"Look, Generals, all I want to do is come down and see my family before we start talking about Natalie, Chiana, and anything else you want to talk about," John said, frustrated. He paced Moya's command, one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his forehead as his headache grew worse with each word the stubborn Air Force and Army officers spoke.
According to Talyn, through Moya and Pilot, the Air Force General was the same individual Natalie had to deal with when she first arrived in orbit, and the Army General, William Sloane, was the same officer who had caused several problems for Natalie and Chiana on the surface. What made things worse was that General Bourne was the commanding officer of the Air Force's Space Command and Sloane was in charge of 'alien affairs' within the United States. They could have any ship entering the atmosphere over the U.S. shot down, and could have any alien – including John – shot or taken prisoner within United States territory.
"If you were to come down by yourself, Crichton, and allow us to keep you under military escort at all times, we might consider it," Bourne replied over the comms.
"Just what is the problem?" John yelled, talking with his hands.
"You can't guarantee that incidents similar to the ones that occurred with Dr. Grant won't occur again if you come down to the surface."
"You know, life can't be guaranteed. So, how can you expect me to guarantee that the same things won't happen when I'm down there? Especially when those 'similar incidents' were caused by an organization that you can't seem to find." John knew it was most likely some government agency that had caused all the problems, but he wasn't sure what would happen if he voiced his suspicion.
"Give us a moment, Commander," Sloane responded, muting the connection.
Walking up to stand at John's side, Aeryn softly said, "You know, if we can't work out a deal for us to get to the surface, we should probably come up with a better plan for rescuing Chiana and Grant. And…" she paused, trying to find the right words. "If we can't work this out and do go through with getting them off Earth, we should consider the possibility of having to leave your family and Grant's behind."
"No, I won't leave them behind," John said softly, but adamantly. He understood where Aeryn was coming from, but he couldn't agree. "I can't force them to clean up the mess we're going to make."
"Then we have to make this deal work. Otherwise, we're going to need to come up with another plan to get them off Earth as well. Planning and executing that will take time that we probably won't have."
"I know," he sighed. Looking at her, he continued, "But I won't leave them behind, Aeryn. If we have to, we'll try to get everyone off at the same time."
"But we don't have the manpower or the equipment for that kind of operation."
"Which is why I need to make this deal work," John stated firmly.
"Commander?" they suddenly heard Sloane say over the comms.
"Yeah," John acknowledged.
"If we allow you and your 'people' to come down, how many of them will be joining you?"
Glancing at Aeryn, then Zhaan, standing behind him, John said, "For the moment, four others."
"Four?" Zhaan asked quietly in bewilderment, walking up to John. "I thought only Aeryn and I would accompany you."
"Yes, four," John answered to everyone. Quietly, to Zhaan and Aeryn he added, "After all this, I want Jothee and Crais there with us for extra help. We might need it, considering how paranoid the military is."
"You're actually going to let Crais come with us to the surface?" Aeryn asked quietly in surprise. "Are you feeling all right?"
Sloane interrupted before John could answer. "These four others will have to join you in quarantine for a few days before we allow you to travel anywhere else."
Looking at Aeryn, he could see in her eyes she was having flashbacks of the time she spent in 'quarantine' in the Ancients' simulation. He wasn't going to let that happen again. He asked, "What's the catch and how many days is a few?"
"We would like your cooperation in a few areas, Commander."
"And what would those be?"
"Dr. Grant has been very uncooperative in helping us to understand the technology we acquired from her."
"You mean the tech you stole from her," John whispered.
"We would like you to help us reverse engineer the technology and reproduce it."
"I don't really understand most of this stuff myself, but I'll do what I can to help you out," he lied. "And how many days is a few?"
"We appreciate your willingness to cooperate with us, Commander."
"And we'll need to keep you in confinement for a week," Bourne added.
Interrupting Bourne, Sloane said, "I'm sorry, Commander, but that is S.O.P."
"What would it take for you to get that down to half a day? I'll even take a full day."
"An act of God," Bourne responded derisively.
