CHAPTER 12
Once again, Susan slowly became aware of her surroundings that remained pitch black. She wondered how long she had been out this time, and if she was even still on the station. She strained to hear any distant sounds, or feel any familiar vibrations. In the distance, she could hear some engines roar to life, and others power down at regular intervals. Susan began to believe she was still on the station, and it surprised her how much of a comfort that belief was. Once she escaped, she would be in familiar territory. And she was determined to escape.
Susan began to assess her own situation. She could open her eyes, but felt her eyelashes brush against a blindfold. She tried to open her mouth, but couldn't. It felt like a tight band of leather was secured over her lips with a stiff, plastic plug was attached to the band, and forced between her teeth. She could barely move all of her extremities against tight restraints. Her arms and legs had grown stiff from inactivity, but she felt no sharp pain when she moved them. She felt tight cuffs around her wrists, and ankles, and she heard a slight rattling sound with movement. Everything seemed to be intact, but secured quite snugly.
She turned her head to the left. Susan immediately wished she hadn't. Wave after wave of nausea washed over her. She tried once again to force the plug from her mouth, but it was just as secure and unmoving. For the first time in her life panic overwhelmed her senses. She felt her heart beat rapidly against her chest, and her breaths came in short gasps. She felt like she was about to smother. She tried and tried to scream against the gag, but she couldn't even get a soft moan loud enough for her own ears to hear. She felt the world close in on her and she began to really think she was about to die. Tears flooded her eyes, and began to roll down her cheeks.
Suddenly, Talia's image floated into her mind softly calling Susan's name. Talia had on the gorgeous, emerald green dress that she had worn when they met at Earhart's. She smiled at Susan as she drew nearer and nearer. Talia leaned close, and whispered, "Shhh, it's okay, Susan. I'm here." She began to smooth Susan's hair back from her face. "Just hang on, my love. We will find you," she promised. She continued to whisper words of comfort in Susan's ear. Talia dried the tears from Susan's cheeks. "Until Michael can get here, just hold on to my love. Let it be your anchor… your calm place in the raging storm that surrounds you."
Talia lay down beside her and wrapped her arms around Susan pulling her close like a parent would a child. She whispered soothing words, and stroked Susan hair, and back as she tried to instill her love, and calming spirit into her beloved.
Susan leaned as much of herself as she could into Talia's warm embrace, and gratefully accepted her love. She closed her eyes and allowed the comforting words calm her fears. Slowly, the tears abated.
"Susan, do you have any idea where you are?" Talia asked as she moved back so she could look into her eyes, but close enough to continue to stroke her.
"I think I am still on the station. In the distance, I can hear ships coming and going from one of the docking ports," Susan murmured. It then dawned on her that she was still gagged. She opened her eyes, and found Talia was gone… if she had ever even been there. Susan began to silently cry once again. Talia had felt so real. 'Talia, I need you so bad. Please, oh please, come back to me,' she mentally shouted.
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"Susan," Talia shouted as she bolted up in bed.
Within seconds, Lou Welch stood in her bedroom, PPG drawn, and yelled, "Lights," as he scanned the room for danger. He found no one, but Talia. "Ms. Winters, are you all right?" He demanded as he continued to look for trouble.
It took a few moments for Talia to realize she was in her bed in her quarters with a security guard who had his PPG drawn looking for danger. She pulled her covers up to her chin before she spoke. "Mr. Welch, I am fine," she said chagrined. "I was… having a nightmare." She paused to draw a ragged breath, and brushed her hair out of her face. "I'm sorry I worried you," she finally added.
Lou blushed to the roots of his balding hair as he realized where he was and the state of her undress. Turning quickly, he stalked out of the room with a parting, "Sorry, Miss. Lights out."
"Oh, good Lord," Talia exclaimed into the dark. Annoyed, she threw back her covers and went to the ensuit. She splashed cold water on her face. 'Damnit, the dream had seemed so real!!!' Talia had seen Susan chained, blindfolded, and gagged. It appeared to be a storage room of some kind, and Susan restrained spread eagle on some kind of adjustable table. As Talia watched, Susan's struggles against the restraints began to increase and then became frantic. Talia sensed first her frustration with the restraints then her panic when she moved her head to the side. When Susan began to cry, it was the last straw for Talia. She hated to see her strong, brave Commander reduced to panic and tears. Purposefully, she walked to Susan's side, and removed the blindfold and the gag. She smoothed Susan's bangles out of her eyes, and lay down beside her as she gathered her as best as she could into her arms. She whispered soothing words of comfort. Gradually under her ministration, Susan calmed.
