by Bobby Akart
Headstrong.
Kwon stepped in. He stood and reached his hand under Harper’s arm to urge her out of the chair. “Would you please excuse us for a second?”
Nobody responded.
Harper, surprised by Kwon’s forcefulness with her, willingly stood and followed him into the hallway. She wandered away from the conference room door and then turned on Kwon.
“You know I’m right! The answers are at this Third Pole place, whatever the hell it is. I don’t see why we can’t make a quick—”
Kwon cut her off. “Harper, you don’t know that they came in contact with the host animal there. This place could be nothing but rock and ice. The usual zoonotic suspects most likely aren’t found there.”
She wasn’t backing down. “Then we’ll follow the next lead. We can’t stop now, Kwon. We’re too damned close!”
Her outburst had attracted the attention of several embassy personnel. First, they noticed Harper’s determined look, and then they took in the yak swag tee shirt. A few shrugs and whispers accompanied their assessment of her actions.
“Please calm down. I get it. Let’s go back and take in the rest of their research before we discuss going back to China. Don’t forget, they’re looking for us. We barely got out of there the other day.”
Harper’s shoulders slumped as she fidgeted with her feet on the shiny tile floor. “Let’s just see if it’s possible, okay?”
“Fair enough.”
The two reentered the room, but Hughey had cleared out the analysts, leaving only the two agents assigned to assist Harper and Kwon.
“Dr. Randolph, please don’t misunderstand,” began Hughey. “Yes, it’s possible to sneak you back into China, and yes, we are prepared to make it happen. However, I cannot in good conscience allow it. This remote part of China is ordinarily forgotten about by Beijing. There is a single military outpost in westernmost Ngari Prefecture near the border where the conflicts have arisen. Our fact book lists four dozen regular army and support staff. It’s much smaller than the one you entered at Tingri County.”
“That’s good, right?” she asked.
“I said ordinarily,” Hughey explained. “Because of the increased hostilities between the two nations, the PLA has greatly increased its presence along the border. I’m talking heavy artillery, helo gunships, and lots of troops.”
“How far away is the TPE facility from the border?”
“Fifty miles,” replied Hughey.
Kwon shook his head and turned to Harper. “If we get exposed, they’d be on us in a flash. There’d be no way to outrun them this time.”
Harper stood her ground. “Why? You did a great job on the snowmobiles.”
“Harper, this is different. Trust me.”
She turned to Hughey and the two agents. “Can’t you create some new documents for us? Like they did at the Beijing embassy. Call us glaciologists or environmental something-or-others. Hell, the roto-rooter man. I don’t care. Just get us across the border and to this Gar City.”
One of the agents corrected her. “County. Gar County.”
“Fine. That place. Don’t you have your own passport printing press?”
Hughey was exasperated. “That’s not the problem, Dr. Randolph. We have a route to get you back and forth across the border without detection. I assume it’s still workable.” He turned to the analysts, who both nodded. One of them spoke up.
“They have their prints. If they’re captured, all the docs in the world won’t get them out of it if they’re printed.”
Harper turned to her partner. “Then we won’t get caught. Right, Kwon?”
All three of the agency personnel looked to Kwon, who threw his hands up. “She’s relentless.”
“I can’t guarantee your safety, but I can provide you the best possible tools to get you in and out.”
Harper spontaneously clapped. “We’ll take it. What’s next?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Annapurna Conservation Area
Nepal-Tibet, China Border
Harper and Kwon’s return trip into China was far more surreptitious than their relatively routine flight into Beijing of over a week ago. Outfitted with a Mahindra Roxor, a cross between a vintage Willys Jeep and an old Ford Bronco II, the Roxor was an off-road enthusiast’s dream. The boxy vehicle was designed with short overhangs to make rock climbing easy. It had a reinforced undercarriage with components that were near impossible to break. The ten-thousand-pound, front-mounted winch supplemented the Roxor’s ample torque to pull it out of the most difficult of situations.
