Laura 02 The God Code

by Anton Swanepoel

  “Yes, Mr. President.”

  Phil sits down in his chair again. As if it is not enough that the Pope is still alive, he has to go and mingle into Phil’s plans. Phil decides that he will quickly see the two people, and then send them to a hotel nearby with the impression that he needs to do work and will call them when they hear anything more about the kidnapping.

  ***

  Somewhere in an old abandoned house three men prepare for an interrogation.

  “Okay, time to wake him up.” Werner is fastening his pony tail with his thick muscular hands. Were it not for his quick temper and muscular body, the other men would have given him far more crap about his pony tail. He is known to be ruthless and unsympathetic, but also devious in his ways of getting what he wants. Slowly he takes a bucket of ice water and throws it over the President, who is bound with his hands behind his back on a wooden chair, blindfolded.

  The shock of the ice water brings the President to.

  “Welcome Mr. President.”

  “Who are you, what do you want?”

  “We will come to that in a moment, but for now, know that if you work with us, you and your family will not be harmed.” Werner’s thick German accent sounds vaguely familiar to the President, and as Werner slowly takes the bag off Abraham’s head, he smiles as Abraham recognizes him.

  “You’re one of the bodyguards who escorted me when I got taken, you are one of them.”

  “Yes, and if you and your driver had not ruined our plans, we would have had him drive the car into the back of a truck waiting in the side street and not leave such a mess.”

  “I take it there were a lot of strings pulled to get so many people involved and get me captured, how high does this thing go?”

  “Not your concern, you need to focus on keeping yourself and your family safe by telling us what we want to know.” Werner brings a chair closer and sits down in front of Abraham before continuing. “So let’s see if we are going to do this the easy or the hard way. Give me the unlock combination for this.” Werner holds a metal suitcase in front of Abraham, who realizes that it is the remote launch device for nuclear missiles, commonly called the football.

  “You’re insane!”

  “Okay, the hard way it is then.” Werner snaps his fingers and suddenly two men standing behind Werner come forward. One puts a bag over Abraham’s head, while the second man tips the chair backwards. The first man then brings a bottle of water and addresses the second one.

  “15 seconds on, then 15 seconds off, if he does not talk we take it to 25 seconds.” The man nods and waits for his companion to pour water over Abraham’s face. Abraham kicks and tries to swallow the water, but there is too much. The 15 seconds feels like an eternity for the discomfort Abraham is in. Suddenly Abraham is tipped forward and the bag is removed.

  “Ready to talk?” Werner asks, playing with a clipboard he brought from a table a short distance away as they tortured Abraham.

  “Go to hell!” Abraham spits the words out, trying to catch his breath. Immediately the bag is placed over his head again, and the process repeated, this time for 25 seconds. When the bag is taken off his face again, it is clear that the procedure is taking its toll, but Abraham is not about to give in.

  “I think he would rather die than give the code, boss.”

  “We will see, let’s maybe give him some time to think. Get the camera.”

  The man who poured the water nods, and then walks to the desk where Werner got the clipboard from. He picks up a small handheld video camera, and returns to Werner’s side with it.

  “We have some demands. We are going to record you on video and send it to the US embassy. If you read this correctly and fully, word for word, we will give you no more torture for today, and we promise not to go into the hospital and kill your wife and daughter. To make sure you get it right, I want you to do a dry run and read everything perfectly before we start filming.

  Werner holds the clipboard in front of Abraham, who glances over the contents. Abraham thinks the requests are stupid and futile. He decides to trick Werner and read the demands perfectly until they start filming, then give a message that the American people will never give in to terrorists.

  “Okay, I’ll do it,” Abraham replies, then clears his throat and starts reading.

  “I, Abraham Jefferson, President of the United States have been captured by unknown forces who have made the following demands.

  “One, we ask that all troops be removed from Afghanistan.

  “Two, that the Alfa and Delta companies responsible for the mass killings on 20 November, as well as the Bravo and Foxtrot companies that assisted in the disposal of the bodies, be held accountable.

  “Three, that 20 fishing trawlers be given and placed at the following coordinates. 70 degrees North and 5 degrees West.” Abraham frowns after reading the coordinates then comments, “This is near Norway and Greenland, it makes no sense.”

  “Thank you, that is all we need,” Werner comments as he bends forward and picks up a digital tape recorder from under Abraham’s chair.

  Suddenly Abraham realizes he was conned. “You never wanted the launch codes, you wanted something else, what is it?”

  “A nuclear submarine.”

  Abraham bursts out laughing then replies, “Nothing I say will enable you to get hold of a nuclear submarine. They run on strict orders and need multiple verifications before they will act on a command.”

  “That is correct, but not your pet project you have been keeping from most of the cabinet. That submarine is undergoing testing and since it is not on active duty, it only needs a command from you. And we have all the words spoken by you to make up a command message to have the submarine be exactly where we want it to be and meet with a fishing trawler to pick up some of my men. As soon as they are onboard, they will take over the submarine.”

  “That submarine can only be contacted from one secure location, and only the President can access that location,” Abraham laughs.

  Shock and horror fill the President’s face as Werner replies.

