The Intel boss heaved himself up and grabbed at his rifle. “This won’t stop me.”
He led them forward while reports came in from other teams over the comms. They’d all hit resistance but were still on track.
Jason got to the last corner and peeked around it. At the end was the large safe door.
“There’s no one standing guard.” Jason narrowed his eyes. “This is too easy.”
Moss propped himself up with Jason’s shoulder and peered at their target. “My arm says differently.”
They carefully moved down the corridor and reached the locked door. The other two teams arrived from the adjoining corridors, and within minutes they hooked up the explosives.
Everyone stood back, and the seemingly immovable locking mechanism fell to the floor with a clang.
Jason was the first on the scene and used all his strength to pull the door open. Inside was just as dark as the outside. But three figures stood out. He reached for the lights and flicked them on.
Aly, Kevin, and Althaus all turned toward him. Relief overcame Jason, and he hurried to Aly to put his arms around her. But they didn’t find anything solid. They wrapped around nothingness, as if she weren’t even there.
“Holograms!” Moss yelled from the doorway.
Jason gazed at Aly’s blank expression, and her hologram disappeared into oblivion along with the other two men.
“Mister Cassidy, I am disappointed.”
Jason and all the operatives clenched their weapons at the female voice echoing around them. It was the same one he’d heard on the Argo.
“Ravi Trentham…”
“Here I was hoping we could do business with each other. Instead, you went behind my back. You failed the test.”
Jason peered up at a camera and speaker in the center of the ceiling. “Failed the test? These holograms… You set this up!”
“I had to see how trustworthy you’d be. Much to my chagrin, I’ve discovered not very.”
“Joke’s on you, Trentham. Now we know about all of this, the authorities will shut down every single one of your operations. They’ll hunt you down and throw you in prison for life.”
She laughed. “Mister Cassidy, in the corner you’ll see a box. Go over to it.”
Jason sighted it and walked toward it with Agent Moss by his side who gave him a wary look.
“Open it.”
He placed his hand on each end and opened the lid. The smell was nauseating. A head? The pair jumped back and waved at the odor emanating from it.
The very dead eyes of Ravi Trentham’s decapitated skull stared up at them.
“So, you’re not Ravi Trentham.” Jason tried to piece the puzzle together. “She was a pawn just like Darius Lok.”
“I prefer to see them as expendable resources. Once they’re done serving their purpose, I dispose of them.”
“Is that what you’ll do to my friends?”
“That’s up to you, Mister Cassidy. I’m willing to give you a second chance, but to show you how seriously I take this, I’ll make a demonstration.”
The hologram came back to life. Aly appeared with two obscured guards on either side of her. She had a fearful look in her eyes as another figure approached. In his hand was a large butcher’s power saw. It hummed to life.
Aly screeched. “Please, no! No!”
“You bastards!” Althaus yelled.
“Cut mine off instead!” Kevin wailed.
The saw slashed downward and took Aly’s hand clean off. Her scream was unlike anything Jason had ever heard.
“I hope this proves how serious I am, Mister Cassidy.”
The hologram disappeared, and Jason fell to the floor, wanting to vomit. “You bitch!”
“I want Kione. The clock is ticking.”
The speakers went dead, and Moss grabbed at his wound, pulling Jason to his feet. “Let’s get out of here, Cassidy.”
Chapter 12
June 3, 2214
UECS Sabre
“Agent Moss is out of surgery.”
Jason turned to the voice of Captain Shila entering the briefing room. Her reflection stared at him through the viewport. “Sorry? What?”
Transport pods whizzed back and forth between the fleet and Alpha Station in preparation for the war games.
“Agent Moss.” She approached him. “They pulled the slug from his shoulder. He’s going to make a full recovery.”
“That’s good to hear.” He closed his eyes and relived the horror of Aly’s hand separating from her wrist. The sound of the saw echoed inside his head. How could I have let that happen to her?
The door opened once again. It was Admiral Foster’s turn to appear. “It’s good to see you made it back unscathed, Commander.”
“Unfortunately, the mission was far from successful.”
Foster stepped between them. “I read over the report. It seems you were led down the beaten track.”
“The real worry is the anonymity of who we’re dealing with. Trentham was one of the smartest criminals of her day with resources to match. Whoever’s behind this is in another league.”
“Intel agrees.”
“Could we be looking at a new player on the scene?” Shila pondered.
“That appears most likely.”
“If that’s the case, we have to smoke them out of their hole.”
The admiral took a seat at the head of the table. “The plan’s being formulated as we speak.” He eyed Jason with caution. “When the time comes to rendezvous with them at the coordinates, we’ll hit them hard.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “Destroy or capture?”
“If possible, neutralize and board their vessel, otherwise—”
“Hold on a minute. Have we learned nothing from Ceres? If we go in all guns blazing, more than Aly’s hand will be lost this time.” Jason pulled out the seat beside Foster. “Let me have Kione—”
“That’s out of the question. The Ministry of Defense have made it clear they won’t give Kione up.”
