Captured (The Prometheus Project Book 2)

by Richards, Douglas E

  “I don’t believe that. It would have known Tezoc wasn’t authorized to be here. It would have tried to stop him. It wouldn’t just leave us at his mercy.”

  “Given the timing, Ryan, there are only two possibilities. Either the computer left at almost the exact time Tezoc arrived, or—”

  Ryan knew where his sister was heading and didn’t like it. “Or Tezoc must have deactivated it,” he said, finishing the sentence for her.

  She nodded.

  Ryan shook his head. “Deactivated the Teacher?” he said in disbelief. “Impossible. Not if it didn’t want to be.”

  “Ryan, if the Teacher didn’t leave—and you’re sure it wouldn’t do that—it’s the only explanation that makes sense,” she insisted. “Tezoc escapes prison on his planet and comes through the portal to Earth. The city begins to send out its warning, but Tezoc cuts it off in mid-sentence. At the same time he deactivates the central computer so it can’t stop him.”

  “As much as I hate to believe it, that’s probably what happened,” said Ryan miserably. “Which means I’m starting to think you’re right again: something very, very fishy is going on. Because if Tezoc knows enough about this city to turn off the central computer, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t know how to get through the force-field.”

  Regan nodded, glad that her brother had come over to her way of thinking.

  “But let’s keep going,” suggested Ryan. “So eight days ago he arrives and deactivates the computer. Then what happens?”

  Regan considered. “Well, he was good, but not perfect. A few seconds of the city’s telepathic warning did get sent. To us. So we got nervous and asked Carl to do a security sweep to look for an alien intruder.”

  “Yeah, that went really well,” said Ryan, rolling his eyes. “Security did a sweep, all right. But they found nothing. Tezoc should have registered on their equipment.”

  “But that’s not so surprising. Tezoc would’ve been prepared for this possibility. He probably has some technology that makes him invisible to our sensors.”

  Ryan nodded. His sister was probably right.

  “So he arrives and doesn’t get caught during the security sweep,” she continued. “How does he recruit the mercenaries?”

  “Good question,” said Ryan. “And how does he do it so quickly? And why? What’s the rush? He must have really been moving to set everything up in a week. He would have had to leave the city right away and start recruiting. He would have had to know exactly where to go to find mercs, and he would have had to convince them he could pay them the money he was promising.”

  “But how does he even get out in the first place?” asked Regan. “He has to get out of the city, and then the cavern, and then the Proact installation. It seems to me it would be almost as hard getting to the outside through security as it would be getting in. Almost. For starters, to even get aboveground, he would have to take the Prometheus elevator. It’s the only way. And it’s guarded every second of every day.”

  “Okay,” said Ryan. “So this guy breaks out of an unbreakable prison, defeats Qwervy portal security, deactivates the Teacher, and finds a way out of here. Then all he has to do is recruit his mercenary army almost instantly and plan a way to break back into the city. Another impossibility.” Ryan frowned. “Maybe we’re still sleeping and this is a dream, because I don’t care if this guy is Superman and Houdini combined, he couldn’t have pulled this off.”

  “The only problem is that he did,” said Regan. She paused in thought and a troubled frown came over her face. “What if he had Carl’s help?”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Look, Ryan, you know how much I like Carl. I’m not accusing him of anything. I’m just trying to explore every last possibility. Could Carl have done it?”

  “Probably,” answered Ryan. “He’s the only one on Earth who could. He knows all the security schedules—he sets them—and he knows all of the bypasses and codes and passwords and backup systems. Carl is Prometheus security.”

  “Carl lost his memory the day of the sweep,” she pointed out. “We thought he must have experimented with the chemical formula his Proact team had developed. But what if we were wrong. What if he did find Tezoc that day? What if he helped him escape, and it was Tezoc who erased his memory?”

  Ryan’s breath stuck in his throat. He had forgotten! Carl had lost his memory.

