"Efficient," Rafe proclaimed as he studied his dossier.
"I'm a former medic," Richard turned his photograph around so I could look.
"You look like you're four feet tall," Maye frowned at the photo.
"Five-six," he corrected her with a smile. "What, you don't date shorter men?"
"I'd date you any day," she whispered. He laughed.
By the time I was finished disguising everybody, including matching their height and weight, I felt tired. At least our flights weren't until the following morning, so I spent several hours beneath the sunlamps Matt had thoughtfully supplied.
* * *
"I have to get used to this," Ilya nuzzled my cheek while we dressed early the following morning. I understood what he was saying-I was Latina and a former Marine, according to my dossier, and was the member of the team responsible for any necessary translations.
The language I could do. The Marine part? I hoped nobody asked me to arm wrestle.
Ilya, on the other hand, was now blond with cloudy blue eyes, slightly shorter and packed with muscles. I guess I could get him to do my arm wrestling.
Renata Jimenez and Trey Henson. What a couple.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I'm ready, Trey."
"I hate that name already."
"You're not Trey material-the normal you, that is."
"I'm glad you see it that way."
"Please keep your comments about Renata to yourself," I warned.
"I would not demean you or Renata," he gave me his most innocent expression.
"Good, because Renata would retaliate."
He snickered. "Come on, blond boy," I took his arm and steered him toward the door. "Let's go to the airport."
* * *
One of Matt's investigators met us at the airport in Bogotá and drove us away in an armored van. "Step carefully around Captain Finch," Lieutenant Nathan Cross said as he drove us through the streets of the city.
Captain Finch was the commander of the investigative team Matt and Auggie had assembled-we'd gotten their dossiers, too. I understood one thing from Nathan's words-Finch had no love for private contractors, even if they were ex-military. Perhaps Maye should teach him a lesson.
"We're not here to cause trouble," Opal said. She was blonde, too, and somewhat shorter than she normally was.
"I guess what I'm saying is this-just stay out of his way. Everybody will be happier."
"We're here to do a job," Rafe snapped. "Perhaps it would be better if he stayed out of our way."
Honey, I can send him to Bora Bora if he messes with us, I sent.
I will not get into a pissing contest with someone suffering from ego issues, Ilya's words were a growl in my head.
"I don't believe we'll be stepping on anyone's toes," Richard offered. "You're here to investigate the crash site. We're here to track the ones responsible."
"We're supposed to provide information on what type of missile or bomb was used," Nathan began.
"We will welcome any information. However, I believe we may be able to get work done while waiting for it," Richard responded.
"You have leads?" He sounded surprised.
"We have some information. If Captain Finch needs anything, then have him send someone to me. I'll be happy to share what I have."
"Then I'm asking now," Nathan said.
"We may have coordinates for the missile," Maye said. "From satellite images. We'll investigate that first, while you're working at the crash site."
"Ground missile, like they're saying?" Nathan was more than curious.
"That's the information we currently have," she replied. "Our first priority is to check that site, to see whether we can determine who may have fired it."
"Wow-this is more intense than I thought it would be," Nathan shook his head. "Look, we're quartered outside Bogotá, on the eastern edge of San Cristobal. You'll be in the building next to ours. Supplies and vehicles are provided-you're responsible for your own meals."
"Not a problem," Rafe said.
The crash site was in Chingaza National Park, not far from a glacial lake. Part of the Andes, Chingaza was natural and beautiful-except for the burned area where nearly three hundred people died. In San Cristobal, we'd be stationed as close as we could be while still within sight of civilization.
"When are you going out?" Nathan pulled into a driveway located between two concrete buildings.
"Tomorrow-we have some planning to do and connections to be made," Richard said.
"Good enough, I'll let Captain Finch know."
"You do that," Rafe said.
* * *
"I've seen worse," Rafe said as he surveyed the kitchen. Saltillo tile covered the floors, more tile covered the counters, the stove was small and looked as if it were twenty years old or more, the refrigerator almost as old.
"The window is filthy," Opal said, attempting to peer through it.
"It's pointed toward the other building-the filth may turn into a blessing," Rafe said.
"Nah, I want to see this Finch guy if he decides to visit," Opal said.
"He'd better bring everybody he has," Nick growled. "Anybody who makes that kind of snap judgment needs his ass kicked."
"I'll let you be in charge of ass-kicking, then," I said. "My solution is to send him to Bora Bora."
"Bora Bora is too good for an asshole," Maye said. "I've been there."
"Panama?"
"Better, but still too good for assholes."
"Siberia," Rafe said.
"Bingo," Opal touched her nose.
As if on cue, the asshole knocked on our door. Nathan, following in Captain Francis Finch's wake, looked apologetic as Finch stormed into our kitchen.
"What's this I hear about you having possible missile coordinates?" he demanded.
"Well, hello to you, too," Opal said, lifting an eyebrow at Finch.
Finch looked to be a welterweight in mixed martial arts, with buzzed dark hair, green eyes and a nose that had been broken a time or two. The scowl he wore was extra, strictly for our benefit.
