Chapter 33

Damn, did someone roll out the red carpet? Gotta be the first the three of us have been in the same place in fuckin’ forever. And why the fuck are Jonathon and the colonel interested in this probate shit? Something’s up. I’m gonna guess this will not be tits.

“Colonel Stewart, Special Agent Johnson, What’s up? Why y’all interested in this shit?”

“Hello Mark. I will tell what I am concerned about, mostly that you flew that homebuilt contraption all the way to Georgia from where ever. In any case, we are here to ensure that the transfer is without incident. But Vincent and myself are just observers to these procedings. We have no legal standing. Shall we go the the east wing, a secure area to talk?”

“Transfer? Without incident? I don’t have a fuckin clue what ya going on about, Jonathon ... Wait, this is probably some weird spook shit. Let’s just go back down the passageway and talk about your weird shit in my room.”

“Not a secure...”

“Jonathon, Tim wired this place up. We know shit about these fancy digs that no one else does ... so spill, colonel, what’s up?”

“Mark, your net worth is about to increase greatly.”

“Yeah, maybe. Maybe not. Haven’t decided what I’m gonna do. I’m mostly here for the kid. I don’t trust Sandra Collins to not pull any weird shit and fuck over Matty.”

“Maltilda Edison has become an accomplished young woman, Mark. She will recieve what is due her. Have you not seen her at all?”

“Nope. My legal guy ordered me to stay away. Haven’t said shit to Sandy or Matty in a bazillion years.”

“She graduated summa cum laude in engineering and magna cum laude in music.”

“Yep, know ‘bout that. I’ve been watching the kid. She’s thinking about going to UCSD or Stanford to get her PhD. Probably the area with the better surf will be the decision-maker.”

“I see. I guess that this use of The Watcher could be allowed.”

“Hah, like you can do shit about it. I don’t abuse our ‘power’, Jonathon. And you people are on drugs if ya think you are ‘allowing’ us to do anything.”

“We will talk of that later, Mark. But more to the point, why are you not interested as a beneficiary?”

“Why the fuck would I wanna own and run some huge mega-company? Hat’s Industries has over twenty locations spread all over CONUS, and one in Mexico, and two in Europe. Fuck that shit. Would sorta cut into my fishing time, know what I mean?”

“As usual, you reduce the argument to basics. Vincent, would you?”

“Yes, of course. Mark, DoD procurement officials have been in high-level talks with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics. We want one of them to acquire Hats Industries. And we would encourage you to force the sell of the company. The estimated acquistion would be on the order of five to nine billion.”

“Whoa Nellie. Back up the trolley. Five fucking billion? ... Wait, why don’t ya just ask Sandra Collins to sell the company? The bitch would probably lose her tits over that much money. Then I wouldn’t have to be part of your weird shit.”

“We are uncertain, due to certain eventualities, that she could be considered a reliable party in an acquisition. That and she could legally unable to do so. They are external interests ready to remove her as COO, or CEO, if she takes controlling interest.”

“What the fuck ya talking about?”

“Matilda Edison’s emancipation hearings. Salik’s core argument that he presented to the court was a body of evidence indicating Sandra Collins’ abusive and erratic behavior. And there have been other incidents with local law enforcement that Josiah Salik could have used to support a declaration of incompetence.”

“No shit? Wow. Didn’t know the bitch had become that unhinged ... Ya know what? Old man Hats and his only son both croaked. So ain’t no family legacy to keep in one piece. Why the fuck not? I’ll put the company on the auction block. But you two gotta find a way to keep my name and Matty’s name outa the public during this process. And one other thing, I’m not gonna sell shit to Grumman. So have Boeing and Lockheed Martin talk to Jim Salik.”

“It is so beautiful.”

“Yep, she sure the fuck is.”

“Oh my, Mark, you gave her my name?”

“Yep, had to name her ‘Matty’. Always felt I was building it with ya. Wanna take her up for a romp?”

