Demon Chord - A MaxTul Supernatural Thriller

Chapter 20 - Whiskey

Chapter Twenty

Whiskey

Knox spread the topographical map on the large wooden table as the others gathered around.

Taking a large red marker, he circled a cliff formation and said, "According to Saint, this is where we will find Laird."

"Talk about the middle of nowhere" mumbled Ronan.

Knox nodded his agreement, "If you don't want visitors, this is the place to set up house - it's dead center in Death Valley located in the Mojave Desert between California and Nevada.  It's a very inhospitable environment.  It's over 4800 km2 of sand, rattlesnakes, and scorpions. Day time temperatures hover above 48°C and the evening temperatures aren't much better.  Tul and to a lesser degree Kate – will be mostly okay" turning to look at the two slayers, he continued, "but the three of us should be prepared to suffer sunburn, heat stroke and dehydration - and all the unpleasantness that goes along with that."

Listening via speaker phone, Vlad asked, "Can we chopper in?"

"Not safely. The configuration of the rock formations make flying difficult. Besides with all that sand, the engines will clog in no time."

"Then how do we get in?" questioned Tul.

Knox smiled widely and answered, "sand cats."

"What's a sand cat?" questioned Max.

"A military vehicle specifically outfitted for desert transport" answered Knox.

"And where do we get one of those?"

"We actually need three.  I have an old army buddy who can set us up.  In the meantime..." Knox paused and pulled a black duffle bag from under the table and retrieved a small orange box, opening the box he pulled out a hypodermic needle, looking at the two slayers, he continued, "this is a vitamin K and B12 cocktail, it will help ward off some of the nastier symptoms of dehydration. Water won't be enough; your systems are going to need a boost."

Not waiting for their response, Knox injected himself.  Pushing the orange box in their direction, he said, "I'll stick you if you want...."

Ronan looked at Max for guidance, when he saw his partner reach for a needle, he did the same.  Both men injected themselves without comment.

Smiling at their cooperation, Knox continued as he expertly re-folded the map, "we leave for Nevada in three hours, I suggest you each drink as much water as possible during that time to gorge your cells, or Kate can hook you up to an IV if you prefer to sleep."

Kate flashed a smile at both men; but didn't comment.

Vlad signed off with "Keep me posted.  Good luck."

Looking at Tul, Knox said, "I will call my army buddy to arrange for the sand cats and then I'm gonna catch some zzz's. You got the monitors?"

"I do" answered Tul.  They weren't expecting trouble tonight, and the villa was heavily secured, but centuries of warfare had taught the Wamphyri to be hyper safety sensitive.

₹ ₺ ₻ ₼ ₽ ₾

De-commissioned US Army military base – Nevada – United States

Tul wasn't sure what he was expecting for Knox's old army buddy, but it sure wasn't the tall icy blonde outfitted in faded fatigues and aviator sunglasses that met them at the base hanger.  Kate wasn't quite so circumspect in her surprise as Knox introduced the woman to the group with a casual, "this is Whiskey."

"You're Knox's old army buddy?" she questioned with barely concealed amusement.

Whiskey turned to look at Knox, "So that's what you're calling me these days?" Knox's face reddened slightly, but he didn't answer.

Turning back to the group, Whiskey continued with a smile of her own, "I'm his wife."

"Ex-wife" corrected Knox.

Dismissing the correction with a wave of her hand, Whiskey stepped forward and removed her sunglasses revealing light gray eyes that sparked with intelligence and humor.  Kate liked her right away, and proceeded with formal introductions, "I'm Kate and this is Tul, Max and Ronan." Whiskey looked at each person in turn as Kate introduced them and smiled warmly in acknowledgement.  

Just as Kate was finishing up, Saint stepped out of the shadows.  Whiskey's eyes widened slightly, but that was the only indication that she was surprised by the shadow's sudden appearance.

"And this is Saint" finished Kate.

"It is very nice to meet you all" offered Whiskey, and then she turned back to address Knox, "The three cats are outfitted and ready to go.  Are you sure you don't want me to tag along? I know that part of the desert pretty well."

Knox shook his head no, "We talked about this last night.  We need you here in case we run into trouble. You're our S.O.S. Besides, who's going to take care of Tango and Foxtrot if you go out into the desert?"

"I brought them by the way" smiled Whiskey as she pulled a whistle from beneath her faded t-shirt and blew on it.  She saw Tul wince slightly, and she mouthed "sorry" even as the others heard nothing.

Soon, the group saw the shadows of the huge raptors as they glided over-head. As they began to circle lower, the group let out a collective gasp.  Knox and Whiskey exchanged a smile, the golden eagle pair inspired awe in all who saw them. Reaching into her backpack, Whiskey pulled out two large leather gloves, tossing one to Knox, they barely had time to don them before the two huge birds came in swiftly for a landing. 

"Are those eagles?" whispered Max as if he was afraid that a loud noise might startle the raptors back into flight.

Knox smiled and he hefted the 5 kg bird onto his shoulder, "this little guy is Tango" and the "big girl over there is Foxtrot." Whiskey was visibly struggling to support the 7 kg bird on her arm. "Why do I always get the heavy one?" she questioned as the female golden eagle flapped her wings and bit playfully at her hair.

Knox nuzzled Tango before giving him a heft back into the air and whistled for Foxtrot, the female hopped from Whiskey's forearm to Knox's shoulder, when she closed her talons, he gasped "Dang it girl! Watch your claws."

Almost as if she understood and wanted to apologize, the eagle rubbed her large head against Knox's cheek, "Okay, Okay. You're forgiven" he laughed before the eagle jumped into the air to resume circling high above the group.

"Thanks" he smiled at Whiskey before turning back to the others, "the sand cats are in there" pointing to the hanger. "The small one is the lead cat, that's mine.  The rest of you pair up – two per cat and stow your gear.  We leave in about an hour; as soon as the sun goes down."

Saint nodded to the group and said, "I'll meet you when you set up camp in the morning" and stepped into the shadow of one of the circling raptors.

Kate saw Knox give Whiskey a brief hug and a forehead kiss before leaving her to join them in the hanger.  Looking inside the cats, he grabbed their bags and tossed them onto the concrete floor.

"What the hell?" wheezed Ronan as he choked on the water he was swallowing.

Knox looked at the four of them and said, "Tul and Max in one cat and Kate and Ronan in the other."

"Why?" questioned Tul even as he picked up his bag and tossed it into the cat that was closest to Max.

"I need you guys to monitor us for signs of dehydration or heat sickness." answered Knox "unfortunately, we can't always tell we have it until it's almost too late."

"I don't mind" grinned Ronan as he gave Kate the once over.  If he thought the lascivious glance might intimidate her, he was wrong, as she returned the look with equal lewdness and added a predatory squint to her eyes, "neither do I" she countered.

Ronan glanced at Max and mouthed "help", but Max laughed at his partner's self-made dilemma and replied, "Looks like you met your match with that one" as he tossed his bag on top of Tul's.

Ronan's response was cut short as Knox tapped the horn of the lead cat and shouted, "Saddle up.  The sun's going down."