  “And who do you think is now acting President since you are missing?”

  Suddenly the whole plan dawns on Abraham. “He is behind all of this?”

  “He is just a pawn like me in a far bigger network, but yes he planned most of this.”

  “What do you plan to do with the submarine, start a war?”

  Werner smiles at the President as he replies, “We are already at war with terror, we just aim to finish it.”

  “What about me and my family now?”

  “We have no need to harm you or your family, and a live President is more valuable than a dead one. We will leave here as soon as we get orders and take you to a secure location where you will be guarded but treated fairly,” Werner lies. The President is the only one who knows the plan and can stop them, he needs to die. Werner stands up and addresses one of the men before leaving the room. “Get him some food and water, but be careful and guard him closely, we cannot afford to have him get away and tell the world about our plans, shoot him if you have to.” Glancing over his shoulder he gives one last comment to Abraham before leaving the room. “Try to escape, and we will immediately kill your wife and daughter.”

  ***

  Laura leans back in the chair, a frown on her face. It has been hours since she started her search. There is something wrong. She is unable to find any documents referencing Peru that mention the decoded scrolls. However, she did manage to find a number of documents that make reference to priests decoding scrolls found in Peru.

  Some of these documents mention other documents by name and file position that deals with the decoding of the scrolls. However, when Laura searched for these documents the shelves were empty yet the document number tags were still on the shelves. She can also not find the file names in the computer database. It is as if the documents were removed from the archives, and the references removed from the computer. Laura decides to talk to the Pope. Using the route
Laura thinks Phil brought her, she tries to return to the Pope, but gets lost. A nun spots her on her way and offers to take Laura to the Pope’s office, where she finds Bill outside his office.

  “Hi Bill, may I see the Pope?”

  “Hi Laura, I will check for you, he is very busy.”

  Bill opens the door and enters the Pope’s office, closing the door behind him. A few minutes later he returns just as Phil arrives at the Pope’s office.

  “Laura. I thought you were still downstairs searching, did you find something?” Phil has a concerned look on his face.

  “The Pope will see you quickly Laura, go ahead.” Bill chips in, holding the door open for Laura. Just as Laura enters the office, Phil immediately follows her.

  “Laura, welcome, what can I do for you? Oh Phil, I did not expect you as well.” The Pope looks on as Phil closes the door behind him.

  “Hello your Holiness. I have a problem with my search.”

  “Maybe you need some assistance to locate the documents? I will happily assign a priest to help you,” Phil quickly replies.

  “No thank you. The problem I have is that the documents I need are not there. They have been removed from the shelves and deleted from the computer system,” Laura snaps back.

  “Are you sure about this Laura?” the Pope asks.

  Before Laura can respond, Phil asks, “If the documents are not there, and they are not in the system how do you know they are missing or ever existed in the first place?”

  “Because they are referenced in a number of other documents that are there,” Laura angrily answers, getting annoyed with Phil. Phil goes white when he hears that he missed documents, he was sure he removed all the documents and any references to those documents that had any link to the decoded scroll text.

  “Maybe they have been moved. Laura, when did you last have something to eat and a good rest?” The Pope stands up as he addresses Laura.

  “It has been a while your Holiness.”

  “Then I suggest you ask Bill outside to have one of the other guards take you to get something to eat. I will arrange for the nuns to prepare a bed for you. When you are rested you may continue your search, maybe things will be clearer then.”

  “Thank you your Holiness.” Laura smiles at the Pope, and then leaves the room. Outside she informs Bill of the Pope’s wishes. Bill radio’s for a guard to take Laura to get some food. As Laura walks away Phil exits the Pope’s office, having finished what he came to see the Pope for. Quickly he walks back to his room, halting outside to check if someone is watching him before entering.

  “I am getting tired of waiting, how much longer am I supposed to wait?” Andrea stares furiously at Phil as he enters.

  “You will have your chance soon. Laura is asking too many questions. We need to eliminate her before she digs too deep. She will be sleeping soon. Here are directions to her room. Wait until no one is around, and then silently take her out.” Phil draws a crude map on a notepad he took from his jacket pocket.

  “I have no poison with me. Everyone will know she has been murdered,” Andrea answers.

  “It does not matter. Kill the Pope after you kill her. However, first we must get the pictures of the scrolls. Laura should have left them in the office in the archives. I am going there now to get them while you kill Laura and the Pope.”

  Phil turns and walks to the door but pauses before opening the door. “Oh, and Andrea, please make sure no one sees you.” Andrea draws a knife as Phil leaves the room and throws it as Phil closes the door. The knife perfectly hits the door where Phil’s head was a moment ago, cutting deep into the wood.

  ***

  “I look like an old fart,” Ernest comments, looking at himself in the mirror.

  “Agg get over it,” Victor comments next to him, adjusting his tunic. They are preparing to land at Nashville International Airport. A call from the Pope had procured an Air France private airplane ready for them to use within an hour.

  Two Sisters from the Vatican art and concert makeup team have been spending most of the flight disguising Victor and Ernest as old men and helping them with their robes.

  “You think this will work?” Ernest asks.