“That is a stupid question. I’ve been thinking about you and this airplane for years ... Mark, will you disappear again, after all of these procedings are complete?”

“Disappear? All I did was stay away, girl. I had no choice.”

“No one knew where you were. And Mister Salik would not provide any information about you.”

“He was protecting you, Matty. He really did care about you. So what ya think of his boy?”

“Jim is a good man. I like him, but he has no sense of fun, at least not like you ... Mark, did you know that the year and half, when you and Sandy and me lived together, that it was the best time of my life? I get so pissed at myself for getting hurt and fucking it all up.”

“No! Belay that. And just fuck no. That was not your fault.”

“For at least a year after you left, I was so convinced that Sandy would realize she had fucked up, and you would come home and marry her, and we would live happily ever after. It never works that way, does it?”

“Hasn’t for me. It could for you ... Enough bullshit, girl. Let’s fly this beautiful little machine.”

“Miss Collins, you are quite correct. You can file and request a court order blocking the acquisition, but you would, in time, lose the value of Hats Industries, with the end-result that your net would probably be under a hundred million. Finally, you would risk a declaration of incompetence and removal as COO. Do you want to live your live as a ward of the state?”

“Mark, you will not say anything to me? Why are you sitting there, not at the table?”

“I have disallowed his comments, as my father has for over five years.”

“Josiah Salik was the reason he stayed away? I should sue you, and your family into oblivion. You ruined my life. You took away Matty’s life.”

“We did no such thing, ma’am. You ensued the situation with the intervention of law enforcement, and your orders to Mark Jackson to leave your property. At no time did you provide a recension of these orders. But the most severly limiting factor for Mister Jackson’s return to your property was the Temporary Order for Protection.”

“Sandy! You did a fucking restraining order on Mark?! You fucking bitch! No wonder he could not return. Shit, he probably couldn’t even return to California. No one will do business with a party to a restraining order.”

“I am so sorry, Matty. My lawyer was after my money. He took advantage of me. I made some poor decisions.”

“Fucking bullshit! And you never said shit to Mark that would make it okay to come home. To quote one of Mark’s more eloquent phrases, you can just fuck the fuck off, Sandy. I am gone ... Jim, I will come by and sign any papers before I leave.”

“Matty, please...”

“I have another signature Mark-phrase for you, Sandy. Eat shit and die, bitch!”

Whoa. Couldn’t have said it any better myself. The kid still has that spirit.

“Damn, girl. Ya should’ve seen her face when ya walked out. Now that’s what I call a scorched-earth policy. So where ya gonna go to school?”

“Nada. I will go back with you, Mark.”

“Uh, probably not one of your better ideas. I live out in the boonies of Idaho and Montana and Wyoming. Ya can’t do your post-grad schoolin’ from the middle of nowhere.”

“What do I need a PhD for? As you would say, I am filthy rich. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Mark. I cannot lose you again. Please, take me back with you?”

“Damn. I dunno ... Matty, do ya really know what we’re doing up there?”

“I have a good idea. Probably the same stuff you and Tim and Dianne were doing at the palace.”

“Yep, pretty much. Only this time, we’re a fuck-ton deeper into the shit.”

“May the gods help me, but I love the way you talk, Mark.”

“Yeah? You’re a strange kid, Matty. I guess that means you’ll fit in just fine with the rest of us dickheads. And we could use another engineer ... Uh, one small problem. I can’t fit you in the RV-6 and still take all of my shit. And what about all of your shit?”

“Ship it. All we need is us, Mark. Nothing else.”

“ ... and she took the RV-6? Damn, Mark. Wish you would gives us a notice occasionaly. Should she be doing this alone? And what about this flight instructor, do we have a backgrounder?”