She felt led to ask, "Susan, do you have any idea where you are?"
Susan replied, "I think I am still on the station. In the distance, I can her ships coming and going from one of the docking ports."
Suddenly, the blindfold and gag reappeared and Talia was forcefully pulled away from Susan by an unseen foe. Susan faded into the distance. She had awakened screaming Susan's name.
As she came out of the ensuit, Talia glanced at the chrono display and saw it was 0510. She pulled on her robe, and set water on to heat for tea.
Walking to the door, she opened it and found Mr. Welch still patrolling the hall. "Mr. Welch, I just wanted to apologize for earlier."
"No problem, Ma'am," he replied. Lou still couldn't believe he had reacted that way. He had kicked himself over and over for just bursting into the room. 'Just like some rookie guard, he growled at himself. And it had been years since I was a rookie.'
Talia sensed his discomfort. She had sensed his earlier feeling of inadequacy about Susan's disappearance. She decided she needed to try to relieve some of it. "Would you like a cup of tea?" Talia offered.
"I wouldn't want to put you to any trouble, Ma'am," he politely refused.
"It's the least I could do after what I just put you through," Talia rebuffed his refusal. "How do you take it?"
"Two sugars would be great, Ma'am," he finally agreed to her offer.
"Can you come in to have it, or do I need to bring it to you out here?' She inquired.
Lou thought for a moment before replying, "I'll come in."
Soon they were seated at the kitchenette bar sipping their tea. Talia sent mental thoughts of comfort to Lou until he seemed to calm. Talia broke the silence by asking, "Have you heard anything new, Mr. Welch?"
"No, Ma'am," he replied sadly. "But, I know the Captain and the Chief are turning the station upside down. They will find the Commander!" His confidence was almost palpable when it came to his superiors. Finishing his tea, Lou stood. "Thanks for the tea, Ma'am. It really hit the spot." He nodded before adding, "I'll be right outside the door, Ms. Winters. If you need anything just call."
She stopped him at the door. "Mr. Welch, I want you to know I appreciate your diligence and for…"
Lou interrupted, "You're welcome. I volunteered for this assignment, and the other security detail as well. I like the both of you…" He paused, and she could sense he was searching for his words, "… and I'm glad to see you becoming good friends. The Commander seemed to be… happy." He turned and was thru the doorway before she could say anything.
Talia decided to try and get some more sleep. As sleep finally over took her, Talia mentally called, "Be safe, my love."
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Few travelers disembarked from the newly arrived transport. Andre' scanned the group looking for who his possible employer was. He had only traded coded emails with this employer but no physical description was given. When asked, the employer had reassured Andre' that he knew exactly what Andre' looked like. That response had not been very reassuring... if anything it was quite disturbing. In his business, the last thing Andre' needed was for someone to know what he looked like. But this hadn't been a "usual" job from the beginning.
All of the travelers walked passed him without a second glance. Scratching his head, Andre' was unsure of what to do now. Glancing at his pocket watch, and the gate number to be sure he was at the right place at the right time, Andre' found he was. Shrugging, he walked back towards the Zocalo. With nothing else to do, he decided to get something to eat while he decided what to do next. He knew that the last dose of medication should have worn off by now.
As he neared O'Grady's, Andre' became aware that someone had followed him from the terminal. Without warning, he shifted to his left into a blind spot near the restaurant's entrance. It had been where he had watched and waited for the Commander. He watched as a medium size, and medium built dark-skinned human male walked passed his hiding place. Andre' recognized him immediately… he was one of the passengers that had walked passed him. Andre' relaxed. Slipping close behind him, Andre' whispered, "Are you looking for someone?"
"Captain DePaul… It is a pleasure to meet you," Chase MacArthur stated without turning. Chase appeared unfazed by the Captain's sudden appearance.
"You are…" Andre' inquired.
"I'm… Mr. Smith," Chase replied.
"Well, Mr. Smith, I believe we have business," gruffly replied. From his first words, something about this man had rubbed Andre' the wrong way. Andre' wanted to get as far away from this man as soon as possible.
Chase smiled to himself. He could sense this man's uneasiness. Just what he wanted. "I take it you have my 'package', and it's… intact?"
"Yes, of course," Andre' answered. "And for the right price, I'll give you its location… secured and unopened," Andre' sneered.
"Then lead on… Once I am satisfied with it, you will get paid, and we can part ways." In the beginning of this plan, Chase had thought he would have DePaul assist with the final disposal of the Commander. But now that the time was upon him, he decided he didn't want to share his pleasure… especially with this disgusting little man.
The two men turned and Andre' led the way to the nearest transport tube.
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