The Guardian's Wildchild (44 page)

“How, why?” he stammered. He looked over to Sam, standing calm beside him. “I saw … things. Terrible things, Sam. A world gone mad, and
I
was making it happen. Like I was mad myself.” He grabbed Sam’s arm. “What have I done?”

Sam held the admiral’s shoulder and motioned for him to have a seat. He retrieved the feather, placed it back into its envelope and into his coat pocket.

“You’ll feel better in a few minutes,” Sam said, offering the man a glass of water.

“I never meant for any of this to happen,” the admiral said in complete surrender.

Sam waited for the man to regain his composure. “Admiral, what’s your vision for this planet’s future?”

“The future? My vision? God, it better not be what I just saw.” He gazed out through the clear plastic that was now stretched over the window opening. Soon he began to paint a picture. “I see children playing in clean, clear water. I see boreal forests filled with birds. Nations without borders. I see peace, Sam.” He appeared calmer than Sam could ever remember. “I see peace,” he repeated.

Sam sat down across from the admiral. “Sounds like you and I have similar visions. We may only disagree on how to arrive there.”

The admiral looked forlorn. “You know, Sam, once you start keeping company with the insane, visions become twisted.”

“I know all about what company you’ve been keeping.”

The admiral studied Sam’s face. “How could you? No one knows, aside from Butchart.”

“
Thy Kingdom Come
. And Madame. I found a copy of the complete file.”

The admiral stiffened.

“Relax. No one but me has read the complete file. I have a copy, thanks to Sidney.”

The admiral rolled his eyes. “Her again! Why thanks to her?”

“Sidney copied it from your computer and then hid it. She seems to believe that the file causes anyone who touches it nothing but grief and death. Seems pretty accurate, so far.”

The admiral frowned. “Perhaps that’s why Frank Butchart appears ill at times. He’s become fanatical over the crystal project security. Chances are he’s now one of Madame’s spies.”

Sam moved close to the admiral’s ear. Barely speaking above a whisper he asked, “Admiral, if, and only
if
the crystal were powerful, who would you think should have access to that power? Someone like Butchart? Madame? Me, you … who?”

The admiral’s eyes were wide with shock “Are you saying those crystals do have power? They can be used to destroy, like what happened yesterday?”

Sam nodded. “They have no power on their own. The crystal only amplifies the intent of the one accessing the crystal, making the power last longer and become stronger. But they can’t be activated unless the user is able to be calm and focused. Someone like Butchart. The crystal doesn’t differentiate between what’s for the higher good and what’s for harm.”

The admiral starred at Sam. “Did you use a crystal yesterday? Where is it?”

“It’s hidden in my shoe.”

The admiral shook his head. “Damn, what have I done? I don’t know what possessed me to agree to Madame’s plan. No one should be trusted with that much power. No one.” He looked away, again deep in thought. “I’m going lock up those crystals, Sam.”

The admiral placed a call to the Naval Base science lab. He ordered the scientists to shut down the lab and leave immediately. He then ordered his head of security to ensure the lab was locked and to prevent anyone from entering it. They were to use lethal force if necessary.

He turned to Sam. “I was skeptical about the crystals in the beginning but was motivated by Madame to participate in her project. I figured that if the crystal were proven to be powerful, I’d be viewed as a hero, saving the world from these dark times. I figured a person like her wouldn’t bother with crystals unless she knew for a fact they had power. Over this past year I began to have doubts about her, particularly because she watched my every move. At first, I thought perhaps she was just overly zealous in her work, but then the threats started, and Sam, she has the wealth and manpower to back those up.”

The admiral’s comlink sounded, and the security staff at his gate announced that Captain Butchart had arrived.

25. Guardians of Light and Dark Duel

July 16, 1735 Hours, New Seattle

“Let Captain Butchart pass,” the admiral commanded his front gate security. “And let me know the second there’s any indication of Madame or her troops approaching.” He turned back to Sam. “You realize both of us are going to have to fight for our lives before the day is done! Madame isn’t going to let you walk away.”

