Infinity's Gateway, page 15
“Well, I think we’ve done all the damage we can do here,” said MacKay, standing up and stretching. “Let’s get these photos that we’ve earmarked enhanced, look at the rest of the footage we have when these photos were taken, and see if Sahir and his team can find anything else. Thank you. I appreciate everyone’s time with this.”
Garrett took off, letting them know that she’d be bringing Lieutenant Tanner up to speed. Father Ryan left with Dr. Chudzik, both on their way down to talk with Dr. Brennan, while Colton stayed behind with Captain MacKay.
“Your thoughts, Commander?” asked MacKay.
“I’d hoped to have better intel before acting, but I think it’s time we sent a landing party ashore for a better look. Due to the poor visibility, we may have flown over entire villages and not seen a thing. Like you, I believe that we must be somewhere in the Caribbean. It’s just a question of where. Nevertheless, we need to find out firsthand what’s over there.”
MacKay nodded his head. “Yeah, that makes the most sense. I trust you’ll be leading the team.”
“Of course,” answered Colton. “I’ll pull together an operational plan with the personnel I’ll need and discuss it with you after dinner.”
“You’ll want to go in very well armed, Commander,” cautioned MacKay. “Again, I’m not trying to take over for Magnor and his crazy stories, but something is wrong here, very wrong. The last thing I want is for you to run into more than you can handle.”
Colton grinned from ear to ear. “We’ll be okay, Captain. To be completely honest with you, I can’t wait to get back on solid ground. I’ve been on this ship too long. No offense.”
“None taken,” said MacKay. “I almost envy you. Almost.”
CHAPTER 11
Having just left Garrett and her team at the armory as they prepared for their presunrise departure, Colton joined Lt. Commander Mercer in the captain’s conference room, just off the bridge. He and Mercer began to once again go over the small amount of intelligence their team had been able to collect. They also discussed the mission, focusing on its goals and timeframes. Both men realized that the Eclipse wouldn’t be able to give them much in the way of support.
“Sahir will have two drones in the air, monitoring your progress as best as he can. His team will also be helping with radio communications. We believe that you should have a range of roughly twenty-five to thirty miles, but we don’t know what you’ll be facing,” said Mercer. “There are things, of course, that could negatively affect transmission.”
“You’re referring to things like broken terrain,” said Colton.
“Exactly, that would be one possibility. Deep canyons, certain metallic alloys in rocks, atmospheric conditions, take your choice. All of it could play a role in how strong of a signal you’ll be able to maintain,” said Mercer. “This is a lot harder to do without the satellites.”
“Good thing we have the drones,” said Colton. Shaking his head in quiet disbelief, he looked up at Mercer and said, “All of this still doesn’t make any sense to me. It is so hard to wrap my head around the possibility that the world just experienced something so catastrophic that all our satellites have been completely knocked out. That even basic AM and FM radio is gone. I don’t know what’s happened to us, but I’m having more and more trouble buying into the ‘first strike’ theory.”
“Wish I had the answers for you,” said Mercer. “Fortunately the crew is handling all of this surprisingly well, but we’re all desperate for answers.”
“The good news,” said Colton, “is that Argos hasn’t picked up any unusual levels of radiation in the atmosphere. Both Sahir and Meinhard’s team agree that that pretty much rules out a nuclear strike.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, because I’m not disagreeing with you, that is good news,” said Mercer, “but what does that leave? What other power on earth could have taken out our satellites and all communications as quickly and completely as it obviously has?”
Colton managed a small smile. “Like you, I have no idea. When I hear that all of this has even stumped Argos, I know it’s time for me to stop trying to figure it out. Hopefully, once we go ashore and meet with a few of the locals, we’ll have more information to work with.”
“Here’s hoping you get lucky,” said Mercer.
“Luck?” said Father Ryan as he joined them in the conference room. “That is very disappointing to hear. Is luck all you’ve got to offer, Mr. Mercer? Personally, I’m looking to a far greater power for answers,” said Father Ryan.