"You know, someone three miles away may not have heard you. Would you like to repeat that-louder, this time?" Nick asked. "It's classified information-we're allowed to share it with you and your team, nobody else."
"Then show me."
I wanted to tell him to ask nicely. I didn't. Instead, Richard pulled the satellite images up on his tablet and handed it to Finch.
"Here," Richard pointed out the light that flared on the surface, and the time stamp on the image. "The plane was destroyed right after," he said, pulling up the following images.
"I see it," Finch grumbled, going back to the first image, and then to the second. "I'd like to send Lieutenant Cross with you tomorrow, when you go to this site."
"If he wants to come," Richard shrugged. "We may end up spending at least one night in the wilderness-this is up a mountainside and may take time to get there."
"I'll come prepared," Nathan promised. I could tell he was more excited to be coming with us than staying with Captain Finch. Oddly enough, I felt the same way.
"We need to check the climbing equipment," Rafe nodded to Nick.
"I'll get on it," Nick said.
I knew what they were thinking-that Nathan Cross would slow them down. I hoped that wasn't the case. We had to be on guard, however, and make sure everyone stayed in character.
"What time should I be here tomorrow?" Nathan asked.
"Oh-six-hundred," Nick said.
"I expect a full report." Finch turned and stomped out the door.
"I think he can expect a full bag of dog shit," Nick muttered. Opal snickered.
Nathan wanted to smile but held it back. "I'll be here," he said and followed Finch out the door.
* * *
"I think he was offended by our uniforms," I said. We had a video conversation going with Auggie and Matt.
"Khaki is not what he's upset about," Auggie snapped. "He says you were rude."
/> "So he heard the dog shit comment?" I asked.
"What dog shit comment?"
"Okay, pretend you didn't hear that," I said. "How were we rude? I don't recall being rude."
"He says one of the men complained about the loudness of his voice."
"Oh, that," I said. "If he'd bothered to allow us to introduce ourselves, then he'd know who to blame for that," I added. "And he was loud. Blustery. Also rude and offensive."
"He's effective," Matt offered. "Just do the best you can to work around him. I hear Lieutenant Cross is going with you in the morning?"
"That's right," Rafe sat beside me and nodded. "I hope he doesn't slow us down."
"Just stick to protocol. I'm not sure whether you'll find anything useful, but you'll know what to do," Auggie nodded to me.
"I do."
"Good. Keep me apprised."
"Yes, sir." Rafe ended the video call.
"I hate khaki already," I mumbled. Rafe laughed.
* * *
Finch is effective, like Matt says, but his methods aren't always the best, I responded to Maye's mental question over dinner. I read in Lieutenant Cross that Finch manages to annoy or alienate anybody he meets.
What did you see in him? she asked.
He thinks he's God's gift to the world, and everybody should bow first and then get out of his way.
He's not short enough to have a Napoleon complex, Rafe supplied.
There may be a whole new complex named after him, Maye said.
That won't feed his ego or anything, I pointed out.
"Ahem. Will somebody pass the tortillas?" Opal interrupted.
Maye laughed. I hadn't seen her laugh or smile so much in the entire time I'd known her. Richard was working miracles, in my opinion. It helped, too, that she and Nick were beginning to see me as a real member of the team.
"I like this-being able to share meals with all of you," I said. It helped with the pain in my heart-after recent events, some things would never be the same again.
"Well said," Nick held up his glass of beer.
Auggie, I'm thinking of you, I sent to him. Stay tough.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
So many times, I wished there were a way to respond to Corinne's telepathy. I would have thanked her for her words-Matt and I received fresh news of more creature sightings, this time in northeastern Washington State.
It made me think Askins was intending to check the facility we'd abandoned inside Pilchuck. At this point, I wanted him to look. James had taken photos before they left-Corinne didn't leave anything to chance. The facility looked gutted-just as it should. It amazed me that she could accomplish what she did, but that was just part of the changes she'd experienced.
We were fortunate to have her on our side. Without her, Askins and Phillips would likely have taken over. They could still do it, but with Corinne, we had a fighting chance, at least.
* * *
Corinne
I was asleep when the wards I'd left inside the Pilchuck facility were tripped. They weren't shielded when they walked into the place-perhaps they didn't think it necessary. The creatures (most of them, anyway) and their handlers had moved in, lock, stock and furry barrel.
Auggie, James, Leo, I sent to them. I'm sorry to wake you, but Askins just moved his band of bogies into the Pilchuck facility.
Chapter 11
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"You can speak freely-we're not bugged here," Matt said.
Here was inside his office in Silver Spring.
"Our opponent has taken over the facility at Pilchuck," I said. "Without paying a pet deposit."
"That confirms that he knew we were there," Matt said, drumming his fingers on his desk for a moment. "Any word on DB?"
"None. I don't know where he was placed, but nobody has seen anything."
"I think they really want him," Matt said. "To prove their point. The others aren't giants and can probably be contained once we find them."
"You think they want him to attack a coastal city?" I asked.
