The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side

by A. S. Thompson

  “All we know is,” Agent Kim interrupted, sensing another verbal quarrel, “this place will be well protected. We should bank on the perimeter being controlled by man power, lighting, cameras and sensors.”

  “Exactly what I have been trying to tell you, but no one will listen,” Jones declared, yet he found no audience.

  “I do remember seeing access panels and cameras on the inside,” Clint said, searching his memory for more details. “When we got out of the elevator at the first floor, there was a security office, too. I'd bet that everything is controlled from there.”

  “Assuming we can breach quietly, we still have internal security to deal with. We don't have access cards or codes.”

  “Agent Clint,” Matty interrupted, “do you remember the system? Anything at all about it? A symbol? A name?”

  “I remember seeing the letters ‘ANT’ next to the door scanners.”

  "Was there a trail of ants underneath the symbol?"

  "They looked like black dots, but now that I think about it, yes, I guess you could say they were.”

  “Uh oh.”

  West noticed the unsettling shift in demeanor. “What is it, Matty?”

  “If it is what I think it is, we might have a problem.”

  “Care to clarify?”

  “If this facility is operated by Systeme ANT,” Matty began; the last two words were a poor attempt at a French accent. “Then the security system is top of the line. I knew the guy who started it, well, not personally, but in my world. He was a hacker turned legit, if there is such a thing. Antionne Nicolas Tavel is his name, hence the simple and pompous abbreviation.”

  “What else can you tell us about him or what we might be getting into?”

  “Last I heard, and this is going back a few years, but chatter on the deep web was saying that ANT was working on a secret project, something huge. Something that was supposed to be the best system for generations to come. There were rumors of artificial intelligence-incorporated measures and next-level bio-security. Like the stuff of sci-fi movies.”

  “That's comforting.”

  “Let me put it this way, ANT’s company is one of three contracted by Las Vegas casinos and-”

  “Vegas casinos? That doesn't sound too intimidating? I saw Ocean's Eleven,” Charlie interrupted, but all too quickly.

  “First, that was a movie. Second, you didn't let me finish. Casinos were his lower-end clientele, pocket change and busy work for him. ANT made his real money with the real players. His security systems are not so exclusively contracted by governments, world banks, nuclear sites and everything in between and beyond. The guy is as cocky as Jones here, but his work backs it up.”

  “So, it's impenetrable?”

  “I didn't say that,” Matty corrected, a sense of confidence forming. “Every hacker knows that nothing is impenetrable.”

  “You're assuming that this isn't the 'secret, next-level' system though, right? I mean, if that project you were talking about was for this Nevada facility, there's no way one hacker can bring it down, no offense.”

  “None taken and that's true, Agent Kim. If the system protecting this facility is the one he spent a year and a half working on exclusively, then I wouldn't count on me bypassing it in our time frame. I can get around almost every system and format. The key is-”

  “Equipment?” interjected Charlie.

  “No and yes. Equipment and programs help, but most hacking, great hacking, is inside here,” he said tapping his head. “The key, like I was going to say, is time. Okay, no one better use this against me if the world gets back in order…”

  Matty waited for every head to nod in agreement.

  “But when I go after government systems like I did with the IRS, it takes time. I could have done it in minutes, but that would be sloppy. Since I didn’t want to get caught and go to prison, I led breadcrumbs away from me and ducked in and out of servers across the world, taking my time to do it right.”

  “I guess that kinda helps us, because we don't care about the Feds or jail time.”

  “So how would you do it, Matty?” asked West.

  “If it can be transmitted over the air, it can be hacked," Matty declared like a motto, "but there's no way ANT would allow his system to be anything but hardwired to a designated terminal, so that's where the problem is. I will need to be physically inside, and I'll need some time to tap into the system and work some magic."

  “How much time?”

  “I honestly can't say. Seconds, minutes, hours? I won't know until I'm there.”