“Fucking relax, Dianne. Matty is full grown, tits and everything all haired over. She don’t need you and Jackie to be her mommy. The CFI is Jane Fillingame, who was fully vetted by Jonathon. She was my instructor for the advanced shit. Besides we need another pilot if we’re gonna get a Jet Ranger and another TBM and a twin turbine. Still don’t know why the colonel thinks we need that shit. Ya know anything about it?. Or maybe I shouldn’t ask?”

“Actually, neither do I know. The colonel has been somewhat cryptic as of late. Speaking of which, do you understand the math behind that elliptic encryption scheme that Jackie and Matty devised for the new radios?”

“Sorta. Kinda. Not really, but I didn’t try to understand; didn’t have to anyway. The deal we had was that Matty would write the code if I would design the radio.”

“How long will she be gone?”

“Dunno. Depends on a lot of things. If the new TBM gets delivered to Arizona next week. If we can find a low-tine Bell 407. If the we can find a late model Cessna 441. If Matty can get sim time at that Florida place. And if Jane has the time available; she’s been busy these days.”

“For christ’s sake, Mark. Can you please just give me an estimate?”

“Geez, calm your tits, woman. I’m gonna guess ‘bout six to nine months. Darcy sure the fuck is gonna miss her.”

“So I take it that you have decided on the aircraft types to be purchased.”

“Yep, Joe, Matty, and me had a big pow-wow on tha subject the other night. We’re sorta pushing it, at least for this field length, for a loaded 441. But was thinkin ‘bout adding about 250 meters of runway to the south end.”

“I will submit this to the colonel.”

“Nah, don’t bother. I’ll let ya know when our shit is operational, though.”

“Do not bother?”

“Gonna buy ‘em myself. Jackie and Jim Salik are already working on an offer for a low-time Jet Ranger. That bird is gonna be for Matty when I junk the R-44.”

What the fuck she laughing at? Too bad she’s wearing a hooter holster. Damn, I hate fucking bras, they ruin tit bounce.

“Geez, Mark. You are wearing the same flannel jackets and Jeans and flannel shirts, and work boots since we first met. You sleep on a matress on the floor, you only buy used computers for your personal use. And Jackie said that you were in the Twin Falls Goodwill buying clothes. By the way, Mark, you are a fucking billionaire. Just letting you know that you could afford to purchase new aircraft.”

“Whatever. Wait, how the fuck ya know where I sleep? And it’s because Darcy is having a hard time getting into bed the last year or so.”

“Matty told me. She also said that you have been sleeping in the barn.”

“Dumbshit was sick for a while. Was sorta worried, but he’s doin’ okay. And sometimes I just don’t feel like sleeping in the house.”

“And another mark of your eccentricity. A horse and donkey named Dumbshit and Asshole?”

“What the fuck is this, Dianne? You’re the one that had to have her head shrinked.”

“Jackie and myself have had several conversations on this subject. You have always been ‘different’, but your behavior for the past year has, at times, created concern.”

“Yeah? Maybe you and Jackie need more work to keep busy. I get no complaints from Matty, so what the fuck is your problem?”

“Matty also concerns us. She loves you, Mark. She thinks that you sit at the right hand of Odin, up there with Chesty.”

“You are exagerating. So fucking what if Matty thinks I’m cool? She appreciates that I went to bat for her team and bought her horse at the auction yard. And I pulled the kid outa that foster shit when her mom croaked.”

“As usual, you do not understand. Mark, she does not just love you, she is probably in love with you.”

“Whatever. That shit never got me anywhere anyhow. Ya said that you love me. Sandra said that she loves me. Them two declarations of love and a buck or two outa my wallet will get me a cup of decent coffee down at Frank’s Diner, or it could get my ass shot, or it could get me in trouble with the law. Could? Oh, wait. Them declarations of undying love did get me fucked up.”

“Spare me, Mark. The world has been handed to you on a platinum platter. But you are too stupid to accept the offering. You only take what falls off of the table and then you eat the remains of the offering that has fallen to the floor.”

“How fucking poetic. Where the fuck do ya get this shit from? Maybe I should send your ass back to school for a real degree ... Platinum? Now that would be cool...”

