Chapter Nine: Heroes
Olivia always had incredible coping skills. From the time she was a small child she tolerated much more than most fully developed adults, but at this moment, that tolerance was being tested. When the boundaries between dreams and reality become blurred, what do you believe?
Within the pages of the leather bound book were three more images, two on-line news articles, and one a photograph.
The first image was an article with a photo prominently displayed above the headline. The twins sat together, she guessed them to be about seven or eight, he in a button down shirt and corduroy pants, she looking uncomfortable in a dress with a paisley pattern. Olivia knew she loved these children, it wasn't something she could control, like loving Ella, it was instinctual.
To the right of them, their father stood, strong, well built and handsome, he wore his dress military uniform and stood at attention as another man presented him a blue ribbon with a star hanging from it. Next to him stood their mother, beautiful and elegant wearing a turquoise colored dress and a proud smile.
She read the headline and it made her skin prickle and her emotions overload.
U.S. ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROBERT WALTER BISHOP AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
By Alexis Castle, New York Times Reporter
WASHINGTON DC – United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bishop, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His covert actions in the Alternative America are attributed with curtailing an escalating conflict, saving countless lives and bringing stability to both worlds here and over there.
The thirty four year old graduate of West Point, while on a reconnaissance mission to gather information in Alt America, uncovered a rogue faction of their government that sought to provoke conflict between the two worlds. Bishop convinced the Alt. Secretary of Defense that diplomacy should be their first course of action, and through his efforts, a treaty was created by both governments and ratified by the United Nations of both Worlds.
Lieutenant Colonel Bishop is the grandson of the late Dr. Walter Bishop who was the first documented U.S. Citizen to cross over to Alt America. His parents are Peter Bishop, CEO of Bishop Laboratories, and Olivia Dunham, Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is married to Historian Christine Booth-Bishop and they have two children, Temperance and Seeley.
The Medal of Honor… A hero… Olivia smiled, holding back her tears and reining in her emotions. He had traveled to the other side, and had a hand in stopping the war that William Bell and Nina Sharp had warned against. Robert Bishop was important, and now she began to understand why she and Peter were, as well.
Breathing deeply, she shifted her eyes down to the second on-line article, this one also written by Alexis Castle. Olivia knew she needed to understand what her connection was to all of this.
MYSTERY BEACON'S ORIGIN EXPOSED: MASSIVE DYNAMIC COVER-UP?
Dual Universes Agree, Further Studies on Cylinder Necessary
By Alexis Castle, Special to the New York Times
For the second time in less than a year, Massive Dynamic is under scrutiny by both our government and the Alternative America for allegedly burying information on the origins of the Iridium Beacon. According to this reporter's source, the multi-billion dollar corporation has had in it's possession documentation validating the Beacon's origin and has purposely kept this information from government authorities, here and over there. A set of microcomputer chips, was recently discovered at the Massive Dynamic Headquarters in New York, and given to a private third party for analysis. It contains information on how the Beacon transmits data to an unknown destination, now thought to be another parallel universe.
At an early morning press conference, Samuel Weiss, the spokesperson for the World Security Council, debunked the accusation as an overactive imagination by troublemakers who seek to undermine the important work of Massive Dynamic. He claims that 'unknown sources and private third party analysis' are nothing more than malicious slander and unless the informants identities are brought to light their integrity and ability to tell the truth is in doubt.
The WSC, a private non-profit corporation, was formed under the leadership of Nina Sharp, Chair of Massive Dynamic. It's mission is to further the security of both our world and the Alt World through shared information and transparency. Ms. Sharp could not be reached for comment.
A third universe? Olivia had only wrapped her mind around the possibility of two worlds, a third would bring more questions... and once again, she realized all things lead back to Massive Dynamic and Nina Sharp, and now, Sam Weiss.
The last image on the page was a photograph of Detective Beckett and Richard Castle. They were much older, but the years had been good to them, judging by their fit appearance and immaculate dress. Behind them a large placard was visible and read:
New York Times Best Selling Authors
Richard Castle and NYPD Captain, Kate Beckett
RED ROVER, RED ROVER, SEND JOHN MOSELY OVER
Patrick Jane's Quest to Bring a Serial Killer to Justice
Richard Castle in collaboration with NYPD Captain Kate Beckett, tell the true story of CBI Consultant Patrick Jane's hunt to apprehend the serial killer known as Red John. With his long time CBI Partner, Assistant Director Teresa Lisbon, their story is one of heart ache, obsession, scientific discovery and redemption.
Olivia re-read the words and studied the photo. The connections were confusing, Detective Beckett and Richard Castle? Agent Lisbon and Patrick Jane? John Mosely? The thought left her breathless.
"Are you going to give me another electrocuted nose swab? Your bed side manner really sucks." Peter chided his kidnapper, he knew he would already be dead if this was the objective, instead he was being paraded about the airport by the Man in Black.
His abductor chuckled in a way that made Peter cringe. "That John Mosely, was sent to reclaim the cylinder, he failed and died in the process. There are many versions of us thanks to what you refer to as DNA cloning. It's actually amusing." He kept the gun shoved into Peter's back and with one hand on his arm he led him down the concourse.
