Escaping from the Homeland

[Eiselmann]

<Closed for Cati>

IC

14 years ago.

Daniel Darby looked at his young daughter and smiled she was the light of his life, creative inteligent with a beauty that even now when she was just fourteen hinted at greatness, they were at the back of the family house just outside of Seattle looking at the sun setting , in less than two hours his flight would be leaving to Washington DC and his new career working for the State Department, his wife and daughter would not be travelling with him...more his wifes choice rather than his own, he had no doubt that decision not to come had as much to do with her several lovers than anything else.

He had spoken about many things to his daughter giving advise and words of wisdom but now came the most important part of the nights conversation.

"Do you recall the name of your first cat Stephanie?"

"Yeah " his daughter replied recalling the small cat she'd found so many years ago poor thing was half dead when she'd found him and despite the best of treatment the young cat only lasted six more months "Puddles...why"

"One day someone may come to you and tell you that 'Puddles has been found' I want you to do whatever that person says ...whatever happens Stephanie promise me you'll do that ...you'll do whatever they say"


Two weeks ago ...Hereford England

Thomas Smith walked into his commanders office it was clean and well ordered a legacy of a military career now in to its third decade, as expected his Commander, Colonel Rogerson sat behind his desk however another man was seated in the office wearing a suit , at first inspection he looked like one of the many drones that infested Government offices but the man's eyes betrayed an inteligence that Thomas knew demanded respect...the man wasn't introduced.

Instead he opened a file and produced a photo "Do you know this woman?" . Thomas looked at the photo the woman seemed vaguely familar but not enough that he could place her, she was stunning almost prefect.

"No" Thomas said handing the photo back

A second photo came out of the file it was unmistakeble "Yeah Stephanie Darby went to High school with her ....for six months, head cheerleader prom queen, fucking dairy queen for all I know...she was the center of life at Fremont High School"Thomas handed the photo back "I take it the other photo is a more current version"

"Indeed" the man said "Now my understanding is that Fremont High is having some reunion we'd like you to go "

Thomas looked back at the man , he'd receieved or more correctly his parents had received an invite to his classes ten year reunion, even if he hadn't been a member of the regiment the chances of him going to some yank schools reunion was pretty bloody minimal.

"And we'd like you to extract this young lady,,,her fathers our sort of chap, been quite valuable, helped keep our American cousins from making a couple of their more interesting policy mistakes" the man smiled "should be easy enough...go to the reunion , take her to the airport and then its a hop to home"

"Rubbish" Thomas said "if it was easy you wouldn't need me " he looked at the man demanding more informatin but it was his Colonel who piped up .

"Firstly it makes it easier to slip you in to this reunion since you're invited to start with but the main consideration is that we believe our man and his daughter are in serious danger....the US authorities have correctly guessed that our man is an agent not in their control however as an additional cover to protect the Crown their investigation has linked him to the Russian Mafia...ironically the Russian Mafia actually believe he's their man , unfortunately they are aware that the American's are suspicous of our chap and want to do away with both him and his daughter"

"Sounds like a right mess" Thomas said in understatement

"Thats just the start..." The Colonel began to reply before the third man interupted

"The Trooper does not need to know all the details its just enough to know we plan on getting dad out as you get the daughter out , the yanks and the mob will be watching but more likely they'll be watching each other by the time they realise that this Stephanie Darby is no longer at the reunion you'll be long gone"

Today

Thomas parked a rental car in the school car park he'd attended this school 10 years earlier as part of an exchange programme and except for the fact that they called football soccer had actually enjoyed his time , gotten some pussy thanks to his accent but not really made any long lasting friendships, as for Stephanie Darby well they had talked several times but nothing more ...it would take more than an accent to part her legs.

He spotted three vans straight away, two where no doubt American's the third most likely mob, he was under no doubt that there were more , he looked at his watch as he walked into the school building following the banners annoucing the reunion...music bouncing along the corridors...he had 15 minutes... thats when daddy would disappear and when he did all hell would break loose.

The registration table was run by the unmistakeble form of Clairice Sutter little 'Miss Organised "
nice person , real school spirit..rah rah rah type she had always been big titted but now the things were massive. She smiled as she handed him his ID card with the special torture of having their class photos attached " I got that idea ..." she started "from a John Cusack movie" they both said ....to say Clairice was obsessed with John Cusack was an understatement.

