Her outward appearance had been designed and fostered by her to be appealing and to disguise her more unappealing qualities. The only clue to her present mental status was her voice, which at the moment was a high falsetto due to the rage she felt. The object of her rage was the assembled group seated around the conference table.
Her audience was a cross section of the individuals assigned to work at the complex. There were technicians, analysts, and operators clustered in groups on both sides of the table. The division between the groups was clearly defined and would have been apparent to an outsider. The technicians were all male and down to the last were dressed like a group of frat boys in shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. The analysts were a little better dressed and were both men and women.
The operators were another all male group and similarly dressed in either tan or green cargo pants, hiking boots, and black polo shirts. The polo shirts all had the logo GMOI over the left breast which stood for Global Military Options Incorporated. They were the only group armed and each wore a holstered semi-automatic pistol on his hip. While the techs and analysts wore their hair long, for the most part, the operators all had clean shaven faces and close cropped hair. Their physiques also set them apart from their peers. To a man, the operators were all in excellent physical condition and exuded confidence. They were clearly ex-military.
On the table in front of each person was a white folder with TS: SCI, the acronym for Top Secret: Special Compartmentalized Information stamped on the face in inch-high red letters. Inside the folders were a stack of eight-and-a-half by eleven inch photographs. Each photograph was of the same geographic area with different date and time stamps. The area depicted on the photographs was the subject of the tirade being directed at them by the woman standing at the head of the table.
In the intervening time since “Key Hole” had taken the first photograph of the anomaly the technicians had adjusted the computer program that directed the satellite to change its orbit every twenty four hours. “Key Hole” was now in a single orbit track over the same geographic area and sent back to earth fourteen photographs of the same anomaly each twenty-four hour period. Hundreds of photos had been taken and sent to the printer in the vault where the technicians worked.
Those photos were then given to the analysts to study and make determinations as to what the anomaly was. From the analysis it was determined to be a compound approximately fifteen- hundred-feet-by-fifteen-hundred-feet square. The varying location of vehicles clearly discernible in the photos from day to day and pass to pass led the analysts to determine that the compound was manned by non-infected humans. A closer inspection of the photos revealed some of those vehicles to be military in appearance. Although high resolution enlargements of the photos were studied and humans could be seen, there was not enough resolution to make an accurate determination as to who they were or their health status.
The analysis of the photographs was given to the operators. Their part was to study the analysis and develop a tactical plan for approaching the compound and conducting reconnaissance. Their information would then be added to a growing file being developed on the anomaly and would be used to further develop a tactical plan for an assault on the compound if that should become warranted.
After a detailed study of the photos and the analysis, the operators sent back a request for further information, and the cycle of photograph, analyze, and plan started all over again. It was the opinion of the operators that not enough information was available to accurately plan a reconnaissance operation to penetrate the area of the compound. They would be a long way from their support system and didn't want to get caught in a situation they were not prepared for.
Continued requests for further information had succeeded in running the techs and analysts through the cycle four times. This delay had caused the directors time line guidance that the recon operation be conducted by mid-November to be missed, and according to weather and moon phase data, the next acceptable time for conducting the operation would be sometime in January.
The continued delays along with the obstinacy of the military types only added to the stress that the director felt. Couldn't they see she was under enormous pressure? The personnel from GMOI were being paid a lot of money to do her bidding. Why couldn't they just do what they were told? She would never admit to being overwhelmed but her frustration with the excuses had reached boiling point. The operator’s insistence that more time would allow them to conduct the operation with a wider margin for safety and success meant nothing to her. In her mind, they were paid to take chances and if it resulted in casualties, well, so much the better for her. Casualties meant salaries that wouldn't have to be paid and her bosses were all about saving money.
All of these things combined in her mind and had led to the rage she felt and she would not be the only one to suffer. Oh no, they were causing her stress and they would know the meaning of the old saying, “Shit rolls downhill.”
She stared out at her audience, her face red and blotchy, eyes wide and bulging as she screamed, "I don't give a fuck. I don't give a fuck who they are or how they are armed. I don't give a fuck if they have roving patrols or dogs. I repeat, I don't give a fuck! I want to own that compound by the middle of summer. Understand? I want it. I don't give a fuck how you do it. But you will get it for me or I will fuck you up, each and every one of you. Now, get me that compound!" With that she turned and stormed out of the room.
Chapter 16
Thanksgiving, a Time for Evil
I try to do the right thing. I try to always think about my decisions and what effects they will have. Not just on me but on the people I'm responsible for. I'm not always successful but I always try. That’s why it bothers me so much when a decision I've made turns out to be the wrong one. I think back and try to figure out where I went wrong. What piece of critical information did I miss that caused me to go right when I should have gone left? It especially bothers me when someone else has to pay for my bad decision. If it was me and only me it wouldn't be as big of a deal but when someone else has to suffer for what I did or didn't do it gets to me.
