The Devils Gambit

-Chapter V-

 Pulling up to the air stations front gate, where Clyde and Elena buzzed them in, the group parked their cars in the hanger and Josh began unloading their bags while Niki ran to hug Elena.
"I can't remember the last time those two saw each other," Josh noted to Clyde as they gathered their things..

"At least we won't be expected to talk the whole flight," Clyde responded with a smile on his face, "Cora! Open the back hatch!"

The two friends laughed as they slung their bags on their shoulder and loaded onto the plane.

"Oh no," Niki scratched her eyes in frustration, "You telling me we have to bear through nine hours in a janky cargo aircraft?"

Clyde looked back to El, "You didn't tell her?"

El shook her head.

"Tell me what?"

"This 'janky' aircraft Niki, is a refurbished C-160 Titan. She was scheduled to be decommissioned eight years ago but I had other plans for her. So I had rights of ownership transferred, made a few adjustments and now..."

With the hatch just about fully opened and ramp all the way down, Josh and Niki starred, impressed at the interior.

All the seating and wall mounted racks were replaced with lockers and cabinets. Counters with touch screen displays, a center island table with a built in holographic projections.

"She's a self piloting, personal getaway aircraft. Spent most of my time here designing other units just like it, body armor, weapons, anything."

With his jaw on the ground, Josh walked onboard and stowed their stuff in the lockers.

"This is the worksite," Clyde opened a door on the far side of the room, "This is the living area. The couches double as beds, and yes, there is a full size shower."

"Clyde," Niki stared at him with disappointment, "Why did we never know about this?"

He shrugged and cracked a half smile, "Never asked? Cora, do me a favor; get us out onto the flightline and run startup sequence."

"Yes sir," a woman with a highland accent responded and the hatch doors began to close.

"Who's Cora," Elena gave him a suspiciously curious look.

Niki arched an eyebrow between her and Clyde, curious about the sparks flying between the two.

"Cora is my automated A-I program. She takes care of my digital footprint so I don't have to."

"And why does she sound like a Scottish Redhead?"

Outside, one by one the turbine engines began turning. Josh rushed to the window to watch the engines light off and pitch up to vertical position.

"Oh that is sweet," He admired.

Clyde narrowed his eyes, "Heard it in a movie and I liked how it sounded. Am I in trouble?"

She shrugged and opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted.

"Startup sequence is completed sir. Will it be a vertical or runway take off?"

Eye's locked on Elena, he dismissed his own question to respond, "Vertical please. Thank you Cora. Everyone, Once we're in the air I recommend getting some rest, it's gonna be a long flight."

Niki watched as Elena's facial expression dropped in an attempt to hide what looked to her like frustration.

"A long flight indeed," Niki muttered and the Titan began its launch.