Chapter 12
The hike down Mt. Roraima was long and arduous. When they finally got back to the base campsite, their guide and his porters all Pemón Indians had vanished with barely trace. Left with no food or shelter the four rested trying to recuperate from exhaustion, bug bites, slip, falls, and many other minor injuries. The incessant rain did not seem to help matters leaving them wet and chilled to the bone. To reach the Pemón village of Paraitepui they will need to cross at least two possibly swollen rivers from all the rain followed by a long stretch of savanna.
Reaching the Pemón village was far more arduous than they thought. When they finally arrived, the fear inside the village was so palpable a knife could cut it. Hiding in their huts the villagers refused to show themselves even when they called out for help the villagers refused them aid. Besides the stark fear they were causing the villagers, none of four knew the basic language of the Pemón people a Native American language of the Cariban family compounding the problem. Not sure, what to do now they started speaking the universal language of money waving it in their hands drawing the Pemón people slowly and cautiously from their huts. It appeared the chance of making money overcame their innate fear of the gods of Mt. Roraima come down from the mountain to smite them with their immense power. They each bought food to eat and received healing salves for the innumerable bug bites and abrasions. While in the village, they saw no sign of their guide or the porters that had stolen their tents and supplies. With additional money and the knowledge that they would be leaving the village in peace, they hired a truck and driver to take them to the town of Santa Elena and back to the Yakoo Lodge.
After a couple days resting at the lodge, they found themselves arriving in Denver Colorado clean for a change and well rested. They quickly rented a car and headed north on Highway 36 through Boulder to the city of Estes Park which had grown exponentially since the war with the advent of New Washington DC being easily within driving distance. Once they passed through the bustling city, they picked up Highway 34 that meandered like the lazy flow of a river northwest, southwest, back and forth until it turned in a more southerly direction through the mountains.
Finally, reaching the first checkpoint leading to the White House grounds, the marines at the gate checked their identities with retinal scanners determining their identities quickly hurried them through the gate. Quickly approaching the second checkpoint, the marines waved them through without stopping them, something highly irregular and only done rarely for high-level dignitaries. By this time, they knew something is seriously wrong when they came to the final checkpoint with its massive gate standing wide open, cars ahead of them pulled to the side and marines waving them quickly through the gate. They drove down a short four-lane drive soon entering a massive hole in the side of the mountain leading to an underground parking garage reserved for visitors and government employees. Suddenly, a group of armed marines stopped them at a lowered gate whisking them off to the elevators leading to the Walkway of Death.
The walkway got its name because the designer created it to kill anyone or anything trying to enter the White House unauthorized. The large heavy steel flash doors at each end would slam shut sealing the walkway from the White House and the outside thus trapping anyone inside. The lasers lining the walls of the hundred-yard walkway with drop tubes for antipersonnel armor piercing grenades will initially take out personnel and light armored vehicles. Missile launchers are in place on the White House end with tank killer missiles that could destroy most if not all types of heavy tanks. If that did not stop them, the tunnel is wired with enough explosives to collapse the entire thing. As the disguised agents reached the tunnel, they were more than a little nervous especially the twins because they suspected their vaunted security system and been breached, their identities known, and they wanted to know by who.
Walking quickly down long corridors, up elevators and down more corridors they finally managed to reach the large lobby in front of the Oval Office. Walking through a gauntlet of offices, they barely noticed people waiting in long rows of chairs for specific government officials or hoping for a chance to speak with the president. Some watched with apathy and the rest ignored the marines hurrying the disguised agents through the lobby before many who have been waiting for hours directly to the Oval Office doors. The lead marine opened the door ushering them quickly inside the Oval Office shutting the door behind them.
Sitting behind his desk the president eyed each of them before waving his hand inviting them to sit in the proffered chairs purposely arrayed in a half-moon fashion directly in front of his desk. Waiting for the agents to get comfortable, he scrutinized them once more amazed at the quality of their disguises.
“Well boys I have to say these disguises are one of your best yet. Although making yourselves twins might have not been the best idea but I still can’t tell you apart,” President Jackson said drolly. When Allen punched George in the arm and whispered I told you this was a dumb idea elicited a laugh from the president, they quickly returned their undivided attention to him. “Agents Tony DeLuca and Christopher Markowski I am not totally sure why you would get yourselves mixed up with these two guys but I am sure you will explain it to me later,” Walker heard a chorus of yes sirs from them returning his attention to the twins. “So how was your vacation on wet and rainy Mt. Roraima? Did you and our missing friends find what you were looking for?” This time when the twins mouths fell wide open with a look of pure shock on their faces Walker could not help chuckling.
“Mr. President we do have a lot to tell you, but could you tell us how we were compromised considering the complexity of our security system and our disguises?” Allen asked tentatively.
“Judith shall we let them on our little secret?”
