by James Phelan
“Come on,” Cody said, his voice urgent. “We have to hurry.”
30
Sam whizzed through the air. Cody’s headlamp light was a pinprick in the distance, glowing brighter as he neared.
“Squeeze the breaks,” Cody instructed over their helmet intercom.
Sam squeezed the handle and slowed until he bumped into Cody at the other end. He swayed and rocked in his harness on the end of the zip line.
“OK,” Sam said, unhitching himself. “We have to be quiet. Someone could still be in here.”
Sam looked around the immediate area. By the headlight beams, Sam could make out the scene that he’d dreamed about—but his dream didn’t do this place justice. Built into this enormous carved cavern, with massive sculpted pillars supporting the roof, was a majestic, sweeping temple, complete with terraces, shrines and altars, ornate alcoves and niches, stretching away from them into the dark.
“Where’d you find those Spanish skeletons?” asked Sam.
“This way,” Cody said, and they walked along the stone ledge that formed the riverbank. The floor of the cavern was solid rock and Sam couldn’t make out any footprints on this side.
Maybe they’ve gone the other way to explore—
“Shh!” Sam said, catching Cody by the arm to keep him still. “Listen!”
They remained still for a few minutes, listening.
“What am I listening out for?” Cody whispered, finally breaking the silence.
“I heard voices.”
“Maybe they’re in your head, because I don’t hear—”
“Look out!” Sam pulled Cody into the shadows and they flicked off their headlamps.
In front of them, the darkness was slowly being illuminated by powerful spotlights.
Then, clearly cutting through the eerie silence, the voices came again.
“Sam …”
“Shh!” Sam said, peering out as two headlamps came into view, getting closer and closer to where he and Cody crouched. Sam couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.
“Sam—”
“Shh!”
Cody pushed past Sam and stepped into the light.
“Cody! What are you doing?” he hissed in disbelief. Cody started to walk toward the sound of the voices.
“It’s OK, Sam,” Cody called, “I know them.”
Sam hesitated and then flicked on his light and followed Cody. He stopped at the sight of Cody hugging the two figures. As Sam cautiously approached, he could see their smiling faces.
“Good work, son,” a man said to Cody. “This must be Sam.”
Sam looked from the man to Cody, whose face couldn’t hide his shame. The hum of a generator whirred into life and massive halogen lights flickered on, lighting up the underground chamber to reveal the vast extent of the temple.
“Sam, I’m Vern,” the man said. He walked over and extended a gloved hand. He was wearing caving gear, like he’d come down here for a purpose—to search. “And this is Kate.”
Sam ignored the offered handshake and watched as Kate walked up to them from the generator.
“Cody, what’s going on?” Sam asked.
He didn’t answer.
“Sam,” Vern said. “We’re Cody’s parents. You turning up here has undoubtedly helped our cause, and for that, we thank you.”
“Cause?” Sam said. He narrowed his eyes. “So you’re Enterprise? Surely you know the Enterprise and the Academy are working together now. We’re all in this race against the forces of evil.”
“Evil?” Vern laughed drily.
“Surely you know things are never as simple as good and evil?” Kate added, smiling.
She had very pale skin and big dark eyes, her appearance making Sam think of some kind of nocturnal animal.
“Maybe. But I know evil when I see it,” Sam said, looking around.
I can run, wait for a chance to circle back and make it across the zip line, cut the cable from the other side …
“Hmm,” Kate said. “Cody, what’s this boy been telling you?”
Sam listened, fierce anger building inside of him, as Cody told his Agent parents everything. He recounted every detail of their conversations—including the two Gears Sam had in his pack.
He lied to me from the very beginning. He knew he was leading me into a trap …
Sam had become so accustomed to the immediate connection he had felt with every one of the last 13 Dreamers that this unexpected betrayal stung painfully.
“Gears, huh? Really …” Vern said, his eyes fixed on Sam’s backpack.
“These people are not your parents, Cody,” Sam said.
“Oh, he knows that,” Vern said. “You see,” he put an arm around Cody’s shoulders and another around Kate’s, the very picture of a happy family, “we’ve always been honest with each other—about Cody, about who we are, about the purpose of our lives. But we raised him and loved him as our own. We’re as much a family as any other.”
Some twisted family this is.
“But what about your purpose with the Enterprise?” Sam said, already sensing what the answer would be. “We’re in this together now, the Academy and Enterprise.”
“Oh, I’d say the rules are out the window now,” Kate said, taking a dart gun out from her belt. “Sorry to say this, Sam, but while we do need you, we don’t need you just now.”
Sam could see Vern hold up a cogged brass plate, and he knew what he was looking at—the next Gear.
“You knew!” Sam shouted as he stormed toward Cody. “You knew exactly where it was the whole time!”
Kate took a step in front of her son.
THWACK!
31
EVA
Eva waited by the helicopter which had landed on top of the canyon, above the temple. Rapelling rope lines were being wound up by the Guardians, Lora was making a call. Eva’s stomach twisted in knots, and this time it wasn’t because of the height, but Lora’s conversation.
