Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1) Page 18

  But Jack didn’t care about past struggles or what race or might not end up annihilated. Jack planned to side with the victors. His intel indicated whatever was holding back the Greys was weakening. Details were sketchy. But it seemed the object the investigators had stumbled upon was the key to a Reptilian defense mechanism that prevented the Greys light bringer from commencing Project Alteration. It would seem, Jack thought, these Reptilians were worthy adversaries in the spy craft game. He felt fortunate he wouldn’t be dealing with any of them. Just some small group of humans stupid enough to think they could unmask a conspiracy centuries in the making.

  Jack and Will believed a natural power source was necessary to link the object with whatever defense system had kept the Alteration at bay. If they could determine where this power source might be, they could assure no such defense system would ever come between them and glory ever again. Their initiative would be invaluable to upper management. They would be rewarded with admittance to this next evolutionary stage. They would become the technologies they had previously confiscated. Too bad for Dan, Jack thought, the man wasn’t aware his job would soon become obsolete and more tragically, his family would die along with him because of his shortsightedness.

  Material objects would no longer be the source of wonders. People would be the source because they would finally learn how to tap into the great field of being on their own. Consequently, the acquisition of gadgets and objects would be unnecessary. Jack believed he had the benefit of a fortuitous circumstance to plan ahead. Those like him who survived the evolution would simply live life to the fullest, exploiting the universe’s richest gifts on command. People like Dan would be outsourced, or better yet, eviscerated.

  But the Organization heads hadn’t revealed to Jack and Will that there would be a price to pay. Not the price of guilt, though. The Organization wouldn’t feel bad about all they had sacrificed to reach their next plateau. Perhaps they weren’t to blame. Maybe this insensitivity was instilled into them at a genetic level thanks to all the tweaking the Greys scientists had done over the years. Nevertheless, the price would come at the expense of those foolish enough to believe the universe’s gifts were free of charge. Although commodities wouldn’t exist in tangible form, use of services would still garner a hefty income. But not for all, the Organization superiors believed. They believed they had this market cornered thanks to their prior cooperation with the Greys. Their promise never to reveal the Greys occupation and existence to civilians would seat them alongside the kings and queens of the universe. The remainder who survived the alteration—people like Jack and Will—would service their new rulers free of charge prone to suggestion from an unrelenting field Earth scientists had dubbed a morphic field. People once called these scientists quacks because these visionaries posited morphic fields allowed birds to synch in flight patterns and cats to know when their owners would return. So, although all survivors would be gifted, most would be utilizing their abilities for the greater cause, namely the Greys return to universal dominance. In essence, when the Greys whistled, dogs like Jack and Will would come running.

  Jack and Will ambled into the canyon unaware. They believed they just needed to locate the power source, make sure it was destroyed, confiscate the object, eliminate all witnesses, and voila, the world would be their oyster. But unbeknownst to Jack and Will, oysters didn’t rank very high on the food chain.

  JACK AND Will passed Dan’s camper. Dan scoffed at their arrogance. The bastards didn’t even conceal their presence. They drove in via town car. Dan exhaled and gripped the wheel of his parked vehicle. They hadn’t seen him. That was very fortunate. He shouldn’t be angry. He attempted to harness it with deep breaths. He envisioned himself as being invisible. He envisioned Jack and Will would never see him coming. He couldn’t be sure things would out work so smoothly. All he knew for certain was that Jack and Will wouldn’t be coming back out.

  THE TEAMS shopped warily and navigated their cars cautiously, unaware their enemies preceded their arrival to Chaco.

  Mitch believed whoever might tail them would follow indiscreetly. He banked on his idea that whoever burned the lab and cornfield was still unaware of what the dial was. If so, they might allow them to bring the dial to Chaco where their task could be identified and catalogued. Then they would be expendable. He sighed. Mitch was certain Evan was aware of this fact. He wouldn’t vocalize this to the rest of the team that their trip might very well be a one-way mission. Yet it had to be. Because Mitch believed Galloway’s predictions: those who didn’t die in the transformation would fall victims of servitude. It really didn’t matter if they died by a human hand in the coming hours. Dying wasn’t always the better choice. But it was more palatable when you had reason to soften its impact.

