by Robert Boren
“Sounds like a mole job,” Kinsey said. “It’ll take more than four this time, if we’re picking up. That’s a long way on a single battery charge.”
“We might have the power in the subway system back on before we have to leave,” Jared said. “The Mayor’s office is working on that now.”
“That would help,” Kinsey said.
“Drone launched,” Cary said, watching his phone screen. “I’ll let you know when it gets there, if you want me to feed the video to the screen.”
“What if we don’t get the power back on in time?” Laleh asked.
“What’s the furthest round-trip we can take on batteries?” Don asked.
“Just a second,” Tad said, pulling out his thin phone. “You want the line to City Hall, obviously.”
“Duh,” Slash cracked.
“Looks like 14th Street,” Tad said. “That’s actually further than I expected.”
“That’s too far to walk from City Hall,” Laleh said.
Taylor nodded. “There’s radiation, isn’t there?”
“There might be some low-level radiation here and there,” Jared said, “but the subway tunnel just outside of City Hall wasn’t bad. Lots of concrete over those tunnels.”
“That drone isn’t in place yet?” Slash asked. “Should be faster than that.”
Cary chuckled. “You don’t think we’re taking it off from here, do you? They’d see it on radar, and send the enemy right to us.”
“Where, then?” Slash asked.
“MacArthur Airport, on Long Island. Don’t worry, she’s almost there. Already past Queens. You want me to circle her and watch, right?”
“Yes please,” Jared said.
“They won’t see it?” Taylor asked.
“This is a military-class drone,” Cary said. “It’s too high to see easily.”
“Predator?” Slash asked.
Jared chuckled. “No, it’s a Samson Corporation product, which the government didn’t order. It’s got some of our toys aboard as well.”
“Toys?” Slash asked.
“Probably lasers,” Tad quipped.
“No comment,” Jared said. “Let’s get back to this problem. Can we tell if there’s an open path all the way there?”
“We’ve got access to the tunnel video cameras,” Cary said. “Albena got that set up for us. I’ll ask her to check.”
“Do that,” Jared said. “The enemy won’t be able to get through the vault, more than likely.
“Assuming that’s the case, maybe we should wait for the power,” Slash said.
“That’s what I’m going to suggest,” Don said. “We can’t risk our team.”
“Drone in place,” Cary said. “Casting the video to the monitor.”
“Oh boy,” Taylor said, watching the screen. “That’s some heavy equipment.”
They watched two steam shovels moving debris at the site.
“What if those are city workers, not enemy fighters?” Taylor asked.
“The Mayor and Police Chief would know,” Slash said. “They’re in communication with the NYPD, remember? That’s how they stopped the UN from taking over the rest of the police precincts.”
“Look down in the lower-left corner of the screen,” Kinsey said. “UN vans. Let’s blast that scum.”
“Shall I?” Cary asked.
“Yes, but I’m going to get off this call and let the Mayor know,” Jared said. “Don’t mess around trying to hit people. Use the conventional devices. Destroy that heavy equipment. Oh, and send me the address to the drone video feed so I can give it to the Mayor.”
“It’ll be a pleasure,” Cary said.
“Jace, work with your team on the route to City Hall,” Don said. “And be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”
There was a knock on the door. Jace got up and opened it, Albena rushing in.
“We’ve got a problem,” she said, trying to catch her breath.
“What?” Jace asked.
“I’m seeing a huge ramp-up in UN Peacekeeper presence throughout the city.”
“What kind of numbers are you talking about?” Don asked.
“That’s Don, my boss,” Jace said.
“Oh,” Albena said. “Seventy-five thousand and climbing, and I’ve got backup. The NYPD has all but disappeared, too.”
***
John Clancy was writing a blue streak, his eyes hitting the battery level every so often. He was on Linda’s battery now, and it was down to 34%.
Linda knocked on the door.
“Come in,” he said.
“Wow, you still have battery?”
“Getting low. I’m saving every couple minutes. What’s going on?”
“Craig and Pat are getting ready to go home,” she said. “I’m worried about them on the roads.”
“You want me to talk them out of it?”
Linda thought for a moment. “No, it’s okay. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
As Linda turned towards the door, the power came back on. “Oh good, there we are.”
John smiled, saving his work, seeing the charge indicator come on. He stood.
“Oh, done for a while?”
“Electricity means coffee,” he said. “Maybe the TV stations are back up too.”
The couple left the office, walking into the living room, Craig grinning.
“Finally,” he said. “Don’t tell me, let me guess. You’re gonna turn on the coffee machine.”
“And the TV,” John said as he came in, picking up the remote and pointing it, the screen coming to life.
“Maybe we should stick around for a while,” Pat said. “Why were you in such a hurry anyway?”
“I’ve got an article handwritten,” he said. “Was gonna use my old manual typewriter. I think it’s on the top shelf in the garage.”
Pat’s eyes looked down for a moment, then back up at him.
“You’re mad?” Craig asked.
She sighed. “No, and you were right, okay?”
“Time will tell on that,” Craig said, pulling her close. “I love you, honey. We’ll be okay.”
