Chapter 27

                “Do you think the damage to the 10^th and 11^th floors of the Center had anything to do with our undercover activities?” Dean was talking to calm his nerves while following Karl closely as they both descended the emergency stair case.  No one expected that this stairwell would get any use when the building was originally built.

                “Listen to me,” Karl said as he continued undeterred down the stairs, “when we get to the basement command center, we will fire up the isolated com system just like Benson directed and then verify that we have access to the Center’s video and data storage grid.  With the new filter systems installed down here, we will be able to view the entire Center security video library, as well as bring up any communications that have originated inside or outside the complex with no one suspecting a thing.”

                Karl reached the entry tunnel to the emergency command center first, with Dean close behind.  Half way down the corridor was a large steel door.  Next to the door was a short podium with a slanted top surface that glowed slightly.  Benson had told them both that when they reached the entry portal Dean was to place his right hand flat on the surface and the steel blast door would slide out of the way, revealing a second door that Benson had given them the key too.  Once inside they were to prepare the communications and video systems for operation.  Dean and Karl had no way of knowing that the orders from Benson were actually directives from Lee Melman.  Melman wanted all systems ready when the other Center members arrived.  They began preparations at once.

                When Melman learned that Directorate Manager Kenfer had been trapped in one of the Center’s lifts, he wasted no time in taking charge of Kenfer’s extraction and medical treatment.  He now waited outside of the nurse’s station on the 2^nd floor.  He had already been advised that Kenfer had sustained a broken left arm and a few bumps and bruises, nothing that would keep him from his duties once he was treated.  While waiting, Melman fielded status calls from the various repair teams that went immediately to work to repair vital Center systems.  He was proud that his disaster plan was being employed without a hitch.  Most of the damage had been to communications and the floor below.  Melman new Kenfer would want repair estimates and he was doing his best to obtain them as each department head reported in.  Both Kenfer and Melman knew this was about the probe.  They were getting too close to finding out who was behind its near loss and this was an attempt to stop or at least slow down their progress.

                Benson had taken Melman’s earlier suggestions to heart and had backed up all his research at every important juncture.  Even though he had lost his cubicle computers, the data was still available on his personal comp with copies distributed to both of his agents Dean and Karl.

                “Operator, Connect me with the basement command center.” Benson did not bother to use a secure line for this call.  He knew it was no secret that during an emergency the command center was to be manned until such time that stability returned to the Center’s systems.

                “Command center,” Dean said with uncertainty in his voice. “Please keep this circuit clear unless you have emergency business.”

                “Dean this is Benson, just calling to make sure you’re not having any issues you need help with.  You will be having company soon and I want everything ready.  Directorate Manager Kenfer, his personal assistant Lee Melman and I will be down within the hour.” Benson was trying not to place undue pressure on the pair.  He knew they were up to the job and would not disappoint him.

                “Everything is going smoothly.  Communications and video access has been established easily and Karl is back tracing all lines to ensure they are secure from prying eyes and ears.” Dean could detect a small amount of angst in Benson’s voice despite his attempt to disguise it.

                “Great, I’ll call when we’re all heading down.  By the way, is the conference facility furnished adequately and are there supplies present in the kitchen facility?” Benson had never set foot in the command center himself and had no clue if they would need to send down furniture and food stuffs for the meeting.  He might as well deal with it now as later.

                “We’ve got top of the line furnishings, conference table with chairs and plenty of food and drink.  There is even a fully equipped sleeping area with bath and showers.  Someone thought of everything.”

                Benson cut the connection and keyed in Melman’s person com code.  He recognized Melman’s voice answer. “My guys have everything under control down in the command center,” Benson said, “we’re ready when you are for our pow wow.  How’s Mr. Kenfer doing?”

                Melman hesitated before answering as he finished entering status notes he had been collecting from all the effected department heads into his hand comp. “The doctors have examined him and he is being treated for a broken left arm as we speak.  A few more minutes under the mending ray and he should be good as new, just the usual soreness for a few hours.”

                “We will have untraceable access to the Center’s com and video grid for our investigation.” Benson said. “I have almost completed the last phase of my analysis of the Probe data.  We will know soon where the orders came from and what they entailed.  The Center may have been attacked but thanks to our precautions, no data or personnel were lost.  I’m bringing my results to date with me along with my personal comp that’s still running the final program.” Benson was anxious to get to the meeting and begin comparing notes in hopes of ending this once and for all.

                “The doctor has just advised me that Director Kenfer will be coming out in a few moments.  Give us about fifteen minutes and we will be on our way down to command.” Melman planned to scoop up Kenfer, make a brief stop to personally talk to the director of the repair efforts and then make their way to what he hoped would be a productive and enlightening meeting.  The safety and security of the command bunker would be a welcome relief.

                Benson called the command center as promised reaching Karl this time. “The boss is OK and we should all be down in about twenty minutes give or take.  Run one more diagnostic on the security feeds before we arrive.  I’m sure that if what I’ve heard about Kenfer is true, he’ll hit the door running and will want all the information he can get.  Set up the group viewing screen in the conference room with a comp port so I can put my findings up for all to see.  Did you guys bring your personal comps as backup?  You should also have your copies of your analysis data with you.

                Karl could sense that things were about to get interesting and he tried to stay calm as he spoke. “Don’t worry, this is not the first presentation we’ve been part of.  It’s about time this thing came to a head and we have all the right tools down here to get to the bottom of this mystery.

                Benson couldn’t help but be apprehensive.  The future of Center operations depended on clearing up this mess…….