Redemption

by Ever N. Hayes

  The governor gripped the back of a chair. “I don’t know. There were four of them, all wearing masks, three dark skinned and one white. They’ve never really said anything to me. I’ve always just been led at gunpoint back to the comm room to talk to the Libyan commander in Denver—or wherever the hell he is.”

  “They knew no one would ever question you.” Trigger rejoined the conversation. “You were the safe bet. Except to Danny.”

  The look on the governor’s face was a combination of hurt and guilt—hurt that Danny hadn’t trusted him and guilt that Danny had been right not to.

  “So you weren’t the white guy? There’s another white guy in on this?”

  “What do you mean by that, Twix? The white guy at the base?”

  “Never mind. What did you have to give them?” Twix asked.

  Barnes turned away from them again. “I had to tell them when the planes left the carrier and where they were planning to land.”

  “The rescue party?” Trigger asked in surprise.

  Governor Barnes nodded. “And Danny’s.”

  “Wait, you’re—” Trigger emotions were ramping up again.

  “They’re all dead. I killed them all.”

  “Governor—”

  “No. Stop.” Barnes turned to look at Twix. “Torrey, I should be arrested right now. Maybe you should even shoot me. My wife is dead. What does it even matter? We’re all dead.”

  “Governor, as much as Trigger here would like to shoot you, you know that can’t happen. As much as what you’ve done deserves the steepest punishment…we can’t even report it or punish you. You—at least—will get away with your stupidity.”

  “But—”

  “No. Sir, you need to listen. You have potentially sacrificed the lives of fifty-some men who dedicated their lives to protecting this country—maybe more if you’ve jeopardized the carrier too. These people gave all they had for people like you. There’s no question your decision was a terrible and costly one—and definitely an act of treason—but…” The governor had turned away, and Twix grabbed his arm, turning him back around. “But…I’m not going to tell you I don’t understand why you did it. These guys know how to use leverage. They know where you’re weak. Besides, they have Cheyenne Mountain heavily guarded. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has bluffed an enemy to get what they want. Maybe the entire rescue party isn’t dead.”

  Twix could tell it was the first time Governor Barnes had considered that possibility.

  “You’re saying that—”

  “I’m saying there’s a chance they lied to you to see if you’d give them anything useful. The question is, did you? Did they say anything about Danny?”

  “They thought he blew up the building at Knights Peak,” Barnes replied.

  Twix saw Trigger’s eyebrows rise. “So they think Danny is still alive?”

  “I don’t know.” Barnes shrugged. “I guess. Maybe. Haven’t you been following his dog-tag beacon? It’s in Colorado.”

  “No. He told us not to. Twix and I aren’t supposed to log in at all. Just Damien and the mole.” Trigger let that sink in. “The question is did you give them any reason to think Danny was still alive?”

  Governor Barnes paused. Trigger and Twix saw right through that. “Crap.” Twix sighed.

  “I told them he couldn’t have blown up the building, that he was still miles away from the coordinates at the time of the explosion.”

  “Shit.” Trigger sighed again. “Damn it.”

  A little bit of relief and hope had crept into the governor’s face. Now it was gone again. “What do you guys want me to do?”

  “You just put Danny in a lot of hot water, if he is still alive,” Trigger replied. “The commander is going to send everyone out looking for him now.”

  “And we may have another problem,” Twix said, glancing at Trigger.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Sir, there’s a huge hurricane heading our direction. Was originally just supposed to blow by, but now it appears to turning directly towards us. Damien doesn’t see any way it misses us now.”

  “Seriously? A hurricane? It’s not even hurricane season, is it?” the governor responded nervously. He looked out the window. It was rather dark for mid-afternoon. “Peak season, in fact. You should know that.” Trigger ignored the inquisitive look he got from Twix.

  “And if it does hit us—”

  “When it hits us,” Trigger interrupted.

  “Weathermen are always wrong.”

  “Maybe. But not meteorologists.”

