“Lots of money, and the backing of the CIA Director,” Nick answered. “What you should be asking is how in hell did I ever buy my own hangar at the airport.”
“Knowing the amount of money confiscated like a black clad Robin Hood, I already know the answer to the hangar financial origins. The Blackhawk, on the other hand takes practically the hand of God, especially with the armaments procured and stored in said hangar.”
“You have been paying attention. Laredo helped me with Paul’s backing. I provided the money, so once permission from the top came down, I obtained the Blackhawk. Laredo helped refresh my training. I have to let our friends in. Keep practicing, kids.”
Nick went out to the front entrance with Deke tagging along. The whole gang awaited his arrival. He opened the door with Deke heeled at his side. “Hi. Come on in. I’ve been conducting practice sessions out in the back if you’d like to join Rachel out there, Tina. If you want in on this new op, ask Johnny if you have his permission, Cala.”
Cala laughed with appreciation while hugging her husband. “Johnny wants me with him in all things, Muerto. Will this involve helicopters?”
“It could involve a copiloting job if you’re interested.”
“Oh yes! I am so there, Muerto! The music will be involved, right?”
“Of course, although I have a quieter ending with another idea I’m thinking through.”
“I’ll leave you all to it,” Tina said. “Can I stop in the kitchen for wine, Gomez?”
“Rachel already has your glass and a bottle of Beringer’s ready for tasting, T. The kids are providing some very entertaining knife throwing exhibitions. They’re practicing new tricks.”
Tina pointed at Nick as she backed away toward the knife throwing target range. “That is highly disturbing, Gomez, but I suspect you already know that.”
“Indeed I do, Cousin Itt.”
On the enclosed deck above, Nick poured Deke a beer while Gus poured rounds of Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey. “I don’t know if this op will be officially sanctioned. Paul’s working on it. He’ll go down protecting us if it doesn’t get official approval. I would like to avoid any involvement with him, but if we salt the earth it will have to be sanctioned. They’ll scramble jets to take us out otherwise. John told me already they have to have an okay from high above or the ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ can’t happen. The Monster Squad did a couple with tentative okay fom Denny and would probably do them without permission, but John’s agreed it’s not a good idea. The jets have to be grounded during a black op or they could be launched on us, especially on American soil. I’ve looked over this place they have and it is a gorgeous place. We certainly don’t want to blow it into atom dust. Anyone want to guess what I have in mind?”
“You’re thinking confiscation! Can something like that be done?”
“Sure it can, Kabong,” Nick answered. “We could build a helicopter pad on the premises. The confiscation may require some creative alterations in ownership though. It could be a halfway house paradise between us and the Monster Squad. It’s nearly sixteen acres. We could hangar a couple of helicopters there and maybe even one of those Harrier jets that can take off straight up.”
“Those take maintaining same as the Blackhawk will. I have been studying with all the material you gave me on our UH-60M,” Cala said.
“We would have to employ a crew at the Monster Squad Hangar, or our local Monterey Regional Airport, for serious maintenance. I serviced helicopters and jets during a CIA gig overseas. The regular maintenance has to be done religiously, employing intricate checklists. Since we already have the hangar at Regional, housing the beginning of our air fleet, we can split duties with the Monster Squad for any quick response aircraft we keep in the Pilot Hill Hangar. When we need something major done to the Blackhawk, or whatever else we can procure, we’ll have to do so under Laredo’s supervision at possibly a military facility. We can get the more involved overhauls done through Denny Strobert or Paul at a military base. Denny managed to get the ‘Sea Wolf’ and ‘Valkyrie’ turned into combat ships. I’m sure we can keep our quick strike force on the down low if Laredo can oversee servicing at Regional, or the Monster Squad Hangar. I’d like to confiscate this place in Pilot Hill as a secret launch area for wiping out Isis nests we find. I know we can get the clearances. Think of being able to leave from there, under the radar, for a hit within range, and be back in a time frame without suspicion.”