  “I can’t believe that,” he said finally, shaking his head. “No money or threat in the world could get Carl to help Tezoc. He wouldn’t help him even if his life were on the line. I’m positive of it. And he’s a prisoner just like the rest of the team.” He paused. “Carl’s face looked fairly calm, but did you see his eyes when Tezoc was bragging about taking over the city? They were blazing with fury. There must be another answer,” he insisted. “Let’s keep going.”

  Regan paused for several long seconds, considering. Ryan was right. She had seen Carl’s eyes and his rage was unmistakable. He knew better than anyone what could happen if the technology of the city got into the wrong hands. She knew with absolute certainty that Carl would have been willing to sacrifice himself and the entire team to prevent that. She nodded her agreement. “Okay,” she said finally.

  Regan paused for a moment to remember where they had left off. “So Tezoc arrives, shuts down the computer, escapes, recruits his army, and breaks back in. Then what does he do?”

  Ryan considered. “He shuts down our opening in the force-field and somehow knocks out everyone in the city.”

  “How does he do that?”

  “Well, you heard Carl,” said Ryan. “He didn’t think it was gas. Could’ve been anything. Some device he brought. It could’ve been ultrasonic energy for all we know.”

  “And why did he close our one opening in the force-field and trap himself inside?”

  “He told Carl he did it because he knew outside security would discover we’d been invaded and send the army after him. He said he trapped himself by accident because the technology he brought to exit somewhere else didn’t work.”

  Regan shook her head. “Do you believe that? Wouldn’t he test his device first to make sure it worked before he closed the only opening in the shield?”

  “Yeah,” said Ryan unhappily. “He would. It would be really dumb not to, and he isn’t dumb.”

  “Exactly. So why was his next step to get Dad to create an exit? Why do that if he could easily leave anytime he wanted? And why the hurry? Why six hours?”

  “The same questions we started with,” said Ryan in frustration. “This hasn’t gotten us anywhere.”

  They both sighed. It seemed hopeless. They were more certain than ever they were missing the big picture. But while they had raised a number of good questions they had not come up with a single good answer.

  And discussion time was over. They had arrived at their destination and there was no time to waste.

  They both took a deep breath and prepared to enter the building that contained Major Manning and three other enemy soldiers. They paused for a moment to steady their nerves, but only for a moment. There was no turning back now. And Tezoc’s deadline expired in thirty minutes.

  It was time to trade the force-field nullifier for their mother’s life.

  CHAPTER 18

  Deadly Orders

  Just as they were about to enter the building, Ryan spotted a Hauler off in the distance, moving away from them. He pointed it out to his sister. It was just a bit too far away for them to make out who was inside.

  “Where is it headed?” asked Ryan telepathically.

  Regan shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s going in the direction of the cavern. Dad and Tezoc are in the opposite direction,” she noted.

  Ryan frowned. Where could it be going? And why? Nothing was making sense. But he was determined to find the key to this puzzle. There had to be one. And once he found it, everything would fall into place and suddenly make perfect sense. He glanced at his watch and didn’t like what he saw. If he
was going to solve this puzzle, he had better do it soon.

  “Ryan, we’re being idiots,” broadcast Regan. “What are we thinking?”

  Ryan gave her a puzzled look.

  “We’re both about to go in here together,” she explained. “One of us should stay outside in case something goes wrong. So we have a plan B.”

  She was right! They were being idiots.

  Ryan’s eyes went wide as he realized the possibilities. The mercs didn’t know they had escaped Davidenko. This made some excellent backup strategies possible. His sister had just significantly improved their chances of success. “Regan, you’re a genius.”

  “Thanks. Another way to look at it is that I’m a chicken, but I like the way you’re looking at it better.”

  Ryan smiled. “I know exactly how to play this. Wait by the entrance here out of sight.”

  “Should I sneak around back to the hallway?”

  Ryan shook his head. “No. Stay close to the main entrance.”

