Alpha Threat

by Ron Smoak

  “Security reporting another open hatch alarm at Hatch 0-122 at 1054 hours. Request visual check, immediately!” The guard’s report this time drew a flurry of actions. The first incident was written off as an alarm anomaly. This was a second alarm at the same location. The security officer in charge did not wait for normal guard rounds. She dispatched a guard unit immediately. Within two minutes the small room was filled with guards poring over the hatch. Two guards were sent outside to look for any indications of intruders. Nothing was found. Again the guards were puzzled. There were two incidents in about a few hours at the same entrance. Something was afoul. The security officer in charge stood in the small room trying to figure out what was going on.

  “Have maintenance report here immediately,” ordered the officer in charge. “I want this hatch checked out and the sensors replaced. Until that is done, I want a pair of guards here all the time. Do you understand?” she asked.

  “Yes, ma’am,” affirmed the lead guard as he stood at attention. The officer in charge whirled around and left the room. She was concerned. Something was going on and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Tuesday, July 12, 2011

  The Jungle, Brazil; 11:50 a.m.

  Hugo, Dane, the girl and the cook flew through the jungle. They traveled slightly south of the trail they used before. This precaution hopefully would keep them out of harm’s way since there was a chance the Germans were lying in wait for them. They decided to circle south and come around downstream from where Ben and Tecal were waiting. They would then go upstream, pick up Ben and Tecal and race back to the base camp.

  With Hugo on point, they moved at breakneck speed but ever aware of any threat in their way. After taking the southerly route for 20 klicks or so, Hugo turned the group back northwest. By his reconnoitering they were about 20 kilometers from the stream.

  The group stopped for a water break to refresh them.

  “Everything looks good so far,” said Hugo. “I figure we are a few hours away from Ben at this pace.”

  “Good. The quicker we get back, the faster we can learn more about the complex and return for Dana and Randall,” said Dane, breathing hard. He looked at the cook and the girl. Both poor captives were worn out. “You have to keep going,” explained Dane. “If you stop, you die.”

  The cook and girl nodded, catching their breath and each taking a drink of water from Hugo’s canteen. Two minutes later they were on the go again. After about ten minutes, Hugo called the group to an abrupt halt. He found something. While Dane and two captives crouched under some bushes under a capirona tree, Hugo scouted the immediate area. Within minutes he returned to the group.

  “Okay. We spotted a small campsite ahead. It looks like it could have been the Germans. No fire, but there’s evidence of people spending time there,” reported Hugo.

  “Any chance they were natives?” asked Dane.

  “No. I found a small fuel spill probably from a camp stove; definitely not natives. They were good. They cleaned up pretty well; but not quite good enough.”

  Dane nodded in agreement.

  “It looks like they cleared out early this morning. They went north, back toward the old trail. I don’t think they believe we would be this far south. I say we make a hard break for it and get out of the area quickly,” suggested Hugo.

  “Great! Let’s get going then,” said Dane, standing and pulling the two up with him.

  Hugo took off. Less than a minute later Dane, the girl and the cook followed in almost a dead run. Speed was the key, thought Dane. We have to get back into the complex and rescue Dana and Randall.

  They moved quickly for four hours. The sun was beginning its slow trek into the horizon. All were exhausted. But Dane and Hugo were close to their objective of escaping from the Germans. They decided to take one last five-minute break.

  “Looks like we are in the clear,” said Hugo as Dane and the captives squatted beside him. They were all panting heavily.

  “How far are we from Ben?” asked Dane, slowly regaining his breath.

  “Not far now,” answered Hugo. “How are they doing?” he said, nodding at the captives.

  “They’re alive. They know what will happen if they fall. They have a real incentive to keep going.” The cook and the girl were bent over panting like dogs, drenched in sweat.

  “I’m okay,” the cook croaked. “Some water, please? She needs some too,” he said, motioning to his girlfriend.

