The phone awakened him, once again it no ID appeared on the screen.
- Yes?
- Mason, MeXico here!
-You are the only one that ever phones me, so who else would it be?
- Listen, about that other astronaut from São Paulo. Are you planning to go and see him? I will be in Brazil for the next few weeks. I know where he is, where he lives. If you want to talk to him, I can try and arrange a meeting, the feds will be all over his house now.
- Yes, I want to meet him, but I need a couple of days here in Johannesburg.
- Fine, I'll met you in 5 days at the airport. Gotta go!
He put the phone off before Jack could ask anything else. The door let out a crack as he opened it to check the engine. Luckily it was something simple, and he continued his way to Johannesburg.
A few hours later he arrived in Linmeyer to the old family house. Everything was the same, the buildings, the streets and even the old park where he spent his youth had the same swings and slides. He stopped and glanced the park for long minutes. The past merged with the present day and he saw himself and his cousins playing in the park, walking up the hill just behind. Time stopped for a long while and he continued to stare into the infinite, with memories pouring in front of his eyes... A hooter brought him back to reality and he pulled off down the road he had so many times walked through to get home. He stopped in front of his house, it was the same, the garden in front of the lounge with the grass carefully cut, the small pond with green water housing some fish. He got out of the car, it had been a long time since he was home, and even longer since he had seen his mother. He slowly walked down the driveway, feeling anxious, taking all the time he needed. From the other house, the neighbor was staring at him, stunned by his presence there in South Africa.
He rang the doorbell and waited brief seconds before a very recognizable voice spoke.
-Who is it?
He couldn't reply, his throat was a knot.
-M..Me!
-Jack?
The door quickly opened and his mother stood there, static, just looking at him while a few stubborn tears started falling down her eyes.
-Ja..Jack? Is it... really you?
-Yes mom, it's me!
She hugged him and was now crying compulsively...
The went inside and for a long time she could't speak or stop crying. Only after a long time did she say something.
-I though you had been killed... I've been so worried and devastated that I didn't even know what to do.
-I was nearly killed a couple of times, and technically I was dead for brief moments, so you could say that.
-How? When did you get back to earth?
-A few months ago, on the crash land in the USA, and the feds have been looking for me ever since. I defied them when they wanted to terminate the operation... Have they been here?
-But they will eventually appear. I just came by to give you a kiss, I have to be on my way...
-Where are you going? Are you in any sort of problem with the FBI?
-Yes, and I can's explain right now, for your own good. I have to go mom!
-Please just have supper with me, let me ask you how it was and what is your plan.
Jack looked out the window to the street, there were no signs of any movement, so he accepted.
-OK, but then I have to go, the feds can appear at any moment and I still have to go somewhere.
Paula made a nice Italian pasta for them and during dinner they spoke about the adventure in the space station, the adventures since the crash and all there was time for.
-I promise I'll be back before...
-Before what?
-Nothing. Before I go somewhere else.
-Where?
-Doesn't matter! What matters is that I'm here now, and I'll be passing by or phoning you.
She hugged him and fixed the collar around his neck.
-Old habits die hard, hey?
-You mustn't look like a thief, you must always be in prime condition, remember what your grandfather tough you.
Jack looked to the other house, which was his grandfather's and smiled.
-He was a great person, pity I won't live up to his expectations...
He gave his mother a kiss, a hug and stopped another tear from falling down. As we pulled off from the parking spot, he haw blue and red lights flashing on the opposite side of the neighborhood.
-Fuck, just in time...
The old Defender was uncomfortable, it was an old car with a considerable mileage. Still, despite the years it was going steadily though the dirt roads leading to the Gauteng providence.
- Benson and Hedges! Long fucking time...
The last time Jack had smoked Benson and Hedges was before leaving for space. He pulled a long, deep drag and exhaled while looking out of the window to the golden African sunset. He was back in his country. He thought about every wrong thing he had done since the crash in Calexico, the people he had met, his final goal and the long road ahead, and all the trouble it would take to finally reach it. The consequences of his decisions haunted him constantly. He thought about Kate, her final reaction towards him, not wanting the last kiss... May be she realized he wasn't worth her heart and gave up on him. In a way, it was what he most wanted, but, a part of him stayed behind with the plane wreckage, a memory of something that could be but wasn't going to happen.
He lit another cigarette while passing through a small village cramped on a margin of a river. Africa hadn't changed much, the simple lifestyle, away from the loudness and nerve wrecking cities. He always admired the lifestyle of these villagers.
When only a few rays of sunlight scouted the land and the sharp edges of the mountains drew weird shapes on the plains Jack was taken out of his thoughts... He heard a big bang coming from the motor. He stopped the Defender and lit another cigarette while laying back in the seat.
- You cunning country, you cant ever great a man without slapping him across the face with the other hand! You remain just like I left you!
Kate was looking out the plane's window when Jack approached her.
- We are about to land, are you sure about what you said?
