p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongDear Readers,/strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongIt has been quite a while last I posted and I am deeply sorry for that./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongWork, the ongoing pandemic, and a lot of activities have kept me from finishing this chapter./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongOn the other hand, since most of the ideas were already written, I decided to make this a two-part story./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongMore for you to enjoy!/strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongTake care/strong/em/p
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p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""em… I can't forget them… they are all I have left!/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A memory from her teenage years came rushing as if buried in the deepest reaches of her mind./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Her mother had passed away a few months before. She could not get over her anger and sadness, weakened from the ordeal. Her arrival on Tracy island was quite a shock for both her and the boys. They were nice enough to welcome a young lady in their "boys only" home and were reminded dearly by their father to be gentle./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She kept to her room, only coming out when summoned. "emGive her some time…/em" were Grandma's words to Jeff as she stared absentmindedly at her food. Nothing really helped at that time; not even her visits to the therapist. She had to open up of her own free will; external help would only give her the tools she needed to do it./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It all changed one day. Scott spoke to his father about giving her a special place in order to heal, having gone through the death of his mother himself. Jeff was humbled and accepted to lend a hand in the elder's project./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Etched on the side of a cliff overhanging the beach was a small round cavity, about five feet deep and wide. The naturally formed cave was one of the boys' favorite hideouts. Virgil and John made garlands of seashells and rainbow-colored beads, entangled around strings of Christmas lights. Gordon and Alan insisted on using paint to write "nice" things on the walls "Get well" and "You're the best!". Grandma fashioned cushions and curtains; she also fitted an old tatami inside. Their gesture warmed her heart. Soon after, she began opening up to them, placing her confidence in her newfound "brothers". And if she did not feel like it, she could go back to "her place" to be alone./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alexandar's panicked voice brought her back to reality./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- HEY! HEY! Are you okay? Your heart rate spiked; your brain functions were through the roof. I was afraid you'd have a seizure there…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Kayo took a deep breath. She was back in the ship's cockpit./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Pipe down, I'm okay. Just something on my mind, that's all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was an uneasy silence. After a moment of hesitation, the young man resumed his tech talk, enumerating the key features of her suit. She feigned listening. He stopped eventually, realizing she was not attentive to his explanations./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You are ignoring me./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No… well, yes, a little. I got most of it anyway./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It will be primordial to remember what I said./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- That's not really how you do things. You can't substitute years of training with a twenty-minute lecture over long-range comms./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- There was little choice. Let's just say I want you to do your best… for both our sakes./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The cockpit was completely silent. Kayo turned her head sideways to look around. No radio communications, no instruments check, no small talk between the soldiers. It was unsettling. With her seat reclined, she couldn't get a good look at the controls. The soldier in the pilot's seat did not strike her as a skilled: seldom touching anything around him, he kept his hands on his knees most of the time. No pilot in her book ever flew a craft with his hands off the instruments. The course had to be programmed and any change would immediately alert Olympus./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Why did Hanse want to test her skills so early? Was he bent on proving her a failure or was he too confident in her abilities? For Alexandar's sake, she needed to complete the mission and head back quickly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A notification flashed on her helmet's HUD, indicating they were approaching the destination. The layout of the building's interior came up. A computerized voice carried on explaining the plan with sketched indications appearing as the speech went on./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Seven intruders have accessed the facility through the eastern exit. Status: armed and dangerous, will offer resistance. Orders: shoot to kill. Avoid facility personnel if possible; if collateral damage ensues, victims are expendable. Secure the area, do not give pursuit. Stall as much as possible. Report back once the intruders reach their ship./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She reached out to the scientist./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Expandable personnel?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alexandar was still on screen, working on his tablet. He answered casually./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Local personnel is expected to evacuate or follow lockdown procedures. Different protocols are put into place depending on the situation. I must admit, it is quite unusual to see armed terrorists attempting to raid such a large facility. When they write protocols for these situations, they are expecting it to happen./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What's in there exactly?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Pharmaceutical lab work, mostly top secret. The job comes with large hazard pay. Local authorities are bribed to overlook whatever happens. No incident will ever be made public…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What if they are?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You know how this will end. There was a scandal about the Veterans project and the learning chips a few years ago if you were unaware. It was a mediatic circus before the whole thing died down and the operations resumed as normal./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He made his point: every bit of information made public will need to be screened first. And with Holling's money, he could silence the press without much effort. She resumed her studying of the facility's layout, whispering to herself: emI can't believe I'm doing this…/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A few moments later, her seat moved back to the upright position. The aircraft was on its final descent. Hanse's voice was heard through the comms. The outside layout of the facility appeared on her screen, replacing the plans she had previously brought up./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Artemis, change of plans. Your objective is to attach a tracking device to the enemy aircraft. You will have to prove your ability for stealth and cunning. Make sure to put it somewhere hard to reach and out of sight./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The message ended abruptly. Alexandar wiped his brow as he came back on her screen./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Okay, here's your chance to impress Hanse. The intruding ship is in the vicinity. Our readings indicate it is cloaked on the north-eastern side of the complex. I've marked it on your HUD./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She got up and headed for the cargo bay./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The soldiers were gearing up. It was no game at this point: a full commando unit, wearing top-of-the-line blast-resistant light armor and using the latest in smart weapon technology. "emThey have to come back alive: how much would it cost to lose all of this gear?/em", she thought. Who were the opponents exactly? She just hoped they would not be facing angry animal rights activists with colored cardboard signs and nailed baseball bats. Smart rifles were a bit much for that crew./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A soldier approached her, presenting her with a reinforced case. She opened it to reveal a handheld device, about three inches wide and less than one inch thick, coated in an industrial plastic made to resemble metal. Alexandar commented as she grabbed the item./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It's a very advanced piece of technology. Something new we need to try./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This doesn't look like a tracking device… more like compact explosives./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The young man nodded./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Almost: this is a very powerful electromagnetic pulse device that disables electronics without damaging them. Regular EMP fields fry everything; it leaves a trace. This will simply stop all electrical activity…./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- …so when the crashed aircraft is found, the instruments will label the discharge as a shutdown and not sabotage. Clever./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Kayo thought to herself: "This is warfare… They want me to kill people…". The words going out of her mouth felt empty. Deep inside, she felt she was doing something wrong but the concept was foreign to her; as if it was normal. Whatever Alexandar had done to her mind, it greatly modified her inhibitions. She was spontaneous, aggressive, and willing to punch anyone just because she felt like it. All those feelings swirled inside of her, like a raging tempest. The thought of her brothers soothed her rage, but it came back as soon as she brought her mind back to the task at hand./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"This was the game: weaponizing thoughts. She noted to herself the urgent need to tackle this matter with Alexandar face to face…/p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""emKeep your comms up at all times. Don't get out of the aircraft or approach the building. That's if you want to live, capiche?