Rita knew Henry was tired and didn’t push the issue. “That’s okay. I’ll explain everything in the morning. Follow me.”
When Henry walked around the truck, he froze and stared at Rita. “Are we going underground?”
“That’s right. It’s an old research facility.”
Henry felt his heart rate increase. “I do not do well underground, Rita.”
“I promise you it’s safe, Henry.”
Henry turned and stared at the entrance into the facility. It was an arched shaped concrete opening, twenty feet high and fifteen feet across at the bottom, similar to a tunnel entrance on a highway. Imbedded in the concrete above the opening, were the letters C.O.B.R.A. He looked at Rita. “What is COBRA?”
“It stands for Complex Organisms and Biological Research, Alien.”
Rita indicated the waiting golf cart with her hand. “Get in Henry. It’s a long walk to the facility.”
Henry hesitated to climb in. He was not claustrophobic, but he was afraid of being buried alive. As a young boy in Germany, he had been trapped for three days in a flimsy old bomb shelter hastily constructed during World War II. He was not anxious to be below ground again.
One of the men put his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I’ll make sure you’re safe, Doctor Heinz.”
Henry turned and looked up at the guard who had been snoring. He had been courteous and respectful on the island, when he had clipped the harness onto him and they were hauled up into the helicopter. “Forgive me, but I do not even know your name, sir.”
“Chris Jenkins.” He said. “I’ll be your escort while you’re here, Doctor. I’ll do my best to make you as comfortable as possible.”
Henry turned and reluctantly climbed into the rear seat. Once Rita sat in the front seat, Chris climbed in behind the wheel, stepped on the accelerator pedal, and drove into the entrance. As they continued down a long, level tunnel, Henry felt a knot form in his stomach.
Fluorescent lights flashed by overhead, illuminating the concrete floor and walls curving up to form the arched ceiling. Three hundred yards further, the tunnel ended at a fifty-foot square, steel-framed opening. On the left side of the opening, massive hinges supported a two-foot thick steel door for sealing the facility, which only added to Henry’s anxiety.
They drove through the opening and entered an enormous circular chamber. The ceiling was shaped like a dome, one hundred feet high, and three hundred feet across at the bottom. A grid-work of steel rails with several mechanical hoists hung from the ceiling. An opening in the left wall led to a lounge with a small kitchen for dining and entertainment. Through a door at the rear of the room were the sleeping facilities.
Chris stopped the golf cart just inside the entrance, and the three of them climbed out. He led them into the lounge and indicated the table and chairs. “Why don’t you two take a seat and I’ll fix us something to eat.”
After they sat down, Henry stared at Rita. “Will you at least tell me why you brought the device to this facility?”
“We need a safe place to conduct our experiments. This facility is leased from the government by the DAR Corporation. DAR is short for Demolition And Reconstruction. They contract with the government after any major disaster, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, bombings, just about every major catastrophe here in the states. It’s a billion dollar industry for those who get the contracts.”
“I do not understand. Why do you need the device?”
Rita knew why, but also knew if she told Henry, it would only strengthen his resolve not to cooperate. “All in good time.”
Henry thought about the heavy steel door. “Did you see the movie, The Andromeda Strain?”
Rita grinned. “Both versions. And you’re right to make the association. During the beginning of the space program in the sixties, the government was worried about bringing samples back from the moon. They set up this abandoned gold mine as a place to study the material, and in 1970, the facility was sealed. One day a congressional representative convinced the government this place was outdated and a wasted resource and it should be leased under contract to the highest bidder. The owner of DAR, Steve Preston, underbid his competitors and now has full use of this facility.”
Henry found it odd this facility would be sealed and abandoned without a reason. He was about to bring it to Rita’s attention when Chris walked out from the kitchen and set a platter of sliced club sandwiches on the table.
“It’s the best I could do on short notice,” Chris apologized. “I’m actually a pretty good cook.”
The conversations ceased while they ate. Once finished, Chris took the platter back to the kitchen and returned to the table, but did not sit down. “I’m sure you’re as tired as I am, Doctor. Let me show you to your room. You’ll find an assortment of blue coveralls in the dresser, and I’ll show you where the restrooms are located.”
Henry slid his chair back and stood, as did Rita, and they followed Chris to the back of the lounge into the sleeping quarters.
When he awoke the next morning, Henry searched through the drawers, found the smallest coverall, and carried it down the hall to the showers. When he returned to the lounge, Chris was sitting at a table reading a magazine.
Chris looked up and grinned when Henry entered the room. The coverall he was wearing hung loosely over his small frame, and the pant legs had been rolled up above his shoes. “Good morning, Doctor Heinz. Would you like something to eat?”
Henry continued across the room and sat at the table. “Thank you, Chris. Toast and coffee would be nice.”
Chris stood. “I’ll try and get you a smaller size coverall while you’re eating.”
Henry stared after Chris as he walked around the counter. For being so robust in build, around two hundred and fifty pounds and perhaps six foot tall, Chris carried the weight well. When he returned with the toast and coffee, Henry noticed Chris’s nose had been broken at one time and never properly reset, and a slight scar ran through his right eyebrow. When Chris set the plate of toast on the table, Henry noticed the scars on his knuckles, as well.
