Hijacked Ship (Page 24)

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 23rd, 8:12 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 years)~~~

I sip from the hot cup of coffee in my hands. It's a beautiful Monday morning. It betrays the turmoil the world is in. I look out from the back porch and see Dannon riding on Bullet. Wearing his cowboy hat as he does.

My son has been doing everything he can to keep his mind off what the government is doing. It certainly doesn't help a large military and law enforcement presence is patrolling the property's perimeter. It's like we're in a prison camp.

It's a crude and unjust comparison. Dannon and I are allowed to come and go, but that doesn't mean having people with guns around the ranch's property line makes me feel good.

There is only so much that people can accept without blowing their tops. Dannon has never reached a point where he'd hurt someone. But I don't know what it'd look like if he unleashed his powers on another person.

He's capable of extraordinary feats, and he has powers that are only found in comic books. A person would be utterly brutalized on the receiving end of that.

I turn around and head back inside the house. Ploping down on the couch, and putting my feet up. I'm in a better mood this morning since I had a good Monday in day trading. But that feeling is only gonna last a little while.

Soon, my coffee cup is on the table next to me. What replaces the spot in my hand is the TV remote. I'm scared to turn it on. No matter what, there doesn't seem to be anything that changes the news topics these days.

They're all about Dannon.

As I click the power button, the channel from yesterday is what greets me. I immediately change it to CNN. While there are other news networks, I know they'll all be reporting on the same thing.

"This morning, at 2:00 PM GMT, a Chinese cargo ship has been hijacked. Currently, there has been no ransom demand or communication from the pirates."

That's six AM in PST. This only happened a couple of hours ago. I've heard things about pirates near Singapore and Peru, but they don't usually report that much on this type of stuff.

"The Chinese government has already dispatched a military force to intercept and board the cargo ship. However, it'll be at least four hours before they reach the ship."

Modern pirates aren't known for their mercy. They kill hostages without care since they usually have so many. In their minds, it helps them get what they want. Messing with Chinese cargo ships isn't such a good idea, either.

This still doesn't explain why American news is reporting on it. It's happening on the other side of the world, and most people are just starting to wake up.

"While the Chinese cargo ship is owned by the Chinese government. Many US workers shift from ship to ship based on demand, and more than half the crew on the hijacked cargo ship holds American men."

So that's why they've decided to report on this. Because American lives are at stake. It's a little repulsive that our news stations only care if people they value are getting hurt. Or it could be I don't watch enough to see anything else.

These days, they only talk about one thing. I won't say it's a nice change of pace due to the circumstances, but I'm glad Dannon isn't being talked about so early in the morning.

It's refreshing.

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 23rd, 8:34 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

Bullet runs around the open pen now that we're done working, and he's free to do what he likes. We didn't have a lot to do this morning. The corn is looking good, and the cattle are healthy. These are the moments I'm glad I live on a ranch.

Naedra said she wanted to speak with me sometime soon, but I'm really not in the mood to deal with anything there right now. I know what she'll ask me will be inconvenient. That's how it's been lately.

Here's to hoping it's just another lecture about how I haven't taken any time to learn about my home planet and people.

As I open the door to the back of the house and quickly change into some clean clothes with my super speed. I notice Mom is watching another news program today.

"I really wish you'd stop watching that."

I can't say I'm much better since I watch a lot of the news these days. Everything going on in the world, it makes no sense for me to not be in touch. Of course, there are agendas. But I do my best to ignore everything except the actual situation they're reporting.

Mom doesn't answer me, and that gains my attention. As I walk up behind the couch and look at the TV from behind her. That's when I see why she's not speaking.

"We're in communication with the Chinese. Due to the Chinese government owning the cargo ship and the hijacking taking place in international waters, we have to take a backseat to this situation."

There are shouts and boos from the people watching President Marshell on the podium. He's addressing the situation himself. It's serious enough for the President himself to get involved.

Instead of saying anything to quell the outbursts from people, reporters, and journalists. He just stands there and takes it. Being the punching bag. It makes me curious why he's doing this, but I'm not a leader.

After a few more seconds, people eventually calm down and the President takes a single breath. Likely preparing to continue.

"We've been assured by the Chinese government no American soul on the cargo ship is at risk. The arrival time for the military fleet of the Chinese is approximately three hours and forty minutes."

I tune out the sound of the TV and float off the ground. Softly landing on the couch next to Mom and staring off into space. A part of me wants to do something for these people. Being victimized by pirates isn't a light matter.

Modern pirates are vicious and merciless. They'll cut the heads off people and throw their heads off the sides of the ship.

"What do you plan on doing..."

Mom's muted the TV and has placed a question on me. I honestly don't know if this is a situation I should intervene in. Sure, innocent lives are at stake, but the US and Chinese governments are involved.

I don't think either one of them would appreciate my interference in a military matter. Everything I've done so far has been helping civilians. Stopping fires and helping flood victims. This is a different beast I'm dealing with.

But I did say that if people are senselessly slaughtered, I'd do something.

"Has anyone been killed yet?"

Is it wrong of me to wait until a life is lost to do something? Is it evil to wait for evil until I intervene?

No one said it would be easy, but questions of morality aren't a subject of study on a Monday morning.

"I don't know, sweetie... But I know that someone will die..."

Her voice is soft and slow... Easing me into the answer and reality of the situation. If I do something now, no one will die.

I could apprehend the pirates and let the proper authorities deal with them. And ensure the safety of the people they're holding hostage.

"Just so you know, they haven't given a ransom demand... Is that normal?"

