Nightfall

by Peter Hoole

  “What is it babe?” he asked, as he swiftly removed his clothing and pulled on the gear Murphy had supplied.

  “It’s about Matthew, he’s a really messed-up kid, Caleb. It’s almost as if he’s been brainwashed, but it wasn’t done without his agreement and knowledge.”

  Caleb stopped buttoning his shirt and stared at her. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s as if he wanted it. It seems as if he knew he was being manipulated, but he just didn’t care. Some of the things he’s told me–”

  “Yeah… some people are like that.”

  “I think I’ve figured out why he was chosen,” Darcy continued.

  “Why’s that?” asked Caleb.

  “You remember how Mike said that during high school there was a lot of testing done … the psychological stuff?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I think while you and some others were chosen because of your strength, faithfulness, and intelligence and that’s why you were selected to be followed,” she continued, “I think Matthew, and maybe Emmett, were chosen because they were the types who, while strong, athletic and capable, were ultimately very susceptible to suggestion.”

  “Suggestion?”

  “Yeah. I first noticed it with Matthew in the car. When he was given the choice between living and dying, he grew quiet. But when he was coerced into thinking there was a way he could live, then he paid attention.”

  “Bit thin, babe, don’t you think? I’m sure you might be right, but—”

  “Caleb, trust me on this one. You heard Mike in the car, he was sure the group that Matthew is working for are using the same techniques. They couldn’t recruit you, or someone like you. Your sense of right and wrong is too strong. What they needed, especially for expendable people, like I’m sure both Matthew and Emmett are, was for them to be… malleable. They need them to do exactly what they’re told and not ask any questions.”

  “Okay, then, let’s go with your theory,” said Caleb. “The group would need to dangle a pretty big carrot in front of them to get them to comply. They would need a real incentive.”

  “Agreed, and Matthew told me what that was.”

  Caleb was impressed. He knew Darcy was a good reporter. In fact, the only person she couldn’t get information out of was Caleb, but that was more out of a lack of trying, than her extracting ability. “What did he say?”

  “This is where it gets interesting,” Darcy paused, searching for the best way to describe it. “He told me they were told they would be part of something called ‘Phase Two’.”

  “Phase Two? What’s that?”

  “To be honest, I don’t think even Matthew knows all the details. What he does know, is that once the missions were carried out – the missions given to him and Emmett –they were going to be given a location to travel to in Zone Three – which is North America. And at that location, they would be advised of their role in Phase Two.”

  “Well done, Darcy. We can certainly use that.”

  “I think he’s still holding on to something, and I think he was about to tell me, but then Dunleavy came back, and he stopped being as open.”

  “Fair enough. The kids trusts you, and not even I trust Dunleavy completely.”

  “Really, why’s that?”

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about him. You have to remember, he just disappeared, off the radar, without a word. I wish I knew why.”

  “Didn’t he say it’s because Hawkins said he was losing focus?”

  “Yeah, that’s what he said,” Caleb agreed. “But that was the first thing he said that he wasn’t being entirely truthful about. I just didn’t want to say anything about it until I knew for sure.”

  Darcy paused to think. She’d noticed something odd about Dunleavy, but she’d brushed it off as being her inherent distrust of all politicians. “Leave it with me, babe,” Darcy said. “If Dunleavy is holding anything back, I’ll find out what it is.”

  Caleb smiled, glad Darcy was finding her feet in his world.

  “I know you will, babe,” he replied.

  “And you took care of it, right?” James had just received an unexpected phone call. He hadn’t heard from Robert in more than a week, not since his last scheduled check-in.

  “Not me personally, but the deed was done,” replied Robert.

  “Good, because from what I can tell,” replied James, “there have been too many mistakes in Zone Three in the past twenty-four hours.”

  “And in Zone One, if I’m not mistaken, why did you let the reporter get any information away anyway, James? Especially this close to Phase Two?” asked Robert, James’s counterpart in Zone Three.