That's why our Thanksgiving celebration will always be embedded in my brain. We had all hoped this Thanksgiving would be one to remember because of it being the first in The Dell. Because we were still alive and it appeared we had the opportunity to improve our situation. Because we had worked hard and maybe we could do more now than just survive.
But that's not how it's going to be remembered. It will be remembered because that was the first night of pain and suffering for our community. It will be remembered because it changed who we are forever and forced us to do something I had only vaguely considered. It will be remembered because I let evil in to our midst.
Our celebration preparations had gone on as planned, thanks to Gwen's urging. The three day quarantine for Frank Wilson and his group ended and they were accepted into ours and they were soon part of the community. Having relatively healthy food and water helped bring back their health and their spirits. Warm clothing and a roof over their heads played a big part, as well. But I think the one most important factor in their recovery was being able to rest. Not having to look over your shoulder every second of every day and actually being able to sleep without keeping one eye open is a huge relief.
Frank's group was made up of his wife, Sharon, and their two daughters, Kimberly and Brittany. Kim was twelve and Brittany was fourteen. Another couple, Josh and Heather Mason, and their son, Drew, age six. Four single adults, Greg Foreman, Ashley Sullivan, Michelle Bowers, and Marvin Hamilton. There were also five children that the group had rescued along the way and were without parents. They were Cody Shelton, age nine, Jeremy Woods, age thirteen, Larry Bright, age thirteen. Rachel and Sabrina Towe were sisters ages twelve and sixteen. All of them had been through hell, there was no doubt but they immediately pitched in and tried to become part of us. Our group welcomed them and I was proud that none of us seemed to resent the extra mouths to feed.
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br /> There had only been one tiny cause for concern. While the group was still in quarantine, Dave conducted security interviews with the entire group to identify if there was any reason to be concerned about the group or an individual. During the interviews, each person was asked about their past and what they knew about the other people in the group. They were also asked how long they had known each other and if they had ever been concerned about any member of the group. The only person to say anything of concern about another person was little Rachel Towe, and she told Dave that she didn't like Marvin because he looked at her funny. Dave asked for an explanation but she was only able to say that she didn't like the way he looked at her. It made her feel creepy.
When Dave and I talked after the interviews were finished, he said that comment by Rachel had been the only thing out of the ordinary. I asked him about his interview with Marvin. "I don't know,” he said. “Maybe I was already suspicious of the guy because of what the Towe girl said but I don't like the guy." I asked him why and how Marvin had answered his questions. "He answered them fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. He was a mechanic before the Event and had been on the run alone until he hooked up with Frank. But talking to him, I got the same feeling Rachel did. The guy’s just creepy."
I considered what he had told me. "Well in your opinion do we let him in or not?"
Dave took a long time to answer and I was about to ask the question again when he said, "I can't say I wouldn't let the guy in just because a twelve year old girl thinks he's creepy. She probably thought I was creepy too." I pointed out that he thought Marvin was strange.
"Yeah, but like I said I don't know if that was because of what she said or how I really felt,” Dave said. After a few seconds, he added, "I'll keep an eye on him and ask some of our people what they think of him but I can't say there's anything definite at this point." I told Dave to watch him and if anything came up to let me know right away. He said he would and that was how we left it.
I should have asked more questions. I should have watched the guy myself instead of leaving it to a guy that was great soldier but had never been a cop. Cops usually have great instincts about people and if they get a hinkey feeling about someone, there's normally a good reason. Children are the same way. They instinctively know when they can trust an adult and when they can't. I knew that and should have went straight to Rachel Towe and asked her about Marvin. Instead, I went back to strolling around The Dell helping to get ready for Thanksgiving. That oversight would cost us.
Thanksgiving finally arrived and all the preparation had paid off. The day was cold but clear and everyone was in a festive mood. Kat and I both were excited and couldn't wait for the afternoon to arrive and the first part of the celebration. The children had made simple decorations and the church was adorned with fall and Thanksgiving themed art work. They put on a couple of short skits about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving and finished with songs about the holidays. The performance turned out to be a tremendous hit and all of those in attendance gave them a standing ovation when they finished. There was a short break and then everyone gathered in the recently re-designated Community Center for the meal.
The women had outdone themselves; the spread on the long tables was unbelievable. Along with the vegetables there was venison and roast pork. Several turkeys had also been prepared along with quail and pheasant. The hunters had turned in an outstanding showing with the amount of wild game they had been able to procure. It was truly a feast. I couldn't believe it and my mouth started to water as soon as I came through the door. The smell alone was enough to make my stomach growl. I could tell by the way everyone else eyed the food that they felt the same way.
We gathered everyone inside and our two Pastors gave a quick prayer of thanks. As soon as they were finished, the kids were helped to get their plates then the adults. I haven't eaten so much since the Event. Most everyone ate until they were stuffed and by the time the meal was over most of the food was gone. Of course, it takes a lot to feed two hundred people. The satisfied looks on the faces of our villagers was testament to the fact that the dinner had been a huge success. All that was left now was the cleaning.
