Traverse

By: Mavric Pendragon

 

  Moving around in the dark, Mavric found the circuit breaker. He didn’t really need to hunt for it at this point, because this was his fifth time being down here in the past hour, but the others appreciated when the lights came on. It wasn’t that he was the only one to flip the breaker, but Rorik and Phoebe were over in the basement of their new house making a tunnel in his direction and Caspar thought it best if he were on his end to receive them to make sure everything went according to plan. They had started soon after Natu and Cole had left because it was now in the way of them moving in. Flipping the breaker once more Mavric wondered why Caspar had not yet hired an electrician for his enterprise.

  “Try it now!” He hollered, up the winding stairs.

  It was Beniah’s turn to cook dinner, but in all the unrest of the day the kitchen had lost power multiple times that day. He was almost ready to revert to making a firepit in the backyard or hooking up a generator at this point, but Caspar had told him he had a better way. Taking his own leave Caspar got into the Ferrari and drove off. He didn’t tell the others where he was going because he was only planning on being gone for a few hours, but Beniah noticed and took his job very seriously.

  “Where are you going sir?” He asked, leaving the kitchen and making his way to the car.

  Caspar didn’t want to say, but Beniah set his hand on the hood of the car and leaned forward. It was hard for Caspar to take Beniah seriously as he leaned over the car in his uniform while also donning Phoebe’s magenta apron. The two men were at a standstill until Caspar spoke.

  “It has come to my attention that we are in desperate need of an electrician.” Caspar began, “I can either phone him in for the day and see if he is available or I can drive out to his work and offer him a full time position working here for me. So, unless you like asking Mavric to flip breakers for you and are ok with running your own wiring when I start getting other buildings up I must be going.”

  Beniah backed off. Caspar had made his point very clear. The only thing that bugged him was that Caspar was going out alone, but then again the group had not been around long and still had much to grow before it would truly be safe. 

  “See you when you return sir.” Beniah replied.

  Caspar waved a casual step back/farewell before slowly making his way down the driveway. This was his turn to go out and be a part of the team, not just the figurehead of it. He knew that Cole and Natu had not yet returned with Nadia and Rocky, but he knew if they needed help Chicago was a ways away by car. Driving off he left the team to figure things out for themselves, not because he didn’t think they could, but to make sure they would not grow overly dependent on him in case… He let the thought wander, he couldn’t go there, not yet. Heading out to Harverhill, New Hampshire he called the local power company.

  “Hello, this is Caspar Willowsbi, may I speak to a Mister Ramone Sparks?” He began, “Yes, I see, so he will be in, in around an hour. Great, I should be there around the same time. See you soon.” The call hung up and Caspar turned on some jazz as he made his way to the power plant.

  He was enjoying the ride when a white tractor trailer truck came up behind him. The road was four lanes with a jersey barrier in the middle, so Caspar went to pull from the high speed lane to the lower lane to let them pass, but as he was about to a black tow truck came up quickly and almost clipped him. Pulling back into the high speed lane at the last second Caspar accelerated to keep in front of the tractor trailer once the tow truck was a safe distance in front of him he moved into the slower lane. Once he was in the slow lane the tractor trailer pulled up next to him and hindered him from coming back into his lane. Then up ahead the tow truck stopped in his lane and a man got out of the passenger side door and aimed a shotgun at Caspar. The man took a shot and Caspar went skidding off of the road into the breakdown and then into the woods.

  The front of his car found a sturdy tree that became enveloped by the front of the expensive car. There was debris everywhere and Caspar fumbled to find his seat belt clip release. He could hear the tow truck backing up as he found the clip. Unbuckling himself he opened his door and hit the ground as another shot that embedded itself into the bulletproof glass windshield. Caspar reached up into a compartment on the side of the driver seat and pulled out a small pistol. The world was a dangerous place, but to get to his age Caspar had understood this for a long time. Pulling a receiver out of his jacket pocket he pressed a button and a red light began to blink. He just hoped he wasn’t too late.

***

  Flying from Chicago to Willowsbi Enterprise, Nadia was about to radio Beniah when a red light began to flash on her dashboard.

  “Sorry, boys, we have to make a side trip.” She squawked into her mic for Natu and Cole to hear. “The boss has called for a lift not far from us.”

  Changing her course she radioed Beniah.

  “Homefront, this is Bell. Homefront, do you copy, over?” She asked.

  “Bell, this is Homefront.” Beniah replied, “What’s your status, over?”

  “Boss has requested a lift North of your position. Requesting ground support, over.” She informed.

