by Allan Burd
“They destroyed my radio too, cutting off my line of communication,” Dupres added.
“What now, Major?” Rebecca asked.
“Now it’s time for me to have a serious chat with Colonel Chase,” Gaines replied.
43
Chase, Blaze, and Logan were surrounded by four guards, who, from the looks of them, knew their business. There was no way they could escape. All they could do was sit on a stump and stare as Canadian soldiers swarmed all over the spaceship.
“What now?” Logan asked.
“We wait,” answered Dr. Jeff Blaze. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? Even better than incredible … it’s phenomenal—the design, the intricate circuitry … hundreds of years ahead of us. The places they go, the things they’ve seen … just phenomenal.”
“Yeah, we would be the dominating force on this planet for eternity,” mocked Logan
“Forget that,” Blaze said. “It’s an unavoidable consequence given today’s realities, but ultimately it’s insignificant. Governments are always going to strive to create more efficient, more powerful weapons. It’s what they do—and until the world becomes a more civilized place, that’s what they’re going to continue to do. What’s important is that we’ll use the technology for more than just war. Think bigger Logan. We’re talking about unlocking the secrets of space travel, exploring the cosmos, developing new safer, more efficient sources of energy. The possibilities are limitless.”
Logan remained skeptical.
“There’s no way you can tell me that you’re not even the slightest bit curious about what’s out there,” said Blaze. “Exploration is what we do. Discovery is what we’re all about. That’s what keeps us going. What makes us alive. What makes us human. If it weren’t for curiosity, we would still be hunched over fires, eating dead animals, and living in caves.
“Did you know our government’s been trying to build flying saucers for decades? In the 40’s, it was the XF5U-1 and Lockheed’s Avrocar. In the 60’s, it was the Hawker Siddeley Kestrel. In the 80’s, the Moller M200X and the Sikorsky Cypher. All saucer shaped aircraft. But they didn’t work. Each time they ran into problems. The ship’s too unstable at low speeds. What kind of energy source could sustain it? How do our pilots survive the G-force exerted upon them at such high velocities? Sitting right in front of us is the answer to all these questions and more … much more. We can finally show the world what wonders are out there.”
“I don’t think mankind’s ready for all that knowledge,” commented Logan.
“I find that insulting,” retorted Jeff.
“Huh?”
“I’m certainly ready for it. Am I not to be considered part of mankind? Must only the malevolent and simpleminded people be considered mankind? How come the best and brightest among us aren’t grouped into that category? Let me tell you something. I will not be held back for the incorrectly perceived benefit of the herd. One way or another, I’m going to learn everything about that ship and I’m going to use that knowledge to bring us right into the 25th century. If the rest of the world doesn’t want to come along because they’re not ready—fuck ‘em.” He grinned at Logan and winked. “So, how about you, Mr. Grey? Are you going to come along for the ride?”
Logan liked Jeff more and more every time he spoke with him. He smiled. “So, you’re genuinely in this for the science? Working for the military is only a means to an end for you?”
“My true motive is education.”
Logan laughed. “So beneath all that intellectual exterior, you’re really a true fuckin’ pioneer.”
Jeff grinned. “In every sense of the word.”
Logan admired Jeff’s positively contagious optimism.
He smiled. “All right, Doc. Count me in.”
44
“Area is fully secure and firmly under Canadian control, sir,” Lt. Carlson proudly reported.
“Reexamine every inch of this ship, Lieutenant. I want every room, every hallway, every access tunnel, searched again. These beings may have places to hide on this vessel we haven’t even thought about looking in. Keep it clean too. I don’t want anything touched or moved unless necessary,” ordered Gaines.
“Yes sir.”
Major David Gaines needed to make sure the ship was truly secured. After all that had happened, he couldn’t quite believe it was over. There were still too many unknowns and it was time to get some answers. He turned to Rebecca. “Take over for me. I’ll be outside.”
