Alien Research

CHAPTER 27

I TENDED TO THINK BEST when I was running my mouth. Continued to so run while watching Mahin carefully. “Here’s what I think has happened. Our people were indeed taken and herded into the Science Center. But I don’t think they’re there any more.”

“Why not?” Tito asked. “Why try to keep us away if they’re not there?”

“The usual bad guy reasons, distraction most likely.”

“Or they were anticipating our response,” White pointed out. “They were able to do so before.”

“The Science Center didn’t fire on us,” Christopher said.

“And there was only the one tank,” Adriana added.

“Good points.” The first time the Al Dejahl terrorist group had taken over the Science Center they’d absolutely shot at me and Christopher. One tank, while a good start, wasn’t likely to take out A-Cs, simply because they were so fast. And the baddies had certainly anticipated most of our reactions during most of Operation Confusion, after all, and that was when Ronaldo Al Dejahl first came onto our collective radars.

“I agree with the logic, but I’m not convinced,” Chuckie said.

“Fine. Home Base is deserted. I’m not sure what Ronaldo’s mind control range is, but he didn’t execute this plan all on his lonesome. He has his newly recruited terrorist grunts with him, I’m sure. Why not leave a couple of them at Home Base to shoot or capture us?”

“Because the Science Center is easier to lock down,” Jeff replied.

“Yes, it is. And it’s locked down nice and tight. But I know from personal experience that anyone inside during lockdown can get out easily. And Ronaldo knows we can do that, even if he didn’t have Gladys under his control, because we did it when Jamie was born.”

Jeff’s eyes narrowed. “Are they after her again?”

“I’m sure they are. There had to be a reason all the Embassy animals were with the kids.”

“We need to get back.” Jeff looked ready to run all the way to D.C. Couldn’t blame him, really, but that wasn’t going to be a wise plan.

“Yes, but I don’t think they’re making their move against the Embassy just yet.”

“Why not?” Christopher asked, sounding almost as worried as Jeff. “They got all of us out and here.”

“Not all of us. But I think they left Mahin here to keep us extremely busy while they continue on with the rest of whatever their plan is. Regardless, we need to verify if anyone’s still in the Science Center or not.”

“We need to go back to the Embassy,” Jeff said urgently. Only, he didn’t look all that urgent.

Remembered that he’d been able to feel Mahin’s emotions. “Well, I think we should go to Gaultier Research.”

“Why?” Chuckie asked.

“Just a feeling. Or, maybe Titan Enterprises.”

“Where’s the relevance, Missus Chief?” Buchanan was obviously speaking for most of our group.

“Could be very relevant. Or, there’s always good ol’ YatesCorp.”

“Maybe we should search Home Base again,” Jeff said. By now we were getting the “you so crazy” looks from just about everyone.

“How about Caliente Base?”

“Or the Dome,” Jeff suggested.

Saw the realization of what we were doing dawn on Chuckie. “Oh, I think we need to check C.I.A. headquarters. Or the F.B.I. Maybe Homeland Security, too.”

Jeff didn’t look like he’d gotten what he was emotionally searching for yet. Decided to branch out. After all, Al Dejahl was in charge, and that meant I needed to think about the times we’d tangled with him. “Paris.”

“Or Paraguay,” Chuckie added.

Another idea nudged. “Tunnel system.” As I said this Jeff nodded. “They’re really in the tunnels?”

“Yes.” Jeff smiled at Mahin. “Thanks for your help.”

“I didn’t help you at all,” she snapped.

“You mind telling us what the hell you’re going on about?” Christopher asked.

Chuckie shook his head. “You’ve been out of fieldwork too long.”

Buchanan looked like he’d caught on. “Want me to take our prisoner away, Missus Chief?” I was still holding her arm and could feel Mahin tense up. Good.

“Yes, please and thank you, Malcolm. Just far enough so she can’t hear us.”

He nodded and took her from me and Christopher. “Understand that if you try anything, anything at all, I’ll kill you. And no one will be near enough to us to tell me to stop. Nod if you understand.”

She nodded. “You’re all murderers.”

“Nope, not all,” Buchanan said cheerfully. “But I am for sure, so don’t test the depths of my human kindness, because I don’t have any.” He led her off, being rather rough, a good hundred or so feet away.

“Should I go with him, just in case?” Adriana asked me.

“Yeah, good call. We’ll fill you both in once we know what we’re doing.” She trotted over to Buchanan and Mahin.

“They should be far enough away,” Jeff said in a low voice. “And I don’t know whether to be insulted or not that none of you could figure out what Kitty and I were doing.”

“I presume you were using your empathic talents to determine what Mahin knew and identify where our enemies are or are headed, Jeffrey.”

“Then why did you look so confused, Mister White?”

He shrugged. “I wanted to ensure our prisoner felt you two were acting like idiots versus emotionally interrogating her.”

“Is everyone else going to jump on that bandwagon?”

The rest of the team shook their heads. “I just thought the two of you had lost it,” Tito said, clearly speaking for everyone else. Presumed he was speaking for Buchanan and Adriana, too, though I decided we could live without the confirmation.

“And this is why I say again that Richard is really the best Field agent we have.”

“I’m touched. However, the tunnel system is intricate and worldwide. Were you able to determine anything else, Jeffrey?”

“Before you answer that, are you sure she wasn’t fooling you in some way?” Chuckie asked Jeff.

“And are you sure Buchanan’s not going to shoot her in the head?” Christopher asked me. “Or Adriana? She’s got a gun out, too, now.”

“If she tries anything, he’ll kill her without a thought,” Jeff replied. “However, all that ‘amoral killer’ crap was just that, crap. He’ll kill her because she represents a threat to Kitty, but he won’t enjoy it. Same with Adriana, she’ll shoot if Mahin becomes a threat, but otherwise, she’s just there to give Buchanan company and support. And, seriously, I’m an empath. If someone’s not wearing an emotional blocker, and both of them aren’t, then I can read them.”