/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott was more than happy to oblige. He sat in the darkness of the cockpit, waiting for the Company to return. He had chosen to join the Air Force for a good reason./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Open comms meant he could hear the entire operation: the deafening sound of gunfire, commands being shouted, confirmations to proceed, scouting reports. It made him nervous. Whatever the target was, he hoped it was worth all this trouble./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"While he remained alone, with the ship's instruments at his disposition, he wondered if he could at least send the coordinates of his whereabouts to his brothers. He enabled the flight console. His current position appeared on the nav computer. A voice thundered from his left and startled him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Is the target secure? Mei, please respond./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was the Professor. The ship was hooked with Hawk Island and sent a message once the electronics were back from sleep mode./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott replied:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Negative, Sir. I'm preparing the ship for their return./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was a long silence before the professor spoke anew./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Good. Make sure you stay safe and keep the external communications to a minimum. We might be monitored./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He had not thought about it. Of course, the enemy would try to tap into their communications if they could. He refrained from sending any messages, not willing to endanger his brothers./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The battle seemed to intensify, as he heard somebody scream "Man down!" over the comms. The group had encountered significant resistance, that was for sure. He kept on listening to the ruckus, hoping he could get a hint of them heading back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The cargo bay hatch unlocked; a green light flashed on the instrument windows. The loading platform was descending. This meant that the ship was completely out of camouflage. He readied himself, turning all the flight controls back on and getting ready for takeoff. Yet the noise of the battle through the communicator did not echo from the cargo bay. Could it be only the wounded made it back to the ship?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Peeking through the stairwell for a moment, nobody came inside. There was no explanation as to what could have triggered the ramp commands from the outside./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He wondered a minute if he should go down in the cargo. Unarmed, it was a very bad idea, if ever the enemy decided to take over the ship. Even equipped with the bullet-proof vest and the "forcefield", he was not confident enough in his ability to take down armed opponents. The sensors were not showing any life signs. After hesitating for a while, he mustered the courage to descend into the belly of the ship. If lowering the bridge was his mistake, he had to fix it./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The dim safety lights illuminated the walkway on both sides, but not enough to take a good look around. Letting his eyes adapt to darkness, he was able to make out the mercenaries' bags on the ground, obscuring the lights. Rummaging through the bags, he found a flashlight. The chaos of the earlier battle preparation was all around him: opened crates, bags flipped inside out, clothing and accessories hanging everywhere. It reminded him of Alan's room; he was likely to trip on something if he didn't look where he took his next step./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He felt someone trying to grab him from behind. He was caught unprepared but, having trained for such a situation, his reflexes kicked in, escaping the grab expertly. The flashlight had fallen on the ground, the beam hidden by an obstacle right in front. The remaining flash of light was enough to remove his night vision, giving him a hard time to have it settle while being wary of his surroundings./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"That's when it caught him straight in the jaw. A punch like no other, straight, precise, powerful. His head turned but he remained standing, reflexively jabbing whoever was in front of him. His fist was deflected by a quick feint doubled by a counterattack. He quickly took a few steps backward, and the beam of light moved as his opponent stepped on one of the empty bags, triggering a chain reaction with other precariously laid items on the floor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Although the optical camouflage deflected the beam, there was no mistaking the presence of a human-sized shadow against the wall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""emChronos was right…/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"These words flashed through his mind. He only had a second to react as the shadow detached from the wall, its shadow enlarging as it approached him. It moved fast, too fast. Was it really her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Before he could open his mouth to call her name, the flashlight was sent crashing into the wall next to him, the lens exploding in a kaleidoscope of shattered glass before going dark. His eyes dazzled; he took a few steps backward, tripping on an open weapon crate and falling heavily to the floor. Helpless, he tried to get back up and succeeded with a little help from his invisible assailant, while he felt himself being dragged by the front of his shirt. Unable to break free, a second was enough to give his opponent the advantage. All it took was that famous knockout punch.../p
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p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"WAKE UP, ROOKIE! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED HERE?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott was awakened by a generous splash of water to the face, courtesy of Reid. He felt the humming and buzzing of the instruments: the ship had already taken off. It took him a few seconds to recover and stand up. Coldy grabbed his arm, shaking him slowly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What happened? Why did you lower the ramp?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder Tracy wiped his face in one motion. His jaw was sore. The soldier's grip pressed him to give an answer./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I didn't…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who came inside? Did you see who it was?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He took a deep breath, shaking off Coldy's grasp and wiping his face with his forearm./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm not sure, could it have been… Kayo?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The commander didn't appreciate the answer, grabbing Scott by the shirt./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who's that "Kayo", some kind of a joke? You acquainted with any of these assholes? Trust me I'll throw you down this ramp in flight if you give me a single hint of doubt.../p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei jumped down from the cockpit and broke the argument with a sharp "HEY!", pushing both men aside as she could./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- That's enough! Search the ship, and make sure nothing was sabotaged. We do not have time to mess around./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy breathed out from his nose and turned the other way, annoyed. He grabbed a canteen and drank as he ordered the others to search the ship. They all made it out alive and well except for the occasional bruises and sores. No deaths on their side, no bullet wounds, an impressive feat. They were better than he expected./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott noticed there was a new passenger seated in the cargo bay, hands tied, an opaque cotton bag on the head, sided by two guards. On a stretcher rested a young girl of about fourteen years of age, her body weirdly twisted. He was about to ask about them when Mei pushed him towards the cockpit./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The doctor closed the hatch before inviting him to the pilot seat. She was amazingly calm./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Do what you do best, Scott. We'll talk on the way. The coordinates are already punched in. Don't try anything funny./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I know…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He was suddenly very docile. She smiled in response./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Tell me, who did this to you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I don't know… the ramp came down, thought it was the "man down" coming back. There wasn't anybody. I grabbed a flashlight and…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Did you manage to talk to her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He raised an eyebrow. How did she know? Mei looked at the horizon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- As I expected. She is immersed in forced obedience./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott's hands clasped the yoke tightly, and his joints whitened./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Did you know about this? About what they would do to her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A few seconds of silence precede her answer./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Yes. I knew they were looking for her particular genetic mutation in order to fabricate their new Keepers. Holling is counting on this new "breed" to fulfill his goals. He will not dare do anything to harm her. His strategy this time is to offer them the royal treatment… No captivity, no dark dungeon where they will have to remain for years…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A fit of rage burned him inside, and his face flushed red. Mei and the Professor kept insisting that Kayo was not in danger, which he found hard to believe. Knowing full well what Abigail had gone through, he hated to think such depraved experiments could be conducted on Kayo./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The thought of reverting the course and flying towards Tracy Island crossed his mind but the presence of the armed militia was dissuasive enough. He had to convince himself to trust them and play the game until the end./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He took a deep breath, before complaining./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I can't believe she punched me…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Would you rather have been shot?