She put her hands out. A mini dust devil flew up to us. “It will be larger the moment the entryway opens.”
“Then ready in three . . .” Siler said, as he and White started to lean against the large-person-sized doorway they’d cut out. “Two . . .” Picked up the rolling purse and flung it over my other shoulder. Grabbed the back of their pants, just in case. “One.”
The men pushed hard and the glass moved inward. So did the three of us. “Jump,” White said calmly as my music changed to Flo Rida’s “Jump” and the “door” broke free of the window and shoved inwards. The three of us jumped as ordered. The men were on the floor.
I was, naturally, on the edge. And my two purses were heavy and pulling me backwards.
Always the way.
CHAPTER 76
TIGHTENED MY HOLD on their pants. Siler and White both stepped forward and pulled me along with them. Teamwork all the way.
Dumped the rolling purse well to the side so it wouldn’t fall out and I wouldn’t lose it and took a look around. What I was seeing wasn’t what I’d expected.
There were five rounded domes that, frankly, looked like honeycombs. There were five Themnir slowly walking around the room pooping out large pellets. And there were a heck of a lot of people in gas masks fighting each other. One set in gas masks had Jeff and Chuckie—who were in what looked like airplane breathing masks—and one set was trying to get Jeff and Chuckie away from the other set. All of them were in black and there were too many to count quickly. Fantastic.
“Everyone else first,” White shouted as Mahin’s dust devil flew into the room and encircled everything. “Remember the goal.”
Went to the nearest dome and knocked as “Hello Kitty” by Avril Lavigne came on. Algar was batting a thousand in terms of “hilarious” musical choices. “Hello? Good guys are here to do a rescue.” Nothing. Knocked harder. “First Lady of the United States here. Are you guys alive in there or do I have to break this down?”
A hole opened at what looked to be about head height. Waved. Nothing. “I’m in a gas mask so I don’t die.”
“Prove who you are,” a voice called. Was pretty sure that voice belonged to Raj.
“You joined our team during Operation Sherlock. If that’s you, Raj. And if it’s not, we’re trying to rescue all of you and you’re not exactly cooperating. Mahin’s creating a dust devil to hide our escape and Abby’s going to shield everyone.” I hoped.
The dome lifted. It was indeed Raj. “Kitty?”
“In the gas-masked flesh. Stop talking, we need to get you all out of here.”
Raj looked around. “The Themnir are handling the gas.” He winced against the flying dirt. “How are you getting us out of here? The way is blocked and the elevators are shut down.”
“We have a gate.” I sincerely hoped.
“Great. Where?”
“Um, on the window washing rig that’s hanging right outside. We came in through the window.”
Raj nodded and turned around to face the people huddled near to a Lyssara. “It’s definitely her, ladies and gentlemen. Follow me, please, quickly, but no pushing or shoving.”
“They’re landing in Dulce.” I really and sincerely hoped.
Saw a shield shimmer around us, creating a tunnel that the dust went around, so it was easy to make it through. Decided no one was dying and I was hot in the gas mask. Took it off and clipped it to my belt. Saw Raj relax, as much as one could under the circumstances. Took the arm of the first person who came forward, who happened to be the old ayatollah who’d essentially helped me sell World Unity to everyone. “Glad you’re okay, sir.”
“I as well. May Allah and whoever else shower blessings on you.”
Helped him to the window. Could see the floater gate shimmering at the back part of the rig. The girls were standing as close to the window side as they could. And they couldn’t help him on, because they were concentrating and holding on themselves.
“Draw the Line” by Aerosmith came on. Knew what I had to do, and it was less scary with my boys in my ears. Did my best to plant my left foot and put my right onto the rig. Raj ran over and did the same on the other side of the doorway. We helped the old ayatollah to do the jump.
“Walk straight ahead,” I told him. “Don’t hesitate, head for the back railing.”
“But there is nothing there.”
Said the only thing I figured would work. “Have faith in God.”
He nodded, then stepped forward as requested. He did the slow fade. Looked to help the next person, but everyone was hanging back. “Chop, chop, folks,” I shouted. “Time’s a wastin’. Movin’, movin’, movin’, let’s keep all you doggies moving. Like right now. Move ’em out, head ’em up, cut ’em out, ride ’em in, Rawhide. Keep the line moving quickly, people, you’re the first set we’re getting out. There are hundreds of people waiting. Move ’em out, Rawhide.”
The Rawhide theme seemed to resonate for whatever reason. It earned a few chuckles, which somehow turned to laughter. Suddenly we were a fun party experience instead of a Terror Trip to Death. Whatever worked.
Was thankful Raj was here to help, because it was hard to keep my balance. The rig moved every time someone stepped on it and both Raj and I had to regroup more than once. Algar did me a solid and kept up a stream of Aerosmith, treating me to “Walking the Dog,” “Walk This Way,” “Get the Lead Out,” and the “Dulcimer Stomp/The Other Side” combo. But finally all from that dome were through the floater, including the Lyssara.
White had gotten through to his group, which included Mr. Joel Oliver. “Good to see you, Madame First Lady,” he said as he led his group over and White took my place.
“Good to be seen, MJO. I’d ask what the hell’s going on, but I figure we don’t have the time.”
“Indeed.” He smiled at me and then stepped through the gate. The rest of his dome fell into line. Noted that there were what looked like restaurant staff in this group, too. My music changed to David Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” and I got the hint. Time to move it.
Put my gas mask back on. “Remember, everyone out, even A-Cs. No one gets to hang out and try to help at this time. Abby, I need out of the shield!” Left Raj and White as soon as I saw an opening in the shield. Ran through and went to find another dome.
Found the one with Siler outside of it. “No one will open up to me,” he said, sounding understandably pissed.
“Yeah, they’re freaked. Go see if you can figure out who’s who and get Jeff and Chuckie to safety.” He nodded and went off and I knocked on the dome. “This is the First Lady. Open up, we’re trying to rescue you and it’s hard to do if you won’t let us.” Nothing. Knocked again. “Gang, seriously, time’s wasting.” Nada.
Had to figure there wasn’t someone on my team in this dome. Decided they could wait for later, especially when “Next In Line” by Meese came on my airwaves. Left to search for another dome.