Weller--A Novel In Work (9) We’re looking like shit on this Roy, and you know how much I hate that. That prick Andrew Wellington the fucking third is stuck right up my ass, screaming bloody murder about us losing his precious alien. Gallagher sat in silence for a moment, then replied. I’ve got a man missing Heather, a good man, is anyone concerned about that? Damnit Roy, you know I’m concerned, but you also know the deal. You guys are operators. You get paid and paid very well to operate above the law in this country and that comes with risk, risk you freely accepted when you took the job. Gallagher was fuming inside, but he knew she was right. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he continued. Worst case, the alien’s gone. It was dead anyway, so what’s the big deal? The Rangers took like a dozen aliens out when they captured their ship, so Wellington should have dead aliens stacked up like cord wood. What difference would one more really make? Not my call Roy, Eager almost exploded!! Not the point!! It’s was our package, and we failed to deliver!! We operate at the President’s discretion, and Wellington is about the only son-of-bitch in the whole fucking world that can jerk Mathew’s chain!! Okay, I understand Heather, but that’s your issue, not mine. The reason you’re sitting behind that desk, and I never will, is because you can deal with the bullshit that I won’t. If Wellington is such a pain in your ass, why don’t you just let me cap his ass, and we’ll call it a day? Don’t tempt me Roy, Eager said with a slight grin, immediately lightening the mood. Blalock, Hendrix, Brown, and Bostick sat in the communication center of the S-4 facility patched into General Alfred Crocker on the secure satellite link. Here’s the situation men, Crocker started. We have the specially equipped F22s ready at Davis Mountain, and we have F18s and F22s on alert status from 29 Palms to Lackland. We’re going full out combat posture. First sign of anything tripping the fence and we’re going balls to the wall to take it out before it can get to you. We’re ready here General, Bostick offered. We have our F22s on the ready line and air defenses are at full alert status. Anything that even gets close to us is going to get a very warm welcome. Mathews waited a full ten count before responding. Dan, as hard as it may be for you to believe, I’m not perfect, nor do I know every damn thing. I deal with a lot of shit in this job, more then even I would have ever imagined and to be perfectly honest, I never knew anything about you, or your situation until 24 hours ago. I knew about the Aliens, but that’s old news. They been around for decades, hell maybe all the way back to biblical times and before. It’s only recently that they’ve really shown any aggressive posture and even that seemed to be more of an experimental nature. Really, no different then our own scientist actions with the animals of this planet. I’ll admit, it’s reason for concern, but I’ve got reasons for concern all over the world. My job is very much about putting out fires and up until this moment, you’re personal Hell wasn’t high enough on my priority list to get my attention. That being said, I am in the loop now, and I do care. Regardless, of what has, or hasn’t happened in the past, I asked you here today to offer you my personal assurance of protection. We need some time to talk about this Jon, Weller replied. That perfectly understandable Dan. I’ve got some business to take care of myself, Mathews continued, so why don’t you and Shanna get some rest? We’ve moved you into one of the VIP suites and my aide will make all the arrangements to get you settled in. Excusing himself, Mathews went straight to the Camp David communications center and joined Crocker’s briefing already in progress. To be honest with you gentlemen, as the President of the United States and defacto leader of the free world, I am very much inclined to haul that little treasure you guys have tucked away, out into the middle of the desert and let the aliens have the damn thing back!! That would solve a whole lot of problems for me right this minute. However, I can’t ignore the fact that at some point we’re probably going to get into a real, shooting war with some form of alien life, and it would be nice if we at least understood some of their technology better then we obviously understand it today. So, we’re going to do our damndist to keep that craft, and you men are by whatever twist of fate are the people I’m depending on to make that happen. There was a moment of silence while the president’s word sunk in, then Crocker spoke up. Mr. President, we’ve taken every step possible to protect and defend the alien craft. Past this point, all we can do is wait to see what actions the enemy takes. The enemy, Mathews posed. 