Scott held in a low holding pattern over the city, the sun blinking in and out of the clouds. Air traffic control chattered in his ear about the latest updates and weather patterns and he patiently waited.
Banking a slow turn in the repeating formation and spying the other planes that trailed after him, Scott sighed and peered down at the city. It looked just the same as it always had. He smiled fondly as he saw the wide complex where he had spent a short six months preparing for a future he had seen so clearly. Before his father had resigned and dropped the bombshell that was to be International Rescue.
Scott was lost in the memory and he began to wonder what might have happened if he had stayed on at ISA. With another small smile, Scott gazed affectionately down at the agency headquarters and saw the sun glinting off of the immense Saturn rocket that still rested in front of the revamped buildings.
The window of a landing opportunity was then relayed to him and he adjusted trajectory into the approach pattern. Flying the state-of-the-art company jet was always a pleasure but she wasn't One. Scott wondered if her repairs were finished yet and decided to call home after he had landed.
XXXXX
At last on the ground and weary from the journey, Scott yawned and rested against the back seat of the taxi. The storm was closing in and rain was pummelling the car as it made its way through the outskirts of the city.
Dan Rutherford still lived in the same street as he had since he was born. A few doors down from his family's place and opposite the house where Alan had been quickly and unexpectedly born on the bathroom floor. Scott was confronted with a barrage of memories as he climbed from the cab and headed up the front drive.
Seeing Dan again was good. He was ready with beers and time to chat and they relaxed into merry banter in the lounge. It was a very different meeting to the short time they had shared together at the sombre memorial service and Scott was pleased; he could talk and joke with Dan for hours. And it had been too long since he had.
Reluctant to risk altering the mood but knowing what could be at stake, Scott took a deep breath and a fresh beer before turning to Dan. "Trailblazer." He began carefully.
Dan's smile faded.
Scott watched his friend's reaction for a moment.
"Scott …" Dan sighed, "You know I can't."
Scott shrugged an apology.
Dan's smile found its way back and he lifted his bottle towards Scott. "Guess it's hard to let go, huh?"
Scott nodded, "It was Jake …"
"Yeah …"
"I just need …" Scott paused and chose his words carefully, "I know what we were starting to head for … was it Ventura?"
Dan shook his head slowly. "I can't, Scott."
Scott laughed softly, "Come on, man! It's me!"
Dan nodded slowly, "And believe me, buddy, I'm torn. I really am. If I could, I would, but - "
"Why was he up there alone?"
Dan sighed loudly and hung his head. "Please, Scott …" he then looked back up and his face was filled with concern – and something else. "How d'you find out, any how?"
"That doesn't matter." Scott answered quickly, suddenly afraid and not able to explain why. But a nagging doubt was telling him that being here with the best friend he would at one time have given his life for was more dangerous than he dared to imagine.
And the friendly banter ended, the reminiscing done. Scott finished his beer and tried not to make his departure too swift. He hugged Dan, said he was glad to have caught up and promised to stay in touch.
XXXXX
Scott sat on the edge of the bed and listened to the airport traffic arriving and departing beyond the hotel room window. He stared at the phone in his hand and chewed at his lip, trying to decide what to do.
With a sigh, Scott dialled the number and waited for the call to answer.
"Hey, this is Art, Ruth, Kathy, Gemma and Charlie. Leave us a message."
"Um … hi … Ruth, it's Scott. I … erm … well - "
"Scott?"
Scott's heart leapt and he smiled in delight.
"Sorry. I've been screening calls, like you said." Ruth explained. "You okay?"
Scott leaned back to lie across the bed and closed his eyes.
"Scott? Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"You okay?"
Scott frowned. "I'm not sure."
Ruth laughed gently, "Guess that's as good an answer as any!"
"You?"
"I … I meant what I said …" Ruth sighed, "But I'm here for you. I'll always be your friend."
Scott felt the onset of sudden tears and cleared his throat. "That's – erm … that's good to hear, Ruthie."
