Silence of Ash, page 36
“Driver, pull over,” he ordered.
Sergio spent a few moments calming his racing heart. He had been in the shipyards as his baby had been built, overseeing every step of the process. He pressed another button on the keyboard, bringing up an image from one of his drones equipped with thermal imaging, observing as the choppers landed on the ship, expelling special forces, guns ready. He smiled to himself. They would find a mostly empty ship. Mostly.
Sergio hovered his finger over the detonator. It would be sad to see the magnificent ship go, but he couldn’t let the Americans take it. He gritted his teeth and pushed the button.
There was a pause. Then the lower decks of the cruise liner appeared to shudder. White and gray smoke billowed out, and for a moment, nothing. Then the ship dropped into the ocean. Slowly, it began to sink. Minutes later, the special forces ran back to their helicopters and took off.
Sergio watched for a long time as the Iberian Princess slipped to her grave. When only the radar was left, he tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”
The Toyota rumbled back onto the asphalt and headed deeper into the Vietnamese interior.
Epilogue
Mt. Hood Forest Park, Oregon
Three weeks later
The gray, overcast skies that had greeted Ryan when he awoke had become a light rain. He led LK3 up the forest trail, following the elders of the Multnomah tribe – a tribe that, in the past, had been decimated by malaria, smallpox, and natural disasters, and had once again survived extinction, this time at the hands of OPIS. The chief, an elderly man, beat a small drum and shuffled his feet in time with each strike. His face was smudged with soot, and the song he chanted was deep and rhythmic.
They came to a halt in a clearing bordered with pine, cedar, and fir trees. Their scents hung in air already thick with burning sage and other herbs. Ryan took it all in. The Columbia River snaking far below. The rain – a misty drizzle – and his friends, surrounded by a people that had called this land home for millennia. Somehow, it seemed like the perfect place to say goodbye to those who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against OPIS. He drew in a deep breath and refocused on the ceremony.
Those Multnomah carrying the cedar caskets containing the remains of Brock and Kamal placed them at the base of two raised platforms. It had taken three weeks of requests to have the bodies released. The tribe’s medicine man chanted and beat his drum as the family members removed the bodies, wrapped in plain white cloth, from the caskets and lifted them onto the platforms. Here they would stay for one year before being buried. The chanting continued, rising several octaves as the Multnomah people joined in. Zanzi laced her fingers through Ryan’s and squeezed. Though they did not understand the words, the meaning was clear. The words told the story of the deceased’s journey through life. Their achievements, their loves, and finally their sacrifice, so that not only the Multnomah people lived on, but all of humanity.
The chanting ended, but the beat of the drum continued. Ryan and Zanzi were urged forward. The Multnomah had carved two great totems at the edge of the forest. Likenesses of Lisa and Booth, chiseled under sculptures of eagles and bears. A smile parted Ryan’s lips. He was sure Booth would have preferred a carving of a Viking to signify his favorite football team, but the skill of the woodworker was undeniable. The eagle, its wings unfolded like it was zeroing in on salmon, each feather carved in minute detail. It was a fitting effigy for a great man. Booth, like everyone, had had his faults, but his dedication to his job, and his love for America, had been second to none. Hundreds of times over the last twenty years, he had thrown himself in harm’s way to keep the freedoms of others intact. Together, Ryan and Zanzi walked forward and placed photographs and dog tags on the altars carved into the bases. Zanzi choked back a sob and squeezed Ryan’s hand tighter after kissing the photo of Lisa. She didn’t need to voice her grief. Lisa had been the rock that had kept LK3 going over the years, developing it into a well-oiled machine that took on the sensitive jobs requiring the finesse only Lisa could provide.
The medicine man gripped them each by the shoulder and looked into their eyes. Ryan saw warmth and love, tinged by sadness.
Nearby, the elder raised his voice so that all gathered would hear.
