Chapter 9 Fallout

A shower of debris landed on them, the heaviest of the limbs hitting the ancient logs that lay upon the hillside. The few remaining leaves and pulverized limbs from the incinerated trees floated down in the hush that followed the blast. Tiny cinders fell about the area, quickly extinguishing themselves in the cold earth.

"I saw something like lights, but it wasn't really a light, it was more like . . . like a halo." Amanda whispered, her voice cracking with fear.

Efraim pushed himself up to check on Francine who had landed under him.

"I'm okay, Efraim. Was that what I think it was?"

"Yeah, it was. A halo, Amanda; are you sure?"

"Yes, but it was wavy, you know?" She extended her fingers and flexed them out in a pulsing motion. "It almost looked like the Northern Lights, that same coloring but, it faded out fast."

Efraim nodded his head while looking at Francine. "A corona effect, he hasn't solved the problems with the beam dispersion."

Amanda started to stand up, but Efraim grabbed her arm. "Amanda, he must have seen us from the dam. We can't stand up and give him another shot at us."

"Lee is down there. He won't know if we're alright."

He could see the fear in her eyes and he nodded. "Francine, can you get to your cell phone? Call Lee and tell him we're okay, find out what he sees down there. Amanda, you're wearing a red coat; you're a walking target. What's the lining of your jacket?"

Amanda looked down at her coat, unzipped it and turned it inside out. The lining was a very dark gray which would be harder to spot than the red outer material. Francine found her cell phone and called Lee.

He answered on the first ring and both Amanda and Efraim could hear him coming through loudly on the cell phone. Francine barely got out a word when she closed the phone and put it back in her pocket.

"Well, I'd say he's upset. What do you think the reload is on that laser, Efraim?"

"We probably have time to make it down the steps. I wouldn't stop to look at the scenery though."

"Scenery is highly overrated as far as I'm concerned," Francine cracked back at him, taking his hand to pull herself up. They turned to the steps and headed down; running into Lee and Geiger about two hundred steps down.

Lee looked ready to rip into them when they met him halfway down the hillside. Efraim spun Geiger around and gave him a push to move down the steps. "Lee, we don't have time. He's re-powering the cells and charging the chamber. We have to find out how long it takes him to fire again."

Lee took Amanda's hand and the group continued down the steps. Geiger stopped and pointed toward a trail that led away from the steps onto the hillside. Efraim made the turn, pulling Francine along with him. They ran along the trail until it made a dip down into a valley between the Poenari peak and the dam. Efraim stopped, Francine running into the back of him. Lee, Amanda and Geiger came to a stop beside them.

"I'm getting too old for this," Lee said, winded. He helped Amanda sit down, dropping to the ground to sit next to her.

Geiger looked around. "I think we're okay here. How big do you think that laser is?"

Efraim shrugged. "I have no clue. That was one of the goodies of the Dark Horse; it was supposed to be mobile, but mobile could fit into the back of a semi-truck or a converted van. I'm willing to bet from his research, he has a van. He's not coming after us with the laser, Dave. He knows we'll be back, his advantage is in waiting for us to come to him."

Francine sat down next to a tree, leaning her head back on the trunk. Efraim sat next to her, pulling her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes and trying to still the wild beating of her heart. "I've never heard anything like that before, that hissing and sizzling of the air," she said.

"That was plasma; the beam superheated the atmosphere and created plasma. What you hear is the moisture in the air exploding." Efraim replied.

"What about the, what did you call it Efraim; a corona? You said it was a problem?" Amanda asked him.

"Yeah, his research indicated that he had solved the beam dispersion problem. The power, distance and effect of the beam correlate to how little the beam of energy expands as it travels. The tighter the beam, the more power it can deliver at distance. But, you usually get that type of dispersion effect with protons. I've got to see this thing."

"Well, you're right about one thing, Beaman, he'll be waiting for us to come back. How are we going to approach that power house without getting fried?" Geiger asked.

Lee looked at Efraim, slowly nodding his head. "We have to make him fire the laser to give us time to get to him."

"We need a target then," Geiger said.

"I don't like the sound of that at all," said Francine. "It seems that all of us are targets right now."

"How do we make him fire again?" Lee asked.

Amanda put her arm out, and shushed Lee. "Listen, the turbines!" The group became quiet as they listened to the whine of the turbines in the power plant. They looked at one another and hit the dirt.

