HARRIS (Detonation)

by Eldon Kellogg

  "Greetings, comrade Doctor. The Lieutenant told me that you were coming. I still think it's a mistake to leave them alive," Chonglin said, as Lingli approached the large wooden deck attached to the back of the house.

  "Our duty is to obey, especially on this auspicious day," Lingli said, while climbing the stairs and crossing the deck.

  "Aiguo wanted you back at the other house as soon as possible. I'm here to make sure they stay secure until the plan unfolds," Lingli said, while walking up to Chonglin.

  "They're in here," Chonglin said, as he turned and entered the house.

  Lingli found the mother sitting at a round table beside the kitchen. The two young children were sitting beside her on the floor, playing a board game.

  "What have you been told to do with them after I leave?" Chonglin asked.

  "To keep them secure until the mission succeeds. After that it doesn't matter," Lingli said, while studying the woman and her children.

  "I can't imagine what this poor woman has gone through. She's exhausted and afraid. The children seem distracted, which is good. I'm sure that she's doing everything she can to protect them," Lingli thought, while handing the keys for the Suburban to Chonglin.

  "She makes a passable green tea, but your cooking is far better. She only cooks American. It's either boiled or burnt," Chonglin said, and then laughed at his own humor.

  "Remember, Doctor, Zhège nǚrén hé tā de háizi shì dírén (this woman and her children are the enemy). Never forget that," Chonglin said, as he stared at Dorothy, grabbed a handful of her hair, and pulled her face upward.

  "Do as my comrade tells you. If you disobey, I'll return and punish your children. Do you understand?" Chonglin said, while twisting her hair tighter.

  "Yes . . . yes, I understand," Dorothy said, trying not to cry out and scare her girls.

  Chonglin released her, nodded to Lingli, and left through the back door. When the Suburban drove away, Lingli sat at the table across from Dorothy.

  "I'm sorry about that. He can be an animal. I know this has been very hard on you," Lingli said.

  Dorothy looked up, studying this new guard.

  "Please don't try anything. I won't hurt your children, but I will restrain you if I have to. I am trained to fight, but that would only upset the children and cause you pain," Lingli said.

  "I just want this to be over. I want us to have our lives back. I want my husband to be free of this. He's a good man and a kind father. Why are you people doing this?" Dorothy asked, her voice quiet and subdued from constant pressure to comply.

  "It doesn't matter why we are doing this. That's not important to you. It will be over soon. When it's over, you will have to leave here. You need to pack a suitcase for you and your children. You will be leaving today or tomorrow at the latest," Lingli said, knowing that it was a mistake to have said anything at all.

  "What are you going to do? It's the plant isn't it?" Dorothy asked.

  "It doesn't matter. That's not your concern. The future of your children is all that matters. To protect them you will have to leave here, and head south," Lingli said, as she felt her eyes begin to well up with tears.

  "You don't want to do this. You're as much a victim as I am. Just let us go. We can all be free of this nightmare," Dorothy said, rising from her chair.

  "Sit down, Mrs. Davies. Don't make this any worse. I am a Doctor, but I am also a soldier. I have a duty to perform. I don't have to like the duty, but I have to obey. That is our way," Lingli said.

  "A doctor? You're supposed to protect people. How can you be involved in this?" Dorothy asked, while sliding back into her chair.

  "In our culture, duty and honor are very important. Sometimes bad things have to be done to accomplish great things. This is one of those moments. I don't expect you to understand. All we have to do is stay here until it's time to leave," Lingli said.

  "How will we know? Will they call you?" Dorothy asked, afraid at what the answer might be.

  "They won't need to call. We'll just know," Lingli said.

  CHAPTER 36

  Harris Nuclear Plant

  5421 Shearon Harris Rd

  New Hill, North Carolina

  August 2, 2017

  1850 hours EST

  Kay Snaps entered the Radiation Protection Office prepared for a quiet night shift. Her shift partner, Cornell Waines, sat at his desk, his face buried in his PC. He was the Lead Technician for the shift. She knew he'd be on the internet for most of the night.