“Mother of all life. Four warriors are with you now. Welcome them and give them a place in your village. Have patience, for they fought hard not to join you. Love them as we did, and give them peace, knowing we will all be there in time.”
The medicine man looked at Ryan and Zanzi and spoke quietly. “Thank you for returning our people.”
Ryan nodded. He didn’t feel like he needed to say anything.
The funeral chanting continued as the rain stopped and the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. One by one, the Multnomah left the clearing, leaving Ryan, Zanzi, Sofia, Allie, Reid, and Avondale. They naturally congregated on the rock ledge that sloped down into a ravine filled with pine trees and moss-covered boulders. Ebony, Milo, Keiko, and Tilly had gone back to the village. Maddie, Tilly’s sister, was still recovering from the procedure to remove her modifications at the silo.
Sofia pulled out a bottle of scotch and paper cups and poured a drink for everyone. “Lisa and Booth would’ve liked this.”
“Booth would still be moaning that he couldn’t watch the Vikings,” Ryan said. He chuckled and took a gulp to calm his nerves. He was going to miss giving Booth a hard time more than anything. For years, it had been the same subjects – sports, song meanings – but it went far deeper than that. They shared a bond that could only be formed by years of combat together. Surviving firefights, escaping from intense situations. The humor had been a defense, a way of staving off the grief that followed the horrors they’d seen.
“Remember that time we spent at Booth’s for Christmas.” Zanzi said.
“When all his girlfriends showed up?” Sofia said, shaking her head. “I’ve never seen anyone so white.”
“It took me a while to figure out what was going on.” Zanzi chuckled.
“Well, I was making a point,” Ryan said.
“Wait, you set that up?” Sofia said.
“Yeah. I thought it was time to teach him a lesson.” Ryan grinned.
Sofia snorted out her scotch and began laughing, deep from her belly. Soon her whole body shook as her laughter rolled into the forest. “Lisa suspected you had, and even tried to convince us, but I stood by the fact you were friends and there was some sort of bro code.”
“The bro code only stretches so far.”
Avondale jumped off the rock he was sitting on and poured some of the alcohol out in front of Lisa’s photograph. “I’m going to miss the director. She gave me a job. No, more than a job: a life. A life to be proud of. Above everything she did, she strived for the freedom of all.” Avondale poured another splosh out.
“She could be tough, but was always fair,” Ryan said.
“Agree with that. Did you all get letters from her?” Zanzi asked.
Ryan, Avondale, and Sofia nodded.
“She wants me to be director,” Ryan said.
“You don’t want it?” Sofia said.
“I haven’t decided. There’s not much to direct anymore. OPIS made sure of that.”
“Three down, one to go,” Sofia said. “Santander is missing, her navy back in Russian waters.”
“Maybe.” Ryan waved away the inevitable questions. Now wasn’t the time to discuss the situation.
After returning from their ordeal in Hong Kong, they had taken the last three weeks to recuperate. Not that he had had much rest. Munroe had taken up a lot of his time asking for his analysis of President Ward’s intentions. The army loyal to Ward had retreated from the Rockies and, to all intents and purposes, left the Western Seaboard alone. Recent communications with Washington had been encouraging. Maybe a peaceful reunion was possible. Satellite photos they’d obtained showed some Eastern cities being abandoned, while others were coming back to life. After Prendergast’s attempt to shut down the nuclear power stations with localized EMP devices, Munroe, and Colonel Jessup from Beale, had made it a priority to secure all the vital infrastructure: gas, water, power, sanitation, and communications. Food and medicine weren’t an issue.
Silence fell, everyone was caught up in their own thoughts and memories. Ryan had so many about his departed friends. Fishing and hunting with Lisa. Crawling through mud and sludge with Booth as Serbian police hunted for them. Lisa grilling him over a failed mission in Paraguay. Teaching Booth to surf in Australia. Many happy memories, and some sad.
