Crow's Gambit, page 13
part #1 of Sylphan Revelations Series
Finally, they arrived at Dr. Howard’s office and were asked to wait inside. Cassie hesitated as they entered the office. She had been ready to charge in and confront the doctor. Now a little time had passed, she had calmed down, and wondered if coming here had been the best choice. She should have just let Gloria handle it. Wang, who had just started to relax, seemed to crawl a little bit back inside himself and returned to his silent persona.
When she came in Dr. Howard wore blue jeans and a long-sleeved blue work shirt. There was dirt or grease smeared on one sleeve. She had a bright smile and seemed genuinely glad to see them when they entered. This wasn’t the person Cassie had built an image of in her mind while they waited.
“I’m sorry for keeping you. I was working on a little project down in one of the labs.” She came around her desk and extended her hand to Cassie. “You must be Cassie, our new XS-9 specialist.” She smiled at Wang. “And who would this be?”
Wang stared back at her silently.
“This is Wang. Our...electrical specialist.” Cassie finally replied as she shook the Doctor’s hand.
“Is he now? Well, you must be bright to be working with Mr. Darrow.” She returned to her desk chair and sat down. “So, did you get a chance to see our baby?” They weren’t certain how to react. Dr. Howard exuded genuine friendliness and seemed oblivious to the earlier conflict.
“Dr. Howard.” Gloria stepped up from behind them. “Mr. Darrow has placed these two in my charge for the day. We did visit your restoration facility and I’m afraid there was an incident.” Dr. Howard looked confused. She glanced at Cassie then back to Gloria.
“The XS-9 is okay, right? Nothing happened to it?” She leaned forward. Her eyes were large and concerned.
“No, nothing happened to the aircraft. However, when they tried to examine it, one of your assistants and two guards attempted to assault them.”
Dr. Howard sat still for several seconds looking at their faces in turn. Then she smiled slightly. “This is a joke. You’re making a joke.”
“No, I’m afraid not. Your assistant said that you personally had given the orders to have us removed. They physically assaulted my two charges here and drew a weapon.”
Dr. Howard frowned and started shaking her head slightly. “You’re serious? The guard assaulted them?”
Gloria pressed her lips tightly together for a moment. “They’re lucky I didn’t shoot them.” Her voice had a low, dangerous, tone to it.
Dr. Howard’s face went a shade paler. “I’m sorry if there has been some misunderstanding, but I don’t know what you are talking about. I’ve been in the lab all morning. I haven’t talked to my assistant since last night when I told her to expect you. I certainly wouldn’t have told her to have you bodily removed.”
Cassie’s head jerked toward Dr. Howard. “The assistant we’re talking about was a man.”
“Well I typically don’t get too personal with my assistants, but I’m fairly sure the only assistant I have on staff currently is a woman named Ashley. We are very poorly funded.” She turned her attention back to Gloria and frowned. “You said guards, as in plural? We don’t have much going on out there right now. There should only be one guard on duty and he’s at the main gate.”
Gloria was frowning deeply now. “Dr. Howard it appears there is a serious problem here. I would suggest checking on your assistant. I suspect there’s been a security breach.”
Dr. Howard’s frown matched Gloria’s now. “I think you’re right. Just a moment.” She went outside and came back in shortly. “Ashley isn’t answering her direct line. I’m having someone contact the facility itself to get to the bottom of this. When we’re done here, I’ll drive out myself and see what’s going on. You did say the XS-9 was ok, right? It wasn’t damaged?” The doctor clutched her hands together.
“No, I don’t believe so,” Gloria answered.
“We’re fine too, by the way.” Cassie’s tone was sarcastic.
Dr. Howard turned her attention back to Cassie and Wang. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m terrible. It’s just, the XS-9 is terribly important to me.”
Gloria nudged Cassie. “You had some questions for the Doctor?” She nodded for Cassie to speak.