She held him tight for a moment, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“The local station is still down,” Linda called out to John, who was in the kitchen starting the coffee maker.
“Try one of the big four affiliates,” he replied.
“They always make you mad.”
John came back into the living room. “Don’t worry, I won’t let it get me going.”
Linda shrugged, then turned the station to one of the networks, which was running live video from a Philadelphia suburb.
“Oh boy, look at that,” Linda said, sitting down on the couch. There was a siege going on, police and national guard shooting at a brick school building. The announcer came on.
Police were notified of an armed militia meeting at the Penn Wynne Elementary School, and proceeded to the location to disarm the group per the Governor’s declaration of martial law and temporary gun confiscation in cities with population above 40,000. The militia leadership said their township was less than 10,000 people, and they refused to hand over their weapons, some of which were assault rifles, which weren’t legal in this state even before the martial law declaration. Police responded that Penn Wynne is part of greater Philadelphia, which more than covered the 40,000 citizen population requirement. When the militia still refused the order to disarm, more than half the officers at the scene left, refusing to fire on citizens. The National Guard was brought in to replace them, and the offending officers have been suspended pending an investigation. It now appears that the National Guard is also reluctant to attack citizens in this situation, and negotiations are going on between the Governor’s office and the local authorities.
“Well, this is a positive development,” Craig said. “I didn’t think all the police would go along with this. Surprised we have some support in the National Guard.”
“This isn’t going to end well,” John said. �
�If the governor backs down here, nobody will give up their weapons.”
“What’s he gonna do if the police and National Guard refuse to attack?” Linda asked.
“We’re gonna find out soon, I suspect,” John said. “Who’s ready for coffee?”
“I am,” Craig said. Linda and Pat nodded, John going into the kitchen. Linda joined him.
“I’m worried about Pat,” she whispered. “She’s really stressed out.”
“So am I,” John said, getting cups out of the cupboard.
“You’re strong,” Linda replied. “She’s not.”
“Would you like me to turn off the TV?”
Linda shook her head. “Try to convince Craig to stay longer.”
“I’ll do that,” John said, pouring the coffee.
“I’ll get the tray.” Linda went to the far side of the kitchen, picking a tray up off the table, pulling a paper towel off the roll. “Got a little BBQ sauce on this last night.”
“That beef was great,” John said. “Hope we didn’t lose everything else in the freezer.”
“The freezer will be fine,” Linda said, “but I wouldn’t trust stuff in the fridge after so many hours.”
John carried the tray with coffee cups into the living room, setting it on the coffee table. They all got cups.
“Very nice, thank you,” Craig said.
The TV station switched to another location, live video of a raging gun battle in Philadelphia showing on the screen.
This is real time video of a gun battle in the heart of the city. Police went to this known gang area to disarm a group of young men who were seen with weapons on the street, robbing and bullying citizens in the confusion of the blackout and the martial law declaration. The first officer to arrive was killed by a shotgun blast from a window. Police responded with the riot squad, and a raging gun battle is going on now. The gang members appear to have superior weapons, and more armed citizens are showing up, the police in danger of being surrounded.
“Don’t think I’ll stand up for these citizens,” John said.
“Oh, I don’t know, I think I will,” Craig said.
“They’re criminals,” Pat said.
“They’re also potential allies,” Craig said.
“The government isn’t… oh never mind.”
The screen changed back to the Penn Wynne school.
“Oh no,” John said, standing as he watched. “No no no.”
The screen showed several thousand Blue-Helmeted UN Peacekeepers rushing the school as the citizens fired at them from windows and doors, the National Guard and Police being held at gunpoint by more of the UN Peacekeepers.
“We’re being invaded,” Craig said, standing next to John now, his fists balled with rage.
The commentator came back on as the battle ramped up.
As you can see, there have been developments in Penn Wynne. UN Peacekeepers arrived in large numbers, subdued the local police and National Guard, and are attacking the citizens with automatic weapons as we speak. The Network has contacted the Governor’s office, but they aren’t commenting on this move, at least so far.
“They’re killing them all,” Linda said, crying as she watched.
“These aren’t criminals, these are patriots,” John shouted, sweat breaking out on his forehead, his face flushing.
“John, sit down,” Linda said, watching his face with alarm. “Do you want to be in the hospital during this mess?”
He turned to her and nodded, leaving the room. Linda followed him to his office.
“We should turn that off,” Linda said. “Are you okay?”
He turned to her as he sat in his chair. “I’m going to use this. I need to write for a while. Don’t worry, I’m okay. You can sit and watch if you want. Just be quiet, okay?”
She eyed him. “What are you going to use, exactly?”
“The rage.” He turned to his monitor, waking the screen and typing, his mind no longer in the room.
***
“Mayor Fine, Jared Carlson is calling in. You want to take it out here again?”
“Sure,” he said. “Jared?”
“Hello, Mayor Fine. I’m texting you an address to the drone we have flying overhead. There are two steam shovels and a line of UN vans sitting over your position, trying to dig through debris. We’re about to take them out with the drone.”
