by Rob Roth
ONE
TUESDAY MORNING DESERT
Dr. Jason ‘Jace’ Larkin, formerly professor of aaplanetary geology at the University of Colorado, leaned his head back to take another drink of water from his canteen as the hot Arizona desert sun glared down on his upturned face. Casually tossing the canteen onto the rear seat, he leaned back to steady himself against the side of his dusty white jeep perched on a rocky outcrop.
He pulled up his binoculars once again and his sharp eyes slowly scanned the horizon looking for some sign of last night’s bright celestial event, which triggered various reported sightings of a small fireball streaking across the sky in these general coordinates. Jace put down the binoculars and picked up the mic and keyed the transmit button.
“Dooley, are you absolutely sure these coordinates you gave me are correct? So far, I don’t see anything that looks out of the ordinary here. Although I suppose it’s possible any debris that survived would be too small to produce any evidence of the impact.”
After a second or two Jace heard Dooley’s voice moderated somewhat by the radio into an almost mechanical reply.
“Well, according to several eye-witness reports that came in from Winslow and Flagstaff, I’m pretty sure you’re close to the target site, Jace. The reporter here says it was heard as well as seen by them, so I’d say it had to be somewhere within 5 miles of your location. At least, if those observers who happened to be partying out in the desert last evening remember things correctly.”
“Copy that, Dooley, I’m planning on driving out a little further for another look. We have the jump on the scientists and meteor hunters this time only because the Barringer conference happened to be in Flagstaff, and we were lucky enough to overhear the reporter early this morning in the coffee shop.”
“Yeah, lucky that the meteor wasn’t seen by too many people and the reporter said he couldn’t get his story out until tomorrow. We don’t want to miss this opportunity like we did last year in Australia. Hey Jace, maybe we were meant to find this one… everything lined up so well.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, buddy, but these things happen without rhyme or reason. Today we were just in the right place at the right time. And let’s hope this time we have no last-minute emergencies like in Australia.”
“I suppose you’re right. But things do seem to be breaking our way this time.”
“And wise planning on our part that we thought to come to Flagstaff early. We have plenty of time before my lecture at the conference wrap-up scheduled for the end of the week. I’d love to present the history and geology of the Barringer crater using an actual example of a local meteorite fragment.”
“Just be careful Professor. The desert can be very unforgiving during the day. And don’t forget, military personnel might also be poking around this area as well given the numerous reports of unidentified lights in the sky last week.”
“Don’t worry Dooley. I’ll exercise my usual caution. Just keep acting as my eyes and ears in town and report back if you uncover anything additional regarding last night’s event. And Dooley, you do recall I’m no longer an instructor. It’s been four years. You can drop the ‘Professor’ title,” Jace replied with a touch of irony in his voice, knowing full well Dooley knew that, but seemed to love teasing Jace with it anyway. Especially when Jace was engaged in anything having to do with science or geology.
“Copy that, Professor. Although, I seem to recall you’ve presented at more than a half dozen scientific conferences this year. Someone must think you still have creds. Anyway, just keep alert. I don’t want to have to break you out of a military installation if I can avoid it,” he replied with a humorous tone in his voice.
If anyone were able break him out of a military installation it probably would be Dooley Marz, Jace thought to himself with a smile. He and Dooley had known each other since high school back when Jace was a studious, shy boy and Dooley was a star football player. They were very different in many ways, but fate threw them together one evening when Dooley drank too much and Jace’s usual quick thinking saved his life. After that Dooley was forever looking out for Jace, and they became best friends, staying in touch after high school.
Dooley had gone on to volunteer in Army Special Forces and became a Ranger, while Jace pursued his doctorate in planetary geology — specifically, exo-geology. When Jace lost his wife four years ago, he was devastated, and his quiet peaceful life as a scholarly university professor ended. Dooley had been the rock that kept him from sinking into a pit so deep he wouldn’t have been able to rise again and got him to redirect his scientific focus. Now, Jace was a field geologist — a.k.a. rock hunter, independent speaker, and consultant with multiple space related agencies, and Dooley was his partner.
Picking up the binoculars one more time, Jace made another slow scan across the horizon, noting the play of light and shadow cast from the various rock formations and desert shrubs that dotted the landscape, but none of his senses picked up anything that was out of the ordinary in the late-morning desert panorama.
“I know it’s out here somewhere…” Jace muttered to himself. “Now I just need to figure out where…”
He set the binoculars down onto the passenger seat of his jeep and pulled out the canteen once again. After taking a long drink of water, he screwed the cap back on and stowed it back.
Spotting a landmark toward which he would head, Jace climbed back into the jeep and headed out another three or four miles into the desert at a slight diagonal-right direction, all the while keeping his eyes on the terrain and looking for some sort of tell-tale sign of an impact — perhaps an area of brush that appeared significantly disturbed from its natural order, or a cluster of black-colored rock with a melted or flowing appearance, or even glass formed by the heat of an impact which fused the sand.
After twenty minutes or so of driving without encountering any obvious signs of such an intrusion in the land around him, Jace pulled his jeep onto a nearby rise and stopped his vehicle again. This time he hopped out of the jeep not bothering to shut the door as he figured it would be just another quick scan of the area.