Trees started exploding down the hill. "Look for cover!" Geiger yelled just before the trees tops exploded above them. There were dead tree trunks on the ground and everyone took cover as far as possible under the rotting wood. Efraim managed to see the corona effect before he pushed Francine under a log and rolled on top of her, shielding her from the deadly wood splinters falling around them.

As soon as the hissing stopped, Efraim checked his watch. The remains of branches rained upon them and the ground around them. Efraim, Lee and Geiger scrambled out from under the logs and stood there looking up.

"Damn!" Lee said. "Did what I think happen just happen? That maniac fired a laser at us! How did he know we were here?" He reached down to help Amanda up, swatting at the few burning embers that landed on them.

"Probably has the area covered with perimeter sensors; courtesy of Tucker no doubt," Geiger answered.

Efraim was picking dead leaves out of Francine's hair while she dusted cinders off of his jacket. She looked at him and hugged him hoping that feeling his arms around her would help make the shaking stop.

"You okay?" Efraim asked her.

"I'm still shaking," she told him.

"Yeah? I thought it was because you were so close to me," Efraim joked, trying to divert her thoughts. Francine looked up at him and laughed, shaking her head at him. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek on his chest, listening to the steady, even beat of his heart.

"Francine, give me your cell phone; I want to check the time you called Lee after the first laser blast." Francine pulled her phone from her pocket handing it to Efraim. He checked the time against his watch and shook his head.

"Lee, Dave--I need him to take another shot at us."

Geiger nodded his head and Lee sighed. Lee told Amanda and Francine to get back under the logs while Efraim and Geiger took off through the trees toward the dam.

Lee watched as they vanished in the mist and shook his head. "Francine?" he asked, "Are you sure you want to marry that guy? He's even crazier than I am."

Efraim stopped on a ledge overlooking the dam and saw nothing but the arch of the dam and the inky blackness of the water below. He checked his watch; eleven minutes had passed since the last blast. With his hands on his hips, he scanned the area below him, turned and headed for the maintenance building, Dave behind him, following hard on his heels.

They broke through the trees on the road by the maintenance building just in time to see the tail lights of a large van disappear around the bend in the road. Dave checked his gun and holstered it while Efraim said a few choice words.

"What does he have that thing on, a rail?" Geiger asked.

"That thing is in the van, it looked like one rigged for heavy loads. It took him less than fifteen minutes from firing to fully packed to leave. No wonder the DOD is going nuts over this."

"Comforting thought, isn't it?"

Efraim laughed at the irony in Geiger's words. They walked over to the maintenance building looking for anything left behind. They found fresh scrapes on the asphalt of the road and quite a few small ball bearings. Efraim looked closely at them, "These look like they came from a wheel of some sort. Probably what he used to lower and raise the unit."

He held out the bearings for Geiger to look at and then pocketed them.

"Why did he leave?"

Efraim shrugged. "No clue. Maybe he was afraid he would run into some locals, or if he thought it was tourists on the mountain, the authorities would be called in to look for them if they vanished. I was kinda hoping he would stick around so we could get this done with."

Geiger slapped him on the back. "You're the only man I know, Beaman, who's anxious to have someone take pot shots at them with a laser!"

Efraim shrugged ruefully at the sarcasm as he climbed to the roof of the maintenance building and walked over to the edge to look out over the reservoir. He heard Geiger calling Lee and telling him the area was clear. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked around the area of the building. From where he stood, there didn't seem to be any natural cover to give him the advantage of a covert approach.

"You looking for a way to approach?" Geiger asked as he watched the road.

"Yeah, this is far too exposed, he'll see us coming; we have no advantage," Efraim said as he scanned the surrounding terrain for some kind of coverage.

"Sometimes that in its self can be an advantage, Beaman."

"Dave, you're gonna have to spell it out for me."

"He's looking for you, maybe one or two others. And though he has shown he understands elementary field tactics, they're only the obvious answers to the problem presented. He puts sensors to let him know someone's in the area, but we can get past those; that's basic counter tactics. Blasting the trees is another example. He knows he can't mow down the forest to take the trespassers out, so he blasts the tops of the trees, which can do as much damage. It's the obvious answer. So you see if we give him the answer he expects, the momentum shifts to us. Our strategy will be to get close enough to get that laser and him."

"It's easy enough to jam his sensors, but the big questions is this; how do we approach him without being seen?"

"That's the point I'm making Beaman, we don't. That's the advantage. You walk up, simple as that."

"Gee, Dave, and here I thought we were getting along so well," Efraim sarcastically replied.

