CH 44
The rest of the trip to San Diego was calm. By the time they got there, the passengers on the C-200 were worn out from restricted food and lying on the metal cargo deck of the plane. It wasn't so bad on the C-125.
Upon landing, Coast Guard people were there, and so were medics to care for anyone who needed it. Both planes set down at the hanger that was designated for them. With the ramps down, people got off and Andrew Bach and Joan talked to the Coast Guard men and a Navy man who'd come.
On take off, Joan would be headed for Driftwood, Jackie was going back to Collinwood to take Patricia home before flying down to Driftwood. A few people changed planes here. Andrew Bach and a couple others were going to ride the C-125 with Jackie to return home. Sonya and Bruce got on Joan's plane so they could go back to Driftwood. They all decided they needed a day on the ground first to recover some from their long flight. Mr. Bach got everyone continuing on hotel rooms and a buffet dinner at the hotel. He also got an open bar at the hotel in gratitude for rescuing him, his friends and the ship crew.
Andrew did catch Duncan and Jackie at the bar and sat down to have a drink with them. He ordered his Vodka and tonic, then had the barkeep give Duncan and Jackie another round. "I heard you originally were headed for Australia?" he asked.
"We were, until the front prop decided to go flying off on it's own," Jackie replied with a smirk.
"Now we know to inspect anything we get from Catherine Weaver very carefully," Duncan added.
"No kidding," Jackie agreed. "Dad was a little irate with that space ship she made."
Andrew raised an eye brow. "John Connor is your father?" he asked.
"He is, and Catherine Weaver needs to work harder at paying attention when making things that fly," Jackie said.
"She made the same mistake with that C-200," Duncan said, "But the guys in Driftwood corrected the problems of the props flying off before they tried to fly it."
Andrew chuckled. "I agree. Weaver could land herself in serious trouble making planes or ships that fall apart. Duncan, are you related to the Collins Family?"
Duncan shook his head. "No I'm just supporting Jackie here." He then grinned at Jackie, "And trying to keep her out of trouble."
"Trouble seems to come looking for me," Jackie grumbled and took a drink.
"From what I know, that has been a Collins family curse for a long time," Andrew offered.
"At least our plane didn't crash," Duncan offered with a grin.
"Thankfully," Jackie said with a sigh. "I've been in enough of those."
Taking a two day rest to recover from the jet lag traveling through so many time zones, they returned to the planes the third morning to begin their journeys home.
On the taxiway, Joan was first. Jackie was piloting Duncan sat co-pilot. Behind them Patricia sat behind Duncan, Andrew, his first time in a plane cockpit, sat behind Jackie. Clearance to take off came as the larger 4 engine C-200 lifted off into the air. Jackie went out on the runway, lined up and put all engines to maximum power. They started down the runway and lifted into the air shortly after.
Once clear of the airport, Jackie banked over on course and climbed to 8000 feet. She called behind her, "It's going to be a 14 hour flight. We'll be landing in Collinsport at the local airport. The runway's long enough for us there."
"That long of a flight?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah, this ain't no jet you're riding." she replied. "At least we won't be getting shot at."
Patricia's phone rang. She left the cockpit to answer it in her room.
"Hello?"
It was her father. "Patricia, where are you?"
"On a plane heading east, we just left San Diego. I should be home in the morning. We'll be landing at the local airport."
"Ah, so you're not in the middle of the Pacific ocean."
"Not any more, The plane's fixed so we're flying home. It's been a trip Dad, let me tell you that!"
"I take it there were problems?" he asked.
"Oh yeah. On the way, the front propeller flew off! We also found out whoever put the new props on, didn't do it right. We had to sit on the beach and wait for our plane to get fixed, then inspected before we could go anywhere. By the time it was, it was time to come home. On the way back, we got an SOS call from a yacht that was sinking. Joan landed her plane on the water and rescued them, then this other ship was shooting at them, so Jackie flew over that ship and sunk it! Her plane was packed with people too. We were so glad to make it back to San Diego!"
"You were being shot at?" he asked in a high tone.
