by Tim Blagge
I had about forty five minutes before I needed to get ready to be picked up. It took all of that time to tell Pops everything
“Bill I’m terrified for you and I’m so mad at the idiots we elect to run this country,” Pops began. “The President is facing reelection soon and with the state of the economy he’s in trouble and is looking for some kind of boost. What I can’t understand is how he would explain the debt reduction to the people of the country. He can’t tell the truth because very quickly everyone would figure out that he sold all of us down the river.”
“Pops, this is our day of reckoning,” I said. “We are damned either way. There are at least two groups not associated with the government trying to get the secret of my device and now my own government wants to actually sell me into what amounts to indentured servitude to the Chinese.”
“And Bill,” Pops added, “their promise that you’ll be released in a year and a half is just bunk. In a year or two the Chinese will get stronger and the U.S. will get weaker. We’d have no power to coerce the Chinese to do anything, even if we wanted to.”
“Pops, I’ve got to get ready now. I am getting this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I’m a condemned man walking to the gallows.” I said.
I arrived at the FBI office just before ten. Stella, Jerry and Michael Witherspoon were already in the waiting room.
“Mr. Witherspoon, should I be happy you are here?” I asked.
Stella leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Rolf thought we might need him.”
When Vaughn came out, he smiled broadly, welcomed everyone and invited us to go to the conference room. After we were seated, Vaughn’s demeanor changed completely.
“Thank you all for coming,” Vaughn began as he picked up a file folder in front of him. “I am compelled to read to you the document in front of me. Personally I do not agree with the findings or conclusions of anything contained herein but I am bound by the constitution to execute its mandates.”
Oh crap, I thought, this sounds bad! And I could tell by the look on Jerry’s and Stella’s faces that they agreed. Vaughn cleared his throat and began to read the document.
“I, the President of the United States, because of a grave threat to the security of our great country, invoke Executive Privilege.”
“This mandate will become effective immediately. Anyone reading or hearing this must keep its contents confidential or risk being prosecuted to the full extent of the law and face imprisonment. Anyone with any knowledge of the facts surrounding this mandate and the people it directly concerns must also keep that knowledge confidential or risk being prosecuted to the full extent of the law and face imprisonment.”
“Mr. William Burton, III will be placed in custody for Un-American activities and will be confined until a proper investigation of the charges can be completed.”
“Dr. Stella Morton will be placed in custody for Un-American activities and will be confined until a proper investigation of the charges can be completed.”
“Lieutenant Jerry Smith will be returned to active duty in the U. S. Army with no reduction in rank as long as he maintains the confidentiality regarding the circumstances surrounding this case and mandate.”
“It is signed by the President,” Vaughn added.
Then Michael Witherspoon jumped up screaming. “This is against the Constitution. You can’t hold American citizens without charging them with a crime. And what the hell are Un-American activities. It’s right out of McCarthyism from the fifties. I thought we were past all that. We all know that no crime was committed here. You can’t do this! The President can’t do this! A Federal Judge will slap an injunction on this before you can blink!”
With that, Witherspoon started throwing papers into his briefcase and started to walk out. Before he got to the door an agent stepped into his path and stopped him.
“Are you arresting me too?” Witherspoon shouted.
“Not unless you talk to someone outside this office about what’s just happened here,” Vaughn answered. “You are under a presidential mandate now like the rest of us. If we hear that you have discussed this with anyone, we are under the same mandate to arrest you. An investigation and decree by Congress is the only way to overturn this mandate, but contacting someone in Congress is also a violation of the mandate.”
“So the President has just wiped out my first amendment rights by Executive Privilege?’ Witherspoon screamed. “Who in the hell does he think he is?”
“If there is a definable national threat, he may be temporarily within the boundaries of his power.” Vaughn added.
“What possible national threat do these people pose to the United States?” Witherspoon asked waving his hands and pointing at Vaughn. “These people are brilliant physicists and inventors. I need an explanation right here and now how you can justify what you are doing!”
“Personally I can’t justify these mandates,” Vaughn answered. “Unfortunately I am bound by the Constitution to carry them out.”
“Will I be able to consult with my clients or is that some kind of violation too?” Witherspoon asked.”
I haven’t heard otherwise, so for the time being I will allow that,” Vaughn answered sounding like a judge.
“Where will my clients be held?” Witherspoon asked.
“We have a few cells in this office and until I hear differently, they will be here.” Vaughn answered.
“I’ll be back at three” Witherspoon announced and stormed out of the room in a huff. Jerry followed him out about five minutes later.
The FBI took Stella and me to adjoining cells with a wall in between and bars in front so we could still talk. I spoke first.
“We’ll be on the first jet to Beijing, don’t you think Stella?’
“Yes Bill and it might even happen before three when Witherspoon is due back,” Stella answered. “I’m sure he will talk to Rolf and they will work on a strategy but with this presidential gag order in place it limits their options. We had better not say much, the FBI will be listening. Let’s hope for the best,” she added loudly for the microphones to hear.