“She appears to have already made an attempt on mine,” Sam murmured. “Had a little car trouble last night.”

The admiral grimaced. “She always knows my every move. She’s probably gathering up her forces as we speak.”

“Sir, I have to get my boys out of here. We’re going to have to come up with a strategy.”

“Give Frank the feather. Perhaps it’ll bring him back to his senses too.”

“He’d recognize it and stay clear of its influence. No, and I don’t dare use any Guardian powers. Look what happened the last time. I can’t risk any lives, especially those of my sons.”

Frank entered the room. The three men faced each other in a triangle formation, each with his arms crossed over his chest. Sam had no respect for Butchart and no trust, yet made an effort to start the conversation without hostility.

“I want apologize to you for yesterday’s incident. As I told Admiral Garland, it was totally accidental. I had no intention of doing any damage or harming anyone. How are your wounds?”

Butchart glared at Sam. “Never mind my wounds.” Then Butchart smiled. He was in his element. He’d taken more of his medication, and his arm was free of pain. “By the way, your boys are fine … for now. They’ll be released unharmed the second you admit the truth about the crystals. It’s that simple.”

The admiral was shocked. His eyes were wide and his mouth opened, but no sounds were emitted. He took a breath.

“Frank, you’ve lost your mind!” the admiral shouted.

Sam glared at Butchart. His uneasy feeling about his sons’ absence was founded after all.

“I’ve nothing more to say about those rocks!” Sam stood firm, his shoulders square with Butchart’s. His hands remained clenched at his side as he resisted grabbing the man’s throat. “Where are my boys?”

Butchart wasn’t intimidated. “Perhaps you’ll change your mind once you see your kids suffering from your poor judgment.”

Admiral Garland approached Butchart. “I forbid you to harm those boys. You have no business putting innocent children at risk. I order you to release them. Right now, Frank!”

Butchart was surprised at the admiral’s show of concern for the boys.

“Admiral, this has to be done. It’ll answer any doubts you’ve had about the crystals. You’ll see that all the money and struggle was worth it. You’re destined to lead this country, breathe new life into this whole damn planet. They’ll call you the most heroic leader of all time.”

Sam noticed the admiral’s reaction to the idea of being the chosen one. For a moment, he was drawn back into the lust for power. His chin inched a bit higher, and his shoulders shifted back. It lasted only briefly, then the admiral stepped out of the mold. He put his hand on Butchart’s shoulder.

“This isn’t the time, Frank … or the way. Let the boys go. We’ll solve this between men.”

Butchart stood back. “You’ll see, sir. You’ll see that this man has been lying to you. He and his wife committed treasonous acts against you and this country. We must eliminate anyone who interferes with the project. Nothing must get in our way. Madame demands absolute loyalty.”

Butchart switched on the admiral’s comlink monitor and connected with a dimly lit room at the photo lab. Sam saw both Simon and Nathan handcuffed and lying in long, shallow lab sinks that years ago had been used for custom development of photographs. Large jugs sat on a nearby table.

Perkins and some other men came into view in the background. A man near Perkins kept his back to the video camera. There was something familiar about him, and it nagged at Sam.

“What the hell are you doing, Perkins?” the admiral roared.

“Say hi to your dad, boys,” said Perkins with a smirk. “Waterhouse, these jugs contain acid, in case you were wondering.”

“You’re just as sick as this maniac, Perkins,” said Sam, pointing to Butchart. “If you harm my boys, I’ll make sure you live just long enough to regret it.” He thought about using his crystal, but knew it would be useless to even try. His heart pounded, and his mouth was dry. There was no chance of him calming enough to access the crystal’s energy.

Butchart stepped in front of the monitor. The man with his back to the camera disappeared out of view.

“Now, Waterhouse, the admiral is waiting. Sidney told you about the crystals. All you need to do right now is to admit that the sun crystals are the source of limitless power.”

