Finding the smaller wagon she checked the glove compartment and found a workman’s flashlight. She then followed her instinct and pulled back the tarp covering the cargo area. It was packed with the same type of boxes she had seen so long ago in New Omaha. There was another box with several detonators in it and detonator caps. She quickly pulled one out and examined it. It seemed pretty straightforward, one button to power it on and a second one that would set off any detonator cap within range.
She slipped it in her pocket. She adjusted a few other things in the back of the truck and climbed out of the cargo area and carefully replaced the tarp.
I’ve got to get inside and retrieve my necklace and ring. How can I do that without Fergus being suspicious? Tressa looked around her and found no answer. Retreating into the workshop section of the building Tressa shielded the flashlight with her hand and carefully went over each work bench until she found what she was looking for. A discarded piece of piping was generally the right size and color. It didn’t have all the connection points of her original ring, but it would pass a cursory inspection. She had also lived with hers every day for years and knew what it looked and felt like intimately.
Moving quickly she passed through the garage and crept into the darkened living area of the building. She moved slowly and quietly to the doorway of Fergus’ temporary bedroom. Tressa listened carefully and concentrated her senses on what was happening inside. She could just hear him lightly snoring as he had in the Top Peake wagon on their way to the Magno-Bus station.
Turning the doorknob she eased the door open and could make out his form lying diagonally across the bed. The blankets were thrown back and his pillow was partly hanging off the bed. Tressa thought for a moment about the joy she would feel if she grabbed the pillow and smothered him for all his betrayals.
Fighting back her desire, she smiled at the thought of explaining to Master Tanaka that she had learned a little control over her emotions. Feeling through his clothes, which were strewn on a chair, Tressa could not locate her necklace. She silently searched the top of the chest of drawers and the desk but was unsuccessful.
Where would he hide it? Where would I put it if I had just gotten something that valuable? Tressa considered the questions and hoped she was wrong. Creeping back to the bed she leaned over just inches from Fergus’ face and looked closely at his pillow. A tiny golden glint in the darkness told her that her necklace was under his head.
Tressa knew time was important. Any moment Fergus could wake up and she would have to fight her way out of the room, the power plant and probably Brazil. She also knew she’d only get one chance to pull this off. Sitting on the floor she took a deep breath and slowly released it. Calming every nerve, every muscle she slowly relaxed and felt herself loosen up. The last few minutes had made her so tense she didn’t realize how much her jaw ached.
Flat on the ground she slid across the wood floor until she was beside Fergus’ bed. Taking hold of a corner of the loose sheet she tickled Fergus’ lip with just a tiny corner of the fabric. Fergus licked his lips, but didn’t move. She tickled him a second time a bit longer. This time he took a deep breath and flopped over onto his other side. His pillow was almost completely loose.
Tressa smoothly let her arm follow the contours of the sheet and mattress as her hand snaked under the pillow. Feeling the cool metal of her special ring she withdrew it smoothly. Now just a slight adjustment and I’m finished, she thought.
She took the replacement “ring” from the workshop out of her pocket and exchanged it on the necklace with her original one. Tressa put it back under the pillow and was just about to open her hand and release the necklace and fake ring when Fergus suddenly rolled over and laid his head directly on her forearm. Tressa gasped and sank to her knees to keep her arm in a position where the muscles could stay relaxed and soft.
Fergus murmured in his sleep, “I’ve got the nxt pzz. Snn il hv al of tm….”
Tressa started to try and slide her hand out but Fergus’ head was pinning her arm in place. If I pull it out his head will almost fall off the bed. Darn it Fergus, move your head! She yelled silently.
Reaching across her body she grabbed the sheet and tried to tickle his lip again. This time he didn’t respond at all. Thinking that she might be there until the morning Tressa started to get desperate. Sensing a drop of sweat about to fall off her nose and onto Fergus’ face Tressa decided on what to do. Leaning over she lightly kissed Fergus on the forehead and whispered, “It’s going to be alright.”