He had often pondered how to honor a loved one when they passed and had always arrived at the same conclusion: by carrying on. Carrying on with the same passion you always had and finishing what you started out doing. Despite his reluctance, he had every intention of being the director of LK3, whatever the state of the world.
He made his way to the beautifully carved totems and spent a few minutes staring at the photographs of his oldest friends.
Rest well, for we will finish what you started.
“Everyone ready to head back?” Ryan said.
“Nearly,” Zanzi said.
She gestured for everyone to gather with her in front of the memorial, in a circle. Arms were linked – even Avondale; setting aside his reluctance to touch in his grief, he gripped Zanzi’s waist tightly.
Zanzi tilted her head back and recited the fourth stanza from the poem ‘Ode to Remembrance,’ her voice strong and laced with sadness.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
Ryan, Sofia, Avondale, Allie, and Reid added their voices and repeated the last line.
“We will remember them.”
In silence, they left the clearing with the totems and the funeral platforms and made their way back to the Multnomah village. The clouds parted and the full moon shone as Ryan pushed away his grief, for now. He still had to come up with the next course of action. Though he hadn’t said it, the silence of the remaining ruling family bothered him.
“Whoa,” Zanzi said.
The trees thinned, revealing four long houses set out in a rough circle, with a communal meeting gazebo in the middle. Hundreds of lights linked the houses, trees, and gazebo, twinkling like the Milky Way. A bonfire raged and the Multnomah were singing, eating, and sharing stories.
Tilly and Keiko spotted Zanzi and ran over to wrap her in a hug. They were soon joined by Ebony and Milo.
“Good service?” Milo said.
“Fitting.” Ryan pulled Milo aside and lowered his voice. “I’ve been meaning to catch up with you, with regard to your files on Ibrox and Santander.”
“That I can help you with.”
“Good.”
“You have suspicions?” Milo asked.
“Ibrox’s cruise liner was destroyed, but video footage from the drone showed it exploded before our special ops teams could search it properly.”
“Then who blew it up?”
“That’s what we have to ascertain. Could be a ruse.”
“Santander or Ibrox?” Milo said, scratching at his neck. “Could be either of them. Ibrox is crazy enough.”
“Exactly. A mystery that needs to be solved.”
“That’s enough shop talk, you two,” Sofia said. “Enjoy the celebration.” She handed Ryan a heaped plate of steaming venison, vegetables, and potato. Ryan took a seat and dug into the best cooked meal he had had for weeks.
After the meal, Ryan found himself sitting with Zanzi, Reid, Allie, and Sofia.
“Reid. Munroe’s agreed to sign you over to LK3 if you still want to join.”
“It would be an honor.”
“Excellent. I propose a new Nameless team: the five of us sitting here, with Ebony and Milo supporting. Avondale, Tilly, and Keiko will be mission control.”
Sofia smiled and said, “I wholeheartedly agree. You all showed exceptional skill and courage under pressure, at both The Eyrie and in Hong Kong. If we’re going to finish OPIS for good, we need that.”
Allie nodded along to Sofia’s words and raised her glass. “When I learnt of Booth’s death, I swore to end this. I went to Japan looking for closure and peace, and instead found more destruction. If I can help stop OPIS from succeeding, then I will.”
Ryan liked Allie’s words. He had thought to escape too when he went to Tokyo. He had tried to ignore the pain and hopelessness. For a time, it had worked, but then it had come crashing back, along with his old life. Now he knew it was all for this.
“Zanzi?” he said.
“My goal in life was to help people and yet I’m here – helping, but not how I imagined. Lisa left me a letter, and something she said has stuck with me. Face everything without skepticism. Have faith in your strengths. Act with compassion. It took me a long time to figure out what she meant. She knew how I questioned everything. Everything I did or could do. The why or the how. She was telling me to believe in myself, and I do. I accept now that this is my place, with you.”
