top 4x4 on skis.
Von Werner still had the spear of destiny in his hands and had it clutched to his chest lovingly. The shaft had been snapped off and now only a few inches of wood jutted from the spear head.
The pilot turned around and shouted back into the hold.
“Sir the Israeli military have scrambled fighter jets. ETA five minutes. Our instructions are to follow them and land and surrender ourselves into custody.”
“Ignore this!” Von werner said, “Change our heading for Gaza.”
“No!” Tosh shouted, “Tell them that we are a british red cross mission and will proceed to Shaheed Mwaffaq air base in Jordan where we will land. We have british nationals on board and will seek the help of the Jordanian government,” Tosh turned back to Von Werner, “you no longer give the orders here Count.”
The pilot relayed the new message.
“The Israelis are refusing,” he shouted back, “They have re-issued their warning to us. We are to follow them to Tel Nof air force base. Our refusal to follow these instructions will result in military intervention. I think they mean to shoot us out of the sky.”
“Repeat my message to them,” Tosh shouted. He turned to everyone in the aircraft, “Does anyone have a cell phone?”
Hutchinson shook his head.
“His lot took them. Remember,” the American said nodding at Von Werner.
“I have mine.”
The German Count took his phone from his trouser pocket. Tosh opened the screen up.
“No service. That’s just bloody brilliant. Without comms I can’t get help from my unit.”
Tosh turned his attention back to Von Werner.
“And now my dear Count It’s time to hand that over,” he extended his hand for the spear.
Von Werner didn’t move so Tosh waved the pistol at him.
“Now!”
“Tosh look out!” Dennis yelled as Natalie screamed.
Tosh spun around at the sound of snarling. Longinus had risen up behind him. Tosh stared into the white face with red eyes. The long sharp teeth were bared. He attempted to bring the gun up but Longinus was too quick. The creature rushed forward and sank its jaws into the trapezius muscle at the side of the SAS Captain’s neck and ripped them free. Tosh slumped to the floor of the plane, his blood pumped out thickly and he tried to speak but only managed to cough up blood. Longinus spat the large lump of flesh out and then with his jaws dripping it focused on the spear again. He reached Von Werner in two steps and snatched the spear from him. Von Werner shrank away and as all watched Longinus’ face and eyes returned to human again.
“Longinus,” Hutchinson called in Latin. The Roman turned towards the American as Hutchinson said, “Let us help you.”
Longinus held the spear in his hands as the blue sparks danced over his fingers.
Dennis spoke in a low voice.
“Nat. get ready to open the ramp when I say.”
Von Werner placed his hand on the spear head. He smiled at Longinus.
“This truly is the work of God,” he said.
Longinus’ eyes travelled up to look at the German Count before him. Then his face contorted into rage and his eyes turned red again and his face white. He lashed out and backhanded Von Werner which sent the man flying.
“Now!” Dennis shouted.
Natalie went for the button that opened the ramp. The creature saw her move and blocked her. She shrank back. Von Werner wiping blood from his face suddenly threw himself forward and hit the button. The ramp began to open quickly and the wind rushed in. Dennis had picked up Tosh’s handgun and fired again and again hitting Longinus time and time again. The creature stumbled backwards and fell getting tangled in the netting of the ammo crate. The spear fell from its grasp and rolled towards the end of the ramp. Von Werner lunged after it and managed to wrap his fingers around it just as the netting ripped free. The pallet of weapons began sliding backwards towards the rear.
“Von Werner that crate!” Dennis yelled.
Von Werner managed to move out of its way as it slid past and fell out of the back of the Hercules. It’s parachutes opening the moment it cleared the plane. It ripped the netting as it went and now this hung outside the aircraft in shreds dragging Von Werner and Longinus with it. Dennis ran and dived for the rear of the plane when he saw Von Werner hanging on for dear life. He reached out his hand and then his eyes widened as he saw Longinus right himself