"I think they've been watching too many monster movies," Matt huffed. "Don't get me wrong-I'm glad they don't seem to have many original thoughts."
"That would be frightening," I agreed.
"You think they imagine that they're hidden well enough at the facility? That we won't suspect they're there?"
"We have no reason to-we abandoned the place and left nothing useful behind. For all anyone knows, it's just an empty shell."
"Or, if they think we know, they're just rubbing our faces in it," I said.
"I'll put somebody on that," Matt said. "Did Corinne block the tunnel leading out of there?"
"Yes. I asked James to set explosives, but she had a better way."
"How did she block it?"
"The entire thing looks like it imploded. Completely filled with big rocks, now. They'll have a hell of a time getting through that mess."
"Good. Very good. When will the team arrive at the launch site?"
"Later today if we're lucky," I said.
"You'll let me know?"
"Of course."
* * *
Ilya
Lieutenant Cross arrived ten minutes before the scheduled time, so Corinne offered him a cup of coffee. He accepted and watched as the rest of us loaded our gear. We had two large military vehicles to carry us into Chingaza, where the roads were less than hospitable much of the time.
Our targeted area was in a mountainous region, which would likely require the climbing equipment Nick and I loaded into the back of each vehicle. I worried for Corinne-she'd never done anything like this in her life. I think Nick and I were prepared to carry her if she couldn't make it on her own.
"Do you prefer Nathan or Lieutenant Cross?" Corinne asked before loading into the truck with me.
"Nathan's fine-I almost feel like a civilian right now," he grinned at her.
"Awesome. Want to ride with Trey and me, Nathan?"
"I'd be happy to."
* * *
Corinne
The drive was a long, tedious one, across narrow, grassy tracks at times, as we followed the GPS coordinates we'd been given. Our vehicles roared, growled and whined as we drove slowly along, while the rough roads shook or swayed all of us in our seats.
With only a brief stop at midday for a quick meal we'd packed ourselves, we were on our way again. After a while, we had to leave the trucks behind and backpack the rest of the way. Our arrival below the sharp, rocky peak that was our destination occurred before three that afternoon.
"Experienced climbers could get up there without much equipment, but we're taking no chances," Rafe said, slinging a pack and a coil of rope about his shoulders. Nick did the same and both went up together.
Once they had everything in place, the ropes were lowered and Maye went up the first one, with Richard almost behind her on the second. Then, Opal and Nathan went up. I was left to go up alone.
You can do this, cabbage, Rafe sent.
I think I'll use a little of what I have to help, I said and grabbed the rope. At least we had leather gloves-I didn't want burns on my palms if I slid down. Following the path the others used, I worked my way up the rocky cliff, balancing myself with power. Yes, if I hadn't had it, I might have fallen-twice. Instead, I came up in a semi-professional manner, Rafe grinned and we were off to find the launch point.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"They're close," James pointed out the GPS signal in Chingaza. I could see the pinging signal the vehicles sent, and then that of the search party, not far away. Six miles away, I could also see the signal at the crash site.
"Keep me informed," I said.
"Yes, sir."
It was nice to have James back. I almost felt normal again.
* * *
Ilya
Here, Corinne informed me. She stood on the scuffed, rocky surface, where hundreds of hikers and backpackers had likely stood before,
on a flat surface with a very good view of the lake below.
But this is not where the light appeared-that is still farther in, I argued.
I don't know what that light was, but this is where the rocket was launched, she insisted.
Maybe we ought to take a look, then, I agreed. Her mental voice had sounded worried and that, in turn, worried me.
Yes. Come, now, I turned and followed the others. Nick had taken the lead-he was using his hypersensitive nose to detect scents. He was careful not to disturb any evidence; I understood that, too.
Barely a hundred yards away, and halfway down the peak on the opposite side, lay the coordinates. Nick knew it first, but as it didn't hold as much horror for him as it did for Corinne, he warned us, first.
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
I didn't have enough words to describe what I saw in the images sent by Nick. Sixteen bodies, hacked apart by a machete or something similar, were strewn about the site. Two of them looked as if they'd been blown apart by a blast, first.
The bloom of light we'd seen-this was it. We'd never caught the actual launch with the satellite images we had. The bodies looked to be locals-what remained of their clothing supported that theory.
Auggie, these were hired locally, Corinne sent. I feel sick, she added. Then, she sent names-of the dead. There was no identification found amid the carnage, but she knew their names. Forcing my hand to steady, I wrote them down to send to Matt. We could coordinate with the local police to get missing persons leads, along with a forensics team up the mountain to collect and catalogue the remains.
Get down the mountain, I sent an e-mail back to Nick. Let the local police handle this.
Will do, he responded.
I was on the phone to Matt seconds later, and was connected to Bogotá police shortly after that. Police were dispatched already when the signal from our group went dead.
* * *
Corinne
When the rocket hit the launch site, we were already at our vehicles-I'd been forced to move us when I received my usual last-minute warning. The problem was, our vehicles were no longer safe, either. I could either use what I had to make them safe or I could do my other usual and get us the hell out of there.
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