  “Fine. We will figure that out after scouting the location, because if we can't get in, and get in quietly, that won't matter,” West said, adjusting his posture upright. “Now, since we can't produce a working strategy for an assault plan, let's move on to phase two and the bunker-”

  “I'll take this one,” Clint interjected rudely.

  West grunted before agreeing. “Fine, I gotta take a piss anyway.”

  Jones stepped defiantly in front of West. “Not in my master bathroom you will not! Use the other one. It’s next to the armoire.”

  “Two bathrooms in the same master bedroom?”

  “Yes,” Jones replied, not sensing the Canadian's sarcasm, “for instances like this where I do not want to smell someone else's shit when I use my own bathroom.”

  “Wow, that's some serious rich people problems.”

  “Deal with it,” West said, brushing past Jones.

  “The President told us that we can trust Vice President Simmons. So after we take out the Ambrosia facility, Agent Kim will lead us to the Fox Hole. He has been there for a drill. I will let him take over and tell you.”

  “Why are you even telling us this? Just do what you said and take us after,” Jones hissed.

  “I intend to, but this is just a precaution. In case something happens to Dennis or myself; in case you guys need to get there on your own,” Agent Kim responded, unfolding a map of the United States. “The bunker is located in the southern part of Utah. Here.”

  The others made sure to note the rough position.

  “Well, if you guys do die, then how do we convince the Vice President, or anyone else for that matter, what happened? Why would they believe us?”

  “Good question, Charlie. That's where Matty comes in,” Agent Kim said, cocking his head to face the computer hacker.

  Matty cleared his throat. “I have talked with West about this, and we decided to break the President’s video down into other formats just in case, but we will keep the original camcorder tape, so if anyone checks, they will see it has been undoctored.”

  Unable to flush, West slid the bathroom door shut behind him. “Good, but for now, I'd rather have you working on any programs or algorithms that can help you gain control of the security system at the Ambrosia Facility.”

  Matty nodded. “You got it. Also, in my experience, it's good to have backups, especially when it comes to computers and sensitive info. Back at Eagle's Landing, I found a couple flash drives that I plan on putting everything on.”

  “Good, good. Anything else?”

  “That about does it for my expertise, so if you guys don't need me anymore, I'd like to try to get a few hours of sleep before getting on this stuff.”

  “Fine, go ahead, we’re almost done here. I want us on the road by zero-three-thirty. Look at your watches, people. That is less than five hours from now. By the time we arrive, everyone needs to be on point. If the President is right about the trucks departing tomorrow, I want to be prepared for an incursion ASAP.”

  “Fantastic. Now if that's everything, then leave my room so I can sleep in peace,” Jones said, literally shoving people through the double doors. “

  Charlie looked around, confused. “Dude, there's a ton of couches and enough space for us to sleep in here too.”

  “The bottom rooms are not well defended in case we are attacked at night. It would be better for us to sleep up here,” added Nick.

  “Fe
el free to sleep on the ground outside or in any of the other rooms,” Jones answered unsympathetic. “You're from Canada, you people like the cold so you can sleep out on the balcony if you want. I don't care. Just get out of my room.”

  “Let's just go,” Nick said, waving Charlie his direction. “Alex, Steve, we’re leaving.”

  ***

  “Looks like they're done,” Steve said hurriedly. Secretly, he was relieved to hear the whistle from Nick, as it ended the uncomfortable conversation with his cousin.

  “Hold up. I know you're not ready to talk about Sarah, and that's fine, but just go talk with Jenny,” Alex said, putting a consoling hand on his cousin's shoulder. “She needs you, bro.”

  “Ya, fine, whatever.”

  The three words had little emotion attached to them.

  “Unless you want a grumpier version of me, I suggest no one disturbs me,” Jones declared, shutting the door abruptly behind the men.

  West, Charlie, Nick, Matty, Alex, Steve, and the two Secret Servicemen exchanged various versions of “good night” and split off to find a suitable sleeping spot.

  Nick led Alex and Steve back to Lisa, Kelly and Jenny's room. Inside, Kelly was fast asleep on her side, while Jenny's eyes remained open, fixating on the loaded weapon on the nightstand. On a section of carpet in between the king bed and a 1920s style fainting couch, Lisa was involved in a full-body yoga-inspired stretch.

