NOVEL
BY WOODY PAUL GREY
CHAPTER FIVE . RESCUE OPERATION
Great! Can we now send him a message?
I dont think so, but Im working on it.
Next day Barry invited Joanna for a walk to the park.
Come on, Barry! What did you find out?
Not much!
I dont believe you! Youve got something. I know it!
How do you know?
Your face.One can read it on your face.
Meaning?
I mean that your face is just shining of delight and satisfaction that you know something urgently important and you are ready to tell it to me right now. Am I right?
OK. I really have to tell you one hing. But Im not sure. Hes just a kid!
Who is a kid, Barry? Tell me! Dont waste our time!
Im afraid its not wise to trust him, but we dont have another way out. And the young man told Joanna about his meeting with Phil.
Lets go!
Where to? Wait a minute!
I dont have a minute, even a second. My husband is starving our help! Lets go! OK?
Where to?
Ive got to call him. All right! Hes waiting for us with Raxi.
What? Is she also involved?
Who do you think got me acqainted with the boy?
Shall we walk there?
Impossible! Thats too far. Lets take a taxi!
OK.
Theyve met in half an hour. Roxy was already there. Joanna decided not to tell her daughter what she would do under the other sircumstances.
Hi, Phil! Im Joanna. Roxana`s mother.
Hello, Mrs.Moor! Roxi told me about your husband and I just couldnt refuse her.
So, what do you have, young man?
Well, what I have got by this time is quite enough to start the mission.
Can you tell us, Phil, first what do you know?
First and foremost Ive got the list of the retired generals and high rank officers involved in the mission.Secondly, I know the whereabouts of the military base where the kidnappers keep your husband. Thirdly, heres the telephone number to call your husband in order to tell him that were coming.
Is there any risk that they would trace us, I mean, our calls.
Theres always a risk. Still I was cautious enough. Actually, Im always on the alert.
Barry! What do you think? Are we ready to start?
Now it all depends on you, Jo.Your husbands life is at stake!
I say,Yes!
Me too! said Roxana.
OK. Then lets get started!
They decided to take four cars, laptops and, of course, arm themselves heavily. Before the start Barry asked.
Are you sure, Jo, its wise to take the kids?
Its not, of course, but she wont stay! I know her pretty well and especially now when it goes about her beloved daddy. Besides they still did a lot, these kids. Maybe theyll help us on our way to Bob.
Then lets do it!
Actually, it wasnt as easy as it looked while they scheduled the operation in New York. They had oftentimes to change their rout. Then the headquartes of the base were perfectly hidden.So, Phil was pretty busy all the time trying to break this or that computer program or system. And there were a lot of them. Besides he had to do it very cautiously not to give the bandits the chance to track them down.
They had to drive their cars mainly at nights and sometimes even with the lights switched off. There wasnt the other way out. They had to be exremely patient and attentive.
Before their leave Barry had a series of privite meetings with the editors of the major papers, magazines and TV channels of the country. Barry and Joanna needed desperately their back up, even and especially when theyll be defeated.
Theyll need their help if something will go wrong. In that case the mass-media will start their public mission. Theyll put an end to the bad guys.
Next morning Phil told them the best news.
Ive got him! You can even talk now, but not for long.
Phil, tell him that were coming and everything will be OK. He shouldnt show that weve been in contact with him. Let he behave as usual.
OK. Ill try.
How close we are from their base.
Very close, but I still need some time to finish my technical endeavour.
OK. Go ahead! Do what you have to!
Next morning Phil looked tired, but satisfied.
So what? What did you find out?
Well, now I got to know that theyve got five security protection zones. Besides Im ready to break them down one after another without trace.
How much time will it take?
Not much. I think a couple of days or so.
All right. Lets use this time for good rest and have our substantial meal. Later on we wont have time even to think sabout the meals.
The group stopped at the roadside inn and ordered a dinner. Afterwards they got into the cars and proceeded with their operation, exceptfor the the kids.
Roxi and Phil! Your mission will change now. You stay here and keep in touch with us. If suddenly youll lose the contact with us dial this number and inform the police about the details of our operation.
This time the children had to obey. It was a wise decision.
The most responsible moment of the operation began. Now Barry and Joanna didnt have the right for a single mistake. Roberts life was at stake.
They were coming up and Jo for the first time had the possibility to hear her husbands voice.
Hi, honey! Were on the way! Be cautious!
Bye, Joe!
In a few minutes they drew up to the first gate. No people wharsoever.Just the locked gate. Barry pushed the button as Phil told him.A click and the gate slowly moved away and opened.
Lets go! Hurry up!
The same happened with the rest of the gates except the last one.
Barry called his friend to give the start for the media operation. The both were not so sure that their mission against the experienced military base will finish succesfully.
There was one gate left. It took them half a day to get to the last security level. This time they saw two man heavily armed who were talking on the cell phones, most likely informing about the intruders.
