The Cocoon Trilogy

by David Saperstein

  “I hope so.” Arnie clammed up and began figuring how long it would take them to get to the marina, get the Banshee under way and then run over to the Antares complex. He estimated an hour and a half. That would make it after 1:00P.M. He blew the horn again just as Judy appeared at her front door. She waved, checked her mailbox, and hurried to the car.

  Ben Green noticed Shields as he was walking back to Building A from the processing room. He wondered what Shields was doing there since Amos told him that the manager would not be around. But he was.

  Amos didn’t know about bail. He assumed the police would detain Shields indefinitely, or at the very least for several days because he had badly struck another human being. Ben walked out of his way. “Good morning, Mr. Shields. How are you?” His tone was sarcastic.

  “Good morning, Mr. Green. I’m fine.” Shields was apprehensive about Ben Green after spying on him the other evening and getting hit. “Have you seen Mr. Bright around?”

  “Mr. Bright?”

  Ben picked up his thoughts. “Oh Amos. Sure. We just had coffee together. Nice guy. We were old friends back in New York.”

  “Funny, he never mentioned that to me, Mr. Green, especially when I told him about that pool business.”

  “Pool business? What pool business?”

  “Surely you remember when you wanted me to get the pool filled?” Now he was sarcastic. “It was only a short while ago.”

  “Oh, that pool business. Well, there are a lot of old folks named Green in the world. We met a few weeks ago by accident. Sort of a reunion. Small world, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, small world.” Shields wasn’t buying it.

  Ben decided to hold him for a moment and contact Amos. “How’s the construction coming in Building B?”

  “You should know. You’re in there often enough.”

  Okay, Mr. Shields, he thought. Time to get you off the premises permanently. Ben quickly relayed his plan to Amos, and they agreed upon it. Then he made Shields swing at him and knock him down. Shields didn’t know why he had done it, but here he was again, using his fists and this time against an old man. Ben kept his feeble return blows as soft as possible. Amos had the Dade County sheriff on the phone quickly and they dispatched a car. Ben refused medical attention, but he assured the police he would press charges. There would be no bail for Shields now – two assault and battery offenses in so many day. It was medical observation time, and that was good for at least a week. As the police took him away, Shields was almost incoherent, yelling about a man from the D.A.’s office, a swimming pool, and a conspiracy. Explain that one to the shrinks, Ben thought as he lay under the cot lamp for a minute to heal the bruises from the fight. Then he went back to Building A. It was time to turn some neighbors into members of the Geriatric Brigade.

  The dock was crowded with the Manta III and Terra Time, so Arnie nosed the Banshee in very carefully. The last thing he needed was to damage his boss’ boat. By the time Arnie tied the Banshee up to the Antares complex dock, twenty people had already begun processing.

  The activity in the busy processing room was interrupted for a moment. “Visitors,” Hal announced. “It’s the young lady who was here looking for Jack. Shed is with two others. One male and one female.”

  “Why are they here?” All Light asked Jack.

  “Looking for me, I suppose. Sorry. I’ll go down and talk to them.”

  “We will monitor through you,” All Light told Jack.

  “Here he comes,” Judy said she watched her boyfriend make his way down the path to the dock.

  “He looks fine,” Sandy remarked.

  Jack stepped onto the dock and waved a big hello. He immediately went to Judy with his arms open for a hug.

  “Not so fast, Mr. Slippery. You have some explaining to do.”

  Jack backed off and turned to greet his brother and sister-in-law.

  Sandy reached and gave Jack a kiss on the cheek. Arnie nodded, but remained distant. “We were worried about you, little brother.”

  “Worried about what?”

  “No more deceptions, okay? We know that when you called us you were not where you said you were. Phil Doyle called and told me you were avoiding him and the rest of the charter boats. Like that…so we’re worried.”

  “I appreciate that, but you people are listening to me. I told you that I had a special charter.” Jack looked around, adding a conspiratorial atmosphere to the conversation. He lowered his voiced. “These people are on to something big. And, they very sensitive about outsiders. I gave them my word that there would be no leaks through me. I have to tell you guys, this is embarrassing. I could lose my charter.”