  “Where is the signal, over?” Beniah asked, grabbing his bulletproof vest and keys.

  “Just south of Havenhill, over.” Nadia informed, “ETA five minutes for us, over.”

  “I’ll be right behind you.” Beniah assured, “Homefront, over and out.”

  The signal went quiet, but Nadia knew down below home was anything but that. Making her way North she searched for Caspar’s car as she hovered over the road. Everything seemed ok, until she saw a white tractor trailer truck and black tow truck parked at an odd angel and skidmarks on the road.

***

  Down on the ground Capar crawled into the brush and out of sight. He felt like his breathing could be heard for miles, and his heartbeat was a dull droning that would call his attackers to him. He was outnumbered and outgunned, but he was not the one at the disadvantage. Two men approached the vehicle as the man who took a shot at him stood back scanning the area around the car.

  “He’s not here, Hank.” One of the men called out looking around the car.

  Hank, who had taken the shot at Caspar, shook his head.

  “He’s here.” Hank assured, and he’s close.

  The other man was about to argue with him about it when all of a sudden Caspar’s car exploded into a ball of fire. The two men at the car did not have time to react before being engulfed in the flames. Hank backed up and raised his gun. The delay meant that someone had triggered the inferno and that meant that Caspar was still alive and close by. The sound of Nadia’s helicopter closing in spooked Hank and he took his eyes off the ground and raised his gun. This was all Caspar needed aiming his pistol. Caspar took two shots at his attacker, the first hit him in the hand causing him to drop the barrel of his rifle and the second was in his other arm causing him to drop the gun. Getting up as quickly as he could, Caspar scooped up his cane that had rolled out of the car and he took the end that was for the ground in both hands and swung the handle of the cane at Hank’s head. Hank did not have time to react before contact was made and he took a blow to the right temple. Blacking out Hank hit the ground as Caspar looked around. He heard Nadia encircling and pulled out a radio to give her instruction.

  “Alpha to Bell, Alpha to Bell, come in Bell, over.” He called.

  “Alpha this is Bell, over.” Nadia replied.

  “Land to the South side of the tractor trailer and the tow truck, over.” He ordered.

  “Copy that, over and out.” Nadia replied.

  Caspar waited by Hank for a few minutes bending down and tying him up with a mixture of fishing line and the leads to a taser. He did not want to take any chances. His actions made every joint in his body ache, and he felt the need to use his cane had just gotten worse. Leaning heavily on his cane he waited until the droning of the helicopter died down. Feeling a drop run down the right corner of his mouth down his chin he whipped out a white handkerchief. Running it along his face he saw it was covered in dirt, grime, and blood. Knowing he would get an earful from Nadia, Natu or Beniah he awaited his fate.

  The Bell 212’s rotors stopped and the sound of feet on the pavement could be heard. One was moving faster than the others and he knew it was Nadia. Natu and Cole knew Caspar and worked with Caspar, but Caspar had known Nadia for over a decade now. He paid for her pilot schooling and even started buying aircraft so she could learn to fly them. He spent many late nights quizzing her and even highered personal instructors to train her. He was there when she moved out of her parent’s house and even bought her rental and helped her set up a budget. He was there when her dad passed away and even now was paying for her mom’s nursing home so Nadia could keep saving up for a place to bring her home. To her this man was not a man, but her hero.

  “Caspar! Caspar! Are you ok!?!” She called almost tripping over Hank in her haste.

  Caspar didn’t reply right away. Instead he waited for Cole and Natu to make their way over. Once the three of them were around him he began to speak.

  “This is the last time any of us go out on their own.” He began, still trying to catch his breath. “I thought that proximity was the key, but in my short excursion out here where I should be half way home by now I see that this is not the case. I assume Beniah is on his way.”

  “Yes, sir.” Nadia replied trying to keep it together, “And you are hurt.”

  “I am aware.” Caspar replied as she tried to brush his hair off his face to look at the bruise he had earned himself in the fiasco. “Please don’t worry about me at the moment. The man at my feet should be the only survivor of my attackers. Please detain him up by the road.”

  Natu took Hank from the armpits and Cole grabbed his feet. Trudging and tripping they made there way up to the road noting the wounds Caspar had inflicted on him. As they got closer to the road Hank woke up and began to try to flail. Not in the mood to wrestle with him, Natu and Cole dropped him hard on the hot pavement. Hank screamed with pain as he landed on his arm where Caspar shot him. Wanting to shut him up, Natu ran to the helicopter and pulled out a piece of cloth that he found. Wadding it into a ball he stuffed it in Hank’s mouth. Looking back at where they had carried Hank from they watched as Nadia was helping Caspar make his way back to the cars and helicopter. He had one arm around her neck and over her shoulder and couldn’t seem to move his right leg. Nadia was struggling to keep him upright, but they were on their way over.

