by Paul Ormond
“Just come out here,” Sage said. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“We’re coming out, but don’t try anything, or I’ll headshot every last one of you,” a young man said, stepping out from behind a bush with an orb glowing in his hand.
“Eric?” Sage said while peering through the shadows.
“Sage Francis, I should’ve known,” the boy said. “Why am I not kicking your ass right now for that elbow you threw at me in the final?”
“I never elbowed you, and you wouldn’t stand a chance against me,” Sage said. “What are you Vanderton losers doing out here?”
“Same thing you are,” Eric said.
“That’s just typical,” Donnie said as he stood beside Sage. “There’s an alien invasion, and we get banded together with the Dork kings. Don’t you guys have to get back to the dairy farm? That manure ain’t going to shovel itself.”
“None of you are helping this situation,” Candace said. “If we’re going to get through this, then we’re going to have to work together. Is this the rendezvous point?”
“You’re standing on it,” Eric said. “It looks like we did all the work finding this spot while you all strolled up at your leisure. I still don’t understand why they are making such a big fuss out of you, Sage. Just cause your buddy Mitch is lost in space doesn’t mean that you should get some kind of special treatment.”
“It doesn’t matter why it is happening,” Sage said. “I don’t think anybody is happy about this situation, but if you want to be in charge, go right ahead. All I want to do is fight for what’s right.”
“I’m happy with you in charge, that way I can blame you when everything blows up in your face,” Eric said.
“Way to be a team player, Eric,” Candace said.
“I don’t understand what you see in that guy, Candace,” Eric said.
“You’re treading on thin ice,” Sage said. “I tried to make peace with you, but if you keep it up, I’ll show you what’s what.”
“Come on, Eric,” a young man said. “You’re not helping anybody with this.”
“What do you know, Brian?” Eric said.
“I know that we’re supposed to be fighting the aliens, not each other,” Brian said.
“Whatever, just none of you Kingsford corn holes get in my way,” Eric said.
“Wow, why don’t you tell them how you really feel, Eric?” Shaundra said. “Don’t you guys know he writes poetry? He sent me a message request a while back, and he included some lovely verses. He’s actually very sensitive.”
“That was private. You asked to read my work,” Eric said. “If you liked it so much, why didn’t you reply?”
“Oh, I can’t get involved in a relationship with you. An Aquarius and a Taurus are a terrible match.”
“Well, you could’ve at least told me,”
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Thanks everyone for sharing,” Gareth said. “but I think we’ve got more important things to worry about. Sage, open your panel and see what comes up.”
“Okay, this is new,” Sage said while he panned across a map on his screen. “Here’s us. Let’s see what happens if I click on it.”
As he pressed the icon on his screen, an illuminated pathway appeared on the map leading further into the forest.
“It looks like it wants us to keep moving,” Sage said.
“There’s nothing but a big rock face up ahead,” Darren said, following after Sage.
“I’m just doing what it says,” Sage said while he passed by a large rock.
“What’s that?” Shaundra said as she spotted a circular shape embedded in the rock wall.
“Looks like some kind of hatch,” Eric said from behind.
“This is where we’re supposed to go. The pathway leads inside,” Sage said.
“I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that we’re being led into another cave,” Gareth said. “This is how it all started last year.”
“That door looks pretty heavy,” Donnie said. “How are we going to get it open?”
A flash of light lit up the surroundings for a moment before Candace lashed the handle of the hatch with an illuminated rope. With one swift pull, she yanked the hatch open and snapped the rope back to her hand.
“Everybody keep quiet,” Candace said while she stepped toward the opening. “You guys are carrying on like a prom committee. We’re going in, so put your game faces on. Sage, you go first and check it out.”
“I should’ve figured,” Sage said before he stepped toward the opening and dropped inside.
“It’s a tunnel of some kind,” he whispered from below. “But it’s clear so far.”
“All right, everybody in,” Candace said before following after Sage.
Stepping down the narrow tunnel, Sage spotted what looked like an opening ahead. As his companions followed in behind, he came to the end and peered into a wide circular space filled with rusted and aging mining equipment.
“We’re clear here,” Sage said after he stepped into the room. “It’s just a bunch of old junk.”
“What the hell are we doing down here,” Eric said, stepping into the room.
Before Sage could answer, a light flashed in the center of the room and the holographic image of Mitch Mythic appeared before everyone.
“Greetings, brave warriors,” Mitch said while his image sputtered. “I see that you have assembled your team members. Are you ready for your first mission?”
“Are we still doing this whole Mitch Mythic thing?” Eric asked. “I’m sick to death of hearing about this guy, and now he’s giving us orders.”
“Got to agree with you there,” Sage said.
“Does it really matter?” Candace said as she stepped past Sage. “Just tell us what you need us to do.”
“As residents of this area, you are well aware of the cave system beneath Kingsford,” Mitch said.
“I thought I saw enough of these caves the last time we got dragged down here,” Donnie said.
“Your party has been assembled for this mission based on several factors: your familiarity with the terrain, your relative proximity to the target and your experience,” Mitch said.