She looked at him, two enormous tears started rolling down her cheeks.
- Yes... Yeas I am.
- It's for the best.
Ahmed, called Jack from the cockpit, as the plane started to lose height. Jack walked over to Ahmed and sat down in the pilot seat.
- OK, let's get this plane on the floor as slowly as possible.
Jack instructed Ahmed on the procedures to land the plane, but with the landing gear very weak it was a disaster. As soon as the wheels touched the ground they burst, and the plane hit stomach down on the tarmac of the old abandoned airport near Durban. The whole plane was rattling and falling apart as is dragged itself until coming to a stop in the trees around the track.
- Kate, Ahmed, are you OK?
- Yes!
- Yes, Jack, Where are you?
Jack had been thrown out of the cockpit and was now between two seats. When he got up he saw Ahmed bleeding from his arm, it was just a flesh wound.
When they exited the plane, some 4x4 had approached the plane. Jack saw about 5 people dressed in Rd Cross uniforms. The quickly walked up to them and tried to help.
One of the Red Cross workers walked up to them as they jumped out of the plane.
- Dr. Kate, it is an honor, I am Steven Ratiff, vice president of the South African red Cross.
Kate shook Steven's hand.
-We have arranged what you asked for. Are you OK, do you need any assistance?
Jack interrupted the conversation, he opened the briefcase and gave 5000 dollars to Ahmed.
- Ahmed, go to this address in Cape Town, say that I sent you, ask for a fake ID and go back to your country. Here is some cash, the ID will be for free. It's a token for your help.
-Mr. Steve, here is the money. We should make haste, the cops might have detected us on the radars.
Steve took the money and gave Jack a set of keys and a pack of Benson and Hedges Special Mild cigarettes.
Jack turned to Kate to kiss her, but she took a step backwards and started weeping. The blocked her face with her arm and walked back for a few steps to begin running to the Wrangler with a big Red Cross logo. Just before closing the door, the looked at Jack a last time and banged the door.
Jack lit a cigarette as he watched everyone clear the area, Ahmed waved before entering another Red Cross Jeep. It took some minutes before he was drawn back to reality. He looked at the keys and started walking to the Land Rover. It as a blue Defender 110.
- This 9 seater will give perfectly, now, let me get to Johannesburg.
When Jack's eyes focused, he was sitting down next to Kate and MeXico. Across the room, Umbraq was inspecting the toxins and radioactive material. He then grunted something in tribal language, when two enormous guards came in Jack's direction. MeXico tried to trip them, but Umbraq started:
- MeXico, my white man, don't try anything stupid, you're far away from your kind. And besides, everything is here, you're gonna get your money.
The guards untied them. Kate immediately started:
- You son of a bitch.
Jack took hold of her as she started crying. They stepped outside as MeXico continued a conversation in an unknown language to them.
- Jack, I was so scared. Please, just be here with me.
- Kate, I'm here, everything is OK.
Ahmed joined them, he displayed a frightened face.
- What just happened?
- Well, it looks like MeXico arrived late with the good for the fucking war lord.
- And? At least they got here...
- Yes, but these war lords also answer to someone else. Listen, I think it's advisable to get you two into the plane. The guards are all inside.
Jack took them to the plane. He quickly taught Ahmed how to start the plane, in case of an emergency. He then ran a quick diagnostic on the plane and left them to go help MeXico. Kate ran an kissed him.
- Please don't take long.
MeXico was arguing quite loudly in the small shack with Umbraq. Jack walked in, his presence didn't go unnoticed. He sat down by the table between MeXico and Umbraq. Picked up the bread, took a bite, had some water and started.
- So, you must be the self proclaimed, dickhead warlord Umbraq? Right?
All the guns now got pointed to Jack.
- Why yes, and who are you? Mister MeXico's sidekick?
- We don't use that expression in the civilized world any more. But yeah, you could say that.
- I don't have time for your talk. You get half of the money because you are late.
- Do you know how fucking hard it was to get here? And the hassles we went through?
- That doesn't concern me.
Jack reached for his pocket when the guards approached him. He raised his hands and banged the AK47's into the guards faces. He then took the rifles and pointed them at Umbraq.
- Now, as we were saying...
MeXico, got hold of the other rifles and started tying up the guards.
- Give us the entire deposit of money, right now!
Umbraq reached for the safe and took out the rest of the money. He placed it inside a brief case and handed it over to Jack.
- Good boy, you ain't so tough without your armed gorillas. OK, now, where is the communications room?
Umbraq lead the way to the control room. Jack shot every piece of equipment he saw.
- So, now... We could screw you over and take the goods with us, but, we don't really need them, so we will leave them here with you. And besides, I think that MeXico and myself don't really need more shit on our backs.
- You are Jack Mason! The Jack Mason everyone is looking for?
- That's right Einstein, Jack Mason in the flesh! Now sit that fat ass of yours on the floor with your friends.
