Jesse's Starship (28 page)

“What level of protection, Jess?”

Pete said, “You can stand at ground zero in a nuclear blast and not be harmed.”

Mike’s eyebrows shot up and Janet said, “Holy mother of pearl!”

Elle said, “The issue is that you cannot allow that device to fall into the hands of anyone else on this planet. We’re not ready for the technology; we’re too dangerous to the other civilizations in the galaxy.”

Tilly said, “We’re too dangerous to have it used against those on this planet. How do we prevent that from happening?”

Jess looked up, “Pete, why don’t you transfer the information on how to use the device? Make it so that no one but them can use it.”

“Are you certain about this?”

“Pete, you could disable the devices anytime we choose, can’t you?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then what’s the risk?”

“What if something happens to us?”

“Set them up to destruct if you send a signal. You just have to send it if it looks like we’re in trouble.”

Mike said, “Is it possible for the device to work without invisibility?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“I don’t want to have to turn it off if I have to have a conversation with anyone.”

“I’ll include the instructions in the transfer.”

Suddenly, Mike heard his handset beep. He took it out of his jacket pocket and pressed a button, “Sanders here.”

“Sir, we have just left El Segundo and have captured someone who we think is a high ranking officer in the secret organization. We’re driving out of Los Angeles at the moment but I think there is going to be a general alert and we might be stopped.”

“How do you know?”

“She said she was in command and the General confirmed under truth drugs that she commands the entire southwest region. He also said her laptop has the list of contacts. We have her laptop as well.”

Mike thought furiously, “Head toward Bakersfield. I’ll give you instructions on where to go when you get close.”

“Yes Sir,”

Jess looked at Mike, “Who was that?”

“He’s a Navy Seal that was once a member of the ones seeking to take control of the United States.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“There is a place close to Tuscany, California where I think we can go and interrogate the one they’ve captured.”

Jess stared at Mike and sighed, “Mike, you and Janet sit in the chairs.” Mike looked at Janet and went to one of the chairs and sat down. Janet was clearly nervous but Mike said, “He’s someone I would trust with my life. You’re in good hands, Janet.” She sighed and walked to the second chair and sat down. Jess put his helmet on Mike and Elle took hers off and put it on Janet. Jess looked up, “Make the transfer.” Mike and Janet’s eyes closed. Elle looked at Tilly, “What did Mike mean there have been five attempts to kill you?” Elle told them as the two received the transfer. Jess and Elle were shocked at what she said and turned angry by the time Mike and Janet sat up.

Mike looked at Janet and they were both amazed at what they learned. Elle went back into the storage bay and Tilly sat down in Janet’s chair and placed the helmet on her head. Elle came back in and handed Mike two small round devices that had a small dial in the center. She pointed to the second one she handed him, “Give this one to Tilly.” She handed the third to Janet, “This one is coded to you.”

Jess said, “They can only be activated, turned off, or have their settings changed when in contact with your skin.”

Mike nodded and punched a number in his handset. After a moment he said, “Mac, I need a favor.”

“What is it?”

“I need to have two Seals meet me at your farm to deliver a package.”

“When?”

“In about six hours.”

“It’s going to be daylight.”

“Mac, we won’t be seen, I promise.”

Mac sighed and said, “Let me know when you’re close.”

“I will.”

Mike looked at Jess, “We have to go.”

Elle smiled, “We’re going with you.”

“What?”

“We’ll be overhead, no one will see what’s under us. Tilly can ride with us until you arrive.”

Mike stared at Jess and stuck out his hand, “Thanks.”

“You need to get moving; by the way, where are you going?”

“There’s a small farm just north of Comanche Drive on Highway 178 just before you arrive at Tuscany. It’s on the outskirts of Vista Finestra.”

“Pete, do you have that location?”

“I do.”

“We’ll meet you there.”

Mike hugged Tilly and kissed her. “We’ll see you in about three hours.” Tilly nodded and Jess said, “Pete, do you have another chair.” A third chair rose out of the floor and Jess nodded toward it. Tilly sat down and suddenly she was looking down on the farm Mike described. She looked at Jess who said, “We get around rather quickly.”

