As Kit nodded her comprehension and perhaps agreement, Abbey motioned once again for Calvin to attack her. This time he did not hesitate. Blinding speed versus instant reaction time took almost as long as Abbey and Kit. In the end Abbey beat him, by taking a couple of hits, in order to land one decisive one of her own.
48
July 23, 2080
Christchurch New Zealand
Ralph knew his love was hopeless. Working with the Wolf Pack he had developed feelings that he didn’t know were possible. A more unlikely match he could not imagine. The object of his desire was everything he was not. Strong, decisive, confident, a bit brash, and stunningly beautiful.
Kit didn’t even seem to notice him. She was not cruel or dismissive, she seemed to respect his part in the team, but he was not a member of the Pack in her mind. He was the sole member of the team who was not a warrior. He didn’t truly belong.
The team had been together for twenty days now, but Ralph had joined far more recently. First the warriors were welded into a single deadly unit, and then the technician was brought in to train with them, but not to be part of them.
He had a job to do, and a cause he believed in. The job was more challenging than any he’d ever taken on before. He was going back out. He had not been outside New Zealand since his escape all those long years ago. He’d been here safe and secure while Angus and others had risked not just death but unspeakable tortures every time they ventured outside the safe cocoon that was the land of the Kiwis.
He’d had more than a decade of peace, and it was time to pay back the debt. Ralph had discovered the system that turned people into mindless slaves. Then he’d discovered its location, and along with that the information that the system was to go active in just three more weeks. He’d not only met, but briefed the only freely elected head of state on the planet, and he’d been given respect and authority that only a few weeks before was beyond his wildest dreams.
Prior to this he’d been a minor researcher within the New Zealand Intelligence Service. He had garnered some valuable intelligence in the past and was well regarded by his boss, but due to his timidity he’d continually been overlooked for promotions. He’d wanted to do important things, but hadn’t known how.
Ralph had dreamed of getting his big chance and now he knew dreams did come true. He was now the head of NZIS Electronic Intel Group. His official title was Deputy Director for Electronic Intelligence. He reported to the First Assistant Director or the Director himself. His ‘Group’ did not exist yet, and was waiting on his proposal as to its makeup. He’d be able to recruit from almost anywhere and for the positions and in the numbers that he chose.
His duties would not begin in earnest until after this mission however. There was no group, so it had no field operatives as of yet. Besides, Ralph was not sure who he would trust to be able to hack the system better than he could. Some could be taught, but so much of hacking was on a gut level.
He’d dreamed big and now he found himself with a brand new job, assigned to the single most important mission his side had tackled in more than a generation, and working with the most deadly human wolves ever assembled.
A week ago, Ralph would have been daunted by his knowledge that his love for Kit was hopeless. Today he knew it just meant he’d have to create the hope before he could create the reality.
“….so in conclusion we will have to assault the facility, and get me into this room here,” he said pointing to a location on the projected schematic.
“Once inside you guys will have to make sure that I am not interrupted for at least a half hour, and ensure that the room’s power remains on. If you can do that, then not only can I shut down the current project, I can slag the database and insert a worm that will root out all traces of the program and research that exist anywhere in the ‘net. I cannot get to any stand alone systems, but all indications are that aside from the backup at the Chicago location, there are no others. We’ll physically destroy that one. I expect a white phosphorous grenade should do the trick.”
Rising to his feet, Matt took control of the meeting once again. “Thank you, Ralph. We’ll work on plans to get you in and keep you secure while you do your thing.”
Turning his attention to the warriors in the group, he continued, “We are the best at what we do. This is what we do, so we are the best there is at this. Each of us is pretty damn good when it comes to computers and we’re all expert hackers. Some of you may think we can do this without Ralph, but you’d be wrong.”
Ralph had not failed to see the expressions on several faces that said that was exactly what they thought. In particular he’d noted Kitara’s expression. She was one of those most convinced he’d be dead weight and that they would be better to do it without him.
“The Government encryptions on this thing are the best there is and infinitely variable. Ralph has broken it, but no one else has. Not even the people who he has taught how to do it. It’s something we need him for. We have to keep him alive and whole to do that mission. Understand this; every one of us is expendable except Ralph. In order to ensure his safety I’m assigning one of you no duties whatsoever beyond keeping him alive. You will not worry about clearing rooms; you will not worry about taking out alarms, guards, or anything except how to keep Ralph alive. Some of those other things I mentioned may fall to you, but only when they are an immediate threat to Ralph. Kit, I’m counting on you to be his protector. Keep him alive no matter what.”
“Why me?”
“Because I think you are the best person for the job. I don’t want to make a habit of explaining command decisions, but this one time I will answer you. I picked you because, like Hank would, you will see this as a challenge to be overcome and will want to prove that you can beat it. Like Dex, you see the value in every human life, so will strive beyond what others might based on that alone. Like Calvin, you are smaller than the rest of us. There may just possibly be times when, along with Ralph, you will have to hide rather than fight, even to the point of watching the rest of us die. Along with Abbey and myself, you are frankly better than the others at unarmed combat. You have a unique mix of attributes that makes you the best choice.”
