Chapter 19: Bait

Date: September 24th, 2023

Location: Unknown Hangar

Time: 10:15 PM (Local)

Sophomore Year, 1st Semester

The sudden brightness of the hangar’s lights makes Allen’s eyes squint as the hood is removed from his head. Once his vision clears, Allen sees that he’s surrounded by armed women. An older Asian woman stands directly in front of him wears what looks to be an expensive business suit. She has a smile on her face that doesn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m honored to finally meet you, Lieutenant Stryker.” She finishes her statement with a formal bow. Allen’s shocked when the others mirror the woman’s action. Allen fixes a stern glare on his face as he replies.

“I am meeting a lot of new people tonight, but no one has given ME, the honor of giving their names.” Allen finishes his statement with a raised eyebrow.

“I can see how this would be very frustrating. Fine, well let me be the first to give you the honor of telling you my name. My name is Miss Feng.”

“Well, what can I do for you, Miss Feng? You’ve gone through all of this trouble to arrange this meeting after all.”

“My government is very interested in hosting your “visit” to Earth. We can offer you a life of opulence for your cooperation.” Miss Feng motions Allen to follow her as she heads to a corner office located in the hangar. The group of armed women take up positions around the hangar. He has Eve mark each of their locations. Once they arrive, Miss feng takes a seat at the desk and motions her hand for Allen to take the seat opposite. Allen nods in acceptance and sits while crossing his foot over his knee. He suddenly realizes that they have yet to remove the zip ties, causing him to be in an awkward sitting position. Allen uncrosses his legs and leans forward.

“I’d be much more amiable to your request if you could remove my new jewelry.” Allen motions with his shoulders.

“I apologize, lieutenant, but they are necessary for now. Your file mentions that you a very capable person.”

“Well, it seems that we are at our first impasse.” Allen shrugs as he attempts to find a comfortable position. Miss Feng grows agitated as Allen increases his efforts to get comfortable. He notes her irritation and increases his struggle, exaggerating his motions. Miss Feng huffs as Allen continues his efforts.

“Please, Lieutenant! Just snap them as I am sure you can!”

“Allen.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Allen.”

“If you insist.”

“I do.”

Allen brings his hands around his body, holding the snapped flexi-cuffs out to Ms. Feng.

She accepts them and then motions to the office door. They walk back out into the hangar and Allen uses the chance to walk towards the private jet with Ms. Feng following behind him.

Location: Summerton Residence

Amy was certainly earning her paycheck at this moment. The Summerton household was in a furious uproar. At first, Amy believed this assignment to be easy. Despite having to clean up Allen’s occasional messes, most days consisted of monitoring Allen’s activities and delivering reports. Now, she was developing what was sure to be a massive migraine.

“Why would someone take him?” Brad pleaded to Amy.

“I cannot answer that at this moment. Once my boss brings him home, we can all sit down, and my boss will explain everything.” Amy sighs into her coffee cup at the dining table.

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“Did your “organization” place my family in danger?” Laura asks with a sneer.

“No, no we didn’t. We’ve been keeping close tabs on everything. That is why whoever took him must have made their play when Allen was alone. From the way this played out, they have no intention of hurting him or threatening your family.” Amy responded.

Amy knew very well that Allen was in no immediate danger. Colonel Stryker had briefed her over the phone. The Sino-Asian Alliance was making a major play. Apparently, they assumed correctly that Allen was a golden egg laying goose, and they were pulling out all stops to acquire him. She just hoped that Allen could tie them up long enough with his antics for Colonel Stryker to rescue him. Something told her that soon the kidnappers might be experiencing the same migraine that was now pounding in her head.

“But why did he let himself get kidnapped? With the capabilities he’s shone so far, he could have easily avoided this situation.” Amy could only shake her head. God knows what ran through that boy’s head at times. She seriously considered chaining him to his bed once he was home again.

Location: Unknown Hangar

“Eve, you still recording everything?”

“Of course, Allen. I started as soon as the dart delivered the sedative. I’m also still connected to the network. We are located in a private hangar, number 14 at Ellington Airport.”

“Good job as usual, Eve. Now let’s have some fun.” Allen couldn’t explain it, but he was sure he felt Eve preen at the compliment.

