Nathaniel's Chorus. Gary Lightfoot

Green Giant’s footprints placed on their buttocks. The tradition has it that when asked about the tattoo, the PJ would turn an about-face, drop his pants and display his “Jolly Greens”. So when the brothers called out to see his “Jolly Greens”, Chris came to attention, turned an about-face, dropped his pants and proudly displayed his butt, and his “Jolly Greens”.

      Neil jumps out of The Burb and runs over to Chris laughing, “I get a kick out of that every time.”

      Chris turns around and gives Neil a big hug. Neil pulls back and says,

      “Hey Chris, you better pull your pants up before we get arrested. Ha!”

      Chris straightens out his airline uniform, tucks in his shirt and then hugs Neil again. “Neil, it’s good to see you. I’ve been following the news about your little brother. Doesn’t sound good, how can I help?”

      “Well Chris, that’s why we’re here.”

      Neil grabs Chris’ flight bag and walks him over to The Burb. They load up and start to head out of the airport. As they drive, they bring Chris up to speed on everything that’s happened since the two brothers each watched the news coverage on Nathaniel’s hearing and Neil had called Nathan. Chris, who had been riding in the second seat, scoots up in-between the two brothers. Putting his arms around the two brothers shoulders, he says,

      “Guys, this is going to be a blast. What an adventure, Team Tiger reunited to battle all odds, to bravely go into the teeth of danger and bring out your baby brother.”

      The three friends drive onto the Southern California Freeway system and begin heading toward Chris’ house. As they drive, Chris pulls out of his flight bag a CD that he made with some of his favorite tunes on it. He hands it to Neil,

      “Neil throw this in the player and select track 3.”

      Neil takes the disc and puts it into the player, “What is it?”

      “Just do it, you’ll love it. Turn it way up.”

      The Burb begins to eerily build into a pounding sound causing the drivers in the cars next to them to glance over in shock. The three slightly graying men begin playing “air guitars” and “invisible drums” while they sing at the top of their voices along with the music blaring from The Burb’s sound system as “Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf plays in The Burb’s CD. The song was a favorite of Team Tiger, Chris used to play it over their headsets as they flew into missions.

      The Burb creeps along in bumper to bumper traffic as Neil yells over the music,

      “Man this would be so awesome if we were really moving.”

      Φ Π Ψ

      In the backroom of Footboards Nancy is sitting on the couch watching TV. Before Nathan called to have her turn off everything, Nathan’s computer had finished printing out the results of the search that he started before driving to the airport to pick up Chris. She knew he only meant the computers so she thought she was safe watching TV. As she’s surfing through the channels to see if she can find any additional coverage of Nathaniel’s Senate hearing, a News Flash breaks into the major channels,

      “We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent message from the President of the United States. We now join an emergency broadcast from the oval office.”

      “My fellow Americans, it is with a heavy heart that I come before you today. We have just been informed that an assassination attempt has been carried out within the past hour, here in Washington D.C. The target of the assassination attempt seems to be members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. We are working now to ascertain the whereabouts of all Senators and their staff. As soon as the next of kin of the victims have been notified, we will release their names to the media. Unfortunately I will be unable to take any questions at this time, given the security nature of this event. When we have more concrete information we will break in again and bring that information to you. I ask now that you join me in prayer for the families of the victims of this horrific action. I promise you that we will not rest, until we have brought the perpetrators of this horrific and cowardly action to justice. God bless you and may God grant us wisdom as we hunt these terrorists down. Thank you.”

      The screen changes to an outside view of the Senate, on the steps reporters jockey for the best position in front of a bank of microphones that were already setup for the Senate Majority’s response to the President’s announcement. The Chairman of the Intelligence Committee is standing at the lectern and waiting for the crowd to quiet. The Chairman nods his head letting the reporters know that he is now ready to begin his statement.

      “Ladies and Gentlemen of the media and to the great people of these United States, I am Senator Jeremiah Branch and I will be delivering our response to the President’s statements which you have just heard. This is again an example of the inept way in which this administration has attempted to protect us in these times of attack against our way of life. This administration has too many times let down their guard and allowed evil to inflict harm upon our interest. Now it is evident, that we are no longer safe, not even in our own country. These atrocious actions of these terrorist organizations have most definitely infiltrated our society on all levels, even into the halls of government. We must take bold action and seek out these evil doers, even if they are in high office, maybe even the highest of offices.”

      The reporters begin to yell questions toward Senator Branch, who only waves toward the camera and turns and walks away from the lectern.

      “Senator Branch! Senator Branch, are you saying that this might involve the White House?”

      Branch turns and looks into the eyes of the reporter who asked the one question he was hoping for, “What I’m saying is that no one is outside of our investigation.”

      Nancy frantically fumbles with her phone attempting to call Nathan, as Nathan answers she says,

      “Honey, quick turn on your radio!”

      “What is it?”

      “Junior, they tried to assassinate some Senators in Washington!”

      Nathan reaches for the dash and turns off the CD, he waves for Neil and Chris to be quiet,

      “Guys, there’s been an attack in Washington.”

      The Burb instantly goes silent; Nathan’s voice becomes strained,

      “Nancy, did they say who was the target? Did they mention Nathaniel?”

      “No, but they’re saying that the tri-P is claiming responsibility.”

      Nathan disconnects from his wife as he asks Chris for any shortcut directions to Chris’ house. Nathan then swerves to the emergency lane of the freeway and accelerates The Burb. Chris calls his house but only gets a busy signal. The Burb exits the freeway and begins weaving in and out of traffic.

      When they arrive at Chris’ house, Chris runs inside calling for his wife.

      “Asela, I’m home honey. Where are you baby?”

      Asela answers from upstairs, “Up here babe, I’m trying to get this stupid computer to work.”

      Nathan and Neil follow Chris upstairs, as he enters their bedroom, she says,

      “Hi Feet’s! How you boys doing? It’s been forever since we saw you Nathan.”

      As Asela first hugs her husband then Nathan and Neil, Chris asks about the computer,

      “What’s wrong with the computer? Why aren’t you watching the TV? Didn’t you hear about the attack in Washington?”

      Asela answers, “That’s why I turned on the computer.”

      “What?” Chris puts his flight bag down on the floor as Asela returns to the computer,

      “Someone from dispatch called and asked if you were on the schedule for today. I had to pull up your shift to see if they changed anything for today.”

      Chris pulls out the printout of