“Indeed you do.” Tilly looked at Elle, “Mike told me about Jess but nothing about you. How did you end up on this spaceship?”

Elle smiled and told her.

• • •

Mike had the Alligator flying at high speed over the desert and Janet said, “You know we can go faster if you gain altitude.”

“But we run the risk of being seen.”

Janet scowled and lifted her field device and turned the dial. She pressed the recessed button and the stars overhead dimmed. Mike sighed and lifted the helicopter to three thousand feet and turned on the power. The Alligator leaped forward and they were moving at two hundred miles per hour and the desert flew under them. Mike shook his head, “I wasn’t thinking; I’m worried about Tilly.”

“If what I’ve learned about this device is true, you don’t need to worry anymore.”

“I still want her to be hidden.”

“We’ll take care of that after we resolve the current problem.”

“Janet, you need to familiarize yourself with the weapons system.”

Janet pulled the helmet’s face plate down and began going through the check list. By the time they arrived at the farm she could hit a cactus dead center traveling two hundred miles an hour. Mike knew she had a talent with weapons that he could never match. Together, they were a deadly team. His hand set beeped and he pressed his headset, “Where are you?”

“We’re through Bakersfield but I think there is a surveillance ship in the air south of us.”

“What are you driving?”

“It’s a white Chrysler Charger.”

Mike veered the helicopter and said, “Go around Bakersfield to the south and pick up Highway 178 headed northeast. Let me know when you turn on 178.”

“Yes Sir.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to try and fly directly over them until they arrive at the farm.” Janet nodded and saw the sun starting to peek over the horizon. The Alligator straightened out and screamed ahead.

• • •

Adams looked at Bowen who was looking through his window, “There is definitely an Awacs to the west.”

Adams shook his head and heard, “I don’t know who the two of you are but you’re as good as dead.”

Bowen looked in the backseat and saw the woman sitting up. Adams said, “I thought you gagged her.”

“Why, she was unconscious.”

“If she gets on my nerves, be ready to shut her up.”

Jeanette sat in the back of the car and worked on her bonds but realized she had been tied up by a pro. Bowen said, “You should keep busy on the snug ties. It will keep your mind occupied.”

Jeanette sneered at Bowen, “They will not give up on finding me.”

Adams said, “You know too much.” The woman glared at Adams and said nothing. “They will find me.”

Adams looked at Bowen and shook his head, “She’s been tracked.”

Bowen’s expression turned sour and he looked at the woman who suddenly refused to look at him. “You’re right. That EC 3 will be turning and coming this way shortly.”

Adams picked up the handset and threw it to Bowen, “Call him!”

Bowen pressed the last call button and Mike answered, “Sir, we have a problem.”

“What is it?”

“We think our guest has had an electronic tracker inserted in her. There is an EC 3 radar bird that is going to be turning shortly and will be close enough to detect it.”

“Have you made it to the junction?”

“We just turned on 178.”

“Pull over to the side of the road.”

“That plane will definitely see us if we stop.”

“Just do it.”

Adams heard the conversation and shrugged. The woman looked out of the back glass and saw the radar plane make a turn and accelerate toward them. She smiled as it passed a mile behind them. “Ok, you can start moving again.”

“Sir, they had to have detected the tracker.”

“Is the bird turning?”

The three of them in the white car turned and watched the radar plane continue moving south. “No sir?”

“It didn’t see you. Now get moving!”

Jeanette watched the EC 3 disappear and knew that it had not picked up the tracker inserted under the skin under her left breast. Her confidence underwent a sudden change. She remained silent all the way to the farm. She wondered why the sun didn’t appear as bright as it should have.

• • •

Mike took the Alligator into the compound and landed it close to the barn. Mac was standing next to the storage building and saw the sand whip up. He stared at the area and was confused about what kind of wind could cause that much disturbance and not affect anything else. He stared at the wind as it slowed and suddenly Mike appeared out of nowhere walking toward him. His shock was instant and Mike looked up as he came closer, “Sorry Mac, we’ve had to be careful not to be seen.”

