Three days Morris had been on this assignment and he remembered how tedious things could get before they had a target. He looked over the mornings messages and sighed. He perked when he saw that, surprise surprise; the two research monkeys had finally made a breakthrough. He made his way straight there.
Truth be told, there were in fact, three members of the Research Arm currently attached to BO5. However, only Davey and Kempson were on site. Peck, with his superior medical knowledge, was in the medical bay, examining any euthanised subjects. What have you got for me? he said when he got to the temporary lab. Well, no point in beating around the bush.
Some good news, if you call elimination of possibilities good news, Kempson offered. Morris shrugged, motioning her to continue. She brought up a map of the area, centred on the local reservoir. It cant be anything in the water, or these other towns would be affected. There are thousands of pipes leading from here to the reservoir. If it were in the water, it would be there.
Davey was next, taking a quick sip of coffee, the smell of which reminded Morris he hadnt had his yet. And I doubt its airborne. The boundary hasnt moved since we got here, at least not that I can see. With basic diffusion, wed at least see some regular growth of the quarantine zone, but there has been nothing of the sort. No, its something or someone in the town.
Not location based? The thought of glassing the place looked more and more inviting each day, even if it would result in disciplinary actions. The Directors didnt like having to deal with town being wiped off the map in first world countries. Both for the loss of life and the fact it is really hard to explain it away.
While still a possibility, I think the boundary lines are a little too neat for it to be location based.
Morris thought about this and grunted. He thanked the two and left, making his way down the garage. They had a selection of unmarked cars in a variety of colours and conditions for any situation. Debling, a former (thanks to Dont Ask, Dont Tell theyre loss was our gain there, Morris thought) Air Force engineer, was fixing up a battered-looking cop car. Where the hell are Radford and Sheppard? Back room? Everyone on base was waiting for something to happen between the two of them.
Just getting kitted out. Speak of the devil
Radford was a tall man with hair that was far too long for paramilitary work. He had an unnerving, but apparently completely natural, way of speaking that made everything he said sound absolutely reasonable. Sheppard was a small woman of indeterminate, but definitely mixed, race. Both were very good actors.
Sheppard held up a hand as they approached, stopping Morris before he could talk. We know the mission, commander. Standard ghost-hunters, probing for a show on a channel somewhere in the high hundreds. Weve done this before. She poked her tongue out, which rankled Morris a bit. A lot of unprofessionalism on this team. Too touchy-feely. But she was right. Both about how they had done this before and how standard it was. Everyone wanted their town on TV right? So, send some people in, ask around about weird-goings on, hint that it might be on TV and people open up faster than your mother with a 50 waved in front of her face.
Good. Get moving, I want progress when you call in tonight. They nodded and walked off to the van they would be using. Ah, maybe they couldnt be blamed for being so dang upbeat. Those two could be riding into the valley of death for all they knew, never to return. It was then Elmi entered the garage.
He was Somali. From what Morris could remember being told, his local warlord had attempted to use an anomaly as a weapon. Clean Up had found him after a pile of bodies was found to have been all shot from the same direction a room that loosely could be called the latrine. They were impressed enough that they persuaded the higher-ups to let the boy train. Turns out hed been handling a gun since his before his voice broke. The boy was still a little bit out of his depth, but he had acclimatised quickly. Plus he wasnt as flamboyant as some of his team-mates. Elmi, Ive heard a lot about you. Good to finally meet you. He offered his hand, mostly to stop him staring at Debling.
Thankfully the boy took it. You to. You are Agent Morris, yes? Everyone has stories about you.
Heh, half my stories are classified. There was a squawk of static from the radio. Pilgrim, this is Morris. What have you got?
Family sedan heading north. Lot of trunks in the back. Two adults, male and female. Two children, both female. One is in a booster seat.
Pritchard, confirm. Pilgrim and Pritchard were usually snipers, but until those skills were needed, they were functioning as spotters up in the hills around the town. A lonely job, but they didnt seem to mind.
As ever, Pritchard took his time answering in that deep drawl of his. Can only confirm sedan travelling north. Cant get a visual on occupants.
Alright, Elmi, lets go ruin someones day.
***
How can I help you officer?
Dad, whats wrong? We have ta get ta granmas before lunch or shell have it without us.
Hush honey, daddys just talking to the nice policeman.
Good morning sir, Im sorry to disturb you. Weve had reports of drug runners on this road using a car matching this description. Do you mind all stepping out the car?
Were kind of in a hurry. Visiting the folks out of town for the fourth.
I assure you, we just need our dog to take a quick sniff. If you could just go over there by my partner.
Daddy, daddy, that man has a dirty face.
Quiet down kiddo. Kids, eh?
Is your wife alright sir?
Oh, shes been feeling under the weather. A change of scenery will do her good, isnt that right, honey? OK, kids, out of the car.
Sir, Ive found something. Front passenger.
What? You havent got the dog out of the car.
Daddy, whats wrong with mommy?
Pilgrim, euthanise adult female, tranq other targets.
Wait, what? I demand to know whats going on here. I am an America-
Confirm targets down. Call Peck, hes got a new subject. Wallace, Cromwell, need pick up for car crash scenario. One adult male, two female children.