by Saxon Andrew
“And just who is they?”
“The Joint Chiefs.”
Tilly shook her head and sighed, “What did he do this time?”
“It’s partly my fault, Tilly. He asked me to take a look at something and I did it.”
“Isn’t that how it always happens?”
“I suppose.” John went to a rocker and sat down, “How long do you think he’s going to need?”
“He was cleaning out the birthing stall.”
“Ugh.” John shook his head and said, “He’s covered in cow manure; do you want him in the same helicopter as you?”
Tilly snickered, “He shouldn’t have cleaned up; it would serve you right.”
“Come on, Tilly; he couldn’t stand it anymore than we could.” Tilly shrugged. “How are the kids doing?”
“Kyle graduates from MIT this spring and Jennifer just had her first baby.”
“Congratulations.”
“You still haven’t told me what he did.”
“He tried to take care of a friend.”
“That’s Mike.”
“Yes, it is.”
Mike stepped out of the door with a flight jacket over his arm and smiled, “Hello, John, I hope I didn’t get you in too much trouble.” John shrugged. “Am I going to need this jacket?”
“We’re going to DC.”
“Do I have a choice about going?”
John tilted his head as he shook it, “Not really.”
Mike leaned over and gave Tilly a hug. She leaned back and kissed him. Mike looked at her with a worried expression and Tilly smiled, “Jack will handle the farm in your absence. Just let me know when you’re coming back.” She stared at John as she made the statement and he slowly shook his head. She knew Mike might be gone for a while. She watched Mike walk with John to the Bell Helicopter and sighed. Mike was too good a spirit to have so much trouble keep finding him. She walked over to the camera and parabolic Microphone hidden between two potted plants and extracted a thumb drive. She went inside and downloaded the video to a file and then attached it to an e-mail. She punched the number six in her cell phone and a male voice answered, “Tilly, how’s my favorite cousin doing?”
“Jack, I’ve just sent you an email with an attachment. Would you mind taking a look at it?”
“Not at all.”
Tilly smiled; a United States Senator would at least insure they didn’t mistreat him. She thought another moment and then dialed another number, “I have an interesting video you might want to take a look at.”
“What is it?”
“A private citizen being taken from their home by excessive force; and I do mean excessive force. I think you might find it entertaining.”
“Send it to me.”
Tilly pressed send on her computer and sat back. There, that should rattle a few cages.
• • •
The Bell rose and the Apaches fell in formation around it. Mike remained silent. John wasn’t talking so that told him their conversation was bugged. He looked out the window and wondered what had happened in the desert. He prayed Jess was still alive but felt his friend had been killed. He maintained his silence all the way to the airport where he boarded a jet for Washington and then to the War Room. He knew something serious had happened and it probably involved aliens. That was the only thing that would have prompted this level of response from the government.
He was led into the War Room and saw all the huge displays on the wall with the disposition of the United States Military Forces. He noticed one display with Arizona on it and a red blinking light just east of Phoenix. That meant an operation was still ongoing in the desert. He sat down in a chair facing a raised level with five other chairs. He blew out a breath and knew that if one of the Joint Chiefs came, he would probably be ok. If two showed up, it was doubtful. He felt his tension rise when all five walked in and took their seats. What in the hell had Jess done in the desert?
• • •
Admiral Howard looked at the other Chiefs and they nodded. He turned to Mike and said, “Tell us why you had one of our satellites redirected to search a patch of lifeless desert?”
“I was worried that a young man I had developed a friendship with might be in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Life threatening.”
“What do you mean by life threatening?”
“The kind that shoots down helicopters and Raptors.”
Admiral Howard stared at Mike and said, “Major, you would be wise to just answer the questions.”
Mike stared at the Chief of the Joint Chiefs and said, “Why don’t we cut to the chase. You’ve run into something that has scared the mess out of you and you want me to tell you what it is. I’ll be glad to do that but I need to see what happened.”
“That information is classified.”
Mike gave a small chuckle and shook his head, “No matter how long I’ve been around you clowns, you never change. I don’t know a lot but I can put together what I’ve learned if you’ll just show me the tapes.”
“You will answer our questions and you will not see the tapes.”
“Fine.”
“Now what did you mean by trouble?”
“I refuse to testify on the grounds that what I say can be used against me in a court of law.”
General Thornton sneered, “You will answer our questions or be held in solitary until you do.”
“Really?”
“You can bet the farm on it.”
Mike looked at General Thornton and turned back to Admiral Howard, “Has it ever crossed your minds that not everyone is the enemy?”
“Just answer the questions Major.”
“Sorry Admiral, I am no longer a Major. I resigned my commission when I left the service. I’m nothing more than a private citizen now.”
“You can be pulled back into the service and fall under the Military Justice System. We can hold you as a threat to national security as long as we deem it necessary.”
