Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C.

by Edward Galluzzi

  Harrison focused his binoculars and searched again as sunlight now draped nature’s canopy. He was on the high plain looking down into a deep, rich green valley. In the distance Harrison saw a weatherworn home—picturesque to the eye and much like one seen in a movie or mounted on a postcard. It was a three-story home wrapped by a wooded fence that appeared coated in fresh white paint. To the east of the structure was a deep blue lake bordered by tall trees. To the west of the home was a large gazebo painted in bright yellow. It was open on two sides allowing for several steps heading downward to the trimmed lawn. Around the gazebo between the steps were many multicolor flowers and vines. The path leading to the house was wide and filled with stones. Tall trees also lined it. Taking the direct approach down the path indeed was out of the question, as it forded no protection.

  Harrison continued his march through the brush and trees. He paralleled the road to the extent possible. Harrison estimated that twenty minutes had passed when he stopped. He placed his hand on a branch and moved it away from his path of vision. Harrison used his binoculars and peered toward the house. A number of steps reached upward to the large front door. Tall, white wooden pillars decorated both sides of the stairway.

  Harrison’s heart jumped suddenly as he focused on a heavily armed man leaning against one of the pillars. Above the man and secured to the pillar was a security camera. The murdered wife told the truth as this structure had to be the Hawthorne ranch house. Harrison took a long look at the scene before him. He then slowly released the branch so that it returned to its original position and provided its natural camouflage. Harrison’s senses were at high alert as he proceeded with caution. He reminded himself of the main objective of his mission—the return of Elizabeth Ashton as the best-case scenario—or, sadly, the return of her body.

  Harrison estimated that he was about a half mile from the ranch home. He knew that the armed personnel and security systems were not confined to the main structure. Now everything that Harrison saw that was pleasing to his eyes might be the source of his death. A single miscalculation or omission on his part would terminate the mission in failure with America’s way of life, its democracy, hanging in the balance.

  Harrison proceeded cautiously and guarded his every move, his every step. He inspected carefully the ground below him and the trees above. Suddenly, Harrison stopped in half step. A flash of reflected light caught his eye and revealed a thin wire below where his right foot was ready to step. Harrison retracted his foot and backtracked several steps. He bent down slowly so as not to disturb the ground around him. Harrison’s eye followed the wire to a nearby tree. He walked aside the wire and discovered that it was attached to a security device, most likely tripping an audio signal if strained. Were Harrison trudging at night, he would be trapped and the mission exposed. As he investigated the security mechanism closer, he heard the nearby rustling of brush and branches. Some roaming animal perhaps? Harrison decided not to risk exposure on a guess and slowly backtracked behind some thick brush. The rustling sound grew louder and appeared headed right for him. He soon ruled out that it was a wandering creature. Two armed men were pushing their way through the brush. Had Mentor’s subterfuge unraveled? Had the domestic terrorists uncovered Harrison’s mission? Were these two terrorists on a scheduled patrol or looking specifically for him?

  Harrison lunged immediately from a standing position to a kneeling one and found himself prone to the ground. He withdrew his weapon and screwed on the silencer. Harrison was prepared to defend himself as a last resort; however, he did not want a confrontation. If he survived the conflict, his opponents would be mortally wounded. If they failed to report, the ranch’s security would advance to full alert making Harrison’s task increasingly more difficult.

  Harrison lay still, breathing shallow and quietly. He heard the men conversing although they were still too far away for him to understand what was being said. Harrison was reminded that this was not the first time he found himself in this posture. He thought briefly of the time that he first met Pope Josetta under similar circumstances, but quickly dismissed the memory in order to focus on the danger before him.

  Suddenly, the two men stopped. They spoke and gestured to each other, then headed off in different directions. Was Harrison spared? Harrison moved his head as he tracked the two men walking in opposite directions. It was not long before the men were out of his range of vision. Harrison took advantage of the opportunity and began walking ahead. He walked in a crouched position to reduce the risk of discovery. He was concerned that if he remained, the two men may circle around him and approach him from behind.

