Tuesday. 17:30 Ocean Delicacies

“Yeah, an explanation would help.” Thomas said.

“Fine, I will but get in the car, I’ll explain back where you got all those toys.” John said. “I’d rather not dilly dally around here.”

The group headed back to the car. John opened the frunk and tossed the garbage bag in it. He then hopped into the cargo area. Alice drove off when everyone got in. Theresa reminded her to slow it down on the way back.

“So, I mean there’s lots to talk about. But can we start with how there’s a FUCKING ARM in the frunk?” Thomas was incredulous at this point.

“Another day with John.” Andern said.

“No, no it’s not. First, we get interrupted by the same two that John was worried about months ago. Then everyone just ups and leaves the area. Then we leave and go to a warehouse that is full of military gear. I open a drawer and it’s full of unmarked credit chits. And that’s ignoring the power armor and stealth suit there too.”

“Could be worse.” Kevin said.

“No, I’m not done. Then we come back to the scene of a fight and John is holding a samurai sword, a helicopter is flying away, he’s on the phone effectively buying an apology then he picks up the ARM HE SEVERED.”

“To be fair, this is right up there with getting slapped with an umbilical.” Kristin said.

“I’m bleeding here you know that right?” John said.

“How are you a blackhole for trouble?” Thomas asked.

“Hey, I didn’t ask for this fight. Shitty part is I didn’t end it. Twins are still alive which means they will be back. Fucking cockroaches.” John sighed. “I really wasn’t joking about the bleeding bit; anyone have a rag?”

Theresa handed John the liner to an armor plate. It wasn’t perfect but it would at least help.

“Well at least you only saw the one container. There’s two others that are mine too.” John said.

“Are you not worried about them moving?” Kevin asked.

“I own the building, so if they move someone would be doing something unwise.”

“That’s news to me.” Alice shook her head from the driver’s seat.

Brian helped Thomas calm down, but obviously he was having a hard time accepting the day’s events. The car ride was generally quite but tense. When they got back to the warehouse the group entered the warehouse quickly and orderly. John went to the frunk and took the bag out.

Everyone was putting their things away quietly. John grabbed a first-aid kit and cleaned out a couple puncture wounds he had suffered. Alice walked over to him after stowing her gun and body armor and helped him clean out the second wound.

“You’re going to have to talk to them.” Alice looked at John kindly.

“I will after I take care of the arm. Or at least what I’m going to do with the arm.” John smiled. “Can you try to mollify them a bit more?”

Alice nodded and joined the others trying to calm them down. She assured them John would talk to them shortly. John left the container and entered another container. He was holding the garbage bag with Lex’s arm in it. Inside the third container were several devices. John pulled the arm out of the bag and put it on a scanning device.

Andern and Kevin, sick of waiting with the others, walked into the room. Unlike Thomas they were didn’t need any explanations. They watched John quietly do his work. Andern’s impatience forced him to act first.

“I’m guessing there’s a reason why you’re scanning his arm and extracting blood from it.” Andern said

“Need to see if he was genetically modified. Also, trying to prove a theory about the psycho fucker bossing the pair around.”

“You didn’t want us to know about all this did you.” Kevin asked.

John shook his head. “I told Alice, for obvious reasons. But I didn’t want y’all to find out. This hidey hole isn’t supposed to be widely known.”

The computer finished its scan. John walked over and forwarded the scans to intelligence. He also indicated he had the arm in his possession still. John put the arm back in the bag and motioned his friends to join him. The scanner shut down as the door closed behind them.

18:15 Warehouse Gear Storage

Andern and Kevin walked in and joined the group. John followed them and jumped up and sat on the workbench. He was looking at them.

“Alright, any question you ask will be answered, but it doesn’t leave this room. If everyone is clear with that fire away.”

“What is all this?” Thomas asked immediately.

“It’s an intelligence gear drop. Everything in here is off the record. I used it several times on cases around here before I got admitted into the Navy.”