“Cool, but what to do we need to do?” Gareth said.
“From what we have gathered, this site is of extreme importance to the invaders,” Mitch said. “They have concentrated a great deal of their resources on protecting the area, and we have been able to detect a high level of activity under the surface.”
“What is it with these guys and this place?” Sage asked.
“The high volume of energy beneath your city is what draws them to this location,” Mitch said. “They require a great deal of power to operate their technology therefore it is natural for them to focus their operation around an area with ample resources.”
“If you know all of this, then what do you need us for?” Candace asked.
“Although we are aware that this site is of great importance, we still don’t know what it is they are up to,” Mitch said. “Commander Holrathu has repeatedly mentioned the imminent arrival of his Emperor on Earth. We believe this site could be the source of that arrival, but we are not sure. If we can confirm where the Emperor is expected to arrive and under what capacity, we will focus our efforts on disrupting the process.”
“Trying to cut off the head of the snake?” Sage asked.
“Precisely,” Mitch said. “And this is where you come into play. We need you to gain access to the site and get us some intel.”
“A reconnaissance mission,” Gareth said. “Don’t you have a drone, or anything that could do that?”
“Any attempts we have made to access the site using our tech have been thwarted by the security measures set in place by the enemy,” Mitch said. “Therefore, the only way to gain access is through more traditional means. You are currently positioned in a mining tunnel cut into this mountain over a century ago. Entering the passage behind me, you will pass through a series
of caves that lead to the epicenter of the enemy’s activity.”
“You mean like walking?” Gareth asked.
“You will not be able to use your devices,” Mitch said. “Our opponents are able to detect outside tech within a wide perimeter.”
“How are we going to be able to get this intel out?” Donnie asked.
“As I said, traditional methods will be required,” Mitch said. “We need photos of the equipment they are using, and we need to know what they are doing. Once you find their operation, your team will spread out across the area and get as many photos as you can without being detected. Once you have gathered the intel, clear the site and proceed to a safe distance before sending the information back to us using your devices.”
“What happens if they find us?” Eric asked.
“You will have to use your wits to evade capture,” Mitch said. “But I suggest you do everything in your power to avoid being seen. There is no telling what they will do with you if you are caught.”
“So get in, get the shots and get out without being see,” Sage said. “Sounds simple enough.”
“Simple?” Candace said. “This is ridiculous. Sneaking in is crazy enough, but now you are telling us that we can’t even use our powers.”
“That is not entirely true,” Mitch said. “We have provided updates to your equipment, allowing you to cloak yourself. You can find the cloak in your panel. But you must be very careful to conserve your energy. The cloaking operation will drain your power, so only use it when there is a chance you can be spotted.”
“That’s it?” Gareth said. “You don’t want us to take any of them out while we’re at it.”
“Engaging the enemy under these conditions would be extremely unwise,” Mitch said. “The intel is far more important than a casualty. Unless there are any more questions, I suggest you turn off your devices and proceed with your mission. I will leave you now. Be careful and be quick. The clock is ticking and every second counts.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
LEANING TOWARD THE grate in the floor, O’Dell spat out the remainder of his coffee and wiped his mustache off on his sleeve.
“I know that we’re at war and all, but I think we can get some better coffee than this,” he said. “I may have been in solitary for a while, but I still know good from bad.”
“Coffee will be the least of our worries if we don’t get these units functional,” Christine said, lifting up her welding mask.
“Don’t need to remind me,” O’Dell said before leaping off of the crate he sat upon. “I guess it just feels good to be able to complain. Any word on the envoy? What’s your guy's name again?”
“Gerald,” Davis said while he helped Babcock move a piece of equipment into place. “But you might know him as Lieutenant Colonel Tobero.”
“A name from my illustrious past,” O’Dell said. “I recall him testifying at my trial, but I never had the honor of meeting him.”
“He’s got a massive stick up his ass,” Kate said after she and TaeJun slid a large beam into place using their devices. “But stick or not he’s the one that held us all together on the other side.”
“Well, the world is depending on him to hold it all together,” O’Dell said. “We’ve got less than four hours until our big metal friends start blowing up cities. If he doesn’t get in touch before then, we’ll have to act without him.”
As he spoke, a loud ping filled the room, and Gaelin looked away from the large terminal and opened his panel. A throbbing red light indicated an incoming call. Swiping to the right, he pulled up a video image of Gerald.
“How was your visit?” Gaelin said while Gerald’s face sputtered on the screen.
“It was informative,” Gerald said. “Where are your guys? We need to make this happen fast. Our window is closing.”
“Just follow the nav,” Gaelin said. “They have been waiting on you for a while. We were starting to get worried.”
“I had to make a few arrangements with your new allies,” Gerald said. “It seems that lots of folks are a little reluctant to team up with your organization.”
“Did you explain to them that they don’t have a choice?” Gaelin said.
“That’s not the way they see it,” Gerald said. “Just cause you guys were right about the threat, doesn’t mean that you get to operate with impunity.”