"No, Joan was! Jackie drove our plane down to blast that ship to make it stop shooting. That was wild to see."
"Jackie's plane has guns on it?"
"No, she opened her window and shot her own gun down on that ship. She hit the missile they were getting ready to launch and boom! Once it was on fire, we flew away to rejoin Joan and get out of there. Joan was in the air by now and we flew low and as fast as possible."
"Patty, you're not making me feel very good about letting you hang around with the Collins people."
"Don't worry," she said with a giggle, "They got a handle on things. OH! Guess who we picked up out of the water? Andrew Bach! He's coming home with us."
"You have Mr. Bach on that plane too?"
"We do, it was his yacht that was sinking. He was getting pretty chummy with Duncan and Jackie. Don't know what they talked about, but they seem to get along fine."
"So, you'll be at the airport in the morning?"
"Yeah, Jackie doesn't know exactly when, she said it should be around six."
"We'll be there to pick you up," he said firmly.
"OK, but my bike is still at the Collins house. And I still have my tail with me."
"Your tail?"
"My mermaid tail! Jackie let me have one of her old ones. It's kinda got a stiff fin, but I can swim real good with it."
"I see. Well see you in the morning."
"OK, bye Dad,"
"By hon."
Patricia was glad it was her Father than called. She was sure her Mom was really mad at her.
Returning to the cockpit, Patricia sat back down. "That was Dad, wanting to now when I'd be back."
"They upset you went with us?' Jackie asked.
"Mom is, Dad didn't seem so upset."
Jackie raised up a finger. "Just remember, we hired you to load and unload cargo. We forgot about you not going on the trip, so it's our fault you ended up on Midway island. I'll let your Dad know."
"Thanks."
Andrew eyed Patricia. "You parents didn't want you to come?"
"Mom didn't." Jackie admitted. "I think she thinks Jackie is a bad influence on me."
Andrew shook his head. "I would think she would be happy you got to see new places. When you have an opportunity to go someplace new, take it! Going places and seeing new things helps broaden your horizons."
Patricia grinned. "Yeah, it does. I want to go see Driftwood. The place where Jackie got stuck through the boob with a sword."
Jackie and Duncan laughed at that.
"You got wounded … with a sword?" Andrew asked.
"Yup, right in one side and out the other," Jackie said with a grin. "See, we were wearing the movie costumes, not the protective fencing outfits. The tips weren't blunted either, Monty skewered me good. Our reactions were so genuine, Mommy One decided to keep it in the movie." She then chuckled. "The look on Monty's face when he did that was priceless!"
"What movie is this?" Andrew asked.
"The Crazy Princess," Jackie beamed. "It's in theaters now."
Duncan added, "The look of shock on your face was memorable too," he added.
"That scene caused me to wince," Patricia said. "I swore for a second I felt that."
"They wanted real-life fencers to do that scene," Jackie explained. "So, we did fence for real. I didn't parry quite hard enough and thrust at him as he completed his thrust and he tagged me good."
Duncan offered, "When Monty realized what he did, he apologized profusely. I though he was going to cry for a bit."
"He did get kinda weepy. But that wasn't filmed," Jackie said.
"I think it's the first movie ever to keep a real injury in the final cut," Duncan said.
"Shiskaboob," Jackie said, and chuckled. "Yes, I can laugh about it now."
"So when not fencing, you're an actress?" Andrew asked.
"Not really, We just did that because Mom asked us to. Never did it before, but it was fun to do." Jackie said in a musing tone. "Moms did a movie years ago and a follow on show called, 'Saving Atlas'. It went on for four seasons, I think. Joan and I got a minor bit part in the show, playing mermaids."
"You seem very active," Andrew noted.
"Yeah, I was. With a house and Jerry, not quite so much now." Jackie agreed. "Last thing I really did before the movie was playing in the Driftwood concert."
"That wasn't that long ago," Andrew said in a mussing tone.
Duncan laughed. "Jackie has slowed down some, she hasn't stopped. No more break-neck pace. Like she said, we got Jerry and the house to look out for now."
"Yeah, I'm growing up now," Jackie said in a grumble. "But being a wife and mother is good too."
