Authors: Rafael
They’d
all attended crazy meetings but nothing like this one. The Senior Deputy
Director rose from his chair, paced the table’s length, and back again. With
the left on his hip, the right hand alternated between scratching his brow, the
back of his neck, and the top of his head. Everyone seated wore somber
expressions. Head down, he reached the end, turned, and paced back up. An
occasional cough broke the silence.
Hell
of a spot to be in, he thought. He should just bury this case right now. Three
dead agents prevented it. He glanced at Tilka Lon. Half-jokingly, he wondered
if a termination order might work. Or perhaps psychiatric commitment. Wouldn’t
work. Three dead agents prevented it.
The
Deputy knew, just knew, if he kept this at his desk it would blow up. The
President would ask the Director why he hadn’t been briefed and the Director
would ask him the same question just before demanding he resign. No matter how
he imagined that conversation, it always ended with his head on a platter.
“Yes, sir. Someone murdered a contracted physicist on an obscure research
project into quantum encryption and stole the project. Along the way three
agents were killed and a fourth attacked by a xenoform. Xenoform, sir. Yes,
that’s right, an alien, as in extraterrestrial. One that flies. Oh, and did I
mention the agents killed had their arms torn off and pasted to their backs as
they hung by their faces? Yes, that’s right sir, pasted to their backs. And we
still don’t know where the research project is.”
Again
the Deputy glanced at Tilka. Maybe he should have him explain the story to the
psychiatrist. The good doctor would commit him on the spot. But it would still
leave him with three dead agents to explain. The group’s clearest thinker
caught his eye.
“Yes,
Jennifer. Something to say?”
“There
are many documented cases of group psychosis…” Tilka exploded.
“This
wasn’t some goddamn group psychosis. Two homicide detectives and two uniformed
SWATs testified to the same thing.”
“You
didn’t let me finish, Tilka. Group psychosis doesn’t produce physical corpses
independent of the psychotic event. No witnesses observed that poor ranch
family the day before or the month-old corpse hanging on the tree. In the time
frame the xenoform appeared another death with the same MO occurred. However,
whether or not the xenoform is a xenoform is beside the point. Regaining
possession of the project will answer many questions.”
“Clark,
what’s the latest intelligence on the project’s location?”
“The
trail went cold in a port city on India’s east coast, sir. Vish…, Vish…”
“Vishakhapatnam.”
a colleague finished.
“How
many agents we got there?”
“Six,
sir.”
The
Deputy paced the table’s length again before regaining his seat. “Okay, here’s
the plan. First off, I don’t want anyone”, he looked at Tilka, “and I mean
anyone talking about a xenoform outside this room. As far as anybody is
concerned, we’re investigating the deaths of three agents. That’ll make sure no
one thinks you guys have turned me into a lunatic. I’m going to put a request
through channels for our counterparts in India’s R&AW to give us a hand
finding this Janesh McKenzie.
When
we do, I want you Tilka to make peace with this guy. Talk to him. Tell him we
have every legal right to the equipment but we’re willing to strike a deal for
its return. We just want to know what it is and why three of our agents are
dead. By the way, am I right he was helping us on this case?”
“That’s
right.” Jennifer responded. “We had another subcontractor, a Miranda Logan, on
the case assisting and she brought him in to assist her.”
“Jesus.”
Dan interjected. “Could we have had any more security leaks? Maybe these two
are at the bottom of this?” No one protested. “What happened to her?”
“The
same pirates who hijacked the equipment kidnapped her.”
“And
we think she was the woman in the cave?”
“We
don’t think, we know.” Tilka answered.
“How’d
she get in the cave?”
“I
think it had something to do with the xenoform.”
“That’s
it. This meeting is over. I’m going to have a double before you guys turn me
into a lunatic. I’ll forward the contact links with R&AW as soon as I have
them.”