“Why Walker it is as good a time as ever. Besides I am tired of running around behind their backs after all,” Judith concluded by presenting a smaller version of herself than the one at the warehouse. Suddenly, around the room were moving satellite images of them trekking Mt. Roraima, even one of the twins relieving themselves behind some trees.
“Judith please I know we built into your programming a comical sense of humor to make things fun, but did you have to show that one?” they asked together in a shocked tone quickly recovering from another debilitating earthquake that rocked their world. With those present in the room laughing, they could not help but think about the humor of the situation laughing right along with them.
Quickly bringing the room back to the seriousness of what they are discussing the president began speaking. “You boys seem to forget I was punching cows with my daddy on our ranch when you were a twinkle in your daddy’s eyes. As thorough as I know you both are, and by the way it is why I have you around and not here merely for the laughs, I know you have dug up every secret you could on me am I correct in saying that?” Walker asked and when the twins nodded their heads in unison he continued. “Well then you very well know I was head of naval intelligence for much of my career in the navy. I gained very valuable skills while at that post and met a lot of very interesting people so I learned enough to be the best in the world at what I do. Therefore, why don’t you tell me everything, oh and boys only one of you speak at a time. Did I ever tell you it drives me crazy when you both speak at the same time?” he asked jovially. When they finished, he sat unmoving for a moment contemplating what he had heard. At one point after looking at the scroll George had given him, he had asked to see one of the medallions admiring its beauty.
“While you guys were vacationing on Mt Roraima, I was not resting on my laurels waiting for you. I was busy sending Scott off in one direction while Judith and I were looking for any trends and common occurrences. Scott brought me some information he dug up and it flagged Judith and me to a trend that had been nagging at me. Here let us give you some examples so it will be easier to explain. Judith let’s start with Oleg Grekov in Russia,” an image appeared of him and a list of names under his. “He was born on September 19, 2963, m
aking him sixty-five years old but when they found his body it looked to be over a hundred the same as with the others. As I am looking through all of this, I started noticing usually only one body was found with a lot of missing people showing up later. I kept asking why when I started looking at the data Scott supplied when I noticed a peculiar common trend. I asked Judith to do a search for any missing persons from the date that the body was found forward. A security officer for the Russian Defense Ministry went missing Natalia Yeltsin then shortly after an Alexey Kasyanov, a computer maintenance officer for the Russian Defense Ministry disappeared. Here is where we found the common trend you see Vadim Demeltyev he went missing shortly after them and he is a mortician. The mortician aspect of this is the prevalent on most of the cases. Therefore, what we have is a spy in the Russian government that has worked its way up the chain of command to a security level higher than the clearance of computer maintenance officer. I believe creature finds a mortician assimilates them then the additional bodies are cremated to not alarm any authorities. What I don't know is if the creature can change back to one of its previous victims ” Walker concluded sitting back in his chair waiting while they looked at all the images Judith had around the room pleased to note the expressions of growing understanding on their faces.
“It appears every major would power has at least one mole possible more. We have at least one here compromising us,” Tony offered.
“Correct only four people beside me knew all the details of the mission, Scott Anderson my aide, Secretary of Defense Young, CIA Head Boguslawski, and Director of the FBI Lopez. Authorities in Chicago found a retired airline pilot named Joseph Green dead his body looked to be over a hundred years old. They found his naked body in the public restroom still in the stall and no one saw a thing. Now we just learned we have a mortician," pausing for a moment with a thoughtful expression on his face the president continued, "oh yeah his name is Jack Hall and he went missing in Estes Park. It only gets better fellas I have a lower-level CIA operative that says she has information that we might find useful regarding the mall massacre and has requested a meeting with Scott Anderson.
“Is Scott going to be here sir?” Tony asked.
“Any minute he should be here. Judith, can you switch to stealth mode for a moment? For now Scott has not been told about Judith, and I want to keep it that way.”
“I have tracked his location sir he should be here in one-minute,” Judith advised.
“At this point you do not know how the medallions work other than they will protect you and warn of the presence of these creatures is that a fair assessment?” Walker asked, looking at each of them.
“With a very limited understanding of them and their specific uses, I can agree with that assessment. We hope to learn more as time goes on but the medallions seem no different from when we first got them,” Chris answered for them all.
Following a quick knock on the door Scott walked in dressed impeccabley as ever in a navy- blue suit, white shirt and matching tie while the agents are wearing casual business dress in keeping with their character. "I am sorry Mr. President I did not realize you had a meeting in progress. I will return when you are ready for me,” Scott apologized with an embarrassed expression backing toward the door.
“No Scott please stay you are part of this meeting, please come stand by my desk will you,” the president commanded. Scott quickly went and stood on the right side of the president facing the agents. “Anything at all fellas,” when they shook their heads no the president turned to Scott who had a questioning look on his face.
“Respectfully, Mr. President may I ask who these men are and what the purpose of this meeting is,” Scott questioned.
