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David's Contribution: First Vacations-Chapter 1
Andrew and Eric took their first vacation together six months later. Andrew liked to heli-ski and wanted Eric to experience that.
The problem was that Eric had zero ski experience.
They talked about it and decided to spend some time at Avoriaz in France for Eric to learn to ski. An advance team of security was sent to secure penthouse lodging.
The team found a large penthouse with adjacent quarters for security and began to modify it for 'Schuyler quality' use and moving on to Zermatt, they followed Andrew's guidance over a video link, buying a large super-luxurious chalet there with a view of the Matterhorn.
Neither Andrew nor Eric were muscle-bound guys.
They wanted, however, to be in shape to ski without exhaustion and used the six months to bulk up with a personal trainer and gain cardiovascular endurance, since they were to be at altitudes requiring levels of physical activity beyond their usual walks around the park.
They haunted the sports stores in Manhattan and found little that interested them. They decided to purchase most of their skis and ski equipment at Avoriaz.
At their six-month doctor visit, both men mentioned the upcoming ski trip and they received prescriptions for Diamox, a water pill that helps people to adjust to high altitudes, preventing altitude sickness.
The diuretic worked by temporarily inhibiting an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. That inhibition prevented the pH changes in the bloodstream that went along with high altitudes when people tend to breathe deeper and faster to get enough oxygen.
Oxygen molecules are more sparse at higher altitudes, he told them, and so the increased rate and depth of breathing to get enough oxygen also expels more carbon dioxide.
The doctor explained that process removes acid from the blood and leaves the blood a little more alkaline.
The doctor told them they might notice some tingling in their fingertips, increased voiding during the first day or so, that some soda would taste strange, and advised them to eat a couple of bananas a day or take some oral potassium and told them how much to take.
He wanted them to start the Diamox a day before they were at altitude.
They asked the doctor why they didn't need it in their Gulfstreams at altitude. He told them that the cabins of jet aircraft are pressurized. The body interprets that as not being at altitude, even if the jet itself is at 41,000 feet elevation.
The security team and advance trip teams transported a Schuyler helicopter to the Geneva airport where a large hangar had been purchased.
Andrew decided to take two Gulfstreams on the trip, Raspberry and Sweet Pea. The security team took Sweet Pea and traveled an hour ahead.
Andrew, Eric, Paddy, and Andrew's longtime footman, Gerald, took Raspberry along with the chef and flight attendant and two pilots to Geneva.
The Geneva airport was expert at handing winter weather. The runways were in order even though snow was packed up around the edges. The Gulfstreams taxied to the newly purchased Schuyler hangar space and the luggage was transferred to the helicopter.
The security team had divided itself into two groups. The first group had gone ahead to the ski resort in a rented helicopter; those remaining jumped into the helicopter with their principals and the footmen.
The large Sikorsky lifted into the air and covered the 100km distance to their new condominium at Avoriaz in a short hop. The helicopter remained guarded during their stay.
Paddy supervised the unloading of the small mountain of luggage. They had already seen the blueprint and photos of the condo, had planned the steps of moving in for a few weeks, and now carried out the work needed to get the clothes and other supplies where they needed to be.
A chef and maid had traveled a week ahead to shop the markets and get the household set with linens, dinnerware, housecleaning supplies, and a host of other necessaries.
Paddy and Tom picked out their room in the vast condo and moved themselves in after making sure Andrew and Eric's suite was ready.
Much of the hard work had been done by the advance team... the footmen unpacked luggage and made sure clean linens were available, tested the water temperature in the showers, laid out the soap and products, checked the minibar, and placed the flowers delivered to the suite. The packed clothing was hung, pressed as needed. Some was sent to the local dry cleaners for a redo after the trip.
Shopping began in earnest after the move-in. The ski stores had a lot to offer.
Andrew bought boots and skis and poles for Eric, the DINs were tested and calibrated, a couple of ski outfits from skin out were obtained that matched Eric's eyes and showed his curves to advantage.
Andrew went through the same process. They stopped by a local Apotheke for condoms and lube and were excited by the wild variety of colors, flavors and the fact that the pharmacy was usually open.
At the grocery store, they stocked up on Swiss chocolate, Paddy joking that they needed to stock up so they wouldn't run out, to avoid the risk of losing hearing in one eye.
