Chapter 14

Col. Vise Closes In

Colonel James Vise walked across the tarmac at Reardon Air Force Base with his escort. Their pace was slowed by the Colonel's unsteady stride. Concentration molded the features of his face as he ignored the aches and pains of a body too long bed-ridden. The interminable walk led to a waiting car, followed by a short drive to officers' quarters. Colonel Vise had never been one to crave luxury. He could have arranged more luxurious accommodations for his stay at Okaloosa Bay, but the spartan base housing easily met his expectations. Compared with the skilled nursing facility he'd just left, the private apartment was a little piece of heaven on earth.        Dismissing his escort, Vise set up his traveling office. With his papers in order and the next day's plans laid out, the Colonel found himself unconsciously reaching for his habitual shot of whiskey. There was none. Sergeant Roberts, it seemed, had arranged for his customary travel package of personal effects. Instead of the whiskey, however, there were only bottles of mineral water and pain medication in the kitchenette.        Vise swore to himself in frustration and switched on the radio, finding the local classical station. In spite of his best efforts, however, thoughts of the fugitive, Adam MacArthur, intruded on his well-rehearsed relaxation regimen. Although silent runner cases were sketchy, at best, some patterns were known. Vise knew that Adam MacArthur should not have re-appeared after his very public exit in that spacecraft. The Colonel shifted in his chair and struggled with a growing sense of unease. He could no longer dismiss MacArthur's appearance at his hospital bed as mere hallucination. But where was the logic in a fugitive approaching his pursuer on what could have been his deathbed and merely telling him to stop the pursuit? Vise had been as good as dead at the time. He grimaced, thinking of MacArthur's hand resting on his chest. The man had looked neither frightened nor angry. Why had he come? For that matter, why did any silent runner come to earth? The answer always seemed just beyond his grasp.        Colonel Vise abandoned any hope of leisure and decided to end the day with a call to his informants, Nicholas LaRue and Craig Van Patten. Some objective information would be a welcome change from the endless speculation.        Van Patten answered the phone and quickly passed the call to LaRue. Van Patten sounded perpetually ill at ease during these contacts. Colonel Vise much preferred LaRue's succinct reports.        "We confirmed that MacArthur was looking for David West, the trainer, when he approached the gate," LaRue said, running through the facts they'd established in the last eight hours. "No contact information on MacArthur was available in the facility's records."        "But why would he target this dolphin program or this trainer, in particular?" Vise interrupted. "The Navy has been using dolphins for years, since Vietnam or before. They have sites in California, Hawaii, Florida, and who knows where else. Why choose the Okaloosa Bay site?"        "Well, Colonel," LaRue continued, "the facility recently obtained some Russian-trained dolphins off the black market. That's about the only thing that makes this site different."        "What about the trainer, West?" Vise moved on quickly.        "There's nothing unusual in his background. He's a typical contractor," LaRue explained. "But we weren't able to interview him. Seems he took a motorized raft out on the Bay. He didn't make it back before sunset, but there's no indication of foul-play at this point."        "Dammit!" Vise exclaimed, feeling fatigue set in. "Have you got anything else for me?"        "Yes, as a matter of fact," LaRue's voice adopted a slightly perplexed tone. "A local police report indicates that Adam MacArthur found and returned a lost boy in this area. I talked to both parents this afternoon. I'm not convinced they were cooperating fully. They admit that MacArthur spent the night in their home. Douglas Crane last saw our man in his home this morning, approximately 7:30 a.m., before leaving for work. The boy's mother reports last seeing MacArthur at approximately 5 p.m. today along Cinco Bayou. Neither witness can provide information on MacArthur's current whereabouts. They deny any knowledge of why he's in the area, where he came from, or where he's going. We got a description. We'll be checking back with these people. MacArthur has contacted them by phone within the last 24 hours. He might just check in with them again."        "That's right," Vise cut into the conversation, realizing he was only half listening, "You boys keep up the detective business, but there's something else I need you to do. Take down this address. I need you two to come along tomorrow to observe an exercise out in the bay. The Office of Naval Research has generously offered to put those dolphins through their paces. We'll need backup in case MacArthur has any foul play in mind. I can't very well haul uniformed men in the boat. I need something more subtle, so you'll have to do."        Colonel Vise wrapped up the call quickly. His fatigue and pain were catching up with him after the strenuous day of travel. Every movement was an effort as he got undressed, took his prescribed medications and dropped into bed.        The same old dreams returned to haunt Vise, but they had somehow changed...        Vise was shooting at a vintage World War II plane as it took off along a busy, small-town street. The pilot looked more like the Red Baron, though. He was decked out in cap, goggles and a flowing scarf. Vise knew it was MacArthur flying the plane. The colonel bit his lip in frustration as his shots fell short and the plane rose out of reach. The scene changed abruptly to Vise's own house. The colonel awakened from his bed and chased after an image of Adam MacArthur that floated past a rain-drenched window. "Now I've got him," Vise thought to himself, aiming his gun at MacArthur who turned to face him in the rain. The colonel fired time after time, watching MacArthur's body shudder and jerk backward with each shot. At the same time, however, Vise became aware of a burning pain growing in his own chest. He continued firing until Adam MacArthur had dropped to his knees. Their eye contact was unbroken. MacArthur stared back with no sign of fear or pain. Vise was forced to stop shooting as his own pain overwhelmed him. Breaking eye contact at last, Vise looked down to see his own blood soaking his shirt.        Colonel Vise awoke with a scream and switched on the bedside lamp. He checked his healing chest wounds, relieved that he felt only a dull ache. Vise took a second dose of pain medication. His last waking thoughts were of Adam MacArthur. For the first time, his memory of the night he had been injured returned. This was no eyewitness report. Vise recalled desperately holding MacArthur's legs as they were both pulled toward the hovering craft. He remembered MacArthur's voice, "It's no good Colonel. You can't stop it." An hour or more passed before he at last fell asleep.

