A Need For Lightning

Chapter One

Come on you guys! Victoria exclaimed looking behind her to see why Toni and Patty were lagging behind her. You two are such worrywarts no one is about to die! she added seeing how cautious they were moving as she unlocked the door.

Both expressed to her that if they didn't get out of the country, one of them would die! Victoria laughed it off as she stood in the doorway to their room.

Turning around seeing their hesitation, she looked into the room. Seeing a man sitting on the edge of the bed holding a pistol with a silencer on it, she froze!

You not come, stay home, live longer! he said in broken English with a heavy accent.

Toni and Patty behind her heard the voice and psst! the sound of a pistol being fired with a silencer. They didn't need to see the results as both turned one way and the other ran the other, taking on an armed man with nothing to fight with wasn't their idea of standing a chance. Toni turned running back the way she came while Patty quickly headed the other way down toward the lobby. Victoria frozen there in fright never felt the bullet that hit her between the eyes, sending her sprawling backwards in the doorway.

The gunman raced toward the door almost tripping over her in the process, he was just in time to see the door close leading outside that Toni fled out. He didn’t worry about the camera in the hallway seeing him; he had already taken care of it. Chasing after whoever went out the hallway door, he thought it was the other two.

Coming down into the lobby from the stairway; Patty came in as fast as she could move being nine months pregnant. A man sitting in the lobby reading a newspaper upon seeing her, dropped his paper and went for what Patty suspected was a gun. She dove over the registration desk just as he fired; but he hit only a glass where she had been. Reaching up, she grabbed the bell finding it wasn’t bolted down and ducked down again after locating the gunman. The desk clerk stood there with his mouth open seeing this happen. The gunman not wanting any witnesses shot him just as Patty threw the bell with all her might, hitting him in the head. A quick glance, Patty saw him go down with blood gushing from his head. She stepped over the dead clerk's body making her way as quickly as she could over to the man. There was no one else in the lobby, Thank god! Patty thought as she picked up the man’s gun.

Worried about the other gunman, she worked her way back up the stairs with the gun ready to fire. Moving carefully and silently, Patty hoped no other guests came out of their room and got in the crossfire. Reaching her room, she saw the dead body of Victoria and knew she was beyond help, Patty worried about Toni knowing the gunman from the room didn’t go down the way she came, so he must have followed Toni.

Carefully, she headed to the door leading out. So far so good! Patty thought as she moved along. With care, she opened the door then quickly moved out, for a second the darkness kept her from seeing anything, but her eyes adjusted. Holding the pistol ready to fire, she kept moving slowly down the steps to the ground. Every movement of anything had her pointing her weapon ready to fire. A couple coming along saw her, the woman screamed and ran the other way.

Toni, when she left the building slid down the railing getting quickly to the ground and then went into the shadows. She was edging her way away when the man came bursting out upstairs expecting to find her or Patty waiting around the doorway; but he found no one. Staying in the darkness near a trash bin, Toni watched wishing she had a weapon on one hand and worrying about Victoria on the other. If the man’s intentions inside the room were to take them prisoners, both her and Patty knew that it would be best if they weren’t caught with her. Toni just hoped she was okay, feeling bad about abandoning her. The man then removed his hood and put away his gun giving Toni a sinking feeling that he harmed Victoria. Watching him look around as he made his way across the street to a parked car, Toni felt bad. When the car drove off, she remained hidden not sure if there were more gunmen.

Looking at the car, Toni tried to remember every detail about it, she didn’t want to chance coming out from her hiding spot. It seemed like an eternity before she spotted Patty come out of the building then slowly make her way down the stairs. When the passerby woman screamed and ran off, Toni felt it was safe to let Patty know where she was.

Giving the old all clear whistle, Toni came out of hiding. Patty grinned seeing her as she stuffed the weapon she carried in her dress belt. It didn’t want to stay so she kept one hand on it.

Victoria’s dead! I killed the other one! Patty said coldly. Toni felt tears forming in her eyes but didn’t say anything, just took Patty in her arms. They both could hear the sirens as the French Police were coming fast.

