"Ah. The sixty four thousand dollar question. Why indeed? That's exactly what I asked Jon this morning."
"And?"
"He said that he was sure it was an inside job. One of the senior duty guards is unaccounted for. Jon had the police put an APB on him."
"Who is he?"
"Norman Webster. Been here going on nine years. Really solid guy. He lives in Westbrook."
"I think it's time we got Jon in here to clear this all up. Would you have him come to your office?"
"That may be a little hard to do. I saw him leaving just as you came in."
"Damn. He said he needed to go into town for a few minutes."
"That may be, but he headed west. Town is south."
"Damn. Get the State Police will you?"
"Barbra, would you get the State Police on the phone for Mr. Matts. It's urgent. It seems my Chief of Security has just taken a powder, wouldn't you say, Mr. Matts?"
"I don't know what to think at this time. How long has Jon been with you?"
"Only six months. He replaced Dale Peters. Dale died in a car wreck just as he was leaving the facility."
"How did you come by Jon?"
"He was recommended by the same people that got Dale for us. His background is most impressive and impeccable."
"And since he has been here your efforts to upgrade have been stalled?"
"Not really stalled. Just slowed. I felt like we could have had the new systems on line a couple of months ago, but Jon didn't feel they were operational yet. I couldn't just over rule him. I mean it is his area of expertise and responsibility."
"Didn't you think that was strange?"
"Strange? Maybe in retrospect. I just figured he wanted to have his butt covered before he gave his stamp of approval."
"It seems to me that...."
"I have the police for you," the intercom interrupted.
PJ picked up the phone, "My name is Paul Matts. I'm with Government Security, OPS3. Who am I talking to?"
"Lt. Kerry Young."
"Lt. Young, I want you to put out an APB on Jon Zimmer. He is the Chief of Security at Unitech. He just left the facility a short time ago, heading west. He was driving a..."
"Black Mustang. GT, I think," Alex supplied.
"Black Mustang GT. He is armed and I would advise extreme caution."
"What is this in relation too, Mr. Matts?"
"Government Security. That's all you need to know. You can verify all this later. I'll give you the details; you just get the APB out.
"Do you happen to have the license number?"
"Plate number?" PJ asked Alex.
Alex shook his head "no".
"Sorry. No."
"OK Mr. Matts we will get it out ASAP."
PJ filled in the Lieutenant on how to verify his authority and hung up the phone.
"Alex, can just anyone deactivate the security system?"
"Good Lord, no. Only the senior security man, in this case Norm Peters, can deactivate the system."
"No one else?"
"Um..Jon can. And I can, as well."
"I see. I guess you know the next question."
"Where was I last night? I was at the athletic club until around 10:30 P.M. then I went home and went straight to bed. I got a call around 5:15 AM telling me of the break-in. I live about 30 minutes north of here. It took me a little over an hour to get here last night because of the weather. It was close to 6:30 AM by the time I got to the lab."
PJ didn't doubt the part about it taking almost an hour. His butt was still sore from his fall last night.
"Alright Alex. This doesn't rule you out, but with Jon taking off, it raises a whole set of new questions."
"Yes. I suppose it does."
"Mr. Matts. Lieutenant Young on line three," Barbra's voice on the intercom said.
"Matt's here."
"This is Lt. Young. A gas station owner just west of Unitech reported a black Mustang ran two cars off the road. According to the witness, the Mustang was really moving. I have called for a chopper but it's still a good half hour out. Sorry that's all I have for you right now."
"Thanks Lieutenant. Keep me posted if you get anything else. Oh, and one more thing. Has anyone put out a BOLO for Norman Peters?"
"No sir. We have on one on the list by that name. Do you want him included as well? We will need you to fax a photo as soon as possible"
"I’ll have it sent immediately. You do have a picture of him?" he asked Zoll.
“I’ll have Betty fax it over,” he said heading for the door.
He stepped back in and told PJ, “It’s being done as we speak.”
PJ relayed the information to the cop.
"Now, where was I?"
"You were telling me that I was not off the hook yet," Alex replied.
"Right. Don't lose too much sleep over it. I suspect everyone until they have an air tight alibi. Hell, my mom's still a suspect since I don’t know where she was last night,” he said jokingly.
"Great. I don't know where my mother was last night either."
"Alex, I need to use your phone for a private conversation if I could."
"Sure. No problem. I need to attend another team meeting to quiet the rumors. I won't mention Jon until you tell me it's alright to."
"Good Alex. I just may have to put on my good guy list after all."
"Why do I feel like that's a very short list?" he said as he was leaving the office.
PJ called OPS3 and was put through to Ron's office.
"Ron, PJ. I think the Chief of Security and an accomplice in his force may have been the main men involved. I need all the information you can get on a Jon Zimmer and Norman Webster as soon as you can."
"Alright, PJ. Do you want it sent out to you or in your office?"
"In my office would be best. And Ron, I want everything on these guys right down to the junior high school grades."
"Of course you do. It will be in your office when you get back."
