Chapter 30

                Benson arrived first and was busy at his desk, the one he’d picked for himself in a corner of the Emergency Command Bunker.  He was hard at it organizing all his thoughts on paper, wanting to make sure he was as ready as he could be when Kenfer and Melman arrived for the meeting.  The analytical data program he and his friends had been using for the last few days was churning out the last of the information needed to track the source of the original Probe OIA code.  The actual message that was responsible for this whole mess.  When he talked to Melman last, he and Kenfer were due soon and that had been at least a half hour ago.  As Benson rummaged through a huge pile of notes and data he was startled by a voice behind him.

                “Hey Benson,” Karl said with satisfaction. “We have the conference room ready.  All the Center’s files either on site or remotely stored are at our disposal.  We also have whatever audio and video feeds there are available to us on the servers also linked for search and replay.”

                Benson sighed, “You guys have done a great job.  Melman should have the boss down here any time now and we can see what our efforts have yielded.  I need one more thing though, tell Dean to have the program I designed and gave you both wiped from your personal Comps.  The only traces of our investigation must stay here in this room until Mr. Kenfer orders otherwise.  Got it?”

                Karl was turning to follow Benson’s last request as he answered over his shoulder, “Ok but Dean doesn’t like all this cloak and dagger stuff.  Who exactly are we hiding from anyway?”

                “When we get to the bottom of this we’ll know the answer to that question, just be ready and try to relax.  We’re earning a lot of brownie points and I for one intend to collect.” Benson smiled at the thought of having a little juice with the boss the next time he needed a favor.

                Melman arrived at the Center’s Medical offices just a bit latter than he’d planned.  He expected Mr. Kenfer to be waiting for him in the reception room, possibly getting the last bit of advice about his treatment but no one, not even staff, greeted his arrival.  Taking the initiative he headed down the hall to the nurses station to find Kenfer.  The duty nurse stepped out of her office about half way down the hallway and they both bumped into each other with a thump, neither expecting the other to materialize in this fashion.

                “Ok chief, what’s the hurry?  Only medical personnel are allowed back here….Oh, you’re the guy that dropped off that nice Mr. Kenfer a few hours ago.”  She stared intently at Melman as she spoke, not liking the invasion of her space.

                “Sorry about that miss…?” Melman drew a blank.

                “That would be Nurse Burns.” She said evenly, tapping her foot softly on the floor.

                “Right, there wasn’t much time for introductions when I brought Mr. Kenfer in.  My name’s Melman.  I’m Mr. Kenfer’s personal assistant and I have returned to gather him up.  We have business this afternoon that requires his presence.” Melman could tell Miss Burns was a little miffed, maybe from the sudden surprise in the hall.

                “Sorry Sport,” She said with a flourish.  “Mr. Kenfer left here right after his treatment was completed.  He said something about needing to get to his office and his something something phone.  I couldn’t hear him all that well.  He was talking softly as he walked away toward the door.  He seemed to be in quite the hurry.”

                Melman said nothing for a moment as he tried to process what the something something phone might mean and realized the only thing his office phone had over his personal hand com was a secure access line.  Spinning on his heels he thanked Nurse Burns for her excellent work and was out the door before the nurse could say another word.

                The upper floors of the Center were still accessible by freight elevator, one of the only things that still worked in Kenfer’s section of the building.  Melman didn’t bother to knock before he turned the door knob and walked in.  Kenfer was just putting his phone back in its cradle as Melman entered the office.

                “I know we are a bit ruffled around here but we still need to maintain simple courtesy before entering the private space of others.” Kenfer was smiling as he spoke.

                “Sorry about that Mr. Kenfer but I was worried about you not being down at the medical station and wasn’t thinking.  Luckily the nurse heard you mumbling as you left, giving me a clue where you might be.” Melman was calming down now as he spoke. “I take it that you needed secure communications or you could have waited for me and made your call from Medical.”

                “Yep, needed to give Jordan Keller a heads up and this is as good a time and place as any to let you in on what I intend to do.”

                Melman sat down in one of the two plush chairs directly in front of Kenfer’s desk as he talked.

