Ancient Birthright (57 page)

The wall dividing the rear half of
Jerrod
’s cabin dissolved into the floor. “We’re ready for lift off if someone wants to tell me where we’re going.” Reedn said leaning around his pilot’s seat.

“Did I hear Hooker correctly? There’s an alien spaceship coming to Earth?” asked the Vice President.

“Yes, it should be in a parking orbit behind the Moon sometime tomorrow,” Beldon said.

“How long has the military known about its approach?” the Vice President asked.

“Colonel Striker initiated a Border Crossing alert almost four years ago,” General Norwell said. “We fully briefed the President at that time.”

“And what was his response?”

“He ordered NRAO placed under military control and essentially declared all personnel working here prisoners of the military. He then ordered two ICBMs modified for long-range intercept of the spacecraft. The missiles were eventually launched when the President wanted to ensure nothing disturbed his reelection,” General Norwell explained. “He later had the Airborne Laser System installed at Kirtland and used it in an attempt to destroy the incoming ship. That’s when the International Space Station was damaged.”

Live view screens popped on showing a 360-degree view around
Jerrod
. “I hate to interrupt you guys but, I think we should get out of here and talk about this later,” Reedn said as he watched the image of the DHS attack helicopter getting larger.

“Head for the Moon.” Saigg said. “We can decide if we want to change course once we are clear of the danger.”

The view screens showed NRAO dwindling in size as
Jerrod
lifted off. Two lines of tracers from the attacking helicopter followed their ascent, but could not keep up to them.

The compact submachine guns of the two Secret Service agents snapped up. “They’re kidnapping you, Mr. Vice President,” one of the agents said.

“Lower your weapons. It’s hard to call it kidnapping when they keep asking where we want to go.”

The agents folded the guns back under their coats.

“
Jerrod
, could you zoom in on NARO and display the action?” Beldon asked.

The largest view screen snapped to an expanded view of the firefight. The attack helicopter was firing at the tanks approaching from the main gate. One of its missiles disabled a tank by blowing a track off. As the group watched, a surface to air missile streaked from a sandbagged bunker and impacted the engine exhaust area on the right side of the helicopter. A smoke trail followed the helicopter as it made a crash landing on the lawn in front of the admin building. Security personnel from the detachment, now led by Colonel Bitman, pulled the survivors from the wreckage and cuffed them hand and foot to prevent their escape or attempt to help the agents in the SUVs.

The three SUVs turned the final corner leading to the admin building and accelerated when the lead vehicle exploded in a fireball from a direct hit by a round from the remaining tank. The second SUV could not stop and slammed into the rear of the burning wreck. The last SUV jumped the curb and headed for the admin building by crossing the lawn. Bitman and his men turned it into a smoldering mass of scrap metal with their automatic weapons.

The firing slowed as the smoking SUV rolled to a stop on four deflated tires.

“It looks like Colonel Bitman and his men are okay,” Reedn said.

“Is there any way to contact my office?” asked the FBI Director. “I want to relay the information we got from agent Hooker, so they can get started cleaning out this nest of traitors.”

“
Jerrod
streamed the video of the confrontation to our local office in real-time. They linked in FBI headquarters. Agents have already been dispatched to take Rashid into custody and assist the Secret Service in
protecting
the President,” one of the FBI agents told his boss.

“I’ll need to get back to Washington as soon as possible,” the Vice President said. “I imagine the impeachment of the President will take place in quick order.” He looked to the Chairman of the investigative committee.

“I would say that by this time tomorrow, we should have all the paperwork completed and be ready to move,” was the Chairman’s answer.

“If we could land at Andrews Air Force Base, we could have the Air Force deliver us directly to the White House. What’s your pilot’s name?” asked the Vice President as he walked to the front of the craft.

“That’s my good buddy Command Prime Reedn Garuu flying today, Mr. Vice President,” Airman Mayes said as he and Reedn slapped a high five and did a fist bump. “He’s one hot shot pilot.”

“Reedn, do you know where Andrews Air Force Base is?” the VP asked.

Jerrod
opened a view screen and displayed the atlas page that showed Washington DC with a red circle around Andrews. “Is this where you mean?” Reedn asked.