"Where are you?"
"Houston."
There was silence.
"Dan didn't want to talk."
Ruth sighed, "He probably can't … like we said."
"Yeah." Scott took a deep breath, "I miss you."
"Scott … please …"
"Okay. I'm sorry." Scott forced a smile to his face and sat back upright. "Well … just wanted to say 'hi'."
"'Hi' to you, too."
Scott's smile grew, "Ruthie, I - " He jumped as a knock came at the door and he stood to hurry across and peer through the eyehole. "I've got to go."
"Okay. Be careful."
"I will." He closed his phone and opened the door.
Dan's face was pale and filled with fear. He managed a small smile and hurried inside the room. "I'm sorry!" He offered quickly.
Scott peered outside the room and checked the empty corridor. He then closed and locked the door and turned back to his friend in intrigue.
"I just couldn't risk it!" Dan blurted urgently, "They warned us, Scott, they said - "
"Easy!" Scott soothed, moving closer to his friend and placing his hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. It's safe here."
Dan nodded and took a deep breath, pinching his nose between thumb and forefinger. "I should have been up there, Scott. I should have been with him. Maybe, if - "
"Oh don't, Dan."
Dan lifted his head and looked back at Scott. "He was into something, Scott."
Scott frowned in confusion.
"He had weird meetings with these guys and was all secretive but …" He shook his head slowly, "I followed him once. They went out to this warehouse and I never saw what was inside or anything but … I don't know what he was doing …"
"And Trailblazer?"
Dan nodded, "She's the Ventura."
Scott's frown grew. "But I thought they scrapped the plans? Said it just wasn't feasible?"
"Yeah. ISA didn't have the money or the public backing." Dan confirmed, "Some rich French guy picked up the tab," he sighed, "And then it became more about the money than the dream."
Scott listened patiently, his heart racing.
"Then we heard some rumour about another project." Dan continued, "It was never more than that – just a rumour. Someone else was making a bid to get back up there – outside of ISA."
Scott's mouth was dry.
"So we skipped final checks and overlooked significant problems." Dan closed his eyes. "And even did a first test flight without a co-pilot." His voice quietened, "I had an ear infection and couldn't fly. We had no B team and that was that." He looked back at Scott. "Jake went up alone."
Scott thought back to the file Ruth had obtained and the accident reports and investigation, wondering now if sabotage was an easier pill to swallow than human error and a rushed job. "And the other project?"
Dan laughed softly and shrugged his shoulders. "International Rescue."
Scott's heart was in his throat. Sure that his long time friend would see something in his eyes, he turned and headed for the mini-bar.
"Or so ISA told us." Dan added, "I mean, it could be someone else entirely or it could still be nothing. Maybe they invented the whole competition thing." He laughed again, "After all, ISA is supposed to be all about worldwide co-operation and all that shit." He smiled at Scott, "On the outside at least. Within the ranks there's still good old fashioned lets beat the Russians to the moon."
Scott sipped at his Coke and handed another to Dan. "And these guys Jake met with …?"
"Vanished." Dan shrugged.
"Did you ever see them?"
"Once or twice." Dan sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Gotta say, I'd still put my bets on some rival project." He shook his head, "And I think Jake was helping out the other team."
"Oh?"
Dan nodded, "Things he said. Things that didn't add up."
Scott considered the possibility for a moment. If there were a rival team, sabotaging the Ventura while also killing the key witness would be the thing to do. It was all too confusing and he suddenly felt way out of his depth. He needed to call in some experts to help him solve this puzzle. But there was still one piece that Dan might be able to fit into place. "Who designed her?" He asked warily, "The Ventura. Whose idea was she?"
"Some Russian guy." Dan replied. "I think he - "
They both then jumped as a loud banging came at the door. Scott turned towards the sound, his heart in his throat.
Dan froze, imagining the worst, and then gasped in horror as his fears were confirmed.
"Open up!" Came a sudden shout from the other side of the door. "FBI!"
Tbc …