Matt did not mention his final reason to anyone.
Kit was too self aware and honest to argue. “Okay, I can see that. I guess I have the duty.”
“That’s it for today guys. Study the schematics and tomorrow we brainstorm entries.”
The small group rose and began to exit the small lounge off the company training area they had taken over.
“Kit, can I talk to you?” Ralph asked as they filed out.
“Sure, Ralph. What can I do for you?” It wasn’t cold or distant, just uninvolved. She saw him as a mission.
Taking a deep breath Ralph plunged ahead. “I was thinking. I was actually going to ask this before Matt assigned you to be my guardian angel. Would you have time to show me a few things that might help me keep myself alive? I know there is no way to turn me into any kind of warrior in the time we have, but if I had to shoot a gun I’d be as likely to shoot myself or one of you as a Hunter. I’ve never thrown a punch in my life and aside from one ex-girlfriend who slapped me when we broke up, I’ve never even been hit. I promise I’ll do exactly what you say and not put myself in danger. I’ll learn what you think I should know and ……” Ralph ran out of steam.
“You do exactly what I tell you, now and on the mission. No back talk, no questions until after we are done. I say jump, you say ‘How high’, got it?”
“Exactly what you say and no more,” taking a chance he added, ”until it interferes with my mission. I’m the only one who can make the decisions regarding that part.”
“Fair enough,” she replied with what Ralph thought might be a touch of respect on her face.
“Let’s start with some stretching.”
Thirty minutes later Ralph had a new definition for pain. Kit had not touched him, they had done nothing but stretch. He had assumed he’d do a
few toe touches, some hamstring stretches and they’d get to it. He was wrong. He felt as if he would never walk right again.
“Well, you’re not in bad shape anyway,” Kit said.
“What!? I’m a wreck.”
“Not really. I pushed you pretty hard and you hung in there. Lots of room to improve, but overall not a bad starting place. You obviously have worked at keeping yourself fit.”
“I swim a mile and a half four times a week, and I like to ride a bike in the hills.”
“Well it’s given us something to work with.”
Ralph, smiling and lost in thought, barely remembered the walk, more accurately the limp, back to his quarters that evening.
49
July 30, 2080
Christchurch, New Zealand
The room was full of the most important, influential men in New Zealand. The president, cabinet secretaries, generals, and Colonel Vicki Rawlson, who was the most junior person there. Well, almost. Matt was there too, and his commission as a captain was now valid, making him the most junior person in the room. Time to see if it intimidated him.
“I’m telling you a submarine insert is out of the question,” fumed the admiral. “I have a very limited supply, and while getting one across the oceans and to the St. Lawrence Seaway is feasible, getting it through the Erie Canal and through the Great Lakes to Chicago is not even remotely a possibility. “We can get them to the North American mainland, but not to the interior.”
Jumping to his feet the general in charge of ground combat interjected, “I still favor the HALO approach.”
“That’s asinine,” said the general for air operations. “We have no secure airfields to operate from that would require less than two in air refuelings. How do you propose we keep that from being discovered and shot down?”
Sensing that the arguments were really about long entrenched turf wars and had little to do with what might actually accomplish the mission, or keep the team safe, Matt rose slowly to his feet and faced the president. He said not a word as he waited for the angry old men to notice and quiet down.
Finally, they were all quiet, looking at the young man in a Marine captain’s uniform, who was looking at the president.
“Yes, Captain? You have something to say?” asked the president.
“Two questions and a statement, Sir.”
“Go ahead, son.”
“First, Sir, am I correct in my assumption that my team is the only one being considered for this mission?”
“That is correct, Captain. It’s you and your team or nothing.”
“Second, Sir, am I correct in my belief that I retain operational command of the team for the operation?”
“Yes, Captain, you do,” replied the president, struggling to hold back the smile that threatened to crack his composure.
Never taking his eyes from the president, completely dismissing the bickering flag officers Matt said, “We’ll insert via a tramp freighter we will board in the Med. It will dock 16 days later at Navy Pier in Chicago. Colonel Rawlson has an ‘arrangement’ with the captain.
“Mr. President, this is not open for discussion. There are two options open to the gentlemen with all the stars on their collars at this point. Do it my way, or relieve me. I have zero faith in any of the plans they have proposed thus far and will not put any of them into operation.
“Colonel Rawlson and I have worked out the details of this approach and believe it is our best compromise between speed and actually getting there.
“I’m sure the generals will point out that it shaves our margin of time down to just a day before they operate the zombie machine, and if we fail there would be no time for a second attempt.
“I’ll only point out that there is no second option anyway. We succeed or we fail. I want to know going in that we cannot hesitate, that we have it to do, and do it now.”
In the complete silence that followed, Vicki felt her faith in Matt completely vindicated. Agree or shoot him down, it really didn’t matter which the president did. Matt and his team would simply sneak out of the country and complete the mission his way.