About noon a guard brought us lunch. He slid the tray though the bars. After we finished, Special Agent Vaughn came in.
“I’ve disabled the security cameras so we have to talk fast before anybody notices,” Vaughn said. “This debacle is a stinking pile of crap coming straight from the President’s office. Apparently his desire to be reelected exceeds his integrity. I have just been informed that other Federal Officers were dispatched from Washington on a long range 767 shortly after I spoke to my superior, Director Victor and filled him in on your return here. I don’t think Victor is a Presidential stooge. He was just doing his duty and relayed the information up the chain of command. He didn’t realized how important your being in custody was to the White House.”
“Long range 767 means they are taking us on to China, aren’t they?” Stella asked.
“Probably Stella,” Vaughn answered, “and I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I promise you though, this will not stand! What the President is doing is the biggest threat that this country has ever faced and he must be stopped.”
“If you really mean that Agent Vaughn; get hold of Lieutenant Smith. If you can convince him that you are the patriot you say you are, he will get you in touch with other people who can help.” Stella whispered to Vaughn.
“By the way,” Vaughn added. Victor’s investigation of Cushing is starting to bare fruit. Most of what you suspected about him is turning out to be true and his arrest is imminent. It’s preliminary but it looks like he was working with a consortium of eastern European Business people who are connected to the Russian mob. Just like you thought, he was trying to do an end run around the President. Your information helped bring him down.”
“Hooray,” I said sarcastically, “and for our reward we get a one-way ticket to China; lucky us!”
“I’d better go and turn the surveillance equipment back on. I will feed you as much
information as I can while you are still here. Good luck to you both.” Vaughn added with a compassionate smile. “Remember what I said; this will not stand!”
At 2:30 PM, six FBI Agents we had never seen before came into our cells. Both Stella and I were handcuffed and escorted outside into separate vehicles for our transport to the airport. About forty minutes later we were pulling up to a plane, parked away from the terminal. It was being refueled. We were both accompanied up the stairway and into the plane. The door was closed behind us.
An agent came up to us, removed our handcuffs and told us to be seated for takeoff. The plane was pushed back and started taxiing down the tarmac. With no waiting at all, the plane rolled onto a runway, accelerated and took off. Almost immediately we crossed over the coastline and out over the Pacific.
-35-
“Lieutenant Smith, This is Special Agent Vaughn from the FBI.”
“Hi, Agent Vaughn has Michael Witherspoon been able to get Bill and Stella released yet?” Jerry asked.
“Jerry, it’s too late. The President sent a plane for them this morning. I am sure they are on their way to China by now,” Vaughn said.
A short silence on the line ended when Jerry roared “you’ve got to be kidding me! Where’s the due process, I’m no attorney but their rights have been violated. How could this have happened Agent Vaughn?”
“I agree with you completely.” Vaughn said, “But before Bill and Stella left, they told me to contact you. They said you knew people who could help. Are you still in L.A.?”
“Yes, I leave the day after tomorrow and I do know people who could help. Are you asking me to trust you Agent Vaughn? You are a self admitted fifteen year public servant. Up to this point, every public servant we’ve trusted has betrayed us. Bill and Stella were even taken from your jail!” Jerry roared getting louder with each word. “So convince me that you really want to help!”
“Meet with me Jerry, please! I will come alone and unarmed. I’ll even turn my cell phone off. Bring whoever you think would help the most. During this mess, I did discover that you have excellent sources of information too. If we work together, we can get Bill and Stella back. It won’t be easy but it can be done. If you see anything suspicious about me, just leave the meeting.” Vaughn added.
“I’ll call you back,” Jerry said.
“Hello Rolf, this is Jerry, I just found out that the Feds sent Bill and Stella to someplace in China.”
“I know Jerry,” answered Rolf, “I’ve been tracking them all day.”
“Rolf I’m going to ask you how you do that kind of stuff some day, but for now, Agent Vaughn wants to meet with us. He guarantees he will come alone. It sounds like he wants to help.” Jerry said.
“OK,” said Rolf, “tell him to meet us in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium in an hour. I’ll be able to tell if he telling the truth or not.”
An hour later the three men were standing in the middle of the Dodger Stadium parking lot. Jerry introduced Rolf to Vaughn.
“Agent Vaughn, this is Rolf, Stella’s brother. Rolf this is FBI Agent Marvin Vaughn who says he wants to help get Bill and Stella back.”
“Agent Vaughn, Stella trusted you so for now, I will too. What assistance can you bring to our rescue effort,” Rolf asked.
“Rescue effort; are you already planning a rescue effort?” Vaughn asked. “I was thinking we could start with some diplomatic solutions first.”
“I am planning a general strategy,” Rolf answered, “but until Bill and Stella actually reach their final destination, I can’t do much. Under the circumstances, a diplomatic solution would be a waste of time because the President himself is behind the abduction; and we’d risk alerting the Chinese of our real intentions.”