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- She wouldn't use firearms. And she didn't kill me.../p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei smiled lightly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This means she still has her mind to herself./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Doubt that. Kayo is too rebellious for them to handle./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- They are probably watching her every move on the field. I wouldn't be surprised if there was an entire surveillance team monitoring her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"They had been flying for almost an hour now when the hatch opened, revealing Reid/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- She's awake. We're ready./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei got up./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I have something important to do. Please excuse me./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She descended towards the cargo bay leaving Scott in charge of piloting. He wondered if the young girl in the cargo was another of those poor souls Gregory Hawkingburg was bent on saving. To go so far as to infiltrate a facility at the peril of their lives to save people subjected to Hanse's modifications required a lot of courage and guts. What was in it for the militia? Money? And a hostage situation? He really hoped this would be brought to light soon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"After evading all unwanted aerial surveillance from the ground controls, his mind drifted in thought. What were his brothers doing? And what if it really was Kayo who punched him silly, with all her mind to herself? There was hope after all. What part of the "greater scheme" was she involved in? Spying in Olympus? Unlikely but plausible. He felt both pride and fear for a moment. She had the skills but could she keep up the game for long? There was something else, a bigger picture. Something he missed that the Professor, Mei, and maybe some of the others were aware of. It was decided: upon his return, he would pledge his organization to the cause./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A loud buzzing and crackling came from the console, waking Scott from his thoughts. The instruments went completely dark. The aircraft began a sharp descent. He felt the yoke sway violently as he tried keeping it steady. The comms were unresponsive. Coldy sprang from the hatch./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What's going on rookie? All is dark down there!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We've lost all electronics! Everyone, hold onto something, I'll try to steer this thing./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Through expert skill, he managed to keep the aircraft gliding, lowering his altitude sufficiently to prevent a full-on crash. Fortunately, they had reached the Black Sea. Even if Scott had managed some amazing maneuvers, they were still coming in too fast. Mei's voice was heard./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Oxygen is dropping! We need the shielded life support module or she's not going to make it!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The loss of altitude brought worse turbulence; Scott struggled to keep the aircraft under control. The lives of all the passengers were on his hands now. Coldy had sensed the gravity of the situation and went back down in the cargo. Either this or he had knocked his head when the going went rough. Scott would have preferred the latter; it would serve him right./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was his last chance to get the aircraft down safely. He managed a wide turn as fighter pilots would, hoping the move would give him a significant drop in both altitude and speed towards the water./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It did. And it was the same as hitting a brick wall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was a deafening splash as the hull hit the surface. Time stood still for a moment, there was no sound whatsoever. Scott's hands were hurting as he painfully uncurled his fingers off the yoke. This was not thanks to his skill alone, luck was on his side/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy's voice resonated in the cargo./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Anyone hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Then his head popped from the hatch. His voice was different from before./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Rookie, that was some master flying. Forget what I said earlier. Are you hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder Tracy got up quickly. His next shift was up, as a member of International Rescue this time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm okay. What about the others?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He followed Coldy down in the cargo. It was messier now that everything had been thrown around. Most of the crew were working on getting life rafts ready. The aircraft would not stand on the surface of the water indefinitely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The young patient seemed to be okay but monopolized Mei's constant attention. Right by her side was another person, holding the girl's hand tightly against her. Scott recognized her immediately./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was Colonel Casey. The moment she caught view of his face, she stared at him incredulously./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Scott Tracy!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Colonel? Why… I mean how… Did these people abduct you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei rolled her eyes./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is all part of the plan, Tracy. The Colonel is here of her free will. Would she have come to us openly, what would the GDF and General Dixon think?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Casey nodded./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We shall discuss this once everyone is safe. Right now, I suppose we are going to need assistance from your brothers, won't we Doctor Chang?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei frowned/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This was not part of the plan. We cannot involve them this soon, it is premature. Dixon is bound to know./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy had been trying to reboot the communication array with the help of Reid and two other teammates. Loud curses were heard, both of anger and victory. After a few minutes, Reid came toward the Doctor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Five hours before we get backup. We won't last that long./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei's face changed/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Five? What do you mean, five hours? It is impossible to stay here a minute more! They will come looking for us./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The Colonel sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is an unforeseen circumstance. As you said, we cannot afford to be taken alive. See to our arrangement, Doctor Chang. I have too much to lose off this deal./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei's face betrayed her annoyance. "This was not part of the deal; this was not how things were supposed to go" she whispered to herself. Turning towards Scott, pointing a finger at him to emphasize her words, she began:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You won, Tracy. Call your brothers. But make sure they stay away from the GDF's surveillance. Even if the entire cavalry gets here, we won't surrender you back to them. You promised to help us get Tanusha back, you have to uphold your end of the bargain./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott nodded and turned towards Reid, smirking. The tall bulky man looked at him, giving him an unfriendly push once he passed him by. The elder Tracy turned towards Mei./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We still have to help evacuate. Let's not waste any more time./p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""Calling International Rescue. This is Scott Tracy. We have a situation."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan never woke up so fast in his entire life./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He opened a broadcast channel to Tracy Island and picked up his elder brother's call./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Scott! We've been so worried…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No time for small talk. Here are my coordinates. We are stranded and in need of immediate retrieval./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who "we"? Who's with you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- About a dozen people. We'll also need medical supplies. Tell Virgil to get a med bay ready./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Are you hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No, I'm fine, don't worry. Just make sure you don't get traced, and take every necessary precaution./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It took less than five minutes for the Tracy brothers to be suited and ready to launch in Thunderbird Two. John assumed navigator duties as Alan relayed all the information from the area. The space monitor looked at the map./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- They are awfully close to the Bereznik border… let's hope they don't get sighted by any patrols. Our presence might arouse suspicion too./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil was monitoring the ship's instruments while his brother was navigating the terrain on the map. John brought up a projection of the area./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We're bound to be seen. We can't land anywhere near the crash site. We'll have to use the pods to retrieve them./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan appeared on the ship's holoprojector./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I've sent a probe to this region. The good news is, that they crashed on the southern ridge of the Black Sea, so they are not in Bereznik territory. The bad news is they have attracted unwanted attention. Recon aircrafts are coming their way. Bereznik crafts. There are an awful lot of roads near the site: locals have most likely sighted them and will contact the authorities./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John frowned while selecting a course. It did not seem to please him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We'll have to land here: it's a deeply forested area. That's the best we can do if we don't want tourists and bystanders to see us. Most of the area is mountainous and inhabited, it will be difficult to hide Thunderbird Two if we can't find a choice location, which will take time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil turned over to his brother./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We have only two pods available with limited space for passengers. Alan, can you call Scott and check on their status? Do they require immediate medical attention or are they okay with meeting us at a rendezvous point?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Chronos appeared next to Alan./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I can modify your ship's transponder credentials to fit that of a special forestry cargo. Might it be well suited for this mission in order to avoid unnecessary attention from both Bereznik and the authorities?