“Well Captain, I think sometimes that New Zealand could use more men like you. Then sometimes I wish they would all do just as they are told. I suspect the first reaction is the correct one.
“Since I suspect that my approval is only going to help you, and is in fact not even a mission requirement, I’m going to sign off on your plan. God speed Captain, God speed.”
50
August 18, 2080
Northbrook, Il North American Territory
Back in the days of the old United States of America, Northbrook had been a wealthy suburb of Chicago. Home to doctors, lawyers, sports celebrities, a U.S. senator, and congressman, it had boasted multi-million dollar homes, many on quarter- and even half-acre lots.
Now there was little left to remind one of those days. The government’s primary genetics lab was the only real employer left. Housing was government basic housing. Apartment buildings for all but the upper level management, who lived in modest single family homes with almost no yard, covered the town. Gone were the wooded lots and stretches of Forest Preserve.
Matt and the team were meeting in a tavern less than three miles from the facility they were to infiltrate.
“Okay gang, what have we discovered? “Dex, you first.”
“Okay guys, this place is tight. The fence is fifteen feet high, extends 6 feet underground and is electrified for its entire length. There are only three access points, each with a team of three guards at all times. One remains behind bulletproof glass at all times and the gates are operated by solenoid, controlled from the guard shack.
“Motion sensors and cameras cover the fence, there may be a blind spot, but that wasn’t my assignment. It’s gonna be a tough nut, boss.”
“Okay, thanks Dex. Hank?”
“Yeah, the fancy fence ain’t all. They got patrols out to a quarter mile from the fence, too. These are also three man teams. Drivin them big ass four by fours they got. Kinda like an old humvee. I guess the only good news is the yahoos they got on patrol ain’t exactly the cream o’ the crop, if ya know what I mean.”
“Calvin?”
“No chance of an aerial insertion. Cameras and radar cover every approach, and they have a definite shoot first and don’t bother with the questions attitude about invading their airspace. Airspace is restricted out to three miles, by the way. They have those new vengeance class ground-to-air missiles, and a squadron on standby at all times at the military airfield. Kinda paranoid since we haven’t had an air to air conflict with them since….ever.”
“Air is out. Kit?”
“Getting past the fence is only the first obstacle. Getting into the facility is going to be tough. They use retinal scans for everyone, including delivery and trash guys. Bio-scanners on every vehicle in and out make hiding in a trash truck a dumb option. Matt, I don’t see how we can do it.”
“Sneaking in with the trash truck is out too. Abbey?”
“There is more going on here than we know. I cannot go active, but the stuff I’m picking up on the local BGP feed is….ominous. In theory, a Hunter has access anywhere they feel the need to go. If I went active I could get us inside, but there are two separate areas I cannot access. Hell, Malone couldn’t access them.”
“Okay, we will have to check both when we get in. One will definitely be what we are looking for. Ralph? Any thought?”
“Yes, actually a few. Abbey’s PDT can get us in right? It’s just that it is undoubtedly closely monitored by Malone, that is the issue?”
“Yes. He will lock on to my signal the moment I go active with it.”
“Okay. I can’t stop that, but I think I can delay it. Probably not more than an hour, most likely half that, but I can do that much.
“Second, in my research I continually discovered one thing. There is no backup system at all. So the second area Abbey mentioned is something else. I think I know which area we
need though. The facility is all about genetic research, except one area. It is there we will find what we need. The equipment to broadcast is still huge, so it has to be in the bigger of the two secured areas. The other is simply too small.”
“Thanks, Ralph. You just more than earned your keep. Of course, you still need to shut the damn thing down and be sure all traces of the research are gone. We will concentrate on the secured area at the north end of the place.
“I don’t see any option for us than to have Abbey get us in with her creds. That will mean we are on a very tight schedule and that we had better be fast and sure.
“Dex I’ll need you, Hank, and Cal on diversion duty, but not too soon either. If we get the place all worked up, security everywhere inside will get tighter. What we need is to cause a diversion outside, something that will cause chaos without raising suspicions. Be subtle, can do?”
“Can do,” the big man replied with a grin. “I’ll have to keep a short leash on Hank though.”
“Screw you, ya big ox. I am an expert at subtle,” shot back Hank.
“Yeah, bustin heads and breaking necks with subtlety, that’s our Hank” quipped Calvin.
“Screw you too, Squirt.” Everyone had a good laugh as Hank reddened. With the entry decided, they got down to serious planning.
51
August 18, 2080
Northbrook, Il North American Territory
Dex, Hank and Calvin sat in a quiet corner of the little dimly lit tavern planning their diversion. Something subtle but that would cause a large response from within.
“Ya know, if we was a bigger group we could launch an attack on this place. I mean we gotta be subtle because there’s just the three of us. If we had a battalion o’ marines we could just hit the damn fence. They got good security, but the closest military response ain’t all that close. We could keep ‘em tied up til Matt an the girls get the pipsqueak in there to do his thing.”
The Hunted Page 31