  Had any other member of the colony spoken to James in that manner, if anyone else had questioned his decisions, they would have been suitably dealt with. However, Robert was not just a normal colonist. He’d been placed in charge of Zone Three, arguably one of the more key strategic zones in the colony. Over the past years, many of the threats that had surfaced to the group was that came directly from Zone Three. Not the least of these was the potential outing of the colonies by none other than the President of the United States.

  Spanning Canada and the United States, the effected population of that zone would be in excess of five hundred million. While the other Zones covered more than five billion, the external reach of those zones was limited.

  Zone Three was easily the biggest threat, and that was the main reason the ‘New Light’ terror cell had been created, and the main reason the attack was going to be perpetrated in Zone Three. If they thought they were under attack, they would be too distracted to pay much heed to the Colonials.

  In fact, so crucial was the Zone, that James had put one of his most trusted men in charge.

  “I have my reasons for letting the reporter go,” replied James, now seeing that his need for information had potentially threatened the plan. “I wanted to know who the reporter had discussed his visit with. That’s why we allowed him to send out the information. The information was always safe, and the tracker was put into the email. Once it was opened, we knew where it went, so we sent people to take care of the problem before it spread.”

  “Okay then. Not the way I would have dealt—”

  “Just be quiet, Robert. I don’t need your petulance now. I just need to know if the problem been taken care of?”

  “Yes, of course it has. As soon as we traced the call we were able to kill… what was his name?” Robert addressed another person in the room. The person replied, his answer too mumbled for James to decipher.

  “His name was Carl. Carl Johnson. A lifer in the CIA, but obviously Dunleavy has something on him, otherwise he wouldn’t have spoken out. But, not taking any risks…” Robert paused as he let his jibe sink in, “Not taking any risks, our guy in the CIA took out Johnson, and also relayed the details of Dunleavy’s whereabouts.”

  “And? Where is he?”

  Robert cleared his throat. “He’s on his way to Seattle”

  James was shocked. “Seattle. Does he know about Emmett? Does he know about the plan? Dammit, Robert!”

  “Hey, James. This is not my fault. If you’d only killed the reporter when he arrived at Haven, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

  “Need I remind you who you are talking to?”

  “No, sir, no, you do not.”

  “Good. Now, this business with Dunleavy. Can it be solved?”

  “I’ve already sent my Alpha Team. They’ll be dressed as SWAT officers, so Dunleavy will think they’re there to help. But when they find him, they’ll take him and his associates out.”

  “And you trust this… what did you call them? ‘Alpha Team’?”

  “They’re my best people, sir. They’ll get the job done.”

  “I certainly hope they do, Robert, for all our sakes.”

  “Agreed.” Robert was about to hang up, but delayed. “One last thing James. Is the shipment still on schedule?”

  “Indeed it is, Robert. Once John is done in Berlin, h
e will on-send the required amount to your location.”

  “Good, because I’d hate this all to be for nothing.”

  “I know; we’ve worked too hard on this.”

  “Right you are, Governor. Right you are.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “OK Cap, we’re on approach”, yelled Murphy from the cockpit.

  The next part of the plan made Caleb nervous. He knew that he, Murphy and Casey could handle it, and Walker was more than capable of fulfilling his part. What he wasn’t so sure about were the other three.

  He had tried to think of an alternative option, but none had been forthcoming.

  Murphy had ensured there were at least four parachutes on the plane – one for herself, Casey and Caleb. Plus the additional ‘chute would allow Walker to jump if needed. She had also brought additional harnesses, to ensure the others could tandem jump with the trained members of the group.

  Darcy, Dunleavy and Matthew were sitting in the rear of the cabin. Caleb walked over, carrying three harnesses.

  “Need you to put these on…” he said.

  The three expressions could not have been more different. Dunleavy was one of shock, Darcy of caution. Matthew’s face didn’t change, as though he’ jumped before.

