Sole Scion - 16. Chapter Sixteen: Disastrous Escape

Chapter Sixteen: Disastrous Escape

Logan listened to Ray’s pleading but there was nothing the light bulb could say that he would divert from his long laid plans.

When Logan had joined Ryan’s team a year ago he already had set into motion the destruction of the Falkland’s Atlantis Shard. The seed had been Tara’s severed thumb given to him by the one known as Talon. It was no secret that the only way to kill a Nano for good was to burn its remains. That way it could not be consumed by an unsuspecting animal and be transformed into an abomination.

While Talon would have preferred to have captured Tara in her entirety Talon had been able to save enough of Tara’s cells to grow a large enough clone that, when infected, would later grow into an awakened Sleeper of monstrous proportions. Such a creature could not develop overnight however. It would in fact take at least a year.

Having timed its awakening to the second the Sleeper should already have started stirring where Logan and planted it like a seed on Swan Island. Even while Logan had been NET’s prisoner the mutated cells had flowered and bloomed into a Hive Queen. By now it should have already started releasing its deadly pollen. Yes… it was only a matter of time before NET was sent into a panic. Against a Hive Queen and her offspring, the Greys would be forced to evacuate their main headquarters. During the chaos Logan would make his way to the abandoned lower levels of the base. He would find and reactivate its Gate and use it to reach the Eye. He would then complete his mission and free the Demon Travis from his tomb deep beneath the sea. He would then use the Eye to return for Daniel so all three of them could escape to Mars.

“It was a simple plan but like always the devil was in the details. In Logan’s case he could not have known what he had set into motion with the seed he had planted. It was only a matter of time before he did.

When the attack began there were no blaring of alarms… not on the research levels that is. Still Logan could see the read the growing signs that showed something major had happened. The ever present scientists were gone as well as most of the guards. Those few who remained paced up and down the halls as if they were the ones trapped inside the specimen cells.

When Logan saw the last of the guards had disappeared he used his cybernetic body to ram his way through the armored glass and out of his cell. While several alarms went off with their blaring sirens and flashing red lights no guards came. With no one to stop him Logan made his way through the Zoo unhindered. His first objective was freeing Ryan and his men.

When he reached Ryan’s cell he was not pleased to see Daniel was with him. “Hurry, it’s time for us to go.”

“No.” Ryan said flatly. “It’s too dangerous. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“We needed a distraction to make our escape and I’ve provided one.” Logan replied.

“What you’ve done is doomed us all. You really don’t know what you’ve set loose,” Daniel shouted.

“I know what I’ve done. I released a Sleeper.”

“Not any Sleeper. An Awakened Hive Queen,” Ryan shouted, his face flushed with anger.

“You lie,” Logan spat.

“Show him Ray,” Ryan said to his son..

Logan’s vision was replaced by scenes of the battle already taking place. Hordes of Spiderwolves and their grubs were attempting to overwhelm the base’s formidable defenses. So far NET had managed to protect its outer perimeter but with more and more of the monstrosity coming they wouldn’t be able to hold out forever. While there was no sign of the Queen, so many Spiderwolves could not have appeared out of thin air. Only an egg laying Sleeper could have produced so many.

When his vision returned to normal Logan did not look the least bit guilty. I don’t see how this changes anything. We’re still leaving.”

“You are… Daniel will be staying here with me and my men.”

“Are you mad?” Logan fumed. You would doom Daniel and your own people? I bet anything there’s already a bomber in the air coming to wipe this place out.”

“You’re wrong.” Daniel replied. “The Queen will be dealt with without the need for mass nuking.”

“How can you be sure?” Logan asked. He felt quite smug about bringing about the destruction of NET.

“Because NET cannot afford to lose their main base of operations,” Ryan replied. “This is no ordinary complex. It is the last know intact remains of Atlantis and all it once stood for. NET will use every means it has at its disposal to save it. They will unleash their Nano Extermination Teams.”

“You mean their paramilitary?”

