Legend of Oria 1: Initial Contact (18 page)

Peter and Hoss headed for the men's room door.  Hoss stood just outside blocking anyone from getting inside.  Peter went into the bathroom and entered one of the stalls.  He closed the stall door and set off a small stink bomb with a 5-second fuse, just enough time for him to get out. 

Within minutes of Peter exiting the men's room, several other men came pouring out complaining about the stench.  Peter signaled Oria and Oria headed for the men’s room.  The odor struck Oria hard as he entered the room.  Next time he would suggest a different strategy for Peter and Hoss.  Oria quickly signaled Borella to transport him out and onto the Hercules.

Peter and Hoss returned to the bar and ordered some more beer.  They watched in amusement, as the other operatives got nervous, since Oria never came back out of the rest room.  One of them got up, walked over to the men's room, and went inside.  When he came out, he had an outraged look.  Hoss had slid over to where the other agent was standing so that he could listen into their conversation when the one operative returned.

“He's not there.  I don't know where he went, that room has no windows and no other doors plus it stinks real bad!”

“He has to be in there.  I've been watching the door the entire time.”

“Man, the General is going to be ticked!”

“Look, you stay here and watch the door.  I'm going to walk around back and see if I can find anything.”

The two operatives ranted and raved for about 45 minutes at the sports bar.  Oria simply vanished.  Finally, they had to phone in their failure to Bronson's exec.  As expected, the General was angry over their failure.  He now had to depend on Karen connecting back up with Oria on her beach trip.

When Oria arrived back aboard the Hercules, he headed straight for his quarters.  He planned to make a quick call to Linda and then catch some sleep.  Oria ordered the computer to ring Linda's phone.  She finally answered in a sleepy voice.

“Uh, hello?

“Hi Linda, this is Oria, did I wake you up?”

“Yes.  That’s okay.  Guess what?”

“What?”

“Oria, George asked me to marry him.”

“You mean the trainer?  I thought you weren’t dating.”

“Well, I have always liked him and we've actually been secretly dating awhile.  However, I never thought that he would propose to me.”

“I guess I should say I'm happy for you.  Did you say yes?”

“Of course, I just had no idea that he was thinking seriously about us, at least until tonight.  Well, that's my news, what's up with you?”

“I wanted to thank you for speaking to Jack.  His sons, Peter and Hoss, have been a great help.”

“I thought they would.  Hoss just finished a tour with the Marines and had nothing to do.  Peter just does odd jobs.”

“Well, I did appreciate their help.  I might need them again this weekend.  Karen, someone I just met, invited me down to the beach with her and some friends.”

“What?  I thought you were working.”

“I am.  Karen's a major in the Air Force and has the right types of contacts in the Pentagon to further our plans.”

“It sounds like she’s something more than that?”

“Um, it’s possible she could be more than a work interest.”

“Oria, you'd be surprised.  If you can accomplish work and pleasure at the same time, the more power to you.”

“Thanks.  By the way, the symposium went great.  I presented some new facts and seemed to get everyone's interest.”

“I know.  You made the 10:00 news.  In addition, we saw you with your new friend on TV.  That little fight you were in was impressive.  Hey, what was that device you used to heal the guard?”

“Oh boy, I never thought that my little scene would be aired on TV.”

“You know now.  Anyone watching the game saw you.  I'm sure the media will repeat your little stunt many more times.  That security guard, Carlos, he's claiming that you are some sort of angel.”

“Hmmm, that complicates things.  Well, maybe it will work out for the good.  They didn't say anything else about me?”

“Not yet.  However, it's only a matter of time.   At least they don't yet say that you're an alien.”

“Thanks.  At least I’ve caught the attention of the Pentagon.  My plan all along was to spike their interest and let them simmer on it.   I’ll give them a few weeks.”

“I don't see any problem there.  When the newspapers and talk shows start cranking up on that little bomb shell you released at the symposium, I’m sure the Pentagon will go from simmer straight to a full boil.”

After thirty minutes, Oria finally got off the phone with Linda.  He was pleased, yet concerned that the Creytes would be sure to recognize him from the TV reports.  Oria had hoped that the Creytes would continue to believe that he was running his fleet in another quadrant.  Now, the best he could hope for was that they would be confused and uncertain about his true location.  Oria knew that in time, the Creytes would figure out that there, somehow, there are two Oria’s.

GeoTechnology Inc. Research Headquarters

Excitement pulsed through Dr. Peter Franklin’s veins as he left the symposium.  He wanted to be the first to use the technology presented by Oria to develop a so-called “high tech” laser and whatever else appeared useful.  Franklin didn’t wait to get back to his office to pull a team together, that’s what cell phones were for.  When he finally arrived in his laboratory, a small team was ready there to work with him through the night.  Franklin had to be first.  He had to be first to build a prototype, and the first to get a lucrative DOD contract building even more lasers and further developing this new technology.

