Scion (23 page)

Two minutes later, Nielsen came back on the line and explained what Cunningham had told him.

“Excellent, did he say what he wants?”

“Just what was discussed at the last Bilderberger, whatever that was.”

Max Ernst smiled. If what Cunningham had just given them was right, the least they could do would be to ensure George Cunningham MP would become Prime Minister at the next election.

The
Bilderberger was a conference held every year attended by the most influential men on the planet. The topics of discussion were a closely guarded secret but what was not was the abundance of future world leaders whose attendance at the conference preceded their rise to power. The Bilderbergers made and broke political careers and Transcon shareholders wielded more power than any when it came down to final selection. Although more than a few Bilderbergers would have revolted at the idea of a Transcon shareholder running for President had they known of Dan Baker’s real source of money. Transcon, according to more than a few, were becoming just a little too powerful.

“Are our friends down at Diego Garcia still looking for some targets to practice on
?” asked Ernst already knowing the answer.

Chapter 37

The introductions and explanations
took up the rest of the afternoon and by the time Scott had a chance to talk to Ashley, it was time for dinner. Papa, understanding how important the occasion was, had arranged for Scott and Ashley to dine alone in private and had organised everything for them. Ashley had been swept away to a neighbour’s home while Scott had joined Papa to prepare for a dinner that would change his life. Scott spent one minute in the shower and much to his surprise most of his time trying to decide what to wear. Jeans didn’t seem right but neither did trousers. Bermuda shorts and a crisp linen shirt won in the end.

Ashley had a much easier decision
. With no luggage, she was at the mercy of the islanders and spent most of her time in the shower, scrubbing away any remnants of the four men’s brains. Stepping out of the shower, she found a floral skirt and small white blouse laid out for her, she quickly dried herself and put on the simple clothes. Checking herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wish her suitcase had made it with her. However as she entered the room, a hush descended. The simplicity of the dress highlighted Ashley’s natural beauty and the women were already certain she was the one for Scott. Although she tried to convince them otherwise and that she didn’t even know him, she couldn’t help but think the idea was not exactly repulsive. After all, he was absolutely gorgeous and had a body to die for.

***

The B-1R rolled down the runway and loped into the sky, both pilots commenting on how the plane felt notably heavier than it had earlier, something they would have to file in their mission report. Neither could believe that they were back in the air so soon after their previous mission. However, having flown so little over the last few months, the experimental plane had been temperamental at the beginning of its flight testing. So they were more than happy to get to play with the new aircraft again. Their mission brief was already in the system and the computers quickly calculated their optimal route and with over 3,500 miles to target, it automatically requested a tanker to top them up for their return. The plane banked hard and accelerated to its cruising speed of over 1.5 MACH. Time to target flashed up, 3 hours 42 minutes.

***

The sight of the small table sitting on the deserted beach as the moonlight streaked across the water’s surface took Ashley’s breath away. Two burning torches sat either side of the table and completed the picture postcard scene.

“It’s lovely,” said Ashley as
Scott offered her a seat.

Scott
couldn’t help thinking the same of Ashley but thought it best to keep it to himself.

“Thank you
. I’ve always thought this a very special spot,” replied Scott as he pushed Ashley’s seat in behind her.

“It’s like we’re the only two people left in the world,” said Ashley as she looked out across the empty sea.

Scott nodded as he looked at Ashley, his eyes falling as the torch light shone through the thin blouse and clearly outlined her perfect braless breasts beneath the cloth. Ashley turned back towards Scott and caught a bashful Scott’s lowered gaze.

Used to being watched
, Ashley was surprised when the thought of Scott’s gaze sent a tingle though her body.

“Well, perhaps we better get started,” suggested Ashley taking a sip of wine.

Scott remembering the point of the meal agreed with an enthusiastic nod.

***

The B-1R, much to the pilot’s surprise, began to reduce its height and slow down as it closed in on the target area. Both checked the computers to try and ascertain what the target was, both had expected an air to air trial similar to the earlier one. However, the drop in height suggested there must have been a target down below, an uninhabited island or a drone ship. Neither however could see anything below other than an island off in the distance but lights were clearly visible so it couldn’t be that.

***

“I was born in a small village in Scotland, my parents were the housekeeper and gamekeeper on a large estate owned by a brilliant young businessman. I was only four when they died.”

“I’m sorry to hear
that,” interrupted Scott.

“I’ll come to that
,” said Ashley dismissively, before continuing.

“Although
I don’t remember much, I do remember how wonderful they were. I was very loved and it seemed their lives revolved around me. Even the businessman doted on me and called me his special little girl. I think it was about a week before my parents died that I met you.”

Scott
almost choked on his wine at Ashley’s mention of their childhood meeting.

“W
e’ve met before?” he spluttered.

“You were only a baby. The businessman had visited unexpectedly with a woman and you were with them. I don’t know who she was but I know everything seemed very tense. The businessman was shouting and screaming at my parents, something he had never done before and even told them they were fired. I’ll never forget it because my mother cried all night when we got home. The next morning, the businessman apologised but things were never the same. You had disappeared and the businessman left, never to return. One week later, a car crash claimed the lives of my parents. I was saved and adopted by the Jones’s. I kept thinking the businessman would come and rescue me, his special little girl, but he never did.”

Scott
just stared helplessly at Ashley, as confused as he had ever been. Minutes passed before he spoke,

“So who am I
?” asked Scott.

“You were the little baby boy who visited the businessman.”

