“Sloane left it at the bottom of the shaft. He says he thinks it’s dangerous. That we shouldn’t open it.”
Sanders thought for a moment. His first instinct was that the case was a bomb. Maybe Sloane thought it was too—he had left it at the bottom of the shaft. If they brought it up, it could destroy the entire camp or maybe something worse. There was the other alternative—that Sloane had left it down there because he or the Atlanteans needed it there. Did the Atlantean army need it outside so that they could exit the tombs? Did it serve another purpose there? Could it melt the ice and free the ship? He needed answers. He couldn’t leave it there, and he couldn’t move it until he knew what it was.
“What kind of science staff do we have on site?”
“Minimal. We evacuated almost everyone when we did the troop realignment for the attack.”
“Send whoever we’ve got down the shaft. Find out what’s in the case. But don’t open it. Send someone without knowledge of our defensive capabilities. Call me directly when they know what it is.”
The general nodded and waited.
“That’s all, general.” When the general left, Sanders turned back to Kosta. “Cancel the trials. This is happening now. We have to go to war with the army we have. And I have a feeling we’re going to need more troops. Speed up the purge of Andalusia. Where are we on transport?”
“We’re still trying to round up ships.”
“Try harder. We need to move a million troops to Antarctica, and soon.”
CHAPTER 15
You’re listening to the BBC, the voice of human triumph on this, the seventy-ninth day of the Atlantis Plague.
The BBC has confirmed multiple reports that the Immari have invaded continental Europe. The invasion began at dusk yesterday as helicopters and drones launched rockets at cities in southern Spain. Casualty figures are not known at this time.
Eyewitness reports from across the Spanish province of Andalusia say that the Orchid Districts were the primary targets of the Immari raid. Political experts have speculated for weeks that the Immari would begin assimilating vulnerable populations in Europe and Asia. It seems that they have begun their campaign in southern Spain.
Dr. Stephen Marcus, an expert at the think tank Western Century, had this to say earlier: “Nobody really knows the Immari endgame, but one fact is clear: they’re building an army. You don’t build an army unless you need it to protect yourself or you intend to use it to attack an enemy. It’s hard to believe the Orchid Alliance could launch any sort of counterattack.”
The weakness in the Orchid Alliance has prompted fears around the world that the Immari incursion into Andalusia could be a prelude to a larger attack on mainland Europe—an attack the Orchid Alliance can’t repel.
Janet Bauer, an expert on Orchid production, agrees with that assessment. “The Allies are doing well to sustain Orchid production as it is. They can’t fight a war. Even if they wanted to, the practicality of getting Orchid to the front lines to keep soldiers alive makes it simply impossible. Forming an Allied army from survivors presents a completely new set of issues, namely loyalty. Most survivors who maintain healthy brain function are Immari sympathizers—they’ve been made to live in Orchid Districts, what many believe to be confinement, for nearly three months now.”
Experts speculate that the Immari are simply nibbling at the fringes of Europe—that by taking a province the Allies can’t defend, they’re testing the Allied resolve and the will of the people. In essence, the Immari are taking the pulse of Europe.
Dr. Marcus elaborated on this point: “This is War Strategy 101: the aggressor takes a small step across the line, then waits for the result. Does he get appeasement or retribution? Our reaction determines his next move. If he senses weakness, he takes another step, and another.”
That next step, many believe, could be Germany. Ms. Bauer agrees. “Germany is the real prize here. It’s the key to the entire continent. Germany produces seventy percent of all the Orchid in Europe. If the Immari army gets to Germany, it’s game over for Europe. As Germany goes, so goes the continent.”
In fairness to the Immari, we’ve agreed to read their statement regarding the attacks:
“Immari International yesterday launched a vast rescue effort in southern Spain. For almost three months, the people of Andalusia have lived in concentration camps and been forced to take a drug against their will. Immari International was founded on the idea of creating one global society. Our origins were in trade, in linking the world. We carry on that tradition today, but the dire circumstances the Orchid nations have forced upon the world have made us pursue new avenues to global freedom. We are nonviolent, but we will protect the people of the world from oppression and any measures that violate their free will.”
The BBC wishes its listeners to know that it does not take sides in armed conflicts. We report the news, and we will continue to report the news, no matter the victor or vanquished.
CHAPTER 16
Immari One
Over the southern Atlantic Ocean—inbound to Antarctica
Raymond Sanders turned away from the plane’s window and answered his satellite phone. “Sanders.”
“We just got a report from the team examining the case. They say it’s empty.”
“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.”