“Yes.”
“Because things are happening on a global scale, that aren’t designed to aid anyone. Political strings are being pulled but not by the Russians, Chinese, or the Brits.”
Sam cocked an incredulous eyebrow. “And that immediately drew your attention to a submerged world?”
“No. But I knew there was a secret navy operating in the seas, and the Omega Deep was the best way to locate it.”
“That’s why you created the Omega Deep?”
“Yes.” She sighed heavily. “Like I said before, there’s a war coming between the ancient Master Builders and the human race. Something we can’t see, but it’s coming. A race war, unlike anything we’ve ever seen between the human race and the Master Builders.”
“At least we know who was responsible for the insurrection. Now that James Halifax is dead, we can at least close that door.”
The secretary’s lips thinned into a hard line. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Sam studied her attractive face. At nearly fifty years of age, she seemed more beautiful now than when he’d first met her more than a decade ago. As the leader of the U.S. military force, she possessed more power than any other person in the country, with the exception of the president of the United States. Her intelligent green eyes were filled with fear. It was a sight he hadn’t seen there before.
He asked, “What do you know, ma’am?”
“Before the USS Omega Deep diverted from her orders, we received a message acknowledging the new orders from who we believed to be Commander Bower at the time. We’ve since learned that the message came from his XO, James Halifax.”
“That’s right,” Sam said, having been through this line of thinking earlier.
“But the concerning thing here is that the message was written in a code used specifically for the very high echelon of command.”
Sam sighed. “What are you saying, ma’am?”
“I’m saying, James Halifax didn’t have the authority to access those codes.”
Sam felt his world shift at the revelation. “That means someone else gave him the code.”
She nodded. “And only five people in the world have that code. Commander Bower, the president of the United States, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Painter, General Potter — the head of the Army, and General Seymore of the Air Force.”
“Which means, someone within that fine group of people, is currently betraying the United States of America.” She swallowed. “Sam Reilly, I want you and Tom to make it a priority to find out exactly, who.”
“How?”
“I believe the Master Builders are in the process of infiltrating high levels of government around the world, where they are waiting, biding their time, until they’re ready to attack.”
“And you think the 8th Continent might hold that secret?”
She nodded. “It’s the only place where we know they’ve been. As soon as you’re ready, I want you to start planning an expedition, deep into the submerged world of the 8th Continent.”
“All right. We’ll do it, but we might need another ship.”
She smiled sympathetically. “I was sorry to hear about the loss of the Maria Helena.”
“It’s all right. My crew survived.” Sam said, “That’s all that matters. Ships can be replaced.”
She stood up, as though the meeting was over. “I’ve spoken to the director of DARPA.”
“And?”
“Congress has approved a twenty-million-dollar reward for the recovery of the Omega Deep. It’s not a lot, but it should be enough to build a new ship.”
Sam smiled. “That’s very good of them.”
“It’s the least we could do after you recovered a 30-billion-dollar submarine,” she said. “If you provide the lead engineer at the shipbuilding yard in Quonset, Rhode Island, with your unique specification, she said they would be happy to help put together your new ship, and Uncle Sam will pick up the tab.”
“Much obliged, Madam Secretary.”
She smiled, almost kindly at him. “What are you two going to do while your ship is being rebuilt?”
“We were thinking of taking a much overdue vacation.”
“Sounds good. Where were you thinking of going?”
“Hawaii. There was some good surf we were trying to catch when this all came about.”
“All right.” She stood up and shook his and Tom’s hands with a firm handshake. “Enjoy your vacation, but don’t take too long. There’s a war coming. Few people know about it, and even fewer still believe it, but mark my words, the human race might just be forced to get along, in its final battle for survival — against an enemy, we can’t see.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Will do.”
She said, “Sam Reilly.”
“Yes ma’am?”
“What did you do with that girl — the Russian spy?”
“Svetlana?”
“That’s the one.”
“You’re aware that she can’t return to Russia without being tried for treason after the loss of the Vostok, where she would most undoubtedly be convicted, and executed.”
The secretary shrugged again. She was responsible for the lives and deaths of billions of people throughout the world. What did she care if Russia felt the need to execute one of its own. “Get to the point, Reilly.”
“I liked her. She was intelligent, dedicated, and well meaning.”
“Good God!” The Secretary’s nostrils flared. “You’ve hired her, haven’t you?”
Sam shrugged. “If it would make it easier for your moral compass, let’s say she never survived the sinking of the Maria Helena.”
“Reilly!”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You’d better hope she never made it back alive.”
“Understood, ma’am.”
Recognizing he was being dismissed, Sam stood up and made his way for the door, alongside Tom.
The secretary of defense said, “Mr. Reilly.”
Sam raised his eyebrows. “Ma’am?”
“Be careful. Watch your back and keep your mouth shut.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“We have a high-level traitor among us.” She made a thin-lipped smile. “I’m glad you’re still alive. We still have a use for your service.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Sam opened the soundproof door and stepped into the hallway.
A moment later, he felt the cold steel barrel of a handgun pressed hard against his neck. His pulse raced and his muscles tightened, but he made no attempt to fight against the solid arm around his neck.
The panicked stranger shouted, “Everyone back away, or this man dies.”
Chapter Sixty-Three
Sam swallowed hard. “We’re not looking for trouble.”
“Yeah, neither was I,” the stranger replied. “I was just trying to do what I thought was right, and now look at me.”
Sam remained silent.
The stranger motioned toward the door. “Is anyone in that room?”
“Yes,” Sam replied, mechanically. “One person. Female.”
“Can the room be secured?”
Sam genuinely thought about the question for a moment and answered, “Sure.”
“Good.”
Sam felt himself thrust into the office of the secretary of defense.
His captor moved with the calm efficiency of an elite soldier. There was nothing Sam could do to maneuver himself free of his restraint.
The secretary of defense’s eyes widened with dismay. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Out!” the stranger said, emphatically.
Her emerald eyes grew wide with incredulity. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“No,” the stranger fired a single warning shot at her desk. “And I don’t care. Get out of here or this man dies!”