*
* *
If
he’d had a worse start to a day he couldn’t remember it. Before reaching his
office at the end of a long hallway he’d already been ambushed four times by
bureaucratic underlings with no concept of initiative. One woman stopped him to
ask if she should order less tea because the upcoming Diwali holiday would
cause personnel absences. At least she’d had the decency to blush at his
prolonged stare. Even the door title, Deputy Commissioner Central District, did
not bring its customary satisfaction today. He’d worked hard to rise through
R&AW’s ranks and provide for his family, especially his two daughters.
He’d
passed the eldest as he exited the house and she returned from the night’s
debauchery. Her second year at university had transformed her into a caricature
of an American coed: makeup, revealing clothes, tight jeans, throb music.
Afraid to vent his anger, he’d remained silent walking through the reek of
cigarettes and liquor.
A
transmitted paper with a scribbled note on its bottom lay on his chair. “Call
the Commissioner soon as you get in.” Damn, he thought. Now he would know he’d
arrived late. Langley, Virginia had sent a priority message requesting support
for a team they had in Vishakhapatnam. What on earth did the CIA want there? He
reddened and began digging through the message box pile.
A
paper emerged that had caused him to ask the same question four days ago. The
port city’s local office had uncovered the CIA activity and asked for further
instruction. He’d passed it to a manager and promptly forgotten. As his hand
reached for the intercom he prayed to every god he knew an underling hadn’t
placed him at the center of a looming disaster.
“Yes,
sir.”
“Rahul,
update me on the CIA agents nosing around Vishakhapatnam.”
“I
told our local office to keep them under quiet surveillance and not reveal
we’re on to them. The hope is we’ll discover what exactly they’re up to.”
“Who’s
in charge?”
“Daaruk
Kapur.”
“He’s
a good man. Competent and experienced. Okay, I may call you back with further
instructions.”
Before
he could press his boss’ button, it lit up red. “Yes, Commissioner.”
“Good
morning, Ahsan. Did you sleep well last night?” He winced.
“Quite,
sir. So well I had difficulty rising.”
“I
see. Did you read the Langley request?”
“Yes,
sir. Did they specify what kind of support they need?”
“They’re
looking for Janesh McKenzie in conjunction with the deaths of three of their
agents. It seems they’re having trouble finding him.”
“Janesh
McKenzie? The
Mahān Śikārī? Do
they suspect him of having a role in their deaths?”
“Unknown. Because of who is involved this has the potential to
become a public relations nightmare. Who is your man in the field?”
“Daaruk
Kapur, a very capable man.”
“I
want him to be the point man on this. Speak to the CIA people. See what it is
they want and what they expect to accomplish. Our initial position should be
one of cooperation. We’d expect the same if it was three of our agents. On the
other hand our eyes should be wide open. The Americans can be devious. We
should make no assumptions. The business we’re in can often appear innocent. It
is a delicate situation and I expect you to give it your full attention. An
earlier bedtime would help.” Ahsan winced again.
“Yes,
sir, it would.”
“It
seems like yesterday I picked you up at the rail station,
Kumārī
Logan. You have changed.” Miranda
held Janesh’s hand in her lap while the other gently stroked its strong
fingers. She turned her gaze from the passing scenery to the rear view mirror.
“Oh,
how so, Narsimha?”
“You’ve
become…complicated. Before, like many Americans, you were hi-intensity,
hi-energy, very driven, openly aggressive. Now you’ve become subdued,
quiescent. Not like a person lazing on a beach with two weeks’ vacation
remaining. More like someone grown wise and reflective. You have a new
gentleness that experience and perspective produce. And yet I look in your eyes
and see a volcano whose occasional rumble reminds everyone it is a volcano.”
“Are
you sure you didn’t miss your calling as a psychology student?
“I
love engineering.” he laughed. “It’s my girlfriend. She’s the psychology major.
When we’re out and about she ‘reads’ people who catch her interest. In some
ways she reminds me of Sri McKenzie. She has a stillness and inner calm that
soothes everyone around her.”
