Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 12:44:27 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Flights of Angels-Chapter 21 Flights of Angels-Chapter 21 By Eff Del There will always be people and things that fall short of your expectations. There will always be those that lie to you or bend the truth to mislead you. There will always be those who declare the strength of their convictions only to forsake them when put to the test. Despite these, never abandon belief. Never forsake faith. Never walk away from trust. Sometimes the hardest things to believe in are the only things worth believing at all. Dinner that evening had all the prospects of being tense and awkward but I was determined not to let that happen. My father had always maintained that a meal shared around the family table was intended to be a happy social event. No business matters, hard feelings or random emotions were to ever enter the dining room. Mealtime was intended to be a time of cordiality and interwoven closeness. It was my intention to maintain that tradition tonight. Chris and Taylor were seated across from each other at the far end of the table; as physically far away from me as they could be. They were trying to hide their discomfort. Following our earlier encounter, they'd attempted to excuse themselves: hoping not to have to participate in this meal. I'd insisted they attend pointing out that their absence would raise legitimate speculation among the others that something was amiss. Ultimately, that would be far worse than the discomposure they would feel by sitting at my table. There was genuine cause for a happy, hopeful meal tonight. Besides Chris and Taylor, Professor Swaim had returned to Joyous Gaurde. Richard would be leaving early in the morning to meet up with Barney "Wolf man" Dunn. They would fly to New Zealand to head up the team of Skuggor that would (hopefully) extract the two tiers of boys that had been abducted. Jack had completed two successful days of driving instruction and was holding his ticket to his first coed social event. He also had his second boxing match scheduled for Friday. Even more exciting (for me at least), Sean had been working all afternoon with Martha preparing the lasagna we were about to enjoy. I was beginning to realize that everything Sean was involved in was essentially the center of my world. As much as I loved everyone in my life, none meant more to me than Sean. Ultimately, my entire life was a globe that encircled Sean. Everything in it; everything that made me happy or interested was because of this one little boy. After the salad plates had been removed, he and Martha returned from the kitchen. With a smile so wide it seemed to exceed the capacity of his face to hold it, Sean emerged carrying a huge tray of steaming cheesy lasagna. Behind him, with a large smile of her own, Martha was carrying two baskets containing four loves of freshly baked crusty Italian bread. As these platters of bounty were sat down upon the table we all broke out in a round of spontaneous applause. Ever the little showman, Sean bowed dramatically acknowledging the small ovation while Martha simple smiled and clapped back appreciatively. The meal was wonderful and Martha made it a point to ensure we all understood that every bit of the culinary work had been Sean's. She had only provided the guidance and of course the recipes. After we'd eaten, we all gathered in the parlor for drinks and desert. Sean was basking in the attention everyone gave him regarding his cooking skills. He was giving a rather animated and theatrical dissertation on everything required to prepare a large tray of lasagna which was keeping almost everyone in stiches. I noticed that Richard and Jack were off in a corner by themselves laughing and sharing some sort of private joke. I'd recognized a while back that a strong bond had grown between these two. Richard treated Jack very much like the kid brother he'd never had and I enjoyed observing their interactions from a distance. I suspected that one day Jack, and perhaps Sean would regard Richard in much the same was that I regarded Walter. That thought caused me to look at Walter sitting on the coach laughing at Sean's overly dramatic discourse. I discerned that he was fading fast obviously a result of his radiation treatment and I took him aside so that the rest of our group would think I was giving him some assignment. Actually, I was making it possible for him to gracefully go to bed. Martha used this as an excuse to make her own exit. Soon after Walter's departure, I made it known that it was time for the boys to head upstairs. Jack and Richard shared one more quick private joke and exchanged playful jabs...obviously Friday's boxing bout had been a large part of their conversation. Then, without complaint, both boys made a turn of the room giving hugs and goodnight wishes. Chris and Taylor had been an enthusiastic part of the after diner comradery and they both seemed uncomfortable to watch the boys leave. After a final round of drinks, Richard and Barry made their apologies and a very tired Doctor Swaim took that opportunity to do the same telling me that we'd talk tomorrow. That left the big room suddenly empty with the exception of Chris, Taylor and me. My mind flashed back to that awful moment when I'd foolishly walked in on them. I'd stood there- just barely past the threshold of the door in a state of total inaction. My mind was torn between overwhelming feelings of shock, surprise and embarrassment. I was mortified that I had violated their privacy especially at a moment of such intense intimacy. And then, I'd felt a sense of rage and betrayal build inside of me as I realized that I'd offered these two young men everything. I'd offered financial stability beyond their wildest dreams, I'd offered them purpose to their lives I'd offered...and THEN I