The new Nameless team members each raised their glasses and clinked them together, sealing their pact: to finish what they had started, and honor their fallen friends.
“Dad. Can I talk to you?” Zanzi said.
“Sure, kiddo.”
Ryan and Zanzi moved away and found themselves on a well-beaten path. It led them to a clearing overlooking the valley below. Father and daughter hugged as they sat on a large flat boulder.
“How are you holding up?”
“Still struggling,” Zanzi said.
“Cal?”
“Yes. It’s haunting me. With every thought I have, my mind flashes back to that rooftop. She shot me. For what?”
“I don’t know, kiddo. I wish I did. All I can offer you is support.”
“Does it get easier?”
“Not really.”
“When I was growing up, I saw your haunted looks – yours and Mum’s – and wondered what you did to warrant such pain. Liam and I talked about it a lot, but you always took the time to do things with us. Act like a family. I don’t know how you did it, seeing what I have since the combusting.”
“I’m not going to lie to you, it was a struggle. We would go out on an operation, deal with the worst humanity can offer, then come home and try to act as if everything was peachy.”
Ryan squeezed his daughter tighter and kissed the top of her head. She motivated him every day to carry on. Hers was the voice in the back of his mind, whispering to him to fight. Because if he didn’t, then a hope for a free world would fall farther away. “I ran away last time, Zanzi, but I meant what I said in Hong Kong. I’m here, standing by your side, from now on.”
Zanzi kissed his cheek, remaining silent. They stared out at the night-time landscape, each lost in their own thoughts.
Later, the celebration turned to dance. More drinks were shared. Couples broke away to talk and steal a kiss. Soon it was only Reid and Zanzi dancing. Tilly and Keiko were off to one side, wrapped in each other’s affections.
Sofia held out her hand to Ryan. “May I have this dance?”
“I can only waltz. I don’t know any of those fancy tango dances,” Ryan said.
“Get up, old man.” Sofia yanked him to his feet and embraced him. Ryan didn’t recognize the song that was being played but enjoyed the rhythm. Together, they slow-danced, sinking into one another’s comfort and familiarity.
Ryan glanced over at Keiko and Tilly kissing, and said, “I’m happy they found love despite everything.”
“Me too.”
“You’re not worried?”
“Why would I be?”
“Sometimes people become protective of their only child, that’s all. Don’t want them to get hurt.”
“Tilly has a beautiful soul, and that’s all I ever wanted for Keiko. Someone who cares as deeply for her as I do. Isn’t that what all parents want?”
Ryan smiled and lifted his eyes to where Reid and Zanzi were slow-dancing, engrossed in each other.
“Yes. I’m allowed to worry, though.”
“You old grump.” Sofia teased. “Love is love. Sometimes it hurts.”
“True. It is the subject of nearly every song written.”
Sofia lightly punched his arm, “Don’t you start with that.”
They held each other and danced. Soon Ryan lost track of time, and for once, he didn’t care. With so much going on, it was a nice change of pace.
THE END
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Author’s Note
This series started as a seed of an idea while I was traveling through Japan. I had spent the morning hiking a pilgrim trail up Mt Koya near Osaka. When I reached the top, I was in awe of the breathtaking scenery. Mountains, lakes, trees, and wildlife. It was simply serene. As I often did, my mind wandered, and I thought, what would happen if some apocalyptic event happened, and I survived only to be trapped? How would I get home? Could I?
The more I thought about this, I knew that I had to turn it into a story.
Also as a teenager I was fascinated by stories of World War Two and the espionage that went on. The level of planning that had gone into D-Day. How mistakes, bluffs, and double bluffs turned the tide of the war.
I wondered, could a secret group of powerful men and women bring about the apocalypse?
After taking all those ideas, the story grew into what you’ve just read.
I hope you enjoyed it and want to read more. I would be grateful if you would leave an honest review. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but reviews really are an author’s bread and butter. They help in so many ways.
Thanks again,
Adrian
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