Bodies.
That’s what they were. Bodies. People. Inside the vortex.
The voices grew more intense. They were talking, not whispering. Some were shouting. More and more of them, all at once.
They were angry. If Danny could’ve pressed his hands to his ears to keep them out, he would’ve. But there were so many that it probably wouldn’t have mattered.
The vortex washed over him, and Danny prepared himself for the intense pain he’d felt when he reached out to touch it back at Area 51. But there was nothing.
Instead, he was on a rolling plain, something like the steppe that had been under him a moment earlier. But this was pure white, and the sky was gray. And there were … shadows … on the plain. Dark shadows in the shape of people.
In that moment, Danny knew. He knew and he was horrified.
Then the shadows rose up from the plain and began hurtling toward him. Hundreds, thousands … millions.
And then all was black again.
* * *
Frank saw Danny go limp just as the ’copter began bucking, and knew something had going terribly, horribly wrong. He let go of the straps he’d been clinging to and found himself flying toward the cockpit—as planned, but it was a helluva way to go. He slammed into the back of the copilot’s seat and reached for the now-gyrating stick, grabbing it and yanking it upward in an attempt to steady things out.
Didn’t work. They were spinning well out of control.
“Anybody ever fly a helicopter?” Frank muttered as he managed to squeeze himself into the seat.
Full speed on your tail rotor, ease back on your main rotor speed. Level off—going higher isn’t going to help you, came the voice of Lt. Reginald Cooper, U.S. Army Air Corps—who had never, to Frank’s knowledge, ever flown a helicopter. But it was better than nothing—at least someone was talking to him.
Doing as instructed, Frank managed to wrestle the bird back into control—just as a second shockwave hit, sending debris surging around the aircraft.
Just put her down. If you’re not dead now, you’ll probably survive.
“Probably?” Frank yelled.
Just do it.
Frank eased the aircraft lower. He could barely see the ground with all the crap flying around him but caught enough of a look to pull up hard and land with slightly less force than an actual crash. He cut the engines immediately and reached over to check Danny’s pulse on his neck—his heart was beating incredibly fast.
“Well?” Frank asked, but none of the voices replied. Something new.
Frank turned to check on his passengers. Maggie and Sorensen were shaken but generally OK. Cal had seen better days. Yamato, though—he didn’t have long.
And then there was Ekaterina, who shoved Maggie aside with enough force to send her flying into a wall. And that was when Frank realized that the null-generators were down altogether—that was why the voices were still in his head. The radiation from the blast must’ve knocked them out of commission.
Frank grabbed a rifle from the floor and leveled it at the kid—but she already had Cal in a headlock and seemed quite furious enough to snap the man’s neck.
“Ekaterina, I am sorry about your brother, I truly am,” Frank said in Russian, training the rifle at the girl’s head. “But killing someone else will not bring him back.”
“I should kill all of you!” she cried out. “You are all dogs! You could’ve been champions of the people, and you selfishly chose yourselves instead!”
Frank lowered the gun slightly. “Ekaterina … where is Lavrentiy Beria now?”
“How should I know?” she answered petulantly.
“Exactly. Because instead of coming for you, he left you and your brother behind. He left you where he had set off an atomic bomb. He left you to die.”
“Liar!”
Frank shrugged. “Then where is he? All his talk of ‘Empowered unity,’ and where was he when you needed him most? We were supposed to be rare, gifted people, people to be saved and nurtured so they could lead. But he sacrificed you. You and Boris. He left you there.”
“No!” Ekaterina’s face was an anguished mask now, and tears were sliding down her cheeks.
“He didn’t know you and Boris would be on board our helicopter. He didn’t know if you’d escape. And he didn’t care. He could’ve waited to detonate the bomb, and he didn’t.”
Ekaterina began crying in earnest, choking back sobs and loosening her grip on Cal, who gently moved her arms from his neck—then took her into his own arms.
“Um, Cal, you know … you could be … ” Frank said as he lowered his weapon, hoping he’d get the hint.