Thomas finally entered the hall , ten minutes, his eyes did a sweep of the crowd and spotted Stephanie easily enough her little flock of girlfriends still in attendance along with several men that could have been the same horny guys who followed her everywhere or maybe they were the poor souls who married 'the flock'

He made his way directly to Stephanie passed the occassional second glances he was getting from those who were trying to place him , when he reached the small group getting pass the flock of girlfriends proved impossible so he circled the small group and came at Stephanie from behind......the song ended , five minutes...Thomas reached his target and whispered in her ear "Puddles has been found"




BIO

Thomas Smith
Age 28
5;10 black hair blue eyes
Joined the Paratroop Regiment as a 19 year old before attempting selection at the age of 21, he was selected into the 22nd Regiment Special Air Service and has served with them for the last 7 years as a trooper.

Resouceful and confident like most mortal men he had a crush on Stephanie from day one.

 

[cati]

Stephanie Danielle Darby
Graduate 'summa cum laude" Washington State University
Class of ' 87
5' 7" auburn hair, green eyes
124 lbs.


Stephanie glanced around the garishly decorated hall looking to see who else had shown up for the reunion. She had long since forgotten many of them, her life being what it was. Pretending to be listening to the silly conversations going on around her, she would nod and smile in agreement at just the right moment to let them know she was "all ears".
It didn't surprise her at all to learn that the topics of conversation for these women hadn't changed a whit in ten years. Humming merrily along to the last song that the DJ had played "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club, "...every day is like survival, you're my lover not my rival... she glimpsed a man making his way towards her from the left. No introduction, just warm manly lips grazing her ear, then a whisper .... Puddles has been found

Excuse me?.... what did you just say?

Not sure that she had heard him correctly, she turned to look at him with a rather quizzical look on her face.

"I said Puddles has been found " Again he repeated the same four words her Father had told her fourteen years earlier. "Remember to do whatever they say."

"Are you asking me for a dance, is that it?...why yes I'd love to." Stepanie smiled, taking the man's arm leading "him" towards the dance floor. It was a slow dance and one that would keep them engaged for a few minutes at least.

"I don't really remember you, what did you say your name was?

Placing one hand on his arm, the other wound loosely around his neck as they slowly moved around the dance floor.

"Thomas, but if you like you can call me Tom"

"You do look vaguely familiar, we didn't date or anything did we, because I think I'd remember that adorable British accent of yours."

'But, who are you really Thomas... I mean, who is it you work for ? she queried. "Surely, you didn't come to the reunion just to meet up with a few old friends or to tell me that my pet cat has been found after all these years."

 

[Eiselmann]

On the other side of country Daniel Darby got into a van and the first thing he said was 'My daughter?' the answer came quickly and satisfied the older man, whoever she was with would see her safe, these people were the best of the best it had made loyality to the country of his heart rather than the country of his birth much easier, because he knew if or when the shit hit the fanthey would do right by him.

A minute later his tail came accross an abandoned car , a fire hydrant had exploded just after Darby had driven passed and been a delay, " Ballgame is gone" the message when out and minutes later men in two car's stepped into the warm western night outside a high school, weapons in sight.

"Thats the Americans' Yuri said aloud he was a heavy set man ex military like so many others of his kind.

"We wait til they bring her out " Lana said from the back of the van she was ex KGB , stunningly beautiful rumour had it that she loved to be gangbanged when she wasn't working , Yuri hadn't fucked her yet but the promise had been made once this job was over, he might take her up on it but he hated sloppy seconds...he always fucked the girls first...yet for all her sex appeal she was a nasty bitch with no remose for anything or anyone. Three other men sat in the back with her each had served as Yuri had...each wanted the job over so they could have a peice of Lana pie.

Thomas knew there would be questions, how much had her old man told her? as they danced together True by Spandau Ballet played in the background "We didn't date Stephanie thou I wish we had , " he said quietly with a smile " I'm here to take you to your dad...its time"

Thomas had moved them to the edge of the dancing crowd "We have to leave now, so kiss me and wave to your friends as if you're about go for a walk and get laid" his voice a command, his eyes flicked to th main entrance to the hall ....still clear.....

Then his eyes flicked to a side door that lead towards the gym from there he had a second rental car and a five mile trip to the airport, then a flight to Vancouver and then London...simple that was the plan he'd been presented with , then he'd asked questions and simple had turned into an ankle grapping session.

"Kiss me now" he looked at Stephanie he had to convince the flock she was just going away for a fuck rather than any other alternative that way they would cover for him unwittingly ...at least for a few minutes.