Cassie did some quick thinking as to what question might be the most helpful. “Actually, yes. The engines?” Cassie finally asked. “Two of the engines appeared to be fairly conventional jet turbines but with a ram scoop.” Dr. Howard still seemed distracted but nodded. “The other one still being installed was different. What kind of engine was that?”
“You have a good eye for engineering. The XS-9E did use air breathing turbines for thrust in the atmosphere. That cut down on the amount of oxidizer that had to be carried.” Now Cassie nodded. “The other engine used a pulse detonation design. They were supposed to provide thrust when the atmosphere got too thin.”
A pulse detonation engine wasn’t something she was highly familiar with, but it made perfect sense. There was always a large jerk when she broke out of the atmosphere in the XS-9 simulator. It must be the switch over from the turbine to the pulsed detonation engines being represented.
“And a pulse engine would operate efficiently at any speed, unlike the gas turbine?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Would a detonation engine still need oxygen to work?”
“Theoretically, no. If the right fuel was used with an embedded oxidizer.” Dr. Howard leaned forward. “We’re actually getting ready to test the turbines in a day or two. Not in flight, of course, but just to see if they will run.”
Wang let out a small guffaw and both women turned to look at him. “I’m sorry I thought that was a joke,” he explained.
Cassie raised her eyebrows in a question at him.
“Because of the electrical system. Some of the polarities are wrong. If you try to power up the control systems, you’ll probably burn out half the circuits or ... make the engine explode.” Wang looked at Dr. Howard and seemed to shrink a little. “I thought you knew.”
“No, actually I didn’t know that.” She appraised him silently for a moment, but her expression was nonjudgmental. “It seems like there are several things I need to look into today. Thank you very much, Wang. We have spent considerable effort in restoring the XS-9. I would hate to see any damage come to it. I will certainly check on what you have told me.”
Wang beamed slightly.
There was a knock at the door and a young woman stuck her head in. “Excuse me, Dr. Howard. But we’ve been trying to contact Ashley at the Restoration Facility as you directed, but she isn’t answering. No one answers at the main gate either.”
The doctor’s eyebrows pinched together in a deep frown. “Have you tried accessing the security system? Can you see anyone on the cameras?”
“The security system appears to be down, too.”
Dr. Howard stood. “I’m afraid this can’t wait a moment longer. I’m sorry I didn’t get to all your questions, but I really need to get to Garber.”
“We understand.” Gloria motioned for them to rise.
Dr. Howard shook their hands, acknowledging Gloria with a nod of her head. “I will find out what happened today and update Mr. Darrow, I assure you.”
Chapter 21
CASSIE THOUGHT THEY’D head back directly after the meeting—given the day’s events that would be the smartest choice. But once they reached the car, Gloria announced they had time to see one more site.
She was confused, until she saw Wang’s reaction. His face lit up when Gloria suggested they see the Lincoln Memorial. She cast a glance at Gloria in the rearview mirror. She had a softer side than she let on.
THERE WERE A FAIR NUMBER of people visiting the monuments. Some were international visitors, though not as many as there would have been in the past. Passenger ships crossed the oceans in greater numbers than ever before, but their capacities were limited, and the cost high.
However, the tourist numbers were complimented by an increase in American visitors who found it easier to travel by rail within the U.S. than to go overseas. The day was peaceful and the water on the Reflecting Pool remained calm and mirror-like. Beyond the pool they could see the white marble and fountains of the World War II Memorial. Rising behind that stood the Washington Monument.
As Cassie stood surrounded by monuments dedicated to great conflicts and those who saw the country through them, it struck her even after the death, pain, and change that came with Net-Day, people still cared about their own history. In the end maybe that was all that mattered.
Even with finding out humans were not alone in the universe, even after the human species had its hopes, dreams, and technology slapped down in a matter of days, figures like Lincoln and Washington were still revered. People still came to pay their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. These remembrances, their history, were more important now than ever.