  “Shit…” Dunleavy said, “I hate jumping out of fucking planes.”

  “Well, we can’t really land can we?” Caleb said as he handed them over.

  Dunleavy shrugged, “I guess she’s going with you?” he asked Caleb, motioning to Darcy.

  Caleb began putting on his parachute. “Actually no…” he replied, “You’re with me…”

  Darcy looked surprised, “Why can’t I go with you?” she asked as she struggled with her harness.

  “You’ll be fine with Murphy… she done this a ton of times. Dunleavy’s with me”

  They each struggled to place the harnesses on their bodies. Murphy had made her way from the cockpit, leaving Walker behind.

  Murphy began assisting Darcy with her harness, and Casey did the same with Matthew.

  The timing of their jump was imperative, and there was very little room for error. They needed to land at a very specific point within SEATAC.

  Dunleavy’s apparent trepidation was only going to hinder their scheduling, so Caleb became more forceful. As he pulled Dunleavy towards him, he spun him around, positioning Dunleavy with his back facing him. Caleb pulled him close, and attached his harness to Dunleavy’s.

  Normally, protocol would dictate they should do several checks of their equipment. As they were approaching their landing zone, only the most basic of checks could be made.

  Caleb did, however, cast a quick eye over to Murphy, who was hooking up Darcy to her pack, just to ensure it was as safe as could be.

  “Looking ok there Murphy,” he said, satisfied Darcy would be ok.

  “Yes sir,” Murphy replied.

  “Walker…” Caleb shouted to the Sergeant, now sitting in the pilot’s chair, “How are we going? Have we reached altitude?”

  Walker responded, “Yes sir. Cruising now at about ten-thousand feet... You’ll have about thirty seconds of freefall, and then you’ll need to pull it.”

  Caleb briefed the team. He then motioned for Murphy and Casey – who had Matthew firmly attached – to start moving towards the door.

  As they approached, Murphy removed the fail-safes from the door. She would have done it sooner, but knowing what she did about the plane, it would have been redundant to try open the door sooner. The airflow outside the cabin was enough to ensure the door would be kept closed. However, as they had reached a jumpable altitude, the air pressure inside the cabin was now at a point the door could be opened.

  “Everybody okay?” Caleb asked, even though a negative response would not have stopped the jump.

  Everyone nodded.

  Caleb motioned to Murphy, “Everyone grab onto something.” Murphy said, knowing that a sudden decompression of the cabin would pull everything near the door straight out. Caleb confirmed everyone was a secure as practicable, and motioned again for Murphy to open the door.

  As Murphy opened the door, a loud whoosh sprung the door immediately open, the force of the passing wind enough to completely open the exit.

  Such was the noise in the cabin, Caleb could only gesture his orders to Murphy and Casey. Their respective passengers were no longer dictating their own movements, having swung their legs up and arms crossed over their chests. Caleb felt the weight of Dunleavy pulling him down. But it was no more than he could handle, knowing the weight would be for a short time.

  Caleb watched as Murphy and Darcy jumped from the plane, impressed with how well she was handling the situation.

  They were followed closely by Casey and Matthew. As the pair disappeared out the door, Caleb and Dunleavy moved towards the rushing air.

  Before Dunleavy could issue any further protest, Caleb jumped. As he jumped, the sound of the rushing air was deafening. It was not his first jump, so Caleb knew what to expect.

  After about thirty seconds, Caleb rationalised they’d made it to around five thousand feet, the safe altitude to pull the cord. Caleb pulled the ripcord, releasing the parachute. After a jerk which sent him and Dunleavy perpendicular to the ground, they began a slower descent.

  After the initial shock of the movement, Caleb was able to refocus and assess his surroundings.

  In the distance, Caleb could make out the other two parachutes. A sense of relief washed over him, knowing it had gone according to plan.

