Heidi joined the three, bringing her laptop inside.
‘Good. I’ll keep this brief since we’re both busy people.’
‘What have you done to Martha?’
‘That lovely friend of yours? You’ll be seeing her soon enough. Though, how you’ll see her is not up to me, detective.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Take a look at what came inside the package. You know exactly what I mean.’
Evelyn was growing in anger and frustration.
‘We’re going to see how well you follow orders. Let’s begin.’
Her heart was thumping hard and her breathing was heavy. She glanced at Heidi, who gestured to her to keep going with the all as the tracking device continued searching. ‘Why would I obey you?’
‘Because it’s your worth as a friend and detective that is on the line should you be complicit.’
‘What do you want?’
‘There’s going to be a supply ship heading to the Space Academy very soon, carrying stock and promised goods the academy wasn’t able to provide for the first month due to lack of funds for the students… so unfortunate.’
‘Yeah?’
‘I want you to blow it up.’
‘There’s no way I’m going to do that.’
‘I expected you would respond like that, which is why I came prepared.’
The detective could hear an electric saw power up, followed by the pleas of woman echoing in the background. ‘Martha?’
‘This is going to difficult for you to handle, detective, but try and endure, as a point has to be made.’
‘Please no… don’t.’
The woman began to scream in agony.
Everyone listened helplessly.
‘You son of a––’ Mark said, biting his lip.
‘Martha!’ Heidi yelled.
Luther gazed through the blinds and saw workers with worried expressions.
After a moment, the screams ceased, as if the caller stepped out of the room, slamming the door behind them.
‘Do I have your attention now, detective?’
‘…yes,’ she said.
‘Good. Blow up the ship and I’ll return your friend, are we clear?’
Evelyn didn’t respond.
‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you, detective.’
Evelyn ended the call, not answering.
The four of them had their eyes fixed on the Evelyn’s hand and phone. All of them were lost for words as they tried to process what had happened, and what on Earth was going to happen next.
Evelyn’s face was pale and sweaty. ‘Heidi.’
‘Yes?’ Heidi replied
‘Please tell me you got something.’
‘I got something. But it’s not something you’re going to like.’
‘Where’s the signal coming from?’
‘It’s coming from outside Interpol.’
‘Where?’
Heidi displayed the result on her laptop screen, signalling the location on the surface far away from the Interpol. It was positioned on the surface, many kilometres away from them.
‘How did they get all the way out there in the heat?’ Mark asked, surprised.
Evelyn examined the area on the screen. ‘How far away is this?’
‘It’s about forty kilometres due north of here,’ Heidi answered.
‘Alright. Mark, I want you to assemble a small ops team and have them ready by tonight. Luther, arrange for security patrol to be doubled and surveillance to be tightened around the city and headquarters.’
‘Yes, sir,’ Luther answered.
‘Heidi, I want you to go over the surveillance footage we collected from the restaurant of the day the husband disappeared and look for anyone that was there at both times. Also, check to see if Martha was followed home after her meeting and who was responsible for the delivering the package to me.’
‘Evelyn, you might want to rethink this,’ Mark said.
‘No, there’s no time. I need a team assembled and a report on those surveillance footages an hour before sunrise.’
‘Evelyn, I’m not questioning your strategy, but just listen to me for a second. We all heard what happened. I know you’re feeling angry because I feel it too, but think this through first. For all we know the person is counting on us to go there just so they can get us away from here, making it easier for them to slip through the area unnoticed to detonate another bomb. We don’t even know what this person looks like.’
‘I have thought about that, Mark, and I still stand by my decision. We’re going there, and with Luther managing security and surveillance, we will have a view on how things are going here and everywhere else. We’ll know if something’s suspicious. Now, please do as I say. When you’ve completed your task, inform me, and then go get rest.’
Mark appeared ready to make another comment but didn’t.
Evelyn left the room swiftly, taking Martha’s phone with her in case the person called again. Her sole focus was on finding this person who has Martha. She entered the elevator, telling those who were waiting to get on the next one, as she wanted to alone to think.
The detective stood in silence, taking long and heavy breaths to calm herself, but her heart was racing.
With the elevator descending, a message was sent to Martha’s phone. Evelyn opened the message, which contained a recent picture of what had been sawn off during the phone call. Below the image was a message. It read:
Amazing what the prospect of death can bring out in people, isn’t it? I thought this might be a helpful reminder of what will happen should you fail to comply, detective. The next one might not be as savoury as this one.
Evelyn clenched her hands into a fist, loathing this person for what they had done.
CHAPTER 13
NIGHT CAME QUICKLY for everyone at HQ.
But for Evelyn, it was slow and frustrating. She received word from her colleagues that the necessary arrangements were made like she asked.
Mark had assembled a small task force of ten of the most elite members at Headquarters with the best track record on raid operations. He had them ready and on call, when Evelyn was ready to initiate her operation.