PJ said thanks and hung up before Ron could tell him to have a full report on his desk by morning. He opened the door to the outer office and found Barbra bent over the file cabinet looking for something. He stood there for a few seconds before she stood up and turned around.
"Oh. I didn't hear the door open. Can I do something for you Mr. Matts?"
"Well, aside from what you just did, you could round up the surviving lab technician from the SILVER-2 project. I would like to meet them at the lab."
"I'll take care of it right away," she said curtly.
"Hey, Barbra. Look I'm sorry. I just get a little pushy when I don't understand what's going on. It's just how I'm made."
"Well buster, you could use some new parts if that's the way you’re made."
"Okay then, I'll just be getting along to the lab. Have those guys meet me there."
CHAPTER SIX
PJ went back to the lab and found that the blood had been cleaned up for the most part. Tape still marked the locations of the bodies. He was looking at the various test monitors when two men in white smocks entered the room tenuously.
"Come on in guys. I'm Paul Matts from Government Security. You guys with the SILVER-2 project?"
"Uh yes, I'm Bill Wegeng. Chief of Project. This is Ling Foo my assistant. What's going to happen now? Who did this? What is this all about?"
"Whoa, Mr. Wegeng. This will go much easier if I ask the questions and you supply the answers. First, how many more will be joining us?"
The two technicians just looked at each other for a second then Bill said, "Mr.....er, I forgot your name."
"Matts."
"Mr. Matts, we are the only remaining team members. All our colleagues were killed last night. We don't know quite what to make of all of this."
"Sorry guys. I didn't know how many were working on this project. I know this is very difficult for you but I need your help. Excuse me for being blunt, but why were you two not here last night?"
"We were working in two shifts du
e to a test firing that was scheduled for today. Our colleagues were setting up the weapon and making the connections for the new battery system. They were doing the preliminary work. We were to come in at 8:00 AM and make the final adjustments and conduct the test," Bill explained.
"Is that the normal procedure?"
"Yes it is whenever we have a test firing. We have been under a lot of pressure to get the SILVER-2 on line."
"Who knows about these tests?"
"Oh, many people. The facility isn’t big and news travels very fast."
"What ever happened to loose lips sink ships?"
"I believe it may have gotten torpedoed along the way."
"How about security. Are they notified?"
"Oh yes. We must long in every time," Ling said.
"What's long in mean?"
"Dr. Foo means log in."
"Yes, long in," Ling repeated.
"Got it. So you were to come in and conduct the test this morning. Then what takes place next?"
"We collect the data, review the videos and start over if necessary. Obviously I'm giving you the quick version. If you want the technical explanation I'll be glad to go into detail. I just don't know what you really want at this time," Bill said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it. I don't really know what I'm looking for yet either. Alright guys. Why did they heist the SILVER-2. I understand that you have several projects going on here. Some, much more advanced than the SILVER-2."
"Well, that's an interesting question. Yes indeed. If I was going to take anything it would have been the ORBIS-III or the CADREP," Bill said.
"I would take the ROM-4 myself. With that I could obliterate half the world. Once they get it working," Dr. Foo said.
"Yes could have, should have, but didn't. The question is the same. Why the SILVER-2?"
"Maybe someone wanted the worlds most advanced individual weapon? All the others need huge power supplies and support operations. This is a one man weapon that can be deployed anywhere."
"Guys I think it’s about time you brought me up to speed on this thing."
"Okay," Bill said warming to the lecture coming on.
"The SILVER PROJECTS were commissioned two years ago. The projects were concerned with devising a small personal weapon that can be field deployed. In short, the next generation of M-16, only using laser energy burst rather than something as crude as bullets. The SILVER-2 is a second generation weapon. The first was far too bulky and took huge amounts of power to work. We have been making remarkable improvements this past year and were almost at a point to start actual field test.
Mr. Matts, the SILVER-2 is a limited range impulse laser. It effectively shoots an energy bolt, like a bullet, if you will. The difference besides the obvious speed, is that there are no outside effects on it. Wind, distance and gravitational pull will not affect its travel. Yes, Yes. Light can bend over a very long distance, but the distance this burst is traveling is relatively short. We designed that into the weapon. We wanted to limit the travel distance to something reasonable."
"So it has a limited range?"
"Yes. Actually a variable range. You can dial in the desired range on manual or set it on automatic. In that case it will travel the full extent and then dissipate."
"Why doesn't it keep on going?"
"We have built in a rather clever device called a Compton Scattering Compensator, or CSC for short. It's like a very sophisticated surge protector. When the weapon is fired the laser bolt travels down the barrel and as it passes a certain point, a sensor activates the CSC. In turn, the CSC fires a short disrupter beam that renders the laser bolt harmless at the desired distance. The CSC is linked to a small computer located where the magazine would go on say, a Browning automatic rifle," Bill explained.
"Let me see if I have this right. You fire the laser bolt and at some point a sensor, connected to a computer, sends a signal for the CSC to send out a second burst that renders the first laser bolt harmless?"
"In a nut shell, that's the basic story."
"I thought nothing was faster than light? How in the hell does it catch up?"
