Breakthrough (11 page)

20

Kathryn Lokke was sitting at her desk but quickly stood up when she saw Phillip LeBlanc walk in.  At nearly six feet tall and in his sixties, LeBlanc was the Secretary of the Interior and in
Kathryn’s opinion one of the few honorable politicians left at his level.  He was also her boss.  Having run the USGS a few administrations prior, and just before the wave of scandals, LeBlanc noticed Kathryn early in her scientific career and became a mentor.  He was instrumental in her becoming the director of the USGS as the person who encouraged her, or pushed as she recalled, to go for it.

“How was your presentation?” he asked, sitting down on a leather couch which lined the wall near her desk.

She exhaled dramatically.  “Which half?”

“Not good eh?” LeBlanc asked rhetorically.

“My good friend Stevas was there.”

“Crap.”

Kathryn sat back down.  “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that.  And now, as far as I can tell, both he
and
the President think I’m a loon.”

“Stevas is a sleaze but he doesn’t think you’re crazy, or stupid for that matter.  He’s just playing nasty politics.  You do know he’s thinking about running next year right?”

Kathryn’s eyes shot open.  “For President, are you kidding me?!” 

“That’s the rumor.”

Kathryn leaned back in her chair and covered her mouth with her hands.  “Jesus, can you imagine what he would do to this department?!”

“Yes, I can.” 

Lokke shook her head and opened her bag withdrawing her laptop.  She plugged it in and pressed the power button before looking back at LeBlanc.

“So,” he said, “I’m assuming they didn’t react the way you were expecting.”

“The way
we
were expecting,” she corrected him.  “And no.  Evidently the idea of unpredictable risk is lost on them.  The President said he wants more proof before going out to other countries and risking a panic.”  She spied him suspiciously.  “You should have come with me.”

LeBranc frowned.  “No, you run the department now Kathryn.  I had nothing to add anyway.”  He leaned back into the couch and crossed his legs.  “So he wants more proof.”

“Yes.  Hopefully something slightly less compelling than an approaching tsunami.”

He laughed.  “Let’s hope so.”

Kathryn shrugged sarcastically.  “Fortunately, I think they just want the day and time that it’s supposed to collapse.”

“So what’s the plan?”

Kathryn logged into her computer.  “We need more evidence.  And evidence that does not rely on my calculations of shrinking ocean volumes. Stevas really played me the fool on that one.”  She sat back again in her large chair.  “I’m thinking that if we can get more exact measurements and at the same time use early indicators from the previous Ronne break off, and the speed in which it actually separated, we may be able to present a more realistic risk level.  More importantly, as long as we have a lot more facts than the other global agencies they won’t be in much of a position to argue.  The only arguments left should be what we do about it and how much it will cost.”

“Who else was there, and more importantly did anyone
else
believe you?”

“Well ‘believe’ may be a strong word, but yes, I think there were a few who understood the risk I was trying to impart.  Not surprisingly, it was the military officers and not the politicians.  They seem to have a pretty solid grasp on risk and consequences.  And Miller, the Secretary of Defense
, seemed to be listening.”

“No surprise there.” LeBlanc replied.  “After all, they have to fight wars.  Politicians just start them.”  He went on.  “If you don’t know it by now Stevas has the President’s ear, and that’s the polite version.  Your best bet is to get as much data as is possible, and convince Mason to let you present it to the President while Stevas is not around.  He’d probably be a bit more receptive.”

“And how exactly do I convince Mason?” she asked.

He shrugged.  “You’re a good looking woman, sweet talk him.”

Kathryn pretended to be offended.  “Did you really just say that?”

“Of course I didn’t.  You’re hearing things.”

Kathryn smiled and looked at her laptop, thinking.  “I’m going to need to assemble a strong investigation team, starting with the group that documented the slide.  We’re going to need more people.”

LeBlanc could see that she had just entered planning mode.  He stood up and straightened his tie.  “You’re also going to have to convince some of those people to get off their warm
duffs and walk around in subzero temperatures for a while.”

She suddenly stopped typing and gave him a concerned look.  He was right
, she was going to have to yank people off of other projects.  This was not going to make her popular.

He watched her expression change with the full scope of what she had to do dawning on her.  “This might be a good time to practice that sweet talking.”  And with a wink, he walked out.

21

The two Apache attack helicopters hovered just off the Pathfinder’s bow while the larger Seahawk lowered itself onto the ship’s landing pad.  Immediately upon touchdown, the door slid open and four marines jumped onto the platform dressed in combat gear and carrying M4 carbine assault rifles.  They ran quickly out from under the turning blades to the base of the stairs where several of the ship’s crew, still armed, stood around John Clay and the smaller Palin.  Clay stood close to Palin who was handcuffed with his arms behind his back.  He showed no expression as he watched the marines approach.

The first marine stopped in front of them and saluted to Captain Emerson who also stood next to Clay.  The other three just a step behind did the same.

“Sir!” the marine said, turning to Clay.  “We have orders to bring you back to base.  Are you ready?”

Clay nodded. 

