Episode 6
The Gathering part 3
As they were approaching Indiana James said, "Why do I get the feeling that picking her up won't be so easy?"
"I hate to say it but I feel the same way." Zman stated as the whole gang approached Indiana.
As Zman set course for Kat's reported location James filled Stephanie in on what's going on.
"Oh my god you're serious about this aren't you?" Stephanie stated
"I'm afraid so." Luna responded
"So what's our plan then?"
"James?" Luna asked looking to him
"Like I said Luna we need to gather the rest of the group."
"How many people are there left to go?" Tem asked sitting in a seat.
"Just Kat then we're good." James concluded
"Heads up guys we're going to hit some turbulence." Zman said.
James, Luna, and Stephanie were only ones standing, so they all took a seat. Zman then got up to shut the flight deck door then rushed back to the seat and put the headset back on. Shortly after that the plane was starting to shutter from the turbulence. The turbulence turned out to be stronger than Zman expected. The plane started to wobble violently against the wind. It felt like the ride from hell as everyone braced to their seats. Zman was fighting very hard to maintain control against the wind. It felt like it would never as the wings started to shake against the wind. Everyone tried to stay calm hoping it would quick. After what felt like forever the shaking to subside with each second till the shaking virtually stopped. Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank god it's over." Ariel stated
"Whew that was exciting." James responded
Everyone looked at him with an "are you crazy" look.
"What are you at me like that for?"
"Good news we're mere minutes away from Kat." Zman announced on the intercom.
"Uh James can I talk to you in private?" Luna asked.
"Sure"
James followed Luna to the back of the plane to a catering room.
"So what's up Luna?"
"Well James I just to say sorry and thanks."
"For what?"
"Well thanks for everything you've done for me, and sorry for being a jerk earlier."
"Well it's not your fault for acting that way that was selfish of me to talk about money that way. I do care about your life more than money. I actually deserved that and wanted to say sorry for that. My job is to protect you. It's not just a job it's also my will to protect you. You made Zman feel better about himself and that's admirable."
"How do you know about that?"
"More like a creator-creation bond."
"Oh…okay."
Just then the plane started to descend to a lower altitude.
"Showtime…you ready Luna?"
"Let's do it."
James and Luna went to the front of the plane. James got the device he used to pick up Stephanie.
"We're almost over her." Zman stated.
Kat was walking down the street when she looked to a jet flying low and slow over her then she saw something else coming up from behind them.
"INCOMING!!!!!!!!" Zman yelled as gunfire sounds swooped down and could be heard hitting the plane. Zman throttled up and banked a hard left as the object over shot and passed it was a prop plane.
"Aw crap that's a German ME109." Zman stated as he continued to bank.
"That must be Dawn." Luna responded
"Wouldn't put it passed it." James added.
"How did she get passed all those guards?" she asked
"Obviously she killed them all." James Responded
"What do I do James; this plane isn't capable do doing high maneuvers?"
James was puzzled and ran options in his head.
"Wait I know what I can do, I mean duh." Zman blatantly said
He pulled up and throttled it up as the four massive growled from the gallons of raw fuel are being injected into them. James and Luna fell backwards and they both were pressed against the flight deck door. While the others were braced in their seats as it felt like they rocketing into space. It felt like we were cutting through the air as the plane pushed an insanely 350 knots. James and Luna felt plastered to the door. Zman felt like the blood in his arms were going into his brain. Dawn tried desperately to catch up but the ME109 was no match for the modern generation aircraft. In a last attempt Dawn pulled the trigger and hoped that the rounds would reach but it was futile they were too far away to be hit. Dawn stalled out and nosed over to avoid an out of control spin.
"We did it." Zman said with joy as he leveled out.
"Now I have an idea." Zman began. "James you'll have to work fast. What we do is I swoop down and James beams up Kat and I then pull up and we get out of here."
"Works for me" James said with confidence.
"Luna, you better go sit down."
"Okay"
"Ready James?"
"Go for it Z"
Zman banked around to make another pass. Unfortunately Dawn knows that they will try and make another pass to get Kat. Zman started to descend down as James readied himself with the device. Zman could feel the speed building as his view was beginning to blur from the wind. Dawn didn't a moment as she dived down and began firing at the aircraft. More holes were put into the aircraft. Zman feared that at this rate the aircraft would lose cabin pressure and rip to shreds. Dawn thought quickly and using her 30 mm cannon began shooting at the engine nacelles. One of the engines exploded and everyone felt it. It was the one farthest over to the left.
"We lost engine 3." Zman announced pulling up to level out. Dawn now began firing on the next one. The cannon rounds made their marks on another engine as it ripped itself apart.
"We lost engine 1. We're just a few more seconds over her."
The people down below including Kat were watching in terror as they watched a jet getting shot to pieces by the plane behind them. Dawn began to work on the next but Zman using the rudder wiggled the jet side to side causing Dawn to not get a good shot. She then began using the 30 cal guns now. A few rounds hit the next engine but not sufficient enough to take it out.
"DO IT NOW JAMES!" James activated the device and swept Kat up before she could even react.
"I GOT HER!!!" Zman began to pull up fighting all those g's that are straining his body. Dawn began shooting at the last engine and just before the gang could get out range Dawn blasted the engine farthest to the right apart.
"We lost engine 4."
Dawn chased them for a while but was low on fuel and had to land. The gang was glad that they made it out but the plane was battered badly.
"This is bad, really bad."
"What Z?"
"We lost three engines and are running on one damaged engine. Plus we're slowly losing power and fuel. Top it off I don't know how long till we lose cabin pressure."
"We'll be fine Z. We're heading to West Virginia because I have a base in the mountains."
"Do you think this plane will make it all the way out there?"
"I'm sure we will."
"Plus how do we get rid of the crimes we have committed?" Tem asked
"Don't worry, like I said I got it covered."
"Hey James are you going to materialize Kat or what?" Luna asked
"Oh snap I forgot all about her." James snapped and pointed his device and materialized Kat. Kat was really scared about what happened and asked.
"Who are you people?"
Luna being brave introduced herself.
"Hey Kat it's me Luna."
"Luna?"
"Yes, hi…sorry about that James beamed you up here."
"James…oh you mean Z."
"No not Z…Z is piloting this craft. I'm James too."
"Oh…okay listen when we land I would like to know what exactly is happening okay?"
"That's fine." Luna added.
"Hey Kat" Stephanie greeted.
"Hi…who are you?"
After everyone was introduced everyone was making conversations. After about four more hours the plane by some strange miracle made it to West Virginia.
"James we made so now where is the base?"
James pushed a button on his utility belt and a base was revealed instantly.
"You cloaked it I see."
"Good way to his something."
A door opened up that revealed the entrance to a runway. Z dropped the landing gear and carefully landed the jet. Shortly after landing on the ground the last engine gave out due to the damage and Z braked to a stop.
"Ladies and gentleman say hello to your new home." James announced.
"WHAT!!!!" Everyone gasped. Unknown to them someone else found the base to.
"Hmmm…there's something you don't see everyday." The figure thought.