I winced and glanced sideways at Ava, the concern evident on her face. I knew what he was doing though—redirecting pain. “Sir, he’s a Navy SEAL. Perhaps he—”
I had forgotten about the other soldier lying in the darkness until he interrupted me. “He shouldn’t be. And I can’t believe you’re defending him.”
Valid point. “You were with him?” I asked the SEAL, kneeling beside him.
The man coughed. “Yes.” Another cough. “You could say that.”
He sounds as bad as the general. Broken ribs and punctured lungs must be Qi Jia’s calling card. “So what happened?”
There was more coughing but no response. I felt someone standing behind me. Looking up, I saw Ava had come back over.
“The first plane was shot down,” she began. “Unfortunately, Baker was on the second one and flew them too close to here. When they landed, there were troops waiting for them. Baker sent his guys out to fight, and most of his men were killed. When he saw there was no way they’d make it out of there alive, he surrendered. It was Baker and two of his men against two or three hundred soldiers. Tyler here was shot four times. He should be dead.”
“I am dead,” he whispered coarsely.
“Tyler.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Please.” Then she turned back to me. “Anyway, Baker told them your sister and an African were coming, which they apparently already knew. They told Baker you were coming too, to let them into the Cheyenne Mountain bunker. Some Libyan officer was there with a gun to Baker’s head and Baker sold out—telling them they didn’t need you if they had him. He told them he could get them in. All he wanted was their guarantee they wouldn’t kill him and his two remaining men.”
“And Tyler?”
“No, sir, I wasn’t part of that deal.”
“But why would he give up on you?” Tyler was still one of his SEALs.
“It’s a long story, Captain. Let’s just say we weren’t always on the same page. In any case, I guess they figured I was hurt badly enough. I’d die soon anyway.” He coughed again. “But why they didn’t just put a bullet in my head, I’ll never know.”
“Sergeant, how do you feel about what your captain did?” General Niles asked.
“General, sir, no offense, but if I had a gun I’d have put him down. He is a disgrace to SEALs, a disgrace to our country, and a disgrace to humanity in general.”
No one here was going to argue. I wanted Baker dead just for Keena.
“I take it you’re talking about my dad,” a quiet voice spoke from the darkness. Flynn stepped out into the dim light.
The SEAL tried to sit up. I knelt beside him at first to keep him down, but he insisted on standing. I shook my head but extended my hand to help him. The sergeant took my arm, pulling himself all the way up to his feet. He took two steps toward Flynn. I kept a hold on his arm, unsure what he was doing. He extended his hand to Flynn. “Cassandra, right?” He was barely able to put the two words together from the excruciating pain.
She gently took his hand. “Flynn.”
“Sure. Flynn—Sergeant Tyler Sheffield. I am so—”
He was too weak to stay upright. I caught him as he started to fall. Flynn helped me ease him down to the ground.
“Thank you.” He continued. “So sorry about your brother. So … very … sorry.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“I never thought he’d shoot him—never in a million years. His own son … Especially when he didn’t have to. We were leaving.”
“Wait.” Ava was putting the pieces together. “That American in there who is helping everyone is your father? And he shot your brother?”
Tyler jumped back in before Flynn could correct Ava. “Sorry, not him literally. He ordered his men to do it.”
“Holy shit.”
“Tell me about it.” Flynn nodded.
“I thought he might shoot the other girl,” Tyler agreed. “Maybe her, but not your brot—”
“You mean me?” Hayley spoke up, stepping forward. “You thought he’d shoot me?”
The sergeant forced a pained laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.” He looked back at me. “So this is your sister?”
I nodded.
“Hang on,” Ava cut in. “You’re telling me Captain Baker shot his own son and was trying to kill you?” She pointed at Hayley. “Why? Why is none of this making any sense to me? Mr. G.I. Joe? Mr. American hero?”
Flynn snorted. “Hero?”
