“I have no idea what I’m allowed to tell you.”
“Then skip it, John,” O’Neil said. “Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
The jet taxied across the airport and sat just off of the end of a runway where a mid-sized commercial airliner with military markings and a Gulfstream jet were waiting their turn to take off. O’Neil taxied to the end of the runway from the other direction, cutting in front of the waiting Gulfstream, and turned up the runway. The engines powered up while O’Neil stood on the brakes. Then, with a jerk, the T-38 started forward, picking up speed as John watched the ground pass by until it was just a blur. Seconds later the jet leapt into the air, pushing him back into his seat as they went nearly vertical, climbing into the sky.
When they leveled off there wasn’t much conversation between them. Still tired from getting used to gravity again, John actually dozed off until he sensed they were slowing down. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see they were on approach to an airfield, but it wasn’t nearly large enough to be Chicago’s O’Hare.
The major brought the aircraft in for a smooth landing with hardly a bump, slowed and then taxied to a group of larger hangars.
Catching the movement of John’s helmet in the mirror, O’Neil activated the intercom and said, “Get in a good snooze there? Sorry about turning off the intercom but your snores were beginning to affect the instruments.”
“Is everything okay?” John asked.
“Of course. We’re getting our tanks topped off and should be in Chicago in about thirty minutes. How are you doing back there? I hope you don’t need a pit stop!” O’Neil said with a chuckle.
“I’m fine. I guess taking the wheel back here is out of the question, right?”
“You fly, John?”
“Never have.”
“Then keep your hands to yourself. My orders were to get you to Chicago ASAP so I don’t have time for any lessons. But if you ever want to try a more leisurely flight, look me up back in Houston. I’ll clear some flight time for you.”
“Seriously? That would be outstanding. Thank you, major.”
“Don’t mention it. Okay, gotta pay attention. Be right back,” O’Neil said as he cut the intercom.
The major followed the signaled directions, taxiing close to a fuel truck, bringing the T-38 to a stop, then shutting down the engines.
John watched as the ground crew drove the fuel truck close and attached the hose to the jet. After a few thumps John caught a whiff of the aircraft blend as the waited for the tanks to fill. Ten minutes later he saw the hose rolled back onto the truck as the truck pulled away. John heard a few thumps then the engines started up again.
Major O’Neil gave a salute to the ground crew as he slowly started the aircraft rolling toward the taxiway. Moments later the engines wound up again as O’Neil stood on the brakes, then released them.
When the intercom came back on, John asked, “What was that I just saw out of the corner of my eye?”
O’Neil laughed. “That was probably moisture in the air. It looks like a pressure cloud around the aircraft just as we approach and pass through the sound barrier. From the outside it looks pretty spectacular, like a cloud halo around the aircraft. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What was it like in orbit? If you’re allowed to tell me, that is.”
John thought about it for a second. “As long as no one can eavesdrop on us, I’ll tell you.”
“Radio’s on receive-only. Just you and me up here,” O’Neil assured John.
“It was terrifying at first. I was constantly worried I’d make some kind of fatal mistake. But when I realized that between my training and everyone watching each other’s backs I was in good hands, I was able to relax and enjoy it. Weightlessness was really different. The Vomit Comet was a pale imitation of the real deal. Once we were underway toward the asteroid belt, I even got to the point where I volunteered for EVA all the time. The head of the program told me there’s some kind of effect that astronauts get about seeing Earth as the tiny haven for human life that it is; well, I got it. I don’t really have the words yet to explain it,” John confessed.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about it,” said O’Neil. “So you were on the Jove mission.”
“I was, but please don’t pass that around, I’m sure the public is going to find out soon enough.”
“I’m dying to know how a former cop gets on the biggest mission NASA’s ever put together and no one knew about it, but being ordered to fly your ass to Chicago post haste is enough to tell me you move in really rarefied air. All I can say is good luck with whatever you’re doing, and I meant it about getting some flying time in Houston. I won’t be making you into a pilot, especially with this baby. But I love taking folks up for a ride.”
“Again, thank you. I’ll have to see if that can be worked out. Since I have no earthly idea what’s in store for me when we touch down, I’m going to see if I can doze some more. If the snoring messes with the instruments, feel free to shut me off.”
“I will,” Oneil said, laughing. “I’ll make sure you’re up ten minutes out, that sound about right?”
“Great. Thanks …”
John closed his eyes, clearing his mind of everything but the droning of engines and the soft whisper of the air in his mask. The next thing he knew, O’Neil was calling out to him in his helmet.
“John! We’ve been cleared straight in. You have some clout, my man.”
“Believe me, major, I’m just the flavor of the month,” John said, instantly fully awake.
“I’m going to get us down in a hurry, there might be a little bump when we land,” O’Neil warned.