  The mercenaries might be nothing but cold-blooded criminals, but they were very highly trained cold-blooded criminals. And they had been surprised twice from the corridor, once when the siblings had hidden with Dan, and once when they had tried to rescue the prisoners using the glass globes. Surely the mercs would have searched the corridor to learn how members of the Prometheus team had managed to magically appear twice in this location. Even if they hadn’t found the invisible door, they would have rigged a booby-trap or some sort of warning so they wouldn’t be surprised this way a third time.

  Ryan handed his sister the combat knife he had taken from Davidenko to keep while he was inside.

  “Good luck, Ryan,” she broadcast worriedly.

  Ryan shook his head. “I won’t need luck,” he replied confidently. “Not when I have you backing me up.”

  Regan managed a nervous smile, wishing she had as much confidence in her ambushing skills as he seemed to have. She made her way to the corner of the building nearest the entrance, crouching low to stay out of sight.

  Ryan walked the last few yards to the entrance. He raised his hands above his head and slowly walked through.

  He scanned the room as he entered. There was only a single mercenary inside and now only one group of prisoners. Carl and his security team were gone! The one mercenary remaining had his rifle up and trained on Ryan by the time Ryan had completed his second step.

  His hands still raised in surrender, Ryan walked forward toward the middle of the room and the lone mercenary. He examined the prisoners carefully. All of the scientists were where they had been before. Except one.

  He stifled a gasp. His mom was missing! Where was she!

  “Okay in there?” broadcast Regan.

  Ryan forced himself to remain focused. “Fine,” he replied telepathically. “Only one merc,” he continued rapidly. “The Prometheus security team and Mom aren’t here. Neither is Manning.”

  The soldier looked Ryan over carefully, a cruel scowl on his face. As Ryan stared into his eyes he became convinced that this man wasn’t in the mercenary business for the money—this man just liked to hurt people. Ryan realized that this was the soldier Tezoc had referred to as Captain Brice, the man who had earlier threatened to shoot Carl in the leg.

  Ryan remembered that Tezoc had gone ballistic over that. Why? Why had Tezoc threatened death to anyone who as much as scratched Carl? Why would he care? Tezoc didn’t seem to care about the condition of any of the other prisoners. Ryan had a feeling that this was another piece of the puzzle—an important piece—but he didn’t have time to consider it right now.

  “Where is your sister?” demanded the soldier.

  “Where do you think?” replied Ryan defiantly. “She’s with Davidenko.”

  “How did you escape?”

  “I didn’t. We figured out where the nullifier technology is. Davidenko’s going with Regan to get it. He sent me here to report.”

  Brice scowled. “And why should I believe you?”

  “You’re right,” said Ryan, rolling his eyes. “I’m lying to you. Actually we knocked Davidenko unconscious and have him handcuffed in a building somewhere.”

  Brice smiled. “Very funny,” he said. “So how long until Davidenko and your sister return?”

  “They’ll be here soon,” said Ryan.

  “So what do you have to report?”

  “Where is my mother?” asked Ryan anxiously.

  “Ah, yes, your mother,” taunted Brice cheerfully. “She was moved. Tezoc wanted to make sure your father didn’t slow down, so he brought her to where your father is working to, ah … motivate him.”

  “And the Prometheus security team?”

  “What is this!” barked Brice angrily. “An interrogation? No more questions! It’s time for you to answer mine. What have you come here to say?”

  Ryan shook his head. “We made our deal with Major Manning. Where is he?”

  Brice laughed. “So you prefer your friend Major Manning, do you? Well, he’s not here right now.” He leaned closer and whispered, “But I’ll let you in on a little secret. He left orders for me to kill you both if you returned.”

  Ryan shrank back in horror. “You’re lying.”

  Brice laughed even harder. “Guess again,” he said. “And as soon as Davidenko gets back here with your sister, I intend to carry out my orders.”

  Ryan had recovered from the shock and his mind began working overtime. “But that doesn’t make any sense. We had a deal. The nullifier for my mother’s life and the safety of the Prometheus team. We’re harmless and we’re trying to help Tezoc find a way to exit the city.” Ryan paused. “Does Tezoc even know about this?” he demanded.