"Well, I'm not God." Pacing, he chewed on the tip of his thumb, then added, "But I do have weapons." That earned shocked stares from everyone in the chamber.
"Crichton, what the frell are you doing?" Jothee whispered.
John glared at Jothee and brought up his finger to his lips, silently quieting the Luxan. He said, "So, how 'bout it, Generals?"
"Give us a moment, Commander," Sloane said, then muted the transmission.
"John, you cannot possibly give them weapons," Zhaan said worriedly.
"We don't have a choice. It's the only thing we have that'll get our stay in containment cut short. Besides, more than half the materials needed to make pulse weapons don't exist on Earth. My planet doesn't even have chakan oil, so there's no way they'll be able to reproduce the technology."
"What about the other technology Earth's military took from Natalie?" she asked.
"I don't know…"
"Commander, we have an agreement, but with a few exceptions," Sloane stated.
"What are the exceptions?" John asked.
"We will require your party to remain in quarantine for two days."
"We can live with that."
Continuing, Bourne said, "While on the surface, you will be required to relinquish your weapons and you will remain under military escort at all times."
"That we can't live with."
"Why not?"
"After what happened to Natalie and Chiana, do you really think that we'll give up our only protection?"
"You won't have to worry about protection, Crichton. Your escort will protect you."
"Well, sorry, General, but I don't trust you or your troops."
"Then what will it take, Commander?" Sloane stepped in.
"We want our original agreement. With what we have to offer, leaving us alone is the least you can do. Besides, we can always take our technology to another country that's more hospitable and where my family and Natalie's can meet us."
John could hear the muffled argument between the two Generals over the comms. Bourne was the hardliner and John knew he would rather have any transport entering the atmosphere shot down, no matter where it was going. Sloane, on the other hand, was a snake. John could tell all he wanted was the technology – weapons technology in particular – and he'd do whatever it took to get that technology, including making deals such as the one they were making now.
"We'll give you what you want, Commander," Sloane finally answered.
"Thank you, General," John said with false sincerity.
"Within the next twenty-four hours, you will contact us with the time you will land," Bourne instructed. "When you enter the atmosphere, you will be greeted by a flight of F-22s and they will escort you to Vandenberg. Along the way, you will receive your landing instructions. If you deviate from your course, they will fire upon you."
"Do we have to go through this again?" John shouted.
"No, we don't, Commander," Sloane answered. John could almost hear the glare Bourne was giving Sloane. "Where do you wish to land?"
"At IASA."
"I think we can manage that."
"Good," John replied, nodding slightly. "Can you also manage to have my family there and keep this quiet?"
"Keeping this quiet won't be a problem. We don't want another debacle. As for your family, your father is the flight director and I believe Dr. Knox is still employed there as an engineer. I'm not sure about your sister, but I'll do what I can."
Yeah, right, John thought sarcastically. He said, "Thanks, General. We'll call again when we're ready to come down."
"Crichton, I think this is the worst idea you've ever had," Jothee said once the comms channel was closed.
"How would you know?" Crichton asked, turning to the hybrid. "You've only known me for a few monens."
"Yes," Aeryn interjected semi-cheerfully. "He's had plenty of worse ideas before."
----------------------------------------------------
Walking into the large, white room deep inside the IASA main facility, Jack saw the spacious 'decon' chamber at the back of the room with several IASA personnel monitoring the chamber and the people inside at consoles in the foreground. It was the same chamber Natalie and Chiana were forced to stay in. However, it had been modified with two other beds arranged in bunks and opaque, carbon-fiber walls, allowing its occupants some privacy. Unfortunately, that meant he couldn't look inside to see his son. Instead, he weaved his way through the various consoles and walked up to one at the front of the room that was hooked up to the cameras inside.
