Darla gave Straus a nod and turned to Coop and said, ‘Well, as you know there was a fierce space battle out near Jupiter. The Corvans were able to defeat the Drone Armada that had been chasing them down. Once the Corvans were able to refuel from our asteroid belt, they left on their mission to find a new home planet for the remainder of their race. Trailing behind was the bulk of their civilian population strung out in a “wagon train” of ships. They all refueled and continued on. That’s when they gifted us with the Corvus station, transport ships, fighters, and this carrier.’
‘Will we ever see them again?’
‘We don’t know for sure. You have to look at it from their perspective. They were almost wiped out. Their priorities had shifted from fighting a war, to preserving their race. Its my feeling that once they establish a new home world, that we may see them again. Its in their best interest to make sure that we survive, since we’re now acting as their rear guard, so to speak.’
There was then a few questions on the technology and Darla went into her standard presentation that she gave to new recruits, explaining DEP and the technology that utilizes it.
‘We should probably cut it there, Mr. Cooper. Let me show you to your quarters on the Adamant. We’ll be getting underway shortly,’ said Darla motioning in the direction they’d be heading.
Once they were aboard she led them to the crew quarters and said, ‘We’re a little short on space, so you’ll have to make due with sharing these three rooms.’
Coop said, ‘Rod, you’re with me in this one. Kelly and Sandy take the middle room, and Jon and Burt in the third.’
The group split up and moved their gear into their respective rooms. A few minutes later they were all gathered together again with gear in hand. Straus, met them in the corridor and took them on a tour of the ship, including; Engineering, the Flight Bay, the cafeteria, and finally stopping in the lab.
Once Darla explained the kinds of things they did in the lab, Straus said, ’Next stop is the bridge. Its more of an oversized cockpit, and there won’t be room for you all when we’re underway, but we can get a peek at it now.’
They proceeded to the lift and took it up to the bridge. Once the lift doors opened, Coop understood. He directed the smaller of the two cameramen from the lift doorway and had him get some shots of the various duty stations as the crew pretended to be working.
‘We’ll get you setup in the lab during the mission. They have a direct feed of the image and sensor data. There’s room to leave one cameraman here if you’d like,’ explained Straus.
‘Yes, thank you Commodore. Jon you cover the action from here and I’ll direct you remotely from the lab,’ said Coop.
Darla saw the group back to the lab and Straus came onto the PA system to announce that they’d be departing shortly. Ten minutes later the docking collar was retracted and they left for the asteroids with the Colorado and Mackenzie following behind.
Chapter 9
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Two hours after the Adamant left on it's mission, Tómas was in the transport bay watching the transport Thames dock. The loading hatch opened and two figures disembarked carrying overnight bags.
‘Welcome aboard, I’m Commodore Tómas Harrison, Station Commander.’
‘I’m Inspector Schmidt of Interpol. This is my partner Sergeant Johann. Ambassador McKay sends his regards.’
‘Nice to meet you both. Let me show you to your quarters and you can drop off your bags. Then we can begin when you’re ready.’
Harrison led them off to one of the guest suites where they dropped off their things and Schmidt said, ‘I’d like to begin by speaking with the victim.’
‘Of course. She’s still in Medical with a minor concussion,’ said Tómas as he guided them down the corridor.
As they entered her room, Simone set aside the magazine that she was reading. The inspector asked her to explain what happened, while the sergeant video recorded the interview. After she had gone through the story again, he asked some pointed questions.
‘You saw him pick up the stun device on his way out?’
‘Oui. I was pushed over backwards and hit my head on the locker. I was dazed but conscious.’
‘Describe the attacker as best you can.’
‘Medium height... a bit taller than me. Small to medium build, I’d guess in his twenties or thirties. Based on the way he moved... younger rather than older. No fighting skills. He was wearing a black ski mask, and he had black make-up on around his eyes, to hide his skin color there. However, when we fought, one shirt sleeve shifted, exposing lighter, rather than darker skin.’
‘What kind of gloves?’
‘Like doctors gloves... but black.’
‘Describe the stun device.’
‘Smaller than a deck of cards. Black with chrome or steel... with red and blue lights.’
Turning to Tómas, he asked, ‘And where were the skin samples sent?’
‘To the Interpol Forensics lab, the FBI lab in Virginia, and John Hopkins DNA lab in Maryland.’
‘Excellent. Any video surveillance?’
‘No, but we’re installing it into the corridors now.’
Turning back to Allegret, Schmidt said, ‘Thank you. That will be all for now.’
Tómas led them out of Medical and Schmidt said, ‘I’d like to speak with the witness that saw a figure in black.’
‘He’s on duty in the mess hall,’ said Tómas leading the way.