“It’s armed?” Julio asked.
“Yes, it was our competitor to the Predator drone. We lost the competition for the contract, but they’re very capable. More capable than what we originally submitted, actually, and more capable than what the military has.”
“Of course,” Mayor Fine said, looking at his phone as he forwarded the message. “Chad, here comes an address. Put it on screen, please.”
“Yes sir,” Chad said, working for a moment on his phone, then turning to his console and typing, the drone feed showing on the center screen.
“Wow, look at the ruins,” Kate said, trying not to cry. “Our city. My God.”
“Big steam shovels,” Chief Harvey said, just as the scene exploded, the massive equipment blown apart, men and metal flying through the air in the blast, flames engulfing the entire area.
“We didn’t even feel that,” Mayor Fine said.
“That’s because you’ve got a very good bunker,” Jared said. “It’s a pity the enemy knows about it. Any luck on the subway power?”
“It’s back on as far south as 34th Street,” Chad said. “There’s something wrong at Penn Station. We’ve got a crew there now. Something probably got shot up.”
“Wonderful,” Chief Harvey said.
“That’s good enough,” Jared said. “I need to get back with my team. If they’ve got power that far down, the mission can be accomplished. We can do the round trip on batteries from 34th Street. Talk to you soon.” He left the call.
Julio smiled. “I’m really starting to like that man.”
“You and me both,” Mayor Fine replied. “Let’s get ready to move, people. Start saving whatever you’ve been working on to the cloud, but encrypt it all, and put the keys on your phones.”
***
“How many is it now?” Penko asked.
Albena looked over at him. “Over a hundred thousand.”
“Discrete?”
“Best I can tell,” she said. “NYPD?”
“A large group showed themselves, going to Penn Station. Probably to relieve the group who was down there guarding it.”
Jace rushed in with Slash, Taylor, Laleh, and Kinsey. Tad, Eve, and Vasil came in a moment later, Tad sitting at a PC.
“Gather around,” Jace said. “Call coming in for us.” He got on the console and accepted a call, one of the screens splitting, Don on one pane, Jared on the other. “We’re here.”
“The power in the subway tunnel has been restored as far south as 34th Street,” Don said. “Can we make a round trip with battery power from that location to City Hall?”
“Piece of cake,” Tad said.
“Double check,” Jace said. Tad nodded, typing on his keyboard.
“Yeah, no problem,” Tad said, reading off his screen. “We’ll have plenty of power to spare. It’s no further than we went for the Penn Station operation.”
“It’s possible the power will extend further once we get underway,” Jared said. “Something got hit during the Penn Station battle. We’ve got a team there now working on it, so keep your fingers crossed.”
“We should saddle up right now,” Slash said.
“I agree, but not for the reasons you’re talking about,” Albena said.
“What are you seeing?” Don asked.
“More than a hundred thousand UN Peacekeepers, being disbursed around the city. The number is rising.”
“Dammit,” Jace said. “Still rising, huh? Get any clues from the history about when this started?”
“Nope, it was before the two-month cutoff. They’re coming from all over. Long Island, White Plains, Hackensack. Some of
those areas have sparse camera coverage compared to the city.”
“All right, let’s go,” Jace said. “One driver each for five of the moles, and two additional units with commandos.” He led the team out of the conference room.
“I knew we’d have a lot of Peacekeepers here, but didn’t expect them to ramp up so fast,” Don said.
“I just saw some video footage from a Philadelphia suburb,” Jared said. “They just took over a siege against a citizen militia group, where the police force and National Guard were refusing to fire. They took over and killed the citizens. Riots are starting all over that region as a result, and citizens with guns are showing themselves.”
“That’s good,” Penko said.
“It’s good, but there will be a lot of bloodshed,” Don said. “We need to get this operation finished before the UN Peacekeepers lock down the city completely. We’ll lose Penn Station. We might want to withdraw our forces.”
“Focus on getting the Mayor’s team rescued,” Jared said. “Nothing else is as important.”
“I agree,” Albena said. “Our movements will become much more restricted soon.”
“We’ll also lose control of some systems,” Penko said. “The MVS system, for instance.”
“I’ve got eighteen separate user IDs now,” Albena said. “It’ll take them a while, and I’ll get more. We may have some outages, though. What about the coffee shop?”
“We leave it closed until things settle down a little,” Penko said.
“Yes, I agree,” Jared said. “Wait and watch. Learn the patterns of the enemy. Get to know their forces. Work to identify their leadership. I’ve got to go. There are other issues to handle. Talk to you soon.”
“See you guys later,” Don said.
The call ended, Albena leaning back in her chair, stretching.
“How much sleep did you get last night?” Penko asked.
“More than I’ll get tonight.”
{ 7 }
Line-Up
J ace was driving the lead mole, riding the rails, the electrical power getting the lasers charged up just in case. Eve was behind him in the command seat, ready to man the countermeasures again. Behind them were four more moles with only a driver, then three more, two full of commandos including Slash, Taylor, Laleh, Tad, Zev, and Vasil, the third half full to make room for additional passengers.