Still Barry pushed the button and pressed the accelerator. The men stretched their weapons, but Barry turned to be luckier. They entered the building from the back door as Bob told them. Barry prepared the explosives and together with Bob they installed them around the house. They ran together to their cars. Behind the people started shooting at them Barry pushed the button again and several huge explosions struck the neighbourhood. They kept running No more shooting. They started the car and left the terrible place.
Only now Joanna looked at Robert. She hardly recognized him: long, half grey hair, long beard, very thin, but alive. They hugged and kissed.
Now youre free, darling. Absolutely free! I always thought that you couldnt die!
And I also hoped to see you again!
After all the rescue team retured back to the inn, where the kids had been waiting for them. Roxana got out of the car and rushed to her father. She couldnt stop kissing and hugging him.
Hi, dad! Im so glad youre back!
What took you so long?
Bad guys, honey! But now everything is over. Ive missed you so much, my princess!
But the bad guys didnt think that their mission was over.
PART TWO
THE MISSION ISNT COMPLETED
The four of them didnt have much time to celebrate their victory as in a couple of minutes were abruptly surrounded by the military troops that appeared out of nowhere captured and pushed them into the heavy vehicle and hurriedly took away. The operation had been carried out so quickly that the eyewitnesses couldnt believe their eyes. It looked very much as a terryfying action film with the only significant exception: there were no cameras beside. No helicopters, no heavy machinary - just a few soldiers and a truck.
When the police came everything was over and no trace of the attackers left. Nevertherless the investigation started immediately. By that time the hostages had been taken to another destination located in the most difficult to approach mountaineous area.
Hello, Robert! Ive told you already that our intentions are too serious to let the small group of diletants easily escape. You are dealing with the military.Dont you forget about it! This time youll do what we say and without any delay. Besides here are your loved ones and if only you try to cheat us again youll pay a high price. First and foremost youll be separated from your family without the right to meet until the mission will be completed. Secondly, youll have to work much harder to catch up with the time lost. Thirdly - no privileges and no money. Your award would be your wife and the kid alive. Is that clear, Mr.Moor?
Absolutely! Ill do what youll say! Please dont do any harm to my daughter and wife.
Dont worry! And now take him to the laboratory!
Joanna, Roxi and Barry were taken to the opposite side of the base. It should be mentioned that they were treated much better than they would expect it. There was one very strange thing about this endeavour. Near the inn they acted like terrorists as though they were very keen to be remembered as brutal bandits and here they behaved like ordinary military.
Mrs.Moor, this will be your appartment for the forthcoming months. Unfortunately it isnt as comfortable as in your house in downtown New York. Nevertheless we tried to arrange it the best possible way. In the fridge youll find enough food and in your bedroom there are mere trifles you may use and feel yourself a woman.Roxanas bedroom is next to yours and its also not badly installed.Theres only one, but very disappointing thing. You wont be able to contact with your husband until he finishes his job.
And what about telephone calls or messages?
Not this time! We arent going to take a risk once more. I can promiss you one thing. At the end of the day you and he will be able to see each other on the screen with the data options on the top so that you could be sure that he is OK.
But why? Why Robert?
Hes the best. Only he can fulfill the task. Dont worry. Hell be OK! Just follow our instructions and no one will be hurt! There`s one more important thing. There are cameras everywhere except the WC and the bathroom. Moreover, all your conversations will be recordered. You should know about it! By the way, my name is Catherine Wellington, or simply Kathy. Bye for now! Need to go! Heres the telephone. Just take up the receiver and Ill be at your disposal.
Have a nice day girls and boys!
As soon as she left Barry came in.
Im sorry Jo, Roxi! How did it happen? It looks like it was a trap from the very beginning. They knew exactly what we were planning.
Dont talk! They record everything we are telling each other.
Never mind! What could be worser? Theres only one point.
Barry dont say a word!.
O .K. I see what you mean. Hows Roxi?
Strange as it may seem, but shes much better than the first time. She even enjoys it. For her its only an adventure.
Oh, by the way, did that witch say anything about the computer?
Barry! How did you call her? Shame on you! Look, shes pretty!. Dont you think so?
Go to hell, Jo!
No, no computers whatsoever. Not this time. No cell phones, no electronics. Nothing! Simply - a dated telephone. We just have to wait and see! OK?
Have to go to bed! Im tired and hungry. What about you?
Not now. See you in the morning!
Mum! I like it! Now we are hostages as well! Cool! Well be on all the TV channels!
Stop, please! Thats not funny!
They arent dangerous, believe me! They just want our dad do something for them. And thats all. After well be free!
Its not as simple as you think, honey. These people are dangerous. They want to take power in the country using force. Thousands of people may be hurt. And they want our dad to help do it.