  Jenny popped up when she saw Nick enter. “How did everything go? What’s the plan? Did you guys figure out how we are going to get inside that place?”

  “The meeting went fine, Jenny,” Nick replied with a soft smile and a chuckle to match. “We will finalize the details tomorrow.”

  “Wow,” Alex said, walking over, unable to stop staring at his girlfriend, “I didn't know you were that flexible.”

  “It's called the King Pigeon Pose,” replied Lisa, slowly whipping her head back up. She rose with the help of Alex's hand then leaned into his ear. “You have no idea how flexible I can be.”

  “I think we should head downstairs and get some sleep. Well, maybe not some sleep right away, I mean, well, you know what I mean,” he said, flustered. Alex walked to Jenny's bedside with Lisa on his arm. “Night, Kiddo.”

  Alex ruffled Jenny’s hair, but Lisa swiped his hands away saying, “Stop it, you know she hates that. Jenny, if you need anything, we'll be downstairs.”

  “Thanks,” Jenny said, running a hand through her hair to straighten the tangled mess, “but I think I'll be fine.”

  Nick came over after inspecting the perimeter from the large frame window. He snatched up a pair of throw pillows and said, “I will be sleeping just outside the door.”

  “Okay,” Jenny said, though her hopeful eyes were staring beyond her three friends. Just as she was about to lean back down to her pillow, disappointed, Steve stepped inside.

  Nick, Lisa and Alex exchanged looks of “We should leave these two alone.” In single file, they passed behind Steve and into the hallway; an aura of unease lingered in their wake.

  What are you doing here, Steve?He thought, anchored in his position. There was a growing sea of discomfort between him and the anxious teenager and the silence only helped to aggravate the unease.You're not ready for this, just say goodnight and leave. No, at least ask her how she's doing.

  “How are you doing?” he asked, staring not at Jenny’s eyes, but at the floor in front of her.

  Jenny pushed away the sheets and folded her legs inward. “I- I'm fine, thanks. How are you?”

  “Do you need anything? Another blanket? Some water?” he asked, avoiding her question.

  “No, I'm okay, really. Thanks.”

  “Okay...”

  Steve's body twitched as though part wanted to leave while the rest was undecided or unprepared to.

  “Well, if you do, I think Nick will be just outside.”

  “Steve,” Jenny said, sliding out of bed, “what's wrong?”

  Steve swallowed. The saliva felt like a sticky, ten-pound weight.Please don't press it, Jenny. I don't want to talk about that. Please.

  “Nothing's wrong,” he replied, though his eyes lied as they continued to shift nervously at the ground beneath her. “We should probably all get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  Jenny took a cautious step toward him. “What's wrong, Steve?”

  The question stopped Steve from turning the door handle. Please leave it, Jenny. I don't want to talk about it!

  “Nothing.”

  “I don't believe you."

  “I, it's true...”

  Though, he didn't believe himself. He could feel his heart beating rapidly against his rib cage. His breathing grew fast and shallow. It felt as though a volcano would erupt inside him at any moment. He watched Jenny's bare feet move closer and closer; his anxiety grew with each of her steps.

  His mind was split, like two people fighting to occupy the same space.Go, Steve. You're not ready for this. No, stay, and just hear her out. It's not the right time. There will never be a right time...

  "Steve?"

  Then, the conversation was over. Steve's actions were abrupt and came without warning.

  "I-I'm sorry but I have to get going."

  He flung open the door and hurried out, leaving behind Jenny's outstretched hand.

  And for a long while, Steve kept his back against the safe barrier that the wooden door created. On the other side, he could hear soft sniffles from a girl who was denied closure.

  Twin Lakes, Nevada

  December 1, 2009

  0701 hours

  Steve Brason, Travis Goessling, David Kim, and Dennis Clint had surrounded the perimeter of the Ambrosia processing facility hours before the sun rose over the clay foothills.

