Rick rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. It appeared there was more than meets the eye with the General and his team. Another mystery he would solve.
Rick glanced around the plane. It was unlike any military flight he’d been on before. There were no strangers on the plane. They all seemed to share a sense of camaraderie. The leather-covered seats looked as if they had never been used before at all. There were no magazines deposited in the pockets of the seats, nothing that screamed of a commercial flight. The plane was a means to an end just like the reason Rick was on the flight.
The corner of the General’s lips turned down. “You’re right. Next time I’ll tell her before we have to sedate her. What exactly do you know about Lydia Stevens?” The general asked as he nodded his head and gestured up the aisle.
Chapter 3
What did Rick really know about the redhead? If he was honest with himself, it was nothing. Just what he’d seen and heard, Rick shrugged his shoulders. “She’s gifted like the rest of the Bennett’s.”
The General remained silent before speaking. “That’s where you’re wrong, Thompson. She may come from the same line, but her gifts are dangerous; not only to herself but to everyone around her. Until she learns to control her telekinesis, she’s a danger to everyone.” He reached up and scratched at the stubble on his chin. “It’s her visions that we need to understand.”
Granted each Bennett honed a different set of gifts and Lydia’s seem more physical for lack of better word, but she wasn’t dangerous. Rick stilled at the accusation. Just what the hell was the General’s plan anyway. “Why the drug to knock her out?”
The General’s lips turned up into a grin. The weathered lines around his mouth deepened. “That’s so we make it to the compound in one piece.”
The General stood and glanced over his shoulder. “We’ll be on the ground shortly. I suggest you buckle up.” The General said and then took a seat near the guy in the white lab coat that had shot the drug into Lydia’s arm. Rick pulled the seatbelt straps across his lap and clicked it into place as he glanced around at the cabin full of military men. The scene wasn’t a far cry from the ones he was used to. He did his military stint just like all of them aboard.
Connors sitting across the aisle chuckled before he leaned over. “You’re nothing like us, and it will be easier if you just accept it and go back home to your cozy little world.”
The plane touched down with a jump of the wheels hitting the runway and slowed on the tarmac. The men on the plane were up and moving, before it even came to a stop. Bags and other things were being pulled from the overhead compartments. These guys didn’t waste time, and if he thought about it, he wouldn’t either. He understood the precious cargo aboard and the need to move quickly, but move to where was the question.
Rick stood and grabbed his bag and made his way up to Lydia. The effect of the drug still coursing through her system had kept her knocked out. She looked peaceful as her head lay against a pillow propped up against the window. A smile on her face told of the type of dream she’d had. She hadn’t been affected by the flight or their unknown surroundings. Well at least if only for a short time the worries had been taken from her.
Connors walked past him and patted his back as he stood blocking the isle. “You need help with her, Romeo? I’m sure I can handle her lush little curves all by myself if you want to grab my bag.”
Rick clenched his jaw and regarded the man beside him. Connors lips split into a wide grin and amusement danced behind his eyes.
“Not going to happen in this life time, asshole!”
Connors chuckled as Rick regarded the sleeping beauty. Lydia stirred and sighed drawing his thoughts away from the obnoxious soldier standing next to him that was testing his patience. With her eyes closed she turned ever so slightly and snuggled into the pillow.
Connors shook his head. “I don’t know man, with all the red-hair, she might be too much for you.”
Briggs pushed up from his seat, maneuvering using his elbows to push them both out of the way. “If you two idiots are done, I suggest you move out of my way.”
Briggs unbuckled her seatbelt and removed the blanket he’d laid over her. He scooped her up in his arms and held her close as he pushed his way out of the confines of their seats. The lines of concentration deepened around his eyes and gave away his concern for Lydia. He gave the others a brief nod and swiftly carried her down the aisle disappearing from the plane.