James Lester stared down at the main floor of the ARC from his office. His thoughts weren't pleasant. A call from Becker had filled Lester in on what had happened to Christine Johnson. He had also been informed of the fact that Quinn had taken Connor and Abby into extreme danger, with no backup, in his pursuit of Helen Cutter. This latest stupidity made Lester cringe as he thought of the vast amount of paperwork and interviews he would have to go through with the Ministry to explain this one. Of course it could all be smoothed over, if everyone made it back alive.
Lester adjusted his tie, squared his shoulders and picked up his phone. "Get me Captain Becker."
Becker stood staring at the race track anomaly. He really wanted to shoot something… anything. The visit to Johnson's headquarters with Sarah still had adrenalin racing through his system. It had been creatures setting off the Anomaly Detection Device (ADD for short), not Helen. Becker smiled as he thought of how brave Sarah had been and how well she had handled herself. They had taken care of the creatures together then rushed back to open the anomaly for the team. But Danny, Connor and Abby hadn't appeared. As the hours ticked by, it was getting harder and harder for Becker to keep reassuring Sarah that the team would be back.
A tone in Becker's ear informed him of an incoming call. Tapping the headset he wore on the first ring, he said, "Becker, here."
"I need another update, Captain" said Lester.
"No sign of them, sir. We've been unlocking the anomaly every hour in 10 minute windows. With permission Sir, I'd like to take a squadron of men and go after them."
In the same tone he might use to discuss the weather, Lester asked, "What are your odds of success?"
"Sarah has some ideas on how to get past the future predators. Between what she has planned and the fire-power I'll be taking, we should be fine."
"I'm sure Danny Quinn said something along those lines before he left 12 hours ago," muttered Lester. "Do try to collect them all without getting yourselves killed."
"Yes Sir," replied Becker, tapping his headset to end the call. Two of Becker's men stood a few feet back, waiting for orders; Becker was glad he finally had some for them.
"Davis, I want ten of your best men, in body armor and with full combat weaponry, ready to go in 2 hours."
"Yes Sir" barked Davis as he left to put the orders into action.
Becker watched with pride as his men hurried to prepare, then turned his attention to the small, dark haired woman who sat at a make-shift work station a few feet away.
Dr. Sarah Page had been ordering equipment for most of the night. Now she sat biting her lower lip while she went over the plan. The men would go through the anomaly and establish several locations where Sarah's equipment would be set up. She and Becker would follow to search for Danny, Connor and Abby.
As Becker approach, she smiled, "I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Your men's body armor is being covered with sound-deadening material. Hopefully we'll be able to locate the team before the predators know we're there."
Becker looked uncertain but gave Sarah a small smile, "I'm sure we'll find them."
One hour and fifty minutes later, Becker's men walked into the anomaly.