The kettle on the stove began to whistle indicating the water had begun to boil. Sara Richards poured the water into her cup watching it swirl around the teabag that sat in the bottom. Placing the kettle back on the stove she turned and walked back to the small table that sat in her kitchen. Strewn about the table were papers all stamped with “Top Secret” and all carrying the official seal of the British Government. Along with the papers was the morning newspaper. The front-page headline and photo showed the terrible wreak of the Slovenia – German bullet train. Grabbing the paper she stared at the headline then tossed it to the side. She knew now that her mission had just become more difficult. She was suppose to meet Harry at the train station where he would have given her the documents and data that she would quickly hurry back to England.

Now, with Harry gone and the documents recovered by the Slovenia government, she had no choice but to leave before VonHursh sent operatives to eliminate her. Glancing at the paper she shuddered realizing that VonHursh would kill hundreds to eliminate one. The Man was mad…or brilliant. There was definitely an effect he had on his people, for some reason they flocked to him. Even foreign nationals from other countries defected to his country. The man was mesmerizing with an appeal stronger and more direct than even Hitler was.

Grabbing her cup she walked into the bathroom and stared into the mirror, she wondered for a moment just how she had ever let herself become an agent. As quickly as the thought entered her mind it was gone and she removed her bathrobe hanging it on the hook behind the door. Turning on the shower she adjusted the water then stepped into the tub. The water felt refreshing as it cascaded down her lithe and supple body. Leaning up against the wall she closed her eyes and let the water beat down her back. Suddenly her eyes bolted open her senses going on high alert. Just as quickly she grabbed the pistol she hung on the back wall of the shower and fired point blank through the shower curtain. There came a groan then a heavy thud. Ripping back the curtain she stared down at the dead body on her bathroom floor. Cautiously reaching down she turned the body over. It was a young man and he was definitely a Slovenian as she noticed the small but distinct tattoo of a half circle with a sword through it that marked the Slovenia Royal Guard. They were already on her and she cursed herself for not leaving earlier. Grabbing her towel she wiped it across her naked form then cautiously peered out into the hallway keeping the gun between herself and the potential of another attacker. Moving throughout the apartment she found no one else. Grabbing her clothes she quickly dressed. Tossing a few personals into a bag she zipped it shut and headed for the door.

Sandy Knox slipped her bra on hooking it in front. She then donned her silk blouse tucking it into her pants. Slipping her stocking feet into her heels she grabbed her purse and shoulder bag and headed for the door. It was time to leave Germany for the States. Upon request she had flown a business friend of her employer Max Storm back to Germany. Now she was flying back on her own. Checking out, she headed out of the hotel and flagged a cab. It didn’t take him long to drive her to the airport and to the hanger where her sleek black Lear jet sat. Paying the cabby she grabbed her back and walked over to the plane. Unlocking the door she lowered the entrance stairs and climbed up inside. Looking around she smiled to herself, she loved the jet. It was the one thing she wanted all her life…next to marrying her boss. Max had given her the plane with a generous monthly salary and paid for the fuel and upkeep in exchange for her pilot services, in short, she had become his personal pilot. Setting up the coffee maker she began brewing herself a pot then headed for the cockpit to check off her preflight list.

Sara entered the airport her eyes glancing from side to side for the possibility of attack. She would put nothing beyond the reach of VonHursh. As she approached the ticket counter she noticed a man in a long leather coat waiting. His gaze turned from left to right as gazed at the crowd around him. Instantly her eyes locked onto the small dark patch on the side of his neck, Royal Guards. Turning she quickly stepped onto an escalator heading down to the ground level. As she descended she noticed another man waiting below. There was no way of hiding now, in a matter of moments she would be discovered. Swinging her bag over her shoulder she drew her semi auto pistol and took aim. There were people everywhere and she lowered the weapon once as a civilian blocked her view. Drawing the pistol up again a lady next to her screamed upon seeing the weapon. It was too late, the shot rang out striking the man in the side of the head and sending the lower level into chaos. People scattered, some diving to the floor. Jumping onto the rail of the escalator she slid the rest of the way down to the bottom. Running she headed for the front doors that led to the parking lot. As she drew closer she noticed more of VonHursh’s men running for the doors. Turning she ran in the opposite direction towards the private hanger section. Bolting out through the doors she stopped, turned and dropped to one knee bringing the gun to bear. The first two men through the door were cut down, the ones behind being more cautious to dive through the door and intercept an awaiting bullet.