Thomas turned around and pulled out the drawer. “Even this? There’s at least a hundred million credits in there.”

“Closer to four or five hundred million. The tubs are stacked two high. Some of that money came from intelligence, most came from my operations. Government bureaucrats don’t blink when you tell them they are getting ten or eleven million credits. If I keep one or two for my uses no one is the wiser.”

“So, is all this gear really off the books?” Brian asked.

“The suits were ‘liberated’ from a black-market dealer.” John used air quotes. “I upgraded the stealth one to make it as close to a Mark 6 suit as I could.

“Forgot to include them in your report?” Alice smirked.

“Something like that.” John smiled. “And all the guns are Navy and Marine issued, but records of them are classified and purposefully lost.”

“Who were the pair?” Kristin asked.

“They work for a faction in the Mercantilist Union. Their leader wants me to join so they can push forward some insane new world order. We don’t know who he is beyond the fake name he’s given me.”

“Same group that attacked the station?” Thomas asked.

“Yup.”

“How’d you get all the guns?” Brian was still marveling at the hardware in the container.

“Open up the rifle case behind you, there’s a button on the inside near the handle, press it.”

Brian opened the case and did as he said. There was a click. He looked confused and looked backed at John.

“Pull the case up.”

A false bottom fell down from the case. The case was suddenly twice as big.

“We would go to an armory to sign out a specific gun. The cameras would be disabled, then we load up the rest below the signed-out gun, then head out. Order replacement guns. The extra guns would have their serials removed and they would be removed from the armory’s storage records.”

“So, you’re saying every agent has something like this?” Alice asked.

“No, I can’t really give specifics on numbers, but there were good reasons why we did what we did. Technically I need to move all of this since too many people know about it.”

“You think they will come back?” Thomas asked.

“I can’t imagine they won’t.” John held up the bag. “This one was already mentally unstable. Losing his arm is going to make it worse.”

“If you had your new suit?” Theresa asked.

“They’d be dead.” John said coldly. “But now, I can’t foresee any situation where they wouldn’t be developing their own suits.”

“So, psychic arms race. That’s cool for the rest of us.” Kevin said sarcastically.

“At least we know your gun works to a degree.” John grimaced a bit. “Too bad they destroyed it.”

“Are we cool? Alice asked.

“One last question. You have all this money, why the games?” Thomas asked.

“Those stupid motherfuckers always leave my bags for last or put them on the wrong plane. I deserve compensation for it.”

“Hold on there cowboy, now is neither the time nor the place for that diatribe.” Alice shut down John’s conspiracy theory.

“We’re cool, still fucking strange.” Thomas smiled.

“Let’s get out of here. I’m tired and need a shower and need to deliver this arm to someone.”

The group left John’s stash and headed back to the academy. The day had not been a good one. Uncomfortable questions needed to be answered. John’s mystique was somewhat shattered, though in the long run he figured that would be for the better.

Location and Time Unknown. Textron Galaxy G700 Void Craft

“He’s stable. The graft took hold, and the med-printer is now working on creating new muscles and ligaments covering and attaching the bones.” The doctor said.

“How long will it take for him to recover?” Lisa asked.

“The arm should be fully constructed by the time we get home. But it’s going to take months for him to regain full use of that arm.”

“What a bloody failure this operation has been. And that weapon, what was it?”

“There were no unusual readings that we could read during the battle.” The doctor paused. “You’re saying they developed a psychic weapon?”

“It looked like Lex lost control of his abilities.”

“That’s a grave concern for our plans. Please let me know if you have any additional information regarding that. I would suggest contacting your father soon.”

“I will, thank you doctor.” Lisa sank back in her chair.

Eventually she stood up and walked to the back of the plane where the medical device was repairing Lex’s arm. She placed her hand on the glass and began to tear up.

“I’m sorry brother, I will try and convince father that we can neither convince nor capture him at this time. You’re in this state because of me.”

