Episode 50

Chapter 216

Major General Edwards

4:40 pm, November 4th, 2006

10:40 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)

To say that General Hambright was annoyed was not doing justice to the concept of annoyed. Epically enraged did not cover how he was feeling either, but it at least came closer to the truth.

He had just spent the past eight minutes telling me why.

A few things sunk in from his tirade.

At this point, I couldn't be bothered with military protocol. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"You heard me."

"I did and it makes no sense. Didn't you get a truce of sorts going with the Density Force???"

"Yes. And somebody on your end broke it. Somebody sent an attack force from Diego Garcia to attack Camp Carter. Have you the slightest idea what could happen?"

"Yes. We lose the entire strike force." I told him.

"If we are lucky, that's all that will happen. Another possibility is that they wipe out the attacking force and then go after the base that sent them. The worse case scenario is that the Density Force comes after us here."

A communications officer handed me a message.

"Excuse me."

"You I can excuse. I don't think you are stupid enough to have given the orders. But god help who ever did. Because nothing else will be able to save that person's ass."

I tuned Hambright out after that. I read the transmission instead.

"From: The Egg"

I shook my head wondering if they really thought that the Density Force would not figure out Benedict Arnold from the egg reference. One thing we did learn for sure about that group is that you did not get in simply because you could walk and talk at the same time. Stupid people need not apply to them. I returned my attention to the message.

"To: The Confessor"

Could the code people get anymore obvious? Did they think nobody ever heard of Edward III of England? At least I knew that the message sent to me would be worth reading. I'm sure nobody would subject themselves to such code issues without there being a hell of a good reason.

"Message: Have you gone mad? A force from Diego Garcia just attacked. What about the truce? Jacob was up this time. He gave orders to destroy them to make an example. I was able to countermand the orders enough to destroy the fighters in such a way that the pilots could eject. I seriously suggest you talk to every base personally. Let them know how Colt is out of favor. Do something please before 'shoot to kill' is really carried out.

Signed: Benedict"

Oh dear. That signature. That means that this message is vitally important.

Well, she did not need to use it. The second sentence of the message would have got that reaction from me.

"General Edwards?"

"I'm here. I just received confirmation from my source. Let's just say I think Colt had a hand in it."

"I should have known."

"But that's not the worst part of the news."

"Tell me then."

"Jacob Stone is awake. He is awake and he decided to make an example of the attackers. Stone's orders were to shoot to kill."

Chapter 217

President Twiggery

5:01 pm, November 4th, 2006

11:01 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)

I was standing at the window.

There was a sudden ripple effect and something became visible on the White House grounds. Then what could have been landing lights came on.

I was turning to see exactly what it was when an on overly enthusiastic Secret Service agent tackled me.

"Sorry about that, Sir." he told me, not sounding sorry in the slightest.

That didn't bother me. Anybody willing to take a bullet for me as part of their job description earned a lot of lenience. "What's going on?"

The Secret Service agent was too busy on the phone to answer me immediately. "Lockdown. Put the House under lockdown. Send for the heavy equipment. Everybody, get their Principals to the bunker." The agent hung up without even waiting for a response. "Come on, Mr. President. We have to get you to safety."

"What's going on?"

"A strange craft landed on the White House lawn."

"I didn't see anything land." I replied as I started to follow him.

"That's what has us moving like this. It just appeared out of thin air."

I stopped. "It appeared out of thin air? Is that what you just said?"

"Correct. Come on Mr. President. We have to keep moving."

"It appeared out of thin air and has not attacked?"

"Right, Sir."

"Make contact. I'm betting its General Colt."

"Yes, Sir. Come to the bunker while I do this." He started pulling me.

I went along. I should have known that it was impossible to stop them when there are in their overprotective mode.

Chapter 218

Secret Service agent.

5:05 pm, November 4th, 2006

11:05 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)

I approached the UFO as ordered.

It just sat there defying any number of federal laws just as its arrival defied any number of physical laws.

The first thing I thought of as I reached the point my superiors decided was close enough was that it was kind of stupid to call this thing an unidentified flying object as it was not at the moment flying.