Walking arm in arm toward the lobby, neither wanted to go upstairs and see the dead body of Victoria. Who would call Hon?

Two French policemen came running up to them saying something in French. We don’t understand French! Toni sobbed in English.

You’re under arrest! one said in English as the other grabbed the gun away from Patty. She made no effort to stop him. Both allowed themselves to be handcuffed and taken into the lobby.

Patty in a monotone voice told the officers what happened and where they both had returned from, the mentioning of the RBI cause the Lieutenant in charge to call them. Toni couldn’t talk until prodded several times, she was still heart broken because of the death of Victoria.

We should have not went upstairs when we both felt something was going to happen. Instead we should have taken Victoria to the airport and sent her back home! Patty mentioned to Toni while they were sitting side by side.

When the RBI arrived, Daniel immediately viewed the tape of the lobby and saw that was how Patty got her weapon. Counting the bullets fired out of the weapon and the bullets remaining, they determined she never fired the weapon. The police after learning who they were removed the handcuffs and continued their investigation. Victoria’s body was brought down; at least they didn’t have to look at her being inside a black body bag.

When they are finished with us, we will go back home with the body and I will have this baby; then come back to finish this! Patty whispered to Toni when no one was around. Toni nodded and whispered, We will kill these bastards!

You can call her husband now! Daniel said coming up to Toni with his portable viewer.

It was nighttime there, so Toni knew it was daytime back home. She punched in the number knowing it by heart. She found Hon waiting in his office like he expected a call from someone; that was usual for him, she thought! The look on their faces told Toni they expected something bad. Swallowing hard, she knew she couldn’t hide the tear running down her face as she spoke.

Victoria is dead! Was all Toni could say. They could hear Patty crying next to her, she finally let her emotions loose. Sarah almost fell off the couch when she heard the news. Others started crying as well. Brad tried to control his tears; he had been sitting there for the past half hour ever since the hair on his neck went down expecting some bad news.

Daniel, before he gave the viewer to Toni, called his boss who called Michele and gave the details of what had happened. Michele called Jenny; they rarely spoke to each other except when they were home, after Jenny told her she was a heartless bitch.

Mrs. Vice President, I just called to tell you your sister, Victoria is dead. I told them not to mess around and go to France but they wouldn’t listen. Now they know the consequences of their foolish actions! With that she hung up. Jenny was speechless over how Michele spoke. She didn’t even say our sister; she said your sister and didn’t even call her Jenny; instead Mrs. Vice President!

Trying to control the tears that were threatening to flow, Jenny leaned over speaking into Vicki’s ear. Vic, the President just informed me that Victoria is dead. She didn’t give me any details! Vicki looked at her like she was a snake going to bite her as realization of what she just said sank in.

I relinquish the chair to the Majority leader! Vicki interrupted the speaker to announce. Cindi glanced back at her seeing her get up with tears in her eyes and heading to the door. Cindi didn’t ask what happened, she moved up in Vicki's spot seeing Jenny leaving as well. A rumble went through the Senate; Cindi took over hoping it wasn’t her father.

Outside the Senate chambers, Jenny and Vicki leaned on each other and waited knowing Sheila would be out shortly from the Assembly chambers, she was! Together they helped each other to the car as Jenny ordered her helicopter, Marine two to be made ready to fly them home.

While they were flying home, Brad got the details of what happened. He noted that Michele didn’t call him, instead depended upon Jenny to tell him. The wives contacted the children as they once again prepared for a funeral. Brad learned that Patty and Toni were returning with the body.

When funeral arrangements were underway, Michele called Brad informing him and the wives that Victoria deserved to be buried in Warriors Cemetery along with the wives that died during the wars. As First Lady for so many years, she should have a public service. Brad and the wives agreed, although they didn’t particularly care for how she spoke to them on the viewer like they were just another family; not hers’.