My head spins, and our eyes meet as I hear that bit of new information. If they haven't given any demands yet, they intend to wait for more witnesses and more cameras.

They intend to put on a show.

I don't know what it'll look like, but it's not something I want to wait for and see. Instead of saying anything else to my Mom, I stand up and slowly make my way to the stairs. Heading into my room, and looking at my Celaxian skinsuit hanging on the closet door.

Whenever I put this on, something bad is happening in the world. I don't want to connect the image of my suit and House symbol with tragedy.

But right now, there isn't another option. Until the time comes when people don't see me as a threat or something to fear, I'll have to be there during times of great suffering. Events of death and tragedy.

Perhaps that's the burden of my powers.

Not being seen as more than what people fear me doing.

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 23rd, 8:44 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 years)~~~

Dannon slowly walks down the stairs, and I see that he's wearing his skinsuit. The smile forms on my lips without my control. He sees me stand up from the couch and make my way over to him.

He stands at the bottom of the stairs as he waits for me. Once I make it to him, I wrap my arms around him.

I remember when I could carry him around in my hands...

"You've got this, sweetie... Do what you do best..."

It's harder every time he goes.

After a second, we pull out of the hug and I dry the forming tears in my eyes. He softly smiles and walks past me. Making his way to the back door. I don't know what he plans on doing, but I do know governments across the world won't be happy.

This is a state-level matter, and Dannon isn't an official of any state.

He's a superpowered Alien.

There will be several powerful people and groups across the planet that don't like the idea of Dannon interfering in matters that require the government and military. I'm not sure I like the idea of my son involving himself in this.

But he told me that if people were being senselessly slaughtered, there would be nothing that stands in his way of helping them.

"Please... Be careful..."

The US government and Chinese government will have any excuse they want after this. What really concerns me is what the two nations do to each other.

While Dannon is helping in this situation, the US is his home. This could be seen as an act on behalf of the US instead of it just being Dannon himself. Political conflicts can arise from this that I can't describe.

I walk to the back window and see Dannon standing in the middle of the backyard. The same place he stands every other time before he takes to the skies.

His neutral gray skinsuit fits his form perfectly.

The grey cape barely touches the ground as he stares into the sky.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. His chest fills with air, and after a second, he exhales. Releasing the air from his lungs. His eyes slowly open, and I see him gently smile. He crouches ever so slightly.

Pebbles, dirt, and dust start to slowly circle around him. He gently lifts off the ground. Floating in the backyard.

He makes it look so effortless.

His legs are relaxed and slightly bent. He stops looking at the ground and turns his attention to the West.

Go get'em.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!

CRAAAAAAACCCCKKKKK!!!

The sky cracks and screams as Dannon soars into the clouds. Heading directly for space. He's taken me for flights before. I can count the number of times on one hand. Flying with Dannon is one thing, but I can't help wondering what it's like.

To ignore gravity.

To be free as a bird.

Being able to fly must be one of the most amazing things in the world.

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Flying Over Earth, Above Pacific Ocean)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 23rd, 8:56 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

My arms spread out as the light from the sun hits my body. Flying through space and absorbing the solar radiation without the Earth's atmosphere filtering it.

The brilliant blue and green gem I call home slowly turns below me. Knowing that I don't have a lot of time before people start dying on the cargo ship, I adjust my course slightly. Increasing my speed and crossing the entire Pacific Ocean.

As I break through the atmosphere and level out over the ocean. I have to slow down and close my eyes for a second. Focusing on my hearing. I stop tuning out the world, and I'm bombarded by sounds.

I've learned to control and use this ability since I was a young teenager. I channel out the noise I'm not needing to hear and focus on what I do need to hear.

"NO!"

"THIS IS MY SHIP NOW!"

"EACH AMERICAN LIFE IS NOW WORTH WHAT I SAY IT IS!"

The voices are loud to me, even though they'd be talking normally in person. I hone in on the exact direction of the sound and adjust my course again. I know where the ship is, and it won't be long until I reach it.

~~~(POV: Jeffrey F. Holmes)~~~

~~~(Location: Satellite & Radar Office, Fort Meade, Maryland)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 23rd, 8:55 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 58 Years)~~~

All of us watch the satellite imagery and radar information as Dannon leaves his backyard. I stand in the back of the room. Calmly and slowly pacing back and forth. Shouts and reports are bouncing around the room.

"He's heading West! He's broken into the stratosphere!"

"Bearing directly toward mainland China!"

"Send the warnings out!"

My attention is fully on the screen as we're in the live feed on the cargo ship. Watching the situation as it unfolds. When Dannon left the house in his Alien suit, we knew he was up to something.

Now it looks like he's about to interfere in something he has no business getting into. I can't help the sigh from escaping my lips. It's only a matter of time now before he reaches the cargo ship.

While I resent the idea of him handling this situation, due to the live feed, we'll be able to learn more about him. What his powers are, what he can do to another human if he so pleased.

The Oval Office will be waiting for my report. Until then, I have to stand here and watch an Alien interfere in official US state business.

I can only guess the Chinese aren't happy. Odds are they can see him coming too. Just like we can.

Moments like these make me glad I'm not a politician.

"He's 10 seconds out from target!!"

Everyone stops talking and looks at the several screens around the room. After the 10-seconds pass, we all see Dannon floating in the air. He's decided to do this in front of the ship. The cameras he can be seen on are the ones blown up on the big screens.

He slowly and gently floats down to the front tip of the ship. Standing on it.

Time to see how the Alien handles this.