“That might be ordinarily true; however, my former Commander made a point of inserting in my retirement papers that I could never be accepted into the service under any circumstances and he had it signed by the Senior Ranking member of the Military Oversight Committee. You cannot pull me back in even if you wanted to Admiral. I am willing to assist you anyway I can, but in order to do that, I need to see what happened.”
“You will answer our questions.”
“Or what?”
“You won’t be seen for a very long time.”
“What charges will you use?”
“We don’t need charges, Major.”
“Well. Here’s the thing, Admiral. I doubt you know much about my wife. I married her after I retired so she wasn’t investigated when you did my original clearances. It took a while to convince her that I was worthy enough to come into her and her children’s lives.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Her maiden name was Ingram. I suspect she called Senator Ingram as soon as you collected me at the farm and told him you had me in your possession. I really think the Senior Ranking Member of the Military Budget Committee might have something to say about your ignoring the laws of the United States.”
Admiral Howard looked at the Major sitting at a side table and saw him look up from his computer and nod. Howard’s expression showed some concern. Mike said, “Ahhh, that one had some teeth in it. You might be curious to learn that the good Senator has been chosen to replace the retiring party Leader in the Senate. So if you’re thinking you’ll just have to deal with one Senator, you better think again. You are the leaders of our military and you all act like a group of paranoids that broke out of the asylum. You don’t have to make it this difficult. I believe I can help you but I need to see what happened.”
“Why?”
“Because I suspect my friend is dead and I need to see how he died.”
“Again, why do you need to know?”
“I need to verify the aliens he has been waiting on to reappear for ten years actually did.”
The five Chiefs were startled by that remark. Admiral Howard stared at Mike and said, “You will see nothing and you will answer our questions. The security of the United States is at stake here and I won’t tolerate your insolence. You and your Senator relative will not stand in the way of defending my country.”
Mike leaned back in his chair, “Fine, have it your way.”
“Now what did you mean by the aliens he was waiting on?” Mike stared at the Admiral and said nothing. “Answer my question, Major.”
“I am no longer a Major and I invoke my Fifth Amendment rights.”
Admiral Howard’s face turned ugly and he looked at the two Marine Guards at the door. “Escort the Major to a holding cell.”
“Uhhh Sir!”
Howard looked at his assistant, “WHAT!”
“Senator Ingram is here and is asking to speak with Mr. Sanders.”
“Tell him he’s part of an investigation and will not be available.”
“There’s one more thing, Sir.”
“What’s that?”
“A special report was just run on Fox News.”
Howard stared at the aide and said, “Put it up on the monitor.”
A video showing the bell helicopter with three Apache Attack Copters pointing their guns and rockets toward a woman standing on the porch of a farmhouse appeared. The commentator was saying, “Our government has used the military to force a private citizen to leave his home. They threatened the man’s family with destruction if he didn’t leave with them and refused to tell his wife where they were taking him or for what reason. Our sources in the Pentagon refuse to even acknowledge the kidnapping was done. The White House has refused to answer our questions and it appears this government no longer follows the nation’s laws.”
“Turn it off!” Mike chuckled; Tilly didn’t waste any time. Howard glared at Mike, “Do you find this amusing?”
“Actually, I find it hilarious. Do you honestly think you can threaten me into doing what you want? This isn’t a dictatorship we live in. You’ve lost sight of that. I fear you are about to find out you don’t have the power you think you do.”
“Uhhh, Sir?” Howard looked at his aide, “Senator Ingram has said that all funding for the Pentagon will be stopped immediately and will remain in force until he speaks with Mr. Sanders. He further says he has spoken to the President and he is holding on the line to see if you are going to comply with his request.”
“Tell him I am not going to comply.” The aide spoke into the phone.
General Thornton said, “Admiral, is that wise!?!”
“We will discuss this with the President in private. We will not allow this to go further than it has already gone.” Howard looked at his aide, “Tell the Senator our decision.” The aide nodded.
General Branton said, “Tell the Senator your decision. I personally don’t agree with it. You’re going to do this without my support. Personally, I don’t understand why you’re getting into a pissing contest with the Major. He told you he would answer your questions and it’s not like he doesn’t know what’s going on. You’re on your own if you choose to ignore the Senator.”
“Uhhh, Sir.”
“What now?”
“The President is in the Oval Office and has ordered you open a channel so he can be a part of this meeting.” Howard stared at the aide and blew out a deep breath. He looked at Mike with hatred in his eyes and said, “Patch him in and invite the Senator to join us.”
“Yes Sir.”
Admiral Howard leaned back in his chair and continued to stare at Mike who just smiled and looked like the cat that ate the canary. The President appeared on the central wall monitor and Jack Ingram came walking into the room with a scowl on his face. Mike watched him and thought he was, as Tilly would describe, walking with a purpose. He glanced at Mike and nodded. Mike returned the nod as Jack moved next to his chair. Jack looked up at the monitor and said, “Thank you for getting me in, Mr. President.”