  Dane gave the cook his canteen. He passed the canteen to the girl, who took a long drink.

  “Not so much,” snapped Dane, taking the canteen from her hands and handing it to the cook. “You’re going to get sick if you drink too much.” The cook took a few gulps and handed the canteen back to Dane.

  Dane turned to Hugo. “I’m guessing we have an hour or so before it starts to get dark. Think we can make it to Ben by then?”

  “Not sitting here,” answered Hugo as he stood up, grinned and headed off into the brush.

  “Amen to that,” cried Dane as he stood pulling the captives to their feet. “Off we go, my friends.” With that they were off behind Hugo.

  It was dusk as Ben pulled out his radio and turned it on. Again he adjusted the squelch and keyed the microphone. “Ben calling base camp. Ben calling base camp. Come in base camp. Over...” There was silence for a few seconds.

  “Base camp here,” answered Lee. “Over...”

  ”We are still waiting for Dane and Hugo. Have not heard anything. All is well here. Over...”

  Ben heard some commotion over to his left. He reached for his gun in time to see one of Tecal’s men trot into the clearing. Right behind him was a smiling Hugo. Ben keyed the microphone again.

  “One second, base. We have someone coming in. Over...”

  As Hugo walked over to Ben, Dane and the two captives emerged from the bushes.

  “Welcome back,” beamed Ben. “Damn glad to see you guys!”

  The four walked over to Ben and sat down, exhausted.

  “Base, we have Dane and Hugo here. They are okay. Over...”

  “Halle-damn-luja,” was Lee’s cry over the radio.

  “Yeah, same here,” said Ben grinning. “Over...”

  “Great news, Ben. You headed back now? Over...”

  “Yes. We’ll get some rest and start back at first light. We should be back there by tomorrow night. Over...”

  “Good. We are scheduled to have some folks in sometime tomorrow from the States. Just a heads-up. Over...”

  “Affirmative. We will see you all tomorrow night. Ben out.”

  “Roger that, Ben. See you tomorrow. Base out.”

  Hugo and Dane caught their breath. The other two collapsed and were lying beside each other still gasping for air. Tecal got them all water. They tried to drink between gasps.

  Ben stared at the cook and the girl. “Who’s this? Where the hell did they come from?”

  “You won’t believe this one,” said Dane, taking another sip of water. “But first, what do you guys have to eat?”

  Ben began to break out some food and told Tecal that they were leaving at first light. Tecal went off into the jungle to let his men know the plan. After a quick meal for all, Dane and Hugo fell asleep. The cook and the girl were tied to a tree. They were out like a light as well. Tecal set one of his men to watch over the captives while the rest of the party slept. Morning was going to come too quickly.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Tuesday, July 12, 2011

  Fortress Alpha, Brazil; 7:00 p.m.

  The officer in charge, Feldwebel Hilda Bock, was finishing her shift report. She knew the report would cause concern. Not one but two unexplained perimeter violations, both at the same location. Damn curious, she thought. Add to that a report of missing personnel: a cook and a technician. She wrapped up her report and walked down the hall to the security office. As she opened the door she was taken aback. The Captain of the Guard, Jorgen Maas, was standing there
with two of his guards. She hesitated a second and then briskly walked into the room. She placed the folder with her daily report on the security officer’s desk.

  “My daily report, sir,” she barked, standing at attention.

  “Yes, I see,” answered Oberleutnant Grübner. “We were discussing some of the issues we had today. Would you care to sit down? You may have something to add to the discussion.”

  Bock glanced quickly around the room. The faces were very stern.

  “Of course, sir,” she replied. She sat in a straight chair near the door. Maas watched as Grübner opened the folder and quickly scanned the report. He closed the folder and placed his hands on top of the folder. Grübner looked at Maas standing over him.

  “Her report is exactly as we discussed. The two ‘intrusions’ are accurately reported and the missing man and woman have been reported. Additionally, there are follow-up maintenance work orders and conclusions regarding the viability of the hatch sensors. Everything looks in order.”