 

[cati]

"We didn't date Stephanie tho' I wish we had, " He said quietly with a smile " I'm here to take you to your Dad...it's time"

"You're taking me to my father... now, just like that? she asked incredulously. His grip on her elbow tightened. "Do I have any choice?"

He had led them to the edge of the dance floor and seemed to be looking for a quick exit.

"We have to leave now, so kiss me and wave to your friends as if you're about go for a walk and get laid" his voice a command,

"Look Thomas, ...whoever you are, my friends know I'm not that kind of girl"

But he didn't seem to be the type of man who would take no for an answer, so she did as she was told, waved to her friends and then held up five well manicured fingers. It could have meant five minutes, five hours, or five days.

"Kiss me now" he insisted. Stephanie obliged, but kept the kiss cold and businesslike as her warm, soft lips met his "... and for what it's worth, I don't fuck on the fly either."

Stephanie's father had, in his wisdom kept his political life separate from the private one he shared with his family. But, once in a long while, a couple of men wearing black suits would come knocking and ask to see him. At these times, Daniel Darby hustled the agents into his office only to emerge hours later frazzled and extremely on edge. He never discussed these meetings with his daughter, that is, until the day he asked her about "Puddles".

Stephanie knew her father worked for the U.S. Government, and had for many years, yet it never crossed her mind to question her Father on the kind of work that he did for the State Department, nor did she ask about his other "seemingly clandestine" activities.
She could count on both hands, the number of times her Dad had up and vanished, often for days on end, but always leaving a hastily scrawled note to let the household know he had to go away on "business"... yet again and would be back soon.
And so it came as no surprise to anyone that her beautiful socialite mother drank and turned to "other" men for company. Not that her parent's marriage was anything to write home about. The Darby's had grown apart like so many other Washington couples before them, staying married to keep up appearances, oh and of course for their daughter's sake as well.

 

[Eiselmann]

"Thats good Thomas replied quietly "because I'm not here to fuck" thou I wouldn't kick you out of bed he didn't add. Moments later they were in the corridor and heading away from the music and the life Stephanie knew , thou he guessed she didn't fully understand that just yet. The fact that she didn't know who he worked for meant daddy had kept quiet the full extend of his activities.

For his part Thomas was amazed that Loyalist families still existed in the United States, the stereotype image of life in America was patriotism here ,there and every bloody where, thou he had no doubt your average American would hate the comparison it was indoctrination as effective as anything the Soviets had done to their people, so for generation upon generation to remain loyal to the crown under that pressure was nothing short of amazing.

It took a few minutes to reach the gym Thomas not saying anything until they reached the gym, then he stopped and turned to his charge. " I can't tell you everything Stephanie, I wish I could but I need you to be quiet until we get to my car, then I'll try to answer any questions you might have...as best I can" there was a limit to what he could tell her, his brief had been very clear s until she got to England she could be given just enough info for him to maintain control of the situation without having to turn to more complete means of control.

The gym echoed badly but nothing could be done about that , as the two entered the gym, Federal agents entered the school hall it took them a few minutes to realise their target was gone and by then a car parked at the back of the gym was already leaving the school grounds, this car had been purchased with cash a few days earlier as opposed to the rental car parked out front.

"Whats going on here" Yuri asked as two American agents returned to their cars at a dash while one more moved to a car that had arrived just a few minutes earlier...Lana looked at the scene and made a call, two requests for information were made on the plates on a non-descript rental car as sirens in the distance showed that the American's were no longer doing this the quiet way.

Thomas drove carefully heading to Seattle Airport if all went according to plan they would be there in less than fifteen minutes and as sirens went by heading to the school Thomas simply said "So what would you like to know?"

Not realising his planned escape from Stephanie's homeland was all ready falling apart.

 

[cati]

The dark grey rental car was one of those ordinary non-descript sedans that seldom drew attention from bystanders. It was comfortable, but not overly luxurious. Thomas was a capable driver and handled the car easily driving just under the speed limit, firsdt out of the Seattle suburbs heading west onto the turnpike then towards the airport.

"So what would you like to know? "

"Now there's a question for you." Stephanie took a few minutes to gather her thoughts before replying. Until that moment she had managed to maintain her composure during their hasty exit from the reunion and even now thought it best to keep her wits and thoughts to herself. No doubt a lesser woman would have fallen apart a good half hour ago and she certainly wasn't about to lose her cool now. Did she really want to know what was going on or was it better to wait and let things unfold as they might. Was she being kidnapped for ransom, was that it? but the more she thought about it, she realized that that notion was too ridiculous, her family just wasn't that wealthy or important. For the time being, Stephanie decided that "ignorance was bliss". Crossing her long slim legs in front of her she smoothed down the few wrinkles in her black strapless cocktail dress that she had chosen to wear for the reunion, the gown was simple yet elegant and suited her slim frame. Her hands went to her neck feeling for the single strand of Japanese fresh water pearls her father had bought her several years ago on one of his "trips".