  Mitch rapped his hands on the wheel watching Iris and Kassidy cross in front of his camper. Their destination for the moment was a clothing store. He felt a tear well up in his eye. Might as well let them enjoy this expedition. I bet whatever evolutionary change comes won’t alter female shopping urges anytime soon.

  THE WOMEN might have disagreed with Mitch’s logic. Although Iris believed she and Kassidy enjoyed clothes shopping no less than any other living woman, the attire they would be purchasing was anything but fashionable.

  Outerwear designed to shield the body from the harsh desert climate was what Iris requested from the sales clerk. Kassidy rolled her eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she said to the clerk. “We normally buy really cool dresses.”

  Iris waited for the clerk to disappear behind a changing curtain and jabbed Kassidy in the ribs. “Hey, you don’t have to explain anything. Remember, we are supposed to be discreet.”

  “I know. I just feel sorry for the poor woman. We’re buying khaki pants and hiking boots. I don’t think she’s going to meet her sales quota.”

  “Well, don’t feel too sorry for her, Kass. She’s already abandoned us for whoever is behind those curtains.”

  “Ooh,” Kassidy said. “I hope it’s not the enemy.” She waved her fingers imitating a crawling spider.

  Iris whispered. “Hey, you guys wanted to get involved.” She placed her hand on Kassidy’s shoulder. “So, I suggest you be ready for anything.”

  “Way to go, I. You can still dish it out, girl.”

  “I’m not looking to dish anything. I just want this to be over.”

  Kassidy returned her gaze to the changing rooms. “Do you really think someone will try and harm us? I mean, burning a lab and field are quite different from killing people.”

  “The way Mitch thinks,” Iris sighed, “I don’t know. I think it’s affecting me. I think I’m starting to see shadows in every corner.” She wondered about that evening she saw the light over her house. Was it surveillance? And if so, was it human or otherworldly?

  Kassidy interrupted Iris’s daydream. “Well, let’s get shopping. It’ll take our minds off it.”

  “Yeah, right, men hate waiting.”

  “Oh, girl, you are whipped!”

  Iris observed Kassidy shopping. Her behavior was unlike the confident, aggressive friend she had always known. The way she fiddled with the hangers, swishing them to the left and to the right on the rack. It wasn’t that Kassidy couldn’t find her size. Iris could see the sizes clearly listed. Something had put Kassidy into the kind of fog she had been living in as of late.

  “What’s up? Can I help you, Kass?”

  Kassidy’s eyes were glazed. “Oh, I’m dawdling. I’m sorry.”

  “Come on. Spill it. I can’t have my best team member distracted.”

  “It’s just beginning to all hit home. We’re leaving. And whatever happens is going to be so strange. If we reestablish the defense system we’re going to have to live with what might have happened.” She removed a pair of pants off the rack and draped them over her arm. “But that’s not the worst outcome. I don’t know how I’m—how we’re going to deal with the change if we should fail.”

  Iris nodded for her to continue.
>
  “If Evan’s rapid evolution happens, and we were to survive, would we still be us? Suppose we get all those keen abilities but lose who we are. Maybe someone like me won’t want to drink anymore or make smart ass remarks. You would think that would all be for the better, wouldn’t you? But if what we gain makes us lose ourselves, our identities, our personalities, would it be worth it? Would we even realize we had advanced? Or, would we become some kind of automatons? Superior like robots except for personalities . . .”

  “You think we’re all going to lose our identities. Kass, I hadn’t thought of it like that.” Iris placed her hand on her shoulder. “When you think of it that way, I can see why it’s our duty to prevent the change from happening. I wouldn’t want to lose you, or Rachel or DJ for a few enhancements. We’ve got to prevent this.”