  Jack felt All Light send him a message: Well done, Jack.

  Sandy turned to the others, “See? I told you it was that way.”

  Arnie still looked skeptical. Judy pushed back.

  “What can be so secret that you have to lie to your girl friend and your family?”

  “Treasure, baby. Treasure,” Jack whispered.

  “Treasure with shiny eyes and copper skin?” Arnie asked.

  “What?” Judy asked.

  “That’s what I said—shiny eyes and copper skin. How about it, Jack?”

  “What are you talking about, Arnie?”

  Jack tried to buy time to think. How did he know? What did he see? The questions raced through Jack’s mind up into All Light. All Light telepathed back: I will send help. Hal and Harry were already out the door of the processing room making tracks to their quarters to put on their beach boy coverings.

  “I’m talking about the people, or whatever they were, on your boat last night,” Arnie said. “I followed you into the canal. I saw them.”

  “You were here last night?” Sandy asked her husband.

  “You bet I was here. I took the boat from my boss, but when Judy had to go for the interview I decided to have a look over here anyway. Captain Jack here had some very interesting passengers on his little yacht. It looked like a Halloween party. Who were they, Jack?”

  “I don’t know what you think you saw, Arnie. The divers have some special equipment and pressurized suits. That’s all I can say. I promised them secrecy.”

  An awkward moment of silence passed on the dock. Judy noticed two young blond men coming down the path. “We’ve got company.”

  “Oh, damn,” said Jack. “Thanks a lot, family. Now I’m in for it!”

  Hal and Harry joined the group. “Anything wrong, Mr. Fischer?”

  “No. These people are friends. This is my brother and sister-in-law, and this is my girl friend.”

  “You know the conditions of the charter, Mr. Fischer.” Hal was acting annoyed. “This could be construed as a violation of our agreement.”

  “Yeah. I understand. I’m really sorry about this. It won’t happen again.”

  As Hal spoke, Harry read the minds of the three humans on the dock. The two women were convinced. He felt reluctance on the part of Jack’s brother. He also knew that this was the same man who had spied on them last night in the canal. These thoughts were beamed back to the commanders. They were ordered to detain the group.

  At that time, Ben Green and Joe Finley were sitting in Robert Miner’s Florida room.

  “It’s not a serious problem, Mr. Miner. We just like to know who is on our property, and why. I’m sure you understand.” Ben Green tried to be friendly, but firm.

  “We’ve promised our clients complete privacy,” Joe added.

  “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “We are talking about last night, Mr. Miner.” Ben sharpened his tone. “Last night, your boat, the Banshee, followed some of our clients to our private dock on Red Lake Canal.”

  “Is there a law against that?” Robert Miner was a tough man. He had built his advertising agency from scratch to one of the biggest in Miami. At this point in his life, he felt he didn’t have to answer to anyone, and if Arnie Fischer was in some kind of trouble, then he wou
ld protect him.

  Joe and Ben read the man. Now they knew who had been in the canal, and that they were talking to the wrong man. “No, Mr. Miner, there is no law against that ... per se. We have some rather special guests at the facility and they value their privacy. No harm done. No harm intended.”

  Miner was surprised at the fast back-off these two old men were making. It aroused his curiosity. “Who are these special guests?”

  “That must remain confidential.”

  Joe Finley stood to leave. “Thank you for your time.”

  “No problem. Glad to help, gentlemen.” Driving back to the complex, Ben and Joe thought they might have acted too hastily. That was not the last they would hear from Mr. Robert Miner.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN – ALL THAT GLITTERS

  Ben and Joe received the message from Beam as they parked in the Antares lot. Go to Jack’s room to help with captives.

  “Your own brother, Jack—I’m your brother. Convince your charter I’m telling the truth?”

  “I’m sorry, Arnie, but I can’t. Like I told you, these people mean business. They’re afraid that you’ll spill the beans about their discovery and people will be all over it.”