Fergus smiled in his sleep and rolled away from Tressa, releasing her arm. She pulled her hand out from under the pillow and sank to the floor, silently thanking her mother for sharing that story.
She caught her breath and crawled to the door. Opening it just enough to escape Tressa silently closed it behind her and she raced through the kitchen area, through the garage and out the exterior door of the workshop. Blindly running outside she fell on the ground and gulped air on her hands and knees. She fought off being sick and started to look around. Two pairs of legs were a few feet in front of her.
“Well, sometimes you get what you ask for,” said Ant as he and Chris helped her get to her feet.
Chapter 28
Tressa, Ant and Chris made their way back to the small building Zimmer was using as a prison. She was reluctant to go inside it for fear of being trapped again. They waited behind it in the brush for Mason and Clyde to return from their errands.
While they waited Tressa hugged Ant. “I knew you were for real. Fergus tried to tell me you were making it all up.”
Ant hugged her back, “I got your note, and Christobol and I followed you here. I wasn’t too sure how to get you free, but Chris has been in stickier situations than this. He’s always thinking ahead.” Ant showed her some supplies he had brought that might help to bring down Zimmer and his plans.
Tressa looked at Chris, “Thank you for your help. I’m sorry that Clyde got rough with you. I hope he didn’t hurt you.”
Chris just shrugged, “It’s really ok. I know he didn’t understand the situation until I explained myself. Let’s work on getting you out of here and stopping Colonel Zimmer.
Tressa realized they didn’t know everything that she had learned. “It’s not just Zimmer. Actually, it’s not really Zimmer at all. It’s Fergus! He’s the one behind it all. He is also looking for the machine and tried to steal my piece.”
Chris and Ant exchanged a look. Chris shrugged again and nodded at Ant. “We’ve suspected that Fergus has been seeking the pieces, too,” said Ant. “He has turned up at other spots where the pieces were likely to have been and twice he’s been spotted leaving an area where we feel like the Seekers just missed one of the pieces. We think he may have several parts to the machine.”
Tressa nodded, having feared the same thing after hearing his conversation with Zimmer. “I know how to stop Zimmer but what should we do about Fergus?” she asked.
Ant deferred to Chris. Chris thought for a moment and told them, “I think it would be best to let Fergus be for a while. Let’s play along with his charade if he continues with it. He may unwittingly help us if he doesn’t realize we know his secret.”
Ant and Tressa nodded their agreement. Chris cautioned them further, “I also believe it would be wise to leave this information to just the three of us, for now. None of us know who in Top Peake is involved and revealing too much could be dangerous.”
Tressa looked shocked, “Do you mean not to tell Mason or Clyde? Surely, I can trust my mom and sister.”
Chris smiled at Tressa, “Of course, you can trust your family. Completely. As for Mason and Clyde, I think it may be advantageous to play this hand quietly. We can always tell them later, but it’s impossible to ‘put the genie back in the bottle’ as they say.”
Tressa thought it over and agreed. “Ok, but if I think they need to know about Fergus’ betrayal I’m going to tell them.”
Chris and Ant silently conferred. “We are c
omfortable with you using your best instincts,” Chris replied.
“Who stinks?” whispered a voice out of the darkness. “I showered just last…well, yester…ok, it’s been a little while. But we haven’t had a chance for a while either.”
Chris looked a little confused, but Tressa touched him on the arm. “Clyde,” she whispered into the night. “Come here.”
Clyde materialized out of the dark. “I found all the stuff you asked for. Do you want to see it?”
“No,” answered Tressa. “Just keep it hidden until I tell you to do something with it.”
Clyde nodded. “I saw Mason, I think. He was going farther into the plant facility toward the reactor building.”
Tressa nodded. “Good. He should be back here soon. Then we can put together the rest of the plan.
