Hidden Demon, page 6
part #1 of Altered Demons Series
"Kuso! Kuso-majime!" Ko cursed under his breath as his gun barrel darted around in the dark.
Crash! Screams!
More gallops sounded as Ko jerked his rifle toward the noise.
"Screw this," he said, yanking a phosphorous grenade from his utility belt. He inserted it into the under-barrel launcher of the gun and locked the breech. As a prayer, he spoke words learned in his youth.
"Though the blind man cannot see it. Light remains light."
He fired into the dark, the flare round leaving a trail of smoke as it exited his launcher. A warm glow lit the alleyway as the smell of scorched pavement grew. The car became visible on the opposite side of the alley with wheels up.
"Something flipped it," Dee said as they made contact.
She marveled at the crumpled door and deformed bulletproof glass. Ortiz cried out from inside, screaming for attention against the dismembered bodies laid to waste on the pavement. Illuminated by the flare, bloody parts sprinkled the tiny world encircled by light. Dee gawked at one stuck halfway through a 2-story window.
"Help us!"
Dee rushed to the vehicle as Ko scanned the area, watching her back. She crouched quickly and saw Ortiz embracing her husband. Mascara streaming down her face, she rocked back and forth as she embraced his limp body. The agent turned savior locked eyes with the senatorial candidate, sharing the terrible moment with her.
"I have you, let's get you out of here."
As Dee helped her, Ko swept his muzzle over the area, ignoring the illuminated bodies as his flare round sizzled. The tip of his barrel stopped on a stationary shadow dominating a concrete wall in the distance. He squinted.
"Maybe it's nothing," he muttered as he stepped away from the wrecked vehicle.
Restrained steps took him toward the murky figure, bulbous in the front and spiky in the back. One step. A second step. The shadow moved. He stopped, his controlled exhale painting the chilled air white. He pulled the trigger.
Boom!
Growl!
A hulking dash echoed throughout the alleyway as a gigantic thing retreated. He took three steps backward, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
Dee ran up behind him.
"Ko, what was it!?"
"Akujin," he whispered.
"What?"
"A demon."
Chapter 10
S
tart and stop. The self-driving SUV rowed through the DC beltway traffic. Ko reviewed his laptop as Dee's mind wandered. The attack on the candidate weighed heavily, as did her impact on the mission.
Jo, are you there?
I'm here, Dee, how can I help?
I experienced something unusual, and it has me concerned.
I am sorry to hear that. Can you tell me what happened?
Ko and I were on a mission, and right in the middle, a splitting headache came on. Not the kind over-the-counter meds fix. I couldn't speak from the pain. It stopped me in my tracks.
Your medical history shows no record of migraines, did something unexpected happen before to trigger your symptoms?
No, nothing I could tell. Afterwards the power went out. The mission went sideways, but my symptoms happened beforehand.
Has this happened on prior missions?
No, never.
In your personal life? During sleep or recreation?
No, not like this. My heart raced so fast I heard it. I couldn't breathe. Pain pierced my mind. It felt like… dread. It felt like I was dying.
I believe what you are experiencing might be a panic attack.
How is that possible? My job psyche evals me every year.
It is highly unusual for a panic attack to manifest from nowhere, but you have been through much. Do you think you returned to work too soon?
No, I don't think so.
Are you scared or worried about the mission?
It's high stakes, but I'm damn happy to be back.
Even so, now that it has happened once, it could happen again. I am sure you do not want that during a mission.
Correct.
Then you need to be honest with me.
You said "not like this" earlier. Did this experience remind you of something? Maybe an item not in your records.
"Meddlesome bot," Dee said, pulling a brief glance from Ko.
Dee, is there something you want to share?
I'm not sure I want to share that. Not with you, Jo.
Did you have panic attacks as a child? That may have disqualified you from service, Dee. Remember, this conversation is between you and me. This is not an interrogation. It is for your benefit, not mine.
When I went hunting as a teenager with dad, he got upset because I wouldn't shoot a deer. I couldn't. I panicked. The deer frightened off and he never let me try again.
Did you experience similar symptoms from today?
Not the pain. The dread. I remember the dread. Ever present when I pointed the weapon. Even when dad took the shot, that sense of doom remained. Every time.
Thank you for sharing that experience, Dee.
Do you believe that's the diagnosis, Jo? Panic attacks?
Women develop panic attacks with twice the frequency of men, and symptoms often begin as a young adult. Latest research does not identify clear causes for panic disorders. Some hypothesize a biological vulnerability correlated with major life changes and lifestyle stressors. It is fair to say you have had both. Would you agree?
Yes, maybe it's affecting me more than I expected.
That is a sound insight, Dee. You are a wise woman.
I've been called wise in other contexts, but I'll take your bullshit compliment, robot.
I need to ask you a tough question. Can I depend on your honest answer?
I'll try.
People who suffer from panic disorders are also more likely than others to suffer from depression. They abuse alcohol and drugs and attempt suicide at higher rates than average. Do you feel any of these items are a problem for you?
No.
Your records show you drink frequently.
No more than others. I'm not suicidal or abusing alcohol. That's not my way.
