The Needle - A Cold War Prequel by Ken Bebelle & Julia Vee

Author:Ken Bebelle & Julia Vee [Vee, Ken Bebelle and Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military science fiction, alien invasion
Publisher: Sixth Moon Press
Published: 2017-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

The trek to the safehouse wasn’t long given how small Geneva was. Keenan could run the six miles across it carrying a hundred pound rucksack. What made the journey interminable for Keenan was having to scan the evening skies for alien attacks, all the while wondering what was going on at Antarctica and the Greedle.

They approached the safehouse, a nondescript flat hidden back in Les Grottes, a gentrified area of Geneva. Keenan remembered when the US Government and various organizations had snapped up abandoned apartments all over this region and peppered it with housing for its dignitaries. He’d handled the security protocols for this specific safehouse back then. Keenan pulled into the private drive and they ushered Dr. Beaufort to the brick building with the white marble trim. He and Hambone scanned in entry access and hustled Dr. Beaufort in.

<<Holo From Col. Phillips>> flashed on the screen in the foyer. At the message, Keenan felt a sense of relief. Maybe now we’ll get some answers.

Hambone moved to the secure holo platform where the curved black camera mount awaited. They stepped onto the platform and Keenan gestured to activate the holo projection cameras and also activate the view platform. Light filaments began to mist before them until a life sized 3D image of Colonel Phillips stood before them. In the hazy background Keenan saw the underground labs of the Union Wolves western base, just outside of Reno.

Both Keenan and Hambone stood a little straighter. “Sir.”

Not that they were technically in active service anymore, but the structure of the Dubs encouraged them to retain their earlier discipline and formality.

Phillips waved his hand slightly. “At ease, gentlemen.” Keenan relaxed marginally and he saw Hambone do the same.

Phillips bowed slightly, the holo image of his gray hair gleaming with silver rays. “Good evening, Dr. Beaufort. I’m sorry I can’t be there personally.”

She gave a friendly bob and a small smile in return. “Colonel, it’s good to see you.” Keenan admired her poise. She was damned calm considering what they’d just witnessed on the vid screens less than hour ago.

Phillips turned to look over his shoulder and spoke to someone off camera. “Come onto the platform.” A moment later, a tall, battered looking Marine with white blond hair stepped up next to Phillips. His arm was in a sling, and cuts and bruises marred his face. He towered over Phillips, which wasn’t saying much since the Colonel was only about as tall as Keenan’s grandma.

Beaufort beamed. “Josef!” Her eyes crinkled in genuine pleasure and Keenan was startled by the warmth in her eyes. He guessed surviving an alien attack together was a real bonding experience.

“Hey, Doc.” Josef started to smile in return and then winced. Keenan felt a wave of sympathy. Those bruises on his face looked like they were giving him a hard time.

Phillips made official intros for Keenan and Hambone’s benefit. “Eckmann here is on loan to us from SECNAV and CNO. His debrief has been cleared by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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