“Sorry,” Christopher said. “I mentioned that the crash landing took a lot out of us, right?”

“Out of you, at least.” Hey, I was getting tired of the complaints about my skills.

Jeff rolled his eyes and went on. “As for Mahin, I’m pretty sure about her reactions. She’s absolutely not wearing an emotional blocker. If she’s using an emotional overlay it’s impressive, because I could feel more than just a few emotions. She wasn’t as easy to read as Kitty is, but she’s pretty close.”

“Is she human?” Everyone other than Tito stared at me. “Really? I think the android question is one we should always ask, particularly since they have all the human emotions and can fool Jeff.”

Tito opened his medical bag and pulled out an OVS. “I agree, and I’ve taken to carrying this with me any time I’m leaving the Embassy. I can wand her whenever you want, Kitty.”

“And this is why bringing Tito onto the team is still probably my proudest recruiting achievement.” This earned me a grin from Tito and a nice version of Patented Glare #1 from Christopher.

“Presuming she’s not an android,” Jeff went on, clearly choosing to ignore the opportunity to praise my recruiting skills, “she’s not used to hiding her emotions from anyone. She might not even have been told that she should try. I don’t get the impression she’s known any of the people she’s now associated with for very long.”

“What’s her dominant emotion?” Chuckie asked.

“Not what you’d expect, especially under the circumstances.”

“And that is?” I asked for all of us.

“Loneliness.”

“Interesting,” Chuckie said. “That’s probably how Al Dejahl got her hooked in. It works for most cultists. But does that mean we can turn her? Because if we can, she’d be an asset. But if we can’t, she’s another dangerous liability.”

“I’m more concerned with where everyone is and what’s going on,” Christopher said.

“Has anyone tested to see if we can get into the Science Center?” Rahmi asked. “I realize you say it’s locked down, but an attempt should be made.”

Jeff shrugged. “Not yet. You two,” he pointed to the princesses, “and Christopher, come with me.” He took Christopher’s hand, confirming that, for now at least, Christopher was out of hyper-juice.

They all zipped off. They were back almost immediately. “No way in,” Jeff said. “In addition to everything else, the shields are up.”

“We bounced off the walls and doors,” Rhee added.

“So, what are our options?” Chuckie asked. “We don’t have enough firepower to blast our way in.”

Nostalgic memory waved. “Christopher and I know a way in that doesn’t require blowing things up.”

Christopher shook his head. “You and your mother both had security measures put up on the old drainage pipe. Gladys knows about that; she’s the one who ensured it was handled.”

Considered this. “We should try it anyway.”

“Why?” Chuckie asked.

“Because we can determine how far under Ronaldo’s control Gladys really is,” White replied.

“Mister White, it’s like you read my mind. Exactly. If the pipe’s open, or we can get in with relative ease, then Gladys took off the security somehow and is fighting back. If not, then we know she’s fully under Al Dejahl’s mind control.”

Jeff looked thoughtful. “It might not prove anything, either way, but the whole excuse used to get our people herded here and captured was Security training. So maybe the guards normally stationed in that area won’t be there. Either by accident or design.”

“But I thought we were assuming the Center is empty,” Dad pointed out. “Should we spend the time?”

“Yes, because, if nothing else, we’ll be able to get into the tunnel system close to where Al Dejahl and the others did,” Jeff replied.

“So the question is, should we try the drainage pipe to verify the Center is empty?” White asked. “And, if so, should all of us attempt the entry?”

“How sure are you that no one’s inside the Science Center?” Chuckie asked.

“Our captive is sure,” Jeff said. “If she’s not an android and not fooling me, then there’s no one in there that she knows of.”

“That she knows of . . .” Closed my eyes. “Wait, wait. Don’t say anything. Let me think. How likely is it that Al Dejahl has hooked back up with the same gang he used to run with, or at least their new counterparts?”

“Why are you talking if you’re thinking?” Christopher asked.

“Three plus years together and you have to ask that? Chuckie’s right, you’ve spent too long on non-active duty.”

“I’m going to say something since you asked and answer your question,” Chuckie replied. “My guess would be extremely likely.”

“Okay, we know that Jeff couldn’t feel anyone at the Science Center earlier today, so it’s a safe bet that they have emotional blockers somewhere in the facility, maybe all over it. Probably at Home Base, too.”

“That’s a safe assumption,” Jeff said. “Where are you going with this?”

“Why can you feel Mahin?”

Opened my eyes to see Chuckie nodding. Jeff shrugged. “They didn’t give her a blocker or overlay, or hers are broken. Or something like that.”

“Or Al Dejahl expected you to read Mahin and think no one’s there. Sort of like in The Princess Bride.” This earned me a chuckle from Dad, blank looks from everyone other than Tito, and an exasperated sigh from Chuckie. Wanted to call Buchanan back, but figured he’d have sided with the Exasperated Sigh Team.

“So she was told what they wanted Jeff to read and us to know,” Chuckie finished quickly, presumably so I wouldn’t describe the scene from The Princess Bride I was referring to for the others’ enjoyment.

“Which is par for their course. Ronaldo wasn’t the brains of Operation Confusion, but he isn’t an idiot and LaRue was obviously a good teacher.”

“So, what does that mean?” Christopher asked.

“It means they want us on a wild goose chase. Looking in the tunnels, racing back to the Embassy. They don’t actually want us here.”

“Meaning we want to get into the Science Center,” Gower said. “So that would mean all of us go to the drainage pipe.”

“No. It means we need to do exactly what Al Dejahl wants.”