“Not exactly.”
“Well, Nick, what exactly are you asking me?”
“Have you ever seen things out there that you just couldn’t explain?”
“Such as?”
“Craft that you couldn’t identify.”
“You mean ships?”
“I mean ships, aircraft, underwater crafts, you name it.”
“Are you referring to…?”
“UFOs. Rob. I’m asking if you’ve seen UFOs, or USOs I guess. I’ve read about unidentified craft under the water doing things that shouldn’t be possible. At least doing things that are beyond the capability of any water craft we’re aware of. Same thing with aircraft.”
Rob sat back again and turned his gaze away from Randall. The genie was out of the bottle now, and Randall realized that there was no way to put it back in.
After several long moments of silence, Rob spoke again. “Nick, that’s a really loaded question. We’re supposed to be people of science and we both know how this kind of thing is viewed in professional circles. Hell, you almost didn’t get tenure because of it. If it hadn’t been for Francisco…”
“…I don’t need you to lecture me about the field, or who I do and don’t owe my career to. We also both know that the science stuff is sometimes a load of crap and that many of our peers use it as a weapon to bludgeon people who don’t agree with them. The scientific method tells us that the best way to prove a theory is by doing your best to disprove it. What’s happening in this case is that our peers are simply shouting down researchers they don’t agree with. How the hell is that being a scientist? So, with all due respect, save the sanctimonious bullshit about science.”
Now it was Rob’s turn to smile. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”
Randall laughed.
Rob scratched his head. “Okay, I see your point and you’re right about the scientific community. Now, back to your question. But before I give you an answer, I need you to tell me two things. First, I want to hear what really happened down in Peru. Second, everything I say is off the record and, I swear buddy, if you ever tell anyone about our little conversation, I will publicly deny ever talking about this. Agreed?”
“Works for me. I was in Peru examining ruins near Arequipa. I had learned about the site from a local tribe in the area. Let’s just say that the tribe’s appearance was a little … odd. We made multiple trips there to study the tribe and I was finally able to convince them that I didn’t want to desecrate their ancestral home. As it turned out, the guy who funded the trips was also interested in the ruins, or more specifically, he was interested in what was in them.”
“Treasure hunter?”
“Not really. The ancient civilization that had inhabited the ruins was far too advanced for the time period and region. To put it bluntly, they had electricity and a power source to run it.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re telling me descendants of an Iron Age civilization in the middle of the jungle had an electrical power plant and no one knew about it prior to your arrival? That’s impossible.”
“It gets better. Turns out that the inhabitants of this underground city were not indigenous people. In fact, I don’t believe they were human.”
“So you actually met these … creatures that inhabited this lost city?”
Randall pursed his lips and thought for a minute. “I believe I met them, but I’m not sure. It’s a long story.”
“So you’re not sure if you met them and you’re also not sure if the city was actually occupied. Sounds like you’re dealing with a bit of speculation.”
“I know what you’re thinking, Rob, but I believe the experience happened. Even if I don’t have proof. One thing I know for sure is that I did see the city and it was real. Sam saw it, too.”
“Okay, let’s assume for the moment that you found the city and its inhabitants. What makes you think that they weren’t indigenous to the area? They could have just been isolated geographically and evolved apart from other native tribes,” Rob offered.
“I communicated with them, Rob.”
“So you spoke to these creatures?”
“No, I communicated with them telepathically.”
“I see, and what about the guy who funded your trip?”
“His name was Frances Dumond and he was after their power source. He wanted to use it to power a satellite-based weapon system he was building to…”
“…take over the world?”
“Look, I know it sounds like a bad sci-fi movie, but it’s the truth!”
“What happened to him?”
“He got away. And there’s more to the story. The part about the volcano erupting was true, you probably read about that. But here’s the thing. This civilization had learned how to harness the power of the volcano to create the energy they used for their city. They were really advanced, and they told me something else that I have only shared with Francisco.”
“What was that?”
“They weren’t the only ones visiting us.”
“Come again.”
“The creatures that I met and communicated with are not the only group to visit our planet. There are others.”
“And you know this how?”
“The creatures told me about them. In fact, they warned me about them.”
Rob turned away from Randall, nodding his head. A smirk formed on his face. “So let me get this straight … you went down to Peru, met with some non-native tribe members who had electricity and an advanced power generating system. They talked to you—no wait, they communicated with you telepathically—and told you that they weren’t the only alien creatures visiting Earth. There are others here who are up to something sinister. Then you stopped some psychopath who was trying to steal their technology so he could take over the world and you decided to come and speak to your old buddy Rob about it. Does that about cover things?”
“Yes, except I haven’t explained why I’m here yet.”
“Right! Go ahead.”
“I believe that these other creatures are somewhere nearby and have been abducting someone who lives here.”
“Of course they have.”
“Listen, you can give me as much crap as you like. But everything I’ve said is true, and you know what?”