  As they walked closer the ground began to shift in front of them going from a steep incline to a more gentle slope. Then Natu and Cole came down and took Caspar. Nadia didn’t want to let him go.

  “I got him.” She barked.

  “It’s not that we don’t think you do.” Natu began, “but I would rather help you with Mister Willowsbi than have you be a backseat driver in the helicopter as one of us learns to drive it.”

  “You don’t drive a helicopter, you fly or pilot it.” She criticized.

  “See, I can’t even say it right.” Natu teased. “But I can carry him. Please let me do it.”

  Nadia moved enough out of the way to let Natu get underneath Caspar while Cole came along Caspar’s other side. Making their way up the hill to the road they had him take a seat on the back of the tow truck.

  “Cole move the tractor trailer out of the road please.” Caspar wheezed, “We are causing enough of a scene already. Nadia do the same with the helicopter please.”

  The two each went in their own direction, Cole moved the truck forward and off the road and Nadia started up the helicopter. Taking to the air she shifted it to the right enough for traffic to get by in the other lane. Luckily the barrier in the middle made it so none of their work was blocking oncoming traffic.

  Once everything was moved Caspar called the tow truck company and tractor trailer truck company before he called the local police. His group was not experienced enough to handle this on their own and Hank needed somewhere that would provide medical attention and evaluation. He also should have been looked at by emergency medical personnel, but at his rate he would be arriving at the end of Ramone’s shift instead of the beginning of it.

  By the time Beniah arrived he could not believe his eyes. The scene was crawling with police and emergency vehicles making it almost impossible to get to Caspar. Making his way through on foot Beniah found Caspar on the back of an ambulance while another one pulled away with Hank in the back. Caspar was very banged up and Nadia was at his side. Natu and Cole had just been cleared to go and finished the trek in the tow truck that Capar just bought and told him about Rocky exchanging his business card for the letter for the electrician. Caspar was talking to an officer making sure his team had full access to the vehicles after they were searched by police. They had cleared the tow truck, but the tractor trailer was still being searched. Seeing Beniah, Caspar asked the officer he was speaking with to bring him closer. Once Beniah was before Caspar he shook his head.

  “If you are going to say ‘I told you so’, at least do it over dinner.” Caspar scoffed.

  “What happened?” Beniah asked.

  “The world is a dangerous and unforgiving place.” Caspar replied. “Someone knows who I am, where I am and tried to take me out. Once Cole and Natu get back we need a change in strategy of how we get more Potenthros onboard.”

  “They drove him off the road, and a man named Hank was the only attacker who survived the incident.” Nadia informed, “He is currently on his way to the hospital like Caspar should be to take care of his wounds.”

  Nadia nudged Caspar playfully before getting up and heading to the helicopter to get a blanket.

  “So, our cover is blown, sir. What should we do next?” Beniah asked.

  Beniah’s question was pointed as he looked to Caspar as his leader. Caspar had talked about leading a team making a place safe for them to work. So far he had had the worst encounters, but still, if someone would go after Caspar what was to say they weren’t already watching the house.

  “I’ll call a crew to bring down the tractor trailer I just bought and then head back with you to go to my study.” Caspar informed as if nothing happened besides a couple of business deals, “I need to call a man by the name of Ivo Ross and see if he would be willing to work for me.”

  Caspar made his initial call and made sure the rest of his team and equipment was cleared to leave. Then he waited until everyone else was on the move before he and Beniah headed home.

***

  Riding up to the powerplant Cole stared out the window while Natu white knuckled the steering wheel. They were driving a car that was intended to be a part of what broke their group and now it was being used to advance it. Leery of every vehicle Natu lurched and bumbled his way up the road. After the third time having his head slammed against the glass Cole had enough.

  “Pull over, Natu.” Cole ordered.

  Natu lurched when Cole spoke, weaving the car along the road.

  “Pull over, Natu.” Cole ordered once more. His voice was stern and steady.

  Natu obeyed, bringing the car to a stop in the breakdown lane.

  “Are you doing ok?” Cole asked, twisting himself to face Natu while still seated.

  “Oh, it's nothing.” Natu shrugged.

  “My head says otherwise.” Cole complained, “So before I give you a matching egg on your head, spit it out.”