“Forgive me, Father. What was I thinking?” said Mercer, smiling at the priest. “If you two will excuse me, there are still a couple of things that I need to finish up before you and your team shove off.”
As Mercer left, Father Ryan took a chair across from Colton. “No offense to Mr. Mercer, but this actually works out quite well. I was hoping to get a few minutes alone with you.”
Colton looked up from the report he’d been reading, arching an eyebrow at Father Ryan. “Are you here to finally own up to your evil ways at poker? Not trying to tell you your own business, but confession is good for the soul.”
“Evil ways? Not at all. When it comes to games of chance, I’m blessed with an abundance of natural talent. No, I want to talk to you about all that has happened.”
“Alright,” said Colton. “What can I do for you?”
“Let’s start with how you feel about all of this,” answered Father Ryan. “Scuttlebutt around the ship ranges from nuclear annihilation to us being yet another victim of the Bermuda Triangle.”
Colton leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. “Fortunately, we don’t have to worry about either one of those. There is zero evidence to support nuclear activity, praise God, and the Bermuda Triangle doesn’t exist. It’s just a fun tale that people like to tell.”
“That’s good to hear, very reassuring,” said Father Ryan.
But Father Ryan wasn’t finished by a long shot. His eyes closely studied Colton’s face, almost as if he were examining some odd creature they’d just pulled up from the sea. The two men stared at each other for a few more moments, then Colton asked, “Is there something else you’d like to talk about? The only time I ever see you this serious is when you’re cheating me at cards.”
Father Ryan smiled at that. “Again, Commander, you cannot blame me for how poorly you play poker. A wiser man would have stopped playing and cut his losses after the first couple of weeks. But then, that’s not who you are, is it? I’ve learned a great deal about you, Mr. Colton. By sitting across from you at the poker table to the way you duped those miserable reporters. You’re an interesting man in that you refuse to quit. You won’t back down, no matter what the odds.”
Colton held his hands out to his sides, palms up in mock surrender. “Not my fault, Father. It’s a reflexive response that has been pounded into me due to years of intense training.”
“No, that’s not it,” said Father Ryan. “It runs much deeper than that. You’re not the kind to accept losing, ever. You will keep going at something until you’ve beaten it, or it kills you. Which is an excellent trait for a highly trained Navy SEAL. And, based on the success you’ve had, I’d say it’s working for you. But will that headstrong, win-at-all-costs attitude be the right course of action, the right tactic, for whatever it is we are presently facing?”
“I’m afraid I’m not following you,” said Colton, his face a mask, revealing nothing.
“Think about what is happening. For the first time in our adult lives, we are facing the complete unknown. We don’t know where we are. We don’t know what’s happened to us, or how we got here. And we have no idea what’s waiting for you and Captain Garrett’s team on shore.”
“Father, facing the unknown is kind of what we do in black ops, and we do it all the time. I’m not sure how this is all that different from any other mission.”
“Commander, please, I’ve been in this man’s navy for some time and I’m not ignorant regarding black ops. But you are missing my point. Think back on your previous missions. True, each time you’ve faced certain unknowns, like, how many men does the enemy have? Could they possibly know we’re coming? What if the intel we have is all wrong? But what we have going on here is so far different from anything that either you, or those marines, have ever faced.
“On your past missions, you at least knew where you were. Afghanistan, North Korea, wherever, you knew about the country, its people, and had a pretty good understanding of what you were up against. The circumstances of what we are now facing are 180 degrees away from that.
“For all of us, this is far more than just not knowing where we are, or what’s happened to us,” continued Father Ryan. “We’ve taken casualties, lost crew members. The stories of what attacked those two sailors are becoming more fantastic by the minute. This whole crazy thing is one big unknown, and it is the unknown that can be the most devastating, fear-inducing element that I can think of.”
