by Jon S. Lewis
“What?”
“I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m not sure. It’s really dark, and I . . . I don’t know how they found me.”
“Wait, who found you?”
“Don’t be mad at me . . . please, just promise me you won’t be mad.”
“Have you been drinking?”
“I didn’t want to tell them, but they made me.”
“Dani, you aren’t making any sense.”
“What did you do with the files that I sent you . . . the files from the Trident server?”
“Nothing. They’re still on my phone.”
“Good. You need to bring it to Trident Biotech. Just promise me you won’t back the files up or send them to anybody else, okay? You can’t even print them . . . they’ll know.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If you don’t come alone in the next hour they’re going to—”
The phone went dead.
Colt wanted to give way to the panic, but he didn’t have the luxury. Sixty minutes wasn’t much time. He looked at the phone. The files that Danielle found were his only chance to bring Trident to its knees. Without them, an innocent man was going to go to prison for killing his parents and thousands of others with Trident biochips would continue to be at risk.
But all Colt could think about was Danielle. If he didn’t turn the files over, they were going to kill her. Colt knew they weren’t bluffing either. Human life meant little to them, considering the ultimate goal of the Thule was to wipe mankind from existence. So they could use Earth as a new home.
“We’ll have to find another way,” Colt said. Then he dialed Oz’s number.
“I’ve been trying to reach you all night,” Oz said by way of greeting. “I finally got Zombie Extermination Squad, and I need you to help me level up so I can play with Dani.”
“Sorry, I’ve been at church.”
“On a Thursday?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Let me guess. You were practicing that song with Lily.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Colt said. “I just got a call from Dani. They have her.”
“Who?”
“Trident.”
There was a long pause. “I thought she said the plan was foolproof.”
“Apparently it wasn’t.”
“Are they asking for a ransom?”
“I have less than an hour to bring my phone to Trident Biotech,”
Colt said. “They want the files Dani sent me, and if I don’t deliver them, I think they’re going to kill her.”
“They’re going to kill her anyway.”
“So what do we do?”
“Have you told anybody else?”
“Not yet.”
“Keep it that way,” Oz said.
It should have taken Oz twenty minutes to get from his house to Grandpa McAlister’s. Instead, he was there in a little over ten.
“Where’s your grandpa?” Oz asked after Colt answered the door.
“At the grocery store.”
“Good. Basil agreed to help us.”
“What about CHAOS?”
“I’ll get to that in a minute.” Oz walked into the kitchen where he pulled out his phone, pressed a few buttons, and set it on the table. A three-dimensional hologram of the Trident Biotech campus shot out from the display, hovering in the air. Each building, tree, and road was perfectly scaled, glowing in bright shades of green.
“Wait, can my phone do that too?”
“Focus, McAlister,” Oz said. “Basil has people inside Trident, and they’re going to help us break in so we can find Danielle.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if I went through the front door and gave them my phone?”
“Yeah, if you both want to die. Look, they aren’t going to let either one of you walk. You’re liabilities because you know too much.”
“Then why not let CHAOS agents go in and get her? They’re more qualified than I’ll ever be.”
“Remember what Basil said? Trident executives have friends in high places, and my dad isn’t going to storm their fortress without permission from his board of directors. And they aren’t going to do anything without talking to the president and the joint chiefs.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Oz shrugged. “He’s not going to hack off the people who sign his paycheck, and he doesn’t want the U.S. government breathing down his neck—especially since they’re his biggest client.”
Colt took a deep breath. “What about my grandpa?”
“We can’t tell him either . . . at least not yet.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“Trident’s security system is as advanced as it gets,” Oz said. “They have cameras, dogs, motion and heat sensors, and armed guards. For all we know they have missile systems and a nuclear bomb too. There’s only one way to get in without being detected.”
“Do I want to hear it?”
“Basil found some old records in the city archives. Apparently they built their corporate offices on top of what used to be a military installation. There’s a series of tunnels and bunkers under the entire campus. The only problem is that they’re flooded.”
“So how are we supposed to get in?”
“Do you scuba dive?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“There’s an entry point outside the wall here,” Oz said, tapping a small building. It lit up, showing a trapdoor that led down to one of the bunkers.
“That’s a taco shop,” Colt said.
“They close at three.”
“If it’s underground, we won’t be able to see where we’re going.”
“I brought flashlights.”
“It doesn’t sound very safe.”
“We’re breaking into a company owned by aliens who want to wipe humans off the map. It’s not supposed to be safe.”
“I guess you have a point.”
“So are you in?”
“Let’s do it.”
: : CHAPTER 49 : :
Oz tapped in a number and then placed his phone into a rack on his dashboard. The phone rang twice before a holographic image of Basil Hyde shot up from the touch screen. It was about the size of a vintage Star Wars action figure, and the image was crystal clear, though slightly transparent.
“You decided to go through with it then?” Basil said as Oz pulled his Jeep out of Grandpa McAlister’s driveway.
