Chapter 12

On the receiving dock Caoilinn’s cloaked team watched the technicians dressed in green scrubs remove the boxes from the truck. A woman wearing a white lab coat monitored their activity. Once the boxes were on the dock the doors were closed.

“Lidia,” said the woman, “is everything ready.”

“Yes, Dr. Schwartz.”

“Then get to it. As soon as you open it, give them the first injection.”

“Yes, ma’am,” replied all four.

Dr. Schwartz watched with keen anticipation as her technicians prepared to open the first box. A technician disabled the electronic shielding, before another began releasing the catches holding the lid. When the lid was lifted off, the room became very quiet, as the group just stared at the empty box.

“Son-of-a-bitch,” screamed Dr. Schwartz, “it’s empty. How in the hell did that occur? Open the others, now!”

The technicians began to open the other boxes being careful to follow the required sequence. Caoilinn’s team could sense the technicians concern grow as the top was lifted off of each empty box. As each were found to be empty Dr. Schwartz became more and more agitated. When the last lid came off she screamed, “Dr. Helm, Dr. Attwall, get your asses down here. We have a big problem.”

It was only a few moments before all of those from the conference room came rushing through the door. As soon as they stepped through the door, Dr. Schwartz screamed, “Every fucking box is empty. The damn things were sealed as required, so how could this happen? Our sponsors are expecting data on these alien animals, so how are you going to explain this!” as she gestured toward the empty crates. “You know how they react to failure. As for the organizers of this effort, they would be good candidates for our...”

Abruptly, Dr. Schwartz stopped screaming, and moving. Her expression was one of fear as were the expression of the others in the receiving area. It was suddenly very quiet. Caoilinn’s team had blocked each person’s ability to move or speak. As a result the doctors and technicians stood frozen in place, like breathing statues, only their eyes moved. The sudden change caused them to mentally panic. Soon their expressions gave away to fear, as their minds filled, unbidden, with memories. The replay of their memories made it easy for Caoilinn’s team to read them. This provided those on Alpha4, Alpha9, and Dóchas with all the details of their plans. Their modified plan included the disappearance of Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Attwall along with those who would have been in the boxes.

At this point, Caoilinn’s team turned off their cloaking. The sudden appearance of strange people next to them, shocked them to the core. Their panic increased in intensity.

“We see our computer guys need more time to identify where the data from here is going,” said Caoilinn, “so let’s continue their plan, but with some modifications. Let’s have the technicians scan a couple of us just as they planned. We will monitor them, although based on what we just saw I think they will follow procedure. The others can watch. If there is a need to do the sensory and brain-wave response study, then Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Attwall can be the patients.”

“We’re agreeable,” said Edana’s team.

“We’re in,” said the group on Dóchas.

“We’re in,” said those on Alpha9.

“With one condition,” added Cathal, “make sure the electric stimulation level is high enough to give a strong response.”

“With what we saw in the technician’s memories, we may need to watch them closely if we get to that point, as they may go overboard.”

“Agreed,” responded all.

“Agreed,” replied the three Command Staffs.

“Caoilinn’s team,” said Siobhan’s Clan, “we agree with your assessment of the technicians. None of them are fond of Dr. Schwartz or Dr. Attwall, but we expect them to follow your directions.”

Caoilinn said to a technician, “Lidia, show us where these exams were to take place?” Everyone’s expressions showed their shock at her knowing the technician’s name.

Lidia hesitated then said, “Yes, Ma’am. It is this way.” Her expression showed her surprise when she began to move. Seana of Caoilinn’s Clan moved with her toward the door.

Sal said to the rest of them, “Follow her.”

When they reached the room, Abbie and Aingeal slipped off their tactical suits. Once they were out of their suit it stood on its own. This caused surprised looks by the doctors and technicians. Caoilinn said, “Li Na, Lena, Lidia and Jóse, you will give Abbie and Aingeal the MRI and CAT scan, just as Dr. Schwartz’s protocol is written. It would be wise to do only what you are supposed to do. These ‘doctors’ can observe this time.”