                “I let Keller know that if I say or do anything that is contrary to the information in the files of our investigation that I sent to him, it will be just to try and smoke out any possible internal operatives working as spies in the Center.  I didn’t want him critiquing me or accidentally letting the cat out of the bag on the “Op” I may have to run.  A couple of false statements by me might show up elsewhere letting us know who to keep an eye on.  Get my drift?” Kenfer leaned back in his chair as he finished his spiel.

                “Let me get this straight….you plan to falsify some information in the meeting down in the Command Center.  You can’t suspect Benson or his staff mates.” Melman said slowly, “I’ve known Benson for years, he would never get involved in anything like this and his friends Karl and Dean have the same relationship with Benson as Benson and I do.”

                Kenfer leaned forward again, “No, this has nothing to do with them.  I plan to make a couple of contacts inside the Center during our meeting.  When I do, I’ll leak specific information only known to be incorrect by our close knit group.  When the information resurfaces I’ll know who the candidates for our ‘Mole’, happen to be, a standard investigation tactic but a proven one.  It has occurred to Keller too that there might be an agent inside the Center.  Our two independent investigations give us twice the chance at smoking him or her out. ”

                “It’s your show down there,” Melman said, “and I appreciate being let in on the plan.  Benson has everything ready to go so if you don’t have any other stops to make, let’s get going.”

                Melman stood up and followed, Kenfer was already out the door.  Nurse Burns was right, Kenfer was in quite the hurry……

 

 

 

Chapter 29

                Lock had no idea how long it would take for the Center’s bureaucracy to crank out the response the Probe was waiting for and without a particular mission to prepare for he decided to catch up on his sleep.  He was dreaming about the first time he and some of his friends went swimming in the high school pool during the summer he turned fifteen.  Allen Ward, one of Lock’s best friends at the time, had taken his fathers spare janitor keys and let everyone into the schools back door.  Allen’s father had been maintenance director ever since he had known Allen.  Lock, floating in the pool,  was splashing around with a large beach ball they all were throwing back and forth and the other kids were yelling his name trying to get him to toss the ball to them again…..Lock, over here…..Lock, give me the ball…..Lock……

Lock…..Lock…..Lock…..

                Lock stirred in his bed and realized that the Probe was speaking to him. “Yes, sorry, I thought I’d catch up on my sleep.  I didn’t realize how tired I actually was, how long was I out of it?”

You have been asleep for over ten hours.  It is good that you are now rested.

                “What’s happened?  Have you heard anything from the Center?” Lock’s voice still contained evidence he’d just awoke from a sound sleep.

We have been told to stay where we are.  Our fate is being decided by the Directorate and must pass muster with the owner of the Center and the Probe project, Jordan Keller.  If you remember I gave you a brief synopsis of Jordan’s involvement in this whole matter.

                “Yes, I remember, this Jordan character seems to have his head screwed on right for a change and level heads are a must at this point in the game.” Lock was ready for some traveling orders and wished the Probe would get to the good stuff, if any.

We have only received the hold order so far but I think something is about to happen and even though I’m not human, with no inclination to gamble, I’d bet that we will receive a directive soon.  You should refresh yourself and come to the kitchen. We can go over our options while you take in sustenance.

                “We have options?” Lock said faintly as he headed into the fresher for the hottest shower he could stand……

                Loomis, comfortable in the secret office designed into his residence’s lower level, watched the hidden camera feeds installed by one of his drones to keep him abreast of the repairs to the Center complex.  Andrew Kenfer had contacted him right after the attack, apologizing and asking him for a delay in meeting with Kenfer and the other Elders.  Loomis had graciously advised Kenfer to take whatever time he needed knowing full well he was glad for all the time he could get before facing that group again.

                As he watched the screen he keyed in the code to Lab 21, It had been three days since he informed the technician over there, Eldon wasn’t it?, that he (pretending to represent Director Kenfer), was reactivating the prototype Probe project.   Loomis was anxious to know if the two techs sent to help Eldon had arrived as promised and what progress had been made to date.  Loomis couldn’t contact his benefactor, his mysterious lady boss, until the prototype probe was up and running.

