Rex Chase: A Novel

by Tim Wheat

  “Twin sisters?” George said. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s the only thing that made sense. When I read their father’s book, he dedicated it to Angela and Tricia. I assumed Tricia was the other kidnapped sister you spoke of, but I didn’t realize until just now that they were twins, and Tricia was Anelie Hoff. You had me a little on that Rick. I found it pretty strange you would kill Angela rather than use her to control us.”

  “I could have done the same with Mary Elizabeth,” Hoff’s face wrinkled with hate. “I’ll do the same with your girlfriend right now.”

  He reached toward Hans’ knife and withdrew it from the ankle holster. Without hesitating, Chase touched the iron in his left hand to the door frame, and gave a slight flick of his right wrist in the direction of Hoff. A small ball of electricity, the size of a marble, shot across the room and hit Dietrich Hoff in the hand, causing him to lose his grip on the knife. An incredulous look on his face, Hoff shouted.

  “Kill them.” His men hesitated a brief moment, and he added with more urgency. “Don’t wait. Kill them now.”

  While the twenty-two men with automatic weapons hesitated, Rex Chase moved with a purpose. Though he had been standing on the bridge, he moved backward, pushing George through the doorway. He crouched, placed the iron in his right hand onto the threshold, while mimicking with his left. Both irons mirrored one another as Chase stood, running them half the height of the door, before arcing the two moveable antennae forward.

  They were now an extension of the scalar antennae of the boat, and Chase performed a maneuver he had theorized in his mind. Bringing the irons toward the middle of his body, he crossed their paths through the sky, while performing a figure eight pattern with each. Pausing a moment, he then brought the two irons together, touched them, and pulled his arms tight to his body. The entire maneuver took less than two seconds, and a hail of bullets unleashed in their direction.

  The eruption of gunfire was impressive, and accompanied by a deafening roar. Angela Sarff covered her ears and screamed, while Dietrich Hoff and Hans watched the slaughter with looks of fascination. Brilliant streaks of light filled the area in front of Chase and Ahiga, and a cloud of smoke dominated the room. The acrid stench of gunpowder filled everyone’s noses, and more than one of the guards sneezed, yet none paused their deadly business. Fifteen seconds of the carnage endured, until the trained soldiers’ initial volley ran short of ammo. A foreboding haze filled the room, and the silence was almost maddening. Seconds passed until the ship’s ample ventilation systems brought clarity, and what everyone witnessed defied logic.

  “If we’re going to do that again, would you mind if I put in some ear plugs or something?” Unfazed and unhurt, Rex Chase stood in the middle of the doorway. Behind him, on one knee, was an astonished George Ahiga. He stood as Chase continued. “You see, Rick, I have these ideas sometimes, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to work. Wanna see what I’ve got planned next?”

  Dietrich Hoff did not hesitate, but drug a kicking and screaming Angela Sarff from the bridge, Hans right on their tail. The fighting men reloaded their weapons, and began testing the field Chase had created. Their bullets disappeared in brilliant flashes of light, like a shooting star in the night sky, and their leader seemed to consider retreat.

  “George, stay on my tail, and get your hands on a gun if you can,” Chase said. “We’re not letting them get away.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  Chase began moving into the room, careful to keep enemy attackers off his flanks. The energy field had some curvature, but did not wrap around them. As he moved, his counterparts moved with surprising speed, and discipline. They retreated in an orderly fashion, and just two got consumed by the field as Chase pressed the attack.

  “Can’t you just shoot more lightning bolts at them?” Chief yelled above the sound of the bullets.

  “I could, but then I’d have to drop our protective shield. Those rounds would tear us to shreds.”

  The two men approached the door to the outside, just in time to see the seaplane departing. It was already thirty yards from the boat, and moving away at a high rate of speed. Hans and Hoff were getting away, and Chase took his last shot.

  “I’ve got an idea,” he shouted. “Hold onto your hat.”

