“So what makes you think Doug’s object is the real deal?” Wolf asked.
“There is yet another spear in the Vatican. This one is distinctive in that it is broken and has no tip. It was first described around the year 570 A.D. as having been on display in the basilica of Mount Zion in Jerusalem along with what was said to have been the true Crown of Thorns. The point of that spearhead was alleged to have been broken off when the Roman soldier Longinus pierced Christ’s side in an attempt to make certain Christ was dead following the crucifixion. Sometime between Christ’s death and his resurrection the spear tip is said to have been removed from his body. By whom, nobody knows. Afterward it allegedly found its way to the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. From there it was transported to France, where it was placed in the Church of Sainte Chapelle. Soon after that it disappeared from history.” Randal looked directly at Annie. She gave him an icy stare. “It resurfaced four years ago when a dying Jesuit Priest gave it to Doug McArthur at Rachael De Roché’s funeral. It had been in Jesuit hands since the thirteenth century.”
“That thing saved my life,” Doug said for a second time. “I have no doubt of that. It has some sort of power that I’ve never understood. To me it has been both a blessing and a curse because I know it was meant for my daughter. You don’t know how many times I was tempted to destroy it. But I never could.”
“Why was it meant for Ariel?” Laura asked. “And what the hell does it have to do with those other three alien artifacts?”
“Everything,” replied Nadia, taking over the story. “This part’s the strangest, and for some, the hardest to believe. If you’re a Christian you have to suspend your disbelief at what I’m about to say.” She cleared her throat before continuing. “There are those who believe that Christ was one in a long line of emissaries sent here to help man become ‘civilized,’ to teach him compassion and to live in harmony with nature. Christ’s mission, as we all know was to spread empathy, to teach kindness, to learn and grow, to reject all the terrible impulses inherent in humankind.”
“That doesn’t contradict Christianity,” Eli said.
“Not at all,” Nadia said. “The problem lies in who actually sent him here.”
“God,” Laura said.
“A lot of people on the planet believe that,” Dr. Randal replied. “And since the very foundations of the Brotherhood of the Order are based in orthodox Christianity, I will not take direct issue with it. I am a Christian, and a believer, but I am also a man of science who prides himself in having an open mind. What I will do is offer another theory, which I believe in the final analysis supports traditional Christian views. We’ve learned some startling things in recent years. Based on scientific discoveries we are now fairly certain that we’re not alone in the universe. We are now in possession of a body of information that practically proves aliens were shot down near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. The surviving alien passed a body of knowledge on to three scientists and the scientists in turn gave this information to our government. Our government has known since at least 1947 that we are not alone in the universe, yet they never once shared this information with the general public.”
“Gee, that’s a big surprise,” Wolf said.
“But there is much more to this body of information than just knowledge of alien life. There are mathematical formulas and engineering schematics that explain the wormholes, as well as a warning that if man does not smarten up an ELE will occur sometime in the future.”
“What’s an ELE?” Laura asked.
Extinction Level Event,” Eli answered and all eyes turned to the little man.
“How do you know that?” Wolf asked.
“I read a lot. I have a curious mind. But the event that took place over the past three days wasn’t aliens,” he added.
“What makes you say that?” Dr. Randal asked.
“Two things. First, it didn’t wipe out the planet—at least not yet—and second, Ariel told me. If you remember what we talked about earlier, I picked up something from one of her dreams on the way up here. She said, ‘The visitors didn’t do this.’ If you know what’s good for you, you’ll trust her.”
“But what makes you think she’s referring to aliens when she says visitors?”
“Because they’re here. They’re watching to see how we’ll react. They want to know what we’ll do next.”
“And you know this because . . .?”
“When Ariel touched me I just knew. I can’t explain it. You’re just going to have to trust me on this.”
“There are those who believe Christ was a hybrid,” Nadia said getting back to the story. “Part human, part alien, very intelligent and equally empathetic, that his existence here on Earth was no accident, that he was brought here, or sent here, or created here to help man become true citizens of the cosmos. But as we all know, despite his teachings and his message he failed. That was two thousand years ago and man just wasn’t ready. Maybe we’re still not ready.”
“He failed in that he was murdered by greedy men with small minds,” Dr. Randal added. “But his message succeeded famously. An entire faith based on his teachings and beliefs was born.”
“So what really happened to him following his death?” Laura asked.
“Whoever sent him here—whether it was God, gods or aliens—took him home,” Nadia said. “Every account of his resurrection says that he ascended to heaven in a pillar of blue light.”
“Jesus,” Wolf said. “The Blue Light again.”
“Exactly,” Randal replied. “We believe they used a wormhole, but they left behind a key, something that touched Jesus in a terrible yet meaningful way, a reminder of what human beings are capable of.”
“The spear point,” Doug said.
Randal gave his head a slight nod. “It was infused with whatever power or divineness he possessed and left behind for a reason.”
“So that someday it would be found,” Wolf said.
“Yes, I believe so,” Randal said soberly. “And used. But only by one person.”
“The next emissary,” Laura said, expelling the phrase like a breath.
“The chosen one,” Eli added.