“How have you managed to pull that off; I don’t know anything in existence that could do what I’ve just seen.”

“I’ll explain in a minute.” Mike lifted his handset and dialed Jess’ cell phone, “Are you overhead?”

“I am. I’m going to take the ship down to the surface.”

“Is there a way you can do that and not leave an indentation?”

There was a moment of silence and they heard, “We’ll have it hover just above the ground.”

“That would be good. Is my helicopter covered?”

“It is now.”

Mike looked over toward the barn and ran his hand over his throat. The wind stopped blowing and suddenly Mac saw the Ka 52. A woman stepped out and walked over to them as the white car drove into the compound and stopped where Mike and Mac were standing. Two men got out and Mac immediately recognized them as military; probably special forces. Mike walked over to them and Mac followed.

The spaceship suddenly appeared and the two soldiers and Mac were shocked into silence. Mike looked at them, “This is one of the good guys, relax.” The port to the ship opened and they saw a young man and woman along with a middle aged woman step out. Mike yelled, “Are we covered?” The young man nodded and waited at the port.

Jeanette remained in the back of the car and knew she was in over her head. The appearance of the starship sent a cold chill up her spine; she had seen the recordings.

• • •

Mike turned to Adams, “Is she the one?”

“She is; and I believe she has been treated to withstand most drugs. We need the password to open the directory in her laptop.”

Elle had walked over and listened to the exchange and watched as the woman was taken out of the car. Her leg restraints were cut and she saw Mike and Tilly. Her shock was clear to all of them. Mike had all the confirmation he needed to know she was involved in planning the attacks on Tilly. Jeanette saw Mike’s expression and knew she wasn’t going to live much longer.

Elle looked at the woman and was surprised at how beautiful she was. Well, a cobra was also beautiful…and deadly. She walked over to the woman and smiled, “I don’t suppose you are going to give us your password?”

The woman smiled sweetly, “Sure, if it will save my life. It’s Athens.”

Elle shook her head and turned to Mike, “She’s lying.”

“I know.”

Jeanette sputtered, “I am not!”

Elle shook her head, “You didn’t get an agreement to not kill you before you revealed it; you’re lying.”

Jeanette sneered, “You’ll never get it.”

Elle shook her head, “Pete, can you take a look?”

“Put the helmet on her.”

Elle took the helmet off and put it on Jeanette’s head. She resisted to no avail and after a moment Jess yelled, “He’s got it.”

Elle took the helmet off and put it back on her head. “The password is Medusa.”

Jeanette was stunned. She fell to the ground and Adams and Bowen let her fall and left her lying there. Bowen took the laptop and entered the password. A list of names appeared along with contact numbers and locations. Bowen whistled and said, “It looks like she has them all.”

Mike walked around and stared at the list. Elle said, “Pete tells me that they are planning the takeover simultaneously with a coup in Russia and China six days from now.” Jeanette wailed from the ground. Mike looked at the young woman and said, “It appears her father is the one at the top of their chain of command.”

Jeanette looked at Mike and snarled, “You’re too late to stop it; there’s nothing you can do now.”

Mike looked at Elle, “Is she right?”

“They’ve targeted nuclear missiles on Washington, Peking, and Moscow. They’re going to be launched from nuclear missile submarines.”

“We have to get moving!”

Jess yelled from the ship, “Tilly will stay with us until this is over.”

Mike blew out a breath, “Thank you.”

Tilly walked over as Jeanette got to her feet and hit her with a hard, round house right hand. Jeanette fell over backwards unconscious. Tilly said, “Let’s see if she’s been treated to withstand that!”

Adams started laughing and Bowen joined him a moment later. Mike looked at Adams, “I know why Tilly was kidnapped and why they’ve been trying to kill her.”

Adams looked at the list on the screen and tilted his head, “I would have never believed this.”

“Get your commander on board and tell him we’re going to need him.”

“I don’t know that we can do anything against that particular target.”

Jess walked over and said, “I’ll make a temporary trade with you.” Jess pulled a sidearm out of his holster and handed it to Mike. Mike pulled the H&K and handed it to Jess. “Pete will give you what you need to know. I want that back afterwards.”