As he looked around the lonely desert terrain, Jace recalled that it was Dooley who encouraged him to go into field work and consultation in order to ‘get out and see more of the world’. With Dooley as his partner of course, Jace smiled.
So, where’s my partner now? Jace thought to himself, knowing Dooley was most likely sitting in some air-conditioned tavern, while Jace ironically was the one doing all the physical work.
“Not the first time you’ve left me alone to do the hard stuff, Dooley. If I didn't know better I'd think you are playing the drill Sargent again, trying to toughen me up. Don’t forget I’m the scientist not the warrior in this partnership…”
Jace didn’t really mind being alone. The last four years in the field, in contrast to his previous teaching, had resulted in Jace having a more lithe, stronger body. He had a nice-looking appearance, with dark hair and contrasting blue eyes that complimented his trim form and currently matched his faded jeans. And his tanned complexion darkened by the recent days spent in the environs of the desert fit very well with his light-colored shirt, matching hat, and well-worn brown leather hiking boots.
Jace had an easy smile and friendly personality, although he kept to himself and carried a sadness with him after Kaylin died. She had been his rock, the kindest person he knew, and with her death he had lost his bearings. If it hadn't been for Dooley standing by him during his deepest time of need he didn’t know what he would have done. As a geologist, Jace believed in science and logic, and the reliability of actions and outcomes. But Kaylin’s death exposed him to a world that could also be very capricious and unforgiving, where things happened without reason. Life could be a bit lonely, he tho
ught to himself, but certainly simpler and less complicated when you have no one person or cause you care too deeply for. You avoid the hurt of loss when the inevitable disappointment comes. Well, he still had Dooley…
“Dooley, are you still with me?” Jace queried into the mic after thumbing the key.
“With you all the way buddy. Well, really I walked down to our hotel tavern and am treating myself to a burger and a beer. I’m so glad the jeep you rented had that two-way radio set so I can move around with the handheld. My cell phone couldn’t get even one bar in this place, if you know what I mean,” Dooley added with a humorous emphasis on the word bar.
“Very funny Dooley. I’m dying of heat and thirst out here, focusing my every effort on our assignment, and you no doubt are sitting your rear on a nice bench somewhere, surrounded by pretty girls. Why does this remind me of our high school days? Just don’t break too many hearts today,” Jace said with a laugh.
But after a short pause Dooley caught rising excitement in Jace’s voice.
“Hold on a second Dooley… I think I’ve got something here. About a mile out I see some smoke rising out of a canyon. Now that’s something I didn’t expect to see... you would think any heat would have dissipated by now if a meteorite had struck the ground.”
“Maybe it’s a brush fire?” Dooley asked.
“I don’t know…”
Jace realized he could hear a sound as well.
“This is weird… I’m hearing a low frequency hum. Almost too low to hear. I can feel it. It slowly pulsates louder then quieter. It seems to be coming from the canyon where the smoke is.”
“Ok, now that doesn’t sound like any brush fire I’ve heard of,” Dooley replied.
“I’m heading out there now and will check back in a few minutes once I know what we’ve got.”
“Ok, Jace. I’ll be right here waiting for your call.”
TUESDAY NOON HOTEL
Dooley took another sip from his beer, instinctively looking around and taking stock of his surroundings as he usually did, courtesy of his years of training as a Ranger. The tavern was dimly lit and pleasant, with the soft background music one subliminally hears while relaxing in a not-to-busy eating establishment. He smiled to himself when he realized Jace was partly right. Dooley was sitting on a bench — well, really a booth with a red vinyl bench seat. A few people were scattered about here and there at little square tile-topped tables, mostly keeping to themselves.
Dooley was concerned about Jace being alone in the desert. Jace was physically stronger than he had ever been thanks to Dooley subtly stepping away at times and forcing him to challenge himself more. But after Kaylin died Jace increasingly took risks that bordered on reckless — like he had less reason to live. Which I guess in his mind may be true, thought Dooley.
Dooley was thinking about how to help Jace work through this, when he noticed an argument developing at the end of the mahogany bar between an attractive young blond woman and an excessively drunk patron unsuccessfully trying to make a pass at her. The woman was dressed in well-tailored light brownish-gray tweed pants with an attractive loose long sleeve blouse, and the man was the typical business-type in a gray suit with shirt and tie and loosened collar.
With a sigh, Dooley pushed away his platter which he considered to be a perfectly prepared tavern burger and fries, turned off the radio, and walked over to the end where the argument was taking place. He was not one to pass up an opportunity for chivalry. As a former Ranger, he liked to think of himself as a modern-day knight. Jumping into action was his first response to most situations.
“Is there a problem here?” Dooley asked in a pleasant manner, somewhat like a concerned maître d’. As a tallish individual with a physique not unlike a bodybuilder, Dooley was an imposing figure with muscles that tended to make all his shirts appear a size too small. He rarely needed anything but words to stand down most opponents, although his cool head and controlled demeanor preferred to avoid unnecessary conflict. However, it soon became apparent this lady needed little assistance from him.