  Their assignment was simple: scout the location, make notes of security personnel and patterns, and locate points of ingress and egress, along with a very long list of other intelligence objectives.

  During the reconnaissance mission, West moved stealthily from position to position to add his own observations and make certain the men were making accurate notations.

  For hours, the five men peered through binoculars and rifle scopes, observing and scribbling notes and creating rough sketches on loose leaf paper. The first person willingly to volunteer though, found himself one mile away from the action, glued to the top of a water tower.

  "This is bullshit," Alex vented, resting his rifle on the metal bar as he rose from his belly. "I'm tired of staring at this one damn road. I know it's the only way in and out, but I'm over it. I'm getting really fucking over this shit. Everyone's treating me like I'm already changed."

  "Not everyone," Nick’s leathery face smiled. "They will come around, Alex. All in good time."

  "Time?" Alex snorted. "A little more than thistime tomorrow, you can count on me putting a bullet in my head."

  Optimistic, Nick placed a friendly hand on Alex's shoulder. “We will get the vaccine. I promise."

  "Ya, we'll see."

  "On a different note," Nick began, taking out a plastic bag filled with various nuts, "how is everything with Steve? I don't mean to pry, but I saw you talking with him last night."

  Alex took a sip from his canteen, but a dry, hacking cough spewed out the fluid. He looked at Nick and argued, "Not the virus, water just went down the wrong pipe."

  Nick held up both hands. "I didn't suggest anything."

  "Good," Alex said, gulping down water to prove his point. "Steve’s almost gone. Everyone knows it. He has to deal with Sarah in his own way, I get it, but his shit is affecting Jenny, and little Jenny isn't so little anymore. Did you see that she is sleeping with a gun now?"

  Nick nodded disappointedly. "I did."

  "Lisa and Kelly told me Jenny is growing more and more distant. Sarah and Jenny were really close, like super close, and now the only connection she has is through Steve, and Steve won't even acknowledge her. So, I asked Steve to talk with Jenny, and, well, you know, you were just outsi
de the room last night."

  "I wasn't eavesdropping, but I did hear some communication."

  "Well, whatever was talked about, at least there was talking," Alex started to say, but was pulled down unsuspectingly by Nick. "Hey, what gives?"

  Nick pointed out to the distance, to the reflection bouncing off the windshields of five trucks. "They are here."

  Alex pulled out his radio and transmitted, "West, come in, over."

  "What is it? Over."

  "We have eyes on five trucks, coming your way, over."

  "I can see them. Good work. Dylan and Charlie should be there to relieve you. After they do, rendezvous back at the RV, over."

  Just then, Alex heard the clanks of boots on steel. He leaned over the railing and saw Charlie and Dylan climbing. "They just got here. See you in a bit, over and out."

  Nick helped the Canadians up to the grated landing.

  Alex peeled back his jacket sleeve, revealing a digital watch. "Leave it to the Canadians to be late," he joked, tossing his rifle to Charlie.

  Charlie grabbed it midair. "Late? Shut up."

  Dylan accepted the binoculars from Nick and added, "We aren't exactly clocking in for a shift, eh. Besides, we just woke up about five minutes ago, give us a break."

  "I'm just messing with you guys," Alex replied, slapping the big man on his shoulder. "Have fun, this post is about as boring as a hockey game."

  Charlie raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been waiting to play that one?"

  Alex smiled. "Honestly? I thought of it on the roof in Vancouver but forgot about it ‘til now."

  Dylan took more offense, and his sarcasm showed it. "You're right, hockey isway more boring than baseball. Hey, Charlie, let's just sit on our asses and watch nine innings of nine people standing around chasing a ball.”

  “There is a little more to it than that.”

  “Nope, that’s pretty much all I’ve ever seen. One of these days, we are going to get your ass out on the ice and you can see firsthand howboringhockey is."

  "You guys have pads and stuff. Can’t hurt that bad."

  Dylan lightly smashed Alex up against the metal reservoir, simulating a check into the boards. “That was me being gentle.”