  Natu leaned back in his seat and stared up at the roof of the truck. He didn’t want the others to know, but Cole was insistent.

  “If I tell you, please keep it a secret.” Natu began, “It’s not bad, it's just that I don’t want others getting hurt.”

  Cole leaned back and folded his arms.

  “No promises, until after I hear it.” He scoffed.

  “It’s the fact that I haven’t been able to talk to M recently.” Natu began, “It’s hard on me.”

  “Get out and let me drive, and then tell me more about M.” Cole began, “In particular, why is it hard on you not to talk to them?”
  The two changed seats and Cole began to drive to the power plant.

  “I don’t really want to talk about them.” Natu sighed.

  “Then they aren’t important.” Cole scoffed, “So forget about them.”

  Natu was appalled at Cole’s remark. How could he be so calas.

  “Who gave you the right to mock me like this?” Natu huffed.

  “I believe it was the soon-to-be egg that will be on the right side of my forehead.” Cole rebutted, gently touching the area of his head that had repeatedly hit the window. “Come on man, take a stand and tell me about M with or without an audience. I think we will have a better time getting this gentleman than Rocky Silver.”

  Natu didn’t appreciate what Cole was doing, but he had let his thoughts get the better of him and it was ruining his work performance. Maybe if he told Cole it would help and at least he would finally be able to talk to someone about it.

  “M,” Natu sheepishly began, “M is my girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend!” Cole chirped. “If I had a  girlfriend and work got in the way like you make it sound I wouldn’t have one for very long.”

  “But I have to hold a job.” Natu argued.

  “Does Caspar own you 24/7?” Cole rebutted.

  “No, but…” Natu began.

  “Am I hindering you from making a phone call?” Cole asked.

  “Well…” Natu started.

  “If I am, I have no problem tying you to the arm of the truck to give you such privacy as I drive.” Cole jabbed.

  Natu sighed. He wanted to talk, but Cole was making it very difficult to express himself.

  “Are you finished?” Natu asked.

  Cole gestured with one hand giving Natu the floor.

  “We are in a very tight situation at work now.” Natu began, “Caspar was just attacked and we had no response team ready to treat his wounds. The house is very ill guarded and does not seem to have a good system for taking in others besides whomever Caspar orders to come. There is no place and no safety for her, but it is my job.”

  “Why are you talking to me?” Cole asked, “Great points, but we will be ready to pick up Caspar’s contact in fifteen minutes. Call M and talk to me on the way back.”

  Natu shook his head and then dialed M’s number.

  “Hello, this is Natu, may I… yes… ok I can wait.” Natu began, “Hey beautiful. Yes I am driving up to an appointment for my employer and thought I would give you a call to see how you are doing.”

  Cole playfully swatted at Natu and Natu blocked it with one hand while almost dropping his phone with the other. Natu shot Cole a glare, but Cole just shrugged and kept on driving. Natu was on the phone with M the rest of the trip up and only hung up because they had arrived. They pulled up next to a large reservoir and Cole called the company.

  “Yes, I am calling on behalf of Mister Caspar Willowsbi.” He began, “Yes, of course. I am well aware that I am arriving long after he said he would arrive, but extenuating circumstances have delayed his coming and my colleague and I were asked to come in his stead. Yes, yes, I am aware madam, but that is what occurred.”

  Natu saw Cole was struggling and took the phone.

  “Caspar here,” he said, slowly sounding and looking more and more like his employer. “I see, well then I would like to speak to him at once to offer my most sincere apologies in person… I understand, but may I at least have the chance to speak with him. Thank you. Yes, we can wait.”

  Cole could not believe his eyes, where Natu sat it looked like Caspar was reclining in the passenger’s seat.  

  “Are you ready to get a move on Mister Ferrus?” He asked, taking up his cane and mimicking Caspar’s limp to a tee. “Just leave the talking to me.”

  Cole got out of the truck. Natu was a new man after talking to M, both in confidence and in appearance. Now seeing him as Caspar Cole assumed that Natu would go by their boss’s name. Leaving all the talking to Natu, Cole changed his mannerisms more to that of a driver than anything else. This would give him reason for coming, but he had to wait for Natu to speak before he could say much if anything so their stories lined up. He had only known the kid for a few days, but since they left to get Rocky they began to act more and more like a team.

  Gaining access to speak with Ramone the two waited in a conference room for Ramone to arrive. The large and burly redhead soon loomed in the doorway. His arms were crossed and his left ankle was crossed in front of his right. His light blue safety glasses were folded so that they hung from the neck hole of his shirt, while they were half covered by his thick reddish blond beard.

