“We only harness a small fraction of its energy output,” said a booming voice from behind. Alden turned to see General Sokolov approaching them. He was wearing his formal dress uniform and his chest was covered in medals. “I apologize for being unable to meet your flight. I was taking care of some loose ends. I assume you’re happy with what you’ve seen so far?”
Vasentus ignored the question. “Have you figured out how to duplicate it yet?”
“Our team has made substantial progress over the past months, we’re getting close.”
“What are the chances the Sino-Russian Federation could restart their program?” Lao asked.
“It was completely destroyed.”
“How secure is this facility?”
“There is only one way in, and one way out. Highly trained guards are positioned at all entrants, 24-hours a day. It’s a closed system, so we don’t have to worry about exterior intrusions. This is one of the most secure locations on Earth.”
Alden looked up at the security cameras that were monitoring their every movements, the four guards that hadn’t shown themselves and the first response team was that was available for deployment within minutes. Each corner of the ceiling was primed with detonators; if there was an intrusion the whole facility could be buried. Sokolov hadn’t even touched the surface of security measures. No one outside of Island personnel could ever access this facility.
“Good,” Vasentus responded before looking at Lao, “I told you this facility was secure.”
“Shall we move to the Command Center now?” Sokolov asked.
“Please.”
As the group walked to the elevators Alden noticed they were missing someone. He looked back and saw Lao leaning over the rail, staring at the reactor. As the elevator doors opened and they boarded, Lao returned to the group and silently took his place inside.
Returning above ground, they drove across the expansive campus. White stucco buildings with Spanish tile roofs dotted the area; walking paths and perfectly manicured lawns filled the space between buildings. They drove through the shadow of the arena, the single largest structure on the island. He’d spent years competing inside that building against the other teams. He wondered if Gabriel was thinking about all the games they’d won together, or if he’d completely blocked that out by now.
They arrived in front of the command center and disappeared into the air-conditioned building. They walked down several flights of stairs and past a number of armed security guards before arriving outside the Command Center.
“Please wait here,” Vasentus said to Alden and Gabriel. With that he entered the secure room with Sokolov and Lao. Armed guards closed the giant oak doors and then took up defensive positions on either side. Around the small waiting area were several couches, an executive assistant and a couple of sparse paintings hanging on the wall.
Images of the fusion reactor pulsated against Alden’s mind as he waited. It was a source of incalculable power, an unrivaled achievement in modern society even by the work that was being done on the lunar colonies. All of it was possible because of his actions, yet he would never be proud of it nor feel the price he paid was just. Gabriel stood several steps away, stiff as an arrow, staring off into nothing.
The doors swung open. “Both of you, come in here,” General Sokolov said.
Several lieutenants and commanders sat around the massive table at the center of the room. Alden had been in here several times, usually when he was supporting other students deployed in the field. Holographic screens flickered in the distance. They displayed various facts about the current war games at sea. He detested being left behind.
Sokolov set his cigar down, commanding the presence of the room. “To explain why you’ve all been assembled here, I’d like to introduce Lao Ze’Nobuo, deputy director of internal security.”
Lao stood up. “Thank you, General.” He walked to the head of the table and hit a button on his wrist deck. The lights dimmed. A large map of the Earth materialized. Dozens of little dots appeared all over the map.
“Each of these dots represents increased activity from known lunar terrorist cells. We believe that an imminent, coordinated worldwide strike may be coming. Every member of the Council is currently at high alert. Make no mistake…” Lao made eye contact with each of them. “We are currently facing our greatest threat since the Three Nations Treaty was signed.
“The Lunar terrorists are far more cohesive and well equipped than we had predicted. Despite their perceived irrelevance, their attacks have grown bolder, leading to a major escalation in collateral damage. A suicide bomber blew up a police academy graduation this morning, leading to multiple fatalities.
“It will not be an easy or quick process, but in order to safeguard this world we must destroy this organization, piece by piece. The quickest way to do this is to cut the head off the snake. The only problem is that their leader is a ghost.” He clicked a button on his wrest deck, a three-dimensional image of a middle-aged man sprang to life. “Tens of thousands of innocent lives have been lost due to his actions, or those in his terrorist network. We call him Darar Khasim or Enemy Number One.”
Alden was taken aback; the individual seemed so normal. His dark hair was peppered grey around the edges. He had a slender build, was well dressed and had sharp facial features.
“I’m sure most of you remember the 2095 bombing in Toronto. This was recorded in the moments after the attack.”
Alden’s mouth dropped as the image of the man disappeared, replaced by clouds of flying debris. After several moments, ghostly figures covered in dust stumbled from the rubble, choking on the smoke. Most were covered in blood. As the camera moved further into the chaos, the dust settled and Alden made out massive chunks of building scattered across the ground, and legions of people coughing, bumping into each other, and pushing their way out.
In the background, a twisted and tortured steel structure sat eerily still. Over half of it had been destroyed. Layer upon layer of debris could be seen inside the building on the different floors. Occasional chunks of concrete and office furniture broke free and crashed to the bottom.