“Scott now that this little test is over please rest assured you will be brought up to speed. For now, all you need to know is that these are my personal agents, in disguise of course because they recently returned from a mission. Can one of you please show Scott the beautiful medallions you are wearing?” George quickly got up and stood before Scott presenting the medallion for him to see.
“The medallion is very beautiful sir but what does it have to do with any of this?” Scott asked as George returned to his seat.
“It has everything to do with this Scott. Judith is Marie Gonzalez on the way here?” Scott's confused look on his face had the four agents stifling their laughter. The president was definitely at the top of his game and Scott was way out of his league, for that matter they might be too.
“Yes Walker she is now on the floor below us headed to the east elevators. Walker will you introduce me to Scott at this time or do you want me to return to stealth mode?” Judith asked in a professional tone she appeared to have perfected in her programming. To Scott’s credit, he had recovered quickly from the shock and waited patiently for the president’s decision.
“Please forgive me Judith I will do so when we brief Scott a little later today. Is Marie getting close Judith?”
“She will be her in approximately two minutes Walker.”
“Thank you Judith you have been very helpful. You guys quickly move those chairs back and away a little forming a gauntlet for her to walk through. Scott, be prepared to answer the door.” Quickly responding they moved the chairs into position as the president asked. “Do any of you see or feel anything different with your medallions?”
“Mine feels warm to the touch Mr. President. How about you guys?” Tony asked, each nodded simultaneously taking them out from under their shirts quickly taking their seats.
Instantly after each of them was in their places, a quiet knock on the door followed. Looking at the president for permission to open the door, Scott waited until he saw a barely perceptible nod of the president’s head before opening the door. In walked a tall willowy beauty with long dark-brown hair and brown eyes wearing an extremely short tight fitting black dress showing her cleavage with matching black high heel shoes. Quickly closing the door behind her, Scott could see the medallions glowing brightly around the necks of the agents. Suddenly, the thing changed from a beautiful woman into the hideous creature it truly is. Screaming in rage with speed greater than anyone imagined it quickly moved toward the president who sat there calmly with not a speck of fear on his face. Suddenly, beams of pure light emanated from all four of the agents hands striking the creature turning it into a fine black ash before it could reach the president. Deafening silence followed inside the office and outside the Oval Office after the creatures scream. The medallions quickly returned to normal but not the wearers sitting there in mind-numbed shock at the unexpected display of power.
“I have to say you guys made it look much easier than I thought it would be,” Walker said shattering the silence and bringing the agents out of their self-induced shock. The Oval Office door abruptly flew open followed by two Secret Service agents and two heavily armed marines.
“Is everything fine Mr. President?” one of the agents asked very concerned.
“Everything is fine Agent Hall thank you for your prompt response,” Agent hall was your typical agent wearing their intimidating black suits, white shirts and black ties.
“We heard a scream of some kind where is agent Gonzalez sir?” Agent Hall asked, looking about the room. With a questioning look on his face, he quickly noted the black dust on the floor but his attention quickly returned to the president.
“She was only her for a moment and left on an urgent task,” the president answered with a reassuring expression on his face.
“With all due respect sir I do not think we have any evidence she has left this room,” Hall said assuredly.
“Go check again Agent Hall I am sure you will see she was her for less than a minute and left very quickly. Thank you again but that will be all,” taking their cue the agents left closing the door behind them. “Judith, are you on it?”
“I sure am Walker I have her leaving the office and now she is heading down to the lower levels. I will continue the video showing her to eventually leave in a car
assuring that all the retinal and badge scans to match.”
“Great work Judith! It appears we now know what you boys can do. We need to work out the details on how we are going to eradicate this planet of these creatures. We also have to clean up our house and put it in order. That brings us to the three others that knew about the mission. I have all of them coming here on the pretext of a short meeting to discuss national security. We will need to do the same test as before to determine who has been compromised.”
“All three could be compromised Mr. President,” Allen stated in a matter-of-fact manner.
“True Mr. President all the assassins were human beings that were turned in some way none were creatures so we don't know for sure if the medallions will detect them. All the reports seem to agree they did not act normally, they acted like automations of what a human should be but not real in a sense. It is hard to explain but the best way to describe it is they act like those programmed robotics devices used in surgery and things like that,” Scott concluded, shrugging his shoulders.
“Scott those soldiers in on the rescue I want them thoroughly investigated and possibly brought in the fold as part of the team. Make sure they are unmarried, no girlfriends or boyfriends, with no family ties whatsoever. We will need to set up a complete network of our own agents to help us ferret out the spies and any moles so we can make them quietly disappear. No branch of government or agency must know about any facet of this operation. Eventually, certain members of congress will be brought in but they will have to be thoroughly vetted first. I do not have to tell you the evil that we face is of the great interest in national security and will be priority one for us.