by Kells, India
“But what if it’s not about being a clone? What if the child is Simon’s?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is there a way to check that out? I mean, verify if the baby is a clone or created the normal way? Because Simon took all this trouble to get the baby back, there must be more than meets the eye. I think it’s because that cloning business isn’t operational yet. After all, since the cloning experiments resumed after yours many years ago, we never had any proof of a living clone successfully walking out of any laboratory. We saw dead ones. It may be only an impression, but it’s nagging at me. And what if Simon knows that, and found another goal? And his experiments turned into having a baby instead of creating one?”
“But Alie told us she had never seen Simon before, let alone have intercourse with him.”
“When I mean the standard way, I refer to one egg and sperm. It could be done in a laboratory, too.”
“It doesn’t change the mission, though. We still have to find the baby and stop Simon.”
“Yes, you’re right. However, it changes his motivation. And it may alter how he reacts or the intensity of his reaction if we attack.”
Bea leaned forward, eyes bright with possibilities. “Because you think he would defend his project less than his baby now?”
Gabrielle shrugged. “Maybe I’m trying to apply standard psychological analysis to a deranged mind. I don’t know, Bea. It’s the old part of me, which you and I know so well, that’s speaking.”
Bea thought about it for a moment. “I’ll ask Lance to contact Alie’s father. There could be a way of getting some sort of DNA analysis done. They did all sorts of medical examinations when Alie gave birth, we may be able to track it down. And it would be easy to cross reference the DNA of James to test if we can find the DNA of Simon. If you’re right, it may change the importance of everything … the shadow organization, Simon, the extent of the cloning protocol. Of what we can find under that temple.”
The conference room became silent as James came forward and started the briefing.
“Gentlemen, the objective today is threefold. One is to find an entry point to access a possible laboratory hidden underneath the Durga temple and ensure the overall safety of the mission. The second is to capture or kill a dangerous individual. The third is to retrieve a baby which was kidnapped by the hostile. Each team has been dispatched and in your files, you have the picture of your potential target. We don’t know how many scientists or laboratory personnel were sent to this location. We don’t know how many people are assigned to security, or about the security systems in place. As this place cannot be infiltrated or scanned and our timeline is quite short, we must assume and prepare for the worst. Team A will be on standby near the entrance. The temple is closed at night, but we must survey the actual people coming in and out, possible entry points, and issues we can encounter. Team B will be positioned here for an air drop. This option will only be used as our last resort as it will cause problems with the Indian government. Team C will accompany Gabrielle and Captain Thorne into the tunnels leading to a network of caves connecting to the underground laboratory. Again, we don’t know if it’s a possibility, so the mission may change—prepare to adjust, be ready for it. A direct attack is also a possibility. I will remain here to coordinate. No engagement outside the tunnels or caves unless authorized or if your life is on the line. Any questions?”
Lance raised his hand. “Once inside, what happens to the personnel and laboratory equipment?”
Bea turned to him. “As the admiral said, you will encounter hostiles. Kill on sight. As for the equipment and data, destroy. The information that could be found is too sensitive to risk it with local authorities. And as you do, we won’t be able to keep a lid on it; it’s preferable to turn it to cinder.”
Lance nodded in agreement.
Technical questions were fired, and James addressed each of them in a hurried tone. The meeting was soon dismissed and the men were dispatched. Gabrielle rose to join Sully, but Bea stopped her.
“Be careful. You’re not one hundred percent yet.”
Gabrielle nodded. “I know, Bea. It’s on my mind at all times. What if I’m not quick enough and one of them gets injured or killed? Do you think I could forget about it or forgive myself if it happened? But I can’t stay put.”
“I know,” Bea sighed. “I almost asked you to step down on this one. But not only would you have ignored me, you would have found a way to go. It’s counterproductive, and part of me thinks you may become handy for these men and this mission. And what if you remember something crucial on your way in? That question, that possibility, circles endlessly in my head.”
Inhaling deeply, Gabrielle straightened. “Let’s hope so, Bea. Because I’m not going out of there without making sure Simon is taken care of and a baby is in my arms.”
***
As the main complex was still operational. It took quite some time to make sure everyone was gone for the night. Gabrielle knew that if they were discovered it could mean civilian casualties and endless discussions with local authorities—everything they needed to avoid at all costs.
Sully and two of his men were on the lookout using night goggles. An hour had passed when he gave the signal to advance.
No camera, minimal security measures, not that it could be unusual, but extremely unlikely in other parts of the world. In no time, the five men and Gabrielle were in the main building leading to the tunnel entrance.
Gabrielle studied their dark surroundings. “We must search for an old entry point. The maps show how the first digs were not successful, and led to the network of caves.”
“How can we find that?” Lance turned as he examined the space.
Gabrielle tried to remember the maps she had studied. “As per the documentation found by James, the initial dig was done more toward the west side of the mine. So we can start there.”
Sully checked his watch and pointed to the left side of the building. Lance kept back with Gabrielle.
“How do you know all this? Hell, when did you find the time to memorize all those papers? And most of them aren’t even in English.”
Gabrielle shrugged. “I only scanned them. And what I couldn’t read, I used an online translating tool. Most of it was crap anyway. And as for time, it was easy … you guys take longer than a woman to get ready, leaving me plenty of time for research.”
Lance made a comical face. “Not true.”
“True. And defending yourself only digs you a little deeper, so I would let it go, if I were you.”
Lance mumbled something she didn’t hear as she hurried to Sully. Two of the men were clearing an area near a wall where part of a hole was visible. Once cleared, there was the mouth of a tunnel, just high enough and wide enough for a man to stand comfortably.
“Is that it?” Sully’s tone was doubtful.
“I suppose so. It’s old and from the marks, it seemed more to have been dug by hand than by using machinery.”
“Only one way to find out.” Sully touched his ear. “Team C, to report. We’re about to try an entrance. We’ll lose all radio contact soon. We will touch base as we reemerge.”
Sully entered and Gabrielle followed. Lance and three other men closed behind them.
He turned on his flashlight and started walking. For a long time, the tunnel was straight, but inched downward. After, it curved to the right for a while. Apart from their footsteps, there was no sound. The air smelled old, rancid.
Gabrielle slid her hand on the wall and could see how friable it was. She barely touched it and pieces fell off. She tried to peek beyond Sully, but even his light couldn’t pierce the darkness that far.
They walked for at least two hours, and apart from turns and a clear impression of going down, the path didn’t change that much. When she thought they had made the worst decision, the gallery widened at an intersection. The shaft divided into different directions—one seemed to go upward a bit, and the other was going down.
Sully took the plans from his vest and unfolded them. They all gathered around him and Lance added his own flashlight to cover the entire plan.
“I don’t see this intersection, it’s not there.”
Gabrielle got closer. “There are intersections, but they seem to be farther east. It wouldn’t be surprising if we already reached that level, or if such an addition isn’t indicated on the map. No way to be sure.”
Lance looked at his friend. “Only one solution … we need to split up.”
Sully turned to her. “I agree. Lance, you decide who comes with Gabrielle and me. The others and you will take the other shaft.”
With a brief nod, Lance turned to his men.
Blocking her view, Sully examined her face. “How are you holding on?”
“I’m fine. It’s only walking. No headache. And I’m ready to kick ass. So I’m better than good.”
Sully grinned. “That’s my girl. We’ve been lucky so far, but I don’t like these caves, they seem about to collapse onto our heads.”
Gabrielle nodded. “Yeah. Don’t like them either. And I’ve also realized I wouldn’t work in a mine. I like the sky too much.”
Grinning, Sully wiped sweat from his brow. “Yeah, between sweating in a mine and dodging bullets, the choice is easy.”
“But you sweat so prettily, husband.” Gabrielle couldn’t help but try to lighten the mood. One way to cope.
She turned when Lance came back.
“I’m the delegated babysitter of the married couple,” he teased. “The rest of my men will take the second option.”
“Are you sure? You’re the team leader.”
Lance nodded. “I’m. Call it, Captain.”
Sully came closer. “So, my lady, which one should we take? Up or down.”
“I’ve always been the kind of girl who likes going down.”
Lance scoffed and Sully eyed the second team. “You take the path going up. If you get radio signal, you check in with the admiral. We will do the same. If you reach the target, stick to the plan. The baby is our main priority. Then, blow this thing up.” The men nodded and accessed the upward tunnel.
Sully redirected his light and entered the shaft. Gabrielle went behind him and Lance closed the group. This tunnel was similar to the last one, in her opinion. Except that after only thirty minutes, the walls started closing in enough to force the men to hunch down a little. Even Gabrielle had to mind her head. And then, it shrunk down again, the ceiling coming farther down over them.
Gabrielle feared she had made the wrong call; that this option would delay finding a way in even longer.
As the tunnel became more suited for Snow White’s dwarfs than humans, the men didn’t complain, but she heard a couple of muffled groans from trying to fit in and crouch the more they walked in.
When the ceiling dropped some more and believed it was over, Sully stopped. Gabrielle knelt to allow Lance a better view.
“What’s up, man?”
“There is air coming in, like a slight draft.”
They continued to walk crooked for a while until the tunnel veered and opened up into a good size cave—at least from what Sully’s flashlight allowed them to see. Gabrielle took her own light and started examining the walls. There were many boulders blocking her view. She didn’t have to search long to see a tall and large crack opening up to another cave.
“Gentlemen, I think we have found our cave network.”
“Let’s be careful. We don’t know if they were paranoid enough to rig this place, or place sensors.” Sully took out his weapon, ready for a possible attack.
Removing a small device from his pocket, Lance scanned the area. “No frequency or electronic vibes from what I can get. Doesn’t remove mechanical threats, though.”
“Let’s continue. We don’t have a lot of time.”
As she walked, Gabrielle examined every nook and cranny, the walls and rock floor in case there may be a booby trap. Cave after cave, she repeated the process, focusing on what could be hidden, who could be in the shadows. It was difficult for the eyes to latch on the moving forms created by their three flashlights constantly casting shapes onto the walls.
They had been underground for four hours when a faint glimmer pierced the shadows.
“Guys.” Gabrielle kept her voice low and two beams were on her. She motioned Lance and Sully to come closer and turn off their lamps.
There it was, brighter in the darkness, a sliver of golden light at the other end of the cave. Lance turned his flashlight back on but made sure not to cast it upward. It would only be used to see where they were going. As they approached, they could see light through the cracks of a door. Gabrielle examined their surroundings. No electric cable came from the cave. As she knelt near the door to study it, Sully came by her side to try to see. Then, he turned to gesture there was nobody in sight.
There may not be any guard, but she doubted there wouldn’t be any alarm. And there it was, a small, almost invisible wire, connecting the door to the threshold. Not ultra-sophisticated, but an efficient system nonetheless.
She lay down on the floor to have a better angle and retrieved her toolkit. It took her less than two minutes as it didn’t have any relay to another alarm system other than a simple ringer.
As she got back up, she signaled the two men that they were good to go. They had their guns ready and Gabrielle took hers as Lance opened the door. Sully and Lance went first. It resembled a storage area. And there was another door. Sleeping quarters. Six bunks, undone, as if they had left in a hurry.
The setup was linear, no side doors, only one room after the other in a straight line. All fully lit up, all empty. Then, one final door led to a hallway, perpendicular to the room. Still no one. They all retreated back and closed the door.
“Two directions, one leading to the west another with many doors, to the east.”
“Too bad they didn’t indicate laboratory that way.” Lance’s smile was laced with a hint of frustration.
“Yeah, so what do we do? Do we head together in the same direction? Or we split?”
Gabrielle checked her watch. “We have been gone for five hours. We only have about two or three hours before daybreak. I say we split. How’s the radio connection?”
Lance shook his head. “Still dead. We’re too deep.”
Sully looked at her. “I agree with you. It will allow us to search for the baby faster.”
“I’ll go left,” Lance stated. “You two go to the doors, and they’ll probably lead to the laboratory. I’ll try to know how to get out of here fast, just in case.”
Sully put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Be careful.”
As his usual self, Lance smiled and winked. “I’m the most careful of the whole team, remember? You two stay alive.”
He aimed his gun, making sure the hallway was cleared and went away.
Gabrielle glanced at Sully and nodded. “Our turn now.”
Before she got out Sully stopped her and gave her a quick kiss. “No unnecessary risks, understood?”
She could see the worry in his eyes and she winked before getting out.
The hallway was dimmer than the living quarters. Still, nobody, which was odd to no end. How could that be? Such a complex had to have guards, personnel, scientists … It was impossible there were none milling around, walking to another lab, pushing carts, or bringing reports. At least guards making rounds.
Sully made a sign he was about to open a door. Gabrielle positioned herself and entered. An office, top of the line, computers. Empty.
They got out and closed the door. Another room, an examination room this time. Clean, bright, and empty.
Room after room, door after door, they discovered a scientific complex that many universities and corporations would be envious to have. The corridor forked, one part dark, another lit up. If there was somebody, the second section would be a better guess. Gabrielle nodded when Sully sugge
sted the same direction.
As they walked, the walls changed to windows, overlooking rooms filled with laboratory equipment. Another room showed a storage area, with many shelves of vials.
Gabrielle stopped in her tracks at the other room. Sully exhaled loudly. There had to be ten incubators, all lined up neatly—each of them with a baby inside. She couldn’t help herself, she entered the room. The silence was only interrupted by the rhythmic sounds of the machines. One after the other, she examined the babies. They seemed asleep, peacefully asleep. Gabrielle slipped her hand into the sterile opening and stroked one miniature hand. The skin was warm, but the baby didn’t stir. Tubes came out of his nose and mouth and it broke her heart. They couldn’t be more than one month old.