Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Four
The pulsating roar of Marine One’s jet engines throbbed within the aircraft’s passenger compartment and John Henry gazed out of the window from where he sat across from Jessica, Eric and the Chinese premier, Liang Junhui. Eight battle-hardened U.S. Marines populated the other remaining seats, except for those belonging to the pilot and his co-pilot, the latter of which glanced back from the cockpit. ‘Hold on to your hats,’ he said. The light of a new dawn reflected off his helmet’s black visor. ‘This could get bumpy!’
The aircraft banked left and swooped down as it sped along the United States’ East Coast. Warning alarms flashed and beeped and a blazing spray of flares erupted from the helicopter’s undercarriage.
John’s stomach left him and he gripped a handrail as something shot past the window.
‘Was that a rocket?!’ Eric said.
John didn’t know, but the chopper veered right and nosed into a dive. The engines reached fever-pitch and he closed his eyes and prayed. More alarms sounded and the cabin lights switched to red.
The helicopter levelled out and lights and buildings flashed past the windows as the aircraft swept through the city of Miami. The wail of sirens and sporadic gunfire penetrated the cabin. A fireball erupted into the sky and John’s eyes grew wide. A skyscraper toppled towards them, its enormous bulk a flaming wreck plummeting down with terrifying speed. Flame and smoke engulfed Marine One. The building crashed to Earth with an ear-shattering roar and debris rained down in the surrounding streets.
A pall of black dust expanded out in a growing cloud. Rioters paused in their looting to look up at the spectacle and a moment later a green and white helicopter burst out of the seething mass and gained altitude.
Back inside the aircraft, the Chinese premier looked a whiter shade of pale. ‘That was close,’ Liang said.
John swallowed and cleared his throat. ‘Too close.’
‘We’re tracking more GMRC missiles heading our way, Mr President,’ the pilot said over the speakers. ‘We’re going low and fast to see if we can put some distance into them.’
John felt the helicopter’s speed increase and he looked out of the window again to glimpse the underside of an overpass as they flew beneath it. A swirl of dust spiralled round in Marine One’s wake, as it flew ever onwards, and John couldn’t help but wonder how long they could continue to stay alive. The road bridge they’d just passed exploded in a blaze of debris and John thought, in answer to his question, not long.
♦
An hour had passed since they’d flown through Miami and John and everyone else on board Marine One continued to wait for the missile strike that would end their lives. But as the minutes continued to drag by, their survival continued, and then, just as a sense of complacency crept in, more alarms sounded inside the presidential helicopter.
A huge mushroom cloud appeared on the horizon.
‘Was that a nuclear explosion?’ John said, looking at it in horror.
‘Negative, sir,’ said a marine. ‘The light wasn’t bright enough. It’s likely a high-yield bomb taking out Homestead ARB.’
‘The Air Force base?’
The marine nodded.
‘Incoming!’ said the co-pilot.
‘Get down!’ shouted another marine.
Everyone covered their heads and a huge explosion made the aircraft lurch in the air and spin out of control.
Round and round it swept, the motion forcing John back into his seat. Opposite him, Jessica had her eyes squeezed shut and Eric looked terrified.
Out of the corner of his eye John glimpsed a rocket heading straight for them.
The vision vanished, as Marine One continued to spin and time slowed as the window brought the missile back into view and John’s eyes grew wide as it filled his vision.
♦
Thousands of miles away, Malcolm Joiner lay on his bed watching the missile close in on its target. ‘Boom,’ he whispered.
An explosion of light filled the screen and Marine One disappeared within. A moment later the transmission terminated and Joiner sighed in relief. John Henry was dead and if luck was on his side, Professor Steiner, along with him.
‘Do you want that drink, now?’ Myers said.
Joiner allowed himself a smile and nodded. ‘And get one for yourself, while you’re at it.’
Myers concealed a look of surprise, but left the room to do the director’s bidding.
The screen on the ceiling darkened, as one by one the news channels and military feeds on the display blinked out.
