Blood Ransom (29 page)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 10:43 A.M.

NORTHERN RD

An hour and fifteen minutes later they were airborne above the vast mountains of northern RD in the transport helicopter. The vast expanse of green forests spread out beneath them. Joseph peered out the window across from him and Natalie. Seven days ago, they’d left Kasili together for the capital. Today, the three of them were finally back together again. This time, thankfully, they were on their way to a celebration. While further searches would still be conducted in the coming weeks, using demographic reports and satellite photos, U.S. troops had already found two slave camps high in the mountains. Joseph’s family had been kept in one of them. It was time to bring them home.

“What exactly are they mining down there?” Chad shouted above the noise of the helicopter to the officer leading the mission.

“From our briefing,” the officer explained, “I was told that four months ago, columbite-tantalite, or coltan for short, was discovered. It’s a dull metallic ore found in major quantities primarily in the eastern areas of Congo.”

“How is it mined?” Natalie asked.

“It’s collected much like gold. When it’s refined, it becomes metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder that can hold a high electrical
charge. Coltan has become a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control current flow inside circuit boards.”

“So what do they use it for? Cell phones?”

“Exactly. Cell phones, laptops, pagers, and scores of other electronics.”

The helicopter set down on a small clearing a hundred yards from the mines. Joseph was the first to alight onto the area that had been secured by UN and U.S. troops working together after the arrest of the thirteen Ghost Soldiers who’d been guarding the compound. His family stood in the clearing, waiting to leave, while Gabby, who’d arrived earlier, snapped photos of the poignant reunion.

Chad watched the scene unfold before them. It made the past week worth everything they had been through. The horror of what Joseph’s family had endured wouldn’t be erased overnight, but at least they had survived and would be returning to their village.

Joseph broke away from the group and walked toward them between his little sister, his mother, and his father. “Dr. Talcott…Ma’am. I want you to meet some of my family.”

Chad shook the older man’s hand with one hand while clasping his forearm with his other hand as a sign of respect. “Eh fo banda.”

“Eh fa.”

Joseph couldn’t stop beaming. “They have promised my father medical care in the capital until he’s well.”

“That’s wonderful news.” Natalie knelt down in front of the little girl and pulled something from her pocket. “I believe I have something that belongs to you.”

The little girl’s mouth dropped open as Natalie held out a handmade doll with tiny black beaded eyes and a crooked smile. Aina’s face lit up as she pressed the doll against her chest, then fell into Natalie’s embrace.

With her arm still around Aina, Natalie glanced up at Joseph. “You’ve proven yourself to be a man, Joseph. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you, ma’am. And…I did what you said.” Joseph looked from Natalie to Chad. “I prayed to Jesus. And He heard me.”

“Yes, He did.” Natalie stroked Aina’s hair. “No matter what the circumstances, He cares for both of you.”

Someone shouted from the helicopter. It was time to start boarding.

“Go on.” Chad motioned to Joseph and his sister. “We’ll be there in just a minute.”

Natalie stood and watched them walk hand in hand to the helicopter. “It’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and I want you to see another miracle.”

He took her hand and led her through a clump of bamboo with its long, spear-shaped leaves to the edge of a deep precipice. A thin, white mist covered the fertile valley below them, while farther in the distance Mt. Maja, an inactive volcano, rose proudly from the earth.

“I thought the view was incredible from the helicopter, but this is amazing.”

He caught the enthusiasm in her voice as an eagle soared across the valley below them. It was the same passion he’d seen in everything she did.

For the next few moments, they stood side by side and listened to the chatter of birds competing with the thick hum of insects.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell you everything yet.” Natalie broke the comfortable silence that had settled in between them. “The president has agreed to work with the UN in reestablishing homes for those forced to work in the mines, and my organization has agreed to additional funds and will prioritize aid to the victims. They want me to be in charge of the project.”

He wrapped his arm around her and felt her snuggle against his shoulder. “I’d say they found the perfect person.”

“I haven’t said yes. So much has happened that I told them I needed time to think and pray about it. ”

“I’ve certainly been doing a whole lot more of that lately. The past few days have taught me at least three important things.”

“What are they?”

The wind blew a strand of her hair against his face and he gently brushed it away. “One, there are still a few good men left in this world, like Stephen. He might not have been perfect, but then neither am I. And in spite of all his faults, he was willing to give his life to save his country.”

“It’s humbling, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and it reminded me of number two: the even greater sacrifice made by Jesus Christ.”

Neither of them said anything for a moment. The thought struck even harder after Stephen’s death. Christ had given up His life so that they might have an abundant life.

“What about number three?” Natalie prodded.

“Number three?”

“You said you’d learned three things.”

He swung her around until she faced him. The panoramic view of the valley and mountains spread out behind her, but all he could see at the moment was the woman he’d fallen in love with. “I’ve decided that a week wasn’t near enough time for me to get to know you.”

“Really?” She giggled as she looked up at him.

“I was thinking we needed to do something about it.”

“Did you come up with anything?”

“Personally, I’ve never liked the nightlife of Kasili.”

Natalie laughed again as the blades of the helicopter began to rotate. “What nightlife?”

He glanced behind him. They were still loading the last of the refugees, which gave them a couple more minutes. “We need to go, but I was thinking dinner and talking under the stars in your backyard.”

Her smile widened. “I think I can manage that.”

He ran his finger down her cheek, then tilted her chin toward
him. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I don’t want to lose you.”

“I’ve been hoping you would say that.”

Chad kissed her gently, then paused to take in one final glimpse of the magnificent view in front of him before heading back with Natalie toward the helicopter—and their future.

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