Sara again ran heading for the first plane she spotted, a black jet. As she rounded the tail she quickly grabbed the chocks and pulled them out clearing the wheels. She then noticed the stairs were down and she thanked her stars for not having to deal with that problem also.

Sandy heard a bang then felt someone quickly come aboard. Turning she came face to face with the end of a gun.

“Can you fly this thing?” Sara yelled breathing heavily.

“It’s my plane, what the hell is going on?” Sandy said staring nervously into the dark hollow of the barrel.

“Well, get this plane in the air NOW!” Sara said pushing the gun into Sandy’s shoulder.

“Great! Just what I need a high jacking,” Sandy mouthed as she began to build pressure into the engines.

“Shut up and get this thing moving or your going to be dead!” Sara snapped.

The engines ignited and Sandy watched the digital level meters all rise into the green. Suddenly Sara turned to see another Royal Guard coming through the entranceway. Turning she fired the sound of the gun echoing loudly in the confines of the small cockpit. The guard hesitated, dropped his gun then toppled back onto the other guards that were trying to get past him.

“Move this thing now!” Sara yelled.

Sandy pushed the throttles forward, the plane surged forward heading for the busy runway. Sara quickly went to the door and pushed the body out onto the tarmac then closed the door. Moving back to the cockpit she kept the gun trained on Sandy.

“We don’t have clearance to take off. The tower is ordering us to power down,” Sandy said.

“Take off anyway, we’ll see just how good of a pilot you are,” Sara nudged her with the gun.

Sandy pushed the plane out past an awaiting jumbo jet and pushed the throttles forward. The plane surged forward then arced sharply upwards.

“OK, now what? I suppose you want me to fly to some Middle East country right?” Sandy said sarcastically.

“Get real, I want you to head for Heathrow in England,” she said sitting back in her seat.

“I suppose there you’re going to ask the British government to release someone from prison, then we’re going to fly to the Middle East.”

“I’m a British agent, S.A.S.”

“Oh great! Now I’m caught up in some espionage or something,” Sandy mouthed.

“Just shut up and fly the plane. As soon as we get to England you can go on your way,” Sara said placing the pistol in her lap.

The sun streamed through the large dome that made up the ceiling giving the room a soft warm feeling. Standing next to a window a huge man stood watching people move about the square below. Placing his hands behind his back he watched patiently as if expecting something to happen. A gentle knock on the door brought him back to his senses and he turned.

“Enter” he said sternly.

The door opened and a man dressed in a military uniform entered. Closing the door behind him he moved swiftly up and saluted.

“What is it Ustov?” he asked his voice soft.

“Permission to speak freely Mr. President?”

“As always my friend, what troubles you?”

“Sir, we’ve just received word from our German operatives. The target has eluded us and is en route to what we think is Britain,” Ustov said relaxing slightly.

“She is more cunning than I would have thought. Not that it matters much, commercial airliners go down every now and then,” VonHursh said smiling.

“She stole a private jet.”

“Even better, we wouldn’t want too much wreckage to drop on too many civilian heads now would we? Remove the jet from the sky, if there are any survivors bring them to me,” VonHursh ordered.

Ustov saluted again, turned and left the room. VonHursh again turned back to the window his square stern face taunt with concern. He didn’t like loose ends and would cut them off at the first chance he got.

