“The tactical and strategic situation is fluid.” Fischer reached into his pocket for another cigarette, his hands pale and shaking. “We had reason to assume, even before your first communication, that Mr. Hobson and Dr. Andrews had stumbled upon a secret Russian research or communication system.” He lit the cigarette. “You know we’ve been having communication problems. We believe the source of those problems is the ‘facility’ under the ice.”
“Their handhelds were cooked.” Beckam said. “
Fischer nodded. “Well, here’s what you don’t know: This facility suddenly and without warning sent a massive burst of high energy out into space.”
“What type of energy?”
Fischer shook his head. “Like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”
Beckam chuckled. “Think it’s a homing beacon?”
“Could be — but our problems are far worse than that. It took down a number of communication and navigation satellites. Ours, as well as others.”
“Let me guess. Our Russian friends got wind of the same signal.”
“There was an exchange between the President and the Russian President to say it was unpleasant is an understatement. At first they condemned us for testing some type of new particle beam weapon in Antarctica, on Russian territory no less. The President’s denials only served to inflame the situation. At some point, the Russians came to the same conclusion that we did; something extraordinary is under the ice.”
Beckam felt the anger starting to rise into his throat. “What exactly is our situation, Mr. Fischer?”
“We’re expecting elements of the Russian Spetsnaz here within hours.” He stubbed out the cigarette. “Under no circumstances can we allow the Russians access to whatever is buried under the ice.”
Beckam jumped at the suggestion Russian Commando troops were inbound. “If we have Russian Spec Ops on the way, then I suggest we get your mission accomplished and get the fuck out of here ASAP.”
Fisher stared at Beckam. “Our orders are to secure as much of the under-ice structure as possible and then destroy it. Your orders are to hold the Russians at bay until our two missions are accomplished.”
Beckam blinked. “What kind of support can we expect — especially air support?”
“None. Insertion of additional assets could result in an uncontrolled escalation.”
“We’ll need time to lay explosives. Should I order my men to start?”
A radio in Fischer’s pocket beeped, indicating an incoming transmission.
“Resurrection, this is Steel Point,” Fischer said. “Do you copy?”
“We are prepared to begin evacuation and dissection.”
“Set up sling and stand by,” Fischer replied.
“You mind telling me who or what ‘Resurrection’ is and what you’re planning to do?” Beckam spit out the words.
Fischer hands shook as he fumbled with the radio. “Have you ever seen an auto dismantler, Commander? They start with an old car and within hours it’s been cut into a hundred different pieces, and the balance is crushed into a recycling cube.”
“Well, this car has bodies inside. What about them?” Beckam asked.
“My orders are to remove them on a priority basis. We think the occupants, if they are still alive, may lead us toward powerful advancements in the science of cryonics.”
“Break glass only in case of war,” muttered Frantino.
Fischer blinked. “I don’t follow you, Lieutenant.”
Frantino shrugged. “You maintain an army frozen solid in some salt mine, and when it’s time to fight, just add water or whatever.”
Fischer ignored Frantino’s response and turned back toward Beckam. “We’re also to collect any equipment that might have space travel, medical, or military applications. What about the civilians? Have you gotten any useful information?”
Beckam nodded. “It appears that Dr. Andrews was the key to breaching the installation. When she placed the palm of her hand within the triangular shaped depression on the center of the hatch it engaged the opening mechanism.”
Fischer froze for a second, then nodded as he filed away the information.
“Who are your friends with guns?” Frantino asked.
“A collection of CIA and NSA field agents and a selection of our best research scientists,” Fischer replied.
“We couldn’t help but notice they’re heavily armed,” Beckam said. “Will they be available for perimeter defense, should it be necessary?”
Fischer shook his head. “Negative, Commander. Their mission is strictly to secure the facility and the LC-130. They will not be detailed to you, nor do they report to you.” He looked up. “Do not interfere with them. They are highly motivated in their mission and told to execute it all costs.”
“What about our civilian guests?”
“They’re not a priority in this mission. I’ve been given strict instructions as to their disposition.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Beckam asked, nearly reaching for his weapon.
His honeymoon with Fischer was over before it began.
CHAPTER 79
The two snowcats motored up a steep incline, coming to a stop a hundred meters from the edge of the crevasse. Men dressed in white arctic jumpsuits climbed out of the cabs and unloaded gear from the larger snowcat, including cutting equipment and an array of scientific tools, all crated within sealed boxes.
They unloaded several sections of aluminum piping and assembled a tripod over the crevasse, anchoring it to the ice on three different points. They ran a steel cable from a winch on the front of the smaller snowcat and to a pulley system at the top of the tripod.
After making sure the pulley system ran freely, the men swiftly assembled a basket designed to carry ten or more people and a large amount of cargo. When they had the basket hanging over the crevasse from underneath the tripod, two men connected an aluminum “bridge” to the side of the basket and anchored it in the ice, providing a walkway between the ice and the makeshift freight elevator. After the system had been tested, one of the men radioed Fischer.
“Steel Point, we are on site and prepared to begin dissection.”
CHAPTER 80
“Okay, we’re all agreed then.” Jack looked at Leah, who stared at the bottom of the tent and nodded. They’d been cooling their heels for more sixty hours and even Leah finally agreed they had to make a break for it.
Marko squirmed uncomfortably. “I don’t know. It seems crazy to try an escape with the Caribou.” He pointed in the direction of the B-29. “What about Juan and the rest of the guys?”
“They’ll figure out what we’re trying to do and will be cheering us on.”
“I just don’t like violence, that’s all,” Marko said softly. He took a deep breath. “If you think it’s the only way.”
“Let’s go over this one more time,” Jack whispered. “Leah will disable the SEAL guard. Once that happens, we grab the snow machine.”
Garrett glanced through the vestibule and then back at Jack. “I hate to throw darts at your plan, but there’s no way were all gonna fit on one snow machine.”
He nodded at Paulson. “You two are riding in the sled while Leah, Marko and I ride up front.”
Paulson chuckled. “You have any idea how much ice that thing throws up behind those tracks?”
“Take a coat with a hood and make sure to grab your goggles. Then we make for the Caribou.” He glanced at Paulson. “You’re sure you can fly it?”
“Got wings, don’t it?”