The Quixotic Faction: (Above Top Secret Edition)

by T. D. Kohler

  The admiral slams on the brakes and swerves onto the shoulder of the interstate, onto the grass. Both he and Lincoln look into the back of the van at him.

  “What the heck was that for?” Harvey hollers out, trying to keep his balance.

  “This is not a joke! How many times do we have to tell you that this is not something out of your comics?” Taking a second to regain composure, the admiral looks back out the front window. “There is nothing about this that I like…”

  Lincoln jumps in, “This technology appears to be extremely dangerous. People are getting killed, and you’re holding back information that could cause us to go in blind.”

  “Harvey, this is your idea to go after these people and I can see the logic as well as the reason to go after this person.” the admiral adds.

  “Hey, take it easy you two. I’m new to this excitement stuff. All I now know is that this group of people responsible for the robberies and the killings is actually a woman.”

  Lincoln sits back in his seat and starts tapping away on his iPad, mumbling to himself.

  “There is no...” he pauses to scroll and tap some more “…how did someone…”

  “What are you yammering about?” Admiral Kay asks.

  “This technology has always been hypothetical, so how can someone create a transportable device of some sort that can create the energy spectrum of Orgone?” He absently questions while staring at the iPad.

  Harvey raises a finger. “Perhaps she is using alien technology.”

  “Come on, Harvey!” The admiral shakes his head.

  “Hear me out. This tech does not exist, yet here it is, existing,” He explains. “Over the last few days we have seen people that can allow things to pass through them, we have heard of stories about a beautiful woman that can destroy people’s memories, and now there is this technology that can create an atmosphere that can get people killed. It is not so far out of the realm of alien technology.”

  He sits down with a proud look as he watches the admiral think before continuing, “Look, last year you saved my life and my life’s work. I trusted you, and now I owe you. We need to meet with this giant agent, which wants to repay me for the hit I landed on his jaw, and his partner. So, you two can establish a plan to stop this woman. Hopefully we can clear our names and recover our records and life will be good.”

  The admiral waits for a moment, then puts the car in gear. The van steers back onto the highway as Lincoln shifts in his seat again and looks back at the front windshield.

  “Harvey, is there anything else you would like to tell us about this.” The admiral adds.

  “You know, I have been doing my own research on the Hoklonote. I’m thinking that she is actually a Starseed-hybrid child.”

  The admiral laughs. “Great, this just keeps getting better.”

  “We’re almost to Jasper. Where are they?” Lincoln asks, not taking his attention off of the iPad.

  “We can meet up with them at Billy’s Bar B Que. I need to eat.”

  As they enter into town, Lincoln notices a welcome center sign: Welcome to Jasper—The Jewel of the Forest.

  “Yeah, right, they find some trees in Texas and they call it a forest.”

  Harvey chuckles as he looks over at the admiral, who appears lost in thought. “Admiral, I just learned about it being a woman that is responsible,” He apologizes.

  “It’s okay, Harvey, I’m sure once we meet up with the agents we will get a full picture. My main concern is who else is involved.”

  Billy’s Old Fashion BBQ,

  Jasper, TX

  July 22, 1748 hours

  The dark-blue Ford Transit 350 pulls into a gravel parking lot of a small set of red buildings. Next to one of them is an oversized smoker with smoke pouring out of the stack. Not wasting any time, Harvey jumps out of the back only to be knocked back into the van from the wall of humidity.

  “Holy son of a biscuit!” He shields his eyes as he looks up. A small trace of clouds appears to be building from the south.

  Admiral Kay walks around to join him. “Are you looking for a storm to break this heat?”

  “This humidity is almost to the point of unbearable,” Lincoln adds. “Where are they? We need to get this over with so we can find Kristen.”

  The admiral steps in front to reassures him. “Lincoln, Agent Abergathy was either with the other agents or with Professor Mildiani. We know now she was not with the agents; therefore, she is with the professor.” Closing the back doors as Admiral Kay locks the van. “He clearly took her to protect her. So right now, we need your attention here and now.”