The scene disappeared and the image of the man returned. “Over 700 hundred Council employees were murdered in that attack. We believe this was in retaliation for wiping out one of his terrorist cells in the Lunar city of Prebeo. Unfortunately, the story does not start or end here.”
Lao tapped a button on his deck and the hologram changed. This time it showed a white marble building with fire billowing from the left side windows, “The Capitol building in New Tranquility.” He clicked the button again. This time it showed an army barracks in ruins with bodies strewn about. “Fort Carter…a Council base in Singapore…Versai…” The images cast an eerie glow across the room as he switched from one graphic scene to the next.
“We’ve been tracking Khasim for the better part of three decades, but he’s unrivaled in his ability to evade detection. Further complicating the problem…and regardless of what the Council brass says, he’s one of the smartest people alive. Even when he was young, Khasim was unsurpassed in the field of xenobiology. Sadly, like many other scientists, he didn’t know when to stop, and his lust for power eventually consumed him.
“We’ve tried a number of different times to find and kill him, but he always seems to be a step ahead of us. We don’t believe he has any living relatives or anyone else we can use to get to him. We do know that he’s responsible for building and selling half of the illegal weapons in circulation today. It’s how the terrorists fund their operations.
Someone in the audience raised their hand, and Lao pointed at them. “Is it possible he’s able to stay ahead of us because he has someone on the inside?”
Alden noticed Vasentus watching him. Lao shook his head. “We don’t believe so. We monitor all internal communications quite closely and there are very few that are involved in the day-to-day operations of tracking him—although you never know. Thank you for your time.” Lao retur
ned to his seat.
Sokolov returned to the center of the room. “This monster, and those like him, are the reason this institution was created. We will hunt these animals to the edges of the solar system and bring them to justice. For this reason we are going to be moving the Island up to full operational status.” Muffled and excited chatter broke out amongst the individuals sitting around the table.
“Over the course of the next few weeks I’ll assign each of your units to various strategic missions. These assignments will come directly from our intelligence network. Our goal is the absolute and complete elimination of Khasim and his lunar terrorist network. We will not allow them to disrupt the flow of helium-3 from the lunar surface or shatter the peace we have worked so hard to create.”
Quiet applause rippled across the room.
The general looked at the lieutenants sitting around the table. “Each of you will be assigned five to seven Angele Dei fire teams. You’ll be responsible for coordinating and handing out their missions, and ultimately their success or failure. The Council has finally called upon us to fulfill our duty and safeguard the Three Nations Treaty. We will not fail them! You’ll find the list of teams assigned to you in your offices. I expect a report from each of you by 1400 on the operational status of each team and when you’ll be ready to move. You are dismissed.”
Alden looked around at everyone standing up and followed suit. Which of these lieutenants had his team been assigned to?
“Except for you two,” Sokolov said.
Alden realized that he meant him and Gabriel.
“Gabriel, please wait outside and close the doors behind you.”
Once the doors closed, Vasentus motioned for him to sit back down. He did as he was told.
“We’ve intercepted some very damaging information from our informants on Luna,” Vasentus started.
“What?” Alden asked, confused.
“Is there anything you would like to tell us?” Lao interjected.
Suddenly Alden felt a gripping pain in his chest. What were they talking about? His mind raced over millions of random bits of information. He didn’t want to seem like he was holding something back so he attempted to breathe normally. “No. I’m not sure what you’re even talking about.”
“You were given an order, soldier!” Sokolov said. “What are you not telling us?”
“Nothing, I’m not hiding anything. I don’t even know what you’re asking about.”
Vasentus pressed a button on his wrist deck and a holographic communication appeared. “You’ve been mentioned by name over a dozen times in encrypted communications within the lunar colonies.”
Alden felt like all the wind had been squeezed out of his lungs. How was this possible? “I swear that I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Alden was fighting to hold his emotions back.
“We don’t take kindly to traitors,” Lao added.
“I swear I haven’t betrayed the organization, I’m prepared to give my life for it,” Alden blurted out on impulse.
Sokolov stepped forward. The overhead light glinted off the metal of his belt. For the first time Alden noticed that he was wearing his sidearm.
He felt himself shrinking back into the chair, trying to disappear from the intense stares of those around him. “We spend six hours a day in class and six hours in combat practice. Everything I do is on the training schedule and meticulously tracked by the instructors. I would never betray this organization. Besides,” Alden stammered, “even if I was going to, it would be impossible for me to get anything out without you knowing. I’ve only left the Island once. I wouldn’t even know how to communicate with someone on the outside.”
Vasentus studied his response. “If you didn’t give them your name, then how would they know who you are?”
“I have no idea!” Alden blurted. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you, I’ve never even been to the lunar colonies.”
They stared at him for a few minutes and then nodded in understanding.
“We believe you,” Vasentus responded. “All your instructors vouched for you, including General Sokolov.”
“How did they get my name?” Alden asked.
“I’m not sure,” Lao said. “But we will find out.”