48 hours ago, I might have disagreed with you on that point Al, but now it seems we’ve forced that position upon ourselves. Do your best Gentlemen, you may very well be holding the future of our race in your hands? Dan and Shanna Weller had been provided with one of several VIP bungalows present within the Camp David Presidential Compound. So, this is how the other half lives, Shanna mused? Apparently, Dan replied as he fixed himself a tall Jack and Coke. Sorry honey, looks like you’re on the wagon for the next few months. I don’t know Dan, I could probably get really comfortable with the idea of servants and living in the lap of luxury. Yeah but, it’s a prison Shanna, Weller replied. No different then the bird in the gilded cage. But I’m tired Dan. Tired of running and tired of living in fear. I understand that honey, but better the enemy we know, then the enemy we don’t. What do you think? Do you think they are just going to let us have this child, then go on our merry way? They want the baby Shanna, and they want it desperately. I know Dan, but maybe it’s for the best? It’s not our baby. It’s not Adam!! It’s some thing that’s been planted inside me!! Weller took a long, strong pull from his drink and collapsed into an overstuffed, leather recliner. I know, I know, but some part of it is still part of you… Andrew Wellington the third, sat patiently while his scientific liaison at Area 51 briefed him via secure, encrypted satellite link. So, it’s your feeling that adequate measures are being taken to safeguard the alien craft, he quarried? As far as I can tell, sir but I have no military experience, and they aren’t exactly keeping us apprised of what actions are being taken. All I can say with surety, is that there is a lot of military presence here, and everyone seems to be very concerned about what’s going to happen when the Sun goes down. As am I, Wellington replied. Alex Parker had returned to the television station after Peanut Brown’s departure and now sat in the Station Manager’s plush office. Take a look at the screen Alec, that’s a Hell of a mess out there in the middle of the desert, where you’d think nothing should be going on. Alec Simon studied the satellite image displayed on his computer’s 24” flat screen monitor. Well, there are definitely at least four completely burned out military type trucks, and one gigantic fucking hole in the ground, but how do we know it’s not just the remains target practice, or something like that? First Alec, it’s not government property. Despite what some might believe, the U.S. Government doesn’t own every square inch of Arizona, and beyond that, there’s simply no reason to drive trucks out into the middle of nowhere, just to drop bombs on them. Even if that were the case, the trucks would be gone, not just sitting there burned up. No, what we’re looking at is residual. Whatever blew that big hole in the ground, caused those trucks to catch on fire, and the only reason the trucks would have been there, is because there were troops there. Something big happened there last night Alec. We have the video tape from the MUFON guys on Freedom Ridge, and seismic records from the University. A battle took place there last night Alec, and it appears that we lost! Bostick stood back as the heavy blast doors of the S-4 facility began to close. After the steel rods joining the two doors locked into place, he threw the breaker and secured it with a Master padlock. We are locked down gentlemen. The doors are sealed and the power is shut off. So, what now Blalock asked? Well, I for one am going to get something to eat, Bostick replied, then I’d suggest we all try to get some rest. Affirmative, Blalock agreed, I’m starving, and bone tired. Roy Gallagher, slowly extracted himself from the tangle of sheets and eased himself off Heather Eager’s sweaty body. Damn Roy, I’m not going to be able to walk in the morning. Call in sick, Gallagher replied, I’m in town for at least another day, or so. I wish, Heather replied, I have a meeting with the President in the morning, and I already know what it’s about. Really, then why go to the meeting, Gallagher mused? Because, I’m sure the President wants to impress upon me personally just how important your next assignment will be. MY next assignment, what gives? Well Roy, apparently the Weller’s have taken a liking to you, and have requested that you be assigned as their personal body guard. Oh NO, Heather!! You know damn good and well that I don’t do that kind of shit!! Do we really have to have this discussion Roy? You do, what your ordered to do, just like I do, and especially when the orders are coming directly from the President. Well, I’ve never been all