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil looked at both Chronos and Alan./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This could work, I guess. What about eyewitnesses?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John resumed the planning of the course./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Transponders are not very hard to hack. The hardest part is making sure the authorities believe you. We are bound to arrive by nightfall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Gordon crossed his arms. He was thrilled to be reunited with his older brother but something else was on his mind. Penelope had left the island in order to investigate on her side. He was both worried and sad he could not accompany her. Then again, he was best suited for action. Jumping from his seat, he stretched./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Welp, I'm gonna go get some pods ready. John, are you with me?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The space monitor did not as much as lift his eyes from the Nav./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No thanks, I'll pass. Virgil will join you. I'm not that keen on playing with pods anyway./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Suit yourself!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The probe circled the area as Scott was helping people out on top of the aircraft. It sank very slowly as the hull took on water. The crew donned life jackets, jumping in the water once they were done. There was not enough for everyone; skilled swimmers might have to hold on to the raft if necessary. Reid carried the young woman up to one of the rafts where she took place with Mei and Colonel Casey. Doctor Chang constantly monitored the young lady's vital signs./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John began running identifications./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is… weird. All these people are wanted terrorists in the GDF's files. And this is…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He gasped./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Mei? And Colonel Casey?! But how…?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil reflexively turned towards his brother as soon as he ushered the name of the Colonel/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What? Are you sure?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Positive. What is going on here? This is really starting to get more and more confusing. We'd better get them out of there ASAP. We need explanations. Penelope needs to know about this./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Let's grab everyone and get the hell out of here. I'm not in the mood of getting shot out of the air today./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"By then, the probe has gone full circle and approached Scott. Alan sent a message/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'll have the probe follow you. If you see fighter jets, turn it off so you won't get tracked. Get to the ridge into the forest, Virgil and Gordon will meet you there with pods. Are any of the passengers gravely wounded?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei looked at the probe and spoke./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We need high oxygen, temperature-controlled environment. Can't you bring an aircraft closer?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan was surprised to hear Mei's voice, he stuttered before answering./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Well… uh… no, we can't. The GDF has not given us permission to fly, we'd rather stay out of sight. I'll send the pods to pick you up first once they land./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The sun was dropping fast on the horizon, Scott replied./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You need to hurry before darkness comes. It will become way too risky to reach the shore then. Get pods here ASAP to pick up the patient and her escort, I'll get the others safely to shore and begin walking toward the woods./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Guided by Alan and John, Gordon and Virgil arrived to pick up Colonel Casey, Mei, Reid, and the young lady. Once they were back in Thunderbird Two, they returned to fetch the others who had gathered in the woods, evading the authorities and the locals successfully, not without a lot of creativity on their part. Once everyone was on board, it was time to depart in all haste./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott and his brothers shared a quick accolade, happy to be reunited but also eager to get answers. The elder asked his brothers to wait until they reached Hawk Island. Gordon helped the crew in locating all necessary medical equipment to treat their wounds. Once he got to the med bay, he was surprised to see the Colonel at the young lady's side, holding her weirdly twisted hand. Mei was preparing some IVs and not paying any attention to him. He made his way to Jaclyn's side./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Colonel Casey… hum… fancy seeing you here…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He scratched the back of his head nervously. The Colonel turned to him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Do not worry Gordon. You will get your explanations along with the rest of your brothers once we reach our destination. Even if you snoop around, I cannot tell you anything more./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei sighed at Gordon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Gordon, mind making yourself useful? I need a few drugs and cannot seem to find them in the cabinet. Can you help me with that? Or get your brother down here so he can./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Knowing full well he could not help the doctor, Gordon walked back to the cockpit. He relayed the info to Virgil who came down to the med bay, leaving his precious ship in the hands of his younger sibling. Mei was relieved to see him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He leaned against the med bay door assessing the situation with his arms crossed before asking:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Give me one good reason why I should help you after what you did./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei was taken unaware by his question./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This young lady needs help. You are not doing this for me, but for her. If you do not wish to help us, be honest about it. But at least let me give her what she needs to survive./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The second eldest was clearly angry./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- First Kayo and now this? What is your goal? Again, I ask you, why should I help you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Colonel Casey was studying the situation in detail. She glanced nervously at Mei first, then at Virgil before speaking./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Tracy, I will only ask you this once: help her save my daughter, please. You will get the full story once she is stable, I promise you./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil turned towards the Colonel, his face changing to awe instantly as her words came through./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Your… your daughter?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Looking back at Mei, he breathed out before adding:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Help her first, we'll talk after./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He pressed a button on his gauntlet computer. One of the wall cavities opened. Doctor Chang selected a few vials and began mixing them in some saline solution for injection. Virgil watched her every move, remaining in the doorway the entire time. Once she was done, she tucked the girl in and turned towards him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Everything will be explained once we reach the island. Your brother had a first glimpse of the situation: I trust his word will be enough to deter you from resorting to violence. That's not like you, Virgil./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No, it's not. But I can't trust anybody anymore… Not even my own brothers. So, you'll excuse me if I don't believe you./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"As he was turning to leave, Mei asked:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Rest assured, Kayo will be fine. Holling will not dare hurt her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Looking over his shoulder, he replied:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- For your sake, I hope you're right. Not only for Kayo, but for Abigail also./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The Doctor watched as he left the room, lost in his thoughts. He regained the bridge and wrested the control of his bird from his brother. It was better for him to keep his mind busy./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott joined them on the bridge after a while, relating the recent events that led to his capture, how he was brought back to Hawk Island, and his meeting with Kayo. More questions sprang from the discussion. John was the first as always to raise a concern./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Are you certain you got attacked by Kayo? And she could not see you even with her night vision? You do know the Keepers' helmets have all these types of different spectrums they can see through. There must have been something else going on./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I don't know John. She attacked me head-on. But she didn't kill me. If she ever is Artemis, she's not in full control of her state yet./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Most likely. If she is wired to Holling or Hanse, she might not have had the choice. At least we know she is safe and sound. But what about …/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John looked at Virgil whose fist began clenching on the instruments. He whispered to his elder./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What about Abigail I wonder…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott nodded; it was better not to add more salt to the wound./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- The Professor will greet you guys and explain everything. We have reached an agreement and we will help him. This means getting Abigail back, I promise./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John smiled./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm happy you changed your mind, Scott. This means a lot to us./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil spoke without looking back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It does. Whatever they plan on doing… we need to get to Olympus quickly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder nodded and laid back for the rest of the trip, happy that his brother was at peace with his decision./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;" /p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongIt has been quite a while last I posted and I am deeply sorry for that./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongWork, the ongoing pandemic, and a lot of activities have kept me from finishing this chapter./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongOn the other hand, since most of the ideas were already written, I decided to make this a two-part story./strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongMore for you to enjoy!