“No I mean NET.” Daniel said. “Did you really think NET stood only for the Neo Examination Test? No… NET’s true purpose has always been developing new ways of fighting what most call Sleepers. Right now most of the Nano Extermination Teams are stationed in Vancouver protecting the Alaskan quarantine frontlines. By now most of them will be boarding every available suborbital launcher to get here ASAP.”

Logan knew about Space Jumpers. They were hypersonic aircraft capable of entering low orbit. They were the fastest and most expensive way to traveling from one point on Earth to another. “Then we don’t have much time.”

“Yes, you don’t have much time to get away.” Ryan wrapped a possessive arm around Daniel’s waist and pulled him closer to him. “Daniel will be staying here with us where he will be safe from you and the Sleepers.”

Logan began pounding on the armored glass. “I can’t allow that! He has to come with me.”

Ryan shook his head. “No, he has to stay safe. The plan was for you to go to the Eye to deal with Travis and come back later to help Daniel get to Mars. You never suggested that you would take Daniel to the Eye with you.”

“The plan has have changed.” Logan said as he continued to try to break through the transparent armored barrier.

Ryan let out a mocking laugh. “So it has. If you want to go get yourself killed go ahead but I’m sticking to the mission. Daniel’s safety is my number one priority and must come first.”

Logan attempted to charge into the armored glass with every intention of ramming his way through it but before he could an invisible force took hold of him and threw him in the opposite direction.”

“What the hell is this?” Al demanded.

Logan looked at Ryan and then at the Major. Knowing his was outmatched he made a run for it.

Al looked at Ryan and reached out with his mind. “Is Daniel alright?”

“Yes.” Ryan replied telepathically.

“Good, keep him that way. I’ll go deal with the other one.” Al headed in the direction Logan had disappeared. Protecting Daniel might no longer be his responsibility but he’ll be damned before he let any real harm come to the young man.

Andrew had never flown aboard a Space Jumper before and was therefore ill prepared for the experience. Several times he thought he would hurl but luckily he managed to hold his lunch until they landed. Once is feet touched the ground however Andrew heaved until there was nothing left for him to throw up.

“Toughen up soldier.” The Generalissimo gave Andrew an encouraging nudge.

“Sorry… first time,” Andrew replied as he wiped his mouth clean.

Xander’s amused grin faded into a look of concern. “You should have told me. I would have known better than to let you talk me into letting you come along.”

“Not is your life!” Andrew shouted as he straightened himself back up. “I would rather have had my stomach cut out than let you leave without me.”

“Now that’s the kind of attitude I look for in a soldier.” Seeing the base’s military commander waving towards him the general excused himself. “Go see if you can make yourself useful.”

“How?”

“I do seem to remember you being quite the pilot. Go to the airfield as see if you can lend them a hand.”

“See if they’re short on pilots? Okay. I guess that’s better than fighting in a ditch.” It took some asking around but Andrew eventually found the airfield. With constant stream of transports bringing in reinforcements from Buenos Aries and Vancouver and fighter craft flying in and out in between being refueled and rearmed and going on attack runs it was quite a chaotic scene.

When Andrew reported to the air chief he found the general had sent word ahead that he be given command of his own squadron.

“It’s about time you showed up,” the air chief said. He would have been annoyed but with the Sleeper approaching now was not the time for him to give Andrew a lecture on punctuality.

Seeing the air chief holding out a flight suit, Andrew grabbed it a quickly put it on. “Sorry, it took a while to get here,”

“No excuses pretty boy. You are to take over Zeta squadron.”

“Uhmmm…”

“Yes.”

“Where is Zeta?”

“Idiot… you’ll find them in the hanger labeled Zeta in your heads-up display.” The chief threw Andrew a flight helmet.

Putting it on Andrew put up a map of the base. It did indeed showed the main hanger for Zeta squadron on the far end of the field.

Wanting to get into the fight as soon as possible he requisitioned a nearby jeep without waiting for approval. Ignoring the angry shouts and curses of its former driver he floored the gas pedal and raced towards the hanger.