Somehow, the idea gave her hope for the future.
Wang beckoned her to follow him. Inside the Lincoln Memorial, it was cool and dark. The statue of Lincoln sat in his chair looking down at them. Wang was quiet, taking it all in. He definitely had an affection for Lincoln.
“What do you think Wang? Is it what you imagined?” He turned toward her, and she was surprised to see tears in his eyes.
“It’s beautiful. I don’t remember much about my parents, not even what they looked like. The book about Lincoln is the only thing I have from them now. Sometimes I imagine my father reading me the stories about Abraham Lincoln when I was young.” He seemed to search for the right words for several seconds. “I like to think my parents picked that book for a reason.” Wang looked back at the statue, craning his neck slightly to look up at its face. “To me it’s kind of like being with my father again, I guess.”
Cassie reached over and gently laid her hand on Wang’s shoulder for an instant then retreated before he got nervous.
To the right of the statue, the words of the Emancipation Proclamation were engraved on the wall. In hindsight the concept of fighting over one race owning another seemed like sheer stupidity given the appearance of the Sylph.
She turned and walked to the chamber on the other side where Wang stood reading the Gettysburg Address. He was silent, but she could see his lips moving slightly. Gloria joined them and looked on silently for a minute. Then she leaned over to Cassie. “It’s about time for us to go.”
Cassie reached into her pocket and removed the cash card Dale had given her when she started down this rabbit hole. She turned to Wang. “You know what we really need? A souvenir. Something to remember all this.” She held the card out to Wang. “Why don’t you go check out the gift shop? I trust your judgement. Find us something good. I think I’ll go out and have quick look at the Lost Battalion Memorial.”
It was hard to miss the frown on Gloria’s face. “The memorial is just outside, and this place seems pretty secure.” Cassie nodded to the security cameras and the Park Ranger watching the crowd. “I’ll be fine.”
Gloria muttered something under her breath that sounded like profanity. “Fine, but don’t go anywhere else.” She emphasized each syllable by pointing at Cassie. “I’ll keep an eye on him.” Gloria steered Wang toward the gift shop door.
Cassie navigated the narrow steps down from the Lincoln Memorial and followed the sidewalk toward its rear. She had heard they planned to install a memorial honoring everyone who had died on Net-Day, but so far no one had come to an agreement on what form it should take. The closest thing was the small memorial she now looked at, honoring the Lost Battalion.
“I always find visiting this place helps me center myself.” The older man standing next to her had approached so silently she hadn’t noticed him. His gaze was on the engraved plaque, but she could somehow tell his attention was solely on her. He wore a dark, impeccably tailored suit and black shoes polished to the point of shining. His hair was gray and cut short. “Few people realize, or remember, this memorial is back here. It’s a strangely peaceful and calming place.”
“Yes, well, I won’t bother you then.” Cassie started to turn toward the path and noticed the second man standing several feet behind them. He wore what she thought was an Army officer’s uniform and was making no pretension about watching her. She stopped in her tracks, apprehension settling over her.
“Please stay a moment, Miss McIntyre,” the older man requested. “My name is General Belle. We have some mutual acquaintances. Some you have met and some you haven’t.”
Now what? There were definitely days when it would have been better to just stay in bed.
She looked at the man fully now but still didn’t recognize him. “A general? Aren’t you out of uniform?”
“Sometimes it’s easier to get my work done if I’m, shall we say, incognito.”
The other uniformed man still stood rigid and unblinking behind them. Oh yes, very inconspicuous.
“Right. Well, I don’t think I dated any ROTC boys in college. I’m not sure what acquaintances we might share.” The general remained motionless. Only the corner of his mouth twitched up in amusement at her sarcastic reply. Cassie’s eyes darted around, looking for a Park Ranger or Gloria.
“Let’s start with the people who tried to kill you in the Lincoln Tunnel and end with Mr. Peter Darrow.”