“But how do you know that?”

“Your birthmark, the small cluster of moles that look like a star, I remember it vividly.”

“But I’m sure lots of people have something similar.”

“Yes but they all don’t look exactly like their father
.”

“Who
?”

“The businessman
. You are the spitting image of him, only perhaps slightly more handsome. But he was definitely your father.”

“So who was he and who was my mother?” asked a frustrated
Scott.

“No idea,” replied Ashley shrugging her shoulders
.

“I’ve tried to track him down but nobody seems to remember him, it’s almost like his very existence ha
s been wiped from the face of the earth. The estate was destroyed in a fire shortly after my parents died and the locals don’t remember much and no records exist to show who owned it. It’s all very bizarre.”

“Maybe you just dream
t it,” ventured Scott quietly.

“I don’t think so,” replied Ashley pulling the small
heart shaped locket from her neck, presenting it to Scott. “Because he made me promise to give you this if I ever saw you again.”

Scott
held the locket carefully in his hands and slowly opened it. His heart sank as the locket revealed nothing more than two empty spaces where photos should have been.

“It’s always been like that,” explained Ashley quickly
. “But he told me it contained much more than you could see with your eyes.”

“What does that mean?” asked
Scott carefully checking every square inch of the locket.

“
I had no idea until one day, during a science lesson, when we were using a microscope I thought perhaps...” Ashley took the locket back from Scott, turned it over and pointed to the hallmark stamp. “This wasn’t what it seemed. I magnified it 100 times and discovered the name of a bank and a list of numbers.”

“So what was there
?” asked Scott eagerly.

“No idea, I’ve tried a few times but hit a brick wall each time
. They won’t discuss the account with anyone but the account holder.”

“Who’s that?”

“They won’t tell me but I guess you or your father!”

“So that’s it, the only link to my past is an empty locket,”
Scott stood and taking the locket from Ashley walked to the sea’s edge. For a second he contemplated just throwing the locket as far out to sea as he could but before he could do anything, Ashley was beside him and holding his arm. He turned and looking deep into her eyes held her like he had never held anyone before. The intimacy of their embrace was overwhelming, a tear ran down Scott’s cheek as he nestled his head against Ashley’s.

The tear rolled and
dropped onto Ashley’s shoulder. She turned her head as he turned to her and their mouths met. Before either could control the moment, their mouths parted and both eagerly accepted each other. Tongues entwined and made it clear both wanted more. Hands strayed and within minutes both lay naked in the sands, the water lapping at their bodies.

Scott
’s hand ran down the length of Ashley’s body, his fingers brushing the baby soft skin, firm succulent breasts and erect nipples. A tremor passed through Ashley’s body as the anticipation of what was to come rushed through her body. The fingers carried on down and brushed over her flat toned stomach and down towards her neatly trimmed bikini line. Scott lightly brushed past before quickly moving down her thigh. The disappointment of his deviation evident in her deep moan as they kissed. Noting the urgency, he retraced his route and found her ready and waiting, her legs parting slightly as his hand moved towards her. The wetness of the salt water did not mask her own wetness. Her hand felt for him and urged him towards her parting legs.

He
thrust into her, her head sweeping backwards as she caught her breath, her hands clawing at his back as she struggled to contain the tremors surging through every nerve ending in her body. Ashley had had sex before but nothing like this. She almost always felt awkward and clumsy but not here, on a beach with almost a complete stranger, it felt like the most natural thing she had ever done.

Scott
’s taught muscular body thrust and thrust but the gentleness of the strokes seemed in contrast to the force being used, almost similar to the waves that seemed to lap against them despite the obvious power of the sea. With every stroke, they moved closer and closer to the inevitable explosion. Scott, sensing the final countdown, pulled Ashley closer. A powerful woman, she had never felt more vulnerable nor more secure in her life, nor had she ever fallen so quickly for a man. As her orgasm came, her body spasmed as the shockwaves of pleasure rocked her and continued as Scott exploded inside her, sending another wave rocketing through her.

Scott
lay looking into her eyes as they stayed anchored together, neither wanting to break the moment. Neither wanting to broach how it happened and certainly not wanting to admit it was a mistake. Neither believed it was but it would take one of them to say it wasn’t and neither was brave enough.

***

Both pilots looked on in horror as the plane suddenly jerked upwards. The only visual target in front of them was the inhabited island and whatever bomb had just been ejected by the weapons system was huge. The plane had lightened dramatically since its drop and before they could see what had happened the bomber turned sharply and accelerated back to Mach 1.5.

The bomb was actually two bombs, two MOAB’s which was an acronym for Massive Ordnance Air Bomb or more colloquially the Mother Of All Bombs
, each weighing a massive 21,700 lbs. and delivering the equivalent of 11 tons of TNT each. The blast was further enhanced by its detonation 30 feet above the ground, clearing a huge swathe of ground. Those not incinerated by the blast were as likely to be suffocated by the vacuum-like aftermath as the oxygen was literally sucked from the air.

Twenty seven seconds after
their release, the two bombs exploded over the island one to the north and one to the south. The flash of the explosion lit up the sky for miles around, although the blast effects were felt only locally. The over ground explosion ensured that only those who witnessed the flash would ever know an explosion had taken place. As with its predecessor, the daisy cutter, designed to clear ground for helicopter landing sites, the MOAB left no crater or obvious sign of detonation and more importantly no tremors would travel through the earths crust alerting scientists across the world.