  “Enough. Both of you. True as that may be—Trigger … Governor—if and/or when the hurricane does hit us, it may be our best chance to get into the pink house on Kauai and rescue the girls. It may even be our only chance.”

  Barnes’s attention was one hundred percent back in the mix. “So you’re actually hoping we get slammed by this hurricane. Is it a big one? When is it expected to hit us?”

  “Yes, sir, it’s a big one. Definitely Category 4. Best guess”—Twix glanced out the window—“it hits late Wednesday afternoon or night. Wind is already picking up out there.” Twix pointed toward the ocean.

  “Tomorrow night? What about the flooding? You said it was a Category 4…the last one of those to hit us was back in the early nineties. That thing destroyed Kauai.”

  “Hurricane Iniki—we know, sir,” Trigger replied.

  “Heck, the last hurricane a couple years ago flooded the entire place and it barely hit us. If this one does hit us, that property isn’t high enough to stay above it.” The governor could see he was telling the SEALs more of what they already knew. “But you guys already have a plan for that, don’t you?”

  “Honestly, sir, no offense, but we’re not going to tell you anything else at this point.” Trigger was gazing out the window at the ocean. Twix continued. “But if we need something from you, we will let you know.”

  The governor didn’t look thrilled with that response, but he knew he’d done nothing to deserve inclusion. He nodded.

  “That said, though,” Twix continued, “if you have any hope of ever seeing your wife alive again, you cannot in any way tip off the people who are watching you. Do not act weird. Do not leave. Do not say a word about this to anyone. No one. Do not try to be a hero. I mean it. Go to bed early. Stay here. Stay … here.”

  “I understand. But what do I do about Danny?”

  “Danny’s going to have to take care of himself,” Twix replied. “Trigger and I have to head out to Redemption for a few hours. It’s almost dark now. Do you promise you’ll stay here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sir?”

  “I said yes. I promise.”

  “Okay.” Trigger stared him down. “Your wife could still be alive. You leave, and you will kill her.”

  “I got it, damn it.”

  They finally turned away and walked to the door. “Oh, and”—Twix turned back to the governor—“anything I ask or tell you to do—from here on out—you do with no questions. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal,” Barnes replied tersely. “Crystal clear.”

  Trigger and Twix exited the governor’s mansion and headed for their truck. “What was up with all that weatherman meteorology bullshit back there?” Twix shoved Trigger’s arm.

  “Nothing wrong with getting a little education while we’re here, is there?” Trigger smiled. “That Damien is an interesting guy.”

  “So he’s a meteorologist?”

  “Among other things.”

  “Who knew?”

  Trigger opened up the passenger door. “Think the governor will sit tight?”

  “If he has any brains at all.”

  Along with major flooding, a big hurricane would typically bring mass power outages. Twix and Trigger were counting on that combination to provide the perfect cover for a rescue. But it could also present an opportunity for those who held the governor’s wife to make another move. If the Hexagon knew the storm was coming, the Qi Jia
operatives at the Marine base did as well. They could anticipate a breach. They could easily take countermeasures or even move the prisoners. This was a blindfolded chess match. Neither side had any idea which pieces were being moved or to where. But someone was going to win…and someone was going to lose.

  FORTY – Calm Before the Storm (Ryan)

  ---------- (Tuesday. August 9, 2022.) ----------

  Deacon told me about the hurricane that was approaching Hawaii. Using satellite imagery at the Hexagon—and knowledge from an online meteorology degree he’d gotten from Penn State a few years back—Damien had been able to measure the storm at about 1,050 miles wide, traveling at approximately seventy miles per hour. He was already calling it a Category 4—and it was still growing. The eye was nearly one hundred miles wide itself and appeared as if it would pass directly over Hawaii late tomorrow. There would be tons of rain and ferocious wind—maybe even hail as it had formed way south in the eastern Pacific. No one on Redemption had ever experienced a hurricane, but Deacon claimed the last Category 4 to hit Hawaii was thirty years ago and it slammed Kauai with 150 mph winds. “That’s what Damien told me anyway.”

  “Could it turn into a Category 5?” I asked.

