The Lost Emperor
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 16
Waking up early on Thursday, I dressed in sweats and went to the gym. I worked out on the heavy bag and weights for an hour and then returned to my room feeling energized and pumped. After my shower, I dressed, went to the kitchen, and hugged and kissed Grandmother. We ate breakfast, and then Paula called. She asked me to meet her at 10:30 at the townhouse. Then, she asked me to bring my dress-up western duds, laughed, and hung up.
Grandmother laughed as I went upstairs, got my dirty clothes, and took them to the laundry. I took my clean clothes upstairs and packed them for the weekend. Then, I took my bags to Tahoe, returned to the study, and looked up the USC vs. ASU basketball game. It was scheduled to air on ESPN, so I wrote down the channel number and time. Returning to the kitchen, I gave Mom the basketball broadcast information, then hugged and kissed them goodbye and left. I could hear laughter from Grandmother and cussing from Mom.
I arrived at Paula’s townhouse fifteen minutes early and rang the doorbell. She answered and pulled me inside, pulled down my pants, and sucked my cock. I heard her mumbling I need this and I grabbed her head and came. Paula finished me off and then surprised me when she wasn’t dazed. She stood up and said we had much to do, and we loaded up the Range Rover.
Paula had me drive, and we stopped at a warehouse. We picked up a large package and then continued to the airport. After loading the plane, we did our preflight inspection, and I smelled fuel in the left engine. Paula checked it and called the airport repair shop. A mechanic arrived twenty minutes later, pulled the engine cowling, and saw the fuel leak. He got a wrench and tightened the nut, and the leak stopped.
Then he took a cleaner and cleaned the cowling and engine parts to remove the spilled fuel. Paula asked what caused the leak, and the mechanic said it was tampering. Some loosened the fuel line nut, causing the leak. It’s good that you caught it preflight, or your engine would have caught fire while in flight. He asked if Paula wanted to file a police report, and she said not now but would when we returned.
The mechanic left and took off for Arizona. Paula had me take off, and then she assumed the controls, and I listened to her radio communications with the tower. When we cleared the LA basion, I took over the controls. Paula asked me who I thought would tamper with the plane. I told her my best guess would be it had something to do with her campaign. I would put out feelers to see who wants to declare. Your entering the race could have knocked out someone, and they’re pissed.
We flew around the Phoenix metro, and I landed the plane at the ranch. After completing my flight log and post-flight inspection, we took our bags to the house and unpacked. I changed into my ranch clothes and met Paula in the kitchen. Then I told her about catching a PI watching my house. After some gentle persuasion, the PI told me Tom Jackson hired him to watch me.
Hank walked into the kitchen, and Paula asked how bad he was when you left him. Let’s just say he’ll need a vacation to recover, and I borrowed his laptop to examine it. Paula asked why Tom Jackson would hire a PI to watch you. I told her it couldn’t be about basketball. So, with the plane issue, I think they could be tied together. Hank and I left Paula in the kitchen, went to the plane, and got the package.
Hank said that these were point-to-point beams and were going to set them up along the road access to the ranch. They are solar-powered and will send a signal to the receiver when tripped. Hank put the solar cells in the back of the mule to charge and drove to the ranch entry. We set out the beams along the roadside fence. Then, we hooked up the solar cells, aligned the beams, and tested them.
Returning to the ranch house, we hooked up one receiver and one in Hank’s house. When we were done, Paula said that son of a bitch Tom Jackson had started fundraising for the US Senate open seat. He’s also asked the Governor to appoint him to fill the seat. The problem is Senator Robertson refuses to retire until his term ends, so Tom Jackson is shit out of luck. So I’m sure our issues are his doing.
We ate dinner, and then I got a text from Coach Thomas. It said to meet us at the arena at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The address and gate number were included. I showed it to Paula, and she laughed and said she had forgotten about the game with everything happening. She said Gale is coming too, so it should be fun, and maybe good old Tom Jackson will be there too.
After dinner, Hank left, and I asked Paula about the Tri Sigma sorority. She laughed and asked why. I told her about the raffle and Melody Carson inviting me to a sorority party next Friday. She frowned and said I wouldn’t go if I were you. It’s a game where the members ask many guys and then humiliate them. I told Paula Melody knew her name when I told her I worked for you.
Paula asked for Melody’s phone number, and then we said goodnight. I went to bed and fell asleep after a long day. I felt a calming feeling radiating through my body, and changes were being made. I went into a deep, relaxing sleep. Then my vision started, and Tom Jackson was in his home office. A man sat before him and said Paula Davis arrived at her ranch this afternoon.
Tom said listen, Bob, I did as you asked, and you promised her plane wouldn’t make it to Arizona. Bob said I don’t know what happened, but a slow leak couldn’t be detected on the preflight check. Only two things could have happened. Either you loosened the fuel line too much, or they inspected it thoroughly. But now they know someone tampered with the aircraft.
Bob said when your PI disappeared, I should have cut and run. With your botched job, the heat will be on now, so I’m out of here, and Bob left. Tom took out a bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey and drank away his sorrows. He said I’d take care of her tonight or after the game myself, and my vision ended.
The alarm went off at 2 a.m. I dressed quickly and met Hank at the mule. We drove towards the gate and stopped 50 yards short. He took off to the left, and I went right, sensing my way. I found Tom Jackson on the ground, rubbing his ankle. He hadn’t seen me, so I tapped my Emperor’s crest twice, paused, and twice again. Tom’s eyes glazed over, and I told him to leave Paula Davis alone. If he thought of her, he had to jack off to completion. When he saw her, he would piss his pants. Then I told him to run like hell because I would shoot him.