“She’s
lucky to have you, Narsimha.”
Miranda
returned to the sights and sounds beyond the car’s window. The riot of colors,
shouts, cries, horns, engines bore full witness to the city’s vibrancy. Had it
really been four months since she first walked into Chandrapur’s cacophonous,
frenetic bustle? She had changed. Like they, she had once moved through life
avid, eager, blithely unaware the next moment she rushed toward might never arrive.
She had thought her existence a full one, naïve to the huge chunks disconnected
from her reality. Four months that seemed like four lifetimes had, if not
humbled, wakened her to triviality.
Miranda
felt Janesh too had noted a change. From a Kauai hotel, he had booked anonymous
passage aboard a freighter bound for India. The seven days isolated on the sea
without distraction or interference had been perfect. As if by instinct he’d
understood her vulnerability. In their single cabin, he placed a cot crosswise
to her bed for him to sleep on and never attempted to join her. Whenever the
terrors of imagination wakened her, she’d find him sitting cross-legged on the
cot in a meditative state. He’d frightened her once when she crept down the bed
to check him. A foot away his eyes opened, alert, focused. And he’d
known
.
“Testing me?” he asked through a slight grin. Without smothering her, his
presence had been a protective cocoon within which she recovered and
strengthened.
And
though at times it had faltered and dimmed, with each passing hour her
confidence swelled and solidified. She gripped the hand that fueled it tighter.
Its power nourished her.
Narsimha
turned onto the main road that bounded Chandrapur’s industrial sector. Lorries,
vans, scooters, bicycles slowed progress but also insured no one would notice
their comings and goings to the second-floor factory space Chatur had leased. A
sentry waved Narsimha’s now familiar face through the lot’s gate, though as
everyone did, he stared at Duncan and Ronan. Miranda smiled at Janesh. “I can’t
wait to see Professor Akiyama.”
“Me
too. He and his team have had four days to examine Dr. Ang’s project. I’m
anxious to hear what they’ve learned.”
Two
flights up, three security guards, machine pistols and automatics on obvious
display, greeted their arrival. ID served no purpose here. Someone inside had
to vouch for them. A minute later a woman Janesh recognized as the Argentinean
biologist appeared. They passed through the main entrance into an expansive,
rectangular room enclosed by high walls above which windows provided air and
illumination. Spread across the wooden floor grid-like lay the disassembled
parts of Dr. Ang’s unauthorized project. At different points amid the
unfamiliar machinery, three men and a woman took notes and pictures. At random
locations and moving about, five more armed security types patrolled. Professor
Akiyama looked up and beamed like a child at play. “Welcome. Welcome.” Espying
Miranda, he plucked his way more nimbly through the delicate obstacles than his
age might permit others.
Miranda
rushed to the grid’s edge to greet her former mentor. Their long embrace
refreshed already strong bonds. Gary pulled back to brush away tear-filled
eyes. “There, there brave girl. I could not be more proud of anyone than I am
of you.” Miranda threw her arms around him.
“You
pulled me through some dark moments. I’m here because of you.”
“Come,
child. Take a break everyone. We have guests. Ah Janesh, Janesh. You will
remain a blight on my record until you return to complete your doctorate.”
“I’m
afraid tigers aren’t particularly impressed by PhD’s.”
“Yes,
I suppose you’re right. Come, your friend Chatur left us some very delicious
chaat and told me you’re a fan of Italian reds.”
In
a corner where they had had established a makeshift conference area they
unfolded chairs, quickly dispersed paper plates, and committed blasphemy when
the wine poured into paper cups. The impromptu lunch accompanied introductions
while Janesh filled the team in on events since their last teleconference.
Chatur had not forgotten his two friends and the dogs trotted off to separate
corners where they greedily gnawed steak bones. Janesh walked around the table
emptying a second bottle.
“So
Professor, what have you made of our little project here? Gary motioned toward
the Russian physicist to open the briefing. He spoke accented, but
grammatically perfect English.