Jackie took on a thoughtful look and said, "You know, Duncan, you should contact your friend Charlie and finally come clean with him."
"Why?" Duncan asked in a flat tone.
"Remember you told me about you both getting shot, he ended up in the hospital for weeks and has had problems for years, and you just walk away? You never gave him an answer to his question."
Duncan glanced at Andrew. "We shouldn't talk about that right now."
"He deserves to know," Jackie said firmly.
Duncan huffed. "Maybe. I have to think hard on that."
"He's your friend, he should know."
Andrew was listening closely now. So was Patricia.
Duncan was quiet, so Jackie added, "If you wait until I'm an old woman, it will be too late."
"I think we need to drop it," Duncan stated.
"Just sayin," Jackie said with a shrug. "Might make it a bit easier if we meet him in Driftwood."
"Why's that?" Patricia asked.
Jackie turn to glance at her with a grin. "Let's just say there's a bigger variety of people there, than any other place in the world." With a snort she added, "Or in Heaven or Hell."
With a smirk, Patricia asked, "So, there's aliens there?"
"Ever heard of Atlantians?"
"I have," Andrew said. "The white haired pacifists from outer space."
"Right," Jackie said. "My brother was married to a couple until that nuke was dropped on us. THAT screwed up everyone's day. Took a while to recover from that. Well, as much as we could."
"You were there?" Andrew asked.
Jackie pointed to Duncan, "We both were. It went off right over the lake we all lived round. It screwed me up for a couple days, killed lots of people including my Daniel. When we recovered, we weren't happy. We became kinda homicidal on every PSR we met. Still do. I find anyone who was part of that group, it's execution time."
"Shouldn't you let the law take care of them?" Andrew asked.
"FUCK THAT!" Jackie snapped. "They killed hundreds of innocent people trying to kill MY family! Did the dead get a trial? Did we even get a warning? NO! We just get a bomb dropped on us from nowhere then even the President tried to say 'it never happened', it's just a rumor. Guess what, it DID happen and I will kill anyone I find who was part of the organization. We put them down, but I know some of those cowards escaped. If I find them they are just are DEAD as Daniel is now!"
"Jackie, calm down," Duncan said calmly.
Gazing at nothing, Andrew said, "I'm sure they are all gone now."
"I'm not." Jackie stated. "I know a few are still cowering away someplace, Especially the rich cowards who think their lives are more important that others. Sonya found some in California trying to get back to their normal lives. Guess what happened to them. I too will show them they are not as important or untouchable as they think they are."
Patricia offered, "Jackie, if you just kill them now, it will be murder."
"So? Tell me they didn't murder hundreds in Driftwood." Jackie stated.
"You'll be wanted for murder if you do." Patricia stated.
Jackie snorted. "It's open season on those assholes. Long as I can prove they used to be PSR, I'm good."
"They will be protecting themselves. Probably with many guns," Patricia said firmly.
"After surviving a nuke dropped on my head, guns don't even make me flinch. I've been shot many times before and had much worse done to me. We all have. I want them to shoot me, then I will know who they are and can wipe their scum-asses out." Jackie stated.
"It's over, hon," Duncan told her.
"I hope so, but if I find any stragglers. They will be nothing but ashes on the wind after I find them."
.
With a much lighter load of people now, Joan flew back to Driftwood. Landing at the airport where they'd left their cars, Joan taxied to the hangers, then dropped the rear ramp. Hearing Sonya was coming home, JJ Kaede, and Sophie, Louise and Eddie, and the Sheriff and Anne was there to greet them.
Sonya got hugs in their greetings. They even brought a large SUV for her to drive, a Suburban. They hung around a while, catching up on what was happening. As they all caught up on what everyone else was doing, Sonya had an unpleasant thought. She was going to have to go back to see her factory where everyone died, and back to the house where her husband and child no longer were there. Her happy mood slipped into a frown.
Joan clasped her hand. "Sonya?" she asked.
Sonya tried to smile and failed. "Just … so many sad memories here."