He did, but he wasn’t going to play it that way. “Ekaterina, honey, I need to go save this young man over here, OK? Just give me a minute here and let me help him. He’s one of us, and he needs me right now.”
Frank translated, and Ekaterina nodded slightly. Cal then leaned over to touch Rick Yamato on the leg. Almost immediately, Cal’s hair began to grow gray, then white. His skin began to sag, and his muscles became ropy. Yamato, meanwhile, began to breathe easier.
“Cal?”
“Boy was close,” Cal said, speaking in the dry, cracked voice of an old man. “Should pull through. But I’m done for a while, Frank. Need to rest.”
Frank nodded, then turned back to Ekaterina. “We do take care of each other, Ekaterina,” Frank said in Russian. “And we would take care of you. But if you want to get out here, or somewhere else in Kazakhstan, I will let you go.”
The girl’s eyes widened, and she seemed to think about things for several long moments. Ultimately, she simply leaned back against the bulkhead of the ’copter and closed her eyes.
Frank turned to Maggie. “Help me with Danny. Let’s get out of here.”
FIELD REPORT-ADDENDUM
AGENCY: Central Intelligence Agency-State Department Office of Policy Coordination-Department of Defense
PROJECT: MAJESTIC-12
CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET-MAJIK EYES ONLY
TO: POTUS
FROM: DCI HILLENKOETTER CIA
CC: LTG VANDENBERG USAF, LCMR WALLACE USN, DR BRONK CIA
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN OPERATION
DATE: 3 SEP 49
The following serves as an addendum to CIA Intelligence Report #743 dated 3 Sep 49 and makes reference to said report throughout.
OPERATION SUMMARY
A strike team led by LCMR Wallace, and including Variant agents Sorensen, Yamato, Vanoverbeke, and Dubinsky, infiltrated Soviet territory (Kazakh SSR) early on 29 Aug 49 to rescue Variant agents Hooks, Lodge, and Silverman. The operation was a qualified success.
MAJESTIC-12 Variants encountered several Soviet Variants, along with at least two squads of Red Army regulars, and witnessed the successful detonation of the Soviet Union’s first atomic weapon, confirming suspicions that the Soviets’ progress in creating such a weapon was far more advanced than NATO forces believed.
The strike team and rescued Variants also confirmed that Soviet Deputy Premier Lavrentiy Beria appears to possess Variant Enhancement, a potentially destabilizing factor in bilateral relations going forward.
SOVIET VARIANTS AND DISPOSITION
The following Soviet Variants were identified during the course of the operation.
- Lavrentiy Beria: The deputy premier was seen generating flames without an evident source. The flames were projected up to ten feet away and engulfed up to five feet square. The extent of his ability remains unknown. He is believed to have escaped and remains at large, presumably still in power.
- Boris Giorgievich Illyanov: The MGB officer remained at the advanced age inflicted upon him by Hooks last year (ref: MAJIK report 25 Jun 48), but also retained his speed Enhancement. Illyanov was critically wounded by Lodge in the engagement and did not survive.
- Ekaterina Giorgievna Illyanova: The MGB officer, aged 11, retained her strength Enhancement. She was successfully captured during the engagement.
- Maria Ivanova
Savrova: The MGB officer was present during the engagement, but did not apparently make use of her tracking Enhancement. It is unknown whether she escaped the engagement or the test detonation.
- Unidentified Variant 1: This Russian male, approximately 32 years of age, can become an insubstantial shadow, and phase parts of his body into form while the rest remains insubstantial. From the description given by Hooks, Lodge, and Zimmerman, this appears to be the same unidentified form seen by Dubinsky and Stevens at Bethesda Naval Hospital on 22 May 49. We believe his Enhancement may also include a type of projection or spatial displacement, allowing him to appear, as a shadow, at great distances. It is unknown whether he escaped the engagement or the test detonation. This Variant was previously unknown to subject INSIGHT, according to Lodge.
- Unidentified Variant 2: Male, late 20s, detected by Subject-1 during the engagement. Enhancement unknown. Disposition unknown. Unknown to subject INSIGHT.