MeXico and Jack tied them all together. They left food for them and took the money. As soon as they got outside, MeXico started:
- The fuck was that? You could have got ourselves killed.
- We're fried already, aren't we? So, I just added some steam to a boiling pot. It could burst, but, it didn't.
- I did need a hand there. Good move. Here, hold on to the money. I need to use the Lou.
Jack took hold of the brief case and walked in to the plane.Kate sat in the cockpit with him. He started firing up the engines and turning the plane. When it was ready to take off he yelled:
- Everyone in?
Ahmed replied:
- Yes, we're clear.
Jack pulled the lever and the plane gained speed. It was shaking even more than the previous takeoffs. When they had passed the point of no return, MeXico jumped from the forest into the runway. He was smiling and had his hand imitating a phone next to his head.
- That fucker! Ahmed? Why the fuck did you lie?
- Jack, Mexico held a gun to me and told me to say he was in.
- That fucking twat doesn't learn does he!
Kate put her hand over Jack's as they gained speed and altitude.
- So, South Africa?
The plane was at cruising speed when Jack pressed the autopilot button. Kate was sleeping in the co-pilot seat. He got up and walked to the deck. MeXico was untidily sitting down on a seat, looking out the window.
- MeXico, have you seen if everything is there?
MeXico lost he's blank stare and looked at Jack.
- Yeah, it's all there, they didn't touch it.
- Where are we going to land in Congo?
- Before that. I spoke to Pierre in the control tower.
- Who's Pierre?
- A Canadian officer, and a good friend of mine.
- And?
- Well he gave me some insight about the interpol operations. It seems that they know we are working together, and have put out a worldwide man hunt.
- Well, it's about time. We have been together since I arrived on this fucking rock.
- You don't get it. Before you were unknown to the public, you were part of a covert operation. They could not expose you, but now they changed your status. They ranked you as a level 5 criminal.
- That's gonna make things a little harder then...
- There's no truning back now! Well, I've gotta phone Umbraq.
Paul got up slowly, poured himself some whiskey and walked into the cockpit. He sat down on the pilot seat, picked up the satellite phone and had a sip of the whiskey.
- Umbraq, MeXico here. Yes, I know I'm fucking late. I'm en route right now, I need a place to land.
Kate woke up with MeXico's tone on the phone.
- Well fuck you and your fucking demands. I've got the goods with me, and I've got fuel to get to Russia. If you want this shit then you tell me, because if you don't I've got somewhere else to be. So shut the fuck up with your complaints and give me a fucking coordinate or put the fucking phone down. Ok then. I'll be there in five hours, you better have my money.
MeXico threw the phone on the floor as Jack walked in.
- You thinks it's wise to talk to a war lord like that?
- Yes, as a matter of fact I do. You can't be soft with these fuckers.
- Here, place these coordinates in the navigation panel.
MeXico gave the coordinates to Jack. The system started navigation to Lisala.
- That is the worst part of Congo, you do know that?
- Yeah, I do.
Jack took Kate by the hand and walked to the end of the plane. They laid on a bed inside a small compartment. They both laid on it. Kate looked at Jack for a long while before she started.- Where to from Congo?
- If we make it out of there alive? I'm gonna stop by in South Africa. And then I have to continue the journey.
- You could stay with me.
- Trust me, you don't want me. I'm not what you think I am.
- Jack, I... I...
- Don't I will just fill your life with lies, to then disappoint you.
- Why do you have to go on with this nonsense quest.
- I don't know, I just feel an inner compass directing me to the finish line. If I had a choice, it would be to stay with you.
Kates eyes filled themselves with tears. She looked out the small window. The clouds would pass by in a slow gracious way.
- I will go with you. - She whispered.
- Trust me you don't want to come with me. Can you see the sky from here? It looks lovely, a blue desktop with light colored clouds, but if you step outside it's a long ice cold fall to a rocky surface . It sums up the irony of my life.
- Jack shut up. I feel good around you.
- Kate, I lived alone in a space station for 15 years. I'm broken.
Kate held his hand and cried in silence for a long time.
- Jack... Jack, were the fuck are you? Jack.
MeXico was shouting from the cockpit. Jack got up in a rush and ran to him.
- What?
- Get your ass on that chair, we have 2 F16 leading the way.
Jack looked out the windows. Two military planes, on on each side of their plane where hovering by.
- Shit!
-Well, don't just stand there. Your the fucking pilot.
- Yes, but you the fucking wise guy that got us into this shit.
Their discussion was interrupted by the radio.
- Gulfstreem, this is Captain Marumbo. Please stand by for instructions. Umbraq has given us clearance to take you down in case you don't obey.
MeXico picked up the communicator and started.
- Tell Umbraq that we will land this plane, no strings attached.
- Roger that, please follow us.
The fighter planes move to the front of their plane and panned to the left. MeXico followed them. After some risky maneuvers captain Marumbo spoke.