As directed, the technicians followed the protocol. When they were finished they added the appropriate patient references and saved the data. Once saved, the file was automatically forwarded to off-site storage.

When the CAT scan and MRI tests were complete, Caoilinn’s team moved everyone to the room for the brain wave and sensory response tests. Abbie, seeing that still more time was needed said, “Marta, Lena, Lidia and Li Na, you will do the physical measurements of us next.”

“We are not permitted to do that,” interrupted Jóse causing other technicians to frown.

“Why are you objecting?” asked Caoilinn, tartly.

“I ... don’t want them to suffer Dr. Schwartz’s wrath.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, the management has changed,” said Melanie with a smile. “So relax, let the doctors worry about our intent. The technicians here don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“As you take our measurements, tell your associates, so they can record them.”

“Marta, how do you want to do this?” asked Abbie.

“We can start with your height and weight over here.” As she spoke she moved over to where there was a height measurement chart on the wall.

Li Na said, “Marta, I’ll help you.”

Aingeal went with Lena and Lidia to the nearby scale.

“Abbie, height 208 centimeters,” said Marta.

“Aingeal, weight, 86 kilos,” said Lidia.

“Abbie, underarm chest 109 and under breast chest 101, bust 127, waist 86, hips 96.”

“Abbie, bust measurements equate to a US F cup but would likely be more comfortable with a G cup.”

“Abbie, shoes are 17 extra wide, with eight inch heels.”

“Wait,” said Lidia after recording several of Aingeal’s measurements, “these measurements are almost the same as those Marta measured for Abbie.”

“Some are probably very close,” said Caoilinn.

“Abbie’s back and shoulders have more muscle mass than any other women I have ever seen. They are different from the muscles you see on weight lifters.”

“Did you notice their breasts hardly sag,” added Li Na.

“Yes,” replied Marta, as she began to probe Abbie’s chest and shoulder muscles with her fingers. When she probed the breasts she said, “Their breast tissue feels different. They are much firmer than any others I’ve felt. It’s almost like there are muscles in them. Wait, we don’t really have any significant muscle tissue in or around our breasts.” After a few more probes with her fingers she added, “It feels like there are muscles running from her shoulders down and around her breasts. That is definitely different from what was shown in our physiology books.”

“I agree,” said Lidia, as she had been exploring Aingeal’s shoulders and chest in the same manner. “Also, Aingeal is lactating.”

“So is Abbie.”

With that, the technicians resumed their measurements. They only paused when they reached the women’s crotch. They examined Abbie’s and Aingeal’s vaginas closely. Finally, Marta said, “I am not sure how to describe their vaginal area.”

“I have never seen vaginal tissue like this,” said Lidia, as she bent for a closer look and slid her fingers over Aingeal’s labia. “Both sets of her labia feel as if they have muscle structure in them. Her labia majora is quite prominent and the minora extend at least a centimeter beyond the majora. Wow, she is sensitive. Her clitoris is already pushing back its hood. I’ve hardly touched her and both labia are wet and swollen.”

“She smells very sweet,” said Marta.

“So, ask her if you can taste,” responded Li Na, “based on what I have read about them, she won’t be offended.”

Marta looked up at Abbie who just nodded and then leant back, spreading her legs a little more. She smiled as Marta lightly licked each labia, before pushing her mouth between them. As Marta inserted her tongue deep into the crevasse, Abbie’s cream flowed into her mouth. When Marta pulled back, her face was wet, along with the front of her uniform. “Her cream does taste good. Too bad I can’t have more.” She shifted to examining the muscle structure of Abbie’s legs and taking measurements while she made comments for Li Na to record.

On reaching Abbie’s feet she asked Lidia, “Did you notice the thick pads under their toes, extending back under the joint between the metatarsal and proximal phalanges?”

“Yes. They are different.”

“Did you taste Aingeal’s cream?”

“No, I’m not into that.”

“Bull. You’re not into it as a steady diet. Taste it. Then we can compare notes concerning how to describe it.