The marines grabbed Palin by the arms and walked him briskly back to the helicopters, the blades still spinning at full speed.  Clay grabbed his duffle bag and pulled it up over his shoulder.  He turned to Emerson.

“Thanks Rudy
,” he said shaking hands.

Emerson nodded.  “Keep me posted.”

Clay gave an informal salute to the rest of Emerson’s crew then turned and trotted after the marines.  He reached the chopper just as they hauled Palin aboard and crawled in after him.  The marines sat on all sides with their rifles pointed at Palin.  Clay tossed his bag into the rear, climbed in next to them and slammed the metal door shut.  One of the men handed him a headset.  He put it on and adjusted the microphone.

The pilot adjusted the rotors on the Seahawk, and the helicopter lightened until it lifted off the pad.  It quickly rose into the air, flanked by both Apaches, and headed north slightly away from the setting sun.  Behind and far below, the giant engines of the Pathfinder roared
back to life.  It swung to port and began steaming north.

Under the sound of the helicopter’s powerful thumping blades, Clay finished his conversation and removed his headset.  He leaned against the door watching Palin who sat uncomfortably with his hands still behind his back, eyes lowered at the floor.  The marines watched him intently with grips tight on their weapons.  Palin looked smaller than before.  He sat quietly and did not struggle.  To Clay, he looked almost despondent.

Palin slowly lifted his head to look around the small cabin and the marines sitting around them.  Their faces looked like chiseled stone.  He looked at Clay and their eyes met.  They maintained eye contact for a long time.

Clay could not help but notice something in Palin’s gaze.  Outwardly he looked small and helpless but at the same time his eyes revealed no fear.  When Palin looked away, Clay turned his head away too and looked out the window.  After a few minutes, the blue ocean ended and was quickly replaced by white sand beaches as the helicopters raced north along Florida’s Atlantic coastline.

The Naval Air Station in Jacksonville was the largest Navy base in the southeast region and third largest in the United States.  Referred to as “NAS JAX”, the base was the largest hub in the region and specialized in antisubmarine warfare and some of the best aviator training on the planet.

The three helicopters arrived in just under two hours and landed at a remote area of the base on the southwest corner to avoid attention.  Several Humvee vehicles surrounded the landing area with their headlights on, and two dozen armed soldiers stood waiting.  As soon as the Seahawk touched down, they rushed and yanked open the door.  Clay quickly jumped down and watched the four marines climb out and strong arm Palin as he stumbled down the steps.

“Easy!” Clay yelled above the sound of the rotors.

The marines paid no attention as they escorted Palin off the pad and over to one of the vehicles as the rest of the soldiers fell in around them.  Clay ran to keep up but was suddenly pulled aside by an officer.

“Mr. Clay?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Come with me please.”  The officer directed Clay to a different vehicle and opened the door for him.  After he climbed in, the officer ran to the other side and slid behind the wheel. 

Clay tried to find Palin in the glare of the bright headlights but could not determine which vehicle they had put him in.  The Humvees pulled out in unison and headed in a different direction, toward a small section of dimly lit buildings.

Clay’s driver turned left and instead drove to a small two-story building at the edge of a dark, thick forest which extended for many miles.  Had it not been for a single bright light and two soldiers standing guard in front of the metal door, Clay would have thought the structure was no longer in use.  The officer brought the Humvee to a stop and they both got out.  He noticed Clay instinctively looking into the back seat.  “Someone will bring your things shortly.”

Clay nodded and followed him to the entrance where the officer waved an ID at the guards.  The guard on the right turned around and punched a code into an unseen console.  The giant metal door slid to the side with a loud hissing sound.

They both stepped inside into a brightly lit entryway where they were met by four more soldiers.  Two of the soldiers held their rifles while the other two each held up a long cylindrical Geiger counter.  One scanned Clay and the other scanned his officer escort.  Clay produced his military ID and both were run under a computerized scanner.  While he waited, Clay looked around the large room.  There were four cameras each in different locations and a large single hallway extending to a door at the far end.  Both men retrieved their identification cards and walked to the end of the hall.  The door was an elevator door which opened as they approached.  They stepped in and joined another armed soldier who maintained a hold on his weapon with one hand and pushed the down button with the other.  The tiny room jerked slightly and began its descent.

Clay stood calmly behind the soldier examining his outfit and gear.  All of his previous visits to NAS JAX had been to some of the base’s larger facilities where he had made a number of friends.  In fact, his last visit was just five weeks prior where he spent the day in discussions with submarine engineers on another communication problem.  He had never before seen the building he was now in and it was quite clear that was by design.  In fact, Clay wondered how many of the other 23,000 base personnel knew about it.

They descended for what Clay assumed to be three or four levels.  When the doors opened it was clear that the building’s real heart was underground.  In the background, several people hurried past back and forth.  In front of them a female officer was waiting as they stepped off.  She turned to lead them without a word.  Both men followed.

After two right turns, they arrived at a large conference room, where to Clay’s surprise Admiral
Langford was waiting along with Captain Foster; the commander of NAS JAX.  They crossed the room as both of Clay’s escorts saluted and disappeared.