Tom ran screaming toward the fence, and Hank fired his rifle toward the noise. I could hear glass break, then a car racing away. We rode back in the mule, laughing at Tom’s bad luck. Paula wanted a full update, and I lied and told them I found Tom and started beating him up. He ran towards the fence, and Hank shot at him but hit his car instead. Paula and Hank bought my story, laughed, and returned to bed.
Waking up early, I dressed in sweats and ran in the darkness, sensing my way. Returning to the ranch house, I showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. The cook arrived with the Phoenix newspaper and started breakfast. There was an article on Tom Jackson, Phoenix Suns executive, announcing he was running for the US Senate. The reporter said Mr. Jackson was a long shot at winning the primary against Mrs. Paula Davis.
Paula and Hank arrived for breakfast, and I showed them the article. Paula said Tom must have made that announcement Wednesday or early Thursday for it to be in the paper today. With what happened early this morning and the plane, it confirms he was trying to get me out of the way. Paula said she had some calls to make and left. Hank and I drove the mule to the road to see what he hit with his rifle shot last night.
There was glass by the fence, which confirmed he hit Tom Jackson’s car. We checked the sensors, which were fine, so we returned to do chores. After hooking up a trailer to the mule, we loaded hay bales and drove out to refill the feeders. Then, we checked on the cattle and returned to the ranch house for lunch. Paula told us she had made some inquiries into Tom Jackson. He went to the hospital emergency room this morning for an ankle injury. Tom must have drank a lot for the pain because the hospital staff reported he was drunk when he arrived, and everyone laughed.
After lunch, Paula and I went car shopping to get her a presentable vehicle for her drive while campaigning. The Ranch Jeep didn’t project the right image, and I laughed. After shopping with several car dealers, Paula settled on a Cadilac Escalade. They did a rush new car prep and wash, and Paula drove the Escalade back to the ranch, and I followed in the Jeep.
When we arrived, Paula went to get changed for the game, and I ate a pre-game snack. Gale arrived, and I asked if she was going commando again, causing everyone to laugh. The drive to the arena took thirty minutes, and they dropped me off at the player’s entrance. Paula said to call her when I was ready after the game, and they took off. The security guard didn’t want to let me in, so I called Coach Thomas. Coach came out, and with a few choice cuss words, they let me inside.
When I walked into the locker room, everyone laughed at my dress. I said howdy, is this the Bullrider’s’ locker room causing them to laugh some more. As I got dressed, Marcus and Damion asked about my clothes. I told them I work for a lady running for US Senate here and have to dress like a local. They said I didn’t look like a local no matter what I wore, and I agreed but said they were cool duds, and we laughed.
The team went out in our warmup suits and loosened up by shooting baskets and stretching. When done, we returned to the locker room, and the Coach gave us our pre-game instructions. Then we waited in the tunnel for our introduction and took our seats courtside. Tony was listed as the starter, so the announcer didn’t introduce me, which made me happy.
I entered the game halfway through the first quarter, and we were down by 10 points. ASU Sun Devils players didn’t consider me a threat until I hit a couple of three-point shots. Then they started guarding me, so I passed to the open man or shot a jump shot. At the end of the first quarter, we were ahead by 5 points. Tony started the second quarter, and I finished it. When we went to the locker room, the score was 45 to 42 in our favor.
At halftime, the Coach stressed defense and rebounding. He said we needed to be more aggressive on the boards and pressure whoever has the ball. We rested and rehydrated, then got ready for the second half. The coach said he wanted us to challenge every shot they make and force turnovers.
Tony started the third quarter, and I finished it. At the start of the fourth quarter, Damion sprained his ankle. So Tony took over his spot, and I played the last quarter as shooting guard. Our game picked up defensively, and we won by 10 points. I ended up with 20 points and seven assists and was happy. Coach Thomas congratulated us on winning the game and told everyone to dress for the media.
I showered, dressed, said goodbye to the team, and called Paula. The security guard was watching the post-game news conference on TV, so I watched, too. The press asked Coach Thomas who I was and why I hadn’t played before tonight. The Coach said Chase was on the practice team and played because of Jamal’s injury. Then he lied and told them I was a first-year student and getting acclimated to university life.
Paula and Gale picked me up and congratulated me on my play and the game. Then Gale said I caused her to lose her bet with Paula on the game. I asked how she did on the other bet, and they laughed. Paula tuned in to a sports station, and they were talking about the game. One commentator asked who is this kid, Chase Reynolds, and why he wasn’t playing the whole game. He played only half the game and outscored most of the team.
Gale said I would get a lot of attention now, and I told them it was a one-time thing. I’m not living at the university, and I’m not commuting for practice. I’ll practice one day a week, but that’s all, or give it up. Next year, it may change, but I seriously doubt it. I have two part-time jobs and may have to give one up to keep an eye on a Senator, and they laughed.
We arrived at the ranch late, so we said goodbye and goodnight and went to bed. I immediately fell asleep, felt a calming feeling radiating through my body, and felt changes being made. I went into a deep, relaxing sleep.
Waking up early, I dressed in sweats and ran in the darkness, sensing my way. Returning to the ranch house, I showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. The cook arrived with the Phoenix newspaper and started breakfast. I read the newspaper, waiting for Paula and Hank, and there was another article about Tom.
It said Tom Jackson, US Senate hopeful and Phoniex Suns executive, fell at home, tearing his right ankle ligament Thursday night. The hospital reported alcohol could have contributed because his blood level was twice the legal limit. The police are investigating because Mr. Jackson drove himself to the hospital.
When Paula arrived, I showed her the article. She laughed and said Tom screwed himself out of running for the Senate. A DUI at the beginning of a campaign makes it impossible to get the backing needed to run. Whoever is supporting him now will run for the hills. Then Paula saw the sports page and said I made the newspaper too. The headline was “USC practice squad player defeats ASU,” and the picture showed me shooting a three-point shot.