She nodded her reply. Gaines exited the ship through the same opening in the hull they had entered from. Carlson’s squad discovered it was the only viable access. The three “real” exits were blocked, two by the ground and one by a fallen tree. If there were any other ways in or out of the ship, they hadn’t been discovered yet. He passed two guards who saluted him. He briefly acknowledged their show of respect and made a beeline toward his destination.
Gaines watched the three Americans. He liked Logan and was willing to give Dr. Blaze the benefit of the doubt—after all, he was just a scientist—but Colonel John Chase was another matter. He despised him. He enjoyed holding him prisoner. Nothing would please him more than to send him packing. But it was better to stay in control. He had Chase exactly where he wanted him and the mission was too important. It cost him a close friend and eighteen good soldiers. To forsake them for personal satisfaction would greatly diminish their sacrifice. No matter how he felt, he had to get answers.
What were they hoping to accomplish? Was it really for just a piece of the action, or something more? And if so, then why didn’t Chase want to save him? What could he have possibly accomplished alone? More questions entered his mind. How did they seemingly know their way around the ship? How come there were only three of them? Why hadn’t they worn protective gear? The only thing Gaines knew for certain was that the answers to these questions were long overdue.
He ordered Lt. Carlson’s men to move Logan and Jeff out of earshot before turning his full attention to Colonel Chase. “I think it’s time you and me had a talk,” he said.
“Care to join me here, Major? Pull up a stump.”
“Stow the attitude. You’ve got two choices. Either you level with me now or our deal’s off.”
Colonel Chase was glad to hear that. He assumed that their deal was already off. If he was in Major Gaines position, it would have been. “After,” he responded.
“After what?”
“After the ship’s safe at a secure underground base and American personnel are firmly in place.”
“That’s not the way we’re going to work things.”
“Then we have no deal.”
“Fine. I don’t even know why I bothered giving you the benefit of the doubt.” The truth was he didn’t. The reason he made the offer was he felt Chase had information which could be useful. Also, he was a man of his word and didn’t easily go back on it. Unfortunately honor, in this case, was a liability and one he quickly shed. He turned to one of the soldiers guarding Chase. “Deposit him and his men back over the border. If they give you a hard time, use whatever force you deem appropriate.”
“That would be unwise, Major,” warned Colonel Chase. “You need me. You just don’t know it yet. Without me your country’s in grave jeopardy.”
Major David Gaines didn’t buy it. He looked back at Colonel Chase, determined to have the last word. “I hope you enjoy delivering your report to your superiors, ‘Sorry, General, but I was too much of a stubborn son of a bitch to cooperate.’ Yeah, that’ll read real nice. I’m sure your commanders will be proud.”
Chase chortled. “Your report’s not gonna read much different, Major. Ya see, I thought you might react like this. Hell, I would. So I brought along a little insurance policy.” His voice turned serious. “While we were aboard, we planted a bomb on the ship. At the push of a button, all that alien technology goes bye-bye. All those men you lost today died for nothing. Oh, I know what you’re thinking. I’m lying. You were with me the whole time. I couldn’t
possibly have done it. Well, you’re right. I didn’t. Dr. Blaze did when we left him alone. Feel free to check it out. It’s on the upper deck. But don’t let your men touch it. It’s magnetically adhered to the wall. Any attempt to remove it will set it off. Don’t bother trying to disarm it either. That would be messy. I’m the only one who’s got the code. Don’t try code sequencing either. Three incorrect guesses and it goes off.”
Chase put on a coy smile, letting Gaines know he was the one in control. He had no problem putting duty before honor. He would do whatever was necessary to ensure his success. It was an edge he would keep until Major Gaines changed the rules.
“Check it out,” Gaines ordered one of the men.
“Top level. You can’t miss it,” Chase yelled to the soldier.
Gaines paced through the snowy dirt, waiting for his soldier to return. With each step his anger grew. A minute later, when the soldier returned with an affirmative reply, he lost it.
His movement was so swift and unexpected it even took his fellow soldiers by surprise. He hit Chase with a right hook across the jaw hard enough to rattle teeth.