- Gulfstreem, continue on this bearing for another five miles, maintain current altitude and speed. Then pan to the right and you will see a landing strip between the trees. Land there. Reduce speed to 35% before opening flaps or you will crash into the lake.
- The lake?
- Yes! Don't try anything stupid. We will be close by.
After speaking the planes fell behind and seconds after they were nowhere to be seen. MeXico and Jack did everything as ordered. After panning to the right as instructed they saw the landing strip.
- Fuck, not again!
- This shit is to fucking short.
- Trust me on this, we gotta reduce the speed to 30%, not 35.
- You're probably right.
And they did. The plane decreased the speed abruptly and the landing was clumsy, but they stopped about 10 meters from a huge lake.
- This plane won't sustain much more landings like these.
Before Jack could reply, hundreds of military cars surrounded the plane. Tanks, jeeps, black SUV's and other different vehicles pointed their guns at them. Behind all the weapons, from a limousine came out Umbraq.
- Shit, for a moment there I thought it was the police.
All four of them exited the plane. Umbraq was grinning. MeXico approached him with his right hand stretched.
- So white man, you want to play games with me? - Said Umbraq as he reached for a gun from his suit.
Jack ran to get Kate as he saw Umbraq's movement. But before he could reach her, as pair of arms took hold of him. In front of his eyes, MeXico, Kate and Ahmed were being held by soldiers. A white cloth was being held in front of their nose. Before he could talk, a strong smell came to him. He was also being taken out with chloroform.
05/01/11
Chapter 24: Waking up to a Broken Dream
The sounds echoed in darkness... Footsteps... Voices! They would arise and fade away... Light... A blinding light... Darkness... The blinding light, the air, the white room... Jack was revived...
He remembered the vial, the prison, his death... And now everything was white... Slowly small patches of color started forming shapes, blurred... The sounds buzzed in his head...
- Jack! Jack, can you hear me?
He turned his head. Behind the nurse he saw MeXico lying on the operating table. Jack got up. He ignored the "please lay down, you are very fragile" warnings and approached MeXico.
Three doctors were next to him, one injecting adrenaline, into his I.V., the other reading the monitor and finally one applying a defibrillator on his chest. Every time the doctor said "clear" MeXico would shake violently. Only to then go back into his death.
- We can't get his heart to start. He has been dead for to long.
- Triple the adrenaline, and double the voltage.
Jack grabbed hold of MeXico's shoulders, shook him and shouted:
- Wake up man, fuck, please wake up.
- Clear.
Jack was tossed over a supporting table, throwing hundreds of surgical instruments on the floor. Still trembling from the shock he got up. MeXico was repeatedly being fibrillated.
After about five attempts the monitor started twitching.
-Fuck, is he alive? -Asked Jack in a rough voice?
- Yeah man, I think I'm here.
- I thought I had lost you man.
- Not yet. Not yet.
A third voice interrupted their conversation.
- Sorry to interrupt your moment, but we have to go.
Kate was speaking from the entrance of the small hospital. Still a bit dizzy they both walked after her. She exited the campaign hospital though the back door. Her jeep was parked a few meters outside, with an armed guard leaning next to it. As soon as he saw them exiting the hospital, he got up and stopped them.
- You cannot take these two out of here.
- I need to take them to another hospital in Semara.
- They look fine. You not go!
From behind the guard, a doctor grabbed him, and gently injected something into his neck. His eyes rolled as he fell face down.
Jack quickly took his gun and got into the back seat of the jeep. The others followed him. Kate took the wheel and drove out of the city into the Saharan desert. Two other jeeps joined them. Jack took hold of the automatic gun, put his torso out the window, aimed, and was going to start shooting. Kate screamed from the front.
- Don't shoot, don't shook, they are with us.
MeXico, grabbed Jack and pulled him back in.
- They are with us.
- Oh, good. I was going to shoot them to a pulp. Where are we going? - Kate replied without taking her eyes off the trail.
- We are going to meet some nomads. - And where is the plane?
- It's there. The president had it stationed there. And we can't go through the main roads because of the police. They will know about our little escape and will put everyone after us. Not even mentioning Interpol. Because when they get here, our chances of escaping will get even thinner. Paul, are you there? How are you feeling?
- I'm, I'm still a bit knocked out.
Kate continued.
- We need a safe way to get out of this country. Do you know anyone with influence here?
- The only person I knew was the fucker who sold us out.
- We will have to fight our way out then.
The doctor in the front seat turned to them. Looked at MeXico.
- Here man, put this under your tongue. You'll be better in a second. Paul took the pill.
After a half day of driving in silence Jack asked.
- Kate, so you're gonna be hunted down for helping us escape. You do realize that don't you?
- Yes, I know. I have some other business to attend to in Europe.
MeXico joined the conversation.
- So, Nomads you say?
- Yes, I know some of them. They usually take their children to our hospitals. They owe me some favors. They will gladly help us.
- Even knowing we are wanted and that they would get a good wager in money if they would hand us to the cops?