  “Doubtful,” Deacon shook his head. “According to Damien fives don’t form out here and almost never hit land as a five. It’s been over a decade since one even passed close to here—Hurricane Rick.”

  That, at least, was some good news. Given what he’d told me, I knew we were already feeling the first effects of the storm. The light rain and wind had started over an hour ago. We were rather exposed on Redemption, so we were likely going to feel all of it. A storm of any magnitude would pound our houses—or worse. With its elevated structure, the Big House was the most exposed to the winds that would only increase as the hurricane approached. Deacon suggested we consider temporarily moving to the Hexagon. Only problem was we didn’t have a plane. We’d have to take a boat. I told him I’d discuss it with the others.

  I gathered everyone in the kitchen of the tree house—Tara and Oliver, Kate, Jenna, Dad, and Kaci. Deacon and Royce stood against the back wall. No one had any objections to moving to Oahu—though Tara was worried about the safety of the trip with Oliver. Kate’s sensitive stomach—she had severe morning sickness—was also a concern, but everyone was up for trying.

  I wasn’t meant to hear about the planned rescue attempt, but I was in the bathroom when Deacon and Royce passed by, and I remained silent so I could hear every word. Apparently, big hurricanes here brought major flooding, so much of the entire pink house property on Kauai could end up underwater. That was the one flaw in the captors’ defense system—the low elevation of their compound. Trigger and Twix were planning on being on Kauai when the hurricane hit—supposedly they were already on their way there—as close to the property as they could get. They wanted to make sure the captors didn’t move the prisoners—or flee without them—in the wake of the approaching storm. Damien was going to cut the power to all of the islands, including the Hexagon—tomorrow evening—so no one would have an eye on the scene, and Trigger and Twix would then try to breach the house. I heard Deacon say it was their only hope. I wasn’t convinced.

  I could only imagine what could go wrong. I envisioned Trigger and Twix being seen somehow and Emily being killed—Abbey and Reagan too. I wanted to step out of the bathroom and tell them I thought it was a mistake … but I didn’t. What if it works? What if this is the only reasonable chance we have?

  I exited the bathroom and found Dad in the kitchen. I told him what I’d overheard, and none of it surprised him. His only advice was, “Don’t say a word of this to Tara.”

  I went back to our cabin, where Tara was busy packing for Oahu. I agreed with Dad that I shouldn’t say anything to her, but I also knew she didn’t trust me. How would she feel if she found out I’d kept this from her? It was her daughter whose life was at stake.

  I decided—against all instincts and wisdom—to test the waters. “Tara, what do you know about hurricanes?”

  “They’re big storms.” She basically ignored me.

  Duh. “Yeah, I know. I mean, is there a lot of flooding with hurricanes? Are there tsunamis?”

  “Sometimes … maybe … Ryan, I don’t have time to play twenty questions with you right now. What’s your point? What’s with this crap?”

  Don’t be an idiot, Ryan. Don’t say it. “Sorry, I don’t know. I guess I’m just nervous.” Don’t say it. “I’ve seen videos of other hurricanes, and thought if there were big waves and flooding maybe...”

  She walked out of the room, and I didn’t get to finish my sentence. I walked over to my closet and pulled out an overnight bag. I opened a drawer and grabbed a pair of jeans. Then I heard her voice behind me. “Maybe what?”

  She startled me, and I glanced back. She was no longer moving around. She was standing still in the doorway, staring at me with a serious look on her face.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Ryan.”

  I hate that look. Don’t say it. “Well …” Don’t say it. “The property where they are—where Emily is at—it’s not that far above sea level.”

  “And?”

  I sighed deeply. Don’t say it. “So … what if it floods? What if the house—” I saw her face blanch. You idiot.

  “Can it—” She stopped herself. I nodded. “Ryan … what if it—”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, Tara.” She looked even more worried now. Didn’t think that was possible. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Tara didn’t disagree. Instead she turned around, calling over her shoulder, “Watch Ollie.” And she ran out the front door.

  Crap.

  She came back twenty minutes later. I tried to decipher her expression. All I saw was concern.