Elana gazed at the candidates waiting patiently beneath her in the assembly hall. An incomprehensible buzz of stray telepathic messages emanated from these gathered novices. Signaling to the Mentors, she called for their assistance in focusing the group. Elana cued the spotlight over the lectern and took her position. Then she began her address in Elder Speech.        Greetings, new colonists! In the name of Elders, and on behalf of all Mentors, I welcome you to Colony. We are happy that you are here, and want you to feel comfortable in your new home. Please inform a Mentor if you are troubled in any way.        Elana signaled for an exterior image to appear behind her. Instantly, the thirty-foot, gently sloping curved wall became transparent, like a seamless window to the outside. Elana could detect individual exclamations of surprise as the humans gazed upon the view. First they were presented with a panoramic vista of the Colony: graceful buildings, lush landscapes, patch-worked fields stretching to the horizon, shimmering sky. Then the view changed, focusing on individual buildings and areas frequented by the colonists. Elana continued her address as the images changed behind her.        This is Colony. It is on planet three of dwarf star, at 25 degrees galactic longitude. From your world, we are not far. Merely neighbors, one spiral more toward the center of galaxy. You will see and learn our star schema. Know that our species are but newborns in galaxy. Our vision is still cloudy. Much light reaching our eyes began before our birth. Colony has existed for millennia, thanks to Elders who planned it. Its purpose? To help humans, like you, to rise above your former primitive state. Elders have helped many species, throughout the galaxy, to do this.        Elana gestured to the sky above and behind her.        You may wonder why you don't see stellar source of daylight. Elders have enclosed Colony with protective shield. Energy within Colony generates light. Shimmering in sky is protective shield. It is lovely way for us to know that we are safe in Colony. This planet is not habitable by human species. You will die if you exit Colony without full-protective suit.        The uncontrolled thoughts of the gathered candidates settled into a quiet expectancy, succumbing to the multitude of calming signals presented by Elana and her staff. A haunting, lovely, perfectly constructed sonata played softly in the chamber. All within could hear it both aurally and telepathically. Elana observed as the humans relaxed, their faces softened in delight. Then the scene changed: Colony workers tended row after row of plants; while rectangular-shaped aqua crystals hovered, glowing and pulsating above the plots. Again Elana paused to watch the faces below her as the humans took in the scene. All were entranced, and most were smiling.        When Elders established Colony, they knew the secret of life energy. They used knowledge of secret to start the cycle we still share today. Colony is self-sufficient. All life is connected here. You are now part of that life. We welcome you!        Most of the humans applauded spontaneously. Elana continued.        We offer congratulations to all of you, our brothers and sisters of Colony. You have come far. You have succeeded. Time has come to join a Common, the people who will share your daily life. Whatever your interests, your potential, please feel free to strive for these things. Among yourselves, you represent the future of human race. Here on Colony, that future may be realized.        Some of you will receive work classifications today. You will be released from your programming. Know that your work is essential for well being of all at Colony.        Elana paused, as individual light beams rested on those humans chosen for work assignments only. Interwoven in the beam was the subliminal message to group together, and they responded, bunching themselves into a group of ten. A tall, muscular 25-year-old and his younger brother stood at the head of the group.        The rest of you will continue with Elder instruction here. But you must work, and take responsibility for Colony prosperity as well. Your assigned Mentor will continue to assist you with both learning and working.        Individual light beams rested on the remaining humans, who gathered on the opposite side of the chamber. Elana noticed a tall male candidate standing a little apart from the group. She watched... and wondered.