by Ben Winston
Wilson just shook his head. "No, our government just isn't like that. It doesn't happen."
"I suppose you believe they don't lie to us either?" Jarad asked.
"No, they have to do that sometimes, our National Security depends on it," Wilson replied.
"Are you familiar with an event that occurred at Mederos High School in Colorado?" Jarad asked.
The agent snorted. "Who hasn't? That was just tragic. However, what does that have to do with this?"
"Mederos High School was not destroyed by a leaking gas main. It was destroyed by three alien fighter craft in an attempt to kill one young woman," Greg replied.
"Bullshit!" Wilson replied. "The report is cut and dry, there is no evidence of anything else occurring. I know for a fact that they looked for evidence of explosives; because they first believed it had been some crazed student with a grudge."
"I was there when it happened," Greg replied. "I was in the building attending graduation rehearsal when it was attacked. Three small ships using high energy weapons completely leveled the building then hunted down anyone left alive and killed them."
"I'm sorry, Commander Albright, I simply cannot believe that, the report is complete; there are no findings to support your story," Wilson replied.
"The report you read; was it the one written by SSA Rockfeather?" Jarad asked.
Wilson nodded. "Yes, that's the official report by the Agent in charge of that investigation."
Jarad chuckled. "That's the report I wrote for the cover-up. No one ever looks into this stuff once the official report is filed. How can the building have been destroyed by the gas main when the gas main wasn't even in that building? Mederos High School was heated by forced steam piped in from an external utility plant. That's where the gas main is actually located. There was nothing in any of the buildings destroyed that could have explained the destruction."
Wilson just shook his head. "You guys managed to side-track me. Commander Albright, how are you going to get us to the moon?"
"Actually Agent Wilson, I was waiting to see if you really needed to go. The one thing I'm curious about is that all their cell phones are still working. Why didn't you simply call the missing people?" Greg asked.
"We did check the locater chips in the phones. Would you have accepted 'the moon' as a location?" Agent Wilson replied. "We just assumed someone hacked the cell network and covered their tracks in case one of them was able to get a message out."
"Yeah, but did you even try to call any of them?" Jarad asked.
"No, if the cell network had been hacked somehow, that wouldn't have proven anything. We need to speak to these folks face to face," Wilson replied.
Greg sighed. He had been hoping not to have to send these guys up, but that was not going to be avoidable now. "We'll take you below once you've finished with the Marines." He turned to Lionel. "Captain, please assemble a small team to escort the Agents for the duration, including the trip up to the lunar base. Find out from each agent what weapon each is carrying, and arrange replacement ammo for them."
"What's that?" Wilson replied.
Greg smiled back at the senior agent. "Your weapons cannot be taken if you keep your current ammunition. If you discharged your weapon and it hits a piece of equipment, it could kill everyone on the shuttle. It would also be too dangerous once in the base. So in order to avoid requiring you to disarm yourselves, we are going to offer you ceramic ammunition, or if that isn't available, a sidearm that has ceramic ammo available for it."
"Why would you have ceramic ammo out here where they are guarding a missile complex?" Wilson asked.
"Because they are not only guarding the missile complex. Agent Wilson, we have a lot of people and are growing larger every day. The possibility for infiltration grows with each load of people we take to the base. The only weapons allowed are side arms with ceramic ammo or tasers. Anything else, and it would be too dangerous," Jarad explained.
Wilson nodded. "So you do have armed guards at this base?"
"Sir, there are currently three hundred and eighty seven people up there that include the two armed guards. Normally, they only carry a taser but stronger weapons are available." Lionel explained. "Simply put, they are only there to respond if there is an emergency."
"What kind of emergency would require armed guards?" Agent Wilson asked.
"Sir, with respect, we are simply trying to make sure every contingency is covered. As for them being armed, they are not armed with lethal weaponry," Lionel replied.
"But that weaponry is available to them, correct?" Wilson asked.
Greg felt he should rescue Lionel. "Special Agent Wilson, Yes, that weaponry is available to the constables. Our spacecraft are armed with what you would consider to be weapons of mass destruction as well, but that doesn't mean we are going to use them against our own people. Eventually, there will be a military base up there and the soldiers will be armed with laser and particle beam weaponry. There is nothing underhanded going on here. I can't say illegal because our benevolent government is too fluid on their definition of that term.
"However, no one is here against their will. We are going to make sure your investigation into the kidnapping charges proceeds, but I feel I do need to warn you that you will see acts that are, by the current definition of our government, illegal."
"I am duty bound to arrest you if I witness such an act, Commander Albright. You have admitted to having WMD's in your possession, but since I have not yet seen any, I cannot arrest you. I feel I should warn you that that admission alone will put you on the terror list," Wilson replied.
Greg chuckled. "I'm really surprised they haven't already put us on that list, Agent Wilson! We are an independent military organization operating within the bounds of the continental United States. Which makes us a militia. I'm really surprised it was you they sent out here instead of the ATF or someone else."
