Fireflies searching the Argos cargo ship came up with very little. The holds were empty, as had been expected, but all internal systems were working well. In fact, there was evidence of considerable rework of the interior, making aft portions of it look like a cruise ship inside but a rusty hulk outside.
After an hour had passed, Van reconnected the video conference with the Carson Ops Center. “Hello, everyone,” he said, seeing that Brice and Barbara were in the center along with Dick. “We have good news and not-so-good news. The good news first.
“We’ve located Meier in an apartment built into the walls of the cave, which you can see from this video taken by the fireflies. If you can call it good news, there are only fifteen guards instead of the expected thirty or more. There are also about the same number of workers. We suspect that power to the facility is geothermal since the island is part of an old volcanic system.
“The freighter Argos is essentially empty, but she’s not what she appears to be on the outside and might be used as an escape vessel. She’s been upgraded on the inside, mostly her living quarters and engine spaces. There are twelve crew, including the captain, but no guards.”
“Have you found a way into the underground facility?” interrupted Brice.
“Perhaps. Harry believes that one person might be able to enter through one of the ventilation systems and work his way to the interior. We are still working on that. However, my concern is with the fifteen guards and the workers inside the cave, to say nothing of the crew of the Argos.”
“Why worry about the Argos? She doesn’t seem to be armed or a threat,” commented Barbara.
“True,” replied Van, “but she appears to be making herself available for a quick departure if necessary. Meier may have the Argos in mind if he wants to escape. Detaining her crew would seem the best plan to stop Meier from escaping.”
“I think I know the bad news,” Brice said. “We seem to be short on manpower. Ross and I can lead two six-man teams, which would likely be enough for the assault on the island, but that doesn’t seem to leave manpower to hold the Argos.”
“Exactly, Brice. Counting me, you, and Ross, there will be fifteen members of the assault team against nearly thirty opponents. That’s two-to-one odds in favor of the bad guys. I think we must assume that the workers are familiar enough with weapons to pick them up and use them. Meanwhile, the Argos is not secure.”
“I’ll go.”
Everyone turned their attention to Barbara, who had just spoken.
“I’m weapons trained and have practiced with the teams on a number of occasions. I believe I can be of help on the Argos at least.”
No one spoke for a minute.
“And I’ll go, Brice,” Dick said. “I can hold a weapon on the crew of the Argos as well as anybody.”
“But the two of you can’t round up twelve crew members and get them, let’s say, to the mess hall and hold them. It would take more than two to do that job.”
Suddenly a thought struck Van. “What if we landed a team on the Argos first? Rounded up all the crew and tied them up. Then Barbara and Dick could hold the fort while the team departed for the island to join in the assault.”
“That might work,” Brice said. “But we still need a way into the facility to at least get those doors opened.”
“Let me worry about that. When Harry says there might be a way in through the ventilation system, I think that means there is,” said Van, knowing full well there was no ventilation access. He intended to use the new transporter system to make entry. Both Harry and Van had agreed that this was not the time to reveal the transporter to even this trusted team. That would come later.
Barbara looked up when Van announced his intent to enter the cavern first, but she said nothing.
“OK, Van, that might work. But how do we get two teams and their equipment to the island facility? If I remember correctly, the B1 will be cramped for two fully equipped teams during a longer-than-normal flight. Then of course there’s the question of backup if something happens to the B1.”
“True, Brice. But there’s one more piece of good news. Stellar and Harry have completed another version of the B1. We simply call it the B2. I’ll fly the B1 and Harry will fly the B2.”
“Well that is good news. But has anybody realized that we’ll literally be putting all our eggs in one basket? We are taking everybody but the admin staff,” Brice said with concern.
“That’s true, too,” Dick said, “but if we don’t clear this up now—if Meier is allowed to continue unchecked—there may not be a business to come back to later.”
“Roger that. I’ll brief the teams and see about weapons and supplies. If we want to do this at night, we have to depart an hour earlier than the Frankfurt mission since Santorini has a seven-hour difference in time instead of six. Since there is no population to avoid on the island, we can get there any night. But I suggest we go as soon as possible to ensure that Meier doesn’t have other plans and leaves. I would like to give my teams the opportunity to review the objective and do some planning. But I think we can be ready to go tomorrow afternoon. Same departure point. Everybody agreed?”
There was a chorus of yesses and the connection was closed.
After the call, Van sat back in his chair in the Site R Ops Center, thinking about what was to happen. If this effort against Meier fails, we’ll continue to be slowed in our Host mission. So we can’t fail, no matter what! But what can we do now that might precipitate success? He sat for a few more minutes until an idea struck him.
“Harry!” Van said suddenly.
“What is it, Commander?”
“When we win and this whole thing with Meier is over, there is something I want to do. I think it’s time to start the world on the path to gaining real space flight. If we’re going to get humanity prepared to meet the Arkon, we need to start space growth as soon as possible. Any ideas?”