I looked at Hayley and could see a small smile on her face as well. It was as ridiculous as it sounded. “He’s no hero,” she whispered.
“Truthfully, sir,” the sergeant muttered. “Had he known that was your sister, he’d have killed her. Well before she killed Brock.”
Hayley nodded. “True.”
“You killed Brock?” I glanced at Hayley.
“He had it coming.”
That was cold coming from my little sister. Wow!
“Still don’t understand.” Ava was shaking her head. “Aren’t we all on the same side?”
“Hardly,” Flynn muttered.
Tyler was looking at Hayley now. “So who was the African you were traveling with?”
“My brother,” Eddie growled from the darkness.
FORTY-FOUR – Left Behind (Danny)
---------- (Wednesday. August 10, 2022.) ----------
In a flash, Kellen drew his sidearm and pointed it toward the sound of the voice.
Just as quickly, Hayley, Flynn, and I stepped in front of Kellen.
“Who the hell is that?”
“Kellen, put down your gun. You don’t need that here.” I motioned with my hand for him to lower his weapon.
He stood his ground.
I heard the general cough, and then he said, “Kellen, put down your damn gun or I’ll shoot you myself.”
“But, sir.” He slowly lowered the gun.
“Kellen, you gave me your word you would follow the captain’s orders as if they were my own.” General Niles was wheezing now. “Did you not?”
“Sir…yes, sir.”
“Now.” General Niles turned his gaze to me. “Who is this non-American you’re protecting? And why exactly are you protecting him?”
“His name is Eddie. He was a major in Qi Jia’s military until he found out they attacked America first. He saved my sister’s life and then saved all of our lives again later. Twice even.”
“Do you realize the risk you took bringing him into this tunnel? This man could have—he could—”
“Yes, sir, I did understand the risks—and I do. But I trust this man implicitly.”
“And what about this brother of his? How did he and you”—General Niles pointed at Hayley—“end up on that ship together?”
“It’s a long story, sir,” Hayley explained. “Basically, he tried to do the right thing the wrong way, and Eddie here is trying to make up for it.”
“Sir.” Kellen was frustrated. “How is this acceptable? This African is one of them. He’s one of those guys who was out there torturing you. One of the guys who…ended America.”
“Kellen—”
“No, sir, I’m sorry. I won’t stand for this.” He raised his gun again at Eddie.
“Young man,” the general warned, pulling a pistol from beneath him and pointing it at Kellen.
Ava must have given him the gun. Hayley, Flynn, and I refused to move from the path of Kellen’s gun. Eddie had yet to emerge from the darkness. Kellen would be firing blindly if he did shoot. “General, Kellen, if either of you fires your weapon, everyone on the other side of that wall is going to know we’re in here.” I took a step toward Kellen. “You will effectively be killing all of us.”
Kellen looked unconvinced. General Niles nodded. A sideways glance down showed that Hayley had loaded an arrow into her bow, which she was holding at her side. I saw Ava looking at Hayley’s bow. Then Ava stepped in front of Kellen as well, reaching out for his gun. “Kellen,” she said. “Give me the gun.”
“No
. Stay out of this Ava.” He shook his head.
“Kellen,” she said again. “You heard Danny. You’ll kill us all.” I saw his finger slide off the trigger for a second, and that was all the time Ava needed. She swiped the gun from his hand, twisted his wrist sharply, and kicked him in the stomach in one quick sequence. He doubled over, and she brought her knee up into his face, swinging the gun down across the back of his head. He crumpled to the floor as she ejected the round from the chamber, popped out the clip, and turned to me—handing me the gun. “Sorry.”
“Okay.” Not sure what you’re apologizing for. That was slick.
The general put his gun away—he didn’t look surprised at all. Tyler on the other hand was stunned. “Whoa. Where’d you learn—”
“Twenty-two years as a general’s daughter. A lot of martial arts lessons,” she said nonchalantly. Then she turned to Hayley. “Nice bow.”
“You shoot?” Hayley asked.
