Fulcrum: V Plague Book 12 Read Online Free PDF Page A

the personal diary, taken
from the body of a Spetsnaz officer, which references his unit being sent in
search of records of the Athena Project.”
    Beasley nodded but didn’t appear convinced.  Still, he
held his tongue.
    “Something’s not right,” Rear Admiral Black groused. 
“If the goddamn Russians didn’t get away with the file, then how did they know
to be in the area and shoot down our reconnaissance flight?  Can you
explain that to me, Commander?”
    “No, sir.  All I can do is posit a theory.  The
Russians noticed the tankers we put in the area.  They went to investigate,
and the timing was bad for Lieutenant Commander Vance.”
    “I’m still not buying it,” Black said sourly, turning to
face Packard.
    “Enough,” Packard held his hand up before things got out of
control.  “I’m convinced there’s something to this.  I’m not sure I’m
buying the whole black hole and warped space-time thing, but there’s no way
this was a plant by the Russians.
    “They had no way of knowing the Major’s flight was going to
land in Omaha for fuel.  It wasn’t planned.  The pilot didn’t even
know until an hour before they set down.  No.  I think the file is
genuine.”
    He paused and looked around the room.  Saw doubt in the
eyes of many of the assembled officers, but also saw that they were going to
keep any further disagreement to themselves.  He turned his attention back
to Detmer.
    “Commander, have you had any luck trying to communicate with
the platform?”
    “No, sir.  None.  Comm protocols are one thing
that is not contained in the file.  We don’t even know if they’re capable
of broadcasting or receiving on any of our channels.  Perhaps they are,
but are deliberately remaining EM silent to avoid drawing the Russian’s
attention.”
    “Do we have any confirmation that there’s even anyone still
alive on the platform?”  Admiral Black asked.
    “No, sir.  We do not.  We are able to confirm
through satellite surveillance that the platform is powered up, as is the
supercollider, but that could be automated systems.  We are maintaining
24-hour watch from orbit, but so far have not seen any signs of activity.”
     “Could the infection have reached them?  Fifty
miles out at sea?”  Packard asked.
    “Yes, sir.  Any number of ways.  A transfer of
personnel before the initial outbreak.  Or, we know the virus has jumped
to birds, and the platform is certainly within the range of a variety of
species that inhabit the Texas coast.”
    The room fell silent again, each man thinking about the
possibility that the personnel manning the platform were nothing more than
raging infected.  Every head turned when the door suddenly burst open, one
of Packard’s aides charging into the room.
    “Sir,” the Lieutenant nearly shouted.  “Commander Vance
is alive!  We just found him!”
    “Where?” 
    Admiral Black was the first to speak up.
    “He’s in the northern portion of the Sea of Cortez,
sir.  Between Baja and mainland Mexico.”
    “He’s in the water?”  Packard asked.
    “Raft, sir.  He must have punched out and was able to
deploy the survival raft.”
    “That damn little puddle isn’t that big.  How far from
land?”
    “He’s pretty much in the middle, sir.  The closest land
to him is 30 miles, and the wind is pushing him south.  Keeping him in the
middle of the Sea.”
    Admiral Black spun around in his chair and snatched a phone
off a side table.  He barked into it, then listened for a few moments
before slamming it down.
    “We’ll never get an SAR flight in there,” he growled. 
“Fuckin Commies got the area sewn up tighter than a frog’s ass.”
    “Commander,” Packard said to Detmer.  “How far away is
Major Chase?  He’s at Groom Lake in southern Nevada.”
    While Detmer pulled up a map, the Lieutenant cleared his
throat, causing Packard to look at him.
    “Something to say, Lieutenant?”
    “Sir, Major Chase called for you earlier.  I