She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. She walked into another room around mid-ship and entered it. She closed and locked the door behind her. Lisa sat down at the terminal and activated the long-distance communication device. Three minutes later a holographic image of her father shimmered in front of her.

“Hello father. I bring poor news. We were able to catch John unawares but were unable to secure him. Both of us are alive, but John cut Lex’s arm off.”

“I presume he’s receiving treatment now?” Dr. Norman said without emotion.

“Yes, the doctor onboard our vessel indicated the replacement arm should be finished by the time we arrive. But the doctor cautioned that it may be a year until he is back to normal.”

“We have the best medical technology and services around; I suspect we can do that in months.”

“Father, I must be frank with you and say that I do not believe John will ever become a true believer in our cause, nor do I believe us capable of capturing him at this time. He was substantially more powerful than when we first fought him.”

“That likely would be because he wasn’t feeding his armor most of his power.”

“No father, even accounting for that he was leagues beyond where he was before. If he had that armor…” Lisa let that hang.

“It appears we are going to have to provide the two of you with some additional protection for your next encounter. While we may not be able to convince him of our righteous path, his capture is still essential to our mission.”

“As you will it father. There’s another thing. I believe he had a psychic weapon of some sort that affected Lex.”

“Explain.”

“After John fired it at Lex, it seemed like Lex struggled with controlling his powers. It was as if he lacked any sense surrounding power. Attacks would be too small or too big.”

“Thank you my dear. Play back the attacks and record everything. It appears this will be a lengthy and involved debrief.”

Dr. Norman ended the call. Lisa couldn’t tell if he was angry or not, but she figured at a minimum the twins were due some punishment. Which meant time in sensory deprivation tanks. Those tanks nearly broke Lex when he acted out when they were little. She was not looking forward to the debrief.

Thursday. 08:00 Cafeteria

“Am I weird for actually going to miss this place?” Alice said.

“I was thinking the same thing.” Theresa said.

“The more important question though, is that do we get to see Alice’s house?” Andern asked.

“It was a mistake inviting everyone to stay there wasn’t it?” Alice laughed.

“Not yet, the mistake will be made manifest when Andern and Nathan show up.” John smiled.

“What the hell?” Andern tried to sound indignant.

“I will keep him inline Alice.”

Alice mouthed ‘Thank You’ to Kristin. The group continued to chat. They would be parting ways for three weeks but then they were heading down to Mobile a week before the wedding.

“Ah hell, I need to run.” Andern said. “Flight got moved up forty-five minutes.”

Andern kissed Kristin then ran back to his dorm room.

“And there goes one.” John smirked. “When are the rest of you flying out?”

“Brian and I are this afternoon.” Thomas said.

“Noon for Theresa and I.” Kevin said as he finished a waffle.

“Can I share a cab with you John and Alice? My flight is basically at the same time.” Kristin said.

“No problems here, we’re heading out in an hour.” Alice smiled.

“It’s going to be so damn weird to not have any responsibilities, well aside from PE work, for the summer.” John said.

“Please don’t bring trouble home with you.” Alice smirked.

“Hey, I didn’t start any of those fights.”

The friends took their time with breakfast. Andern yelled goodbye to them and waived from down the hallway, then ran outside to catch his cab. They laughed as he ran outside. The conversation drifted from topic to topic. Thomas asked what happened with the arm. John gave it to someone in intelligence the night they got back, but beyond that he didn’t know what their plans are for it. He recommended it be incinerated.

09:45 Washington-Dulles Airport, Delta Sky Lounge

“Two years down, two to go.” John smiled.

“What a wild and crazy ride it’s been so far.”

“It’s not even over technically.” John snickered to himself. “Not going to be too long and we’re going to be in Monaco and Italy.”

“Honey, I am so looking forward to that trip. Twelve glorious days on the ground.”

“Would the two of you like refills on your champagne?” An attendant asked.