“To do what you want, Commander, I suggest the first step be based on more efficient and powerful engines. Your own National Aeronautics and Space Administration—NASA, as you call it—has recently said, and I quote, ‘Transportation throughout the solar system is limited by the performance of today’s propulsion systems.’ That would include the ability to launch into at least near space without the use of rocket technology. The latter is expensive and not very efficient.”
“That would also require better, more powerful fuel, would it not?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“We could introduce fuel and a simpler version of the fusion engine that powers our shuttles. It’s a small step, but we can’t take very big ones yet since the knowledge base and the required infrastructure isn’t here yet. Stellar is not the organization to do that, though. Personally, I don’t think it’s wise to share this technology as widely as we have with other initiatives. We can limit it to a few private companies. I don’t like the idea of giving it to governments, because they’ll likely just make it all secret and defeat our purpose.
“I agree, Commander.”
“Good. So when we get rid of Meier, I want you to release plans and processes for an engine and for fuel. It will take time for the companies to make some progress, so they need to start as early as possible.”
“It will be done, Commander.”
CHAPTER 39
At the appointed time, the B1 and B2 landed at the pickup point in Virginia, and sixteen men and women quickly made their way into the two craft: Brice, Barbara, Dick, and the Argos assault team in the B1, and Ross with the second team in the B2. As planned, Van flew the B1 and Harry was at the controls of the B2.
Instead of Brice joining Van in the cockpit, this time Dick took the seat. The two spoke over their implants.
“I haven’t done a mission in years, and this is getting the old juices flowing, Van.”
“Always good to get out of the office, Dick. That’s why I wanted that cabin in Arizona.”
“And how’s that working for you?”
“It�
�s not, and you know it.”
“Mislaid plans and all that. But based on what you showed me and told me at Site R, you didn’t have much choice. And I believe it was the right one for all of us humans.”
“You’re probably right. But this is one tough road to travel alone. I’m glad you and your team are involved. I couldn’t do it without all of you.”
“And Barbara?”
“Barbara plays an important role as part of the team, there is no doubt.”
“But how about a role between you and her?”
“I don’t know what to say, Dick. Since the attack on your place and her injury, she doesn’t seem to be the same.”
“That’s true; I’ve noticed it myself. Haven’t been able to figure it out, either. One thing I do know is that she was upset that you never called her after you took her home from Site R. By the way, she still has no idea what Site R was or is, for that matter. She just thought it was a medical facility at one of the Stellar research centers.”
“Well it was a medical facility in a research center. Just not the kind you would expect. And you’re right, I probably should have at least given her a call, but things got so busy.”
“Then why not talk with her now?”
Van wanted to ask what he meant, but Dick was already out of his seat and returning to the cabin. In a minute or so, Barbara took the empty position.
“Dick suggested that I sit up front for a while.”
“Ah, sure. Strap in first,” Van said, stalling for time.
“You know, this is the third trip I’ve made in the B1. Unfortunately, I don’t remember anything of my first one,” Barbara said.
“Well you weren’t in much of a condition to know or see much on the first one.”
“How well I know.”
They both entered a period of awkward silence. Then, as if scripted, both started speaking at the same time. “You know…” And then they stopped.
“Go ahead, Barbara.”
“No, you go first.”
“OK. I wanted to say I was sorry for not reaching out to you after returning you home when you were injured. I guess I was so relieved that you were OK, I didn’t stop to think that there is more to recovery than just getting back home.”
“What do you mean?” she said with something of a frown.
“I mean I should have called or paid you that dinner I promised. I just got so wrapped up in this Borman and Meier thing that nothing else entered my head. Like Brice, I was really pissed and out for revenge, I guess.”
Silence again.
“You were pissed at what happened to Rick Conners and me?”
“Of course I was angry about Rick, but to be honest, I hardly knew him. You, on the other hand…”
“On the other hand what?”
“Well, I know you, and I thought we were on the way to reestablishing our relationship. To have it screwed up by the likes of Meier and Borman is what really pissed me off.”
“So we have a new relationship building?”
“Well I thought so, but lately I haven’t been sure. You’ve been different.”
“Different how?”
“More remote, more focused on work. Dick and Brice have seen it as well.”
“I guess I have. The experience I had was so incredibly difficult and painful that I may have been hiding my emotions in my work. I promise to do better. I want you to know I do care about you. As for being focused, I am now—on Meier. I was strangely satisfied to learn about Borman’s demise. But Meier is another level higher on the hate-o-meter.”
“So do I still owe you dinner, or can I put that money in my piggy bank?”
“Your piggy bank is not big enough to hold what you owe,” she said with a smile. “Now tell me more about the B1 and the B2 and all the other toys you and Harry have developed.”
For Van the flight felt short as he and Barbara discussed the technology that the team now had and its potential uses, and even where the best restaurants were in a few major cities they were both familiar with. Before they knew it, Harry reminded the occupants of both craft that they were twenty minutes out from the island and the Argos.
While the B2 flew to the island and waited, the B1 hovered over one of the battened-down forward hatches of the Argos. The ramp lowered and the team spilled out, minus Barbara and Dick, who would not leave the B1 until the Argos crew was secured.