  “Everything is in order?” Maas hissed, clearly concerned. “I cannot and will not report that to my superiors. That is not true.” Grübner’s eyes grew wide. This was turning ugly. “Let me see. We have not one but two security breaches, both on the same hatch to the outside. That in itself is deeply disturbing to me. I do not believe it is a sensor issue regardless of the maintenance reports. Was someone coming in or was someone going out? That is my question. Either way it is a major violation of the security of this complex. Now with personnel missing I have to conclude they left without permission. This is a serious breach of security punishable by death.”

  Maas continued, “I do agree that Bock did what was required. She followed up with a visual check and found nothing. That seems reasonable and acceptable to a point. After the second alarm at the same hatch, she followed up again with an immediate visual check and left two guards on site. She followed procedure and called maintenance to investigate the hatch and the sensors. You say that all of this information is in her report. Is that correct, Oberleutnant?”

  Grübner swallowed hard. “Yes, sir,” he croaked. “All of that is in her report.”

  “Then I commend you, Bock. You did your duty. You are excused for now,” said Maas. “If I need you, I know where to find you.”

  “Yes, sir,” barked Bock. She stood and walked briskly out of the room, closing the door behind her. She was damned glad to be out of there. She could see that someone was going to get chewed out because of this incident. Thank God it wasn’t her.

  Maas slowly walked over and stood in front of the door. “Now let’s address the missing persons, this cook and a technician, you say.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Grübner, checking his notes. “Wilhelm Door, he is the cook, and Carla von Gerber is a power plant technician.”

  “Door,” said Maas. “A cook, you say. Was he an original or was he brought over?”

  “He was born here in 1988. His parents are Paul Door, a science technician in the Production Department; his mother, Lena, is a childcare worker,” reported Grübner, checking his files.

  “Any issues with Wilhelm or the family?” asked Maas.

  “None, sir,” reported Grübner. “They are all model personnel.”

  “Carla von Gerber,” said Grübner. “What about her?”

  “Von Gerber was born here in 1989. Her father was Dr. Johann von Gerber. He was one of the main developers of our power generation systems. His wife, Ute, is one of our schoolteachers.”

  “Dr. Johann von Gerber. I remember him. He died several years back, right?” queried Maas.

  “Yes, sir. Dr. von Gerber died of a heart attack in 2008,” answered Grübner.

  “Yes, I do remember him,” said Maas walking across the room. “He was a bit of a troublemaker, if I remember correctly.”

  “I see he was reprimanded for speaking openly about leaving,” said Grübner reading from the file. “But he was younger. As an older man, von Gerber helped the cause magnificently with many important power innovations.”

  Maas continued to walk about the room. “So why did they leave?” asked Maas rhetorically. “Why would such fine personnel leave?”

  “I do not know, sir,” said Grübner, sitting straight up in his chair nervously.

  “Have the Doors and Frau von Gerber been told of their children’s disappearance?” asked Maas.

  “Yes, sir; they were told about twenty minutes ago. Both families are very distraught and concerned for their safety.”

  “I see,” said Maas scratching his head. “And they looked sincere?”

  “Yes, sir. They seemed very upset. “

  “Oberleutnant, find out why this man and woman left. And find out fast. My opinion is we have two love-struck kids looking for a better life outside. They are involved; correct?”

  Grübner hesitated to answer. He quickly scanned the dossiers in front of him. “Yes, sir; we do know the two are romantically involved. “

  “Were their intentions recorded in the central file?” asked Maas pointedly.

  Grübner again checked the dossiers. “No, sir; not to anyone’s knowledge.”

  Maas stopped abruptly and slammed his fist down on Grübner’s desk. The entire room seemed to shake. “Why didn’t you know about this relationship? Why did you not know of this tryst going on under your nose?” demanded Maas.

