Agent Out of Time

"The honor is mine." I responded softly, as the pontoon boat pulled alongside of the shiny seaplane.

I was in for another surprise as I stepped inside of the luxurious interior of the plane. Chantry held up a glass of wine with a genial smile of welcome, "I knew you could do it old friend! If anyone could it would be you!"

I sat down heavily beside him and I took the wine glass from him. "I do recall you having a few doubts, as to the success of our endeavor."

He waved a hand through the air dismissively, "Glad to be proven wrong!"

As Trent and Deshavi sat down across from me and Chantry the plane began to move forward. We talked for a while after takeoff, but general weariness coupled with the peace of being free on good terms soon had my eyes closing.

Chantry did his best to sleep, but sleep rarely came to him anymore. He wasn't the only one, who was sleepless it would seem. Shalako's enchanting granddaughter sat wide-awake, with her love's head resting on her shoulder. Her own head rested over against his in a way that only people, who love each other, would do. Her hands were endlessly massaging the big hand that lay in her lap.

It was a touching sight and well worth every penny of the several million dollars that Chantry had spent to help this mission become a success. She noticed him gazing at her in the darkened cabin and her head straightened.

"Oh no, my dear don't stir on my account! I'm just an old man that can't sleep anymore." He said softly.

Her face was hard to read just as her grandfathers was at times. "May I ask a question of you Sir?"

"Certainly!" Chantry said quickly in response.

"Why?" She asked.

Now that was a big question, Chantry reflected to himself.

"I'd like to think that I would've done anything that was needed to rescue anyone, in such a circumstance, as yours my dear. But the truth is I would never have risked the lives of two of my operatives the way your grandfather and Trent did for you. It was little enough to enable them and give the mission the best possible chance with the funding that is available to me. I gave the chances at success to your grandfather at less than ten percent, but he wouldn't hear it. He was going to save you and that was that and look where we are now. We are living in the moment of prayer's result, which no mission percentage rate can ever quantify. This mission truly has been a miracle in all aspects and you are very lucky girl to have these two men on your side!"