“Actually, I didn’t get you admitted. According to my sources, you were going to be refused admission until I joined this conference.” The President looked at Admiral Howard, “Would you care to explain why you refused Senator Ingram’s request to speak with his relative?”
“Sir, I request the Senator be asked to leave the room so we can discuss the reason in private.”
“Is the information of a nature so serious that one of our leading lawmakers shouldn’t be allowed to hear it?”
“It is, Sir.”
“If that’s the case, why haven’t you informed me about it before I forced my way into your meeting?”
Mike shouted, “He wasn’t going to inform you, Mr. President.”
Howard yelled, “YOU WILL BE SILENT!!!”
“I thought you wanted me to talk.”
The President said very slowly and deliberately, “You will both shut…up.” The President looked at Mike, “You’re the one taken from your home in Arizona.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Why did you say the Admiral wasn’t going to inform me?”
“He wants you to have plausible deniability about what’s happened.”
The President stared at the Admiral for a long moment. “Is that true?”
“It is.”
Jack said, “Mr. President, I can listen to what’s going on and save you from hearing it.”
“I’m not like the last President that didn’t want to know anything; it’s time the Admiral learned that lesson. What is so serious that you wouldn’t tell me?”
“Mr. President, I really think you should reconsider.”
Mike said, “He doesn’t want you to know that four Raptors and an Apache were shot down by an alien spaceship.”
“GUARDS, REMOVE THAT MAN AND PUT HIM IN A CELL!!”
“Admiral, I told you to shut up. Do you want to go to that cell?” Howard’s visage was a mask of rage. “Is what he said true, Admiral?”
“Mr. President, please reconsider this.”
“Admiral, you are relieved of your duties. I expect your retirement papers on my desk by this afternoon. If you fail to have them there, I am going to publicly fire you; is that clear.”
“But Mr. President!”
“Guards, please escort the Admiral from the room.”
The two marines that had walked to Mike’s chair turned and went to stand beside Admiral Howard. Howard stood up and straightened his jacket. He looked at the other four Chiefs and walked out of the room. The President looked at General Thornton, “I hope I don’t have to fire all of you in order to have someone obey direct orders. You will tell me what’s going on.”
“Sir, a week ago Mr. Sanders contacted one of our satellite Monitors and requested he take a look at a barren piece of land just outside of Phoenix. The Monitor saw a U-Haul truck parked in the desert and while he was watching, another U-Haul truck appeared out of nowhere. He ran multiple scans of the trucks and after a moment, the second truck was backed up and it disappeared.” Thornton saw the President thinking and he said, “We eliminated camouflage netting; the trucks were so hot from sitting out in the desert, the satellite would have seen them through any netting with an infrared scan. Something was able to hide a truck from our most sophisticated satellite. Colonel Jameson ordered an Apache from Luke Air Force base to investigate the scene. A short time later he requested the base to scramble four Raptors to support the Apache.”
“Why did he do that?”
“We had no way of knowing what was being hidden from us.”
Mike said, “There had to be a spaceship there.”
Everyone in the room turned toward him wondering what he knew.
Chapter Five
Jess awoke to light coming through a viewport. He started to sit up and his chair moved out of the reclining position and returned to its normal configuration. He walked over to the viewport and saw a planet below. He sa
id, “Do we have to have this helmet on to communicate with you?”
“No, you can voice your thoughts; however, when you wear it I can see your thoughts and better understand what information you are trying to ascertain.”
“I’ll put the helmet on if we run into difficulty; however, until ordered differently, communicate using sounds.”
“Order acknowledged.”
Elle heard the last response and opened her eyes. She saw Jess remove his helmet and she lifted hers off as well, “What’s going on, Jess?”
“Our ship has brought us to a planet.” Jess nodded at the viewport and Elle came over and looked down on the world below them. “Computer, why did you bring us here?”
“You questioned me earlier about my ability to destroy a planet.”
Jess looked down on the planet and saw a lifeless ball with nothing but rock and crevasses on the surface. Jess felt a chill go through his soul, “How did this planet appear before it was destroyed?” A holographic image appeared and they turned around from the view port and saw a blue and green planet hanging in space. There were giant space stations in orbit above it and large cities could be seen on the surface. “Computer, were there other installations in this planet’s star system?”
“There were colonies on six planets doing mining operations. They were destroyed as well.”
Elle shook her head, “This is horrible!” Jess nodded as he stared at the massive destruction done to a once living planet. Elle said, “Is this what’s going to happen to Earth?”
“Earth?”
“That’s the name of my planet.”
“Yes.”
“And there’s nothing we can do to stop it?”
“You’ve stopped it; for the moment.”
Jess continued to stare at the dead planet, “As long as we have control of this ship, they won’t destroy our planet.”
“That appears to be the current situation. I think they understand that, although you are a violent species, you would not deliberately destroy an entire planet without being pushed into insanity. They aren’t willing to risk pushing you over the edge by destroying your world.”
“Are they able to track your transmissions?”
“Yes.”