Unlimited Plan (*)

A warm airport welcome

45.

New York, United States

Fisher gets off the plane from London, busy reactivating the signal on his mobile phone. The flight was slightly delayed, and he wants to confirm his arrival with Macmillan as quickly as possible. Focused on his screen, he doesn't notice the four men approaching against the human flow heading towards the terminal.

When a hand lands on his shoulder and he hears his name called in a dry voice, his reaction is purely reflexive, honed by years of training. With a body twist, he slips from the grip. Immediately, he notes the presence of the three other men. All are dressed in civilian suits, yet their posture betrays professional moves. He bends and, headfirst into the stomach of the one who had just approached him, flips him over his shoulder. Already, the unfortunate agent's three companions pounce on him. But the crowd pouring from the plane plays in the mercenary's favor. He is swept along by the human tide, dodging outstretched arms trying to grab him.

With a sharp movement, he sheds his small travel backpack, letting it fall behind him to hinder his pursuers' progress. At the same time, he unceremoniously shoves a couple against the corridor's windows. Using elbows and gripping passengers to throw them to the ground, he rushes amid the confusion to pass through the automatic gates separating the disembarkation zone from the terminal.

The agents, slowed by all his tumult, are now a few dozen yards behind. Fisher further widens the gap by jumping over the railing of the escalator heading down to the baggage claim central hub. He immediately goes towards one of the stationary luggage belts. His pursuers just manage to see him disappear, crawling under the rubber flaps concealing access to the staff-only area. One of them signals the fugitive's position, while the other three hurry down the escalator four steps at a time to climb onto the stationary belt themselves and rush through the carousel opening leading to the tarmac.

Fisher quickly assesses his surroundings. The vast hangar is quiet, few belts are operational. Only one baggage tractor towing two long trailers full of suitcases is parked. One of the two workers busy unloading its contents notices him and calls out. The mercenary finishes emerging from the narrow opening through which he crunched, and finally stands up. Decisively, he heads straight for the baggage handler and, without engaging in conversation, delivers a powerful punch that leaves the other on the ground. The second employee immediately backs off, indicating he doesn't want to be involved. Without taking his eyes off him, Fisher climbs into the tractor's seat and accelerates. The vehicle lurches forward as luggage spills out in a thunderous crash.

Emerging one by one into the hangar, the agents rush towards the trailers. Fisher receives the first with a kick to the shoulder and swerves sharply. The man who fell to the ground has to roll over to avoid being crushed by the trailers following the driver's lead. The other two agents wisely cling to the side of the last cart. Now moving at twelve miles per hour, the convoy heads towards one of the warehouse's large sliding doors left wide open.

Fisher emerges onto the tarmac. Pedal to the metal, the loaded vehicle can't exceed heighten miles per hour. A modest speed, but enough to ensure the men still walking won't catch up to him. A glance backward tells him the two survivors of the chase are starting their slow climb along the last trailer, clinging to the iron bars holding the luggage. Fisher abruptly turns right, then just as quickly to the left. A surreal ballet begins where the two agents try not to be thrown off by the sudden changes in direction while attempting to progress towards the tractor. They move along the serpentining convoy at low speed amid the steel-winged giants parked neatly in their respective spots.