“Yup. We’d better haul ass.”
Lauren Hill exited her office and headed towards the kitchenette down the hall. Her briefing to the DIA was in less than an hour, and so far she had little to present to them. Despite her role as mediator, she was just as upset about the situation as Devonai. Hill didn’t have the luxury of expressing her opinions in the same manner. If he wasn’t so damn good, she’d consider a verbal warning for his conduct. She gave him a modicum of leeway as a favor for his loyalty. He was well aware of this and never took advantage of it, at least as far as she knew.
At the kitchenette, Hill started brewing a pot of coffee. The last fresh batch had been consumed by a rattled Levi Marks, who was currently being held downstairs. Their plan to extricate information from Ferro had worked well, just with more violence then they’d anticipated.
Hill heard the elevator door open, and turned around. Out in the hallway, Devonai walked by. Hill ran after him.
“Hey, I thought I told you to get your ass to Manchester!”
“I’m on my way,” Devonai said without stopping. “I decided I wanted Miss Ferro along for the ride.”
“Why? You’re wasting time.”
“Ferro is our only bargaining chip. If we run into the others up there, I want her along for leverage.”
The two stopped in front of the door to Ari’s ad hoc prison.
“And you might give them a chance to rescue her, too.”
“I think it would be preferable if they could see her in person. It shows our good faith, and we need as much as we can get after that Marlborough Street melee.”
Hill sighed heavily. “All right. Take her. But if that bundle of razor wire causes more trouble it’s on your shoulders.”
“If I can handle Fledgling I can handle this one.”
Hill smirked. She and Devonai entered the room. Ari was sitting at the table looking terminally bored.
“Your friends are on the move again, Miss Ferro,” Devonai said.
“Wonderful.”
“We’ve got a fix on their location. I’d like you to accompany us on the way.”
“Like I have a choice?”
“I was just being polite.”
Hill spoke. “Your little encounter with Mister Marks was quite helpful. You confirmed that what he was telling us was true.”
“I did no such thing,” Ari replied. “I was talking about a pleasure yacht out of Bermuda called the Faith. We had a little illegal gambling going on, and Marks ratted on it. What a stupid jerk.”
Devonai produced a pair of handcuffs from his pocket.
“Stand up and turn around, please,” he said.
Ari held up her hands. “As you wish, your majesty.”
Devonai cuffed Ari’s hands behind her back, and led her out into the hallway.
“Richer is waiting downstairs, I presume?” asked Hill.
Devonai nodded.
“We’re not bringing Marks along?” Ari asked. “That’s too bad, I’m sure the others would like a word or two with him.”
Devonai and Ari entered the elevator. After the doors had closed, Devonai turned to Ari.
“There’s no reason to hold back anymore, Miss Ferro,” he said. “If you tell us the truth about what’s going on we can avoid any more misunderstandings. Like I said before, there’s no reason to let another confrontation go bad.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Look, I’m going to tell you something. I’m just a normal guy who’s been through some extraordinary circumstances. I’ve always done what I thought was right. Fortunately, so far, that’s been in line with my orders and the wishes of the CIA. Well, not counting some initial unpleasantness. If what Marks said is true, who is to say that you and your friends aren’t the right ones to pilot this spaceship?”
The elevator arrived on the first floor, and Devonai led Ari outside to the waiting Expedition. Richter was in the driver’s seat. Devonai got into the back seat with Ari.
“Somehow I doubt that decision is yours to make,” Ari said.
“Let’s go, corporal,” Devonai said. “No, it’s not. But I know how to keep an open mind. I’ll report back on what I find and interject my opinion into the report.”
Richter pulled the Ford out into traffic and headed for the highway. Ari stared out the window for a minute or two before responding.
“Who cares what you think if you’re not the head honcho?” she said.
“I have some pull with the organization.”
“Not enough for something like this.”
“All I’m asking is that you at least consider trusting my judgment. If not for the sake of the ship, then for the safety of your friends.”
Ari shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“Then who among us isn’t keeping an open mind?”
“You’d better cooperate,” began Richter, “or we’ll set you up the bomb. Then all your base are belong to us.”
“Richter, shut the hell up!”
23.
The outdoor café was on a busy street in a middle-eastern city. Dana sat at a table shaded by an umbrella, the item necessary to ward off the noonday sun. She was wearing a sleeveless sun dress and a pith helmet. Across from her sat the phantom Seth, as he had appeared in the virtual world of the orb. The androgynous person offered her an odd smile, and gestured toward the meal set before them. Dana had been served a pastrami on rye with a pickle spear, and Seth had a large Belgian waffle with whipped cream and strawberries. Dana picked up a mug next to her plate, and found it to contain Lady Grey tea. It was delicious, and she moved on to the sandwich. It was equally wonderful, but even as the spicy mustard hit her tongue she knew something was wrong. Seth nodded knowingly and pointed into the sky. Dana followed his arm and noticed that the sky offered not just a bright sun, but also several stars, a view familiar to space-borne individuals free of an illuminated atmosphere. As she gazed at the sight, she noticed that they were in fact underneath a very high ceiling, and the entire city was indoors somewhere.
