A Time for Patriots

“Second, it is completely unclear why the FBI has ordered the seizure of Dr. Masters’s aircraft and these two defensive systems, the Tin Man and the Cybernetic Infantry Device,” Darrow went on. “They were not involved in either occurrence and are completely outside the purview of this investigation — Dr. Masters merely sold and installed the sensors that General McLanahan and his friends used on their private aircraft for personal reasons. Again, the FBI is using this opportunity to punish Dr. Masters, Mr. Macomber, and Miss Turlock for their previous actions, and that is completely unacceptable.

“I would like to invite General Patrick McLanahan to make a statement,” Darrow continued. “As you all very well know, Lieutenant-General McLanahan is a retired veteran with twenty years of service in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of three-star general. He has long proved himself the champion of the American people and of the cause of justice in every corner of the globe. Even when faced with tremendous odds and strong opponents, General McLanahan has consistently and unerringly taken the challenge upon himself, and he has taken the fight to the enemy, protecting our country, our people, and our allies from certain destruction.

“In retirement, General McLanahan’s main job is raising his son, Bradley. But he also serves as a volunteer mission pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, as does Bradley, and both were recently credited with a find and a rescue of an airplane crash victim. General McLanahan also performs charity medical flights for Angel Flight West, helping needy medical patients get lifesaving treatment free of charge. His is still serving his country and his community to this day. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present my client and a genuine American hero, General Patrick McLanahan.”

As Patrick took the dais, the Avenger air-defense vehicle suddenly moved its gun and missile turret from a stowed position to unstowed, and it began to move toward the C-57 Skytrain. Jon Masters turned and walked toward the aircraft.

“Jon, where are you going?” Charlie whispered.

“Why is that thing heading toward my plane?” Jon asked. “Whoever’s driving that thing better be careful.”

“It can wait, Jon.”

“He should have a wing walker out there. I’ll be right—” Suddenly the Avenger roared off at high speed toward the Skytrain. “Hey!” Jon shouted. “Watch out!”

Patrick turned and saw a blue Air Force maintenance van racing down a taxiway at very high speed, heading right for them! “What the…?” At that instant, the Avenger’s twenty-millimeter Gatling gun opened fire on the van. The audience screamed at the impossibly loud BRRZZZZZZZ! sound erupting from just a few yards away. Patrick waved at the audience. “Get back!” he shouted. “Back toward the hangar! Run!”

“Jon, get back here!” Charlie shouted, and she dashed off after him. Jon had run all the way to the Skytrain’s left wingtip, waving at the Avenger. “Jon!”

“What’s he trying to do — rip my airplane to shreds?” Jon shouted, pointing at the Avenger as heavy-caliber rounds continued to pour from the cannon. That’s when he noticed the maintenance van heading toward him, faster and faster. “Hey, what’s that van doing? Someone tell that jerk to steer away from—”

The heavy machine-gun rounds ripped into the van. Tires and glass exploded, and something inside the engine compartment detonated, blowing the hood completely off.

“Get down! Everybody get down!” Patrick shouted, and he grabbed Darrow and Brad and pulled them down to the tarmac…

… just as the van exploded in a gigantic fireball, less than a hundred yards away.

Base Medical Clinic, Joint Air Base Battle Mountain

Several hours later

David Bellville walked into the waiting room of the small base clinic, dressed in scrubs and removing a surgical mask, cap, and latex gloves. The room was packed with people: some looked seriously hurt, with bandaged faces and limbs, while others had less serious wounds. He came over to where Patrick, Brad, Whack, and Darrow were standing, along with Rob Spara and John de Carteret, who had arrived at the clinic shortly after the blast. Three of them had some cuts and scrapes, and their clothing was burned in places; Whack was still in the Tin Man armor, but had suffered some burns on his face. “Hey, Patrick,” David said.

“What’s the latest, David?” Patrick asked.

“Your friend Charlie has some burns and a concussion,” David said. “There were a number of severe burn injuries and injuries from the explosion, but luckily it was far enough away.” He looked directly at Patrick. “There was just one fatality.” Patrick closed his eyes, and he half leaned, half stumbled back against the wall for support. “I’m sorry, Patrick.”

“What?” Brad asked, looking back and forth from Patrick to David in confusion. “Who?”