Chapter 7
2030
Jason set the receiver back in its cradle, his expression grim. "General Davies has agreed to have you airlifted in on the condition that you try to rescue as many of the P.O.W.s as you can."
K.A.R.R. stalked over to the antique mahogany desk and slammed his hands down on it with such force the desk nearly cracked in two. "How dare you –" he trailed off, regaining control of his emotions.
Jason didn't give K.A.R.R. the satisfaction of a reaction to his display of rage, instead he raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "And you have another plan for getting there?"
"I"ll try. That's all I can promise! Scott comes first!" K.A.R.R. conceded.
"Your plane leaves in an hour. Davies's men will drop you off in the jungle near where the P.O.W. camp is suspected of being. It's in an area overrun by MLC, so command isn't willing to risk sending any squads in. K.A.I.S.Y.'s waiting to take you to the airport."
K.A.R.R. didn't waste anymore time. He ran out the door.
As promised, K.A.I.S.Y. was waiting out front of the mansion.
The passenger side door opened at his approach, and K.A.R.R. climbed up in the truck.
Michaela almost didn't wait for the door to fully close before she stomped on the accelerator.
K.A.I.S.Y.'s tires spun for a moment, causing the truck to fishtail as it accelerated down the driveway to the road.
K.A.R.R. gave the woman an appraising look. His estimation of her rising several notches.
Neither K.A.I.S.Y. nor Michaela spoke to him on the ride to the airport. K.A.R.R. figured it had taken all they had just to ask him to find Scott.
At the moment, Michaela and K.A.I.S.Y. were having a conversation via their own nanite link.
Are you sure this was a good idea? Michaela asked for what felt like the thousandth time.
Watch the road, honey, K.A.I.S.Y. warned gently, taking over momentarily to steer around a large board lying in the roadway. Of course I'm sure! You've seen them together. K.A.R.R. would die for that kid! And vice versa.
That's what I'm afraid of!
When they reached the airport, an F/A 18 Hornet (it would be replacing a jet shot down on patrol over the Congo no fly zone) was waiting on the runway to fly K.A.R.R. to the aircraft carrier, USS George W. Bush, stationed off the coast of Africa.
K.A.R.R. was reaching for the door handle when Michaela reached over and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. K.A.R.R. allowed himself to be pulled toward her.
"Bring Scott home alive, or so help me, I'll personally deactivate you and smash your CPU into tiny pieces!" Michaela hissed in K.A.R.R.'s face.
"If he's dead, I'll deactivate myself!" K.A.R.R. said quietly.
Michaela's eyes widened in shock.
K.A.R.R. pulled roughly away and got out of the truck.
"He really has changed!" Michaela exclaimed in wonder. A moment later, her body was shaking from huge racking sobs.
