“Last night I was told they come in next twenty-four hours, but this Russia. Anything possible. Might arrive in ten minutes or one week.”
Mason touched his radio mic. “Mother Goose, you are clear to proceed. Facility is clear of soldiers. Civilian presence unknown but believed dead. Likelihood of reinforcements arriving early high. Suggest you proceed with all haste. Will advise with updated details on the creature when I have them.”
“Understood, Eagle 4, proceeding to facility,” affirmed Colbert.
Mason refocused on his prisoner. “Now, Sven, tell me everything you know about this creature that killed your comrades.”
The helicopter, as nondescript as the camouflage clothing the SEAL team wore, passed over Checkpoint Siberia 3 and turned towards the distant structure bathed in gloomy daylight. To bring light to the shadows, the pilot, Ethan Kelly, switched on the forward spotlight when he circled the compound. Windblown dust passed through the bright beam that swept over the unassuming cluster of agricultural buildings. The only hint that they might be used for a purpose other than some type of farming was the security fencing around the perimeter.
Colbert focused on the truck parked by the entrance. The soldiers who arrived in it yesterday were now dead. Though concerned he might soon face another of the alien creatures he had battled with on the ship, Colbert focused on the mission and ordered the pilot to land. As soon as the helicopter touched ground, the doors slid open and SEALs piled out with weapons ready to fire.
Sullivan and Kessler split off from the pack and moved to the smaller building attached to the side of the larger structure. Inside they found a diesel generator and a large diesel storage tank raised on a metal platform. One of the fuel feed pipes leading from the tank was attached to the generator while a slightly thicker one disappeared into the concrete floor.
Sullivan crossed to the silent generator, laid a hand on it and glanced at Kessler. “Cold.”
“Might be a backup for a main generator located in the facility,” offered Kessler, looking at the fuel pipe that went through the floor.
The two men returned to the group outside.
While Kelly, the pilot, remained with the powered down helicopter, Commander Colbert, Richard and the other four members of the SEAL team headed for the entrance.
While Ramirez examined the key card lock, Richard seized his last chance to try and convince Colbert to change his mind. “I really don’t see the point of including me on your reckless mission. Let me wait here with your pilot, and if you need my advice, contact me over the radio.”
Colbert glared at Richard. “You’re coming with us. If you plan on surviving, I suggest you help us defeat what we find down there.” He nodded at Kelly standing by the helicopter. “Because if we don’t and you return above ground on your own, you won’t be leaving.”
Richard looked at the pilot, who shot him a knowing smirk and tapped his rifle. “That’s hardly fair with the dangerous nature of this suicide mission. I can hardly be held responsible if the alien kills you all, can I?”
“That, Richard, is why you are here. To help ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Richard shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you when the shit hits the fan and slaps you in the face.” He glanced around at the powerful assault rifles the soldiers held. “I really think it would be better if I had a weapon.”
“You’re not getting one because I don’t trust you not to shoot us all in the back.”
Richard smiled at Colbert. “Good, you’re learning. There might be hope for you yet.”
“They’ve left the key card in the lock,” uttered Ramirez in surprise, pulling out the card and turning it in his hand. “You’d think a secret underground base would be better protected.”
“I suppose when you’re fleeing from an alien monster, pausing to lock the door isn’t a consideration,” offered Buckner.
Ramirez reinserted the key card. The door buzzed, and Sullivan pushed it open. With weapon raised, he cautiously entered, and the others followed him inside. After a sweep of the room revealed it to be empty, they focused on the elevator at the far end of the room.
With weapons trained on the doors, Sullivan pressed the call button.
The doors slid open, revealing the empty elevator.
“Buckner, Sullivan, head below,” ordered Colbert. “If the exit’s clear, send the elevator back up.”
“And if it ain’t?” questioned Buckner.
“Follow Sullivan’s lead,” replied Colbert.
The two men entered the lift and rode it down. Sullivan stepped out onto Level 1 before the doors were fully open. The tactical flashlight attached to his MP7 swept both directions of the corridor. It was clear. He poked a lightbulb shard with the toe of his boot and frowned worriedly as he shone the light along the floor. He recognized the broken bulbs twofold purpose; they brought darkness and crunching underfoot would warn anything skulking nearby of their approach. Wondering if the alien creature was responsible, he turned to Buckner and whispered. “Hold the lift while I see what’s around the corner.”
Buckner nodded, and keeping a foot against the door recessed into the jamb to prevent it from closing, he positioned himself so he could cover both directions with his eyes and weapon.
Sullivan avoided treading on the broken glass when he moved to the corner and peered around the edge into darkness. Moving his weapon forward, he aimed its light along the passage. Apart from broken lightbulbs littering the floor the corridor was empty. He returned to Buckner. “It’s clear for as far as I can see. Send it up.”
Buckner removed his foot. The doors closed and the elevator automatically returned to the upper level. The others arrived on Level 1 a few moments later.
After Sullivan had made his report, Kessler said, “It’s a little worrying that the alien is intelligent enough to smash the lightbulbs. Even if was only to make it dark down here and not warn it someone was coming.”
“We could always leave,” suggested Richard.
Colbert ignored the remark. “We move slow, steady and cautious and avoid treading on the broken glass as much as possible. Sullivan takes point and we’ll follow in his footsteps. If we come across the creature, we’ll assess the situation and respond appropriately.” Colbert glanced at Ramirez. “Cover our backs and keep an eye on Richard.”
Sullivan led them along the corridor and around the corner, checking each room as they went. The skeletal remains of the scientist Sven had mentioned were missing, only scraps of his clothing remained.
Noticing something protruding from a scrap of ragged shirt, Richard knelt and picked up a piece of clothing while palming the object he had spied in his other hand. He sniffed the rag. “Acrid—it’s the creature from the spaceship, all right. I remember the smell.” Standing, he thrust the rag into Ramirez’s face as he slipped the alien pistol into a pocket. “Smell it.”
Ramirez pushed Richard’s hand away. “Get a move on.”
Pleased with the alien treasure he had found that he could sell to a foreign power for an extremely high price—the Chinese for one would surely pay millions for the alien technology—he began to think that being forced to come here might not be so bad after all. He just had to make sure he survived to take full advantage of it.
A little farther through the complex they came to where the bones of Sven’s four comrades had lain. Now only scraps of their clothing and weapons remained. Richard reached for one of the Russian rifles, but Ramirez’s rifle poking Richard’s back prompted him to leave it where it lay.
Continuing on, Sullivan poked his head into another room, scanned it until he was satisfied it was clear, and glanced back at Colbert. “It’s the security station.”