"He's not going to fire at you, Beaman. He wants to make you pay for whatever it is he thinks you're responsible for."

"That's true."

"He's going to know that Francine is not far off. With Porter being a source for Quigley, he's going to know the two of you are pretty much inseparable. He's going to want her as well."

"That's out of the question." Efraim said; his tone one of finality.

"Why Efraim?" Efraim and Geiger turned to see Francine, Amanda and Lee standing on the road below them. "Why is it out of the question? It makes sense to me," Francine told him.

"With you here, he has me over a barrel because he knows I won't do anything that could possibly allow you to be harmed."

"Exactly why she has to be there, man. That leaves Lee and I free to maneuver him for the take down," Geiger replied.

"I don't like it," Efraim said, kicking at the ball bearings that remained on the roof.

"It sounds like the only way for an advantage," Francine looked up at him, waiting for him to accept the inevitable. He turned and leaned on the railing overlooking the dam, watching the sun cast the last few remaining rays of sunlight through the peaks. Francine couldn't make out what he was saying, but from the way he was moving his head, she knew he was swearing up a storm. He rarely swore but when he did he showed his naval background by putting together quite a creative string of expletives. He straightened and turned back to look at the group waiting for him.

"Geiger, I want you in an angel's position with a shot of Quigley at all times. Any movement toward Francine and he is out of the picture, understood? Lee, there is a stand of trees about 150 yards up this grade, can you see it? It gives you cover and a full view of the area. If it looks like the situation is getting out of hand, take Quigley out. I'll take the heat with the DOD for his death. We need crystal clear communications tomorrow, we can't chance any missed cues."

"I understand Efraim," Amanda replied.

Francine continued to stand at the foot of the maintenance house looking up at Efraim. All heads turned as they heard the rattle and misfiring of an approaching vehicle. Lee shook his head in wonder as the bus from Arges pulled to a stop on the road close to their location. The old man battled with the door, the panels once again scraping the road when they finally opened. The driver climbed out and waved to them, motioning for them to hurry.

The focus returned to Efraim who had walked to the edge of the roof when the bus had pulled up. They stood looking at him, waiting for what they knew he would have to do. Efraim clenched his jaw and looked at Francine, hands on his hips. He slowly nodded, "Francine, you're with me." He hopped off the roof and walked over to where Francine was standing and waited for her to answer him.

"I always will be, Efraim," she replied, taking his hand and walking towards the bus.

The ride back to Arges went slowly with the gathering gloom of darkness settling in the Carpathian foothills.

The occupants of the bus were hushed; the driver with none of his earlier chattiness was concentrating on the darkened road. Lee and Geiger talked quietly together, Amanda napped while Efraim and Francine sat in the far back of the bus. Efraim had his arms wrapped around Francine as they talked, their voices hushed in the dim of the bus interior.

"Efraim, I want you to be careful tomorrow. I don't want you to antagonize Quigley. Listen to what he says, try to read under his words and don't make any sudden moves. We have the high water table behind us in Vidraru Lake; we can always jump if we have to. I know it's cold, but Lee and Geiger will take care of things up top while we climb out. We'll just prepare for that in case we do go in, alright? Be careful leaning on that railing, that rebar looks like it's rusted all the way through and I don't want you going over the spillway. Make sure you have your handcuff key. . ."

"Francine?"

". . .on you, because you know you can't get out of a pair of handcuffs to save your life. And let him take the small Beretta that Amanda gave you, you're much better with your SIG and it has a larger magazine."

"Francine?"

"What Efraim?"

"Are you done?" Efraim pulled her closer to him, turning her so he could see into her eyes. She rested her arms on his chest, her hands holding the collar of his black military security jacket, her brows furrowed in question.

"I'm just trying to make sure we are ready for tomorrow."

"I know you are. Are you done?"

"For now," she smiled at him.

He pulled her closer, bringing her lips to his. He traced his tongue along her lips, closing his mouth over hers, plunging his tongue deep into her mouth. He held her head in his one hand, running his other hand up her back. When his thoughts turned to taking the kiss further, he pulled away, kissing her jaw and throat. He pushed her head down to his shoulder, allowing his breathing to slow to normal.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that all about?"

"I love you."

"I love you too Efraim."

"I will be careful tomorrow. I won't antagonize Quigley. I'll stash the SIG in a good place, I prefer to use that if I have to shoot and I won't forget my key and it would be a good idea if you place one on you as well."

"Good idea, B."

"I think so. I'll make sure I don't lean on the rebar. And we'll bring extra clothes with us in case we take a dip. I hope we don't have to, because that water is frigid."

