Chapter 49

 FORTY-NINE

Trigger was led silently back to his cell, feeling drained from the exchange he slumped down onto his mattress. 

He was angry, At Cossette, at the Oseans, and mostly of all,

at himself.

He hated himself for losing his temper with her. He wished he could take all the words he said to her back but knew that was impossible. He rested his head against the mesh wall of his cell and sighed. “Well, you really screwed up that one dumbass.” He sighed to himself.

His mind went through the meeting over and over. Every word said between the two played through his mind as he tried to decipher why he had thrown away his one chance to see her again. Even he was at a loss for his outburst. His only certainty was that he had hurt Cossette and he hated himself because of it. He wasn’t sure he even blamed her for hating him after the meeting.

faintly as he thought he heard footsteps, it wasn’t until a clanging of metal at his cells door that snapped him back to reality. Startled, Trigger looked up to see the guard and the Selatapura Air Bases’ commander, Colonel Byrns on the other side of the mesh. Instinctively Trigger shot up to the position of attention. He stumbled slightly and fell into the side wall, carefully, he braced himself to a modified position of attention.

“Hello sir.” Trigger said stiffly, trying to not show the discomfort of his leg. 

Byrns studied him for a moment, Trigger wasn’t sure if it was disgust or pity that adorned the normally jovial man’s face. Byrns exhaled sharply before he spoke. 

“They told me you we’re here but frankly I didn’t believe them. But then again they said a lot of things about you I’m not sure I believe.” He spoke.

“I’ve heard that from more than a few people.” Trigger replied, trying to lighten the mood. Byrns expression remained. 

 “That nice Agent from the OSI said you were a traitor, but I didn’t believe it. The casualty list said you were likely dead, but I knew that was crap when we saw your stunt at Anchorhead. But I can put all that aside given your service record Major. The one thing I can’t believe with all the facts I have is, why the hell the Princess is at my base right now, and why did she talk to you?” 

Trigger tried to feign ignorance “Well sir, we did work together, maybe she was worried about her colleague?” he lied.

“Trigger cut the crap. I’m not OSI and I’m not your enemy here. I want to help you but I can’t unless you tell me why you wanted to meet with her. And Here of all places. If I have that piece, maybe I can help you work out a better deal than the short end of the stick they’re offering” the Colonel pleaded his case. 

Trigger was in silent thought for a moment. He had known the Colonel for only a handful of months, and in that time, he never once had the inclination the man was one to be dishonest. But the scars from his time in McKnight, and various injuries he suffered afterword’s taught him valuable lessons on trusting just anyone, even if they happened to wear the same uniform. 

Trigger took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 

“Colonel, thank you for your concern but I’m not willing to speak to that. At this point anyone I’m speaking to from here on out will be my lawyer.” He said firmly. 

Byrns sighed. “Dammit Trigger.” He turned to the guard “Prepare the prisoner for the transfer. The sooner he’s off my Airbase the better.” He ordered before pivoting on his heel and walking away.

“Alright Major, place your hands on the wall please.” The guard ordered. 

***
“Strider flight, cleared to land Runway two-zero.” The controller said. 

“Strider flight, cleared to land.” Count called out as he configured the F-15 for landing. He knew the sight picture well; he had seen it dozens of times while stationed here. 

Unlike being relieved at the sight of the friendly runway, he was just tired. It had been an early transcontinental flight from New Arrows, their jets configured lightly for escort, carrying more fuel than ordinance. They would have a brief stop in Selatapura to rest their legs, refuel the jets and brief with the Globemaster crew they would escort, then they would be off in another six-hour flight directly to Oured. 

As he got lower to the runway, he eased the jet back until he felt the main wheels touch the pavement, he eased onto the brakes and guided the jet to the ‘cold’ side of the runway before exiting on a taxiway. He waited for Huxian, Fencer, Jeager and the three Ferry pilot’s from the Privateers to land before he called the ground controllers and was directed towards the Airbase side of the ramp. As they approached the apron, he could see the massive C-17’s tail above all the structures littering the once empty slab of concrete. 

