by Alex Siegel
Hanley had been sitting with her. He stood up immediately when Marina entered the room.
"How are you feeling?" she said.
"Not bad, ma'am," Katie said. "They patched me up and gave me some painkillers."
Ipo closed the door and blocked it with his body. It was a private hospital room, so they could talk freely if they kept their voices down.
"After you get some rest," Marina murmured, "we'll move you out of here. You can recuperate back at headquarters where it's safer for you."
"Yes, ma'am. I still feel terrible about disappointing you."
"I'm as much to blame as you. I should've suspected an ambush from the beginning. The clue that led us there was a little too obvious. I even walked into a second ambush after escaping the first, and for a commander, that's unacceptable. I'm embarrassed, and I must apologize to all of you."
"A second ambush?" Katie said. "What happened after I left?"
Marina went over to the window and looked outside. She had a great view of the Oakland hills from here. Housing developments covered the hills all the way to the top, and roads snaked between them. Some homes were perched on slopes that seemed dangerously steep and unstable, and she wondered how they didn't come down in an earthquake.
She summarized recent events for Katie and Hanley. They listened silently as she gave her report.
Marina concluded by saying, "We called Min Ho after we escaped from the police. According to him, the police were dispatched to Poulsen's house because of a 'violent home invasion' in progress. The mysterious Ice Crusher obviously hacked the police dispatch system again."
"How did he even know you were in the house?" Hanley said.
She furrowed her brow. "That's a good question. I didn't see any cameras or sensors, but the police were on us within minutes. We were lucky to get out of there without killing anybody. Regardless, we have to figure out our next step. We know our enemy is a talented hacker, and he is closely associated with Soulfriends. He may even be the secret owner."
"It seems like we need to talk to the CEO of the company, ma'am. Even if he isn't Ice Crusher, he'll at least know what's going on."
"That's a good idea. What was his name?" She rubbed her head. "William Terman. But I don't want to meet him at his office. That's asking for more trouble."
"Then where do you want to meet him?"
Marina took another look at the homes to the east. From this distance, they looked like colorful, little doll houses. She wondered if the residents liked driving up and down those steep hills every day.
"At his home. The three of us will go now." She nodded to Hanley and Ipo.
"Ma'am," Ipo said, "you've been away from headquarters for a long time. Shouldn't you go back? The assistants don't have any protection."
"We're already short-handed, and with Katie out of commission, we need all our remaining resources engaged. I can't afford to waste my time sitting at home."
He didn't seem pleased with that answer, but he kept quiet.
"I presume Terman is at work," Hanley said. "We'll have to wait until he comes home tonight."
"No." Marina shook her head. "That could be many hours from now. Executives like to work late, and we need him to come home early."
"I have an idea." He raised his index finger. "We'll create some kind of emergency in his house, like a fire or a robbery. He'll rush home to deal with it."
She nodded. "And then we'll show up dressed as police. Everybody will assume we're just responding to the emergency. We'll quietly take Terman aside and kidnap him."
"Works for me. Ipo?"
"It's a fine plan," Ipo rumbled in his deep voice. "Hopefully, it won't end in another ambush."
* * *
Marina was riding in the back seat of a van. Ipo was driving, and Hanley was riding shotgun.
They were climbing into the mountains south-west of Cupertino. Marina loved the rugged terrain with its steep slopes and dramatic views. Every sharp bend in the road opened up another piece of the world. Many turns were blind, and Ipo was forced to drive carefully. Scrubby trees, bushes, and dry grass struggled to survive on the arid landscape. A nearby reservoir sparkled in the afternoon sunlight, an ironic sight in a place where water was scarce and precious.
Northern California was so different from Chicago. Marina couldn't wait to explore every part of her vast territory, but that project would have to wait until the mission was done.
Ipo turned onto a dirt path which was overgrown with weeds. It clearly hadn't been used in years. He made his way slowly over holes and rocks until they were out of view of the main road. He parked and turned off the engine.
"The house should be just over the next hill," he said.
The team got out of the van. Marina inhaled cool, fresh mountain air and was glad to stretch her legs after a long drive. She jogged in place and touched her toes to warm up her muscles.
Everybody was wearing green camouflage fatigues suitable for daylight combat. They had basic weaponry and body armor even though they didn't expect any fighting. After being ambushed twice, Marina wasn't taking chances. The men also wore full backpacks.
"Let's go." She started hiking up the hill.
Ipo and Hanley followed close behind.
It was a short but vigorous hike to the top of the hill. When they reached the crest, they looked down on the private estate of William Terman.
According to the information Marina had received, his home had once been a winery. Several wooden buildings were placed around a grassy, square courtyard. The roofs were covered with wooden shingles or Spanish tile. Paint had been used very sparingly, and on some buildings, not at all.
"Maybe it's my Chicago heritage," Marina said, "but I can't help but think this place is a huge fire hazard. It's all wood."
"It looks nice," Ipo said. "That's what rich people care about."
"I suppose. Min Ho told us to expect two security guards and a wife. There's the wife."