- Unidentified Variant 3: Male, late 40s, detected by Subject-1 during the engagement. Enhancement unknown. Disposition unknown. Unknown to subject INSIGHT.
- Subject POSEIDON: Captured trying to escape Area 51 with assistance from Julia Meyer and Karl Schreiber (ref: MAJIK report 17 Aug 49). Brought to Kazakhstan for potential prisoner exchange. Escaped and believed to be killed during the test detonation.
- Julia Meyer: Former MAJESTIC-12 Variant, believed to have communicated covertly with POSEIDON and Schreiber while at Area 51. Brought to Kazakhstan for potential prisoner exchange. Escaped and believed to be killed during the test detonation.
MAJESTIC-12 VARIANTS AND DISPOSITION
Agents Dubinsky, Lodge, Silverman, and Sorensen returned safely to U.S. territory with only minor injuries. As for the rest:
- CMDR Wallace: Wallace awakened on 1 Sep 49 from a comatose state, apparently brought on by the interaction of Variant deaths and the test detonation (see below). He has since been cured of any lingering injuries from the operation, as well as the hand injury suffered on 30 June 49, thanks to intervention by Hooks.
- Calvin Hooks: With a stop at a farm in Kuomintang-held northern China, Hooks was able to heal his injuries suffered in the engagement and treat others. I’ve authorized compensation for the 77 sheep and 4 cows lost by the landowner.
- Richard Yamato: Yamato suffered a critical gunshot wound to the abdomen during the engagement, but was successfully evacuated and subsequently treated by Hooks. He has made a full recovery.
- Christina Vanoverbeke: According to Hooks, Agent Vanoverbeke was shot and killed by Beria as the latter escaped the engagement. Her body was not recovered and is presumed lost in the subsequent test detonation. We are developing a cover story and will notify her family accordingly, providing full death benefits. A star will be added anonymously to the proposed Central Intelligence Agency’s Memorial Wall in her honor.
All surviving Variant assets have been deemed to be fit for duty and are available for assignment.
OTHER ASSETS AND DISPOSITION
Dr. Karl Schreiber remains in custody under heavy security at Area 51. He has yet to cooperate with any inquiry into the events of 17 Aug 49 or previous encounters with Meyer. Recommend interrogation by Dubinsky at the earliest opportunity.
STATUS OF VORTEX PHENOMENON
At roughly 16:42 on 28 Aug 49, sensors monitoring the vortex phenomenon at Area 51 detected a notable but short spike in non-ionized radiation discharge. At roughly 16:47, a second spike--much more intense and longer-lasting--occurred. Our analysts are still studying the data to determine how these spikes differed from other past discharges.
It’s worth noting, however, that the first spike may well correspond to the time we believe Agent Vanoverbeke gave her life for her country. We also believe that the second spike corresponds to the time we believe the Soviets detonated their atomic weapon. Past U.S. test detonations had little or no effect on the phenomenon, but we believe that the presence of at least two, if not more, Variants within the Soviet test detonation zone may have prompted increased activity.
As a result, we believe that fatalities--whether caused by nuclear detonation or not--may have an impact on the vortex. We also believe that the deaths of Variants themselves have an even greater effect.
NEW HYPOTHESIS OF VORTEX AND VARIANT PHENOMENA
The following is highly speculative, and has yet to be tested. In fact, we’re not entirely sure how to test for it. But in the interest of full disclosure, I’m including it here.
Wallace awakened from his comatose state and almost immediately demanded a secure line to my office. After about an hour, I was able to take his call, and was informed that Bronk was in the room with him as well.
Once we began, Wallace described a vision he received immediately after he became comatose, while escaping from the Soviet test detonation blast radius. In this vision, he believed he heard--and then later saw--numerous shadowy figures within the vortex phenomenon. He believes that these figures and corresponding voices represent distinct intelligences that somehow reside within or beyond the vortex. If within, then the vortex represents a kind of “pocket” within normal space, and if beyond, the vortex could represent a kind of gateway to another space entirely, possibly an entire dimension.
