by Scott McEwen
“She means,” Avi said, “that within the school, you have a network and firewalls. Within the network, there exists a closed-circuit television feed that’s hackable.”
“So how would Encyte record this attack?” Ken asked. “With a camera? In the network?”
“Obviously.” Avi nodded. “Unless he’s going to show up with a smartphone and watch somebody blow away a bunch of kids, he’s going to hack in, get past a firewall, and duplicate the closed-circuit camera feed. If we can observe him doing this, we can trace the data back to wherever Encyte is watching. Naturally, he’ll bounce the data around the globe so it can’t be traced, so it won’t be easy, but it’s possible to locate his IP address if he hacks in during the shooting.”
“And how do you do that?” Ken asked.
“I can’t do it.” Avi looked at Eldon, who shook his head. “Perhaps the DoD has a cybersurveillance team?”
“Of course we do,” the SecDef said, “but I don’t want to engage them. You can imagine what the press would do if it got out the DoD faked a school shooting involving the children of the NFA. A political bloodbath.”
“I hate to say it,” Avi said, “but missions like these are exactly the reason you don’t want to shut down Valor.”
“Yeah, we get that,” Ken sneered. “But what the hell are we talking about here, for Christ’s sake?” He jumped up from his seat. “How can we do this?”
“I know someone who can help,” Eldon said. “Elaine, we can handle what happens on the ground, but we need a third party to help us with the technical stuff.”
“Who?” Elaine asked.
“Red Trident…” Eldon said. “John Darsie owes me a favor.”
CHAPTER 50
“We want Red Trident’s fraud detection bots crawling all over the school’s network,” Avi said.
It was 5:30 a.m. in California, and John Darsie, drenched with sweat, leaned on the handlebars of his Peloton bicycle.
“Yes, I can do it,” he said. The screen mounted to the handlebars no longer played a Peloton trainer in a New York City studio, but the face of Avi Amit. “My team will need at least fifteen minutes to trace the IP address. Avi is right, there’s no doubt Encyte will send this thing all over the earth and beyond.” Darsie dabbed his brow. “We’ll be able to find the point of origination, but like I said, we need time.”
“So she’ll have to be inside for fifteen minutes?” Avi asked.
“Yes,” Darsie said. “It’s like finding the first stitch in a sweater. You would need to pull each thread, slowly tracking back to its point of origin, being careful not to break it. That’s what we’re trying to do here, with one wrinkle. To truly understand who Encyte is, we need to have somebody physically in his environment.”
“We don’t know where Encyte is,” Elaine said. “He told Leigh Ann his daughter was killed in that school shooting in Florida, but he could literally be anywhere—one of the seven and a half billion people on earth.”
“Well, at Red Trident, we have some key suspects,” Darsie said.
“You have suspects?” Ken Carl yelled through the Peloton screen. “You’re an IT contractor. You’re not supposed to have suspects. What are you doing spying on the American people?”
“With all due respect, Kenny boy,” Darsie said. “There’s a killer in this world, and I’m one of the only people capable of finding him.”
“I’m not sure we’re not looking at one of the suspects,” Ken muttered and pointed at Darsie’s face on his screen.
“I don’t have time for fools,” Darsie said. “So who’s going to be on the ground? If it’s Ken, I’m not making promises.”
“Screw you!” Ken shouted.
“Ease down, everyone. I’ve temporarily reinstated Camp Valor,” the SecDef said. “Eldon has assembled a team of campers, and they’ll be en route to D.C. within the hour.”
“When’s the rehearsal?” Darsie said, again starting to pedal the stationary bike, grinding out his thoughts.
“Tomorrow,” Elaine said, “4 p.m.”
“To me, our biggest concern is if you can get this woman mentally prepared to go through with it. One thing that may help—change the timing.”
“What?” Elaine said.
“Aren’t we worried Encyte will spook if she changes the plan?” Avi asked.
“No, he’s right,” Eldon chimed in. “We have no idea what Encyte might do. If Encyte has planned this attack, don’t you think he has a fallback if Leigh Ann doesn’t go through with it? He could be there. He could have another shooter. He could have five other shooters. A guy like this is not going to all this trouble without a contingency, so we should switch it up.”
“So he might have to shuffle to put a Plan B in place?” SecDef said.
“Exactly,” Darsie said. “It’s an aggressive chess move, and we must get him on his heels. A show of force. Otherwise, he controls everything. Let’s have the school change the schedule, so it doesn’t look like Leigh Ann is calling the shots. Have them move the rehearsal to today at 4 p.m.”
“Today?” Ken balked. “How can we assemble a mission of this scale in one day? I mean, it’s…” Ken looked down at his wrist, realizing he’d rustled out of bed without his watch.
“It’s eight thirty on the East Coast. We have seven and a half hours. That’s two hours more than you put in in a work day, Ken.” Darsie saw the SecDef had to stop herself from snickering. “I’m ready. Always ready. Eldon, can the team from Valor be in place and ready by 4 p.m.?”
“Yes,” Eldon said without a moment’s thought.
“Okay,” said Darsie, “I suggest we get the school to publish the change online before 9 a.m. Leigh Ann needs to contact GrievingDad_12, and then we set the trap.”
“I might not like to admit it, but Darsie’s right,” Eldon said. “Elaine, what’s your decision?”
The Sec Def sighed and sat back, propping her head in her hands.
“If I may—” Ken Carl leaned in behind her.
“Hush,” the SecDef snapped. She took a few deep breaths. “Let’s do it,” she said, and the screens went to black.
* * *
In the shadow of the Washington Monument, Ken sat down on a bench and called up Tui, who didn’t answer until the third ring.
“What are you doing?” Ken snapped. “Shit’s getting serious over here.”
“What do you mean what am I doing?” Tui said. “I’ve been following these kids all over San Francisco. They went bike riding for five hours yesterday—do you have any idea how hard that was to track? Hang on—” Tui paused and then ordered, “Yeah, five soft tacos and five bean burritos … and a large Mountain Dew.”
“Taco Bell?” Ken scoffed. “It’s breakfast! Listen up. It’s going down, and I mean now.”
“I’m listening.”
“You were right—the Ole Broad is all in with this guy Darsie. He’s hiding something, and she’s too close to see it. There’s another attack coming today. Find John Darsie and don’t leave his side.”
“You understand what you’re asking, right? The guy has his own security detail and a Tesla outfitted like the damn Batmobile.”
“I don’t think you’re hearing me. Today!” Ken screamed, spooking some geese into flight. He lowered his voice. “Everything we’ve waited for … is happening … today. Now, do you want this or not?”
“Yes.”
“Lose the kids. Find Darsie. Whatever you have to do, just do it.”
“Okay, I’ll figure it out.”
CHAPTER 51
“Do you want me to drive you to the cabins?” Avi asked.
“No,” Eldon said as he strode out of the secure communications room in the Caldera. “I wanna walk.”
Eldon left the Cave Complex alone, walking quickly in the cover of the thick, wet evergreens. He followed the path that led up and out of the depression that was once the heart of a volcano, his mind erupting in thought. He’d gotten his wish. Once again, the American people had a need—a d
esperate and mortal need—and Valor had been called to meet it.
If he had to be honest, there was a part of him that felt relief when the SecDef halted kinetic activities at Valor. The heart of his concern was Cody, the fragile younger son who Eldon knew was not ready. Brave and eager to prove himself, Cody was more than willing to invite danger, but it was this willingness that worried Eldon. Cody was the good son, the one who not only wanted but needed a pat on the back.
In his two sons, there were two kinds of boys: the one who wanted the pat on the back, and the one who wanted to survive. Wyatt was the consummate survivor. The kid who did what he had to do to get through a challenge. Wyatt was uncomfortable with pats on the back, and before his time at Valor, he had received a scant few.