  Harrison continued his slow walk toward the ranch. He knew that any clues about President Ashton would come from there. Harrison gauged that he must navigate within fifty yards of the home if his electronic eaves dropping device was to be effective. He continued walking toward the home, carefully scanning the ground and trees for other security devices. At all cost, Harrison would avoid any contact with the extremist group.

  Harrison stopped abruptly as he noticed a slight mound ahead on the ground. The dirt around the mound was clear of all footsteps, animal or human, and appeared as if it was swept purposely. Harrison approached the area carefully and knelt to the ground. He took out a knife and cautiously probed the earth around the mound. At first, the knife inspection revealed nothing out of the ordinary, nothing but dried dirt. Harrison gently poked closer to the swell when the probe stopped suddenly as it made contact with a metal surface. Harrison warily removed the knife and began moving the dirt slowly with his hands. The gradual unearthing revealed a small contact mine sufficiently lethal to blow off a man’s legs. Harrison carefully returned the dirt and rendered the area to its near-original appearance in hopes of disguising his presence. He sighed as he realized that he was still several hundred yards away from the main ranch structure.

  The uncovering of the mine forewarned Harrison that there was little room for error. A slight miscalculation or omission now was less likely to lead to his capture than to his demise. Harrison decided to stop and survey the property rather than risk a further incursion. He reached for his binoculars and scanned the area ahead of him to assess the level of security. Harrison’s observations revealed multiple mounds rising from the ground. Several trip wires were also seen. Harrison directed his vision upward and at first saw nothing unusual about the tall trees. He increased the magnification of his binoculars, which exposed several platforms in the distant trees. Harrison increased the magnification once more and the platforms revealed several surveillance cameras.

  Harrison thought over about the direct approach to the ranch, but again determined that it was not feasible. The risk was too high for exposure. He decided to backtrack about twenty yards and then proceeded forward at an angle that intersected one side of the ranch rather than the main house. Harrison gained new respect for Hawthorne’s security layout and saw no reason to directly challenge it. He walked cautiously to the rear all the while rapidly sweeping his field of vision in hopes of uncovering other camouflaged devices and explosives.

  The trek backward took longer than the journey forward; however, Harrison reached his destination about twenty yards behind his previous position. He scanned the territory at both angles to the main property and assessed which one was the better route. After several minutes, Harrison made his choice and began his trek forward once more. He paid greater attention to what was around him leaving nothing humanly possible to risk. Harrison’s alertness was at its peak and he vowed not be denied on this mission.

  Harrison’s diagonal approach was a prudent one as he had yet to encounter any of the extremists. He did come upon a number of electronic devices that he skillfully evaded. Harrison estimated he was now within fifty yards southeast of the main house on the ranch. He saw a secluded area and made his stake out there. Harrison removed the backpack that was strapped to his shoulders and laid it opened on the ground. He put together the small pieces that comprised his eavesdropping
device and aimed it toward the main structure. Harrison inserted the earpiece and began his patient wait.

  Chapter 22

  Do You Hear What I Hear?

  Harrison estimated that he had lingered at his present listening post for about an hour when his patience was rewarded. “Yes, Mr. Hawthorne…” replied the unidentified voice into his ear. Harrison fixed the aim of his listening device and reached for his high-powered binoculars. His view was obstructed partially, but he made out two figures through a partly opened window. Harrison listened intently for the clues that he hoped would steer him on from this moment.

