Chapter 3: Connections
There is nothing more vexing than being called into the Directors office when there is so much work to be done, especially now. As the Director of LORE he commanded an absurd level of respect and authority. Not even the president was privileged to the knowledge that this organization existed, which begged the question of how they were funded and had jurisdiction to pull some of the operations they did. The same could be said for the branches in other parts of the world, whose authority far extended beyond the borders of the United States.
Director Coleman has summoned me, via intercom, while I was wrapping up an operation. No doubt he wants a status report; things have gotten out of hand the past few weeks.
Down the hall is his open office, a fishbowl as they called it. I understand that because it's visible from all sides—surrounded by sound proof, bulletproof, and shatterproof glass. It is impossible to get in unless you have a key card, a tank, or, in my case, possess superior strength. No one man needs that much protection; I thought when I first saw it. Not even those in power on the other side guard themselves this well.
Many believed that the Director is becoming more senile in his old age. He is pushing close to seventy now, well past the retirement age, or so I'm told. However old he may be, he displays a level of virility as those half his age.
As I approach his office the door buzzes open to let me in. I can see from the door as he pushes the button located on the side of his oversized desk. There are few people allowed to freely enter this room. I am not one of them, especially in my complicated position. The most I have access to are several of the otherwise unimportant parts of the facility.
I enter his office and the sliding glass door shuts behind me. "Director Coleman you summoned me. Is there something you need?" I ask standing a few feet from his desk. The Director is all military and he expects-no commands-the same of his subordinates. Good thing I am not one of his trained soldiers and that fact reflects in my laxed stance.
"I need you to watch that mouth of yours and give me a report on the latest operation," he snaps back, looking up from his documents, his clean shaven head reflecting the light as he does.
"Well, Sir." I reply, my tone mocking. He doesn't catch it or if he does he doesn't show any signs. "The operation was a success. The team was able to neutralize and subdue the breach and now have it in custody. They are returning back to base as we speak. Sir."
Using the word "it" to describe the creatures LORE captures always makes my blood boil. Doing so shows a lack of regard for what they really are-my brethren.
"That's good to hear and the coverup for the incident, were we able to get to the news networks in time?"
"Yes, we managed to spin it into another animal attack. However, Sir that is the third 'animal attack' this month. It would seem the frequency at which we handle a breach has increased. Also, based on what I've seen, they're becoming more violent during each breach. Maybe a sign of desperation," I say.
"I'm well aware of the number of incidents, Gideon. There was always a chance that the barrier wouldn't hold forever and eventually we would have the problem we're facing now," he says. "That's the reason this agency was founded. To monitor and police the barrier between our world and should anything breach the barrier from your side, we'd handle it."
He leans back into his chair and circles to the side. "When the barrier was first put in place we were told that it would separate the two worlds and that either side wouldn't be able to cross over. That was so many years ago. There was no telling if those on the other side would find a way to open a way..."
"If I may interrupt, there doesn't seem to be any way to confirm that it is indeed the doing of those on the other side. None of the breaches you've captured, those who actually speak, have alluded to that fact."
"I suppose you would know if that was the case wouldn't you," he says turning in his chair toward me. He sits there for a second, watching me, studying me.
"I have told you everything I know and yet, you still doubt me-"
The intercom breaks the tense air between us. On the other side, an officer in the transport bay.
"What is it?" Director Coleman snaps.
"Beta team is returning from their operation Sir. ETA ten minutes with one hostile unknown in-"
"Fine, keep me updated on their arrival," he hangs up the call before the officer can reply. "Gideon, get down there and debrief the Beta team and your partner. I'll be down in a few minutes to take a look at our newest addition."
"Sir," I say and turn to the door.
"Agent Gideon, one question before you go. Why didn't you go on this mission with Beta team? It would have been so much easier given you unique abilities. Or do you have something against capturing your own kind?"
There is that questioning look again and I know giving him an answer he does not want to hear will further his distrust of me.
