A Military transport DC-130 Hercules travels over the South China Sea from the Philippines. The weather was torrential outside as a storm corrupted the ocean below. Within the plane were roughly 34 passengers. Civilians and Military alike.
Some of more interest than others.
Looming in the back of the plane sat a unity of uniformed Officer's. Names of importance considering begins with a tall, dark and brooding Colonel defined by his raven black hair and broad shoulders. He appears strong in build, regal for a better word. Confident. He prefers to be left alone. Not today.
"Colonel Jack Ramse without the Y. It's been awhile."
Spoke another of same said rank. This Colonel had breasts. Big breasts. Pinned back shoulder length red hair and piercing green eyes. She too had muscles and long legs cloaked by a constrictive uniform. She sat down beside him holding her hat.
Ramse glared over at her objecting to his lack of peace.
"Colonel Ruby Goddard. Two years maybe. Stint in Kuwait wasn't it? I hear you moved on up to all the secret stuff."
She nods, "God I need a cigar."
"Bad for you."
"What's not? But, for the record I gave up smoking weeks ago. Doesn't mean I don't crave them. And, yes I've been promoted to babysitter these days. We both know I can't tell you what and where. Who? I hear you turned down an offer to transfer in to "REGION". It's not so bad."
"Never liked kids. I'm no school hall monitor. Crosshairs and gunfights are my M.O." He growls before peering out a window.
"Weather's bad. Lightning is getting closer."
"Afraid of Poseidon, Ruby?"
"You know I'm not afraid of anything. Just like you Big Boy."
"We all fear something. Mine's brats."
"You do realize there's more than a few brats of importance on this flight?"
"Heard. "General Ridge's" wife and daughter. I'll keep my distance. Last time his kid tried to show me her panties. Her modelling skill's rival her hormones."
"She's of age. Of course a court martial would be in the cards."
"Barely. Besides I'm married to my career."
"Ex-wife finally? How is Renee these days?"
"Still married. She's stationed in France. Barely talk."
"Lucky her. You're not much of a communicator."
He grimly looks at her then turns away.
"Come on Jack. I'm just giving you a hard time. Long flight. Gotta do something. Seeing as the Mile High Club got shut down."
"Who's the prodigy?" He nods his gaze toward the middle of the seating roster.
"James Ian Pryce. Fifteen year old genius. Rival's Einstein I hear. Built his first super computer at age six. Graduated from "Imperial College" in London by ten. Stockholme by twelve. Among others. We both know he's in trouble. The Government will lock this kid away and drain him dry. Sad thing is I think he knows this. It's like a challenge to him. Houdini of Area 51."
"Doesn't exist."
She pats his arm, "You just keep that redacted memo for posterity."
As they talk quietly they note a German Shepard wandering toward them between sections.
"Why isn't the dog caged and quarantined in cargo?" Jack squints.
"Belongs to the genius. Smart as he is I think. Look at him watching us. It's like he knows what we're thinking."
"If he did then he might think twice about shitting in the plane. Parachutes won't fit him."
The dog growls at his comment and turns back toward his young Master. Hopping up into the seat next to him.
"It was good to see you Jack. I need to check on the pilots."
"Colonel." He nods with a salute.
"Colonel." She returns the honor.
As Ruby heads past the center section of the plane Jack notes the dog return to the floor as his Master gets up and walks toward him. Jack rolls his eyes as the boy takes the seat next to him.
"Xander doesn't like you." The teen with bushy brown hair grimaces at the Colonel.
"The dog's name is Xander?"
"Yep. I'm James Ian. Colonel Jack Ramse, right?"
Jack creases his brow, "How do you know that?"
"Eavesdropped. Ever read comic books? You look like the "Punisher". Tough looking."
"Get to the point, Kid."
"I just want you to know something."
"Get it over with."
"We won't reach the States. See that weird lightning? Since when is it purple?"
Jack takes a chance and realizes the boy is correct.
"Ok, Science guy. What makes purple lightning so uncommon?"
"Oh, it's common. Just not under these conditions. Outside temperature. Too many factors over your head. Notice the lightning is in swirls?"
"Uncommon?" Jack creases his brow.
"That lightning is building a vortex. What I can't figure out is why our navigation and electrical isn't having fits."
Xander nuzzles James Ian's hand whimpering.
"It's okay boy. Don't take a dump in the hallway. The mean ole Colonel didn't mean he would really parachute you out."
Jack stands up moving in front of the boy into the walkway, "No, I meant it."
He then waltzed toward the pilot cockpit passing The General's wife and daughter, among various others. He looks out a cabin window as another flash occurred.
"Everything alright, Colonel?"
Jack looks down at the large black man in the seat he was leaning on.
"Not sure, Sargent. Keep your eyes peeled for engine fire."
Sargent Malcolm "Malibu" Brand flared his eyes as Jack held a finger to his lips for silence. The bald officer nodded his understanding of avoiding panic.
Beside Malcolm sat another African American woman of incredible beauty. She had fallen asleep.
Moving onward the plane expressed turbulence unbalancing his footing. Easily caught he continues until the cockpit door which opened as he approached.
Colonel Goddard spotted Jack and froze with a fearful look. As they reached each other Ruby clutched Jack's arm.
"Navigation is going haywire. Pilot's ordered us to our seats to ride this out." She whispers.
"Altitude loss?"
"Not yet. It's like we're stuck on course. Lightning is getting fierce. Pray we don't get struck."
