Hybrid - Forced Vengeance (37 page)

Phelps ran his hands down his face. “Why would he do this? Why would he willingly start a war?”

“I do not know, Arthur. I only know that the fleet will not allow another attack. My people will take this as a declaration of war,” Gray announced ominously.

Chapter 19

End game

As Erik listened to the briefing, a man rushed into the room and went directly to Martin Denton. He whispered in the counselor’s ear and Denton’s face lost its color.

“Mr. Chairman,” Denton rose, “I’ve just been informed that Groom Lake and Falcon’s Nest have launched all operational combat shuttles; attack positions will be achieved within twenty minutes. The alien fleet has destroyed our lunar outpost and is now forming up for, what is believed, will be an invasion.” Denton caught his breath and added in a fearful tone. “Groom Lake initiated an unauthorized attack on the fleet prior to their arrival in terran space.”

Amid outraged gasps, the chairman asked over the noise. “Who’s in command of Groom Lake?”

A staffer accessed the data on his laptop and quickly answered, beating Denton to the punch. “Colonel Art Bartholomew Ross.”

The chairman rose, slamming his fists on the table. “What the fuck does Ross think he’s doing? The bloody idiot just instigated a war,” he bellowed. His cell phone rang and he drew it from his belt. “Excuse me.” The chairman had a low-voiced conversation with the caller then once he hung up he addressed the conference attendees.

“Gentlemen, I’ve just been informed that NORAD has detected a massive orbiting platform on an intercept vector with our shuttles. Based on images from our observatories, it’s something we’ve built.” He gritted his teeth then added, “Only our government has no knowledge of it, nor does any other government on this planet. How it’s been able to avoid our radar tracking up to this point is yet another mystery. We’ve been able to trace high frequency bursts to and from the platform back to a specific point on—”

“Let me guess,” Erik interrupted. “The signal is coming from Groom Lake.” Erik looked over at Denton then at the attendees, before saying, “That idiot, Ross, is fighting his own private war with space-based hardware and a weapons system – built from companies funded by Pendelcorp. Ross is trying out his new toys by instigating a war!” He turned to Martin. “If we can figure out where these attacks originated, don’t you think that our alien visitors can deduce the same thing?
Damn it.
My wife isn’t safe at all. She’s at battle ground zero!”

“And that’s exactly where we want you,” the chairman jumped in. “If a ground invasion comes I surmised that it will most likely occur there. I’m sure Colonel Ross will have ground units already prepared to engage the invading forces. Mr. Knight, we’re all aware of what happened to your wife – and why. These matters will be investigated in due course but the first priority is to either communicate with these beings and come to a negotiated peace … or drive them off our world. Everything else, including the rescue of your wife, must come second. Am I clear on that?” the chairman’s tone brooked no argument.

Erik crossed his arms over his chest to show that he wasn’t impressed. “Are you trying to order me, Mr. Chairman?”

After a short face off, the chairman took a deep breath in and let out slowly. “Consider it a friendly word of advice – if that sits better with your ego. If you want you can hunt me down and beat the crap out of me once this crisis is past, but I bruise easily and cry a great deal.” The chairman’s humorous remark eased the mounting tension in the room. “Please, Agent Knight, follow instructions. You’ll be at Groom Lake soon and will be able to retrieve your wife. If it means anything, we don’t consider your wife to be an expendable asset.”

“Nor do I, Mr. Chairman. I’ll do what I can, but if my judgment dictates my wife and unborn child are in jeopardy, these rules will be suspended.”

“Agreed. Let’s start acting like we have a purpose.”

“Mr. Chairman how are we planning on deploying Agent Knight into the field?” Denton asked.

“We have a F-22B Raptor flying into Hanscom Air Force Base within the hour. We can put Mr. Knight in the navigation seat. The pilot can fly without a rear for this mission. If the Raptor flies at a speed below Mach 2 they should have more than enough fuel to make it to Groom Lake with only one airborne refueling. Raptor’s onboard computer has all of the Area 51 access codes so touching down shouldn’t be a problem.”