“I’ll go look for some different coveralls that might fit you better, Doctor Heinz.”
Despite being held captive, Henry appreciated Chris’s courteous attitude. “Just Henry will do, Chris. Thank you.”
When Chris left the lounge, Henry slid the magazine over and read the title. Better Homes and Gardens was not what he had expected.
A few moments later, Chris returned clutching a pair of light blue coveralls and set them on the table. “These are the smallest size I could find, but they should fit you better than the ones you have on. Mister Preston just arrived. He’s anxious to meet you.” Chris noticed the magazine was face up in front of Henry, and grinned bashfully. “I like gardening in my spare time.”
Henry found Chris to be a curious individual. Perhaps he is just a man with a job to do and does not bear me any ill will.
*
After parking the golf cart at the entrance, Rita ran over to the helicopter as Steve Preston climbed out. It had been two months since she had left him to start working for Mike Tanner on the Mystic. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Preston stared at the entrance. “Missed you, too. Take me inside. I want to see what this alien device looks like.”
*
When Henry finished his food, he left the lounge to change into a new coverall. When he returned, Chris set the magazine down and stood from the table, and Henry followed him into the massive main chamber.
The device was positioned vertically on a support base with the pointed end up. A triangular outer framework constructed of one inch stainless steel tubing held it in place.
Henry looked across the room, relieved to see the heavy steel door was still open. On the other side of the device, he saw Rita standing in front of an elevated control console. Beside her was a handsome man dressed in a white shirt and black jeans. Apparently, Rita had brought a s
uitcase, for she was dressed in blue jeans and a light blue sweater.
Rita looked up and noticed Henry and Chris had entered the room. “Come over here and join us, Henry.”
Henry walked beside Chris to the console. The man held his hand out to him, but Henry refused to accept it. “I do not appreciate being kidnapped, sir.” When the man’s eyes showed his hostility, Henry raised his chin defiantly and returned his stare.
Steve Preston did not like the insolent attitude from this little old man. “Frankly, I don’t give a shit. Teach us how to control this device and you’ll be treated decently. Refuse and I’ll strip you naked and put you on display to the outside world. There are thousands of sick people on the internet who would enjoy seeing you humiliated.”
Henry’s jaw dropped slightly when he realized the man was serious. He had always been very modest. He closed his mouth and gave Preston a nod of acceptance. I can only hope that Alex is searching for me, he thought.
Chris stiffened at Preston’s threat and placed a reassuring hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Just do as he asks, Henry. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
When Henry looked up, he saw the sincerity in Chris’s eyes. “Thank you, but I will only do what is necessary.”
Preston turned to Rita. “Do you really need this old man’s help?”
“He knows more about this device than I do.”
Preston turned and glared at Henry. “Fine. Just let me know when he’s no longer of any use and I’ll get rid of him.” When he saw the fear in Henry’s eyes, he grinned sadistically. “Glad to see you’ll give us your full cooperation.”
Rita shifted her stance when Henry stared at her, his eyes begging for her help. She looked up at Preston. “I’m sure he won’t be a problem.”
Preston gave Rita a quick kiss. “I’d better get going.” He turned and headed for the golf cart. “Drive me back to the helicopter, Chris.”
Once Chris and Preston drove down the tunnel, Henry looked at Rita as he waved his hand at the device. “I do not know as much as you think I do. You have seen how unpredictable they can be. The repercussions of your experiments could have devastating effects. Please stop this before it is too late.”
Rita grinned and shook her head. “Sorry, Henry. I think you know more than you’re telling me. Just help me get it right and nothing bad will happen.”
Henry sighed and headed for the lounge. She will be the death of us all, he thought.
* * *
Chapter 3
THE ISLAND IN THE BERING SEA:
As they made their approach to the island in a small white helicopter, David Conway and Lewis Norton stared down through the windows. Below them, a Navy destroyer was holding station five miles from shore.
The crew and Commander of the destroyer had not been told why they were guarding the island. They were not even allowed to go ashore. All operations were being coordinated from the Naval Air Station on Adak Island in the Aleutian chain. Only two government people knew about the spaceship. The Director of National Security, and the President of the United States.
Lewis had arrived on Adak Island late that afternoon from Nevada, and David had arrived with Bett Mason in the helicopter to pick him up. Clutched tightly in Lewis’s lap was a small cardboard box containing the three power crystals needed to supplement the one currently powering the alien ship.
When Lewis looked down at the exposed section of the spaceship inside the crater, his fingers involuntarily tightened on the cardboard box, crushing the sides. This ship was identical to the two that had crashed in the Nevada desert a year ago during the Dead Energy operation. Unfortunately, he had been inside one of them at the time.
Bett Mason looked over at David in the passenger seat. “You boys think that thing can fly?”
“We’ll know for sure in a few minutes.” David answered. “You might want to take off when we get inside. If that ship does break free, it will probably shatter the surrounding rock.”