“That’s the place. How long would it take to fly there?”

“Fast as possible or normal travel?”

“How about fast as possible.”

Reedn looked at the display, “About seven minutes, but we will leave a sonic trail that will shatter glass for fifty miles to either side of our flight path.
Jerrod
can minimize his sonic shock wave, but he can’t eliminate it.”

“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“If we go up to a hundred and twenty thousand feet we won’t generate a sonic front. It will take an extra nine point four minutes, but it’ll be a lot quieter.”

“So, from New Mexico to Washington DC in less than seventeen minutes huh… I think I can live with the delay. Let’s do it that way. General Norwell, would you contact Andrews and alert them to our arrival. I don’t want to take a chance they will intercept us as hostile. Maybe they could scramble the alert birds to act as an escort when we get closer, say in about ten minutes. Reedn probably doesn’t know about our standard flight patterns and approach control.”

“Sorry, Sir, I don’t know their approach frequency,” Norwell said.

“
Jerrod
has it. He called Colonel Bitman’s command post, and they told him what it is,” Reedn said. “Colonel Bitman is contacting Andrews to let them know we are coming. I have Andrews approach on radio.”

“This is Andrews approach control, identify and squawk I-dent.”

The general looked for a microphone then just spoke to the control panel. “Andrews’s approach this is Air Force Two, General Norwell speaking. Sorry we do not have IFF capabilities but will relay our position when necessary. Request you scramble the alert birds to join up with us to lead us in. This craft is not equipped with approach plates. Flush the alert birds southwest, and we will contact them direct.”

“Roger Air Force Two, alert birds are flushed and heading southwest. Control is on 246.8.”

“I have their frequency tuned in,” Reedn said.

“Reaper Flight, Air Force Two will contact you direct,” came over the radio.

“Roger, control.”

“Reaper Flight this is Air Force Two, General Norwell speaking, how do you read?”

“Five by five, sir. How can we help you?”

“We need an escort for approach and landing at Andrews. This craft is not equipped with approach plates for this area, and we need to be on the ground ASAP.”

“Say your position Air Force Two, and we’ll join on you.”

“Reaper Flight, Air Force Two is at your eleven o’clock at four-hundred and thirty-four miles,” Reedn radioed. “I have your flight at Mach .94, 43,000 feet. Start a slow turn back toward Andrews and I will join on your left wing,” Reedn said.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but even if you were in an SR-71 Blackbird, at the speed we’re going you won’t catch us before we are back on the ground at Andrews. Give me your speed and heading, and we will join on
you
.”

“Start your turn Reaper Flight or you won’t be able to catch up to me,” Reedn said over the radio. “Speed is Mach six point two and slowing, distance two-hundred and ten miles, altitude 93,000 feet and descending.”

The F22’s were just rolling out of their turn when Reedn tucked in to within three feet of the left wing of the wingman’s plane.

“Air Force Two, we’re headed back to Andrews. Give us a call when you get within five miles.”

Reedn looked over his shoulder at the General and shrugged as if to say, “They wouldn’t listen. It’s not my fault.”

“Reaper Flight, I’m at three feet and tied on. Sorry I missed the five mile call.”

The pilot of the F22 sandwiched between
Jerrod
and his flight lead, snapped his head around and gawked at the craft on his left wing. What had been a smooth flight formation began to look like an ocean wave as the middle pilot over corrected.

“Ahh… Air Force Two...you want to transition to my right wing, I think you’re making my wingman nervous.”

“Roger, transitioning right.” Reedn barrel rolled over the top of Reaper Flight and locked into position three feet from the lead aircraft’s right wing. Reedn turned to the General. “I knew watching all those ‘Black Sheep Squadron’ reruns would come in handy. The jargon hasn’t changed much since they were made.”

“Air Force Two, the base is at our two o’clock at thirty-five miles, do you want to fly my wing down to the runway or do you want to go to approach control?”

Reedn looked up at the general.

“Reaper Flight, we will hang on your wing until we have the runway in sight. If you would then go to a 10,000 foot Combat Air Patrol racetrack and make sure we don’t have any uninvited visitors, I would appreciate it,” responded the general.

