Hank nodded to Charlie. “Fire it up. We’ll take it.”
Charlie hopped into the cab of the tractor and twisted the key, praying that the semi would start. He sighed with relief as the big diesel engine chugged to life, and he pulled the door shut. “Just park in front?”
“Yup.” Hank waved him off. “We’ll be right behind you.” He turned a slow circle, checking for anything else at the facility that they might be able to use.
Will groaned as he came to his feet. “Even the inverters are made in China.”
“So they should work with the solar panels just fine,” Hank grinned. He glanced around the yard of the supply house one final time before grabbing the last of the boxes and stacking it in the back of the flatbed truck. “Once we have everything together, me and Wally can work on the frames. We’ll use the ones we have here and copy them.”
“Have you ever welded aluminum before?” Will asked cautiously.
Hank shook his head. “Nope, but there’s a first time for everything.”
Will groaned. “We’ll check with the other men to see if any have experience welding aluminum. It’s not the same as welding steel.”
“So we bolt them together,” Hank offered as he stacked the last of the inverters onto the truck.
“They won’t be solid enough.” Will wiped his hands on his pants and squinted in the sunlight at the facility. “We should really check the warehouses.”
“Let’s get these back first. We can have the men start assembling them, then we come back and pick the bones clean.” Hank climbed into the cab of the truck and waved at Will. “Load up. We’ll come back.”
Will reached for the door hesitantly. He had a nagging sensation that he was missing something. “Cabling.”
“When we come back,” Hank replied. “I promise.” He started the truck and looked to the engineer expectantly. “There are other solar places we can check as well.”
Will climbed into the cab and sighed. “We should have checked them first. I’m not keen on using Chinese manufactured panels.”
Hank shot him a broad smile. “Face it, doc. EVERYTHING is made in China these days.” He paused and gave him a blank stare. “Well, everything used to be made there.”
Will nodded. “I know what you meant.” He slammed the door of the truck and sat back. “But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“My guards tell me that you wished to speak to me?” the older gentleman stated without emotion.
Broussard noted the man’s quiet demeanor. “You’re General Green?”
The man gave him a bored stare. “Last I checked.” He crossed his arms and raised a brow. “What is so important?”
“Apologies, General,” Carol quickly spoke. “We weren’t expecting to see you so soon.” She set down the files and extended a hand. “I’m Dr. Chaplain.”
He took her extended hand out of courtesy. “I know who you are.” He turned to Broussard. “And you’re Andre Broussard, savior of mankind.”
Andre felt his cheeks flush. “I’m afraid I—”
“Don’t be bashful, Doctor,” Green said softly. “We’re fully aware what we’d be facing if it weren’t for you and Dr. Chaplain.”
Broussard nodded then glanced to Carol. “Perhaps you could join us?” He motioned toward the lab.
“If you could tell me what it is you need, I can have my men get right on it,” Green offered.
“Actually, General, we’d like to discuss…” Broussard’s voice trailed off.
“The hierarchy,” Carol finished. She turned and gave him her full attention. “Dr. Higgins has gone out of his way to…”
“Intimidate,” Broussard finished for her.
“Do either of you complete your own thoughts?” Green asked.
Carol smiled and cleared her throat. “Excuse us, General. We’re not used to tiptoeing around subjects.”
“May I suggest you spit it out and we’ll hash through the mess together, then?”
Broussard stepped forward and pushed the door to the lab shut. “Please excuse my candor, but Dr. Higgins has made certain statements that have been beyond threatening.”
Carol stepped forward. “He said we’d be shot if we failed at curing the members of Congress.”
Green’s eyes widened and he gave them both a shocked look. “He what?”
Broussard nodded. “And we have been told that he was conducting unauthorized human testing before the cure was released.”
Green stared at the two researchers, his face a mask of confusion. “Unauthorized human testing?”
Carol nodded. “And we’ve also been told that he placed himself in charge of the lab, even though he isn’t qualified.” She glanced to Andre. “And he’s made it clear that anything we may need with which to conduct our work will have to be cleared through him.”
General Green slowly sat down, his face stoic as he took in the information. “Where did you hear all of this?” He glanced to the two researchers. “I mean, you’ve only been here two days and…” He shook his head. “I just can’t believe that all of this was happening.”
Broussard stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry to have to reveal all of this so suddenly.” He looked to Carol then back to Green. “Our work will be difficult. And at times, it may seem slow and unproductive.”
“But only because we have to solve a lot of riddles first before we can even entertain the thought of a cure for this new rage virus.”
Green nodded slowly as he came to his feet. “I can assure you that whatever you need, we will do our best to accommodate you.” He seemed to stand taller as he squared his shoulders. “You won’t have to worry about Dr. Higgins getting in your way.”
“But, about the other things we’ve been hearing,” Broussard continued softly. “If Higgins has been conducting human testing—”
Green held a hand up to stop him. “I assure you, no unauthorized testing of human subjects took place here.” He turned and gave Broussard a steely stare. “All of the human testing was authorized.” His eyes went from steely to intimidating. “By me.”
An audible gasp escaped Carol before she could stop herself. “Surely you didn’t—”
“I did.” Green turned and faced