“What?”
“I’m going to help this woman that these creatures have been taking and I’m going to stop them.”
Randall sat back in his chair and folded his arms defiantly. Rob dropped his hands into his lap, shaking his head. The smirk had grown into a broad grin spreading across his entire face.
“Yes?” Randall asked.
“Nick, if anyone else in the world came in here and laid this story on me, I would have called the looney bin and asked them to send a couple of guys with butterfly nets to take them away. Funny thing is, I believe you. At least I think that you believe what you’re saying is true. Let’s assume that your story is accurate and there is some group of nefarious creatures lurking near Bermuda. What do you want me to do about it?”
“I need your help to find them. Their base must be nearby and I figure if anyone knows this area and where they might be hiding, it would be you. I need your help to find these creatures so I can help this poor kid who’s being abducted. Besides, I want to know what they’re up to.”
“Geez Nick, is that all? I thought you were going to ask for something really big.”
Randall ignored his friend’s jab. “Will you do it, Rob? Will you help me?”
Randall watched as his old friend pondered the situation, a serious look on his face. He could only imagine what was going through his mind. After a few minutes, Randall pushed the issue.
“How about it, Rob?”
Rob stared into space, then looked his friend in the eyes. “I just don’t know if I can. If I were to help you and word got out, I would probably lose my job.”
“Look, I know I’m asking you to put your career on the line, but I’m telling you, I don’t have any
other options. Besides, Jamie is in trouble and if we don’t help her no one will. Please Rob, I need your help.”
Rob closed his eyes and sighed. “Can you give me some time to think about it?”
“Imagine for a minute that you’re a young woman,” Randall said, causing a raised eyebrow from Rob. “You’re a thousand miles away from your family, living by yourself on an island. You’re just getting started in your career, when one night, you can’t sleep.”
“Lots of people get insomnia,” Rob said.
“I’m not finished. You’re lying awake for hours when something terrible happens. You realize that someone or something is in your room. You try to escape or defend yourself, but you can’t move. It’s like you’re paralyzed. Then this creature takes you and…”
“I get it I get it.”
“That’s what this poor kid is going through,” Randall said, staring at Rob. “It’s also what I’m going through.”
Rob shot Randall a confused glance.
“For some reason, every time this woman goes through one of these episodes, I experience it with her. It’s absolutely the most terrifying thing I’ve ever lived through.”
Rob stared at the ground.
“Will you help me?”
“Do I have a choice?” Rob asked.
Randall smiled at his old friend. “Not really.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll help you. I’m not exactly sure how, but I’ll do whatever I can. Where do we start?”
“I was hoping you might have some ideas. I know there’s a lot of great big wide open spaces out there, but I figure you’ve probably covered as much of it as anyone I know.”
Rob sat back in his chair, his eyes darting up to the sky and back down, his arms now crossed on his chest. He’s accessing his memory files, Randall thought. After a few moments, Rob began nodding.
“Yeah, I know where we can start. We can take the dive boat. When do you want to go?”
“Can we go tonight?”
“Boy, you really don’t want to waste any time, do you? Can’t see why not. Let me check the weather forecast to make sure we’re not driving into the middle of a storm. Where can I reach you?”
“That’s a really good question. Since I got here, I’ve been running around meeting people and haven’t checked into a hotel or anything. Let me take your cell number and I’ll give you a call in a couple of hours.”
“You can bunk with me if you like. I have lots of space here.”
“Sounds good, buddy.”
“Anything else I can do?”
“Nope, I think that covers it. By the way, thanks. I know this is a lot to ask and my story probably sounds pretty crazy, but this is something I really need to do.”
“Like I said, if it was anybody else, I’d give them the old stink eye, but we go way back, and if you need help, I’m here for you.”
The two men stood and shook hands.
“By the way Rob, don’t share this with anyone else.”
“You mean I can’t go out and tell my students and staff that I’m going alien hunting with an old chum? I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Rob said, grinning.
“Good enough. Talk to you in a couple of hours.”
Chapter Twelve
Tagomago, Balearic Islands
Francis Dumond’s estate sat perched on a hilltop, spilling down into a v-shaped canyon overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Set on the northwest tip of the small, private island, the property sprawled over several lush acres of prime real estate—land that would have fetched a small fortune on the open market. The exquisitely manicured grounds—featuring three pools, a fountain, an English rose garden, and a hedge maze—displayed the enormous wealth of its owner.
Dumond stood on the veranda outside his office, basking in the balminess of the summer sun. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, releasing the tension that weighed upon his sculpted shoulders. While not an overly muscular man, Francis Dumond was strong and wiry, a by-product of his penchant for martial arts training. He had discovered long ago that physical strength and discipline resulted in a strong mind, which he needed as the owner of a multinational energy consortium. His industry was filled with captains of industry, ruthless men who forged empires based on the strength of their iron wills. Competing with such men required mental fortitude and the ability to smile in the face of danger.
Dumond fit the profile. He relished matching wits with the brightest business men in the world and rarely lost. Which only made his dilemma with Nick Randall all the more difficult to comprehend. Having been on the brink of obtaining a power source unlike anything known to man, only to have it snatched away by Randall and his brood was more than he could take.
His watch alarm quietly alerted him that he had a meeting in five minutes. Dumond took one more deep breath, opened his eyes, and smiled at the turquoise waters lapping at the rocks below. Walking back to his desk, he took a seat in his high-backed executive chair and pressed the intercom button on his phone.
“Is he here?” Dumond asked his secretary.
“Yes, Mr. Dumond. He arrived several minutes ago. Would you like me to send him in?”
“Please.”
Dumond sat back in his chair, folded his hands across his lap, and trained his steely gaze on the door to the office. A moment later, it opened and a short man, who wore pants with torn knees, entered the room. Dumond studied him as he took a seat opposite his desk. His clothes were rumpled and his face was smudged with dirt. The man reeked of sweat and had a large lump on head. His eyes darted back and forth between Dumond and his own lap as he nervously rubbed his hands on his legs.
“You and your associate failed to eradicate my problem,” Dumond said.
“It wasn’t our fault … someone showed up right when we caught him and…”
“I don’t tolerate excuses.”
“It’s not an excuse!” The man squealed. “This guy was highly trained, probably ex-military.”
“I hired you do to a job and you accepted the terms. My accountant tells me that the funds were deposited into your account. This was a simple business transaction and you failed to live up to your end of the bargain.”
“Please, Mr. Dumond, if you give me another chance, I know I can finish the job. Whoever was protecting Randall can’t guard him all of the time. I just need a few more days and I promise you…”
“I don’t have a few more days. Your services are no longer required,” Dumond said, pushing another button on his intercom.
The rumpled man turned at the sound of the door opening and flinched upon seeing three burly men file into the room. Two walked to opposite sides of him, while the third positioned himself behind his chair. His eyes wide, he turned to face Dumond.
“Please, you can’t!”
“Escort this gentleman out,” Dumond said to his guards.
In unison, the three grasped the seated man, yanking him to his feet. They dragged him to the door.
“Please, I have a family!”
“You should have thought about that before you failed to complete your assignment.”
The guards hauled the man from the office, slamming the door behind him. Dumond smiled as he heard the man’s wailing. He had earned his fate, and Dumond was happy to oblige in providing it. His smile faded, though, as his thoughts turned to Nick Randall. Once again, the professor had eluded him. Dumond balled his fists, squeezing until they turned white from the pressure he applied.
How could Randall have beaten him again? It seemed that the professor had an uncanny ability to remain one step ahead of him, despite his planning and resources. Realizing that the ordeal had alerted Randall to his intentions, Dumond knew he had to take action immediately if he were to get his revenge. But how? Randall had surely gone underground after the attempt on his life, so finding him wouldn’t be easy. His only chance was to draw the professor out of hiding by attacking his weakness.
Opening his drawer, Dumond retrieved his file on the professor.
Randall had two children, his daughter Sam and a son named John. He could change his scheme to abduct Sam, but he decided against it. What he had planned for Samantha Randall was too good to change and it was something that only he could do himself. His heart fluttered at the thought of his scheme to repay Samantha Randall for her part in ruining his plan to attain the power source he had sought. I’ll enjoy taking my time with her, he thought, smiling at the prospect of hearing her beg for mercy.
That left John. He flipped through the information his people had compiled on Randall’s son. Apparently, the young man was quite bright. He worked for a company called Alpha Genetics, a bio-tech outfit in the D.C. area, and was creating a drug to erase memories. Such a drug might prove useful in future ventures. He would abduct John Randall and hold him hostage to lure his father out of hiding. In the process, he would steal John’s research and synthesize the compound for his personal use. Kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.
“Get me Ms. Seivers on the line,” Dumond said into his intercom.
“Yes, Mr. Dumond.”
He had to notify his associate Margaret Seivers about the failed attempt on Randall’s life. The only female member of the Alliance, Dumond’s business partners on this project, Margaret held a critical role as the buffer between Dumond and the other partners. As such, she would update them about Randall. Although Dumond would have to tell her that he had failed, he’d keep his plan to abduct John to himself. She hadn’t been overly enthusiastic about killing Randall in the first place, so it was doubtful she’d approve of kidnapping his son. Although the professor had cost the alliance partners dearly, Margaret had simply written it off as a business loss. A far kinder response than Dumond had in mind.
“Her line is busy, Mr. Dumond. Would you like me to hang up and call her back later?”
“No, put the call through to me. I’ll leave her a message.”
Chapter Thirteen
The Bermuda Connection (A Nick Randall Novel Book 2) Page 6
