Post contact first days, p.11
Post Contact: First Days, page 11
Browning tried to put a positive spin on the situation. ‘First door to the right I’ve allocated to the guard detail. To the left is set up as a visitor room. Next door on the right is showers and toilets, opposite is a kitchen and dining area – that’s where Sergeant Grant has set up the TV for you. Beyond that, the next two rooms have been left empty and the furthest away rooms set up as sleeping quarters.’
The smell of cooking wafted along the corridor, and Jamie suddenly realised how hungry he was. They hurried into the kitchen where a marine was busy turning bacon, he looked round with a smile.
Browning rested a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. ‘Look, I’ll leave you in peace to eat. My troop has been allocated responsibility for your protection. If you want anything, just ask. Most of them know you, even if you don’t know them personally. Any problems, have them call me over. I’ll come back in a while, get you up to speed, even if you won’t say much to me.
‘But be warned, Dower and his entourage are on their way here from the States, post-haste. Flying into Edinburgh, and I understand there’s a helicopter waiting there to bring them up here to Condor.’
Chapter 26. RM Condor
After a decent breakfast and showers, Jamie and Steph both felt more human. They settled down at the kitchen table and spent the morning speculating on what might happen next. Browning had popped in a couple of times to check on them, but they recognised he was under pressure and had little time to chat.
Just as Jamie’s thoughts were turning toward lunch, they heard the roar of a Chinook helicopter powering overhead. ‘That’ll be General Dower arriving,’ said Jamie. Then quiet returned; the helicopter had landed.
Some ten minutes later the peace was again disturbed by voices at the entrance to the billet. They could make out Browning’s among a mix of American accents. Then the kitchen door was swung wide open and bodies crowded in as Steph and Jamie stood up.
‘Sir, this is Captain MacAulay, Army Air Corps, and his friend Professor Stephanie Simpson, a scientist at the University of Edinburgh.’ Browning addressed the big, grizzled man dressed in a smart lounge suit then turned to Jamie and Steph. ‘This is General Dower. He and his team have some questions for you both. The Ministry of Defence has asked that I act as a liaison officer for them and to ensure you have everything you might need.’
‘Thank you, captain,’ said Dower, as he stepped clear of the throng gathered at the doorway and crossed to the kitchen table. He sat and waved a hand to invite Steph and Jamie to resume their seats.
‘That’s some bird you’ve flown in on,’ said Dower.
‘Yes, sir, it is,’ said Jamie.
The general waved his entourage into the room. Jamie immediately recognised Captain Besinski; he didn’t know the others. ‘Let me introduce you both to my team,’ said the general. ‘This is Colonel MacMillan, my flying expert, Chief Rivers who monitors civilian engagement, and you know Captain Besinski, of course. He now heads up my project’s security.’
Jamie and Besinski exchanged nods of recognition amid a general exchange of pleasantries while the visitors took seats at the table. Then the general got straight to the point.
‘Captain MacAulay, tell us, where have you been these past two months, and how did you take control of that craft?’ The general stopped talking, and the room was silent, everyone waiting for Jamie’s response.
‘General, I’d love to help you, but I’m afraid before I can say much, I need to get some assurances as to my and my friend’s position, and I need to understand what your motivation is.’ Jamie crossed his arms and looked the general in the eye.
‘Captain, I understand you are in a special position. But I must remind you, you are a serving officer, albeit on leave of absence, and I am a general.’
‘Yes, sir, a general in the American military. You are entitled to respect for your rank, but I am not presently situated within your jurisdiction nor am I under your direct command.’
The general gave a tight smile. ‘You’re right, captain, but how long do you think it will take for me to organise a direct order from within your own chain of command that will instruct you to cooperate?’
Jamie straightened up. ‘I wrote to the Ministry of Defence earlier this morning. With all due respect, sir, until I have a message in direct response to my own correspondence, followed up by a conversation with the relevant British staff officers, I will say nothing to you or anyone else. Sir.’