As Allen walks at a leisurely pace, Miss Feng silently observes his actions as he arrives at one of the jet’s engines located at the rear of the craft. He places his hand on the engine briefly before running a finger along the rounded metal. Miss Feng can tell that Allen is lost in thought.

“We still use fossil fuels for energy. It’s very wasteful and we’ve invested billions in attempting to create a clean, renewable energy source.”

Allen nods at Miss Feng’s words. He walks towards the wings as he trails a finger along the jet. He decides to throw out a bone and buy time for his nanites to do their work on the jet. Soon, the jet might as well be a display piece. His nanites were currently harvesting precious metals that they have been lacking since his arrival. It was quite a boon in disguise.

“Ever observed a shark swimming through the water?” Miss Feng stumbles a bit at the sudden and strange question.

“Yes….” Miss Feng offers. She is wondering if he’s trying to throw her off her game. The other women in the room tilt their heads towards the conversation.

“Ever wonder how sharks swim through water with little resistance? Now, imagine that while swimming through air….” Allen was going to lead the horse; it was up to her to drink. A lightbulb goes off in Miss Feng’s head.

“Replicate shark skin? Would that really reduce drag?”

Allen just smiles in response. Miss Feng realizes that Allen may indeed be more dangerous and capable than what the reports indicated.

“This is exactly why we want to recruit you. You would want for nothing. We would provide any resource you need and have full access to all of our scientific projects.”

“Allen, the jet is now disabled. The nanites are ready to return. The harvesting was quite fruitful. I’ve also contacted Amy and updated her on our location and status.” Allen nods in response and places his hand again on the jet in a gesture that Miss Feng believes is one of longing.

“We will also get you back into the skies where your heart longs to be.” Allen’s grin turns a bit feral.

“Honey, the skies are for children. My heart soars amongst the stars!”

Miss Feng gasps in surprise.

Location: Unknown Safehouse, City of Ellington

Colonel Stryker stops her pacing as her cellphone rings. She’s surrounded by hard women dressed in black tactical gear and armed with various assault rifles, grenades, and weapons that any FPS tactical shooter player would drool over.

“Colonel Stryker.” She says after accepting the call.

“Ma’am, Allen is located in Hangar 14 at the airport. I don’t know how he’s doing this, but he sent me his location along with a video file. I just don’t understand how he pulls this shit off.”

Amy is on the other end of the call and Colonel Stryker can hear the admiration and exasperation in her voice. Also, maybe a hint of frustration? Pretty impressive mix, Colonel Stryker muses.

“Send the info, we are in route. Once we secure him, we will meet with you at the Summerton residence and lay everything out. The cat’s out of the bag. That cheeky S.O.B set us up!”

“Ma’am?” Amy asks

“He let himself be kidnapped! He wanted to know who was pulling strings from the shadows. He threw a line in the dark to see what he pulled in! AHAHAHA!”

Amy scowls on the other end of the call. “Yup! Sounds about right for Allen. Although, using a foreign intelligence agency just to bait us into the open? Oh, he’s definitely being chained to his bed when he gets home!” Amy thinks to herself. Colonel Stryker continues after collecting herself.

“We will need to tell his adopted family EVERYTHING. If they decide to wash their hands of this, we will just have to make other arrangements for the boy. I’ve always wanted to raise a son….” Stars appear in Colonel Stryker’s eyes at the thought.

“Ma’am? Umm…. I’m pretty sure the Summerton’s will stick by Allen’s side. They are very passionate about sticking together through trouble.” Amy says diplomatically.

Colonel Stryker shakes her head. “Just musings of an older woman, agent. Alright, we will see you soon. Also, let the Summerton’s know I’ll be bringing a guest. Make some coffee, we’ll need it.”

Colonel Stryker ends the call and grins at her “guest”.

“You get that?”

Her guest scowls back at Colonel Stryker. She’s just happy that the scowl isn’t actually meant for her but for Allen.

“Oh, I did! That man is going to get his ass reamed!”

Colonel Stryker’s grin grows even wider. About time they found an appropriate leash that could hold Allen.

“Alright, team! Spin up! Everyone in the van in 5! We’ve got an asset to retrieve, make sure NO harm comes to him!”

“YES MA’AM!” Thunders throughout the safe house.

The scowl on the “guest” only deepens and the team subconsciously backs away from the killing intent oozing off her.

“Your ass is mine, Lieutenant!”