The aircraft rocked as a large man stepped in the doorway followed by a woman carrying a clipboard. They both wore military fatigues. The big guy, bald head oiled and gleaming, stopped by the first prisoner on the other side of the aisle from Dan. He reached down and turned up a label that was attached to the shoulder of the orange jumpsuit. 'This is 9314'.
'OK got him' replied the lady with the clipboard, ticking off her list. She turned and shouted out the door and two more soldiers crowded in. 'Take him to the holding cage.'
Dan watched the complicated procedure of removing and reapplying restraints, preparing himself mentally for the same treatment. Arms were pinioned behind him and cuffed, 9314 was roughly bundled off the plane. The loud thump which followed probably meant he landed flat on his face. The second prisoner was similarly dealt with. Out the door, thump, and gone. Now Dan's turn. The big guy poked at Dan's jumpsuit sleeve.
'Hey, this guy's got no tag. What's your manifest say?'
'Well, I've only two prisoners on the manifest, Sir, and we've taken them both into custody. I don't know who this guy is,' the aide replied, pointing to Dan.
'Hey Mohamed, speak English?
'He doesn't look Arab. Sir.'
'Yes. I speak English, just like you. That's because I am American.'
'Are you some kind of terrorist?'
'No. I'm with your side. I needed to get out of France undercover. You could say I hitched a ride disguised as one of them. I was supposed to get off when the aircraft refuelled on the east coast, but it didn't do a refuel stop. This was a direct flight, the first direct flight, in fact. We didn't know that when I was boarded. Only found out when we were airborne. '
What's your name?
'I can't reveal that.'
'Who put you on the flight?'
'Classified information. I can't reveal that.'
Ok. I'm not pushing it. I hear you-- not asking who you work for or what you do. One of them shady outfits. But you can't disembark here. Not that you'd want to. We can only deplane documented enemy combatants that are sent to us. This is a restricted area. You shouldn't be here.'
'That's fine with me. I'll just stay on board. The aircraft either goes back to its base on the mainland or back to Europe. I can work with either destination.'
'Okay. Never saw you. You're not here. But I'm not going to untie you and I'm putting your blindfold back on. No unauthorised person is supposed to see this installation. This could be a test of our security for all I know.'
'Understood, ' replied Dan crisply, trying to sound all military efficient-like, as his world went dark once more.
'Corporal, our work is done. Back to base.'
Nice knowing you, thought Dan. The aircraft rocked once more as the two stepped off. Then silence reigned. Dan was pleased with himself. Feeling very James Bond. Improvised and showed initiative. Confident that he wasn't going to be incarcerated in Guantanamo and that the aircraft crew would have no alternative but to take him with them, wherever, Dan relaxed. Wouldn't have minded a change of diaper, but he was prepared to suffer a little in the cause of getting delivered to somewhere civilised. Dan could hear various comings and goings outside, probably refuelling he decided. Eventually, the aircraft rocked again as somebody boarded, but nobody approached him. A short while later the door clunked shut. Dan blinked as his blindfold was lifted. A young guy in a flying suit stood in front of him.
'Okay, mystery man. I hear we have to take you out of here. Do you have to stay tied up? Is that part of your disguise?
'That disguise was only for getting me out of Europe. I had to look like a detainee. I'd appreciate it if you'd untie me.'
The pilot quickly undid the strapping on Dan's legs and arms, and Dan gratefully wriggled all his limbs, getting the circulation back into them. The other pilot, or co-pilot, Dan didn't know which was which, was up front powering up the engines. The first pilot, the one that untied Dan, told him they were heading to a place called Wildfield, New Jersey. It was a former Navy station that they used for refuelling and as a base. As far as the Wildfield folk know, they are a civilian executive jet, he said. Dan assured him that he wouldn't do or say anything when they got there to give the game away. The pilot went into the cockpit, closing the door behind him and soon they were airborne and on their way. Dan settled in for the flight. He was going home -- somehow.
