Leviathan (16 page)

Barley took a deep breath.
“Then everybody stopped fighting. I guess it was because they thought somebody'd been killed. I hear that Blake swore he'd plant the next man that lifted a hand against an MP. And that pretty much ended the head-bashin'. After that, everybody was placed under arrest. There's about fifty people laid up in the groundside medical center, most of them military.” Barley paused, staring. “Blake's MPs were put on stretchers, man. And . . . and Blake took Beth down into the cavern, Connor. In handcuffs.”

Connor was dangerously still. His eyes locked like lasers on Barley.

“Was Beth injured?”

“
No,” Barley replied quickly. “Beth wasn't hurt, man. She might have... she might have gotten a few bruises and scratches because she was right in the thick of it. But she's not hurt. I had a few minutes to meet with her in the Housing Cavern before I came topside and she looked okay. But she made me promise that I'd fill you in on everything when you came back from Thor's place.”

Connor nodded.
“I appreciate it, Barley. How many of my men are hospitalized?”

“
Ten of them are in topside with broken bones and thirty more are locked up in the warehouse.” Barley paused. “I didn't really have any choice, Connor. Those were Blake's orders. And the rest... the rest are really, really mad, man. It is absolutely not safe for the military to walk around this place. I'm telling you the truth. This island is about to explode.”

“
What about Blake's MPs?”

“
Well, like I said, almost all of them came up to deal with the riot in the Communications Center, and they pretty much got wiped out. Your guys demolished them.”

“So who's in charge of security of the cavern?”

“
Blake.” Barley nodded. “Blake has assumed command over the three platoons.”

“
And Chesterton?”

“
He's been given an Executive Command to step down. He turned over command to Blake.”

“
So Chesterton's not in charge anymore?”

“
No.” Barley looked away, dejected. “Chesterton ain't in charge no more. It's just Blake.”

Connor's face was hard.

“Well ... if Beth is in the cavern, who's watching Jordan?”

Barley nervously licked his lips.
“Blake took Jordan down into the cavern with him, Connor. And I don't know any reason for—”

With a curse Connor had already turned, slamming the door outward so hard that it struck the wooden wall of the shack and stayed there. Then Connor was running, Barley and the two guards hastening to keep up as he made a dead direct line for the cavern entrance.

* * *

Chapter 12

A rapturous pleasure, almost sensuous, flowed from the eyes of Dr. Sol Tolvanos as he leaned over the Observation Room panel. His fish-white face glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, and his lips moved minutely as if mouthing silent awe, or praise.

On the monitor the massive black scales of Leviathan could be seen through the vaporous shroud spiraling lazily up from the cavern floor. Enormous in the gray gloom, the heavily armored Dragon remained in a motionless hibernation.

“
Initiate the test,” Tolvanos whispered to the computer specialists. “Begin a slow decrease of the nitrogen level to allow a 20 percent oxygen mixture. And lower cavern temperature to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Prime nitrogen pheromones for quick extinguishing.”

The computer matrix blinked with the commands.

“Are you quite certain,” Adler asked, trembling, “that you can control the creature?”

“
Of course I am certain, Mr. Adler,” the Russian replied, not looking up from the monitor. “It is, after all, only an animal. It is not a god. Any competent scientist retains the ability to control his creation. Or kill it. Anything less is nonsensical.”

Adler stared at the screen, sweat beading his forehead.

“Yes, of course.”

Connor was the first man off the elevator, Barley and two guards following. And the first thing Connor saw were Army Rangers decked in full combat gear, rifles at port arms.

“Stand down!” Barley ordered, moving up beside Connor. “I've got it under control!”

Without hesitation the so
ldiers obeyed, and Connor understood how solidly Barley commanded his men. It was obvious that Barley held as unbreakable a control over the men as Chesterton himself.

“
Beth and Jordan are being held in the Housing Complex,” Barley said, breathless as they moved. “And listen, Connor. Blake also ordered Frank's science team held there, too. That crazy colonel has turned this entire cavern into some kind of prison.”

“
What about the rest of Blake's MPs?”

“
Most of Blake's people are in the hospital or guarding the warehouse or the docks, Connor. But I think that two of them are in the Observation Room, just to keep the area secure.”

“
So only two of Blake's people are still in the cavern?”

Barley nodded.
“Just the two in the Observation Room. But you've got to remember, Connor, Blake has assumed command of the platoons. And I'm taking a big chance right now. I'm supposed to have you under arrest. Like Beth and Jordan and the rest of Frank's team.”

