BAD WINE CRAPPY CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN-1

Brandon Cane piloted the aircraft over the trees toward the territorial border. A pristine sky was visible through the craft's dome, its appearance reminding him of a perfectly tranquil blue sea. Chris observed the majestic forest below them through a side window.  This thriving ecological community stretched out into the distance, presenting tangible evidence of his greatest achievement: the implementation of the Roster Plan. Nature had triumphed over suburban sprawl because of the sweeping changes enacted by the senator and his colleagues. Brandon was lost in thought, wondering how well his mother was tolerating her captivity. He would have jumped out of the swift moving vehicle to save her, if only there was a way to determine Nathaniel's exact location. Cybil's musings mirrored her brother's.   

"Don't worry," Chris assured his adopted daughter as he put his hand on hers. "We'll find Cori."

Cybil was about to withdraw her hand, but instead tolerated his attempt to assure her. This was the man who had counseled her through all the crises, real or imagined, of her life. Despite the recent revelations about him, his touch was still comforting. 

"Check the news broadcasts," he told Roger.

His advisor accessed the Mibil network and listened to the hourly report. Only ordinary domestic events were covered. The senator's scuffle with the law was not mentioned. International news was also excluded, since "the Territorials"—as the citizens of the Seven Territories were called by other nations—had lost interest in the rest of the world.

"There's no mention of the raid on your house," the political consultant reported moments later.

"I'm not surprised," Chris said knowingly. "Claven still wants to keep this under his hat. Though I'm sure the security people at the border will have been ordered to stop us if we try to cross it."

"Then what are we going to do?" Cybil asked him.

"The man in charge of the border station is Tim Wells," the senator responded. "And, fortunately, he owes me a favor. I used my influence to get some high quality cheese imported for him."

"I thought you didn't believe in doing favors for people," Max said to him.

Chris looked at him with a condescending smile.

"Sometimes bending the rules is justified when one is trying to accomplish something worthwhile. For example, a strict interpretation of the law would compel me to call the security people now so they could take you away after we land, since you're nothing but a two-bit criminal. But for the moment I can forget that, because Cori's safety is my paramount concern. Of course, once this is resolved, I'll see to it that you're sent to prison." 

"Thanks for explaining that to me," Max responded with a laugh.

"Call my office," Chris told Roger. "Tell them that Cybil and I are visiting Senator Skinner and that we'll be gone for a couple of days. I'll call Wells, if Brandon can reactivate my Mibil."

Brandon took out his probe and begrudgingly obliged him. There was a brief delay before the head of border post number five responded.

"Tim, this is Senator Cane.  How are you today?"

"Couldn't be better, senator. What can I do for you?"

"I'll be at your station in ten minutes or so. Could you get me through as quickly as possible?" 

"Not a problem. Park in the area reserved for security vehicles. I'll have someone meet you there. What's your vehicle number?"

"It's 2356. I'll see you soon."

"How do we know there isn't an army of stiffs waiting for us there?" Hoochie asked him.

"He's right," agreed Gino, who had been silent up to now.

"They've got a point," Brandon added. "We could be walking right into trouble."

"I've known Tim for a long time," Chris responded.  "He would have found a way to warn me if that was the case."

"I hope that cheese was really good, senator," Max said with a smirk.

The aircraft slowly descended as the border post came into view. There was a long line of people waiting to board an immense transport craft, which also ran on bio fuel and solar power. These vehicles were used to take large numbers of travelers on long distance journeys. Gino observed the passengers with envy because he had never flown in one before, since traveling in that manner was prohibitively expensive. Just after Roger landed their vehicle, a man walked up to it. He led them to a side entrance, and they rode a val up to the top floor. Tim Wells was sitting at his desk when they walked into his office.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, Senator Cane," he said, extending his hand.

"I'm sorry that you weren't given any notice that I'd be crossing the border, but this was a last minute trip."

"No need to apologize. Miss Cane, congratulations on your victory. You had my vote."

"Thank you, and please call me Cybil."

Tim neglected to greet the other travelers. He instantly recognized Max Bardy and Brandon Cane. They were both wanted men. Though he didn't know the names of the rest of the group, they also seemed like disreputable types. He led the senator and his companions into a conference room. There were two bottles of wine on the large table there. He filled a glass for each of them, and then raised his own in a toast.

"Happy trails."

Cybil and Chris thanked him. The others silently drank the very fine wine.

"Senator, can we have a private conversation?" Wells asked.

The two men returned to the chief's office. Wells shut the door and motioned for his guest to sit down.

"I had a message from Horace Claven. He claims that you and Cybil are wanted for questioning. I read it three times, because I couldn't believe the senator from our territory would be in such a position. But that's what it says."

"It's a misunderstanding. Claven believes that we were harboring a fugitive."

"Well, you are traveling with Max Bardy. And your son has also been accused of stealing from Allisours."

"So it seems as though Claven's accusation is true. I understand your position, and would like to apologize for putting you in such an awkward situation. Max Bardy entered my home without my knowledge. He planned to ask Brandon, who I can assure you is no thief, for help. They were boyhood friends, you see.  Cybil allowed Bardy to stay at my house while I was out of town. That was a poor decision on her part, but she was convinced to do so by her brother."

"Where are you going?" Tim asked him.

"I want to see Senator Skinner. I believe that he'll be able to help me resolve this situation."

Wells stood up and gazed out the window. He watched the long line of travelers waiting to enter the screening area. The border chief was obligated to report the names of all those who passed through this station. Tim wanted to assist Senator Cane, yet was reticent about risking his position.

"I could lose my job if I help you. Would you consider giving up Bardy? That would make it easier to defend myself."

"I'd like nothing better. As you know, I've made bringing him to justice a cornerstone of my last administration. But there's a woman that I know who's been kidnapped. It's imperative that we find her, for reasons I can't explain at the moment. That friend of Bardy's who's with us, a man called Hoochie, is some kind of expert tracker. He might be our only chance to find the woman. If Bardy is arrested, I'm sure he'll refuse to help us."

"You've put me on the horns of a dilemma, my friend."

"Fortunately, I may have the answer. Have us taken to a holding cell with someone you can trust. He can turn his back on us for a moment, and we'll make a daring escape.  I think that would be a plausible way of explaining how we were able to cross the border, should anyone ask."

Wells leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

"Not bad, Senator Cane. Though it will make you look like a desperate character."

"I'll just say that Cybil and I were kidnapped by Bardy. Is there any way for you to find out if a large black man named Nathaniel crossed the border? He probably had to bribe one of your people to do it."