  Now more able to keep maintain his focus, Caleb quickly identified the predetermined Landing Zone – a section towards the north of the airport runways. The area was far enough away from the terminal so as to avoid detection, but also close enough to the anticipated area they figured Emmett would be waiting.

  After around four minutes of slow descent, Caleb and Dunleavy touched down. He quickly pulled the ‘chute in, unhooked a clearly breathless Dunleavy, and made his way to where the others were waiting.

  Caleb quickly unhooked from Dunleavy, resolute in his composure. As he gained his footing, he made his way to side of the building.

  As he walked, he grabbed the hi-definition, night vision binoculars Murphy had brought along.

  Shimmying down the side of the building, Caleb tried to get a view of the far side of the airport, the park where Casey had determined the best vantage point for an assault.

  Caleb scanned the tree line.

  About seven hundred yards away, the park was blocked off by a fence. There was no vantage point above the height of the fence. As Caleb scanned south, the fence line disappeared, exposing several open areas that had a good sightline to the runway.

  He switched the view to heat vision, hoping to spot even the slightest hint of body heat.

  After doing another sweep of half the view of the park, Caleb was about to switch to night vision, when a familiar shape appeared. A small yellow, red and orange circle appeared, about fifteen hundred or so yards from their current position.

  Now joined at the side of the building by Casey, Caleb gave his Sergeant the coordinates, and Casey double-checked the map.

  While he was doing this, Caleb surveyed the rest of the park again, but saw nothing.

  “Sir,” Casey said as he showed the tablet to Caleb, “There it is…”

  It was one of the potential spots he had marked out earlier.

  “That’s gotta be him. Right?” asked Casey.

  “It’s either him, or a hobo’s about to get a hell of a fright,” Caleb replied. The pair made their way back to the Landing Zone, now with a more precise target.

  Casey began preparing the equipment, with Murphy assisting. “Okay everyone, listen up.” Caleb said.

  Darcy and Dunleavy stood up, awaiting instructions. Both were somewhat shaken by the jump, but were ok overall.

  Matthew also stood, but only after being pulled up by Dunleavy.

  “Ok… Darcy, you’re gonna stay here with Murphy…” Caleb said.<
br />
  Darcy tried to interject.

  “Darc…” he continued, “she needs some back-up in case someone comes along. She’s my second in charge, so I trust her.”

  Darcy didn’t speak, preferring to keep her objections until she had time alone with Caleb.

  “Dunleavy, Matthew, you’re coming with us.”

  Dunleavy smiled, happy to be included.

  “So… do I get a better gun?” he asked, only having the gun Caleb had handed him earlier.

  “Sergeant…” Caleb said to Casey.

  Casey stopped his preparation, and handed Dunleavy a side-arm, the same one he had earlier.

  “Fine,” Dunleavy said, his disappointment apparent.

  Matthew stepped forward, “So what about me then? Do I get one too?”

  Caleb shook his head.

  “Please to meet you. My name’s Darryl, and I’m better than any personal firearm you could ever need. While I don’t come with all the perks of being able to shoot unsuspecting people in the back, I will ensure that you’re safe,” Casey announced with a smile, before adding, “for now anyway.”

  Matthew forced a smile.

  “Okay then,” Caleb announced. “Let’s get going. Once we’re in Position One, we’ll go through the plan,” he said, referring to the place the team had chosen as their initial rally point. As the majority of the lead up to any mission was the travel, they always named their arrival destination Position One. Dunleavy was well aware of this protocol.

  “And just how far is that, Captain?” he asked.

  “Only about twelve hundred yards or so. Piece of cake,” Caleb replied.

  “Shit,” Dunleavy cursed. While he’d been athletic and fit during his time with the CIA, the life of the Chief-of-Staff didn’t require any such physical requirements.

  Suffice to say, Dunleavy had let himself go a bit. Added to the fact he was on the wrong side of sixty, and he’d just fallen from the sky, the twelve hundred yards was going to prove a bit more problematic than he’d hoped.