Sandy had flipped on the autopilot and sat back in her seat. She looked over at Sara who stared nervously out the front of the jet. The gun in her lap was again clutched tightly in her hand as if expecting attackers to materialize within the plane.

“Mind telling me what this is all about?” Sandy asked breaking the silence.

“No”

“Well, being as you put me in danger I think you owe me an explanation,” Sandy stated.

“I owe you nothing. Just fly the plane and there will be no trouble,” Sara barked.

“My boss is going to be rather angry with your government for detaining me this way,” Sandy said throwing out straws.

“He’ll get over it.”

“You don’t know my boss, he doesn’t take kindly with people pushing around his employee’s,” Sandy continued.

“Look, don’t make this harder than it has to be. As I said earlier, once we’re in England you can go your own separate way, no problems. We only have a couple more hours and I’ll be out of your hair, until then, please keep your small talk and opinions to yourself,” Sara snapped.

Sandy raised an eyebrow, she couldn’t even egg her on into a confrontation. This woman looked strained tired and definitely not the type you push around. Staring out at the cloud-laden sky she wondered just where this woman was actually going to take her. Was she just heading for England or was there something else she hadn’t told her.

Suddenly an alarm sounded on the console in front of her. It’s flashing light quickly bringing her mind back to an alert status.

“What’s that?” Sara asked concerned.

“There’s a missile tracking us!” Sandy barked.

“Jesus, he’ll go to any measure to get me!” she said out loud.

Sandy said nothing, pressing a button on the console two ports opened on the tail of the plane. Tiny strips of reflective foil streamed out filling the air behind the plane. The missile suddenly diverted exploding amongst the tiny strips.

“Who are you?” Sara asked concerned.

“A pilot” Sandy smiled.

“ Who, needs a private jet with missile tracking radar and antimissile counter measures?”

“Someone who’s been nearly shot down a few times before,” she grinned.

“No, don’t tell me, you work for some kind of drug lord or worse yet organized crime?”

“Nope, guess again.”

Again the buzzer went off indicating an incoming missile was again targeting them. Sandy’s expression became more concerned. She knew that whoever was shooting at them wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. The missile counter measures would be ineffectual. Abruptly she turned the jet, spiraling it straight down to towards the ground. Sara gripped the arms of the seat tightly as she felt her stomach flip flop. The jet screamed down through the clouds a dull vibration growing with each passing second.

“Y…you’re mad!” Sara yelled.

“You had to have this plane,” Sandy said casually.

Moments later the plane broke through the low hanging clouds. Treetops and mountains instantly greeted them. Sandy fought with the yoke finally bringing the nose up. The missile continued to track them drawing closer by the second. Abruptly she arced the plane closer to the trees every so often a clang and bang could be heard beneath the jet as it raced across the treetops. The missile following struck one of the treetops and exploded. As soon as it faded from the radar another took its place only this time it was closer than she would have liked. Bringing the plane closer to the ground she now began to fly mere feet off the ground avoiding houses and trees by inches. Sandy handled the plane with a calm that awed Sara. She then pushed the throttles as far as they would go then pushed the afterburner. The plane boosted forward and she angled it between two small mountains. The missile was closing despite her efforts. As they cleaved between the two mountains Sandy gasped. Approaching directly in front of her and undetectable on her radar was another missile.

“Christ, hang on!” she yelled.

Pulling the yoke back she cut the engines. The plane nosed upward as the two missiles impacted with each other beneath them. The explosion whipped the plane as Sandy repeatedly tried to restart the engines.

“They’re not igniting and we’re two low! We’re going down!” she yelled.

The plane descended quickly the nose slamming against the hard ground below. Groaning the plane began to break apart as the rock strewn ground battered against its belly. Sandy watched the left wing snap then ignite the jet fuel creating a huge fireball that made the rest of the wing disappear. Sandy clung to the wheel as if trying to steer their uncontrolled landing. Ahead of them, a dark forest came up. As the plane slammed into the dense trees the last thought she had was if she would live long enough to buy another plane.