He saw the five people inside, none of whom were talking, and three of whom were sitting on the couch and in the chairs around the table. But his eyes were specifically drawn to John. He was sitting lengthwise on one of the four bunks with a woman seated on the bed in front of him. This was the first time he had seen his son in nearly three years. Considering how much Natalie had changed in the short time she had been in the Uncharted Territories, and with what she had told him of John, he had expected John to be different and tried to prepare himself. But to actually see the difference with his own eyes was harder than he'd expected. Seeing this person dressed in black leather, a pulse pistol strapped to his thigh, it was difficult to equate him with the son who had disappeared nearly three years ago. He was still John, though, and any differences Jack could not accept was his own problem. He needed to get over the differences, and soon, if they were to accomplish their goals.
He quickly glanced at the other occupants of the room and immediately recognized Aeryn, Zhaan, and Crais from the descriptions Natalie had given him. However, he didn't recognize the fourth occupant. His face and head were covered in terrible scars that looked as if someone had severed several appendages. He identified the clothing the alien wore as a Peacekeeper Special Ops uniform, complete with Peacekeeper pulse pistol, from the various uniforms and technology Natalie had described to the military while in quarantine. The white cap on top of his head and large gold and silver sword strapped to his back seemed a bit out of place.
"Open the door," he sighed nervously, then walked up to the chamber as the operator did as instructed. He walked inside before the door fully slid open, then came to a complete stop as almost everyone in the chamber stood, all eyes on him.
"Dad," John said hopefully, getting up from his bunk and taking a few cautious steps forward.
As the two slowly walked up to each other, Jack could see in John's eyes that he was hopeful and worried all at the same time. To try to ease his son's fears, whatever they may be, he said, "Everything's going to be okay, John."
John suddenly rushed up to him, wrapping his arms around him and clutching at him in a tight embrace, then suddenly whispered in his ear, "Is it safe to talk?"
"Yeah, son, it's safe," he answered, clutching tightly to his son moreso because it had been three years since he had seen him, but he understood John's caution. With how paranoid the world was, everyone in the chamber was in danger.
John suddenly pulled away, taking a few steps back, then glanced with only his eyes at the camera attached to the ceiling on the other side of the chamber. He asked, "What about those?"
"You don't have to worry about those. They're hardwired to one of the monitors outside. The only way anyone can tap into the feed is to get into the room and link directly to the console or to the cables."
"And what about the people operating those consoles?"
"I've made sure they're IASA personnel. No military involvement, just like you wanted. Those people are loyal to us because of what you and Natalie represent. You don't have to worry about them. As a matter of fact, this is probably the safest place we can talk."
"What do you mean?" John asked worriedly.
Sighing, Jack answered, "After the Army found Chiana at my place, you can bet they've bugged my house and tapped my phones. They've probably done the same with Livvy's place and Susan's. They might've even bugged DK's place. I can't say for sure; but they most likely did. I do know for certain they've bugged Natalie's ranch up in Virginia."
"Damn," he replied, rubbing his forehead. The worried glances toward John from the others in the room didn't go unnoticed by Jack. But they seemed to be more worried about John than the situation. John didn't pay any attention to those glances and went on, "No wonder they were so quick to agree to our terms."
"What do you mean, John?" Zhaan asked, apparently respecting John's silence on whatever worried the rest of them.
"'Bugs' are tiny listening devices and cameras that can't be seen by the naked eye. They can be placed anywhere," he answered.
"Which means your government will be able to listen in on our planning when we are released," Crais said.
"That's why they agreed to let us out after two days," Aeryn added.
"Yeah," John sighed. "They're hoping we'll get comfortable once we're out of here and let slip something they can use. We can't stay in here, either, otherwise they'll get suspicious."
"John, you could not have predicted this would happen," Zhaan said, trying to reassure him.
"Well, you guys have an excuse," he said, looking at them. "You didn't know humans had that kind of technology, but I should've known better."
"John," Jack interrupted quietly, walking up to John and taking hold of his arms. "I know you're going to keep beating yourself up over this, but you need to suck it up."
"I know, Dad," he replied quietly and annoyed. "So, where are Liv and DK?"
"Sloane wouldn't give them clearance. He said it was all in the name of national security because Livvy's a civilian and DK's just an engineer, and since you want to keep all this quiet. He probably figures you won't make too much of a fuss since you're already down here and agreed to help him."