“I’ll stand by just off shore in case it doesn’t work and you need a ride back to Adak.”
Once the helicopter set down on the gravel beach inside the crater, David and Lewis climbed out and continued across to the entrance into the spaceship. When Lewis hesitated to step inside, David turned to look at him. Lewis had always maintained a no-nonsense behavior, reminding David of Mister Spock from the Star Trek movies. “What’s the matter?”
Lewis thought about the last time he had entered a similar spaceship with his brother. His brother had died because of his injuries when it had crashed. He too had suffered a broken arm. Now he would be flying this ship, if they could make it operational.
Lewis took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I will be fine, David.”
David gave Lewis a moment to gather his resolve. It had taken a personal request from Director Donner to convince Lewis to come to the island. Now that Henry had been kidnapped, Lewis was the only living person who had actually operated a spaceship similar to this one, and was their only hope of flying this one to Nevada.
Lewis stepped forward and continued into the ship. The interior was the same as the one that had crashed, so he knew how to operate the various controls.
David took the box from Lewis and carried it to the elevated power distribution console. He grinned and looked at Lewis. “Are you ready to fly us out of here?”
Lewis sat down in one of the padded chairs. “You may insert the crystals, David.”
David retrieved the three, one-dollar size crystals from the box. As he inserted them into the corresponding slots in the console, they immediately began radiating neon blue light identical to the one that was already in the fourth slot. “We have full power, Lewis. Start turning things on so we can see if this thing is still working.”
Lewis studied the illuminated touch pads on the control console in front of him. When all the indicator lights showed the ship was fully functional, he leaned back in the chair and sighed, but it was not with relief. It was the realization he might actually have to fly this ship. “All systems appear to be functioning, David.”
David stepped down onto the main floor of the control room and stood in front of Lewis. “All right! Start the engine and let’s see what happens.”
Lewis leaned forward and tapped a series of pads. One of the colored lights changed from red to blue. “The engine is on, David. All indications are normal.”
David frowned when everything remained silent. He looked around the interior. “Are you sure? I don’t hear any engine noise.”
“This is an advanced piece of ancient technology, not an automobile. I assure you the engine is operating correctly.”
David grinned with excitement and sat in one of the other three chairs. “All right! See if it can break loose from the rock on its own. If not, we’ll have to bring in the demolition specialists.”
“As you wish.”
When Lewis tapped another series of pads, the ship began to shake as the rock holding it in place began to fracture. The ship suddenly lurched up, as if sensing freedom from its one hundred and eighty million year volcanic prison.
“You did it, Lewis! It still works. I can’t believe it. After all these years it still works. All right. Set us back down.”
Lewis realized he had been holding his breath and released a long, slow sigh. “Very well. Here we go.”
Under Lewis’s control, the alien craft gently touched back down inside the crater, but settled at a slight angle on top of the shattered chunks of rock.
David stood and ran to the exit from the ship, clutching a portable radio. Once outside, he turned and stared inside at Lewis. “See if the cloaking system still works.”
Lewis tapped a series of pads and stared out at David. “It appears to be damaged.”
“I guess we’ll need to wait until nightfall to fly it out of here. We can’t risk being seen on our way to Nevada.”
David turned and pressed the talk button as he waved up at the helicopter hovering off to the side o
f the crater. “It works, Bett. We’ll wait here until it’s dark before we leave. Thanks for your help.”
Bett turned the helicopter in the direction of Adak Island as she spoke into her headset. “Good luck, boys.”
*
NEVADA:
The combined excitement of everyone outside hanger five was nearly palpable. The newly acquired alien ship would be arriving in a few moments, and the entire base was in a shroud of darkness to keep prying cameras from recording the event. Without the cloaking system, the mirrored surface of the spaceship would reflect the smallest amount of artificial light.
Two parallel rows of red lights on the concrete tarmac slowly increased in intensity, marking the approach to the entrance of the hanger. The reflection of the red lights slowly moved along the mirrored bottom of the spaceship as it silently entered through the opening in the hanger doors. Once inside the hanger, the red lights blinked off as the large steel doors slowly moved toward each other to seal the entrance.
When the quiet thud from the doors signaled the hanger was sealed, the lights mounted to the ceiling burst into brilliant white light to illuminate the interior of the hanger, and the silver, hockey puck shaped alien ship on the concrete floor.
Now that the ship was no longer buried in the volcano, Lewis and David could no longer just step out of the control room. They had noticed the steps going down from inside the control room, but until the rock was removed, they didn’t know there was an outside entrance at the bottom. The stairs had simply ended at the living quarters below the control room.
David leapt out of his chair and grinned at Lewis. “That was an amazing ride. We didn’t have a single problem getting here. I knew you could do it.”
Lewis pressed one of the illuminated pads on the control panel. The ceiling fluttered for a second before it became transparent, allowing the overhead hanger lights to fill the room. A moment later, several scientists and engineers came up the stairs into the control room. Most of them had worked on the two crashed spaceships, and David and Lewis only needed to show them the separate small panel that controlled the devices. A few minutes later, they both left the control room in the hands of the competent technicians.
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