by David Archer
He was kind of surprised they hadn’t left a guard to watch over him, but he was alone. This tiny room was only six feet square, so there wasn’t even enough room for him to actually pace around. There was nothing to sit on, no bunk or anything, so he didn’t really think he would be there very long. Unfortunately, he had been there long enough to wish there was a toilet.
To distract himself from that thought, he kept trying to study the various pieces of equipment he could see. It was mostly just computers, printers and such, but there were a few devices he couldn’t recognize. He found himself wishing that Neil was with him, because the skinny kid probably would’ve known what they were.
At a guess, he figured he had been in the room for a little over an hour. He could only speculate on what might be happening to Swaggart, but his guesses were so grim that he was trying to avoid thinking about it. Concentrating on trying to figure out those odd devices was helping, but not nearly enough.
Suddenly, a door opened on the far side of the room and he looked up expectantly. A face poked around the side of the doorway, someone obviously looking to make sure the coast was clear, and Marco’s pulse suddenly sped up when he recognized Specialist Daniel McRae. The man looked perfectly normal, and Marco felt a slight relief that he had not been subjected to the experiments that created the monsters.
McRae looked around once more, then slipped into the room and pulled the door closed behind himself. He went to one of the machines Marco hadn’t understood and pressed several buttons, then turned away and went to a computer. He sat down in the chair and turned it on, then typed something on the keyboard. The monitor lit up a moment later, and Marco could tell that McRae was trying to find something particular in its files.
McRae hadn’t noticed him, so he tapped on the glass with his fingernails. McRae jumped, startled, and looked around, and his face took on a look of panic for a second until Marco smiled and motioned for him to come closer.
McRae looked back at the computer screen for a second, then got up and walked over toward the window cautiously. When he got close, Marco put a finger against the glass slowly, deliberately, wrote U S A.
McRae’s eyes went wide. “American?” he said, keeping his voice low.
Marco could barely hear him, but he understood. He nodded his head. “Yes. Federal agent, trying to find you. What’s the situation?”
McRae swallowed for a second, as if trying to decide whether to trust him. Finally, he said, “I was kidnapped and brought here because they needed my computer skills,” he said. “I’ve been trying to figure a way to get word out to somebody, but I haven’t had any luck. Were you with Captain Swaggart?”
Marco nodded. “Yes,” he said. “We were separated. Any idea what’s happening with him?”
McRae scowled. “He’s probably gone,” he said. “At least, the part of him we knew. Branigan just shot him up with his black magic potion.”
Marco’s heart sank. If Swaggart had been turned into one of those creatures, there was no hope for him. “Damn,” he said. “He was a good man.”
“One of the best,” McRae said. He looked around the window, but then shook his head. “There’s no door on this side,” he said. “I don’t know how to get you out of there.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Marco said. “Can you get a message out?”
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” McRae said, “but I can’t access any way to send a message. They have a system that connects us to a satellite, so that we can reach the Internet, but I don’t actually have access to it myself. I managed to sneak in here, so I was trying to hack into it, but the system is closed. It can only access what’s on its own network, so I can’t get into anything that I could send a message through.”
Marco bit his bottom lip. “You mean they have some kind of Wi-Fi, here?”
“Yeah, kind of. I mean, yes, they do, but it’s more than that.” He turned and pointed at the machine he had first approached. “That’s the router, it connects directly to a satellite Internet connection. The trouble is that they have some kind of buffer that keeps the computers from being able to access any kind of browser or network other than their own. I’m trying to bypass that.”
“Can you get me the logon information for that Wi-Fi?”
“Logon information? It’s the only Wi-Fi accessible down here, but I can probably scab the password. Won’t do me any good, though, because I still can’t get into anything except the closed network.”
Marco grinned. “Then get me that password,” he said. “You get me that, and I can get help to come after us.”
McRae’s eyes narrowed. “You can? How?”
“I could tell you,” Marco said, “but I’m not sure you have enough security clearance to know. Let’s just say I have an implant that can do the job if you can get me access to that Wi-Fi router.”
McRae stared at him for a couple of seconds, then nodded. “Give me a couple minutes,” he said, and turned back toward the computer he had been working on.
* * *
The helicopters lifted off on schedule and flew directly toward Pallermo. It would take only fifteen minutes for them to reach the chemical distribution center, and everyone was primed and ready. Noah, Jenny, Graves and Litchfield were in four separate helicopters, each with the squad that would be accompanying them.
Noah had no qualms about Litchfield, because the man had come clean. While he had committed treason, at the moment he was willing to do his job to help bring Swaggart out alive. He was fully aware of the consequences he was going to face, but Noah was convinced—partly because of a conversation that involved the deception detection glasses—that the man was telling the truth and would make himself an asset during this assault.
He also felt good about this particular mission, because each of his people was accompanied by a dozen soldiers. Noah and his squad would be dropped at the north side of the distribution complex, while on each side, the others would arrive at the same time for their own assault on the facilities.