Halfway there the sky began to darken. Looking up he saw a swarm of flying insects barreling down on the airfield. “Fuck… Mantises.”

If Spiderwolves made up the infantry of a Hive Queen then the Mantises was her air force. While lacking any real firepower they attack in huge swarm clouds. With their sharp clawed and pincer like jaws they could easily tear apart an entire squadron of Zephyrs midair. The only way to fight swarm was from a distance with missiles armed with explosive fragmenting warheads and heavy chain guns. Given the size of the swarm Andrew prayed they didn’t run out ammo.

On reaching the massive hanger he found he found all 25 pilots waiting for him. He hoped that meant all 25 zephyrs were flightworthy. Unlike the military base at the Academy which mainly only had training aircraft, NET’s primary command base’s air force received top funding.

Andrew quickly saw the pilots were made up of a mixture blonds and redheads. That meant that all the pilots were Neos. None seemed too happy that the commander had been replaced by an inexperienced kid. “Look I know none of you want me in charge but that doesn’t change the fact I am. I will expect all of you to put in your best effort. Our lives and those of our comrades depend on it.”

He sent his men to their craft. When he boarded he headed straight to the cockpit to find it was already occupied. “I’ll take the pilot’s chair. You can go man one of the weapons system seats.”

“No can do sir. Regulations state that the squadron commander must remain in the CIC during combat. You are the commander are you not?” The pilot didn’t attempt to disguise his condescending sarcasm.

Not wanting to waste more time arguing Andrew made a hasty retreat to the command craft.

The command and control center aboard the heavy armored Zephyr consisted of communication gear, a holographic radar display and three Virtual Reality chairs. Andrew sat himself in the lead chair and hooked himself up to the equipment.

When he was plugged in he flipped the switch built into the armrest, activating the system. What he saw astonished him. The VR helmet showed the viewpoint of all 25 fighters, their damage status, fuel levels, and ammo reserves. From the command chair he could send separate orders to individual crew members, be they the wing commanders or weapons specialist. He could also set the squadron’s formation and even override each Zephyr’s piloting systems. The pilot had laughed when he learned Andrew had assumed he would be piloting one of the fighters. Andrew wasn’t blind to the irony that while he wouldn’t be fighting in a top-of-the-line fighter, he would be piloting the entire squadron.

“Flight check by the numbers…” As the individual pilot’s began checking in it gave Andrew time to decide on a strategy. Turning his attention to the CIC’s scanners he saw that the first swarm had been broken. However, on the far edge of the Zephyr’s scanner range showed the flying Mantises were reforming the swarm above the far side of the island to prepare to make another attack. That left Andrew with three options. He could take advantage of the pause in air combat and preform a few bombing runs on the horde of Spiderwolves. He was sure those defending NET’s outer perimeter on the ground needed it. Andrew could also go after the giant flying insects the before the swarming Mantises and weaken them further before they could reform the swarm and go on the offensive again. Then there was option three. He could go directly to the source of the infestation and kill the Hive Queen. The main challenge would be finding her lair. It would be deep underground and well-guarded but if he got rid of her then there would no longer be a guiding intelligence compelling the Nanos to attack in such numbers which would hopefully cause the Swarm to disperse.

“Your orders commander?” the lead pilot of the Command Zephyr’s asked Andrew soon after everyone reported in.

“Prep the seismic charges… we’re going bug hunting.”

The pilots must have assumed their inexperienced commander would play it safe and kept them out of the fight. Instead they were going after the biggest prize that would give the squadron the most glory and bragging rights. This had all 25 pilots and their weapon specialists cheering.

“Now that’s what I like to hear from a commander.” The pilot of the command ship said as he and the other pilots launched their Zephyrs into the sky.

With every man capable of holding a gun fighting outside only the albino slaves noticed Logan entering the restricted lower levels of the NET’s main base. Pacifists by nature, none tried to stop him. That did not mean Logan did not have to watch his back. There was that damned Grey who had stopped him from taking Daniel. The Major at least was still on Logan’s trail. So would be anyone the Grey was able to get them to join his hunt for the escaped lab specimen.

