Let Me Call You Madame

Indiscriminate Ignorance

Indiscriminate Ignorance

THE HELICOPTER BLADES that Jane was assured of for a safe and well-equipped transport to the island razed whiplashes all over the company’s rooftop first thing in the morning.

Several bodies of the company that begged her not to go studded the corners distant enough from the helipad but Jane has had no choice but to step into the battleground without hesitations.

Against the wind, she faced the group of employees who wished this was not just a random act of prank pulled by the ‘Rascal’ of Lacenoir family. With a proud but stoic regard, she gave them a respectful bow before hitching into the aerial vessel.

“Come back the soonest, Miss Jane!”

“Please be safe on your way, Madame!”

“We will wait for your return!”

All their other cries were lifted with the wind as she rose through the blocks of city estates. A collected inhale was all it took for her to set her game on while she overlooked the slowly shrinking Lvcien Headquarters.

From her in-ear communication device, she kept a straight face while listening to Mary’s report. Because of the board’s impatience about the stone, she has been kept away from ample research and all she could do now was to rely on what Mary could efficiently find for her.

“Miss Jane, the island is really protected by ethical laws regarding habitat and ecosystem. A lot of plant species are enlisted rare within the area that even the locals are forbidden to touch some locations. But I have heard that a few decades ago, before the protection, a group of miners indeed tried to excavate minerals from the island because of the surprisingly massive deposits of medium-grade agates. They suspected more but they ended up leaving as soon as the locals discovered their activity. Be careful for landmines they might have left around the places.”

As the helicopter charged further to the seascape, the audio related to a series of candy wrap crumples until wind slightly knocked the vehicle sideways and all of Mary’s voice drowned into nought.

DAMARI stared at the lighthouse that his boat passed by.

“Have you arranged for a decoy passenger to the chopper they sent us?” he asked Drew who stood beside him as they cruised through the brightly gleaming sapphire waters.

“Of course. They must be waiting for the crossover by now. Do not worry. They might survive the boats but they will have nothing left after that. All helicopters your father sent the three of you are destined to be dispatched. I don’t think he really likes to give up anything anytime soon.”

“I did not change opinions about him anyway. Let us give him the show that he wants while we play him by our fingers.”

A HANDHELD telescope caught the approaching chopper within its crosshairs. As soon as it was within the required radius for their weapon’s trajectory, the chief of the mercenary vessel pirating the seas in the northeast looked at his flock of waiting hooligans.

Teeth gritting with the hunger for demolition, ears ringing in anticipation of another mid-day fireworks display, and eyes sparkling in a hopeful feast of downfall, the mercenaries pulled their patience together to achieve a one-time successful attempt.

“Remember, at the count of three, that dragonfly should be raining fire.”

The pilot was sharp enough but it was never enough to dodge the catapulting ball of rage that is charging their way.

“Madame, please prepare for anything!”

Even before Jane could place her hands on any stable surface, the whole unit shook with the impact. Swerving sideways, the helicopter started dipping to the right as one of the propellers swung off until it dropped to the roaring waves.

“Who assaulted us?”

“It is a mercenary vessel, Madame! We are losing control!”

Another shot of the improvised catapulting device rung through the air and majorly hit the side of the helicopter this time, sending both passengers against the doors.

“I knew it,” she mumbled to herself and adjusted on her safety gear in case of any unpleasant bails. “How far are we from the island?”

“We are still not halfway, Madame!”

“Can we manage to emergency land somewhere close?”

“I will try to work it out—

Another soul-flipping crash to the back of their helicopter rattled them to alarm. The tail began to disintegrate and catch fire. Jane inhaled the toxic metallic smoke from burning parts and the pilot no longer could wrestle the control.

“Madame! I am afraid we cannot make it any further!”

Cheers clamoured from the vessel below, several meters already apart from them while the men drank to their content, watching each piece of the metal bird fall and sink to the sea.

“Now let us get out of here, men!” the chief bellowed as they steered away.

“HOW FAR are we yet?”

“The pilot said we just went past halfway. Why don’t you get some rest first? I will sound you if anything happens.”

“No. I need to make sure we sail smoothly. We never know what they plan if they manage to worm their way out of our trap.”

“It is up to you then. Anyway, I just received report from the local news. A helicopter was indeed exploded just an hour ago. I guess they both knew about it as well. If not, there would have been three wrecks in the news.”

“Any casualties?”

“No reports. Do not worry. Our decoy knows death escapes and will never rat us out.”

“Good. Make sure no one speaks of the staged show. Let them think I disappeared and would not be found. As soon as you drop me to the island, go back to the city to avoid suspicion.”

“Understood.”

“What did Dex find out about the other companies who want the lode?”

“He still had no information. It seems like everyone is moving carefully about it.”

JANE WAS FORTUNATE enough to cling to the disassembled door when the helicopter fell apart. Her pilot was indeed completely prepared to bail as well but the waves took them separate ways and now, as the saltwater and sunlight kept draining her off of blood and wits, all she could do was to fit herself into the debris, not fully trusting the capability of her life vest.

Harsh whips of the waves even managed to lull her to exhaustion.

Damari was watching the waves from the hull when he spotted a questionable object floating, and getting tossed back and forth by the waves. As soon as he registered the implication of the bright orange material around the body, he immediately rushed to where the ring buoy hung and directed the captain to work around the person so he could reach to them.

“Closer!” he barked as he was prepared to plunge.

Drew rushed to stop him saying, “Let me do it! Stay here! We do not know that person! It might be a trap! Damari!” he bellowed when he failed to grabbed his friend back to the deck. “Damari!”

All that is left for Drew to do now was to watch the continuous rush of the rope as Damari charged further to the floating debris with an obvious person on board.

“Why do you always have to be so kind?”