The second thought to go through my head was the spot my superiors decided was close enough was in my opinion, entirely too close. I'd rather be doing this by cell phone from... I don't know, Finland perhaps. There was nothing what so ever in my training to cover this.

The third thought that went through my head was to wonder why I did not choose to be a pizza delivery driver. So what if my mother said it was more dangerous. I bet the current situation never happens to pizza delivery drivers. Not even the ones who work in California.

Oh well. Time to do it. "Attention trespassing craft. This is Agent Luke Lukins of the Secret Service. You have landed on White House grounds in violation of at least a dozen federal statutes. You are ordered to identify yourself and ready yourself for detainment."

I head a loudspeaker come on. "That will not be necessary."

"We believe it will. Come out now. Otherwise we will be forced to get you out."

"Exactly how do you plan to do this? The treasonous group we stole this ship from built it well. We could sit here until you run out of things to shoot without being in any danger. If you would be so kind as to inform our God Given President that General Colt is here and ready for him, I would be glad."

"Oh great. Another fanatic." I leaned into my mike. "Command?"

"Report."

"They refuse to come out. They did however turn on a speaker. Somebody named Colt claims that they are here at the President's request."

"Stand by."

Chapter 219

Colt

5:11 pm, November 4th, 2006

11:11 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)

I sat there and waited. "If the military had nothing to stop the Montezuma's revenge, then I'm certain the Secret Service would not. Just to be sure, leave the shields up until I say otherwise."

"Yes, Sir."

Then I just sat there and waited. Either they would believe me or not. No matter which choice they made, something had to happen sometime.

"Attention trespassing craft."

I sighed. Time for Act Two. "I hear you."

"This is Agent Grupp of the United States Secret Service. I have a message for General Colt from the President of the United States."

"And what does God's Agent on Earth have to say?"

"The President wishes confirmation that General Colt is aboard."

"I am he."

"Very good. Stand by. The President will be out in a few minutes."

I pushed the mute button. "Keep an eye on the scanners. The moment somebody approaches the shields, drop them. I don't want to risk crushing the God Given President because this stupid thing won't listen to us."

"Yes, Sir."

"I'll be waiting at the entrance. Tell them that if they call again."

"Yes, Sir."

I left the bridge.

Chapter 219

The President of the United States.

5:11 pm, November 4th, 2006

11:11 am November 5th, 2006 (local time)

"This way, Mr. President."

I followed eagerly. I could not wait to see the craft that was going to help America win its proper ascendancy of the earth.

What I saw was interesting. It looked like an odd form of flying shuttle bus with a bluish field surrounding it. I had almost reached the edge of the field when a voice stopped me.

"Stop right there!" a voice called out.

"General Colt?"

"Yes, Mr. President." There was a pause. "Have you dropped the shields yet?"

"Yes, Sir. Shields dropped."

The bluish haze had vanished.

"Excellent. Stand by, Mr. President."

The ship's hatch opened.

General Colt stepped down.

"Welcome home, General Colt."

"Thank you, Mr. President. It has been too long since I was in the presence of a real American."

"I know. I'm proud of the troubles you gave those bastards. Is this it?" I pointed to the ship.

"Yes, Mr. President. This is the ship we needed to get. Would you like a tour?"

"Certainly."

A Secret Service agent interposed himself between me and the ship. "I'm sorry, Mr. President, but I must object. We have no idea how safe that thing is."

"Do not worry." I reassured him. "That craft is probably safer that my chopper. I'm taking this tour."

The agent stepped slowly aside, muttering something about stubborn Principals.

"This way, Mr. President." General Colt invited.

I followed.

"Welcome to the Montezuma's Revenge. This used to be the Hades before we liberated it from the traitor. I'm going to give you a guided tour."

"You know the names of the rooms?"

"Not the names the traitor gave them and I don't care. Now, this is the boarding room. People board and exit the ship from here. It is, as far as our research has shown, the only way on and off of the ship. There is room for up to fifteen people here to be ready to disembark on command."