"Our initial investigation showed a single target. Beta team is more than sufficient for a lone breach, beside Alice was there. It's uncertain what happened that caused so much trouble for them, but it was likely unforeseen," I reply back and notice a small twitch from him.
I can tell that he isn't buying it, becoming more frustrated with me, for good reason. He had me locked away and caged like some beast when I arrived here and asked for asylum. Almost two years he's kept me locked up in here, keeping an eye on me, interrogating me, and when that didn't work, I was tortured. Now he's practically throwing me out. He's only recently given me permission to go out in the field, as long as I'm supervised at all times. I take everything he's done to me personal.
"Well, that's good to hear. I was under the impression that you didn't want to capture you own kind or you harbored some kind of hidden agenda. Glad I was mistaken," he says with a smug look.
"I see no problem in discipling my kind if they get out of control and I did not see a need for me on this mission." The words leave a bitter taste in my mouth as I say them.
"I hope that changes, you're not here to be a fixture. Unless you'd like to be back in your cage," he taunts.
All of me wants to give into his taunting and give him a reason but I resist-my fists clench, fighting back the urge to lunge across the table and strangle him. He notices.
"Your partner vouched for you and you're a mission lead, so make sure, going forward, you prep accordingly and account for unknown variables. Am I understood?"
I grit my teeth as my blood slowly begins to simmer. "Sir." I manage to choke out.
"Then you're dismissed."
It takes every ounce of restraint to not dive across the desk and end the life of this miserable man. Such deplorable behavior and yet we're considered beasts.
The landing bay is located on the far side of the massive complex. Navigating the labyrinth facility wasn't easy at first but once I'd been here long enough, finding my way around became manageable. It takes me about five minutes, walking, give or take a minute to reach the hangar. Beta Team will be touching down shortly.
On my way here, the chatter and murmurs were all about the mission and the incoming captive. All new arrivals are a marvel to the humans here. This world-this earth-does not have such creatures but they do have myths and stories about them, about us.
The hangar doors begin to open a few seconds after I arrive. The engineers and technicians, as well as the guards are all running around the hangar getting ready for the incoming helicopter and their guest.
The base is built into the side of a mountain, smack dab in the center of the landmass called United States. I find the location to be very efficient for getting to and from locations around the country quickly. The air coming into the base is crisp and cool, the night sky cloudless. I can hear the rotating blades of the helicopter approaching, the sound is almost deafening, especially for someone with above normal hearing.
The helicopter glides in and touches down. In my world there aren't vehicles such as this; I couldn't help but marvel at it abit when I first saw it take off.
With the helicopter down, several guards surround the vehicle, their firearms poised to shoot. The relaxed atmosphere that was there when I walked in has been replaced by an uneasy tension.
"Get the medics ready," shouts one of the guards on the platform. A man and woman run forward. One carrying a giant red bag and the other some kind of device. They both take a knee next to the now stationary helicopter. The door opens and Alice emerges first, her long blond hair being tossed about by the wind.
"I need medics up here. Guards, secure the captive and transport him to his holding cell," she commands "and be careful, he bites." Alice rattles off order after order before finally taking a breath. It is rare to see this side of her; she is usually all smiles with a cheerful attitude. However, a mission always brought out the commander in her.
"Hey partner," she says running up to me brandishing a smile. Just like that she is back to her joyful self. "We could have used you out there. It would have been nice to have you watching my back."
"Next time," I reply. "Now what happened out there?"
"I know this got out of hand but how could we anticipate that he would have backup," she replies, her eyebrows crease and her lips pout. I know that face all-too-well. She's mad at me but I can't worry about that now.
"What exactly do you mean backup...," I ask, surprised. "...no wait don't answer that yet. I would hate for you to have to repeat yourself when Director Coleman gets here. So, ten minutes. Get changed and meet me in Tact Command, we'll go over the mission there. Agreed?"
"Understood boss," she salutes, turns, and walks off.