The chairman looked to Erik. “Ross won’t know you’re coming. We don’t know how he’ll react when he sees you. He’ll most likely attempt to escape. If that happens, let him go. We can always pick him up later. If he tries to attack you, retreat. Ross and his corrupt cronies at Groom Lake are not the threat. The threat is coming from up there.” The chairman pointed at the ceiling. “Whether we started this conflict or not it is irrelevant at this point. I’m told that NORAD has sent a dozen radio transmissions to the alien fleet, explaining the current situation and requesting a truce to open negotiations. They’ve received no reply as yet,” he added with a disappointed expression on his face.

Denton gave the chairman a ‘well-I-can-understand-them look,’ But he didn’t stop there. “The launch of those shuttles and the appearance of that battle station don’t exactly go along with our broadcasted request for peaceful negotiations. We look like we’re preparing for a confrontation and we’ve already thrown the first two punches. We can only hope that these aliens are an understanding race that values peace above war,” Denton added.

Erik supported Denton with a nod. “Take me home, Martin, I’ve got a few things to pick up before the flight.” Erik turned to the chairman. Given the nod to leave, he turned to the attendees, and said, “Gentlemen,” then headed out to Martin’s car.

“He’s impertinent, a loose cannon. How can you tolerate working with him?” the chairman asked Denton.

“No,” Denton shook his head. “He’s simply tired of having his strings pulled for somebody else’s agenda. He is a good man, Mr. Chairman. You just have to know how to approach him. Unfortunately, tact is not one of his stronger suits.”

* * * *

Erik was sitting in the back of the stretch limousine when he felt a mild tingling sensation in the back of his head. A soft, subtle presence.

“Shanda?” he whispered.

Denton turned toward his friend. “What? Sorry, I was daydreaming, what did you say?”

Erik’s eyes watered as he struggled to contain his relief. “I can sense her, Martin. She’s out there. There’s an interference in the link, but she’s alive and well. Whatever has been blocking her telepathic ability has been greatly reduced. I can’t detect thoughts, but I can sense her presence and I know she can sense mine.”

Denton smiled and placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “That’s wonderful. Thank God for small miracles. We’ll get you there as fast as that bird can carry you.”

“I can sense something else. It’s not Shanda, but it feels a great deal like her, almost as if there’s someone else sharing her link.” Seeing Denton’s confused look, Erik explained. “It would be like you having a cell phone conversation and another call was hijacking your frequency. That’s what I’m picking up, but this is different. A unique presence.” At a sudden realization, Erik whispered in awe, “It can’t be!”

“Can’t be what?” Denton asked.

“My child.”

* * * *

The limousine pulled into Madame’s parking lot, and Erik walked briskly through the main dining area, heading to his quarters. The place was empty. No Margaret or daughter. They were likely with Alissa. He tapped the seven-key sequence on his wall safe to get to his private arsenal. As the safe door swung open he could already hear his staff purring with anticipation.

“We’ve got a big job ahead of us,” he said as he reached in and pulled out the slender cylinder. “You’re impervious to human weaponry. Let’s hope you’re equally formidable against alien weapons.”

The staff changed its pitch as if it sensed its master’s thoughts. The weapon continued to purr with anticipation as Erik placed it on his desk and closed the safe door. He slipped into combat attire, placed his staff in its satchel and wrapped it around his waist. He considered the other weapons in the safe.

The Carbon 9 mm and his Wilson pistols were formidable weapons, but weren’t in the same league as his sentient staff. He could channel phenomenal amounts of energy through the metallic weapon, making it far more lethal than any weapon in his wall safe. He grabbed his leather jacket and went looking for his ex-wife and daughter to alert them about his trip.

They were sitting with Alissa and Jeff when he approached. Jeff spoke up. “The ladies have been filling me in on what’s going on. Have you found out where Shanda is being held?”

“Yes, I’m leaving right now to get her,” he answered.

“What about all this alien business?” Brianna jumped in. Erik glanced at Alissa who shrugged her shoulders.

“I figured they should know the whole story,” Alissa said sheepishly. “Just in case.”

“C’mon, Dad. Richard already spilled the beans anyway.”

Erik hesitated, then concluded that Alissa was right; for that matter, if things went wrong he probably would never see his daughter or his ex-wife or his friends again. No one could anticipate what would happen if the Observers attacked Earth.

“I’ve been so preoccupied with everything else that I hadn’t even considered the possibility.”