“We’re on our way to the entry point,” Oz said. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Excellent,” Basil said. “We’ll have the security system shut down in exactly twenty-three minutes and ten seconds, but you’ll only have a thirty-second window to break through. If you miss it . . . well, let’s just say you’ll be in a bit of hot water.”
“You know where they have Danielle?” Colt asked.
Basil nodded. “We believe Koenig has locked her in the main tower on the thirteenth floor, but if we’re going to make this count, we need to do more than rescue her. We need to knock their satellite system off-line. Without that, they won’t be able to control anyone’s mind.”
At the mention of Koenig’s name, Colt felt such a strong emotional reaction that his chest started to heave. If everything they believed was true—if his parents were murdered because someone at Trident Biotech made the order—that meant Koenig was responsible. He either gave the order himself or he gave the approval. Either way, Colt decided then and there that he wouldn’t rest until Koenig was brought to justice.
“Piece of cake,” Oz said.
“Once you’re inside, we’ll have supplies waiting for you. There’ll also be a drive with a virus we created just for this purpose. You’ll need to upload it into their servers, but the only point of access is through their data center on the top floor.”
“Top floor, got it,” Oz said, but he was looking at Colt. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Colt s
aid, his eyes locked on Basil. “How did you get this lined up so fast?”
Basil smiled. “We’ve been on high alert since the night I met you,” he said. “Besides, I’ve had people on the inside for years. Nothing happens inside Trident Industries—or just about anywhere—that I don’t know about.”
Colt wanted to ask Basil if his people had infiltrated the CHAOS agency as well, but he decided against it. There would be time for more questions later.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Basil said, “but I also sent copies of your mother’s article to a select number of news outlets. With any luck, when the markets open up tomorrow we’ll bring Trident Biotech to its knees, and that’s going to hurt their parent company as well. Investors aren’t going to want any part of the Trident empire.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Colt said.
“Of course.”
“Why are you helping us?”
“Maybe one day you can return the favor.” With that he hung up, and the hologram disappeared.
Oz turned into the lot of a small taco shop called Rico’s. He pulled around back and parked next to a garbage Dumpster.
“Do you trust him?” Colt asked.
“Not especially,” Oz said. He turned off the lights before cutting the engine. “But he’s our only chance to save Danielle.” He handed Colt a duffel bag.
“What’s this?”
“Your gear.”
Both boys slipped into what looked like armored scuba gear. It had a black and gray camouflage pattern, and the fit was snug. Oz helped Colt strap the oxygen tanks to his back, then slid into his own.
“What about weapons?”
“Here,” Oz said, handing Colt an ammunition belt. Then he strapped one around his waist and fished out a metal sphere from one of the pouches. “This is a concussion grenade. All you do is punch in the code and you’ll have ten seconds to detonation. Same with these.”
Oz was holding what looked like a silver hockey puck. “They’re electrical charges, and they pack enough power to knock an elephant on its butt, so make sure you have some distance before you set one off.”
“What about guns?” Colt asked, as he thought about Koenig’s bodyguard. Colt was certain that the man was going to play a role in all of this before the night was over, and that would have been hard enough if he were just a human. Unfortunately, it looked like he was one of the Thule.
“Let’s hope we won’t need them, but I wouldn’t worry about it. Basil probably has some surprises waiting for us inside. Do you have your phone?”
“It’s right here.” Colt zipped it up inside his wet suit.
“Good. Then let’s go.” Oz led him across the parking lot to the back of the restaurant. They were carrying their flippers and masks. He stood at the door, listening to see if anyone was inside. “Stand back.”
“Before you kick it in, let me give it a try,” Colt said. He reached over to twist the doorknob. “It’s open.”
“My way would have been more exciting.”
“Tell that to the poor guy who would have had to pay for a replacement,” Colt said. “Besides, this isn’t an action movie.”
“You never know,” Oz said. “CHAOS has cameras everywhere.”
Colt frowned.
“Don’t worry about it,” Oz said. Then he paused, looking at Colt thoughtfully. “You’re a good kid, McAlister.”
The boys walked into a small kitchen that smelled like cooking oil and corn tortillas. The lights were off and the only noise was coming from the motor of the walk-in refrigerator.
“Where’s the secret passage?” Colt asked.
Oz looked down at a visual display that was attached to his wrist. “According to the map, it should be right here.” He set his mask and flippers aside before reaching down to pull up a rubber mat. Beneath was a manhole cover. Oz looked around, found a mop, and unscrewed the handle. Then he stuck one end into a notch in the manhole cover and pried it open. A mass of cockroaches poured out.
“That’s disgusting,” Colt said as he tried to sidestep the insects.
Oz stepped on one before grinding it with the heel of his boot. “I guess the breakfast burritos are going to have some extra protein in the morning.”
Colt looked into the darkness. “I can’t see the bottom.”
“You will soon enough,” Oz said. He pulled his phone back out to dial a number before he set it on the ground.
“What are you doing?”
“Letting the cavalry know where they can find us.”