- As you will get to know, in the desert, money isn't everything. Food and water are way more important. These nomads have got all the money they need. And trust me it's not that little.
Nightfall was approaching. The small nomad camp started appearing in the horizon. Kate stopped next to the grand chief who was waiting for them. Before she left the car, she advised them.
- Let me do the talking, and don't take the gun out of the jeep.
She walked up to him. They chatted for a few minutes. She hugged him and waved them to go by her.
- Ahmed said he would take us tomorrow morning.
- Cool.
- Now, myself and another doctor are going to stay with you. But the rest of my team has to return the jeeps. Like that, they can tell the police they came after us to hunt us down.
- For what?
- So the blames will stay with me only and my team can continue doing their service. If they don't do this, the government would deny the MSF working in Morocco.
- OK.
- What about the gun? - MeXico asked.
- Don't even think about it. These nomads are pacifists. If they saw the gun they would not help us.
- Fine.
The night fell over the small camp. They ate, drank some wine, and smoked some xixa's. After dinner, the nomad men lit a fire. Everyone gathered around the fire smoking. MeXico turned to Kate.
- Can you ask them if they have some whiskey? I would kill for some...
Ahmed, who was near heard hi replied.
- My friend Paul, I don't have any whiskey, but I can get you some Gin.
- Well, I guess that will have to do. Thank you. Jack, do you want some? No, I don't really dig Gin.
Ahmed started talking to MeXico, and the conversation soon gave way to some Moroccan poker game. He was having fun with the nomads. Jack, who was getting dizzy with the smell of incense got up and said he was going for a walk.
- Don't linger out to far my friend. The desert is a tricky place.
- Thanks Ahmed, I think I will be fine.
Jack walked out of the camp, and into the darkness of the desert. He saw the dunes cutting through the dim light cast by the moon. He walked to them. Just before he got to the edge of the dune he looked back. The camp was now just a small spark of light in the darkness.
- Solitude at last.
Jack lay on the dune. His eyes contemplating the moon. The desert wind would throw sand over him. He could not think of anything. His mind was empty.
His moment of introspection was interrupted... A bottle of whiskey fell on the floor next to him. It got half buried in the sand. Jack turned his face and saw Kate.
- Can I trash your lonely party?
- You've brought the booze, feel free to but in.
Kate laid next to him. In the same position. She opened the bottle, took a sip and passed it on to Jack. He drank some. The rough taste burned his throat.
- MeXico told me your story.
Jack smiled.
- How did you manage? Fifteen years alone.
- It was kind of peaceful.
- Weren't you lonely?
- I guess so. But I always found something to do. I had a great motivation to go.
- What was that?
- I lost faith in mankind. I needed some solitude. And when I got it, I was addicted to it.
Jack had some more whiskey.
- How are you feeling?
- For someone who was dead some hours ago, I think I'm fine.
- Whiskey isn't very good for you, you know!
- Walking alone in the desert isn't good for you either.
They both giggled. Kate reached for the bottle. Before she took it from Jack's hand, she made it so her hand stayed over Jack's. Her skin was soft, silky. She slowly took his hand off the bottle. The warmth of her hand made Jack recall Caroline, and all the pain she had caused.- Drinking is also dangerous for you.
- Jack, don't patronize me.
- You think I'm deranged for having gone to space. What about you, a promising medical career, and you are in Morocco.
- I like danger.
They giggled once again. Kate got up, released her hair. And laid her head over Jack's chest. She pointed at the sky.
- So you've been there?
- Indeed, for a long time.
- So, what star is that?
- That's actually not a star. It's a planet.
- Let me guess.
- Go on.
- Mercury.
- No, its Venus.
- Wasn't Venus a goddess? Why did her name land up on a planet?
- All the planets of our solar system are named after gods.
- Witch one is your favorite?
- Well, I would say Neptune.
- He's the god of the Oceans right?
- Yes.
- Why Neptune?
- Up there. - He pointed.
- My room window always pointed to earth, and the first thing I would recognize was the Pacific.
Jack had some more whiskey.
- Well, I think that I should get back to camp. We are leaving very early.
- Jack, I brought some blankets and a pillow for us, if you wouldn't mind. I have never spent a night under the stars in the desert.
- Well, the incense down there kind of makes me dizzy, and it's been a while since I've slept under the stars. Yeah, let's stay here.
She placed a blanket on the sand. Lit the edge of a petrol torch and placed it next to them. They laid down, she placed another blanked over them.
Jack got up and poured some petrol around them on the sand, drawing a circle.
- The light from the torch will keep big animals away, but only the smell of petrol will keep away insects, like scorpions.
- And to think that you were only an astronaut.
- Technically I'm not. An astronaut is someone that goes to space and comes back. I was forced back.
- What about that star? - Kate pointed at the brightest star.
- That's Sirius.
- You are like an encyclopedia of the stars.
Jack laughed and had another sip of the whiskey.