"Alice," I call after her. "Good work out there." She nods.
In the time I've been here Alice is the only person I've come to respect. She has gone through an ordeal to be placed into her current role as a Team lead and that would have broken most people, but not her. She wanted what the organization had to offer and if that meant going through hell, she'd willingly take the trip. When she came back from that ordeal she was all smiles and rainbows, this was her way of coping with what she had to go through and that made her more than human in my eyes.
When you needed her the most she was there. It made a great partner to have and she didn't look at me like I was someone to be feared as most of the others here did. I suppose I'm the only one that can relate to her, maybe not the best but our perspectives are similar.
I arrive at Tactical Command to find Director Coleman and Alice waiting for me. Tact command is just an oval room with an oversized table and displays. Director Coleman doesn't budge as I enter the room but Alice turns to greet me. I nod and take up a seat across the table from her while Dir. Coleman sits at the head.
"Alice, why don't you start us off with an account of the mission," instructs Director Coleman.
"Sir. We arrived at the emergence point at 1900, secured the area and began tracking the breach. According to the reports there was a lone creature of unknown origin in the area. It was easy to track, what with all the destruction it left behind. Luckily the country club it was running around was empty and the area wasn't populated." She pauses to take a breath. "Now this is where is gets weird. We only accounted for the one breach based on what we were tracking and our initial reports; however there wasn't just one but a small pack."
I am not at all fazed by this piece of information at all. In my world, it is common for certain creatures to travel in packs. Very similar to animals in this world. "It was a Kobalos." They both turn toward me.
"They are very mischievous creatures in our world but otherwise harmless." I glance over to Alice. "Please continue." That surprised me. Kobalos aren't really pack creatures. Which begged the question of what's going on on the other side?
"Once we saw that we had to change mission parameters," she begins. "We could no longer capture and contain so we shifted to elimination."
I can see her cringe as she says the word. "We engaged and managed to take one down before being surprised by the two more. Beta Team managed to take them down. The one we captured tried to escape and got trapped, so we returned to our original objective of capture and contain." She stops and looks around the room, first at me and then at Director Coleman, his eyebrows bunched together with piercing eyes locked on Alice.
"So you're telling me that our reading and reports were wrong. How can that be?"
"I'm not sure exactly, but I came up with a theory if you'd like to hear it." Alice replies.
"Go Ahead."
I was eager to hear what she had. What Alice lacked in battle experience she made up for it with tact and ingenuity.
"Well, when we got the warning only one breach showed up and that's fine but how do they show up? It's because they are coated with some of the residual energy from breaking through the Rifts. Right?" But what happens when they breach the Rift? I'm assuming that a hole is left, only for a time, but there is a hole. That leaves the barrier open so anything can go through freely. However, whatever comes through after the first breach doesn't show up on our scanner because they never came in contact with the Rift. We still don't know much about the Rifts, so who's to say. That's my theory anyway."
What she was saying was not too far from plausibly. LORE, nor I, has considered this before. As nothing like this has ever occurred-to our knowledge-this was the first case. I can see that Director Coleman is also considering the same.
"If that's the case, we need to find a way to track all breaches, including the ones that cross over in that small window," Dir. Coleman says.
He is right, I hate to admit it. LORE needs to redefine their scanners to prevent any of today's incidents from repeating.
"Alice, head over to the R&D and run your theory by the techs and see what they think of it. If they can come up with a solution have them get started right way."
"Yes, Director Coleman. Right away," she replies, then stands and exits the room on her way to the elevators but not before shooting me a curious look.
Research and Development is on the lower floors and only those with higher than normal keycards can access them.
"Gideon, you stay for a minute. I have something else I'd like to discuss with you." I don't move closer. Just shift my seat a bit so I'm facing him.
"What is it...Sir."
"Given light of this new information, we may need new recruits for the Guardian program." I look at him in utter surprise and disgust. The Guardian program was LORE's misguided attempts at using my kinds' blood to create hybrids that would bolster their ranks. The initial run only churned out one successful candidate, Alice.