The day of the services, Brad and the wives were unhappy of the show that Michele made it into, featuring her most to the time like she was the only one with a loss. The praises that Michele reaped upon Victoria made some of the other wives draw away from her knowing they didn’t really get along, that was why she refused to be Michele’s First Lady. Doctor Leighton and Vicky stood near Brad feeling her death just as keenly as he did. Victoria’s sister Connie flew in from her home in South America with her husband. Her three children were left behind. Near the end when they were throwing dirt on her casket like they always did before, Patty left as labor contractions were making it impossible to stay. Three hours later, Patty gave birth to Omega, this was her last child; as she had her tubes tied joining the rest of the wives except for Red.

The dinner after the services was held in two places, the hall where Vanessa and Shane’s dinner after their services was held; and at the Capital Ballroom hosted by Michele. Brad and all their friends went to the hall where as all the politicians and other important people went to the other. The family was surprised Marcy showed up for the funeral after skipping Vanessa and Shane’s; but they noticed she went to the dinner where the important people were barely speaking to the family. She did make a point of hugging her father knowing it was shown on the viewer worldwide. She spent most of the time staying by her mother’s side.

Brad spent most of his time at the dinner going around talking with his old friends that came to the funeral. It was not an easy time for the family losing another member, so close to the other losses. Keeping Robert, his and Victoria’s oldest son with him along with Sonya, her youngest, Brad made the rounds before leaving.

At the Hospital the staff must have thought an army invaded them; when Brad and the wives along with the children came to see Patty after her delivery. Even a lot of those that knew her along other friends dropped in as well.

Patty introduced Omega to her father and other mothers along with her new brothers and sisters before the staff starting ushering them out. They were restricting the visiting to four to five at a time. After all the family gave her a kiss and the newborn one also, the staff would usher them out allowing the friends to come in. Only Brad and Toni stayed in the room throughout all this. Angel took the children still living at home along with the other wives not staying at the capital, the children were flown home because they had school to go to in the morning.

Finally, only Brad, Toni and Vicki were in the room with Patty. Vicki came later after attending both dinners, feeling she should do that. Seeing no one in the room but family, Patty spoke to Toni.

As soon as I’m home we will continue our mission, it is more important than ever that we put an end to these killers!

Sis, take at least a week to recoup, I want you at your best after seeing what they did to Victoria, we won’t let it happen again! Toni replied. Patty just looked at her; mentally agreeing that she needed more time to get back into fighting shape.

Maybe, I should go with you two! Vicki remarked getting strange looks from both of them. Brad couldn’t believe his ears, Victoria had just been killed and now they wanted to go back into danger, especially Patty just having a baby!

I think you both should just go back to the ranch, and like Michele said; let the RBI handle it. You both are getting too old to be doing this! Brad said before either could refuse Vicki.

You and Vic are too old for this but we are not, besides, did you see how Michele paraded Victoria’s body through the streets being drawn by horses in an old fashioned Hearse; taking hours for it to go along the streets to Warriors Cemetery; she is all show and pomp. Most likely she will have the RBI catch one poor soul and put him on trail; if convicted pardon him so everyone can see she has a big heart and let’s her enemies live. Meanwhile, those responsible will go free to harm others! Toni shocked Brad by saying this. The wives’ feeling Michele was shallow was another shock to him. Vicki cleared her throat then said, I guess this means you two don’t want me to tag along. Let me tell you something, the agent that talked to you has been shot. He might live or not, but it only goes to show how dangerous this is. I think you two should take Hon’s advice and stay home. I don’t want to loose two more sisters.

Vicki then leaned down kissing Patty before standing back up and kissing Toni. Brad was shocked to see Toni without a cigar in her mouth. He figured it was not only because they were in a Hospital, he also noticed whenever Toni was around the children inside the house; she never had a cigar either.

After they finished kissing Toni spoke up, Hon and I will be driving back since Angel and Red took the children back to the ranch.

Brad could tell she said that to change the conversation so she wouldn’t reveal to anyone what her plans were.

They chatted another few minutes, then after kisses of goodbye, Toni and Brad left. Vicki stayed behind. Toni knew she was going to try to talk Patty out of going, but she also knew it would do no good.