"Are you teasing me?" Francine asked as she ran her hands over his chest, and finally dipping her hands under the waistband of his jeans. She smiled at him as his eyes widened. He leaned forward, nipping her lip and winking at her.

She kissed him, holding tight to his shoulders. She pulled away and sighed, settling herself again in his arms and closing her eyes. Efraim rested his chin on her head, thinking about the upcoming operation. He closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him, knowing the drive back to the Hilton would be longer now that night had fallen.

Efraim was awake and ready to go before the sun rose the next morning. He was buckling his shoulder holster and checking to make sure the holder for the SIG was secure when he heard Francine roll over in their bed. He walked over to the bed and pulled the sheet and blankets up and over her shoulders. Moving to the French doors that led to the balcony overlooking the gardens, he watched as a light snow began to fall, sparkling as it fell through the pools of light cast from the lanterns. He looked up at the sky; thick snow clouds threatened to mar the coming daylight.

"What time is it?"

He turned to see Francine watching him, still curled under the blankets. "It's about four in the morning."

"You're ready to go? Not trying to leave me behind, are you?"

He smiled in the darkness of the room. "How far do you think I'd get before you tracked me down?"

"Not very far at all," she remarked as she pulled herself up on one elbow, pushing her hair out of her eyes. She blinked at Efraim, noticing that he was wearing black military cargo pants and a black ops sweater with leather shoulders. His rank and insignia glinted in the weak light. "Dress BDU's? Where did you get those?"

"I packed them."

"Very militarily precise, B."

"The President of The United States is in the country. I'm required to wear proper military uniform, even for an operation such as this."

Francine nodded as she reached out and touched the leather tag that was embossed with his last name and sewed to the sweater. She smiled and looked up at him, watching as he smiled back at her. "You know, B, we've never talked about me changing my last name when we get married."

"I really hadn't thought about it, Francine. I assumed you would remain Francine Desmond; you have your professional reputation built on your name."

Francine nodded. "I had thought that I would keep it too. But, I've been thinking about it lately B, and I would be honored to take your name if you agree," she smiled at his surprised look.

"I agree," he whispered, his voice husky as he kissed her, pushing her back into the pillows. He lifted his head, looking into her eyes. "Is there a reason why you brought this up now?"

"Brought what up, B?" She winked at him.

He grinned wickedly at her. "Taking my name--I'm very pleased by the way--but why now?"

"I just want you to know, that's all." She touched his cheek, letting her fingers linger on his jaw. He put his hand over hers turning his head to kiss the inside of her palm.

"We need to go." He told her.

"I know. I'll get ready." Francine threw back the blankets and got up, Efraim held her robe for her. She thanked him and turned to him, brushing the leather epaulets on his shoulders. She ran her finger once again on his name tag and went to shower. As the door closed, Efraim pulled another black fatigue sweater out and laid it on the bed for Francine. He knew she would laugh, but she'd wear it.

Efraim was talking with Geiger about the coming operation when Francine joined them. Geiger raised an eyebrow at how Francine was dressed, jeans, boots and the military sweater with Beaman's name on it. He smiled and tried to catch Efraim's attention, who was watching Francine. Geiger hit him on the shoulder, Efraim turned a dull red and went back to the map they had on the table.

"Now Beaman, these photo's show the steps that lead down to the reservoir, if something goes wrong, you could find some shelter on them, but getting down there could be a problem."

"I'll worry about that if I have to. Right now I'm more concerned with the coverage on Quigley."

Francine sat down beside Efraim and tapped on the SIG in its holder attached to his shoulder holster. He had put the 9mm Beretta in front with the SIG behind his shoulder, able to slide down after the Beretta was gone. She shook her head at him. "Doubling up?"

"Not taking any chances. Here, in case I lose mine; keep this extra key for me, will ya?"

Francine took the handcuff key that Efraim handed her and attached it to the clip on the back of her belt. Efraim leaned over to see where she put it. "I don't want to get shot because I can't get out of a pair of handcuffs."

"Still having trouble with a lock pick, Beaman?" Geiger asked.

"Only with handcuffs; it's embarrassing."

Geiger laughed and went back to the map. "This is where I'll be." He pointed to a hill south of the dam. "In this stand of trees, I'll have an unobstructed view of the maintenance roof and the entire approach to and from the dam. I'll be able to see Lee, here, on this hill. Amanda will be in the vehicle--here. I suggest you just drive up and get out. We might as well be up front, so to speak."