                “Lab 21,” Eldon answered with a professional tone. “How may I help you?”  Eldon was very busy and had clipped the com to his coat rather than walk back out of the lab to his desk.  It was against the rules to bring a com devise into the research area without supervisor permission but he was the supervisor now and this was convenient for the time being.

                “This is Senior Elder Lyle Loomis of the Elders Committee over at the Center.  Andrew Kenfer has asked that I contact you and act as liaison between you and the Centers Probe Command Staff.  As I understand it, you have been assigned to reactivate the original prototype Probe and advise us when your task has been completed.” Loomis kept an all business demeanor to his voice.

                “Yes sir, Mr. Kenfer’s personal secretary contacted me a few days ago and I have been working non-stop toward that end.” Eldon was aware of who Loomis was and did not question his authority.

                “Good!  Did you receive the reinforcements to help with the reactivation?  You should have at least two able bodies to start with and should you need more please speak up now.” Loomis didn’t want to sound like he knew for sure what resources Eldon had.  He wanted Eldon to confirm the project status on his own.

                “Two technicians arrived the day after my conversation with Mr. Kenfer’s secretary.  I also received the unlock codes to the probes secure sub-lab with all equipment and records the same day.  I took the liberty of opening all areas and familiarizing myself with the program before my help arrived.  I can report that although we will need to have a few more days, due to the disassembly that occurred when the project was shelved, we appear to have all that we need at the moment to continue with the reactivation process.” Eldon swelled with pride as he recounted his progress.

                “It sounds like we have the right man for the job so I’m going to give you some need to know information to save time.  Prep the Probe for two individuals.  We’re aware that only one usually travels on any particular mission but we will need a second body for back up on this trip.  We have a critical situation to correct and cannot fail.” Loomis hoped that seeming to trust Eldon would make him work even faster with no questions.

                “There are a few items of equipment that have been rendered useless due to advancements in the design of later Probes.  I can remove them and that should free up the space you’ll need for the second traveler.  You do know Sir that this model has no virtual interior movement capabilities.  The travelers will literally have to remain in the command chairs while in transit.” Although Eldon wanted to take a trip in a Probe someday, he did not envy the two taking this trip, especially in this older version.

                “Comfort is the least of my concerns this time around,” said Loomis, “results are all that count and the amenities will just have to yield to function.  I’ll be over to the lab in person soon.  Do the best you can and use the code I’m sending to your com as we speak, to get anything else you need and I do mean anything.  Is that clear?”

                Eldon started to say yes but saw that Mr. Loomis had already terminated the call……..

   

                      

        

      

Chapter 28

                Jordan Keller was studying the screen in front of him when his personal secretary knocked on his office door.  He had tried without success to get Maggie to use the interoffice communications system but she never could bring herself to trust it.

                “Come in,” Jordan said never taking his eyes off his work.

                Maggie Pierce, saddled early in life with a nick name she hated, Mag Pie and on occasion Maggs, had been the only secretary Jordan Keller ever had.  Friends since college, she had helped and supported him throughout his many business ventures over the years.  Maggie thought at one time that Jordan was her sole mate and told herself that was why she had never sought out a path or career of her own.  When Jordan married, only a few years after graduation, she put ideas of romance aside and remained his closest friend and confidant.  Now after almost 30 years the two of them had an almost symbiotic like relationship.  At times they could even finish each others sentences.

                “Reports have come in about the damage to the Center Complex.  You should take a break and look them over.  There are decisions to be made about repair priorities and several department heads are whining to be the first back in service.” Maggie talked to Jordan more like a brother than a boss.

                “I’ve just been studying a run down of everything the Center has on Davis’ Death, the missing Probe and all the suspicions coming to light through the incident investigation.  I never should have sent Davis out by himself.  Rare as it might be, there have been other missions that required another operative be sent along with a Probe/Director paring.  A second living mind might have sensed the danger Davis was in and by protocol would have been consulted before Davis’ repair module was jettisoned after this mysterious OIA message was received.” Jordan had put his grief aside, concentrating now on making the responsible party pay. “I will… get to the bottom of this mess.”