All the way home, Toni and Brad chatted. A lot about the past but mostly about the children, Lester, one of Robin’s twins had opted out of college signing a contract to play for a major league team and quickly worked his way up to the majors. Heather in her first year in college threw three no-hitters. Brady, after leading the high school football team to an undefeated season, now led his college team to an undefeated season. Terri had her football team also undefeated. They wondered who would win when they matched up. Terri had led the high school team to their first ever championship. When Brady took over, he led them to two seasons of being undefeated, everyone wondered who was better. Rumors had it that Brady was thinking of going pro, but he never said anything to his parents about it. Travis and Scorpio along with Morning Mist was the reason Toni felt that Brady was having the kind of season he was.

Turning into their roadway, Brad decided it was time to speak about the subject of them going back to Europe. The days of taking the law into your own hands has come and gone. I’m afraid that even if you both secede, you will loose in the end. I don’t want to go to two more wives funerals! Brad saw Toni’s eyebrows arch as he spoke. Michele, unlike me has no reason to intervene if you two get arrested for murder or breaking the law.

Brad paused looking at Toni driving. It is just too painful and think of all the children that you two will leave behind, you have seven and Patty has nine! The family will take care of them always but we will miss their mothers!

You know we love you, our sisters and our children; you also know that Patty and I don’t start something that we can’t finish! Toni stated as she parked the car and turned off the switch. Brad climbed out of the car feeling deflated being unable to convince her not to do anything more. He stepped aside letting the two agents that rode in the back seat go by while he waited on Toni to catch up so he could take her into his arms. Two other agents climbed out of the car that was traveling ahead of them on the long drive home.

Putting his arms around Toni, she gave him a wink in the predawn light heading into the house. There was another way that might work he thought holding her and guiding her into the house.

Inside the house, Brad and Toni found the morning cooking team just starting to stir. Brad gave each of them either a kiss or hug before heading to the bed with Toni. Hearing sounds in the kitchen, ranch life began before sunup, the other wives were already gone from the bed, but made it a point to come back with a child in their arms to get a kiss before he went to sleep. Those that weren’t fast enough found Him and Toni busy, so they didn’t disturb them.

He found it didn’t work; While Patty was getting over childbirth, Toni slipped away. She went to Paris finding it was easy to get through the security protecting Daniel in the hospital. It was like they didn’t care whether he lived or died. Daniel told her that the dead man was a Greek and the man she described killing Victoria was a man named Jacek Karpolis also from Greece. They were known mercenaries that had also become criminals. The RBI’s last take on them was they were in prison in Greece for crimes committed after Greece joined the World Government. Daniel also cautioned Toni that there was a mole in the RBI that was destroying evidence and sabotaging the investigation. He thought that the drive by shooting of him might have been Jacek after someone gave up information on who was the gunman! Weak but alert, Toni kissed him on the forehead and thanked him for the information before discretely making her way out of his room. Flying straight back, she told Patty all she learned.

Chapter Two

Everyday, Patty worked out in the gym twice as long as before getting her body back into prime shape. Toni was right there with her. Even though the other wives and Brad joined them, they were there way before the others and long after the others went about their daily activities. Practicing Karate along with weight lifting, Toni watched Patty’s arms return like a man’s. Hers’ weren’t far from looking like Patty’s. Patty also showed Toni how to kill without having a weapon using her bare hands. They both knew weapons would not be readily available even though Patty made a lot of calls to people she knew, most had been discharged from the service as the armies of the world shrank.

Six weeks after giving birth and the day after Red came home with her baby, Toni and Patty kissed everyone goodbye and asked them to take care of their children. This time, they flew to Rome trying to throw off anyone tracking them about what their true destination was. Taking a train to Naples then another to Bari, they hoped to shake anyone trailing them. At Bari, they bought tickets to Taranto and boarded the train placing their luggage with the tickets on the seats; slipping back off the train just as it started to leave just in case RBI agents were trailing them; wearing only backpacks that had what they needed right now. Not the big ones, just the smaller ones that tourists wore, hoping everyone would just think they were tourists. Both changed their clothing on the train to Bari so they looked like locals. Toni avoided smoking her little cigars even though she had them with her.

