovered from. The weird thing is Jonny, he's still him but it's like he's ages five years when it's just him and me. And for me, I still tell him things that I would never tell someone I'm dating. It's very confusing sometimes, where the line of dating and best friends is. I can't really tell anymore."
Race sits up and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Believe it or not, that's a good thing. That means that there is no limit or boundary for you two. You can take this as far as the two of you want to go, and there will always be someone there to catch you if one of you falls."
"And if we both fall?"
"You can still have someone to hold on too as you go." Race giving a hopeful smile.
"So if we do decide to go head first into this dating thing, you're okay with it."
"Since we're being honest, No. To me, there will never be anyone good enough for my little girl. But if there is anyone who has the chance to prove me wrong, it's Jonny. The plus side, if he does do anything to hurt you, I know where he lives." Race gives a sincere smile which Jessie returns. "In the mean time, he better get here quick before I change my mind about you two."
…
After the rescue by Bravo team, everyone is choppered back to HQ to restock and receive new intel on what's happened. Capt. Osborne addresses her men after they have gathered with Dr Quest standing beside Jonny.
"Listen close because I'm only saying this once. Bravo team you will hit the main entrance to distract Santiago's men. Once done, Alpha team, you will fast rope down and proceed inside using any access points along the east side of the temple and rescue the assets." Both teams acknowledge.
"And as for you, young Mr. Quest. From everything I've read in your file, and heard from your father, if I tell you that your staying here, you would find away on one of these birds. So since you're going to disobey me, I'm going to use you to my advantage. You will ride with Alpha team, and I mean ride only. You will not step foot out of that chopper, do I make myself clear."
"Yes MA'AM." Jonny calls out.
"You will be monitoring and providing active intel to Alpha using close range cameras and tracking beacons, STG Colemen will show you how to use the equipment in route. Because of your volunteer work with archaeological sites, you are the closest thing to an expert I have on Aztec temples. Now, check your gear and mount up."
"YES MA'AM!" comes from the group as they turn to head out.
Jonny turns to his dad. "Are you okay with this?"
"No, I'm not. I just got you back and I wanted you to stay, but I know you son. You're not going to sit by and wait as long as Santiago has Jessie. Since you were ten, you have been watching over her and I know how you feel about her and what you two have been up to."
"If your talking about us dating, its not really official yet. We're weighing out pros and cons about it before we decide."
"You two are smart so I'm sure you will figure it out."
"Thanks dad." The two hug. "Well, gotta go to work, bye dad."
"Bye son." Benton calls out as Jonny heads out with Alpha team.
Capt. Osborne steps beside Benton. "That's one hell of a son you got there, Dr. Quest."
"I can't take all the credit. Race helped but his willingness to jump right in to save the people he cares about, is more like Rachel then anyone else." Benton smiles at the thought of his son being just like his late mother.
…
Jonny is geared up in light assault body armour complete with tactical knife, gloves, first aid kit, and basic odds and ends for mostly after the battle to help render aid if necessary. Both teams then board two helicopters and depart heading to the last know location that the aerial drone marked them just north-east of Mexico city.
Even though the temple is only 30 miles or so from the city, the temple has been shut down for nearly a month after the festival of the dead took place. Flight time for them is just under thirty minutes so Jonny is receiving a crash course on the tracking gear as soon as they left HQ. As the distance closes Jonny can't help to giggle at a thought bouncing around in his head.
Colemen sees Jonny's reaction and thinks it's nerves or even fear starting to creep in. He puts a hand on Jonny's shoulder. "Don't worry Jonny, there's nothing to be afraid of. This is going to be a piece of cake."
"First of all, the cake is a lie, and second, I'm not afraid. I have a movie scene playing in my head."
"Movie scene?" The SGT questions.
"Have you ever seen Apocalypse Now?" He nods. Out loud, Jonny begins to sing the tune to 'Flight of the Valkyries'. Colemen can't help but to laugh as he gets the attention of his men and points to Jonny. Within moments the whole group including the pilot starts to sing.