/strong/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"emstrongTake care/strong/em/p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""em… I can't forget them… they are all I have left!/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A memory from her teenage years came rushing as if buried in the deepest reaches of her mind./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Her mother had passed away a few months before. She could not get over her anger and sadness, weakened from the ordeal. Her arrival on Tracy island was quite a shock for both her and the boys. They were nice enough to welcome a young lady in their "boys only" home and were reminded dearly by their father to be gentle./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She kept to her room, only coming out when summoned. "emGive her some time…/em" were Grandma's words to Jeff as she stared absentmindedly at her food. Nothing really helped at that time; not even her visits to the therapist. She had to open up of her own free will; external help would only give her the tools she needed to do it./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It all changed one day. Scott spoke to his father about giving her a special place in order to heal, having gone through the death of his mother himself. Jeff was humbled and accepted to lend a hand in the elder's project./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Etched on the side of a cliff overhanging the beach was a small round cavity, about five feet deep and wide. The naturally formed cave was one of the boys' favorite hideouts. Virgil and John made garlands of seashells and rainbow-colored beads, entangled around strings of Christmas lights. Gordon and Alan insisted on using paint to write "nice" things on the walls "Get well" and "You're the best!". Grandma fashioned cushions and curtains; she also fitted an old tatami inside. Their gesture warmed her heart. Soon after, she began opening up to them, placing her confidence in her newfound "brothers". And if she did not feel like it, she could go back to "her place" to be alone./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alexandar's panicked voice brought her back to reality./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- HEY! HEY! Are you okay? Your heart rate spiked; your brain functions were through the roof. I was afraid you'd have a seizure there…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Kayo took a deep breath. She was back in the ship's cockpit./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Pipe down, I'm okay. Just something on my mind, that's all./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was an uneasy silence. After a moment of hesitation, the young man resumed his tech talk, enumerating the key features of her suit. She feigned listening. He stopped eventually, realizing she was not attentive to his explanations./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You are ignoring me./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No… well, yes, a little. I got most of it anyway./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It will be primordial to remember what I said./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- That's not really how you do things. You can't substitute years of training with a twenty-minute lecture over long-range comms./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- There was little choice. Let's just say I want you to do your best… for both our sakes./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The cockpit was completely silent. Kayo turned her head sideways to look around. No radio communications, no instruments check, no small talk between the soldiers. It was unsettling. With her seat reclined, she couldn't get a good look at the controls. The soldier in the pilot's seat did not strike her as a skilled: seldom touching anything around him, he kept his hands on his knees most of the time. No pilot in her book ever flew a craft with his hands off the instruments. The course had to be programmed and any change would immediately alert Olympus./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Why did Hanse want to test her skills so early? Was he bent on proving her a failure or was he too confident in her abilities? For Alexandar's sake, she needed to complete the mission and head back quickly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A notification flashed on her helmet's HUD, indicating they were approaching the destination. The layout of the building's interior came up. A computerized voice carried on explaining the plan with sketched indications appearing as the speech went on./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Seven intruders have accessed the facility through the eastern exit. Status: armed and dangerous, will offer resistance. Orders: shoot to kill. Avoid facility personnel if possible; if collateral damage ensues, victims are expendable. Secure the area, do not give pursuit. Stall as much as possible. Report back once the intruders reach their ship./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She reached out to the scientist./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Expandable personnel?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alexandar was still on screen, working on his tablet. He answered casually./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Local personnel is expected to evacuate or follow lockdown procedures. Different protocols are put into place depending on the situation. I must admit, it is quite unusual to see armed terrorists attempting to raid such a large facility. When they write protocols for these situations, they are expecting it to happen./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What's in there exactly?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Pharmaceutical lab work, mostly top secret. The job comes with large hazard pay. Local authorities are bribed to overlook whatever happens. No incident will ever be made public…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What if they are?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You know how this will end. There was a scandal about the Veterans project and the learning chips a few years ago if you were unaware. It was a mediatic circus before the whole thing died down and the operations resumed as normal./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He made his point: every bit of information made public will need to be screened first. And with Holling's money, he could silence the press without much effort. She resumed her studying of the facility's layout, whispering to herself: emI can't believe I'm doing this…/em/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A few moments later, her seat moved back to the upright position. The aircraft was on its final descent. Hanse's voice was heard through the comms. The outside layout of the facility appeared on her screen, replacing the plans she had previously brought up./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Artemis, change of plans. Your objective is to attach a tracking device to the enemy aircraft. You will have to prove your ability for stealth and cunning. Make sure to put it somewhere hard to reach and out of sight./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The message ended abruptly. Alexandar wiped his brow as he came back on her screen./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Okay, here's your chance to impress Hanse. The intruding ship is in the vicinity. Our readings indicate it is cloaked on the north-eastern side of the complex. I've marked it on your HUD./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She got up and headed for the cargo bay./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The soldiers were gearing up. It was no game at this point: a full commando unit, wearing top-of-the-line blast-resistant light armor and using the latest in smart weapon technology. "emThey have to come back alive: how much would it cost to lose all of this gear?/em", she thought. Who were the opponents exactly? She just hoped they would not be facing angry animal rights activists with colored cardboard signs and nailed baseball bats. Smart rifles were a bit much for that crew./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A soldier approached her, presenting her with a reinforced case. She opened it to reveal a handheld device, about three inches wide and less than one inch thick, coated in an industrial plastic made to resemble metal. Alexandar commented as she grabbed the item./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It's a very advanced piece of technology. Something new we need to try./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This doesn't look like a tracking device… more like compact explosives./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The young man nodded./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Almost: this is a very powerful electromagnetic pulse device that disables electronics without damaging them. Regular EMP fields fry everything; it leaves a trace. This will simply stop all electrical activity…./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- …so when the crashed aircraft is found, the instruments will label the discharge as a shutdown and not sabotage. Clever./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Kayo thought to herself: "This is warfare… They want me to kill people…". The words going out of her mouth felt empty. Deep inside, she felt she was doing something wrong but the concept was foreign to her; as if it was normal. Whatever Alexandar had done to her mind, it greatly modified her inhibitions. She was spontaneous, aggressive, and willing to punch anyone just because she felt like it. All those feelings swirled inside of her, like a raging tempest. The thought of her brothers soothed her rage, but it came back as soon as she brought her mind back to the task at hand./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"This was the game: weaponizing thoughts. She noted to herself the urgent need to tackle this matter with Alexandar face to face…/p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""emKeep your comms up at all times. Don't get out of the aircraft or approach the building. That's if you want to live, capiche?