Sacrifice:The Shenkar War (57 page)

             
“
This is yours,” Leah said, offering the case to Liam.

             
Liam gave Leah a puzzled look as he took in the offered briefcase.
“
That’s mine?” he asked skeptically.

             
“
Yeah, you left it to me in your will . . . you know, one hundred thousand dollars?”

             
Liam smiled as realization dawned on his face.
“
Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that. Keep it. I don’t have any use for it and you can use it, so take it,” Liam said, nodding toward the case.

             
“
But it is your money!” Leah said a bit loudly.

             
“
Do you know what they paid me to go on this mission? An insane amount of money. By my last calculation, I have several million dollars coming to me,” Liam said as he leaned forward and turned the key to the Humvee.

             
The vehicle kicked to life, and soon they were driving down the road. After a few minutes of driving, Leah noticed they were not headed toward the main entrance.

             
“
Where are we going? The main entrance is the other way,” Leah asked.

             
“
You didn’t expect me to drive you all the way home, did you?” Liam asked.

             
“
Well, if you’re not going to drive, then how are we getting . . .” Leah’s voice trailed off as the Humvee rounded a corner.

             
Ahead of the Humvee sat Liam’s crescent fighter.

             
“
You are taking me up in that?!?” Leah asked.

             
“
Yep, why? You afraid of flying?” asked Liam.

             
“
Well . . . no . . . I’m just surprised, I guess,” Leah said quietly.

             
The Humvee came to a stop about fifteen feet from the crescent fighter. Liam exited the Humvee and walked over to his fighter. Leah opened the door but didn’t climb out. Instead, she sat and watched Liam stop and raise his right hand. Suddenly, the canopy of his fighter rose. Liam then flicked his hand to the side slightly and a ladder began to descend to allow access to the cockpit. Dropping his hand to his side, he turned around to look at Leah. Sighing, Leah got out of the Humvee and walked over to where Liam was standing.

             
“
You are sure you are okay with flying?” Liam asked suspiciously.

             
“
Yeah, it’s just I am not a big fan of heights,” Leah said offhandedly.

             
Reaching out, Liam took hold of Leah’s hands and looked down into her eyes.
“
Trust me, Leah. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Leah gave Liam’s hands a light squeeze, let go, then walked to the ladder and began to
climb toward the cockpit. Once she reached the top, she stopped and looked down.
“
Which seat am I to sit in?” she asked.

             
“
Either is fine. I can fly the fighter from either of the seats.”

             
Leah climbed up and into the front seat. As she tried to figure out how the flight harness worked, Liam climbed up beside her.
“
Let me get that for you,” he said.

             
Leaning over, Liam fastened the harness in place around Leah. Making a final check to ensure it was firmly in place, Liam then climbed into his own seat and fastened his own harness in place. Slowly, the canopy descended until it locked into place. Leah’s ears popped from the vacuum of the cockpit sealing. The engine hummed to life, and the whole fighter vibrated slightly.

             
Liam leaned forward slightly and tapped Leah on her shoulder, then indicated a headset near her. Leah understood Liam’s meaning and placed the headset on her head.

             
“
Can you hear me?” asked Liam.

             
“
Yep,” Leah said.

             
Liam was making final checks on his flight board when he noticed something off in the distance. Three black specks on the horizon seemed to be growing larger as whatever they were came flying toward them. He watched the objects as they grew from small to large. After several seconds, even though they were still far off, Liam could identify them as an Omega shuttle under escort by two Scorpion fighters. Liam watched the trio’s approach with interest. Who would be coming under escort? The new Fleet Admiral maybe?

             
Dozens of Humvees were suddenly coming from all directions onto the tarmac. The vehicles formed a large circular pattern with a large open space in the middle. Soldiers spilled out of the Humvees and seemed to take up defensive positions, all aiming outward. Liam spotted Evan and the rest of Necro Squadron among the soldiers.
Damn it,
was Liam’s first thought.

             
“
What’s going on?” asked Leah.

             
Liam sighed as he began to power down his fighter. Liam knew of only one person who would power such a defensive protective display.

             
“
Do you want to meet the President of the United States?” Liam asked Leah.

Hanscom Air Force Base

              The Omega shuttle and her escorts were already powering down as Liam helped Leah to the tarmac.

             
“
Are we going to be able to get close to the President?” asked Leah.

             
“
Yeah, why? I did save his life after all. No one will stop us.”

             
“
Uh-huh,” said Leah skeptically.

             
Taking her hand in his, they walked over toward the assembly of soldiers and Secret Service, the latter exiting the Omega shuttle ahead of the President. Soldiers, seeing Liam approaching, moved aside without even a challenge. Leah looked up at Liam as she leaned in to whisper.
“
Well, yeah, you can get by the soldiers, but I bet Secret Service will stop you.”

