“You must face the fact that, in the eyes of the world, you are dead. You have been properly mourned. There are plans for a state funeral service to be covered by all the networks. If it were to become known that you are still alive, the Krakow Klub would take immediate action to kill you.
“We’ve got to get you back into the White House as soon as possible, but we must protect you during the process. And our timing must be precise and well thought out. The military command structure has been heavily infiltrated, so we can’t count on their support at this time. In fact, we will have to consider the military to be our adversary, at least at this point.
“Mr. President, with all due respect, I am the only person available with the power and resources to deal with this situation. But I need you to help me.”
****
Halfway through Number Eleven’s flight to Honolulu, Dr. Wu called her on her satellite phone. He was so excited that he could hardly speak and mixed his usually flawless English with some rather interesting Mandarin expletives.
“Stop where you are, Wu! Calm down and tell me what you’ve found. Take a deep breath and speak slowly and clearly!”
Regaining some composure, he added, “This thing is very interesting. I’m sure that it is an electronic device. But I’ve never seen anything remotely like it. The electron microscope energized it briefly during a scan. It apparently is active only when activated by some signal.
“If I had to make a guess, I would wager that whoever designed and built this thing had discovered the Holy Grail of electronics. These circuits are so tiny that they appear to function by transmitting only a single electron to trigger an event. I’ve always dreamed that one day we could develop SEP electronics, but I never dreamed that I would actually live to see it for myself.”
“SEP electronics?”
“Single electron path electronics.”
“I have never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because it doesn’t exist, at least not in our world. It’s merely a dream at the moment. As I said, the Holy Grail of electronics.”
“Don’t tell me that you think this thing is from another world. Are you crazy?”
“I haven’t considered the origin of the device. As a researcher, I am up to date in all the latest electronic technologies, but this thing is far beyond the current capabilities of any laboratory in the world. Therefore, by deductive reasoning, I would suggest that there is a possibility that the device came from a civilization other than one on Earth, if you believe in such things.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “Even more curious and interesting is how the device became embedded in your head. I’ve never encountered such a strange occurrence in all my years of science.”
The Dragon Lady was becoming angrier with each passing moment. Wu knew her well and was wise enough to avoid her wrath at all costs. Any misstep could prove very painful if not fatal.
“Just before your call, I spoke with Dr. Cheong. He had additional information regarding the device. It was his opinion that the transmitter had probably been in your head for a very long time, possibly since you were an infant. I don’t know how he reached that conclusion, but I respect his scientific opinion completely.”
He continued to speak softly, “Again, dear friend, there is so much that you need to know and, unfortunately, I am unable to provide you with specific information. As far as I am concerned, you were never in California today, and I haven’t seen you in months. You can rest assured that Dr. Cheong will carry this secret to his grave.”
With that, he ended the call but had misgivings about using the term “carry the secret to his grave.” He fervently hoped that he had not tempted fate for either one of them.
Her parting words to him had been, “If you want to continue with your successful academic life, or, for that matter, any life at all, you will keep your mouth shut. You’ll hear from me later. In the meantime, I want you to study that device and try to determine its purpose. Keep it safe and keep it quiet.”
“I understand perfectly; you can trust me.”
Wu hung up the phone. A chill ran up and down his spine. He was excited and terrified at the same time. He had the opportunity to study something far more advanced than anything he had ever seen or heard of before.
It was a researcher’s dream come true, but to have the Dragon Lady involved made it a nightmare.
****
The president stared at John Scott for a very long time. He was apparently deep in thought. His face slowly changed from an obvious angry visage to a very somber but resolute state.
Finally, the president replied, “Mr. Scott, I am placing myself and our nation in your hands. I now see that I’ve been lied to for years by those who were supposed to protect me. That makes me very, very angry.
“As I look back, I can see that what you’ve told me is true. I haven’t been myself for several years. I was chronically tired and had very little energy. Every time that I brought the subject up to Newton, he would just reassure me that everything was due to my heart condition. I came to lean on him completely. What a fool! But, no more! That poison has finally been eliminated from my body. I feel stronger and more confident than I have in ages. Newton will pay dearly for his dastardly part in this plot!”
The president reached out and shook John Scott’s hand. “Mr. Scott, together we will thwart this treacherous takeover. How can you use me in your plan?”
“Mr. President, I had a plan, but that was before I knew all of the facts, particularly about you. Originally, I thought that you were just another political pawn for the organization. I don’t usually make quick judgments, but I’ve come to believe that you are a potentially strong person and a capable leader. My head is spinning with possibilities. Just trust me that we can, together, work some magic and soon end this reign of terror.
“But, we’ve got to move fast. Virtually the entire top level of the federal government is being relocated to the Greenbrier. You know about the bunkers there. They are being told that it’s for their protection. But it’s not.
“The Krakow Klub has plans to kill them all and blame it on terrorists.”