The security team, minus the night-duty guys, hadn't wakened yet at 7 am. It would be another hour before the scheduled changeover to day shift.
The day Schuyler Security operations office in Manhattan, however, was alert, monitoring the drone coverage high over the condominium in Zermatt when one of the officers noted three dark spots, human temperature, human motion, moving slowly toward the building over the snow.
Satellites relayed a threat warning to the night shift nearly instantaneously and issued a wakeup call to the next shift still sleeping. The night shift watched the picture sharpen on their iPhones and deployed with automatic weapons behind prepositioned barriers. They had the advantage of prior knowledge and training.
The day shift jumped out of bed and started the routine for this incident. They halted the building elevators, locked the stairwells, and herded their principals into their showers, guarded the bathroom doors with weapons trained on the suite doors. Two guards stood at each suite door in the hall as well.
Police in Geneva and locally were notified.
The move that mattered fell to the drone itself. The operators in Manhattan sharpened the focus on all three targets and pushed a button labeled 'fire'. The intruders never had a chance.
A small mechanism at the base of the drone unfolded, and the precise coordinates of the drone downloaded to smart darts similar to tasers without the wires.
The coordinates of the targets were loaded into the smart dart's chips, then darts were away, heading downward rapidly. At the same precise instant, each dart plunged into the back of each person and a strong electric charge fired, neutralizing all three targets.
The night team then ran to the targets and after making sure of their targets, secured them carefully and took them to a security van. The rest of the crew inside the building stood down and informed their principals that all had turned out well.
The local police didn't take well to terrorists. The local detectives, aided by a team from Paris flown in, soon learned that the family of the Italian museum director had hired revenge hits.
The Italian government, now fed up with the mess and eager to show good faith, ordered a military operation to round up all of the family in Italy and the island from whence the family had been born, and confiscated all of their land and wealth.
The family was warned by an Italian special judge that their civil rights were terminated so that any future terrorist activity would result in mass disappearance of the imprisoned. Each prisoner had their own cell. They could not speak to each other.
There were no guards at the prison. No out-going mail or electronic devices were permitted in the prison. Three times a day, a bowl of food and pitcher of water was delivered to each cell after the previous meal's bowl and pitcher were handed out. No utensils, no knives.
Sobered, Andrew and Eric took their security team to the slopes to see the resort ski instructors teach Eric how to snowplow, ski a straight course downhill, how to stop, how to turn, how to carve a turn, correct ski posture, and the etiquette and technique of the lifts.
Eric was a good student and learned quickly, probably helped by his recent physical training. Andrew loved watching him learn his own second favorite sport, the first 'favorite sport' being sex with Eric.
After four weeks, they decided to try a few days in Zermatt at their new digs there.
Both liked the view of the Matterhorn and would ski on the Swiss side in the morning, cross over to Italy for lunch sometimes, then ski on either side in the afternoon.
They and the security team partied a couple of nights late, dancing in one of the nightclubs, but would have just as soon stayed in to play their mutual 'most favorite' sport and go to bed early.
Eric didn't drink and neither did drugs; the partying was tame until they reached their bed at which time an inferno of lust erupted which no amount of snow could cool.
The Zermatt stay lasted another four weeks.
"Eric, let's unthaw for a week or two in Casablanca."
"I've never been, and I'm not opposed to some warm sunshine."
"I'll tell the crew we're leaving on Monday a week. Dad bought a hotel there last year. You couldn't guess what mom named it."
"Uh, the Schuyler Casablanca?"
"Ding, ding, give the man ten points. I'm not sure I could have named it anything more iconic than that. It looks a little like a cross between a pyramid and a giant ship."
"It has some kind of Babylonian-type hanging gardens on the roof. I'll ask Gerald to get the Royal suite for us and park everyone else on the same floor if possible... "
The planning for Monday began immediately and promptly at ten am the helicopter left for Geneva and Morocco. Eric was now beginning to enjoy the black runs a little. He didn't expect to find any snow in Casablanca itself. He knew that the Atlas Mountains in Morocco experienced winter weather at altitude and was surprised to learn that great powder skiing was available January through March on the western slopes.