“A little,” Ava answered.
The general laughed.
“I take it that was a modest response?” I asked.
“Slightly. She’s a three-time national archery champ.”
“Where?” Hayley asked. “Only three-time champ I know of is named Shadley.”
The general pointed his finger at his daughter. “Shadley.”
“Seriously?” Hayley couldn’t hide her awe.
Ava nodded. “Mother’s last name. She kept it when she married Dad and I kept it when I married John. He’s…” She went quiet suddenly, looking back toward the cell they’d been in.
“He’s in there?” I finished for her. She nodded again.
Suddenly I heard Tyler mutter from the floor, “Mother of…”
I looked at him, and he was staring behind me. I turned enough to see that Eddie had emerged from the darkness. I had forgotten how huge he could look at first glance. And he’s slightly bent over due to the low ceiling. “Everyone,” I said, “this is Eddie.”
“Were you in that Green Mile movie?” Sheffield asked.
“No.” Eddie replied dismissively as if he’d been asked that a hundred times before—which he apparently hadn’t. “Never heard of it.” Eddie turned his attention to Niles. “General, I feel like I must apologize for my country, for my people—for myself. We were told America had killed our families. We—”
The general waved him off. “Say no more. I have been told a great many Qi Jia men defected and were killed. They too claimed the same—that they were lied to. I believe you. There’s no end to the depth of damage caused by Qi Jia’s false front. My question is what is there for you in all of this? What are you hoping for?”
“Honest? I’m not even sure. I am here to serve Danny as he needs me—as America needs me. He saved my life once, too. My brother, he made some bad choices.” Eddie pointed at Hayley. “I hope to atone for those acts.”
The general nodded and extended his hand. “Eddie … I am sure atonement is not necessary, but if you do succeed in helping Danny get my daughter to safety, I will be eternally grateful.”
“I will do my best, General.” Eddie shook his hand then stepped back. “Sir, by chance was there a little girl in there?” Eddie pointed at the bunker.
“With us?” Niles asked.
“No. An African girl with the Libyan commander.”
“Yes.” Ava replied. “There was.”
“You’re right.” General Niles agreed. “She left with him. Why?”
“She is my niece, sir.”
“You’re kidding!?” Ava exclaimed.
The general nodded. “Ah …” Eddie’s explanation seemed to have validated his presence. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“She is, at least, alive?”
“Last we saw.” Ava confirmed.
Kellen moaned then and rubbed his jaw. He slowly sat up and glared at Ava. Then he saw Eddie standing behind her. He shrunk back against the tunnel wall. “Wait—you hit me for that?” Kellen pointed at Eddie. “For him?”
“You didn’t give me a choice.”
“You’ve known me for ten years,” Kellen objected.
“And you’ve been a stupid ass for all of them. You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore.”
“Everything I did—”
“What, are you going to serenade me now, Bryan Adams? Save it.” Ava turned away from Kellen.
I walked over to him. “I’ve got a problem right now.” I looked down at Kellen. He didn’t so much as glance at me. “I don’t put my life in the hands of people I don’t trust.”
“Good for you.” Kellen laughed.
“Danny, it’s okay. He will stay with me.”
“General, no—” Kellen suddenly stood up, the cold front gone. “Please—”
“Well, it’s got to be one or the other. You wanted to kill the major, and you pointed your gun at Danny. I wouldn’t want you with me if I were the captain.”
“Sir.” Kellen tried to speak again.
“Enough,” General Niles said, as loudly as he’d said anything yet. “You made your decision when you didn’t immediately apologize, when you glared at my daughter, who probably saved your life. And thumbing your nose at getting out of here … forget it. Ten bucks says there’s a man in the darkness there who had a rifle on you and was ready to take the shot if Ava hadn’t knocked you out.”
I was impressed. Niles had pegged Blake perfectly.
“Sir, can I apologize now?” Kellen asked.
“You can, and you should,” Niles replied. “But it changes nothing. You will stay with me.”
