Close to Something Real,
In the half light of the pre-dawn hours, while the clouds were just wisps of faint pink against the indigo sky, a private jet, a Hawker 800xp, quietly landed at a small deserted air strip located in the countryside not too far from the Florida coast. There was absolutely nothing at this location. There were no building structures, nor any people at this site. It was just one small runway used only occasionally by undisclosed personnel.
The jet, which carried up to 6 passengers, was a non-descriptive white, with only its ID numbers listed on one fuselage and small US flag decals on each side of its tail. It taxied to the end of the runway and stopped.
The doors to the jet did not open, nor did any one come up to its side. The 2 pilots could easily be seen through their cockpit window checking over their controls, as they waited. It was 5:00 in the morning.
By 5:30 the sun was just peeking over the horizon in its blazing liquid gold of first light. The once pink clouds were now aglow in brilliant colors of orange, amber, and white. The jet waited.
At 5:45 two dark vehicles, one a black Lincoln Town Car, followed closely by a black stretch limousine, drove up from a small, unmarked, frontage road along side the airstrip. The vehicles drove as a team, the first car traveling at a high rate of speed, the second car right behind it almost touching its bumper. Both cars were speeding towards the jet.
The windows of both vehicles were tinted, so visibility of the occupants within was limited. These cars made the final turn that brought them up on a small rise overlooking the airstrip. Then they sped down the final length of the road to the waiting jet.
Both cars pulled to a stop alongside the jet. All 4 doors of the Town Car flew open and 4 men, in dark suits and sunglasses, got out and walked over to the limousine. They each stood at the car's 4 doors. But they did not open the doors nor peer inside. Instead each man turned and faced away from the car. Each looked around, scanning the horizon and countryside, surrounding the car. They quickly searched for anything not authorized to be here at this location, at this time. These men were here not just to escort the occupants, but to also offer protection should any one try to intercept their transport.
A closer scrutiny of these 4 men would have revealed that each one wore a small ear bud in one ear with its wire running to a receiver hidden somewhere within their clothing; each carried a gun and holster underneath their coat; and each held a very small hand radio which they spoke into giving an unknown recipient status updates on their situation.
The front passenger door of the limousine opened and out stepped another man also dressed in a dark suit. This man was much taller than the other 4, and somewhat older. He even looked more menacing than the others. His hair was short and blonde. His facial features were chiseled and clean shaven. His build was very muscular. With his height and build he could almost pass for a professional weightlifter or a pro NFL player. Like the other 4 men he wore sunglasses even in this early morning light.
He walked to the door behind him and opened it, addressing the occupants inside. "Okay, let's go." His voice was firm and to the point.
He held the door open as a man and a woman stepped out of the limousine. "Hurry," He ordered as he quickly led them to the jet. Clutching their jackets the couple silently complied and hurriedly followed behind the blonde man towards the jet.
The side hatch door of the jet had opened, out folded a small staircase. The three now quickly climbed and disappeared into the interior of the plane.
A fourth man had now exited the back side door of the limousine. He stood in conference with the 4 men that were still standing watch. Two of those four now quickly ran and entered the jet. The remaining two returned back to the Lincoln Town Car. The single man now walked to the limousine driver and briefly spoke to him.
Almost in unison, the two vehicles, plus the jet, all started up their engines. This last man now made his way quickly to the jet, as the two cars sped off back down the frontage road. The dark vehicles moved once again with the same deliberate speed and urgency as when they came.
At 6:00 AM, with all its occupants now inside, the hatch door secured and closed, the jet came to life. It taxied into position at the end of the runway and then raced along, picking up speed and lifted up into the air as efficiently and effortlessly as it had landed. The jet banked one quick turn and then headed north.