“Why yes, thank you very much.” John held out his glass.

“So, anything you want to do in Mobile?” Alice asked.

“Honestly I’m only really looking forward to getting a workout in this afternoon and relaxing. Tomorrow I’m game for just about anything.” John smiled as he took a sip of champagne.

Alice looked at her tablet. “We’re going to have lunch with some friends of mine tomorrow.”

“Cool. That should be fun.” John couldn’t stop smiling. “Anything else you want to do?”

“Oh, this weekend Paul needs a fourth when they do the Robert Trent Jones Trail.”

“Done and done.” John pulled up his tablet and had his golf clubs pulled out of storage. “May as well just have my clubs stored at your house now.”

“Oh, so what’s mine if yours then?” Alice gave him an impish grin.

“More or less.”

“I really don’t know how I fell for you.” Alice was smiling. “Wait, no, don’t answer that.”

“Ahh, you missed out on me making the most modest comment of all time.”

“That’s not how it works at all.” Alice started to laugh as she leaned over to kiss John. “Here’s to many more years together.”

10:15 Washington Dulles, Tarmac, G15

“Ok boys, game is worst name in first class gets their shit tossed in the coach cargo bay first.” The baggage handler. “Call them names out.”

“Alice Robertson, sounds like some preppy white chick.” One spoke.

“Andrew Anderson. This name is terrible.” Another said.

“That one is awful. My vote is Guðmundur Kristjánsdóttir. I doubt it’s pronounced that way and look at all the stupid characters above the letters.” Yet another baggage handler smirked.

“Richard Diggler. Sounds like a pornstar.”

“Yeah but being called Dick Diggler is kinda cool in its own right. My choice is John Leif. Way to go with only eight boring characters.”

The ringleader laughed. “Vote ‘em up”

They went through several votes. After the fourth vote the winner was declared. Unfortunately for John, he was the winner in this idiotic game the overworked and underpaid baggage handlers played.

10:40 Washington Dulles, Gate G15

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are beginning to board flight DAL1356 with service to Mobile, Alabama. At this time, we ask anyone traveling with small children or needing assistance in board may begin boarding now.” The gate attendant said over the intercom.

“I am so looking forward to getting home.” Alice squeezed John’s arm.

“I can’t say that I’m looking forward to the swamp ass.”

Alice pinched his arm. “God, it’s not that bad.”

“Yes, yes, it is that bad.”

Alice shook her head. The couple waited for a few minutes until another boarding announcement was made. They boarded the plane and walked down the sky bridge. They greeted the flight attendant at the door then walked down the twin aisled plane and found their seats, 3C and 3D in the middle of first class. They got situated in their seats.

Alice started watching a talk show. John couldn’t find a movie he wanted to watch so he chose to watch ESPN. Alice shook her head and laughed to herself when she saw what he chose to watch. John was also reviewing a couple messages from his stockbroker. John responded to sell his investments and reinvest the earnings into another fund he recommended.

Boarding was finished and the plane was getting pushed back from the terminal. The engines were spooling up and eventually the plane began its taxi out to the runway. When they got there, they could feel the force of the engines press them into the seat as the plane speed down the runway. Ten minutes later the plane finished its climb to cruising altitude.

Alice pushed on John’s shoulders. “Hey, you can fly one of these right?”

John smirked. “I’m not certified, but…”

“Of course, I kinda wish I could see Brian’s reaction to that.

The couple laughed and got back to watching their shows. The flight would experience some mild turbulence halfway to Mobile, but beyond that the flight was uneventful. Eventually the plane landed, and the passengers were able to depart. This was always something John loathed.

John’s bag showed up second to last. They had to wait thirty-five agonizing minutes. John was stewing in anger. The baggage handlers that pranked him should be thankful he didn’t know what they did. Retribution would’ve been swift and violent. Probably not deadly but with John anything could happen. But they would continue to play their games, unknowingly to all of them that it was a dangerous move.