John watched as the jet vectored directly in to O’Hare, not circling or hanging back. As the T-38 lost altitude for landing, John was excited, only having been a commercial flyer. O’Neil stayed high until he crossed the outer marker of the airport; when he crossed the stripes at the beginning of the runway he dropped down to within a few feet of the surface, flared out slightly, and dropped the aircraft onto the runway. The fighter braked hard and turned off onto a taxiway when the major saw a sedan with an emergency light flashing red.
As soon as the fighter began to make the turn, the sedan took off and led the fighter to the area reserved for private aircraft. They taxied to a building that said Signature across the roof line. As the major was waved in, John saw a portable stairway ready to be pushed up to the jet.
Once John was out of the T-38 and on the ground, a man in a suit beckoned him away from the aircraft and led him inside the private terminal.
“I’m Special Agent Adams. I have some clothes for you and a place to change into them. We’re waiting for a helicopter that’s going to take you downtown. How much do you know about the situation?” he asked.
“I know I’m supposed to try to talk to these two guys,” John said, pulling the photos out of the breast pocket of his jumpsuit and showing them to the agent.
“That’s right. This one is Lucius Walker, the other is Julius Stanford. And currently they are cooling their heels at Navy Pier while those two spaceships hover over the lake a couple miles southeast. Get dressed, that’s the chopper now,” Adams said, hearing the incoming bird.
John was impressed that all the clothes fit, even the shoes. Although after a moment’s thought he realized how easy it would have been to get his sizes from NASA.
As he was tying the tie, he heard a double knock on the door. Agent Adams stuck his head in and asked, “Ready?”
“Sure. What do I do with this stuff?” John asked.
“I’ll throw it in my trunk. I’m leaving the car here. Someone from the agency will pick it up later. Let’s go.”
Adams led John outside, across the tarmac and into a Jetranger helicopter with no markings. The helicopter must have had clearance because it
took off immediately and turned toward the downtown skyline.
John turned to Adams and said over the engine, “So, what’s—” but Adams interrupted and pointed to the headset hanging next to John.
“That’s better. Now what were you saying?” Adams asked.
“I want to know if there are any specific requests or demands the president or anyone else wants me to convey?”
“Ideally we would like to start a dialogue with the separatists.”
“By confining them for what, over a week?”
“Yeah, that was a fucked-up move. I know how it makes this effort a clusterfuck from the git-go, but that’s what you’re faced with. According to what they told me, you’ve spoken to one of them already, and you’re the only one. I guess they’re expecting you to do your magic one more time. Between you and me, just talk to them. Whatever you get, it’ll be what it is. Here, slip this into your jacket pocket,” Adams said, handing John what looked like a wallet.
“Transmitter?” John asked.
“Exactly. We’ll have a few agents scattered around the pier, at least one of whom will always have you in sight. If you say the word … let me see. Mercury, that’s it. If you say the word Mercury, we’ll close in.”
“Come on, I’m not going to be in any danger. I can see you all wanting to hear what’s going on, but these people aren’t the least bit interested in harming me.”
“Maybe so, but they pay me to be ready for the unexpected, John. Just consider it your backup. We’re going to land in a parking lot a couple of blocks away. A cab driven by one of our people will drop you off in front of the main entrance. Latest word is that they’re in a tavern just inside. It’ll be dark soon, chances are they’re planning to slip off in the night. There are going to be a lot more people around and visibility will be decreased. Do your best.”
John nodded as he turned to watch the city go by below. He took out his mobile phone and saw it was going on six o’clock. A few minutes later the helicopter angled toward the lakefront, then dropped down to land in a parking lot being held open by two police vehicles with lights flashing. The chopper landed, letting John and Adams get out; seconds later the helicopter rose back into the sky. Adams tapped John on the chest over the transmitter and received a nod and a thumbs-up from one of the agents standing next to an unmarked car.
Adams walked John to the entrance of the parking lot toward a Yellow Cab. As they approached the car, Adams said, “This is your cab. Just make contact and do your best. Good luck.”
The shook hands and John got into the cab.
“Ready, sir?” the driver asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” John replied.
Chapter 37
A WALK IN THE NIGHT
“How’s it looking out there, Neil?” Julius radioed.
“Not bad. There’s some cops around, and the feds are still trolling around inside and out. The crowd’s picking up though. Anyone want to go for a spin on the Ferris wheel?” Neil asked, laughing.
Lucius could see Lena smiling across the room as she listened in on the conversation. The waitress stopped by their table and dropped off two more bottles of beer and removed the empties. As she walked away a nondescript man walked in the door, looked around, then walked toward their table.
Lucius saw him first since Julius was facing in the wrong direction. When Lena saw the man approaching, she prepared to get up, but sat back and waited when she saw Lucius hold up his hand underneath the table.
“Excuse me, gentlemen. My name is John Mathews. I’m Joy’s father,” John announced. “May I have a word with the two of you?”
Lucius and Julius exchanged surprised glances, then Julius kicked out the chair next to him and said, “Pull up a chair.”
Lucius signaled the waitress, and when she returned to the table he asked John, “What can I get for you, Mr. Mathews?”
“I’d love a beer, but I think I’m going to have ginger ale. Thank you.”
