He slid a printed sheet from his file and placed it on the table. “This is the current text from a US asset in China. Been in place a couple of years. Her name is Jui Kai. She’s been able to send back a number of reports on sensitive ops being worked by the Chinese under this guy.” An image came up on the wall screen. “This is Colonel Xia Chan. Chinese military, in charge of a special projects division. And recent data points to him having been appointed as top man in a group looking at Zero.”
Kurtzman said, “We’re still building identification data. More we get, the more we will release to you. This has all come to us out of the blue.”
The image of a woman next appeared on the screen. It showed an attractive and seemingly wise individual and the text next to the image simply added to her qualifications.
“Jui Kai. US covert agent,” Kurtzman told them. “Long-term undercover in China. As Hal said, she has been in the country a couple of years using a well-established cover role. She has got herself close to Chan.”
“Hope she’s as sharp as she looks,” McCarter said. “Not an assignment I’d fancy.”
“Not you,” James said. “Let’s face it, David, you just don’t have the legs for one of those Chinese slit-sided dresses.”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
Price held up a hand. “Not something I’d like to imagine.”
Carl Lyons flicked the data sheet. “It says here Kai has worked herself onto the flight team providing trips for important Chinese officials.”
“It seems she caught the roving eye of our Colonel Chan, who has a thing for young women, and was assigned to his flight roster once she established a relationship with him. Whenever Chan takes a trip, Kai is on his flight. It seems he insists she is assigned. His influence is strong enough to get him what he wants. Kai’s feedback tells us Chan is highly thought of by the Chinese top brass.”
“How did she manage to work that position?” Blancanales said.
Price cleared her throat. “I believe that’s something we don’t need to go into too deeply.”
Blancanales glanced across at her. “Really?”
“Pol, I’m sure I don’t need to go into sharp details. Suffice it to say that Miss Kai really has Colonel Chan’s attention.”
“She’s one brave lady,” Hawkins said. “From that picture, our Colonel Chan looks a pretty mean hombre.”
“Past history does show Chan has a suspect past with females,” Price said.
Brognola continued. “Phoenix Force will take a run out to Zero Command and make contact with Agent Valens. Pick up whatever you can from there. Intel is thin on the ground at the moment, but we have to make a start somewhere. Able Team can take a lead from the background data Aaron and his team have started to pull in from traffic cams in the area following the kidnap. We might get a lead from those according to what comes up. I wish we had more to go on, but for now that’s all she wrote. So let’s do it, people.”
The teams began to disperse, heading out to claim paperwork and travel gear. Stony Man transport would provide them with vehicles, and if any long-distance needs arose Price would, as usual, organize that.
Finally alone, Brognola sat back and considered what might lie ahead. The Zero Project was important. It offered America a degree of protection no other nation had, so he was not surprised that whoever was behind Kaplan’s kidnap had taken the step. If Kaplan could be persuaded, in whatever form, to spill what he knew about Zero, then trouble could be just on the horizon.
If the US lost Zero, it would lose a powerful security asset.
One that could not be replaced so easily.
Even the thought caused Brognola to shake his head in frustration.
Now it was down to the Stony Man teams to step up and be counted. If anyone could resolve what had happened, it was his collection of experts. He knew they would not let him down.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Joshua, have you heard from Saul Kaplan?” Claire Valens said.
Joshua Riba sensed the concern in her voice even over the phone. The Apache private investigator knew her well enough to sense a problem.
Riba’s initial connection with the Zero Project had come about when Doug Buchanan had survived the attack on the New Mexico facility that housed the fledgling operation. Partway through his treatment to turn him into the human component of Zero, Buchanan had managed to survive the hit. Sick and in pain from the implants in his body, he had been found by Riba’s uncle, who had run him down when Buchanan had suddenly stepped into the path of his truck.
Taken back to the Apache settlement, Buchanan had been looked after. Riba had become involved after Buchanan had taken off. His detective skills had brought him into contact with the people looking for Buchanan and Kaplan, and he had tracked the group to Albany, New York, where he had met Mack Bolan. After an explosive confrontation, the two had decided to team up and become fully involved in the Zero conspiracy.
“If you have to ask, then I guess something has happened.”
“Saul was taken from the Air Force car on his way to the Zero base. Taken by force, as far as we can figure out.”
“When did this happen?”
“Only a few hours ago.”
“Any signs he might have been hurt?”
“None we’ve found yet, but his Air Force driver took a bullet to the back of the head.”
“So Saul has been kidnapped.”
“Looks that way.”
“Nothing beforehand? Threats? Hints something might be going to happen?”
“You know the Zero operation, Joshua, from when you were involved before. It’s still being kept low-key. As covert as we can keep it. Which doesn’t always work out.”
“No suspects, then?”
“Suspicions, but no proof.”
“That the official take or just yours?”
