"You can prove this, can you?"
Agent Kim nodded, as did the group of nervous survivors behind him.
“Give me a moment,” Donald said, walking back into the cabin for privacy. Minutes later he returned, looking less happy than he did before. "If you are lying,” he began in the sourest of tones, “being thrown back out here will be the least of your worries. Staff Sergeant Fikejs, search them thoroughly for anything concealed. Their security is your concern until the Secret Service take over below."
"We already have their weapons, but we’ll check again." Fikejs whistled and relayed the order. "You heard the man, check ‘em again, boys."
During the inspection of Agent Kim’s bag, one Marine named Dralston discovered the TNT. He dropped to a knee and pointed his rifle at David. "I got explosives here, Staff Sergeant!"
“Whoa, hold on,” Kim said, hands as high as they would go.
"What are you doing with these? Why are you trying to bring explosives into my home?”
"The TNT isn’t what you might think it’s for. I can explain, Staff Sergeant," Kim said, calmly and without any fast movements. “I'm sure it's been a while since you've seen, but the world is crazy out there. We have to use anything we can to stay alive, including explosives. I thought they might come in handy, but now that we are here I don't care. Do whatever you want with them.”
Fikejs was disinclined to believe the story. “Keep searching, men.”
"Look, why would I have a bunch of TNT inside a bag, unconcealed, waiting for you to find it? I know protocol. I know we’d be searched."
"Itwas just sitting on top inside the bag," Dralston commented. He finished an invasive pat down of Kim’s body and continued, “Minus the TNT he’s clean, Staff Sergeant.”
"Because that’s all of it, I swear. That was the only stuff we had. You and your men searched us yourselves.”
"Staff Sergeant, if you do not deem the situation secure, we will not proceed.”
"We’re good. I'll have my men hand over the explosives and weapons to the Secret Service. Ringo, Ryan, you're with me. The rest of you, get back in positions and wait for my orders."
"Oo rah," came a unison reply from the Marines.
“Mr. Quick, we are ready to enter the Fox Hole.”
1931 hours
The log cabin was simply decorated with deer, falcon and other taxidermic decor. In a clockwise fashion, there was a fireplace, cloth couch with a flannel blanket thrown over the back, kitchenette, and a single bed.
"Stand here," Donald said, keeping the survivors clustered in the middle.
He walked to the mantle above the fireplace and pushed in the left eye of the deer head that hung over it. Then he moved to the kitchen and opened the cabinet above the sink. Lastly, he spun a framed American flag so it was upside down.
Immediately following, mechanical ticking and clanking began, and shortly after, the room came alive.
"This is better than the movies," Matty murmured.
The rest were equally as enthralled.
Together they watched, openmouthed, as the end of the bed flipped upward and braced against the wall, while the boards beneath it were replaced by solid metal flooring. Then gates folded upward and in seconds an elevator protruded.
"As you can deduce, the cabin is a decoy in the event any trespassers or crazy conspiracy nutjobs make it past the Marines. After me," Donald said, entering the lift.
Once everyone was inside the cramped quarters, Donald pushed a button and the elevator began to drop at a comfortable, yet quick speed. Not long after, they arrived at the bottom, though nothing indicated how far they had gone.
"How deep are we?" asked Ally.
“Classified,” both Agent Kim and Donald said in unison.
When the control panel flashed a green light and the cage lowered, Donald stepped out into an empty T-shaped hallway.
“So this is the Fox Hole,” Ally said, admiring the aesthetic.
Built into the existing rock, the bunker presented a sleek first impression. The stone walls were polished smooth. Hundreds of tiny LED lights were placed throughout, appearing wireless by design. There were waste receptacles, clear signs directing inhabitants to a labyrinth of destinations, and hatches filled with emergency equipment.
“So much for the welcoming party,” Matty said dryly.
Julianne looked down the left hallway, then the center and finally to the right. "Where is everyone?" she asked, holding her daughters’ hands.