There was no sign of life on the cargo ship. The bridge was empty and there were no guard patrols. The expectation was that the crew would be asleep in their quarters with only an engine watch keeping the engines ready for a relatively quick departure if needed. They were not disappointed. Two men were dispatched to the engine room while the remainder rousted the captain and his sleepy crew. Soon the whole crew and the captain were pushed into the crew’s mess, tied to chairs, and gagged. Brice sent the all clear for Dick and Barbara to board the Argos and take control of the prisoners.
“That was easy,” Barbara said.
“I wish the next step was as easy,” Brice said. “Remember that you have radio comms with us via your suit helmets as well as visuals on your HUD. Just like being in the Ops Center… sort of. The prisoners are all yours. If they give you grief, just use the MP5 to solve the problem. Gotta go.”
With that, Brice and his team climbed up to the main deck and boarded the B1 hovering with its hatch down.
CHAPTER 40
In minutes the B1 settled next to the B2, and both teams followed Brice and Ross to the cavern entrance. There they waited for Van to open the doors.
Van in the B1 and Harry in the B2 took off and flew to a vent site on the other side of the small island hill. Instead of landing, however, Van passed control of the B1 to Harry and proceeded in his suit with weapons to the copper rectangle in the center of the cargo bay.
“Harry, I’m ready to go when you activate the transporter. Where will I be landing?”
“I have located an open space as close to the main doors as possible, Commander. You will be surrounded by stacks of boxes and unlikely to be seen even without the suit. But to get to the doors, you will have to walk about fifty yards and then up a slight incline to reach the control switch. I count at least three guards at the interior entrance near the switch. A pathway should show up on your HUD.”
“OK, Harry, beam me down.” And suddenly the interior of the B1 disappeared and was replaced by piles of boxes around him.
Van stalled for about five minutes to give the Carson team the impression that he went through a ventilation system successfully and then turned on his helmet camera and contacted the teams.
“I’m in. The door control panel is about fifty yards away, and I see only three guards at present. I’m moving in now.”
Walking slowly and carefully in order not to kick up the dust that covered the cavern floor, Van approached the three guards. Just then, one of them became attentive, as if he had seen something, a shimmer or ruffle of dust. With his AK-74 raised, he took several steps toward Van and stopped just a few feet away. He looked again but saw nothing. With a shrug of his shoulders and lowering his weapon in its sling, he turned to walk back to his post.
Van took this opportunity to use his stun gun, which he now set at a higher level to cover the whole area where the guards stood. It took two shots, but in short order all three guards crumpled to the ground without a sound.
As Van approached the switch, he saw that it was relatively simple. Not an electronic code box that could be defeated by technology, but an old-fashioned knife switch that you pull down to engage a lower set of electrodes to complete the circuit. It was large, but it had to be to support the current needed to move the heavy door.
“OK, Brice, I have three stunned and down and am at the switch. Tell me when you’re ready.”
Less than a minute later Brice said, “Ready.”
Van pulled down on the large black handle of the knife switch and completed the circuit. To his surprise, the door started rumbling open. It was no
isy! Heads turned in the direction of the door as it opened, but they saw nothing but the moving door and the darkness outside. Yet it was unexpected, so additional guards started making their way quickly to the opening.
“Boss,” Ross said in the helmet radio, “do you think it wise to start a firefight in a cave full of weapons… and ammunition?”
“Smart? No. Probably necessary? Yes. We’ll take as many down with stun guns as we can, but when they start shooting like those guys in Frankfurt, we have to stop them, and quickly.”
“OK, I just hope these guys don’t accidently blow us all up.”
Just then five guards started trotting toward Ross’s and Brice’s teams.
“Hit them with stuns now!” shouted Brice, and both teams opened up on the five unsuspecting guards.
Seeing five of their comrades fall for no apparent reason, the seven remaining dove behind a prepared defensive positions made of concrete barriers like those on many highways. And, inevitably, they started firing at random at an enemy they couldn’t see, hoping for a lucky hit.
Two men from Ross’s team broke forward to gain better positions. One of them, a new guy who failed to have his helmet visor down, caught a round through his faceplate opening and went down. Two men from Brice’s team moved forward, firing their MP5s to allow one of Ross’s team to retrieve the downed man. With this fire exchange going on, Van doubled back the way he’d come and proceeded to the apartment where Meier had last been seen. He saw all the workers, who were apparently not willing to engage in the fighting, huddled in a mass. Van set his stun gun on setting 9 and fired four sweeping shots at the massed men. They all collapsed.
“The workers are not a threat, Brice. They are all down near the apartment taking a nap. I’m going after Meier.”
“Roger that, Van. These guys are giving us a good fight, but I think we have the upper hand. Not having the workers in the fray makes a big difference. Good luck with Meier.”
Van was within visual range of the doorway to Meier’s apartment and was about to move in when he suddenly saw something he never expected to see anywhere except Site R or Site B. Robots. Four of them. Some yellow – and some red-striped. All, however, were carrying AK-74s and moving out toward Brice and his teams.
Future Discovered: Host Saga Book 1 Page 26
