"That I should be remembering something about this place. It came on when we saw those glass chambers, and it's stronger here."

"Maybe you're thinking of the underground lab at Gaultier." We headed back with our cases of water.

He shook his head. "I felt nothing like this there. It feels almost like dej vu, but it's not because you aren't in the memory. That much I know. I don't believe anyone here is in the memory."

"So, it's a memory from before I joined up?"

"No. I believe it's a memory from Alpha Four."

Was going to say more but the others were back with their supplies as well, and getting out of here was more important than White's memory concern. I insisted that all of us drink a bottle of water each, and I made Joe and Randy drink a second one each as well while Lizzie went off to search for something to use to carry the stuff in. She scrounged a sturdy box and we put all the supplies in it. The box needed two to carry it, so Joe and Randy took a side each.

"You sure you two should be carrying anything?"

They both shrugged. "I feel okay," Joe said. "The disorientation from waking up here was bad, but now I feel normal."

"Me, too," Randy said. "Well, as normal as we ever get."

We headed off at a walk since the flyboys had that box of stuff. I was prepared for the trapdoor to be locked, locking us in here, but it was open. White closed it after us and put the tarp back, then we continued on.

Giving credence to Lizzie's theory, and unlike the other hostages we'd found, now that they were up and dressed, Joe and Randy didn't seem to be having any ill effects. Tried not to worry about them. Failed. Utterly.

However, I had other people to worry about more. Camilla, Rahmi, and Rhee were most likely in the invisible helicarrier. Conveniently, I was about ninety-nine percent sure I knew where it was. Unfortunately, I was about one percent sure that I could get into said helicarrier undetected.

Meaning I was going to have to request entry. Oh well, supposedly I had a way with diplomacy.

CHAPTER 66.

ONCE WE WERE out of the building I insisted that White use hyperspeed to get the supplies to the others. He agreed, took the box, and took off. The rest of us took off our evidence gloves and I had the others link up and we headed after him. Well, with one small detour.

I ran us around the entire gigantic complex, pointing out the buildings where we had and hadn't found people, and had Adriana do the same. I also showed the guys where the Presumed Detention Center was. We stopped by one of the buildings nearest to the other facility, but one we hadn't searched.

"You two are in uniform and you're in better shape than the other flyboys. If worse comes to worst, you two may have to try to get help for us from whoever's in here."

Joe's eyes were narrowed. "Mahin said we're close to the NSA?"

"Yeah, she did. Not close enough to be able to get everyone there safely, though. At least, I don't think." I had no idea where NSA headquarters was from here, and I also had no idea who there was friendly toward us or not. Sure, I was the FLOTUS now, but that didn't mean anything. In my experience, it was just going to make me a better bargaining chip.

"You thinking it's an NSA facility?" Randy asked him.

"I think it's possible. And if that's the case, then I think it's a good thing you guys didn't go there trying to get help."

"Thank Lizzie. She's the one who thought it would be easy to get in but hard to get out."

She tried not to preen, but she couldn't hide that she was pleased with the praise. "My dad's advice."

"He's a smart man," Randy said. "Joe's right, we need to steer clear unless it's our last option. We'll be treated as enemies, not people to help. And while that will stop the moment they know who we really are, the wife of the Vice President shouldn't be making unplanned visits to an NSA holding facility."

"Oh. Um. Right. You guys didn't get the last update. Um . . . I'm not the wife of the Vice President anymore."

Both guys stared at me. "What the hell happened to you and Jeff in a week?" Joe asked, sounding shocked to his core.

"Is Jeff dead?" Randy asked, sounding horrified.

"Oh, no. Others are, but not Jeff. Stop panicking, Jeff and I are still married." Barring him divorcing me for not calling him, which was not my fault. Gave the guys their CliffsNotes version of the past many days' events.

"You're the First Lady now?" Joe didn't sound like he believed it. Yeah, I didn't really believe it, either.

"Believe it," Lizzie said. "And she hates the job, but the house is nice. So far. I miss the Embassy, though. It's a lot cozier."

"I've never thought of the American Centaurion Embassy as cozy," Randy said. "So I can only imagine how you're doing, Kitty." He hugged me. "Thanks for coming to save us."