realized the stark truth; everything I'd offered them was because they were capable of performing the tasks. There had been no strings attached to their entering my life and inner circle. Chris was the heir apparent to Uncle Phil, Taylor had other places in my organization that he'd occupy and prosper in after he'd fulfilled his required task for us during the NEST business. I'd never promised Chris more than brotherly affection and I'd never even talked with Taylor about relationships. They were both almost the same age and currently were involved in an adventure I'd dragged them both into. The entire situation was something exciting and unlooked for by either of these two young men. I'd ultimately been the one who had taken Chris to my bed. Though he had most certainly been the instigator, I could have said no and I surely had made a point of the fact that my emotional involvement would be limited. So, why then was I feeling angry and deceived? It was Taylor who'd spoken first. They'd both stood before me naked and frightened. "M-M-Mister Tucker...it's not what it seems. We never intended to hurt you. We felt an attraction for each other that night before we flew down to Houston and then...well, we were alone in that hotel and well...it just happened. I take complete blame for it...Chris still loves you and so do I... but we...just...we just...oh shit! We just did it." Chris stood there shaking as if it were freezing in the room although the temperature was actually quite pleasant. "Oh my god Eric! I never meant to hurt you I never meant to do this. I can't tell you how awful I feel. I'll leave first thing in the morning and I promise that you can trust me never to reveal a thing about Magnus Venatus...I swear...oh please Eric...PLEASE find some way to forgive me. I love you so much but you have so little of yourself that you give...YOU are so involved in your boys and your redemption and your ...oh shit Eric...you'll never find time for yourself and for someone who loves you." I'd felt as cold as ice though his words burned into me like a brand. There was in fact a great deal of truth in what he said. I tried to turn the conversation in a different direction but the absolute trauma of the situation could not be denied. In the end, all I said before leaving was; "Diner is at six thirty." ********************************************** I now looked at them sitting miserably apart from each other because they felt that was the right thing to do. I took a sip from my tumbler of single malt scotch and thought to myself that this was only my third drink of the entire day. For some reason I was pleased by that fact. "I was very surprised" I said as I walked across the room and sat down between them which no doubt added to their discomfiture. "But, I probably shouldn't have been." I tried very hard to show a genuine smile even though my soul was achingly sad. "You're both young and lovely young men and nature will always take its course. You tried your very best to be discreet and it's me who was the jackass that blundered into your intimacy and more than that...your privacy." They looked at each other and then at me with a desperate hope in their eyes. "Eric...I...I still...I still mean everything I ever said to you. I love you so much but Eric...but you...you'll never love anyone as much as you love your boys and love your...'Great Game'. You're committed to them...they own you and Eric...as much as you own me and my body...and you know that you do... you'll never make a real place in your heart for me beyond what we've already sworn to...I'm your brother by choice and I love you more than words can tell...but I need...I NEED something more than you will ever give me and I understand that...but , can YOU understand that as well?" As he spoke, I realized that I did understand. It wasn't a pleasant realization but it felt almost like a heavy cloak had suddenly fallen upon my shoulders. It was the mantle that my father had always intended for me...me not Kyle...Kyle was never meant to bear the burden...Kyle was always meant to be free and happy. If Chris was my brother by our mutual choice then that was also his privilege and his right. It was me who had been raised and intended to assume the burden of the "Great Game"...my father's creation. The thing that made everything possible. This was my destiny and my yoke. My father had my mother to support him. He'd also to an extent had my grandfather. He'd also had Walter and Phil from the very start. I realized suddenly that I had no living father to rely on but I had my support from Walter, Phil and now Richard and Barry. I also had Martha and John...and yes, when this event had blown over, I would have Chris as well. These people were my support. More than anything though, I had Sean and Jack I had a family of my own creation and I realized that needed to be all I could truly hope for. I smiled wanly at the two sad almost cowering young men. I walked across the room with its gold and crimson carpet and took Chris by the hands raising him up from his chair. "You were never brought here to be my lover Chris. You were brought here to engage in the Great Game. You were chosen for your talent and your dedication. Has any of that changed?" He didn't hesitate. "Of course not Eric. How can you possibly doubt that? I committed my life to you and I don't lie." I smiled at him and nodded my head. "Good Chris. That's what I was hoping you'd say. Taylor...I know a lot of this is a mystery to you but understand, I don't hold you to any blame either. The sad part for you both... if you truly care for each other is that you Chris are essentially going to be involved up here while Taylor will be involved back at the NEST in Houston. Can you both handle that?" "Eric...I..WE...Eric you don't understand...we just..." Chris was stumbling over his words and having a hard time saying