                The office building Jordan occupied was a fortress.  Though nondescript by design, it held every conceivable form of technological wizardry and his security team could defend it from the deadliest of attacks.  Jordan also maintained a staff of the best scientists and researcher’s money could buy but if you asked any of his employees, many having followed him through life just as Maggie had done, they couldn’t think of working for anyone else.  Loyalty was given and received by both boss and employee alike.

                Jordan kept his hub of operations secret and was glad he had not given into his desire to work out of the Center’s Penthouse Suite, at the top of the building just violated.  He learned a long time ago that others would always want what he had worked so hard for, the money mostly but money brought respect and ultimately power, irresistible to those who were unsuccessful at earning it for themselves.  He suspected that in the end Davis’ death and near loss of a Probe, the attack on the Center and the discovered time wave, were all going to be linked somehow.  The deviant or deviants behind this would be uncovered and he was finally making some headway.

                “You’ve been at this for hours.” Maggie said sternly, “You need some rest.  Let all your minions looking into the problem have a little more time.  What good will working to exhaustion, do you?  If you miss something because you’re tired, you’ll never forgive yourself.”

                Jordan had received a message just before Maggie had interrupted him, from the command bunker below the subfloor of the Center.  He knew that a critical meeting was about to take place.  Enough of the pieces to the Probe puzzle were now available to study and if anyone could connect the dots, it was these four men and their dossiers revealed competence and the proven track record he demanded of his employees.  A teleconference link was being established so that he could join the meeting as soon as it began. 

                “Have the research department go back over the data on the time wave.  I need to know how much time we have before another mission must be initiated.” Jordan realized he would need to act soon and tried to keep the angst out of his voice. “I’m aware that our problem Probe has reinitiated communications and is waiting for orders.  Instruct the Directorate to advise me immediately when they are ready to proceed.  Nothing is to be transmitted until I have been briefed.  As I understand it, this particular Probe’s programming has saved it from extinction and has amazingly found and trained a new Director.  We desperately need to bring it in safely and study its entire mission history.”

                Jordan’s desk com chimed and he noticed it was the security line only available to the Center’s Directorate Manager Andrew Kenfer.

                “Yes? Jordan Keller here.” Jordan expected to be in communication with Kenfer soon over the teleconference connection from the Center’s Command Center and wondered why the advance call.

                “Mr. Jordan, thank you for taking my call.  As you probably know, I was shaken up a bit during the attack on the Center.  I have been treated and although in mild pain will be joining my associates shortly for our crisis meeting.  I wanted to tell you that even though I trust my team implicitly, I may find it necessary to hide by exclusion some of the facts I have become privy to in this matter.  Your files have absolutely everything I know about the situation and I didn’t want you to question me if you notice I have left out information during our meeting. I may also alter information and want you to understand and trust that I have a reason for altering any facts for the moment.” Kenfer was hoping Mr. Jordan would go along with him for now. “I’ll explain later if my theory pans out but I can tell you I know for sure we have a spy in our midst.”

                Jordan thought to himself that this was not really an unexpected development.  Commercial espionage was not uncommon and he had people investigating along those lines himself.

                “Ok,” Jordan said, “I respect your authority in this matter and will defer to your plan.  As you say, I’ll expect an explanation after the meeting and rest assured I will not comment on your actions.”

                “Thank you, I’m not yet sure exactly what path our meeting may take but I knew you would have done your homework and recognized any variation from the information I sent over to your office.  I want to have free reign over the facts hopping to smoke out our spy.”

                Kenfer had immense respect for Mr. Keller and suspected that if he wasn’t challenging his plan the same idea must have also occurred to him about the internal spy.

                “The Meeting will begin in about thirty minutes.” Kenfer said, “You will have full audio and video access right at your desk comp.  Until then, I’ve got to get down to the bunker.”

                Jordan was glad Kenfer was in charge on the Center’s end and greatly anticipated the meeting to come…….