The helicopters separated as they came close and spread out around the facility. There was very little hope that they were coming in undetected, but Noah had decided it was worth the risk. Each helicopter came to a hovering halt a short distance outside the fence that surrounded the facility, and a moment later the sky seemed to be raining soldiers. They slid down the ropes and stepped away quickly, making room for the next person to descend. It took only seconds for all fifty-two of them to be on the ground.
They all moved quickly toward the fence on each side. Noah watched as one of the soldiers used a pair of electric shears to cut through the chain-link, creating a door big enough for them all to pass through in a matter of seconds. Noah was the first one to go through, followed by Captain Johnston, who was leading one of the squads.
On the east side, Litchfield stood behind another soldier as he cut through the wire, trying to avoid the lights that were attached to the walls of the building. At least they wouldn't have to worry about cameras—Neil had managed to hack into the security system that was used by the facility and replace the live camera feed with a recorded loop. As far as they could tell, it had not been detected.
There was little, however, that they could do about the security guards that were roaming around the area, and just the fact that there were security lights scattered around would pose a challenge to the success of the mission.
The soldier pulled the wire back, opening a hole large enough for him to duck through. Grinning back at his team mates, he brought the radio to his mouth. "We're in."
"So are we," Noah's voice came through. Quickly, the other two teams reported ready and Noah prepared to give the order.
Suddenly, he heard the quiet chime that signaled his subcom coming to life, and then Marco’s voice came through. “Noah? Renée? Anybody out there?”
“Marco? This is Noah.”
“Marco?” Renée said suddenly. “Marco, baby, are you okay?”
“Renée, clear the chann
el,” Noah said. “Everyone else stay off for the moment. Marco, what’s your situation?”
He could hear Renée start to protest, but she cut it off. Noah was right, he needed to talk to Marco more than anyone else did.
“I know that we’re somewhere underground, but I don’t know the location. Swaggart and I were brought in together, but he’s been taken away. I found Specialist McRae, who has been held prisoner and forced to work on their computer systems. He says he saw Swaggart being injected with Branigan’s gene alteration formula. I’m afraid Swaggart is gone, Noah.”
“Marco, we’re pretty sure we know where you are. Jenny and I are outside, with a whole platoon of Army Rangers. Sit tight, because we are coming in. Can you give us any intel about the situation down below?”
“A lot of people down here,” Marco said. “Look for anybody dressed in black, those are the security guards. Most of them are packing sidearms, some submachine guns. I’ve seen a few rifles, but not many. I don’t have any information on the size or layout of the facility, but it’s pretty big. All I can tell you about my location is that I’m in a small room, some sort of observation room where I can see into the main control center. McRae managed to turn on the Wi-Fi and get me the password, so I’m sure glad you’re within range of one.”
“I’m not, but I’m carrying a hotspot in my pocket. You got lucky. All right, Marco, stand by. If I don’t speak your name, I’m not talking to you.”
“Roger that,” Marco said.
“Jenny? You heard?”
“Loud and clear, Noah. What do we do about Swaggart?”
“If he’s had Branigan’s treatment, there’s probably not much we can do about it other than put him out of his misery.” He thought for a moment, and then spoke again. “On second thought, belay that order. If you get an eye on Swaggart, evaluate his condition. If he doesn’t look completely changed, try not to engage. I’m sure the NSA would like to study him.”
“Understood,” Jenny said. “I’ll pass the order along to my squad.”
Quickly, Noah contacted the other two squads by radio and gave them the same information and orders. As soon as he had done so, he announced that they were ready to move in.
"All teams, proceed to breach. Let’s get inside as quickly as we can, there are at least a couple of people in there I want to bring out alive.”
He turned to Captain Johnston and nodded, and they began a leapfrog formation movement toward the main building. One of the men went to the door and applied an explosive device to the doorknob, and they all stood back while he detonated it.
“Go, go, go,” Noah said. He was actually shouting over his shoulder, because he rushed in ahead of everyone else.
Two men in black came rushing toward him and he dropped them each with a single shot from his Glock. A couple of others came out of the hallway and were shot down by Captain Johnston and one of his men.
On all four sides, soldiers streamed through the holes they had cut in the fences and converged on the building. There were numerous doors leading into the building, and Noah could hear gunfire echoing around them.
They made it to the doors and found themselves in a large warehouse space, and the soldiers around Noah suddenly stopped to stare. Sitting on the floor in the big room were all three of the flying saucer-like craft, but then some of the black suited guards came rushing out from behind them. The soldiers came to life again, but the battle was brief. When it was finished, Noah stationed two of his soldiers to hold the room and not let anyone get near those ships.
* * *
They fanned out again, but the room was empty: no guards, no scientists, though it was night now. Even if the lab had been in use—which it clearly wasn't—there wouldn't be anyone at work now.
Lowering his M4 slightly, Litchfield looked around, switching on the light mounted on it when he noticed a few soldiers doing the same. But while the others searched for an entrance to the underground complex, Litchfield swept his light along the lines where roof met wall, looking for...