Efraim and Francine both nodded. They all looked up as Lee and Amanda came into the room. Geiger went over the map quickly with them and the group headed out.

Amanda had packed the communications equipment in backpacks the night before, they each grabbed their packs on the way out. The group was quiet as they left the Hilton, pulling up their collars against the falling snow.

They came to the Suburban's and stopped. Lee took Efraim's hand and shook it, slapping him on the back. "Be careful up there, Beaman. I don't want to explain to Billy why his favorite new team got toasted."

"Great choice of words, Lee. We'll be careful; you too."

Lee hugged Francine and opened the Suburban door for her. Geiger hit Efraim on the shoulder, chucked Francine under the chin and climbed into his vehicle. Amanda hugged them both and walked around to the other side. Lee stood there for a moment, nodded his head and went to get in the vehicle. Efraim helped Francine in and climbed in himself. They warmed the vehicles and pulled out.

Francine set up their communications, testing them with Amanda along the way. The roads were dark and dangerously slick from the falling snow, and they traveled in silence, each in their own thoughts. Efraim drove as quickly as he could, wanting to get to the site as early as possible. He checked his watch; the dial showed it was 4:50. He thought they could be on site by seven. The President was due to arrive in Bucharest at nine that morning. He only hoped they'd find Quigley in time.

They passed through the town of Arges a little after six. The snow had cost them thirty minutes already and Efraim knew they would lose more through the treacherous roads that led to Vidraru. He was counting on the fact that it would be as difficult, if not more so, for Quigley to make it to the site with the laser.

The Suburban ate up the miles and handled the poor road conditions with ease. It was 7:30 when they stopped at the maintenance building to the dam. The sun was casting the first faint fingers of light over the Carpathian range that lay behind them, creating a landscape like that of a fairytale. The trees cast long, shifting shadows, creaking as they moving with the winds that wrapped the snow and light fog around the trunks and branches. Francine watched and shivered, chills racing through her as she looked out upon the forbidding landscape.

"Cold?" Efraim asked as he saw her shiver.

"Some. I'm not sure whether I expect to see Quigley pull up or the Turks come through the pass."

Efraim chuckled. "It's a toss up as to which I'd prefer right now." He turned on his radio and called over to the other vehicle. "Amanda, have Geiger take out the sensors, I have a feeling we don't have much time left."

Static flooded the interior of Efraim and Francine's vehicle, it faded and Amanda's voice came through loud and clear. "He's taking care of it now. I show the area is now quiet. Lee and Dave should be able to move about without trouble. Lee said he's waiting for Francine."

"Thanks Amanda, she'll be there in a minute." He turned off his microphone and looked at Francine. "You ready for this, Franny? Warm enough?"

Francine nodded as she pulled a black knit cap over her head and ears. Efraim leaned over and pulled up the hood of her jacket, the Sherpa lining caressing her cheeks. He tucked her pale, strawberry blonde hair inside the hood, letting his hands linger, finally running his thumb over her lips. "You be careful, okay?"

"I will; you too, B. I'll see you up top soon." Francine leaned over and kissed him quickly, then opened the door and hopped out into the snow where Lee waited for her. She turned and smiled at him, giving him a thumbs up. Efraim shook his head and grinned at her.

Geiger knocked on Efraim's window and pulled open the door. "I'm making for that tree, see it? It still has some foliage on it which will help with this weather. I'll have Quigley in line of sight at all times; any move towards either of you and he's out of the picture. Don't make it hard on me up there, okay Beaman?"

"Who, me? Make things difficult? Not likely! Good luck, Dave."

"You too, buddy."

Geiger closed the door. Efraim turned and watched as the figures of Lee and Francine disappeared into the swirling snow. He keyed his microphone to talk to Francine. "How are you doing out there, Francine? Are you alright?"

He heard her key her microphone and the sound of her breathing; her voice was muffled as it filled the cab of the vehicle. "It's cold out here, Efraim. I hope we don't have to wait too long for Quigley to show up, you'll be marrying a popsicle."

"Ah, not even gonna respond to that one."

Francine laughed. "Okay, Lee and I are in position. We have some cover from the wind and snow. I'll be with you shortly, B. Out."

Efraim started the Suburban and drove away from the dam. The snow was beginning to fall heavily, covering any tracks that were left behind. He stopped around the first bend, just out of sight of the dam. He gave Amanda a call to tell her he was in position and he turned off the engine and waited.

He didn't have to wait long.