  “Not wearing a hat” George mumbled to himself while covering his head.

  Chase stopped in the doorway, moved the irons from their positions, and the energy shield dropped. Most of the guards were now fleeing, though they maintained discipline and used covering fire in the direction of Chase and Ahiga. Without stopping to aim, though, their bullets whizzed by the determined Rex Chase. Like the Great Chief of Navajo legend, he stood tall against his foes, and as he performed his next maneuver time seemed to slow.

  Once again, he crouched, touched both sides of the doorway, and ran the irons up the entire height. Upon reaching the top, he took one step out onto the deck of the ship, and with both hands high in the air, he brought them down in a sweeping motion, while releasing the irons. Its lowest point twenty feet in the air, and with a diameter of one hundred feet, a perfect circle of energy appeared.

  Every man stopped and stared at the beauty of the blue/green orb. Lightning danced inside of the planet like shape, and its entirety followed the path of the clanging irons. Chase turned, grabbed Ahiga, and ran back onto the bridge of the boat, just as the irons came to rest. The orb hung in the sky for a moment, and then came crashing to the deck of the boat.

  Chase and Ahiga ducked behind a console as the ball of energy consumed the entire bow of the submersible. Men transformed into nothingness, while massive steel bulkheads groaned and mangled. The energy dissipated, and the boat listed hard to the bow. Dietrich Hoff’s flagship would soon be resting on the bottom of the Atlantic.

  ***

  Theirs had been a narrow escape, and Hans peered out the window at the carnage behind them. He watched in wonder as the blue-green orb appeared from nowhere, and then marveled as it consumed the front of the ship. His understanding of scalar power was lacking, and he looked to Hoff, who seemed asleep in his chair.

  “They’ve destroyed your flagship.”

  “Will it sink?”

  “I should say so,” Hans sneered as he recognized the implications. “We are thirty miles from land. I don’t suppose we will be seeing either of those two again.”

  “No, I don’t suppose we will. What is the damage to the boat?”

  “They blew the entire bow off.”

  Hoff moved from his chair to the cabin.

  “Make a low pass over the boat. I want to get a quick look at it.”

  “Sir, I just have enough fuel to ret…”

  “Make a low pass over the boat,” Hoff repeated with death in his voice. “I have another pilot on board.”

  Realizing the implications, the pilot turned the lumbering sea plane one hundred and eighty degrees. Within a minute they neared the submersible and Hoff peered out a window. What greeted him was unbelievable. Standing at the helm of the ship, a wide grin on his face, was Rex Chase. Next to him was George Ahiga. Even with water pouring into the front of the boat the two men stopped to salute Hoff in a deserving manner, as he circled his former flagship.

  “No way that mess can make it to land, right?” Hoff said, but received no answer. He looked at Angela Sarff who had fainted and now lay on the floor, then put his hand on Hans’ shoulder. “There is no way that boat will ever see land again.”

  ***

  “I’d say he wants to see us dead.”

  Chase and Ahiga both waved their middle fingers in the air as Hoff’s plane circled the maligned craft. The ship’s bulkheads had protected them from the and both men moved to the controls. Chase studied the myriad of levers and dials with astonishing speed before he spoke.

  “OK, I have an idea.”

  “Good, because my idea is that the boat is sinking, and we have some swimming ahead of us,” George’s voice was calm, but concerned. “Maybe n
ext time you’ll try to blow a little less of the ship off?”

  “I meant to throw a field out there that would consume the soldiers. That giant sphere was pretty awesome though. Anyway, I’m going to turn the boat around and drive it backward. Whatya think?”

  “I think we’ll be going slower as we sink.”

  “Nope. The engines on this ship are different than most. I assume they don’t have screws and use the movement of water with magnets to create propulsion. If we go backwards fast enough it might keep the bow far enough out of the water to keep us from sinking.” Chase had worked while he talked, and already had the boat turned.

  “Which way we headed boss?”

  “I’m following them.” Chase pointed at the disappearing airplane on the horizon.

