The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 16

Anna starts running right after me but the followers are slower to comply. Soon, we are all running at top speed to reach the boys and the campsite. I look up and spot the drone high above our heads, maybe about 500 feet ahead. We have to get there now. I just don't know how to get there faster. I grab the drone remote from Anna and direct the drone to find the boys. They aren't far from the campsite. I bring the drone closer to them and yell to them.

"Owen, Jackson, get to the campsite now; we have an emergency! The followers are with us!" I shout, knowing that they will not go to the original campsite, but the one we picked out for the followers.

"We will be right there!" Jackson shouts and breaks into a run.

"Follow them," I whisper to the drone.

We soon reach the area where the followers will camp and see the drone about 20 feet away in the air, high above the boys and slightly behind.

"We're here, what is the emergency?" Owen asks in between gasps for air.

"Dad is attacking the main compound. I need you to make it so that everyone there will be able to hear my voice through the drone, and if possible, see me too," I say, shoving the tablet at him.

"Alright, I can hook up the camera on this tablet to the video on this tablet," he says, taking the tablet from me, "and attach this tablet to the drone, turn the volume all the way up, and attach this speaker that will amplify your voice. Finally, I attach this microphone to the tablet and to you," he explains, hooking everything up and walking toward me.

I take the microphone and hook it on my ear. "I didn't know you knew technology like this. Where did you learn?" I ask, looking at Owen quizzically.

"I have always known, plus, I helped set up some new security measures at your mom's compound, but that isn't important right now. Jackson, can you fly this drone back to compound quickly and carefully, preferably without crashing it?" He asks, holding the controls to the drone out to Jackson.

Jackson nods, taking the controls and directing the drone to promptly take off.

We all watch the drone fly towards the compound, making great time. It shortly arrives at the compound and starts toward the battle raging in the center of the field. Please make this work.

"Okay Beca, now is the time," Owen whispers and hands the tablet to me.

I take it and hold it so that Anna and Jackson are visible behind me and start talking into the microphone. "Everyone, stop! This isn't what we want!" Owen takes control of the drone and flies down in between the two armies. "I call for a cease fire! We don't want to kill each other off. From what I was told, this was to be negotiations, not a battle. I know you do not like each other and we chose a poor time to leave, but why does this make you want to fight each other?" I pause for an answer, only to receive silence. "Bring my father and my mother to this drone and I let me speak with them. If you refuse, neither of you will see us again, and we will never come back," I threaten.

"Very well. We will call our glorious leader to us," A man in tan says, motioning to another soldier.

"If they will come forward with their leader, we will come forward with our ruler," A woman in red says and proceeds to motion to a small boy next to her.

"A woman and a young boy in battle; what on earth is wrong with our mother? Is she seriously having women and children fighting for her?" Jackson asks, trying to keep his voice down but not succeeding.

I look over to followers to see them fuming and ready to fight. I nod to Owen and Jackson to hold them off while I talk. I motion for Anna to stay near me because I need to stay calm while talking to our parents. The followers charge at Jackson who side-steps out of their way for Owen to jump on them, joining the flurry. I don't think this will end well.

"What do you want, daughter? I am trying to defend my compound and my people right now," My mother says exasperatedly. At least she is not completely heartless.

"What is she doing here? The reason I am doing this is to get you three away from her," My father asks, approaching the screen. "Where is Jackson?"

"Fighting. Mother, tell your followers to stop fighting Owen and Jackson," I say, pointing the camera to the clump of Jackson, Owen, and the followers.

"Stop," My mother says simply but commandingly.

"What are your followers doing hurting the children?" my father shouts angrily, looking like he's ready to punch someone.

"Dad, give it up. They've stopped now," I say as Jackson comes to stand behind me. Owen resumes control of the drone. I suppose they programmed an autopilot on the drone. "I want you two to pull out of this battle. When we return from the hike, we can have negotiations. Until then, no fighting."