“I might be? Who’s Duo?”
“Enjoy the ride,” Tim said as he accelerated the Pod, with Ann rushing alongside.
Because she was inside the beam, like the F-16 pilot, Ann felt no discomfort from the extreme speed or climatic conditions as the Pod headed toward Ann’s new home at 13,466 miles per hour.
*
Tim had carefully searched for a place as far from the geological disturbances as possible and decided on a small town in North Eastern Canada.
As Tim set her on the ground he asked, “Ann, why don’t you come back?”
“No . . . because I have to believe in something or someone bigger than Timtown. It scares me to think that silly place might be all there is. It scares me that you think you have all the answers.”
“No one said Timtown held all the answers.”
“Mr. V said there was no God! I don’t want to hear that!”
“He said; as far as he knows, and I’m working on a solution so we don’t have to stay in Timtown.”
“It will always be Timtown, no matter where we go. I just wish I could forget everything. You don’t know Tim, you will never know!” Ann spit out the last words with venom as she turned and walked quickly away. She was still inside the field, and just before Tim switched it off, Duo erased any memories she had of Timtown and her previous life.
Tim watched from the cloaked Pod, as she walked up to two women with small children and made friends.
Chapter 31
Ann
“I wanted to have this little powwow before the others get here,” the President said to Ed and Samuel Steiner.
“I appreciate you including me,” Steiner said.
“You’re here because I am warning you, not including you.”
“Oh,” Samuel seemed indignant.
“There’s no one here to posture to, so you listen, and you listen good Steiner.”
“I don’t like your tone,” Samuel squawked.
“I don’t give a shit!” The President was not known to be blunt, but he was mad. “You and I are no longer working together for a common good, understand?”
“I understand fully.” Samuel smiled a crooked smile.
“Good, now I’m informing you; the girl is no longer on my plane, so stand down,” the President said.
“What, what happened?” Samuel was fidgeting.
“The kid,” the President said. “Now, we have some work to do,” he said, reaching for the phone.
*
“This is the only interview with any real information that we were able to obtain,” a General said to the President. The men were in a conference room with four other members of the President’s Cabinet, Samuel Steiner, and Ed Adams.
“Shortly after this tape was made the girl disappeared,” the General continued.
“Mr. President, I don’t understand how you can sit there on your duff and remain passive about this unconscionable act of aggression against this country,” stated good old Samuel Steiner.
“Samuel, for one thing; getting all wound up and sticking my duff into everyone’s business is not going to do any good. Second; I do not see this as an act of aggression. The kid gave us a preview of what he was going to do, and he wanted us to know it was a safe operation, with no risk to either us or the girl.”
“My god Mr. President, do I detect an attitude of approval toward this most heinous crime?” the Secretary of State shouted.
“I told you to climb down, and I meant it Samuel. I will not tolerate political maneuvering in this meeting. I’m sure everyone present understands your need to establish your perceived position on this issue.”
“And that is what Mr. President?” The Secretary was visibly annoyed.
“Mr. Secretary, it is no secret, not at least in this room, that the military faction trying to take control of this situation is: either an agent of yours, or visa versa. Now, I understand the checks and balances very well, Samuel. Our laws, so carefully devised by our predecessors to insure that, we, the servants of the people don’t run off with the whole farm are at work. It is necessary, and I have to allow, no that’s the wrong word. I am required, by law, to work within that system. So professionally, I acknowledge and appreciate your views. Personally, Samuel, I also acknowledge, but do not appreciate your position on this issue. This situation is not going to be handled so just a few gain something. As far as I am concerned, you and your boys have enough toys. You had no approval for that stunt you tried to pull out there.”
“We were invited!” the Secretary of State exclaimed.
“Since when is something so delicate hidden from this office?” the President asked as he leaned forward toward Samuel.
“Part of the deal to be made with the second party was that exact point,” Samuel countered. “I was simply acting as your agent.”
“The second party out there and the second party here. You second party shits need to be educated on who’s really in charge,” the President’s voice was stern.
“I had no way of knowing,” Samuel defended, “but back to the present issue. May I remind you of the laws you spoke of, Mr. President?”
“Yes you may, and what is it about them that has you concerned?” the President asked.
“Kidnapping is a serious offense, Sir,” Samuel said.
“I know that, but is it the case here?” the President countered.
“I would think so Mr. President,” Steiner said.
“Mrs. Preston, I think this is within your expertise, can you enlighten us?” the President asked.
“Ah, I haven’t gotten all the information, but from what I do know, there could be a possible case for kidnapping,” Mrs. Preston, the White House’s Chief Council answered.
“Possible kidnapping!” Steiner shouted as he turned back toward the President. “He stole the girl off your plane. He took a goddamn government witness off a goddamn government plane!” There were some serious laws broken, and we should go get him.”
“Ahm, I’m not sure he broke any laws, though,” Mrs. Preston said.
“That’s bullshit, he can’t do that and get away with it,” Samuel growled.