“I spent ten years in a hole,” O’Dell said, cutting in. “I dedicated my life to this cause, and I had to beg Edwards for a pardon.”
“We can’t change the past,” Gerald said. “We just need to focus on right now. If we can somehow find a way to get through this, then we can start thinking about the future. I’ve got eyes on the location. We’ll finish this conversation face to face.”
“He’s made contact with Ramon,” Gaelin said, watching the map on his panel. “They should be here any second. Everybody pull in.”
Placing their work aside, the others made their way to the large door at the far end of the warehouse before Gaelin hit a button on his panel to open the door.
The panels creaked and groaned as they slid open. Daylight poured into the dusty warehouse, forcing its occupants to cover their eyes.
After several seconds, a low hum seeped in from outside as a group of figures streaked through the opening and landed before the group of onlookers.
“Welcome home,” Gaelin said after Gerald deactivated his device.
“This is home?” Gerald asked while he peered into the darkness of the warehouse. “Don’t get too settled in. It looks like things are going to heat up ASAP.”
“You’ve got a lot of nerve walking into my house and shouting orders,” O’Dell said, stepping forward. “You must have an enormous set of balls.”
“O’Dell Grimes, the poo chucker himself,” Gerald said. “You’ve got a lot of nerve speaking to me like that. If I’m not mistaken, I’m the one that broke you out of prison.”
“I think you really should apologize to the man and thank him for freeing you.” Sheila said. “We all watched the video. What he did was incredibly brave. If you had’ve thrown poo on me, I don’t think you would’ve made it out of that cell alive.”
“How come everyone is blaming me for that?” O’Dell said. “I may have chucked my poo at him, but I thought I was in danger.”
“I don’t see how throwing poo has any advantage,” Conrad said.
“It was the only thing I could do,” O’Dell said. “My brain wasn’t functioning properly.”
“Is it functioning properly now,” Robert asked. “Why is the poo chucker calling all the shots, anyway?”
“Because this poo chucker happens to be the only one anybody will listen to,” O’Dell said.
“That’s enough poo talk,” Gerald said, stepping forward. “Poo is the least of our worries right now. I am far more concerned with ensuring the survival of our species and of our planet.”
“He’s right,” Ramon said. “We stay on target. What information did you receive from Edwards?”
“As we all are aware, Commander Holrathu has issued an ultimatum to President Edwards,” Gerald said. “But if this plan of yours works, we’ll be able to take away their advantage.”
“Lucky for the Earth, nobody discovered the backdoor I built into the system,” Robert said. “If not, there wouldn’t be any way we could’ve accessed the satellites. The Masters have locked down virtually all airspace.”
“Nobody will be able to find my babies,” Wayne said. “If your hack works, we should be able to get right up underneath without them noticing.”
“Just make sure everything stays tight,” Gerald said. “The only way this works is if they don’t know it’s coming.”
“You are aware that subterfuge is my specialty, Gerald?” Robert said.
“That and grandiose displays,” Gerald said. “No wonder the Masters picked you to do their dirty work.”
“I’ve paid the price for my wrongdoing,” Robert said. “And I’ve seen the error in my ways.
But let’s not fool ourselves, if it wasn’t me, it would’ve been somebody else. So just thank your lucky stars you got me on your side.”
“Keep your head down and focus on what you need to do, Robert,” Gerald said. “You can brag about it all you want after we get through this.”
“I know how to do my job,” Robert said. “I am one of the worlds greatest innovators, I’ll have you know.”
“You bring that up like every five minutes,” Allan said. “It’s like a broken record with you. You may know how to code, but your engineering skills are atrocious.”
“Just cause you graduated from Stanford with an engineering degree doesn’t mean you get to lord it over everybody,” Robert said.
“Actually it does,” Allan said. “The backbone of your whole system relies on systems built by myself and my colleagues in your MindHIve engineering department. Most of whom were Stanford grads. If you hadn’t plucked me out of there to carry around your notes, that is probably what I would still be doing.”
“I thought you were in the mailroom,” Robert said.
“Shows what you know about your own company,” Allan said.
“You two are just like an old married couple,” Ramon said.
“None of this is important right now,” Gerald said. “I didn’t fly all the way over here to listen to a bunch of bickering. Put your differences aside and fall in line. Edwards has tasked me with bringing this bunch into the fold.”
“That was never the arrangement,” O’Dell said.
“It is if you want to live to see tomorrow,” Gerald said. “If we don’t bring all of this under one roof, it’s going to blow up in our face.”
“I get it, but my people did all the heavy lifting and now they’ve got to take a back seat,” O’Dell said.
“Is that what you are concerned about?” Gerald said. “I didn’t think you freedom fighters cared about who got the credit, but I guess you are just as egotistical as anybody else.”
“That’s not what I meant,” O’Dell said. “We have been fighting this fight for a long time. My people have made tremendous sacrifices for this cause. I will not have them brushed aside for the glory of your President. It is her fault that we’re all locked up in this mess.”
