They informed him about Max’s discoveries, and how they generated the map. Adar had to stop them at one point because, in their excitement, they kept talking over each other.
“Please. One person at a time. I cannot listen when one ear hears one thing and the other something else.”
The ship showed him the videos of the overheard conversation between the two guards and then the view changed to the head of security and Jack Smith at the end of a long wooden table, and the plans they discussed.
“They will all be upstairs. That is wonderful!” exclaimed Adar. “When my little diversion draws them outside, you will be free to enter the bunker and take Vincent’s machine.”
Vincent admitted, “The information we have points to a positive conclusion.”
“When are you going to try and get in?” asked Adar. “I wish I could accompany you. However, I would not be of much help cowering in a corner. My assistance is better used by distracting Mister Smith's men.”
Claire and Jim could see his apprehension about going into the devil’s lair, and they understood. They were nervous too.
Vincent said, “What you are doing is vital to our mission. It will take all of us doing our part if we are to be successful. As to your question, the repairs to my systems are complete. We have the necessary equipment to carry out the operation, and enough information to enable us to acquire the target. When most of his guards are sleeping, and the rest are tired, we will make our attempt. Tonight we complete the mission—and I re-acquire the machine I lost.”
Chapter Thirteen
They spent the evening exploring every possible scenario that might lead to failure and could find no reason to postpone the attempt. Adar left at midnight and promised to begin the diversion promptly at two in the morning. “I will stay in touch using the badge, and keep you informed about what is happening.”
All three were aware it was possible they would not meet again. This was when things turned serious, and anything could happen. When the tall bearded man headed for the hatch, Claire jumped up and gave him a hug. A tear slid down her cheek while she said, “You are a good man, Adar Malik. I am glad I had the chance to meet you. When this is over, I look forward to being your friend.”
Jim stood and stepped over, offering his hand for a handshake. A warm smile lit his face, and he quipped, “Melodramatic—ain’t she? We’ll see you in a few hours when we pick you up. As we discussed, you can’t stay here after this is over. You don’t need to worry though, we’ll turn off the view screens, and you won’t even know we’re flying.”
Adar was unconvinced. He replied, “I will worry about all that later. First, we must steal the machine.”
When he was in position, Vincent resized him. They watched on a view screen as he gave them a short wave, turned, and went to prepare his distraction; blocking the back doors open on his way out. The plan was underway.
****
The other members of the incursion team left the house shortly before two and hovered five hundred feet above the entrance to the cave. For their entire stay on the island, the weather had been clear and mild. Tonight, the weather was not going to be so kind. Angry black clouds blocked out the moon and stars, and the wind was picking up. What was normally an asset—his small size—made it difficult for Vincent to remain steady. Jim and Claire sat strapped in their chairs, and multiple viewpoints filled the screens. All talk had stopped. They knew what they had to do, and were left waiting for the signal to begin.
An hour before, Max inadvertently got himself locked in a supply closet. The door was open a crack, and he slipped in to survey the contents. Someone closed the door, and he quickly discovered this was the rare instance where they equipped the door with a sweep. He was trapped and out of service until someone opened the door again. When they needed it most, the infiltrators no longer had the advantage of eyes on the inside.
Precisely at two p.m., a large flash lit the north end of the island, and a moment later the report of the blast followed.
“I did it!” exclaimed Adar through his badge. “I cannot believe my homemade bomb worked so well. Before I left Syria, I taught myself how to disarm some versions of improvised explosive devices. The knowledge came in handy tonight. In a moment, there will be so much smoke the people sent to investigate will be stumbling into each other. Now is your chance. Quickly now, a storm is coming. You must hurry—and good luck.”
Vincent dived down to the ocean and smoothly leveled off above the rough sea. The purr of the engines changed, and they slipped under the surface to enter the black hole in the rock. The current was strong, and the ship struggled to avoid scraping the sea carved walls.
The craft did not need light to navigate the dark river, as Vincent had sensors to guide him. However, he did not want to announce their arrival with bright lights, so he used only one of the front spots, adjusted to half power, to give the humans something to watch.
Jim and Claire watched in silence. Every so often their eyes would meet, and they found each other looking for signs of doubt. The rest of the time, they could only stare at the blurry black and white video as they progressed in spurts; matching the alternating currents in the flooded tunnel.
Claire asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to wait, Vincent? It’s getting pretty bad out there.”
“Success can only be achieved by those that persist. To turn back now would be illogical. We are almost there. Prepare yourselves.”
They were already prepared. Jim carried the cutter in a custom holster on his side. Claire was responsible for the gravity plate and carried the folded device inside a backpack with straps over her shoulders. They were dressed in dark pants and hoodies to use the cover of darkness.
When they approached the open cavern, the river calmed down, and the sound of the engine smoothed out. The humans did not realize they had arrived until Vincent stopped and peeked above the surface. When the cameras cleared, they were relieved to find the cavern dark and silent. Vincent landed on the dock, opened the hatch, and dropped the ladder. “I will wait here for your return. Please hurry.”