When pressed as to the nature of these shadow figures, Wallace could only say that they sounded human, and that they looked roughly bipedal.
Both Wallace and Bronk have further conjectures as to what these figures might be, but unless there is greater interest on your part, I suggest more study is needed before making any further conclusions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As noted above, I suggest Dubinsky be given the opportunity to interrogate Schreiber at the earliest possible opportunity.
I further recommend that, given the advanced state of the Soviets’ Variant program and, in particular, the theoretical capabilities of the Soviet “shadow” Variant, operations at Area 51 be moved elsewhere, at the earliest possible opportunity. I suggest Mountain Home AFB in Idaho.
I further recommend that all MAJESTIC-12 Variants be housed at the new facility until further notice. Julia Meyer’s activities at Area 51 were disruptive and potentially devastating to operational security. As much as I would prefer to allow our Variants as much of a normal life as possible, I believe monitoring their activities to be more important at this stage. We can make allowances for those Variants with families to have their families join them in base housing.
I further recommend that Wallace be given authorization to form a team which will return to Syria to further investigate the potential for Variant activity there.
Finally, I recommend that all surviving Variants involved in this operation receive commendations from the President, at his discretion.
September 4, 1949
So, basically, you want me to give ’em medals, then tell ’em they’re being shipped off to a remote base in Nowhere, Idaho?” President Truman asked as he finished reading Hillenkoetter’s report, tossing it down on his desk.
“I don’t think we’d do it consecutively like that.” Hillenkoetter smiled as he relaxed on the couch in the Oval Office. “We’re not cruel.”
“But that whole thing you wanted about getting them a normal life. That’s gone,” Truman said as he rose from his desk and began to pace—a sure sign he wasn’t happy.
“Sir, there are some very sneaky Variants out there. Julia Meyer couldn’t be controlled. That Russian shadow, he might be able to pop up in this very room if we didn’t have a null-generator in here. Until we figure out more security measures, we need to keep our assets secure.”
Truman frowned. “What about those devices? Those null things? Can’t they just wear ’em like a collar or something? Shut down their abilities until we need them?”
Hillenkoetter shifted in his seat a little; he knew this would be a hard sell. “The null-fields may produce some health problems after long-term exposure. We’re looking into it, but I’d like to minimize their use whenever possible.”
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br /> Putting his hands on his hips, Truman exhaled and looked at the floor for a moment. “Fine,” he said. “But you make damn sure they’re set up nicely out there in Idaho. They get officer housing, all of ’em. Full base privileges. And if they want a vacation, then give ’em one. Send along some chaperones if you have to, but I want them taken care of.”
“Yes, sir.”
“They didn’t ask for this. Any of it,” Truman said, pacing once more. “Jesus, can you imagine? You get hit with these strange powers, you get all kinds of side effects, and then your country rounds you up and puts you out there in the field. These people nearly got an A-bomb dropped on them.”
Hillenkoetter coughed a bit to interrupt Truman’s rambling. “On the bright side, we have excellent intel on the Soviets’ weapons program now. And their Variant program.”
Truman smiled a little and flopped down on the couch opposite Hillenkoetter. “Yeah, we need to brief Congress about their A-bomb. Probably go public soon.”
“Actually, sir, I recommend we wait on that.”
“Why?”
“The only way we’d know if the Reds tested an A-bomb out in the middle of Kazakhstan as of this date would be because we had an asset there. Which we did. But the rest of the world—including the parts of the MGB and Red Army that aren’t in on their Variant program—doesn’t know that.”
“You want us to look dumb.”
“Exactly,” Hillenkoetter said with a smirk. “Hell, you can even leak to the press that you’re pissed at me for taking so long to find out.”
At this, Truman barked out a laugh. “I just might do that. But what about your career?”
“What about it? You fire me as DCI, I’ll just go back to the Navy. Maybe command a nice quiet carrier group somewhere. Sounds nice, actually,” Hillenkoetter said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Truman said, jabbing a finger in his direction. “Does CIA have awards or commendations yet?”
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