"Isn't that taking it too far? We don't know the existent of how it affects those we try it on. The fact that Alice turned out so, for lack of a better word, different was fortunate. The other test subjects in the trial run weren't as lucky," I say, hoping that he can hear the disapproval in my voice.
"I understand your concern and it is noted but we believe that we've isolated what made Alice such a special case and we're ready to try it out. We just need recruits or volunteers."
"If you have gone ahead and done so much, by all means do not let me stop you."
"I'm glad to see you agree but you've got the wrong idea. I was simply asking your opinion on the matter, not for your permission," he says as he rises and exits through the second door on the other side of the room. I follow suit and leave through the other. There is no tell what will happen when the Guardian program starts back up but it's clear Dir. Coleman is will to throw more lives away for the sake of his directives.
Alice is most likely still in R&D and after that look she gave me it could only mean that she had something on her mind and wanted to talk.
Research and Development is the second most guarded place in the entire facility, the prisoner holding area being the first. The entire floor is considered to be part of R&D and has several labs each working on their own projects. I am headed to the first lab; it's in charge of keeping track of the Rifts and any breaches that may pass through them. This is where Alice was headed.
Upon entering Lab One, designated by the giant number one on the door, several of the scientists are huddled over one of the many digital display that line the room.
"What's going on?" I ask. All at once there heads turn toward me almost in unison. Second to Alice, the scientist of LORE were far more interesting. They have a certain level of wonder and astonishment whenever I enter a room, as if I'm some puzzle that needs to be solved. It's because of their curiosity that they don't fear me as the others do.
"Gideon," replies Samuel, the lead for this lab. "We were just going over the data recorded from today's breach. We wanted to see if, based on what Alice was saying, whether we could track additional breaches that didn't have the Rifts residual markings."
"So what Alice said is possible."
"Indeed it is. Think of the Rifts as a glass window of sorts." He begins painting an image with his hands. "What happens when you punch through it? All the glass ends up on one side with residue being transferred to the object that passes through it. In the aftermath of that breach there is a hole left where you punched through. Well the Rifts function in a similar manner, the only difference it more of an elastic band that snaps back after some time. It maybe a slight tear, opening a way between our two worlds but that's more than enough for anything to come through undetected or vice-versa."
I understood what he's trying to say and it does make sense but it still puzzles me why this never occurred to us before.
"So why now, why hasn't this happened before?" I ask.
"We have a theory about that..." He turns, moves over to a computer console on his left and types in a command. "We're still running test but it's safe to say that the Rifts are weakening, causing the change. It sounds weird I know but that's what we have so far. Before, if something came through, the Rifts would just mend itself instantly but now it takes much longer. Why this is happening, we don't know yet."
Looking at the data on his screen I can tell that Lab One had put considerable work into compiling all this data.
"I want you to put your full attention of figuring out as much as possible about the Rifts weakening. See if you can find any kind of source."
"Understood."
This is what they've been waiting for. This is their moment to strike this world. The Rifts weakening is a signal to something far worse than anyone here could imagine.
"What about the breaches that are not covered in the Rifts residual energy, did you find out anything about that?" I ask looking back over to the digital display.
"No not yet, right now we're just running today's data through different filters to see if anything pops up. If Alice hadn't-"
"Where is she by the way?"
"She came in, said what she had to say and then left. Didn't say where she was going either. But she looked a little out of it, like she had a lot on her mind," says one of the other scientist standing on the opposite end of the display.
"Don't worry; I have an idea of where she went. Go back to what you were doing. Thank you." He turns back to his monitor without hesitation.
If there is one thing I have come to learn about Alice is that she is persistent. Whenever she needs to think she'd find herself on the highest place outside the base she could get. That meant going to the observation room on the top floor and then climbing about fifty feet straight up to a service hatch that led to the roof of the complex. The tricky part is getting to the hatch. Until I came along, using an elevated lift was the only way to get up there, whereas I can easily rebound off the walls to the beams which extend just below the hatch. That's how Alice makes her way up there, easy with her physical advances she attained from the Guardian program.