- So, you know everything about me, I think. How about you? What's your life's story?
- Well, I... - Kate took another sip at the bottle.
- I was born in London. Lived my youth there. I took up a medicine degree in London. I worked there as a doctor. I had a fiance, but then things went south, so I gave up my stable life and joined the MSF. I first went to Angola, where I met MeXico. And then I came to Morocco, and have been here ever since.
- I bet you met MeXico in an awkward situation.
- How do you know?
- That guy is always attracted to problems.
- He carries a big cross. And he has a big nemesis. I met him in the north of Angola. A war had started and he gave me a boat ride to Europe. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be alive. All my colleagues were killed. I kind of owe him my life. That's why I risked everything today for him.
Kate snuggled herself closer to Jack. He could feel her warmth against his chest.
He picked up the whiskey and finished it off.
- Ah well, lets get to sleep.
Kate hugged him, and approached his face. Against the dusk sky Jack looked at her. Her bright green eyes stood out as two flames. The long eyelashes and the carved cheeks, perfectly symmetric drew a beautiful face. The blond hair, that reached her shoulders gave her a rebel look. Her lips hid her perfectly white teeth. She was smiling at him. He didn't resist. They kissed. It was a long, warm kiss. He opened his eyes. She stopped kissing and smiled again.
- You smell like peaches. -He said.
- And your Mr., you smell like booze.
They snuggled again. She was breathing deeply. The moment was intense. Jack had not felt love for many years. His broken soul was being mended.
Daylight was breaking when they fell asleep, under the stars.
The blazing sun heated them up. Jack woke up. Kate had been sleeping on his chest the whole night.
- Wake up sleeping beauty. The sun is going to melt you up.
- What a beautiful sunrise.
They walked back to camp. It was unrecognizable. All the tents were packed on camels. And the convoy was prepared to start the journey.
MeXico was dismantling a tent. He had a cowboy hat on. As soon as he saw Jack he started.
- Oh look, here comes the love bird.
- Can it asshole. Like the hat by the way. It brings out the worst in you.
MeXico laughed.
- I won it yesterday. I think I drained these Nomads of Gin.
Minutes after each one was given a camel and some turbans. They traveled in the middle of the convoy near Kate. The landscape didn't change for hours. Dunes of sand would appear after another. A satellite phone rang. Kate took it out of her pouch. She spoke for some minutes. After she ended the call she phoned someone else. Her face became pale. She put the phone away and hid her face.
- Kate, what's wrong?
- They killed everyone in the MSF. The president issued a man hunt to every doctor of our organization. Only Mumbla survived. He ran away to Mauritania. It's all my fault. I have to get to South Africa. And then back to England.
Jack and MeXico comforted her. She was desolated.
Night started falling and the convoy stopped. Some tents were assembled for the night. Because of the man hunt, some nomads took turns to watch over the camp site. Jack, MeXico and Kate where having some supper when Ahmed approached them.
- Dear guests, tomorrow, at noon, we leave you. We can go no further. I have organized a car for you to get into Guelmim. We can not go with you. I will pray to the sand gods to lead you in the right path. We start the rest of the journey at five a.m..
- Thanks you Ahmed. - They replied all at once.
Jack and Kate were given a private tent. After dinner everyone went to bed. Jack and MeXico had a cigarette before entering the tents.
- It's gonna be tight tomorrow. We cant just hijack a plane from the runway.
- I know. But it's our only hope. If we get to Umbraq without the goods we are as good as dead.
- We don't eve know if the Moroccan's haven't got rid of them.
- Yeah, we don't, but it's worth a try.
MeXico flicked his cigarette and entered the tent. Jack did the same. He laid next to Kate. She was in shambles. He held her, as they fell asleep..
Morning came as usual. A wave of heat woke him up. The Nomads gathered everything and started moving. Noon came quickly. Ahmed came up to them and said goodbye. A jeep approached. Jack, Kate, MeXico and the other doctor got in. They thanked Ahmed for everything and set off.
MeXico was at the wheel, and Jack in the back.
- Look, Ahmed got someone to fill the car with guns.
- Good, it gives us a fighting chance.
- Does anyone know what kind of airport Guelmim's is?
The doctor replied.
- It's a regional one. It has only one flight inbound every day. And it's at night. I think that it might just have military guarding your plane.
MeXico grinned.
- Good, so we might just make it. What's you name, I never kind of got it?
- Rashid.
- Rashid. Have you ever handled a gun before?
- Yes. I was in the army.
- Good.
MeXico accelerated as Jack prepared the guns. The main roads were avoided. MeXico stopped the jeep next to the airport.
- Look, the plane is pointed in the right direction and everything.
- We just don't know if it's refueled.
Kate spoke with a very dim voice.
- It is. The president is going to the USA tonight with it. He was summoned. I don't know why.
- Good!
- So everyone knows what they have to do, right?
- Right. Let's go.