  "Anything interesting at the Operations turnover meeting?" Cornell asked, not bothering to look up from the screen.

  "Plant's at 100%. There are a couple of problems in the Turbine Building, but nothing that involves us. Looks like a snoozer. Day shift won't be so lucky. Have you ever heard of Security Level 1?" Kay asked, as she sat in front of the Radiation Monitoring System console and began the shiftly routine of checking the hundreds of radiation monitors scattered throughout the plant.

  "I vaguely remember something about security levels during initial plant training, but that's about it. You know they don't like us asking about security stuff. 'Need to Know' and all that crap," Cornell said.

  "So what did they say about security?" Cornell asked, still focused on his PC.

  "Between the President's speech, and some explosion in South Carolina, Security is in a tizzy. I think the site is going to Security Level 1 starting day shift tomorrow. I got the impression that it's going to be a lot harder to get around on plant site. I think a lot of people are going to be told to stay home and get paid for sitting on their butts. It's kind of like preps for a hurricane, cutting back to essential personnel only," Kay said.

  "I should be so lucky," Cornell said.

  "Hey, it's our last night. We'll be off for all the crap. I'm looking forward to a week off. Hopefully, things will be back to normal when we rotate back to day shift," Kay said.

  "That explosion in South Carolina is all over the internet. They think it was the Chinese agents the President talked about. I bet Security is going berserk down at Robinson. They're close to the area of the explosion," Cornell said, referring to another Duke nuclear plant in Hartsville, South Carolina.

  "Yeah, I heard about the explosion in Dillon on the way in tonight. Robinson's only about 50 miles from Dillon," Kay said.

  "So when are you going to do your Daily Surveys?" Kay asked.

  "I'll head into the plant after the mid-shift briefing, after midnight," Cornell said.

  "I'll probably go out early. I've got the Fuel Handling Building tonight, plus some Monthlys at the north end," Kay said, while scrolling through the various screens, checking the radiation levels, and checking each one off on a list.

  "So what's up, girlfriend?" Chris Baardsen said, as he strolled into the office.

  "What are you doing here tonight?" Kay asked, as Chris walked over to the console, leaned on the side, and smiled down at her.

  Kay and Chris had been friends for over 20 years. Chris was flirty, and Kay liked it. She also wouldn't hesitate to jerk a knot in him if he got too 'flirty'.

  "Barker changed the due date on a project that he has me and Tommy working on. It was due three days from now. But now it's due tomorrow morning. Tommy and I are doing an all-nighter," Chris said, while scanning the RMS screen that Kay was monitoring.

  "Oh, so Tommy's here, too? I know he hates that," Kay said.

  "Yeah, but he focuses on the overtime. 'If you're going to screw me, pay me.' That's his motto," Chris said, as they both began laughing.

  "If you need any help tonight, we'll be next door in ALARA," Chris said, as he winked and walked away.

  "Hey, Tommy, need a refill? I'm going for coffee," Chris yelled, as he entered the ALARA office. There were four cubicles in the office. He and Tommy had the back two . . . more privacy.

  He and Tommy Borders were ALARA Technicians. As Low As Reasonably Achievable was their job function at the plant. They helped keep radiation exposure to site personnel as low as possi
ble by getting involved in day-to-day operations and long-range planning. It was a tough job, but beat doing the same routine surveys over and over like the shift techs.

  "No, I'm good. If I have any more coffee, I'll have to delay my trip up to 286'. I need to take a look at a few things up there before I finalize my part of the report," Tommy said.

  "Kay's got 286' tonight. You two can make it a date, go up at the same time," Chris said.

  "That's your line. I'm happily married, thank you very much," Tommy replied.

  "Hey, I love my wife. I don't fool around. I just like to talk, that's all," Chris said, while walking out of the office.