Erik knelt by his daughter. “Bri, once this is over, I’m done with this spy crap. We have so much time to make up for. I promise you, we’ll make time once I get Shanda back. But if things don’t pan out, remember that I’ve always loved you.”

Brianna’s eyes filled with tears. “I will, Daddy,” she whispered, hugging him.

“Don’t cry, munchkin, please.” Erik was getting weepy too. He looked to his ex-wife for support. Margaret and Alissa were also both in tears.

Erik gently pried his daughter’s arms away then winked at her. “I’ll be back, Bri. I still owe you a driving lesson.” He gently brushed the tears from her cheeks.

“Take care, Dad,” she whispered. “And please be careful.”

Erik rose and addressed Margaret. “I want you both to stay at my place. I’m hoping this will all be settled diplomatically and quietly. The last thing the government needs right now is a nationwide panic. Margaret, if you need anything at all, let Alissa know and she’ll see to it.

“Under no circumstances should you go back to Richard’s house. I don’t know what he has planned, but I get the sense he has something up his sleeve. Whatever it is, it’s not of prime concern right now. I’ll have more peace of mind if I know that you’re both here.”

Margaret nodded, confirming she’d agreed to stay at Madame’s. “Please be careful, Erik. Just come back to us safely.”

Jeff stood up and gave Erik a pat on the shoulder. “So what are you waiting for? Go and save the world already!” he said in his best lighthearted voice.

“I’ll get right on it.” Erik smiled.

Jeff extended his hand and the two exchanged a firm handshake.

“Good luck and you bring Shanda home safe.”

“Thanks, Jeff.”

Erik headed out Madame’s front door, ready to face whatever response the Observers had planned for Earth.

Space Beyond Lunar Orbit

The massive alien craft had been repaired. The damage from the human warheads was marginal. With a carrier functional at 90 percent, they were ready to approach Earth. Tiny human space vehicles were gathering two thousand miles above their planet, as if ready to launch another attack in defense of their home world.

The Observers had no interest in their paltry, polluted world. They only wanted their young citizen returned. They had located the child and would commence retrieval shortly. If the humans dared interfere it would be to their detriment.

They regretted the loss of life on the moon’s surface, but then it had been necessary to send the Earthlings a message: They would defend themselves. They had since received primitive broadcasts asking for a truce then negotiations but they could not reconcile these messages to the buildup of offensive weapons.

A decision was reached – to neutralize the human war machines. The order given, their carrier and escorts slowly moved toward their objective. The landing forces had been prepared to drop onto the remote desert facility with orders to eliminate all human resistance and recover their citizen.

Groom Lake Command Center, Area 51

Colonel Ross spent several minutes viewing the tiny monitor that fed the video signal from the detainment cells. He watched as Anderson had been neutralized and the prisoners recaptured before they could make their escape. Ross knew his friend all too well. Anderson had proven soft and weak, unable to carry on Ross’s military mandate.

Ross growled. Everybody in the government was too soft. He would act on behalf of the world and send a message to these invaders: Earth was off limits.

Twelve armored shuttles soared in high orbit – each built with a titanium alloy skeleton and armor that made it truly battle hardened. Each was outfitted with an additional armored fuel tank, giving the craft maneuverability for sudden vector, pitch and course changes.

Their weaponry consisted of ten high-velocity atomic torpedoes and two pulse cannons on each ship. Goliath had four ion laser batteries and a vast array of nuclear warheads – and EMP cannons. The orbital platform had several solid rocket boosters and thrusters that could move the platform into new firing positions if needed. Ross muttered to himself that despite their smaller size, the humans had an impressive destructive force.

“Sir,” a technician called out. “The armada is once again moving toward Earth.”

Ross studied the slow moving blips. “Have the shuttles from Falcon’s Nest move out on an intercept course and prepare to fire at optimum range,” he ordered.

“Sir! NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain are broadcasting on a scrambled frequency through the hard wire. We are ordered to suspend hostilities and prepare for the arrival of replacement personnel from NORAD.”

The technician looked up. “Sir, you are to be held under arrest until the replacement crew arrives.”

“Disregard that order and please relay my orders to the Falcon’s Nest shuttles,” he ordered.

The technician clearly hesitated, looking around at his peers for guidance, but they were equally confused.