Rogue President. D.K. Wilde

Colonel, Jacko, Bart, Bassa, Stewie, Morrie, Throb and Chrissie were all on board.”

      “My god,” said Wade as he sank to his haunches. Hands on his head. Face to the ground.

      Plant paused.

      “We are also led to believe President Markham’s illegitimate daughter, Rose, who is supposedly working with one of the remote hospital operators, somewhere in the same area, might be involved but that is unconfirmed.”

      Wade looked into the eyes of his constant companion. He ruffled his head. He tried to smile as Kiwi licked his chin.

      The pain stretched across his face. He heard the elders from the Aboriginal spirit world talking to him. Having grown up and studied the ways of the Aboriginal, his belief in ‘The Dreaming’ was so strong that as he listened he was already feeling the pull of Africa.

      2.

      The stone bench top sprawled out towards the six large bifold doors that were stacked to each side. An afternoon sea breeze had arrived and was lightly blowing up from the beach, across the manicured lawns and into their Balinese style home. Palm trees swayed and rocked. The surface of the lap pool rippled. Crystal had just finished her last yoga class for the day. The participants had left and she was standing at the kitchen sink washing vegetables, listening to the waterfall music softly playing through the in house speaker system.

      “Hi,” said Wade startling her out of her dreamy thoughts. “Sorry didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said standing on the threshold that led to the large quartz covered patio.

      Crystal instantly knew something was adrift. The tone of Wade’s voice sounded abrupt, forceful and approaching military; unlike his normal passive, acquiescent, controlled voice. They had been married for one month shy of five years and she could not remember once in that time that Wade had not kissed and hugged her every time he saw her. She thought of the times he would be away from her for one or two minutes and he would still kiss and hug her. Looking down she noticed how Kiwi was standing rock solid directly beside Wade. He had always run and greeted her.

      “Honey, what’s up?” she asked rounding the end of the bench.

      Standing in only his running shorts and shoes, sweat glistening from all parts of his skin. Crystal knew she was not a pretentious person but she did love his good looks and rock hard body.

      They came together. Wade wrapped his arms around her tightly. She placed her head on his chest. She felt the sweat against her face. Could hear his heartbeat.

      “I love you … I love you so much,” he whispered still holding her as Kiwi tried desperately to get in on the action, jumping up against Wade’s back.

      “I love you too,” she replied dumbfounded as to what was happening.

      Finally releasing his grip, he kissed her and sat her down on their huge leather modular lounge. Still holding her hands, he looked into her eyes and explained what had happened to his old team.

      Finished he nervously said with his head down, “I know I promised I would never go back … but … I feel I need to do something.”

      Putting her hands under his chin and lifting his face until their eyes met. “I know you do. I always expected this day to come and I want you to go.” Changing her face from serious and concerned to smiling she said, “I love you but I’m coming too.”

      “But this is our home. Our life. All we’ve built together so far? Our dreams coming to fruition. I don’t want you to leave this. Not because of me.”

      “It will still be here when we get back.”

      “True … but are you sure you want to come?”

      Kiwi softly growled. Ears up, looking out across the pool.

      “Mister Ross don’t get any ideas of leaving here without me,” she said smiling and lashing her arms around his neck. They kissed passionately.

      “I have some news,” said Crystal.

      Before Wade could answer, or she could continue, Kiwi starting barking and Plant stepped around the corner of their house, with his two bodyguards.

      “Joe!” said Crystal surprised. “What are you doing here?” as they embraced.

      “I came to visit you guys,” said Plant.

      “Right … as if,” she said smiling. “I assume you’re the bringer of news that Wade has just told me about?”

      “Nice house,” said Plant desperate to change the subject.

      An affluent couple Wade and Crystal were known for not showing it off but they did have a beautiful house nestled on a white sandy surf beach. The seven bedroom home was large and served a dual purpose allowing multiple guests when Crystal was conducting a week long live in for her yoga and meditation classes. The house was secluded from all neighbours and only visible from the ocean. Wade had a separate purpose built bungalow he used for his studying, writing and training. More like a mancave where Wade and Kiwi could forget time. Wade practicing martial arts moves or endlessly researching, his studies and writing, on the internet. Kiwi watching his master or sleeping. Hours would pass until Crystal would need to arouse them from their stupor.

      After some quick small talk Plant said, “I know I shouldn’t be saying this but Wade if you’re coming we need to go.”

      “I’m coming to,” said Crystal to a surprised Plant. “Don’t say anything, we have already discussed it and it’s agreed.”

      “Crystal, you need to think about this seriously,” opposed Plant who had by now been ignored as he stood watching Wade and Crystal leave the room.

      3.

      The luxury Gulfstream G650 long range jet departed Brisbane International Airport’s private clientele hangar at 2100 hours. It had been a hasty departure. Crystal and Wade had quickly closed up their property, packed a bag, dropped Kiwi at a training mates and arranged for a friend to regularly check on their home.

      Wade Ross, 6’2”, 200 pounds, half Australian Aboriginal and half Italian, had been raised learning the ways and beliefs of the Aboriginal. He married Crystal Carters, a former US Navy helicopter pilot, five years earlier, after deciding to leave Colonel Wine and his freelance team of multi national ex Special Forces soldiers. He thought of his friends as his shoulders slumped and his piercing artic blue eyes starred out the plane’s window into the soot black abyss.

      Crystal glanced across to her husband. She brushed strands of her sun bleached, brunette wavy hair away from her gorgeous olive skinned face and bright emerald green eyes. Sitting back in the cream coloured luxurious leather sofa she pulled the black waist length leather jacket over her white logo free designer tee shirt. She dusted unseen fluff from her slashed, fashionable, worn, ankle height jeans. Admired by men and studied by women; whenever she walked past, heads would turn. Truly comfortable with herself she seemed oblivious to what others thought. She reflected on the last five years and how happy they had been. She remembered and shuddered at their battles with the Cooper family and the final confrontation with the then CIA boss, General Forest.

      “You’re not telling me the whole story, are you?” asked Wade turning, from his seat directly opposite Crystal, to the person approaching from behind.

      “No,” came the aristocratic English reply from the immaculately dressed, middle aged man. The three piece pin stripped suit with the Oxford University tie and the Tanino Crisci, Lillian black leather shoes accompanied by the Rolex watch and Jacob and Co. cufflinks, all pointed to either someone incredibly rich or very high up the tree.

      “Wade, Crystal let me introduce you to Sir Roger Dunstall,” said Plant, sitting across the aisle. “Sir Roger is the former head of MI6.”

      “Pleased to meet you both,” he said, shaking their hands as he took a seat beside Crystal. Now only two metres away and looking directly at someone he had heard so much about; he fought the urge