They entered the mess hall where there was a dozen people eating at various tables. Tómas opened a door and led them into the kitchen area. Cookie looked up and Tómas motioned him over.
‘What can I do for you Commodore?’ asked the petty officer while he was wiping his hand on his apron.
‘Is there someplace we can talk?’ asked Tómas.
‘Umm... the store room is right over here,’ he said leading the way.
Once inside, Tómas said, ‘These gentlemen are from Interpol and are investigating the attack on Airman Allegret. Tell them everything you know.’
‘Whatever I can do to help catch that rat bas... I mean creep, Sir.’
‘Name?’ asked Schmidt.
‘Petty Officer Mike Anderson, but people just call me Cookie.’
‘Tell me the circumstances and what you witnessed?’ asked Schmidt as Johann video recorded the interview.
‘Well Sir, I had just come off duty and was leaving the mess hall. That was about 2330 hours. I heard a squeak like the sound a tennis shoe makes on a clean floor. I looked down the corridor and saw a black figure sprint across an intersecting hallway, heading toward the lift. He was only in view for a split second. I couldn’t really describe him. It all happened so fast.’
‘So you didn’t see him enter the diplomatic wing?’
‘Well... kind of. I hurried down the hall to the lift and saw that it stopped on Deck 7. I watched it for awhile and it didn’t move.’
‘Decks 7 and 8 are the temporary diplomatic decks,’ added Tómas.
‘Was he carrying anything? Or limping? Anything distinguishing?’ asked Schmidt.
With a shrug and a helpless looked, Cookie said, ‘It happened so fast. It was just a black blur really.’
‘Thank you. That will be all for now.’
As Tómas led the Interpol team out of the kitchen area, he asked, ‘How about we break for lunch, since we’re already here?’
‘That’s a great idea. Breakfast was a long time ago,’ said Schmidt with Johann nodding in agreement.
They went through the chow line and sat at a table together. While they were eating, Schmidt asked, ‘Who is on Deck 7?’
‘Those are temporary quarters for the Russian, Japanese, and Italian diplomats.’
‘We’ll need to interview them all. Do you have a complete listing of staffs and families?’
‘Of course,’ said Tómas sliding his slate across the table.
Schmidt transferred the information into his and the sergeant’s devices, and slid t
he slate back, saying, ‘After lunch we start with the Russians.’
Two hours later they had finished with the Russians and Japanese and were heading toward the Italian Embassy. Just outside the door, Tómas stopped and turned to them.
‘I should let you know that we have a history with the Italian ambassador. He use to have my job, and he was relieved of command after First Strike. He then tried to take over again by way of some political string pulling. That is when we declared ourselves independent. Through more string pulling he had himself installed as ambassador. I’m not sure what his game is yet, but I don’t trust him, so I’d advise caution.’
Schmidt nodded and said, ‘Thank you, but I’m always cautious.’
They entered the embassy and after signing in, they were escorted to a conference room where the ambassador was waiting.
‘Welcome to Italian territory. How may I be of service?’ asked Ambassador Bastico.
‘I’m Inspector Schmidt of Interpol. We’re investigating the attack on Airman Simone Allegret, and have reason to suspect that the attacker is someone from this deck. I’ll need to interview your entire staff and family, in order to rule them out.’
‘We’ll be happy to cooperate in anyway,’ said the ambassador.
After questioning the ambassador, they interviewed each of the staff members, then started with family members with the ambassador present at each interview. Francesca had just left the room and Schmidt said, ‘You can send in Angelo next.’
A few minutes later a young man with tousled hair wearing a green t-shirt and carrying a wireless game controller came in and sat down with an annoyed expression. His face didn’t have any scratches and he gave no indication of being injured.
‘Where were you three nights ago, between 11PM and midnight?’ asked the inspector.
‘Where I am every night... in my room playing my video games,’ he said setting the controller on the table.
‘Can anyone verify that?’
‘My mother came by about 11:30 and told me to turn the sound down. I turned the sound off and switched to my headset.’
‘Did you see or hear anything unusual that night?’
‘No... but, I was pretty focused on my game.’
‘Thank you. That will be all for now.’
After Angelo left, Schmidt said, ‘You can send Dante in next.’
A few minutes later, the other son came in. His hair was slicked back and he was wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves partly rolled up, and he was carrying an electronic slate. His face didn’t show any sign of being scratched either.
‘Where were you three nights ago, between 11PM and midnight?’ asked Schmidt.
‘In my room working on my term paper,’ he said turning his slate around to display his work.
‘Can anyone verify that?’
‘Mother came in about 11:30 on her way to bed, and told me not to stay up too late. Obviously she’s never been to college.’
‘Did you see or hear anything unusual that night?’
‘No, it was pretty quiet except for Ang and his video games.’
‘Thank you. That will be all for now.’
