Dark Destiny

Chapter 12 - The Arrival

CHAPTER 12—The Arrival

Pamir, Tajikistan is nestled amid the Fann Mountains. The mountain peaks are frozen throughout the year, and the region suffers from bitterly cold, long winters, juxtaposed against short, cool summers. Only in recent years have there been attempts to provide power to the poor people of this region, who have long endured the bitter winters as best they could. The people of nearby Murghab, situated amid the Pamir Mountains have very limited access to power of any kind, so remote are their villages.

Flying across this region in the early evening, Ace feels as though he is on the top of the world. He looks down at the dusty road beneath the plane, and the long line of short power lines leading back towards civilization, lining either side of the narrow, dirt road. Although he has never flown this new aircraft, he navigates the treacherous pathway like the pro he is. It is for good reason that Jeremiah values Ace as a trusted member of his team, and the best pilot he has ever known. Seated beside him in the co-pilot's chair is Sammy Stewart, a college student who hasn't reached his twenties yet. He looks down at the breathtaking scenery below them, thinking of how much he'd enjoy a hike on these mountains.

"This is some beautiful countyside, Ace," Sammy offers, his eyes not leaving the terrain below them.

"Yeah," Ace responds, checking his panel instruments, satisfied at their level of descent, as he tries to keep the plane invisible to radar or other instruments. "But it ain't going to be pretty when we finally land this crate."

"We're close to where we need to be now, Ace," Sammy responds, looking back towards his friend. "This search has led us all over the world, and now we're about to finish it."

"That's what they tell me," Ace replies coolly. Looking down at his instruments again, he punches a button on the console, as a speaker crackles to life. Leaning down, he speaks into it. "Jeremiah, we're nearing our destination. I need some more direction on just where you think the tablets are so I can find the best landing spot. It won't be easy, given the terrain."

Sammy moves his index finger up to the earphone covering his right ear and flicks a small switch. The earphone feeds directly into a headset worn by Jeremiah. He nods his head in understanding, as he listens carefully to Jeremiah's always precise directions. Once he is finished, Sammy flicks the switch again, then turns back to Ace.

"Our intelligence says that El-Fahd and his men are encamped near SarezLake," Sammy explains, pulling the earphone off his ear, and letting it rest against his shoulder, and along the back of his neck. "They are directly west of our location."

Ace nods. He's studied the charts of the area and visualizes the location of the camp, based on Sammy's information. He also realizes that, strategically, El-Fahd will place his lieutenants along the base of the mountains to keep look-out for the arrival of any authorities, or anyone else there to interrupt his plans—including them.

"There's a small clearing less than a mile from the lake," Ace explains. "Campers have used it in the past, but it's not well-traveled. It'll be a bit of a hike for us, but I think it's our safest bet for a touch-down spot...provided that his crate will land like he says it will. I won't have a lot of room for a regular landing."

"Oh," Sammy responds with a smile, leaning back in his chair confidently. "I think we can depend on it doing exactly like Jeremiah and Isaac say it will."

"That's what I'm counting on, kid," Ace responds. He moves the steering wheel, making a turn to the west, and adjusts the controls on the instrument panel. The aircraft instantly responds to Ace's movements, shifting through the darkness towards the new coordinates that Ace has programmed into it. "You know," Ace warns, looking over at Sammy, "this is going to be a heck of a rough ride for all of us. I'll get us down where we need to land. Then, things get pretty touchy."