The volume of Vaughn’s voice lowered almost to a whisper and he said, “I shouldn’t say this because I’ve just met you, but there is growing unrest among some of our agents over the direction our country is heading in general, and Bill and Stella’s abduction in particular. They are outraged over the administration’s turning American citizens over to the Chinese against their will. It goes counter to everything this country stands for. Also I have a contact in the CIA, Felix Alvarez. Jerry already knows him.”
“Being in the CIA,” Vaughn continued, “Felix has connections to assets, agents and information overseas. In particular he is an expert on China, speaks the language and is familiar with their political culture. He wants to help and he has identified agents who would be anxious to join in any operation.”
“How will you be able to help when you work under the President; the man responsible for the abduction?” asked Rolf.
“Both Alvarez, his boss and my boss are on board with whatever operation is required.” Vaughn said. “They can coordinate clandestine operations within their jurisdiction without approval from above because that’s what they are paid to do. As I understand it, even their boss’s superiors approve of some kind of action but want to remain at arms length so they won’t have to report anything any further up their line of their command.”
“Let me ask you this Agent Vaughn,” Rolf said pointedly. “Would you and Alvarez and your other agents be on board with a physical rescue attempt on Chinese soil?”
“If that’s what it takes, and we create a rescue plan with a reasonable chance of success, I believe we would be willing to do that.” Vaughn answered.
“Once Bill and Stella get to their final destination, we need to get together and formulate a strategy for the rescue.” Rolf stated. “To pull this off, we’ll need both the perfect plan and a lot of luck.”
“And Agent Vaughn,” Rolf continued. “We need to keep Jerry here for now. He’s due back with the Army in two days.”
“I’ll call his CO and have his leave extended until further notice for security reasons.” Vaughn answered.
With that, the three men shook hands and left.
-36-
Stella and I were blindfolded for the ride between the airport and our final destination. We were in a van with a driver and at least three other armed men. No one said anything to Stella or me for the entire half hour drive.
Finally, the van rolled up to an opening in a large wall. Our blindfolds were removed and we saw we were stopped beside a small shack attended by two armed guards. Our driver nodded to the guard and we were waved through. The van continued up the driveway to what looked like the entrance to a large building and stopped. There were two more guards standing on each side of the entrance door. No one moved to get out of the van. The Chinese man who was riding in the front seat turned around and began to address us. In contrast to the armed guards seated next to us, he was a small, gentle looking person with a round face, slicked back gray hair and was wearing small round wire rimmed glasses. His rumpled business suit added to his college professor look. He spoke nearly perfect English.
“I am Mr. Fat,” he began, “You have been brought to the Nantong Scientific Institute to design and develop your anti-gravity machine. You will be provided all the assistance you require. This complex is one of the finest high-tech industrial complexes in China. Because it’s small, the people here are like a family. We currently have over 200 scientists, all with advanced degrees, working on various projects that have been deemed by the government to be very important. Many of your colleagues here have attended school in the United States and speak English.”
“Does everyone live here, in this prison?” I asked.
“I assure you Mr. Burton, this is no prison,” answered Fat.
“I’m sorry,” I argued as I looked around at the surroundings, “I guess the fifteen foot high walls surrounding this place and the armed guards at the entrance and the door in front of us, must have fooled me!”
“This is a highly regarded scientific facility,” Fat went on. “To answer your question, most people working here also live here by choice. We have family areas and comfortable individual rooms. We also have a common central cafeteria where you can order anything you want.
A few of our people do live off site in the city, however.”
“Mr. Fat,” I said, “Stella and I want to live in the city. Is that alright?”
“That option is not available to you Mr. Burton,” answered Fat.
“Then for us it is a prison!” I declared.
Another man in a business suit came out of the building, bounced down the steps and opened the door of the van. He was lean, about 35 years old, enthusiastic and cheerful.
“Step out of the car folks. I am so honored to meet the two greatest scientists in the world” he said sounding strangely sincere. “My name is Dr. Stanley Yam. I am the director of this facility and I want to welcome you. Please follow me. I want to show you your new home and then we will show you where you will be working.”
Yam escorted us past a reception area with one receptionist and two more armed guards. We proceeded through a door and down a long hall. We turned down another hall to the left and Yam stopped at a door, turned the knob and we all went in. The room was small; about ten by ten with a tiny closet on one end. It had one window to the outside with bars making escape impossible. The room was sparsely decorated with Asian style furniture including a twin bed, a night stand with a small lamp, and a large dresser with a simple mirror hung on the wall behind it.
“Dr. Morton, this is your room. In your dresser we have included appropriate attire for your stay with us. Please get settled and I will show Mr. Burton his room right next door.”
“Where’s the bathroom Dr. Yam?” Stella asked. “I need to use it.”
“It’s down the hall through that door on the right,” Yam answered, “and you are fortunate, there are only eight women sharing that bathroom in this part of the facility. Mr. Burton, the men’s restroom is the next door.”
Both Stella and I walked to our respective communal baths, came out and Stella went back to her room