Susan gently placed the plant into the hole she had dug. Pushing the dirt around the sides she gently packed it around the roots. Behind Max Storms large mansion she built a long rose garden. It had taken her weeks to construct but finally the fruits of her labor were finally paying off. She had always wanted a rose garden for as long as she could remember, all 62 years of her existence. But to her time was meaningless, she would exist forever young or until her processing power unit broke down. Being a machine had its benefits, but it also had its drawbacks. As time moved on everyone around her would grow old and eventually die. All the things she held dear would eventually cease to exist. Then there was Max, for the second time he has asked for her hand in marriage. The first time she had accepted and everything was fine until one of the many enemies they had nearly wiped her memory banks clean. From that point on, she wondered about her existence and just how she could if ever, play a role in Max Storms life. When he asked her the second time, she refused hurting him deeply and in the process hurting herself too. She knew he loved her, loved her more than life itself and she too felt the same. But when all is said and done she was still a machine. It was true she had human cells grafted to computer chips and could pass totally for human, but she lacked the one thing many human needed and in a woman it was sometimes crucial. The ability to have children. If she married Max she could bear no children for them, the Storm name would die. Max had told her it didn’t matter to him, but for some strange reason it mattered to her. James and Martha, Max’s surrogate parents tried in vain to convince her it was foolish to think and feel the way she did but it didn’t work. Everyone tried, but in the end it was just the way she felt right now. Max tried to understand and cope but the tension between them had grown, as did the distance between their beds.

Sitting on the edge of the wall she built she looked down at the mansions glass covered pool. Max was every woman’s dream, even hers. She only wished there were someone who could convince her that what she felt was wrong. Grabbing the water can she poured some water around the rose plant. Gathering her tools in her basket she headed back down towards the mansion.

Max pressed the 16 th floor button and watched the doors begin to close. A woman rushed quickly up to them and he put his hand between them opening them back up.

“Thank you” she said entering next to him.

“What floor?” he asked.

“15 th please”

“Aha the attorneys level,” Max smiled.

“Yes, and you must be Max Storm. My name is Nancy McAllister,” she said extending her hand.

“Nice to meet you,” he said shaking her hand.

As the floors passed he every so often looked over at her. She had long red hair tucked up tightly into a bun. She wore a business suit, the skirt coming to just above her knees and carried a black leather briefcase. She was very attractive, actually she was down right sexy. As the door opened to the 15 th floor she turned and smiled at him.

“Ms. McAllister, please don’t think this too forward but, would you mind having lunch with me today?” he asked feeling his face flush.

For a brief moment she stared at him then smiled showing a very warm and tender look.

“How do you know I’m not spoken for?” she asked.

“I don’t…are you? It really doesn’t matter, I’m only asking you to lunch,” he said feeling uncomfortable.

“No, I’m not and yes I’d love to have lunch with you. What time?” she asked.

“I have a board meeting in about five minutes, say around 11:00? I’ll meet you here?” he said looking at his Rolex watch.

“Make it 11:30 and you’re on,” she said turning to leave.

The doors again closed and the elevator headed upwards. Nancy turned and watched the number rise to the next floor.

“Your representing that Storm guy?” one of her coworkers said walking up to her.

“No, just having lunch,” she smiled at her.

“Lucky you, think you might be able to bring a few of us able bodied women along? I mean if he’s not interested in you.”

“You’re all awful, do you know that?” Nancy laughed.

“Well we are talking about the richest man in the world and God is he a hunk besides!”

Nancy shook her head and headed for her office. Once there she closed the door and placed her briefcase on her desk. Sitting back in the high leather chair she swiveled it around and stared out at the many buildings of the city. Yes, she was right, he was the richest man in the world and definitely an attractive man.

Max stepped off the elevator and was greeted by a rather plump but attractive secretary who smiled warm at him.