After Dante left, the ambassador said, ‘That accounts for everyone in our Embassy. Was there anything else Inspector?’
‘No. Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Ambassador.’
They were escorted out of the Embassy and headed for the lift. Once the lift doors closed, Tómas said, ‘No one with a scratched face. How can that be? What’s next?’
‘I’m not quite sure what to make of it. All we can do is wait for the DNA tests to come back. In the meantime, we’ll review the interviews and notes,’ said Schmidt.
It was in the evening a week later when the first report came back from one of the labs. Harrison called Schmidt and Johann to his office and they went over the results. It wasn’t a match for anyone in the system. The closest matches were to Ambassador and Colonel Bastico which were in the system.
‘Can we get some kind of court order to collect DNA samples from the sons?’ asked Tómas.
‘Interpol doesn’t have that kind of authority. The most we can do is work through channels to request their cooperation, but they are under no obligation to do so. There is no way to force them.’
‘What do you suggest?’ asked Tómas.
‘Can we intercept their garbage?’ asked Schmidt.
‘No. The embassies are outfitted with secure disposal units.’
‘Then we keep our eyes open and watch for an opportunity when they’re not in their embassy.’
‘Very well. Its late. Better get back to the wife,’ said Tómas.
As he stood to leave, a klaxon sounded and a voice came over the PA saying, ‘Security Alert. All sections to Security Alert.’
A call came in and Tómas said, ‘Harrison here.’
‘Sir, this is Lt. Michaelson of Security. I’m down the hall from Tech Research. There’s been an attack. Medical is on their way.’
Schmidt spoke up and said, ‘Don’t let anyone touch anything.’
‘We’re on our way,’ said Tómas.
They hurried toward Tech Research and found Lt. Michaelson there keeping the medical team back.
‘In the maintenance closet here, Sir. I heard a moaning sound coming from inside when I came by on my rounds.’
They opened the door to a small room that was used to store equipment and supplies for cleaning the station. A young woman was on the floor, stripped naked and bound with duct tape to the shelving units. Her mouth and eyes were covered with tape. There was a funnel stuck between her legs and she was sitting in a puddle of industrial cleaner. She was only semi-conscious and had what appeared to be several sets of stun burns.
‘Commodore. I have to get in there,’ yelled Dr. Wadell.
‘We have to preserve as much evidence as possible. Just you and I go in Doctor, and watch where you step,’ said Schmidt.
After taking a dozen photos, they carefully cut the tape, lifted her out onto a stretcher and covered her with a blanket.
‘Be sure to run a rape kit on her, Doctor,’ said Schmidt. Turning to the sergeant he said, ‘Check her for hair, fibers, and skin samples. I’ll stay here and work the scene.’
‘Yes, Sir,’ said Johann who turned and followed the medical team.
‘Who is she?’ asked Schmidt.
‘I believe it was Jean Hackett. She’s relatively new here. She works in the main lab for Dr. Pete... I mean, Dr. Strausser.'
Inspector Schmidt spent an hour taking pictures and collecting minute fibers and hairs, and dusting for prints. When he was finished he stood up and stretched.
‘Whoever it was did a good job of cleaning up after themself. Our best hope is that the victim is able to tell us something useful.’
They headed to the Medical wing and bumped into Dr. Wadell coming out of the Nanobiotics room.
‘How’s she doing, Doc?’ asked Tómas.
‘Physically she’s in pretty rough shape. That industrial cleaner destroyed any evidence and caused severe internal injuries. I’ve got her in the Nanobiotic Suspension now. She should be OK by morning. Mentally she’s traumatized. I had to give her a sedative. She won’t be in any shape to answer questions until the morning after we take her out of the tank.’
Eight hours later, Hackett was moved to a private room. After she had breakfast, Tómas and Schmidt returned.
‘Jean, we need to ask you some questions. This is Inspector Schmidt and Sergeant Johann of Interpol. Are you up to it?’
‘Yes Sir. I’ll try.’
‘Explain what happened,’ said Schmidt.
‘I was in the lab late finishing up a report that was due to Dr. Ames by morning. I left there about nine. I remember walking down the hall, passed a door, and hearing it slide open. A hand clamped against my mouth and he fired a stun device into my back. I couldn’t move. He drug me into some small maintenance room and laid me on the floor. He was dressed in black and then went about carefully cutti
ng off my clothes with a knife.’
Tears started down both cheeks and she grabbed a tissue and said, ‘When I tried to move he stunned me again. He put duct tape over my mouth and eyes and he started to... touch me. He ran his hands over my entire body. Then I heard him unzip his pants. I started to struggle again and he stunned me again.’
She stopped to blow her nose and to get a fresh tissue.
Corvus Prime: Escalation Page 12