She pointed at a woman sunbathing beside a swimming pool. She was tanned, skinny, blonde, and wearing the skimpiest of bikinis. Only a few square inches of taut spandex separated her from nudity.
"Trophy wife," Ipo said, "and I see one guard. I don't see the other."
A man wearing a blue uniform and a cap was strolling across the courtyard. He carried a sidearm but had no vest. He seemed to be enjoying the cool, sunny day.
"I'll run down there and put everybody to sleep," Marina said. "Give me a five minute head start."
"You're going alone, ma'am?" Hanley said.
"I'll be quicker that way. You two can watch my back."
"It seems like you're taking a dumb risk just to save a few minutes. Ipo should accompany you. I'll cover both of you from up here."
She glared at him. "Did you just call me dumb?"
"The risk is dumb, ma'am," he said. "There's no reason to rush. If you run into trouble, you'll be much better off with Ipo at your side, so you might as well bring him along."
She didn't like his tone even though his argument was sound. He seemed to be forgetting she was the commander. She decided she couldn't let him push her around.
"Just stay here," she barked.
Marina marched down the steep hill towards the house. She was fuming about being treated without due respect, but at the same time, she wasn't sure she had handled it properly. Hanley was right. Going alone was dumb, and doing it just to make a point was childish. That wasn't the kind of commander she wanted to be. That wasn't how she would earn respect from her legionnaires.
She stopped half-way down. She forced herself to make the climb back up the hill. Ipo and Hanley were standing where she had left them, and they had the good sense to keep straight faces.
"Ipo will come with me," Marina said to Hanley, "but I want an apology. Don't just tell me what we should do. You may make suggestions in an appropriate, deferential manner, and I'll decide."
"Yes, ma'am," he said. "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting I'm not the chief anymore."
She turned and went down again. She was already working up a good sweat under her body armor.
Ipo accompanied her this time. "We made a bet while you were gone," he murmured.
"Oh?"
"I bet you wouldn't come back up. He bet you would. I lost."
"I'm not sure how to feel about that." She furrowed her brow. "You think changing my mind was wrong?"
"Changing your mind was smart," he said, "but when you walked off, I was sure you would stick to your guns. Most leaders have a hard time admitting they made a mistake. I guess you're different."
She smiled a little. "Thanks. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"I'll try not to underestimate you again, ma'am."
Loose dirt and rocks made the steep slope treacherous. Marina slipped a few times, but she managed to stay on her feet. By the time they reached the bottom, she was perspiring freely. The cool air wasn't getting past her heavy clothes and body armor.
She looked at Ipo, and he wasn't sweating at all. He was smiling as if the hike had been a nice walk in the park.
"I'm getting jealous of your ability to change your mass," she said. "You just floated down the hill like a big balloon."
"It's convenient," he said, "but I think your gift is just as useful."
Marina looked around. They were at the edge of the Terman estate which occupied a small valley. A working vineyard covered the steep far side of the valley, but she couldn't see any grapes on the vines.
She spotted the guard she had seen earlier. He was standing in the shadow of a tree.
"Follow me," she said.
She silently ran in a big circle to get behind the guard. Ipo matched her pace and also made no noise, which pleased her. She had at least one legionnaire who didn't need a lot of training.
Marina attacked the guard from behind. She stabbed his neck and injected venom before he even knew she was there. He only made a squawking noise before passing out.
"Let's get the bimbo next," she said. "Keep your eyes open for the other guard."
"Yes, ma'am," Ipo said.
They ran towards the swimming pool at the north end of the compound. Marina vaulted a fence, sprinted across a tile deck, and injected venom into the wife's neck while her eyes were still closed.
Ipo skidded to a stop beside Marina. "You're quick," he said between gasps for air.
"I need to be. I'm not big and beefy like you. Quickness keeps me alive. Where the hell is the second guard?" She frowned and looked around.
They began to check the buildings one at a time starting with the pool house. It was stocked with clean, white towels, lotions, and pool toys. There was a dedicated washer and a dryer for the towels.
"The Termans have a tough life," Marina said.
"Indeed," Ipo said.
The next building was the largest. It was two stories tall and had the architecture of an overgrown barn. The planks in the wooden walls went from the ground to the eaves of the roof, but the rustic character was only superficial. The planks had been polished, fitted, and lacquered to form a smooth, air-tight surface. Modern, white windows were properly sealed around the edges.
Marina peeked in through a window. She spotted a man in a blue uniform standing at a bar and taking a swig from a bottle.
"There he is," she said. "Drinking on duty. Tsk, tsk."
"I'm sure it's a very boring job," Ipo said.
"It's about to get more interesting for him."
She hustled around to the front door of the building and knocked loudly. Then she stood with her back to the wall and waited. He took up a position on the opposite side of the door.
After a minute, the guard came out and looked around. Marina immediately put him to sleep.
"That should be it," she said, "but keep your eyes open in case Min Ho was wrong."
She called Hanley and ordered him to come down the hill.
After the call ended, Ipo said, "Should we proceed to the next phase of the plan?"
"Let's check out the place first," Marina said.
He nodded.
She dragged the body of the guard out of the way and entered the main building. The interior made her gape in amazement.
