Area 51: The Mission-3 Read Free

yet, but it's only a matter of time."
    "Once they go in they'll have contact with the Qian-Ling guardian," Turcotte said.
    "The guardian might not communicate with them," Duncan said. The strange gold pyramids found at several Airlia sites were, as far as they could define it in human terms, computers. But the alien computers could do so much more—including directly interfacing with the minds of those who touched its surface—that no one was quite sure what they were. The alien computer uncovered under a dig at Temiltepec in South America had taken over the minds of several members of the covert Majestic-12 group—the event that had begun Turcotte's and Duncan's involvement in this.
    "Even if they can't make contact with the guardian," Duncan continued, "they might be able to get access to the lower level and uncover whatever is down that central corridor."
    "Nabinger knew what was down there," Turcotte said.
    "There's no way we can get back into China to find out. God knows what will happen with the Chinese. They might simply blow the place up, as the Chinese government has more than enough to deal with right now with their own people rebelling."
    "I don't think the Chinese, even if they go in, will be able to make it to the lower level," Turcotte said. "Nab-

    11

    inger was probably the only one who could figure out how to get in there."
    "I hope so," Duncan said.
    "And STAAR?" Turcotte asked. "Anything further?"
    Duncan put a hand on his forearm. "Well, I was going to get to that."
    "What do you want me to do now?"

    "Lead a team to Antarctica. The engineers who have been drilling at the Scorpion Base site say they should break through very soon. I want you to be there when they go in."
    "When do I leave?"
    "Tomorrow afternoon."
    "And where will you be going?"
    "The Task Force off Easter Island. The navy wants to try an underwater recon by a probe. Try to get under the shield."
    "You think that will work?" Turcotte asked.
    "No, but we can't give up on Kelly."
    "And if it doesn't work?"
    "Then I go to Russia."
    "Russia?" Turcotte thought about that. "Section Four?"
    Duncan nodded. "There's more going on than we know. What Colonel Kostanov told you—it has me wondering. I sent a message to Section Four and finally managed to talk to someone named Yakov. He told me he would get back to me, but knowing Russian efficiency, I thought it best if I went myself."
    "That's probably true," Turcotte agreed.
    "They're going to come at us again," Duncan said.
    "They?"
    "The Airlia. The guardian computer at Easter Island. STAAR. Take your pick. We stopped them at Area 51.

    12

    We stopped the fleet. But they won't stop. And God knows what will happen next."
    "I always used to tell my team in Special Forces that what you least expect is what will happen."
    "That's why I'm afraid," Duncan said.
    Turcotte stepped behind Lisa and wrapped both his arms around her, feeling the leather crinkle. "I know this isn't over. Is that why I'm here?"
    "No," Duncan said. "You're here because I want you here."
    There was just the sound of the breeze through the pine trees for several minutes.
    "I'm cold." Duncan nodded toward the door and the beckoning fireplace. "Ready to go in?"
    "In a second," Turcotte said. He watched her walk inside, then turned to the dark countryside. He sensed something, a feeling he'd had before while on combat missions—of being watched. His eyes scanned the nearby area, but he knew he wouldn't be able to see anyone, if there was someone out there. Finally he turned and went inside to join Duncan in front of the fireplace.
    Fifteen hundred meters away, on a craggy hillside facing Duncan's home, a man sat cross-legged behind a night-vision telescope set on a tripod. He watched the two figures silhouetted by the fireplace. His flat expression didn't change, even as he watched the two begin kissing, his only interest professional. The watcher noted as the man in the house got up and pulled shut the curtain.
    He had a small