  “That sounds like as good a plan as any. I’m going to look for some life jackets, in case we need to swim.”

  “Good idea.”

  Chase put his mind to the task at hand, and even after George returned with the life jackets, only the sounds of the ocean filled the bridge. Rex kept his eyes fixed on the compass and deduced they needed to head due east. It must be France, or Portugal. Two hours passed, and the boat became sluggish when he heard Chief call out.

  “Land ho.”

  “How far?”

  “Miles. Maybe four miles. Maybe five. It’s hard to say.” George’s voice became tinged with concern. “Buddy, I’m looking at the back of the boat, and it’s pretty much all the way under the water. The only reason we aren’t going down like a shot is because this thing is a sub. The pumps must be absolute beasts.”

  “My best guess says we have five to ten minutes left.” Chase’s tone showed concern. “I think we should get in the water while it’s stillsimple. If we wait much longer the…”

  At that instant the entire boat shuttered, and the engines went silent.

  “I guess that’s our cue,” George moved with urgency to the back of the boat, sloshing through the waist high water. “See ya on shore.”

  “I’m right beside you buddy. I don’t wanna be dragging you the whole way this time either.”

  George smiled as they took their first strokes in the frigid waters. Five miles was going to be a chilly swim and he hoped the next couple of hours would pass without significant problems. He swam with ease, and could tell Chase worked harder to keep up. Though their body types would suggest otherwise, Ahiga was the more graceful swimmer. Forty minutes went by and the friends covered two miles. George kept a close eye on Chase, who already appeared to be struggling. Another twenty minutes passed and George guessed they had gone three miles now, when Chase came to a stop.

  “Have to rest.” Chase’s breaths came in gasps as he tread water. “I’m the worst swimmer ever.”

  “That’s not true.” George swam lazy circles around his friend. “Gotta keep movin though buddy. Another forty minutes at this pace and we’ll be there.”

  Chase attempted to steady his breathing, but the icy water made his diaphragm spasm in protest. He dutifully resumed his swimming stroke, but could feel the choppiness in his actions. No longer could he put his face in the water to breathe out, and the oxygen his body needed was not being supplied. His limbs became numb and flailed, though his mind no longer seemed to care. The sky above him was a bright blue and a great calm came over him as he fought to get enough oxygen to his depleted brain. He felt light as a feather, and turned onto his back as his breaths became shallow.

  “No you don’t.” George eased underneath his dying friend, turned onto his back, and pulled Chase’s head tight into his own chest. “I’ve got these last couple of miles.”

  Ahiga’s body protested the extra load, and he felt the effects. His arms and legs were heavy, and no longer moved in easy, efficient strokes. He sang songs to pass time and occupy his mind.

  “Lock me up in me oilskins and jumper. No more on the docks I’ll be seen. Just tell me old shipmates, I’m takin a trip mates. I’ll see you someday in Fiddler’s Green.”

  Chief wished he had known more sea shanties, but after repeating the chorus to “Fiddler’s Green” an uncounted number of times, he realized something was wrong with his ears. A loud rushing noise filled his consciousness. George looked at the lifeless form of Rex Chase lying on his chest. He could see his lips were blue, but it seemed his diaphragm was still rising and falling. That could be George’s mind playing tricks, though. The rushing sound was deafening now, and Ahiga struggled to stay afloat. His body was no longer reacting to the stimuli of the environment, and he lost his grip on Chase.

  Flailing against the current he noticed sharp breakers pulled them toward a beach covered in sharp rocks. Chase, supported by his life jacket, bobbed through the current, and George attempted to navigate the rocks. His eyes blurred from the salt water, and his legs would no longer respond. It seemed death was close.

  Then the waves deposited him on a sandy beach. A beautiful woman came rushing to his side, and he lay unmoving as two men pulled Chase onto the shore. George watched, helpless as they tore his friend’s life vest and shirt off, and offered no resistance as he himself was drug up the beach. Exhausted, he closed his eyes to rest, and fell asleep.

