He scowled down at the table. The aliens seemed to be toying with the human race; every day brought more and more reports of odd alien activity, activity that seemed to make little sense. They were buying up food surpluses from American farms, driving prices upwards; they were placing orders with American firms for technology that had to be remarkably primitive compared to anything they had developed for themselves. One scientist from NASA who had been quietly streamlined into the growing resistance had speculated that the aliens actually wanted to start mining the Moon and nearby asteroids. Once out of the gravity well, human technology might be just as capable as alien technology — and easier to repair if it broke. Surprisingly, no one seemed to be raising any objections to mining the lunar surface; the environmental groups seemed happy to concentrate on shutting down factories across the globe instead of fretting about humans polluting the moon.
“They want something from us and they can’t just take it,” Gillian said. She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “They clearly have a plan…”
“And we’re dancing to their tune,” Toby said, sharply. Already, military units were being disbanded or reorganised into the forces that would remain part of the United States of America’s military machine. It would be a leaner, but meaner army — at least according to the Pentagon’s press releases. Toby knew that hundreds of military officers were protesting their orders in the strongest possible terms, if only because the pull-out of American forces risked destabilising the world. And once the military had been cut down sharply…
Some of the officers had received orders to preserve as much military material as possible. It was relatively easy to store tanks rather than dismantle them, or place aircraft in sealed hangers for later use if necessary. An alarming amount of military equipment seemed to have gone missing, although most reports indicated that it had been the result of miscounting or items being cannibalised to keep vehicles operating. Toby knew that most of the missing material — with the paper trail carefully fudged — had been placed into hiding, but he didn’t know precise details. God alone knew just how closely the aliens were monitoring the United States. Once Gillian’s device went into full production, at least they might be able to start marking out some clear areas.
“The entire world is dancing to their tune,” Gillian said. “I heard on the grapevine that Iran has been handing out contracts on alien heads.”
Toby nodded. The Government of Iran was seeing cash-flow problems as the implications of fusion power sank in. They’d been threatening everything from war to terrorism, but the world wasn’t paying much attention. For once, the Middle East wasn’t the centre of world attention — and they hated it. The Secret Service had quietly warned that there might be swarms of terrorists descending on alien bases, intent on avenging the loss of the oil weapon. Toby privately gave governments like Saudi Arabia no more than a few more months before they were destroyed by their own people. And then they’d discover that they couldn’t drink oil.
“So far, no one has dared strike at the aliens,” he said. “What will they do when someone finally manages to take a shot at a Snake?”
He shook his head. No one knew, not least because no one knew anything about alien mentalities. The United States had been willing to tolerate a great deal of terrorism before finally attempting to take the war to the terrorists after 9/11. But then — everyone had known that raising the ante by invading terrorist-supporting countries could result in more trouble at home. And when the United States had let Iran get away with taking and holding hostages, everyone with a grudge had felt as if they could take a shot at the United States and get away with it.
But no one knew how the aliens would react…
A thought appeared in his mind. It was a thoroughly nasty thought, one his father would probably have understood and approved. But then, his father had friends who believed that Saudi Arabia and Iran were funding left-wing organisations that were undermining American freedoms and intending to replace the Constitution with Islamic Law. It was a crazy idea, yet it might just work… and if they were lucky, it would take some of the pressure off the United States. And it might just force the aliens to show their hand.
“I’m going to need you to be on detached duty for a while,” he said. His father’s growing resistance organisation would need technical help. Besides, he would have felt happier if Gillian was out of Washington. The noose was growing tighter and he had an uncomfortable feeling that the shit was about to hit the fan. How could the people outside, thronging the streets of Washington, be unaware of the looming catastrophe? “Your superiors have already okayed it. You’ll be working with an underground unit without links to Fort Meade.”
Gillian blinked at him. “Why me?”
Toby considered several answers, and then settled upon the truth. “Because I trust you,” he said. “Because you already know what is at stake. Because you’re the one who developed these bug-detectors and we need you on site so we can ensure that we’re clean.”
“All right,” Gillian said, reluctantly. “And what will you be doing in the meantime?”
“You don’t want to know,” Toby said. He’d have to have a meeting with the CIA and NSA — and then probably a discussion with an ally in the United States Special Operations Command. At least there were so many units being moved around the globe right now; no one would even notice if one happened to be diverted. And he had just the right unit in mind. “Trust me; you really don’t want to know.”
“You can take me out to dinner tonight, then,” Gillian said. “I’ll have to get my files organised for the move, and then pick up a few hundred spare parts for this monster.” She tapped the detector with a long finger. “I think it will work fine in the field, but I’m not sure just how well it will work, if you take my meaning.”
Toby nodded. His father had been fond of complaining about expensive gadgets that worked perfectly in the lab and failed constantly in the field. The United States had had thousands of companies intent on getting military contracts, each one armed with thousands of lobbyists intent on convincing Congressmen that their device would change the shape of modern warfare — and, just incidentally, ensure higher levels of employment in the Congressman’s home district. It wouldn’t be the first time Congress had insisted that the military bought something that was of little use in the field. If nothing else, the military cutbacks would force those firms to switch to non-military production in a hurry. Their lobbyists would soon be out of work.
“You’ll be on hand to fix it,” he said. He’d miss her, he knew. Sharing the occasional dinner with her kept him going at times. There were still times when he wondered if he could take their relationship to the next level. But that would have to wait until afterwards — if there was an afterwards. “Remember; paper letters only, written in code…”
“Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs,” Gillian said, tartly. Toby flushed as she grinned at him. She knew more about codes and security than he’d ever learned, or would ever learn. Gillian might never have been out in the field in her life, but it hadn’t stopped her rising in the NSA. Sheer competence alone had forced her forward. “I know basic security precautions…”
There was a knock on the sealed door. Toby cursed as he opened the door and saw an NSA officer, holding a secure phone in one hand. “Mr Sanderson, sir, there’s been an emergency alert from the White House. You’re to make your whereabouts known to the Secret Service at once!”