It was a long night for Franklin’s team.  There was a lot to learn, figure out and to test.  They took several existing lasers and began modifying them to accommodate the new parts; new parts that they still needed build.  It was a mad house at GeoTechnology.  The machine shop and physics lab kept busy all night.  Finally, by 8AM, Dr. Franklin and his team were exhausted with a completed prototype ready for testing.

One of the scientists began setting up several target panels and instruments to measure the power output of the new particle energy laser.  The Germantown test facility had a laser target range encapsulated in armor and steel reinforced concrete.  The wall behind the target had 48 inches of armored steel plates sandwiched between steel reinforced and hardened concrete.  It was capable of withstanding a nuclear blast.

The test team stood behind a special glass enclosure overlooking the firing range.  From there, they should be able to observe the tests with minimal danger.  Franklin had the technician set the laser to
its lowest power setting and aimed it at a target over 100’ away.

When the technician returned to the safety of the observation room, Dr. Franklin personally pressed the laser’s fire button emitting a short burst from the laser.  Within seconds, the target exploded with a tremendous force shaking the building and shattering the observation room’s glass shield. Franklin’s team was lucky.  No one was hurt.

As the room was still reverberating from the explosion, a voice came on over the intercom demanding Dr. Franklin to pick up the secure phone and speak with General Bronson.

Franklin was still in shock as he picked up the phone to talk with his longtime friend.

“Good morning Stewart, your timing, as usual, is impeccable.”

“Oh really, what’s going on?”

“Just a massive explosion from a new laser device that we built.”

“I see.  Peter, it sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength, we need to talk.”

“Yes we do.  Why don’t you go first?”

“Peter, events with Oria are getting hot.  I want to make sure you’re on track with getting me that proposal.”

“Stewart, I believe we are.  My team worked through the night and completed a prototype laser based on technology presented by Oria.  We just finished test firing this device at the lowest energy setting when you called.  It blew up my lab!”

“What?  I thought your target range could withstand a nuclear explosion.”

“It can!  This new energy source is more powerful than anything we could have imagined.  This technology could enable us develop vessels capable of interstellar travel.  Can you imagine what that means?”

“Incredible.  I’m not sure what to make of all of this.  Oria is turning out to be rather intriguing.”

“I know, Stewart.  I spoke with him briefly at the symposium and was unable to determine what he wants.  His story does not add up.  He doesn’t work with any of our competitors, and besides, if he did, then why is he revealing this technology.  Oria has an astounding knowledge of physics, yet he claims not to be a scientist.”

“Peter we need to talk further.  Unfortunately, I must get to a meeting.  If you find out anything about this Oria person, call me.”

“I will.  My proposal will be on your desk by noon.”

9 AM: Laser Watch Kickoff Meeting

General Bronson’s mind was spinning as he headed for a meeting with his newly formed team “Laser Watch”.  He had ordered the entire team to assemble in his conference room at 9AM with Colonel James Henley conferenc
ed in by phone.

Bronson walked into the meeting room where Lieutenant Rob Johanson, Colonel Fred Johnson, and Captain Lewis Martello sat around the conference table with Colonel Henley on the speakerphone. 

Bronson glaring at Colonel Johnson said, “Where on Earth is Major Brown?  She’s key to this effort!”

The moment Johnson opened his mouth to speak Karen entered the conference room looking exhausted.  She had stopped by the Pentagon on her way home from the game to receive an update from Captain Martello’s intelligence team.  When she finally did get home, her mind was racing and her heart was beating so fast she could not sleep.  Karen repeatedly thought through each piece of information in a vain attempt to make sense of it.  The more she thought, the more the facts didn’t add up, and the more she was falling in love.  Karen tossed and turned the entire night with sleep almost entirely escaping her.

Karen walked over to an empty seat while all her fellow officers, including the General, eye balled her.  Everyone who ever served under Bronson knew or soon found out, Bronson accepted no excuse, whatsoever, for being late to a meeting.  Karen knew this and was quite sure she’d be hung out to dry when she greeted the General. 

“Good Morning General Bronson - sorry that I’m late”

Bronson glared at her ‘locking eyes’ and roared “Major! I expect more from you!  I don’t want to hear how you can’t get your sorry butt in here on time. Don’t let this happen again.  Am I clear?”

“Yes sir.”

“Alright, let’s get started.”

Karen was relieved that Bronson let her off easy this time.  She thought that the current events took him out of his usual behavior patterns.  She was sure that her tardiness would cost her later, particularly from Martello.  Martello was always attacking her on some detail.  She knew that the
visibility of this effort would bring out the worst in her nemesis, Martello.