“Okay,” responded Lidia, as she looked at Aingeal, who nodded, indicating it was okay. They all watched as she licked Aingeal’s labia and then slid her tongue through the crease between Aingeal’s labia. She finished by kissing Aingeal’s clitoris. When she leaned back on her heels, her face was wet with girl cream, as was the front of her top and she had a smile on her face. “You are right. That is the best girl cream I have ever tasted.”

“I thought you said you weren’t into that.”

“Not as a study diet, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t sampled some. Too bad we can’t do some more sampling.”

“Not today, ladies,” replied Caoilinn. “Finish your notes; we need to finish up so we can start the next evaluation.”

The technicians busied themselves finishing the physical measurements and observation summaries, with Caoilinn’s team monitoring them.

“The sensory sensitivity is next on the list,” said Marta, as she worried about whether they knew the intent of those tests.

“Strip Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Attwall,” said Sal, firmly. The technicians hesitated. “Go ahead, they will comply with your instructions. Besides, they will never be a position to cause you problems.”

Hearing that, all the technicians took surgical scissors and began cutting the doctors’ clothes off. From their actions, it was obvious that they were enjoying the opportunity. They turned their clothes into small scraps. When they finished Sal said, “Dr. Schwartz, lay down on this table!” The doctor immediately moved to lie on the table, although her expression showed her anger. When she was lying down Sal said, “Dr. Attwall, lay down on the other table!” His expression showed fear as his body moved to lie on the table.

Abbie then said to the technicians, “Now strap them down to the examining tables and hook them up for the brain wave and sensory response test, just like her protocol describes.”

Caoilinn’s team watched as the technicians began preparing to shave the two doctors’ heads. “Wait,” said Aingeal, “it doesn’t say to shave their heads.”

“The electrodes work much better on a bare head,” responded Li Na.

“Okay. Why wasn’t that in the procedure?”

“My impression is that they were going to release you, although we’ve never seen them release any patient before.”

“Interesting. Go ahead.” The technicians began shaving the doctors’ heads. As soon as their heads were bare, Jóse and Lena pulled an electrode net tight against them. Pressing the electrodes against the skin drew blood in some places, as the sharp sensors penetrated the skin. With that step completed, Lena and Marta began placing the sticky pads as the others connected the leads to the computer and a signal generator.

Soon Jóse said, “They are ready.”

Caoilinn said, “Start the program.”

On Dóchas, Shannon in Intelligence said to the Command Staff, “We have full control of the buildings network and security system. The downloads of the information have started. The building access is in lock down and it has notified all active users.”

“Shannon,” asked Maureen, “who else is in the building?”

“We are currently surveying the building for occupants. At the moment, it appears that the only people are security guards and those involved with the operation to capture us. However, we haven’t covered all the upper floors, yet.”

“Keep us current on that.”

“Siobhan, ask James and Clarence to meet us behind the stage when the concert ends,” said Sarah.

“You know, I would really like to leave these assholes experiencing their own devices,” said Adam. “The site survey shows some rather horrific torture and interrogation equipment on the lower level.”

“I think we all agree with you,” replied Rusty. “But wouldn’t that cause us more problems, in the long term?”

“While I share Adam’s desire,” said Todd, “I have to agree with Rusty’s idea that handing out justice to these assholes is not in our domain. If this had happened on Dóchas, An Clochán or another settlement of ours, I would have no hesitation.”

“Rusty, I think you have something in mind,” said Sarah.

“Yes, quickly take a look at my idea. Siobhan, if everyone agrees, begin implementation. Now, we need to focus on the concert.”

The first phase of the stimulation program was finishing when Shannon told Caoilinn that they had found the group behind the effort.

“They are at a remote site in Western Virginia. Alpha9 take Alana’s and Nicola’s teams there to check it out.”

Sal said, “Although they’ve been cooperative, probe the technicians and determine why they are here. From their demeanor and bits of their memories, it seems they may have been coerced into being a part of this.”

“Agreed, ” replied Abbie. “How do we want to handle this?”