A group of ladies had volunteered to do the clean-up and to take care of any left over’s. As they started, the rest of the folks said goodbye to each other and filed out. It was already dark and the temperature had dropped but it was still clear and the sky was beautiful. Crystal clear, and loaded with stars. Kat and I decided to take a stroll around The Dell to settle our dinner before heading back to the cottage. We walked and talked all around the little town. We even walked down to the gate and spoke to the guys that were standing guard duty. I asked if they had gotten any of the wonderful dinner and they said, yes, that Dave had made sure that everyone on duty had gotten a heaping plate of the food delivered to them. I wished them a happy Thanksgiving and we headed back toward the hill and our cottage.
We had been home about an hour when my radio came to life with Dave calling for me. I picked up and was told that we had an emergency. Dave wanted me to come to the new EOC located in one of the unoccupied houses. I told him I was on my way. Kat asked me what had happened and I told her I didn't know but it had to be serious or Dave wouldn't have bothered me tonight. She nodded and told me to be careful. I grabbed my rifle and told her I would as I headed out the door. I had the ATV parked outside and seconds later I sped toward the Emergency Operations Center.
A large group of security personnel and a few of the civilian villagers were milling around outside when I pulled up. It’s unusual for this many of our people to be standing around expectantly like this. I asked for Dave and was directed inside. When I entered, I was surprised to find the inside full of people as well. I felt curious now and started trying to find Dave. I located him in the back of the house talking to a man I recognized as Albert Davis. Albert’s one of our handy men and did lots of work around The Dell fixing things. He was a quiet guy with a good sense of humor. He’s about fifty years old with a slight gut and a receding hairline. At the moment, he looked in shock and I joined them to find out what had happened.
When Dave saw me he broke away from Albert and stepped over to me. He bent close to my left ear and in a quiet voice told me that Albert’s wife Judy hadn't come home after the dinner. She was one of the ladies who volunteered to help clean up and hadn't been seen since she left the Community Center over an hour ago. I asked where they lived and Dave told me they had one of the last houses up the hill on the north side of town. I asked if she had any health conditions and Dave said that he had asked Albert that and the answer was no. I told Dave to get a search party organized and let’s go through the village and check every building. He nodded and headed out front to get the search going.
I went to talk to Albert and asked all the questions I had used to ask in a missing person case. Could she be visiting friends? Were they getting a long? Was it possible she had a special friend that she might have gone to see? I thought Albert might punch me when I asked that one. He didn't and seemed to deflate as he told me that something had to be wrong or she would have been home by now. There was no place for her to go. She couldn't get outside the wall without a guard seeing her and she wouldn't have been allowed out by herself anyway. I put my hand on his shoulder and told him we'd find her. She had most likely just stopped by one of the other ladies houses before coming on home. He said he hoped so and asked me to please find her.
I told him I'd do my best and headed out front to find Dave. He had the crew out front organized by then and we left to conduct the search. It wasn't bitterly cold out yet. We’d had some below freezing nights but most were in the low forties or upper thirties. That’s still cold enough that you needed a thick jacket if you were going to be out for an extended period.
The search went house to house with no luck. We had groups checking the unoccupied houses with the same result. ATV teams roamed around the inner perimeter and across the fields and still no luck. The search went on all ni
ght and by daylight I was stumped. The enclosed area of The Dell was not that big and we had searched every inch. Every occupied house had been contacted and every building searched. I couldn't figure where she could have gone.
I had tried to respect the privacy of our people and none of the occupied houses had been searched by the security teams. We had simply asked if they had seen Judy or if she was there. With the result of coming up empty with our search I made the hard choice to go back and re-search and, this time, I wanted a special team lead by Dave to search each house. He asked what he should do if they were told no by the occupant. I told him he was not to take no for an answer.
Judy had to be here someplace and it was obvious now that she was inside somewhere. If she'd been outside, even if she was hurt and on the ground, we would have found her. She had to be in one of the houses. He said he'd take care of it and headed out. I went back to talk to Albert. It's an unfortunate truth that in most disappearances like this, a family member is the one responsible. I now had to ask Albert some harder questions.
My second interview with Albert didn't reveal anything remarkable and I depended on Dave's team to find Judy. Three hours after they left, they returned with the same result. No Judy. This just didn't make sense. She had to be here, there wasn't any place else for her to go. I sat down with Dave and went over how he had conducted the search. He said they started at the west end and worked east. They had searched every house from top to bottom. She simply wasn't there. This didn't make any sense and I walked outside to think and try to find a flaw in the way we had conducted the search. Nothing came to me so I decided we would do it again and, this time, I would supervise. It wasn't that I didn't trust Dave; I had to consider the fact that maybe we just needed a new set of eyes looking at it.
We Go On (THE DELL) Page 18