They got out of the jeep. Jack and Kate sneaked to the runway, while MeXico and Rashid ran to the control center.
The plan was simple. While Rashid exploded a grenade near the control tower, MeXico would sneak in and take out the controllers and Jack would get into the plane to start it up.
Jack and Kate waited for the explosion. It was taking a long time. Finally a loud bang sent shock waves through the airport. All the military ran to it, they moved in. Only one guard was in the plane. Jack took him out easily. They both sat down in the pilot seats.
- It's filled.
He started running tests. Everything was checking out.
-OK! We're ready.
Rashid climbed in.
- Let's go.
- Where's MeXico?
- I saw him after the explosion. He was in the control tower. I saw him on the phone.
Hundreds of sirens and gunfire flooded the air. The backup was arriving.
- Fuck.
Jack ran to the cockpit. Instructed her how to maneuver. And started the engines.
The plane started moving forward slowly. Rashid, who was looking out of the plane thought the stairs shouted.
- It's MeXico, he's coming.
MeXico was running down the runway with a gun, occasionally looking backwards and shooting at the remaining guards running after him. He ran as fast as he could. He finally grabbed Rashid's hand and was pulled aboard.
Jack shouted from the cockpit.
- We're not going to make it, they've got cars and lightweight tanks catching up on us.
MeXico replied in a gasp.
- Oh no they wont.
He showed them a detonator.
- Good bye fuckers.
He pressed a button. A series of explosions took place behind them. Jack pulled the lever forwards, the plane picked up speed and they were airborne.
- Fuck we made it. What a fucking close call.
Kate was laughing with tear in her eyes. She got up from her seat and kissed Jack.
- So MeXico, where to now?
- Jack, before that. I've got some bad news...
Jack could feel his whole body vibrating violently. He touched his face, it was quite swollen. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the roof of a car. He turned his head as a huge bump threw him against the cars spare wheel.
- Ahh Fuck. - He whispered.
He was in the desert. All he could see was sand. He was in the back of a 4x4. On his left was MeXico also lying down. His face was still bruised. He was grinning.
- MeXico. The fuck you laughing about?
- Don't know. Just feel like laughing.
- Have they doped you man?
- If punching counts as dope, then yes, they've doped me.
- So what is your plan?
- Getting our plane back.
- And how is that going to happen?
- Don't know yet. I'll keep improvising.
The landscape changed. They were now going through a small town. Many people stopped looking at them going by in the car. As they turned left, Jack saw a white tent fading into the dust drawn by the car, in one of the sides he distinctively recognized a big red cross.
- MeXico, did you see that?
Before MeXico could respond, an Arab turned back to them from the front seats and stroked him in the head. He fainted immediately. Short after the 4x4 stopped. A bunch of officers got hold of them and they were dragged into a jail. Jack could hear them talking. All he could understand was some English words like C.I.A. and Interpol. Finally they got shoved into a holding cell. The guard locked the gates. Jack glanced around. It was a very small cell, with two thin mattresses on the floor, a hole in one of the corners and a 15 inch opened hole in the wall opposite from the entrance, secured by five poles. Jack ran to MeXico and shook him.
- MeXico, are you OK?
Paul opened his eyes slowly, and sat down.
- Fuck, that fucking bastard ruined the other side of my face.
- Well, know it's even. Listen let's hide the cash before anyone comes.
They quickly packed the money under the beds. Just before a guard walked into the hallway, laid down his automatic gun and sat on a bench.
- Looks like we got a babysitter.
- Did you see the red cross?
- What red cross?
- The one on the way here.
- You saw a red cross?
- Yeah, it had some initials M.S.F..
- No shit?
- Yeah, I saw it.
- Fuck, we need a phone.
- Of course we need a phone. But who the fuck are we going to phone out here.
- Kate.
- And who's that?
MeXico got up, quickly took some money from under the cushion, and approached the guard.
They spoke in Arab for quite a while. Initially the guard was just responding in groans. When MeXico pulled out the cash, the guard's tone changed. About half an hour later he got up, walked to the bars, reached for his pocket and handed a phone to MeXico. Immediately he dialed the numbers and took the phone to his ear. The guard drew his hand, signaling 5 minutes.
- Kate? I'm in shit, I need your help. Are you in Morocco still? I need you to get me out of prison. I just know the airports code. It's GMAT. And I saw an M.S.F. tent. OK. And do you think that will work. Name it. OK. No, I'm with a friend. Same size as me. OK. See you then.
MeXico finished the call and gave the guard some more money and started another call.
- Hello. Umbraq, MeXico here. Delay. 5 days. Minus ten percent. OK.
As he finished the call he threw the phone at the guard. He walked back to his bed, laid down.
- So? - Asked Jack.
- We might just get out of this one. I've got a friend working at Doctor Without Borders. She might have a plan.
- Nice, and how long for her to get us out?
- She will be here tomorrow. But I don't think you are going to like the plan.
- Why?
- Because I don't like it either. We have to die.