Luther made the preparations with security personnel to double in presence throughout the city and to expand surveillance the other rings where CCTV cameras weren’t installed.
Evelyn stayed in her office the entire time, preparing tactical gear and firearms she would carry for the operation. She was informed by her colleagues that everything was completed, but Heidi was still unresponsive. She decided to give her a call to find out her progress.
Before she dialled Heidi’s number, her phone rang––it was Heidi.
‘Heidi, what do you have for me?’ she asked.
‘Not much,’ Heidi said. ‘I watched the surveillance footage of Martha leaving the meeting and heading home. There wasn’t anyone who followed her. There wasn’t even anyone near her car during the meeting as well. So, I suspect that whoever did kidnap her, already knew who she was.’
‘And was there anyone there that was at both locations?’
‘No. I ran both surveillance footages simultaneously to find something. I didn’t find anyone who was there at both locations.’
Evelyn sighed, disappointed. ‘Okay... did you get anything on the person who delivered the parcel to the officer?’
‘I was able to get pictures and surveillance footage of them. But they disappeared on the highway.’
‘What?’
‘They disintegrated the same way the husband did shortly after. I’ve sent the footage and images to you for see.’
Evelyn searched and examined the files. From what she saw, it was clear to that the culprit was a man, wearing a brown coat and black hat, disintegrating moments after handing the parcel.
‘Have you found the images?’ Evelyn asked.
‘I have. I want you to take these photos and distribute them to the headquarters in the other cities, and once you’
re done, I want you to head to NSI and oversee the operation. I need someone from my own team watching this. Got it?’
‘Got it.’
The call ended.
The detective stared at the pictures for a long time, trying hard to figure out the person in the photos. Ten minutes later, she decided to put the matter out of her mind, as her main concern was to get enough sleep for the operation in a few hours.
After an uncomfortable sleep, Evelyn and her small task force mobilised ninety minutes before sunrise for the covert operation.
The team quickly boarded two tank-sized drop ships and flew away directly out of the underground city, using the army base as their route out of Interpol.
Evelyn glanced over the dark barren wastelands. She opened her pocket projector––a small holographic device to provide imagery on positions between groups, faces and modelling of vehicles––and saw that they were closing in on the signal’s location.
Almost there.
The signal led the team to an abandoned industrial facility that had seen its fair share of harsh weather. The ships landed a hundred meters away from the area to minimise the possibility of their presence being detected.
As the members disembarked from the ships, the Earth’s heat fell on them like a heavy warm blanket.
Evelyn realised visibility was going to be an issue as there was no light to assist their view. She switched to night vision to improve her line of sight.
‘No flashlights,’ she said.
As they marched through the area, she saw some of her team members were already finding it difficult to cope with the heat, as they were moving their thermal-tactical-resistant armour suit to get comfortable. The heat seemed already to affect them, as they were carrying heavier equipment.
She’d donned in a thermal resistant suit without the extra weight her team was carrying.
‘You would think temperatures would go down as we travelled further north, but they haven’t,’ Mark said.
‘Just be thankful you’re not bursting into flames,’ Heidi said, via the shared communication channel. She wasn’t present, but she was there, as support, operating a small invisible drone above them.
The team split into two groups and ventured through the premise efficiently, covering a lot of ground in a short period of time. Despite their discomfort, they maintained their professionalism.
Evelyn entered one of the buildings, checking the entire first level with the others searching the levels above. They activated several Zoners, which immediately flew away, scanning every bit of the place.
The search was completed in five minutes, with no sign of anyone present or living here. The Zoners detected nothing and returned to the group.
‘Heidi,’ Evelyn said, ‘have you seen anything move around the premise aside from us?’
‘No, I haven’t,’ Heidi replied.
She checked her pocket projector again and realised that the signal might be coming from a level underground.
The group descended the emergency stairwell as the elevators were out of commission, with the Zoners first to go down the levels.
Each floor was scanned before proceeding onto the next floor below. By the fifth lower level, Evelyn checked her pocket projector again. This time the signal was stronger and indicating to her that it was coming the next level down.
It’s there.
The team skipped the fifth level and went straight to the level below.
They kept their firearms in front of them, ready for an attack. Glimmers of light shone through the openings of a door. The door was front-kicked through with everyone swarming the room in a matter of seconds, but there wasn’t anyone around.
Evelyn was given the all clear and proceeded into the room, where she found an operating table with two floodlights nearby. The table and surrounding area was covered in blood stains.
She approached the table, keeping her eyes on the blood. This is where she was taken…
‘Ma’am, there’s nothing here,’ the member said. ‘Whoever was here with Martha, took everything. There are no tools or any other equipment lying about.’
Evelyn remained quiet. Her attention was fixed on the operating table.
‘Thank you, officer, that’ll be all,’ Mark said. He appeared concerned as he looked at Evelyn. ‘What do you think?’