  The voice of the other man, presumably Mr. Hawthorne, spoke: “Have we been in contact lately with the ‘President’?” “No, sir” the unidentified man replied respectfully. The man continued, “Should we attempt to contact your wife, sir?” There was a moment of silence before the man identified as Mr. Hawthorne responded, “Yes, call the ‘President’ using our contact there.” At that, the stranger said “Yes, sir” and left the room. Hawthorne sat at a table and began reading the newspaper. Harrison wished that he had a better view, but he did not want to jeopardize his vantage point for espionage. Harrison waited patiently as before, keeping alert to the noises and sights around him. He heard voices once again, but they were not emerging from his earpiece. Harrison glanced to the right where he saw three men walking in his general direction. He withdrew his electronic equipment and binoculars. Harrison laid flat on the ground, but raised his head sufficiently to track the three men. They stopped abruptly about fifteen yards away from him, but they did not raise their weapons. Harrison’s breathing became heavier and faster. One of the three men offered cigarettes to his comrades. They each took a cigarette from the pack and were offered a light by the man holding the cigarette pack. The men smoked their cigarettes and engaged in conversation as they continued their patrol toward the ranch house. The terrorists’ manner suggested that penetration by the enemy at this level was inconceivable by them. Harrison thought that this may prove to be Hawthorne’s critical error upon which he might capitalize.

  As the domestic extremists distanced themselves from Harrison, he arose gradually from the dirt, dusted himself off and assumed his previous stance to continue his espionage on the main house. He aimed his listening device directly at the window where he confirmed with his high-powered binoculars that Hawthorne was still seated at the table reading the newspaper.

  Harrison continued to spy on the ranch as his magnified view remained unchanged. The listening device was deaf until the sudden buzz of a telephone intercom rang in the background. Hawthorne did not move, but spoke apparently into a speaker microphone. “Yes, what is it?” said Hawthorne. A voice from the intercom replied, “Software is on the line, sir.” Hawthorne rose quickly from his chair. He picked up the telephone receiver and greeted the party on the line: “Are we scrambled?” Harrison did not hear the voice that replied. He continued to listen to the one-sided conversation: “Good! How are you, darling?” Harrison’s eyes widened and his adrenalin rushed. Was the other party Marilyn Hawthorne? The sardonic use of Software disgusted Harrison, but he listened closely to Hawthorne’s side of the exchange: “Nothing unusual here except that I have not heard from Clona for two days. Perhaps you can make some low-level inquiries through our contacts there without rousing suspicion.” The voice of Hawthorne paused and then said in an altered tone of voice: “I’m afraid that she’s dead by now. Very unfortunate, but she was too great a risk to keep alive.” The voice paused again as Harrison struggled to draw a conclusion from what he just heard. Who was dead? Was it Mary Lou Hawthorne or Elizabeth Ashton? Harrison’s heart raced at the thought of the possible demise of President Ashton. Was he too late? Was his mission already a failure?

  Harrison listened intently for Hawthorne’s next words. He did not have to wait long. “You have to pull this off, Marilyn. It already has carried a high price tag for both sides. One of my wives is dead. One of my wives is missing. The President of the United States is dead…” Harrison put down his binoculars and stood there frozen in time. He was stunned, yet fought to keep away the aftershock caused by what he heard. Harrison refocused his attention on the man who professed the murder of President Elizabeth Ashton.

  “We still have a bargaining chip if our conspiracy is uncovered. They won’t know that President Ashton is dead until it’s too late.” There was a pause as Hawthorne listened to the caller. Then Hawthorne replied, “I don’t think so. We’ve had no infiltrations or attempted intrusions here at the ranch since you’ve begun your ‘Presidential’ role in Washington, my dear—and if they had gotten wind of our plan, they apparently have not established the link between us. After all, you’re the spitting image of Ashton and the voice training sealed your impersonation. No, I’m sure of it. If they were aware of us, we would have heard from the government bastards by now. Don’t worry dear. You are doing well. I’ve been watching some of your press conferences on television. If I didn’t know who you really were, I’d swear that you were indeed President Ashton.” After a brief pause, Hawthorne continued, “You won’t hear from me again until the operation is over. We will begin tomorrow, so maintain a low profile and remember what we rehearsed as your response when ‘main target’ is set in motion. Goodbye, dear.” At that, Hawthorne returned the phone to its cradle. He then left the room, out of Harrison’s sight and hearing.

  The stakes of this mission, which were high, just got higher. The risks, in turn, also escalated. Harrison must confirm the death of President Ashton and, upon doing so, make contact with Mentor to sanction the next phase of his mission. He must also inform Mentor that Hawthorne’s campaign “main target” was scheduled for implementation tomorrow.