Kellen sank to the floor. He looked like he was about to cry. He offered up weak apologies to each of us—even to Eddie—but I knew he was struggling with the reality of his future. General Niles had no intention of trying to accompany the rest of us to Hawaii, and I doubted Tyler thought he could make it either.
“So what do I do?” Kellen asked General Niles.
“As I’m sure Captain Miner is aware, there are double garages at the end of this tunnel with a souped-up Hummer in each of them. When we get there, you’re going to drive one of them, and Sergeant Sheffield will drive the other out of here. We’re going to race south for the Mexican border as fast as we can, hopefully diverting any and all attention away from the rest of you.” Niles motioned at us.
“But, sir, that’s—”
“Suicide?” Niles smiled. “I’m dead either way. Maybe we make it to Mexico. I don’t know. But the only chance they—you all—have is if we make Qi Jia think we’re all out—that we’re done.”
“General.” I changed the subject. “Something’s been bothering me. How did you know—”
He read my mind. “The president was my best friend. He had a little too much to drink one night and showed me a book. There were four such books. One went down on Air Force One with him. I assume you know where another is?”
I nodded.
“And then there are two more—somewhere. As long as you don’t have the book on you—ever—you should be good,” he added.
I could feel Blake’s eyes burning into the back of my head. “Yes, sir.”
“Well, you all have about fourteen hours ‘til nightfall—fourteen hours to get the sergeant and me to the other end of this tunnel. We might as well get started.”
A circle of nodding heads showed everyone was in agreement—everyone but Kellen, of course. We gathered up our gear and began the methodical journey through the darkness—carrying Niles and Tyler—to the Hummers awaiting us at the end of the tunnel.
It was hard to walk away from Keena, from Silas, John, and the others. Even though I had Hayley with me—and for the time being we had General Niles—I felt like we’d failed. Everyone seemed to share my disappointment to some extent.
In all likelihood, Commander Boli was in the bunker now, looking for evidence, looking for a trail. He wouldn’t find one in there, and that would infuriate him. General Niles knew we had to give him a “rabbit” to chase—soon—or he’d keep hunting. The t
wo Hummers heading south out of the mountains would be convincing, and they’d contain three of the people missing from the bunker. The only person Niles wasn’t willing to sacrifice was his daughter.
As we walked away from the doors to the bunker, Flynn held back, staring at them. I dropped back with her. “What’s going on?” I asked.
“My dad did this. He did all of this.”
“I—”
“Captain, I know this seems like the time when you need to convince me my dad isn’t all that bad—that maybe we’re missing something—but I don’t—”
“Actually, Flynn, he’s the biggest a-hole I’ve ever met in my life. And I think you’re doing yourself a disservice by referring to him as your father.” She looked at me in surprise. “You’re right though, it’s probably a time when I shouldn’t have said that—when I should have tried to find something nice to say—but that man doesn’t deserve praise, credit, or respect for anything…and he definitely doesn’t deserve to be your dad.”
She wrapped her arms around me in a big hug. I could feel her body shaking as she cried. I was sure it wasn’t for her dad—more likely for her brother, or for the overwhelming stress of this entire mess. “Flynn,” I whispered.
“Yes, sir?”
“Call me Danny, okay? You’re with me now.”
She smiled. “Yes, sir.”
ACT III
FORTY-FIVE – Rally (Danny)
---------- (Nightfall Wednesday. August 10, 2022.) ----------
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
“Danny, your shirt is glowing.” Hayley pointed at my chest, where a small red glow was emanating through my black shirt.
Crap. We were about to open the overhead garage doors, which would engage the hydraulic jacks beneath the floor and lift us out. I pulled the dog tag up out of my shirt and looked at it. I knew it was Damien trying to reach me for some reason, and figured it had to be important. “Give me a minute, guys. Don’t open the doors yet.” I walked a ways down the tunnel.
Redemption Page 26