/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott was more than happy to oblige. He sat in the darkness of the cockpit, waiting for the Company to return. He had chosen to join the Air Force for a good reason./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Open comms meant he could hear the entire operation: the deafening sound of gunfire, commands being shouted, confirmations to proceed, scouting reports. It made him nervous. Whatever the target was, he hoped it was worth all this trouble./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"While he remained alone, with the ship's instruments at his disposition, he wondered if he could at least send the coordinates of his whereabouts to his brothers. He enabled the flight console. His current position appeared on the nav computer. A voice thundered from his left and startled him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Is the target secure? Mei, please respond./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was the Professor. The ship was hooked with Hawk Island and sent a message once the electronics were back from sleep mode./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott replied:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Negative, Sir. I'm preparing the ship for their return./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was a long silence before the professor spoke anew./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Good. Make sure you stay safe and keep the external communications to a minimum. We might be monitored./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He had not thought about it. Of course, the enemy would try to tap into their communications if they could. He refrained from sending any messages, not willing to endanger his brothers./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The battle seemed to intensify, as he heard somebody scream "Man down!" over the comms. The group had encountered significant resistance, that was for sure. He kept on listening to the ruckus, hoping he could get a hint of them heading back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The cargo bay hatch unlocked; a green light flashed on the instrument windows. The loading platform was descending. This meant that the ship was completely out of camouflage. He readied himself, turning all the flight controls back on and getting ready for takeoff. Yet the noise of the battle through the communicator did not echo from the cargo bay. Could it be only the wounded made it back to the ship?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Peeking through the stairwell for a moment, nobody came inside. There was no explanation as to what could have triggered the ramp commands from the outside./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He wondered a minute if he should go down in the cargo. Unarmed, it was a very bad idea, if ever the enemy decided to take over the ship. Even equipped with the bullet-proof vest and the "forcefield", he was not confident enough in his ability to take down armed opponents. The sensors were not showing any life signs. After hesitating for a while, he mustered the courage to descend into the belly of the ship. If lowering the bridge was his mistake, he had to fix it./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The dim safety lights illuminated the walkway on both sides, but not enough to take a good look around. Letting his eyes adapt to darkness, he was able to make out the mercenaries' bags on the ground, obscuring the lights. Rummaging through the bags, he found a flashlight. The chaos of the earlier battle preparation was all around him: opened crates, bags flipped inside out, clothing and accessories hanging everywhere. It reminded him of Alan's room; he was likely to trip on something if he didn't look where he took his next step./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He felt someone trying to grab him from behind. He was caught unprepared but, having trained for such a situation, his reflexes kicked in, escaping the grab expertly. The flashlight had fallen on the ground, the beam hidden by an obstacle right in front. The remaining flash of light was enough to remove his night vision, giving him a hard time to have it settle while being wary of his surroundings./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"That's when it caught him straight in the jaw. A punch like no other, straight, precise, powerful. His head turned but he remained standing, reflexively jabbing whoever was in front of him. His fist was deflected by a quick feint doubled by a counterattack. He quickly took a few steps backward, and the beam of light moved as his opponent stepped on one of the empty bags, triggering a chain reaction with other precariously laid items on the floor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Although the optical camouflage deflected the beam, there was no mistaking the presence of a human-sized shadow against the wall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""emChronos was right…/em"/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"These words flashed through his mind. He only had a second to react as the shadow detached from the wall, its shadow enlarging as it approached him. It moved fast, too fast. Was it really her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Before he could open his mouth to call her name, the flashlight was sent crashing into the wall next to him, the lens exploding in a kaleidoscope of shattered glass before going dark. His eyes dazzled; he took a few steps backward, tripping on an open weapon crate and falling heavily to the floor. Helpless, he tried to get back up and succeeded with a little help from his invisible assailant, while he felt himself being dragged by the front of his shirt. Unable to break free, a second was enough to give his opponent the advantage. All it took was that famous knockout punch.../p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"WAKE UP, ROOKIE! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED HERE?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott was awakened by a generous splash of water to the face, courtesy of Reid. He felt the humming and buzzing of the instruments: the ship had already taken off. It took him a few seconds to recover and stand up. Coldy grabbed his arm, shaking him slowly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What happened? Why did you lower the ramp?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder Tracy wiped his face in one motion. His jaw was sore. The soldier's grip pressed him to give an answer./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I didn't…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who came inside? Did you see who it was?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He took a deep breath, shaking off Coldy's grasp and wiping his face with his forearm./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm not sure, could it have been… Kayo?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The commander didn't appreciate the answer, grabbing Scott by the shirt./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who's that "Kayo", some kind of a joke? You acquainted with any of these assholes? Trust me I'll throw you down this ramp in flight if you give me a single hint of doubt.../p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei jumped down from the cockpit and broke the argument with a sharp "HEY!", pushing both men aside as she could./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- That's enough! Search the ship, and make sure nothing was sabotaged. We do not have time to mess around./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy breathed out from his nose and turned the other way, annoyed. He grabbed a canteen and drank as he ordered the others to search the ship. They all made it out alive and well except for the occasional bruises and sores. No deaths on their side, no bullet wounds, an impressive feat. They were better than he expected./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott noticed there was a new passenger seated in the cargo bay, hands tied, an opaque cotton bag on the head, sided by two guards. On a stretcher rested a young girl of about fourteen years of age, her body weirdly twisted. He was about to ask about them when Mei pushed him towards the cockpit./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The doctor closed the hatch before inviting him to the pilot seat. She was amazingly calm./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Do what you do best, Scott. We'll talk on the way. The coordinates are already punched in. Don't try anything funny./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I know…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He was suddenly very docile. She smiled in response./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Tell me, who did this to you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I don't know… the ramp came down, thought it was the "man down" coming back. There wasn't anybody. I grabbed a flashlight and…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Did you manage to talk to her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He raised an eyebrow. How did she know? Mei looked at the horizon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- As I expected. She is immersed in forced obedience./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott's hands clasped the yoke tightly, and his joints whitened./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Did you know about this? About what they would do to her?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A few seconds of silence precede her answer./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Yes. I knew they were looking for her particular genetic mutation in order to fabricate their new Keepers. Holling is counting on this new "breed" to fulfill his goals. He will not dare do anything to harm her. His strategy this time is to offer them the royal treatment… No captivity, no dark dungeon where they will have to remain for years…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A fit of rage burned him inside, and his face flushed red. Mei and the Professor kept insisting that Kayo was not in danger, which he found hard to believe. Knowing full well what Abigail had gone through, he hated to think such depraved experiments could be conducted on Kayo./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The thought of reverting the course and flying towards Tracy Island crossed his mind but the presence of the armed militia was dissuasive enough. He had to convince himself to trust them and play the game until the end./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He took a deep breath, before complaining./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I can't believe she punched me…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Would you rather have been shot?