Page 30 of Hayes
“He’s there,” said Bonds.
“Am I supposed to just trust that, sir?” questioned Wyatt.
“No. No, of course not,” said Bonds. “I’m certain that I can obtain aerial photos of his location. Give me some time, and I can ensure his location.”
Bonds somehow obtained satellite photos showing Aamani and his men in the village. Of course, it was most likely bogus, but that didn’t matter. He now had dug such a hole for himself, he’d never see the light of day again.
“I’d like to tag along on this flight,” said Bonds.
“I’m sorry, we can’t allow that,” said the commander. Bonds nodded, pretending to be disappointed.
“Then I would simply ask that you fly me to Kuwait so that I can be close to the action.” The commander stared at him and nodded.
“Excuse me for a moment. I need to make sure everything is ready, and then we can get you on another chopper and into Kuwait.”
When the commander left, Bonds locked the door and then dialed the number one more time.
“It’s done. He’ll be in the air within the hour.” Bonds could hear noise in the background, something that sounded like gunfire, but he couldn’t be sure. With Aamani, it could have been anything.
“Wonderful. Will I have just one pilot or two?”
“Just one, but I’ll meet you in Kuwait,” said Bonds. “Have my money, and we’ll be done with one another.”
“Of course, my friend. Of course,” chuckled Aamani.
The background noise was gone now, only silence behind Aamani’s voice. Whatever the maniac was up to didn’t matter to Bonds. He just wanted his money.
Bonds unlocked the commander’s door and took his seat once again. When the door opened, he turned, smiling.
“Are we ready?”
“We thought you’d like to see the pilot take off,” said the commander. Bonds nodded, smiling.
“Yes. Yes, that would be great,” he said with a little too much excitement.
Standing on the bridge, he watched as the man walked toward the jet, his helmet secured. The side of the helmet listed his name quite clearly, and Bonds could feel his excitement.
It was a spectacular sight watching a jet take off from a carrier. It seemed an impossible task, and yet they did it daily, multiple times per day. When the jet was gone, he pressed three keys on his satellite phone, telling Aamani the jet was on its way.
“Well, I can get to Kuwait now,” said Bonds.
“I don’t think so,” said the commander. All the men on the bridge, once facing toward the deck, now turned, staring down at Bonds. One face he instantly recognized.
“H-Hayes,” he whispered.
“Surprise!” said Hayes, raising one hand. “Bet you thought I was dead.”
“I-I’m so happy to see you’re alive,” he said with an anxious expression.
“Fuck off, Bonds.”
“Sir!” said Bonds, staring at the commander. The older man just raised his brows and then looked at the others.
“I believe these gentlemen have something they’d like to speak with you about,” said the commander.
Bonds thought about running, but it was too late. He looked at the room full of men and realized that one of them was, in fact, Wyatt O’Neal.
“I-I thought,” he started.