Nadia looked at Doug. “We’re going to need to know where that object is.”
“Let’s get something straight,” Doug said, and his voice was edgy with resolve. “There are only two people in the world I trust and they’re both in this room. He looked directly at Nadia. “You’re not one of them. I will never reveal the location of that object until I’m sure Ariel is safe. Especially if Spencer is on his way here.”
Nadia’s com unit beeped, interrupting the heavy silence in the room. She answered it and listened for a long time, nodding her head occasionally.
When she signed off she said, “Couple of things. First, the government has gotten some of the power back on. Some news stations are already broadcasting, and it’s not pretty. At least part of the internet is working and of course conspiracy theories are spreading like wildfire. The carnage is widespread and several groups have already taken responsibility for the plague.”
“Who are they?” Jennings asked.
“The usual suspects. ISIS, Al-Qaeda. It’s not clear how they could have pulled off something like this on a global scale so, for now, they’re not being taken seriously. There are several US based rogue militia groups also taking responsibility. They’re organized, but the government still doesn’t know what the contagion is or how they might have obtained it. They’re working around the clock at the CDC in Atlanta trying to isolate it and come up with an antidote, but progress is slow. They don’t know what arrested it so suddenly and no one has a clue why it reacts the way it does. Nothing like this has ever been seen before. Not surprisingly, martial law is still in place, and for obvious reasons survivors have been hiding inside their homes. Of course, people are getting hungry and antsy, and out of desperation some are ignoring the curfew and venturing out. Food is running out fast. Looting, burning and general anger are r
ampant. Highways are jammed and there are decaying bodies everywhere. A cleanup of sorts has begun, but they’re being very cautious. The government is afraid if people don’t continue to isolate themselves the contagion might mutate and start up all over again.”
“They must have some idea of its origin,” Doug said.
“Oh, yes, of course they do. Remember, they’ve had the body of information that contains the warning against humanity since 1947.”
“But Ariel said the visitors didn’t do this.”
“Doesn’t mean the contagion isn’t of alien origin,” Eli said. “Maybe it was brought here by the Roswell aliens and the government has had it under lock and key all these years. We can’t ignore the possibility that someone very devious purposely set it loose.”
Doug looked over at Nadia. “You said there were a couple of things.”
“Right. My people outside tell me that the animals aren’t moving. In fact, more are showing up all the time. They seem to be setting up some sort of perimeter encircling this entire mountaintop. The strange thing is, they’re not fighting amongst themselves. They all seem to be at peace with each other which is highly unusual.”
“They’re here because of Ariel.” Dr. Randal said and his eyes were filled with rapture. “That little girl is somehow drawing them here.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know,” Randal replied. “But I think we’ll find out soon enough.”
Jennings heaved a deep sigh. “At this point all we can do is wait and see.”
“Everything else out there seems quiet,” Nadia added. “My people report nothing unusual, other than the animals, and we have more than a five mile radius covered.”
“It wouldn’t be difficult to drop a bomb or a missile on this place if they wanted Ariel dead,” Doug said. “They’ve already tried that once today.”
No one had a reply for that. After the day’s events they were all too tired to face any more hypotheticals.
Nadia and Dr. Randal explained that their security force was totally self-sufficient, well equipped with their own stores, sleeping shelters, and everything else they needed to do their jobs, which was the protection of the most important human being on Earth. They were out there, and they were good at what they did.
“Seth and I also have tents and supplies stored in the forest,” Nadia said.
“Nonsense,” Doug said. There are accommodations for as many as twenty people back in the caves. Folding cots, daybeds, blankets, sleeping bags. It’s not the Ritz but it’s cool, and for the most part dry.”
“Yes, of course,” Annie said dryly. “You’re welcome to stay here.”
“Sure does beat the heat and the mosquitoes,” Dr. Randal said, glancing uncomfortably at Nadia. “Thank you so much. We certainly do appreciate your hospitality.”
CHAPTER 16
An abandoned missile silo, somewhere beneath the Nebraska grasslands. July 5th. Two days after the arrival.
Deep underground, a tall man named Jonas stepped through a heavy titanium door into a control room where a technician sat looking at monitors.
“They told me you were coming down, sir,” said the technician, “that you wanted to see firsthand what I found.”
“That’s right, Granger. Pull it up.”
“You’re not going to believe it, sir.”
“Try me.”
The tech was busy with his keypad and then an image appeared on the giant screen. Jonas squinted at the image. “What is it?”
“It’s an intense ring of heat exactly 6.5 miles west of the original cabin.”
“Yeah, I know that part, Granger. Everybody upstairs thinks it’s some sort of sign from the gods.”
Granger looked at Jonas and frowned but did not reply to his comment. He used a laser pointer to circle an area on the giant screen. The terrain was rough, all mountain peaks, rolling hills and thick forest. “Right about here,” he said. “See it?”
Jonas stared. He was looking at an echo of the last satellite pass. “Yeah, I see it. But what the hell is causing it?”
“Animals, sir.”
“What!”
