Surprises

With a renewed effort to keep up with my serial flash fiction on Wattpad, I focused on the next installment to the Mounting Tensions. In Check In, I highlighted the recent interaction between Rylan and his dear friend and confidant, Darvin. While they were talking about recent events in their intelligence gathering mission, more departures were upcoming. With those additional flights on deck, I skipped some of the more menial and mundane days to highlight the second pilot and his journey. So join me as we find out what if everything is still on track for Rylan’s plan?

Darvin opened the warehouse’s door and entered the dimly lit building. When it closed, the illumination from the street vanished, leaving the living mountain in a poorly lit chamber. The instant he stepped forward, a soft yellow light filled the space as he crossed it. Upon reaching the secured interior door, Darvin quickly punched a code into the keypad. With a pop and a hiss, the door slid open, revealing a compact spacecraft with room for a single individual. He promptly stepped through the opening and raised his left hand, revealing an unassuming paper sack.

“Authur, are you here?”

“Naturally,” the pilot said as his head emerged from the craft’s landing gear, “given my imminent departure. Since you’re the one who scheduled the launch, I’d assume you knew that detail already.” He stepped around the vessel, wringing a towel between his hands. “Why are you here? Aside from giving me grief.” His mouth gaped open as he leaned forward and pointed at the sack dangling from Darvin’s hand. “What’s that?”

“Figured you’d enjoy a meal prior to your lengthy journey.” Darvin grinned as he ambled across the impromptu hangar. When he ducked under the vessel, he dragged his free hand along the hull. Once he reached the table, he thumped his knuckles on it as he claimed an empty seat. “What can you get me to drink?”

“Not much,” Authur said, tossing a soiled rag onto the floor beside the spacecraft. When he joined the living mountain around the table, he peered into the bag. The pilot’s eye crept up as he lifted his head slightly. “You have access to all sorts of high-end cuisine, thanks to your friendship with Rylan, and you bring me simple sandwiches.”

“There’s nothing simple about The Monarch.”