"I know!" Joan said and hugged her. "Hey, how about if you stay up at the hotel with us? We still got the one room with the huge bed in it. You like the big lake, right?"
"Yeah, I do," Sonya admitted. "I just don't want to see …. Ghosts."
JJ, piped up with, "Sonya! You need to stretch out a bit. How about a ride in the back of my truck? I'm sure Bob or Allison will bring your SUV with us."
Right, lie in the bed of his truck so she wouldn't have to see any depressing things in town. At first she thought it was a silly idea. Then again, she did liked that idea. "Sure, thanks."
Bob offered, "We got a bigger truck, you can stretch all the way out!" he beamed.
His attempt at humor did get her to grin briefly. "OK, Bob, sounds good. Moms and Dad still cruisin the universe?"
"Yeah, they're still out going Ludicrous speed," Joan said.
"Ludicrous speed?' Sonya asked.
"Yeah, you know, going so fast that stars are flying past? We were really doing it!" Joan beamed.
Allison grinned and clapped Joan on the shoulder. "And someone here was driving half naked and singing 'Born to be wild'."
That made Sonya chuckle a bit. "Somehow, I can see Joan doing that."
Allison asked, "After we get settled, how about a fishing trip so we can cruise the lake and see how the populations are doing?"
"Yeah, great idea!" Joan agreed.
"We can do that." Sonya agreed. In her case that was a lot better than sitting around. She had to think about what she was going to do now besides miss her family that got killed here.
They got Bob's truck loaded up with they bags and Sonja and Bruce loaded up in the back. Bruce kept talking to Sonya all the way there to keep her from focusing on the town. Although Sonya knew why he was doing it, she was glad he did.
.
Early morning, Jackie landed at the Collinsport local airport. Since they had no cargo except for people and their things, she taxied over to the terminal. Duncan lowered the rear ramp and people filed out. He then went in to get their plane parked in a hanger.
Jackie trooped in with their passengers, Jerry and Patricia right behind her. There was a small crowd waiting for them, Patty's parents in the group.
Patty's mother bore a scowl. Her father grinned at them. "Patty, have a good trip?" he asked.
"It was interesting," she said and went over to give him a hug.
"I told you you couldn't go," her mother said firmly.
"My fault," Jackie cut in. "I had Patty loading up the plane, and didn't think about her getting back off. She did earn her money. Speaking of that, we need to get to the bank."
"I need to go get my bike too," Patricia added.
"Mike!" Andrew said loudly as he came over to them. He extended his hand.
Confused, Mike shook it. "Mr. Bach." he replied.
Andrew motioned to Patricia. "Your daughter was instrumental in saving us when my yacht sank. I offered to reward her and their crew for doing so, but they insisted on letting you have the reward. So, When Bill retires here this fall, how about you being my new Grounds supervisor, and a bonus of five thousand dollars. Interested?"
Patricia's father grew a big smile. "Why thank you, Sir!" To Jackie he said, "And thank you!"
"Any time," Jackie offered. "Can you give me a lift to the bank? Then we can go up and get Patty's bike too."
Duncan came back over to the group. Jackie told him where she was going. He agreed to meet her at the house and took their luggage.
Going to the bank, Jackie found Patty didn't have an account, so she made one for her and put 2000 dollars into it as her mother watched.
"Jackie, isn't that too much?" Patty asked.
Jackie cast her a grin. "Hazardous duty pay. The prop did fly off the plane, and you were there when I sunk that fishing boat."
"That was wild," Patty said with a grin.
"You sunk a fishing boat?" Patty's mother asked.
"They were shooting at us," Jackie said flatly.
Patty's mother stared at her.
Going back out to the car, Jackie got in the back and noticed something on the floor. She picked up the PSR badge. "Excuse me, who did this belong to?" she asked.
Mike let out a huff. "When those PSR people were around, you had to have them or you'd get taken away. Mr. Bach made sure everyone had theirs."
"Really," Jackie said with a frown. "I think I need to talk to Mr. Bach again."
Patty's eyes widened. "Ah, Jackie, I think he was trying to keep us safe. A few guys did die back then," she offered.
"Three guys?" Jackie asked.