It did not matter. Logan was getting very close to the abandoned lower leaves of the Ark. From there he would enter the Vault and be safe from further pursuit.

Unfortunately for him Albert Grey had decided that his pride was not as important as he once thought it was. Suspecting Logan was behind the attack he reported what he had seen to the Chief Examiner. While Al had never considered that escaped specimen and what was happening outside were connected, his father was not one to believe in mere coincidences. The sudden appearance of the Nano Swarm and the all too easy escape of the specimen had to be linked somehow.

Ordering three of his best platoons back to the complex Scott had them do a systematic search of each level. After they had been cleared they were put under lockdown. However, it did not take the Examiner long to determine that the escapee had headed in the direction of the deeper abandoned levels.

There were only a few reasons why the specimen would be in such a rush to reach the deepest part of the complex. What concerned the High Examiner the most as the target continued fleeing was that at a certain point the man would reach the part of the complex that had not been connected to the central power supply in centuries. Past that point they would no longer have the advantage of keeping track of the escaped specimen with the complex’s advanced surveillance system. Even with NET’s advantage of having the most advance security system in the world, the bugger was already doing a bang-up job staying out of sight of the cameras.

While the Chief Examiner kept his eyes on the display screens he tried to figure out what Logan was up to. What reason would someone have to want to go to the abandoned parts of the complex? The only things stored down there are the massive stockpiles of decommissioned ancient Atlantis weaponry and the … the GATE. That has to be it. The specimen plans to use the Gate to make his escape. Scott didn’t know how the specimen planned on reactivating it. It had been shut down soon after the Eye was discovered. Thomas had feared that those who controlled the other Ark would use it to infiltrate the Falkland Shard. For whatever reason, no one had tried to reactivate the Gate after the Eye had been destroyed. By then most people had forgotten it ever existed.

Scott hadn’t forgotten and it seemed neither had the escapee. Whatever was going on it there would have had to have been a great deal of advance planning for someone to be able to pull off this insane plan. It then dawned on the Chief Examiner that the specimen had probably wanted to be captured and placed with the other specimens. But for what reason? To get Daniel? That has to be it. Thanks to his grandson refusal to try to escape with Logan the spy had failed in his mission and, if Scott had anything to say about it, would not live long enough to get a second chance. But what to do about the others who were captured with the escapee? They must be spies too. Yet they stopped their friend… no not friend, at best their associate, from taking Daniel with him. I will have to deal with them later.

“Sir we have the file you asked for.” One of Scott’s agents telepathically reported to the Chief Examiner.

“About time…” Scott had asked for Daniel’s file on the escape specimen hours ago. He didn’t understand why it had taken so long to obtain it. “Load it up on my terminal.”

So he could extensively examine the details of the man’s file the Chief Examiner slowed down his pursuit and turned his full focus on the miniature display terminal that was etched into the eye contacts all NET Agents were supposed to wear at all times. Scott took one look at the man’s photo profile and felt his stomach drop. “It’s him… it’s Logan. How could a member of the Guardian Council manage to enter NET HQ and no one notice who or what he was. A basic medical examination would have told a blind man that the specimen was an android. It had to have been CEMS. Only the Central Environment Management System could have altered the data. “CEMS… report.”

“Yes Chief Examiner?”

“Why did you alter the data of the escaped test subject?”

“We did not alter the data,” the super computer AI replied. As always CEMS voice was that of a calm motherly woman.

“If not you then who?”

“The Doll known as Logan was the one who altered the results.”

Scott frowned. “He can do that?”

“Yes.”

If he can override CEMS programing what else can he do? “CEMS does the escaped Doll have the ability to reactivate the complex’s gate.”

“He does.” CEMS replied.

“How long would it for the system to be fully operational?”

“Once reactivated it will take a minimum of 3.25 Earth hours for enough charge to build up to allow for a short range jump.”