The extended back end allowed the CIA agents to load the vehicle with camping and climbing gear, as well as weapons with ample ammunition. Kwon agreed and understood that if they were to get apprehended, they’d most likely disappear forever or become the poster children for a major international incident. They both accepted the risks and agreed to take every tool available to prevent capture.
It was just after dawn when they slowed to the designated point on the Garmin Aera 760 portable GPS navigator. Almost the size of an iPad Mini, the device was designed as an all-in-one aviation tool, giving pilots a portable alternative to their cockpit-installed devices. Because of its advanced technology relative to topography, the CIA provided it to their operatives who undertook to cross the Nepal-China border through the mountains rather than the closely monitored highway checkpoints.
An hour northwest of Kathmandu was the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal’s largest protected area and home to some of the world’s highest peaks and its undisputed deepest valley created by the Kali Gandaki River.
They’d left the embassy just after midnight and traveled the road from Pokhara, the nearest town, until they reached a series of mountain trails leading to the river. The Garmin became essential at this point. CIA operatives had planted beacons in the rocks and soil that were visible on the device. Even in the dark of night, trekkers or vehicles, following the preferred route suggested by the agency personnel, could make their way to the shallowest, most narrow part of the river. Just beyond the river lay a series of valleys zigzagging through the Western Himalayas into China.
It was imperative that Kwon stay on schedule and not attempt to enter China during the daylight hours. At another designated point during the journey, an alarm sounded on the Garmin, indicating they must douse the vehicle’s lights and switch to infrared navigation using the AGM night-vision goggles they were provided. Again, they were a favorite of the CIA operatives entering China because they did an excellent job of illuminating the terrain and preventing the flattening effect of lower-quality models.
Once into China, Kwon and Harper exited the vehicle to change license plates. The Nepalese plates were ditched and replaced with Chinese plates issued to a construction company in Xinjiang. Once in the country, they’d avoid the scrutiny of patrolling police vehicles. However, if they were pulled over and searched, it would be game over. For that reason, both Harper and Kwon kept their silenced Sig Sauer MPX weapons hidden under blankets next to the center console of the vehicle.
“Thank you,” Harper said after they reentered the Roxor and began the final stretch toward the highway. It was the first words they’d spoken since they pulled off the road and began to bounce their way along the woodland trails. “I know this is more than you signed on for.”
“Harper, you don’t know much about me,” said Kwon, his face only visible by the light provided by the full moon. “At the end of the day, I’m a soldier and a patriot. I love my country and will do whatever it takes to protect her and all Americans from any threat. You and I both know a deadly microbe is just as capable of destroying our way of life as a Chinese nuke.”
“We agree on that, but the risks you’re taking to indulge me are above the call of duty.”
Kwon shook his head. “Listen, as a soldier, a physician, and a man, I believe in certain core values, including loyalty, duty, respect, and selfless service. When I’m called on to serve, I do it without
regard to myself, and I try to do it with honor. Fear never enters my mind because I have the courage to face any adversary. It’s a mindset that few people understand.”
“Kwon, are you afraid of dying?”
He didn’t hesitate. “No. Do I have a death wish? Absolutely not. I train, study, and prepare to give myself the best possible advantage going into any situation. Sometimes, circumstances dictate I undertake a mission flying by the seat of my pants.”
Harper sighed. “Case in point—my whims.”
“You’re wrong, Harper. This is not a whim. If it were, we’d still be back in the embassy. This is just another step in a quest for the truth that began when we met at DARPA. Not moving forward would mean failure in my mind. Don’t doubt that.”
They bounced along quietly for a while as Kwon carefully navigated the Roxor through narrow gaps in the ridges and then up and down inclines. Harper continued the conversation.
“I firmly believe we are going to save lives. It’s why I’ll pick up and fly around the world on a moment’s notice to investigate these mysterious diseases. It’s all about containment and preventing a much larger outbreak. Not just for our country, but for all of mankind.”
Kwon understood. “What you do is dangerous on many levels. It’s like you’re trying to extinguish hundreds of thousands of hot sparks in a pile of dried leaves. Diseases spread so rapidly, they could overtake a community, or a country, before the appearance of symptoms. That’s why time is so critical in your investigations, and that’s why I’m here shaking the fillings out of my teeth on a return trip to China. Some might consider it insanity. I say it’s just part of the job.”
Harper chuckled. “I love my husband for making sure you were with me. I’m gonna miss you when this is over, Kwon.”
Kwon soaked in her statement, and then he asked, “By the way, how did Joe take the news that we were going back in?”
Harper closed her eyes and laid her head back against the headrest, allowing the terrain to beat it repeatedly against the cushioned seat. It was a form of self-induced punishment. Well-deserved, she thought to herself.
“I didn’t tell him.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
China National Highway 219
Gar County, Ngari Prefecture
Tibet, China
Despite the fact that Kwon was maintaining the speed limit as he and Harper drove west along China National Highway 219, they soon found themselves stuck behind a convoy of military vehicles heading toward the India-China border. They had just entered Ngari Prefecture in Western Tibet, approximately forty miles south of Gar County, where the Third Pole research facility was located, when Kwon ran up on the tail vehicle of the convoy. He immediately slowed to back off in an effort not to draw attention. Thus far, their second incursion into the Communist country had been smooth. He didn’t want to derail their efforts by making themselves known to the PLA, who were possibly looking for them.
Ngari was known for some of the holiest tourist attractions in the world—Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Religious sites from the Zhangzhung civilization of four thousand years ago were frequented by visitors from around the world.
The CIA analysts had provided Harper a briefing package embedded in the Garmin Aero GPS device. Armed with the local knowledge of interest to tourists, she and Kwon might be able to talk their way out of a routine traffic stop without raising suspicions.
After she covered the basic points of interest in Ngari, she turned her attention to the TPE facility. “These guys are all about the environment and climate change. Just to summarize what we learned before. The Third Pole refers to the high mountain region centered on the Tibetan Plateau. It covers two million square miles.
“According to this, the entire area stores more snow and ice than anywhere on the planet outside the Arctic and Antarctic. One spot in particular, the Guliya Ice Cap …” Harper’s voice trailed off. She paused as she turned in her seat and rotated the Garmin slightly before continuing, “… which appears to be due north of where we are now, is the largest ice cap in the Himalayas. Guliya seems to be the focus of the TPE’s study.”
Kwon slowed to a near stop as brake lights appeared on the convoy’s trucks. “They’re stopping.”
“Or turning,” added Harper. “According to the GPS, there’s a highway that leads west toward India. Gar County is just ahead about fifteen miles.”
Kwon was intense and focused. “Good. I’m ready to find out about these guys, Mooy and Maclaren, and then get the hell out of here.”
Harper set the Garmin in her lap and watched the convoy disappear down a narrow, two-lane highway.
“Well, this is all good stuff and should allow us sufficient information to make conversation when we get there. The scientists here are from all over the world, including the U.S. One of the founders is from Ohio State.”
“You have our cover down, so I’ll let you take the lead. If Chinese is required, I’ll jump in, but I suspect English is spoken by most.”
Harper sat a little taller in her seat and messed with her hair. She vowed to work on her acting skills after she returned to Atlanta. She’d pretended to be more people on this trip to China than someone suffering from dissociative identity disorder.
As they entered the outskirts of Gar County and its main city of Shiquanhe, Harper was amazed at the primitive construction of the buildings and the frontier-like living conditions. The area’s population of twelve thousand people appeared to live simply. Many were dressed in traditional garb reminiscent of what she’d observed in the Middle East during past investigations. Vehicles were few and far between, with most of the inhabitants using pack animals to carry goods around the hard-packed dirt streets.
“It should be up ahead on the left,” said Harper as she pointed to a large, one-story building perched upon a rocky hilltop.
“I see it,” added Kwon. “What I have not seen is a police presence or evidence of PLA activity. They must have their hands full at the border.”
“I appreciate the distraction,” Harper added before exclaiming, “There! See the sign?”
Kwon took a deep breath and steered the Roxor up the hill, spinning the all-wheel-drive tires on the loose gravel as he accelerated. Half a minute later, they’d gathered themselves and prepared to enter the research facility. A confident Harper led the way.
The block and stucco structure was just as plain on the inside as it was on the outside. When they entered the reception area, they found a single desk, unmanned at the moment, and multiple poster-sized photographs of the region. Behind the desk was the Third Pole Environment logo, a blue globe with a swath of white representing the massive ice cap.
Harper grew impatient as nobody emerged from the back offices to greet them. She approached an open door leading into a hallway where the sound of a man’s voice could be heard. She found a young man wearing wire-rim glasses leaning against the doorjamb of an open office door, speaking with a coworker.
“Ahem.” Harper forcibly cleared her throat to get attention.
“Oh. Hello,” he greeted her, turning around after being startled. “May I help you?”
“Yes. I am Harp—Harris Mills.” She chastised herself. Bad start, Harper. Epic fail, you dope. She couldn’t bring herself to look back at Kwon, who was waiting near the hallway entrance. “I was wondering if you could help us.”
“Sure, of course. I’m Benton. Let’s step back out here.” He motioned for Harper and Kwon to return to the lobby. Once they were out there, he added, “Sorry about that. We don’t really get many unannounced visitors. What was your name again?”
“Harris,” she replied, now settling into her new role. “Honestly, this wasn’t on our itinerary for our month-long vacation through China. However, because my friend and I are faculty members in sustainability studies, we were intrigued when we learned about the work you do here.”
“Oh? How did you hear about us?”
“Pure happenstance, actually,” Harper re
plied. “The first leg of our trip began at Mount Everest many weeks ago. We’re climbers and were supposed to make our first trip to the summit. Sadly, it didn’t work out.”
A wave of grief overcame the receptionist, and he sat in the chair behind his desk. It was awkwardly quiet for a moment, causing Harper and Kwon to exchange glances.
She continued. “Benton, um, I’m sorry if I said something to upset you.”
He sighed and shook his head with his eyes closed. “We lost two of our own at Everest a few weeks ago. They died in a horrible accident.”
Harper ran with it. “There was an incident that forced the mountain to be closed before we reached the top. I hope it wasn’t because of the two super-nice guys who told us about working here. Their names were Adam and Trent, I believe. Funny Aussies. Did something happen to them?”
Benton grimaced and nodded. “Yes. We learned about it from the Security Police. When our friends didn’t return from the climb, our research head called the police. A week later, two men showed up and asked a few questions. They only stayed a minute or two and then left.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” began Harper, putting on her most empathetic face. “They were great guys and really funny. They spoke very highly of the importance of your work here and their contributions as drillers of some sort.”
“Yes, they worked for Black Diamond Drilling based in Melbourne, Australia. They were responsible for obtaining core samples out of the Guliya Ice Cap.”
Harper was intrigued. “What exactly did that entail? We never got into the details with Adam and Trent. Mostly, we traded stories about our two countries.”
“They were proud Aussies. You know, mates and all that. Anyway, I’d be glad to introduce you to their supervisory research scientist, who can fill you in. It’s a little hard for me to talk about.”
Harper caught Kwon’s eye and winked as the young man exited the reception area. A moment later, Benton emerged with a small-in-stature Chinese man who introduced himself as Professor Yang Tandong. The three exchanged pleasantries, and Harper restated what had brought them to the TPE research facility. Professor Yang offered to take them on a tour.