- What?
The guard got up quickly and saluted. A policeman entered the hallway and spoke in English.
- So, mister MeXico, we meet again!
Paul looked up at him.
- Hey man, Matrix is quite and old movie, there are better punch lines nowadays.
- I don't think you are in a position to backchat.
- Improved your English since Somalia.
- I am going to win good money with you two.
- Good for you, you can invest on a diet.
- Interpol will be here in five days to take you. They gave me your plane as a prize. And you. - He pointed to Jack.
- Who ever you are, you will rot here for ever.
- I've been worse. Do you have whiskey?
The black fat officer walked away laughing. MeXico turned to Jack:
- We can't talk about the escape anymore. This fucker if suspicious.
- Fine.
The night came in slowly. Jack walked to the bared window and saw the sunset over huge dunes. The sun was golden, fading away into the ground.
He turned back as the lock of the bars turned. An Arab guard opened the cell and thew two plates inside. The mashed potatoes with peas fell out of the plate onto the dirty floor.
- I'd rather go hungry than eat that.
- Likewise.
Jack walked to the bars and took out some money from his pants. The guard got up and walked to him. Jack joined his fingers and moved them to his mouth several times. The guards face lighted up. He turned around and walked down the hallway.
- Easy to bribe these blokes.
Minutes after the guard came back with a bag. He handed some bread with goat cheese to them as Jack paid him off.
Jack, who had not managed to sleep during the night with back pain, fell asleep after sunrise. Around noon he heard the locks turning and opened his eyes. He saw two nursing gowns walking into the cell. He looked over to MeXico who remained normal. One of knelled next to him.
- Hi, I'm Kate. How are you feeling? - She asked in a whisper.
- I'm Jack. I think I'm fine despite the awful food.
- Listen, we have a plan. Take this tomorrow morning as soon as the sun comes up. When you wake up you'll be fine.
She handed him a vial, about the size of a lighter.
- Wait, what?
- You heard me. Take this, leave the rest to me.
She stood up, walked to the other nurse, and both of them got out of the cell. They said something to the guard and walked away.
Jack got up, put the vial under the pillow and sat down next to MeXico who was smoking a cigarette.
- Where did you get that?
- Here, have one. This guard is quite useful. Not as good as a Camel, but what the hell. We will be dead tomorrow.
- About that. What's in the vials?
- Technically it's sodium thiopental, pancuronium, potassium chloride and another compund to make you convulse.
- Let me get this straight, so we are going to drink a lethal injection?
- Yes, a lethal injection with a convulsing agent!
- Nice. And we are going to die. To then be revived?
- I don't like it either.
- And what makes you think they wont just let us die and dump us?
- The guard outside and the money I'm worth to them. I'm too valuable for them to lose.
- You, and what about me?
- Well, let's just call it a leap of faith.
- Wow, comforting.
- And who is this Kate?
- She is someone I met in Tunisia. She's a doctor for the Doctors Without Borders.
- And how much do you trust her?
- Looks like I have to trust her with my life.
- Why would she do this for you?
- I helped her in Tunisia.
- Shit!
They spent the rest of the day in silence. Night came, and Jack could not sleep again. He looked at MeXico who was also staring at the roof.
- Look at the shit you've put me in!
- Sorry Jack. It was always for the best. I wanted to help you.
- If I ever wake up, I wont just punch you. I'll beat the living shit out of you.
- Deal.
Slowly daylight started entering the holding cell. Jack was sweating and trembling.
- MeXico, I'll see you now, or see you then.
- OK, when the first ray hits the bottom of the bars, you know what to do.
The light was moving fast down the bars. Jack tried to remember the best parts of his life. His youth in Portugal, his mother, his friends, Caroline, the red petals, David in the coffin, the army training, John Meadows, the blue earth from his shuttle, the crash, Boston, and the yellow hair whispering - Take this, leave the rest to me. Everything was moving fast. A tear appeared in his eye. He knew that a revival was dependent of the time a body was dead. And even if it was for little time it would still be a dim chance of ever waking up again. He had nobody to attend his funeral but the USA's secret service, making sure he was really dead. The tear rolled down his face, and onto the pillow as the ray of light hit the bottom of the bars. They both turned to their side, opened the vial and drank the transparent liquid. It had no taste.
- Jack.
- Yeah?
- How long now?
- When it's I.V it takes 8.4 minutes. Like this, around 12 minutes.
- It was good knowing you.
- You too man. You too.
Time was stopped for Jack. He felt nothing. He could not think, he was blank. He slowly turned his head to MeXico who was now convulsing vigorously. Jumping over the floor. Jack himself felt a cutting sensation from his backside to his nape, followed by a knife entering his heart. The, nothing. Numbness all over. He saw the guards legs approaching as MeXico stopped convulsing. His vision became fuzzy, his eyelids started involuntarily moving downwards.
Seconds after, Paul MeXico and Jack Mason were dead.