“Any way you can extend them recharge time?” the Chief Examiner asked.

“We can but the Doll can override any attempt we make,” CEMS replied.

“Is there anything we can do manually?”

“Analyzing…” The screen was replaced by a three dimension blueprint of the complex. Five points were marked by red dots. “Disabling these power junctions will delay the recharge process by 2.12 hours. The only permanent means of disabling the system is to shutting down the auxiliary gravity generators on sublevel 87.” Another spot of the map was marked with a red circle.

It took only three seconds for Scott to realize that the generators were located inside the same chamber as the Gate itself. If Logan were to reach the vault and seal himself inside before Scott’s people could stop him it would be near impossible for them to stop Logan from activating the Gate and escaping to god knows where. “CEMS what are the odds we can deactivate the Doll before he escapes.”

“More data needed.” CEMS replied.

“Such as.”

“The amount of resources you are willing to commit to the task.”

“Three special forces platoons?”

“Odds of deactivating the Doll are 1:5. However we predict from our analysis of the past behavior of the Logan Doll that the Odds are 1:2 that Logan will attempt to destroy the entire complex if his defeat seem inevitable with a 1:3 odds he will succeed in destroying the complex.”

“Damn it CEMS… there has to be a way. Calculate the set of actions that have the best chance of stopping Logan without risking the safety of Atlantis.”

“Calculating…. A stream of identification numbers appeared on the screen. A team consisting of these individuals have 1:2 chance of stopping the Doll from using the Gate. The team composition will also lower the odds of the complex being completely destroyed to 1:8..

Scott looked down the list of numbers… He should not have been all that surprised to see that all the ID numbers listed belong to the lab specimens from Dr. Winter’s lab. Damn it… How can I trust these mere lab specimens with the lives of everyone on the island? “What gives them a better chance at stopping Logan than my own men?”

CEMS responded without the further need of calculation. “Recently received new data identifies those listed as carries of a variant of the Nano Plague never before reported. Exact properties are unknown but a quick analysis points to them possessing a morphology superior to that of the known variants of Sleepers.”

Scott looked at the security camera screens and saw that the cameras had again lost sight of the escapee. “Are they even superior to Neo’s?” the Examiner asked.

“Yes,” CEMS replied

“Can we control them?” the Chief Examiner asked.

“Data collected through observations indicate they will act in a manner suitable for the given mission.”

“What about afterwards?”

“Not enough data available to predict actions outside the given parameters. More observational study required to predict future behavioral patterns.”

“When did you discover this new variant and why wasn’t I told?”

“Data was only obtained twenty minutes fourteen seconds ago. Preliminary analysis of the data was completed four minutes five second ago.

“Where did this new batch of data come from? Never mind. I think I already know. Your presumption that the specimens are our best chance has to do with Daniel’s data?”

“Yes, and that is not a presumption.”

Thinking about the data reminded Scott about whose data he was most concerned about receiving. “Show me Daniel’s blood results.”

“Data cannot be found.” CEMS replied.

“Was it erased? Did Daniel erase his own results?”

“The data from several samples were wiped from our databanks. The deletion was authorized by the Doll Logan.”

“Yet you are certain Daniel’s was among the results destroyed?”

“Odds are 99:1 that Dr. Winters blood sample was among those destroyed.”

“We can deal with that later. It seems I’m needed back in the Zoo. Have a Special Forces team meet me there. Be sure to tell them I want them to bring anything you might think will help the specimens succeed in stopping Logan.”

“Orders confirmed. Is there anything else I can do for you Chief Examiner?”

Scott thought on that for a bit. He was greatly disturbed by what he had learned. It worried him what might happen if Thomas got access to the same information. He knew what he had to do. “CEMS, I want you to prepare a memory capsule of all the data you’ve collected on Daniel’s research.”

“Done.”

Looking at the security screens one last time Scott saw the last reported sighting of Logan was on the same level CEMS lost surveillance coverage. Knowing they were running out of time the Chief Examiner started heading in the direction of the nearest elevator shaft.