that good at following orders, Heather Well, this is an order I absolutely expect you to carry out, stop your bitching and come fuck me!!! Perry Franklin and Troy Little had slept through the hottest part of the day shielded from the sun, but not the oppressive heat by their tents high atop Freedom Ridge. Awakening, just as the Sun was beginning to set, they dined on MREs and went about the business of checking their video equipment. Might be an interesting night, Perry remarked to Little as he removed the camera’s batteries from the chargers he had rigged to run on a DC to AC converter hard wired into his Ford Bronco’s electrical system. Hard to imagine anything toping last night, Little replied, and all that might have been for nothing if Alex is right about the tapes being blank? Well, I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a productive night, and this time we hold on to whatever we get, at least until we can get copies made. Looking down the ridge to the valley below, Franklin spotted the wispy trail of a dust cloud trailing behind what appeared to be a convoy of several SUVs. Looks like we’ve got company Troy, Franklin remarked. Following Franklin’s line of sight, Little focused in on the approached SUVs with his binoculars, and let out a low whistle. Trouble Perry, it’s base security. Fuck them, Franklin replied, we’re on public land and they can’t do anything about us being here. Little continued to watch the approaching SUVs as they broke formation and began to spread out across the valley below. What do you think they’re up to Troy? I don’t know Perry, but they don’t seem to be coming our way. Little continued to observe the SUVs as they spread out in a line running in both direction parallel to his position. I count 10, Perry and it looks like they’re trying to surround us, or something. Fat chance of that, Franklin remarked, there’s a 100 foot shear cliff between us and them. Suddenly the last SUV on the right flank stopped, then the last on the right. What the fuck, Troy, Franklin questioned, now genuinely perplexed? One by one, the SUVs continued to stop and hold position in a long line across the valley floor directly below Franklin and Little’s position. Little watched as men in black jumpsuits began to emerge from the SUVs and unload was appeared to be canisters. This can’t be good Perry, those SOBs are definitely up to something.. General Alfred Crocker watched the display board at Crystal Mountain as the first trip on the fence sounded an alarm. We’ve got incoming General, Specialist Jerry Avery remarked. Status, Crocker question? It’s big sir, Avery replied. Coming straight in from beyond. NORAD is tracking it’s heat signature, and it moving fast. Alert all air groups, launch alert fighters, Crocker ordered!! Ed Furlough was just walking out of the evening briefing when the alert from Crystal Mountain came down. Looking over at his Crew Chief, Tiger Woods, there was just an unspoken nod as the two men hurried to the flight line. Furlough’s specially equipped F22 was already loaded with a full compliment of air to air ordinance, in addition to the electro-magnetic pulse gun and the engines were running, ready for take off. Swinging into the cockpit, Furlough closed his canopy and returned Wood’s crisp salute. Radio traffic from the Davis Mountain tower was streaming through his comms connection as he taxied out and formed up with the other fighters for take off. Pushing his afterburners to full throttle, Furlough lift off in the number two position to the right of flight leader Tom, “Rosie” Arnold. Pulling hard to the Northwest, Furlough’s flight listen as Crystal Mountain assumed command and control. Bostick sat with Blalock, Hendrix, and Brown in the S-4 Command Center and listened while Crystal Mountain vectored Area 51s alert fighters into a defensive air cap just to the North of the base. Lackland’s fighter group will be the first to engage Bostick remarked. Jesus, Blalock remarked, Weekend Warriors flying hand-me-down F18’s. Have a little faith Joe, Hendrix remarked. Those “weekend warriors” have probably all seen combat and the F18 is still one vicious warplane, by any standard. Col. Trevor “Hammer Head” Stark, formed up his flight of four F-18s as Crystal Mountain vectored them into intercept approximately 60 miles out over the Gulf of Mexico. Flight 344-zero, this is Crystal Mountain, how do you copy? 5 by 5 Crystal Mountain, Stark confirmed. 344-Zero target is unknown aircraft coming in from near Earth orbit. Target is hostile, you are authorized full combat posture, engage with extreme prejudice!! Roger that, Crystal Mountain Stark Acknowledged. You heard the man boys, lock and load!!
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