Thats a crime and I know that whatever happens - our dad will never do it. So, please, be more serious.
Then what shall we do now?
I dont know yet, but I promiss Ill be thinking about it. Now lets have some sleep, sweetie, O.K.?
All right, mum!
By the time the operation was under way Phil was in the inn as Barry told him. He didnt believe that the military would let them so easily go. And he was right. Moreover most likely theyve got all the necessary information about him as well and so very soon theyll find him as well. They havent done it cause there are so many policemen here. The young man was hurriedly thinking what to do.Theres one significant point. The notebook! Thats the way they tracked them down.So, he has first of all to get rid of the laptop. Easy said than done! To leave such a device! But nothing doing.He has to, if he wants to survive and maybe to help the others.
On the street among the crowd of people he saw a kid and a crazy idea came into his mind.Luckily the boy came into the inn. Phil came up to him.
Hi, kid! How is it going?
Great! Did you see what happened some time ago? It was cool!
Look here! Do you like the lap?
Sure! Its the coolest one Ive ever seen!
It could be yours!
Youre kidding!
I mean it!
What do I have to do?
Youre smart, kid! OK. I need your clothes.
Is that all what you want?
Exactly!
Deal!
In a minute Phil left the place and rushed away. His new friend Tom left behind still couldnt believe his eyes.To be the owner of such a cool thing! Phil got into the departing bus together with other people and several hours later got to the nearest airport. Next day he returned back to New York. As Barry told him he decided not to involve police, but to find Joannas relatives. He had got their adresses and telephone numbers. Use the telephone or the PC? No! Go by plane? No! After all he decided to go by train. It took him several days to get to Chicago. It was his first visit to the town so several hours passed before he came across Joannas junior sister Shirley Dobson at the local theatre, she was an actress.As tall and beautiful as Joanna, but much younger.
So what can I do for you, young man?
Im Phil! I know your sister, her husband Robert, their daughter Roxi and their friend Barry.To a certain extent I was engaged into the rescue operation...
That failed.
Yes, exactly. The bad guys tracked us from the very beginning. Barry told me to adress only you.
And what about the police?
Actually, they dont trust them. So, Barry prepared the plan.
OK, Phil. Lets get inside.
No, I cant. This time we have to be very cautious. Can we have a talk at the restaurant?
OK. I guess you arent kidding, Phil?
You have just to trust me. By the way, you may come with your husband or your dad.
OK. Ill think about it.See you tonight!
See you!
At the appointed time Phil was very surprised when instead of the young woman was met by all her relatives and friends .They pretended to celebrate the birthday party. Shirley planned to do it a month later, but it looked like the family enjoyed parties very much.
On the other hand in such a crowd it was much easier to meet all the family members and prepare another plan how to tackle the problem.
First Phil was acquainted with Joannas senior brother CristopherChris McGruber a 42 year old strongman, a military officer, helicopter pilot, to be exact, his pretty wife JessicaJess and their great family:
Andrew Andy 24, military officer, pilot of a military jet, married
Allan, aged 21, computer geniushijacker
Jim Jimmy 18, car racer
John Johny 8, car racer
Kevin, 15, disabled, computer prodigy
Rachel 12, an incredible romanticfuture writer
Zoe, aged 9, a child prodigy.
Surprisingly, but all of them if not even considered though treated him like a war hero. Then came the turn to meet the elder generation:
Robert Rob, Robbie Moor, the senior, 64, former military general, quite a strong tall man and his wife Rosemary Rosie, 57, doctor.
And on Joannas part:
Charles Charlie McGruber, 62, former police general
Theresa Tessa, Tess McGruber, his wife, 55, nurse.
Stephanie Peterson, 29, body guard, Barrys fiancee.
Instead of drinking, dancing and eating the huge company started the meeting devoted to the rescue operation.
Robert Moor, the senior, even delivered a small speech
Hello, everyone once again and thanks for joining the party! First and foremost let me express our sincere gratitude and deep respect to the kid, sorry, to Phil who demonstrated outstanding male features keen to rescue our loved ones.
Now what shall we do first. No telephone calls or PC. We dont want to be tracked down this time. Not a single word to the police or the press and he looked at Stephanie.
Dont worry Mr.Moor. Im quite aware how serious it is.
Thank you, Stephanie!
Now we have to understand it quite clear that its not only the question of our children, granddaughter and Barry. Its the question of the entire country.
Then why dont we inform the police FBR, or, CIA? asked Charles Gruber.
The fact is, Charlie, that we unfortunately dont know exactly who else is involved and no one of us wants our children to be hurt. Maybe later, when something will change and there would be a safe situation well call all the necessary institutions, but not now. So, where shall we start?
Theres one more important thing.I know my son. He would never work for the bandits. By this time he managed to delay the process, but now. Of course, he wont do it, but someone may be hurt.
So we dont, actually, have time.