  “What discovery? I don’t know anything about a damned discovery.”

  “Sorry, Arnie. You brought this on yourself.”

  “So what happens now?” Judy sat on the bed. Sandy sat next to her.

  “I don’t know, honey. They’re talking it over now.”

  “Don’t ‘honey’ me, Jack Fischer. I’ve had it with you.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. I only asked you to trust me.”

  “With lies?”

  “With whatever. That’s what trust is.”

  “Bullshit!” Judy yelled.

  Sandy felt this was not the place or time. “I think we’d better figure out how to get out of here and save your lover’s quarrels for another time.”

  Ben and Joe knocked and entered the room. Judy recognized them right away. “I know you. Are you part of this?” Judy asked.

  “Hi, Miss Simmons.

  Judy introduced Arnie and Sandy to the men. The men seemed to know Jack.

  Arnie spoke up first. “Mr. Green, do you why are we being held against our will?”

  “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. There are some things here that must remain confidential. My partners and I feel you may have compromised our security.”

  Judy pointed at the two elderly men. “I was right ... damn it, I was right! Treasure, my ass! These guys are CIA.”

  “CIA?” Jack said, smiling. “What CIA?”

  “He gave it away. Didn’t you hear him? Compromise and security. That’s the way they talk.”

  “Who talks, Miss Simmons?” Joe asked.

  “The goddamned CIA talks, Mr. Finley!” She was a child of the sixties and a member of the SDS at Columbia. They had been infiltrated by FBI and CIA agents, and the whole thing had blown up. Members were exposed and asked to resign from the college. It had been kept out of the papers, but Judy harbored an intense resentment toward government police and intelligence agencies.

  “You are mistaken, Miss Simmons.”

  “I don’t think she is, Mr. Finley.” Arnie said. “This detainment smacks of CIA tactics.”

  Ben and Joe excused themselves. This was out of hand. They had to talk it over with the Antareans. Jack went with them.

  As they left, they locked the door from the outside.

  “Jail. We’re in goddamned jail,” Arnie said loudly.

  Sandy began to feel very nervous.

  Amos, All Light, Beam, Jack, Ben, and Joe met in the hallway outside the processing room. The hum of activity from the room filled the hallway.

  “It is a problem. What do you suggest?” Beam asked Ben.

  Ben was concerned. “We can’t hold them too long. The question is, what can we tell them that they will believe?”

  “How about the truth?” Jack suggested.

  “No. I don’t think so,” Joe said quickly.. “Too many people are nosing around as it is, and when the others, our recruits, begin disappearing around here it’s going to get tougher and tougher. I think we have to hold them.”

  “We can’t hold them for three or four weeks.” Jack was adamant. “Judy has a bunch of TV commercials to do. Arnie has a job. Don’t forget they have his boss’ boat. If it’s not back later, we are going to have the Coast Guard looking for it.”

  “Good point,” Ben agreed.

  “Perhaps we can try to create images like we did with Shields and Parker and Mr. Stranger?” Beam suggested.

  “Like what?” Amos was interested..

  “Well, we told them it is a treasure discovery. Why not show them some treasure? That will be proof and they will have to believe us. Tell them Jack gets a large share. That will keep them quiet.”

  “I like that,” Ben said.

  “Yes!” All Light agreed. “Beam will prepare a room to show them.”

  “I can use the storage area in the basement,” shed suggested. “Bring them down in ten minutes.” She turned to Ben.

  “What kind of treasure should it be?”

  “Gold,” he told her. “Old gold coins and gold bars. Spanish. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Yes. I have studied your history? She left.

  “My God! Will you look at that!” Arnie Fischer gasped when he saw the pile of gold bars and chests of coins that Beam projected in the small storage room.

  “Can I touch them?” Judy asked.

  “We’d rather you didn’t,” Beam told her. “The authorities might check for fingerprints if they ever got wind of this.”