‘Computer, what’s happening?’ Joiner said. He tapped a button on his remote control.
‘The computer cannot help you,’ said a voice that made Joiner’s hand freeze in place.
A man with dark hair appeared on the screen, his eyes the size of plates as they gazed down at Joiner from above.
Joiner furiously tapped at some buttons and then called for help, but none came.
‘They cannot hear you,’ Bic said. ‘I’ve sealed the room and I’ve also taken control of your exoskeleton.’
The machine next to the bed shifted with a whir of motors and a mechanised hand reached out and grasped Joiner’s arm.
Joiner choked back a cry of pain as metal fingers dug into his flesh. ‘What do you want?’
‘I want what you want, Malcolm Joiner.’
‘And what’s that?’
Bic smiled. ‘I want the Committee shown the error of their ways.’
The exoskeleton’s other hand moved to grasp Joiner’s windpipe.
‘I could end your life now, Malcolm Joiner.’ The hand tightened and Joiner gasped.
‘But,’ Bic said, and the grip loosened, ‘I have something else planned for you.’
‘And what’s that?’ Joiner said, his voice a wheezing whisper.
Bic’s smile broadened into a grin. ‘That’s for me to know and for you to find out.’
The exoskeleton returned to its previous station and Joiner sucked in a lungful of air and struggled into a sitting position, just as Myers re-entered the room.
‘Director?’ Myers said in concern, and rushed to his side.
‘The ... the …’
‘The what? What’s wrong?’
‘The hacker,’ Joiner said, regaining his breath.
‘He was here?’ Myers said, looking up at the blank ceiling screen.
Joiner nodded and gave his exoskeleton a fearful look. ‘We have a problem. A big problem.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I was wrong.’ Joiner continued to stare at his exoskeleton, which had gone from being a godsend to a deadly menace. ‘The hacker is still a threat.’
‘I’ll inform security,’ Myers said, going to move away.
Joiner grasped his arm. ‘No, it’s more than that.’ He stared at Myers with deep unease.
‘What? You think he’s in USSB Haven, in this base?’
‘No, it’s worse, much worse.’ Joiner shook his head and looked back at his exoskeleton in fear. ‘He’s everywhere.’
Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Five
The missile targeting Marine One exploded with a flash of light and John Henry closed his eyes.
Am I dead? he wondered.
The roar of a jet aircraft whooshed past, followed by another, and John opened his eyes. Multiple detonations lit up the new day and Marine One emerged from its tailspin to regain forward momentum.
A voice came over the internal speakers. ‘... copy that,’ said the pilot. ‘We have a message for you, Mr President.’
John looked at those accompanying him, as all eyes turned to him. ‘For me?’
‘Mr President, this is Darklight squadron leader Sabre Delta Alpha. We’ll be escorting you for the remainder of your journey.’
John peered back out of the window and saw three jet-black aircraft dropping down to shadow Marine One’s passage. The nearest pilot saluted and John raised his hand to mirror the gesture, then glanced left to see three
more identical craft flying in formation on the opposite side.
High above, two U.S. Air Force F45s sped across the brightening sky and another voice came over the speaker system, ‘Mr President, I’m sorry it took me so long—’
‘Professor Steiner?’ John said.
‘Yes, and you’ll be pleased to know I’ve managed to temporarily block the GMRC’s tracking systems. You should now be trouble-free for the remainder of your journey.’
‘Which is to where, exactly?’
‘I’d rather not say at this time, in case this transmission is intercepted.’
John watched as they headed out over the Atlantic, where remnants of the crippled American and European fleets could be seen on the horizon.
‘I’m patching you through to Admiral McCormick,’ Steiner said.
‘The USS Enterprise survived the attack?’ John said.
‘It did.’ Steiner glanced at something off screen. ‘And I must leave you now, Mr President. Take good care of my friends. They mean the world to me.’
John looked at Eric and Jessica and gave a nod. ‘You have my word, Professor.’