  Ground level at the plant was 261' above sea level. The 286' level of the Fuel Handling Building was where the Spent Fuel Pools were located. The three pools used for storing spent fuel were each over 40 feet deep. The two main pools held almost 2500 spent fuel bundles. They were connected by a series of transfer canals that allowed the movement of the highly radioactive spent fuel bundles from one pool to the next.

  Tommy Borders had been working with Chris in ALARA for almost 15 years. They were both Navy nukes from back in the day, and were as close as two friends could be. They were part of a solid cadre of Radiation Protection technicians that had been working together at Harris since the plant started up.

  "Crap, I might as well get this over with. I'll take the camera with me," Tommy said, as he stood up, stretched and yawned.

  He and Chris had been on site since 0600. It was going to be a long night, a very long night . . .

  Command Central

  Overwatch

  1900 hours EST

  Like Lingli, Security Sergeant Jonathan Davies had his assignment for the assault on Harris. If she felt reluctant, he felt like a traitor as he exited the Security Building, and began walking toward Command Central. His mission was to take over control of the facility. He wasn't scheduled to work there. But he was one of the training Sergeants. His plan involved another ploy.

  Command Central was inside the fourth bay of the huge Emergency Diesel Generator Building, 50 yards east of the Turbine Building. As he walked past the Turbine Building, Jonathan could hear the high pitched whine of the Low Pressure and High Pressure Turbines as secondary side steam drove their blades at 3000 rpm. The turbines spun the generator that provided electrical power for 500,000 homes and businesses.

  "It's a political statement, like hijacking a plane. That's what he told me, but he's lying. There are so few of them. They aren't nuclear workers, they're soldiers. If they break something, even blow something up, the plant will go on automatic recirculation. The core will be protected. That's what they tell us in training. In the end, they'll all be dead. The plant will recover. I'll go to jail for the rest of my life, but Dorothy and the girls will be safe," Jonathan told himself, while approaching the far end of the massive concrete block that contained Command Central.

  "This will work. I know it will," Jonathan said, while sliding his key card into the reader.

  The light on the reader turned green. He heard an audible click as the lock on the Security Door released. He pulled the four-inch thick steel door open, stepped inside, and pulled it shut. If it didn't shut within ten seconds after opening, an alarm would sound upstairs in Command Central, and a security guard would be sent to investigate. All the security doors on site worked the same way.

  "Okay, it's shut. I didn't need any more complications. Now I have to put on my game face," Jonathan said, setting down the briefcase that he had been carrying.

  He removed a yellow armband with black printing and fastened it around his right arm with Velcro. The armband said 'Drill Controller'. Next he removed a clipboard, closed the briefcase, and pressed the UP button on the elevator located on the right side of the entrance vestibule.

  The elevator door opened on the 2nd floor of Command Central. This level was referred to as 'Overwatch'. The stairwell from below exited opposite the elevator on the far side of the room. Jonathan turned right and began walking past the southern bank of servers. The control position for the on-shift Security Lieutenant was located in the center of the room, just past the servers. This raised platform was jokingly referred to as the 'Iron Throne', due to the metallic black texture of the metal furniture. The Overwatch Lieutenant was gone, attending shift turnover at the Security Building. The three active duty positions in Overwatch would be relieved on station after the turnover meeting was complete.

  Jonathan walked up the stairs to the Lieutenant's position and announced in a loud voice, "My name is Sergeant Jonathan Davies. I will be the Drill Controller and Evaluator for this unannounced drill."

  The two men and one woman turned around and stared at him. One of them groaned aloud.

  "You're kidding me, a damn drill at turnover? What asshole came up with that idea?" asked Sergeant Daniella Barnes.

  The two men began laughing.

  "Corporate Security believes that our drills are too predictable. I would suggest that you cooperate to the fullest extent unless you want to be placed on outside patrols for the foreseeable future," Jonathan said.

  No one wanted outside patrols in the summer or winter, for obvious reasons. Outside patrol meant helmets, tactical body armor and 30 pounds of equipment. You walked from one inspection station to the next, while being timed. It was considered a 'shit job' suitable for newbies. It was also used for punishment.