The use of a taxi was not a wise idea, paying for it electronically would give the RBI a method to find them and know where they were. Acting like tourists, they went into a couple of souvenir shops before stopping at a local eatery to have a meal, sitting outside enjoying the sun. Patty bought a map of the city, they pretended to be looking at tourist spots but were really planning the route to the harbor, their destination.

Rounding a corner they could see the harbor, Toni was shocked to see so many fishing boats docked there. Patty must have known what she was thinking, why?

Congress has outlawed commercial fishing in the Mediterranean for three years or more allowing the fish population to replenish! The only fishing allowed is sport fishing with each person aboard using only a single line. Patty remarked as they walked toward the harbor.

An hour later, they were walking along the piers; Patty seemed to know where she was going so Toni just followed her. She now took out one of her little cigars that she had been craving for a while and lit it.

Walking only ten feet on another pier that branched off from the big main one, Toni spotted Bill, Carla and a few others sitting on the dock with packs they were all leaning on. Toni smiled as they got to their feet.

Nice of you to come! Patty said. Bill grinned saying, Ever since we have been mustered out, life has been one boring thing after another, so when you called; I got in touch with a few others that were just as bored!

They laughed, then one by one they stepped forward introducing themselves to Toni, they all knew Patty. It was Frank, Simon, Tina, Randy, and Silver! Toni gave Carla a hug as well as Bill. She was glad to see them.

Silver and Frank both speak fluent Greek so they will be our translators! Bill stated.

Did you bring some equipment? Patty asked Bill.

Just weapons mainly, the other stuff we will have to acquire in Greece. Bill smiled then added, Nice of you to rent this fishing boat for a month, I’m looking forward to some deep water fishing! He spoke loud so everyone could hear it instead of almost in a whisper like he did earlier. Toni glanced at the boat seeing rods and reels stacked on the deck. That was their cover, fishing. Anyone close by that understood English was sure to hear what he said.

In a low voice, he said to Patty, The package you shipped here was picked up yesterday, I brought it here for you! with his eyes he indicated a box sitting on the pier. Toni glanced at it wondering what it contained.

Trying not to look like a military unit, they picked up their backpacks and stuff off the dock going toward the boat. Carla whispered loud enough for Toni to hear, I hope the boat is insured very well! making Toni and Patty chuckle. Toni glanced at the name on the boat, La Victoria! it was a fitting name.

Patty whispered to Toni, I didn’t rent it; I bought it at an auction, it was seized by the Navy for illegal fishing along with dozens of others, I liked the name so bid on it!" She laughed. Those close enough to hear laughed as well.

Toni noticed that all the nets were gone so the boat couldn’t be used for commercial fishing anyway. As they boarded, Toni heard someone speaking in Italian to them; then appeared dressed in sailor grab was the ship's Captain. Simon replied back in Italian. Patty leaned over to Toni whispering, The boat can’t be taken out of the harbor without a licensed Captain and First Mate, so I hired one. He was drunk when I found him and hired him, he hired the First Mate!

Toni saw the Captain sweep his hands open like welcoming them aboard while speaking to Simon. When the First Mate appeared coming from below, Toni was shocked to it was a woman!

I told him, we were all aboard and he could shove off whenever he was ready. I and Bill have sailed before, I volunteered us a crewmen so the rest of you can take our stuff down below while we help get the ship underway! Simon said in English. The others grabbed their stuff and headed down below. Toni followed grabbing Bill’s pack on the way. It weighed a ton but she managed it, grateful now that she worked out with Patty for all those weeks.

Down below, she found what had been a hold for fish were now converted over to bunk beds and storage compartments. She picked out a bed for herself and threw Bill’s stuff on another bunk. Hearing yells in Italian and the motor fire up, she joined the others in the galley. Like her, they all found a bed and placed their stuff on it to lay claim for it.

Joining everyone but the two out helping get the boat under way, Toni listened to Patty informing everyone of the plan. We will let the Captain take us to a couple of what he thinks are good fishing spots and we will fish for a day or two, then slowly work our way to Greece.