Satisfied that she was indeed "all there", Stephanie turned her attention towards the speeding traffic on the turnpike occasionally peering into the side view mirror of the sedan. Abruptly the girl turned towards Thomas, her saviour/abductor, and said calmly, "Well, I hope you are one of the good guys... because I think we're being followed."

 

[Eiselmann]

"Oh I'm one of the good guys "Thomas said casually he'd picked the tail a few minutes earlier and guessed by the lack of sirens that it was the Russians following, he'd not given then enough credit and assumed that no one would be watching the rear entrance.

In the vehicle following Lana put the phone down " The Americans' got the info back from their puppert English allies" it was an impressive turnaround from enquery to receiving the info but the English always jumped when their masters told them to ..."He's IRA ......"

"Used to be in the Paratroop regiment " said agent Hansen outside the school " served two tours of Northern Ireland was court-marshalled after he developed an unhealthy lack of respect for the British position in Ulster"

"This info clean " asked another agent

"It will be" said Hansen "Brits own the Irish Republican Army , its their back yard we have some assets but very low level in Dublin and Boston, besides the Brits want this prick more than we do"

"Why would he be involved "

"Russians are throwing money at established militant groups always have , guess this guy being an ex student knows Miss Darby and could whisk her away from minimal fuss" Hansen said

"SO where the fuck are they now"

A third agent came over " Local police report automatic arms fire 6 miles north , near the airport"

Thomas turned into a side street as a hail of bullets hit the car , it had been chosen to blend not for speed then again being shot at wasn't part of plan A.

Members of the regiment all trained in high speed pursuits that now kicked in as Thomas took a hard left and put his foot down , the Russians appearred in his rear view mirror a few seconds later, his eyes searched as there drove down a commercial street and his eyes saw what he was looking for ...a car dealership.

Driving on to the pavement Thomas stopped the car just outside the front car yard "Get out myside of the car and keep low " his voice calm as the Russian vehicle closed the gap , sirens in the middle distance.

In his hands an HK MP5k suddenly appearred , it was a favourite weapon for close protection amongst many in the regiment, Thomas fired at the russians hitting first one peson who had leaned out a window to fire , next Thomas moved to the drivers side front tyre and clamly fired several rounds before joining Stephanie, he heard but didn't see the crash.

"Stay low and head to the back of the showroom , I'll be right behind you" The cars at the rear of car dealerships were either the duds they sold to kids or the desparate or the very latest stock awaiting cleaning then display, it was also the least secure part of the entire place...normally, hopefully this particular dealership had read that manual.

He just wanted a fast car, because the Russians damn sure where going to trade up as well.

 

[cati]

"Stay low and head to the back of the showroom , I'll be right behind you"

Stephanie, now scared out of her wits crouched beside Thomas, gripping his arm tightly, nodded that she understood his direction. No point in arguing with a man carrying some serious firepower in his hands. Removing her high heels, she began weaving through the rows of display vehicles until she reached the back of the show room.
"This is nuts, who were those people?" she whispered expecting a response of some kind. "Thomas?
He was supposed to be right behind her, "Oh my gawd, where is he ? She squatted behind the front tires of a shiny black BMW M5 then quickly shimmied underneath the car to hide, hoping to spot a pair of "Thomas type" feet and shoes heading in her direction. There was very little she could do to protect herself now, since he hadn't bothered to give her gun, not that she knew how to use one. Stephanie lay very still trying not to breathe too heavily. Her heart was pounding and she was afraid she was going to either throw up or pee her pants...or both. "Where are you Thomas, oh please God let him be alright" He would come for her, he had to.

 

[Eiselmann]

Lana knelt down beside the body of young Sergei, he was barely eighteen so full of promise and hope..so dumb , she'd not wanted him on the team beside herself and her KGB past the rest of the team where Spetsnaz or more currently ex-Spetsnaz, where as Sergei was the grand -nephew of their boss, wanting to be a part of things , desparate to impress.