The Gulfstream flight from Geneva to Casablanca is a short run and they began to lose altitude for the landing almost right after take-off. Limousines and large vans for security formed a motorcade from the airport to the hotel where they were greeted by the manager and escorted to the top floor.
"We're delighted to welcome you to your hotel in Casablanca. Let us know anytime if we can make your stay more comfortable."
The sun was unbearable hot in contrast to the Swiss high-altitude snows and the air-conditioning was a life-saver in the very large Royal suite. Andrew knew the Schuyler history in Morocco and shivered a little.
Eric didn't connect the airport assassination attempt years ago of Barbara Schuyler, first woman president of the US, with the Schuyler Campus or his newfound wealth, the chain of custodians whose last link was his boyfriend, Andrew (see Nifty Archives, Relationships, The Schuyler Fortune, 'Rose Lost, Rose Home').
"Let's have breakfast down by the pool this morning, Eric."
Over chocolate croissants and tea and scrambled eggs the next morning, Eric spotted his mom, Lucy and her friend Rose headed toward their table. He jumped up in surprise, his arms outstretched, delighted to see them. Several waiters hurried over to set two more places and took their orders for breakfast, including delicious Moroccan coffee for Rose.
"Mom, Rose, where did you come from, I mean, how long have you known, I mean, I'm so glad to see you," Eric squealed.
"We decided you needed to see your sainted mother, naturally," deadpanned Rose. "That fragile bond should be nourished often."
"Of course," said Lucy. "But enough of us, how are you men getting along?"
"Just trying to stay afloat among the debris, mother."
"You should be able to float OK here in Casablanca. There are enough pools and if shopping does it for you, the medina is a place to start, if subdued these days. The medina in Tangier might be a little busier. Casablanca has largest mall in Africa, the Morocco Mall."
"Mother!" You've never been here before."
"Have you ever heard of the Internet and the library, son?"
"Right... "
Andrew smiled. "We could tour the souks and take the helicopter to Tangier one day. But this Morocco Mall I must see. We won't tell anyone, however."
"My security team is already nervous about this trip as it is. They would be happier if the Seventh Fleet were on shore duty here in town right now."
"Speaking of your visit, can we rustle up rooms for you here?"
"That would be lovely dear. If it isn't convenient, we have reservations at the motel near the docks downtown."
"As if." said Andrew. "I own this hotel and the manager will quit if he finds out you stayed elsewhere. May we give you a ride home when you are ready?"
"We flew over on Royal Air Maroc and have reservations back."
"Sweet Pea is available to take you back whenever you wish without the long TSA lines and much better food to whatever airport you like, almost."
"If you insist, dear."
The quartet shopped a lot, had a blast in the souks, got some bargains and overspent on other things, visited Tangier for part of a day, and ate a fair amount of lamb and mint tea.
After the ladies had flown home, Eric told Andrew he needed some 'Andrew' time.
"What's up, lover?"
"Any chance we could stop in Paris on the way back home? I would like a day or a week at the Louvre before starting my art courses in Manhattan next quarter. I'd also like to meet the 'powers that be' at the museum."
"Sure, we can. I'll make the arrangements. I've been wanting to see the Schuyler Traders office at the Place des Vosges again anyway. It's one of my favorite places in the world other than the Place du Tertre, the public square in the Montmartre near Sacré Coeur."
The men left for Paris with their retinue, staying just above the Traders one floor on the Place des Vosges. The place also had Schuyler history.
John Lodge and Jayden Miller had stayed there first before us many years ago while learning more about art at the Louvre. (see Nifty Archives, Gay, Relationships, 'This One Might Be Different').
The curators at the Louvre knew Isaac and Valentine and were delighted to see Andrew again. His family's connections and value to the Louvre had not been forgotten. All of the administration and the various curators were welcoming to Eric as well.
Arrangements were made for Eric to have open access to the Traders and the living quarters above that exchange anytime he wished. There was a new doorman now, seriously French, formally-dressed, burly gentleman named André who promised to look after Eric like a son when he arrived.
Both Andrew and Eric were glad to see the Campus in Manhattan. They had been gone for over two months of the New York winter, the last quarter of the school year was rapidly approaching, and Eric was due in classes soon. Isaac hugged them both and told them he was glad they were home again.