“What about Agent Richmond? I thought he put a homing device on your Jeep. I’m surprised he isn’t here yet.”
“He thinks I don’t know it’s there, but I took it off,” Oz said. He dropped his flippers down the hole. It was a long time before they hit the bottom. Then he put his goggles over his forehead and lowered himself into the hole on metal rungs that formed a ladder. “Watch your step. It’s slippery.”
Before long they were in the bunker. The room was shaped like a shoe box, with cement walls, a cement floor, and a low cement ceiling where a single lightbulb hung. Water was seeping through cracks in the wall, and everything was covered in mildew.
Oz walked over to flip the switch, but it didn’t work.
They could see metal shelves that had once held supplies in case of a nuclear attack. Something scampered across the floor, and Colt felt his heart race. He shined his flashlight in the direction of the sound where a rat cowered in the corner.
Oz smiled. “If that’s going to make you jumpy, we’re in for a long night.”
“I thought this place was supposed to be underwater.”
“Give it a minute. It will be.” Oz slipped into his flippers and Colt did the same.
Oz walked over to a metal door that looked like a bank vault, with a five-pronged spindle wheel. He gripped two of the prongs and tried to twist the door open. It wouldn’t budge. He let go to shake his hands, and then tried again. Still nothing. “Give me a hand.”
Colt walked over and grasped two other prongs, and the boys strained until veins popped out of their necks. The spindle still wouldn’t budge.
“I don’t suppose you have any lubricant in your utility belt?”
“Where would I keep it?” Oz looked down at his watch. “We have a little over nine minutes before they shut off the security system.”
“So now what?”
“We improvise.” Oz reached into his pouch to pull out what looked like modeling clay.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Plastic explosives.” He kneaded it before slapping it near the spindle. Then he applied a small digital display and set it with a combination.
“You have stuff like that lying around your house?”
“Doesn’t everybody?” Oz smiled as he walked to the far corner of the bunker, dragging Colt with him. Ten seconds later there was a small explosion. The metal around the door crumpled. Water started to seep through the cracks. It was slow at first, but it didn’t take long to pick up speed.
“Brace yourself,” Oz said. He pulled his mask over his eyes. Then he flicked a switch. Two lights flared to life on either side of his goggles. The water was up to his knees when he stuck the regulator into his mouth.
Colt already had his goggles on when he bit onto his regulator. He was looking for something to grab. There weren’t many choices. All he could think of was the shelving, but that wasn’t going to do much good. It wasn’t bolted to the floor.
As the pressure built up, the cement around the door started to crumble. It fell away, splashing into the water and the door burst open and a wall of water rushed through like a tidal wave. The force sent the boys pummeling into the back wall.
The air burst out of Colt’s lungs as his regulator was yanked from his mouth. Pain shot through his ribs. He gasped and water went down his throat. Something hit him. In the swirl of chaos he couldn’t tell if it was Oz, the shelving, or something else from the other side of the door. His head slammed ag
ainst something hard.
In the distance he could see two small lights. The water started to calm. Colt grabbed his regulator and placed it back into his mouth. The oxygen helped calm his nerves. As long as he could breathe, he’d survive. Now all he needed was to find Oz.
: : CHAPTER 50 : :
Colt reached up to turn on the flashlights built into his goggles and kicked off the wall, launching into the murky water. He skimmed passed a floating chair before cutting through the shelves where he found Oz waiting at the door. Oz pointed to his watch, then to his eyes.
Navigating the tunnels would have been impossible without Basil’s map. The endless maze was lined with cinder-block walls and everything looked the same. Their only light came from the flashlights lodged onto their masks, and Colt was starting to feel claustrophobic.
They were in a room filled with old desks, chairs, and filing cabinets. Broken picture frames littered the ground next to office supplies. Staplers. Scissors. A T-square. Oz stopped to check his bearings, then looked at Colt before pointing straight up.
Colt was about to give the thumbs-up, but something caught his eye. There was movement. A silhouette was creeping out from the darkness. Colt turned. He could see bubbles rising in the glow of his flashlight.
He felt it before he saw it. Something large. Something terrible. He spun around, looking to find whatever was down there with them. All he could see were the bubbles as something grabbed his shoulder. Colt kicked with his leg before pushing off, and then he turned to find Oz looking at him.
After pointing to his eyes, Colt made a motion with his hand and arm to show that there was something swimming through the water. Oz raised an eyebrow as Colt’s eyes shot wide. Something was coming at them from over Oz’s shoulder.
Colt ducked to the side and yanked Oz by the arm, pulling him out of the way. Whatever it was swam past and Colt saw yellow eyes and a serpentine body. It was big. Oz grimaced as he gripped his shoulder. When he pulled his hand away, a stream of blood floated through the water like a red cloud on a gentle breeze.
Oz grabbed something that looked like a conductor’s baton from his belt. He pulled on the tip and it expanded until it was nearly a meter long. Oz pointed up but Colt shook his head. He wasn’t going to leave Oz behind, but Oz took him by the front of his wet suit and pushed him to the side.