In the observation room I can see that the hatch is open. I lean back and push off toward the hatch, inverting myself as I ascend. At the top of my jump I grab one of the beams-still inverted-and let the forces from the jump correct my position, putting me square on the beam. From there it is easy enough to get to the opening and pull myself through it.
The night air is still cool. The moon hides itself behind a few clouds that now dot the sky. The horizon stretches out beyond even my vision. The mountainous terrain and desert valley look ominous in the night's light.
At the far end of the roof sits Alice, completely transfixed by the evening sky. Looking up at it reminds me of home and how I long to return to it.
"So what's on your mind? Must be serious if you're up here," I ask as I walk up and stand behind her.
"Gideon, is the sky the same in your world?" She asks.
"It is, but it's a bit different. It's like looking through a filter, our night sky has a purple hue to it. We see everything else the same. Stars, the moon. There are more things in common that between my world and yours than you may think."
"It's amazing how our worlds can be so similar and yet so completely different," she says still staring into the sky. I stand there trying to figure out what was going through her head and where this was all coming from.
"I wonder if I'd be accepted there."
"That's hard to say," I say. "Before we didn't care too much about appearance but now, as the years have gone by, we as a people have become more concerned with whom with are. So much so, that it's creating discord amongst us."
"It really does sound like our world. Do you think I can get to see it one day?"
"If possible, I'd personally give you the grand tour."
"I'll hold you to that," she says turning to me with a smile. "You must miss it?"
"I do," I reply. "Not a day goes by where I don't think about it, but I came here for a reason and until that is accomplished I can't go back."
"Yea, I know and I'm sorry. You must be terribly homesick and I know that feeling." Since joining the program, Alice has had to forget about her previous life.
"Don't mind me partner, I'm just thinking out loud." She stands, dusts herself off and turns to me. "Now, the reason you're here." There's a silence that settles before she begins. "I came up with two theories today. The first you already know of, the second is why the barrier is weakening as well as the Rifts."
"What did you come up with?"
"What if the Rifts are weakening because of external forces and not something that is occurring naturally?" She always manages to surprise me, this little, tiny human. Alice is smart, smarter than what most people gave her credit for, especially here. This was what made her great to have on a mission and the reason I wanted her as a partner.
"Well," I say.
"Right..." She begins saying. "What if the Rifts weakening isn't a result of the intervention of the other side. That we've always assumed as much since it was someone from you world that created the two world, but what if that isn't the case and something-someone-on this side is causing the decay."
To me, this made sense. I wasn't aware of anyone being able to affect the barrier separating the worlds besides the original creator and he hasn't been seen since they were separated.
"So what if there was someone here, on this side, that was manipulating the Rifts without us knowing. After what happened today, it's possible that we may have missed a breakout after we thought the mission was over. We've had so many missions it's hard to tell," she says with a worried look on her face.
"So why didn't you bring this up to Director Coleman in our meeting earlier?" I ask in return to her suspicions, which is very plausible given the new information.
"Well, if it is true then who do you think the Director will torture to find answers?" She replies looking directly at me.
"Me."
"And he wouldn't give you the benefit of the doubt. He'd rather lock you up and throw away the key."
"That he would."
"So what do we do?" She points back and forth between us.
"Right now, we do nothing." I place my hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "There is no evidence that what you're saying is true. So for now we just keep this between us and we'll keep an eye out for anything on this side that may point to something differently. Okay."
"Okay."
"Good. Now let's get back. We have a lot of work ahead of us."
TO BE CONTINUED...
What you've just read are the first three chapters of a book that I'm currently working on. It's the first in a series following Aaron and Noa. The purpose of posting it here is to get feedback from readers. It's not the complete work but from what you've read so far, what are your thoughts?