Mike offered, "We don't know what happened to them, but yeah, we lost three guys."
"And they wore PSR uniforms?"
"Anyone who left the estate did, to keep them from being harassed," he said.
Jackie clenched a fist. "Those three weren't harassed. We had three men come to Collinwood to demand we leave, our house now belonged to the PSR. I killed them. Yes, I'm going to talk to Mr. Bach again."
The rest of the ride up to Collinwood was silent. Jackie Made sure Patty retrieved her bike and put her mermaid tail away. She let Patty ride off and her parents leave, then told Duncan about what she'd learned and showed him the PSR badge.
Duncan insisted they call the sheriff and let him know what was going on. Jackie wasn't happy, she was planning something else.
Unfortunately, by the time Jackie got up to the Bach place, their family had gone on a trip. The help didn't know where they'd gone off too. Jackie didn't torture anyone to force it out of them. She had a feeling they wouldn't be back. The FBI did arrive a few days later to search the Bach estate for any proof of PSR items and questioned everyone.
A week later, the estate went up for sale. Jackie though about buying it to go search for any proof Andrew Bach was connected to the PSR. Duncan talked her out of it. They did have plans to go to Driftwood.
Seeing how since the Bach estate was now for sale, the staff was being reduced. Jackie and Duncan agreed, and let Patricia know that of her parents lost their jobs, Duncan and Jackie would hire them on the spot. What Duncan was paying was more than Mike got anyway, he agreed to pack up and come work for them.
With school starting again, they had to delay their trip to Driftwood. Damn.
.
In Driftwood, Father Bishop was getting along well. Sanctifying all the graves, even going to each in every yard, he'd finally gotten them all and made a map of where people were buried. It was a long job, and one needing to be done. Coming out the church, he noted the Sheriff kneeling at the memorial alter, a fresh candle lit. The Sheriff got up as he approached.
"Afternoon, Father," the Sheriff said pleasantly.
"Good day, Sheriff. Is there something I can help you with?" Father Bishop replied.
"I'm fine, just a little ritual I promised to perform. I want to thank you for working hard to see to everyone who died."
Father Bishop smiled. "My job. Hopefully, all those souls can be a little more at peace. They deserved last rites."
"They do," the Sheriff agreed. He was also happy that now, the entire town was holy ground. There'd be no sword fights by immortals here. "Oh, Father, when you were out, I heard the phone ring. I didn't answer it."
Father Bishop nodded. "The calls are recorded. I'll see who it was," he assured him.
The Sheriff left. Going into his office, Father Bishop checked to see who called. It was the Diocese in Austin. He called them back. After talking to a secretary, an arch Bishop came in the line.
"Father Bishop, we were wondering how you are doing down there in Driftwood."
"Busy, hundreds of dead that never got their proper last rites. I finished up the last of them today. I even got some parishioners in for services and a Sunday school up at the Connor farm. These people are in severe need of guidance."
"They are. This is a hard task you have taken on, Father. I am sure you will be blessed for doing so. Have you taken in any tithes or offerings?"
"I get enough food and fuel to keep the church running. Mostly offerings are in items, since the people here use the barter system."
"Understood. You do know, Father, that the church does require a monthly donation to the central church. We have been missing that."
Father Bishop frowned. "As I said, people here use barter. Money isn't used except for out of town purchases, which there is very little of."
"We understand the people there are poor, but we would appreciate some income. Otherwise, we'll have to shut that church down and recall you."
"You will not," Father Bishop stated. "These people need guidance and support. It is they who give their time and materials to supply anything I need in the church, and I am not going to abandon them."
There was a pause, then, "I will have the listing for that church changed from a normal church to one in distress. That way, you will be able to get funds from the central church as needed."
"Thank you, your Holiness. I do not foresee anything needed at the moment the locals cannot provide. They are hard working people here."
"Yes, take care of your flock, Father."
"As I always do."
Father Bishop knew that call was to try and get some money out of Driftwood. In a way, it was refreshing he didn't have to deal with money. All he had to do was keep ministering to the people here and they provided. He wished more would see the simple way was better.
