“Empty?” Sanders hadn’t expected that. “How do they know?”
“They used a portable X-ray machine. They also say the weight indicates it couldn’t hold anything but air.”
Sanders leaned back in the seat.
“Sir?”
“I’m still here,” Sanders said. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes. They think the case could be emitting some kind of radiation.”
“Radiation? What does that mean? It’s—”
“The team doesn’t know, sir.”
“What’s the working theory?” Sanders asked.
“They don’t have one.”
Sanders closed his eyes and rubbed his eyelids. Whoever was inside that structure wanted the case outside—and right outside the door. “Sloane left the case right outside the portal. Is it possible the Atlanteans need it there to get out—that it serves some kind of purpose there?”
“Possible, I suppose. I’m not sure how we would test that theory. The science staff and equipment on site is very limited.”
“Okay… Let’s get the case out of there. Put it in some kind of lead box or whatever can shield the radiation, and take it to our primary research facility—somewhere we can get real answers.”
“Who should we have look at it?”
Sanders thought for a moment. “Who was the cagey scientist, Chang?”
“He’s on a plague barge in the Mediterranean—”
“No, not him. The nuclear guy.”
“Chase?”
“Yes. Have him look at it. Tell him to report his findings directly to me.”
CHAPTER 17
Old Town District
Marbella, Spain
The green gas was as thick as fog now, and Kate could only see a few meters in front of her. She simply followed Martin, hoping he knew where he was going and that they would find shelter soon. He had stopped inspecting the windows of the stores: he simply charged on as fast as he could now, carrying Surya. Adi’s head rested on Kate’s shoulder, and she kept her arms wrapped tightly around him. Every few seconds, he jerked slightly as he coughed.
The gas stung her eyes and left a bit of a metallic taste in her mouth. She wondered what it was, what it was doing to them.
Ahead, Martin abruptly turned to the right, into a small courtyard. A white plaster church stood at the end, and Martin raced to its heavy wooden door. As they approached it, Kate inspected the stained-glass windows. The desperate citizens of Marbella hadn’t broken them.
Martin threw the door open, and Kate and the boys rushed in. He closed it just as the first wisps of green gas drifted through.
Kate set Adi down and practically collapsed. She was completely drained, too sapped to even survey the cathedral. She used her last bit of strength to pull the cloth from Adi’s and Surya’s faces and give each of the boys a quick inspection. They were tired, but otherwise okay.
She turned away, walked to the closest wooden pew and stretched out. A few minutes later, Martin was there, hovering over her with a protein bar and a bottle of water. She took both, ate a bit, drank a little, then closed her eyes slowly and drifted off to sleep.
Martin watched Kate sleep while he waited for the secure chat connection to activate.
The chat window expanded and a line of text popped up.
Station 23.DC> Status?
Station 97.MB> Dire. Immari invasion of Marbella underway. Trapped. Have Kate as well as Beta-1 and Beta-2. Safe for now. Not much longer. Request immediate exfil. Cannot wait. Current loc: Church of Saint Mary.
Station 23.DC> Standby
Station 23.DC> Field team report from Present-2 hrs: outside Marbella. Town gassed, but dissipating. Will be at Rendezvous Loc at 0900 local time. /END REPORT/ NOTE: team consists of 5 heavily armed soldiers in Spanish military uniforms.
Martin leaned back and exhaled. Maybe they had a chance. He glanced over at Kate. She twisted and grimaced. She was having a nightmare, and sleeping on the hard wooden pew probably didn’t help, but it was the best Martin could do for her. He knew she would need the rest.
Kate was dreaming, but it felt so real to her. She was in Antarctica again, in the tombs of Atlantis. The shimmering gray walls and beady lights at the floor and ceiling sent a shiver through her. The place was quiet, and she was alone. Her footsteps echoed loudly, startling her. She looked down. She was wearing boots—and a uniform of some kind. Where was David? Her father? The boys?
“Hello?” she called out, but her words only echoed through the cold empty space.
To her left, a large set of double doors parted, sending light into the dim hallway. She stepped through the door and scanned the room. She knew this room. She had seen it before in Antarctica. The room had held a dozen tubes, each standing on end, each holding a different human ancestor, a specimen from one of the human subspecies. But only half the tubes were full now. Where had the other bodies gone? What did it mean?