  *******************

  58.

  “What’s he saying?”

  Poppen paced back and forth in the small hotel room he and Alexei Chase shared. The General had asked them to make their way to Paris, but two days had passed since. The realization that his innocent mathematical equation could bring about the demise of mankind, had hit Bobby hard. Both The General and Alexei reassured him he was not at fault, but Poppen knew he had to do something.

  Their room was just large enough for the two of them to share, and his pacing brought glares from the elder Chase. Paris enjoyed a sunny day, though a cold wind blew, causing the drab olive curtains to wave. Poppen watched Alexei as the mountain of a man listened to what The General had to say.

  “What’s he saying?”

  Alexei furrowed his brow, held his index finger to his lips, and finished his phone conversation.

  “Yes, General. I understand. No, I will be fine. Yes, I’m certain. Please don’t tell his mother, though. I’d rather do that when I get back.” Poppen’s pacing stopped and dread crept into his thoughts. He noticed Alexei’s eyes fill with tears, but his strong voice did not waver. “Thank you. Yes. Yes. Downstairs at the café in the morning. 102 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010. Yes, sir. Thank you. Good night.”

  Alexei hung up the phone, took in a deep breath, stood, and went into the small bathroom. The building was fifty years old, and it seemed indoor plumbing was retrofitted into some of the rooms. Their washroom was small. Ten minutes passed before Alexei emerged, sat on the edge of the bed, and spoke.

  “It seems Rex and George crashed an airplane somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.” His voice cracked and Poppen’s face became solemn. “They communicated with an Air Force base by radio, and were to be picked up by a Navy frigate, but nobody has heard from either the boys or the frigate again. The General has used his authority to keep the search going, but all evidence says my son and his best friend are dead.”

  “I’m so sorry” Bobby’s eyes filled with tears, but he fought them back as he noticed a change in Alexei’s demeanor. “What are we going to do now?”

  “I can tell you what we’re not going to do.” Alexei Chase’s eyes now burned with anger, and he fought to control his emotions. “We’re not going to sit here like a couple of sad sacks and lament our loss. We still have a job to do, and those boys died trying to do the same.”

  Silence encompassed the two men, and Poppen sat down on the bed next to Alexei. A few days before the two had been mere acquaintances, but Bobby now felt as if he had known Rex’s father his entire life. The whole Chase family was easy to relate with.

  “So, are we storming a castle, or ambushing an armored column? What’s the plan?”

  “Kind of.” A sly grin crossed the face of Alexei as Poppen’s expression became more c
oncerned. “It’s not going to be just you and me though.”

  “I’m voting for, it’s not going to be you and I at all. I want to help, but I’m not a trained commando.”

  “Don’t be a baby. I don’t know if we are going to be invited on this little excursion anyway. We will be meeting a man tomorrow at the café downstairs to get our orders.”

  “Our orders, huh?” Bobby stood and began pacing again. “Since when do I take orders anyway? I should be home taking midterms, not in Paris taking orders. How much are we getting paid for all of this anyway?”

  Alexei Chase laughed a deep laugh at the young man. He had not known Poppen well, but now felt as if he were another son. The entire world could change in a matter of days, and proof of it existed everywhere.

  “I can’t say I’m getting paid a dime, but I know I haven’t paid for anything the last few days either. I’ve been to London, Oxford, and Paris without spending a red cent. That seems pretty nice. Mrs. Chase isn’t going to be happy with me when I get home. What, with me gallivanting around the globe with a man I just met.”

  “So what are we gonna do now?”

  “Well, son, it seems I could use some vodka. Do you think Paris has any of that?”

  “I swear I’ve never drank in my entire life, but I’m going to be drunk for the second time in three days of hanging out with you.” Poppen smiled and grabbed his coat. “I think I’ll try some champagne. I hear they make that stuff over here.”

  “Oui, Oui.”