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By the time Jonas and Boony arrived at the mouth of Mineshaft 15, three guards were dead. They were facedown on the gritty floor next to a stack of steel plates on a forklift. None of the insects were around, but that was what had killed the men. Little holes were encircled with blood on the back of their suits.
Jonas looked at two guards who were standing about fifteen yards away near the mining pit. “What happened? Where are the insects?”
One of the nervous guards walked to him. “They ran back down the shaft.”
“How many were there?”
“I’m not certain. These guys were down in the tunnel trying to cover the hole around the driller. Next thing we know they were running toward us screaming.”
“You ran?” Jonas asked.
“What was I supposed to do? I heard that only the flamethrowers could kill them. I don’t have one of them.”
Jonas nodded. “You did the right thing. I thought some of the guards had brought the flamethrowers.”
The guard pointed at the three dead guards. “They did. They had them down inside the tunnel.”
Jonas shut his eyes and winced. “The flamethrowers are down in the tunnel?”
“Yes.”
Damn.
Jonas looked at the guard. “Barry, what were you doing when you noticed the attack?”
“We had brought the stack of steel plates in case we needed to seal off the tunnel. Rumor was that might be what we have to do.”
“I’m afraid we’re left with few options now. If the only flamethrowers we have are down there, the tunnel needs to be sealed. Call together some of the architectural engineers and carpenters to seal it off. Make certain each plate is flushed with the next. Leave no gaps. We cannot allow any possible opening where one of those insects can squeeze through. Otherwise, we’re going to have a whole lot more dead people like this.”
“What about the other prisoners down in the shaft?” Barry asked.
“They’re dead.”
“You sure?”
“I’m quite certain, but if you’d like to go check it out?”
Barry shook his head. “No, sir. I don’t want to be doing that.”
“Nor do I. But my suggestion is you get that corridor closed off as quickly as possible.”
“On it, sir.”
Jonas looked at Boony. “We need every guard we have to help seal this door.”
“How can you do that?”
“I’m shutting down the mines until this corridor is closed. It’s top priority. We cannot afford to lose more guards. From the miners’ appearances, they could use a few days of rest to recuperate.”
“You think it will take that long?”
He sighed. “I hope not, but I’d rather them do it right than to rush it.”
Boony nodded.
“The only downside is that it might become harder for us to locate Matthews.”
“Why is that?”
“What’s to stop him from hiding with one of the prisoners while the other guards are here?”
“Do you think Norm’s assumption is correct?”
“That Matthews will make an attempt on my life?” Jonas shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time. But like I said back at the office, Matthews would be foolish to take over the operations here. Grayson could starve us by refusing to send any shipments to Mars.”
“Maybe, but if Matthews wants to hurt Grayson financially, all Matthews has to do is offer China or Russia or any foreign power free access to Olympus Mons in exchange for goods. They’d probably jump on such an opportunity.”
“Perhaps. But those countries are far behind what Grayson possesses. Who’s to say that they could even successfully reach us?”
“Their robots did.”
“Yes, but they’re not humans.”
Boony nodded. “So should we focus on finding Matthews now?”
“I’d rather load up my guards and staff into shuttles and head back to Earth since we have no way to combat those insects.”
A gentle, beautiful smile curled her lips. “I’d vote to do that.”
“Between you and I, if the dangers continue to increase at this pace, I see nothing else better to do. We go home and tell Grayson where he can stick it. I doubt he’d find crewmembers willing to face the dangers we’re currently surrounded by.”
“I’ve had my limit, too. I’ll alert the guards to escort the prisoners back to their cells.”
“Thanks.”
***
Gary walked with Norm to the infirmary, but as much as Norm leaned against Gary for support, it was almost like Gary was carrying the older guard.
Gary was surprised that Norm had survived as long as he had in the mining pit, but it was not surprising by how exhausted Norm was. Although he knew Norm, Gary was a patrolling guard and never an overseer of the miners. Otherwise, he’d have recognized Norm well before his chip had malfunctioned. Norm’s age should have keyed any of the other perimeter guards at the mining pit that he wasn’t one of the prisoners. But, with working conditions as they were, and the overall lack of enthusiasm, most guards didn’t give a second thought to what should be a prominent warning flag until after it was too late.
The receptionist gave Gary an odd expression when he led Norm to the desk. Prisoners were always taken into a separate office for treatment. Not that there really was any specific need to have two offices, but most of the staff and guards were more comfortable not being around the prisoners, regardless of the Sleeper Chip implants.
Gary had spoken with other guards and female staff members at The Vortex. He found it comical how others viewed the chipped prisoners. While some were grateful to know the violent prisoners were fully controlled by the chips, they still couldn’t handle being near the convicts. The prisoners always stared in a trance similar to someone under deep hypnosis. Like live storefront mannequins. Several of the staff had expressed that they feared the prisoners might one day awaken and brutally attack them.
“Why did you bring him in here?” she asked in a disgusted whisper.
“Because he’s not a prisoner. He’s a guard.”
Her facial expression became even odder. “What?”
“You heard me. Now, he needs an I.V. to rehydrate and—”
“Sir, you’re not a doctor.”
Gary glanced at her nametag. “And you’re not much of a receptionist, either, Cindy.”
Her eyebrows rose and her face flushed red.
“Look at him,” Gary said. “We don’t have any prisoners this man’s age. There’s a reason for that. They could never keep up the pace.”
“Then why was he mining?”
Gary frowned. “That’s confidential.”
“How’s that?”
“You have any more questions, ask Jonas. He’s the one who told me to bring Norm here.”
Cindy took a sharp breath. “Very well. Make him sit over there. A nurse will get him in a few minutes. What’s his name?”
“Norm Schrader.”
She wrote down the name on the sign-in sheet.
Gary headed toward the door.
“Where are you going? I’m not touching him. Where’s your CAM-L?”
“He’s not a prisoner. He’s not being controlled by a chip.”
Cindy appeared nervous. “He doesn’t have a chip?”
“He’s harmless, Cindy. An exhausted old man who needs rehydration and a few days of sleep. If you don’t believe me, search his name in the database. He’s a guard. I need to report back to Jonas ASAP. We have other urgent situations going on right now.” Gary opened the door.
“Wait, Gary,” she said nervously.
He turned and looked at her. She motioned him to come around the desk. “What is it?”
Cindy pointed at the computer screen. “That’s the picture for Norm Schrader. Not this man you brought in.”
Gary shook his head. “No, that picture is Steven Matthews. He swapped places with Norm before their shuttle reached Mars.”
She tapped the computer screen. “That’s the prisoner?”
He nodded. “He’s a very dangerous man.”
She swallowed hard.
“What’s wrong?”
Cindy whispered, “He came in here earlier.”
“Is he still here?”
She nodded. “I think so. He went back to talk to the doctors, but he’s never left.”
Gary drew his laser pistol. “Where?”
She pointed. “Through that door. Dr. Lee’s and Dr. Sheung’s offices are back there.”
“Stay here.”