  “Can I help you folks?” He asked in a deep, low voice.

  Natu took the lead while Cole sat back.

  “Why yes sir you can.” Natu began, “I am putting together a housing complex South of here and heard that if I needed an electrician you were the man for the job.”

  “Ok, how much work are we talking here?” Ramone asked.

  “One residential house sized building to start, with others in the works.” Natu explained. “I already have a house on the property you could stay at while you work, or you could commute.”

  “When you say in the works.” Ramone asked closing the door behind him and taking a seat across from Natu. “What do you mean?”

  “I am building a housing complex.” Natu began, “The first house is finished with a second one underway. Once the crews are finished with one I want them to keep moving on to the next one. At the moment I need an electrician. Are you interested in taking on my first and possibly many other houses. I will pay you double your currant salary on top of all this.”

  Ramone sat back and thought about the offer. Double salary sounded nice, but he had a few more questions.

  “What are my hours?” He asked.

  “When do you want to work on it? I have a deadline for each building. If they are met, that's what matters.” Natu began, “If you want to work here and then work on my place afterwards that’s fine. If you want to get out of here and work for me through these projects I can make that happen too.”

  Ramone pondered the offer. He had weaseled his way up in the ranks at this job without anyone finding out that he was different. What made this Caspar fellow so sure about him now.

  “What if I refuse?” Ramone asked, “Who’s your next runner up?”

  Natu leaned forward and looked Ramone in the eyes.

  “What if you accept?” He whispered, “Then I have no need for a runner up. I only need a runner up if I don’t think you are up for the job.”

  Natu pulled out Ramone’s letter and slid it across the table.

  “Think about it, but I need to hear from you soon to keep on schedule.” He explained as he leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers with his hands on his gut.

  Counting to twenty in his head Natu waited until the complete countdown was finished before moving his arms as if he was going to stand up to leave. Beginning to rise he reached for his cane. Cole followed his lead and stood up behind him.

  “You’re leaving already?” Ramone asked.

  “Is there anything else you wish to talk about?” Natu asked. Pausing as he leaned on the table before him.

  “What about benefits?” Ramone asked.

  Natu smiled.

  “I’ll match this place just for having you walk on site and go up from there.” Natu promised. “Show me that my contacts are correct and you’re the man for the job and you have little to worry about.”

  Ramone was now very interested. He could do what he loved and not have to worry about much else.

  “When can I come down and see the sight?” He asked.

  “I’m on my way there now.” Natu began, “Either hop in my truck or follow me back.”

  “My shift is over in a half hour, can I finish my shift?” Ramone asked.

  “I have to go, but one of my guys named Natu will be here with Cole when you get out. Follow them down.” Natu replied.

  Ramone agreed and the three dispersed. Waiting in the car Natu changed form again back to his normal self and called Caspar.

  “Sir, Ramone will be coming down to see the place in a half hour.” Natu informed, before recapping all promises he made to Ramone. “I just want you informed, sir.”

  Natu hung up and lied down in the back seat of the car. He was exhausted, but he had done it. Ramone was now a part of Willowsbi enterprise. Maybe this victory would help Caspar overlook their failure to acquire Rocky.

  “Good job in there.” Cole praised, “Now time to get home in one piece.” 

  The duo waited in the truck until Ramone came out. Exchanging greetings they told Ramone where they were going and headed down. As the sun began to set they pulled into Willowsbi Enterprise. Before them the framework of a house was there to greet them. Rorik and Phoebe had finished the tunnel that still needed to be buried, but the ground team was working on it. As they parked the car Natu noticed Rocky among the workers.

  “What’s he doing here?” He asked.

  Natu, Cole and Ramone went inside and looked for Caspar.

  “Caspar, how did you get Rocky to come out here on such short notice?” Natu asked.

  “I bought his company.” Caspar remarked as if it were a trivial matter. “Ah, Ramone, how was your trip down?”

  “Fine sir,” Ramone replied, “Is that the house you asked me to work on?”

  “That it is.” Caspar assured. “But it can wait until tomorrow. Please, join us for dinner.”

  The team gathered in the dining room and things began to feel a bit cramped. But Caspar assured them that it was only temporary. 

  “I have plans.” Caspar informed, “I just needed a team that could turn them into a reality. I have another building to set up tomorrow if anyone would like to join me. For now let’s enjoy the fact that we have traversed the birth pains of starting a great enterprise.”