"What does this cylinder have to do with anything, why are you after it? This is the second time that I know of that it's disappeared, I don't think you'll be able to stop by and just pick it up in your little red wagon." Peter words dripped with sarcasm. "If you're counting on me to retrieve it, you've already failed. Walter didn't hide it this time, so I haven't a clue where it could be."
"Shut up!" Mosely dug his fingers into Peter's arm. "You really don't know what you're dealing with."
"Then explain it to me, I'm what you call a captive audience."
"I told you to SHUT UP!" Peter felt him twist his arm.
"What about the Observer? You know about him? He's here too." Peter taunted him.
Mosely pulled on his arm and stopped for a split second before continuing down the concourse. "Where is he?" He growled sounding even more impatient.
"Why don't we try a little symbiosis? If you won't tell me about the cylinder, tell me about the bald headed men."
"I don't have to tell you anything but this…. The day I walked away from that world was the best day of my life. Just ask Patrick." He was self righteous, smug and maniacal.
Peter's heart started beating faster. War? Patrick? He needed to find out more, but his train of thought was suddenly interrupted.
"Stop!" Cho yelled out. "We'd like to speak to you."
The distraction was just enough to throw Mosely off, Peter swung himself around, grabbing his arm and shoving it and the gun in his hand down. He grappled with him and used his foot to kick the back of his knee, causing him to buckle. He held his wrist and fought him, pushing, pulling and straining for control of the weapon as it waved in the air. The gun went off, a woman screamed and the frightened bystanders ran for cover.
The CBI Team scattered, Van Pelt and Jane shouted to the crowd in the terminal to get back, Lisbon, Rigsby and Cho with their weapons raised circled the fighting men. "Drop the gun!" Cho yelled "GET DOWN!"
Mosley made his move, he pushed Peter into Rigsby and Cho, and that was all it took for him to gain momentum.
He had grabbed Lisbon and pressed his gun against her temple. "Drop it Teresa!" He instructed her, breathing hard into her ear. She did what she was told and her weapon slid from her hand.
"We're leaving now, and if you want me bad enough, then you'll have to let her die, because I will shoot." The terminal had become quiet with the exception of a few cowering bystanders whimpering with fear. Mosely continued to hold the gun to Lisbon's head and they slowly backed away, disappearing around the corner.
"We have to go after them!" Van Pelt cried out, but Rigsby stopped her. "No, we can't risk it. We need back up."
Cho was already on his cell phone alerting the Port Security.
"What the hell is going on here? Do you know this man? Have you encountered him before?" Jane shouted into Peter's face.
"Sort of." Peter offered cryptically. "More importantly, he knew you."
"You all sure you want to do this?" Castle asked before manning the chopper controls. Booth and Beckett had helped Brennan splint his broken leg, although swollen, discolored and painful, he insisted he could still pilot the helicopter, and they helped him into the cockpit, and strapped him in. He wore a headset and sat in front of the controls and when he flipped a row of switches on the center counsel and the twin computer screens in front of him lit up.
"We can wait until those creepy guys come back and ask us questions about something we know nothing about." Beckett answered.
"I agree, if we can get out of here without getting killed, let's do it." Booth had his arm protectively around Brennan's waist. Years of working together, defining and redefining their partnership, becoming friends, challenging each other, rescuing each other, these had become the norm. When Booth felt her pull him closer, they both knew the feelings they had for each other were were far from their definition of normal. Whether it was their dire circumstances, or just simply the right opportunity, their embrace led to a kiss. It was slightly urgent but still gentle, and enough to finally break down the barriers between them. No explanations were necessary, the smiles on their face said it all.
"Okay you love birds, Castle could use some help." Beckett's scolded in jest. "Booth, up front, okay?"
Booth slipped into the seat next to Castle, he looked at the dials and the twin computer screens. "This looks a lot harder than Parker's video games. How'd you learn to fly?"
"Derrick Storm had to fly a chopper and I got a lesson or two, but it was more the weather and traffic variety. What about you?" Castle looked at the console, trying to decipher what all the different dials meant.
"Army Rangers, in Kosovo. Military Black Hawks, but I've never flown one." He looked at the computer screen in front of him.
"Castle!" Beckett called out from behind them. "Do you even know where we are?"
"The terrain, those outcroppings of rocks, and the climate.. and I recognize the Yucca plants." Brennan looked out the window at the desolate landscape. "Rick, I'm fairly certain this is the Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs must be due east."
"Wish I'd thought to pack my clubs." Castle flipped a switch on the console and pulled on the steering column, the chopper engine and rotor blades came to life, it hummed and vibrated like a blender. "Everyone, strap in and get your headsets on." Castle ordered.
Brennan and Beckett fastened themselves in and placed their headsets on. Brennan gripped the armrests on her seat, her white knuckles clearly evident.
"Dr. Brennan, don't worry, we'll get out of this." Beckett tried her best to sound reassuring.
"Helicopters today have vastly improved, but operational error is still a leading cause of crashes." She took a deep breath and blew the air out. "Let's do this!"
The chopper shuddered as it started to lift off but it's ascent was abruptly halted, it teetered back and forth before setting down with a teeth rattling amount of force. Castle groaned and held his rib cage, Booth was out of his seat and unbuckling him at record speed. He pulled him aside just as the popping sound of machine gun bullets and shattering glass filled their ears.