“It does present a far greater issue, though,” Vasentus said. “Someone within our organization has turned and they’re selling out their brothers. We must find out who this is.”
“I’ll do anything you ask,” Alden said.
Vasentus nodded. “I know you will. That’s why we’re activating you ahead of the rest of the school. We’re assigning you a small staff and you’ll report directly to me.”
“Wait? What!” Sokolov interrupted.
Vasentus just looked at him unapologetically. “He’s going to report directly to me from now on. He is to have complete autonomy and will be allowed to review all information he deems pertinent to uncovering this treachery. Furthermore, he will be operating out of the Council headquarters.”
Now it was Alden’s turned to be shocked. “What? You mean I have to leave? Isn’t there someone else better equipped to handle this? I’m just a soldier. I’m trained to fight.”
“You know you’re smarter than that. This position will carry with it a great personal risk and will require repeated trips to the lunar surface as well as various parts of Earth. We need someone we can trust and someone who can handle themselves in the field. I don’t know where the leak is coming from,” Vasentus continued, “but there are very few who know this program exists. Which leads me to believe the leak is coming from somewhere on this Island and I don’t want Alden encumbered by their treachery.”
“But sir, what about my team?”
“They’ll be assigned a new squad leader. You were obviously never destined to be part of a team. Someday you’ll be running this entire organization.”
Despite the compliment, the words stung. Obviously never meant to be part of a team... Siberia.
“The real reason Lao has joined me on this trip is that the Council has grown…uncomfortable with the reactor being so far beyond their control. He’s on a fact finding mission to see what it would take to transfer it to a location closer to home.”
“You’re taking the reactor too?” Sokolov responded. “Why wasn’t I made aware of this?”
“I’m sorry, it was on a need to know basis,” Vasentus responded. “Things have been moving very fast of late and this request isn’t coming from me, it’s coming from the Council. The reactor has been mentioned in numerous communications, along with some of the ones that included Alden. Whatever they’re planning, Alden’s fate remains tied to that reactor. Until we get to the bottom of this, the Council has decided it can’t risk allowing the reactor to be located so far away.”
“The entire school is going to be gone for another twenty-four hours,” Sokolov said. “At least allow me to keep Alden while we’re short staffed. When the other students return, I’ll send him on to Council headquarters.”
The Polemarch paused for a brief moment and then said, “Fine, but I want him on the next flight out.”
There was a knock at the door and a young assistant walked inside. “General, we’ve been tracking a tropical storm for the last few hours and it’s picking up speed. We expect it to become a category six storm…”
“What!” Sokolov asked. “How did it pass through the weather net?”
“I don’t know but it’s not responding.”
Betrayal was all that Alden could think.
“Order the students back here now!” Sokolov shot out.
“Sir, the storm’s not headed towards them.”
“Where is it going then?”
“Here, sir. We expect it to make landfall by dusk.”
“Shit.” General Sokolov slammed his fists into the table. He turned to Alden. “Take the Polemarch and Lao back to their jet, now. Grab the rest of his men and get them out of here before that storm hits. Gabriel will check on the reactor and help secu
re the facility for the storm.”
“I’d actually like to stay,” Lao cut in. “You’re short staffed and my job is to make sure the reactor is safe. I’ll catch the flight out with Alden tomorrow.”
Vasentus nodded in agreement. “Do it.”
“Okay.” Sokolov said. He turned to Alden, “Stand up.”
Alden did as he was told and dropped his arms to his sides, standing stiff as a board.
“Congratulations.” Sokolov pinned a small medal to the lapel above Alden’s breast. “You are officially the first active member of the Angele Dei…again. I wish there could be more pomp and circumstance, but we don’t have the time. Enjoy this, you’ve earned it.”
Lao was standing quietly behind the two men. He just nodded at Alden in congratulations.
“You’re also going to need this.” Vasentus handed him a brand new wrist deck. It had sleek curves, thin lines and looked more advanced than anything Alden had ever seen. “It will allow you to communicate with us over the Council’s military encrypted satellite network. It’s the first in a line of advanced wrist decks. It will also give you access to a greater amount of encrypted information.”
Alden nodded. “I won’t let you down. Thank you.”
Vasentus dipped his head slightly.
“Alden, please leave us now. Meet the Polemarch out front in five minutes. Once you return, begin packing your stuff. You won’t be coming back.”
“Yes, sir.”
General Sokolov gave him a crisp salute, which Alden responded to and then headed out of the room. Gabriel was gone and the waiting room was empty. He must have left for the reactor building already. It would need to be shut down; they couldn’t risk an electrical storm destabilizing its security protocols.
Alden moved through the building towards the exit. He turned a corner and nearly walked into Father McKinley. “Alden my boy, where are you off to in such a hurry?”
Alden wasn’t sure how to respond. This new assignment was heavily classified;mentioning it to anyone could endanger the entire operation. However, he was leaving the only place he’d ever known and Father McKinley had been the only person who had ever cared for him while he was growing up.
The Last Revolution Page 4