Rivers had bristled at Jamie’s initial refusal to deliver his information to the general. The more expansive refusal proved too much. Banging his fist on the table, he leant forward and jabbed a finger at Jamie. ‘You tell the general what he needs to know.
‘I’ve worked on this for years, and now we’ve got evidence and quality artefacts to work with, nobody is going to obstruct us, nobody! Tell the general what we need to know, or believe me, we’ll get you back to the States, and I’ll make sure—’
‘Sorry, who are you exactly? I know General Dower by sight and reputation. You … you’re a civilian; there are no circumstances under which you can influence my actions,’ said Jamie.
‘Thank you, Rivers, but there’s no need for unpleasantness. We’re all on the same side. Let’s wait for the captain to have a conversation with his superiors and then I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to answer our questions,’ said the general.
He was annoyed that Jamie was obstructing him but, at the same time, recognised exactly why the British officer was doing so. He would expect any American officer in the same position to respond in like manner. The general stood, and everyone else rose too.
‘Sir, at least he could show us how to open the craft. I’ve people standing by doing nothing.’ Rivers could not hide his frustration.
‘No, we’ll wait for Captain MacAulay to receive his orders. It won’t take long. In the meantime, feel free to learn what you can from the exterior.’ The general nodded toward Jamie and Steph then turned to exit the building, followed by his entourage.
Jamie and Steph headed outside and stood on the front step with Browning, watching the Americans retreat toward the great canvas that now completely shielded the craft from view. Two marines had been posted on guard, a little to one side of them stood half a dozen civilians, all looking expectantly toward the general’s group that now approached them.
‘Just a minute, I know him,’ said Jamie.
‘Who?’ said Steph.
‘The big man standing with the other civilians beside the marquee, older, a little unkempt. Don’t you recognise him?’ Jamie was staring intently.
Browning shaded his eyes and stared toward the marquee. He spotted Modiac. ‘I do. By God, it’s that American civvie who was going to have you both shot on Reahlagh!’
Steph gave a little shudder. Events of recent weeks had helped her forget having stared down the barrel of a pistol. All three continued to watch as Rivers peeled away from the general’s party to confer with the waiting civilians. It suddenly all came back. She gently pressed her shoulder against Jamie’s.
‘Well, we know where Rivers stands,’ said Browning, watching the big roughhewn American turn with Rivers to look back toward them. Browning gave a wry grin. ‘Let’s hope whoever gets in touch with you from the MoD understands the nature of some of the people we’ve got here.’
The three turned to regard the edge of the hangars, where a huge low loader suddenly swung into view led by a Military Police escort vehicle. Rivers, Swires, and Modiac all became animated immediately. They paced about and waved the truck in toward the marquee while the rest of their cronies took a pace backward.
‘What’s going on?’ said Steph.
‘I think they intend to move your craft, shift it somewhere properly undercover,’ said Browning, seeing a crane follow the low loader into view.
‘They can’t do that, can they?’ said Steph, turning to Jamie. He gave her a little smile and shrugged. Then, almost theatrically, he leaned against the doorpost to watch events unfold.
A squeal of breaks was followed by several shouts as Rivers’ men pulled away the marquee to reveal Jamie’s craft. The MPs waved the marine guards to one side, and Rivers’ civilian team immediately hooked up the crane. Then ran heavy, steel tow cables from the twin drums behind the low loader’s driver cab.
‘Jamie, what can we do?’ said Steph.
‘It must be approved; the Military Police are involved,’ said Browning. ‘I’ll go over and see if I can hold them back for a while, at least check out who authorised this.’
‘Relax. Let’s just see what happens,’ said Jamie.
‘You’re taking this very calmly,’ said Browning as cables tensed and drums began to groan.
They watched Rivers, Swires, and Modiac become yet more animated, urging the crane driver to apply more lift while the winch driver’s discomfort manifested in his crouching lower behind the winch controls’ protective shield set between the two cable drums. Even from a distance, the three could hear the cables beginning to hum as tension built and the drum drives screeched objection to the load. Swires’ shouted commands grew ever more strident, while Modiac’s encouraging gestures became quite threatening.
