Another broadcast from Caitlin interrupted their conversation. “John, we’re going up in the elevator. I think they’re moving me by helicopter.”
“All right, Caitlin. Keep me informed. I’m too far away to get there before you leave, but I should be able to track you. Keep me informed.”
“They’re putting her in a helicopter. What places around here might they move her to?” John asked.
“By helicopter? Well, they could take her to Fort Carson, it’s pretty secure, but Schriever is the most secure area around here other than the mountain.”
“Schriever, that’d be difficult. I was hoping they’d pick someplace a little less secure than that.”
“That’s the problem with world class villains; they like to make things difficult.”
John didn’t reply. The Gunny was always trying to get his goat, but usually, like now, John just didn’t feel like being amused.
The Gunny set a plate filled with crisp bacon, three eggs, and enormous biscuits in front of John. “There’s no point in worrying about how bad it could be until you actually know where they’re taking her. It might not be Schriever at all.”
“Uh huh,” John mumbled through a mouthful of biscuit.
“So what are your plans? Are you going to storm the castle with fire and brimstone, kill all your enemies, and carry the maiden away on your white charger?”
John felt his face warm. “I don’t expect it to be easy. I’m not totally stupid.”
“No, but neither are your opponents. From what you’ve told me you must know that they’re still after you. You have the helmet and the disk. They’ll want both. Besides, didn’t you say that the Frenchman also wanted you alive for testing the translators?”
“Yeah, but that was the French. I figure our government must have more of these things, so what do they need me for?”
Zim looked at him curiously. “Are you expecting an answer?”
“No.”
“Good, because you aren’t going to get one from me,” Zim added. “Look, Johnny, you know I want to go with you, but let’s be realistic. From what the doctors tell me, my heart wouldn’t make it through ten minutes of that much excitement. Hell, I can’t even watch a Broncos’ game anymore, but I’ll still go with you if you think I can help.”
“I know Gunny and I understand. You’ve already helped me more than I could ask from any man, but there is something else you can do for me.”
“Anything, Johnny. Absolutely anything.”
“I want you to keep the helmet and the disk. There’s a group of computer hackers that call themselves CHAOS. They’ll know what to do with the file.”
“CHAOS? Sounds like something from ‘Get Smart’.”
“Yeah, doesn’t it? It stands Computer Hackers Alliance for Open Speech, but their actions are a little broader than just supporting free speech on the Web. They seem to think that all information should be freely available to the public. Like the old Green Peace organization, peaceful demonstrations are too Ghandi-like for them. They’d rather hack into a government computer and wipe every file they find.”
“How do I get in touch with them?”
“My best link to them has been compromised, but I have another one. I’ll leave you everything you need to reach them.”
“And what do I do with the helmet?”
“Bury it. Literally, that’s what I’d do with it. Find an isolated spot and cover it with dirt. Then act like you’ve never heard of it or me. If I make it through this, I’ll eventually try to recover it, but otherwise....”
Gunny nodded once. “And what about your lady friend, assuming you don’t make it back?”
“You’d be better off to act like you’d never met me, but if you insist on helping....”
“I do.”
“Then find a good lawyer and try getting her out through official channels. It may take a few years, but I’ve got enough money stashed away to afford a good one. I’ll give you the transfer codes and if you haven’t heard from me in a couple of days it’s yours to do as you see fit.”
“I understand, Johnny.”
***
It was afternoon before John had the Navigator loaded and was on the road. The storm had passed heading south into New Mexico and the air was a crisp blue. He needed to get up on the Web, but couldn’t chance logging on at Gunny’s place.
The last report from Caitlin had them flying southwest and Romax had even remarked something about going to Los Alamos. That gave John a direction, but he wanted to make sure. South of Pueblo he pulled into a rest area and used his cellular to dial up a public link to the Web.
It didn’t take him long to locate Forester.
After a brief introduction, with a password Louie had given him for emergencies, John explained what he needed. Forester agreed to research the problem and pass the information along at John’s next call.
John caught up with the storm front at Trinidad. The road crews were keeping the interstate open, but conditions grew steadily worse as he crossed the pass and descended into Raton. At Raton, he left the interstate and took 64 toward Taos and Los Alamos.
It was dark before he reached Taos. He picked up a burger and fries at a Blake’s Lotta Burger and logged back onto the Web while he ate.
Forester had come through for him. There was only one place in the Los Alamos area that was isolated, secure, and completely off all maps and the records of government installations.
John didn’t ask where or how Forester had acquired the information, but thanked him politely and then downloaded everything Forester