“Shut up. Listen to me, Mark. Sooner or later, You will need someone. Someone that has your six. Someone that will stand with you no matter what others may say.”

“Yep, you’re right. I’ve been in those situations. And I had Nick and Tim and Joe backing my ass. Ya know what? Maybe you should take your own advice, lady.”

“I do not need to. I know that you will always stand by me.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Even with your weird bullshit, you’re a good egg, Dinky. Tim and Joe and me talked about that. You’re one of us. Just tellin’ ya so you know.

“Thanks for that, Mark. That means much to me. Back to Matty. What are you going to do with her?”

“Do with her? Why should I do anything with her? She ain’t no child, the kid is fully haired over. She’s her own person. Anyway, anything physical would be too weird, sorta like incest. Geez, what am I, thirty nine? Forty? Whatever, I’m eons older. If she gets the urge I’m sure there are plenty of young bucks in these parts that could put a spin on her prop.”

“Mark, you are a moron. Sooner or later, Matty is going make her move. Be careful as to how you handle it. Think about it before you do a whole and full-scale rejection of her. I have to get back to the control room ... Oh, and Jackie wants a ride into Twin Falls around noon.”

Whole and full-scale rejection? What the fuck is that? What is it with all the poetry and psycho-babble? Whatever.

“Incursion, sector delta three! Spatial indicates four humans at three kilometer per hour.”

“Tell Joe to meet me at the cisterns. Get Jackie and Matty in the control center, and you and Tim go to charlie two for over-watch.”

“On our way, Mark. ROE?”

“If they got guns and don’t look good, fuck ‘em up, Dinky.”

“Roger that.”

“Mister Masterson, I don’t mind ya guys playing cops and robbers next door, but these four clowns, walking around my property, all locked and loaded and dressed to look the part? That, sir, is gonna get someone shot up, and it just ain’t right to fuck around on someone else’s property.”

“I apologize, Mister Jackson. I had no idea that they had been directed to do so. I will take disciplinary action. Do you agree that there will be no need to contact the sherrif department?”

“Nah, the less bullshit with the local johnny-laws, the better.”

“I fully agree about any entanglements with the locals, sir. Mister Jackson, may I ask how you found my people?”

“Asshole told me.”

“Asshole? I don’t understand.”

“Asshole is my donkey’s name. He made a ruckus. Was sorta worried that a bear was stopping by for a visit.”

Tell me I can’t bullshit with the best of ‘em. This old fool is taking this all in, hook and line and sinker. What a self-important dickhead. Can’t stand super-polite people.

“Will you tell your employer?”

“If he asks.”

“Who, sir, is your employer?”

“Dunno. Never met him. Why ya need to talk at him? Any of my boys been botherin y’all?”

“Certainly not, but I would prefer to have a responsible contact for my neighboring properties.”

“Yeah? Okay. The guy that gives me the orders is some hot-shot lawyer in Seattle. James Salik.”

“Thank you, sir. Again I apologize for the intrusion.”

“No problemo, man.”

“Get images of all of those dickheads?”

“Affirm. Did you get weapon serials?”

“Yep, let’s send this shit to Jonathon and the colonel.”

“Working on it now, Mark.”

“You on the net, Jackie?”

“I am, Mark.”

“I got the last of that side of beef. Wanna do steak and potato at the main hall tonight? You can bring the rabbit food.”

“We can do that.”

“It is good to see you, old friend.”

“Must I leave him?”

“It is time, Darcy. The human must further his destiny, my friend.”

“What the fuck ya talking about, Nyota? Further my destiny? You’re talking weird again.”

“Stay warm, Mark. But stay out of the fire.”

What the unholy fuck? Another weird Nyota dream...

“Darcy? Darcy!? No ... just fuck, no!”

“Mark? What’s wrong? Why are you yelling?”

“Darcy ... he’s gone, Matty ... He’s gone...”