Chapter 417 - Training begins

Sarah looked at the kids for some time before she got her phone and made a call to Jeff. "Brother-in-law… can we take few more people with us?... Seven… Thanks…"

She faced seven pairs of eyes that were wide open and not blinking. Sarah was sure that they are holding their breaths. She smiled and tilted her head toward the plane. "Get on board."

The seven kids rushed in the plane without a word. They were afraid that if they make a big commotion, Sarah might change her mind.

Aiden was surprised. "Really? What will you do with them?"

"I will think of something… but I can't leave them. Without family to protect them, they will just end up in trouble one way or another."

Aiden agreed with this logic. He put his arm around Sarah's shoulders as they walked toward the plane. "You are doing the right thing." He kissed her temple. "Don't worry. I'm with you." As much as he wanted her to suffer because she acted recklessly, he can't deny that he will support her. Always.

During the plane ride, Sarah talked with the girls and boys they picked up. Their strongest skill, how they called it, was to read and write in English. But they all showed strong willingness to learn whatever needed. Sarah saw that all of them have clear and bright eyes, and she concluded that they are smart based on how they talked and understood the situation.

During the ride, Sarah decided to send them to the cabin and train some basic fighting skills, and kids enthusiastically agreed. Sarah will go with them for few days, until cyber-security conference starts, and Stella also agreed to lend a hand.

After their house in California is done, the kids will go to work there… until they figure out something.

"No need to think of what to do with us later, Boss! We will be your personal army, and never leave your side!" The youngest boy, Adedayo, was all pumped up when he heard that he will learn martial arts.

Sarah laughed. "Ade, it's a lot of hard work. Making army is something far in the future, if you don't give up on the way."

Ade was confident. "I learn quickly, and I will not give up. You gave me a new life. I will use it to serve you. You will see, I will grow big and strong soon and you will be able to rely on me!"

Other kids also nodded in agreement with the boy. They are happy that they got to escape their predicament. In their eyes, Sarah is like a saint who came to save them at the last moment. They will follow her anywhere.

Seeing that all kids are pledging to stay by Sarah's side, she smiled, unsure how to answer them.

Aiden was again surprised by the outcome. 'We went to get a location of one girl and came back with seven kids who are looking at her like she is a deity. This girl is moving the boundaries of what is possible!'

The kids they picked up in Africa slept off after a while. Sarah made a plan that while they are in the cabin, training with Stella, she will create papers in order to give them new identities. She wanted to check on few more things, but Aiden pulled her in his embrace and told her to relax and get some rest.

"I thought you sleep easily in the plane." He pushed the laptop on the side.

"Usually, yes. But this is too exciting! I don't think I can sleep!" Sarah admitted.

"Stop looking at that laptop… and come here." Aiden patted his shoulder indicating to Sarah to lean on him.

Sarah didn't realize how tired she was. Within a minute she was sleeping with her head on his shoulder.

Aiden pulled a blanket over them, kissed top of her head and held her while she slept.

…

They landed on a small private airport, which was closest to the cabin.

Sarah wanted to reduce chance of someone seeing the kids they got from Africa, until she gets them new identities.

When they reached cabin, Stella was waiting for them with Weber sisters. Cabin was fully staffed, and ready for visitors.

After a short rest and food, kids already started running laps outside in order to build their stamina. They were very motivated, especially after they saw the room they will stay in, and each of them got several sets of clothes.

Stella could only praise them. "They are such nice kids. Where do they come from?"

"Central Africa." Sarah didn't want to deceive her mother.

The only reaction Stella showed was that she raised one eyebrow. "How come they are here?"

"We saved them."

Stella paused for few seconds. "Don't they have families?"

Sarah shrugged. "It seems they don't."

Stella didn't ask any more questions. Sarah expected that her mom will ask her what she was doing in Central Africa, but the only thing that Stella said before going down to give training regime to the kids was: "They will be faithful. Take good care of them, and it will pay off many folds."

Sarah stood on the balcony and watched her mom work with the kids while thinking about Stella's words. Sarah also remembered two families from Eastern Europe who are potential threats to them. She decided to invest more time and resources into training these kids. They already decided to stay by her side. Sarah can teach them computer skills as well as languages. She can get them tutors for other skills. The more these kids learn, the more useful it will be to have them around.

Next day Jeff and JoAnna came to visit them at the cabin. Sarah and Aiden stopped their training when their siblings arrived. Jeff wanted to find out details about their dangerous adventure in Central Africa. Aiden ended up talking to Jeff, while Sarah got JoAnna upstairs in the bedroom closet and showed her ancient Athens's Drachma's.

"I think these are silver. They oxidize fast, right? Can you find a way to prevent that?" Sarah handed one Drachma to JoAnna.

JoAnna looked at the coin. "Looks like silver, but I need to test it to make sure. What do you want this for?"

Sarah's gaze was fixated on the coins. "I'm not sure yet. But whatever I decide, if we don't find a way to prevent oxidizing, then it's useless."

JoAnna was observing the symbols. "I've never seen a coin like this. How old is it?"

"More than two thousand years!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Wow!" JoAnna looked at Sarah suspiciously. "Is this one of the things from your vacation that you don't want to talk about?"

"Yes. You can say that." Sarah laughed.

"How about those kids? Souvenirs from a vacation?" JoAnna teased Sarah. But she really wanted to know where those seven kids came from.

"Not from vacation… they didn't have a place to go to. I could not leave them behind."

JoAnna made a sour face. "So, what will you do with them?"

"When our house in California is done, they will go there and help take care of the house."

JoAnna nodded in understanding. "How long until the house is ready?"

"It should be no more than a month and a half before house is done. After that, there will be ongoing work on some things outside, but the house will be livable." Sarah hesitated for a moment. "While we are on the topic of those kids… do you think you can help out somehow?"

JoAnna was surprised. "How can I help? You want them to become proficient in medicine?"

"That was not what I had on my mind, but it's not a bad idea." Sarah admitted that she likes what she heard. "It does not need to be anything advanced, but you can teach them some first aid basics, right?"

JoAnna shrugged. "Sure, I can… what did you have on your mind initially?"

"Guns. Shooting."

"You really want to train them?"

"Yes." Sarah confirmed. "They will stay by my side. I need capable people around me." Sarah lowered her voice, as if she is afraid that someone might overhear them. "I have a feeling that those two Eastern European families will not leave us alone for long. I only hope that these kids get enough training in time so that they can defend themselves and maybe even be of help for us."

JoAnna nodded in understanding. "Count on me."

"Thanks!" Sarah hugged JoAnna.

When they stepped outside, they found Jeff and Aiden standing on a terrace, watching seven kids train under Stella's supervision.

Jeff turned to Sarah. "Aiden told me what you did. Reckless. Impressive, but reckless."

Sarah smiled. "It turned out much better than I thought." She gestured to the kids below.

"Aiden said you are training them. Let me know if you need my help." Jeff was feeling guilty that Sarah and Aiden ended up in danger and hoped to find a way to make it up to them.

Sarah thought for a second. "Actually, there is a thing. I'm creating them identities. Can you help with the part of how they came to US? Maybe that White corp. sponsored their scholarships or something? If we can get paperwork that they came to US recently, then I don't need to spend time creating backgrounds for them."

Jeff nodded. "That can be arranged."

"Great! Thanks!" Sarah smiled and looked at seven kids below. She has big plans for them.