“There it is Our guide for the next few hours boys and girls.” Count said sardonically. 

“Really? When I heard it was a VIP transport, I pictured something more… classy.” Huxian remarked. 

“Probably transporting more than just a VIP. Rare but its certainly happened.” Jeager Hypothesized. 

“Yeah, but the General implied whoever was going was a big name. You’d expect an executive transport at least.” Fencer added. 

“Doesn’t matter, we have to make sure this plane makes it there in one piece. No point in arguing it.” Count replied. 

Osean ground crews were waiting for them as they taxied in. from the moment Count had the canopy opened an Osean maintainer had positioned the ladder for him to egress. He took off his helmet and hastily shoved it into the bag and loosened up his straps before he climbed out of the jet. He turned to see the familiar face in Skald.

“Where’s the escort crew?” Count said shaking the other pilots hand.

“Right this way.” The Skald replied motioning for him to follow. Count whistled for Fencer to tag along as well they followed Skald across the busy ramp. The C-17’s pilot was standing under the shade of the large wing directing the operations around her jet. Count was taken aback briefly at seeing her, she stood half a head taller than himself, with almost translucent skin and pale silver hair tied into a ponytail. As Count approached her, he could see the callsign on her flight suit was aptly named Gorilla. 

“Major Erwin, the fighter escort is here to see you.” Skald reported letting the Major take notice of the two shorter pilots awaiting her. She looked down at Count, “Are you the LRSSG?” she asked. 

“Yes Ma’am, four F-15’s that will be ready to go in about half an hour. Got light ordinance but we will be your cover all the way back to Oured.” Count replied, uncomfortably craning his neck upwards to look reply to her. 

The Major nodded “That will be fine, the package isn’t here yet so there isn’t any rush.” She said dismissively. 

Count surveyed the ramp, to his slight discomfort only seeing the ground handling crews working on both jets, but no supplies or other troops being transported. “By the way Major, any idea what we’re escorting? General Shepard left us in the dark.” Count asked. 

The Major looked at him quizzically before shrugging “Paperwork I was given said Prisoner transport. Not generally the mission for The Moose but we’re just as good for it as anyone else. Procedures wise this is same as fragged.  All of this must have been some important prisoner for all this though, it was a last-minute mission.” She explained. 

“Yeah, we noticed.” Fencer interjected. 

“Thank you Major, that will be all.” Count said taking a step back, taking refuge under one of the engine nacelles. He patted his pocket for a packet of cigarettes for a moment before he cursed under his breath. He felt a slight punch in the arm and turned to see Fencer holding out a stick of gum.

“Whats this?” 

“Nicotine gum. Not much better but it won’t send us all sky high from you lighting up here.” Fencer said, taking a stick for himself. 

“Noted.” Count replied taking the stick, he felt an uncomfortable tingling sensation as the stimulant was released but he was able to ignore the sensation quickly. Moments later Huxian, Tailor, Lanza and Jeager walked up to the two men. 

“Whats the story?” Huxian asked. 

“Well, for one thing, our pilots a gorilla, that’s something.” Fencer replied stoically, garnering a confused look from the two pilots. 

“Her callsigns’ Gorilla. And its standard escort, If anything goes sideways, Huxian and I will break off to engage, Jeager and Fencer, you two stay with the C-17, make sure it gets out in one piece.” 

“Got it.” the pilots replied in unison. 

Jeager looked around the ramp, “Awfully quiet for a C-17 loading.” He mused. 

“Yeah, Its just one guy. Prisoner transport.” Count replied. 

“Who’s the asshole who ranks this much? I don’t even think Clemens got this much of a red-carpet treatment when he went back.” Huxian said. 

Count shrugged “Guess we’ll find out.” 

***
Cossette sat in the back of the black suburban and stared out the window silently. Gretchen and Cossette’s bodyguard sat quietly in the front seat awaiting instructions from the Royal. 