“Have the capsule sent to Daniel’s lab with exclusive access limited to my DNA signature.” He told CEMS as he waited for the elevator. “You are then delete all data you have collected from Daniel’s research. Make sure to make it appear that the data was erased along with what Logan deleted. You are then to destroy the Sleeper detector device with great prejudice. All record of the existence of the memory capsule is to be wiped from your memory. Once these command have been completed you are to destroy all records of the orders I have given you. If anyone attempt is made to recover these orders the tampering is to be accredited to the deletions the Doll Logan attempted. Do you accept these commands? ”

“Commands received… Prime Directives override required.”

Scott looked around for the nearest data terminal. Finding one that had a DNA reader he pressed his palm on the device. He felt a sharp sting as a needle shot out. Once it had collected a sample of his blood it recoiled.

“Command override accepted.” CEMS said a second later. Commands will execute in five seconds.”

Scott didn’t wait for the results. His focus was on his bleeding hand. Even after so many centuries he regretted the decision he had been forced to make so long ago but he had not been given any other choice. Though Lordon and the Prelate preached the wonders of Neo ingenuity and technology they had not been the ones to come up with it. It had been Atlantis’s original builders, a people known as the Togo who had developed the technology that his fellow Neo’s now claimed as their own.

Some of their creations still bore the marks of their builders. CEMS override for instance could only be used by someone of Togo blood. As far as Scott knew no such person continued to exist. In order to create his own failsafe should he need to have CEMS act in a manner counter to her basic programing protocols he had injected himself with the preserved cancer cells that had been collected as a part of a cancer biopsy performed on a Togo woman thousands of years ago. As cancer cells never die they had remained in his blood stream.

Even after a thousand years those cells remained in Scotts and continued to multiply. With constant taking of the Blue the Chief Examiner had managed to keep the cancer at bay but it was only a matter of time before the cancer mutated into a form the Blue could not contain. One day the cancer would consume him just as one day the plague would become resistant to Blue. It might seem cowardly but Scott hoped the former happened first. He didn’t want to still be alive when the entire human race had become infected with the plague.

      _________________________________________________________________

Seeing the growing stack of crates the guards were piling up outside their cells Ryan warned his men to be on their guard. Something was up and he was sure it had to do with Logan.

When the Chief Examiner entered he ordered his men to leave. Once the last one disappeared, the Examiner let Ryan and his people out of their cells.”

“What is this?” Suspecting a trap Ryan did not leave the cell.

“You know why. Your friend Logan needs to be stopped.”

“I don’t’ know what you’ve heard but he’s no friend of mine.” Ryan in an emphatic tone that told Scott exactly what he needed to know..

Scott looked to where Daniel stood behind Ryan. “So I gathered when you stopped him from taking Dr. Winters.”

“It was the least I could do.” Ryan signaled to his men to start going through the crates. One held out an armored vest. Another was busy examining a high caliber chain machinegun. “What’s this? Planning for us to fight your war for you?”

Scott aimed his gaze on Daniel. “Logan has to be stopped.”

Ryan would like to think he was good at reading the expression on other people’s faces. What he read from the Examiner’s expression told him that that he and Logan had a piece of shared history. “You seem to know more than you are willing to tell. Not fair to ask a man to risk his life without him knowing all that’s involved.”

“Logan is an android… but you already knew that.”

“We knew he was a Pinocchio. How is he different from other Bionoids?”

“Most Bionoids are no stronger than your typical human they are synthetic but they’re still consist of living tissue. Logan is different. He’s more machine than organic.”

“Are you sure. I’ve dealt with Cybernoids before. I’ve never seen one to lose control of their temper so easily.”

“He is a sentient machine possessing the personality and emotions of the man he was modeled after. He is ten times stronger than the strongest Neo however. He also has the ability to hack into most computer systems and take control of them.”

“Such as the one that runs this base?”

“No… CEMS herself also possesses a sentient AI and can counter anything Logan might try to force her to do. She cannot however stop him from taking over systems not directly under her control.”