“And I don’t plan on handing him over either.”
“What would you do?”
“Something akin to fishing.”
“You’d use him as bait? That’s a risk they’re not willing to take. Kione is far too valuable.” Foster’s expression softened. “Look, I completely understand the situation you’re in. This new group we’re facing… It’s disturbing to say the least.”
“No, Admiral.” Jason waggled his finger at him. “You know what’s disturbing? Seeing a person you grew up with have her hand chopped off right in front of your eyes with no way to stop it.”
He stood, nearly throwing the chair to the floor. “My friends put their lives on the line for the commonwealth to destroy that sphere, and now when they need help, our government’s solution is their probable death!”
Captain Shila approached him. “Commander.”
Jason pointed downward at Foster, almost prodding him in the chest. “You’re better than this, Admiral. You of all people are better than this.” He stared at his uniform in disgust. “Perhaps you should return to the academy. I think your head’s gone numb from sitting behind your desk.”
“That’s enough, Commander!” Shila put a hand on his arm to pull him from the situation.
Jason turned away and headed back to the viewport. Foster and Shila shared a few quiet words, and he left, leaving Jason to stew.
“You were unfair with Foster,” Shila said.
Jason frowned. “I know. If anyone tried to drum sense into Mueller it was likely him. No one represents the uniform with more honor.”
He looked down at his own uniform. The question is, am I able to do the same?
*
June 4, 2214
Tokyo, Earth
The sun bathed the city in brightness. But a gusty breeze was making it much too cool for Jason’s liking.
In the distance, Professor Petit was sitting on a park bench while Doctor Tai sat next to him in her mobility chair. Jason da
rted and weaved between the several morning runners and took a seat between them in the beautiful Tokyo commons.
“I got your message,” he informed them, “and the file you have on this Ramsey guy. Sounds like a real ass.”
“That’s one way of describing him,” Tai said. “What news do you have on the other front?”
“Foster told me the Ministry of Defense’s mind is made up. Kione won’t be going anywhere, and Command have approved to launch a sneak attack on the ship at the time and coordinates I’ve given them.”
Petit gazed into the distance. “Just when you think things are looking up…”
Jason cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“Doctor Tai’s in the process of collecting statements from survivors on Centauri regarding Ramsey’s war crimes.”
“Once they’re together,” she continued, “we can release them to the public. Not only will we get Kione back, but it’ll also put a massive dent in Jarret’s reputation.”
Jason shot up from his seat. The pair looked at him as if he were a crazy man.
“How long until you receive those statements?” he asked Tai.
She shrugged. “By the end of the day hopefully.”
“And no one else knows about the investigations?”
“Only the archivist on Centauri. We’re keeping it under wraps until he collects all the evidence.”
Jason smiled.
“What are you concocting inside that mind of yours, Mister Cassidy?” Petit asked.
“A way to get our people back.” Jason sat back down. “Professor, the Seeker weapons and armor that were confiscated by the Repulse. Where are they now?”
“In the special development laboratory at TIAS. They’re dismantling them to figure out what makes them tick. And if they’re possible to replicate.”
“Can you get me a suit of armor and a rifle? Preferably one intact.”
“It won’t be easy, but I should be able to pull a few strings with my colleagues down there.”
“Good. There’s something else I need that might not be as easy.”
“What?”
“I need Nora.”
Petit’s eyes lit up. “Uh, you’re right. That’ll be considerably more difficult.”
“What do you want with the trans-space device?” Susan asked.
“To get Kione out and rescue the others I’ll need to use every trick in my playbook, plus a few more.” He turned back to Petit. “What I ask of you will get us in a lot of trouble. My career in the service will be over…again. And I can’t imagine either of you could return to the Institute.”
“More than likely they’ll hang, draw, and quarter us.” Petit rubbed his forehead.
“I can’t ask either of you to do this, but—”
“I’m in,” they both said in unison.
Jason smiled. Just like that, they were about to put their careers on the line and most likely their lives. He’d have to make sure his plan worked. He didn’t want to fail them as well.
“Okay, this is how we’ll begin…”
Chapter 13
June 6, 2214
Edinburgh, Scotland
The journalist’s limousine arrived at the door of the compound. Charles put his hands behind his back and eyed her stepping out of the car from the empty room on the top level of the facility.
He closed his eyes. His work had taken it out of him, and he’d been dreading this meeting more than most. This particular reporter came with a reputation as a tough nut to crack. He’d have to use every piece of his charm to keep her at bay.
One of Charles’s assistants greeted her at the door and ushered her into the building. Before he knew it, she’d brought his guest up the stairs.
“Doctor Whitlowe, Miss Caldwell’s here to see you.”
Charles smiled and shook her hand. “A pleasure, Miss Caldwell. Welcome to Scotland.” He gestured to a table, and they took a seat opposite each other.
“Thank you for allowing me to come here, Doctor Whitlowe.”