Wilkinson could hardly control his fury. “Mr. Scott, let’s get back home immediately so that we can destroy those bastards before they do any more harm.”
John directed the president’s attention to the video screen. “Mr. President, before we leave, I want you to see this.”
He spoke a command, and the screen filled with the image of Carla Montrose issuing orders to military commanders to transport the members of government to the Greenbrier for their safety.
Next, there was a scene of the plastic explosives being planted around the facility.
Finally, the image of Carla Montrose on the phone to Erik Stoellar was displayed. They were laughing and joking about the forthcoming deaths of her former colleagues.
John turned to Jim Slater, who had been standing silently during the entire conversation, and said, “Take the president to the residential quarters and get him some appropriate fresh clothes. In the meantime, I have to talk to Maxxine and Mister T about a potential attack on our island that she just detected.”
Seeing the alarm on Jim’s face, John added, “Don’t worry about a thing. I always protect my employees and loved ones.” He gave Jim a knowing wink and turned his attention back to the video screen where Mister T had appeared.
Even as the president and Jim Slater were leaving the room, John was speaking to Mister T. “Have you detected any unusual activity around Scott Key?”
“Nothing as yet, Boss, but Maxxine just told me about an order from the president to send a navy ship out here. I immediately asked her to route all messages concerning that directly to me. I have received several already, and it appears that the Atlantic fleet commander is sending a CSF, whatever that is, to Scott Key to launch an invasion of some type. Apparently, they will be in a position to begin their assault early tomorrow morning.”
“
Mister T, if that happens, you must stop it and, if possible, without using lethal force. I repeat, if you can. If there is any possibility that harm could come to the island or anyone on it, you are to use whatever force that is required to stop it, even lethal force if necessary.”
There! He had done it! It was something that he had dreaded to do. His decision was painful to make, but it would be final. If his island were attacked, Mister T would protect it with all possible resources. And those resources were fearsome.
John regretted that he had to make such a decision. His Mylean side abhorred violence at all costs, but today, his human side must be in control at this stage of the game. He had just ordered the possible deaths of military personnel who had no choice in where they were going and what they were ordered to do. They would simply be following orders from higher-ups that, they believed, acted in the best interests of the nation.
He said aloud in the empty control room, “Krakow Klub, you’d better circle your wagons because I am about to come after you! And you have never faced anything comparable to my Mylean legacy.”
John immediately headed to his quarters. It was time to return to Earth.
On arriving at the living quarters, he said to Jim, “We are now at war! The Navy has sent a CSF to attack Scott Key.”
Jim, who was having a brandy, almost dropped his glass, exclaiming, “My God! John, do you have any idea what CSF means? It’s a carrier strike force! A CSF could destroy a small island nation, much less your little sand bar! It includes an aircraft carrier with a wing of planes, a cruiser, and a couple of missile-equipped frigates, support, and supply craft and maybe even a submarine. They even carry tactical nuclear weapons!”
“Relax, Jim. Mister T and I have already discussed the situation and I’ve given him complete access to all my resources. Believe me; Scott Key will not come to any harm. I only feel sorry for the poor souls who are going to attempt an invasion.”
John continued, “According to Maxxine, the CSF will not arrive in the area of Scott key until early tomorrow morning. We’ll be home by then, and I’m hoping that, somehow, we may be able to prevent an all-out assault.”
Placing his hand on Jim’s shoulder, John said, “Let’s both pray that the commander of that CSF is not a fanatic and uses some restraint. If he attacks in force, all hell will break loose. Under such an attack, my remote craft will automatically go into self-defense mode and that means they will destroy the attackers. It would kill me if they had to destroy the entire CSF. But, Jim, that could happen if they attack all out in force.”
“John, can they do that? Destroy an entire CSF! My God, there could be as many as seven to eight thousand servicemen in that group!”
“Yes, Jim, they can do that! They won’t be attacking the people, but they will be attacking the machines that they perceive to be attacking them. Unfortunately, the people operating those machines will be destroyed as well.
“And I cannot stop them. They are there to protect my island. To do that, they will have to respond to whatever confronts them. Once the island comes under attack, the remotes take over. Neither I nor Maxxine will be able to stop them. If the CSF goes after my island in force, yes, the remotes protecting it can destroy the entire CSF.”
Jim Slater was ashen and had a horrified look on his face. He said, “My God!”
John mumbled almost inaudibly, “Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?”
****
The Dragon Lady was livid. She raged inwardly. For the first time in her well-controlled life, she had no clear idea of what to do next.
She drummed her fingers on the armrest of her seat. This turn of events could spell disaster for the organization. She had, by now, decided that everyone in the organization probably had one of those transmitters embedded in their heads. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to assume that the devices were being used for monitoring their actions and even their most private conversations. She was enraged at the thought, and her mind raced faster and faster with the seemingly endless possibilities.