“Abbie, Melanie, ” said Caoilinn, “take those you want to question up to the dock. Once on the dock, you can ask them about their presence here, either verbally or telepathically.”

“I’ll try telepathically, as I believe that area is being monitored by video and audio.”

Just as Abbie and Melanie were ready ask some of the technicians to go with them, Li Na said, as she looked at Caoilinn, “I would really like to castrate this one.” As she spoke, she squeezed Dr. Attwall’s balls. She then walked over to Dr. Schwartz. “For this one, I would remove her fingers and toes, one joint at a time.”

“Why would you want to do that?” asked Aingeal.

“So they could experience some of the pain they loved inflicting on others, and the awful dreams I now have from being forced to assist them.”

“We are going to leave them here for the Attorney General and Federal Marshals to deal with. You can put the brain wave program on a repeating loop, if you want to. Once it is running, set them up to experience the fucking machines as well, but at a slow, steady, pace.”

“It will be a pleasure.” Before Li Na stepped away from the two doctors, she pinched Dr. Schwartz’s clit, turning it a bright red, and then squeezed Dr. Attwall’s balls with almost enough pressure to rupture them.

Two of the technicians quickly set the brain wave program to run in a repeating loop. Melanie and Abbie then asked several technicians to assist them on the receiving dock.

Caoilinn told Dr. Helm and the Director to strip, and then eased the restraints on their movements. Both men hesitated a moment before complying. Their expressions showed their fear as they hurriedly stripped. Once they were naked, they stood shaking.

While Caoilinn, Aingeal and Sal were considering how to secure them before leaving, Lena said, “If you are considering how to secure them, may I offer a suggestion?”

“Sure,” responded Sal.

“There are two chairs they developed to use during interrogations. They aren’t comfortable and have bindings built into them. There is another signal generator which could add to their discomfort.”

Sal, Aingeal, and Caoilinn looked at each other, then Sal said, “Set it up. Just remember, they need to be in good condition when law enforcement arrives.”

Both groaned when they saw the chairs. The seat had a slot running its full length, and all the flat surfaces were covered with little sharp cones. Once on the chair, a person had just enough movement to permit them to relieve the pressure in one spot, but only by adding to it in another.

When Dr. Helm and the Director were secured in their chairs Sal said, “Someone will soon come for you so just relax and enjoy.” His comment caused everyone to chuckle.

“Come with us,” said Seana to the remaining technicians, as a group went out to the receiving dock.

Once they were on the dock, Lena said, “Where are the others? What are you going to do to us?” Fear was evident on each of their faces.

“We haven’t decided,” said Caoilinn. “This building is in lock down, so no one will be leaving until the Federal Marshals arrive.” She paused a few moments. “All of you appear to be bright, well-trained individuals. We don’t understand why you are working for this group of misfits.” Two started to speak. “No, don’t speak. Bring your memories to the surface, so we can see them, we will then decide whether you should be left here or not.”

The group reviewed the technicians’ thoughts. While none of them were coerced into working there, they stayed because the pay was very good, and they needed the income to support their families. The group learned that the technicians’ duties were to assist the doctors, and clean up after them. None were particularly pleased with working there, and had looked elsewhere with no success. A few suspected that the doctors had blocked them from leaving, because of what they knew about the operation. Contrary to promises made when someone left, they had never heard from any of them again.

“This is the deal,” said Seana. “We can relocate you to some where that is very safe, a location that only we know about. There is only one condition. If you come with us, you have to tell the Justice Department everything you know about what went on here, no hemming and hawing, just the plain simple truth. Before you decide, you should know that the location where we are going is clothing optional. You are not be required to adopt any particular dress style.”

“What about my children?” asked Marta.

“Well, I guess we need to go pick them up. Does anyone else have anyone that needs to join us or be notified?”

The technicians all nodded yes.

“Well that certainly complicates things,” replied Seana. “So that you don’t sway each other, mentally tell us what you want to do, without considering your personal connections.”