An uneventful three hours later, the aircraft taxied to a halt outside a small hanger in a remote corner of what he presumed was Wildfield. As the engines were powered down, Dan unclipped the five point harness and wondered what would happen next. He didn't have to wait for long. The cockpit door opened and the pilot came out and quickly opened the cabin door, indicating to Dan that he should exit quickly and make himself scarce. Dan didn't delay. Waving his goodbyes and thanks, he headed down the steps and onto the tarmac. There was nobody about. What now, he thought, carefully walking barefoot along the side of the hanger. He realised why the prisoners were kept barefoot as he gingerly stepped on the sharp gravel chips. A rapid getaway was out of the question. Luckily he hadn't far to go. Rounding the corner to the back of the hanger he spotted a small eight-by-four U-Haul trailer parked tight against the wall. A square of paper pasted to the trailer door carried a simple printed message 'Daddy's Trailer.' Dan grinned. It was all coming together. The trailer was the smallest in the range, offering only about four foot of headroom inside. Dan crawled in to find a foam mattress on the floor, a sleeping bag and a bag of supplies. He opened the envelope that was fixed to the bag. Dear Daddy, it read, this is the last leg of the journey. Pull the door closed and it will lock. It's about a three-and-a-half-hour drive back home. When you arrive I may not be there. Don't panic, I will turn up and release you. Dan was happy with that. He could just about sit comfortably on the foam mattress, without his head hitting the roof of the trailer. He reached out and pulled the door closed, hearing the outside bolt dropping shut automatically. He was locked in. By the gloomy light of the interior, Dan examined his supplies. Two spare diapers, a pair of grey track legs and a matching top that looked remarkably like what he used to wear at home in Manor Homes Village, a pair of trainers, a bottle of water, and two ham and cheese baps. He would survive.
Dan settled in to wait. Eventually, he heard a vehicle pull up. Somebody rattled the door of the trailer which confirmed that it was locked. No attempt was made to communicate with him, no friendly slap on the side of the trailer even. Must be a strictly confidential deal, Dan supposed. Ask no questions, expect no answers. The less you know the better. If the trailer door is locked then you are good to go. Just deliver the box to the address and get out of there. Dan felt the trailer lift and drop onto the hitch of the vehicle, probably a pickup. Then they were off. He decided the airfield had been under observation and the arrival of the mystery Lear jet reported. While he was walking along the side of the hanger he had noticed a storage and van rental place just outside the perimeter fence. That's probably where this trailer came from, he speculated, as he shuffled down into the sleeping bag.
He had no watch and couldn't see out of the enclosed trailer. Dan found it hard to judge their progress. The sun had gone down as the aircraft reached its destination. Dan reckoned it was now maybe nine in the evening, local time. He had no idea what time it was Paris, but he knew he'd had a long day. He lay down in the sleeping bag and let his mind drift to the prospect of having a good time with Elizabeth tomorrow after he was delivered to her door and had a good night's sleep. She'd probably drop a pan on the floor at breakfast, her in her sexy Britney outfit. He'd chastise her heartily, before having her slip between his knees to lustily suck on his dick. Good times ahead. Dan fell asleep. He came to suddenly when they seemed to slow down. Coming off the highway, Dan decided. After a few stops and starts that seemed like traffic lights, he knew they were near. Then they slowed and stopped. He heard some talking. The gated entrance to Manor Homes Village. Dan's pal the security man doing his job. Next, the trailer reversed and was unhitched. Without any indication, no slap of goodbye on the side panel, Dan heard the tow vehicle drive away. The package had been delivered as instructed. The waiting began again.
Dan must have dozed off. The sound of the bolt being pulled back and the trailer door opening woke him. It was dark outside. Dan blinked to try and clear his vision and focus on the figure standing at the trailer door.
'Well, well, the wanderer returns. Come out, Dan. Let's have a look at you.'
It was Mary. Dan was a bit shocked. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be in Dubai. And where was Elizabeth, his rescuer?
'H..Hello, M.. Madam,' stuttered Dan, as he shuffled on his ass down to the trailer door. Nothing dignified about it. At least he had changed into his track legs and top and was wearing a fresh diaper. As he reached the end of the trailer, he could see he was back in his own driveway. The trailer had been reversed up to the now open garage door.
'Let's go inside and talk,' said Mary, moving into the garage. Dan followed as Mary pressed the remote on her key ring. The garage door closed behind them. She led the way into the kitchen, past the door of the slave quarters. Dan glanced in nervously, hurrying past.
'Make us both a coffee, Dan.'