Connor suddenly released his anger, turning fully.
“How could you let them do this, Barley?”

“
I'm sorry, Connor. Those were the orders.”

“
That's no excuse,” Connor responded, teeth clenched. “You know what they've got in that Containment Cavern.” His voice was accusing. “How could you let them bring Beth and Jordan down here with that thing ready to tear down those doors?”

“
Those were the orders, Connor!” Barley shouted. “This place is still under military law! If I disobey Blake I'll just be put in the brig like everybody else in this place!”

“
Well tell me this,” Connor said, leaning forward. “Does Chesterton know that Blake has dragged my family down here?

Does Chesterton know that two innocent civilians have been placed under military arrest in the middle of a combat zone?
”

“
No,” Barley shook his head. “Chesterton doesn't know that Beth and Jordan have been hauled down here. He's been busy at the Containment Cavern. Real busy.”

“
Yeah, I figure he has, Barley. Because Chesterton doesn't think that he can contain that thing. And neither do you.”

Barley was silent.

Connor said, “Raise Chesterton on the horn.”

“
Connor, Blake has ordered all radio contact through him. And the way they've screwed up the communications system of this place, we can't even call from cavern to cavern on the phones. All we've got are A-units and they barely work inside these walls!”

“
Get Chesterton on the horn, Barley!” Connor snarled. “Tell him that Blake has dragged Beth and Jordan down here! Then tell him that I'm down here, too, and that I'm about to do something
massive
.”

Barley stared, hesitating.
“Blake will hear the transmission, Connor. And Chesterton has been relieved of command! Don't you get it? Don't you understand? Chesterton isn't in charge anymore! And Blake is crazy! I'm telling you, man, he's—”

“
Just do it, Barley!”

A long pause, and Barley finally raised his A-unit.
“Squad Leader One to Top Dog.”

A moment later
, Chesterton's angry voice came over the radio. It took Barley thirty seconds to explain the situation, and when he finished he lifted his finger from the “send” button to hear the response. Connor also listened, wondering how Chesterton would receive the news.

Chesterton never replied.

A half hour later Connor entered the Housing Complex to see Frank's science team sitting in circles. Startled, many of them stood as he entered. Connor knew that he appeared enraged and dangerous and out of control and he didn't care. He scanned the entire complex, not finding Beth or Jordan. He turned angrily to Barley.

“
Where are they?'‘

Barley demanded an immediate answer from the two Rangers stationed in the cavern, and seconds later Connor entered the complex to see Beth sitting against a far wall, gently cradling Jordan in her arms. Jordan saw him as soon as he entered, leaping instantly to his feet.

“Daddy!” he screamed, running quickly through a maze of chairs. Connor ran forward and caught his son in his arms. He searched the boy's face, searched his body for any signs of injury, found none. He was obviously tired, but unharmed. Then Beth was beside him and Connor looked, identifying faint scratches and bruises on her face and arms.

“
Are you hurt, Beth?”

She shook her head sharply.
“No. I'm mad but I'm not hurt.”

Connor nodded and turned to Jordan.

“Are you doing okay?” he smiled.

Jordan nodded.
“Yeah. Are you okay?”

With a smile Connor replied,
“Yeah. I'm just fine, boy.” He continued to hold Jordan in his arms. The four-year-old was patting him on the back with the attitude that everything was fine now, just fine, fine, everything was fine ...

With burning eyes Beth focused on him.
“A lot happened, Connor. And I feel ... I feel like it's all my fault.”

“
Tell me what happened, Beth.”

A pause, and she spoke,
“I found out that they'd set up a code that prevented interfacing with any satellite system. So I copied all the incoming keyboard strokes during the past twenty-four hours on a high density disk—”

“
Why?”

She sighed.
“Because the keyboard strokes will contain the code.” A pause. “Anyway, I began deciphering the encryption, and twenty minutes later that ape-crazy Blake came up to the surface with a bunch of MPs to arrest me. That Russian was with them.”

“How did they know what you were doing?”

“
I don't know,” she replied, shaking her head. “They must've had somebody in the cavern monitoring keystrokes in the Communications Center. That's all I can figure.”

Yeah,
” Connor replied, “I could see them doing that. All right. What happened when they came into the Center?”

