Chapter 108: Sky and Sea

The Atlantic Ocean was a raging beast. Rain lashed against the windshield of Jackson’s military-grade helicopter.

"Target sighted!" Luke yelled from the co-pilot seat. "Visual on The Intrepid! 12 o'clock low!"

Jackson looked down. The massive cargo ship was bobbing in the waves like a toy. It was crawling with armed guards.

"Liam!" Jackson shouted over the roar of the rotors to the man sitting in the back. "Where are they?"

Liam sat with his eyes closed, his hand touching the metal frame of the chopper. The violet veins in his neck were pulsing.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He pointed not at the ship, but at the sky above it.

"There!" Liam pointed. "She is leaving!"

From the deck of the cargo ship, a sleek, unmarked black helicopter was taking off. It banked sharply, heading North-East, away from the fleet.

"Aurora is on that chopper," Liam growled. "I can feel her terror."

"But Alex and Mia?" Serenity asked, grabbing Jackson’s arm. Her face was pale. "I can't sense them."

"They are still on the ship," Jackson gritted his teeth. "Silas split them up. He wants us to choose."

"We don't choose," Jackson unbuckled his seatbelt. He stood up, wind whipping his coat. "We take both."

He grabbed a fast-rope and hooked it to the winch.

"Luke, take the controls! Chase that black helicopter down! Do not let it out of your sight!"

"But Boss, who is going to the ship?"

"I am," Jackson racked the slide of his assault rifle. "I'm going to get the twins."

"I'm going with Luke and Serenity," Liam stood up. He didn't put on a safety harness. He simply walked to the open door of the chopper. "The girl needs me. That pilot won't outrun the wind."

Serenity looked at her husband. There was no time for a long goodbye.

"Save them," she whispered.

"Bring her home," Jackson kissed her quickly, hard.

Then, he kicked the rope out.

"GO!"

Jackson slid down the rope, plunging fifty feet down towards the storm-tossed deck of the enemy ship.

At the same time, Luke slammed the throttle. The helicopter banked violently, chasing the fleeing aircraft into the dark clouds.

---

On the Ship Deck:

Jackson’s boots hit the metal deck with a heavy thud. He disconnected the rope instantly.

"Intruder!" A guard shouted.

Jackson didn't hesitate. He raised his rifle. Bang. Bang. Two guards fell.

He moved behind a shipping container, reloading. Rain soaked him to the bone. He was one man against an army of mercenaries and hybrids.

"Alex! Mia!" Jackson roared into the storm. "Dad is here!"

---

In the Sky:

The chase was on. Luke was pushing the engines to the red line, but the enemy helicopter was faster.

"They are getting away!" Luke yelled. "They are too fast!"

Serenity watched the tail lights of the black chopper shrinking in the distance. "No... Aurora..."

Liam stood by the open door. The freezing wind didn't seem to bother him. His eyes glowed with that terrifying violet light.

"They think they are flying on fuel," Liam muttered. "But the air... the air obeys the Element."

He raised both hands towards the fleeing helicopter.

His muscles strained. The air pressure around them dropped.

Ahead of them, the clouds began to swirl unnaturally.

"Hold steady!" Liam shouted.

A massive downdraft—summoned by pure telekinetic will—slammed into the enemy helicopter.

The black chopper lurched, losing altitude. It slowed down, fighting the turbulence.

"Gotcha," Luke cheered. "We are closing in!"

Serenity stared at her father-in-law. He wasn't just a soldier. He was a force of nature.

Two battlefronts.
One father fighting an army on the sea.
One grandfather fighting the sky itself.

And in the middle of it all, three terrified children waiting for their heroes.