“Fist
off, we were able to quickly conclude this equipment has nothing to do with
quantum encryption. On the other hand, without technical manuals, notes, or
specifications we decided our only prudent course was to reverse engineer the
project.”
“Why
not just turn it on and see what it does?” Janesh asked.
“We
considered that but without knowing how, learning what might have been dangerous.
As it turns out, when we disassembled the parts we found inside six very
powerful fiber lasers that focus a combined beam within ten thousandths of an
inch. With all the shipping and handling, had the alignment been off we might
have melted the components into useless slag or reduced the entire building to
rubble. Their discovery confirmed our need to approach this with a
step-by-step, methodical process.
Those
lasers focused on a spatial chamber roughly the size of a transparent coffee
cup that did two things. It contained the laser focal point within a magnetic
field and within the magnetic field extracted heat so efficiently it could
reduce the internal temperature to absolute zero. I cannot emphasize enough Dr.
Ang’s staggeringly ingenious mechanism. It is entirely possible, once we
discover its purpose, that it might have garnered him a Noble prize. And all of
it constructed with cannibalized parts from the machinery he ordered.
We’re
just at the point of cataloguing all the components and their tolerances and
establishing their role in the startup sequence. I’ve also identified some
internal tables for longitude and latitude addresses along with elevation
points calculated from sea level. However the data itself is password protected
so we’ll see what kind of problem that presents. Of course, if we had any type
of documentation we could reduce this process to child’s play.”
“Any
conjecture at all what it might do?” Janesh asked. The Russian turned to the
Israeli.
“Nothing
whole picture yet but we are beginning to identify elements. So far everything
we’ve seen, though it again has nothing to do with encryption, is firmly in the
quantum world. Beside the remarkable properties of the magnetic chamber, we
have strong evidence Dr. Ang discovered a way to channel a directed gravity
well. A very speculative guess is he might have discovered a way to tap a
quantum energy source. If so it would have the potential to dwarf all other
energy forms.
Speaking
of energy though, once we reassemble the machinery those six lasers will
require a significant upgrade to the building’s power generators and they’ll
probably have to be off the grid.”
“Done.”
Janesh replied. “Chatur will take care of the details. Anything else?”
“It
would really help if we had some documentation.” Gary repeated. Janesh turned
to Miranda.
“Any
possibility you can contact Sara Bell again at the NSF?”
“Sure.
It’s the middle of the night there but I’ll call later this evening.” Janesh
turned back to Akiyama.
“Did
Chatur convey my desire your activities not extend beyond sundown?”
“Yes.
The guards have strict orders to usher us out by then.”
“I
don’t know what good it might do but so far our visitor has only appeared at
night. Any sign of it?” The scientists shook their heads. “Then please keep in
mind at any moment we may have to pack up and leave. CIA and Indian
intelligence are curious what we’re up to and so is one very powerful
industrialist. If your suspicions are correct and this equipment can tap into a
new energy source it goes a long way toward explaining his efforts to gain
control of it. He’ll consider us expendable to do so.” Janesh rose. “I want to
get Miranda settled into the house. Rest is the best medicine for her right
now. Here’s a bit of good news. Dinner is on Chatur tonight.”
Once
again Narsimha picked his way adroitly through the industrial zone’s traffic
and onto a fast moving boulevard. For security reasons Janesh had decided
against housing everyone in a hotel and through a third party had rented a home
on Chandrapur’s outskirts. With plenty of acreage on all sides, surveillance
would prove difficult for anyone attempting it.
“You’re
awful quiet, Miranda.” She shook herself alert.
“I
have this nagging feeling I’m forgetting something important.”
“Think
about something else. It’ll come to you.”
Miranda
shuddered, then sat bolt upright, eyes wide. She inhaled sharply and both hands
shot to her mouth. “Oh my God. I just remembered. It’s not an energy source or
anything of the sort. It’s a gate and Kreetor has come to destroy it.”