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THE ISLAND:
“Damn!” For a fraction of a second, Alex’s left forearm feels as though it has been sliced open, then the pain goes away.
Okana stares at his friend. “Are you all right?”
Alex looks around the inside of the cargo hold with a sense of Déjà vu. He has a strange sensation there is something very important he needs to do, but it’s just on the fringe of his memory, like a dark cloud in the recesses of his mind. “What just happened?”
Okana thinks it an odd question. “You touched this thing and swore as if in pain. Don’t you remember?”
“Not really, but it all seems so familiar. Let’s go back to the beach so I can call Martin with the good news.”
Once back outside, Alex slides his satellite phone from a coat pocket, and enters Martin’s number. A moment later, he’s transferred to his office. “We did it, Martin.” He explains the highlights of what took place, and that they need three more crystals. “We need some support out here. I’m sure we’re not the only ones who know about this island.”
“I already have the Coast Guard on standby. I’ll call them right away.”
“What about military support?”
“That will take a little more time, but I’ll make the call. The Coast Guard should arrive within the hour. Is Okana with you right now?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him to call home. His father had a fatal heart attack.”
“Oh. All right. Thanks.” Alex hands the phone to Okana. “I think you should call home. Your family needs to get in touch with you.” I could swear I’ve done this before.
When Okana enters the number for his family’s ranch, his cousin answers and explains what happened. He hangs up and looks at Alex. “Listen, I need to get home, but I don’t want to leave you without any backup.”
Alex puts his hand on Okana’s shoulder. “Rita can handle herself, and I have David, Tanner, and Josh to help. Let’s get back to the Mystic so the helicopter can take you to the airport in Seward.”
Okana hesitates. “That’s not much help, Alex.”
“Martin said the Coast Guard should be here soon. I’ll be okay. Let’s go.”
Alex and Okana climb into the motorboat and drive back to the Mystic. When the boat bumps against the stern, Rita jumps in.
“Can I get a ride back?”
Alex looks at Okana, who has climbed out. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He shoves off from the stern, starts the engine, and drives across to the island.
A few moments later, the boat bumps against the dock and Rita steps out and smiles as she waits for Alex to leave.
Alex is about to drive back to the Mystic, but has a strong desire not to leave yet, as if the haze in his mind is clearing.
Rita notices Alex’s hesitation. “Is something wrong?”
“Maybe I should go with you.”
Crap! “Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine. Go say goodbye to Okana.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
Rita knows better than to let Alex get suspicious, so she turns and heads to the spaceship.
Alex stares after Rita as she disappears over the edge of the crater. For some odd reason, he suddenly hates her, as if she has done something terrible to him.
He hears the helicopter engine whine. No, that’s just too crazy.
When he reaches down to shove off from the dock, Alex suddenly remembers the pain in his forearm and straightens up. When he rolls up his sleeve, his eyebrow goes up. “What the hell?” Someone used lightning bolts as letters to spell, STOP RITA. What in hell is this about? Lightning bolts? It must be important.
Alex shuts off the engine and steps onto the dock, tying the bow rope to the cleat as he stands. The looming black cloud in the back of his mind is slowly clearing as he climbs over the ridge of the crater. When he sees Rita hurrying across the beach, an incredible sense of rage is nearly overpowering. He doesn’t understand why, but knows he has to stop her from doing something.
When Rita hears someone running across the gravel beach, she has a gut wrenching feeling it’s Alex. Damn, I hate that guy! When the footsteps stop, she turns around ready to smile and act innocent. She isn’t afraid of much, but the venomous look in his eyes seems to bore right into her brain. “What’s wrong with you, Alex?”
It takes every ounce of self-control to stop himself from knocking her to the ground, and after a few deep breaths, he lets his hunched shoulders relax. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m taking you back to the Mystic.”
Rita tries to relax, wondering if Alex is onto her plan. He is being very vague and seems to be having a hard time remembering something. “You’re scaring the hell out of me, Alex. What’s wrong with you?”
“I said, let’s go!” When she hesitates, he feels like grabbing her arm and dragging her back to the motorboat. “Now, Rita!”
She knows Alex means it. He can’t prove anything and now is not the time to argue. “All right, already.”
Alex follows Rita back to the motorboat and takes her across to the Mystic. Okana is waiting on the stern and Alex tosses him the bow rope.
“What’s up, Alex?”
Rita feels her heart rate increase. How much does Alex know? “What’s your problem, Alex?”