That’s a good plan since the Navy now only has two functions, patrolling for illegal fishing and catching any pirates that have the desire to do wrong! Silver stated.

That is why it is even more critical that we all appear to be fishermen! They must not suspect a thing, neither should those in Greece! Patty ordered and folded up the map. Patty then opened the package, Toni saw right away it was all the equipment that Patty brought back from the rescue of Vicki. Patty handed her, her equipment that was there as well. Toni went putting away her weapons for now!

The Captain wants to know why we sailed at night, are we planning on doing some night fishing? Simon asked Patty.

Tell him, yes, I can’t wait to fish! Patty said hearing Simon yell that up to the Captain. Hearing something back, Patty waited for the translation. He wants to know if you plan on taking the boat to America and why did you buy a boat here, because he knows there is plenty of boats in America?

Tell him, that I bought this boat because it was cheap and since I was here, wanted to take it out and get the feel of it! Patty replied. I’m not sure what my plans are with it! She added smiling at everyone that knew the truth.

It was slow talking through an interpreter; Patty and the Captain had a good long discussion before he finally told them that they were in a good fishing spot.

Frank, Silver, Bill and Simon were skilled fishermen, they started teaching everyone including Toni and Patty how to fish. The darkness allowed them to learn without the Captain and First Mate noticing most of them didn’t know how. The little boat was making Toni feel a little queasy as it rocked but she did as Patty, used her mind to ignore it learning how to fish.

Within another couple of hours most caught at least one big fish including Toni. It took her almost an hour to reel it in, she was proud she was strong enough to outlast the fish. She liked fishing now, having never done it before. Patty was the only one not catching a fish, she tried, only to have the Captain and Simon came over to her chatting, she took her pole out of the water so she could focus on the conversation.

With nothing except the running lights on, the moon was the brightest thing around lighting up the whole sea.

Sure is a romantic night out here with the tranquil waters lapping in tune on the side of the boat, Carla remarked.

You’re just a romantic at heart! Bill teased her. Toni laughed at his comment, then looked out over the water. The full moon did indeed make the water look so peaceful and romantic, she wished Hon were here to share it with her.

Seeing the longing look on Toni’s face, Carla asked, Thinking about someone special?

Toni smiled then replied, Yes my husband!

I had one of those once, he left me with a child my mother is taking care of for me. Since then my idea of life is have a good time because it will be over in a second! Carla stated. Toni could detect sadness in her voice really wishing that she did have someone special.

Chapter Three

Michele was seated at her desk reading the news ticker before her busy schedule started. Like Brad did before her, she had breakfast in the dining room, unlike him, she waited to have her first cup of coffee until she came to her desk. Katie, the only hold over from Brad’s old staff made it fresh when she came in. Like any other morning, after reading the ticker, she would look up the part where she could see her approval ratings, something she liked to keep above fifty percent. The funeral of Victoria had brought them back to sixty-one percent bringing a smile to her face.

The viewer buzzed as Katie’s face appeared. Mr. Mayhern would like a couple minutes of your time! she said, Michele could see him in the background waiting to be admitted. What did he want? He normally just sent her recorded messages that updated her on what was going on as Director of the RBI.

Send him in! Michele said with a frown on her face. Katie nodded and cut the circuit.

He came in quickly when Katie opened the door. Morning Madame President! He said coming over to stand in front of her desk. Since she didn’t motion him to sit he stood, Michele didn’t respond she just looked at him.

I’ll make this very short, he took a deep breath then said, Two of your sisters have returned to Europe, they flew into Rome and spent a day touring the place before taking a train to Naples. They spent another day there being tourists. Taking another train to Bari, then they took another train to Taranto or at least their luggage did! We searched the harbor there and then searched the harbor at Bari! The director could tell she was impatient for him to get to the point. "We have reason to believe they are trying to slip into Greece!

If they want to get themselves killed, that is no concern of mine! Michele retorted then thought for a second; then she placed a call to her husband. It annoyed Michele having to wait while they located him somewhere outside; he came on the viewer shortly with Angel and Jean tagging along. They went over to sit on the couch as she spoke to Brad.