In a commanding voice, Bronson started the meeting.  “I want everyone in this room to drop everything outside of this operation.  Right now, finding out Oria’s real identity, and the ins and outs of his technology is our primary objective.  Consider this a 7x24 operation - any questions?”

Bronson locked eyes successively with each person sitting around the table.  No one dared raise any questions.  It was quite clear to everyone the importance of this project to Bronson and ultimately to national security.

When no one raised their hand, the General lowered his voice and said, “Alright, let’s hear what Captain Martello has discovered.”

Captain Martello smugly handed out a small document summarizing his team’s findings.  He felt good about the information he obtained so far. For sure, he thought, this was a real coup.

“The labs have worked quickly and produced some interesting results.  First, we matched the fingerprints from some of the artifacts seized from Dr. StalkingWolf’s archeological dig on the Eastern Shore with fingerprints taken by our agents tailing Oria.  There is a 99% probability that they are from the same person.”

Colonel Johnson interrupted Martello and asked, “Have you verified that the prints off the artifacts aren’t recent.  I understand that Oria has a connection to StalkingWolf and that she is an anti-government agitator?”

“Yes Colonel, I would like nothing more than to nail this man as an imposter, but one of the artifacts included some petrified clay that was clearly over 500 years old.”

“I understand Captain, are you sure the two aren’t in collaboration?”

“Colonel, how can I be certain that they aren’t collaborating together?  I do know that they know each other.  StalkingWolf calls Oria her Uncle.  In addition, I believe it’s clear that Oria has enlisted her and her local tribe’s help.  Several heavies from her tribe helped Oria escape from my agents last night.  However, I don’t see any evidence to show that they collaborated on the fingerprints or our DNA findings.”

“DNA findings?” exclaimed the Colonel.

“That’s correct.  We took DNA samples that are over 500 years old.  They resemble DNA samples taken from Oria just last night.  The samples from the artifacts are off a teenage boy.  The recent samples sort of match the older samples.”

Bronson boomed back “What do you mean by they ‘sort of match’?  Last night you were certain they were an exact match.”

“That’s correct sir.  Our matching process has a 99% probability they are from the same person.  Nevertheless, the recent sample has some strange patterns.  The lab technician said she has never seen this sort of pattern.  It could be that his DNA has been genetically altered.”

Everyone in the room became stone silent.  You could have heard a pin drop.  Captain Martello paused several seconds and then continued.

“We have completed an initial background check on Oria.  The first time anyone has any record of Oria is his visit to the old Nanticoke/Viking archeological dig of Linda StalkingWolf’s.  It’s as if he dropped in from nowhere.”

Again, the room fell silent.  A tense minute went by with the General finally breaking the silence.

“Thank you Captain, I believe it’s clear that we don’t know enough about Oria yet.  I don’t believe in mysteries or coincidences.  Let’s get to the bottom of this Nanticoke connection.  In addition, we are moving ahead in further developing the technology presented by Oria.  This morning I entertained a task order with GeoTechnology to develop prototype lasers and further research the new technology.  Dr. Franklin completed a prototype laser this morning based on technology presented by Oria.  When I called, he had just completed the first test, which blew up a large part of his test facility.  The test facility is capable of withstanding a nuclear blast!  It appears that Oria’s theories are correct.  Let’s get on to the next topic.  Major Brown, you spent most of the evening with Oria, did you learn anything that should be brought up at this meeting?”

With all eyes on her, Karen swallowed before she answered.  “Yes sir, it’s interesting that Captain Martello linked Oria to the Eastern Shore.  Oria told me that he was born on the Eastern Shore and hasn’t been back in this area for a long time.  He also claimed that he has no address in this area and indicated that he may try to stay at a local motel.  Captain, were your agents able to follow Oria to his local address?”

Martello’s face reddened a bit from Karen’s little jab to the jugular.  “No Major, as I just mentioned in my report, the Nanticoke thugs he hired detained our agents.  They followed you and Oria back from the Verizon Center and noted you kissing him goodbye.  After that, they followed him to a bar where once again Oria’s thugs foiled any attempts for our guys to keep track of him.”  Martello did not like Karen questioning his agents’ performance nor the tone of her voice.  He took immense pleasure pointing out Karen’s attention lapse in front of the General.

The General sensed the hostility of the Captain towards his Major.  He roared back at Martello “Captain, it’s your fault the agents lost track of Oria.  I don’t want excuses.  Let me remind all of you that we are a team.  I don’t want your petty rivalries getting in the way of the mission.  Am I clear?”

Everyone in the room nodded their heads acknowledging Bronson’s request.  Bronson scanned the room and felt maybe, just maybe, he could mold this group into a cohesive unit.  Looking at Karen, Bronson said “Major, do you have anything more you want to add?”