“I’m a bit knackered, and this bloke was asking me to have a drink with him. Apparently he has difficulty understanding the word ‘No’,” the young woman said with a bemused look on her face. “It seems to be a failure of his communication and judgement skills, so I suspect his frontal lobe is damaged. And unless he’s wanting other frontal parts to be damaged as well, I suggested he leave before I get cranky.”
“Bitch…,” the man at the bar mumbled to himself as he realized he was going to get nowhere with this woman and wandered out the door. At this, the woman stifled a laugh and with a questioning look in her eye, turned toward Dooley and said, “That made my meal quite interesting. Are you here to do the same for my dessert?”
Dooley paused for a second, noting this attractive woman had a slight British accent. No, it was a little softer — maybe Australian. Not wanting to cause a further scene, Dooley put his hands up with a short laugh.
“I hope not ma’am. Anyway, I can see you can take care of yourself, and won’t bother you any further.” He turned to walk back to his waiting burger.
“No worries, soldier boy. Won’t you at least sit and chat with this lonely woman? This town held little excitement for me, at least till now, and the conference I’m here for doesn’t start until the morning. The other blokes I’ve met just want to take me to their room. It’s refreshing to find a gentleman who seems more interested in my well-being. Besides, I was somewhat worried that fool wouldn’t take the hint and leave me alone. I’m glad you showed up.”
“DuLane Marz, although most people just call me Dooley,” he said giving her a warm smile and a friendly handshake as he sat down on the bar stool next to her.
“Allison Trask. Thanks for coming over mate. I’m not sure the bloke would have left as quickly as he did, had you not made an appearance.”
A slight quizzical look passed briefly on Dooley’s face, but then he laughed and said, “You had me scared, Miss Trask. I doubt very much I made the least bit of difference. Are you by chance here for the conference on the Barringer crater?”
“Actually, I am. I find the study of asteroids and meteors fascinating, and the Barringer crater is one of the best examples of a relatively recent impact crater found on Earth. I can hardly wait to go out and see it later this week. The guest speaker at the final plenary session is a Dr. Larkin. His research on the history and geology of meteors and asteroids is second to none in the field. I believe he is going to lecture on the Barringer crater. I’ve read his book more than once and am hoping to get it signed.”
“Oh really?” Dooley responded with exaggeration in his voice that Allison interpreted as some sort of tease.
“What? Don’t tell me you know the man?”
“Well, actually I’m his partner. We have a consulting firm called Air and Space Phenomenon or ASP, that does business with a half-dozen aerospace agencies and just as many private firms. Although I’m only the guy that makes all the arrangements and coordinates the activities for Professor Larkin. He’s really the brains of the outfit. I’d be with him right now if he didn’t have some field work in the desert requiring his attention. He’ll be back later tonight.”
“If your Dr. Larkin is anything like his charming partner, I’m sure I will enjoy hearing him speak. Will you be attending the conference as well?”
“Well ma’am, since you insist, how could I possibly refuse?”
“I’m holding you to your promise Mr. Marz. A young lady unattended could find herself in unexpected danger, and a handsome escort would certainly make me feel safer,” she said with a cute smile that caused Dooley to feel a degree or two warmer under his collar.
Dooley and Allison spent the next hour sharing drinks, chatting and getting to know each other better. He told her he really looked forward to being her escort at the conference once he and Jace were able to wrap up their other activities. Dooley some felt real chemistry between them, and quite liked Miss Al
lison Trask. He was looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with this lovely woman again.
“Dooley, it has truly been delightful getting to know you,” she said when she eventually got up to leave. “I’m so glad I decided to come to this conference. I never imagined I would meet a fascinating gentleman like you on this trip, and I admit I will also feel a little safer having you around. I came alone to this conference thinking I would be rather lonely, but it has been quite the opposite, I must say.”
After saying 'cheers' and leaving Dooley with a warm smile, Allison turned and left the tavern while Dooley’s eyes followed her shapely figure and attractively fitting pants. He had to admit he was very much attracted to Miss Trask and looked forward to seeing her again. But only because of the impressions he had formed regarding this beautiful young lady.
First, he doubted very much she needed protection from anyone. He couldn’t help but notice the slight bulge in the small of her back as she left, where her concealed carry holster was positioned, and based on the shape, maybe a Glock 19, the favored weapon of both police and Special Forces around the world.
Second, she called him soldier boy. Perhaps it was spoken in jest, but Dooley had no discernible characteristics that indicated he was former military.
Third, he doubted very much a chance encounter brought them together. The scene at the bar was just a little too contrived. The businessman left just after Dooley arrived with what seemed to be very little push back. And Allison Trask’s concerns and compliments spoken to Dooley seemed quick and overly gratuitous. He needed to keep an eye on her. She was not what she appeared to be.
Not one to be taken in so easily by a woman, especially being used to the distraction of pretty ladies, Dooley thought, I wonder what game the lovely Miss Trask is playing? Or maybe the question is, who is she playing?
Suddenly, Dooley realized he had left the radio off for over an hour and quickly moved back to his table and turned the two-way radio back on.