  Arnie was impressed. “Good thinking. I understand. Hey, I’m really sorry about being such a pain in the ass. I don’t blame you for being so careful,” Arnie was contrite. “Jack warned us, but…you know families worry sometimes.

  Beam read the thoughts of the humans. She was satisfied that they were convinced.

  “Good,” Ben said. “Now, let’s take a walk back to the dock and talk about this a bit more. We agreed to show you this in order to convince you. Now I’d like to hear you convince me that what you saw will remain a secret. If you can’t, then we’ll move and Jack will be out of a job and a most generous share of the profits.”

  Down at the dock, Arnie, Sandy and Judy swore that silence was the order of the day. Ben and Joe were satisfied they told the truth as they watched the Banshee turn and head slowly up Red Lake Canal.

  “I think the little viewing of the treasure room will hold them for a while,” Joe said.

  “I’ll visit with them tomorrow night to be sure,” Ben told him. “Now let’s get to work. We have an army to prepare!”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT - STORMY WEATHER AHEAD

  Far to the south, in an area of the Atlantic known as the breeding ground of tropical storms, the Tyros satellite observed a depression growing. Within eighteen hours the weather service attached to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would name it Ellen. It would become the fifth hurricane of the season, and it would leave its mark on south Florida before dissipating out over a nation that could be missing nine hundred forty-one of its elder citizens.

  Maz listened as the phone rang at Phil Doyle’s home. “Phil? Hi. Its Mazuski.”

  “Hi-ya, Madman. Sober up yet?”

  “I haven’t touched a drop since yesterday afternoon. I’ve been trying to figure out what happened. Still drawing blanks.”

  “Me, too. I remember we saw the Manta Three.” That’s it.

  “I’m worried about Jack. He knew it was me up there. It sure looked like he was trying to hide something.”

  “Want to have another go?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know where he’s docking now. Let’s go over and have a little talk with him.”

  “Okay, but I can’t do it today. I have a party to take up to Lauderdale. How about tomorrow morning?”

  “I’ll meet you ov
er at the pad. Hey, Mazuski?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You have a walkie-talkie we can hook up in my car?”

  “Sure. I got you. A land-and-air attack. Good idea.”

  “Right. See you tomorrow around ten.”

  “Roger. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Tony Stranger was not surprised to get a call from Shields. He was, however, surprised that it came from the psychiatric clinic at the county hospital. Shields explained his problem. It had a familiar ring to it, especially the part about Wally Parker and the girl.

  “I’m going to be here for at least a week, Tony. Wally is in the hospital here, too. He doesn’t know I’m here. I don’t know what happened. It’s all too confusing.”

  Tony knew Shields as a volatile man, but not a violent man. He decided not to tell Shields about his adventure with Mr. Bright’s secretary. “Look, pal,” he told Shields, “you hang in there. I’m going to have a look around that place. I get the feeling that our Mr. Bright is something more than he appears to be. It’s bugging me.”

  He hung up and then called the hospital. “I’d like to inquire about Mr. Wally Parker. I believe he was admitted two days ago.”

  “Just a moment, please.” The operator put him on hold.

  A few seconds later a female voice came on the phone. “Fifth floor. Miss Burns speaking.”

  “Hello. I’d like to check on the status of a patient ... a Mr. Wally Parker.”

  “Yes sir. Are you family?”

  “Yes, his brother.”

  “Yes, Mr. Parker. Your brother can’t speak on the phone. He can have visitors tomorrow. His condition is satisfactory and he’s resting, but under sedation. We had to wire his jaw. It was broken.”

  Tony was surprised. “Thank you. Please tell him I called ... tell him Tony called. I’ll be up tomorrow to see him. Good-bye.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE – THE ULTIMATE TOOL

  Robert Jastrow, a NASA scientist, once wrote that scientists actually have the ability to match the human brain in memory capacity. But the memory bank would be so large it would take up most of the Empire State Building. It would consume electricity at the rate of one billion watts—half the output of the Grand Coulee Dam. It would cost about ten billion dollars. According to Jastrow: