Looking surprised but smiling, she says, “Uh … that was interesting.”
Josh says, “Please take off your jacket and turn around slowly.” She shrugs and then removes her jacket and throws it on the bed. She’s wearing jeans and a simple blouse. His sensitive vision doesn’t pick up any hot nano-drones riding on her or her clothes, but he follows it with a scan using his phone in IR detection mode.
As she completes the turn, she says with a slightly provocative smile, “So, how do I look?”
“I’m sorry. I just had to make sure you weren’t bugged.”
She frowns. “Bugged? The media attention has been incessant, but I don’t think they’ve stooped to that yet.”
He motions her over to two chairs. “Wendy, are you familiar with the Wraith program?”
She shakes her head.
They sit down and he explains the nano-drones and implants.
When he finishes, she says, “Wow! This is terrifying, but it explains a lot.”
“May I see your hands?”
She holds them out.
He takes them one at a time and carefully inspects them visually. Then he gently rubs the skin on the top of her hands.
“I’m worried about what you may find but that actually feels really nice. Been a long time since a man massaged my hands like this.”
“I didn’t find anything.” He smiles and adds, “Let me check in with the rest of our team.”
He calls Sheri. “Her hands are clean. No implants.”
Sheri says, “That’s good, but … surprising. We’ve got Carl here….”
He hears conversation in the background.
Finally, she says, “Carl says hi and thanks for getting his message.” She pauses. “He confirmed Davidson died of a neurotoxin-induced heart attack. We found one of the passive RFID chips implanted in Carl’s scalp but I’m getting a signal from the radiation detector. I’m pretty sure he also has one of the active transmitters implanted in him.” She pauses again. “Tim expects Wendy to have one or both. You’re going to have to check her all over.”
Glancing at Wendy, Josh says, “Uh … that’s a very bad idea. You’ll need to do this one.”
Sheri says, “We’re in D.C. Don’t be such a wuss. In addition to looking for insertion scars, use the radiation detector Jessica gave us. Pay particular attention to areas where the major veins are close to the surface: jugular, subclavian, brachial and femoral.”
“Sheri, I don’t even know where those are.”
“Google it. Let us know what you find.” She hangs up.
Seeing his face, she says, “What’s wrong?”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m afraid I need you to take off your clothes.”
She gives him a half-smile. “Guess you’re not much into foreplay.”
“I’m sorry, Wendy. They were very surprised that I didn’t find one in your hand and think there’s a real possibility they must have implanted one elsewhere.”
She nods and begins to undress.
Josh goes to the bathroom and gets her a bath towel, then turns around. As she undresses, he googles a map of the human circulatory system.
After a minute, she says, “Ok.”
He turns back around. The bath towel is actually a bad idea. It displays less than the ball gown but is somehow sexier. He has her stand near a lamp. He starts with her feet as Sheri did with him and looks for insertion scars. Using the radiation detector’s probe, he slowly works his way up to her calves.
“Josh, last time we were together, I asked you to join me on the space station. The offer still stands but now that I’m the Commander, I’d like you to be my Deputy, which, by the way, would put you in line for command too. I told you we would make a phenomenal team, and that’s true, but … but I think we could be much more than that.” She pauses.
As he moves up to her knees, she quickly says, “Josh, I’m an engineer and I’m very logical. I have an IQ of 155 and I’m still young enough to have children. Our kids would be both brilliant and beautiful.”
Josh stops and looks up. “Wendy, I’m married.”
“I know that. I also know that you two are….” She stops. “Look, I’m just suggesting that if for whatever reason you mutually decide it’s time for you to … move on.” She sighs. “Josh, when was the last time you were intimate with her?”
“You’re making it very hard for me to concentrate.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’m pretty direct but...”
As he moves up toward her femoral artery, she opens her towel. “I don’t like to play games. I’m an open book.”
Kneeling in front of her, sans towel, her comment couldn’t have been timed worse. He shakes his head and says, “Focus.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He’s about to stop when he sees what might be an insertion scar. “Wait!” He presses the little radiation detector’s probe firmly against her skin. The digital display indicates a signal. It’s right over her femoral vein. “There it is.” Pressing in with his fingers, he can feel a slight bump. He brings her fingers down and lets her feel it. “I think they injected it right next to your femoral vein.”
She shakes her head. “How could they have put it there?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know how or when they put one in my hand either.”
“Is there a chance I could have more than one in me?”
“Sheri says Carl also has an RFID chip implanted.”
“Then let’s make absolutely sure we know.”
He takes another deep breath and continues. As he’s working his way up, she gives him a puzzled look and says, “Wait a minute. If whoever modified the ISLO’s software is behind these neurotoxin capsules,” she pauses, “why didn’t they just kill me with a heart attack like they did with Davidson?”
Josh shrugs. “They probably wanted your death to look like an accident. I’m guessing that using the capsule is a last resort since an autopsy might uncover it.”
He finishes with her scalp. “I’m afraid you have an RFID chip just above your forehead.” He gives her back the towel and says, “I know this wasn’t easy. Are you ok?”
Wrapping herself in the towel, she gives him a wry smile. “I’m sorry, Josh, it just wasn’t that good for me. I don’t even feel like a cigarette.”
He laughs.
She puts a hand on his arm. “I am a little freaked out by this … but if I have to go through it, I’m glad it’s with someone I trust. And,” she smiles, “the process wasn’t all unpleasant.”
With a sheepish smile, he shakes his head. “Nor for me. You have a rather spectacular … fuselage and empennage.”
She laughs. “A compliment only an aerospace engineer could appreciate. Thank you.” She pauses. “So Josh, will you be my deputy and … will you marry me?”
42
PROPOSAL
Immediately after he leaves the hotel, Sheri calls. Before answering, he listens for the telltale hum of the drones and scans visually. When he’s sure that he’s clear, he answers.
She says, “Well?”
“You were right. She has an active transmitter attached to her femoral vein and she also has a chip in her scalp.” He pauses. “And she proposed to me.”
There’s silence on the other end, and then, “Marriage?!”
“Yeah.”
“But you’re married.”
“Yes, Sheri, I’m aware of that.”
There’s a pause and then, “Wow, you must give really good exams.” She bursts out laughing.
“It’s really not funny.”
Still laughing, she barely gets out, “Sorry, but actually … it really is.” She finally stops laughing, and more seriously, asks, “Umm, you guys didn’t … uh….”
“No! Of course not.”
He hears Tim say something in the background and then hears Sheri reply, “I am not insensitive.” She clears her throat and says, “Ok … the femoral vein is the same one we use for cardiac catheterization because it giv
es a fast, clear path to the heart. The capsule implanted there unquestionably has the toxin in it. They probably put the chip in her scalp as a backup. Josh, depending on the dosage in that capsule, she could be in cardiac arrest within seconds after they initiate release.”
“What about Carl?”
“Same. He’s got an RFID chip in his scalp but his toxin capsule is attached to the jugular vein in his neck.”
“What about Christoff?”
“Tim just got off the phone with Greg and Jessica. I’ll let him tell you.”
“Jessica said Christoff’s clean. Oh, and he owns a small island in the Bahamas. It’s off the grid and EMP hardened. Recommend we all get together there as soon as possible. We’re going to check out a few more things here with Carl. Then he’s going to come with us to the island. Greg and Jessica will meet us there later. Make sure Colonel Crow comes too.”
“There’s no way she can come after taking command of the ISLO. She’ll be going back up to the station soon and the ISLO’s boosting to L2 in a few weeks.”
“Ok. Will get you the details. See you at the island.”
Sheri jumps back on the line. “Wait. I’m sorry, Josh, but I’ve got to know. What did you say to her after she proposed?”
He blows out a lung full of air. “I don’t think she really meant it but just in case I let her down gently.”
“What did you say?”
“I just told her she was brilliant and drop dead gorgeous, but I was still hoping to work things out with Elizabeth.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?”
“Josh, she’s a task oriented personality like you and I. If I heard that, it might suggest I’m still in the game.”
“It doesn’t matter. That’s the last time we’ll see her for six months. She’s going to be a million miles from Earth. By the time she gets back, she’ll forget she even knew me.”
She gives him a cynical laugh. “We’ll see.”
Changing the subject, Josh says, “Now that we have everyone else, we need to figure out how to bring Meadows and Turan in.”
He can hear Sheri and Tim talking. Then, Sheri says, “Davidson knew there was a high-level security breach. Think about it. They killed him, infiltrated the astronaut core, tried to shoot down our plane in Turkey and built a massive facility in Nevada. There’s gotta be a high-placed mole in the U.N. too.”
“What do you suggest?”
Tim says, “Why don’t you accept Turan’s offer to be his deputy. You’ll have closer access to him and Meadows, so we can bring them in easier, and you might be able to sniff out a mole.”
“Ok.”
Josh goes straight to Turan’s office.
Turan says to his executive assistant, “Joann, please send my regrets to the senator and ask if we can reschedule.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just shown up unannounced.”
Turan shakes his head. “Actually, the delay will help with this particular negotiation. What can I do for you?”
“If the position is still available, I’d be honored to be your deputy.”
Turan grins as he shakes his hand with real enthusiasm. “Splendid!” He pulls him into the office and closes the door. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am. There are so few people around me who are my intellectual equal.” He frowns. “Guess that didn’t sound very humble, but I think you know what I mean. Plus, we have the same dry sense of humor.” He rubs his hands together. “We’ll need to get you up to speed on all the programs and initiatives before we announce this officially.” On his fingers, he ticks off, “ISLO to full operational status, nuclear weapons command and control negotiations, securing the new currency, RFID passports, and,” looking more serious, “ferreting out the organization that killed Davidson and infiltrated the astronaut core.” He pauses, frowning. “Give me a few days to have my staff set up some briefings for you and some time for me to figure out what I want to dump on your head first.”
Josh nods. “Sounds good. Is it ok if I visit a friend in the Bahamas for a couple days while you’re planning my death by PowerPoint?”