There was a certain aggression about Wyatt. When he saw an opportunity, he attacked it with violence and purpose. Cody, on the other hand, tried to do the right thing, to perform at the highest level. The gun range was the perfect example: while Wyatt sought only to shred the bull’s-eye, Cody saw it just as much for the art, choosing the right firearm and conditioning and oiling it.
And Eldon knew all too well that in a kinetic environment, violence and action—attacking a goal to get it done—was the difference between the survivors and the martyrs, the heroes and the fallen. And so he was thinking of all these things when he pushed through the doors to the lodge and went back to the kitchen to find Mum, sitting at a small table with Cass, having coffee.
“Morning,” he said to them. “Cass, didn’t expect to see you so early.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” she said. “But want me to…” She stood and he motioned for her to sit.
“I’m glad, actually. I was coming to tell you both something.”
“You look worried,” Mum said. “Coffee?” She motioned to the fresh pot.
Eldon nodded and filled a mug, joining them at the card table.
“So what’s up?” Cass asked.
Eldon thought about how he’d break the news. “The SecDef finally came around. We’ve gotten our first mission of the summer.”
“What?” Cass said excitedly. “That’s great.” Cass looked to Mum, who had risen out of her seat.
“This is wonderful,” Mum echoed, holding her hands up clenched. “Yes.” She looked to Eldon. “Is it really happening? They’re not canceling the program?”
“Orders come from the SecDef herself … The short version is that we’re intercepting a school shooting that we assume is being planned by Encyte. But it’s going to be … complicated.”
“How so?” Cass asked.
“Because she doesn’t just want the Group-As … she wants the Rovers, too.”
“Oh dear,” Mum said, nervously biting the inside of her cheek.
Eldon looked over at Cass. “Well, orders are orders,” she said hesitantly.
“Yes,” said Eldon. “But do you think they’re ready?”
“The Rovers?” Cass said. “Or one of them in particular?”
“I don’t know.” Eldon lowered his eyes. “Is he?”
“Eldon,” Cass said. “My sister is dead because of what she did at the camp.”
“I know. Don’t you think I know—”
“Let me finish. My sister is dead, but she was ready and willing. She knew exactly what she was getting into. She knew the danger.”
“Dolly was special, we all know that.”
“So is every kid at this camp,” Mum chimed in.
“If you want,” Cass said. “You could hold him back, put him on a detail here, but if you ask me … he’s ready. Whether you like it or not.”
“That’s all I needed to hear, because there’s one more thing.”
“What?” Cass said.
“You’ll be the one leading them on this mission.”
* * *
Eldon stomped up the steps to the Rovers cabin, the beetles bumping against the lone porch light. He looked around; his breath hung in the cold morning air, but sweat dotted his forehead and under his arms. He put his hand on the cabin door and knocked.
“Come in!” one of them called.
He entered and they all stood to greet him, the eyes around the room so young, so innocent. “Rovers.” Eldon cleared his throat. “I’m going to make this brief. A C-130 is inbound to the Caldera to pick you up for your first mission. Get your gear ready. We’ll debrief you on the plane. You guys have twenty minutes.”
A moment of silence. Excited, bewildered eyes blinking back at him.
“Well, let’s get moving,” Cody said, looking around and then quickly packing his rucksack.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, Eldon found Cass standing on the tarmac, her hair slicked back, boots laced tight as she did for combat. “Is everyone ready?” he asked.
“Ready as they’re gonna be with two hours of prep.”
“And Viktoria?”
“Already in the cockpit.”
“How ’bout you … you good?”
“Scared shitless.”
They watched the Group-As—Mary Alice in the lead—walking in formation, cutting through the misty grass toward the C-130. “Think the Old Man would’ve done what we’re doing?” Cass asked.
Just behind them, the Rovers tripped along like puppies. A fresh-faced Cody first among them.
“God, I hope so,” Eldon said, slapping her on the back. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 52
“Get up.” The voice was not Wyatt’s.
Jalen lurched up on the couch and his eyes popped open. There, in the studio apartment, was John Darsie.
“I am up.” Jalen yawned, settling back. “Now.”