  “I got it. I understand. That does not mean I shouldn’t worry.”

  Harvey puts a firm hand on his friends’ shoulder as he turns him towards the restaurant. “C’mon, Starfish, you can’t tell me that does not smell terrific,” he says as he points to the smoker.

  As they head towards the doors, the admiral notices that the only vehicle in the lot is a large, brand-new F250. Turning to look around the barren parking lot, he feels the cold air coming from inside the restaurant as they open the doors. A wisp of a cool breeze cuts through the humidity, turning his attention up to the small gathering of clouds in the distance.

  “I guess there is a storm coming to break this heat.”

  He turns and heads into the air conditioning to see Agent St. Clair talking to Lincoln and Harvey, with Agent Nomi close by.

  The large agent sees him walking in. “Admiral, we are glad you gentlemen could make it.”

  “We figured that it was prudent to join your team. The way I figure, we both have a piece of the puzzle.”

  “You gentlemen have some kind of idea about this WMD we are up against.” Nomi perks up.

  “And you know just who may be responsible,” Harvey adds as he walks over to her.

  Lincoln raises his hands to put a stop to the building excitement. “WMD? Are you kidding me? Let’s not get this out of hand here.”

  St. Clair booms out, “Doctors! Flea! Relax; take a breather. We can mash ideas after we eat.”

  Harvey looks up at him and points. “I like your thinking.”

  The admiral moves some chairs around. “Why is this place so empty? I’ve heard of this place when I was stationed out of Corpus, only ever heard great reviews.”

  St. Clair postures up. “I thought it would be best to work something out with the owner, so that we can discuss this alone.”

  “Being a federal agent also helped.” Smiling, Nomi looks up at Garrett.

  “So, you two just flash a couple of badges and people are supposed to listen you,” Lincoln says. “Is that how it works?”

  The admiral puts a firm hand on his shoulder and leans in to whisper, “Relax, we can get through this and then we can begin to look for Kristen and Eprem.”

  He gives a quick nod and moves out a chair to sit down. Everyone else does the same. A sense of unease surrounds the small group.

  “Well that was a mood changer,” Harvey lets out a low whistle as he notes the serious look on everyone. “Let’s eat. We all need protein.”

  Lincoln and the admiral look at each other and start to laugh, as St. Clair and Nomi look at each other confused. They sit down as an older, seasoned gentleman walks out of the back. “Good even’ all, and welcome to Billy’s Old Fashion Barbeque.” The man claps his hands together. “Wat kin I start you off wit?”

  “I’ve heard nothing but good about everything you have here. Surprise us.” Harvey offers him an enthusiastic smile.

  “Sounds excellent!” The gentleman says and heads back towards the kitchen.

  They all watch him leave the room, when St. Clair turns back to the table. “What is this technology we are dealing with?”

  “From what I have been able to understand, it is an energy that affects people at the nervous system level.” the admiral looks over at Lincoln for confirmation.

  He nods. “It’s called Orgone energy. What I do not understand is how something th
at only hypothetically exists. How can a team just carry this technology around?”

  “Make that one person, and a woman on top of that.” St. Clair raises a finger just as Nomi delivers a quick jab in his side, causing him to flinch and Harvey to stifle a laugh.

  Nomi shifts in her seat and looks up at her partner with a subtle, concerned expression as the symbiont twinges her nerves. “We can’t be a part of this.”

  Rubbing his side, the giant agent continues without looking at Nomi. “Her name is Dorothy DuFerot.”

  Lincoln gives his friend a quick look as the admiral leans on the table to get everyone’s attention. “This woman—I have a lot of questions and ultimately concerns here. She targets low-yield, low-risk locations with the exception of the first hit, the international bank. So, she could be literally anywhere. So why the bank, first? Why did she choose a high-risk target? then go after low risk targets. It’s backwards. Usually people start with low-risk and then build confidence.” the Admiral surmises.

  “Rawtid, with all that’s been going on, I never thought of that.”