At two miles, the general cleared Reaper Flight to their CAP altitude.

“Andrews approach, Air Force Two is with you, and requests clearance to land and park in a remote area,” General Norwell called over the radio.

Five minutes later, with all the DC passengers off loaded and safely in the waiting limousines,
Jerrod
was ready to depart.

“Andrews Tower, I’m changing my call sign to ‘Black Sheep One’ and requesting clearance for immediate takeoff,” Reedn said over the radio.

“Roger Black Sheep One. Say aircraft type, destination, and be advised I don’t show a flight plan on file for your flight.”

Reedn looked confused and turned to Beldon for advice. Beldon just shrugged. Sergeant Wainwright stepped forward.

“They want to know the type of aircraft, so they have an idea of its flight limitations, and they need to know where you are going, so they get you headed in the right direction at takeoff. Make up something on the aircraft type, and tell them you want to file a flight plan for VFR direct to Socorro, New Mexico.”

“Andrews Tower, this is Black Sheep One, our ship is type SSVTO. Request VFR direct to Socorro, New Mexico.”

“Say aircraft type again Black Sheep One, I thought you said SSVTO?”

“Yes, sir, this is a Smart Ship with Vertical Takeoff capabilities.”

In the background they heard someone say, “Just clear them for takeoff. They can handle their own traffic avoidance.”

“Roger Black Sheep One, you are cleared for immediate takeoff from your position.”

“So long, Andrews Tower. You have a great day.” Reedn launched
Jerrod
straight up. He leveled off a few seconds later and joined on the wing of Reaper Flight. “Thanks for your help, Reaper Flight. Maybe we can fly together again someday.”

Reaper Flight’s lead pilot whipped his head around and stared at the silvery black craft that had appeared on his right wing. “G...lad we could help. Next time you’re in town, how about giving us a look at your plane?”

“Sure. If I have time. His name’s
Jerrod
, and we’ve become good friends. I’m Reedn Garuu by the way. Well, I need to get going, and it looks as if you guys might have some work to do.
Jerrod
reports that two helicopters, like the one that just attacked the NRAO facility, are heading for Andrews from the northeast at tree top level.”

Reedn pointed
Jerrod
’s nose straight up and leveled off at a hundred and fifty thousand feet a few minutes later.

Chapter-68

“Mr. President, the Vice President is here and is requesting a few minutes,” his secretary’s voice said over the intercom.

“Send him in. Is that bunch of FBI agents still there?”

“Yes, Sir. More of them keep showing up and asking for the current location of people on this list of top ranking military personnel and most of your advisors and appointees.”

The office door opened, and the Vice President walked in.

The President paused with his hand over the phone buttons. The hand set was trapped between his ear and shoulder. “I don’t have much time to talk this morning. Something’s going on with the FBI, and I need to find out what.”

The Vice President took one of the two wing chairs across the desk from the President. “This won’t take long, Mr. President. I see the FBI is making progress in finding the people incriminated in your plot to overthrow our government. They have DHS Director Rashid in custody, and he’s giving them a laundry list of his associates. Two of the three new members of the Joint Chiefs are also in custody for covert acts of aiding the enemy, and the third should be apprehended shortly. Most of the rogue DHS units have been captured including Hooker’s team of cutthroats, and the two helicopters that were dispatched to take me out at Andrews have been destroyed. I’ve been told to stand by to take over the Presidency since the articles of impeachment should be ready later today or tomorrow morning at the latest.”

The President jumped to his feet. “This is outrageous. I didn’t authorize the FBI to round up those people. I want Rashid released immediately. Don’t they realize he’s one of my closest friends. We were roommates in college for Christ’s sake.”

“Yes, Mr. President, you were roommates just before he left for his first round of training at the terrorist camps in the Middle East.” The Vice President stood, placed his fists on the president’s desk, and leaned forward.

“No, no, no, this can’t be happening now. We were so close. Why don’t you, those God damn Dumas brats, and their spaceship just disappear.” The President began to laugh. Going from deep belly laughs to giggles in seconds. “At least that damn spaceship will be taken care of. Once McAlister gets through with it, it will be just another piece of space junk heading to the Sun.”