“Mr. Secretary, we don’t know if the girl wanted to stay,” Mrs Preston jumped in. “She wasn’t being held or anything. You defined her as a witness, but I understand she was never subpoenaed, or arrested, or anything.”
“And the same kid asked us to protect her,” the President added. “So you see Samuel, it would be a hard charge to make stick.”
“Especially since he did not break any laws, such as breaking and entering, or use any kind of force, or coercion upon anyone,” Mrs. Preston added.
“Thank you Mrs. Preston. So Samuel,” the President said as he reached for a ringing telephone next to him, “it’s just not the way you want to see it,” he finished as he brought the phone to his ear and listened.
“As soon as you get some more information, let me know,” the President said into the phone and then put it down.
The President gestured to the General who moved toward him and put his head down close to the President’s mouth so the President could speak to him in private.
After a moment the General spoke back softly. “I wouldn’t have thought they would try something so ridiculous either.” The General stood up, walked toward the door and then out of the room. The President swiveled in his chair to face the Secretary of State. There was a stern look on his face.
“What was that all about?” the Secretary of State asked, squirming in his chair under the continuing glare from the President.
“It is all about my plane, Samuel. It seems to be the center of attention today,” the President said in a mocking tone.
“What is that to mean?” Samuel asked, still visibly uncomfortable.
“It means that Air Force One has been intercepted by an overwhelming number of ‘fighter planes’!” The sentence had started slow and low, but built in intensity, ending with the last two words spoken sharp and loud. “It means,
” the President shouted, “that five good men lost their lives trying to fight the son-of-a-bitches off!” He ended the sentence and continued glaring at Samuel Steiner. Steiner was caught off guard and shot a look at the Secretary of Defense. The President not only saw this, but had been counting on it.
“All right you two bastards, I can’t do anything to you, right now, but be advise, someone is going to pay!” The President was furious, his voice shaking with anger. “Samuel, I want this thing ended immediately. You get on the horn and advise whoever is controlling this insanity, that the girl is not on my plane.”
“They won’t believe me, Sir,” Steiner whined.
“Well, tough shit! You and Atkins here had better get this craziness stopped, or I swear, it’s going to be bad for both of you.”
“Mr. President, I am at a loss to what is happening here?” Mrs. Preston asked.
“Oh, yes, sorry, please forgive me. I should have Mr. Atkins there brief you on the situation.” The President looked directly at the Secretary of Defense as he spoke. “Considering he was most likely the individual most responsible, but considering how bad he screwed it up, I will enlighten you myself.” It was obvious the way his lips worked, in tight little movements that the President was angry. “It seems that someone was not aware the girl was no longer on Air Force One and these some-ones have shot down Air Force One’s escorts. At this moment they are forcing my plane to land. Those five pilots that went down, I knew personally.”
“I’m sorry Sir,” Steiner said. “I have to tell you now; it was determined by the Joint Chiefs that the girl be classified as a National Security Risk. Considering—”
“What in God’s name do you people think you are doing?” the President interrupted in a nasty voice. “Am I not supposed to be a part of a decision like that?”
“Sir, now Sir, just a minute, please, let me explain,” Atkins said.
“You do that Mr. Secretary, quickly,” the President snarled.
“Mr. President, you are aware of the alert definitions, the situations that govern the status of our military readiness?” Atkins said sheepishly.
“I thought I was,” the President returned.
“Sir, there is a provision allowing certain situations to be analyzed and acted upon without your immediate participation and or agreement, if certain conditions are present.”
“And that is?” the President asked.
“If your position is in any way compromised, therefore affecting your ability to judge or act accordingly, you may be excluded from the alert classification process. I think you are aware of this provision.”
“Yes I am, but what does it have to do with this act of piracy?”
“We are getting ahead of ourselves. Sir. I was explaining the classification regarding the girl. The military operation that followed was not part of the same reasoning.”
“I see, but I’m still at a loss as to my being excluded from important decisions.”
“Well, Sir, I was getting to that. It was determined, and I believe rightfully so, considering you alone were in possession of the girl, that your judgment had been indeed, compromised. So the Joints had every right to classify her as a Class-One-Security-Threat.” Atkins had barely breathed through the last part and as he finished, he expelled all the pent up air.
“I uh, well Samuel,” the President said as he looked to the Secretary of State, “you two have indeed managed to wriggle yourself out of this one, but now for the other incident. This is some bad shit Mr. Secretary.”
“I can assure you Mr. President, I was not a part of that decision!” Steiner said.
“But you were aware of it?” the President questioned.
“I was aware the plan existed, but I was not aware of the plan being implemented, and that is the truth, Sir.”
“Fucking, slimy, bastard! Oh, I believe you, I do indeed. Good Samuel. I would expect you to be squeaky clean on something as dastardly as this,” the President said. “And, I suppose, Mr. Atkins here is also pretty clean regarding this latest twist. Am I correct on that also?”
“Yes, Sir, I believe so. May I suggest that the Secretary and I get to the bottom of this and then report directly to you? I would also suggest to the Joints, the girl be removed from the high risk file,” Samuel said.