"Great," John mumbled sarcastically. "So, what can you tell us about the jail Natalie's in?"
As they each took a seat around the table, Jack said, "The detention center is a medium security facility with standard cellblocks and all the usual refinements." Pulling a folded piece of paper out of his pocket, he unfolded it and spread it out on the table in front of him. It was a copy of some blueprints. "Since this is a special case, it was agreed that she should be placed in prison instead of jail where there's more personnel and firepower to protect her. Or to keep her in." Pointing to a large room on the diagram, he added, "She's being held here – a large dormitory cell on the second floor."
"Why medium security?" John asked, studying the layout of the second floor.
"Well, there were some people who wanted her to be sent to Huntsville or the Houston FDC. While practically everyone wanted her in a prison, the crimes Natalie was jailed for didn't warrant a stay in a maximum security prison. So, they stuck her in San Jacinto."
"What type of security do they possess?" Crais suddenly asked as he studied the blueprints, bringing the conversation back to the original topic.
"They have rotating shifts with up to three dozen guards patrolling the building and the prison grounds during a shift. Normally, the prison guards only patrol the building, but they've heightened their security because of Natalie."
"What are they armed with?" Jothee asked.
"Standard equipment is made up of stun-bag shotguns, rubber bullets, batons, M26 taser pistols, pepper spray, sting ball grenades, and arwens. But they also have Berettas, Colts, Sig Sauers, assault rifles, submachine guns, and tear gas on standby in a locker that can only be opened via an electronic keypad. They also have cameras and motion sensors all over the building. Nothing can get in or out without someone seeing." Jack saw the confused look on Aeryn's face as well as the others, except for his son, when he listed the weapons the prison guards used. He and they all understood they didn't have time for him to explain just yet.
"What about the building itself?" Aeryn asked.
"Steel-reinforced, shatter-proof glass and steel doors. The doors are all computer controlled, but can be opened manually, if necessary."
"What do we need to open the doors?" Aeryn asked. Jack had to wonder what kind of locks and 'door knobs' her people used as she asked her question.
"Either a hacker or keys. But we don't have either of those and probably won't get them."
"We'll need explosives," Jothee interjected.
"Low yield shape charges," Aeryn suggested.
"Agreed," Crais stated.
"We should cut the power, too," John suggested. "If the doors are mainly computer controlled, it might take 'em a while to find the keys."
"We'll move with relative freedom," Aeryn replied.
Looking at Jack, John asked, "Do you know where the breaker box is?"
"No, I don't know where the power comes in," he answered. "We can't risk taking out the power station that provides electricity to the facility, either – not without knowing what other locations that station provides power for."
"Then you'll need at least half a dozen personnel…" Jack heard Crais say, but didn't pay attention any further. His attention was focused on John, sitting on the other side of the table with Aeryn between them. He could see the determination in John's eyes. His son had changed in his three years away from Earth, but Jack was certain that the one thing that hadn't changed was his stubborn determination. He was going to see this through all the way to the end, even if it meant having to leave Earth forever.
"What about an E.M.P.?" John suddenly asked, catching Jack by surprise.
"Are you serious?" Jack asked. "You can make something that'll emit just an E.M.P.?"
"I don't know," he answered.
"John, what is an E.M.P.?" Zhaan asked.
"Electromagnetic pulse."
"We don't have anything on either Moya or Talyn that could create an energy field like that," Aeryn stated.
Leaning forward, his elbows on the table, John said, "But if we could make something that could put out a sustained E.M.P., we'll be able to cut the power and keep it off while we get Natalie outta there."
"I'll check Talyn's memory banks when we return," Crais said. "It is possible the information to create such a device is stored there."
"But first, we need to get Livvy, DK, and Natalie's family all up to Moya and Talyn," Jack said. "They won't be safe anywhere else after we do this." Silently, he added, I should've waited to ask her to fly in.
"We will, Dad," John stated softly, still focused on the blueprints. Suddenly turning to Jack, he asked, "But how do you know so much about this jail anyway?"