what was on his mind. "It was sex Mr. Tucker." Taylor's grey eyes flashed almost defiantly though his spirit was obviously broken. "You know about the NEST...for godz sake I've been raised to believe that sex is something you give and accept as a part of everyday life. You...you're a Norman...sorry I mean a person from the normal world...you people think of sex as something special...something sacred almost...to me...to us NEST boys, it's just a thing...a really nice thing ..Something people share between each other. It's what I was taught. I NEVER meant to do anything wrong or to hurt anyone...especially you sir." Chris was looking at me intently with tears now heavy in his eyes. "Eric...Oh for the love of God, you've got to understand that sex has nothing to do with love. Oh my gods how can I make you understand that?" I closed my eyes for a moment and recollected that recent wonderful night with Jack as we sealed our mutual adoration for the one and only time. What Jack and I had shared that night was so pure, so perfect so almost divine that it could never be discussed with another person...I actually doubted that we would ever discuss it between ourselves again. It was, however the most absolutely perfect blending of sex and love that I'd ever experience in my life and I thought to myself; `Ah you poor young men...how wrong you both are. In some cases, sex has EVERYTHING to do with love...you just haven't learned that yet.' I shook my head slowly and gestured towards the door. "It's late and we've all got a lot to do tomorrow. We need to be ready with a plan for Richard when he arrives in New Zealand." By now I was leaving the room and my back was to both of them. "We'll find time to talk about all this...later. In the meantime Taylor, do you still want your own room upstairs or will you prefer staying with Chris in his condo?" I turned and the pain and distress on their faces matched the ache in my soul. I attempted a smile and said; "Actually, your bags are already in the condo. Might as well leave them there." I walked out and headed for the elevator. ********************************************************* The moon had waxed just short of fullness and though it was high in the night sky, its light almost blazed through the window in my room. I stood in my underpants looking out at the estate. The manicured lawn and thick woods beyond it seemed transformed by the golden light into some almost magical kingdom far beyond the reach of earth's current bothers and tribulations. I sensed him before I heard him and turned slowly as he took my hand in his own and drew me away from the window. He was looking up into my face and his wide beautiful eyes reflected the moon through the window like two highly polished gemstones. His smile was soft , half sad and breathtakingly gentle. Silently, almost ghostlike, he guided me to the bed and I watched his smooth perfect body; naked in the golden moonlight, slide across the sheets as he pulled me after him. The covers had already been turned down and now, he was kneeling above me gently tugging at the elastic of my boxer briefs. I looked up and he nodded his head slightly. I realized what he was asking me though no words had been spoken. I raised my hips off the mattress and allowed him to work the soft undergarment down past my buttocks and groin and then slide it quickly down my legs and off. Still completely mute, his pulled the covers up and over us as he lay down on top of me- treating my lips to a soft but decidedly loving kiss. After untold minutes clinging to each other wordlessly in the darkness he finally spoke softly; "I love you Dad." I swallowed hard almost afraid to try and say anything but eventually I managed to barely croak; "I love you too Sean...more that I'll ever be able to let you know." Somehow he'd known that I needed him tonight and he'd waited for me. This little boy who owned me heart and soul had come to me because he'd instinctively sensed my pain and knew that he could help. We held each other as the bright moon moved slowly beyond the window allowing the room to fill with darkness. No more words were said. Love is its own conversation. *********************************************************************** Walter looked none the worse for wear as we gathered in the conference room and reviewed the information that Barry's people had collected overnight. "They've got the boys housed on what was once a coffee plantation located east of Lake Tiroto and west of the village of Areora. It's essentially a couple of large plantation style houses surrounded by overgrown forest. It's not even all that close to the beach and its very sparsely guarded. The small estate is as we've already told you, owned by a Chinese diplomat of sort known as Charles Chang. There is no indication by the way that Mr. Chang is there on the island with the boys at this time. As we more or less assumed, these boys have been brought to this isolated part of the world in order to accelerate their sexual training and make them available for...shall we still call them `contracts' or should we now simply say `prostitution'? I nodded grimly at Walter and he continued. "The Cook Islanders as a whole are rather smug in their isolation. From their point of view they're not a very valuable part of the world with the exception of tourism of course and therefore pretty much stay out of the concerns and legalities of the rest of the world. Hell Eric, it's almost two thousand miles from Auckland, New Zealand to Rorotanga and then it's another 150 miles from Rorotanga to Atiu. They feel justified and protected by their remoteness and for the most part they should except we're interested in something that isn't natural to their life style and that they've got no idea even exists; Mr. Chang's school for kidnapped boy whores in training." I shook my head and got up and walked