‘I’ll be in touch,’ Steiner said. The speakers crackled and Admiral McCormick’s image appeared on a nearby screen.
‘Mr President, thank God. We feared the worst.’
‘Admiral, what news?’
‘The bombardment has ceased. The GMRC obviously doesn’t want to waste missiles on targets they can no longer see.’ McCormick looked down at his console and then back up at the camera. ‘Marine One will be with us shortly, Mr President. We can speak further when you arrive.’
‘About?’ John said, noticing the urgency in the Admiral’s tone.
The admiral looked at him in disbelief. ‘How we strike back, of course.’
‘Strike back?’
‘The Chinese and Russians have already leant you their support,’ the admiral said. ‘What else do you propose we do, Mr President?’
John glanced at the Chinese premier, Liang Junhui, who gave him a nod confirming his support. Once again, John couldn’t help but feel all eyes upon him. ‘I’ll speak to you shortly, Admiral,’ John said, trying to sound like he was in charge, even though he felt all at sea – which was quite appropriate, as that’s exactly where he was about to be. ‘Make ready.’
Admiral McCormick saluted and the feed ended, and John was left to his thoughts. He gazed out of the window at his Darklight escort and the seas beyond. The world was at war and it seemed he was the man everyone was looking to, to lead them in a counter-strike. His mind returned to the death of his friend and trusted advisor, Paul Brown, and then to his wife, Ashley. It was as if he could still hear their voices. ‘You can still save our people,’ Paul said from beyond the grave. ‘You’re not dead yet.’
‘There is nothing you cannot do, John,’ Ashley said, the memory of her sultry tone tugging at his heart. ‘The whole world needs you now, one nation under God. You are the beacon. It’s time to shine bright.’
John’s eyes brimmed with tears at his loss and he closed them as the helicopter’s motion continued to send vibrations through his body. He wondered if he was destined to spend his life alone. He’d thought Ashley had been the one, but it turned out she was anything but the one. He still loved her, though, and despite her betrayal, she’d saved him in the end. Their love had been warped out of recognition, but it had still been there, covered beneath layers of hate, distrust and lust. He just wished they could have been normal and experienced what many seemed to take for granted: a loving family, full of laughter, children, grandchildren and loving friends.
‘I loved you like a brother, John,’ Paul said, his face seeming to float before John’s eyelids. ‘You were loved and you’re loved still. Forget the past and ignore the future. Seize the now.’
John opened his eyes and found Jessica staring at him. She gave him a smile of encouragement and he returned it as best he could.
A moment later Marine One landed on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier and marines swarmed out to meet them. John disembarked and walked in a daze into the sunlight with Jessica, Eric and Liang Junhui by his side.
‘Mr President,’ said Admiral McCormick, who held onto his hat as winds whistled around them. ‘Welcome aboard the USS Enterprise.’
John returned the salute and then shook the admiral’s hand. I am President of the United States, he thought, noticing the Great Seal of his nation beneath his feet, the carpet having been laid down for his arrival. I can make a difference. No, he told himself, his inner voice firm. You will make a difference, or everyone who’s died will have done so in vain.
‘This way, Mr President.’ McCormick walked away, but John stayed where he was. The admiral stopped and turned.
‘Sir?’ McCormick said. Armed marines were arrayed around them. ‘We need to act fast. We’re not sure how long the GMRC will be without surface communications. The time to hit back is now.’
John remained where he was, and Jessica touched his arm and said, ‘Mr President?’ She lowered her voice. ‘John?’
He looked at her and then recalled the words Steiner had spoken in the bunker. ‘This is a war we cannot win.’
