A long moment passed as Frank gazed over the edge, his entire life's work almost gone with a single command. Then slowly, entreatingly, Adler lifted a hand. “Listen, son,” he began, “let's discuss this rationally. I respect you, Frank. Truly, I do. You're a great scientist. Certainly you don't think I would ever go against your—”
“What is going on in here?”
Frank felt a long withheld breath leave his chest as a livid Chesterton—followed by a big black man, Lieutenant Barley— stalked into the room. They were followed closely by two Rangers.
Shocked by Chesterton's vivid anger and Barley's glaring, warrior aspect, Tolvanos science team parted like water to leave a wide and cautious wake. As Barley came through the door he sharply turned his head toward the two soldiers behind him.
“Secure it!” he snapped.
Instantly the Rangers divided solidly to either side of the exit, M-16s frozen at port arms. Their intent was immediately clear: Absolutely no one, armed or unarmed, was leaving this room dead or alive without Chesterton’s permission.
Tolvanos and Adler stepped backward toward the control matrix as Chesterton halted beside Frank, glaring down, and Frank saw a quick suspicion flicker in the dark eyes. Somehow, Frank knew that Chesterton understood, had even expected this. Then Chesterton turned with a menacing frown toward Tolvanos. His voice was low.
“And just who are you?”
Adler gathered himself, spoke distinctly: “Dr. Tolvanos is... uh, replacing Frank as head of the science team, Colonel. In fact, all the members of Frank's team have been replaced. I believe the strain has become too much for them.”
“Nobody's replacing anybody as long as I'm around, Mr. Adler. This isn't musical chairs at a Halloween carnival. We're running a secure facility here and I'm still in charge of who comes and goes.”
A voice came from the side, entering the debate. “I am afraid that you are not ultimately in charge, Colonel. Not any longer.”
Imperious, the portly man in the dark green uniform had spoken for the first time. And Frank focused on him; the man was well into his fifties and much shorter than Chesterton, his short black hair heavy with gray. Behind him, the black-clad soldiers stepped forward.
“I must remind you, Colonel Chesterton,” he added, somewhat cautiously, “that this project remains under Executive Command. And I inform you that I am now your commanding supervisor.”
Chesterton stared, his eyes flickered over the insignia. “Blake?” he asked, peering. “Colonel Blake of the National Security Agency?”
Blake nodded.
Implacable, Chesterton shook his head. “This facility doesn't answer to the NSA, Blake. It's under Pentagon control.”
“Not any longer, Colonel Chesterton.”
“What do you mean?” Chesterton's voice hardened. “What do you mean that it's not under Pentagon control any longer? Who gave the NSA authority to take over my operation?”
Blake stepped forward, removing papers from inside his uniform. He handed them to Chesterton with a solemn air, clasping both hands patiently behind his back as Chesterton read. He was forced to wait a long time. Finally Chesterton looked up.
“I don't like this, Blake.”
“That is an Executive Order, Chesterton.”
“Neither the NSA, the CIA, the Director of Central Intelligence, nor any subordinate of the DCI has the authority to control an Army weapons system,” Chesterton said, dead steady. “Not unless they do it according to Act 186-4 of the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee of 1976, which requires that, the United States Army supervises and maintains and ultimately controls the use of all such weapons systems.”
“Act 186 has no relevance to this situation because it has not yet been demonstrably proven that Leviathan is a weapons system, Colonel Chesterton. That Executive Order grants me the authority to oversee all further research. And further, in case you have forgotten, I am a colonel in the United States Army.”
“Blake, you can rest assured. That thing is a weapons system.”
“But tests have not proven that to be a fact, Chesterton.”
A long pause and Chesterton growled, “Well, this may be an Executive Order, Blake, but I'll need to confirm it before any of you take a single step in this facility.”
Blake responded with force. “That paper comes from the highest level, Colonel. The very, very highest level. And in case you didn't notice, it's been initialed by your own superiors in the Pentagon.” Blake lifted his chin, pushing it forward. “I formally advise you, Colonel Chesterton, that you are relieved of duty.”
“Am I?” Chesterton snarled, stepping into it. “Barley!”