  “Manning said he spoke with him about it. I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that Tezoc left clear instructions to follow the major’s orders while he was busy at the other site.”

  “Call Tezoc, then. Check on the orders.”

  “I’m not going to bother Tezoc,” said Brice. “Besides,” he continued, the corners of his mouth turning up into a malevolent smile. “What if he says not to kill you? Then what would I do for fun?”

  Ryan ignored the soldier’s cruel taunt. “Why would Tezoc order us killed?” he pressed. “Doesn’t that bother you? There’s no guarantee my father can get us out of here. Ever. He broke in—barely—but the force-field is different on this side. He might not be able to solve all the equations. Manning knows we were looking for a force-field nullifier. So if Tezoc ordered us dead, Manning should have told him it was a bad idea, because we might be able to solve his problem. It just doesn’t make sense that either Tezoc or Manning would order you to kill us.”

  “It doesn’t have to,” snapped Brice. “But for what it’s worth, Manning seems to have a bug about you and your sister. For some reason he thinks you’re more dangerous to us than all the Navy Seal and Army Ranger types on Colonel Sharp’s team. He’s studied your files extensively. He told us you’ve been thoroughly evaluated since joining the project. The evaluator found you both to be bright and creative, and also unusually prone to coming up with remarkable flashes of intuition and inspiration, especially under pressure. Manning is convinced that you two are capable of pulling all kinds of tricks from your sleeves.” Brice scowled. “Personally, I think he’s overestimated you by a lot. You came up with a good plan with the bugs,” he admitted, “but everyone is lucky now and then. Anyway, Manning is certain that the force-field nullifier device that you describe doesn’t exist. He ordered me to kill you and your sister, and told me if you brought something back and claimed it was a nullifier, it was a trick, and I should destroy it immediately.”

  “Manning is wrong!” insisted Ryan. “The technology does exist. And we found it. No tricks. Destroy it and you might be destroying your only chance of ever leaving this city. Don’t you understand that?”

  “Manning knows what he’s doing,” snapped Brice. “And I intend to carry out my orders. In fact, I’ve decided not to wait for your sister after
all.” He glanced suggestively at the assault rifle that was still pointed at Ryan “If you’re inclined to say any prayers,” he said icily, “you have exactly twenty seconds to say them.”

  And as Ryan stared into the soldier’s cruel eyes, he knew Brice wouldn’t hesitate to execute him and his sister, even though they were kids, and that no power on Earth could possibly get him to change his mind.

  CHAPTER 19

  Counterattack

  “Regs!” broadcast Ryan, panicked. For the third time that day, it was time for plan B. If Regan hadn’t stopped them from entering the building together, they’d both be dead by now.

  “Here,” responded Regan immediately.

  “I’m in big trouble. We need to take this guy out right now or I’m dead. Get close to the entrance and have a flashbang ready.”

  “Got it,” broadcast Regan.

  Ryan stumbled forward a few paces and crouched to the ground. “My head,” he moaned, dropping to a sitting position. He put his hands tightly over his ears and rolled into a ball, still moaning. He covered his ears and eyes as tightly as possible with his arms and legs and rocked back and forth on the ground.

  “Very, very tricky,” said Brice, smirking. “I suppose now I’ll just let my guard down, so you can—”

  “Regan, now!” broadcast Ryan with all of his might, shutting his eyes as tightly as he could.

  Regan stepped into the room behind them and tossed in a flashbang grenade, diving back out of the building before it hit the floor.

  Brice turned just as it landed, but far too late to even brace himself for the blast. The flashbang explosion was intense beyond reason. While Ryan knew about these devices and what to expect, the reality was more jarring and terrifying than he could possibly have imagined. Even covered up as he was, Ryan thought the sound would shake him apart. The flash was as bright as a supernova, and although his face was pressed tightly against his legs the burst of light easily penetrating his closed eyelids. He was dazed and fought to recover from the shock of the blast.

  He didn’t have time to be dazed. He had to move now!