Valens smiled. “No fooling you, is there.”
“It’s my heritage. Anything we can work on? That old man is special. He needs finding.”
“That sounds suspiciously like you want to help.”
“We were connected last time round, Agent Valens. Kind of makes us blood brothers.”
“We did make a good team.”
“What about Pinda Lickoyi who lives in Big Sky and sees all?” Riba said in a mock-solemn monotone.
“We checked with Zero. Told Buchanan. He’s no wiser than we are at the moment. He’s run all the checks he can via the Zero setup. No trace. He’ll keep looking and listening.”
“Listening?”
“Saul had an implant. A small receiver that gives out a traceable signal so his whereabouts can be tracked. Designed and built it himself. Had it surgically inserted at the back of his left shoulder. Idea is that it emits a permanent signal.”
“But it isn’t doing that?”
“No. The signal has gone silent. And so has the tracker fitted to the Air Force car.”
“What does that tell you?”
“That maybe we have an inside mole working for the kidnappers—someone capable of disabling the car tracker. That the kidnappers knew about the tracking device on the vehicle and put it out of action.”
“So you have something to work on. Also means you have a weakness in your security shield.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“What about the implant device?”
“I don’t see that being public knowledge. It was inserted just below the surface of Kaplan’s skin soon after Zero was launched. Like I said, it was Saul’s own idea.”
“Not easy to get at?”
“It would have to be cut out.”
“Anything else affect it?”
“If they had the equipment the signal could be interrupted. That suggests whoever took Saul would have had to have known about it. Joshua, as of right now, we are running in the dark here. Reaching out.”
“Okay, but if these kidnappers have something they can disable your tracking devices with, then they have to be more than a bunch of perps out looking for ransom. Last time, we came up against renegade government individuals—and a bunch of Chinese trying to get their hands on Zero.”
“Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind. All the files on the previous attempt are being reviewed and individuals looked at.”
“The ones still alive, you mean?”
Valens understood the reminder. People had died before the Zero affair had been concluded. She also recalled that some of the Chinese operatives had escaped. But they had run off with a considerable amount of Chinese cash and lost themselves somewhere in America.
She had to go through everything, no matter how vague or how dead-ending it might turn out to be. She had to look into all aspects of the matter.
“Is Cooper involved this time?” Riba said.
“His name hasn’t been mentioned so far. Could be he’s working on something else. But the people he works with have their teams involved.”
“You want me to do some snooping around?”
“Off-the-reservation kind of snooping?” Valens said.
“Sharp as ever, Agent Valens, but just as you say. I’ll deal myself in. I’m closer to Saul’s lodge than you people are. I do remember where it is, too.”
“Joshua, stay in touch. If I can give you any backup I will. Use my name if you need to. Let me know if you find anything. But for now, keep it between us.”
Valens sent the data to Riba’s cell.
“Okay, got it,” Riba said. “Hey, you watch your back, Agent Valens. The way this has gone down, we’ve got some serious people out there.”
“I will, and for the record, it’s Claire. Drop the ‘Agent Valens,’ okay? I think you’ve earned that.”
“Okay. You can call me Josh. I hate the full-on Joshua. Makes me sound old and serious.”
“You’re a funny guy, Josh.”
“Got to redress the Hollywood version of solemn, hatchet-faced Indians. And don’t start me on the ‘Native American’ deal. Listen, I’ll be in touch soon as I have anything.”
CHAPTER SIX
Phoenix Force made contact with the Zero base a short time later. The credentials they carried got them inside the Zero Command Center. The isolated base, created solely for the operation of the Zero Project, was purpose-built. It stood in a wooded tract of land in rural Virginia and had a complement of around thirty, which comprised the Zero operating team and a rotating security force of Air Force personnel. A small number of highly vetted civilian personnel also worked on the base.
Even with their official Stony Man–provided IDs, McCarter’s team was well aware it was on site under sufferance. That made no difference whatsoever to the Stony Man squad; they had a job to do and territorial marking wasn’t about to stop them.
Colonel Rance Corrigan, the base commander, came out to meet them. In his late forties, Corrigan was a bluff, iron-gray-haired man who matched David McCarter in height and general build. His uniform fit him perfectly and was so neat it looked as if he’d had it dry-cleaned overnight while he was still wearing it. The perception the man might just be a poster boy for the Air Force faded quickly for McCarter. He could see behind the outward vision and recognize a true military character; Corrigan would match every word he spoke with dedication to his position in the Air Force of the United States.
“Colonel, we’re not the enemy,” McCarter said. “Right now finding Saul Kaplan is the only thing that concerns me. Run up the chain of command all you want. When you reach the highest level—and I mean the highest—you can make your feelings known. In the meantime we’ll go right ahead and see if we can figure out what happened. It’s why we’re in your face.”
“You’re a Brit,” Corrigan said, not disrespectfully. It was simply a statement of fact.