Agent Wilson narrowed his eyes. "You mean these men and women are not actually U.S. Marines?"
Greg shrugged. "I can't honestly answer that question. These Marines were assigned here as guards by their commanders. Since that time, we have taken them into our confidence and shown them exactly what they are guarding and briefed them on what we are trying to do here. Since that time, they have been working with us to keep this facility functioning because it's that important to them.
"Are they still Marines? Yes. Are they still U.S. Marines? I don't know," Greg finished.
"Sirs, both myself and Lieutenant Mayes have written up our resignations but have not sent them in yet. We have received orders to arrest and detain any and all personnel in this facility pending an investigation by a specific federal intelligence agency. However, we have respectfully declined that order, as it is illegal. We have witnessed no illegal activities in this facility, nor have we witnessed any activities that are counter to, or a threat to, United States National Security. No word has been returned to us concerning our questioning of the order. However, it is still obvious to me that we are considered to be U.S. Marines at this point," Lionel explained.
"I didn't know you received that order, Captain. Why didn't you report it?" Greg asked.
Lionel shrugged. "It was an illegal order, Commander. Why would I need to report that?"
Greg grinned and nodded. "Very true, thank you Captain." He turned back to the now concerned Agent. "Well, there is your answer, Agent Wilson. They are still U.S. Marines."
"Captain Washington, did you not swear an oath to follow the orders of your commanders?" Wilson asked.
"Yes Sir, as did you," Lionel replied. "However, we all have a duty to question those orders if they are illegal. We are sworn to defend and uphold the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Our duty is to the people first, Sir, then the Government. However, if the government issues an order that is in direct violation of a person's civil rights when said person has not broken any laws or threatened the country, then that order must be questioned. If
we do not, then our country would become no different than any other dictatorship on the planet."
The Agent chuckled and nodded agreement. "Well said, Captain. However, we must also be vigilant against those that would use the freedoms we have against us. Lest we be undermined from within."
"I assure you, Special Agent Wilson, if anyone here was working against the American people, I would shoot them myself," Lionel replied with absolute devotion. "I can't believe you actually used the word 'lest' in conversation!"
The agent actually laughed. "I was quoting someone, I can't remember who. Okay gentlemen, I'll accept your explanations for now. We will also need that ride to wherever these people are so we can make sure they have not been forced to comply with you."
Jarad grinned. "To tell you the truth, you might find a couple of very upset fourteen-year-olds that are pissed because they had to move, but other than that, no one is here against their will."
Before being escorted down into the base, SSA Wilson and his team had spoken to every single Marine at the base. They set up in the back of the cafeteria and started interviewing the people of the base there. Lionel had new ammunition for the agents before they went down to the base and while they joked about it, none of them really complained.
They had yet to find a single person that was being detained against their will. But the main part of the list they had was the people on the moon. Greg, Jarad and the guards made sure to stay away from the interviews so they could be conducted in private. There could be no question about coercion of any kind.
When it came time for the agents to depart, Greg and Jarad led them to the sealed vault style door into the main part of the base. Greg turned to the agents.
"Gentlemen, before we proceed I have to ask if any of you need to use the restroom for any reason. Once we pass through this door, you will have to remain escorted at all times until you reach the lunar facility. Once there, you will once again be free to use a restroom and speak to people without a guard looking over your shoulder. This is a security precaution only."
"Will there be a meal served on the flight?" one of the agents said, grinning.
Greg laughed. "No, you will be making the trip weightless; the flight is not that long, but it should serve to assure you that you are indeed traveling through space. Because of that, dinner will not be offered until you reach the facility."
"You still honestly believe you're sending us to the moon?" Wilson asked.
"I would hope so, because that's what I ordered for you. Now if everyone is ready, we'll proceed," Greg finished. "Abraxis?"
Without reply, the AI opened the heavy door and allowed the group into the small area between doors. When the outer door finished closing, the inner door opened. Abraxis had been informed of this so he knew what was happening and would not take action against the untagged agents unless they were not escorted.
"Who is Abraxis?" Wilson asked.
"The Artificial Intelligence controlling the base," Greg replied.
"You have an AI?" one of the Agents asked in disbelief. "Don't you mean it is a computer you have programmed with a voice address system?"
"Please follow me, Gentlemen." Greg then replied to the question. "No, I mean an AI. Abraxis was built by an ancient alien civilization. He came here when he detected the formation of a Ranger team. I would explain it all to you, but it would take a long time; time I do not believe you have at the moment."
"Perhaps you could explain it during the flight?" Wilson suggested.
"I'm not going with you. I have a lot of work to get done today and your visit has really put me off my schedule. If you need anything or have questions, your guards should be able to help you or get in touch with someone that can. Once I introduce you to your flight crew, I'll be leaving you in their hands," Greg replied. "Your cell phones will work here and they will work on the moon, however, they will not work during the flight. We didn't feel the need to install the required gear in our short-range shuttlecraft. So you should be able to keep in touch with your office except for the forty-five or so minutes of the flight."
