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The sex isn't a major part of it, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. There will be many slow times in this story, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be boring days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.

 

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Chapter 71

 

 

When Derrick disconnected, I turned to Josh, who was still on the phone "Where are Andrew and Amie, and why aren't they on a plane to Dracul?"

Josh offered me his phone as he said "They went to breakfast downtown, then took a riverboat tour on the Monongahela, and now they're at a concert at CMU. They knew nothing about what's happening because no one called them."

 

I took the phone and said "Andrew, please get to the office. I'll have a Bell take you two to the airport, and a plane to get you to me... Lucas, LeAnn, and Andy are on the G-700, already headed this way... Greece, I'll explain later... No, there's nothing you can do there, the house is gone. Derrick has things under control... I'll sort things out, your pilot will know where you're going... Thank you, please be safe."

 

I disconnected and handed Josh his phone as I asked "What crown planes are at Pittsburgh airport?"

"You have the Embraer Lineage 1000, two G-650's, a Praetor 600, a BBJ-MAX8, and a CJ4." Joshua said, looking to the dukes for confirmation.

 

I turned to Troy and Victor "And your advice?"

 

Troy answered "I don't even have to think about it, Greg. The G-650 will get here three hours faster than the BBJ, and the rest can't get here, er there, in one hop."

 

"Thank you. Would you two please go relieve Ted and Mickey, and ask them to come see me?"

 

As they left, I turned to the dukes "I'd like to keep your planes in Pittsburgh until this is sorted out. I'm going to ask Ted to step down from flying to manage the flight crews. The crown now owns what, 25 aircraft?"

 

Joshua looked at his tablet and said "32, Sire, including helicopters."

 

Yuan said "36, Sire. There are 4 Bell 525's waiting in Dracul."

 

"Of course there are." I shook my head and sighed "Any more surprises, gentlemen?"

"I like surprises." Ted said, as he and Mickey came in.

 

"Please, sit down. Eat if you haven't." I said. As they began to eat, I went on "Ted, I need to ask you to stop flying. The crown now owns 36 aircraft, and I need someone to manage the flight crews. I'm assuming each of the dukes have crews that they've used, and are happy with, so you shouldn't have to find too many new crews, but I need someone on top of the whole fleet, aircraft, crews, supplies, everything. If you're not interested, or it's too much for one man, don't be shy. I will ask you to recommend someone though."

 

"It's not too much for one man, and I will be happy to do it, Sire. I have a request, if I might?" I motioned for him to go on, so he said "I'd like to have Troy changed, to be my mate. I'll put him first seat in any craft you are flying in."

"What about Victor? And what about you two?" I asked, looking to Mickey and Clint, "I hate breaking up a team."

 

Mickey spoke first "I'm fine flying second seat to Troy, Greg. And you should hire Victor if you can, even if he stays human. This thing should have a third man onboard, just in case."

"We're a team because we're friends, Greg." Clint said "We'll be working together enough. For now, I'll be busy sorting out cabin crew for this. The ones we have onboard seem good, but I want the best for you, and if we're full, I'll need 6 or 7, as well as a cook."

 

I thought for a moment, then looked to Ted and said "I'll need to talk to Troy, but I agree. If I do this, he'll be a prince."

Ted looked horrified as he said "Oh gods no, Greg. I didn't mean for you to change him. I mean, we're honored that you would, but I don't want to be mated to a prince. No offense to Joshua and Billy."

 

I laughed and said "I'm sorry I misunderstood, Ted. Do you have a maker in mind for him?"

Joshua interrupted "With all due respect to Ted and Troy, I think we should insist it be someone we know and trust."

 

Mickey said "Sire, can we take this conversation to the flight deck? We should include the boys."

 

I stood and said "Yes, we should." And waved for Billy and Josh to join us as I followed Ted and Mickey into the cockpit.

 

Mickey stepped up behind Troy and tapped him on the shoulder. Troy then said "Your aircraft, on auto."

 

Victor replied "My aircraft, on auto."

Troy again said "Your aircraft, on auto." Then he stood and stepped out of the way so Mickey could sit in the left seat.

 

Once he was seated, Mickey said "Confirming, on auto, your aircraft."

Victor said "My aircraft, on auto."

 

I looked questioningly at Ted and he said "It's just pilot speak so we know who's actually flying. We're on autopilot, but if something happened, Troy was in command until he told Victor to take it. Victor confirmed that he had control, then once he was seated, Mickey again confirmed that he is just an observer, for now."

 

I nodded as I asked "Not to insult you, but you never seemed so `by the book' with the G-700. I don't mean you were unsafe, but you were more relaxed. Why the change?"

Ted smiled and said "There's a lot less to worry about in the Gulfstream. It has a max weight of 107,000 lbs. At takeoff, we weighed just over one million pounds. In the G, we had 20 vampires, right now, we have 67, but can have as many as 150. Not to mention the fact that we have the entire government of Dracul onboard, and most of the Royal family."

 

Mickey turned and said "Have you ever pulled a trailer with a car, Greg?"

"I pulled a neighbor's boat with his pickup, if that counts." I said.

 

"And you drove more carefully, focused more, because it was new to you, and there's more that can go wrong. The same principle applies"

"OK, I get that, but..."

