“We?”
“The organization I represent. We brought you the star craft at great risk to our lives and our government. It was supposed to be a cooperative effort to solidify a union of states. If the project fails, the effect will be the exact opposite, and we believe that is the motive behind the sabotage. We have suspicions, but no proof. It is the kind of thing you’re expert at, Doctor Price, both you and your partner, though we’re not certain about his loyalties.”
“You mean Leon?”
“I mean one of the deepest agents ever put into the field by your government. You, of course, are also on that list. The trust you’ve been granted is extreme. We want to make use of that. I will not show you the credentials of your partner; it would not be proper protocol. But this is what we know about you, and your assignment here.”
Brown fumbled at something at his feet, came up with a thick file and pushed it across the table to Eric with a gloved hand. The sleeve of his jacket pulled up on his arm, revealing ivory white skin that seemed to glow in the dull light.
Eric read the file quickly, was astounded by the detail. His entire career was summarized there, from Russia to Viet Nam to Turkey, then Germany and a killing mission to Israel that had only been known by Gil and whoever had given the orders.
“I hope you are impressed,” said Brown. “There is another file about your personal life, if you’d like to see it.”
“Don’t bother,” said Eric, then very softly, “If you believe what’s in this file, then you know I could kill you in one second just because you’ve read it.”
“I believe that, Doctor Price, but I assure you it would be a bad experience for both of us. As I said before in a circuitous way, we feel we can trust you, and wish to join forces in removing the opposition to the star craft project. We can be a valuable information resource.”
“Ty sajchas govorisk bez aktcenta. Ato interesno!” said Eric. “Your accent has gone away. I find that interesting.”
“I’m fluent in several languages, including Russian and English, but I represent several countries, not one. My ethnicity isn’t important here. You’ll have to accept that, or we won’t be able to help you.”
“I can do that, but you’re trying to convince me your origins are in Eastern Europe. You’ve read my file, you know how much work I’ve done there, and I have a pretty good idea about what kind of technology those countries are capable of. The aircraft you brought to us doesn’t fit. I don’t think it comes from the east. You called it a star craft. What am I supposed to do, think you come from Alpha Centauri or something? Or maybe you’re just trying to oversell your product. I’m beginning to wonder about that.”
“No matter. The point is we have brought it here, where we think it has the best chance to be adapted for peaceful purposes. It is a star craft, Doctor Price, not an aircraft.”
“I’ve been told it can fly in space, but the material we’ve been given shows capabilities of Mach 4 and perhaps a hundred thousand feet. That doesn’t come close to technology we have right now, Mister Brown. We’ve either paid a lot of money for nothing, or you’re withholding information on us. Which is it?”
Brown reached up and removed his dark glasses. In the dim light his eyes glistened, seemed only a shade darker than his skin. “I hear your frustration, and admit there have been some communication problems. There have also been problems of trust. Some of your people have mixed agendas in this project, and look for ways to become wealthy from it. That is not acceptable. We feel it’s not a problem with you. There have also been deliberate lapses in communication we must take responsibility for. These are being corrected, but security requires sensitive information regarding star faring operations that cannot be conveyed in written form.”
“Star faring operations? Please. Just tell me when we can expect to get the information we need to use the technology we’ve paid for.”
“We have methods outside of the ordinary. One was tested on you, and worked nicely. You might think it was luck that gave you access to the interior of the star craft, Doctor Price, but it was not. You were told what to do, and you did it.”
Eric remembered the kind of vision he’d had of his hand playing over the switches in Sparrow’s cockpit. There had been no fumbling or hesitation in performing the proper sequence. “Are you saying I’ve had some kind of hypnotic experience without knowing it? I like to think I’m a little more aware than that.”
Brown smiled. “Your awareness cannot be questioned. Just be aware that revelations you have in the near future are not by your own doing. There will be many of them, Doctor Price. And believe me when I tell you we’re going to take you to the stars.”
“Sounds nice, but for now I’ll settle for a complete instruction manual that can get us above our atmosphere. The stars can come later.”
Brown leaned back in his chair, and laughed. “What else can I say, Doctor Price? You haven’t believed anything I just said, but more will be revealed. In return, you will do something for us. There is a man you’re in contact with. He calls himself John Coulter. We suspect this man is not a friend. We believe he’s working for the person we think is trying to sabotage the star craft project. We want you to encourage Coulter, and do whatever you can to meet his employer in person, to bring him out of the darkness, so to speak.”
“And then what?” asked Eric.
“We might ask you to do what you have done before. It’s an option your employer has given you to stop the sabotage. Your orders come from the highest levels of your agency; it’s all in the file.”
“And then you’ll take us to the stars,” said Eric.
“That’s the agreement. Your belief in what I say must come later. Revelations will appear, but you must write nothing down, and your life will be in extreme danger from this moment on. Our adversary has eyes everywhere. All progress you make with the star craft will be known instantly to him unless you work absolutely alone, and that doesn’t seem likely or even possible.”
“Seems to me it would be quicker to just tell me who you want killed, and let me kill him.”
Eric said it as a simple statement of fact, was unaware of the sound of menace in his own voice.
The slight smile on Brown’s face disappeared. He paused, looked away for a moment, then, “It’s a possibility, but I’ll have to consult with my colleagues. We’re fairly certain about our suspicions, but the man in question comes and goes, and the information you need to locate him is currently beyond what I’m authorized to tell you. I’ll contact you again later, Doctor Price, but it will not be here. This must be the last private meeting we have that others are aware of.”
“Okay, but Colonel Davis will want me to brief him about this meeting. What can I tell him?”
“Say nothing about Coulter. Davis thinks he’s an agent for industrial firms who promise a large retirement contribution for access to the star craft. For the moment you must allow people to think your breakthroughs are due to your own brilliance and luck. Tell Davis nothing about our input. You’re free to tell him everything we’ve talked about regarding sabotage and the elimination of those responsible for it. Embellish if you wish; you seem to have an adequate imagination.”
“Including murder?”
“Of course. It will be no surprise to him.” Brown retrieved Eric’s file, pulled a briefcase from beneath the table and snapped it open as he pushed back on his chair. He pressed down on the ellipsoid he’d placed on the table; picked it up, put it in the briefcase with the file.
“I assume you know where we are in understanding how to operate your aircraft,” said Eric.
“Star craft, yes. The field you’ve detected is only a standby signal, but you’re correct in thinking it’s related to the main power plant. Like I said, Doctor Price, more will be revealed.” Brown stood up.