“Yes, considering I no longer have her, I can no longer be compromised, correct? I trust my participation is once again honored?”
“Yes, Sir, I can see no reason to figure differently. Good Sir,” a relieved Samuel Steiner said, as the General returned to the room.
“The crew will land and allow an inspection of the plane, as you ordered, Sir,” the General continued.
“Good, thank you General.” The President then looked sternly at Atkins and Steiner. “I want you two bozos to sit down with whoever the hell is not thinking clearly, and make some sense to them. If that kid can snatch a person in a parachute and deliver him, unharmed, to the ground. Then take a girl out of an airplane flying at forty-five thousand feet, don’t you think he might be a little too much for you clowns to handle?”
“Sir, I wish you would word your dissatisfaction a little better. I do not like to be referred to as a circus act,” Atkins said in a snit.
“If the shoe fits, wear it.” The President turned back to the General. “Let’s take a look at the interview with the girl.”
“Yes, Sir,” said the General as he picked up a remote-controller from the desk.
“This interview was done by a specially trained psychiatrist. The girl was placed under mild hypnosis because that’s the only way we could get anything out of her,” the General said as he pushed a couple of times on the remote.
“You’re sure you got the truth?” the President asked.
“Sir, at this time, how would I be able to discern fantasy from fiction?” the General said.
“I see your point. Let’s get to the interview,” the President said.
*
A large screen popped to life on the far wall. A moment later a picture appeared. Ann was seated in a reclining chair, facing an older man. As the video started they were talking softly, making it unable for the President and his group to hear.
The General adjusted the remote to raise the volume as he spoke. “This was just the preliminary, we haven’t missed anything.”
“Are you still comfortable talking to me?” the Doctor asked Ann.
“Yes, I’m okay,” she answered.
“We talked briefly about the place Tim took you and Arty,” the Doctor said.
“Stop!” the President commanded.
The General stopped the video with his remote.
“Have you seen this interview in its entirety?” the President asked the General.
“No Sir, this is the first time.”
“Damn! Well, go on,” the President said.
“What has you concerned, Sir?” the General asked.
“Tell him Ed,” the President said.
“Arty, he was Tim’s brother, and he was abducted from the VA hospital by Tim and Ann. That’s the last anybody’s seen of him. Tim alluded to the fact that Arty was the second person, the great white hope for Steiner and his bunch,” Ed explained.
“A lot of things could have happened to him,” the General commented.
“Yes, a lot of things, including him really being the second party in this operation. He was a Navy fighter pilot, shot down over Iraq,” Ed said.
“Oh!” the General said.
“Let’s go on, and let’s hope she can clear up this second party thing,” the President said.
“Yes, Timtown,” Ann answered, as the tape continued.
“Yes, that’s the place. Are you comfortable talking about Timtown?” the doctor asked.
“I guess so. I’m not supposed to, though.”
“Who asked you not to talk about it?” the doctor questioned.
“Tim,” Ann answered.
“Do you know why he didn’t want you to discuss it with anyone??
??
“Because it was dangerous.”
“What do you mean by dangerous? What was there to be afraid of there?” The doctor sounded interested for the first time.
“Oh, nothing in there, but Tim was worried someone would use the technology in Timtown to ‘conquer the world’,” Ann said, kind of giggling.
“He was serious about that?”
“Yes, very serious, we fought about it all the time.”
“You didn’t agree with him then, that it was dangerous?”
“What do you mean?” Ann asked sounding confrontational.
“You didn’t think the things in there could be used to conquer the world, and you fought about it?” The Doctor sounded skeptical.
Ann thought for a moment. “I guess. Looking back, Tim was right, but that’s not what we fought about.”
“I see. Can we clarify the two points, one at a time?” the Doctor asked, looking to his notes.
“We can try,” Ann said sounding bored.
“First; the things you referred to before as being contained in Timtown could be used to conquer the world, in your opinion?”
“Yes, of course! Any fool who saw what’s in there would assume the same thing,” she fired at the Doctor.
“Can we talk about these things?”
“I guess so; Arty said it would be okay.”
The President and the rest of the assembled group sat noticeably forward in their chairs. There it was, Arty was for real.
The doctor made a note and then continued.
“Just for the record, who is this Arty person?” the Doctor asked. The only thing he had been briefed about was to try to establish who was in charge of the place were Ann had been.
“Tim’s brother,” Ann said.
“Can you describe the things in Timtown now?”
“Yes.”
The doctor sat for a moment, waiting for Ann to respond, but she said nothing.
“I’m not sure how to continue here. I thought you were going to tell me about Timtown?” the doctor asked.
“There’s too much to just start rambling on about it all.”
“Oh, I see!” the doctor said. “Where to start then? Can you describe Timtown briefly?”
“It’s an alien base that’s really, really old,” Ann said as she sat forward a little and spoke softer, “and it’s run by a computer.”
“How did you find this base?”
“Tim found it after the earthquake, that’s why they decided to call it Timtown.”