“Your body’s up. Get your mind up … Where’s Wyatt?”
“Don’t know.” Jalen rubbed his face, looking around the small space. “Captain America works out in the morning. Probably went for a jog.”
The door opened and Wyatt came in, dripping with sweat. “Morning, Darsie.” Wyatt went over to the kitchen and wiped his face with a towel. “Saw your car and I turned around … To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“I couldn’t risk calling.” Darsie locked the door and went over to the kitchen counter. “We have highly credible evidence”—Darsie lowered his voice—“that there’s to be an attack … today. Let me rephrase—Encyte is going to attack. I should say, he’s going to use a pawn to conduct the attack. But we’re ahead of it. We have a team in place to mimic the motion of the shooting, while our cybersurveillance team will trace Encyte as he tries to record it.”
“Where?” Wyatt said.
“Fairfax, Virginia. There’s going to be a school shooting. A middle school. Encyte, like in other attacks, has someone else pulling the trigger. A lady came forward, tipped the DoD.”
“But Hi Kyto’s here,” Jalen said. “She can’t be in Virginia and California. Can’t be her, right?”
“No. Doesn’t matter. All she has to do is log into her computer and she can coordinate a strike. You need to be with her all day.”
“I will be. We’re going hiking. In Muir Woods.”
“That’s perfect,” Darsie said. “No computer access. I don’t even think there’s cell service in the park.”
“So if she’s with me and she’s not online and this thing occurs, then it’s not her, right?”
“Yes. Let’s hope that’s the case,” Darsie said. “For me … and now it seems you, too, have something invested in her.”
“She’s a friend,” Jalen said defensively. “Of course I hope she’s not a killer.”
“She’s your mark,” Darsie said tersely, then turned on Wyatt. “Your little disciple needs some help in the spy game. Emotions should not be involved.”
“You don’t even want to hear about lover boy’s field trip yesterday,” Wyatt said. “He cut off all comms so they could go boating and biking.”
Jalen’s face flashed hot. “I just need to operate on my own—” he started to explain why he shut off comms, then stopped himself. “You’re right. Gotta get my
head in the game.”
“Darsie, how do you know about the attack?” Wyatt asked.
“SecDef Becker has contacted Red Trident.”
“And who’s going to be at the middle school? Is Valor involved?”
“Red Trident is handling the technical stuff, and a third party will get the kids out and provide stand-ins in their place,” Darsie said.
“Third party? You mean Valor?”
“Valor?” Darsie said, feigning ignorance. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t give me that crap, Darsie. If there’s a military team providing stand-in for a bunch of kids, it’s gotta be them. Tell me!”
“Wyatt, calm down. Yes, it’s Valor, but as you’re no longer a part of it, I can’t talk to you about its missions.”
“I’m a part of Red Trident. I am on your team.”
“You are a subcontractor. And our agreement was that you stay here, with Jalen and Hi Kyto.”
“Yeah, dude,” Jalen chimed in. “You can’t just leave. What’d you say last night? I’m not ready.”
“Screw the agreement,” Wyatt said. “My dad will be there, Cody will probably be there. I need to go.”
“It’s not me who doesn’t want you there. It’s Valor. Their rules.” Darsie shrugged. “I’m like you, a contractor.”
Wyatt’s eyes shifted to the knife block on the kitchen counter and thought about how easy it would be to draw one out and put a blade to Darsie’s neck and ask again.
“Let me rephrase,” Wyatt said. “I’m going to do what you do all the time—break rules. I am going. You can help me or try to stop me. Either way, I can figure out how to get to Virginia.”
Darsie thought for a second, then nodded. “A Red Trident spy plane headed to Fairfax is leaving from SFO in twenty minutes. If you can get on the plane, you can go.”
Wyatt ran for the door. “I’m taking your car!”
CHAPTER 53
As Wyatt took off in the Red Trident spy plane, the C-130 carrying the team from Valor was taxiing down the runway at a secure hangar at Fort Meade.