“Sam’s gone,” Lora reported down the line. “We found an empty Enterprise dart at the scene. The Grand Canyon site is deserted but an aircraft was reportedly seen leaving the area, headed north.”
“What kind of aircraft?” the Professor replied over the tiny speaker.
“US military,” Lora said. “It was an Osprey by the sounds of it, and Mac would be the obvious person to have access to a military-style plane.”
“We have to track it, and fast,” the Professor replied. “I’ll make some calls to our friends in the Dreamer Council with ties to the US Government. It seems Mac has given up any last pretence of wanting to work with us—your instinct not to trust his offer of help proved to be well founded, Lora.”
Lora tried to smile reassuringly at Eva as there was a long pause from the Professor. Eventually he spoke again, “I think Mac might be taking Sam to Bureau 13.”
Lora hesitated then sighed. “Yes, unfortunately I was thinking the same thing. We can’t be certain, of course, but Mac returning to his operations base is a real possibility.” She bit her bottom lip and appeared nervous. Eva was puzzled.
Operations base? What is Mac planning on doing with Sam?
“You must go there,” the Professor continued, “it’s the only lead we have and it’s too dangerous not to follow up on. I’ll divert Tobias and the team there too.”
“We’re on our way.” Lora signalled to the pilot as she and Eva climbed on board. At once the helicopter’s rotors started up, spiralling dust through the air. Lora yelled over the sound into the phone, “We’ll call again when we have news!” and hung up to buckle in.
“Did you say Bureau 13?”
“I’ll tell you about it later,” Lora replied, subtly tilting her head toward the pilot who she clearly didn’t want to overhear.
“Oh, OK,” Eva said. Then she leaned over to quietly speak into Lora’s ear. “It’s just that someone said something about Bureau 13 in my dream last night, too.”
“Right.” Lora’s look of concentration harde
ned and her hands gripped tight on the edge of the seat. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
32
SAM
Sam woke to the droning sound of a plane’s engine, the rhythmic movement telling him he was airborne. As he leaned over to look out of the nearest window, he saw a stubby overhead wing and huge oversized propeller. To the rear there was a sloped cargo ramp.
“Hey, Sam,” Cody said, sitting down next to him.
“Get lost.”
Cody stayed where he was. “How are you feeling?”
“I was fine, until your mom shot me with a dart,” Sam replied, craning his neck to look at Cody’s parents on the other side of the aircraft. They sat together casually, leaning over a notebook. He looked back out of the window. “I’m so over getting knocked out,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Sure you are.”
Sam continued to look out the window and wondered where they were headed. He stayed quiet, ignoring Cody’s company, staring hopefully below to see something—a landmark, a city—that he would recognize.
So they aren’t working with the Enterprise anymore. It doesn’t make sense for them to side with Hans … that leaves Stella or Mac.
“How long have we been flying?” Sam finally spoke.
“An hour I suppose …”
“Do you know where Vern and Kate work?” Sam asked Cody.
“You mean who they work for?” Cody replied.
“I suppose.”
“No, I don’t.”
Sam rolled his eyes at Cody then craned around him to look at his parents again. They were still sitting close, reading their book. Sam looked back to Cody, who looked guilty.
“Whatever,” Sam said. “Like I said before—get lost.”
“OK,” Cody admitted. “So I already knew about this part. And I told them the night before I met you about seeing the Gear in my dream and where they could find it. I knew they were going to be there at the site. But I had no idea that they’d dart you like that.”
Sam scoffed.
“Really, I didn’t. Sam, it’ll be OK. My parents aren’t the bad guys.”
May as well try to get what I can out of him …
Sam asked, “Is that what Stella told you to say?”
“What? No!”
“So you’ve all been brainwashed by Mac’s lies then, is that it?”
“He hasn’t brainw—” Cody started to say, before stopping himself mid-sentence.
Aha! So Mac is behind this …
Sam decided to let it rest for now. He looked through furious eyes at Vern and Kate, huddled together, still reading. They seemed oblivious to the fact that Sam was awake and talking to their son.
They’ll bother taking notice of me when they need to, as Kate said before …
“Wait!” Sam said suddenly, snapping out of his thoughts, “I know that notebook!” He looked in shock at the familiar cover of the book that Vern and Kate both held. “That belonged to Dr. Kader! Where did you get it?”
“A friend sent it to us,” Vern said, finally looking up at Sam, but seeming unsurprised at his outburst. “It’s been quite helpful, actually.”
Sam could see snippets of the familiar pages across the space between them, filled with hand-drawn images and densely packed notes.
“Was it you who kidnapped Dr. Kader?” Sam asked urgently. “Do you know where he is?”
“Yes, they do,” a voice said.
A figure emerged from the rear of the aircraft, his face backlit by the brilliant sun coming in through the window. Sam had to shield his eyes against the glare.
“Dr. Kader?” Sam said, still shocked. He was relieved, and ecstatic, to see the kind-hearted Egyptologist safe and well. But his relief began to fade as the other possibility dawned on him. “Are you—are you working with them?”
As Dr. Kader came closer, Sam noticed that he held two brass Gears in his right hand. He knew the answer to his question before Dr. Kader spoke.