Those two stupid wives of yours’ are trying to get their selves killed by going into Greece! Michele said very sharply, Brad was taken back by her not even saying good morning or anything, like they were strangers! No friendly greeting at all, she looked pissed as she continued so he couldn’t get a word in.

I’m not going to have another state funeral for them if they do! If they wind up being locked up, they will stay there. I’m not putting up with another Columbia and besides, there won’t be any marines to the rescue! Michele said taking a deep breath after blurting this all out.

Why not, your approval ratings went up after the last one! Angel blurted out across the room. Michele gave her a frown then realized she said the truth.

Brad, I thought you told me that you talked them out of this foolishness? Michele stated. He didn’t know if she was calling him Brad instead of Hon because of RBI director being present or what?

I thought I did, but it seems they used the time here to plan things out. I didn’t know they were going until they kissed us goodbye and asked us to take care of the kids if something happened to them. Brad said.

You should have called me, I would have found a way to derail their plans. Now, these two stupid women are on their own, I don’t have time for their nonsense. Angel is right, their deaths would be good for my ratings but if they get locked up for something and charged as criminals, it would not be! Do you have a way of contacting them? Michele asked softening her tone slightly hearing his tone was as sharp as hers had been.

No! Nor do I have any idea what their plans are! Brad said. Michele without even a goodbye or I love you, cut the circuit. Brad stood there staring a second at the blank viewer. He couldn’t believe she was acting this way like she was trying to distance herself from the family.

Angel walked over and switched off the viewer from this end seeing he was standing there looking at it. She sure is cold! was all Angel said walking out.

Even if I knew their plans, I wouldn’t tell her! Jean said making Angel stop as she and Brad turned to look at her. So she quickly added, Now, you see why none of us like going there to be her First Lady. She orders us around and treats us like we are nothing!

Brad placed his arms around both and escorted them out of the office seeing first hand how Michele was becoming. He dismissed it as pressure of the job!

Toni and Silver helped make breakfast for everyone; then they all went out putting their poles in the water.

What is that shoreline I see in the distance? Toni asked Bill.

Africa! Bill remarked going back to throwing his line out behind the boat.

While we slept, the Captain brought us here! Patty said.

I love to fish, isn’t this fun? Toni said putting her line in the water with the others. The captain cut back the motor so they had a slow drift forward still allowing them to fish.

Two hours later Patty noticed a highflying team of jets streak overhead, one banked and came back by flying low. They were all wearing straws hats with Toni wearing one that looked like a small sombrero on her head protecting her from the hot sun. Everyone was wearing sunglasses making it hard for anyone to get a clear picture of their faces.

Just the Navy doing its’ job! Silver remarked. They all kept fishing with only a glance up at the jet. The wingman made another low pass coming from behind the boat; Patty guessed they were taking a picture of the boat’s name.

The Director of the RBI sent a message to the President that he located them. Through research, he found that Patty purchased a fishing boat called the La Victoria at an auction three weeks ago. She hired a Captain and first mate in Bari. Now, the boat had been spotted near the African coast, fishing of all things but he still suspected their destination was Greece. Michele filed the report having other things on her mind.

Near sundown after a very successful day of fishing, the Captain told Simon that a high-speed boat was coming their way from Africa. Unable to out run them, the Captain still fired up the boat full throttle hoping darkness closed in before the boat could catch them.

They are most likely robbers, they come out on these fishing boats knowing those fishing on them have money and other valuables. Just keep calm and they will only rob us! The first mate shocked them by speaking English, she never said a word before telling them she kept this her little secret so she could listen to their conversations without them knowing she understood. Sometimes they are known to rape some women if they don’t get enough money or jewelry! she added with a chuckle, and then walked away going up into the Captain’s pilot room. Toni wondered if she had called them to set this up?

One by one the group went down into their quarters and returned but had no weapons visible. Toni put on her pistol and holster before pulling out the shirttail of the man’s shirt she was wearing to hide the pistol with the silencer on it.