Sam leaned into Frank’s face. “Go to hell!”

“Wrong answer, Waterhouse. Perkins, get the acid!”

“The admiral already knows about the crystals’ power. And he’s promised to lock them up.”

Butchart’s attention snapped to the admiral. “Is this true?”

The admiral raised his hands as if to push Butchart back. “Just for the time being, Frank. There’s too much at stake. Take a look at this room. I’ve got to be certain this is the right time to bring the crystals to the government.”

Butchart stepped up close to the admiral. “She’ll kill us.”

“She’ll be mad as hell, but she needs me, Frank. I’m her access to the government. I’ve already shut down the lab, just minutes ago. The crystals will be moved to a vault somewhere safe until I am satisfied there’s no risk to the stability of America. Or the rest of the world, for that matter. No doubt she is just finding out now that I’ve interfered with her plans.”

Butchart grabbed the admiral’s arm. “Don’t give up, Admiral. This is your time to be known as a hero, the man who saved the world from these dark times.”

The admiral studied Butchart’s face. Finally he could see the desperation in the eyes, the hardness of the mouth, and hear the fear in his voice. The emptiness of his character was now so obvious. Butchart was barely human.

“You’re a sick man, Frank. Return the boys and we’ll forget this business. The Base has doctors. You need help.”

Butchart’s face twitched, and he briefly winced. “I don’t need your help.” He pointed to Sam. “I need you to not cave in to this turncoat.”

Simon and Nathan began to squirm and whimper. A jug was brought over to the sinks, and their eyes became wide with fear.

“No, no!” they cried out. “Dad, make them stop. Please, Dad!”

Sam was becoming frantic. “Boys, relax. Frank isn’t the sort to spend the rest of his miserable life in prison. He’s just scaring you. Nothing’s going to happen to you, I promise.”

Admiral Garland approached Butchart once more. “How much, Frank. Name your price to let those boys go.”

Butchart’s rage escalated to insanity. “You’ll pay for your interference, Waterhouse,” he seethed through clenched teeth. “Pour the acid, Perkins.”

Perkins nodded to the man beside him with his back still facing the video camera. The man raised a small glass container just above Simon’s chest. Simon glanced at the man. There was a moment in which Sam caught the expression on his son’s face. It was a moment of trust, as if the man with the glass was a friend. The liquid dropped onto Simon’s chest. He screamed in agony, and misty fumes obliterated the view.

Sam grabbed Butchart by his uniform and pushed him against a wall. “Stop it!” he screamed. “For God’s sake, stop!” He could still hear Simon screaming. “I’ll tear you to pieces!” He reached for Butchart’s neck.

Butchart wrestled free and screamed, “I’ll destroy them like I destroyed that bitch wife of yours!” He dodged Sam and stood in front of the monitor, his eyes like a wild man. “Kill them, Perkins! Kill them both.”

“You bastard! You killed Joy!” Sam shouted.

“Yeah, I killed your traitorous wife, Waterhouse. And it was almost as much fun to hear her screams as I ran her down as it is to hear your son’s now.”

Sam slammed his fist into Butchart’s face. Dazed, Butchart sank to the floor.

A voice on the comlink shouted out, “Got that, Clay?”

“Yep, sure did, Danik. And I’ll add it to the list of all the other charges he’s accumulated with this little scheme of his.” Detective Clay Flanders turned around and came into view on the monitor.

“Hi, sailor. Told you I’d get the bastard that killed Joy. Admiral Garland, I’d appreciate it if you’d hang on to Captain Butchart, and please instruct your security to let my men in — they’re stationed around your property.”

The admiral nodded. “We’ll take care of him.”

“My boys! They’re okay?” Sam shouted, finally grasping what had just happened.

“Sit up, Simon, show your dad you’re okay,” Clay said. Simon grinned and waved at the monitor just before the connection clicked off.

Butchart forced himself to standing and lunged toward the door. He met a wall in the form of Sam Waterhouse.