  “Wait, you didn’t say anything about Mitch. You wouldn’t want to lose him . . .?”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not going to lose him, Kass. He’s already wrapped around my finger.” Iris waited a long moment for Kassidy to smile. When she did, none of the Kassidy confidence lurked behind it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  THE LONGER her shadow cast the smaller she felt. It was as if she were in a gigantic stadium, yet there were no seats. Just emptiness contained within towering walls some ancient aliens once might have used as an arena. Tiny insignificant dots they were, Iris thought, drifting among the great ruins of history. She didn’t need psychic sense to detect the team’s verve was waning. It had only been a few hours since they arrived at the Chaco campgrounds. Their early afternoon advent had already squandered precious hours. Was that the reason for their less than exuberant demeanor? After all, they had planned—okay, Mitch and Evan had planned—extensively for the sojourn. Their very arrival should have been heralded even if not quite on schedule. But by appearance, Iris didn’t believe the late start was the reason for the lethargy.

  Mitch scrubbed a hand across his forehead and put his Indiana Jones hat back on. Iris sidled up next to him and settled her hand in the crook of his arm. She squinted from the sun, but appeared to be smiling at him. “Not what you were expecting?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Never is.” He fiddled with a canteen strapped to his shoulder. “What you perceive your investigation to be like and what it turns out to be are usually two different things.” He rubbed the toe of his boot in the sand. “Okay, break is over. Let’s proceed.” Hearing Dan’s words, Rusty waved a hand to lead the team.

  “Damn, everything here is brown. If it’s not dark brown, it’s light brown.”

  Iris waited for Kassidy’s rant to subside. “You okay back there?” Iris asked.

  Kassidy and Rachel walked behind Iris. “She isn’t drinking,” Rachel answered for Kassidy, “what do you think?”

  Kassidy sloshed her canteen from side to side. “Well, I could use a little mixer for this power drink since you mentioned it.”

  Following behind Kassidy and Rachel, were DJ and Darian. They had spoken little, moving along stride by stride, hand in hand.

  Evan carried the dial. It was concealed within a duffel bag that was wrapped in a blanket decorated in Aztec design. The scientist included an apron in the bag, much like the ones dentists make you wear when they take X-rays. But by outward appearance, one might never suspect what he carried was so life threatening. Beside him, Gavin ribbed. “I hope people won’t think we have a small body wrapped in that bundle.” Evan winced. “Well, this is Arizona. Hopefully they’ll think it’s some evil alien and not a small, helpless child.”

  Iris peered into Mitchell’s eyes. He broke the gaze to turn and observe Evan. She was certain she could read him. He was worried about an ambush. He wouldn’t state it however. He simply said. “Come on. Let’s keep up with our guide.” She felt a human attack was the least of their worries. Somewhere an alien weapon might strike the area. If the enemy aliens believed the defense system to be compromised they would surely strike. Galloway had impressed this notion into her mind. She wondered about the lingering effect of their connections with him. Iris could only hope Galloway’s accounts were true and that they needed to reinstall the planet’s defense system for the greater good. Yet those accounts were not so much words as images. And apparently, Mitchell’s inexperienced psychic mind had absorbed even more of those images than she had. He had seen the enemy’s vessel. What might these visions do to his psyche? Might a nasty side effect result? Look what that connection had done to Ron. And then, if she were to focus on her dream vision of the reptile she might really come apart. Perhaps someone among them was alien. Not quite an enemy, but not quite a BFF either. It made her shiver despite the unrelenting heat. I’ve got to stop thinking. Just keep walking. Focus. Keep yourself grounded.