“I am hearing that they all want to go,” said Bernadette, “and I think it is the smart thing for them to do.”

“Agreed,” replied all of Caoilinn’s team.

“Now to answer your earlier question, the other technicians are waiting on our ship, where we will be going in a moment. Once we get there we will figure out how to handle your personal connections. Bringing your children will not be a problem as there are others at Comrie. Comrie is the name of the place we are going but we need to make at least one stop before we get there. However, your spouses and significant others are a bit more difficult.

“To get to our shuttle, we need you to walk between us as we go out these double doors.”

“But, you said the building is in lock down,” said Jóse.

“It is, but it will let us leave. If you do as we ask, no one will see you as we walk over to our transportation. Just remember to stay between us.”

The technicians lined up single file, with a member of Caoilinn’s team on each side. As the group approached the door, it opened to let them pass, and then closed. The locks securing it could be heard latching. The group walked, unobserved, a few feet across the parking lot and into a door that appeared in front of them.

The technicians were surprised to find themselves inside the cabin of what looked like an airplane. “Okay, have a seat, before you drop from shock,” said Abbie. “Anyone who would like some refreshment, raise your hand.” One technician gasped as she looked out the window and saw that they were now some distance above the building.

“Yes,” said Caoilinn, “we have lifted off. We need to stay here until another group arrives. The building needs to be monitored while we wait for the Justice Department to take control.

“You will quickly find that we are unique, in that we share virtually everything. So, together, let’s address your issues with significant others, children and family. Who wants to be first?”

It was quiet for a few moments as the technicians glanced around at each other, looking to see who would be first. After a moment Lena took a deep breath and said, “My two children are staying with the next door neighbor.”

“So, would there be any problem with you arriving early and picking them up?”

“Probably not, but she did say they might go out to a movie, or to eat.”

“What is the address, so we can check it out while we cover the other issues?”

Lena told them the address. With that, the other technicians began to share their relevant information.

Behind the stage at FEDEX stadium, James and Clarence were waiting for the concert to end. As they waited, Ellie, Shannon and Danny brought them up to date on the two locations. Alana’s and Nicola’s teams were checking out the location in Western Virginia. Caoilinn’s team was monitoring the building until they could be relieved. When the building lock down was activated, an alarm had sounded throughout the building, indicating a security breach. The alarm had been followed by a message broadcast to all the network terminals. No reason was given to the occupants. No time to resolution was shown in the network announcement either. Network and phone systems were closed off to everyone below the ground floor.

“How did you do that?” asked Ciar.

“Intelligence group, supported by the computer engineers, have taken over the building’s systems. Their efforts made the cavalry approach unnecessary, but the cavalry had already begun making plans.”

“Cavalry?”

“You know, coming in with guns blazing, then riding off with the damsels in distress,” replied Todd, with a large smile on his face. His comment caused everyone to laugh, releasing the tension on their shuttle.

“Guys,” said Sarah, “get ready, as the choir has only two more scheduled songs to sing.”

“We should talk this way so we don’t disturb the concert,” said Claudette. “Besides, this way we can include everyone.”

While the concert continued, Shannon and Lydia kept everyone up to date on the team’s activity in Western Virginia, and the additional information they were obtaining from the computer system.

The choir sang two additional songs in response to the applause and cheers from the audience. When the stage lights dimmed, the choir made their way down to the VIP section.

As the choir was leaving the stage, Sarah said, “Mr. President, during the performance, there was an incident that we need to discuss with you. Fortunately, our Security teams spotted the preparations before it really began, and we were able to neutralize it. There are two locations involved. One team has the occupants at one of the locations in a state of limbo. The second team is just now entering the other site. This can’t last indefinitely. We would prefer to turn the plotters over to your law enforcement staff. They should find it very easy to charge these characters with multiple crimes. We are proposing to meet with you and your staff here, once the audience has left. We anticipate that you will likely want to include Attorney General Murphy, your staff and perhaps some others. We will take care of security, so that anyone in the stadium will only see us talking, but not hear anything that is said.”