Denzili
The plane was on its initial descent into New Orleans. Denzili texted Richardson to let her know she would be on the ground in fifteen minutes. The handoff should be pretty straightforward. After texting Richardson, she’d sent an encrypted email to Dr. Hennigan, updating her on the mission’s progress.
One of the nice perks of working for The Foundation was getting in and out of airports using corporate jets. Everyone on the plane worked for The Foundation, so there was no need for secrecy or to pretend that her phone would cause the aircraft to crash if she didn’t stow it before landing.
“Please buckle in if you aren’t already,” the pilot’s voice said over the intercom.
Denzili secured her seatbelt, raised the window shade and watched as the plane flew over swampland before heading into the airport. Denzili was supposed to be in New Orleans for less than an hour if everything went according to plan. She was supposed to land, meet up with Richardson, grab a coffee within the terminal, then she and Richardson would fly out. The plan was simple. Thankfully, a Foundation member who worked for the Transportation Security Administration had organized everything on the ground, making the entire series of events seamless.
Denzili felt the soft bump of the landing gear touch the tarmac as the plane’s flaps stood in an upright position, slowing the aircraft as it landed.
“We’ll be stopping in a couple of minutes,” the pilot said over the intercom.
Denzili unbuckled her seatbelt and took her rolling bag out from the overhead compartment as the plane was taxiing to the part of the airport where private jets unloaded their passengers. When the aircraft came to a halt, Denzili walked to the front of the plane, opened the plane door and lowered the staircase. She walked down the stairs, stood on the tarmac for a second and stretched. She placed the small rolling bag down before lifting the handle and walking toward the terminal entrance. Right before she entered the terminal, she found an identical bag waiting next to the door. She swapped the bags and walked on inside.
* * * *
Richardson
Richardson watched as the Foundation plane landed and waited until Denzili entered the terminal before getting into the cart she’d borrowed to drive over the main terminal. She opened the side door to bag processing using the keycard she’d gotten from their inside source. She’d already been given a heads-up for the bag she was looking for. Another agent had already put Denzili’s bag to the side so Richardson could locate it quickly.
Richardson meandered through the facility, using the map she had on her phone. Following the basic instructions, Richardson swapped Denzili’s with an identical bag already in the system. The swap was necessary to ensure the baggage count didn’t delay things. The switch took a matter of seconds. Richardson replaced the bag on the automatic conveyor belt and watched as it headed to its destination.
Thankfully, none of the other workers in baggage handling had even paid attention to her while she was making the switch, which meant one less body on her conscience.
She headed toward an exit she knew would take her into the terminal. Before heading into the airport, she slipped out of the coveralls and jacket she was wearing to blend in. She stowed the items in the empty carry-on bag now in her possession before opening the door.
* * * *
Denzili
Denzili sipped on a coffee at a small table right outside the Starbucks, which was the pre-determined rendezvous. Passengers strolled to and fro within the terminal. Richardson approached the table, sat down and said, “Package delivered.”
Denzili didn’t respond. She slid the coffee she’d already purchased for Richardson across the tabletop.
“Light cream, one sugar,” Denzili said. “Just the way you like it.”
“Thanks,” Richardson responded. “Shall we head back to the plane?”
“Let’s wait a few more minutes,” Denzili responded. “I want to make sure no one is watching.”
The two sat and pretended to converse, but they scanned what was happening around them to ensure they hadn’t been followed. In their line of work, one could never be too careful.
Once Denzili was sure everything was safe, she said, “Shall we?”
The two stood and headed back to the private jet terminal, where their plane and flight crew waited.
* * * *
Ethan
Once the group was checked in, they were led to a private screening area where everyone was required to have their carry-on luggage screened by hand. They each walked through a metal detector before heading through a back tunnel to the Peregrine First-Class Lounge.
When the band had first experienced this type of royal VIP treatment, they had been awed by how smooth some airports were for celebrities. The guys in ZERO had quickly realized that not all airports were as celebrity friendly. Still, most tried to speed things up to avoid causing any kind of public scene within the airport that could be a security nightmare for all involved.
The group settled into a series of stuffed chairs. Ethan watched as Orr pulled out his bagel and started munching. Hightower and Rawlins both walked over to the coffee bar.
“I’ll be right back,” Ethan said. He stood up with his overnight bag slung over his shoulder and headed to the restroom. Thankfully, none of the other guys bothered to look up from their phones.