"Ah, the real challenge, huh? Well without getting in too deep, let me just tell you that it's the way they are 'packaged'. The CSC beam is packed with different density particles that are timed to activate at precisely the set distance. Electro magnets at strategic points in the barrel increase the speed of the CSC beam."
"What is the maximum distance?"
"9,000 feet on automatic."
"Holy shit. That's almost two miles," PJ exclaimed.
"Well not quite, actually."
"Close enough for government work. What about the scope? How good is it?"
"I was hoping you would ask about that," Bill said with pride, "It is really quite interesting. It has a built in Doppler range finder. A small LED light indicator gives you the exact distance to the target. It also gives the speed the target is moving towards or away from the rifle. The CSC setting is also indicated so you know if you’re on manual or automatic without having to take your eye off the target. Of course it has the most advanced vision capabilities devised to date. It can see in virtually any condition day or night. It's digitally enhanced and can see in color. Really it’s on par with the Hubble in some aspects," Bill said.
"Of course," PJ said sarcastically.
"It has high resolution enhancement built right in. It really is quite remarkable."
"Can this thing shoot through objects in the way?"
"Oh sure. Like a car or wall? You bet, if it’s set at the proper distance or on automatic."
"The only thing that might cause concern is very thick, dense materials," Dr. Foo added.
"Yes. And the other beauty of the weapon is that no collateral damage is done if it is set properly. No ricochet, or traveling through the unintended targets," Bill said.
"What if someone gets in the way? Say, in front of the target?"
"Well, that would be a problem. It would certainly destroy that person as well."
"You’re sure?"
"Oh quite. We have lined up as many as twenty cadavers in front of a target. It obliterated them all. A body is not near dense enough to allow the CSC to overtake the beam and eradicate it."
"That's just frickin’ great. Boys, we are in deep do-do here," PJ said.
"Well, maybe not. The batteries that power the SILVER-2 were not here in the lab. They are over at the recharge facility."
"What? Why in the hell didn't you say so? Quick, show me the way," PJ exclaimed.
PJ followed Bill and Foo to the recharging facility. It was located almost on the other side of the building. When the entered a tall man with FRED stenciled on his lab coat greeted them.
"Hi ya Dr. Wegeng, Dr. Foo. I'm terribly sorry to hear about your team last night. What in the hell is going on around here?"
"Sorry to break this up gentlemen, but this is important. Where are the batteries for the SILVER-2?"
"Gosh guys, we don't have them any longer. They came and secured them this morning. After last night it seemed like the thing to do."
"Who came and secured them?" PJ asked.
"Why, Jon Zimmer. The security chief. I'm sure he can tell you where they are."
"Damn," PJ exclaimed loudly.
"Did I do something wrong? Jon is Chief of Security."
"No, it's nothing you did. How many batteries were here?"
"Three batteries for the main power supply and three for the scope and computer."
"How many batteries does it take to make the thing operational?"
"Just one of each. The others were for back-up and the test Dr. Wegeng was conducting today."
"Dr. Wegeng, did Jon hang around your lab much?"
"Some. He was Military you know. He provided great insight into what we were up against in the field and even offered several useful suggestions."
"So he knows how to fire the weapon."
"Actually, yes. He was present at several of the
evaluations."
"One last question. How can you stop this damn thing?"
"Well, by keeping the target at over 9,000 feet or behind very dense materials."
"Right," PJ sighed.
"What happens next? I mean with us?" Dr. Foo asked PJ.
"Guys, I don't have a clue. You will need to talk to Alex about that. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic, but that is the least of my worries at this time. I need to get back to my office. Good luck gentlemen."
"I think you're going to need the luck if you’re going after the SILVER-2," Bill said.
PJ just shook his head and started back to Alex Zoll's office. He stuck his head in the door and told Barbra that he has headed back to his agency. The State Police could locate him there.
"You can reach me there too if you need me," he told her.
"I would rather have a root canal," Barbra mused.
"Sorry. What?"
"I said, I would keep that in mind," she said sweetly.
"Okay. I'm out of here. Tell Alex I will be in touch," he said as he closed the door.
**
It was starting to show heavily again as he reached his car and started back to his office.
"Report on my desk by 9:00 AM," Ron's voice boomed as he walked by the Operations Officer's door.
"Sure thing," he answered while thinking ‘jerk'. It was going to be a hell of a job finding this damn SILVER-2 he thought as he headed to his office.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Agent Sean Parker had been the first one on the scene since the report of gun shots at the U.N. Building. Actually, he was almost there as it was developing. His temporary duty assignment to the New York F.B.I. office brought him to the U.N. almost every day to check on security arrangements.
The current sessions had caused the Bureau to add additional agents because so many of the delegates were considered high risk. Sean and several other agents had been brought in to supplement the regular force. Abdul Assidi was not currently being classified as 'High Risk' by the agency. His presence in the U.S. during almost the entire year had caused his risk level to be lowered. He had addressed over twenty sessions during the past ten months and they saw no indication that this session would be any different.
SILVER-2 (NORRIS FILES) Page 3
