The Secret Cardinal

55

The first hint of dawn painted a line of deep blue across the eastern horizon and erased the faintest stars from the heavens. The waxing crescent moon hung just above the jagged mountains to the west as if waiting for sunrise before dropping from view. Kilkenny was at the controls, piloting BAT-1 over some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, regretting that his view was filtered through the greens and blacks of night vision.

‘I have the new numbers,’ Han announced.

‘How bad?’ Kilkenny asked.

‘We took a big hit from that headwind over the plateau.’

‘I know,’ Kilkenny said. ‘We’re supposed to be in India by now. Any good news?’

‘We’re starting to make up some of the lost time.’

‘Enough to get us across the border before dawn?’

‘It will be close, but if we get some good wind on our tail in the last valley, we might make it.’

‘You ready to take the stick again?’ Kilkenny asked.

‘Yeah, and thanks for the break,’ Han said. ‘My shoulders were sore as hell after fighting that wind.’

‘Get us across that border, and I’ll find a nice Indian masseuse to work you over,’ Kilkenny promised.

‘I always work better with an incentive.’

‘Can I have one too?’ Gates squawked from BAT-2, his request parroted by the rest of the warriors.

‘Gentlemen, as we are in a very real sense “on a mission from God”,’ — here Kilkenny did his dead-on imitation of Dan Aykroyd’s mantra in The Blues Brothers — ‘I cannot in good conscience promise you an all-expense-paid trip to the Kama Sutra Spa and Fornicatorium.’

Low groans filled Kilkenny’s ears.

‘I will, however, gladly authorize a real masseuse to remove the damage inflicted on our joints and muscles by these long flights and an open bar to provide nourishment of a spiritual nature.’

‘Hoo-yah!’ bellowed Gates, Chun, and Chow above the chorus of other positive if not profane responses.

Kilkenny knew the feeling. The men were getting excited as the mission neared completion.

‘Comm, two-way Kilkenny,’ Tao said.

The voices in Kilkenny’s ears faded.

‘Nolan,’ Tao said, ‘take a look at Yin.’

Kilkenny looked over his shoulder and saw Yin reclined in his seat, arms folded across his chest, still and quiet.

‘Is he—’

‘Sleeping,’ Tao cut him off. ‘I checked and he’s sound asleep. He hasn’t stirred in hours.’

‘Good for him.’

‘So we’re close to the border?’ Tao asked.

‘Yeah, I just hope we cross it before dawn. Otherwise we’ll have to put down.’

‘When will you know?’

‘Within the hour. If he were awake, I’d ask him to pray for a steady tailwind.’