Chapter 446

I looked at the plane; it was shiny, sleek and big. It was bigger than the C130-30 and twice as big as the Bombardier 200s we owned. I could stand in the air inlet to the engine. I was impressed.

When I looked away from the engine there was a group coming towards me; six of our pilots and six of the flight attendants - including Paula, Andrea and Lea - were walking towards me. I guessed that everyone that was off wanted a ride on Lorrie’s new toy while there was still a new smell.

“Howdy Boss! That is one fine flying chariot you bought for us to fly you home in; the saddle is really comfy,” Cowboy said.

“I better not find any spur marks in the leather,” I replied before I broke out laughing, as did everyone else.

I was surprised that none of the girls were here with them.

“Andy, when you get your gear stowed there is supposed to be some hardware under a canvas in the hangar for us to take back to the armory. Check it to make sure it is safe and not booby trapped before you load it into the cargo bay. Please,” I said.

“You are not getting paranoid are you?” he replied.

“We are playing in a much different arena now with a totally different level of players. There is a lot more at stake and they are willing to sacrifice everything and everyone,” I replied.

The fuel trucks arrived and the other pilots went to oversee the refueling operation.

“Cowboy, show me around and point out the good stuff I paid for,” I said.

“It’s a Boeing 737-700ER with seating for up to 128 passengers; seating is easily changed to corporate setting with meeting tables and conference seating. This is one of the preferred planes by the super rich to modify as private jets; long range, good fuel economy, quiet engines and can use airports with as little as 6000 foot runways,” Cowboy said.

“Some of the cargo bay was sacrificed to give it an additional 2000 gallons of fuel for the extended range.”

“Lorrie said you bought it for large business groups and to be able to move the rapid response team and their equipment as a unit. It will be a great plane for that,” he said.

By the time he finished showing me the exterior and interior of the plane, the fuel trucks were finished and leaving.

Back outside the plane I met Andy, “All checked out and loaded; 15 new Stingers and 5 new TOW missiles - all are OK. Boss, is there something going on that you need anti-tank missiles for?”

“I did not know what was there for us and I did not request any TOW missiles. Maybe someone knows something that we don’t. When we land, would you make sure they are put into the armory? I will open the vault door.”

I turned around to look at another group headed my way; Ambassador’s Fauntroy, Morrison and Schmitt and both boys.

“We hoped we would get here in time to see you off,” Ambassador Schmitt said then he added.

“I wanted to tell you that the German government is increasing its troop commitment to the UN peace keepers on the South Sudan border. Hopefully they will keep the war from spreading over the border.”

“That’s good to hear, let me give you my number; please keep me informed,” I replied.

“It looks like Aric is smitten,” I said. Aric was standing with Rachael and they were having - as best as I could say - a happy conversation. They had some papers and were talking excitedly about them with a little touch and feel every now and then.

“Aric is gifted; he has an IQ of 140. It has always been hard for him to make the social adjustment. All he talked about last night after the gala and this morning was his new friend. I think he is going to be sulking for a few days,” he replied.

“I have a secure system at my office that I use to video conference with my college and embassy teams. We allow family members of those assigned in foreign countries to conference with their significant others, there are private rooms.”