He stopped at the medical area. "Please step in here gentlemen, we have to make sure you are not carrying any bad stuff with you before we send you up. Don't worry, we won't do anything to you other than scan your body to make sure you’re healthy; that's all."
They did grumble about the exam, but that stopped when none of them had to take their clothes off and the only thing done to them was a bar of light passed over their bodies.
"You call that a medical exam?" Wilson asked Beth. "How can you learn anything about us from a bar of light?"
Beth chuckled and showed him the monitor she was looking at. "The equipment here is not of human origin; it's very advanced. That ‘bar of light’ was caused by high-energy photons interacting with your body's natural magnetic field. From this scan I can tell you anything you want to know about yourself medically." She frowned. "You need to schedule an appointment with your Doctor; your blood sugar and blood pressure are very high."
"What would you do if I was a member of your organization?" Wilson asked.
"Treat you for the condition. In your case I would prescribe a specific medication and advise you to alter your diet. Permanent damage hasn't begun yet, but it will soon. So I'd make that call as soon as you get back," Beth replied. "I would advise you to reduce stress, but I think you already know that."
Wilson nodded. "Yeah, I kinda figured that part out. Is that everything?"
Beth nodded. "Yep, enjoy your trip."
"Do you believe I'm actually going to the moon, too?" Wilson asked.
"You are. I went up once to inspect the medical facilities. It's a nice trip. I think you'll really like the base as well; it's very relaxing," Beth said.
Wilson left and the next Agent took his place. All six were cleared for the trip so Greg led them over to the silo holding the shuttle.
After he saw the ship, Agent Wilson grinned. "We're going to the moon in that? Where are all the rocket boosters?"
"The shuttle uses gravimetric engines, not reaction drives," Greg replied and introduced Sharon and her co-pilot. "They’re all yours Sharon. I know it will take them awhile to interview everyone, but could you remain at the base until they have finished? That way there will be no delay in returning them to their offices once they have concluded their investigation."
Sharon nodded. "Will do. Now Agents, please follow me and I'll show you where to strap in and stow your gear."
Greg and Jarad remained in the base until the shuttle left, but then returned to Greg's office. "So what do you think of this bullshit about kidnapping?" Greg asked.
"This one was a harassment and a test." Jarad replied. "They wanted to see how we'd react to the intrusion of federal agents into our area. They will send more; next time there will be infiltration agents in the mix. If I were in charge of this, I'd send either the ATF or OHS; the ATF because we have 'unlicensed' automatic weapons in our hands, the OHS because we can be considered terrorists for not doing what we're told. In addition to this, I would expect a massive publicity campaign to discredit us in the media."
Greg nodded. "Our own media campaign should be launching very soon. If they want to hurt us, now would be the time to do it."
Lunar Base
Grimaldi Ridge
Ocean of Storms
Selene, Earth's Moon
The agents made the trip in remarkably good condition. Except for the small fact that they now believed that they had indeed been taken to the moon base. That scared most of them, but they still had a job to do, and SSA Wilson held them together and kept them on track. Although two of the agents would need time to recover from the trip, the rest got to work shortly after they arrived. Retired Air Force General Carl Hollister, now Governor of the small colony, met them in the landing bay.
"Good afternoon, Gentlemen. I am Carl Hollister, the Governor up here. Welcome to the lunar base. We have made our transient quarters available for you and set
up interview space for you near the main commons area," Carl said and smiled at the look on the faces of the agents.
"General Hollister, I am Supervisory Special Agent Dean Wilson. You have been reported as kidnapped by the United States Air Force," Agent Wilson replied.
Carl snorted. "I don't see how, I told them exactly where and what I was leaving to do. I don't mean to show disrespect to you or the FBI, but I think you're being used as a harassment tool."
"I'm beginning to think you are correct General," Wilson replied.
Carl smiled. "I'm in the civilian sector now, either Carl or Governor Hollister will do. I'm not much of a General anymore."
Wilson nodded. "Once a General always a General, Governor. I do appreciate the offer of quarters, I think we're going to need them before we begin."
"There are quite a few people on this base, Supervisory Special Agent, I doubt you will be able to interview all of them in one night. We made sure that your quarters have computer access as well as fax machines and anything else we could think of to make your stay as painless as possible." He smiled sadly at the two green looking agents. "There is some anti-nausea medication available as well as a medic. I'm told the trip up was without artificial gravity to prove to you that we are indeed on the moon. The return trip will be much easier for you."
"That will be very much appreciated, Sir," one of the sickly looking agents replied.
"If you gentlemen would follow me, I'll show you to those quarters. We'll provide a map of the base as well as a list of safety instructions for the facility. Usually, we hold an orientation meeting in the common area and go over the rules and answer any questions. However, if you just read over the list, your guides will be able to answer any questions you may have," Carl said, indicating the Marines that had accompanied the team.