Anyone capable of creating such a device would surely have other technologies that surpassed anything on Earth. There was only one logical conclusion: it had to be that damned spacecraft, and the man who had been in contact with it. Disaster loomed on the horizon, and she must have time to come up with a solution.
Like a wounded animal, she would seek the shelter of her safest lair. But while she was on the way there, she would try to save as much of the situation as possible. She picked up her satellite phone and called Stoellar.
He answered immediately. “Where in the hell are you? Things are getting out of control all over the place. You were supposed to locate Slater, and you seem to have failed miserably. I gave you a simple little assignment, and you just weren’t up to it. What have you been doing—getting your nails done while our plan goes up in smoke?”
She was furious but spoke calmly, “Erik, calm down. We have problems that are even bigger than you thought. I have just found out that our communications security has been breached.”
She went on to describe the implanted transponder and of her suspicion that every member of the organization probably had the same device. It was a crisis of epic proportions.
“As Number One, you must get checked immediately. As far as I know, there is only one scanner in the country capable of detecting the device. It’s far too small to be recognized by most current scanner technology. I’ll arrange for you to go to Dr. Cheong’s office at once. Call your pilot and have him rev up the jets. You need to get going. If you hurry, the device can be removed later today.”
She thought for a moment, “As for the others, just contact them and let them know that all forms of communication are off limits. They are to stay wherever they are until further notice. No traveling. No going out to restaurants or the theater. Just make sure that they understand that they are virtually under house arrest until further notice.”
A plan had been forming in her mind, and her confidence was returning. “Number One, I’m going underground. In fact, I’m already well on my way to my safe house. You should do the same as soon as your device is removed. We must not be further compromised. By the way, if any of the others doesn't want to obey your order, just get rid of them as expeditiously as possible.”
She paused for a few moments, and then ended the call with, “I will contact you later when I get to where I am going.”
She was now the person in command. Stoellar would surely obey her orders.
Stoellar was in a cold sweat. His hands shook uncontrollably. With all his careful and detailed planning, he had never foreseen such a horrific situation. He was truly frightened. It took all his efforts to maintain any semblance of control.
He called his pilot and informed him that they would be flying to the West Coast immediately.
He looked at his watch and calculated that he would be there and have the device out in less than six hours. Since it was 2:00 PM at the moment, he could be free of the device by 8:00 PM.
He composed himself as best he could and began relaying orders to the other members of the group, even as he sped towards the airport and his waiting jet.
Another thought occurred to him: What if the devices had also been implanted in others who were involved in his plot? What about President Montrose? His military leaders? The more that he thought of the possibilities, the more terrified he became. How could he end this nightmare? What should he do now? He was becoming paralyzed with fear.
He poured himself a stiff drink from the bar in his limousine, downed it, and decided not to inform the president of the news yet. After all, she couldn’t go to the bathroom without the Secret Service. He could not take the chance of compromising her position. Unfortunately, she was still an essential part of his plan, at least for the moment.
Stoellar was already working on new plans. But he would share them with only one person, the very clever Number Eleven. However, at the moment, she was aboard her jet headed toward Honolul
u where it would refuel and then head for Shanghai.
But first, he had to deal with that damned little island near Kew West.
And he intended to do just that.
****
Carla Montrose was not alone in the residential quarters of the White House. The former First Lady was still in a state of shock due to the death of her husband and unable to cope with the thought of transitioning to another residence.
Carla would have loved to toss her out to the sidewalk, but Stoellar convinced her that such a move would inevitably bring on a media storm and untold bad publicity. She assented to offering the new widow her heartfelt sympathy and suggested that she remain in the residential quarters while Carla would take over the Lincoln Room and a few other areas for her purposes and those of her staff. It was to be temporary, just until the transition was completed.
Carla already decided that it would be quite appropriate to send the grieving widow off to the Greenbrier where she could receive emotional support from her husband’s cabinet and friends in the Senate. Yes, indeed, it was a splendid idea. She’d see to it right after the state funeral, if the Greenbrier was still there at that time.
She marched through the empty corridor to the Lincoln room, Secret Service agents surrounding her as usual. As soon as she reached her quarters, she turned and slammed the door loudly in their faces. At least she could be alone in her room and be rid of the pesky entourage that Stoellar had selected for her.
She had no doubt that the hatred was mutual. Why else would her code name be, Viper?
She kicked off her outrageously expensive stilettos, curled up on the sofa with a glass of bourbon, and switched on the TV.
She exhaled a sigh of satisfaction. At last, Carla Montrose had achieved her goal of supreme power. With that power, she wouldn’t have to take orders from anyone. Never again! She had schemed her way to the top and detested every single time that she had to ingratiate herself to anyone else, especially Stoellar. She owed everything to him but along with that accrued debt had also come pure, unbridled hatred.
The Krakow Klub Page 28