Claire climbed down first, and Jim followed. They stood on the wooden deck and Vincent transformed them to full size. Then the silver ship disappeared.
“You ready, Claire?”
“No. I can’t believe we’re doing this. I’m so scared my knees are shaking. Let’s do it before I chicken out.”
The ship supplied small headlamps with red lenses, and they used the dim light they provided to climb the damp steps to the upper platform. At the steel door, Claire stood back while Jim drew the laser cutter and reached out to cut the first hinge.
Bright lights blinked on and bathed the cavern in yellow light. The door mechanism clicked and jerked; preparing to be opened, and the two surprised intruders backed up. Slowly, the reinforced blast door swung open. Inside, with a huge smile and a chromed forty-five caliber handgun, stood Jack Smith. Behind him—with weapons drawn—stood his three confidants. They appeared more confused than amused. Regardless, they were not smiling.
“Looks like we have visitors, gentlemen,” taunted Jack. To his new guests, he said, “Welcome to my bunker. I have been expecting you.”
****
Jack Smith was so proud of himself he was practically giddy. He yelled out the open door, ignoring the ship’s two conspirators. “I knew you might try this. It is just like you to sneak in the back door. Because of your predictability, I have both you and your accomplices. If you do not do as I say they will get hurt. Now—let me see you.”
For a split second, Jim thought he might use the cutter. If he could cause enough of a commotion, maybe they could escape. A glance at Claire squashed the thought. He could not risk her getting hurt. When the security chief motioned for him to drop the weapon, he complied.
Jack and his men stepped out onto the platform, forcing the infiltrators to the railing. They held the hostages to the side so Vincent could see the implied threat.
The ship no lo
nger had a valid reason to stay hidden, so Vincent turned off the cloak and materialized; calmly floating above the water. His small size made him appear harmless; which was not the case. He was pointed directly at them and a curious red indicator pulsed from the nose of the ship. Vincent’s silver skin reflected the cavern lights into the turbulent water, which caused wavering reflections to bounce around the damp walls of the cave.
The alien craft then did something unexpected. For the first time, Vincent spoke aloud, and the tone of his voice was different. The authority attached to the voice was unmistakable. “I cannot give you what you want, Jack Smith. The people of our worlds—both yours and mine—are reliant on the success of my mission. I cannot allow failure.”
“Oh. You think so?” The smug grin returned, “I disagree. I will have the key within minutes, and then I’ll have everything I need to remake the world.”
He turned his pistol on Claire in a threatening way, and his mouth opened as he started to speak. Before he could utter his threat, a pencil-thin beam of red light shot from the nose of the ship and hit him square in the chest. The grin melted, and he slid to the floor as if someone turned off a switch.
Steven dropped his weapon and advised Malcolm and Michael to do the same. They were obviously at a disadvantage. He was not going to get more people killed when he didn’t even know why. The head of security held his hands up and said, “Wait a minute…let’s not all get crazy. Can I ask a question?”
“Yes,” replied Vincent. “However, please make it quick. We haven’t much time.”
The sound of rippling water was increasing, and the water was rising; splashing over the planking of the dock. The small black sub followed the water and rose to strain its moorings with the increasingly turbulent water.
“What is going on—and why did you kill him?”
“Your employer is not dead. He is merely stunned and will wake in approximately thirty minutes. He was preparing to cause someone harm. I was required to act.”
“Hello…can anyone hear me?” Adar was using the badge. He was yelling to overcome a roaring in the background, and he sounded concerned.
Jim tapped the pin on his lapel and answered. “We’re here, Adar. Are you okay?”
“The storm is getting much worse, and I fear we may be facing a hurricane. I am heading to the main house to seek shelter. Do not leave the bunker until this is over.”
Jim was getting worried fast. It was time to move. “We are going inside now. Stay safe, and we’ll see you soon.”
Vincent rose smoothly towards the platform and voiced a warning, “There is a storm surge coming. It is the reason the water is rising. In a few minutes, this cave will be entirely underwater. I suggest we relocate into the bunker immediately.”
No one argued. Jim picked up the dropped weapons, and Steven and Michael dragged the unconscious Jack Smith through the door of the refuge. When they were clear, Claire darted inside, followed by a stunned Malcolm.
Vincent was much more advanced than any earthly drone, and it became especially apparent when he was in flight. In the midst of all the chaos, Jim marveled at how fast the ship shot through the door without touching the door frame. Before the wind of his passage dissipated, Jim pulled the heavy steel door shut; fighting against the rising water spilling over the threshold.
When the door slammed shut, friend and foe became trapped together. All the key players gathered in the same confined space by an unexpected twist of fate.
****
The first thing Claire did was take the weapons from Jim. He talked her into keeping one, a nine millimeter he was familiar with, just in case. She disappeared into the supply room and hid the rest somewhere among the shelves and boxes.