  “What’d you find out?”

  “You’re right. If this storm is anywhere near a Category 4, there will probably be major flooding. There always is on Kauai. That compound will probably be underwater.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I watched her sit on the bed and put her head in her hands. I sat down beside her but didn’t touch her. “What are you thinking?”

  “We have to do something.” I was afraid you’d say that. “Deacon says there’s nothing we can do, but I don’t accept that.”

  I knew you wouldn’t. “Maybe they’re—”

  “Don’t say it.” She stood and angrily shoved a drawer closed. “Don’t you dare say it. Don’t tell me they might be right. I don’t accept there’s nothing we can do.”

  There were tears in her eyes. I struggled to find the right words. “Tara, we have to trust them. I’m sure they have a plan.”

  Her eyes burnt into mine then—so much so that I had to look away. “Ryan, is there something you’re not telling me?”

  I should have said yes. I should have told her. But I didn’t. Instead I shook my head. Instead I said, “No. Of course not.”

  I could tell she didn’t entirely believe me. It was also obvious she was really angry. She didn’t say another word to me. We finished packing and took our gear over to the tree house. I ignored my dad’s glare as we carried our bags through the kitchen and climbed the stairs to the deck. He had been right. We both knew that. I just didn’t listen.

  We lowered our packs down the zip line to the docks and loaded up the boat for the ride to Oahu. Looking out to the open water, it already didn’t look good. The waves were bigger than normal—rougher than usual. It would have been one thing if they’d all been rolling in the same direction, but they weren’t. Deacon was driving the boat, and he was clearly uncomfortable taking us out into the open water. I saw him glancing at Kate, who had already thrown up once, and we’d barely hit any rough patches yet.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea,” Deacon hollered into the wind. Dad and Tara were both nodding, so I nodded too. Deacon turned the boat around and took us back to the docks.

  Royce was going to take the other boat to Kauai
after we left—to join Trigger and Twix. He was still standing on the docks when we came back in. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Dad replied.

  “Unless the water really calms down,” Deacon chimed in. “There’s no way I’m taking them out there. The boat capsizes and we’re dead—all of us.”

  As the others headed back up to the tree house, I turned and saw Royce and Deacon standing on the beach, staring across the water at Kauai. They were probably trying to decide where they were needed most. Did they leave us here and go help with the rescue attempt, or stay here and help us face the storm? I hollered ahead to Tara that I’d catch up, but she never even looked back. Awesome. I jogged back to the guys on the beach.

  “What’s up, Ryan?” Deacon asked.

  “I was in the bathroom when you guys were talking about the rescue.” I watched for a reaction but didn’t get one. “Anyway, I don’t know anything about military operations, but it would seem to me that four would be better than two for that.”

  They glanced at each other, and Deacon nodded. He patted me on the shoulder. “You’re right, my man. But we can’t exactly leave you guys here either.”

  I picked up a rock and skipped it across the cove. “I get it guys. It’s your call. I just would hate to see Trigger and Twix fail because they didn’t have all the angles covered. And I live with someone who would take it worse than you can imagine. Dad and I have this under control. Seriously. You can go.”

  I turned then and walked away from them. As I reached the top of the path, I heard a motor rev and glance back down at the cove in time to see a boat cutting out into the open water. They were both heading for Kauai.

  I didn’t know if I felt good or bad about that.

  We were on our own against this storm. This could get interesting.

  FORTY-ONE – Tracking (Danny)

  ---------- (Tuesday. August 9, 2022.) ----------

  We found four dead unarmed Qi Jia soldiers covered by a net—an actual net—of leaves in a ditch at the base of Knights Peak. Had the bomber been hiding here? Had he been alone? We left the bodies as they were, given that we were only a few hundred yards from the plateau crawling with angry troops, and followed a series of oval, slipper-like, prints leading southwest. Sometimes there were three sets, sometimes four. They weren’t always clear, and we lost them in grass patches, but we were able to pick them up again until we got to a large grass yard near a burnt-down farmhouse.