When the waitress left to fill the order, Julius gestured to Lucius to take the lead in the conversation.
“Jet lag?” Lucius asked, smiling.
“You have no idea. How did you know?”
“Because your ship just landed in Houston a few hours ago. And I suspect the rest of the crew is still being checked out. They really wanted you here, didn’t they?”
“Yes they did, Mr. Walker. And just between you and me, and whomever else is listening,” John said as he pointed discreetly to his breast pocket, “I can’t for the life of me see how my talking to you is going to make any difference. But they were quite persistent. How did they treat you while you were in custody?”
“Not bad. But this country has turned into a constitutional cesspool. The indignities and overreach citizens have to put up with are appalling,” Lucius observed.
“That’s why I let Sydney go when she did. There’s no telling what they would have subjected her to had they nabbed her.”
“You loved her very much, didn’t you?” Lucius asked, seeing Julius narrow his eyes at the question.
“I still do. But I’m not some wide-eyed, lovesick teenager. I got to speak to Sydney while we were out there and obviously she told me about Joy, but I agree with her decision not to have me speak to her. I’m sure everyone has figured out by now that we can’t be together as a family. But I’m not here to discuss my family situation, the expectations are a little bigger than that,” said John.
“And what are they?” Julius asked somewhat belligerently.
Lucius reached out and touched Julius on the arm, forestalling any further comment.
“I’m sorry. We’re a little on edge after being held for no reason for so long, Mr. Mathews.”
“Please, call me John.” he said, paused, then resumed. “It’s no secret that absolutely everyone would love to get their hands on the marvels your community has managed to come up with, but I think that’s never going to happen. And after what that asshole colonel leading the other mission did, I can’t fault you with never speaking to anyone here again. But what I guess I’m here to ask is, why can’t we keep a line of communication open?” asked John.
Julius looked like he was about to say something until Lucius quickly said, “You’re right about our technologies. We will never share them with this country, or anyone else on the planet. We were just held in jail with no charges, no due process, and incommunicado for over a week, that’s not how to make friends and influence people, John. What would you do if the situation was reversed?”
“The same, or worse. It was a shitty situation and it’s all based on fear, ignorance and greed; you know that. Your capabilities have scared the crap out of the authorities. Hell, I just made a trip through space that took me more than seven months on the way out, but only ten days back being towed by a couple of your ships. I saw the video of what happened in Russia and another showing that whatever they fired at them in Washington didn’t make a dent.”
“And that’s precisely why we will never share our technology with you all. Think of it like the prime directive in Star Trek. To us, you are a wild, immature, self-destructive species that can’t be trusted with a loaded gun, let alone the technology that renders our spaceships essentially invulnerable. This country is little better than when our first recruits left for the moon. It’s just as racist as it ever was and has absolutely nothing to offer our people,” said Lucius.
“Then why were you here, if I may ask?”
“I forgot my watch,” Julius said, eliciting laughter from the others.
“Okay, I guess I deserved that,” John said ruefully.
“Seriously John, what do the people who sent you really want?” Lucius inquired.
“I guess the opportunity to talk.”
“That can’t happen. Look what they did to the two of us, holding us hostage,” Lucius said, gesturing to Julius.
&nb
sp; “I know that, but I’m just the message bearer. If it were just me asking I think I would ask to be able to meet my daughter and keep in touch. But I can’t see how that would be practical.”
The expression on Lucius’ face softened. “Did Sydney show you a picture of Joy? She’s beautiful, and smart as a whip. Her mother is doing a great job of raising her.”
“I believe it, and she did send me a photo. Sydney’s as smart as they come. I really cherished the time we had together, and if she had suggested staying behind ten years ago I still would have sent her away. What happened to the two of you was a sunny picnic in the park compared to what would have happened to her in the hands of the authorities. I hope she’s happy out there, it seems like the perfect place for her,” John said sadly.
“She’s good. She and I work together, so I do know. And as for your daughter, she has about a dozen uncles doting on her who are the finest minds in the solar system. I promise you, she will want for nothing. She’s great in school, has a number of terrific friends, and she’s happy, John, really happy.”
“Thank you for confirming it, and thank you for all you’ll do for her as she grows up. By the way, when are you planning to head back?” John asked casually, making the others laugh. “Is one of those ships sitting out there going to stop by and pick you up?”
“We’ve actually been wondering about that ourselves and your being here makes the prospect of us just up and leaving without being bothered pretty unlikely. The authorities know exactly where we are, and I’m betting that if we made a break for it we’d be swept up like so much loose change,” Lucius speculated.
“There is that chance. I’m not really privy to their plans. I’m being used by the government exactly like GST used me, putting me in the crew of the Jove mission. I’m not particularly happy with the way things are done in this country either. And frankly, your community’s existence should be a great incentive to make some changes around here. But the powers that be are just as corrupt and cowardly as they ever were,” John said, as Julius reached over and silently tapped him on the chest, reminding John of the listening device.
Confrontation Page 62