Chapter 2: Mysteries and Clues

The black limousine passed through the security gates, and onto the grounds of the Pentagon or the 'Puzzle Palace' as it was sometimes joking called. Coming to a stop at the front steps, General Richard Polk got out and walked up the steps and through the security scanners.

After five minutes of walking, he stepped into the Air Force section of the building, and passed through another security checkpoint. He entered the domain of the generals of the Air Force, and passed by several doors.

As he walked, down the hallway and reached his office, he thought more on what was happing in Reno. Opening the door, he stepped into the office where he saw that Michelle was at her desk.

Corporal Michelle Lewis looked up as the door opened and jumped to her feet and came to attention, and said, "Afternoon, Sir."

Returning her salute, he said, as he walked into his office, "Afternoon Michelle, any messages for me?"

Michelle picked up her note pad and followed General Polk into his office.

"Sir, you have three messages and I got a hold of Commander Hutcheson. He said he could be here at 1:30. He apologizes but he is on his way back from Tennessee and it's the earliest he could meet you. His chopper will be landing at 12:30 at Andrews AFB." Michelle flipped through the messages and continued, "Messages ... Your granddaughter Leslie called to remind you that you promised to take her shopping tomorrow for a new set of skis for her birthday. Lieutenant Colonel Wheat called, and to remind you about your physical on Friday. Your daughter also called, and said to remind you of dinner tonight at 6 pm."

"Thank you, contact my daughter and tell her dinner will have to be later ... no I will have to cancel for tonight. That will be all, for now."

Walking to his desk, he sat down, pulled out his laptop, and fired it up. As the computer booted up he pulled out the folder in his briefcase. Opening it, he started reading the FBI report on Kenneth Thompson.

Michelle set the pad on the desk, went to the coffee pot, filled a cup for the general, grabbed a report off her desk, and carried them into the general's office. She set the cup of coffee down on the desk, just as the he was going to call out.

"Here you go Sir."

Richard read the information on Kenneth's family: John Thompson retired First Lieutenant USMC age 56, wife Martha Thompson age 45, one sister Jenny Thompson age 18.

"Michelle? Coffee ... oh thank you, Michelle." Lifting the cup and taking a sip he said, "Michelle have you been watching the news on what is going on in Nevada?"

Startled that he even asked her opinion, she said, "Yes, Sir. I have."

Richard waited for more of a response and when she did not continue, he asked, "What do you think is going on?"

Michelle thought back to a conversation she overheard in the elevator at her apartment and said, "There are a lot of rumors going around. Some are saying it is a secret US ship. Others are saying its extraterrestrial in origin and that they are responsible for the destruction of Reno."

Closing the folder, he took another sip of his coffee and he said, "Say it's a ship here to help us, and they asked for volunteers. Would you take them up on their offer? Would you be able to leave everything behind you?"

Michelle stood there thinking on his questions, "Sir, I just don't know, I would need more information before I jumped into anything."

Richard thought for a second and said, "Okay, what if they offered you free medical, cures for any disease you have or may get, and the chance to go the stars to explore the galaxy, and see what is out there. But the only requirement would be you would have to give up your citizenship, and join their Federation. Would you do it?"

Michelle quickly said, "Free medical and cures for any disease would be good, but give up my home country? I don't know if I could do that. I love my country. I would also need more information before I did anything so drastic. Could I ask why?"

Richard thought on the possible security breech but the information is bound to come out so he said, "Well, it seems that this Admiral Thompson is an American, born and raised outside of Reno. We assume his family is onboard the ship."

Michelle replied, "Sir, could I have some time to think on this, and give you a better report in the morning?"

"Okay thank you, Michelle," Richard watched her walk out and continued, "And Michelle?" When she stopped and looked back at him, he said, "We didn't talk about this."

With a grin, she said. "Talk about what, Sir."

Richard chuckled at her sense of humor.

"Get me some more coffee."

She walked out the door saying, "Yes, Sir."

Richard went back to reading the reports that had piled up on his desk, while he was at the White House.

The image changed: Tammy, sitting in medical, crying while she held Ken's hand.