             
Liam just smiled as he continued to walk toward the President. Secret Service surrounded the President in a tight circle that Leah knew Liam would never be able to simply squeeze through. Secret Service looked toward Liam, then Leah, as they approached. However, none moved to stop them; instead, they parted to allow Liam to pass. The President, spotting Liam, smiled broadly, extended a hand. As Liam took his hand, the President spoke cheerfully.

             
“
Mr. Brennan, just the man I wanted to see. Good to see you are well and that you returned safely. I am also glad you could prove us wrong on a mission that was deemed suicidal.”

             
“
Thank you, Mr. President. Good to see you are also well.”

             
The President turned to Leah then.
“
And who do we have here?” he asked.

             
“
Leah Aecrin,” Leah said meekly, slowly extending a hand.

             
“
Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Aecrin,” the President said as he gently shook it.

             
“
Thank you, pleasure to meet you as well,” Leah said as her face split into a giant smile.

             
Giving Leah another warm smile, he then turned his attention back to Liam.
“
So, Commander, it seems we triumphed over the forces of evil.”

             
Liam laughed a bit at the President’s words.
“
A bit overdramatic, don’t you think, Mr. President? Either way, yes, we did win the day. Are we sure we destroyed or captured all the Shenkar forces? If any happened to escape, the Shenkar could learn of their defeat a lot sooner that we want them to. We will need time to rebuild our fleet and defenses,” Liam said seriously.

             
The President pursed his lips and looked around before answering.
“
From all reports, we were successful in shutting down any escapes. Some Shenkar forces did, in fact, try to slip away, but Fleet Admiral Saunders had the insight to immediately send forces on an outbound patrol. He now has positioned forces on all outbound paths, so if any Shenkar forces were missed, then they will eventually be found. As for rebuilding our fleet, well, operations are already under way to salvage anything of use. Also, a second shipyard will be completed within the next few months, so we will be able to up our forces output.”

             
“
Good to hear, sir, but I have the impression this isn’t what you wished to see me about,” Liam pressed questioningly.

             
“
Well, no, you would be correct on that. As you know, you and your fellow Templar Knights aren’t technically part of the military, so there really is no way I could force any of you to stay on. I am asking you, however, if you would stay on. We need you all, as I honestly can’t see this being over. The Shenkar are going to wonder what happened to their fleet, so they will naturally investigate. Chances are, they will not send just one fleet either, if they feel their first fleet had been destroyed. I would like you and your fellow pilots to stay on and train future pilots. You experiences would be invaluable to the new recruits.”

             
“
Well, I can’t really speak for my fellow pilots, but as for me, I am not sure. I mean, don’t you think there are people more qualified to train new recruits?” asked Liam.

             
“
No, actually, I think you are perfect for the job. You and your fellow pilots have more experience with fighting the Shenkar. We all know your training included military tactics, so you know the necessary information for that. And from what I have come to understand, your abilities with the sword are unmatched and you are also an incredible pilot. In fact, the only pilot better than you is your friend, Lieutenant Commander Maxis.”

             
“
Well, who is to say we are the best? It is a whole new type of fighting, and you could say we are the prototypes. A few months from now, we could find another who is better than either Evan or me,” explained Liam. Then he looked over at Leah who stood a few feet away. “Besides, I am sure I would need to relocate to Texas, as that is where the new facility is located, and I have found something that would keep me in New Hampshire.”

             
The President looked from Liam to Leah, who was smiling up at Liam at this news.

             
“
Ms. Aecrin is more than welcome to come with you.”

Liam looked back at the President
, then to Leah. He didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t just make a decision for Leah. Thankfully, however, Leah spoke up first.

             
“
Liam, I think you should take the job. I know you, and I know how you would let this eat you up inside if something happened to people when you could have given them the foreknowledge that would have meant the difference between life and death.”

             
“
But what about us? I love you too much to ask you to move away from your family and school. Also, I don’t want to be away from you again,” Liam explained softly.

             
Leah cocked her head to the side as she placed her hands on her hips.
“
And what makes you think I would let you be away from me? I am going with you. My friends and family will understand--hell, my dad will welcome it. He always liked you and said I should marry a man like you.”

             
Liam smiled broadly at this news.
“
Oh, and what makes you think I would want to marry a girl like you?” he asked teasingly.

             
“
Oh, ha-ha, too bad, mister. You’re stuck with me. Besides, we both know you can’t live without me,” Leah said with a superior smile.

Liam heard the President laugh at Leah’s words as he muttered softly to himself
words that only Liam’s superior hearing picked up
:
“
Sounds like my wife. This boy is in trouble, and he doesn’t know it yet.”

             
Liam looked back to the President and cocked an eyebrow. The President, realizing Liam must have heard him, only laughed that much more. Liam looked back to Leah who stood there, her attitude and posture still the same, then turned fully to the President and extended his hand. As the President took Liam’s hand in his, Liam then spoke.
“
I guess I am with you then, sir.”