  Harrison packed his equipment and walked slowly toward the main house. He knew that he had to infiltrate the ranch itself to uncover the clues that would lead to Elizabeth Ashton. He kept alert in an effort not to trigger any of the sensors or make unnecessary contact with the domestic terrorists.

  Harrison stepped carefully around the trip wires and mines. He retreated in the brush at his first glimpse of patrols. What Harrison expected was the unexpected as he moved closer to the main ranch house. He was not disappointed as he stopped dead in his tracks for in front of him was a sentry post constructed high in the trees. The post was built circling the entire tree giving the guards a 360-degree panoramic view of the area. Harrison lowered himself to the ground and pushed himself on his stomach until well hidden in the thicket. He lay still and focused his attention on the sentry station. Harrison retrieved his binoculars and scanned the guard post in front of him. The magnified lens revealed two sentries heavily armed with sophisticated automatic weapons and a bazooka. The sentries stared back in the direction of Harrison as they too used binoculars to scan the area around them.

  Harrison was immobilized in thought. He knew that there was no way around the post as the area of trees and bush were cutback considerably to afford the terrorists an enhanced view of their patrol area. ‘Simple!’ thought Harrison. He would walk under the post like he owned the place. Harrison needed to “borrow” temporarily the clothing of the day, which translated to assaulting one of the terrorists. The problem was that he seldom saw a soldier of fortune walking or patrolling the area alone. They were usually in groups of two or three men. Harrison would have to backtrack once again away from the observation of the sentry post. He pushed himself on his stomach for several yards before standing and walking back out deep into the woods. If Harrison had to accost two men— he would not try three men—his chance of survival would increase if he could take them by surprise and be unobserved by others or their sensory devices. He would have to choose the location of the ambush carefully and await patiently his opportunity.

  So Harrison waited and prepared himself for the engagement. He took off his backpack and other “baggage” that would drag him down in a hand-to-hand conflict. He also took out his knife if his attack became “personal.” Harrison knew that
if the patrol included two men, he would have to chance dropping one dead immediately with a single, silent shot. The moment of shock and surprise would hopefully render the remaining terrorist off balance for a second quiet shot or the piercing of a cold steel blade.

  Thirty minutes passed and Harrison saw no patrol. He kept alert and sharpened his senses. Harrison repeatedly checked his weapon perhaps for as much as good luck as performance. He rehearsed his plan of attack in his mind. His rehearsal was interrupted by the sound of footsteps snapping twigs and brush. Harrison drew close to the ground and turned his head toward the encroaching sound. His adrenalin rushed once again. He was unaware whether or not the approaching terrorists would make suitable targets. Harrison waited for his first glimpse of the patrol. What he saw surprised him. He could not believe his good fortune as a lone soldier approached him. Harrison crouched in an attack position ready to spring on the terrorist as he passed by.

  The unsuspecting terrorist was whistling and appeared to be eating something. Harrison threw down his gun and readied his knife for battle. He was not going to take a chance of only wounding the extremist to have him shout out a warning. The terrorist grew closer. Harrison’s crouch was now spring like, ready to pounce on the passing prey. The terrorist was within five yards now. Harrison was ready. His adrenalin rushed and was at its peak. The terrorist, on the other hand, had his rifle shouldered whistling as he marched into harm’s way.

  The moment arrived. Harrison sprang from his crouched position, knocking the terrorist and himself to the ground. Harrison did not linger and took advantage of surprise. He plunged his right-hand forward and stabbed the man several times in his heart. The doomed terrorist made no sound except the gasp of a dying man. Harrison withdrew the blade and pulled the dead man’s body under the camouflage of the brush. He quickly took off the terrorist’s jacket and shirt to minimize the absorption of blood. Harrison left nothing to chance and divested the man of everything except his underwear and the blood stained undershirt—clothes, jewelry, weaponry—all was transferred to Harrison.