"I'd have fucked you to paradise and back " Lana said tenderly while her eyes remained hardened against weakness like emotions. Then the woman stood up her firm toned figure highlighted by the tight jumpsuit she wore. A second van showed up and several more men jumped out , Lana nodded and the men began to spread out working their way into the car yard.

Thomas quickly broke into the staff entrance , the alarm sounded but it wasn't of consequence Authorities were on their way , it took moments for him to find a line of keys a couple looked were on peices of string , he left those ones behind and made his way out of the building.

A Russian voice shouted in alarm and sounds of bullets filled the air but fortunately there were way off the mark "Stephanie" he called out as he looked to the first key BMW...there was only one BMW in view and fortunately it was in the front rank of cars , only a wire mesh gate protected these cars easy to drive thru.

The plan had been to leave the states via Seattle Airport for the quick hop to Vancouver and as tempting as it was to drive the 100 miles to Vancouver it no longer offered the safety it had once promised infact considering the lack of roads to choose from driving to Vancouver would be driving into a trap.....the radio was quicker than any car over such a distance.

No there was only one other real option...LA and a number he had to the one person in the Western part of the States he could trust............he wondered who that person might turn out to be.

"Stephanie " he called again as Russian voices neared, then he saw her and smiled "We might want to go " as he turned the key to open the door to the BMW.

 

[cati]

"Thank goodness you're all right" she smiled up at him, her relief evident on her grimy but still very pretty face. As she rolled out from underneath the car, her sheer black stockings had snagged on the concrete and now ran in several places. Her evening dress had also taken a slight beating, having risen up around her pert dimpled behind, encasing her assets in a tight black swatch of fabric. Stephanie took a minute to straighten her clothing before climbing into the front seat of the vehicle. Once inside, she pulled back her dress exposing a few inches of her deliciously firm thigh and proceeded to unfasten the stockings from a matching black garter.

"I'm sorry, but this absolutely cannot wait." She scrunched the pair of expensive stockings into a tight ball and tossed them into the back seat.

"I do hate the look of torn stockings on a woman," she said with a mischievous grin, pulling the seat belt down and across her ample chest.

"You're so good at this stuff, you've obviously been in these situations before, haven't you?"

Stephanie still had no idea what part she played in this cloak and dagger escapade, but what she did know was that Thomas or whoever he was, was the only person who could get them safely out of this mess. At that very second an aggressive spray of Russian bullets ricocheted off the BMW's rear window. Without a moments hesitation Thomas responded by slipping the key into the car's ignition and the vehicle carrying and its two passengers crashed through the wire fencing and sped off into the Seattle night.

" Hats off to the person who invented bullet proof glass eh?" Stephanie winked.

 

[Eiselmann]

Thomas had to force himself not to look at Stephanie as often as he wanted to , she was and always had been stunning and the guys desparate to be with her at school pretty much covered the entire male population o the school , he defied any straight male not to want her now, he turned a corner heading south, the sound of sirens for the most part behind them , he kept to the speed limit, with luck he'd never have to exceed it again, but even as that thought arrived he dismissed it ....in the end the Americans would find him and he suspected the Russians wouldn't be too far away....it really was just a matter of time.

"Yeah I've been in these situations before " his voice calm as always , memories of Bosnia,Georgia , Iraq , Iran , Afghanistan, Somalia, Ireland and Burma came to mind..he'd never lost his respect for people with guns who fired at him ...one of these days the bastards would get lucky ...he just hoped this mission his luck didn't desert him.

Several miles away, a bullet was pushed into a magazine and the magazine was placed into a pouch ready for use.

"Cyrillic" Agent Hanson said looking at writing on the hand of the body by the overturned van , it was a kid about the same age as his own boy , except his boy didn't play with guns. "Looks like our IRA friend isn't friends with this lot of Russians"

"Maybe two lots of Russian mobs what the girl" came the suggestion from a fellow agent , Hansen didn't respond, he'd worked at the embassy in Moscow for three years in the late eighties, something about all this didn't ring true but he couldn't put his finger on it.

A local deputy walked up to Hansen, the owner of the Car yard was here and he was really pissed off , five of his cars were gone , the most expensive vehicles in the lot , including his daughter's birthday present ...a black BMW.

Thomas looked at Stephanie once again , her firm legs and the promise of what lay between them, he was professional enough not to get out of the car and jump on her but that didn't stop the idea from entering his brain, as they passed the southern boundary of Seattle , lights appeared in his rear view mirror and the chase was on once again as they headed towards Tacoma on there way to Portland, the BMW passing car after car.