“Good morning Mr. Storm. Everyone is in there waiting,” she said.

“Thank you Mildred, hold all the incoming calls please.”

“Yes sir,”

Max opened the large oak door. Beyond was a massive oval teak wood table. Sitting around it was seven men and five women. The chair at the head of the table was vacant and he moved swiftly around to it.

“Now, what was so urgent that you called me here?” Max asked.

The room was deathly silent but abruptly one of the women spoke up.

“Mr. Storm, we have a major problem in five of our overseas companies.” She began.

“Where exactly?” he asked sitting down.

“Two in Italy, one in Hungry, one in Austria, and the last in Germany. As far as we can tell, all these companies have gone on strike, at least that’s what they’re saying,” she said.

“We’ve sent representatives to each of the companies, four out of the five failed to return, check in or anything. It’s like they disappeared off the face of the Earth. The fifth, Harold Robbins is here with us today. Harold?” a man spoke then gazed to the other end of the table.

Standing the man looked nervously around the room at each member as if expecting one of them to draw a gun and kill him on the spot.

“What I have to report, well, there are no strikes. The company I went to in Italy had been taken over.”

“Taken over?” Max said sitting up.

“Taken over Sir, most of the original workers were told they were fired. Most of the management…well…most were killed.”

“What!” Max said rising from his chair.

“Yes Sir, I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. I would also guess that each of the other four companies were also taken over. If it wasn’t for the production manager I never would have gotten out alive.” He said sitting down.

“Who is behind this?” Max said enraged.

The room was quiet telling him no one had any idea and that the whole thing was sudden. Sitting back down he stared for a moment at the tabletop then looked up.

“What do these companies produce?” he asked his voice soft.

“ Italy produces farm and construction equipment. Hungry produced textiles, Austria and Germany are Europe’s main micro technology companies.” One of the board members spoke up.

“OK, this is what I want. All of our overseas companies will have armed guards, a slug of them! I don’t want anyone unauthorized to enter any of our plants is that clear?” Max said tapping his finger on the tabletop.

“This is going to cost us big Sir,” one person spoke up.

“This has already cost us big! How many people have died? I don’t care about the Goddamn cost! I want those companies protected is that understood?” Max’s voice raised.

Everyone nodded. Gathering their papers they all began to leave the room.

“Don, please stay a minute will you?” Max asked swiveling his chair towards the windows.

Once everyone had left he pulled a chair up next to Max’s and sat down. Don Everat was an older man with thinning hair. He was a little pudgy but clean cut.

“Don, I want you to handle this whole security operation. I don’t care what you have to do or what you need. The total resources of this conglomerate are at your disposal.”

Don sat back in the chair and exhaled loudly. Silence filled the room then he leaned forward closer to Max.

“Max we go back a long way, back when your father owned GENBOARD Industries. I appreciate the trust you’ve place in me, I won’t let you down.”

“I know that, I trust you and in this world that’s a hard thing to come by.”

“I have to tell you my opinion though. As much as you won’t want to hear this. Max there is something else going on here, something bigger than even our five companies. You know Slovenia is in the middle of it all and I can’t help but think that somehow that country is involved. And, if it is this may be bigger than us,” Don said concerned.

“Find out what the hell is going on, and don’t get yourself killed doing it. I’ll talk to the State Department and see if your suspicions are correct.”

“Remember the State Department doesn’t particularly like you. I would suggest taking one of our lawyers with you as a witness so they don’t try any funny business.”

“Good idea, I have just the lawyer in mind too,” Max smiled.

Don patted him on the shoulder and stood up. Pulling the chair back to the table he headed for the door.

“Don, be careful. If you need anything you have my personal line. Call me OK?” Max said turning.

“Don’t worry Max, this will go off like clockwork. If the State Department tells you anything let me know,” he said as he headed out the door.

Max glanced down at his watch, it was only 11am, and he still had a half-hour before he would meet Nancy for lunch. Grabbing the phone he dialed in a number and waited.