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- She wouldn't use firearms. And she didn't kill me.../p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei smiled lightly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This means she still has her mind to herself./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Doubt that. Kayo is too rebellious for them to handle./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- They are probably watching her every move on the field. I wouldn't be surprised if there was an entire surveillance team monitoring her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"They had been flying for almost an hour now when the hatch opened, revealing Reid/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- She's awake. We're ready./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei got up./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I have something important to do. Please excuse me./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"She descended towards the cargo bay leaving Scott in charge of piloting. He wondered if the young girl in the cargo was another of those poor souls Gregory Hawkingburg was bent on saving. To go so far as to infiltrate a facility at the peril of their lives to save people subjected to Hanse's modifications required a lot of courage and guts. What was in it for the militia? Money? And a hostage situation? He really hoped this would be brought to light soon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"After evading all unwanted aerial surveillance from the ground controls, his mind drifted in thought. What were his brothers doing? And what if it really was Kayo who punched him silly, with all her mind to herself? There was hope after all. What part of the "greater scheme" was she involved in? Spying in Olympus? Unlikely but plausible. He felt both pride and fear for a moment. She had the skills but could she keep up the game for long? There was something else, a bigger picture. Something he missed that the Professor, Mei, and maybe some of the others were aware of. It was decided: upon his return, he would pledge his organization to the cause./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"A loud buzzing and crackling came from the console, waking Scott from his thoughts. The instruments went completely dark. The aircraft began a sharp descent. He felt the yoke sway violently as he tried keeping it steady. The comms were unresponsive. Coldy sprang from the hatch./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What's going on rookie? All is dark down there!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We've lost all electronics! Everyone, hold onto something, I'll try to steer this thing./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Through expert skill, he managed to keep the aircraft gliding, lowering his altitude sufficiently to prevent a full-on crash. Fortunately, they had reached the Black Sea. Even if Scott had managed some amazing maneuvers, they were still coming in too fast. Mei's voice was heard./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Oxygen is dropping! We need the shielded life support module or she's not going to make it!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The loss of altitude brought worse turbulence; Scott struggled to keep the aircraft under control. The lives of all the passengers were on his hands now. Coldy had sensed the gravity of the situation and went back down in the cargo. Either this or he had knocked his head when the going went rough. Scott would have preferred the latter; it would serve him right./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was his last chance to get the aircraft down safely. He managed a wide turn as fighter pilots would, hoping the move would give him a significant drop in both altitude and speed towards the water./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It did. And it was the same as hitting a brick wall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"There was a deafening splash as the hull hit the surface. Time stood still for a moment, there was no sound whatsoever. Scott's hands were hurting as he painfully uncurled his fingers off the yoke. This was not thanks to his skill alone, luck was on his side/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy's voice resonated in the cargo./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Anyone hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Then his head popped from the hatch. His voice was different from before./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Rookie, that was some master flying. Forget what I said earlier. Are you hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder Tracy got up quickly. His next shift was up, as a member of International Rescue this time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm okay. What about the others?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He followed Coldy down in the cargo. It was messier now that everything had been thrown around. Most of the crew were working on getting life rafts ready. The aircraft would not stand on the surface of the water indefinitely./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The young patient seemed to be okay but monopolized Mei's constant attention. Right by her side was another person, holding the girl's hand tightly against her. Scott recognized her immediately./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It was Colonel Casey. The moment she caught view of his face, she stared at him incredulously./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Scott Tracy!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Colonel? Why… I mean how… Did these people abduct you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei rolled her eyes./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is all part of the plan, Tracy. The Colonel is here of her free will. Would she have come to us openly, what would the GDF and General Dixon think?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Casey nodded./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We shall discuss this once everyone is safe. Right now, I suppose we are going to need assistance from your brothers, won't we Doctor Chang?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei frowned/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This was not part of the plan. We cannot involve them this soon, it is premature. Dixon is bound to know./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Coldy had been trying to reboot the communication array with the help of Reid and two other teammates. Loud curses were heard, both of anger and victory. After a few minutes, Reid came toward the Doctor./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Five hours before we get backup. We won't last that long./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei's face changed/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Five? What do you mean, five hours? It is impossible to stay here a minute more! They will come looking for us./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The Colonel sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is an unforeseen circumstance. As you said, we cannot afford to be taken alive. See to our arrangement, Doctor Chang. I have too much to lose off this deal./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei's face betrayed her annoyance. "This was not part of the deal; this was not how things were supposed to go" she whispered to herself. Turning towards Scott, pointing a finger at him to emphasize her words, she began:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You won, Tracy. Call your brothers. But make sure they stay away from the GDF's surveillance. Even if the entire cavalry gets here, we won't surrender you back to them. You promised to help us get Tanusha back, you have to uphold your end of the bargain./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott nodded and turned towards Reid, smirking. The tall bulky man looked at him, giving him an unfriendly push once he passed him by. The elder Tracy turned towards Mei./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We still have to help evacuate. Let's not waste any more time./p
hr /
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;""Calling International Rescue. This is Scott Tracy. We have a situation."/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan never woke up so fast in his entire life./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He opened a broadcast channel to Tracy Island and picked up his elder brother's call./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Scott! We've been so worried…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No time for small talk. Here are my coordinates. We are stranded and in need of immediate retrieval./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Who "we"? Who's with you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- About a dozen people. We'll also need medical supplies. Tell Virgil to get a med bay ready./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Are you hurt?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No, I'm fine, don't worry. Just make sure you don't get traced, and take every necessary precaution./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"It took less than five minutes for the Tracy brothers to be suited and ready to launch in Thunderbird Two. John assumed navigator duties as Alan relayed all the information from the area. The space monitor looked at the map./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- They are awfully close to the Bereznik border… let's hope they don't get sighted by any patrols. Our presence might arouse suspicion too./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil was monitoring the ship's instruments while his brother was navigating the terrain on the map. John brought up a projection of the area./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We're bound to be seen. We can't land anywhere near the crash site. We'll have to use the pods to retrieve them./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan appeared on the ship's holoprojector./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I've sent a probe to this region. The good news is, that they crashed on the southern ridge of the Black Sea, so they are not in Bereznik territory. The bad news is they have attracted unwanted attention. Recon aircrafts are coming their way. Bereznik crafts. There are an awful lot of roads near the site: locals have most likely sighted them and will contact the authorities./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John frowned while selecting a course. It did not seem to please him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We'll have to land here: it's a deeply forested area. That's the best we can do if we don't want tourists and bystanders to see us. Most of the area is mountainous and inhabited, it will be difficult to hide Thunderbird Two if we can't find a choice location, which will take time./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil turned over to his brother./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We have only two pods available with limited space for passengers. Alan, can you call Scott and check on their status? Do they require immediate medical attention or are they okay with meeting us at a rendezvous point?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Chronos appeared next to Alan./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I can modify your ship's transponder credentials to fit that of a special forestry cargo. Might it be well suited for this mission in order to avoid unnecessary attention from both Bereznik and the authorities?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil looked at both Chronos and Alan./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This could work, I guess. What about eyewitnesses?