“Yes, Colonel. Hope you won’t hold that against me.”
Corrigan’s shoulder went back a fraction. “I’ve known a few RAF guys.” His expression didn’t change. “They can hold their own in a fight, and they respect the chain of command. So just explain what a Brit is doing in this outfit.”
“I work for the same government you do. Doing what I’m ordered,” McCarter said. “Whatever it takes. The same goes for my men.”
Corrigan scanned the rest of Phoenix Force. He saw a tight group who looked as if they would take no shit from anyone.
“We need to talk in my office,” he said. “I’ll have your equipment secured.” Corrigan called over a waiting sergeant. “Blaney, see to it.”
Corrigan turned and led the way to the main admin building, Phoenix Force falling in behind him. He took them through to his office, past a main area that held desks, computers and half a dozen Air Force personnel. He paused at one of the desks.
“Sergeant Ryker, call Agent Valens and have her report to my office immediately. And arrange coffee for us all.”
“Could you add one Classic Coke to that order, Sergeant, please?” McCarter said.
The colonel’s office was sizable, the main window looking out across the base. On an outsize, neatly arranged desk, there was a large-screen computer angled in one corner. A number of office chairs were ranged in front of the desk. It appeared that Colonel Corrigan favored regular meetings with his staff. Considering what went on at the base, McCarter realized it was not surprising; the Zero initiative was, to say the least, unusual, and its existence ranged well beyond what the Air Force would normally handle.
“Sit down, gentlemen,” Corrigan said. He took his own high-backed swivel chair and composed himself before he spoke. “I assume you’ve been brought up to speed on Zero and the current incident?”
“We had a briefing before we shipped out,” McCarter said. “I’m hoping you can add to what we know. Which is still coming in as we speak.”
Before Corrigan could say any more, there was a knock on the office door. Corrigan told the visitor to enter. The door opened and the Phoenix Force operatives were treated to Agent Claire Valens in the flesh. They had seen photographs of her at Stony Man, but without a doubt, they didn’t do her justice.
In the photos, Valens had worn her dark hair long; now she favored a shorter style that accentuated her open, strong-featured face and generous mouth. The eyes that surveyed Phoenix Force were sharp and showed the intelligence that lurked behind them. Her supple, toned figure was clad in a white shirt under the regulation black pantsuit. The jacket was open, exposing the Glock pistol holstered at her waist. The young woman was beautifully efficient. An interesting combination.
A man, Valens’s partner, McCarter presumed, followed her through the door.
She nodded to everyone in the office and crossed to take one of the chairs closest to Corrigan’s side of the desk. The man chose a seat set back where he could see everyone.
“Agent Valens,” McCarter said. “Good to meet you at last.”
“And you, Jack Coyle.” She smiled.
McCarter made quick introductions of his partners, using their cover names. “This is Roy Landis.” He nodded at James and then at Manning, Hawkins and Encizo in turn. “Samuel Allen, Daniel Rankin and Fredo Constantine.”
“This is Larry Brandon, my partner.” Valens sent a nod toward the back of the room. “It appears you already know who I am,” she said.
“You come highly recommended,” Manning said. “We’ve seen the file on your earlier dealings with Zero and Saul Kaplan. Impressive, Agent Valens.”
“Not such a glowing fi
le this time around.” Valens held up the manila file she was carrying.
“Agent Valens feels this incident is down to her,” Corrigan told them.
“Happened on my watch—I won’t deny that,” Valens said. “Saul is missing and one of Colonel Corrigan’s men is dead.”
“Has there been anything to warrant higher security recently?” Encizo asked. “Activity to make you suspicious?”
“Nothing. Everything was running normally. Saul was collected from his home and driven to the base each day. Returned home each evening, unless there was a need for him to remain here. He has assigned quarters on the base. Often stayed here due to some involved operation he was running. Saul is constantly upgrading Zero. He is determined to improve the way it functions.”
“And this has been running for...?” James queried.
“The current arrangements have been in place for well over two years.”
“During that time,” McCarter asked, “have there been any security concerns?”
“None. Ever since the initial incident, Zero has been kept low-key,” Valens advised. “No one has ever been suspected of planning anything. We try to keep our business and our presence under the radar as much as we can.” She cleared her throat. “Obviously not as under the radar as we thought.”
“What about Jui Kai?” McCarter said. “The information she has sent through about Colonel Chan?”
Valens hesitated for a few seconds. “You know about her involvement with Chan?”
“We’ve been brought up to speed about her. Look, Agent Valens, our intel comes from a secure source. Us becoming involved is no good if we’re not kept in the loop one hundred percent.
“We know Kai is an asset planted in China. That she has established one hell of a cover. We also understand she’s been maneuvered into a close relationship with Chan and his group. Seems they have a vested interest in Zero.”
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