Chase checked his jaw with his fingertips, moving it awkwardly, glad to discover it wasn’t broken. He did, however, feel the wetness of his own blood and spat red on the ground in front of Gaines. “Now you ready to talk?” asked Chase, still somewhat amused by Gaines’ reaction, though not showing it. His show of violence was one of weakness, Chase thought—the last refuge of a defeated man.
In anger, Gaines threw another punch but this time Chase was expecting it. He ducked under and counter-punched Gaines directly in his ribs. The blow was so sharp that Gaines fell to one knee. Chase wisely backed off, hands in the air, upon hearing the clicks of safeties and seeing the array of gun barrels pointed at him.
Gaines used the opening well. He launched himself from one knee, tackling Chase hard. His shoulder thrust firmly into Chase’s gut, he took him off his feet and used his weight to knock the wind out of Chase. Gaines didn’t stop there. He hit Chase in the mouth with a short jab, then followed with an uppercut to his jaw. Chase’s blood splattered the snow. Gaines then turned him over, shoved his head into the dirt, and locked him in an arm bar. He pressed his right knee firmly into Chase’s back. Using his free hand he grabbed the back of Chase’s hair and lifted his head up so he could listen and because it inflicted even more pain. “Disarm it,” Gaines said in a low threatening tone.
It took Chase about ten seconds just to catch his breath. “After.”
Gaines roared in fury and shoved Chase’s head back into the snow. Everything had gone wrong. He had lost a good friend, good soldiers, and he himself was battered and bruised. First contact had turned into war, an alien survivor escaped, and the ship—the most important find in the history of mankind—was in jeopardy of being blown to bits. He took his right hand, withdrew his weapon and pushed it directly against Chase’s temple. “I’m through playing games with you. You got three seconds to cooperate or you’re dead. And dead men can’t set off explosives.”
This time there was an edge to his voice that had not been there before. Chase knew that Major Gaines meant every word. He had miscalculated. He never thought Major Gaines would go this far.
“One … two …,” counted Gaines.
“OK! I’ll tell you the important details now,” said Chase in a weak voice, barely louder than a whisper. He stopped to catch his breath between words. “The rest of the information, the scientific stuff, will have to wait til later.”
“The bomb?”
“The device has to stay in place until I know you’ll keep your end of the bargain.” He heard the sound of Gaines’ cocking his gun. “I’ll remove it when the ship is secure at a base. That’s the best I can do for you, Major. Shoot me if you must, but I have my orders and I’ll die before I disobey them.”
Gaines thought about it. He felt hatred for Colonel Chase. The man was arrogant. He cared more about himself than of the men who served under him. He was everything Gaines disliked about the military all rolled into one—everything Gaines swore he would never be.
That was why, despite his personal anger, he couldn’t pull the trigger. Killing an enemy in battle was one thing. Killing someone because they were an asshole was quite another. He released his hold, rolling Chase onto his back. “Talk!”
Chase eyed the gun, asking without words for Gaines to remove it. Gaines complied and let him get to his feet. Chase took a deep breath and nodded respectfully. He didn’t like being humbled, and looking around at the grins of the Canadian soldiers didn’t help, but he was still in the game and that was what was most important to him. Gaines tossed him a handkerchief to wipe the blood off his face.
Reluctantly, he used it. “I’m not sure they have the proper security clearance for this,” Chase said, referring to the other soldiers within earshot.
“Talk!” At this point Gaines didn’t care about security procedures. These men were standing in front of an extraterrestrial spacecraft. That was sufficient grounds to update all their clearances anyway.
“We’ve encountered them before, face to face.”
“Go on.”
“1947, Roswell, New Mexico … I’m sure you’re familiar with the story.” Chase looked again at the Canadian patrol. “Care to take a walk? This stuff’s top secret and I’d prefer sharing it with as few people as possible.”