‘Jamie, how can we stop them?’ said Steph.
‘I don’t think we need to,’ he said.
‘How so? Don’t you want to keep your craft?’ said Browning.
‘What’s happening, Jamie?’ The anxiety was heavy in Steph’s voice.
‘Relax. It’ll be fine. Remember what Weeman told me? Lesson one: safety breaking and leaving craft unattended.’
Steph suddenly laughed and rested her hand on Jamie’s arm. ‘You’ve applied the gravity brake!’
Jamie nodded, a glint of triumph in his eye even as the protesting groans of the winch drums’ rose to a threatening peak.
‘Gravity brake?’ said Browning.
‘Think handbrake for spacecraft,’ said Jamie.
Both winch cables parted with a snap and twang that vibrated through the air. They watched the broken cables rise, cutting and whipping, their pent-up energy dissipating in a sudden and violent whiplash. Luckily, nobody was in the path of the slashing cables. The winch operator appeared from behind his protective shield and swore at Modiac and Swires then hurried to inspect the damage to his cables.
The crane driver leaned out of his cab, gave a thumbs down signal and shouted at Rivers, ‘I’m done here.’
‘Gravity brake,’ said Steph. Satisfaction filled her voice.
Chapter 27. RM Condor
Jamie and Steph finished their evening meal in silence. Both had found pleasure in quiet time. They’d done enough talking in a long afternoon during which they had been repeatedly grilled by the government men who had travelled up from London in response to Jamie’s’ initial letter.
A brigadier, a civil servant from the Ministry of Defence, and a third man who Jamie assumed was some form of spook. At another time, his letter might have been dismissed as the work of a crank. But the strange shooting down at Reahlagh, Jamie and Steph’s disappearance, their return in a strange craft, and a top-ranking American general taking such very personal interest, all ensured the British establishment wanted to be on the inside track too.
Steph placed her cutlery on the cleared plate and leaned back in her chair. ‘It’s been a busy day. Do you think we’re winning?’
‘I think so. In the morning, we’ll know the outcome of the powwow they’re having right now. There has to be an understanding and agreement between the prime minister and the American president. Hopefully, they’ll reach a sensible conclusion, and we can move ahead.’ Jamie placed his cutlery on his plate.
You know what I’d like to do tonight?’ said Steph. ‘Just chill out, watch some TV, and forget the whole business for an hour or two.’
Jamie stood and headed toward the television. ‘Great idea. Let’s see what’s on.’
Before he could reach the controls, a commotion in the hall diverted him. One of the marine guards knocked on the door and entered.
‘What’s up?’ said Jamie.
‘Sir, Brigadier Smith-Brown and General Dower are here to see you,’ said the marine.
‘I see. Better send them in then,’ said Jamie, glancing toward Steph.
‘We’re already here, captain.’ The brigadier pushed past the marine, immediately followed by Dower. ‘Take a seat, both of you; we’ve more to talk over.’ The brigadier waved them toward the dining table. All four sat, and the marine closed the door, quietly returning to his guard duties.
Smith-Brown fixed Jamie with a steady gaze. ‘Captain, the prime minister and president have reached an accord. It is proposed what happens now will be an equal and joint UK-US project. General Dower’s team have been working on the topic for a long time; it makes sense he leads, and I will be second-in-command, on behalf of the UK.’
‘Good,’ said Jamie. ‘But you understand, sir; I will want a written order from my own commanding officer instructing me to cooperate.’
‘You made that clear this afternoon, captain, and I can assure you that is on its way. In fact, you will also receive orders transferring you to my command, and there’s a promotion to major in the pipeline. Captain Browning and his troop are also being transferred to me; they are to take on the security detail.’ Smith-Brown turned to Dower. ‘Is there anything you wish to say just now, general?’
‘Just to say, captain … major, I liked your style; plenty of men would have folded earlier today. You stood up for what was right. I like to see that trait among the people under my command. I think we can work together.’