Alpha team's pilot starts to trail back and circle wide so that Bravo is the first to encounter Santiago's men. Alpha will circle wide and approach from the opposite direction in hope of minimum contact from ground forces.
As both teams ready themselves, and continue to sing, Jonny gets himself focused. 'I'm on my way, Jess,' he tells himself.
Back at HQ, Capt. Osborne is monitoring the communications channel. As the team is singing she turns to Dr Quest who is currently face-palming himself at what his son has just started.
"Dr. Quest, are you aware of your son's mental condition?" While keeping his face covered he slowly nods to acknowledge the Captains statement. "He's just as crazy as my Rangers." She says with a smile as she turns back to view the tracking map.
…
It's not really known on how long Race and Jessie have been waiting but it comes to no surprise when Turner comes to the door and opens it. Both Jess and Race, with hands still tied, stand up ready to fight.
"Now take it easy you two." Turner speaks out. "If you two don't play nice, I will shoot one of you."
"You won't touch me remember. I'm Santiago's meal ticket to immortality." Jess reminds him.
"True, but I can always shoot Racer if you try anything. As a matter of fact if he tries anything I'll still shoot him or you as long as it's a wounding shot." Race and Jess start to easy back. "Very good. Well guess what kids, its time." Guards rush in and secure both of them and push them out the door with Turner following.
They are taken to a large room, the open ceiling has been caped with thick clear glass in order to protect the statues lining the walls and a large stone worked alter that sits on top of a carved out platform against the far wall other artifacts lining the room picturing different things the Aztecs did in the sacrificial chamber.
"I'm starting to really hate these rooms." Jessie tells her dad and he agrees.
Santiago stands at the alter opening a briefcase and removing an object that is wrapped in cloth. The Aztec dagger, which was used for all sacrifices, looks as if it was buried for a centuries. It has some warn spots along the handle but the stone blade has been acid washed and ready to do its intended job. As Santiago finishes his preparations on the alter he picks up the faint sound of something familiar. As he looks up to the glass ceiling the faint sound starts to get louder just before a large black object screams across the top of the temple as gun fire rings out.
"Shit, the Army's here." Turner stating the obvious.
Santiago turns to his men inside the room. "Four of you stay here and two in the hall, the rest of you out side now!" The men scatter. "We don't have much time to get things ready."
As the main group of Santiago's men engage Bravo team, Alpha fly in from the opposite direction. As the helicopter hovers, they drop the end of the rope to descend.
Colemen looks to Jonny. "Remember what you're suppose to do?"
"Sure do SGT, just one problem."
"What's that?"
"No one had the forethought to strap me inside the helicopter." Jonny jumps out the open door taking hold of the rope and sliding down.
"Wait!" Is all Colemen can say as Jonny leaves his sight. "GO, GO, GO!" he yells to his men. He is the last to take the rope with hindsight hits him about Jonny. "Should have known he was going to do that."
When Colemen touches ground, the rope is released and the chopper breaks hard and flies away. With the team grouped together, with Jonny, they move inside. Things seem really easy for Alpha team. Almost no resistance as they make their way through the halls heading to the chamber. As they approach a 'T' section of the hall, Jonny holds the team and whispers to them.
"Okay, according to the sign, the chamber is the next left so be ready."
In unison the team whispers back. "Sign?"
"Yeah sign." Jonny points to the wall showing a small dark color sign written in Spanish with English underneath saying 'Chamber of Sacrifices next left'. "This place is a tourist trap, remember?"
Colemen speaks up for the team. "Well, fuck me sideways."
Jonny holds up his hands stopping all movement. "You hear that?" as faint voices come from the 'T' section. Jonny walks past the two men on point and slowly approach the turn. Peaking over then moving back, he puts his back to the wall holding up two fingers then motions down the hall. As one of the point men steps toward Jonny to trade places with him, Jonny hears one of the voices in Spanish speak out about checking the halls. With the other gunmen giving the go head, Jonny quickly pushes the Ranger back putting space between them and with his right thumb quickly marks crosshairs on the wall beside him just before the gunmen turns the corner spotting the waiting Ranger team.
Jonny grabs the gunman's shirt and uses his own momentum directing him around and head first into the wall where Jonny put the crosshairs knocking the guy out.