“Here he is,
” Langford said extending his hand.  “John, meet Captain James Foster, he runs the base here.”

“Hello Lieutenant.”

Clay saluted and then accepted Foster’s handshake.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.  I’ve been here many times but have never had the pleasure.”

Langford
got right to business, gesturing toward the large conference table in the middle of the room.  At the far end was a giant flat monitor mounted to the wall.  “Clay we’re about to have a call with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Advisor.  We are also going to include a few experts in various fields.  Obviously we need you to recount exactly what happened this morning on the Pathfinder so we can understand what we are dealing with here.”

Clay nodded.  “Yes sir.”

“Do you need anything before we start?” asked Langford.  “We have a few minutes yet.”

“No sir,” replied Clay.  “I’m fine.”

“Excellent.  Why don’t we have a seat?”  They walked over and sat down.  “I hear you have a fix on the Triton II?”

“Yes sir, though it’s probably a lead more than a fix.  We don’t know
precisely where it is yet.  We did not have time to investigate before all of the excitement.”

“Understandable,
” Langford said.  “Were those dolphins any help?”

“Yes,
” said Clay.  “They claim to have found it but that’s the part we still need to follow up on.  I suspect that it’s going to be a difficult recover-”.  Clay was suddenly cut off by his cell phone ringing.  It was Will Borger’s number.  He looked at Langford.  “Do I have time to take this sir?”

Langford
looked at this watch.  “You have four minutes.  Make it fast.”

Clay stood up and walked to the back of the room while Langford and Foster continued their earlier conversation.
  He accepted the call and held the phone to his ear.

“This is Clay.”

“Hi Clay, its Will,” came Borger’s voice on the other end.

“Hey Will, what is it?  Do you have something?”

“Yeah, more on our giant hula hoop at the bottom of the ocean.”

Clay looked at
Langford and Foster who were still talking.  “Let’s hear it.”

“We’ve been able to improve the video quality pretty significantly after fine tuning the program.”

“Okay,” said Clay.  “And?”

Borger looked at Caesare who was sitting next to him.  “Well,” he continued, “the thing looks to be moving.”

“Moving?!” asked Clay.  “Moving how?”

“Moving as in
spinning
,” said Borger.  “The thing is spinning.  If my calculations are correct, I’d say this thing is making a complete rotation about every three minutes, maybe less.”

“Jeez!” Clay exclaimed.  “Are you kidding?”

“Nope.”

Clay lowered his phone and looked at
Langford and Foster who were now watching him.  “We’ve got to get Borger on this call sir!”

The call started when the giant screen came to life.  On the other end, it showed a large conference room which Clay surmised was somewhere in the Pentagon.  Around that table sat Secretary of Defense Miller, National Security Advisor Stevas, and several other military personnel including the Joint Chiefs Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the chairmen for each of the five military branches the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines and National Guard.

A moment later, four other images appeared along the bottom of the screen which Clay assumed were the experts that
Langford mentioned.  Finally, in another small window appeared Borger and Caesare.  Borger was out of breath from running a quarter mile to the nearest video enabled conference room.  Caesare did not look the least bit winded.

“Gentlemen,”
Langford began, “I’d like to dispense with introductions for reasons of expediency.  John Clay has just arrived here in JAX and is ready to debrief us on exactly what happened on Emerson’s ship today.”  He turned and nodded to Clay.  “Go ahead Clay.”

“Thank you sir.”  Clay stood up and faced the camera.  He started from the beginning and explained the loss of the Triton submersible, the enlisting of the marine biology team in an attempt to find it, and everything that occurred on the Pathfinder from the time they left port.  When he finished, he remained standing for questions.  He thought to himself that if anyone
were shocked by the story almost no one on the screen showed it.

Miller, the Secretary of Defense, jumped in first.  “So
Lieutenant Commander Clay, you’re saying that the air in the Med Lab just opened up and this man whom you call Palin stepped right through?”

“Yes
sir,” answered Clay.  “That is what I believe happened.”

Stevas leaned forward in the video feed.  “That is what you
believe
happened?  What the hell does that mean?  Did it or didn’t it?”

“Sir,” replied Clay.  “I do not know exactly what happened, or how something like that is even possible.  What I am explaining to everyone here is what I experienced to the best of my understanding.”

Langford interjected.  “Might I suggest that before we get into a debate we find out if something like that is possible, and if not, what else it could have been.”  Langford called one of the experts on the screen.  “Professor Harding is on this call who leads the physics department at MIT.  Dr. Harding, can you please speak to what we may be looking at here?”

“Well,” Harding started, clearing his throat.  “To be honest it sounds hard to believe.”  Harding’s video grew larger on the screen as he spoke to the group.  “The kind of technology required to accomplish this sort of feat…
well just isn’t available today.”  He thought a moment.  “Mr. Clay is it possible that this Palin person was already onboard the ship?”

“It is,” nodded Clay.  “However we checked with every crewmember and passenger
, and no one had seen him during boarding or any time on the trip.”

“What about this patient?” asked
Langford.  “The one who was injured.  Could they have had some trick up their sleeve, something coordinated?”