Joe hugged me, too. "What Randy said. A lot."

"Well, we were kidnapped, in that sense. I was happy to get the double, though, and rescue everyone. Which, by the way, we are not done with. Mission: Save the Rescue Team needs to roll, and roll soon."

"Yeah." Randy looked around and shuddered. "I can't believe Stephanie stashed everyone here."

"You know about Forest Haven? Are you taking the same course with my dad that Mahin is?"

"No, I watch Ghost Hunters, and this is one of the most haunted places they've ever been. Joe, you and Lorraine watched that episode with us."

Joe nodded. "Yeah, the people on that show were spooked to the max. They felt this place was bad news."

"And they felt it was genuinely haunted," Randy said firmly. "And by malevolent spirits as well as just trapped souls."

"Told you," Lizzie said smugly.

"What's with the shoes? Did they say?" I sincerely hoped they'd said.

Both guys shook their heads. "It's just how it is here," Randy said. "Some of them think the ghosts pile the shoes up because they can't leave."

"No one knows," Joe added. "No one's supposed to come here, but you know how people are-this place sees a lot of ghost-hunting and thrill-seeking activity. Some people who come to investigate move the shoes. The shoes are always moved back when they aren't looking."

"Officially creeped out, thanks so much. But, that begs a question-if the Ghost Hunters were here, and other people come here all the time, why hasn't anyone spotted us and come over to ask what we're doing here?"

"My guess is that they," Joe jerked his head toward the presumed NSA site, "just ignore anyone here. It's usually going to be ghost hunters, teenagers, or the homeless. As long as they don't jump the fence, who cares what they're doing here?"

"Adriana used a rocket launcher," Lizzie pointed out. "She used it a lot."

Joe shrugged. "If they're well-soundproofed, they might not have heard it."

"Or they heard it and didn't care," Randy said.

"Or they don't care about what happens here, even if a bomb drops," Lizzie suggested.

"Which makes them even more suspicious. Or lax in their security since anyone over here could be here spying on whatever's going on in this facility, though."

"Yeah, so let's get moving," Randy said. "Why give them a reason to check us out? Besides, the sooner we leave Forest Haven the better."

We linked up again and this time I took us back to the others. The flyboys had quite the reunion, and the rest of us ignored whatever manly tears were going on. Jerry, Hughes, and Walker were freaked out and furious about what had been done to Joe and Randy, but White kept the situation under control by reminding them that whatever was going on with Camilla and the princesses was potentially worse. That was us-keeping things calm by pointing out how much worse they were probably going to get.

I insisted that everyone here have water and food bars if they hadn't already and made those who had drink and eat more. Abigail and Mahin were already doing first aid on those who needed it, and Lizzie and Adriana started helping out. Despite the dire situations everyone had been in, a little water, food, and TLC seemed to be going a long way.

I'd been most worried about the two Field teams, but water and food had worked wonders for them and they were looking pretty close to what I considered normal for an A-C.

Once the flyboys had finished their reunion and had more food and water at my direct order, Jerry pulled me aside. The other flyboys, Lizzie, White, and Adriana came along, too. We left Abigail and Mahin riding herd on the security personnel.

"The P.T.C.U. folks can hot-wire the car," Jerry said. "I've had them wait, though, so we don't burn gas for nothing. But considering no one can make a call and, as near as we can tell, no one cares that you've been kidnapped, I think we might want them to go for it."

"I can agree with that, only we're going to have to stuff that car full of people."

"It's a limo, Kitty," Hughes pointed out. "We can get a lot of people into it."

"And they don't have to be comfy," Walker added. "Refugees get to pack in tightly, whoever's getting out of here in the car can pack in tightly, too."

"But we can't get all the people into it. And, before anyone suggests it, I'm not going to be one of those heading off for safety, because I'm not leaving until I find the team I sent to rescue you guys, not to mention my Poofs and Peregrines."

"Where do you think the animals are?" Adriana asked.

"Honestly? I think they're in the same place our last three people are-inside the helicarrier. But let's get back to the car situation first. How many people can we fit into that limo, squished up and breaking all traffic laws and rules of decorum?"