“I’m going to be perfectly frank with you, Father,” said Colton, trying to keep a serious look on his face. “This has got to be the worst pep talk I’ve ever received before setting out on a mission.”
Father Ryan’s expression didn’t change, and he ignored Colton’s sarcasm. “Commander, of all the people on this ship, it is imperative for you to understand what I’m talking about, to recognize the difference between what you’ve gone up against in the past, versus what you’re facing now. This is as different as night and day.”
Now it was Colton’s turn to study the priest. Father Ryan’s face was redder than usual, and he appeared to be short of breath, as if he’d just run up some stairs. He also noticed that the priest’s hands were slightly trembling. “Where are you going with this, Father?”
“In just a few hours you and your team depart and none of us have any idea what is waiting for you over there in that mist. You’re going to need more than just the luck Mr. Mercer wished for you and a never-say-die attitude.”
“And what would that be, Father? What is it that I need?”
“That’s the piece about you I’m not yet clear on,” said Father Ryan. He seemed uncertain as to what to say next. “A few minutes ago, when you told me that there was absolutely no evidence of nuclear activity, you said, ‘praise God.’ Did you mean that, or was it just an expression?”
“Ah, okay,” said Colton, “now I get it. You want to know if I believe in God.”
“That’s part of it, yes. I want to know exactly where Commander Brett Colton stands with God. Is it just a casual, yes, I believe, but I spend little to no time fooling with it? Or do you have a true and growing relationship with God? Without hesitation, I can tell you that many of the best leaders I’ve worked with in the military fall into the second category,” said Father Ryan.
“Father, with all due respect, I’m still not clear what you are asking, or why,” snapped Colton, his temper starting to rise to the surface. “My training, for the most part, has been to kill bad guys and destroy things. We don’t know what’s happened to us, but even though it wasn’t nuclear activity, I cannot rule out enemy action. So, until I know differently, my mindset is that I’ll be going into enemy territory. This will not be a casual walk in the park. Does that clear things up for you?”
“Good to know, but no, that’s not what I’m asking. I want to know if you know how to turn to God for help? It’s more than just believing. It’s trusting in God, asking for guidance,” said Father Ryan, his voice getting a little louder, matching Colton’s demeanor. “I’m not sure you know how important this is. Do you have any concept of the power of prayer? All of us, not just Garrett and those marines, all of us need a strong, confident leader who’s not afraid to turn to the Almighty for help. A leader who trusts in Him. If you do not trust in God, Commander, then you’re turning your back on the most powerful, most significant force for good there is. He will hear you; He will help you. All you have to do is ask. And believe me, before this is over, you’re going to need His help.”
“Fortune-telling, Father, or is this actual prophecy?”
Father Ryan started to get up from his chair. His face paled a little, but he held himself in check. At first, he glared at Colton, but then turned his eyes away and stared down at the table. Colton had never doubted Father Ryan’s passion about his faith, but up until today he had never seen this side of him. Then it dawned on him. Father Ryan wasn’t angry at him; he was frightened, and that, in and of itself, revealed a great deal to Colton.
“I haven’t shared this with anyone,” said Father Ryan. His voice had dropped dramatically, now just above a whisper. “Yet I knew I had to talk to you before you left. This is going to sound crazy, but it doesn’t matter. I need to tell you about this.” He continued to stare at the table.
“You can trust me, Father. What’s going on?”
“You’ve pointedly mentioned, more than once, that I belong to an order that is cloaked in secrecy. To be precise, it is Ordo Sancti Cypriani. We’re not the weirdos that we’re portrayed as being, but we all have some level, some ability with premonition, a sixth sense for all intents and purposes. Did you know that there was a priestly order in Rome before the coming of Christ? The Etruscans were quite good at prophecy. So, the early Church didn’t view dream divination as silly. One just had to be cognizant as to the origination of your dreams. Was it God reaching out, or the enemy and his demonic hordes?” said Father Ryan.
“You’ve lost me. What are you trying to say?”