He looked knowingly at her. “You gave me little choice. No one is supposed to be aware of my activities here. I assume you came into that knowledge by my predecessor, Doctor Tai.”
Caldwell didn’t answer.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “I suppose she hasn’t been able to let go of the past.”
“That I can’t say. But if I were to guess, I’d say she’s concerned for Kione’s wellbeing.”
“I gave her a tour of this facility to allay any of her fears.” Charles frowned. “It seems she’s taken advantage of my gentle nature.”
Miss Caldwell studied him and smiled. “Perhaps it was women’s intuition on her part.”
“What does your intuition tell you?”
She chuckled. “Well, I’m not sure yet. Hopefully by the end of my time here I’ll have a better idea.”
“Hmm.” Charles went to tap his fingers on the table again but stopped himself. He wouldn’t show her any twitches that might make him appear weak. “What brings you here today, Miss Caldwell?”
“I’m here to ask you some questions about your program.”
“That’ll be very difficult, considering it’s a classified project. You shouldn’t know about it, and I shouldn’t be here entertaining such a conversation.”
“Then why am I here?”
“You claim you have information on my past,” he sighed. “I saw what you did with the Orion V story. You’re beholden to your own rules. I’ve got no doubt you’d release what you know whether it’s true or not. I guess I allowed you here to ensure you left with the truth.”
*
The guard at front of the facility lit up a cigarette and turned his back to the limousine. Jason stepped out of the driver’s-side door, seeing his opportunity.
He slowly ambled up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, you got a light?”
The man spun around and beheld Jason in all his glory, kitted out from head to toe in Seeker armor, helmet and all. He stumbled backward in shock and grabbed at his sidearm.
Jason didn’t give him a second more to react and chopped at his throat, cutting off his air. He dragged the guard up the stairs to the front door and pressed his thumb against the panel.
It opened.
“Thanks.” Jason threw the goon aside and entered to another unsuspecting pair of victims.
“Hey, you have to stay outside and keep an eye on—” the older of the two said before his mouth dropped.
Jason pulled out his sidearm and fired, sending him sprawling to the floor. The Seeker weapon was on the non-lethal setting, but it still packed a punch.
The second guard tried to raise his rifle, but Jason swatted it away and punched him in the face, knocking him out cold.
*
Marissa handed Whitlowe a large data tablet from her bag. “In the last few days, several statements have been collected from witnesses claiming you were involved in atrocities during and after the war. Primarily on Centauri military personnel and civilians.”
She watched him closely and credited him for not tipping his hand. He perused over all the documents Tai had received from the archivist on Centauri and passed it back to her.
“It seems you’ve got me confused with someone else,” he said smugly. “These people speak of an extractions officer by the name of William Ramsey.”
Marissa removed another tablet from her bag and clattered it across to him. It was his sealed records with photo evidence proving he was the same man.
He glanced down at it, and she could swear the blood from his face drained.
“How could you have found all of this?”
*
Jason prowled down the corridor and entered the elevator. With the plans Tai had given him, he sent the car downward. When the doors parted, another guard appeared. Jason decided not to be so cocky this time, instead pointing and firing straight away.
Out if the corner of his eye, a shadow flas
hed past. He turned. It was one of Whitlowe’s staff in a white lab coat. He locked eyes with Jason and rushed off down the corridor.
Jason bounded after him. He rounded a corner and found the lab technician heading toward a wall panel to alert security to his presence. He dived on him just before he reached it.
Jason grabbed him by the head and drove his knee into his back. “Where’s Kione!”
The scrawny man struggled to break free. Jason pushed his face into the floor and broke his nose. Blood gushed out, pouring over the white tiles.
“I won’t ask a second time!”
“He’s on the habitat level. Two levels down,” the man finally relented.
“Thank you.” Jason rolled him over and punched him in the head, knocking him unconscious.
He got up and made his way back into the other corridor. Deciding against the elevator, he took the stairwell instead, barreling down the steps toward the bottom.
The corridor was clear. He hurried down it and checked several empty rooms. Around the corner at the end were four guards patrolling in front of one door in particular. Bull’s-eye.
The element of surprise would be difficult. But he’d planned for that. He hadn’t asked Professor Petit for the Seeker armor for nothing. He took a deep breath in and gripped his sidearm.
Jason stepped out into the corridor and fired at the first guard he saw. His target fell quickly.
The others spotted him and commenced unloading their arsenals. A barrage of bullets rained toward Jason from their heavy-duty rifles. The pressure of the projectiles against his armor created a bizarre sensation. It was like the pitter-patter of rain on a tin roof. He marveled at the technology. If it weren’t for the black suit, he’d be shred to pieces by now.
He fired at the next guard. The shock setting of his weapon sent them scattering while the other one closest to him tried to play the hero and charge at him with the butt of his rifle.
With the ease of the suit’s movement he’d gotten accustomed to on Psi-Aion, Jason shuffled aside and threw the man to the floor. With a single pull of the trigger, he put him down.
The Call of Destiny Page 6
