A Week to Remember
by Timeguardian
Chapter Four
Jessie Bannon paced around her room, absently rubbing her hand against the cast that was on her left wrist. Her body was nearly whole again – her bruised ribs were pretty much healed and she only had another week with the blasted cast and -
"Jessie."
She whirled around quickly at the intrusion, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest. "Damnit Hadji, don't scare me like that!"
Hadji stood in the doorway to her room. The look of surprise on his face, Jessie could understand that – cursing was not something she was known to do. The look of pity that Hadji then gave her was what nearly did her in.
He stepped into the room. "You can not avoid Jonny forever."
Jessie turned her back on him. "Thanks for stating the obvious. What am I supposed to tell Jonny anyway? That he has lost a month of his life and got into this mess saving me from those guys who stole Doctor Quest's equipment? I abandoned him, Hadji!"
"That is your guilt talking and to hear Race tell it, you were thrown out of the plane – you did not have much choice in the matter."
Jessie closed her eyes briefly at the painful memory. In the back of her mind, she knew that Hadji was right but ever since they had received the news that Jonny had been found, she couldn't help feeling guilty about what happened.
She flinched slightly as she felt Hadji's hand on her shoulder. "Besides, I have known Jonny longer than you have, Jessie – he would not be able to leave anyone in danger, save for when Race or Doctor Quest is physically dragging him out of it. You should know this by now."
Jessie turned around with a small smile on her face. "You're right of course, Hadji, but if you know that, you know full well he's going to try and remember things on his own."
"We will not let him, of course," Hadji declared.
"All right, Hadji, but how?" Jessie shot back.
A familiar voice drifted from her doorway. "Maybe by helping me fill in the rest of the blanks?"
Jessie and Hadji turned to find that Jonny was now standing in the doorway to her room.
Jonny took a few steps into the room before he spoke again. "I was wondering what was taking you two so long to come to my room for a planning session. Hadji's right about me, you know. I couldn't leave either of you in trouble if you were in danger. We're a team, after all."
Jessie stared at him for a long moment before striding up to him and wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug.
"Hey, hey, easy Jess," Jonny painfully protested. "I'm still a little on the fragile side."
Laughing, Jessie released him and took a step back. For the first time in a long while, the guilt she felt was beginning to disappear. "Sorry. Of course we're going to help you get your memory back. We only have part of the story but maybe if we remind you of what happened that day, it might spark something else. However, there's just two problems with what we are about to do – one, your dad is expecting you to rest and recover."
Jonny shrugged. "That's simple enough. I can beg to be around you guys and Quest World. What better way for me to get my mind moving again? Now, what about this second problem?"
Hadji spoke up this time. "Race and Doctor Quest had the hospital covered with Intelligence One agents while you were there in case those men came back to finish the job. I fear our movements are going to be restricted around here as well."
"Oh come on, you don't think those idiots will come here, do you? Dad and Race have designed this place to be a virtual fortress when in lockdown," Jonny declared.
In reply, Hadji and Jessie turned Jonny around and pushed him out of the room.
"There's still a lot we need to clue you in on, so we better get going," Jessie stated. "It's going to be a long night."
After Race and Doctor Quest monitored the news feeds for nearly an hour in the living room, they were somewhat relieved to find that only two of the major news outlets picked up on the story of Jonny leaving the hospital.
"They're still managing a news blackout about these threats against the country by these terrorists," Doctor Quest noted. "How could they miss this?"
Race shook his head as he heard the doorbell ring. "Benton, that's something we will find out, I promise you. I need to get that – Phil promised to come by so he could update us on their efforts."
Doctor Quest paced around for a moment before Race returned with Phil Corbin. "Come in, Phil."
Phil Corbin walked in slightly ahead of Race. The head of Intelligence One was starting to get some gray hair, but was otherwise pretty much like Doctor Quest had remembered him.
"I didn't get a chance to see you in the hospital, Doctor Quest," Phil stated without preamble, "How is Jonny settling in?"
Doctor Quest arched a brow before glaring at him. "And hello to you too, Phil. He's upstairs with Jessie and Hadji – knowing my son, he's probably pumping them for information as we speak."
Phil frowned at him. "Are you sure that's wise with it being so soon?"
"Believe me, if it were my choice Jonny would be locked in his room with a twenty-four hour guard. As it stands, his doctor stated that he has not sustained any permanent physical damage," Dr. Quest replied as he took a seat on the sofa. "The kids are also not going to be able to give him all the answers. We'll keep a close eye on them to make sure it isn't too much for Jonny. Now if it isn't too much to ask, what is the status of the search for this group that took my equipment?"
Phil opened his mouth to answer when a loud chirping sound came from his belt. Looking down, he quickly snatched up the cell phone that he had stored there and answered it. "Corbin. Yeah – what? What channel? Thanks, I'll get back to you."
Phil pointed to their view screen as he placed his phone back on his belt. "There's another communication that just went out – those bastards have gone public with their threat. Can you tune in to one of the news channels?"
Race glanced at him briefly before ordering IRIS to bring up the first news channel that could be found that was airing that information.
Seconds later the view screen flared to life displaying an over exuberant male anchorman, his voice in a state of nervous excitement as he made his report. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you are just joining us, minutes ago the airwaves were dominated by a video transmission by an apparent terrorist group."
The video then switched and changed - there was no contrast at all, only fuzzy dark shapes. A human-like shape approached the camera and started speaking. "Welcome, America, you are looking at your future ruler and master."
The voice was obviously computer disguised, but still came across deep and strong. "Not too long ago, I came into possession of a way to take over the missile systems of your poor pathetic national defense system. With that much power, I think I deserve a little respect and compensation."
The shadowy shape then lifted an arm and pointed towards the screen, "I want the promise of the President of the United States that five hundred million dollars will be wired to an account of my choosing before the end of the week. If not, well let's just say that the cleansing of America will begin. You have just a week to wake up, America, before we show your leaders what it means to rule with an iron fist."
After the last declaration, the video feed switched back to the anchorman, who then stated, "Early statements from the White House and the various law enforcement agencies indicate that they have not been able to trace the source of the transmission, but they are continuing to investigate the situation."
Doctor Quest could feel his anger building as he ordered IRIS to shut the screen down.
Phil wheeled around on them with a look of grim determination in his eyes. "We have our deadline, gentlemen – so what are we going to do about it?"
More soon of course.
Till next time,
Timeguardian