"At least a dozen," Hughes said. "Hopefully more."

"If we have people willing to get into the trunk, we could probably fit even more," Walker said.

"By the way, the Secret Service agents aren't clear on how you roll," Jerry said. "Despite what you said earlier they want to get you under control and 'protected.' The P.T.C.U. folks don't work that closely with us, so they're more on the side of that mindset than not."

"And there are more of them than there are of us," Hughes added. "And I'm pointing that out because the moment you say what you plan to do next-which is raid that helicarrier, I'm sure-those people are going to do everything in their power to stop you."

"Thanks for helping make the decision. Have them hot-wire the car. I want all the Secret Service and the P.T.C.U. personnel jammed in there. They're the ones most likely to get immediate assistance as soon as they check in anyway."

"You got it, Commander," Jerry said cheerfully. He nodded to the other flyboys, and all five of them went off to handle this. Doubted they were going to win on the first attempt but hope did like to spring eternal.

"You're sure?" White asked me.

"I am. I'd love to shove all of you into that car, too, but, frankly, I'm going to need the backup, and it needs to be backup I can count on."

"So, where is the helicarrier?" Lizzie asked. "You've been all mysterious about it."

"And I'm remaining that way until we get everyone shoved into the car." One of the P.T.C.U. guys got the car started and, the moment he did so, the arguments started too.

"They aren't going to want to go," White said. "They're going to insist that you and the other women get in, and then insist that I get in."

"Women, children, and gentlemen of a certain age first. Yeah, I know." Heaved a sigh. "Let's get over there and see if we can't get them to listen to reason."

"The First Lady saying that she plans to try to raid the invisible helicarrier that's manned by her kidnapper isn't going to sound like reason to them, Missus Martini. It barely sounds like reason to me."

"Et tu, Brute White? Really?"

He chuckled. "I'm used to you and the level of risk you find acceptable."

"Stop trying to pretend you're not an adrenaline junkie by now."

"Oh, I'd never try to pass a lie like that." We reached the car and the dispute. Wasn't quite violent enough to be called domestic, but it was heading there. "Gentlemen, if I might have a moment?"

The arguing didn't stop.

"Shut the hell up!" I didn't bellow this, though I could have. But I ensured that my voice was loud and projecting and that I was channeling Mom. The arguments stopped and I received a lot of shocked looks. Whatever. "Thanks so much. Save your breath, if you've been told you're getting into the car, you're getting into the car. Period."

Mouths opened to protest. Put up the paw. Amazing-it still worked, they all froze. "I'm not kidding. If we have to knock you out, we will do so. Frankly, it will be easier to pack you into the car like unconscious sardines, so don't push it. Many of us are in bad moods for a variety of reasons and we've never been against knocking heads. You will be getting into that car, getting the hell out of here, and getting help. This is an order and it's non-negotiable."

A big, burly Secret Service agent shook his head and stepped forward. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but if you're going to force us to physically remove you for your own safety, then that's what we're going to do." He was possibly the biggest guy here. Did a fast comparison. Yep, definitely the biggest guy here.

"Yeah? Just how are you going to achieve that?"

He sighed. "I'm going to pick you up and put you in the car."

"Well, you can try." Moved into a fighting stance. "Come at me, bro, and feel free to bring it."

CHAPTER 67.

THE BIG SECRET SERVICE AGENT looked uncomfortable, but he also didn't look like he was going to back down. "I apologize in advance." Sure enough, he charged.

I sidestepped and tripped him, because hyperspeed was awesome. Then I picked him up, because I was pissed and super strength wasn't so bad, either. Tossed him into the trunk that Walker had thoughtfully opened. This took about three seconds.

Looked around at the rest of them. "Who's going to try out their insubordination skills next? Or, to put it another way, whose ass am I going to next be kicking?"

"She's not kidding," Jerry said cheerfully. "She's used to giving orders and having them acted upon immediately."

"Which is why her team is staying with her, and why all of you are leaving," Hughes added.

The agent in the trunk had the good sense not to try to get out of it, but he did sit up. "Why are you willing to risk yourself?" he asked me. "That's our job."