over to the coffee machine. "So, guys, how difficult should this extraction be?" It was Barry who answered; "Actually Eric, this part should be a piece of cake. You see, so far, they still think that the NEST take-over is the work of a bunch of do-gooder stockholders who want the `Contracts' to stop. They have no idea yet that they are dealing with us...well, YOU if the truth be told. We should get these kids back with no problem. Once that happens, the other kidnapped boy will be more difficult and then...well, Eric once our full intentions are made known and your involvement is no longer secret...well...Sir, you're going to be glad you have the Skuggor." He smiled but it was not a gleeful smile. Walter shuffled some papers and said; "The boys in Atui are being held under the supervision of a man named Nick Banek. He was a high level guy at the NEST who handled most of the younger boys in their final training and their first year of contracts. There's no indication that he is in anyway involved with the boys sexually or ever was for that matter, his sole interest seems to be in creating perfect male prostitutes and ensuring that they perform to extraordinary levels. Whoever is behind this is no doubt paying him very well." My mind flashed back again to Jack's narrative to Doctor Swaim. Nick Banek could only be Jack's `Proctor Nick' and I hated him instantly. "Banek seems to be in charge. There are only five other adults that we know of at the estate and three of them are training proctors. The other two are what the NEST called `Outriders'. They're the ones who delivered the boys to their contracts and picked them up afterwards. They're also the ones who `disciplined' clients who broke the rules to any great extent. They're pretty nasty people by all reports." Again my mind wandered back to Jack's autobiography. "Is one of them named Martin Longstreet?" Barry's eyebrows shot up. "How do you know than name Eric?" "Oh I just do...well, it he?" "No, he's not there. Martin Longstreet is or at least was the head of the Outriders and is by all reports the baddest mother fucker the NEST has ever employed. He's a tough mean and very intelligent man and I fear we'll have to face him sooner or later." I took a sip from my coffee cup and stared out the window down into the garden maze. "What about the other boys...the ones kidnapped from their contracts?" Walter sighed and looked up at me. "They're being held at a large private ranch in Montana. Interestingly enough, it also belongs to Chinese diplomat Chao `Charles' Chang. It one of those places so large and isolated that in order to reach the main house you more or less uses up a tank of gas...so if you weren't invited, you're fucked trying to get home. There aren't many uninvited visitors there. You're friend Martin Longstreet is there with the boys and all of the rest of his nasty, nasty Outriders. Once we take the boys from Atui Eric, they'll know we're coming after them and they'll know it's you who's behind it." Barry, with his usual sense of humor jumped into the conversation; "So...are we scared of these guys or do we go?" His grin was infectious. "Here's the plan; Three large helicopters are going to move right now from Roritonga to Atui. They'll be marked differently and all three will carry tourists so they don't draw any attention. They'll stay on Atui while Richard and his team of twelve Skuggor fly from Aukland to Rorotanga. From there they'll fly in two groups acting like tourists to Atui. Once on Atui, they'll take essentially hike in to the jungle where they'll meet up and take transport out to the plantation. They'll surround the plantation houses and move in at dark. Resistance should be minimal if any. They're not expecting anything. Once the boys are back on Rorotonga, the boys will be flown back to the US under Wolf Man's supervision. Richard will fly back on a separate private flight with the `Proctors' he's captured and they will be taken to one of our sites for interrogation." "How does that part sound to you Eric?" Walter asked. " Well. It sounds almost perfect however Taylor, "I turned to the young man who almost blanched at my sudden attention, "I'm putting you on a flight today to Aukland. Some of those boys know you but more importantly you know all about those boys. I want you to fly back with them to Houston and make the entire experience as painless as possible...OK?" He didn't hesitate. "Yes Eric, I'll get my flight set right away!" "Don't be silly Taylor, we've got people who do that. It's being handled right now! Everything is being handled." I stood up and somehow just felt invigorated. Make it so!" I smiled as Walter scowled up at me. "Ah Walter, I just LOVE saying that!" He smiled back and nodded to Barry who immediately began typing instructions. Some would get helicopters moving to Rorotanga and some would be moving personnel around and some would be waiting for Richard and `Wolf Man' upon landing. If all went well, in fifty two hours or so, the stolen boys would be back in Houston hopefully thinking this was all nothing more than a big adventure. Somehow I felt rather certain that the real fight would actually begin after that. As I walked across the garden towards the main house my mind ds was full of thoughts of Sean and of course Jack and I couldn't help but wonder if life wouldn't have been simpler and easier if I'd just adopted them both and left well enough alone. That would have been a normal reaction but...I'd read Jack's narrative, I'd felt Sean's youthful anxiety and I knew...I just knew I was doing the right thing however difficult this fight might turn out to be. (To be Continued) So...Once again thanks for all of your notes of support and for sharing your own thoughts about this little adventure. I adore all emails about this story and I try very hard to answer them so, drop me a line if you're so moved. -Eff