and not the entire federal community. I couldn't believe that the president would be an accomplice in this. But still'--Lee smiled-- 'let's not take any chances.'
Alice and Niles knew the look in Lee's eye. He was thinking about how to turn the situation in their favor.
'What do you think, Niles, did we find the saucer in time?' the old man asked tiredly, gladly changing the subject.
Niles stared at the far wall for a moment. Then he turned and removed his glasses and slid them into his pocket.
'I think I took too damn long to find it, Senator,' he answered, walking toward the door.
Alice patted Garrison on the hand as they watched Niles leave the room to make his way to the briefing.
'Niles is too hard on himself,' Alice said, 'but Lord help us if he's right.'
Lee used his cane to stand up; Alice quickly stood herself to help him into the briefing.
'I suspect we may need God's help, because for some reason I think it's going to happen this time around,' he stated flatly. 'Too damn many things happened differently, too many variables.' He lightly took hold of Alice's arm. 'And if the worst has indeed taken place, then God may be the only one who can stop it. Get the president and get Niles back in here. We'll find out real quick if the commander in chief is someone else's friend and not just ours, because we need to get Jack some help in securing that valley. Start working on a cover story for the army to move on. But make it one in which weapons, a lot of weapons, would be needed.'
A Discovery team as laid down by Department 5656 protocol is
Jack's team had gathered in the main conference room in order for the senator to observe. Jack's first brief was to Denise Gilliam, a doctor of forensic science from the University of Maine at Orono.
'Dr. Gilliam, besides your forensic duties, you will also be our field doctor. We're cutting back on initial personnel.'
'But I...'
Jack shot her a look.
'Alright, I can do that,' she said.
'That's exactly why I put you on the Discovery team, one person--two jobs.'
Jack looked next to Josh Crollmier, a former member of the National Transportation and Safety Board, who would be serving as the crash expert.
'Mr. Crollmier, initially you will concentrate on the possibility of survivors, and you'll be starting without your team or equipment.' Jack looked to the next in line after Crollmier just nodded.
'Signalman Willing,' he said, looking at Lisa. 'You will handle ground communications and set up video links to Nellis and Washington with your four-man COMM team. You will be issued sidearms and will double as site security until I get more people in theater, are we clear?'
'Yes, sir, we'll have COMMO up in five minutes.'
'Dr. Robert Randall, you will handle the zoology aspect of the team. I know you served your time with the Group, but our zoologist is off base. In short, Doctor, it doesn't pay to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. You should never have paid a visit to the Group. Welcome aboard.'
'I was drafted,' he said.
'We need evidence of any life-forms that may have arrived with the vehicle ASAP. And the rest of you, don't ask,' Jack said, heading off any questions about why a doc from the San Diego Zoo was coming along.
Then Collins looked at the rest of the security element of Everett, Mendenhall, Ryan, and Corporal Jackson. Everyone with the exception of Ryan had assault experience and heliocast jumps under their belt. Ryan would be backup cover along with the Blackhawk crew chiefs and gunners.
'Are two two-man teams on the ground enough?' Jason asked.
'Our initial Discovery team was kept to bare bones on my request due to continuing security concerns that have arisen in external matters outside the influence of the Group. But once we're in and secure, we'll get help on the ground. I have already initiated contact, with Dr. Compton's approval and through the office of the president, with certain elements of our armed forces, and they have been informed that they may be asked to take part in special desert operations. We can no longer wait until the last minute to have things to fall back on.'
'Amen to that,' Virginia Pollock said, wishing she were on the Discovery team.
'Besides the Event itself, there should be little collateral interference from the people who call the small valley home,' the senator said from his seat on the couch. 'There may be a few prospectors and maybe a camper or two about, but other than that, the desert should be void of onlookers.'
'Okay, people, you know the plan. Site security will heliocast in first, and then we'll clear a spot for the four Blackhawks with the remaining Discovery team and equipment to land up valley from the bulk of the debris pattern. Believe me, we would have liked to have entered from outside the valley, but the slope is too steep and we just don't have the time.'
The senator watched all this with a sort of sadness. Besides the anger he felt at his failing body, he knew he was meant to be on this mission. He slowly raised his right arm and motioned for Collins.
'Yes, sir?' he asked, leaning over so the senator didn't have to rise.
'Jack, I wish you would change your mind about the med team,' Lee said.
Collins thought about the absence of the Group's medical team. It would be hard on any of the wounded aliens if they were found alive, but it would be just more people to get in the way if the worst-case scenario happened. 'Well, sir, the medical team will be with the fifth Blackhawk just two minutes out from the site, and Dr. Gilliam can triage until the med team arrives. We will hurry the initial recon as much as possible, and if we find any of the crew still breathing, we'll get them help quickly enough.'
Collins straightened and held out his hand. The old man weakly took it into his own.
Then Niles Compton approached and lightly patted Jack on the back. 'Wish I were going with you, Jack.'
Collins looked at Lee a moment longer, then turned to face the tired eyes and worn body of Director Compton. 'Niles, for as short a time as I've known you, you've done the most god-awful amount of work I've ever seen. You need to rest and let us handle some of the load now. The president placed several calls out to contacts of mine in the private sector; Aberdeen Proving Grounds is one of them. They're going to send out a few items they've been working on that may help us out here. Some cutting-edge technology couldn't hurt. Also the army is sending some state-of-the-art body armor our way that the CIA higher-ups have hijacked for us, and it should arrive in the morning. I hope we won't need it, but... anyway, that's what you can do now, Niles, make sure we get this stuff ASAP. Until then, rest.'
Jack reached out and shook Compton's hand, then turned and ushered the rest of the Discovery team out through the door. The first response to an attack of extraterrestrial origin was now operational.
TWENTY-FOUR
The beast was once again aboveground. Its hunger was sated for the time being and it had even more nourishment stored deep in the earth at its nesting site. Now it was watching its new surroundings. The animal saw the lights in the distance and blinked as it licked the area between its claws. The millions of pores in its purple and black armored skin took in the scent of more prey. Its body was adapting faster each time it fed on the strange and rich proteins. It was becoming much stronger.
It would use its nest soon to drop its young. They would be born already acclimated to this world.
The beast suddenly looked across the desert at the distant lights. The enticing aroma of food was carried by