She wasn’t sure what she had expected. She knew he was going to be detained, the Osean Government told her as much, but she didn’t anticipate how much he had changed in the past seven months. Aside from his appearance changing slightly, she could tell he was different mentally. No longer was he the strong-willed man she had fallen for, he looked broken down and tired. She looked to the folder next to her and opened it to find the medical examiners report from Trigger’s Intake. 

In between the lines of the doctors notes on his various injuries, she could see what was patently obvious. The men who captured him at McKnight finally being able to do what the year of hard high G fighting had failed to do. His body had finally become broken it would be unlikely for him to fly ever again with the nerve damage in his leg and various outdated surgeries used to put him back together. 

She could feel a tear well up in her eye as she thought about how he actually felt. When he first saw her, it wasn’t exhaustion or hate in his eyes, It was the same spark she knew so well. But I had to keep up appearances, just Incase they were listening. She thought to herself. 

She knew it was a lie. 

Frankly, seeing him in the inmates uniform and chained to the floor frightened her. He no longer was the loving boyfriend she knew; he was a chained animal. She cursed herself for thinking about him in that way.  

She had unconsciously started to slip into the role of the Royal instead of the reunited lover. The longer they had talked, the more defeated his eyes got and the more distant he became in his answers. Deep down she had wanted to know where he was, what he was up to for the past seven months and if he was flying all along like the camera’s showed at Anchorhead. But instead, his answers had pushed her too far.

She had thrown the past seven months of anguish she felt into one brief outburst pushing him beyond his own limit. And when that occurred, Trigger had resorted to the one thing he could, He pushed back. 

His words cut into her, He could have seen, no, should have known, she was not going to betray him like that; but she was all alone. What else could she have done? She thought to herself. 

Gretchen cleared her throat before stepping out of the car. A moment later she climbed into the back seat next to Cossette and took her hand. She stared at the younger woman and smiled warmly. 

“You’re hurting, aren’t you dear?” she asked. 

Slowly, Cossette nodded her head. While Gretchen knew her place as a maid, Cossette looked to her as a surrogate motherly figure and confidant during and after the war. Cossette valued Gretchen more than she could have known. “I just don’t understand what’s happening.” Cossette said wiping the tears from her eyes, just for them to be replaced just as quickly. 

Gretchen smiled and nodded her head. “I understand dear, these things happen. But you need to take one thing into consideration.” 

“Whats that?”

“He came back.” Gretchen said reassuringly. “Remember, he was gone, not even the Oseans could find him, and if he had really wanted to? He could have stayed hidden. But he came out of hiding Just for you.” 

Cossette placed her hand over her mouth in shock. With all that had transpired over the previous few days, she had never taken that into account. 

Gretchen could see Cossette’s mind at work as it was painted across her face. The older woman laughed embracing Cossette in a hug as the younger woman was reduced to tears. Cossette was comforted in the warm sensation as she wept. After a moment, Gretchen pulled back and sighed. 

“You know, I thought this might come in handy so I’m glad I took it with me before we left.” Gretchen said. 

Cossette gave her a confused glance. “What are you talking about?” She asked as she watched Gretchen reach into her pocket and pull out a small blue box, with a damaged velvet cover. Gently Gretchen handed the box over to Cossette, clasping the small container into her hands. “I think we know what comes next.” Gretchen said with a mischievous grin. 

Cossette turned to her Bodyguard behind the driver’s seat “We need to go back to the detention center, now!” she ordered, almost choking up from the emotion. 

“Yes, your Highness” the guard replied as he put the large suburban into drive and spun it around back towards the heart of the air base. 

It didn’t take them long to reach the front entrance, Cossette quickly scrambled out of the car, hastily followed by Gretchen. A few Osean soldiers quickly moved out of her way, confused at the sight they were seeing as Cossette swung the door open to see a surprised looking Osean behind the desk. 

“Uhh, is there something I can help you with?” the Osean stammered. 

“I Want to see the Prisoner one more time please, I have permission from General Shepard.” Cossette lied. 

The Osean typed furiously into his computer before scowling. 