“Just climb out of the boat.”
Rita doesn’t like where this is leading. “All right.” She steps out onto the deck and waits until Alex climbs out. “Would you mind telling me what this is about?”
Alex has a strange intuition. “Empty your pockets.”
Rita brings the satellite phone out from her coat pocket, careful not to expose the pistol tucked into the rear of her pants. “That’s it.”
When Alex sees the phone, he feels an adrenalin rush. “I’ll take that.”
“I was just taking it over to Henry.” She holds the phone out to Alex. “He said he needs to make a call.”
“I’ll take care of it.” When Alex takes the phone, it feels as if the weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders, but he doesn’t understand why.
Okana doesn’t know what to say, but trusts Alex to tell him later. “Do you want me to stick around?”
Alex hesitates. “No, I think everything is okay. Go home to your family.”
Rita realizes her plan is thwarted, and turns to face Okana. “You’re flying back to the mainland? I’ll go with you. I need to get off the water for a while, anyway. Just let me get my bag.”
When Rita hurries across the deck, Okana stares at Alex. “Would you mind telling me what that was about?”
Alex stares after Rita. “I have no idea. It’s just a weird feeling that something is wrong.”
***
Rita throws her belongings into the tote bag and buries the pistol just under the surface of her clothes before zipping it shut. She knows Steve has a submarine capable of retrieving one of the devices, and she knows the GPS location. If I can get ahold of Steve in time, we can salvage the device in the Bering Sea. Now all I need to do is get off this ship before Alex changes his mind.
***
Okana notices Alex staring across the water, lost in thought. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Alex turns to his friend. “I have all these images flashing through my mind. Things that could not possibly happen, but they seem so real.” He rolls up his sleeve. “Look at this.”
Okana steps closer and reads the letters formed by the red scar tissue. He looks up and gives Alex a questioning stare. “Stop Rita? What does it mean?”
“I have no idea.”
When Rita steps out onto the stern deck, she smiles and tries her best to look casual until she sees the strange look in Alex’s eyes. She turns and grabs the door handle on the side of the helicopter.
Alex quickly moves over to stop her. “Hold on a second. What are you up too?”
Crap! She turns and smiles. “What do you mean?”
“Are you working with someone other than us?”
Rita nervously shifts her weight, crosses her arms, and stares at Alex. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Alex realizes she’s right and just stares at her. He can’t shake the feeling she is up to something. He steps closer to her so he can whisper in her ear. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ll be watching you.” When he steps back, he sees the fear in her eyes and knows his suspicion is correct.
Rita looks away and climbs into the helicopter.
Okana gives Alex a hug. “Listen, we’re going to have a memorial service for my Dad next Saturday, and I wondered if you would come to my ranch. You’ve never been there, and I’d really like for you to meet my mom.”
Alex doesn’t hesitate. “Of course I will. Just let me know what time.”
“I’ll introduce you to my cousin, Fala.”
Alex’s shoulders slump. “Don’t do this to me again, Okana. You know I’m not ready for another relationship.”
“You don’t have to marry her, Alex. I think you might like her.”
“You’d better get going. I’ll see you in a week.”
He watches his friend turn and climb into the helicopter, and as the rotors spin, he hurries up the stairs to the bridge. Once he is inside out of the downdraft, Bett takes the helicopter into the air and he sits down and watches it disappear over the island.
He stares at the island through the window, and cannot stop thinking about the cuts on his arm. It’s apparent the carver has talent, but when did this happen? Was I unconscious or awake? Why would I allow it in the first place?
When he hears the deep thumping of an approaching helicopter, Alex grabs the binoculars off the console and trains them in the direction of the sound. A moment later, an orange and white Coast Guard helicopter swings around the island and hovers over the stern, and he hears a voice from the radio speaker.
“Mystic, this is Coast Guard Rescue Three at your service. I’d like to speak with Mister Alex Cave.”
Alex grabs the microphone. “This is Alex. It’s good to see you.”
“I’d like permission to lower a few Marines down to help you.”
“Permission granted. What are your orders?”
“We’ll remain here on standby until the jets arrive, but then we’re to take you to the airport on Adak by order of Director Donner.”
“I understand. Thanks for the assist.”
Alex replaces the microphone as four soldiers slide down a rope onto the stern deck. He grabs a portable radio and hurries down the stairs to greet them, and one man holds out his hand.
“I’m Lieutenant Jackson, Mister Cave. What would you like us to do?”