  “Why not? The Pope himself phoned. The Vice President will be stupid if he does not see us. He will not want to raise suspicion at this moment.”

  “Gentlemen, please take your seats, we will be landing shortly,” says one of the air hostesses of the flight as she comes to stand next to them. After taking their seats, the two men sit in silence as the pilot starts the descent and finishes with an expert landing. The airplane taxies to one of the main terminal buildings, where two black Ford Explorers are already parked, with four men waiting for them.

  As soon as the airplane comes to a halt, an air hostess opens the door. Victor and Ernest make their way down the steps towards the waiting men.

  “Good day. I am Special Agent Keith Hutchinson from the Secret Service. We have been expecting you.”

  “Good day Keith, I am Bishop Cortez Vicente and this is Father Gabriele Lopez,” Victor replies, placing his luggage bag of extra clothes down next to him.

  “It is an honor to meet you, please follow me,” Keith replies, indicating to Victor and Ernest to hand their bags to the other guards and follow him. Keith leads them to the last SUV and opens the doors for them.

  After both men climb in, he himself climbs in, and waits for his other men to climb into the second SUV, before informing the driver to proceed to the White House. Keith turns in his seat and looks at Victor and then at Ernest before speaking. “May I ask a favor please Father?”

  “Yes my son, what is it?” Victor replies.

  “Will you please pray with me?”

  “What?” Ernest replies.

  “I am sorry Father. I did not mean to be rude,” Keith quickly replies.

  “No need to apologize my son. Prayer is why we are here. All prayers, not just one that your President is found soon, unharmed.”

  “Thank you Father, but I am actually hoping you will pray for my four year old daughter, she is in hospital with pneumonia, has been for a week already.”

  Victor and Ernest look at each other, not knowing what to say.

  “I hope it is not too much to ask, please Father.”

  “Of course I will pray with you, what is your daughter’s name?” Victor replies.

  “Thank you Father, her name is Emily.”

  “Then let us pray for Emily. Close your eyes.” Victor takes Keith’s right hand as he speaks. Victor has no hatred towards the man or his daughter and truly feels sorry for her, thus he does not mind praying for her.

  “Oh heavenly father, please hear us now. Please place your hands on dear Emily, and heal her from this sickness. Please drive the evil from her body, so that she may return home to her family who deserve her love so much.

  “We thank you Lord for hearing us today, Amen.”

  Victor opens his eyes to see Keith wiping tears from his eyes.

  “Thank you so much, thank you,” Keith replies, shaking Victor’s hand.

  The rest of the trip Victor and Ernest play dumb, asking as much as they dare about the men’s work and the security in the White House, as well as trying to obtain any information about the President’s kidnapping. The men are polite, and answer all the questions they see no risk in answering.

  “Here we are,” Keith suddenly comments as the White House gates come into view. A security guard comes up to the driver’s window and the driver rolls down his window to hand over their IDs to the guard. Another security guard is looking under the SUV with a mirror, while a third one is walking around the SUV with a dog, sniffing for bombs.

  “All clear, you may enter,” the first guard says, handing back the IDs, then signals to the guard on the other side of the heavy gates to open them. Slowly the electronically controlled gates open and the driver enters the White House grounds, driving right up to the front door.

  “Please follow me. I will get yo
u checked in. Do not worry about your luggage; it will be taken to a nearby hotel for you. The Acting President wants to see you immediately before you are taken to your hotel,” Keith says as he exits the SUV. Victor and Ernest follow him to a security desk away from the main one, near a small elevator. After signing them in, he hands them over to another guard.

  “This is Donald, he will take care of you while you wait. A guard will come down and take you to see the Acting President. Thank you again for the prayer, I must go now.” Keith shakes their hands and leaves.

  “Tea, coffee or something else to drink while you wait Fathers?” Donald asks.

  “Water please my son,” Ernest replies.

  “Yes Father,” Donald answers, then picks up a phone at the security desk and asks for two bottled waters to be brought to the desk. Five minutes later a man in uniform arrives with two bottles of water, and hands them to Ernest and Victor, who eagerly drink some.

  Fifteen minutes later, the door to the elevator opens and a man dressed in a black suit steps out. He greets Victor and Ernest and introduces himself as Gerhard, head of the President’s security detail for the day. Gerhard indicates for them to enter the elevator, then follows them inside. Once inside, he inserts a special key into a keyhole, and the elevator goes down. There are no buttons, and both Victor and Ernest know it is a lift reserved for Presidential services only, taking one almost directly to his office. The two men are then led down a few hallways until they come to a large door.

  “Please wait here,” Gerhard says before he enters a door and closes it behind him. Victor looks around and is about to comment on the paintings on the walls, when the door opens again and Gerhard signals for them to enter. The room is the President’s secretary’s office, with a door to the side that leads to the President’s office.

  “Fathers welcome, the Acting President is expecting you, please follow me.” Dora walks over to the door and opens it, then announces their arrival to the Acting President. Standing aside holding the door, she signals to Ernest and Victor to enter. Gerhard waits for them to enter before following them into the President’s office, taking up a position behind them.