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John resumed the planning of the course./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Transponders are not very hard to hack. The hardest part is making sure the authorities believe you. We are bound to arrive by nightfall./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Gordon crossed his arms. He was thrilled to be reunited with his older brother but something else was on his mind. Penelope had left the island in order to investigate on her side. He was both worried and sad he could not accompany her. Then again, he was best suited for action. Jumping from his seat, he stretched./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Welp, I'm gonna go get some pods ready. John, are you with me?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The space monitor did not as much as lift his eyes from the Nav./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No thanks, I'll pass. Virgil will join you. I'm not that keen on playing with pods anyway./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Suit yourself!/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The probe circled the area as Scott was helping people out on top of the aircraft. It sank very slowly as the hull took on water. The crew donned life jackets, jumping in the water once they were done. There was not enough for everyone; skilled swimmers might have to hold on to the raft if necessary. Reid carried the young woman up to one of the rafts where she took place with Mei and Colonel Casey. Doctor Chang constantly monitored the young lady's vital signs./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John began running identifications./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This is… weird. All these people are wanted terrorists in the GDF's files. And this is…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He gasped./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Mei? And Colonel Casey?! But how…?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil reflexively turned towards his brother as soon as he ushered the name of the Colonel/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What? Are you sure?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Positive. What is going on here? This is really starting to get more and more confusing. We'd better get them out of there ASAP. We need explanations. Penelope needs to know about this./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Let's grab everyone and get the hell out of here. I'm not in the mood of getting shot out of the air today./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"By then, the probe has gone full circle and approached Scott. Alan sent a message/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'll have the probe follow you. If you see fighter jets, turn it off so you won't get tracked. Get to the ridge into the forest, Virgil and Gordon will meet you there with pods. Are any of the passengers gravely wounded?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei looked at the probe and spoke./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- We need high oxygen, temperature-controlled environment. Can't you bring an aircraft closer?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Alan was surprised to hear Mei's voice, he stuttered before answering./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Well… uh… no, we can't. The GDF has not given us permission to fly, we'd rather stay out of sight. I'll send the pods to pick you up first once they land./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The sun was dropping fast on the horizon, Scott replied./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- You need to hurry before darkness comes. It will become way too risky to reach the shore then. Get pods here ASAP to pick up the patient and her escort, I'll get the others safely to shore and begin walking toward the woods./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Guided by Alan and John, Gordon and Virgil arrived to pick up Colonel Casey, Mei, Reid, and the young lady. Once they were back in Thunderbird Two, they returned to fetch the others who had gathered in the woods, evading the authorities and the locals successfully, not without a lot of creativity on their part. Once everyone was on board, it was time to depart in all haste./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott and his brothers shared a quick accolade, happy to be reunited but also eager to get answers. The elder asked his brothers to wait until they reached Hawk Island. Gordon helped the crew in locating all necessary medical equipment to treat their wounds. Once he got to the med bay, he was surprised to see the Colonel at the young lady's side, holding her weirdly twisted hand. Mei was preparing some IVs and not paying any attention to him. He made his way to Jaclyn's side./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Colonel Casey… hum… fancy seeing you here…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He scratched the back of his head nervously. The Colonel turned to him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Do not worry Gordon. You will get your explanations along with the rest of your brothers once we reach our destination. Even if you snoop around, I cannot tell you anything more./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei sighed at Gordon./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Gordon, mind making yourself useful? I need a few drugs and cannot seem to find them in the cabinet. Can you help me with that? Or get your brother down here so he can./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Knowing full well he could not help the doctor, Gordon walked back to the cockpit. He relayed the info to Virgil who came down to the med bay, leaving his precious ship in the hands of his younger sibling. Mei was relieved to see him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He leaned against the med bay door assessing the situation with his arms crossed before asking:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Give me one good reason why I should help you after what you did./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Mei was taken unaware by his question./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- This young lady needs help. You are not doing this for me, but for her. If you do not wish to help us, be honest about it. But at least let me give her what she needs to survive./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The second eldest was clearly angry./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- First Kayo and now this? What is your goal? Again, I ask you, why should I help you?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Colonel Casey was studying the situation in detail. She glanced nervously at Mei first, then at Virgil before speaking./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Tracy, I will only ask you this once: help her save my daughter, please. You will get the full story once she is stable, I promise you./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil turned towards the Colonel, his face changing to awe instantly as her words came through./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Your… your daughter?/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Looking back at Mei, he breathed out before adding:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Help her first, we'll talk after./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He pressed a button on his gauntlet computer. One of the wall cavities opened. Doctor Chang selected a few vials and began mixing them in some saline solution for injection. Virgil watched her every move, remaining in the doorway the entire time. Once she was done, she tucked the girl in and turned towards him./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Everything will be explained once we reach the island. Your brother had a first glimpse of the situation: I trust his word will be enough to deter you from resorting to violence. That's not like you, Virgil./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"He sighed./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- No, it's not. But I can't trust anybody anymore… Not even my own brothers. So, you'll excuse me if I don't believe you./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"As he was turning to leave, Mei asked:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Rest assured, Kayo will be fine. Holling will not dare hurt her./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Looking over his shoulder, he replied:/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- For your sake, I hope you're right. Not only for Kayo, but for Abigail also./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The Doctor watched as he left the room, lost in his thoughts. He regained the bridge and wrested the control of his bird from his brother. It was better for him to keep his mind busy./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott joined them on the bridge after a while, relating the recent events that led to his capture, how he was brought back to Hawk Island, and his meeting with Kayo. More questions sprang from the discussion. John was the first as always to raise a concern./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Are you certain you got attacked by Kayo? And she could not see you even with her night vision? You do know the Keepers' helmets have all these types of different spectrums they can see through. There must have been something else going on./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I don't know John. She attacked me head-on. But she didn't kill me. If she ever is Artemis, she's not in full control of her state yet./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- Most likely. If she is wired to Holling or Hanse, she might not have had the choice. At least we know she is safe and sound. But what about …/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John looked at Virgil whose fist began clenching on the instruments. He whispered to his elder./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- What about Abigail I wonder…/p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Scott nodded; it was better not to add more salt to the wound./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- The Professor will greet you guys and explain everything. We have reached an agreement and we will help him. This means getting Abigail back, I promise./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"John smiled./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- I'm happy you changed your mind, Scott. This means a lot to us./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"Virgil spoke without looking back./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"- It does. Whatever they plan on doing… we need to get to Olympus quickly./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;"The elder nodded and laid back for the rest of the trip, happy that his brother was at peace with his decision./p
p style="margin-bottom: .11in; line-height: 108%;" /p