Grant stares at the woman as his mind tries to catch up with what is going on. A quick glance over his shoulder shows the same confusion on his pilot’s face. Pulling himself together he works his way to the main hold of the submarine.
“Come again?”
Yavina glances at the young girl who stares back with wide eyes. Taking a deep breath, the director kneels in front of the girl. She takes her hands.
“May I tell them?”
The girl glances at Grant and slowly nods her head.
“Thank you.” She resumes her seat, “This might take a moment. The short version is this. While my facility’s main function was to develop a new energy source, we were also serving as a medical ward for Liz.”
“I’m going out on a limb here and say that she is this project lock that our nation’s enemies are willing to risk war over?”
Yavina nods her head, “Do you remember the research lab Talbor Institutes?”
Grant frowns and tries to recall the details, “Oh yeah. Site of the worst natural disaster in history. A failure in one of their geothermal reactors caused the facility to be swallowed up in magma. The leaders in technology, particularly biological technology, were done in by overheating. I remember it being big news since they were the leaders and a lot of people were saying our advancement was delayed by decades with the loss of the facility. Uh sank… about fifteen years ago if I am not mistaken. The survivors of the research teams went all over the place.” Grant stiffens with a new thought, “With most of the team leaders going to Gyro.”
“Right. A team was sent out to assess the area and see if it was a viable location for agriculture. The team discovered that the facility was not destroyed by magma. Instead, it got caught on a shelf inside the rift. That is when we became aware of Project LOCK, an attempt to create superhumans. One of the experiments they had resulted in an explosion that compromised the facility and turned the surrounding area into a wasteland. We also discovered Liz, or Test Sample 3427 as she was known then. The then sitting President decided that we would take Liz and any data we could get not to continue the program but to help stabilize her. At some point, they must have gone back out there to salvage the project…”
“And discovered that not only the data survived but also one of the humans involved in the testing. Which is why you want to run. Because that is what Code Black is, isn’t it? Please tell me that it is a running plan and not a death plan.”
“Goodness no!” Yavina says angrily, “I did not work my whole life to preserve life just to toss it out. No. The plan is to take Liz and relocate her. However, the more people who know about this, the more likely that they will continue to hunt her.”
“Hence why you want my ship. Fewer chances of her being seen by transferring to a different ship. You want to disappear.”
“Correct.”
X
Grant leans against the railing. The warmth of the sun feels good. Below him, dark blue waves pass by while seagulls cry overhead.
“Seems wrong, doesn’t it?”
Grant looks over as he sees Pete and Charlie walking towards him.
“What? That is such a pleasant day even though the whole is getting ready for war?”
“No.” Charlie answers as she leans against the railing, “Being above the waves instead of being underneath it.”
“Oh.” Grant chuckles, “Yeah. But it is nice to feel the sun. Even if it is for a little while.”
“Has command said what ships we’ll be on?” Pete asks.
“Not yet. I’m curious on what reactions my ship loss report is getting.”
“For life long service members,” A new voice answers, “your report was questionable. For those who have no combat experience, it was accepted.”
The trio turns and finds an old man walking towards them. Beside him are two guards and four aids. The sun dances off the four silver bars on his shoulders. Grant and his crew snap to attention, saluting as one. The lead officer responds with a salute of his own.
“At ease. Your new orders.” He holds an envelope, “You are being given a scout ship and attached to the carrier Crimson Shield. You will depart in several days.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll be ready. Thank you commander.”
The officer laughs, “As for why I am hand delivering these orders. There are few… concerns. The governor of the city, as well as the council, are pretty much demanding that you explain what went out there. Which of course is why we provided the after-action reports. And everything that happened is of course classified.”
The three soldiers nod their heads.
“Excellent.” He steps over to the railing, “To your answer your question, yes. They did make it out. But right now you need to prepare yourselves.”
“Sir?”
“Right now your action report states that you went on your supply run and encountered a hostile force. You engaged the enemy force, suffering the loss of the installation and almost losing your own lives in the process. However, the problem lies in the media. They are already putting a negative spin on it. So you may be approached. Command says to tell them to go to headquarters for official statements. Command and I both want it to be clear that we in no way hold you responsible for going to war. You did what you had to survive and defend yourself.”
“Yes, sir. We understand. Can you tell us anything?”
“We’ve detected Gyro ships on the border. No official statements but it look like they are preparing for fleet action against us. Best get your affairs in order. Looks like a war is brewing.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll get ready to go.”
He nods his head, “We will be. Thank you sir.”
The End
X