  DAN CAMDEN hiked in measured paces. He couldn’t very well come within sight of his target: Jack and Will. It pained him to steer clear of his daughters. He had watched their vehicles amble by from the window view of his camper. That had been hours ago. There was still the possibility of Jack and Will blindsiding the investigators. Perhaps their greed to capitalize on an unexpected acquisition might bait them to forget their basic training. He didn’t really worry about Jack that much. He was too calculating for such a slip. But Will was another story. The man had always tried to bond with him. And there was only one reason an Organization man would do that—to get inside your head. This led Dan to conclude that Will was reckless in his pursuits. He would utilize emotion to gain a step.

  Emotion was a dangerous thing. It took you out of your game plan more often than not. If it hadn’t been for the chip in his head, distancing him from his psychic bond with his daughters, he would have never been able to resist emotion to do his work. He shuffled along, kicking up dust clouds, moving along South Gap Road toward the great pueblos. He was angered to even have let such an emotional thought enter his mind. He was here to do one thing: protect his daughters. That was job one. It should have been a long time ago. He pulled down the brim of his hat to cover his eyes and rolled his shoulders to adjust the padding in his jacket. He wanted to appear bigger than his frame. It was a disguise to hopefully deflect attention if either Jack or Will should see him. But what if they already had? And wouldn’t he look stupid, profusely sweating inside his jacket? So not the best planned disguise in the unrelenting heat of the desert.

  PUEBLO BONITO, with its D-shape, is among the largest constructs built in Chaco. Ranging in age from 900 to 1,100 years ago, a partial wall on the outer arc obstructs complete view from outside observers. But it was the view from within the pueblo that Jack betted would be obstructed as well. With nearly 650 rooms inside the construct, Jack was certain the investigators would have no other choice but to search for their power source here. He gambled it would be sooner or later. If not, he and Will would have wasted not only effort but a chance that the investigators would experience beginner’s luck. There was always a chance they could find what they needed right away. If that occurred at some other point in Chaco, it would have devastating consequence. The light bringer would not be able to commence the Alteration. And if there was no Alteration, there was little chance someone like him could climb the evolutionary ladder. He wouldn’t spend his remaining mortal time being a gopher for the Organization. Acquiring alien objects was so twentieth century. Things had to change, and they had to change now.

  When Jack’s gamble paid off, he choked down a smile. The arrogance welled within him. Will wouldn’t even meet his gaze afterwards. He’s probably so jealous he could spit. He probably wonders how I can know so much. I think it’s a little thing called destiny. I’m destined for this future.

  Jack motioned for Will to alternate their hiding spots. Instead of clinging to the inside of the great wall, they would now position themselves outside of it. Now with the teams securely inside the pueblo, any discovery they might make could be noted, but more importantly, it could be stopped.

  DAN PEERED through binoculars. He spotted the tiny dots. It
had to be them. What if he took action now? Stopped the bastards before they had a chance to harm Iris or DJ? Dan had no experience combating live enemies. The aliens he encountered were already dead from accidents or their inability to survive in the Earth’s atmosphere. He certainly hadn’t come up against human opposition. He always believed in the “us against them” mentality, and now the “us” threatened to murder his family.

  He scratched at the stubble on his chin. No. He couldn’t risk it. He could retrieve a rifle from his camper and perhaps take out one of the men, preferably Jack, with a single shot. Yet that shot would echo throughout the canyon reaching numerous ears. If there were other campers, they might alert authorities. Worse, once he fired, his element of surprise would be extinguished. The other man, probably Will, would be free to pursue a hasty course of action, namely the killing of his daughters and their friends. And to top it all off, Will might gain possession of the artifact. Dan really didn’t know what the artifact was capable of, but it certainly could alter a strain of corn given the right conditions. It was deemed valuable by men like Will and Jack if not the entire Organization. Well, they wouldn’t get their prize this time even if he had to die to stop it. Because Dan had spied on his daughter, he realized she had to install the artifact she labeled The Dial to prevent a catastrophe. His best scenario would allow his daughters to complete their mission and to thwart their pursuers. Working for the Organization, Dan learned best case scenarios rarely materialized.