Alex shakes his hand. “Just Alex, will do, Lieutenant. Thanks for the help. I’ll take two of you over to the island. The other two stay here in case we get company.”
The Lieutenant looks at his people. “Haskell and Vanzetti, stay here. Garcia, you’re with me.”
Tanner hears the thumping of a helicopter and leaves his office in the bow to find out what’s going on. When he steps out on the stern deck, he sees Alex standing in front of four marines and walks over to the group. “I see mister Donner came through for us.”
Alex introduces Haskell and Vanzetti to Tanner, then drives Jackson and Garcia across to the island in the motorboat. When he reaches the rim of the crater, Alex waits for them to catch up so he can watch their expressions when they see the spaceship. He isn’t disappointed when both their mouths open slightly. “Wait until you see the inside. By the way, you cannot discuss anything you see on this island with anyone. Ever. By order of the Director of National Security. Do you understand?”
Both men speak together, “Yes sir.”
Alex steps into the control room, sees David and Henry leaning over a console, and they don’t even notice his arrival. “The Marines are here.”
Henry looks up. “Sorry, Alex. I did not see you. Ah, you have brought company.”
“This is Lieutenant Jackson and Corporal Garcia. They’ll be watching over you when I leave. Martin wants to debrief me in D.C. so I’ll be leaving when the jets get here.”
“Contact Lewis as soon as possible. Tell him David and I need three new crystals if we are to fly this ship to Nevada.”
“I will. Why don’t you show our new friends around? I’ll be back in a minute.”
Alex’s thoughts keep returning to the enigma of his scars and the only connection is the sphere. He returns to the cave and enters the cargo area, then walks straight over to the silver jumpsuit. The mummified face staring up at him has all but turned to dust, barely recognizable as human. He kneels down to touch the silver suit, which doesn’t show any signs of deterioration, and the material feels like fine silk. He doesn’t see any zipper or flap and wonders how this person had gotten inside. He pulls up on the suit to roll it over and the remains pass right through the material. He stands and holds it up by the shoulders and looks down at the dust on the floor. Whoever it was, they wore the same size clothing as he does.
He lets it drop and goes over to the sphere. What are you? What’s your purpose on this ship? He remembers the scars on his arm only hurt when he touched it, and wonders if it will hurt again. He slowly eases his palms toward the surface, hesitates, XXX then places them against the sphere. When nothing happens, he steps back and grins.
His grin slips away when the roar of a jet aircraft streaking through the sky over the crater rumbles from the cave. He turns and heads for the exit, snatching the suit from the floor and rolling it up before tucking it under his arm and climbing out of the ship into the cave. When he steps outside the entrance, his friends and the marines are standing outside the spaceship, staring up at the sky. He strolls across the beach to join them. “That sounds like my cue to leave.”
David notices the silver suit. “Where did you get the new clothes?”
“I think it belonged to one of the crew. I’ll take it back and have it analyzed.” He hears the Coast Guard helicopter move into position over the Mystic. “I’d better get going. Call me if you need anything.”
After hugs and fond farewells, Alex drives the motorboat back to the Mystic. He says goodbye to Tanner before he is hauled up into the Coast Guard helicopter. A moment later, he’s heading to the Naval Air Station on Adak Island for a ride to D.C.
***
SEWARD, ALASKA:
As they approach the airport, Okana realizes that Rita hasn’t said a word to either him or Bett. Whatever Alex said to her, she seems a little subdued. He can’t help wondering about Alex’s scar message. Where did it come from? Just when I think this mission can’t get any stranger, Alex throws another curve ball into the situation.
Once they set down on the tarmac, Rita grabs her bag and says a quick thanks and goodbye to Bett and Okana before hurrying across the concrete to the side of the air terminal. She takes out her phone and enters Preston’s private number. “I’m in Seward, Steve. Things didn’t go as we planned and we don’t have much time so listen carefully. I can get you to the device in the Bering Sea, but you need to get your water plane here as fast as possible and bring the submarine. It won’t be long until Cave calls for a salvage operation to get the device. Here is the GPS location.”
“What about you?”
“Send a private jet to pick me up here in Seward. I’ll fly to Wyoming and get everything ready at the COBRA facility.”
“My jet will arrive in Seward in three hours. Once we recover the device, I’ll bring it to you myself.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you at COBRA. I love you.” Rita hears a click from her phone. “Steve?” She frowns and stares at the screen and sees the call is no longer connected. Must be the reception.