“Sam, please, call me Ahmed,” Dr. Kader said. “I am here in my professional capacity. I decided that it would be beneficial to approach this situation from another vantage point.”
“What—from that of a thief?” Sam said.
Ahmed shook his head.
“So you’re a prisoner here too?” Sam said, desperately offering him the benefit of the doubt.
“I was persuaded to come, it’s true—but for my protection. But I can honestly say, I now understand that this is indeed where I am meant to be.” Dr. Kader put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “You’ll realize that too, Sam, I promise.”
“But—but if they,” Sam said, referring to Kate and Vern, “are no longer Enterprise Agents …” He looked around the military aircraft, trying to piece it all together in his head. “You’re working for Mac now?”
“With,” Dr. Kader emphasized. “I work with Mac.”
“It’s a private arrangement,” Kate added. “It’s not an official assignment.”
Vern smirked, and added, “More of a top-secret project.”
“I think you mean illegal,” Sam glared back at them, before turning to Ahmed again. “But what about the Academy? What about Xavier … your godson?” Sam’s voice strained at the question.
“Yes, I know, but the Academy and the Enterprise are too weak now. They can be of no use, even with your talents, against Solaris, and Stella and Hans …” Ahmed looked pained at what he was saying. “We are against those who fight this battle without any rules. Only the strongest have a chance of beating them.”
“But Xavier,” Sam repeated, “and his father—”
“Remain my dearest friends,” Dr. Kader said. “And once we’ve succeeded in this mission, they will understand why I had to make this decision in this race and life will go back to normal.”
“You think?” Sam said, defiant. “’Cause I think they’ll see it differently. They’re smart enough to see you for what you really are—nothing but a sellout.”
“Maybe. Time will tell,” Dr. Kader said sadly, letting out a big sigh. “I’ll admit, at first, it wasn’t an easy choice to make—”
“You look pretty comfortable with how things are to me,” Sam interrupted, eyeing the Gears in Ahmed’s hand.
“But as the days have passed,” Ahmed continued undeterred, “I’ve come to realize I have made the right decision. This is where I am best suited.”
“Working with low-lifes and liars?” Sam asked.
“No.” He pointed to Cody’s parents. “With the people holding all the power, Sam. Mac’s got the resources to see this race through to the finish line. You’d do well to come around to my way of thinking.”
A man in army uniform came forward and announced, “We’re coming in for our landing approach, time to strap in tight.”
Sam shook his head at Dr. Kader, who looked sad at Sam’s steadfast refusal to see things his way. He turned and walked slowly back to his seat and strapped in.
“You’ve stayed quiet,” Sam said through his teeth to Cody. He took a few deep breaths as he strapped on his belt, trying to calm down and free himself from the overwhelming feeling of betrayal.
“Sorry,” was all Cody could say in response.
It’s no use being angry. Breathe, clear your head, try to think straight, and get out of this mess.
Sam looked out the window at a huge, sprawling airport that was coming into view below.
“Hey, isn’t that …?” Cody said, his voice wavering before breaking off.
The airport from Cody’s dream. Oh no …
33
ALEX
“Seven hundred,” Alex hunched over and caught his breath. “So … tired … so … hungry …”
He thought back to the bagel that he’d dumped when he learned of his mother’s disappearance, and his stomach groaned.
“Least … I have a dart gun.” In one hand, he held the gun, in the other, a flashlight which he was using to light the way. Either the power was out in the Mon
ument or he hadn’t found the right switch to turn the lights on in the stairwell before starting his ascent. He tried his radio but there was no reception.
“OK … seven hundred down,” he said, resuming his trek upstairs. “Or should I say up. One hundred and ninety-seven to go. The things I have to do … to save the world!”
Alex paused at the last landing before the top. He stood there, listening, straining to make out any sound. At first, all seemed quiet above. He crept closer, one step at a time. His footfalls were gentle, as silent as possible, his dart gun held out in front. The flashlight was not needed now, the level above was illuminated from the windows at the observation deck.
He stopped at the last corner, where he remained hidden and still.
Then came the quiet murmur of voices.
At least two people.
As the minutes ticked by, they spoke about trivial things, and at first he was sure that they were just construction guys or security. But then they got a call, and although he could only hear one side of the conversation, it soon developed into full disclosure. The guy on the phone turned to his colleague and said, “We have to keep a lookout, one of those Enterprise guys is still out there, dressed as a DC cop.”
“Enterprise punks,” the other said. “They should have sided with us. Come on, let’s get out there and wire in this capstone.”
So Alex waited, and it took another ten minutes for them to talk and mutter and, he imagined, slip into climbing harnesses. He could hear them climb out of the maintenance windows onto the sloping side of the pyramidion capstone.
Alex ventured out to the observation area. It was deserted.
Big, heavy steel doors at the back of the elevator shaft were open, revealing a maze of wires that snaked up to the capstone and down to ground level. There was no telling which wire was for what. The elevator, PA system, smoke detectors, observation deck lighting and the aircraft warning beacon would all have wires coming down here.
No way can I cut through all these. It’d take too long and I’d probably electrocute myself in the process.
There were open tool boxes on the ground.