“Beware of the Kira'To,” said Seth.
Dana awoke with a start. She was alone on the bridge of the Faith, save for Friday who was asleep in her lap. The others had been there, last she knew, planning for Ari’s rescue. Dana roused Friday and apologetically placed her on the floor. Standing up, Dana looked out the window. They were about a thousand feet above Boston Common.
“Seth, where are John and Ray?”
“We are in the conference room,” said Seth.
Dana crossed the bridge and entered the conference room. John, Ray, and Christie were standing over the table. John had a yellow legal pad and was drawing on it for Christie and Ray’s benefit. Dana noticed that the drawings were floor plans.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“We’re still planning the rescue,” said Ray. “John’s hosting Seth so that we can get a look at the floor plan of this building.”
“This is why we need Ari to get that infrared transceiver working,” John said. “So we can hook our computers up to Seth and avoid this kind of laborious interaction.”
“This is the fourth floor, where they’re holding Ari,” said Ray, pointing to the pad.
“Okay, this is the layout,” John began, “and this room is where they’ve got... what? Say that again so that everyone can hear it!”
“Ari is no longer in this place,” said Seth.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” yelled John.
“You did not ask me sooner.”
John smacked the table with his hand. “Damn it! Well, can you tell us where the hell she is now?”
“Yes.”
John stared off at the opposite wall for a few seconds as Seth relayed the information to him. John began to speak slowly.
“She’s in a car, no a truck... being transported... north, on Route 93. She’s with two other men.”
“They must be headed to the last transmission point,” said Ray. “They’re taking her with them.
”
“Shit, that ruins our plan, doesn’t it?” asked Dana.
“No, it just means we need a new plan,” said John, running for the bridge.
The others followed him. John sat in the pilot’s chair.
“What do you have in mind?” asked Christie.
“We’re going to snatch that truck right off the highway,” said John with intensity.
“How are we going to do that?” Ray demanded.
“Yeah, we can’t transport them aboard,” said Christie.
“It’s easy,” began John. “All we have to do is get in front of them and drop the ramp. We hit the brakes, and before they know what the hell is going on they’ll drive right into the cargo bay.”
Ray gestured towards the rear of the bridge. “What’s to stop them from smashing right into the opposite wall?”
“If Seth and I can time it right, their momentum will be canceled out as soon as they hit the ramp. That, and the driver will probably be slamming on the brakes.”
“Why not just wait until they get to the transmission site and grab them there?” Dana asked.
“Seth doesn’t know if there are any other vehicles present. There could be more agents than we can handle if we wait. If we grab this one truck off the highway we can surround them and take control before they have a chance to react. Even if they resist, where are they going to go? If Ray gets the drop on them with his pistol they’d be suicidal to fight back.”
“I guess it might work,” Ray said. “How fast can Seth drop the ramp?”
“As fast as gravity can pull it down.”
“Okay, let’s give it a shot.”
“We’re already on our way to their location. We’ll be there in thirty seconds. Better clear out some room in the cargo bay.”
“Got it. Dana and Christie, you’re with me.”
“I’ll stay here,” said John. “It’s easier for me to concentrate while seated.”
“Okay.”
Ray led the way downstairs with Christie and Dana following. They arrived in the cargo bay. The most obvious obstacle was the Expedition.
“You two get those boxes out of the way,” began Ray, “I’ll move the Ford to the left side of the bay. John, can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear,” said John’s voice.
“Okay, listen up. You’re going to need to position the ship so that the CIA’s truck comes in on the right side. There will be barely enough room so don’t take any chances.”
“You forget to whom you’re talking.”
Ray smiled and ran over to the Ford. He jumped in and started the engine. When Dana and Christie were finished moving the boxes, he maneuvered the SUV as far to the left as he could. He turned off the truck and jumped out.
“I wish we had more time to clear some more space,” said Christie.
“This should be enough,” said Ray. “Come on, let’s watch from the top of the armory stairs.”
Christie and Dana nodded and the three of them climbed the stairway. They had a perfect view of the ramp.
“How’s it going, John?” yelled Ray.
“I’m waiting for a long stretch on 93 that’s free of overpasses. Fortunately the driver of that Ford is keeping a safe distance behind the lead car. Ten seconds, get ready.”
Ray drew his pistol and handed the women an OC spray canister each.
“I almost forgot,” he said, “you might need these when we rush the truck.”
Suddenly the ramp flew open, assaulting the three crewmembers with the impossibly loud sound of the exterior. The Faith lost just enough speed to send the truck and its horrified occupants careening into the cargo bay. The Faith lurched forward with an almost imperceptible bump, but the burst in speed wasn’t enough. The Ford struck the rear wall of the cargo bay at about thirty miles per hour.
“Shit!” yelled Ray. “Close the ramp, John!”
Ray ran down the stairs, leveling his weapon at the truck. The driver was unconscious, having been struck by the airbag. The closer passenger in the back seat was Ari, who was trying to shake off the brunt of the impact. A second man was next to her, and he looked at Ray with wide eyes. Ray opened the passenger door and yanked Ari out onto the deck. He pointed his pistol at the man in the back seat.
“Don’t move!” Ray cried.
The man put his hands up.
“I surrender, for God’s sake,” he said.
Christie and Dana helped up Ari. With one hand, Ray handed Dana his keys.
“The little one is a handcuff key,” he said. “Come on out of there, nice and slow.”
“Okay,” said the agent.
“Christie, search him for weapons.”
Christie approached the man while Dana freed Ari from the handcuffs. Christie patted down the man and removed two pistols.
“Let me see if my partner is all right,” the man said.
“We’ll look after him,” Ray replied. “Okay, Dana, now put the cuffs on him.”
Dana did so.
“You must be Raymond Bailey. I’m Major Kyrie Devonai of the CIA. Sorry I can’t shake your hand.”
“Me, too.”
Ray moved to the driver’s door to look at the other man. He was out cold, but looked uninjured otherwise.
“Dana, could you please look after that guy?” asked Ray. “Christie, help Ari to the bridge. I think it’s time we all had a nice chat.”
Dana dragged the other man out of the truck while the others headed to the bridge.
“Wait, what do I do if this guy comes to?” she said.
“Get his weapon, and if he wakes up, point it at him.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Ray holstered his pistol. He put his hand on Devonai’s shoulder and led him up the port-side stairs. Christie followed, supporting Ari.
A moment later, they arrived on the bridge. John was facing in the other direction in the pilot chair.
“John?” Ray queried.
John spun in his chair slowly. He had his hands pressed together in a V shape. Friday sat on his lap, purring.
“Thank you for coming, Mister Bond,” he said.
“Devonai, actually. You must be John Scherer.”
“Ah yes, I almost didn’t recognize you without a pistol pointed at my chest.”
“Hey, pal, you came running down the stairs with a weapon in your hand. You’re lucky nobody got killed.”
“What about the guy Ari shot?”
“Kevlar.”
“Well, that’s fortunate. For what it’s worth, I apologize for the misunderstanding. I still think you could have waited before kicking the door down.”
“That was a bad call. We only wanted to talk to you.”
“I’d say so. Anyway, sorry to interrupt your trip to Manchester, but I had to get Ari back. She owes me five bucks.”
“I do not, you liar,” Ari said, groaning.
“So I see that Marks was telling the truth,” said Devonai. “You guys look like you’re doing a pretty damn good job so far.”
“Thank you,” said John. “Sorry about the Portland, by the way. That didn’t go exactly as we planned.”
“You don’t say?”
“Mister Devonai...”
“Major.”
“Major Devonai, what are your orders?”
“To determine the cause of the disintegration of the USS Portland.”
“And?”
“And... what?”
“Surely your superiors are interested in this ship as well, if they believe what Marks has told them.”
“All my superiors really know is that we’ve been chasing some unknown signal around New England, a signal that probably has something to do with the Portland. The existence of this ship is no less plausible than any other explanation, considering that the Portland is a pile of chunky dust at the bottom of the Mystic River.”
“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” asked Ray.
“Because I have no reason to lie to you.”
“You
seem awfully blasé about the circumstances,” said Christie.
“You should meet a couple of friends of mine. There are some pretty strange things that the CIA keeps secret, believe me.”
“You mean like aliens?”
“No, not that I’m aware of. This would be the first.”
“Except we’re all human,” said John. “It’s the ship that’s alien.”
“What do you intend to do with me?”
“Nothing. We’ll find a nice quiet place to drop you and your friend off. You see, major, we know how you’ve been tracking us. The last signal was a diversion. Once we drop you off, you’ll never see us again. So there’s no reason to keep you prisoner, or to try to lie about our ship.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll at least tell me what your mission is.”
“Truthfully, we don’t know. Our information is rather poor in that particular area.”
“You don’t know? Are you kidding?”
“Nope. We’re leaving Earth and we don’t even know why.”
“For a chance like this, I can’t say I don’t understand. I just hope that you don’t screw up and get yourselves killed. Marks seemed to think that you were out of your league.”
“Marks may ultimately be right. It’s not his decision to make, however. Neither is it yours.”
“Some would say that you’re doing a disservice to humanity by keeping this discovery to yourself. Marks believed that, so much so that he betrayed your trust.”
“He’s still a sneaky bastard,” said Ari.
“We believed,” began Christie, “that if we told the authorities about our discovery that we would never be allowed to participate in the project. We have every intention of telling everybody about what happened when we get back from the mission. If we get back, that is.”
Devonai nodded. “Far be it from me to admonish your thinking. I would probably have done the same thing. The difference now is that I have the security of the United States to think about. Unless there’s some insidious part of this mission that you’re withholding from me, I don’t see a security breach here. You simply owe the US government millions of dollars for what you stole, and that’s not really my problem.”
“So are you going to stop pursuing us?” asked John.
“I’m still accountable to my superiors. If they tell me to keep looking, I’ll keep looking. I want to keep my job. If you’re as stealthy as you claim then you have nothing to worry about.”
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