At the end of this road was one enormous pipe, larger than the other two put together. He didn’t have to guess what this was. He could feel the air coming from some source inside the mountain. He studied the map and realized that all of the tunnels were on the backside of where the S-4 facility was located. They must be the fresh air inlets and exhaust.
He sniffed the air but noticed no real discernible odor. It had to have a very effective filtering system to eliminate all of the cooking and other smells generated by the people and machinery operating at the various levels. When he headed back to the main road this time, a white Jeep Cherokee was parked across the exit. The two men in the Jeep got out and slowly walked over to his Hummer.
“You’re Mr. Eller, right?” one of the guards asked.
“That’s right. I have my badge right here,” holding it out the window so they could see it.
“Where are you headed Mr. Eller?”
“Actually, I’m not sure. I was just exploring the general area,” he replied.
“You know that can be dangerous. You are heading toward the bombing target area and once they release their bombs, well, you become dead meat,” he said leaning against the window with his arm on the roof.
I didn’t realize I was that close,” Eller said, looking down at the map.
It’s only a few miles further up the road. That may seem like a long way off, but every once in a while, a bomb hangs up and releases late. In seconds it can pass she range and land almost any place.
“I see. Well, thank you for letting me know. I think I have gone far enough anyway. It’s starting to get late and I should get back.”
“Yeah. This is a bad place to get caught out at night. All kinds of things can happen. A person could accidentally get shot at night out here,” he said, stepping back.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good thing to do,” the guard said.
Eller waited until they moved before turning left back on the main road. He drove back to the S-4 facility and sat studying the map. He was sure that the tunnels he had found were connected to this facility somehow. He decided it was time to check-in with the President and his office.
He took the elevator to Level–5 and went to his new ‘pod’. He hated the fact that cell phones could not be used in Nellis Range area. All cell phones were strictly prohibited.
The claim was that it could cause potential problems for aircraft and other high security equipment. It was more likely so they could monitor the calls, he decided. He dialed the special White House number he had been given and he was immediately put through to the President.
“Raymond, how’s it going out in sunny Nevada?” he asked.
“Couldn’t be better. I have a great tan from sitting around the pool all day.
“Well, maybe I should come out and visit myself,” he joked.
“Actually it has been quite a visit. A couple of new developments. One of the scientists, a Dr. Lynn Yurris finally figured out how to activate the anti-matter flux propulsion reactor. It is quite a breakthrough. They have been working on this problem for sixty years.
“Incredible. Does this mean we will be able to actually use the technology for space exploration?”
”In theory and in time. They still have a lot to do, but it is one of the biggest advancements since this facility was established.”
“Dr. Yurris?”
“Well sir that is the cover name she was given here. Her real name is Doctor Lynn Allen,” he said.
“How do you spell that?”
Raymond spelled her real last name for him.
“I’ll send her a letter of commendation for this achievement.”
“That will be well received. Make it to Dr. Allen but address it in care of Dr. Yurris. The other major news is that the Su-11 crash has been solved. It had to do with a latching mechanism on the shuttle bay door. They expect have a fix very soon and anticipate having the Su-12 out here for sorting out and final fitting within the next month or two.”
“So Pilot error had nothing to do with it?”
“Correct.”
“Good. I’ll send the families a letter of condolences for the loss of their loved ones.”
“Very good sir.”
“What else do you have?”
“Well, this is a land line and I do not know how secure it is. I know you have the ability to scramble on your end but I don’t. I think I should fly back and talk to you in person,” Eller replied.
“I think that would be an excellent idea. Today is Tuesday, when do you want me to send a plane to pick you up?”
“I think tomorrow would be just fine. After we talk we can decide regarding our next step,” he said.
“Good. I’ll have a jet standing by for you as soon as you are ready to leave. I assume they will pick you up at the Janet Terminal?”
“That will be just fine. I look forward to talking to you in person Mr. President.
“The same goes for me. See you tomorrow, Raymond.”
Eller hung up the phone and started reviewing his notes from the past two weeks. He wanted to have a concise report ready for the President along with a better definition of his authority. At 6:30 p.m. he went back to Bay — 5 and found Dr. Yurris. They decided to just eat in the cafeteria at S-4 rather had having her cook for him or driving to the main base to eat in the dining hall. They sat and chatted as they ate.
“Well, it was filling but nothing like last night,” Raymond said when he had finished.
“Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Lynn said, smiling.
“Tell me, what exciting things happened today?”
“The first part of the day we had to have a meeting about what to do next, if you can believe that. I guess we had never discussed it. We were always working on getting it working and suddenly, it is. Anyway, we started building the platform for the reactor to bolt on to. It is going to take a little longer than I thought. Then we have to devise the fly by wire hookups and program the commands. I doubt if we will be ready to try our first test in less than a month. Still, considering we couldn’t even get the reactor to work until you came along, we are making significant progress,” she said.
“Don’t start that again. You deserve the credit. I told the President it was your project and you deserve the credit for the breakthrough. He is sending you a citation for your accomplishment,” he said, smiling.
“Raymond. That wasn’t necessary. I am embarrassed to claim the credit. It should be you that gets credit for setting us straight,” she protested.
“Too late now. You’re just going to have to live with your new fame. Listen, another thing. I’m heading back to Washington tomorrow to meet with the President. I need to bring him up to speed,” he said.
She looked at him with a slight frown, “How long do you think you will be gone?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. It will be up to the President. He will be the one to make that call. I could come right back or he may decide that I have finished here for a while.”
“What would that mean, exactly?” she asked.
“It means I could be stuck in Washington for several months,” he told her.
“I see. Well, I guess that was inevitable. I
still don’t have to like it,” she replied.
“What? With all these men around here?”
“Don’t be coy. You know I have enjoyed having someone to talk to besides my team members and the other eggheads here,” she said, looking straight into his eyes.
“I’ve enjoyed it as well. You have been a burst of sunshine down here,” he said.
He was just about to say something else when General Devin came walking towards their table.