“Yes General.  Oria will join several friends of my form the Florida STAR Hawk operation on a weekend trip to Ocean City.  I hope to get closer to him and find out more about him on the trip.”

Martello chuckled to himself.  “Yeah, Karen wanted to get closer to him, intimately closer.”

Bronson looked pleased.  “Excellent.  Major I want you to join me in my office after this meeting.”  Bronson then turned and zeroed in on Captain Martello.  “Captain, do you think that you can have some agents follow Oria and the Major to Ocean City, and NOT lose him this time?”

Martello’s face reddened from the General’s stab.  “Yes sir, I will put my best agents on the job.”

“No Captain, I want you to be personally involved.  I don’t want another mess-up.  Is that clear?”

“Yes General”, gulped Martello, wishing he could disappear, “I will see to it that your orders are followed.”

“Excellent, okay people, hit the bricks and get busy”.

Karen followed Bronson to his office suite where he ordered his Exec to hold his calls.  When they entered his office, Bronson closed the door and indicated that Karen should join him in one of the chairs around his coffee table.

Karen nervously sat down and folded her hands.  She felt a sour feeling developing in her stomach as she waited for the General to speak.  She rarely sat alone with the General in his office.

Bronson glanced at his desk and the list of messages handed to him by his Exec.  After quickly perusing his messages, he walked over to his chair and sat down.

“Karen, I appreciate the work you have done since you joined us here.  You’ve been a real trooper given that you prefer flying full time with the rest of the STAR Hawks team.  However, I am concerned how you will perform on this task investigating Oria.  The reports I reviewed this morning indicate you may be getting too emotionally involved with our target.  Do you have any comments on this issue?”

“General, I always put my duty to country first.  No matter how I feel about Oria, I am clearly focused on my duty as an officer.”  Deep down Karen shared the General’s concern.  She knew that she was falling in love.

“Very well Major.  I’m not taking you off this assignment yet.  Don’t do anything that will make me regret this decision.  You are free to go.”

Karen and the General stood up and exchanged the usual formalities as Karen left the General’s office.

Ocean City Beach Trip

Karen was deeply entrenched in the latest research reports provided by Captain Martello when the
Major showed up at her office.

“Hello Major.  I have put together a small goodie package for you to take on your trip.”

“Is that so Captain?  What do you have for me?”  Karen felt a little agitated.  The last thing she wanted was to have Martello snooping on her.

“We’re planning on using GPS and location services to keep our surveillance teams and you in touch with each other.  Their GPS system and tracking devices will enable us to keep appraised of each other’s location.  We will also have the ability to communicate with each other and form strategies with their CRS (communications/radio subsystem).”

“Ok, so what do you have for me?”

“First, I have already taken the liberty to install a GPS transceiver on your car.  Next . . .”

“You did what?”  Karen was livid, her hands clenched into fists. “I can’t believe you attached something to my car without asking first!”

Martello smirked “Yeah, General’s orders.  Furthermore, you will need to carry these devices with you at all times.  This one is your communicator.”

“And where am I supposed to hide this stuff when I am out on the beach wearing my bikini?”

“You can place them in this bag which has a false bottom.  Furthermore, I have devices for your Florida friends too.  Colonel Henley has already briefed them on the mission.”

Martello proceeded to show Karen how all of the gadgets worked.  Karen was reaching the boiling point from Martello’s continual goading of her.  Every time she questioned the young Captain, he always responded with a sharp “General’s orders”.  She decided it wasn’t worth fighting Martello at this time about his unprofessional behavior, rather, she would deal with the issue at a future and more appropriate time.

Martello finally left Karen’s office.  She used the opportunity to make a beeline for her car and head for home.  She was certain that Martello would be tracing every inch of her progress.  It didn’t matter; soon she and Oria would be on the road together and headed for the beach.  She would be fulfilling her responsibility as an officer while at the same time taking a semi-romantic trip with an attractive man. She smiled as she thought about her upcoming trip.

Oria was already waiting for Karen as she walked into the lobby of her high-rise apartment complex.  Karen smiled when she saw him standing there dressed in khaki shorts and a T-Shirt.  She walked over to him and gave him a big hug knowing that this incident would be reported back to Martello and ultimately to the General.  Karen was happy to see Oria and didn’t care what Martello reported to Bronson.

Karen led Oria up to her apartment where she changed out of her uniform and into some more casual clothes.  It only took several minutes to complete her last minute packing and they were ready to head down the road.

Karen and Oria walked to her Porsche Carrera parked in the apartment garage.  Oria looked at her car and admired the sleek aerodynamic looking design.

“Nice car, I see you like something a little sporty.”