Using a loud speaker, they said something first in French, Toni recognized the words from Monique, then in Italian followed by English. They told the Captain to stop the boat or they would fire upon them. To make their point, one stood up with an AK47 and fired off several rounds. Toni noticed he was aiming at the radio antenna atop the pilot’s station.

The Captain did what they said cutting the motor. To him, the most he had to worry about was the pirates killing them all because of someone doing something foolish. The first mate returned going over to throw a line to the boat so it could dock with the La Victoria.

Tell them that if they step onto this boat or fire on the boat again, they will all die! Patty said through gritted teeth to the first mate. She glanced at Patty and laughed before she told the pirates what Patty said. The Pirates laughed as one grabbed the line and pulled the little speedboat up to the La Victoria and tied them together. They were still laughing when the first two stepped on the La Victoria.

There were eight of them, Patty glanced at those with her and pulled her knife. She was upon the first one before he even realized she had sprung like a panther, cutting off his head. Toni drew her pistol shooting the other between the eyes. Bill, Silver, Simon, Frank and Carla killed those in the boat before they even knew what was happening!

The first mate stood there with her mouth gapping open, not believing what just happened. Throw the bodies in and set it adrift! Patty ordered. Her team jumped to do what she said. Toni seeing no one else to shoot put her pistol away.

Turning to the first mate, Patty spoke to her. Now bitch, you know our true colors so don’t fuck with us. Tell the Captain when it gets dark to shut down the running lights and take us to Piralevs on the Greek coastline!

Her face turned white as she said, That is very dangerous, the Greeks have many ships patrolling that area, they shoot first then ask why your are there later, if you are alive!

Just do it! Make no contact with anyone telling them where we are going or I will kill you myself! The first mate grabbed her throat knowing how quickly Patty removed the one guys head. She had tossed it herself into the boat while others threw the body in. Seeing the blood on the deck, the first mate trembled heading to the Captain up in the pilot’s cabin. The face she saw Patty wearing when removing the guys head reminded her of an American movie she saw about those that created the Republic of Terra. She was the cold-blooded killer in the movie!

The Captain sat in the pilot’s cabin expecting the pirates to come in; he had been through this before and didn’t expect any trouble this time; instead his first mate entered the cabin. She told him what happened, he didn’t believe her at first until he looked and saw the pirates’ boat drifting away with no one moving about in it. She then told him what their orders were. His hand trembled but he didn’t try to radio anyone knowing the antenna had been shot down.

The Navy having no orders to do anything else but to keep them under surveillance sent another two French Jets out to do another fly by before darkness. They did a fly by but spotted about two kilometers from the La Victoria a speedboat that looked like it was adrift with no one aboard, at least no one seemed to be moving, they dispatched a cutter to check it out thinking they might have some kind of motor trouble.

That evening, Bill, Simon and the first mate cooked dinner, mostly the fish they had caught much to everyone’s enjoyment. Right after darkness fell, all the ship’s lights were shut off including those down below deck as the ship made the run in darkness. Simon pulled out a lot of electronic gear that would confuse their radar along with the several satellites that were used to spy on the Greeks and detect anyone trying to leave or come into the state. Patty seemed to know everything they had to spy with, so she made sure they brought plenty of counter measures.

Neither the Captain nor the first mate slept that night, Toni like the rest of the team went to sleep at darkness knowing they might not get any rest for a day or two. It was nearly three in the morning when the Captain informed Patty that they couldn’t go any closer, saying the Greek patrol boats were thicker than flies and he didn’t relish spending the rest of his life in jail or being tortured!

Patty seemed to anticipate this, she told him after they disembarked for him to take the boat back to Bari where she paid docking fees for a year; then she warned them not to say a word to a soul about where they disembarked or she would come and kill them personally. After the warning, Patty smiled telling them when they got back; they would find a year’s wages in their accounts. They weren’t sure about all this but kept silent as Patty woke up everyone, bringing all their gear they were taking on deck. Lightning flashes could be seen to the north as the water became very choppy along with wind picking up in intensity making it difficult to move. Patty was leaving some of the electronics behind having no need for it any longer.

Inflating a large rubber raft, they tied it along the boat then transferred everything on the dock to the boat before getting