  “Did you think of that?” Harvey points his hand to his friend.

  Lincoln takes out his iPad and turns it on. “No, that does factor in some variables.”

  “Let’s stay focused here,” the admiral firms his voice with authority that even catches Nomi’s full attention. “I suppose we could ask her when we find her.” Looking over at Lincoln, he tells him, “I know you want to get a good look at the technology she is using . . . Another question, why are, or, are the incidents getting larger and more dangerous?”

  St. Clair taps a knife on the table, trying to hide enthusiasm. “I did tink of that, and it has me worried. It almost seems like she has no fear and is really enjoying the impact this energy is creating.”

  “So much is still unknown about the energy, so predicting how it reacts is nearly impossible,” Lincoln says. “However, like most types of energy, it needs to be amplified to be really effective.”

  “We saw the video from the bank and all there was, was a briefcase. What can amplify to what you are talking about?” Nomi asks.

  Harvey leans towards her and whispers, “You have video of her?”

  “She was a he then,” Nomi says.

  “Well since as far as we can tell the bank was the first use, he…or she…did not have the benefit of and external source to amplify the energy,” Lincoln interjects.

  “What can amplify this energy? Can something be like an antenna array?”

  Looking up from the iPad and over to the admiral, “Well not quite; however, it would need to be amped up. An antenna array will only broadcast it with minimal amplification”

  St. Clair pushes his chair back, stands up, and walks around the room, when the owner comes out with pitchers of ice tea and water.

  The owner looks up at St. Clair then to the admiral. “It will be out soon, don’t you worry, sir.”

  “Not a problem, we appreciate you accommodating us tonight,” the admiral says.

  “It’s not every day we get honored with such an important person.” The owner quickly turns and heads back into the kitchen.

  Lincoln and Harvey exchange confused looks as Admiral Kay looks at the giant agent for answers.

  “How again did you convince him to secure the restaurant for us this evening?”

  St. Clair tries to hide a guilty look when Nomi chimes in, “We told them we were Secret Service and that you were a former vice president.”

  Harvey tries not to spit up his tea laughing, and even Lincoln breaks out a smile. The admiral keeps looking at St. Clair. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Trying not to laugh at Harvey’s reaction, Nomi continues, “How many people do you think even know who the VP is or were, let alone what they looked like.” Nudging him she says, “Seriously, how many VP’s can you name?”

  Putting his fist over his mouth he looks at Lincoln for help. Stevens stammers with a puzzled look, “Don’t look at me. I can only think of Biden right now.”

  Watching his counterparts, Admiral Kay raises a wadded napkin to St. Clair. “Impressive improvisation.”

  Grabbing the back of his chair again, He goes to sit down. “Thank you, Mr. Vice President.” He gives the admiral a smile and looks to see everyone trying not to laugh.

  St. Clair scans the room to verify that they are alone again. “Okay, I bumped into this guy, I mean, woman a few days ago. She is not a problem; it is the technology that outright scares me.”

  Lincoln continues to taps away on his iPad, bringing up a map of Southwest Texas and Western Louisiana. “We need to profile this woman if we’re going to figure where she will hit next. I am already thinking she is going to stay out of the major cities and stay local.”

  Nomi’s interest is piqued. “Why you say that?”

  “Well, Agent Nomi, we believe she is going to stay local, hence the circle she went,” Lincoln tells her without bothering to look up.

  Harvey adds, “Judging some of these towns, she’s more comfortable in the small towns.”

  “I can see that.” Nomi brings her feet up on the seat, lifting her up a few inches. “Now for my two cents. She is enjoying herself. I believe the money is now secondary to what the technology can do.”

  Everyone stops and looks at the small agent. St. Clair walks around to stand behind the admiral as they both look for her to continue.

  St. Clair motions to her. “Don stop on that note.”

  “You remember how run down the house was, right?” Nomi says. “I wager she now has more money than she has ever had. Since money is no longer an issue.”