“Is something the matter?” Cossette asked annoyed. 

“Well ma’am, er uh, Your Highness, I’d love to help you but I’m showing that detainee was already moved from this facility.” He replied flustered. 

“Moved? When? Where to?” Cossette asked. 

The Osean Shrugged. “I’m sorry ma’am, I’m not at liberty to say. Just that he’s been transferred to a different unit that handles prisoner transit, looks to be just a few minutes ago.”

Cossette stood back from the desk she felt determined for the first time in a long time. She turned to Gretchen “he couldn’t have gone far. I want to speak to the Base Commander right away. Maybe we can stop him.” She said determined. 

Gretchen nodded. “Right away your highness.” 

***
Trigger was in the back of the van, restrained to a metal eye bolt in the floor. The ride to the jet was short and quiet, He watched as the various planes of the base passed by. He saw the familiar FG adorning the tails of the replacement squadron’s jets and a collection of other orphaned aircraft who were still on base over a year later. Their former squadrons being entirely destroyed and closed following the end of the war, and the surviving crews being transferred to other squadrons. 

Trigger could see the looming tail of the C-17 as they approached, and just beyond, four F-15C Eagle fighter jets being hastily refueled. 

An Escort? Trigger thought to himself. 

The van stopped abeam the nose of the C-17 and the guards climbed out of the vehicle, securing the area so they could move him into the jet itself. Trigger glanced to the interloping Eagles and saw something that made a pit form at the bottom of his stomach. 

W W - the tail code for New Arrows Air Base squadrons. He could see a gaggle of pilots standing under the wing, He squinted but through the dark tinted glass of the van he couldn’t see in detail who the pilots were. He could feel his pulse start to rise as the guard approached the door and slid the door open. 

“Alright Major, I’m going to need you do place your hands out to here.” The guard directed, removing Trigger’s restraints. Trigger couldn’t help himself from squinting as the light assaulted his eyes, Roughly the guards led him by the arm towards the jet. 

He felt sick the closer he got. His eyes started adjusting and he saw in detail the numbers on one of the Eagles.

015

His heartbeat was racing as he limped closer. Every muscle in his body telling him to flee. He could hear familiar noises. 

Voices he hadn’t heard in over half a year, familiar laughs and chatter of men and women he had fought alongside with. 

“Whose this asshole anyway?” Trigger heard one voice say, it was that of his wingman Count.

“Dunno, doesn’t look like much.” Huxian added. 

“Wait is that-“ the older voice of reason, Jeager was cut off. 

Trigger could hear stomping of boots closing in on him and the guards. 

“What the hell is going on here?” Count shouted at one of the guards. 

Trigger felt the guard tense up at the sudden attack, the other guard quickly deployed her collapsible baton, Trigger could see Huxian reaching for her pistol and the few Security Forces Airman reaching for their weapons as the situation started to escalate. 

“Prisoner Transfer.” A much larger woman said calmly walking up behind Count. 

Count shot her a disgusted look “Do you know who he is?” he asked indignantly. The taller woman shrugged “A Prisoner I imagine.” She said bluntly

The guards moved Trigger back from Count, he could tell the pilot was seething. “He has saved our asses so many times and we treat him like this?” He said angrily pointing to Trigger. 

The taller pilot was unmoved at Trigger’s former executive’s impassioned speech. 

“Count, it’s ok.” Trigger said pleading. 

Count shot him a look “What the hell did you get caught up in Trigger? You dropped off the face of the earth and now this?” 

Trigger shrugged and chuckled “I guess I forgot to file my taxes, the IRS does what the OIB cannot, amiright?” he joked, however Count continued to scowl.

“It doesn’t matter, the prisoner is to be transported to Oured and that’s our job, now Captain, get out of his way so we can board him.” the woman ordered. 

“This isn’t right. He isn’t a threat, he shouldn’t be treated like this!” Count protested. 

The woman looked to be sizing Count up, she leaned back and folded her arms. “Captain, If theres a problem, I personally have no issue with getting it handled right here and now.” 