“He always said he would be able to reactivate the Gate when the time came. I guess that explains it.” Ryan saw the Chief Examiner was not amused by his confession but he didn’t give a damn. “Yes I know about the neat toys you’ve been hiding in your basement but they have nothing to do with why I’m here.”

“So why are you here?” Scott asked.

“Why do you think?” If Chief Examiner didn’t want to mention Daniel by name Ryan wasn’t about to volunteer the name either.

Scott hated the fact that he had no choice but to trust people he knew nothing about. As a Grey he was used to having access to unlimited data. What information could not be collected by more mundane covert means could easily be stolen telepathically. However that was not the case with these particular individuals. Somehow their minds were shielded behind some sort of psychic barrier. In time and given enough effort someone with the Chief Examiner’s telepathic abilities could find a way of penetrating that shield but the present crisis had to be dealt before the Scott could personally see to their full interrogation. In the end he had no choice but to trust these spies. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Since when do I ever.” Ryan replied in an amused sardonic manner. Seeing then Chief Examiner’s frown deepen Ryan quickly wiped the snide grin off his face. “Hey I was only kidding.”

The Chief Examiner continued to glare suspiciously at Ryan. “This is no time to fool around. Just as Logan can reactivate the gate he can also trigger the base’s self-destruct mechanism.”

Ryan laughed. “Believe me there is no risk of that happening.”

“How can you be sure?” Scott asked.

“I know his type. He’s the sort of soldier who becomes so obsessed with fulfilling his mission he doesn’t give a damn about what is going on around him. What I mean to say is he won’t do anything that would put the mission at risk.”

“Are you a part of that mission?” Scott asked suspiciously

“Hell no.” Ryan laughed. “If we knew what he was planning we would never have let him tag along.”

“Then who gave him his orders.”

“I’ll tell you but only if you promise to answer a few questions of my own questions.”

This time it was the Chief Examiner who laughed. “Forget it… I know what you will want in return and it’s not worth my knowing who sent you here.”

“Then I guess we have nothing left to talk about.” Ryan snapped a banana ammo clip into his gun.

“The Gate is located inside a vault on sublevel 87. I have isolated the elevator controls so only CEMS has direct control over them. You should be able to use one of them to take you straight to the sublevel 50. You will have to use the stairs from there. Make sure each of you take one of the tote bags from the last three crates on the right over there.” Scott pointed to where the largest of the many crates were stacked.

“What’s in them?”

“Environment suits. You will need them to protect you from the cold when you enter the vault. Once there you will need to head for the Gate and stopped Logan from using it.”

“By stopping him you mean you want us to kill him. Right?”

“That is one way of stopping him. You can also stop him by disabling the gravity generators in the adjoin chamber. The gate can’t function without them.”

“And what will you be doing while we risk our necks?”

“My people will be busy buying you time.” Scott told him about the power junctions his agents were already in the process of disabling.

“Good, we’ll probably need every second. Last question… how can I trust you not to do anything to hurt him.” Ryan pointed to Daniel.

Scott looked towards Daniel. “I swear I will keep him safe.”

For some reason Ryan knew that while the Chief Examiner might have lied about a lot of what he told Ryan, he knew the agent would do exactly what he said he would do. “See that you do.”

“Good luck.”

Ryan laughed. “Luck has nothing to do with it, but thanks.” He turned to his men. “Time to move out.”

Once they were gone Scott went over to Daniel. He let the tips of his fingers graze against Daniel pale smooth cheeks. “They’ll be back.”

“They better.” Daniel turned his back on his Examiner. “I have things I need to take care of and so do you.”

“Daniel…” Scott wanted to force the lad to turn around and face him. He wanted to see the tears rolling down the young man’s face. More than anything he wanted to tell him the truth. The Chief Examiner felt so helpless knowing he could do none of those things without putting Daniel life in greater risk. “Three squads have secured the lab. I suggest you don’t try to leave until I say otherwise.”

Daniel continued on his way without replying.