Turan slaps him on the back. “See that’s the kind of humor we need around here. My executive assistant can set up reservations at the finest resorts and we’ll pick up the tab for your trip.”
Josh smiles. “Thanks but I think I’d like to keep this a low profile trip.”
Turan gives him a curious look and then smiles. “No problem. Have fun with your friend.”
As he leaves, part of him wants to dislike Turan because of Elizabeth, but he knows that’s illogical. Turan clearly goes out of his way to look after his team. Which is, undoubtedly, one of the reasons Elizabeth finds him attractive.
43
ESPIONAGE
“Congratulations, Ms. Khan and welcome to the program.”
Judy shakes his hand. “Thank you. I’m excited to get started.”
“Once you sign here, you’ll be flown to the facility by helicopter.” He looks at his watch. “We will need your phone and any other electronic devices. After being inspected for viruses, they will, of course, be returned to you at the facility. You may want to let your friends know you’re about to start an extended training program and will be out of touch for some time.” He smiles. “So they don’t worry.”
She endures an extensive screening process before boarding, including a full body x-ray, as well as finger, handprint and retina scans. As she surrenders her phone, she knows they’ll check all the apps and data. It’s clean. She hopes they won’t notice the physical modification to the phone’s camera lens.
Before she left, Tim and Jen showed her a radio frequency map of the facility. There will be no cell signals there and active jamming covers most of the normal communication spectrum. However, they found some holes. Her only concern is the tiny pico-memory card hidden in the circuit board of her sports drone. The small competition drones are one of the few electronic devices they allow — actually encourage — to help them maintain their proficiency. The memory card contains all the apps she’ll need and can hold a ton of data. Both are quantum encrypted, but she knows their discovery could still spell her demise.
As the helicopter takes off with her and nine other candidates, she’s both excited and terrified. There’s no going back.
After a 40-minute flight, they make their approach to what looks like a modern college campus … in the middle of the desert. Tim showed her on a map that Abadon was truly in the middle of nowhere — 10 miles to the nearest highway. Watching carefully, she sees that there’s one very large central building surrounded by a dozen smaller ones. All the buildings are covered in solar panels. She smiles wryly. They might have no regard for human life … but at least they’re environmentally conscious.
They land on a helo pad where they’re met by a young woman wearing jeans and a golf shirt. She wears the same bracelet Greg showed her, except hers is red.
The woman takes them into a small building where they do another finger, hand and retina scan. They are then each issued a bracelet, but theirs are yellow. Quite high-tech and good looking, they’re custom fit. The bracelet feels snug on her wrist and also … warm to the touch … but that might just be her imagination.
The woman says, “We recommend you keep these on 24/7 for security reasons and for your own protection. They’re totally waterproof, so you can even shower with them.”
Judy takes hers off and puts it back on to make sure it doesn’t lock. So far, so good.
They receive a tour of their new home, an impressive apartment complex with inside and outside swimming pools, large common areas and an extensive gym. Her one bedroom apartment is completely furnished and much nicer than her condo in LA. It also has the largest, highest definition TV she’s ever seen.
Twenty of them meet in the lobby an hour later to start their orientation. The first session covers the importance of their work. The instructor, not much older than her, says, “You are the first line of defense against a s
ophisticated conspiracy that’s quietly sweeping the globe. You’re the new warriors of the 21st Century...” It’s pure propaganda but he’s a great motivational speaker.
After the class, their instructor says, “From here, we’ll divide you into the drone and hacker training groups.” He calls out six names and says, “Ok, you guys go with John, and the rest come with me.” The group she’s with jumps right into familiarization with the VR technology used to fly the drones.
During the lunch break, one of her classmates says, “Those are the most awesome VR headsets I’ve ever seen. They’re incredible!”
Her engineering side kicks in. “Yeah, they’re state of the art with fast processors and outstanding optics.” Smiling she adds, “Love to try these playing PZang 4.” She can’t help but think that if she gets out of here alive, she’s going to snag a set.
Their instructor, eating lunch nearby overhears them and says, “These are your VR headsets. You can take them with you when you’re not working. Feel free to use them to play games if you wish. We have the most extensive game library in the world, and have beta versions of almost everything in development, including PZang 5. It’s all free to play anytime.” He smiles. “We encourage game play and participating in the sport drone tournaments to sharpen your skills.”
Her classmate shakes his head. “This place is like a dream come true. Unlimited game play, free energy drinks, even the pizza is awesome and the cafeteria’s open 24/7.”
Judy realizes this is a gamer’s idea of Heaven. They believe they’re using their skills to defend their country as modern day warriors while getting unlimited, guiltless gameplay on the best equipment in the world. It’s brilliant. It keeps smart kids from closely examining what they’re really being asked to do. She says softly to herself, “Welcome to the opium den.”
Judy starts training on the drone simulators and quickly discovers why they needed talented operators. The nano-drones are too tiny to have automatic stabilization. On top of that, the aerodynamics of insect-sized vehicles are weird. It’s true seat-of-the-pants flying and takes practice to master, but she enjoys it and catches on fast.
Impossible (Fuzed Trilogy Book 3) Page 21