  “I’m sorry, sir. It looks as though they hid their relationship very well. We had no way of knowing…”

  “Oberleutnant, you are incompetent!” cried Maas. “Your inadequacies may have cost us this complex. You, not me, will be held totally responsible. Do you understand?”

  Maas calmed a bit and stood beside the door. He took a few breaths to calm himself down even more.

  “Have you alerted the perimeter forces?” Maas asked calmly.

  “Yes, sir; the perimeter forces were alerted as soon as we discovered the two missing,” said Grübner.

  There was a knock at the door. Maas turned and opened it, faced with another security guard. “Sir, we have a problem.”

  “Come in,” said Maas. “What is the problem now?” Maas grinned at Grübner. Maas was furious. The guard stepped in and closed the door.

  “One of our perimeter patrols was attacked. Another patrol found them bound and gagged a few minutes ago,” reported the guard.

  Maas stepped up in front of the guard. “Attacked? What happened?”

  “They report two men dressed in fatigues jumped the patrol, disarmed them and tied them up.”

  “Any sign of where they went?” asked Maas coolly, now deep in thought. Grübner, on the other hand, was about to faint when he heard the report.

  “No, sir; we cannot find any trace of them anywhere around the area of the patrol or the complex,” said the guard. “Our patrols are continuing.”

  “Damn,” cursed Maas, slamming his huge fist into his hand. “This is a big problem. Now I wonder if the two escaped or were taken from here. Grübner, I want every available person on this now. Add extra patrols and find me those two men. Kill them if you have to. They must not get away.”

  “Right away, sir,” said Grübner as he stood and picked up the phone. He called the ready room and ordered his men to meet in five minutes. Everyone was required. This was an all-hands-on-deck situation. Minutes later they were all in the ready room.

  “I do not have to tell you the importance of the security of this complex,” lectured Maas to the men in the room. He turned to his guards. “Get all available personnel and double the guards about the complex. I want to know if someone as much as sneezes. Your very existence relies on this. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” the guards answered. They turned and flew out the door and down the hall. The security of Fortress Alpha truly became that of a fortress. Nothing moved without permission.

  “I will report this to the Führer personally,” said Maas. “She will not like it.” Maas looked directly at Grübner. “You will fix this situation. Do you understand
me?” Maas’ glare was frightening.

  “Yes, sir, I understand completely,” Grübner said snapping to attention.

  Maas smiled deviously. “Grübner, you damn well better understand or I will personally kill you.” With that Maas snatched open the door and walked briskly down the hall. Oberleutnant Grübner stood there for a second. He nearly soiled his pants. He is a dead man, he thought. Dead!

  Ten minutes later Maas was in the Führer’s office. “Mein Führer, we have a serious security problem,” started Maas.

  As he reported the incidents to Kaete Grimme, Maas saw her becoming angrier by the minute. Her face was becoming red as she clenched her fists. Her eyes were fixated on Maas with a fury raising fear in Maas’ mind. When he finished his report, she exploded. Her temper was uncontrollable. She screamed at Maas. She marched around him as if he was a child caught doing an unspeakable deed. She ranted about the years of service she had to the Reich and the importance of their operations. After a tirade lasting almost twenty minutes, she sat down and simply stared at Maas as if she was exhausted. Maas knew he must perform a miracle and find the cook, the technician and these men. It was either he find them or the Führer would take care of him. But not before he took care of Grübner.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  Finley Base Camp, Cotriguacu, Brazil; 7:00 p.m.

  The sun was descending below the trees as darkness began to blanket the jungle. Lee Watson was expecting Ben, Dane and Hugo any minute. She wanted to radio them but decided not. She sat back in the wooden rocking chair on the porch reflecting on the last several days’ events.

  The jungle was beautiful this time of the evening. The heat of the day was past and tonight there was a slight breeze that cleared the jungle haze. She could hear the sound of rolling thunder in the distance. There must be a storm coming, she thought. She closed her eyes for a moment and thought of the United States.