“Oh yeah? How so? What’s an Airlift puke going to do to me?” Count shot back. 

The woman chuckled “Well, first calling General Shepard’s office to have you removed from this mission for a conflict of interest and over-all lack of confidence, and if that doesn’t work, I feel pretty good about my crews odds against yours.” She said starting to lean over the pilot.

Trigger tried to raise his hands, but was largely unable due to the shackles “Can I say something?” He asked 

“Shut up!” Both Count and the C-17 Pilot shouted at him in unison. 

“Of course.” Trigger muttered, He could feel the tension in his arms from the two guards, unsure who to listen to between the two arguing officers.

As Trigger and the rest on the ramp watched the argument unfold between the two pilots, Trigger could not help but notice that the Security Force’s airman’s radios started barking at them. Unfortunately, the guards being on a separate frequency, as well as the ambient noise of the airfield made understanding what was being said nearly impossible, but what Trigger was sure of was that something big was occurring and it wasn’t the pissing contest unfolding before him. 

Finally, something was said in a quiet tone to the lead guard. Trigger strained to hear but what he made out was ‘Fire Actual Inbound’. When Trigger was assigned to Selatapura, ‘Fire’ was the radio callsign Byrns had selected for himself, but Trigger had rarely heard it used outside of the handful of briefings.

The lead guard looked to his subordinate “We need to go now.” He ordered. The second guard nodded in agreement and prepared her baton, ready to force her and Trigger onto the Globemaster if required. 

The lead guard cleared his throat. “Ma’am, Sir, we need you both to step aside now.” He said forcefully, stopping the two pilots in their tracks. 

“Whats going on?” Count demanded.

The guard looked at him uneasy “Command post didn’t say but we have an unexpected guest coming and the Base Commander wants the prisoner on board and secured before they arrive.” He explained. 

The C-17 pilot nodded and stepped out of the way “go ahead, my men will assist in any way we can.” She said calmly. Count paused a second before following the other pilots lead, giving Trigger and the guards a clear shot into the plane. “Let’s get a move on prisoner.” The lead guard said as he dragged Trigger towards the plane. Trigger watched as the various ground crews and security forces airman rushed to take positions, the LRSSG Pilots uneasily tightened the straps on their harness and started eying positions of cover they could use in the event that the situation required it. 

An uneasy silence fell around the jet as the roar of an cars engine echoed around them.

As Trigger reached the threshold of the door, He could see a black suburban car driving rapidly towards them. 

“Aw shit. Let’s get a move on.” The lead guard hissed as he forced Trigger up the short stairs of the Globemaster.

The Suburban slowed and pulled around the van Trigger was transported in, coming to a stop. Trigger looked over his shoulder when he heard the distinct slamming of the suburbans doors and a noticeable high pitched Clack clack clack of high heeled shoes on the concrete pavement. 

the unease around the ramp turned to pure confusion as a flustered looking Colonel Byrns climbed out of the car and tried to catch up to the young woman approaching the jet. 

She brushed passed the murmuring airman and stopped short of the jet’s door, merely feet from Trigger. 

Her steely blue eyes looked radiant and were locked with Trigger’s own. For a brief moment it seemed to Trigger that everyone and everything around him had stopped. 

Finally, she spoke. 

“Excuse me, I need to speak to your prisoner.” She asked politely. 

The guards stared at the woman dumbfounded “What?” they asked confused, the lead guard looked to Trigger who shrugged. Ignoring their response, she turned her attention back to Trigger. 

“Trigger, you asked me about my answer that night.” She spoke, carefully she placed one foot on the staircase, the younger guard tensed up as the woman climbed the staircase and was face to face with Trigger.

Before he knew it, he felt her soft lips on his as she grabbed and held onto him. After a moment he wished he could have spent eternity in being embraced in her warmth, Cossette let go and took a step back turning her attention to the dumbstruck lead guard. 

“Maybe you didn’t hear me? I said, I need to speak to my fiancé.”