“
Well,” she continued, “we got into an argument. And then that Russian goon tried to grab me and I just ... I just lost my temper. He put his hands on me and before I knew what I was doing, I hit him with a keyboard.” She brushed back her bangs. “And then the fight was on, Connor. All the MPs jumped on me and put me on the floor. Then about forty or fifty of your guys saw what was happening and ran into the Center and had it out massively with the MPs.

“
Then Blake started screaming for help and then even more Army guys showed up. MPs, or whatever they are, were all over the place. Then it got really, really ugly. Your guys were outnumbered big time but they went to the wall.” She shook her head. “I've been around, Connor. You know that. And I've seen some serious brawls in my time. But I've never seen a fight like that. It was just no-mercy whatsoever with people going everywhere. They hit each other with chairs, pipes, tables, chains, clubs, whatever. And your guys are tough, Connor. They work hard and they fight hard. The Center is demolished. And a bunch of people got hurt.” She almost cried. “I feel bad about it, Connor. I feel responsible for it.”

Connor shook his head.
“It's not your fault, Beth. It was coming a long way off.” He smiled. “My guys just did what they thought was right. They'd do it again. And nobody got killed.”

She blinked a tear, focusing on him.
“Did you reach the Sea Patrol on Thor's shortwave?”

Connor grimaced, shook his head.

“Well, we've got to get out of here, Connor. This is no place for a child. It's too humid. It's too hot. If Jordan stays down here too long, he's going to get sick.”

“
I'm going to take care of it, Beth.”

She nodded, mouth tight. But he knew that she suspected the truth was something darker, more terrible.

“Give me two hours,” Connor said, holding her dark brown hand as she nodded. Then he focused on Jordan. “Don't be afraid of this place, buddy. We'll be leaving soon. 'Cause you know what?”

Jordan blinked, rubbing a hand over his eye.
“What?”

Connor smiled.
“We've still got to go fishing!”

“
Now?” His face brightened. “We're going fishing now?”

“
No, buddy. Not right now. But in a little while.”

“
But ... I don't like it here. I'm scared.”

“
It'll be okay,” Connor said, leaning forehead to forehead. “Daddy's got to talk to someone for a minute and then I'm coming back to you. And then we'll all go home.”

“
Home?” Jordan's eyes brightened. “You mean a real home? Where it's not cold and I can play in the woods and where you can play with me?”

“
Of course I'll play with you!” Connor smiled, eye to eye. “We'll play all the time! Because we're going to go back to Kentucky to live with your grandmother and she's got a farm.”

“
A real farm?” Jordan smiled.

“
Yeah, buddy, a real farm. With horses and cows and chickens and peacocks and everything! You can even ride a horse.”

“
Yeah!” Jordan whispered. “That would be fun! And will you ride it with me?”

A brief, touching pause, and Connor nodded.
“Yeah, boy. We'll ride together. And play together. And do everything together. Just like we're supposed to. How do you like that?”

“
You promise?”

“
Yeah, son. I promise.” Connor kissed his son on the forehead, placing him gently in Beth's lap before he kissed her also.

Her voice was a whisper.
“Connor ... I've still got the disk.”

Connor knew instantly what she was planning.
“How hard are they watching you?” he asked.

“
Barley doesn't seem to care what I do,” she replied quietly. “He seems more disgusted with this whole situation than anything else. But Blake told those other two Rangers to keep a close eye on me.”

“
What do you need?”

“
I need time on a terminal. But I think I can break this encryption and then I can call for help.”

“
Can Frank help?”

She shook her head.
“No. Not really. Frank knows about GEO and this experiment of his, but I don't think that he has the communications expertise to break a satellite code. Not by the seat of his pants, anyway. Not like I can. Frank would probably need the help of GEO and he doesn't even have access to it any more. But I can do it alone. I just need time.” She stressed, “I need access to a terminal, Connor. And I need it soon.”

“
All right, Beth,” Connor replied quietly. “I'll see what I can do.” He stood and took two steps before she spoke again; spoke in a voice so soft that it wounded him.

“
Connor ...”

He turned back, frowning.

“I know you're a fighter,” she whispered. “But please be careful in this. You know what I mean.”

A pause, and Connor nodded. Then he turned and walked to Barley, becoming angrier and more determined with each step to come up hard. He saw the big lieutenant scanning the cavern. His eyes were mean, narrow and concentrated.

“All right, Barley. I'm through messing around. Where's Blake?”