The little group huddled together in the warm, humid air and waited for Mason to return. Tressa was about to go looking for him when he finally appeared out of the dark.
Mason reported to them, “The reactor building is set up exactly like the one in Alaska. The vortex is still amazing to watch. I have to admit that I got a little mesmerized staring at it for a few minutes.
“The guards at the front gate are staying in their air conditioned hut and the rest of the place has just two roaming sentries that walk the same path. You can see the ruts in the gravel where they follow the same path every time. They never come anywhere near here so I guess that’s why Zimmer put us in this building.”
“That’s perfect,” said Tressa. She let the group in on the plan she had hatched while listening to Fergus and Zimmer gloat. Chris and Ant smiled and patted each other on the shoulder. Clyde grinned and nodded.
Mason let out a low whistle, “If that works it’ll be perfect. What about Fergus, though? How do we break him out?”
Tressa caught Chris and Ant looking at her so she carefully replied, “I think Zimmer may put him someplace special during their attempt to blow up the reactor. Leave getting Fergus to me.”
Clyde’s stomach rumbled and he rubbed it. “I should have found the kitchen while I was gone.”
Chris immediately produced a dark backpack. “I apologize to you all. Ant loaded this and here I’ve been standing with it and didn’t even think to tell you.” He opened it and produced bottles of water and wrapped sandwiches for everyone. Clyde looked like he was on the verge of tears as he ate several sandwiches.
After they finished eating Ant headed off to handle his part of the plan. The sky was starting to lighten and Tressa thought they should prepare for the excitement ahead. Clyde disappeared for a while and Chris helped Mason and Tressa back into their restraints. Clyde returned and Chris got him situated in the small prison building, too. Chris leaned into the room before closing them in and whispered, “Get some rest if you can and I’ll keep watch out here and let you know when the show is about to begin.”
After relocking and chaining the door Chris took up his position on the discarded chair. He turned it so that he could lean against the door to the jailhouse and see when anyone approached.
Inside the ‘tied up’ trio leaned in various positions as they each sought the most comfortable positions they could. One by one they dozed off and prepared for the events to come later in the day.
Tressa was unsure how long she’d been asleep but one of her arms was numb from how she’d been sleeping on it. As she rolled up onto her knees and prepared to stand up she heard a light tapping on the door. Chris is signaling us that someone is coming, she thought.
“Psst, Clyde, Mason, wake up,” she hissed. “Someone is coming.”
Shortly, the chain rattled off the door and sunlight filled the room as the door was flung open. Colonel Zimmer was silhouetted against the blinding backlight. “Good morning. I trust you all slept well last night? I was pleased to hear from my guard that you caused no disturbances last night. Perhaps we can make this as easy on each other as possible.”
Several guards came in and stood up the prisoners. They were marched outside and across the gravel of the work yard and into the maintenance building. Tressa noticed that Zimmer’s truck was parked back where it had been the previous night.
“I have some sad news for you two from Top Peake. I’m afraid your dear Mentor Mumfree won’t be joining you today. He tried to escape last night and one of my guards was forced to shoot him. Sadly, he didn’t survive the experience.” The Colonel adjusted a ribbon that was slightly above the others and moved his eye patch a hair to the right.
Mason strained at the guards holding his arms. “I’m going to get you Colonel. I don’t know how, but you’ll find you made a big mistake.”
Laughing Zimmer held up his hands, “My dear, boy, please don’t make idle threats like that. It simply shows how powerless you are. Your Mentor certainly taught you to take things like a man, I’m sure.”
Tressa stood still as she had heard the falsehood uttered by Zimmer. So that’s how Fergus is going to get away. He’s planning to slip back into Top Peake and make up some story about the explosion and how lucky he was to escape. Let’s see if it works out that way. Out loud she said, “Let’s get this over with Colonel. I’m tired of listening to you prattle on while you preen like some stuffed pigeon.” Tressa couldn’t believe she was able to play her part so fully, but knew she had to get Zimmer off balance.