The team watches in awe as all eyes follow the gunman from the corner, around Jonny, hitting the wall, falling backwards and landing on the floor. With him out cold, all eyes go back to Jonny who gives a thumbs up. In unison, the Rangers use their off hand and pat the front of their vest to mimic clapping. Unfortunately, the second gunman heard the noise and walked to the end of the hall to investigate. Jonny and the man spot each other at nearly the same time but Jonny was a bit quicker by sliding behind him and catching him in a headlock cutting the guys air supply. He pulls him back to the team when the gunman starts to fade and pass out.
As soon as he's down Jonny whispers to the team. "Go, Go, Go."
The two men on point take off down the hall, one on each side staying close to the wall with the others following, Jonny being the last to follow after zip tying the two men.
…
Inside the chamber, Santiago is done setting up. He removes his jacket and looks over at Jess smiling. "I'm ready for you, senorita." Turner knocks Race down to his knees as the two guards on Jess pull her over to Santiago, Jess fighting as best as she can while still being tied. Once she reaches him, he grabs her by the neck and pulls her close placing her back to his chest. He tilts his head down to Jessis's hair and breaths in deeply. "If only we had more time." Then pulls her behind the alter.
The two Rangers emerge from the dark hallway and use the end of their rifles to strike the two guards just inside the chamber. Race elbows Turner on the stomach and throws his tied arms around his neck and begins to chock him backing up against the wall close to the entrance.
Santiago grabs Jess tighter backing up to the wall picking up the stone blade as the rest of Alpha team enters with weapons ready. When Race is done nearly chocking the life out of Turner, all who remain is Santiago and two of his men.
Jonny makes it to the chamber opening and whispers out to Race who ducks into the hall.
"Race in here." He calls out.
Race response quietly. "Jonny, what are you doing here?"
Jonny pulls his knife from his right thigh holster. "Playing Ranger and saving you." Cutting his hands free and puts the knife away.
"He's still has Jess." Race looks back into the room.
"Keep him talking and I'll take him from the side." Jonny slides out the hall using the free standing statues and other items on display as cover.
Race steps back out and call for Santiago. "Give up. There's no way out."
He looks over to the remaining two men who look at each other then slowly lowers their weapons to the ground.
"You're all alone just let her go." Race calls out again.
"I don't think so senor. As long as I have her you won't touch me and once I put this knife in her chest, I will be inmorta."
"Someone shoot this bastard, already!" Jess screams out.
"It's alright Ponchita, just keep looking at me and everything will be alright." Race moves his eyes slowly to Jessie's right side which she follows. To her right she sees the one person she wanted to be here to save her, hiding behind a stone statue just fifteen feet away. All it takes is a look and both of them communicated the same idea. Jonny holds out five fingers and slowly counts down. Jess looks back at Race and mouths the countdown.
"3…...2…..1." Jess leans her head forward then rocks back hard hitting Santiago square in the nose most likely breaking it. He rocks back but keeps his grip on Jess and is now enraged. He picks her up and steps forward to the alter slamming Jessie hard knocking the wind out of her. As soon as he lifts the knife, Jonny jets out from hiding and slams into Santiago side hard pushing him away from Jess.
Santiago turns and falls to his knees beside Jonny who now feels like he tackled a brick wall. Jonny rolls to his back just in time to see Santiago on his knees lifting the knife. Jonny brings up one foot to try and push Santiago as he brings up his hands to block. He brings the knife down hard hitting Jonny's forarms blocking the knife but Jonny's foot just isn't strong enough to push him off. Santiago adding his weight into the attack, the knife travels closer to Jonny.
Jessie regains some of her breath and rolls off the front of the alter, Race moving in to grab her and move out of the line of fire. He picks up a knife from one of the Rangers and cuts her hands free.
Jonny thinks fast and shifts his and Santiago's weight to his left side and tries to defect the strike but he's too strong and fast for Jonny to get clear so the dagger pierces his left shoulder making Jonny scream out in pain.
