OCTOBER 8TH, 1600 HOURS (1500 HOURS MOUNTAIN TIME)
Colonel Jennings took the AN/PRC-152 radio from Major Fredericks’ hand. She pressed the necessary buttons and put it to her ear. “Colonel Jennings here, sir.”
“Colonel, like I expected. The hull is showing its power again.”
“Can you explain that, sir?” Never cared much for that fat bird, she realized, hearing the Rivet Joint’s background sounds blaring through in General Tauring’s call.
“I’m just flying over you now and the computer processing the 1200 power telescope is flashing images past me like m240 bravo. I’m having them printed out. But bottom line is, the hull is allowing both telescopic views and printed photos of the subway. And I know as we discussed earlier this is probably redundant, given the hull functions interdimensionally, but still, it’s good to rule it out. Seven miles away. Quite the range.”
She looked all around the subway car. Like she mentioned moments ago to her team members, the car’s white base, light yellow-green trim, and metallic wheels yet glimmered brighter than in any of the underground rooms. “Sir. The hull is simulating the sun’s light reflecting off the subway’s surfaces.”
“It’s all about power and control, Colonel. Does what it wants to impress, when it damn well sure feels like it. Colonel, you look lost down there. Can you see the Rivet up here?”
She looked up. Sunlight touching, warming her face felt wonderful and the nearly cloudless blue sky was eye candy for her body and soul. And there it was, the Rivet slowly streaking its path across the sky, the jet engines faint but audible. “Yes, sir. I see you.”
Electronic beeping filled the general’s background, overpowering the Rivet’s sounds. “Hold on, Colonel. Stevens is contacting me.”
Her thoughts more relaxed, she gazed around the subway. Major Fredericks yet stood nearby. The DFRs she had brought up kept their eyes peeled, being good OPs, searching around for any curious civilians sneaking along the fence border. Her other team members were near the subway’s front end, discussing the means to get the subway back down below.
She looked up again. The Rivet was nearly beyond their position traveling in its southwest course.
“Colonel!” General Tauring’s voice cracked loudly, rattling the radio. “Delta alert! Delta alert!”
Instantly her pulse shot up, but she kept her cool. “Sir. Should we bring the subway down now?”
Two of the DFRs suddenly ran in the direction behind her.
“Oh my God!” General Tauring said. “Colonel! Turn around. All seven are up on that ridge!”
She turned toward the high ridge, the DFRs running straight for the ridge themselves, and she stared with an eagle’s eye. Quickly she located the hull people. Barely visible, their size so small, the distance so vast, they stood huddled together in a small group along a section of fence. “No way, sir. I see them!” Then, suddenly, they vanished. “Sir! They just disappeared!”
The DFRs kept heading toward that same location even so.
“What?” General Tauring didn’t speak for about ten seconds. “God damnit, Colonel. Get that subway down, now! Out.”