  St. Clair rubs the top of his head. “Brilliant. Okay, my turn. Since money is not a concern,” he says, acknowledging his partner, “and she is not going very far,” he pauses to acknowledge the tall doctor, “I say she is starting to enjoy herself and wants to go big.”

  The admiral leans forward to his temples. “People that want to go big usually have something to say, a cause. What is troubling me is that I don’t think this technology is hers.”

  “Now you are talking my language,” Harvey practically yells, nearly jumping out his seat. “This is becoming a conspiracy. Is everyone feeling energized now, or is it just me?”

  “Admiral, why do you have to feed his imagination?” Lincoln asks without looking up from his iPad and ignoring his friend.

  Making his way back over to his seat, the large agent sits back down. “We have to ask her when we find her.”

  “Well that sounds easier said than done. We may never know where she’s gonna be.” Harvey says.

  “Perhaps not,” Lincoln says, not taking his attention away from the iPad. “He’s going to want to—”

  Everyone in unison says, “She.”

  “She is going to want to find a small town that can give her the biggest impact.” Lincoln pulls up a map shot of the town Beaumont in Southern Texas, setting the iPad on the table.

  The map shows the FCC approved antenna towers, which causes Harvey to let out a low whistle. “Five hundred thirty-six towers? Wait, I thought you said antenna towers will act only as a repeater and that the energy would need a boost?”

  The admiral sets his drink down. “Lincoln, please keep going.”

  “Entergy provides most of the electricity for this part of Texas and Louisiana, and all she would have to do is find a substation somewhere. That will boost the energy enough for her to get her desired effect.”

  Putting the iPad away, Lincoln starts to stand up when the admiral extends out a hand. “Lincoln, relax. She has a thing for daylight. She’s not going to do this tonight.”

  St. Clair gives the admiral a quick tilt of his head then looks back at Lincoln. “He’s right, and besides we’ve all been on the road all day, and it smells like there is a great meal on its way.”

  Harvey slaps him on his back. “C’mon, Lincoln, let’s eat. We’ll find everyone else tomorrow.”

  Everyone watches Lincoln slowly
look around the room, and before he can protest the food begins to come out from the back.

  “We thought we’d start ya’ll outwit some out our famous BBQ sliders, beans, and butter’d cobs.”

  The admiral takes a sip of his tea. “Everything smells great. We thank you, again, for doing this for us tonight.”

  “Sir, da honor is all ours,” the owner says as he returns to the other room.

  Everyone begins to dig in to the meal without saying another word about tomorrow. Outside, off in the distance, the clouds let out a quiet roll of thunder.

  Eastex Freeway,

  Beaumont, TX

  July 23, 1035 hours

  With the winds kicking up, the van rocks and sways to the wind as it makes its way towards Beaumont. Harvey is grinning, gripping the wheel, and trying to maintain control of the van. “This reminds me of storm chasing when I was younger.”

  In back, Lincoln is tapping away on the iPad again, trying to remain in a seated position, without looking away. “It’s only supposed to be a tropical storm, so let’s not make it out to be bigger than it is.”

  Riding shotgun is Agent Nomi, and her phone chirps as she stares out the window, unable to tear her eyes away from the storm clouds. The clouds are shades of grey and almost black as they roll and swirl across the sky. Her phone chirps again.

  Harvey slows the van down and takes Eastex Freeway and pulls off the side as they enter Beaumont. He nods to Nomi. “Are you going to check that?”

  Nomi sits back to check her phone, reading the series of texts, she shakes her head.

  “Well, Dr. Stevens, you may be as smart as you look. The Cadillac was spotted by an intersection camera at the Interstate Ten Frontage Road and Hollywood.” Scrolling through the phone, she looks back out the window. “Of course, if you could see these clouds your idea of a tropical storm might just change.”

  A flash in the sky changes everyone’s attention to the windows.

  “A little rain, a little wind, a little Orgone energy, I don’t know. How much harm can it be?” Harvey smiles.

  Tapping on the iPad some more, Lincoln brings up the weather report. “Look KBMT News Twelve has this only lasting a few hours.”