Luther approached Evelyn. ‘This was left here for us.’
‘Yes, it was,’ Evelyn said.
‘Sadism.’
‘Mark, please identify whose blood that is. I want to be certain that it was Martha’s.’
‘Alright,’ Mark said.
Before Mark could collect a sample of blood, the power to the ceiling lights came on, followed by a voice echoing through the room. The same voice from her last phone call.
‘I find this to be reckless, detective,’ the voice said. ‘I was under the impression I would only have to make my point once. Though, finding you here, I can’t say I’m surprised.’
‘You suspected I would come here,’ Evelyn said.
‘I did. But it was futile of you to come here looking for your friend.’
‘Where is she?’
Everyone cocked their weapons, aiming them at the source of voice, but found it difficult to pinpoint the location.
Martha had her finger firmly placed along the trigger, waiting for a response, but there wasn’t one. ‘Heidi, are you looking for the person?’
‘Yes,’ Heidi said, ‘however, I haven’t found them yet.’
Mark walked a few steps forward. ‘Show yourself, you coward!’
‘Why? It would eliminate the suspense you all must feeling of facing somebody you can’t see. Then again, facing the unknown frightens even the bravest of us.’
Evelyn followed the voice. ‘Where is Martha?’
‘I was expecting better from you, detective. But you still force me to take action to make you understand the situation. I find that disappointing.’
Evelyn shot a look up when she heard a familiar sound that she hoped she’d never have to listen to again.
The electric saw roared to life, followed by the pleas of Martha.
‘Martha!’ she cried.
‘You sack of shit!’ Mark cursed.
The pleas ceased.
The voice spoke, ‘Detective, I hope you understand the gravity of the situation now. I do not take kindly to orders not being followed.’
All Evelyn wanted to do now was to block out the voice, but instead she ran. She bolted desperately toward to the source, though it was coming from everywhere. She ran until she caught sight of another working area. She walked in with her gun in front of her. She stopped in front of the laptop on a table.
As Evelyn drew closer to the screen, she noticed a large container on the ground beside it. She opened the container and gasped.
‘This was brought about by your utter disregard of orders, detective.’
Evelyn was speechless, frozen.
‘I implore you to gaze at the results of your incompetence. Let it sink in. Let it remind you of what will come if this happens again.’
After a moment, the connection cut out and the screen went black. The detective’s team poured into the room.
Mark approached Evelyn and tapped her shoulder, startling her. ‘Evelyn.’
‘I’m alright.’ She tried to conceal her feelings.
‘Oh, and just for grins,’ the voice said. You might want to evacuate the premises. I wouldn’t want you to lose your chance of retrieving your friend.’
A countdown appeared on their screens to their flight suits.
29.
28.
‘Shit,’ Mark admonished.
The team sprinted up the stairs. Everything began to fall apart just as they arrived back at ground level. The ground beneath their feet began to tremor and crumble. Every person sprinted for their lives, heading straight for the entrance and beyond. There were close calls as the crumbling ground was catching up to them, but they managed to escape.<
br />
Evelyn heard everyone breathing loudly through their communication channel.
‘Is everyone alright?’ Heidi asked.
‘Yeah, we’re good,’ Mark answered.
‘Thank goodness.’
When the dust had disappeared, she stared back at the facility that was now under the soil.
‘This person set the entire building for demolition, seriously?’ a member shouted. ‘It must have taken them weeks to do this if they were by themselves, and for what?’
‘I get the feeling they’re not alone,’ another member remarked.
The text notification went off. Evelyn checked the message.
Till we meet again, detective. Be sure not to disappoint at our next encounter.
CHAPTER 14
THE DAY BEGAN as any other day. Dawn was breaking in the distance, with the silent ambience slowly replaced with noises of people moving about. Though those people were the workers of the academy, not the students. The students were still fast asleep.
As the sun rose, light eased through the window onto Alyssa’s face, spurring her out of sleep. She gazed out the window, thinking about what today would bring her. However, she put the thought aside, as she wanted to take in the moment to appreciate the sight of being here and witnessing this for the first time.
It was a new experience to wake up to a different sky, a different environment, a different planet. She looked on, savouring every bit of it as a new day crept onto Mars.
Aware most of the students would still be asleep, she collected her clothes and went for her morning ablutions before the bathrooms were inundated with half-awake, disorientated students.
When she arrived, she undressed and entered a shower.
Showers had timers, lasting three minutes. On the wall were three small circle buttons alongside one another on the wall, which had a different colour, serving a different purpose––red for hot, blue for cold, and white for on and off.
Alyssa rinsed herself as the water brushed upon her skin. The sensation triggered an instant warmth throughout her body. Moments later, she was dried and dressed for the day. As she headed for the exit, the girls came flooding into the bathroom, desperately seeking an empty shower.
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