Gaines didn’t understand, unless there was something more … some terrible secret that dwarfed even this find. He doubted it, but he complied. Besides, it wasn’t really significant. Chase had absolutely no place to go and nothing to gain by escaping. He chose a path through the trees that led deeper into Canadian territory. “This better not be another lie,” said Gaines, still angry.
“No lie. Roswell really happened. It’s just that no one knows the real details—the important stuff. Yeah, a spaceship crashed. Much smaller than this one. A lot more damaged too, but we were able to salvage some of it. Not enough to reverse engineer, but we gained a lot of insight by studying the design and the materials.”
One question answered. Now Gaines knew why they seemingly knew their way around the ship. The layout must have been the same, albeit on a smaller scale.
Chase went on. “They’ve got a superconducting form of copper alloy that doesn’t need refrigeration. They use it to conduct electricity, creating an electromagnetic field around the ship. Essentially, they use magnetism as a means of propulsion and it makes them incredibly maneuverable and fast. We’ve been trying to duplicate it for years with little success. But we’re close. Dr. Blaze can give your technicians the details later.
“However, with this ship, and what we already know, I figure our scientists can duplicate the technology within five years. Without our help, it’ll take your guys more than four times that long.” He looked at Gaines. “You need us, Major.”
They crossed an area in the woods where a battle had taken place and came across the body of an alien. “What do you know about them?” Gaines asked.
“A lot. We found four beings at Roswell, just like the story says, three dead, one alive.”
“Are they the same species?”
“Yeah.” Then Chase realized what Gaines was thinking. “When word leaked out about the crash—containment wasn’t as good in those days—everybody and their grandmothers started seeing UFO’s and aliens. The only way to separate the lies from the truths was by using disinformation. The organization in charge back then, Majestic, leaked stories that altered their descriptions. They decided to make them appear less threatening. The real ET’s had hair. They told people they were bald. The real aliens had webbed fingers with claws. They made the hands more human. This way they knew who was telling the truth. Yeah, these are the same ones. Though this bunch clearly showed a greater diversity of skills than the ones we found. We never knew they had chameleon-like abilities or two vastly different colors of blood”
Gaines bent down to closely examine the alien. He pushed the s
trands of hair off its blue face to get a better look. The eyes looked only slightly deader than before. He didn’t like that. He liked reading people by looking into their eyes. With the aliens, it was like they had sunglasses on all the time, and Gaines never trusted a man who hid his eyes. Out of curiosity, he rubbed the skin. “Skin’s not like ours.”
“You mean besides the fact that it’s blue,” Chase said sarcastically. “It’s blubber. They have a thin layer of blubber beneath their skin. Our biologists say they’re more like dolphins than humans. See this slit where a nose is supposed to be? They don’t breathe through there like we do. It’s just for smelling—particularly, it helps their sense of smell underwater. Our top guys think they must’ve conquered their planet’s oceans before heading out into space. Or they originated underwater in the first place. That’s why their eyes are like a fish’s. That’s why their skin and their voices are similar to a dolphin’s. They’re equally adaptive in and out of the water. They do breathe and eat through their mouths, like we do, but they also breathe through two blow holes on the back of their neck.”
Gaines turned the head sideways and pushed the hair away from the base of the neck. He was surprised to see that Chase wasn’t lying. There were two openings within the soft tissue on the nape. He started to place his fingers on the “blow holes” when he realized they were moving.
The alien grabbed Gaines’ hand. He tried desperately to free himself but the grip was too strong. Chase jumped back, stumbling as he did so. Instinctively he reached for his weapon, but it wasn’t there. The alien’s head turned toward Gaines. He could barely see its pupils, even at this close range. The alien spoke—a high-pitched, incomprehensible shriek, followed by a series of short clicking sounds and a whistle. Then it released Gaines’ hand and fell back down.
“Jesus,” Gaines muttered. His heartbeat slowly returned to its normal rate. He tilted its head and double-checked the now still blow holes. He checked its mouth and even felt for a pulse, which was unproductive since the skin around its wrist was too thick to feel one. No movement at all. It was dead.