I shook my head. “Your guess is as good as mine. But we need a plan to deal with Hart Island as soon a possible.”
“I don’t believe it, Chip,” Morgan said. “How can any organization be that big without coming to the attention of the government? Unless they’re a part of it.”
“They kidnapped family members and killed any who went off-script,” I said. “What have you got to lose by believing me and defeating them? Ignoring the threat would be suicidal.”
“I believe him. I mean—” the director of logistics began.
“Let’s just assume for a moment he’s speaking the truth,” Morgan said. “What we have here is an established player in the new world. We can negotiate. Show them what we’ve achieved.”
“You’re living in cloud cuckoo land if you think they’ll listen,” I said. “The clock’s ticking and we have to act. I’m not sure we can defeat them on our own.”
He glared back and slammed his pen on the table. “How do you know? They might be the new government. We can represent an approved corporation.”
I felt like I was living in a parallel universe. I could only put Morgan’s behavior down to stubbornness. Perhaps he didn’t like installing himself as a local king, only for someone else to turn up and tell him what he should be doing.
Morgan gestured at Harris after somebody knocked on the door. He sprang to the entrance and held a hushed conversation with a person outside.
“Update me,” Morgan said.
“Alpha-two have picked up Harry’s brother and one other. They’re waiting for orientation.”
“Both birds?”
“One bird, one dog,” Harris said.
“Process the bird; put the dog in quarantine.”
For the first time, my mask of calmness slipped, and I returned his glare. “ ‘Dog in quarantine’? You’ve got to be kidding me! Quit with the stupid games and listen. It might just save your community.”
“It’s house rules. We’ve had all kinds of problems—”
“Dogs and birds? You’re mad. I’ve told you about what’s coming. We’ve got three days, probably less,” I said.
“Am I missing something here?” Morgan said. “You claim to have traveled around but don’t have trust issues with people who were on the ground last week?”
The silly naming convention threw me, but he did have a point.
“No, I’m just saying—”
“You’re a bird, Harry. It could be worse. We let a dog straight in two days ago. He was fine for a day—”
“Then he killed a bird,” HR said. “We won’t be making that mistake again.”
“What exactly is quarantine?” I asked.
“We’ve decided to keep dogs locked up for two days,” Chip, the security guy said. “We’ve got one due for release this afternoon.”
“Rick’s been fine—I can vouch for him.”
Morgan took off his glasses and groaned. “If this place is going to work, we need to follow procedures. No exceptions. We’ll quickly lose trust if people find out we let in another stray without a quarantine period.”
“It’s for the best,” HR said.
Chip looked at the form and frowned. “You’re one hundred percent sure about this? A ship, possibly a destroyer?”
“I’m guessing about the type, but one is heading over,” I said. “How many men do you have?”
“What’s this about a cattle prod to the head?” Morgan said.
“You can avoid the effects of an activation, probably. But what use is that if we’re surrounded by a powerful force?”
“What kind of strength are we facing?” Chip said.
“I’ve already said I don’t know. But the longer we wait, the more powerful it will become. The local GA team is shit scared of their Headquarters. That alone should tell you something.”
“If the bulk of the main force isn’t here yet, what do you know about the local team?” Chip asked.
“Not the most capable. Maybe forty or fifty. Conventional small arms. Run by a man who seems to be more intent on personal revenge. How many men and women do you have?”
I didn’t say that I had similar motivations for Anthony. The overall goal of stopping GA had to take priority, but I wanted to put a bullet in his brain for killing Brett. Jerry would have to answer to Jack, and that wasn’t going to be pretty.
“Forty in my security team. Enough to take out the local threat,” Chip replied.
“If they are a threat,” Morgan said.
“Look around you for God’s sake,” I said. “We’ve got an opportunity to stop activations happening in the short term. After that, we take the fight to them on a wider scale.”
Looking at expressions across the table, I felt like I was winning everyone around, apart from Morgan. He glanced to either side of him and gave them a disapproving look before returning his focus back to me. “We’ve started to build something here. What have you done?”
“Given you information that could save the lives of the company. We need to hit them in forty-eight hours. Are you with me or not?”
“If we deal with this group, avoid any future events…” the director of logistics began.
“He’s right,” Chip said. “We can take a team—”
“Stop,” Morgan said, slapping his hands against the table. “The company will not be making any rash decisions. I need time to think this through.”
The room fell silent, apart from the secretary’s pen scribbling on her pad. I took a deep breath and composed myself. At least Jack and Rick were safe.
Morgan hummed for a moment. I got the impression he enjoyed making others feel uncomfortable. “You can be part of Chip’s team, along with your brother. I’ll decide about the dog after evaluating his orientation form tomorrow.”
“You mean Rick?” I said. “If you lock him up, we go.”
“That’s just great. Run away, give up the chance of making a difference.”
As Morgan said it, Chip looked at me and gave an affirmative nod. I took it as a sign that at least he accepted our story and would act.
“You haven’t got long to decide, Morgan,” I said. “I suggest we reconnoiter tonight and hit them tomorrow night.”
Morgan dismissed me with a derisive wave of his hand.
“Harris will show you around. I’ll speak to you later,” Chip said.
“Just remember,” I said, “every minute we waste is another minute their Headquarters will get closer.”
The management team gathered around Morgan, who whispered to them and pointed at the form. Harris led me out of the room.
A few yards along the corridor, the boardroom door banged open behind us.
“Wait a second.” Chip said. “Give both of them the orientation. Keep Rick in the suite for a day. Morgan won’t notice.”
“The suite?” I said.
“I’ll show you. It’s fine,” Harris said.
“I’ll talk with you both later,” Chip said. “I believe you, Harry. I’ll start preparing my men for a mission tonight.”
Heading back to the orientation room, Harris spoke into his radio. “Bring the two new arrivals for processing.”
“Both?” a response crackled.
“Yeah, the dog’s already been quarantined externally.”
“Roger that.”
“Don’t you feel embarrassed using the animal names?” I asked.
He looked sheepishly away. “Didn’t take long to stick. They’re all different, the dogs—”
“It’s like Animal Farm around here. I take it the management team are pigs?”
“What?”
I sighed. “Forget it.”
Back in the orientation room, I found Jack gazing through the window. Moments later, a man armed with a rifle escorted Rick through the door. Harris sat behind his desk.
Harris placed a form on the desk and nodded at the bench. “Please, take a seat.”