“Thousands of them. They’ve been gathering since just before dark. At first I couldn’t figure out what they were, but the heat signature says they’re organic, and I’m almost one hundred percent certain they’re not human. For some reason they’re surrounding an area that our geologic survey says is porous, probably a series of caves or caverns, cut into the earth during the last ice age.”
Jonas looked sharply at Granger. “How vast is the system?”
“Extremely.”
“How come we’ve never picked up on this before?”
“No reason to look there, sir. We’ve known where McArthur and his family have been for years.”
“And no one ever suspected?”
“Well, as you know we suspected they had a plan B, but could never trace their movements. They’ve been very clever.”
“Until thousands of animals decided to paint a big bullseye on that place. Doesn’t make sense.”
“Tell me anything about the past few days that does make sense,” Granger said.
Jonas ignored the comment and continued looking at the screen.
In a careful voice Granger said, “Does the old man know about this?”
“Of course he knows. He knows everything. Christ, he’s already making plans to send a force in and check it out.”
“I see. By the way, sir, any word on who might have launched that drone strike?”
“We’re working on it. There are tons of rogue elements who don’t share the old man’s vision. Some would like to see a very different future.”
“What are the chances that kid survived?” Granger asked.
“She’d better had. I wouldn’t want to face the old man’s wrath if she didn’t.”
“Someone shot that drone down,” Granger said. “And since then a small plane has shown up on the pond, moored to the dock. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
Jonas frowned. “We should know soon enough. The operation has already been launched.”
Granger whistled.
“But, I need to know more about these animals.”
“Sir?”
“How do you explain them?”
“I can’t. The satellite is due back around in less than ninety minutes and we can take another look at the heat signature.”
“What good would that do?”
“Just reaffirm that they’re still there.”
“Any chance of getting a visible?”
“Not with the satellite. And not while it’s still dark.”
“What about the drones? They have high resolution cameras.”
“Yes, but still not good in that terrain. The area is too heavily forested to get a clear picture. But we can launch them at dawn if you like.”
Jonas stared at the screen and said, “That won’t be necessary. An advance reconnaissance force should be on the ground within a few hours, Well know more then.”
Jonas continued to watch the screen. “Those caverns are an interesting twist. Gets me thinking . . .”
The tech squinted in confusion. “About what?”
“I’m thinking they might be important. For years we’ve been searching all over the globe, and nothing. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it was . . . there?”
“If what was there, sir?”
“That, I’m afraid is above your paygrade, Granger. Just do your job.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need to talk to somebody with a little more insight into these matters,” Jonas said. He turned to leave the room.
Granger’s face darkened. “You mean that woman, sir? Angelica? She’s a nut job.”
Jonas spun back around. “I think it would be wise if you kept your opinions to yourself, Granger. That woman knows things. She hears things and sees things. I don’t think you’d want her wrath coming down on you. Besides, she’s very close to the old man, and she’s going
in tomorrow with the first wave.”
Granger nervously licked his lips. “You’re kidding?”
“Spencer doesn’t like it any more than you or I do, but that’s what the old man wants, and we both know what happens to those who challenge him. Keep monitoring the situation.” Jonas turned to leave but stopped. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Check the area for a low frequency noise.”
“Sir?”
“Listen carefully, if it’s there it would probably be well underground and very faint.”
“Any low frequency?”
“No. Look for a 250 HZ narrowband that never wavers.”
Granger frowned deeply. “Sir, that’s not very likely.”
“Just do it. And don’t do anything else without my say so. And don’t talk to anyone but me.”
“Right, sir, but just a thought before you go.”
“What?”
“What we spoke about a moment ago. That system of tunnels is extremely vast and very complex. If they’re in there they’re probably well hidden. Like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“My thoughts precisely,” Jonas said. “I’ll be back shortly. Hopefully you’ll have some more answers.”
“I’ll give it my best, sir.”
Jonas stepped out through the titanium door and closed it behind him with a dull thud.
CHAPTER 17
New York City, July 2nd.
One day before the arrival.
Only later would Johnny Cobain think that being contacted by Franz Shutzenberger had been something other than chance. He was not a man who believed in fate. He believed the dice were rolled and they fell where they may, that randomness ruled, and that no matter how careful you were in life, no matter how much planning and preparation went into the business of living, in the long run none of it actually mattered, because, most of the time, shit simply happened.
And Johnny pretty much carved out his existence according to these elemental laws of chance. He’d had one long-term relationship in his life, been burned and never gone back—afraid perhaps that chance could and would uproot even the noblest of intentions—he didn’t aspire to greatness—although a certain measure of it had unwittingly come his way. He drove an old and unremarkable car—a fifteen year old Volvo wagon that needed a paint job. Hey, it’s a good car, he’d told people in defense of his vehicle choice on many occasions. And although he was thirty five years old, he’d never bought a house, choosing instead to keep a small unpretentious apartment in Brooklyn, not allowing himself much in the way of luxury—with the exception of the necessary tools of his trade; the most sophisticated computer system available with a high-speed internet connection, and a subscription to every major online newspaper in the country—choosing instead to live his life without the distractions of material possessions.
Song of Ariel: A Blue Light Thriller (Book 2) (Blue Light Series) Page 21