A/N: This is the true beginning of the team tracking down McMahon. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 26: Follow
The moments of silence only lasted briefly as Toast returned power to the office and the news broadcast returned to the screens.
"You hit a nerve there," Kono said after having remained absolutely silent holding her breath as did the rest of the team.
"McMahon hates irrationality, but more so, the belief that there is something more powerful then human beings." Danny explained.
"So luck doesn't exist?" Steve asked.
"Neither do miracles or faith in general." Danny stated with a nod, "He believes that the human body, more specifically the mind or brain, is the most powerful thing in the world and if people truly knew how to tap into its resources there would be the general global realization that human are the superior being in the universe."
"Sounds like a sad, lonely universe to live in," Lori stated as she wrinkled her nose into a scowl and then shook the idea from her mind. "This guy needs to get over himself." She added confidently, "and I think it's about time we knocked him down a few pegs."
"I agree," Danny smirked, "so where do we start?" he asked.
"I'm pretty sure I found the industrial center that helped with your burial." Steve stated still in his uniform. "Though I don't think they had any idea what was going on at the time. Either way, I think we should head up there and pay the owner a little visit." He added with a smirk.
"I agree," Danny smiled, "What else are we working on?" he asked.
"We're going to trace this signal," Catherine added as she tapped Toast's computer.
"We're manning the phones," Kono said as every office phone in headquarters started ringing.
"So I guess that means you and me partner," Danny stated with a smirk.
"We're taking Chin for back up!" Steve smiled, "I have a plan."
"Save from phone duty!" Chin laughed and eyed his cousin apologetically.
Kono rolled her eyes.
"Alright, I'll change and we can head out on our way." Danny smiled, "Oh and super SEAL, can we have mild mannered Steve McGarrett back?" he asked mockingly as Steve continued to stand stalk straight and somberly. "It really is time for you to put away that uniform." He added.
"I make this look good," Steve stated as he relaxed a little.
"And he's modest, ladies and gentlemen!" Danny announced and headed for his own office.
Steve shook his head and turned toward his own office.
5-0
The drive back up to the mountains was a little longer then Danny would have liked as he was still feeling some discomfort in confined spaces, understandable so, but with the Camaro windows rolled down and Steve and Chin keeping the conversation rolling, it because much more bearable. At least he was with his friends, could move and there was beautiful sunlight streaming in from all directions, but it wouldn't be for much longer. The sun had already started to set and through it was bright, it was fading fast.
They arrived as the end of the work day was upon them and they caught the workers heading out to their vehicles to be on their way home for the evening.
"When does the next shift come one?" Steve asked of a man who seemed to be the work site foreman and probably the man Steve had talked to on the phone.
"Not till tomorrow." The man stated then hesitated at the sight of Steve's gun, "Commander McGarrett, we were not aware of what was happening when we accepted the job!" The man stated as the colour disappeared from his face.
"I'm not assuming that you did, but I need to know what happened. Was this the guy that hired you?" Steve asked as he handed the foreman a photograph of Daniel McMahon.
"No, it was his assistant." The man answered. "She came here, made the arrangements for two large excavators to head up to the site where he met the two crews."
"And what did you do when you got there?" Danny asked.
"There was like an archeological dig happening. The large, old, shipping container was off to one side with a full grid laid out all over the ground. Daniel was up there working alone with all kinds of technology he'd been setting up. He only told us his first name. Everything else was booked under the woman, Gloria Kalani. The instruction was to bury the container very specifically for his experiment. He said he was conducing sedimentary and erosion experiments and that the container was to be buried for one year's time to let the equipment monitor the movements of the ground this high up in the jungle. We have instructions to dig up the container next year. He paid us in cash, helped with placement of the container, wired the whole hole and then instructed us to fill it in."
"How long did it take?" Danny asked.
"We started at 9am and we finished at noon. Then we packed up the trailers and headed back to the park."
"And none of it seemed odd to you?" Steve asked.
"Only that there are several other construction companies much closer to the site, but we chalked that up to affordability and reputation of the quality of our services."
"Did you see McMahon after that?" Danny asked.
"No, like I said, he paid in cash and booked us for the second excavation in one year, and we left him up there with his electronics."
"Thank you, you've been very helpful." Steve stated as he saw out of the corner of his eye, Chin return to the Camaro. "If we think of anything else we'll contact you." he added and turned back to the Camaro where Chin had climbed back into the back seat.
"Did you find anything?" Steve asked as he, and Danny, climbed back into the Camaro.
"It seems legit," Chin answered as he passed a file forward. "Invoices, site photos and a detailed map with instructions" Chin explained. "They even took pictures detailing the containers appearance for liability if the container was damage. These guys really were just the hired help."
"We need to take these photos and head back to the site to see if anything is different." Danny stated as he stared out the window.
"Everything will be different. We destroyed the place getting you out." Steve said with concern on his tone.
"Maybe not," Danny said. "Come on Steve it's going to get really dark, really fast, and I need to see the jungle!"