Everything was made of glass, stainless steel, or polished stone. Flat, shiny surfaces were everywhere. As she walked across the marble floor, reflected light dazzled her eyes. Huge mirrors on the walls made the large room seem gigantic. Even the furniture was made of slabs of metal or stone. Thin pads on the seats were the only token of comfort in the sterile space.
"Do humans actually live here?" Marina said.
"I assume so," Ipo said. "This is what happens when a rich man meets a crazy interior designer. I'm sure this room was featured in prominent architectural magazines."
"I hate it."
After searching for a few minutes, they found an office on the second floor. Marina was glad to see the interior of this room wasn't as extreme as the first. The wooden desk actually seemed functional. The vaulted ceiling exposed the beams of the roof in a clever way. The chairs were still flat, hard, and uncomfortable though.
Marina went through the desk drawers while Ipo browsed the file cabinets. She found contracts, business reports, and financial statements. None of it looked particularly interesting or unusual.
"Find anything good?" she said.
He shook his head. "No, ma'am."
"Keep looking."
Eventually, Hanley tracked them down. He entered the office with wide eyes and said, "This is quite a place."
Marina shrugged. "I've seen nicer and much more tasteful." She sighed. "I'm getting impatient. Let's just proceed to the next phase."
The men took off their backpacks and emptied the contents onto the desk. Clear plastic bags containing uniforms for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department fell out. The shirts were tan and the pants were pale green.
"I never knew you could buy police uniforms in a store," Hanley said. "I always assumed you needed some kind of official authorization."
"You just have to know where to shop," Marina said. "Can I have some privacy, gentlemen?"
The two men left the office and closed the door. She stripped off her weapons and green fatigues. She put on the sheriff deputy's uniform, and the new fabric felt stiff against her skin. Her green Kevlar vest went on top of the shirt. A badge and a nametag completed the costume. She buckled on the weapons a deputy might wear, and she tried to hide the rest under her clothes, but there was no place to hide her grenades. She had to put them into a backpack.
She opened the office door. "How do I look?"
"Good, ma'am," Ipo said.
Hanley nodded.
"OK," Marina said. "Ipo, you're next."
She stood in the hallway while Ipo went into the office and closed the door.
"I heard about your little bet," she whispered to Hanley.
His eyes widened. "Ipo told you?"
"Yes. Why were you so sure I'd come back?"
"Two reasons, ma'am. First, you're a survivor. You've lasted eleven years in the Society, and I'm told that's extremely impressive. One thing I've learned about survivors is they can admit when they've made a mistake. People who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge facts don't last long in war."
"That's nice." Marina smiled. "What's the other reason?"
"You're Aaron's girlfriend," Hanley said. "If a guy like that loves you, you must have a lot happening between the ears. You're too smart to let yourself look dumb."
Her smile grew. "I'm getting lots of compliments today. A girl could get used to this."
Ipo came out of the office in a deputy's uniform. The clothes fit, but with his oversized chest and arms, he looked like a gorilla in a costume. Marina suppressed a smile.
Hanley changed next, and finally, everybody was ready to go. The team went outside.
Marina pointed to a building which was isolated from the rest. "Burn that one," she ordered.
Ipo and Hanley responded in unison, "Yes,
ma'am." They walked off.
She took out her phone and dialed 9-1-1.
"What is the emergency?" a woman responded.
"This is Beatrice Terman, wife of William Terman," Marina said in a hysterical voice. "One of our buildings just caught fire! Please, send the fire department right away! We live on MonteBello Road near the Stevens Creek Reservoir. We're just past Peacock."
"How big is the fire?"
"It's big! Oh, God..." Marina hung up and nodded with satisfaction. She loved telling a good lie.
She walked over to her two legionnaires. They had started a little fire on the exterior wall of the target building. The blaze was spreading quickly across the dry, wooden surface, driven by a light breeze.
"I told you this place was a fire hazard," she said. "Let's go hide."
The team walked into the nearby woods. They found a shadowy spot among the trees and crouched down.
It took ten minutes for the fire department to arrive, and by that time, half the building was in flames. There were no fire hydrants around, so the firefighters had to make do with the water and foam on the truck. A second fire engine arrived a couple of minutes later, and between the two of them, they managed to control the fire.
Members of the sheriff's department were also showing up. The unconscious bodies of the wife and the security guards were soon discovered. The crime scene suddenly became more interesting for everybody.
"That's our cue," Marina said.
The Spears walked out of their hiding place. They were dressed exactly like the real deputies, and nobody gave them a second glance. They wandered around as if they were looking for evidence when actually, they were just biding their time.
A short time later, ambulances carried away the sleeping victims. Marina estimated they would wake up soon, maybe even before they reached the hospital. She had given them moderate doses of venom.
It took another half an hour for William Terman to arrive. He pulled up in a black Jaguar which probably cost over a hundred grand. When he stepped out, Marina recognized him from a picture she had seen. He was tall and had brown, curly hair. For a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, he looked a little long in the tooth. His skin was pale in the bright sunlight. He was wearing a black business suit and a white shirt, but he had no tie. His collar was unbuttoned, giving him a sporty look.