A mournful cry made John glance up to see an albatross come to land on the ship’s radar antenna. He knew the bird could mean good fortune, or a psychological burden. Which of them applied to him, he didn’t know, but whichever it was he also knew he was the master of his own destiny. He knew this was true because ever since he’d made his choice back in the bunker – a choice that had saved his country and the entire surface, but plunged the world into war – he’d not once heard the scathing voices of his parents that had dogged his steps ever since he’d first drawn breath. Their ghosts had left him and instead of feeling bitter, he felt grateful they’d shown him the way back to himself, a way which they were not. I set you free, mother, father, he thought, with my love. He imagined them drifting off into the skies above.
His gaze met the albatross’s, and it screeched in response. I’m a man born anew, he realised. He also realised he was still far away from the peace he craved, but he’d made a start, and a big one, and with it came a confidence he’d never known he possessed – a confidence that came from deep within, rather than the transient nature of anything derived from without.
‘Mr President?’ Admiral McCormick said again.
‘The time is now,’ John said, his mind returning to Paul and then to Ashley. ‘You’re right, but not to hit back.’
‘Mr President, I don’t understand, what—’
‘We are one nation, one species,’ John said, ‘and our brothers and sisters need us more than ever.’
McCormick exchanged looks with his officers and then went to speak again, but John held up his hand and said, ‘There will be no counter-strike.’
‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ McCormick said, his face flushing with anger. ‘Half my fleet has been wiped out. People are dying in droves and you won’t fight back?’
‘You heard your president,’ Liang Junhui said, and moved to John’s side.
‘We will fight back, but not against ourselves.’ John looked back up, as the albatross took flight. ‘The real enemy is up there ... somewhere.’
Everyone turned to look up and John said. ‘More asteroids are on their way, are they not?’
The admiral looked at him in surprise. ‘Yes, Mr President, but—’
‘Then I think we better stop them, don’t you?’
McCormick stared at his Commander in Chief and John held the admiral’s gaze, refusing to back down, his expression resolute.
Those gathered waited with bated breath as their two leaders remained locked in silent conflict. McCormick’s face reddened further and a look of mutiny crept into his eyes.
And then, just when John thought he’d made a mistake, McCormick’s expression softened and he gave a nod. ‘I think we better had, Mr President.’
The tension between the two men dissipated and John led t
he way inside, out of a squall, which had closed in unnoticed. Meanwhile, high in the sky above, the albatross continued its journey out across the Atlantic, its destination as unclear as those it had just left behind, the echoes of its sorrowful call drifting across the ocean’s never-ending waves in search of sanctuary, a land unseen.
Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Six
Sarah lay on her back on a cold surface and stared up into the face of the man who’d just saved her from a horde of deadly Pharos. ‘Riley,’ she said. She smiled and reached out and touched his face.
‘No, Sarah, it’s Ruben. Do you know where we are?’
Sarah let out a groan and focused on him. She recalled being inside the eye of the Anakim sphinx and being blessed with powers beyond her wildest dreams. She also remembered a man clad in steel armour with white glowing eyes. ‘You were the knight? You saved me?’ She then realised she was buck naked. ‘My clothes!’
‘You want my tunic this time?’ Ruben said, smiling at her.
Sarah nodded as her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Ruben removed his white tunic, revealing his powerful physique, and draped it around her shoulders.
Sarah tugged the sides together and shivered as Jason and Trish emerged from the gloom beside her.
‘Why aren’t they following?’ Trish said, looking around them in fear.
‘How can they?’ Jason said. ‘There’s no eye, there’s no nothing.’
‘Except they can go anywhere they like,’ Trish said. ‘They can move through solid walls, remember?’
Jason grunted and Sarah said, ‘She’s right. They’ll find us here, and sooner rather than later.’
‘And where the hell’s here?’ Jason said.
‘We’re still beneath the pyramid, but in another section.’ Sarah saw doubt in their eyes. ‘At least, that’s what it feels like to me. Doesn’t it to you?’
No one said anything for a moment and Sarah knew they were wondering how she could know their location without any fixed reference. She didn’t know herself, but it just felt right somehow, like a sixth sense.
Ancient Origins: Books 4 - 6 (Ancient Origins Boxset Book 2) Page 141