Troy cut me off "But nothing, Sire. I'm responsible for every life on this plane, and we do it right, every time, or we don't do it. Once I'm gone, they can do it however they like, but I know Mickey and Ted, and I know they won't take shortcuts when it comes to safety."

 

I turned to Ted, winked and grinned "You sure you want to marry him? He just mouthed off to a King."

 

"King or bum, I'm equally concerned about the safety of either. You can throw me..." he stopped as he saw my grin, then looked at Ted "You asked him, didn't you?"

Ted smiled as he said "Yes, I did, and we came up to talk about things. Before we get to that, he's promoted me to..." He turned to me and said "Do I have a title, Sire?"

Mickey laughed and said "Ringmaster of the Clint & Co. Royal Flying Circus sounds about right." Then his face got serious as he keyed his microphone "Roger Naples, Dragon 1 Super, turning right to 1-2-0, maintaining flight level 4-1-0."

 

"We can figure out a title later. For now, Ted is going to head all aviation for the crown. He asked if I would approve your being changed. Is he speaking for you?"

"He is, Sire. I've known Ted since I was 13, and we've dated since I was 16. Crazy as it seems, I'd like to spend another few centuries with him."

 

"And what about you Victor?"

Victor turned the plane over to Mickey, then turned to me and said "Troy and I grew up together in foster care in London, Greg. We consider ourselves brothers already, so we'd like to remain brothers, after the change."

 

"Have you considered who you'd like to have change you?" I asked.

 

Troy said "We hoped you'd allow Mickey to do it."

 

I turned to Joshua, and when he nodded, I said "Well Mickey, congratulations, it's two boys. I'll let the four of you figure out when you want to do it, but check with me. I might need to fly and I don't need two of you out of service, since only the 4 of you are flying this."

Ted said "I want to have ten cleared for this plane before they change, Greg."

I shook my head and said "No, I only want the four of you flying this."

"With respect, Sire, am I going to be second guessed on everything?"

 

"No Ted, I'm sorry. You handle things as you see fit. I will request that, as often as possible, these three are my flight crew. You're always welcome to fly me, too. I just don't know if you'll have the time."

 

"Thank you, Greg. You know I like to keep crews with the same aircraft, but I want everyone cleared for as many as possible, so we can move them around, if needed."

I nodded as Joshua said "I have a list of the aircraft, and where they were when we left Pittsburgh. I'll get it to you. You already know which are headed to Dracul, and you can check with each duke about their crews."

 

"If you gentlemen will excuse us, this conversation has brought to mind some things I should address with the dukes, while I have them captive. How long until we land?"

Victor said "Two hours until we begin descent, Greg. When you feel the second left turn, start getting settled in for landing."

 

I thanked them, then Josh and Billy followed me back to the dining room. I noticed that Billy had something on his mind, so after sending Joshua to round up the dukes, I asked him what it was.

 

"We have nothing to wear after we land. Should I try to find a tailor nearby? Or see what Tyler can do for us? Or find a Walmart and have Troy make a quick stop?

 

I laughed and said "As fun as that last one sounds, give Tyler a call, see what she can do for us. I like her."

Billy nodded, and stepped out to make his calls. Joshua and the dukes came in. Once they were settled around the table, and Clint had served some drinks, I said "I'll be honest, I'm doing this to keep myself busy, so forgive me if I'm all over the place with things."

 

"I've been thinking, and we need to figure out several things. I put Ted in charge of the aircraft, but does he have a title? If so, what is it? I need someone to represent us to world governments. I need someone to handle finance. I need to know what else I need, but first, I think I need to know how you want to structure the government? By that I mean, do I need a finance minister, a secretary of finance, a treasurer, or a Chancellor of the Exchequer?"

 

Josh spoke first, saying "Well, the US has 15 members in the Cabinet, including the Vice President, but I don't think we need that many."

I said "You're getting ahead of me, Josh. I agree, we don't need that many, but first, what are they called? Do we pattern ourselves after the British monarchy? Do our higher offices all have titles of nobility? Or just the Councils? Can Council members serve in other offices? And hundreds of other questions we should address. I don't want to get a question from the President of the United States and have to tell him that we don't know who handles that."

They all looked around at each other, then Reinhardt said "Sire, other than yourself and Joshua, we all grew up under feudal monarchs. This constitutional monarchy is a modern concept. If any of the other dukes disagree, I beg them to speak up, but I'm fully supportive of absolute power in the hands of the monarch."

Everyone was nodding in agreement, so I said "You're saying that whatever I say is law. I can give out titles, spend whatever I want on whatever I like, or even imprison anyone for the least offense. Is that what you've given me? What if I said that I want to dissolve both Councils?"

George said "As to titles and money, yes, no question. If you want someone in prison, put them there, but we have faith in the man you are, so we know that if you do that, it will be just. And yes, Sire, if you feel you don't need the advice and assistance of the Councils, we all would publicly support their dissolution."

 

I sat and looked at the faces of these vampires, some of them thousands of years old, and considered what had been said. I was about to speak when Joshua's phone rang. He glanced at it, then quickly answered it.

 

"What do you have, Derrick?"

As he listened, tears rolled down his cheeks as he started sobbing. I jumped up and put my arms around him and held him as he sobbed. I was reaching for his phone when Billy ran in.

"They've found Samantha."