He gave a groan. "They know we're here," he called out, finding a camera that he hadn't when creating the loop. Lieutenant McNamara, his squad leader, came to stand beside him, looking up at the device. Then he shrugged, lifted his arm and took out the camera with a blast from his gun.
"Doesn't matter. They're not getting out." He looked at Litchfield, his eyes speaking volumes. "Come on. We found the elevator. We've nearly got your people back."
* * *
Swaggart heard the gunshots far in the distance, and so did the guard. He turned toward the door, looking a little confused, and that’s when Swaggart decided to make his move.
Branigan had said he would be stronger than any ten normal men, so it was time to put it to the test. He wrenched his arms into curls, and gave a grin when the bands holding his wrists snapped instantly. He grabbed the strap that went over his upper arms and chest and tore it apart as easily as ripping a piece of taffy. Flexing his legs did the same for the ones holding them down, and a quick yank snapped the straps over his ankles.
What amazed him, though, was how quickly it happened. Snap, snap, snap, and then he was free and on his feet. The guard barely had time to react, turning his face, which was now wearing an expression of shock, but he hadn’t even had time to bring his weapon up and to bear.
Swaggart swung a fist, only intending to take the man down, but the blow was so severe that it caved in that side of his face. The guy made a couple of grunting sounds and then fell, and the rattle that came from his throat told Swaggart all he needed to know.
He was still wearing the scrubs, the same clothes he had been wearing since he woke up in the cell. His feet were bare, but that didn’t bother him. He looked down at the rifle the guard had been holding and picked it up, realizing that it was a modified AR, chambered for fifty caliber ammunition.
“I’ll get the job done,” he muttered to himself. He held the gun in his hands and snatched the door open, then stepped through it. The room outside was empty, but there was another door on the other side and he hurried across to it. He yanked it open just as quickly, stuck his head out for a second to look up and down the hall, then pulled back.
There were three men in one direction, with one of the hybrids on a leash. The thing was bound with heavy leather straps, and it looked like the guards were simply trying to take it somewhere didn’t want to go.
As quickly as he had tried to look, the thing had spotted him and he heard it straining to get away from his captors, straining to come after Swaggart. There was nothing to do but face the problem head on, Swaggart knew, so he stepped back out into the hall and raised the rifle. He aimed first at the hybrid and pulled the trigger once…
Nothing happened. He pulled back the charging handle and let it go, squeezed the trigger again and then threw the gun aside when it still refused to fire. The damn thing had been a bluff, and he couldn’t help wondering if the guard even knew that.
He would have to worry about that later, however. The hybrid was coming at him quickly, dragging the guards along, and Swaggart whispered a silent prayer to whatever deity might be listening that Branigan had done a good job with his cocktail.
With a sudden roar, the altered soldier stopped, jerking the guards holding his leash back. The guards stopped, all three of them seemingly in shock, and none of them could move fast enough when the hybrid's muscles suddenly bulged.
Ripping leather echoed loudly throughout the room, and then the creature was free, spreading its feet, showing off its large, sharp claws and letting out a loud shriek in the bowels of the underground complex.
Swaggart backed away, and the guards who had been trying to hold onto the creature did the same, turning and running in the opposite direction. Swaggart knew instinctively, before the hybrid even started moving his direction, that this was not going to be a good day.
The big creature shrieked again, and all the anger and rage it had felt at being perverted into such a thing was suddenly on d
isplay for anyone to see. Swaggart backed up a couple of steps, but then the creature leapt and all he could do was bring his arms up to try to defend himself.
He felt the claws digging into his skin, and expected blood to be flowing at any moment, but he wasn’t going to give up. He drew back a fist and hit the thing as hard as he could, rocking it back almost a foot. It let go of his arm and shook its head, then moved toward him again, but Swaggart swung a roundhouse that caught it squarely on the side of the head.
The creature went down, but it wasn’t out. Screaming in rage, it bounced to its feet and spread its arms wide, the fingers outstretched and the claws scraping the walls. It looked like some sort of prehistoric monster as its mouth opened, like it was ready to launch itself at him like some sort of miniaturized Tyrannosaurus, but Swaggart wasn’t waiting. He made his own leap forward and threw the thing to the floor again, and this time he just started pounding on its face with his fists.
It tried to back him off, but he wrapped his legs around it and continued, one for staff to the other pounding into the thing’s face. After several blows, Swaggart was surprised to see the thing bleeding from its mouth and the slits that used to be its nose, but he didn’t let up. He kept going, continuing to pound the thing as hard as he could until it finally went limp.
When he realized it wasn’t moving, he felt for a pulse and didn’t find it. He got to his feet and looked down at the thing, then looked at his fists. They were covered with blood, but other than that seemed none the worse for wear.
His clothing, though, was just about soaked. He shook his head in disgust and started down the hall, going the same way the guards had fled. He left the rifle where it had fallen, because it was worthless. He wanted a weapon that would actually do what it was supposed to do.