  "For the purposes of this drill, I am also the lead terrorist. I have gained access to Overwatch, and have secured all the personnel present. At this time you will secure each other to your duty chairs with these tye wraps," Jonathan said, while walking forward, and handing four sets of tye wraps to each security officer.

  "You have got to be shitting me," Daniella said, staring at the tye wraps in her hand.

  "Do I have to document your lack of cooperation in an assigned duty assignment, Security Sergeant Barnes?" Jonathan asked, while motioning the other two officers to start securing themselves.

  "Secure your legs to the chairs at the ankles. Then secure one wrist to the arm of the chair. I'll get the other arm," Jonathan said.

  "Why all four?" Daniella asked.

  "Is a terrorist going to secure three?" Jonathan asked.

  "He ain't gonna secure shit, cause I'm gonna kick his ass," Daniella said, as the other two officers hooted in approval.

  "Come on, Jonathan, what's the purpose of this?" Will Matthews asked.

  "You guys go offline. How long before Security notices that your gone? How long before they send an armed mission to find out? The Security Plan gives them 15 minutes. It's never been tested off-hours or at turnover. Now, we'll find out. Daniella, tighten the tye-wraps, or I will," Jonathan said, observing the barely connected tye wraps around her ankles.

  "Whatever," she said, as she pulled the thick tye wraps tight.

  "Okay, that looks good. Put your second arm on the arm rest," Jonathan said, then secured the officers to their chairs and verified the tightness of the other tye wraps.

  "Good, drill's over. I'm sorry guys. I'm really sorry," Jonathan said, while walking over to one Overwatch console and calling an outside number.

  "Overwatch is secure. All personnel terminated," Jonathan said, and hung up the phone.

  "What the hell? Is this still part of the drill or what?" Daniella asked, while squirming in her binds.

  "I'm sorry. They have my family. They wanted me to kill all of you. I won't do that, but I can't let you go," Jonathan said, while wheeling Daniella over to one of the railings by the entrance and securing her chair to the rail with additional tye wraps.

  "Jesus, Dani, I think this is for real. Jonathan is a terrorist!" Will said, as he was placed ten feet away from Daniella, and secured to the railing.

  "Jonathan, tell me this isn't real. You're just getting in our heads, right? This is just a spoof, right?" Wayne Douglas said, as he joined the other two secured at the rail.

  "Wayne, I'm sorry . . . they have Dorothy and the girls. I do
n't have a choice. I have to do what they say," Jonathan said, as he walked up to the 'Iron Throne' and sat down.

  All three guards began shouting and struggling at the same time. Jonathan ignored them, and got to work. Each of the other six stations at Command Central focused on a particular portion of the plant, but from the 'Iron Throne' he could see everything, and control every door, including the sealed door at the armored Guard Shack.

  The Guard Shack

  1910 hours EST

  The black van, with Duke Energy Security markings, pulled up to the right side of the Guard Shack. One guard began smiling as Aiguo lowered the driver side window. A second guard began the standard check of the bottom of the vehicle. Aiguo shot them both in the head with a silenced 9mm.

  Chonglin burst from the rear of the van as the guard inside the Shack, secure in a locked and armored box, began to call Command Central for help. No one answered. He had a shocked look on his face when the locked access door popped open. Chonglin smiled, and shot him in the throat while the man was fumbling for his handgun. A few seconds later, after watching the man choke as he bled to death, Chonglin added three shots to the man's head. Sliding his knife from its sheath, he carved his mark on the inside of the door. Then he installed a surprise, and partly closed the door.

  "Chonglin, back in the van," Aiguo shouted.

  "Bring up the second vehicle," Aiguo said, over the assault team's comm link.

  An unmarked brown delivery truck appeared at the top of the access road, and began heading for the Guard Shack.

  "Sergeant Davies, are you listening?" Aiguo asked, over the comm link.

  "I'm still here," Jonathan said.

  "When we get past the top of the hill, raise the steel barrier," Aiguo said.