The Grail

CHAPTER 24

The first convoy of mech-robots reached the two-and-a-half-mile-high escarpment that surrounded Mons Olympus. They didn’t pause, but began tearing into the rocky Martian soil, preparing a graded path through the escarpment. The peak of the volcano towered over them on the horizon, one hundred and seventy miles directly ahead and fifteen miles higher.

Back at Cydonia, the remaining mech-robots continued taking apart the remains of the black grid system, loading the parts onto carriers which headed in the direction of Mons Olympus.

Two hundred Airlia stood in two rows of eighty, from the last black tube to the exit of the burial chamber. They held gleaming spears or swords in their six-fingered hands, out from their chests in a salute.

In the same singsong language that the hologram in the tunnel had spoken in, Artad asked something of Ts’ang. The Chinese man replied. Without noting the presence of the human-Airlia clones on the floor, Artad strode out of the burial cavern toward the chamber holding the guardian computer. As he passed, each pair of Airlia turned in military precision and followed until only Lexina, Coridan, and Elek were left. Belatedly, they got to their feet and followed like children at an adult function.

The Washington and Stennis, two supercarriers, steamed in tandem toward Easter Island. Also at the center of the fleet was the Jahre Viking. Around them, the escort ships of Task Forces 78 and 79 also were underway. All were under the control of the Easter Island guardian.

The bouncer touched down and a solemn group waited inside Hangar One. Major Quinn, Che Lu, Larry Kincaid, and Professor Mualama stood silently as Turcotte and Yakov carefully carried Duncan’s covered body out of the bouncer and onto the gurney that had been wheeled up next to the craft.

“I am most sorry,” Che Lu said, taking Turcotte’s hand in her small ones. Turcotte simply nodded, not knowing what to say. Yakov leaned close to Quinn and asked him something. Quinn whispered an answer.

“I will take her to the morgue,” Yakov said. He pushed the gurney toward the hangar doors.

“Don’t touch her.” Turcotte stepped toward the Russian.

Mualama stepped between them. “I will take care of it,” he said. “You neither,” Turcotte snapped. “Larry, you do it.”

Kincaid nodded and took hold of the gurney.

Turcotte numbly allowed Che Lu to lead him along, the others following as they went to the elevator. The trip to the Cube was made in silence. As the doors slid open, Major Quinn spoke. “We’re tracking Aspasia’s Shadow’s bouncer. It’s heading directly toward Easter Island. We—”

Turcotte raised a weary hand. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“But, sir—” Quinn shut up as Che Lu shook her head. She led him into the same quarters where the two had last spoken, shutting the door on the others.

Che Lu had not let go of his hand. “My friend—” She paused as the phone buzzed. She ignored it. “My friend, I know you feel—” The phone continued to buzz insistently. Reluctantly, Che Lu went over to it and picked it up. Turcotte took the opportunity to lie down on the bunk and close his eyes. He couldn’t shake the image of Duncan looking up at him as life faded from her eyes.

He remembered when he first saw her at Dulles International when she had met him on his way to the security force at Area 51. She’d given him his covert mission which had resulted in the cover being blown off Majestic-12 and Area 51. But that was quickly erased by his favorite memory, being with her in her house in Colorado. Watching the sun come up over the high plains to the east. He wondered who would tell her son she was dead, then realized it was his responsibility.

“Mike—” Che Lu gently tapped his arm. “Mike.”

Turcotte opened his eyes, his eyebrows arched in weary question. “Come with me,” Che Lu said. “Something important has happened.”

He closed his eyes. “I don’t care about Aspasia’s Shadow. About Easter Island. Mars. Qian-Ling. Any of it.”

“Please.”

Turcotte turned on his side away from her.

“Stop it!” Che Lu’s voice was like a whip. “You are not that important.” Her words stung. Turcotte swung his feet down to the ground. “What’s going on?”

“Come with me.”

Turcotte obeyed. They went down the corridor to the elevator. As it lifted, Turcotte flashed back to the elevator in Mount Sinai. What if he had chosen to go up instead of down? If he had been the first to arrive at the bouncer hangar? Could he have stopped Aspasia’s Shadow? Saved Lisa? Recovered the Grail? Should he have shot Yakov first as soon as he saw him pointing the gun?

He was jarred when the elevator came to a halt. Che Lu walked directly across the massive hangar, passing bouncers, out into the bright Nevada sunlight.

He wasn’t aware where they were going until Che Lu swung a door on a hangar open and the cold air hit his face along with a nauseating medical smell. A hulking figure filled the doorway. Yakov grabbed him by both shoulders, his hands squeezing so hard the pain was intense, startling Turcotte out of his fugue.

“You have to see!” Yakov’s voice boomed in Turcotte’s head. “You have to see!” He spun Turcotte about.

Duncan was sitting up on the autopsy table.

Turcotte blinked, knowing he was delusional. But the scene was the same. She was sitting, wearing a blood-soaked robe. Her eyes were open. Her head turned toward Turcotte.

“Mike.” She raised her arms. “Come here.” Turcotte surprised himself by hesitating. “Who are you?”

A line furrowed the skin on her forehead. “Mike?” In the back of the room Professor Mualama was watching this miraculous scene, his dark eyes on Duncan, a slow trickle of blood coming out of his ear. “Who are you?” Turcotte ignored everything but the woman in front of him.

Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by Major Quinn’s announcement. “Aspasia’s Shadow’s bouncer just went under the Easter Island shield. With the Grail.”