Jim had Jack’s friends lay Jack on a couch and then told them to sit down at the table. Steven could see no other recourse than to play along and see where this went. Malcolm was visibly angry and sat fidgeting. Michael, the low man on the totem pole, was without expression. While Jim kept an eye on them, Claire went to verify the machine was where it should be. She entered the office, pushed the book as Jack had done, and the bookcase opened. It was still there. Resting on the pedestal was the planet changing sphere waiting to fulfill its purpose.
She looked around the trophy room and discovered a triple bank of small monitors. Different camera viewpoints cycled through, displaying key locations throughout the mansion. One screen showed only one perspective, and she watched as the rising water overwhelmed the lens. There was a camera in the cavern. That’s how he knew we were here.
When she returned to the main room, the security guy was staring at the ship and asking Jim questions. “It’s honestly an alien spaceship? Where is it from?”
Vincent was on the floor in front of them. Undeniably present. He answered before Jim could, with a voice closer to normal, “Where I come from is of no consequence. The important thing is I am here to help. Your employer is in possession of an extremely dangerous machine capable of destroying your planet’s delicate climate balance. We have come to retrieve the device. The machine was never intended for this world.”
The radio on Steven’s belt squawked, and a frightened voice said. “Steve, please respond. We have a situation. The storm is turning dangerous—in a hurry, and I think we should call the guys inside. I just saw the helicopter thrown from the roof!”
Steven looked at Jim for permission. Jim answered, “Go ahead. It sounds like it’s getting bad up there. If I were you, I’d get everyone down here where it’s safe.”
The security chief brought the radio to his mouth and hesitated. His mental struggle lasted only a second before he pressed the transmit button and said, “Gather everyone together and bring them down here five at a time. The elevator is rated to handle the weight of four people, so it should be alright. The code is nine-one-one-one.”
“Are you serious? Nine-one-one-one?” came the reply.
“Don’t ask me. I just learned it today. Hurry up. We’ll make room.”
At this moment Malcolm chose to make his move. He acted as if he was pulling up his socks. Instead, he pulled a small derringer from an ankle holster and without a word stood and fired. Jim’s eyes opened wide and then swung down to his side. Red blood began to soak his shirt and down he went. Steven, concerned for the safety of all in the room, rushed Malcolm and knocked him to the ground. The two-shot pistol clattered across the floor and landed under Claire’s feet. She kicked it out of the way and rushed to help Jim.
Michael, the quiet one, finally spoke. “You need to put pressure on that wound, or he’ll bleed out. Can I help? I’m a field medic.”
The situation was out of Vincent’s control, and he knew it. He also knew Jim needed help. “Please. Do what you can.”
Michael changed from the quiet, observant underling he was, to a first responder. In a no-nonsense manner, he examined the wound. His face was hard to read until Claire noticed a subtle nod accompanied by a fleeting smile. “You are lucky mister. The bullet went all the way through, and I don’t think it hit anything vital.”
The medic addressed Claire. “I need some towels, hot water, and the first aid kit—wherever that is.”
Steven was sitting atop Malcolm, and getting angrier by the second that someone could have been killed for no good reason. To reassure Claire, he volunteered, “Take care of your friend. I’ll take care of Smith and this guy.” To the man he had pinned down, he said, “Do you see what you have done? Didn’t you hear what the spaceship said?”
Malcolm was not so easily pacified. He did not believe the accusations being leveled against his friend and mentor. “How do you know you can believe anything these people say? Jack told me the machine was his—bought and paid for—and these thieves with their toy ship stole it from him. He never intended to use it. He only wanted it for the leverage it would give him to do the things that need to be done.”
“What things that need to be done?”
Malcolm jerked in an attempt to break loose fr
om Steven’s hold. When the futility of overcoming the big ex-marine became apparent, he admitted, “He never said. He was getting ready to fill me in when all this happened.”
Steven was aware of Jack Smith’s stand on climate science and decided this was not what he had signed up for. In the direction of his unconscious boss, he said, “I have a pretty good idea what you had in mind for that device, and it wasn’t just leverage. I quit, Jack.”
Steven stood and used a wire tie from his belt to bind the hands of Malcolm. He helped him to the table and pushed him in a chair. “Don’t move. We have enough trouble without you adding to it.”
He picked up the derringer from the floor, put it in a pocket, and used a second tie to secure the hands of Jack Smith. From what he knew of his boss, the power hungry politician was not going to be happy when he woke up.
Chapter Fourteen
Michael and Steven carried Jim into the bunk room and gently placed him on one of the four beds. The room was a large rectangle divided into four cubicles, each with a bed, a footlocker, and a small desk. Movable partitions helped to give the illusion of privacy.
Jim was barely conscious and trying to figure out what happened.
“You were shot. The thin man shot you with a hidden gun,” Claire informed him.
“I am so sorry, Claire. I should have checked. Everything happened so fast.”
“Don’t worry. It turns out we have more friends than we thought.”
Her eyes sought out Michael and Steven and gave them a grateful smile. She turned back to Jim, and said, “With the help of these two gentlemen, we have the situation well in hand.”
“Did we get the machine?”
“Yes. Now go to sleep. Michael has given you a sedative to help. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”
Vincent Page 13