“Hello, State Department, please enter your identification pin number now.” a soft sweet voice spoke.

Max entered the seven-digit pin number then pressed the pound key.

“How may we help you Mr. Storm?” the sweet voice spoke.

“I would like to set an appointment with Mr. Barnes, say for 5:00pm this evening actually make that a dinner appointment,” Max said glancing at his watch again.

“Mr. Barnes is booked for the afternoon, his earliest…”

“This is important,” Max said cutting her short.

“Everyone says that.”

“OK, let me put it this way, enter this number into your computer, 333alpha. Does that give me priority?” Max said curtly.

“Huh…sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Storm I will book you with Mr. Barnes for dinner this evening. Reservations will be made for 7:00pm,” she said her voice more stern.

“Thank you,” Max said hanging up.

Grabbing his briefcase he headed for the elevator. Moments later he exited on the 15 th floor. Instantly a few women stopped and stared. Max walked up to one.

“Could you tell me where Ms. McAllister’s office is?”

“I…huh…yes Mr. Storm,” the woman said pointing to the closed door at the back of the room.

Max smiled and headed for the secretary that sat just outside the door. Before he even got to the desk she had already buzzed the office.

“Go right in Mr. Storm,” the secretary smiled.

Entering the office Max instantly noticed Nancy sitting behind the large highly polished desk. Books lined the walls on both sides. At the back of the room another door led off to a private bathroom. Two plush chairs sat in front of the desk and a matching couch sat against the wall. The floor was deeply carpeted and was spongy to walk on.

“Mr. Storm, I wasn’t expecting you for another 20 minutes or so,” she smiled standing up.

“Ms. McAllister, I came for another reason,” Max said sitting down.

“Please call me Nancy. How can I help you?” she asked leaning on the desk.

“How spontaneous are you?” Max asked.

“Well considering we haven’t even gone on the first date…”

“No, professionally?”

“Well I suppose in that light I’m quite spontaneous,” she smiled.

“Do you have any plans for this evening?” he asked.

“No, nothing but a glass of wine and a good book.”

“Good then, I would like you to come to Washington with me. I have a dinner meeting with a rather important person whom I don’t trust and would like legal representation during our meeting. I must insist though, that our conversations be kept totally, and I mean totally confidential,” Max stated.

“Well then, it looks like you have me for dinner… errr...that’s not exactly what I meant,” she smiled. “How are we getting there?”

“It’s only a couple of hours from Boston so we can probably drive.’

“Well then I need to go home and change into more appropriate clothes,” she said closing the folder on her desk.

“If you’d like grab your things and I will book a room for you to change, that’s what I’m going to do.”

“That would be fine. Here is my home address, I will go home now and grab my things give me about an hour?” she asked handing him the address.

“That would be fine, I’ll pick you up then,” he said getting up and heading for the door.

As soon as he opened the door he was greeted by rather large group of women huddled around the secretary’s desk. Smiling he headed into the elevator all the women watching him. As the doors closed he winked to them. Sighs could be heard and the women again huddled. Nancy came out of her office walking directly into them.

“What’s this all about?” she asked.

“So, tell us all the details!” one woman asked excited.

“Jeez, all of you should go work for some trashy tabloid. Haven’t any of you got anything better to do?” she said shaking her head.

“Not as far as this is concerned!” another said excitedly.

“OK, OK, if it will get you all back to work I’ll tell you only one thing,” she said drawing their attention further.

The group became totally silent as they waited to hear the juicy details.

“All I’m going to tell you is we’re going to Washington. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go home and pack a bag,” she said pushing through the crowd.

“What do you need a bag for?” one woman asked.

“Well we’re getting a room of course,” Nancy said smiling then headed for the elevator.

As she entered the elevator she could hear the chatter and gossip and she smiled. What she didn’t notice was one woman reaching for a phone.