Donald looked at his silver wristwatch. "It’s after seven thirty, so I would say their rooms or the recreational area before sleep. Despite being underground, we do keep to schedules. Come along.”
While following Donald, Matty peered up and down the walls, inspecting every detail from fire extinguishers to security cameras. "Is that the only way down here?"
"No," Donald replied vaguely.
Beth pointed at a unique door. The front was painted red with a large light looming over it. "Where do those go to?”
"Perfect example,” Kim answered for a silent Donald Quick. “Doors like that are placed throughout these bunkers. They serve as a fail-safe in case one part of the facility is compromised. Kind of like multiple fire escapes in a building, except our building is built down instead of up. And in case there's no power, those lights power on and start spinning so people know which way to go."
Meghan pulled a strand of long red hair over her ear. "Kinda like an airplane."
"Exactly."
"Even if you are Secret Service,” Donald began, “stop disclosing secret information."
As the group carried on, radio transmissions from the Marines could be heard. "Front Door, secure. Pantry, secure, Airport, secure. Mountainside, secure. Back Door, secure."
Staff Sergeant Fikejs pinched his transmitter, "Roger that, report on the hour."
“Excuse me,” Charlie said impatiently, “I don’t mean to be rude, but my friend needs help, ASAP. Is there a hospital of some kind?”
"Mr. Quick," Kim followed, tapping the Chief of Staff’s shoulder. "I'm not sure where you’re taking us, but our friend needs medical attention."
At a T intersection, Donald stopped and looked back at Dylan. Vexed, he spoke into a handheld communication device. "Doctor Meiner, report...Doctor Meiner, pick up.”
“Ya, hello,” came a muffled reply through the small speaker.
“Report to the medical bay.”
“Yes, sir.”
Donald then waved Ringo and Ryan. "Marines, take the injured man to the med bay. Dr. Meiner will meet you there."
"Roger that,” Ringo answered, exposing a half-chipped front tooth.
Ryan’s emerald eyes stared at Staff Sergeant Fikejs, awaiting an order from a military authoritarian. “Sir?”
“Ya, I’m good, Ryan. Get ‘em patched up, then hit the rack.”
“Oo rah, Staff Sergeant.”
Donald turned to the others. "Your injured friend will be taken and treated. If you have any undeclared, vital injuries, go, otherwise you will be tended to after."
“I should probably get my eye looked at,” Charlie said, separating from the main group.
Meghan, too, kissed Alissa and moved aside to have her condition checked. “I’ll see you in a bit, babe.”
When Ally attempted to join them, however, she was denied. "Hey, move out of the way. I'm not leaving my brother!"
"Unless you’re critically hurt, you may see him after.”
"It's okay, Ally,” Charlie said, holding her by the shoulders. “He'll be fine. I’ll keep an eye on him and see you soon.”
"Staff Sergeant, you are with me," Donald said, taking off. He made a left at the next intersection followed by a quick right. Three doors down he stopped and waited for the group to catch up.
In front of a room marked “Cafeteria,” Donald waved the group inside and said, “Find a seat and remain here. You,” he continued, pointing at David Kim, “come with me.”
"Where are we going?"
Donald growled in annoyance. "You wanted your story heard. This is your chance."
“One sec,” Kim said, whistling and waving Matty to him. “Mr. Quick, this is Matty Finch. He needs to come with me."
"Fine. Let's go. Sergeant Fikejs, stay here and watch them. The Secret Service will be here shortly to relieve you."
Fikejs stood like a statue next to the door. “Understood.”
Donald led Kim and Matty down a confusing corridor, taking random lefts and rights until finally arriving at a door with a panel on the side. Donald cleared his throat and made a spinning rotation with his finger. “Turn around and look away."
Kim and Matty both rolled their eyes but complied.
After a successful card swipe and entered code, there was a quick rush of air as the door slid open with speed.
Inside was a conference room with a sleek black table and chairs surrounding it. Every piece of furniture and equipment appeared in like-new condition, including a high-tech computer screen that covered the majority of the wall to the right.
"Sit," ordered Donald as he continued walking to the far side.
Suddenly, a door appeared where the far wall once was allowing three men to enter. The first two wore dark clothing and appeared to be guarding the next man who was dressed for bed.
Agent Kim immediately recognized the sleepy man. "Mr. Vice President,” he said, standing and saluting. “Agent David Kim, Secret Service."
Matty followed Kim's movements, but more awkward and uncertain.
"It's acting President-"
“Don, it’s fine,” Jared Simmons said, yawning. “I’ve been up for nearly two days and I’m half asleep. I can care less about titles at the moment. Please, be seated gentleman.”
Out of respect, the men waited until Jared sat first before taking their seats.
“Alright, let’s get into it. Agent Kim, I hear that you have some interesting news for me."
"Yes, sir. I do. I have information that I was ordered to deliver to you and you alone, sir." He looked at Donald and waited for the man’s departure.
"It's fine, Agent Kim, you may proceed. Anything you were supposed to say to me, you can say in front of my Chief of Staff."
"Okay, here is goes..."
Kim chronicled every moment, starting with his watch duty at Blue Springs when the President had ordered the Marines and Secret Service to arrest Liz Baron. Then he explained how President Tufase was shot; how LIFE's security team annihilated the Marines and how the remaining Secret Service were driven into the bunker. Though the gory details were spared, Kim did include the mass execution of civilians and the destruction of the bunker. He ended with the President’s instructions to take down the Ambrosia facility and gather government support to begin a campaign against the LIFE Corporation.
“One truck got away, but Agent Clint and an ex-Delta named West were tracking it yesterday,” Agent Kim concluded. “We lost contact with them, but whether or not they succeeded, we need your help, sir.”
“That is quite the story,” the Colorado-born Vice President declared, subtly moving his head side to side in a dubious manner. “But shoot me straight, Agent, do you really expect me to believe that all of that happened? That Elizabeth Baron and her company, the very same company that has worked hand in hand with the government to create a vaccine, are responsible for all of this?”
"It's the truth!"
"It's your story," Donald suggested, hinting at fabrication. "We don't know what the truth really is, but that is a far cry away from what we were told. Liz Baron came here and told us what happened. How the facility was compromised and how she barely escaped."
“I have to admit, I’m inclined to agree. Like Don said, it all seems like too much.”
“Mr. President, please-”
But before David and Matty were able to defend their position, Donald continued, suspicion and doubt increasing.
"And how do we know you didn't kill the President? How do we know you aren't working with the terrorists responsible? LIFE Corp has been nothing but helpful!"
“But-”
“But I’m not finished. Additionally, you just admitted to engaging in and destroying the vaccine. And you did attempt to bring explosives with you into this facility- a crime alone that would result in your imprisonment and/or death. By all accounts and at the very least we should have you arrested for high treason and terrorism."
“You’ve gotta be kidding me! That’s all you took from what we just told you?”
Like Matty, David was barely in control of his emotions. "Why would we say all this? What is our motivation? What would we have to gain? If that were the case, why would we come here?"
"To further your unknown terrorist goals,” Donald quickly rebutted. “As I suggested, maybe you are working with Fareshtegan-eh Marg and this is your way of stopping the vaccine from getting to the people who need it. That makes more sense than the B.S. you’re shoveling. Guards, I want these men arrested and taken to holding immediately!"
“What?”
“You can’t do this!”
Both Matty and Kim backed toward the exit; for their defiance, the guards drew guns and continued to advance.
“Put your hands on your head. Interlock your fingers. Slowly, turn around and drop to your knees-”
"Please don’t shoot! We said we have proof!"
A loud “beep” occurred, interrupting the arrest. The entrance door slid open, revealing man in a suit, gun holster on his hip, and a Secret Service insignia pinned to his chest.
"Mr. Vice President,” the man said, out of breath from running. “I heard you were in here. Marines said there was a security threat. I came as fast as I could."
"Come in Agent Hause."
"Hause?" Kim mumbled, spinning.
"Kim?” the man said in disbelief. He backtracked and went along the other side of the table. “No way? That you Dave?”
David Kim barely believed his eyes. "Dustin?" he said, giving his longtime friend a hug.
The Vice President and his Chief of Staff almost spoke in unison. "Agent Hause, you know this man?"
Despite being first generation German-American, Hause hadn’t the slightest hint of an accent. The only thing that linked him to the old country was his blond hair, ocean blue eyes and broad shoulders.
"Know him? More than that! Used to date his sister," he replied, smiling and winking at Kim. For a second he forgot who he was addressing. "Sorry, Mr. Vice President. I mean, yes, I do know this man. I went through the academy with him and trained with him. Last I heard you were on Big Papa's detail, right Dave? Who was your boss? Still reporting to that hard ass, what’s his name?"
"Dennis. Dennis Clint," Kim finished. "Yes, I was with the President. That is what I've been trying to explain!"
"So he is who he says he is?" asked the Chief of Staff
"If he included the part about still owing me two hundred bucks from our last poker game, then ya, he's legit. David Kim is Secret Service. I can vouch for him, Mr. Quick," Hause said, before turning to Kim. “Dave, what are you doing here? What’s going on?”
"Your friend has given us some pretty unbelievable news."
"What's that, Mr. Vice President?"
"For starters, if these two men are telling the truth, then President Tufase was assassinated, but more importantly we have a serious situation on our hands..."
Dustin Hause was given the condensed version of what was revealed. At the end of it, even he bore the same incredulous look as the others.
"Whoa. Dave, that's a pretty wild story. I mean, you have to be absolutely certain that's what happened."
"It did happen! Dustin, you gotta believe us."
Agent Hause looked to the other side of the room, then back at his friend. "Buddy, if you say that's the truth, then as far as I'm concerned that's what happened."
"I think the truth remains to be seen.”
“Don, bring the suspicion down a notch. What about this supposed proof?"
Matty adjusted his posture. "It's in my bag, Mr. President. The Marines took it when we got here. Get the green bag, my computer is in that.”
Donald readied his handheld communicator and delivered the request. Minutes later, Staff Sergeant Fikejs entered with the green bag and handed it off to Donald Quick.
"As requested, sir."
"Thank you, Staff Sergeant. That will be all."
Despite the order, Fikejs did not leave immediately. "Sir, their companions are asking about food and bathrooms. What would you like me to tell them?"
"Tell them to hold it.”
"Jeeesus, Donald. They’re people!”
"They might not be staying long, is what I meant, Mr. President,” Donald continued, covering up the blatant insensitivity. “If this evidence doesn't pan out, I see no need to feed and shelter these people."
"I’m certain we will see very shortly,” Jared said, sliding the green bag across the table for the two Secret Servicemen to inspect first. “In the meantime, whatever they need Staff Sergeant, get it for them.”
Fikejs’ neutral face made it unclear if he was truly happy with the babysitting duties. "Roger that, sir."
After receiving his bag, Matty hastily removed the laptop first, followed by cluster of cables. “May I?” he asked, though had already begun to help himself to the room’s equipment. After connecting a long cable from his laptop to a mated port on the wall, the large screen shared the same images and real time action as Matty had on the twelve inch screen front of him. "Alright, Mr. Vice President, this is it..."
Matty double clicked on a movie file and enlarged it to fit the screen.
For the next few minutes, the Vice President, Chief of Staff, two secret Servicemen and Agent Hause watched the President's final will and testament, recorded on his death bed in Eagle’s Landing.
They witnessed nothing that would indicate deception; no outlandish claims or anything that would lead them to believe the recording was falsified. The video ended and began to play again, but Matty paused it after the President's words, "My fellow Americans."
"We have the actual camera it was recorded on, in case you do want to verify," Kim said, waving for Matty to bring it out.
The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side Page 56