‘Yes, sir, thank you. I will be happy to share access to all I know tomorrow. However, if I may?’ Jamie looked the general in the eye.
‘May what, major? Speak up.’
‘Earlier today, when some of your civilian people tried to move our craft, we saw somebody we didn’t like. In fact, on Reahlagh he held a gun to Steph’s head, mine too, and ordered your special forces to kill us. An older man, scruffy. He’s not a man I’d trust or be comfortable working with.’
‘You’re not alone, major. I’ve only recently taken on this command, and let’s just say there are some aspects that need to be cleaned up. I’m afraid, for the time being, politics have stayed my hand. You’re talking about Modiac. Don’t worry, his and one or two other people’s days are numbered. In the meantime, I’ll make sure your paths don’t cross.’
‘What about me?’ said Steph.
Dower looked toward Smith-Brown then back to Steph. ‘I understand, unless you were to object, wheels are already in motion. Your university will provide you with a sabbatical, and the MoD intends to engage you as a scientific adviser.’
‘Jamie and I can continue together?’ she said, looking from Dower to Smith-Brown and back.
‘You will need to sign the Official Secrets Act of course,’ said Smith-Brown. ‘To be fair, we’re fumbling in the dark at present. You and Major MacAulay represent the heart of our knowledge; we need you both.’
‘Oh, I smell a pay rise in the offing,’ said Steph, a slight laugh behind her voice.
‘I’m certain any modest request can be accommodated,’ said Smith-Brown with a smile.
‘Sure, it can,’ said Dower. ‘Now, I want to be clear with you both what our countries’ joint position is, and I need you both on board, but let’s be blunt – it’s not negotiable.’ He looked from one to the other. They were listening intently.
‘Both the US and the UK have a paramount interest in national security. My earlier assessment had concluded that these craft did not represent a direct threat to our security. The outline of the situation you provided to Brigadier Smith-Brown and his team from London has confirmed that assessment. However, our respective political leaders have determined, were such advanced technology as you have outlined to fall into the hands of our potential enemies, we would be in grave danger. It is our nations’ joint resolve not to share knowledge of your discoveries beyond the current grouping.’
‘But the science could help everyone on Earth. Applied properly, it could even help, in part, to rescue Earth from the climate crisis. Science is for everyone, surely?’ said Steph.
‘I understand. Indeed, I sympathise with your perspective. But let me be clear, again. It has been decided we cannot risk sharing such knowledge with the Chinese or the Russians or plenty of other rogue states.’ There was a firmness in Dower’s voice that made it clear this was a red line. ‘Where it is possible to discreetly use any technology for good, I’m quite sure it will be. Certainly, neither Brigadier Smith-Brown nor I will obstruct that. You have my word.’
Steph gave a reluctant nod.
‘What I can say, if it is at all possible to help your new friend up there with his own problem, we will, absolutely.’ The general stood. ‘You’ve done something very special, and I look forward to working with you both. Thank you, major.’ Then he reached out a hand toward Steph. ‘Are we agreed, Miss Simpson?’
Steph stood and took his hand. ‘It’s Professor Simpson. And agreed, general.’
Chapter 28. Take-Off
The bridge felt a little crowded. Forward of the high screen shielding the LPA, Jamie and Steph had taken seats at the centre point. To either hand, their passengers settled down as Jamie messaged the marines maintaining security outside, and the canvas was hauled up and away. The marines’ torches and the headlights of several of their parked vehicles combined to throw a yellowish light across the observer craft.
To Jamie’s right sat Dower, beside him was Smith-Brown and then MacMillan. To Steph’s left sat Browning and Besinski.
‘Everyone ready?’ said Jamie. A murmur of assent greeted his question. ‘Good. We’ll be off then.’
He gently stroked across the sleeve of his tunic, and the craft lifted slightly then moved forward. Without a pause, Jamie directed it to raise some fifty feet into the air, oriented it toward the North Sea and, with the flick of his hand, propelled the craft forward.
