Barley nervously licked his lips. “Blake took Jordan down into the cavern with him, Connor. And I don't know any reason for—”
With a curse Connor had already turned, slamming the door outward so hard that it struck the wooden wall of the shack and stayed there. Then Connor was running, Barley and the two guards hastening to keep up as he made a dead direct line for the cavern entrance.
* * *
Chapter 12
A rapturous pleasure, almost sensuous, flowed from the eyes of Dr. Sol Tolvanos as he leaned over the Observation Room panel. His fish-white face glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, and his lips moved minutely as if mouthing silent awe, or praise.
On the monitor the massive black scales of Leviathan could be seen through the vaporous shroud spiraling lazily up from the cavern floor. Enormous in the gray gloom, the heavily armored Dragon remained in a motionless hibernation.
“Initiate the test,” Tolvanos whispered to the computer specialists. “Begin a slow decrease of the nitrogen level to allow a 20 percent oxygen mixture. And lower cavern temperature to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Prime nitrogen pheromones for quick extinguishing.”
The computer matrix blinked with the commands.
“Are you quite certain,” Adler asked, trembling, “that you can control the creature?”
“Of course I am certain, Mr. Adler,” the Russian replied, not looking up from the monitor. “It is, after all, only an animal. It is not a god. Any competent scientist retains the ability to control his creation. Or kill it. Anything less is nonsensical.”
Adler stared at the screen, sweat beading his forehead.
“Yes, of course.”
Connor was the first man off the elevator, Barley and two guards following. And the first thing Connor saw were Army Rangers decked in full combat gear, rifles at port arms.
“Stand down!” Barley ordered, moving up beside Connor. “I've got it under control!”
Without hesitation the soldiers obeyed, and Connor understood how solidly Barley commanded his men. It was obvious that Barley held as unbreakable a control over the men as Chesterton himself.
“Beth and Jordan are being held in the Housing Complex,” Barley said, breathless as they moved. “And listen, Connor. Blake also ordered Frank's science team held there, too. That crazy colonel has turned this entire cavern into some kind of prison.”
“What about the rest of Blake's MPs?”
“Most of Blake's people are in the hospital or guarding the warehouse or the docks, Connor. But I think that two of them are in the Observation Room, just to keep the area secure.”
“So only two of Blake's people are still in the cavern?”
Barley nodded. “Just the two in the Observation Room. But you've got to remember, Connor, Blake has assumed command of the platoons. And I'm taking a big chance right now. I'm supposed to have you under arrest. Like Beth and Jordan and the rest of Frank's team.”
Connor suddenly released his anger, turning fully. “How could you let them do this, Barley?”
“I'm sorry, Connor. Those were the orders.”
“That's no excuse,” Connor responded, teeth clenched. “You know what they've got in that Containment Cavern.” His voice was accusing. “How could you let them bring Beth and Jordan down here with that thing ready to tear down those doors?”
“Those were the orders, Connor!” Barley shouted. “This place is still under military law! If I disobey Blake I'll just be put in the brig like everybody else in this place!”
“Well tell me this,” Connor said, leaning forward. “Does Chesterton know that Blake has dragged my family down here?
Does Chesterton know that two innocent civilians have been placed under military arrest in the middle of a combat zone?”
“No,” Barley shook his head. “Chesterton doesn't know that Beth and Jordan have been hauled down here. He's been busy at the Containment Cavern. Real busy.”
“Yeah, I figure he has, Barley. Because Chesterton doesn't think that he can contain that thing. And neither do you.”
Barley was silent.
Connor said, “Raise Chesterton on the horn.”
“Connor, Blake has ordered all radio contact through him. And the way they've screwed up the communications system of this place, we can't even call from cavern to cavern on the phones. All we've got are A-units and they barely work inside these walls!”
“Get Chesterton on the horn, Barley!” Connor snarled. “Tell him that Blake has dragged Beth and Jordan down here! Then tell him that I'm down here, too, and that I'm about to do something massive.”
Barley stared, hesitating. “Blake will hear the transmission, Connor. And Chesterton has been relieved of command! Don't you get it? Don't you understand? Chesterton isn't in charge anymore! And Blake is crazy! I'm telling you, man, he's—”