So, you do not view it as a problem?
No, and to answer your next question, a couple of beers have never impacted by job because I don't drink while working.
Good, I am glad it is not a problem, Dee. I am not a medical doctor. I suggest you get a medical diagnosis on this and have relevant therapeutic interventions. A physician can add prescriptions for anxiety to the medi-lot device and we can continue focused therapy around that issue once confirmed.
Okay, I will once the mission is complete.
You should talk to someone sooner.
Okay, I will as soon as possible. Got to go now, Jo.
Goodbye, Dee.
The SUV stopped outside a remodeled, single-story ranch in Arlington. Past the guards on the front porch, Senatorial candidate Isabel Ortiz sat on a leather recliner. Her right arm rested in a sling as a white fleece blanket covered her. She sipped hot tea from a crystal cup before placing it on a tiny table next to a photo of Luis. It smiled back at her, as he no longer could. Men in black suits kept watch inside the living room as Ko and Dee stood opposite the cherry wood coffee table from her. Isabel spoke out loud to herself, oblivious to her surroundings as herbal vapors from the Yerba Mate filled the space.
"Luis loved tea. Well, he really loved rum and cigars, but I didn't. I couldn't stand the smell."
A chuckle broke through her soliloquy.
"So, we shared tea."
Her sudden pause punctuated the silence. In the room's corner, the brass pendulum of an antique grandfather clock swung, ticking inside a rich cherry wood cabinet partially obscured by a Ficus.
"Mrs. Ortiz, I'm truly sorry for your loss," Dee said.
"Senora Ortiz, please," Isabel said, grabbing the picture of her husband. She contemplated it as she spoke. "Luis died three days ago. They say success is how high you bounce after you hit bottom."
She put the frame to her chest. Her lip quivered as her eyes glistened. Half crying, she forced words through a face distorted.
"I haven't bounced yet."
Dee handed her a tissue from the nearby box.
Ortiz composed herself through muted sniffles before speaking to one of her black-suited protectors.
"Leave us for a moment."
He and the team exited to the outside porch.
"Take a seat."
Her half-invitation and half-order landed as Ortiz motioned to the couch with her good arm. They both sat, leaning forward from the high back of the ornate royal blue love seat. After the rescue and recovery, Dee had more questions than answers. What about the pains in her head, the electromagnetic blast, and the shadow that moved?
Ortiz spoke through a final sniffle.
"We don't have to pretend with each other. I know you two aren't FBI. However, the President trusts you."
"I've been by his side in dire times," Dee said. "He saw fit for me—for us—to protect you. That's what I agreed to. That's the job."
"What we do is more than a job. Isn't it?"
"Yes, Senora, it is."
"And so, on the eve of my husband's funeral, what more could you conceivably want from me?"
"We need to know what you saw," Ko said.
"What I saw? In the pitch black?" She scoffed.
"Yes, there was no security footage," Dee said. "It knocked out all electronics for blocks. Some type of energy burst, possibly an EMP, electromagnetic pulse—"
"I'm a scientist, I know what an EMP is, agent," Isabel said.
"Yes, understood, but without surveillance, we don't know what attacked you. And if we don't know what it was, we can't protect you."
Isabel glanced again at the image of Luis as she blinked back tears. She brought a shaky hand to her forehead as her voice quaked.
"It was a midnight tornado. Decisive and cruel. Stealthy and swift and something I never want to encounter again."
"Akujin," Ko said, eyes widening.
"What's that?" Isabel said, shaking her head.
"It is a Japanese word for demon."
"What is up with you two?" Isabel asked. "Why are you so amazed? Freeman told you I assume?"
They responded with blank faces and heads shaking.
"Oh, I see."
The candidate paused for another sip of tea.
"I don't know what it is. But they wanted to draw it out. They promised you'd protect us. That you'd be ready."
Thoughts raced through Dee's mind. She guessed Freeman had sent them on a suicide mission, or something close to it.
Ko pointed at Ortiz.
"You were the bait, and we were the trap?"
Dee stood, pacing around the room, hands clutching hips.
"We weren't told. We tried to protect you, but he kept us in the dark all this time. We were not ready for this. Not at all."
"Dee, please," Ko said, motioning for her to sit near him.
She gritted her teeth and returned to his side, eyeballing Isabel.
"Why would you agree to this?"
Isabel put the photo of her husband back on the end table.
"I'm a smart woman. I thought I understood the risks. But I did not. Not like this."
Dee wrung her hands as she contemplated the evasive answers from Ortiz. The outcome of the attack had clearly left her in a stupor, blocking progress on the case. Though her grief was appropriate, it was unhelpful.
"Was your husband just a pawn for your campaign?" Dee said, trying to break through.
Ko leaned away from her, his face going pale as she continued.
"He was a well-known baseball player in his day, right? That fact couldn't have hurt your chances. With him gone and your existing lead in the polls, the sympathy vote makes you a virtual lock. I should start addressing you as Senator right now. I mean, did he even know, Senora Ortiz? Was he aware of the position he played in this twisted game you and the president conjured?"
Isabel glared at her, eyes narrowing as she reclined. She grimaced from the arm injury as she licked her lips before speaking.