Colonel Zimmer rose to the bait. Walking over to Tressa he looked at her for a moment then slapped her hard across the cheek. “Stuffed pigeon? You won’t be so smug when you’re blown sky high with the rest of this plant. You should spend the next few minutes enjoying your final breaths and seeing the last day of your life go by.
“You should understand that you didn’t really have much of a chance. I have been planning this for a long time and you are just a child. You succeeded in causing a spot of bother, yes, but that won’t happen today. Today, the Board of Perpetual Power will all die, and I shall reign supreme. Today, I’m unstoppable!”
He motioned to the older guard to come closer. “What is your name?”
“Christobol, sir,” Chris replied.
“How long have you worked here?” Zimmer asked.
“Just got here in Brazil, but I worked at the Nome plant for 17 years until it blew up a few weeks ago. I’ve been with Perpetual all my life. First, in maintenance then-”
“I don’t need your life’s history I just wanted to know if you had been with us long. 17 years is long enough. Place these three out near the reactor building. Tie them up securely and then get out of there. If they get loose this will be your last day on earth. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Chris said. “Yes, sir, I do. Perfectly clear.”
“Good. Get it done then. I’ve got to prepare for the Board of Directors meeting. I have a surprise that will blow their minds in the Reactor Building.” Zimmer walked off with his two body guards in tow toward the administration building in the distance.
The remaining guards and Chris were all watching Zimmer’s retreating back. Tressa’s cheek was on fire from where Zimmer had slapped her, and she had to blink away some tears. Ant’s head popped up behind the trucks and then disappeared again. She knew he was preparing his part of the plan and she relaxed a bit.
Chris motioned to the other two guards to lead the three prisoners out into the plant facility. Once they got amongst the pipes Chris quietly said to Clyde, “I think we’re hidden from view if you want to take over now.”
“Sure,” Clyde responded. In the blink of an eye his hands were free and he wrapped one giant hand around the neck of each guard. He picked them up and knocked their heads together like coconuts. By the third time Clyde repeated it they were both unconscious. “Darn, I thought they’d put up at least a little fight,” he said sadly. “They made me miss a meal.”
Chapter 29
Tressa knew they’d have to work quickly. Her plan depended on what Mason had witnessed last night. Timing was crucial and she did not want Zimmer and Fergus having any chance to react.
Clyde shot off in one direction and Mason went the other. While Chris tied up the two security guards, Tressa went into the reactor building. Finding no one around, Tressa checked it quickly to make sure no explosives had been placed there yet. She didn’t want any surprises.
Outside she took a deep breath and Chris helped her heave one of the unconscious guards onto her shoulders. She sagged under his weight but had lifted heavier objects working around the rim of Top Peak trying to stop avalanches. As Chris kept watch in his pilfered uniform she managed to get the guard inside her temporary prison cell and went back for the other one. After she finished carrying the second one she secured the door and chained it shut.
Hiding within the maze of pipes she heard Chris give a low whistle. She quickly ran down the pathway and peeked around the corner. Tressa watched from a distance as two more guards joined Chris. They were carrying crates of explosives between them. Stopping outside the reactor building the guards went inside with one crate. In a few minutes they came back out and working together with Chris, the three of them wound their way through the maze of pipes. Stopping every so often they pulled out more explosives and secured them in hidden places throughout the various pipes and vent shafts.
They inserted a detonator cap into each charge and moved on. After they ran out of explosives they spoke to Chris for a moment and then the two guards made their way to the Administration Building. Chris watched them depart and then turned and waved a signal to Tressa.
As soon as she saw his signal Tressa ran to the reactor building. Clyde came from around the back and met her by the door. He gave her his report, “Just two guards like Mason said. They walked on the pathway and passed each other and just kept going. They should be gone for about fifteen minutes until they come around again.”
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