Cassie’s attention suddenly focused on him.
He not only knew about what happened in the tunnel but had just implied it wasn’t an accident. Either Darrow had lied to her or this person knew more than him. Of course, that could be because he had something to do with it.
“You’ve become part of an extremely complicated and dangerous game, Miss McIntyre. The repercussions could be many and large.”
“And which side of this game are you on? The one that wants me alive or apparently dead?”
She glanced around again looking for Gloria, without trying to appear like she was looking.
“I’m not sure that’s a fair description of the two sides in this case. If you play chess Miss McIntyre, you know sometimes pawns are sacrificed by both sides to move the game forward. However, right now I’m not sure if you are a pawn or the Queen. Either way, it isn’t a good thing. If it makes you feel better though, I’m not officially with either side. The Department of the Army is a neutral party in this affair.”
“And what exactly is this affair?”
“That is an excellent question Miss McIntyre. Your file suggests you are someone with good instincts. Effective situational awareness, however, is only possible when you have information to work with.”
The mention of a file on her brought to mind what Darrow had said about the hack of his systems. Could the NSA have stolen the file for the Army? Why would the Army care? Unless they were the government party against the idea of flying the XS-9? But he had just said the Army was neutral.
“Ok, I’ll play along. What information am I missing? I don’t suppose you’ve come here to enlighten me?”
“Sadly, no.”
“What a surprise.” She crossed her arms and turned toward him. “Why are you here then?”
“To ask you to leave. Go home. Go back to your life in Minnesota and forget you ever met Peter Darrow.” He finally turned toward her. “I’m confident if you do, both sides will quickly forget about you. If you stay, well...” He made a shrugging gesture with his hands.
Cassie swallowed her initial retort and instead turned back to the memorial. She took several deep breaths. The general’s statement sounded like a promise and a threat at the same time. But why? Why would he care? And more importantly, what was so important about her? She was only one member of the team, one piece of the puzzle. Was it simply hers was the only file leaked and this was the easiest piece for them to focus on?
She knew it would be simple to say yes to the general’s proposal. The return ticket Dale had given her was still in her bag. A day from now she could have her old life back.
But there was the rub. She’d come to realize she didn’t want her old life back.
“I—” she started then broke off, unsure of how to continue. “No. I don’t think I will.”
After a moment he smiled. “That’s what I thought you’d say. I imagine Lincoln felt similarly about being President. Unsure of himself. A little scared but determined to see it through.”
Cassie searched her brain for a good reply. “Well at least his generals actually gave him advice.” Her tone was sarcastic, and she gave him a pointed stare.
The general guffawed quietly. “Don’t be ridiculous. Half of his generals couldn’t lead themselves out of a latrine. All battles, Miss McIntyre, are fought by scared men who’d rather be someplace else. Including me.”
“And what battle are you fighting, general? I thought you said the Army was neutral.”
“It’s funny how often the Army has to fight battles they didn’t choose.” He gestured toward the memorial’s plaque. “They fought battles and skirmishes for over three thousand miles. Not because they wanted to, or even because they were ordered to. They were just trying to get home. All you have to do it get on a train.”
He turned his head and glanced behind them. Cassie followed his gaze and saw Gloria and Wang standing behind them. Gloria had her hand on Wang’s shoulder protectively and wore a stern expression, like a mother bear ready to charge.
“Agent Smith. How good to see you again.”
“General Belle.”
“You still working with that trigger puller?” His voice carried an overly friendly tone.
Trigger puller?
“On occasion. Dale is occasionally employed by Mr. Darrow.”
He turned back to Cassie. “It was nice to meet you, Miss McIntyre. Please consider our conversation and my sincere suggestion.” With that he turned and walked out, his aide following a step behind.
“Agent Smith?” Cassie’s tone was accusatory.
Gloria moved closer but appeared to be keeping a close eye on General Belle as he walked away.