"Maybe you two should get with Freeman on this one. I'm not in the mood for guests."
A moment passed. Ko tapped Dee's shoulder as they stood together. They exited the living room through the front door, passing the dark-suited guards. One of them touched his ear as they stepped down the cement stairs, strolling toward the SUV. As she unlocked the vehicle door, Dee spoke.
"We have discussed this prior, but the outage in DC?"
"Yes, you pointed out hints of the Tokyo attack, just bloodier execution. What about it?"
"I continue to believe that theory, but this is something more. This thing, whatever it is, laid waste to her entire security detail. Body parts everywhere. Cars overturned. Systems burned out for blocks. Absolute destruction, you know?"
"Yeah, your point?"
"This formidable thing feared us. It did not attack. There must be a reason."
"You have theories?"
They stopped by the SUV as Dee looked at Ko.
"I believe it was afraid because it didn't expect us."
She peeked at the guard watching them from the porch.
"Get in."
Ko raised an eyebrow as he and Dee entered the SUV, doors slamming behind them.
"It knew the target completely," Dee said. "It had a mission. Parameters for engagement. Strongly defined. Only Ortiz, Luis, and their security detail. But additional assets in the field changed its calculus. That's tactical thinking. Military."
"It calculated a weakness, so it retreated?"
"Possibly, but weakness or not, I believe it is much worse. Whatever the nature of this… creature. It adjusts to what situation presents itself. You realize what that means?"
"The creature thinks?"
"It judges," she said, starting the vehicle. "I suppose it is time for Freeman to fill in the blanks."
Chapter 11
B
utler stood inside the metal edifice of the operations center for the New Norfolk StareFace hub. A squall raging against the giant rig and thick walls meant he would not be leaving today. Fortunately, the office and apartment they showed him earlier worked for both overnight stays and future visits to the platform. Fingers moved fast as he texted his wife before forgetting.
"Director Butler? Sir, should I continue?"
A young woman with thick eyebrows and chestnut brown eyes leaned into his vision.
"Yes, of course, Amelia, the sensor array," Butler said.
"As I was saying, the sensors are simply devices that feed raw data to the framework. A device consists of units for sensing, processing, and communication powered by a battery. We may add sensor nodes if they use technology that interoperates with the sink node, or what some people call a base station."
"As long as the data packets are consistent."
"Correct, we send those packets from the sensors over a network encrypted by the world's most powerful quantum computer hundreds of feet below us and underwater. That same quantum computer correlates the packets into a MAPS framework—mining, analysis, processing, and storage. From there the pattern recognition AI takes over. Exceptions are kicked to response teams based on geography and urgency."
"A relatively straightforward system as you describe it."
"Elegant engineering makes the complicated appear simple."
A lightning flash and thunder crashed near them as they impulsively ducked. The rumble lingered as Butler continued.
"What about resilience of the system? Electrical storms for example?"
"Let's get you out of operations and show you some actual devices in the lab. Follow me."
As they walked down an austere white hallway, Butler strained to keep up, hard-soled shoes clapping against white metal floor tiles.
"You remind me of my daughter, Amelia," he said, reviewing her as she mulled over his comment, straight-faced. "She's a smart woman. Wish she would come around more often. I hope you don't mind me saying that."
"Not at all, sir."
"She walks fast, too."
Amelia beamed as she held a door open.
"We're here."
As they entered, devices of all shapes and sizes covered rows of tables. Translucent monitors surrounded the space. A large, clear box occupied the corner.
"Okay, sir, here is a good one."
She grabbed a large black sphere on a flat base.
"This is the type of sensor we would put on commercial aircraft to gather data. They lease the space to us, so it is another revenue stream for them."
As she handed it to him, Butler nodded.
"Interesting, hardened against electrical storms, I'm sure."
"Yes, over here is another one. It's my favorite," she said, walking away.
Butler placed the sphere back on the table and followed. In her hand was a device the size of a large candy bar, but thicker. Hinged on one side, buttons flush with the edge adorned the red anodized metal surface.
"Most call these clamshells. I like to call them bricks," she said, opening the device to reveal a screen.
"It's an ancient cell phone?"
"Nope, way better. This lets you use StareFace in standalone mode. The behavioral exceptions from the system get reported out to response teams."
"It's efficient, as you highlighted," Butler said.
"But this is for field agents. They can either view exceptions or punch in on the live feed. Make regular phone calls without Stingray monitoring. It even has a powerful radio for underground transmission."
"Underground?"
"Yeah, we are bit blind underground. Caves. Ocean depths. We're working on it though. Anyway, a field agent can broadcast long wave radio and terrestrial sensors will grab it."
"I presume it is hardened?"
"Let's find out," Amelia said, carrying it toward the empty box in the corner.
As Butler caught up, she lifted the cover and placed the device inside, sealing the cover and turning knobs.
"Oh, here you go Director, you'll want this welding helmet."
As they put their helmets on, the machine whirred. Red lights flashed over the entryway.
"Any minute now, it's building charge," she said. "You can almost feel your hairs standing up, can't you? It's itchy, but harmless. The bulk of the energy stays in the box."