“I’ve had dreams, visions, whatever you want to call them. They started two days before that energy wave washed over us. Each one has been so clear, so vivid, I really can’t describe it, but they’re unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They start without warning and hit me at different times, and not just when I’m asleep. Each time these visions have occurred, they are so completely overwhelming, that when they’re over, I am utterly exhausted. Although I’m at peace with God, I know in my heart that there are terrible tasks facing me.”
“What tasks? What have you seen in these visions that scares you?”
“Commander, let me just say that our being here is no accident. We, the Eclipse, and this crew have been brought here for a very specific reason. A tremendous responsibility has been placed on us.”
“Father, please, I’m not making light of what you are saying,” said Colton. He wasn’t sure how to respond, but he knew he had to tread carefully. Father Ryan wouldn’t be sharing, wouldn’t be opening up with something as personal as this if he didn’t believe there was more to it than just some weird kind of dreams.
“I’m nowhere near as close to understanding God, theology, any of this as you are. However, I do believe in what you just said, that there is a definitive reason for our being here. When I was a kid, I heard it at home and in church all the time, God has a plan. It’s been my experience that He’s not too big on sharing exactly what that plan is; guess He sees it as need to know. I’m okay with that. What I want to know is what is it about these visions that you’ve been having that have you so on edge?”
Father Ryan finally looked up, staring directly into Colton’s eyes. “My fear is that I will fail Him, that I won’t be strong enough to do my part in all of this when my time of trial arrives. There will be sacrifice, Mr. Colton, terrible sacrifice. I’ve seen it and it’s not just about me. These visions have been about you as well, and you will not be able to bring us through this on your own. That’s why it is so important to me that I know where you stand with God. In the event I fail, I need to know that there will be someone else here to do my part. So, Commander, do you trust in the Lord?”
It was obvious that Father Ryan wasn’t going to give him any of the details as to what he’d seen in his visions. At the same time, Colton knew that he was not the kind of man easily rattled. Father Ryan had served in combat, had two purple hearts to prove it, one of which was for running into a cross fire to rescue a wounded soldier. Father Ryan was anything but a coward. If he truly was having visions, if visions simply weren’t a case of his being overwhelmed like the rest of the crew, then whatever they were revealing to him had to be devastating. They’d obviously done a number on him.
“Don’t hold this against me, but God and I really don’t talk on a regular basis,” answered Colton. “That’s more on me than Him. But if it’s any comfort to you, when things get rough, I do believe He has my six.”
Father Ryan nodded his head. “Okay. Lots of room for growth, but it’s a start. I’ll be seeing the team off, along with Captain MacKay. But before we wrap things up here, thank you for talking with me. I’d also like to pray with you.”
“Father, you really haven’t told me what you saw in those visions. Before I leave, is there anything I can do to help you?”
“No, not at the moment. In some ways, I’d like to be going with you, but for now I’m needed here,” said Father Ryan. “Just know that God is with you. Let us pray.”
CHAPTER 12
“Corporal, get those boats secured and out of sight,” directed Colton, his voice just about a whisper. He estimated they still had about thirty to forty minutes before sunrise. Colton planned to do all he could to keep the element of surprise on their side. Looking at Garrett, he said, “We’ll leave two men here to watch our backs. Make sure they keep in contact with Tanner at regular intervals. If they’re attacked, we’ll be the closest thing they have for backup.”
The trip from the Eclipse to the shore took very little time and went without incident, but not without some very tense moments. About halfway to shore, Hatfield radioed Colton that they might have a problem. What appeared to be a very big fish, close to fourteen feet, was heading directly towards them.
Colton alerted his team. Opening the throttles, they pushed their small boats as hard as they possibly could, but it quickly became apparent that they were not going to reach the shore in time. Hatfield’s voice bordered on hysteria as he let Colton know that the thing was nearly on top of them and moving fast. With guns drawn and ready, each of them peered into the water, hoping to drive it off before it could attack.