Jess freezes when she hears him and turns back to the alter. "Jonny!" she cries out. The Ranges hold action. Santiago has cover, is still armed, and has Jonny.
Santiago leans closer to Jonny. "If I can't have her, I'll use you." He then pulls the knife from Jonny's shoulder but when he tries to grab him and stand, Jonny locks onto him and rolls back to the ground bring Santiago over him rolling away from the alter. When he's clear of the alter and Jonny, shoots ring out from the Ranger team. Four rounds total, two each from the two point men, causing Santiago to fall quietly.
Jessie calls out to Jonny again hoping for an answer.
"I'm still here. Is it over?" He sounds groggy.
Colemen answers. "It's over."
"Good." Jonny calls out. "Medic." Jessie's eyes go wide and takes off away from her dad and heads right for Jonny. Race follows as Colemen taps one of his men and also takes off to Jonny as the SGT calls in the report.
"Jonny, talk to me." You can tell the worry in her voice.
"I've been stabbed. More importantly, are you okay?"
She smiles at him as the medic pulls a pack and begins to get started on Jonny. "Your the one bleeding and you're asking me if I'm okay."
"I have my priorities remember. You always come first, Jess."
"This boy has it bad." The medic tells them getting their attention. "Brace for Pain, Quest." As the medic pours disinfected on the wound.
"Son- of-a-Bitch." Jonny yells out as Jessie and Race hold him down.
Once Santiago's men surrenders and the temple is secure, the first chopper out carries Race, Jonny, Jessie, and the Army medic who was on Alpha to HQ where the medical ward is on standby.
…
Back at HQ, the Doctor is done sewing up Jonny's arm and the family is gathered together around Jonny's cot, Jonny propped up against the wall and Jess sitting at the foot, her hand on his knee, both trading looks and smiles.
Race interrupts. "For someone who's trying to keep a relationship quiet, you two are being quite open about it."
"Well, I've made up my mind about it. I'm just waiting on the other half to catch up." Jonny giving a smile.
"Don't you dare try to force a decision, Quest, or we might have to call the doc back in." Jessie's smile betraying her statement.
The group laughs as Capt Osborne and another officer walks into the room. All eyes turn to the Capt.
"Everyone, this is my CO, Colonel Tom Hardy. He's head of Section 8." She announces.
"Hello everyone. I'm here to give you the standard non-disclosure speech."
"No need Colonel." Jonny speaks out.
"We know it by heart." Jessie finishes.
"Well, in that case, I'll just leave this for everyone to sign." He hands the folder to Race and holds out a letter to Jonny. "And this is for you, Mr. Quest."
Jonny takes the letter with his good hand and passes it to Jess. "What is it" as she opens the letter for him. There is a unit patch with a '8' on it.
"It's a letter of recommendation and our unit patch." Col. Hardy answer. "Section 8 is an underground unit working with the DEA on controlling the drug trade from here to the US. The cover story for us is a Ranger unit out of Panama went rogue and muscled their way into the drug trade."
"Awesome." Jonny reply's. "Has it been working?"
"Oh yeah. As a matter of fact that letter is an open invite into my unit. You impressed me, Quest. Not an easy task, especially for a civilian."
"Wow. Thank you very much but I have other priorities before I decide on what to do for a career." Jonny looks over to Jess and smiles.
Jess leans over and kisses him slowly oh the lips in front of the quest clan. When she pulls away the Col speaks out.
"I'm not going to try to compete with that." He then turns to the family. "As soon as he is clear, I'll arrange a flight back to the states."
"Thank you very much Col." Benton responds.
As he and Capt Osborne walk out he whispers to Race and Dr. Quest. "You better watch those two."
Jonny and Jessie continue to stare at each other as Jonny speaks out. "Race, would you mind if I dated your daughter." The couple look over to him smiling.
"As long as you two stay twenty-five feet away from each other and I can resist the urge to kill you." Benton looks over at him seeing the large smile across his face.
"See Jess, I told you I would die a happy man."
…
…
The End.
Well, that's it. Short tale that I hope you all enjoyed. Let me know what you think and I will continue to crank out new ideas and hope I come up with a new story for you. Thanks for reading.