Chapter 710 - Lunch with Jarred and Charlie (1/2)
~ Los Angeles ~
Sarah and Aiden are in a restaurant, having lunch with Jarred and Charlie.
Charlie is excitedly explaining about his upcoming surgery.
Sarah can understand his feelings. Even though JoAnna didn't give him more than one in three chances to walk again, it is much better than zero.
”Surgery is in three weeks, did Anna give you any instructions until then?”, Sarah asked.
”Not really. She said to rest. But I'm sitting all the time. What more rest I need?”, Charlie responded.
”She probably implied to rest your head.”, Jarred glanced at his overly-excited nephew. Even though it sounded that he is scolding him, Jarred was smiling. It's been a long time since he saw Charlie in such high spirits.
Charlie looked at Jarred and frowned for a second before rolling his eyes dramatically. ”My head does not need rest. I'm optimistic. That is a good thing.”
They laughed.
After few more minutes of casual chat, Jarred pulled a stack of papers and put it in front of Sarah and Aiden. ”It will be ready in ten days.”
Aiden gave Jarred a side look before glancing at the papers. His eyes lit up at the sight of a technical documentation for a helicopter.
”What is that?” Sarah asked.
”That, little girl, is your future helicopter.” Jarred proudly announced and leaned closer. He spoked in a hushed voice: ”It's a modified UH-60 Black Hawk equipped with radar jamming, stealth technology, and modified rotor blades which make it as close to soundless as it gets.”
Sarah could see that old man is excited. But she cares only about few things: ”How many people can fit inside?”
”Pilot, copilot and 12 people when fully equipped.” Jarred answered and added: ”Besides equipment it can carry, you can add 1800 kg weight internally and 5000 kg of cargo externally by a sling without degradation in performance.”
”Degradation in performance?” She was not sure what it means.
”Mostly impacts the speed.” He pointed at the papers which Aiden was reading through. ”That helicopter cruises at the speed of 300 km/h, and it can reach maximum speed of about 400 km/h.”
”Fast!”, Sarah exclaimed. Speed was another of her requirements, and she is happy with what she heard. She lowered voice to ask: ”What about the weapons?”
Jarred answered in hushed voice: ”It's equipped with machine guns, miniguns and gatling guns. These are all hidden within the fuselage, so unless you use them, no one will know they are there.”
Sarah was listening to his explanations and was happy that he didn't use many technical terms. She is aware that helicopter has many more features that can be discussed but Jarred kept it simple because she is not an expert. She appreciates that.
Jarred turned to Aiden and added one more paper from his briefcase to the stack. ”There is also an option for hellfire laser guided air-to-ground missiles, stinger heat seeking air-to-air missiles and hydra unguided rockets. However, these can't be tucked within fuselage and will be visible. Do you want these included?”
Aiden turned to Sarah. ”What do you think? If we add these, we will not be able to fly within city limits without alarming everyone who sees us.”
Sarah was thinking for some time. She is not sure what those missiles and rockets are exactly, but she knows that they are powerful weapons. ”Can we have two helicopters? One with and one without additional firepower?”
”We could. But why?” Aiden wanted to understand her motive.
”The one with only hidden weapons can be for here. And the second one with additional firepower we can keep in the Castle.” Sarah explained.
”In France?” Aiden could not hide his surprise.