Page 80 of Erase Me
I immediately moved the remaining drone to a height of a few meters above the surface of the water.
She was clearly choking back a laugh and wisely said nothing more.
The drone reached the yacht safely, and I moved it to where I could see the stern deck and then the rest of the target.Four armed men were sitting on benches on the middle deck.By now, they had to be on alert to the debacle at my apartment.On the top deck, a light was on in the bridge, where I could see the captain.
“Are those grainy images the best that thing can do?”Avalie was eyeing my phone.She waved a hand toward the yacht.“I can see the boat better from here.”
“You know, I think sharks are attracted to human voices too.”
Just then, a fifth man joined the others on deck.He was carrying a tray with cups of some kind of beverage.
“I take back everything I said about the drone images,” she murmured.“Those are clearly café mochas in those cups.”
“Let’s go.”
“Good.I could use one of those right about now.”
I grabbed my paddle and stood up.“If you wait here, I’ll bring one back for you.”
“No way,” she scoffed, standing and putting her paddle in the water.“I’m coming.It’ll be cold by the time you get back.”
We paddled in silence toward the boat, circling around to the stern.The swimming platform was extended, and we climbed carefully aboard, pushing the paddleboards off into the darkness.
Standing in the stern, I realized Avalie was still holding her paddle.When I gestured questioningly toward it, she leaned close, whispering, “This weapon and I are biometrically synced.”
“Great.Stay behind me.”
Two sets of stairs on either side of the boat led to the deck where the armed men were sitting.My plan was to go up and take them out.
We could hear their voices.I think they were talking about baseball.In any case, they didn’t sound too concerned about us.
I gestured for her to follow me, but she moved toward the opposite set of stairs.
There was just no way to control her, I thought as I put my foot on the first step.
Almost immediately, the steward who’d brought beverages before reappeared on the deck between us.He was carrying food on his tray and turned in my direction.When he spotted me, we both stopped dead.
Shocked, he backed away a foot, still holding the tray with one hand, and reached into his jacket.
The blade of Avalie’s paddle connected with the side of his head with a solid crack.He wobbled momentarily and went down.Unfortunately, so did the tray he was carrying.I heard the talking stop on the deck above.Then, running footsteps.
I glanced over to see where Avalie was.She was only a step away from me.
Pulling the soundwave weapon from my pocket, I activated it.Then, reaching out for her, I drew her close to me.
Two of them were carrying pistols.The other two had MP5 machine guns.They didn’t get the chance to use them.
With Avalie at my side, I aimed the little device and unleashed an ultrasonic wave that exceeded 400 meters per second and directed a silent, invisible, cone-shaped field toward them.It hit them hard.
Weapons clattered to the deck as they clutched at their ears.Immediately disoriented, two dropped to their knees and then fell over senseless.The other two went over the side.
“Thanks for getting me out of the line of fire,” Avalie said.
Moving to the top of the stairs, I threw the weapons overboard.
Avalie appeared at my side as I glanced at the men in the water.The cold Pacific must have kept them conscious, but they were still confused and lacking in muscle coordination.Somehow, they were able to keep their heads above the surface.
“All that splashing probably won’t draw sharks,” she said.
