Death Minus Zero

“Pol, I’m sure I don’t need to go into sharp details. Suffice it to say that Miss Kai really has Colonel Chan’s attention.”

“She’s one brave lady,” Hawkins said. “From that picture, our Colonel Chan looks a pretty mean hombre.”

“Past history does show Chan has a suspect past with females,” Price said.

Brognola continued. “Phoenix Force will take a run out to Zero Command and make contact with Agent Valens. Pick up whatever you can from there. Intel is thin on the ground at the moment, but we have to make a start somewhere. Able Team can take a lead from the background data Aaron and his team have started to pull in from traffic cams in the area following the kidnap. We might get a lead from those according to what comes up. I wish we had more to go on, but for now that’s all she wrote. So let’s do it, people.”

The teams began to disperse, heading out to claim paperwork and travel gear. Stony Man transport would provide them with vehicles, and if any long-distance needs arose Price would, as usual, organize that.

Finally alone, Brognola sat back and considered what might lie ahead. The Zero Project was important. It offered America a degree of protection no other nation had, so he was not surprised that whoever was behind Kaplan’s kidnap had taken the step. If Kaplan could be persuaded, in whatever form, to spill what he knew about Zero, then trouble could be just on the horizon.

If the US lost Zero, it would lose a powerful security asset.

One that could not be replaced so easily.

Even the thought caused Brognola to shake his head in frustration.

Now it was down to the Stony Man teams to step up and be counted. If anyone could resolve what had happened, it was his collection of experts. He knew they would not let him down.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Joshua, have you heard from Saul Kaplan?” Claire Valens said.

Joshua Riba sensed the concern in her voice even over the phone. The Apache private investigator knew her well enough to sense a problem.

Riba’s initial connection with the Zero Project had come about when Doug Buchanan had survived the attack on the New Mexico facility that housed the fledgling operation. Partway through his treatment to turn him into the human component of Zero, Buchanan had managed to survive the hit. Sick and in pain from the implants in his body, he had been found by Riba’s uncle, who had run him down when Buchanan had suddenly stepped into the path of his truck.

Taken back to the Apache settlement, Buchanan had been looked after. Riba had become involved after Buchanan had taken off. His detective skills had brought him into contact with the people looking for Buchanan and Kaplan, and he had tracked the group to Albany, New York, where he had met Mack Bolan. After an explosive confrontation, the two had decided to team up and become fully involved in the Zero conspiracy.

“If you have to ask, then I guess something has happened.”

“Saul was taken from the Air Force car on his way to the Zero base. Taken by force, as far as we can figure out.”

“When did this happen?”

“Only a few hours ago.”

“Any signs he might have been hurt?”

“None we’ve found yet, but his Air Force driver took a bullet to the back of the head.”

“So Saul has been kidnapped.”

“Looks that way.”

“Nothing beforehand? Threats? Hints something might be going to happen?”

“You know the Zero operation, Joshua, from when you were involved before. It’s still being kept low-key. As covert as we can keep it. Which doesn’t always work out.”

“No suspects, then?”

“Suspicions, but no proof.”

“That the official take or just yours?”

Valens smiled. “No fooling you, is there.”

“It’s my heritage. Anything we can work on? That old man is special. He needs finding.”

“That sounds suspiciously like you want to help.”

“We were connected last time round, Agent Valens. Kind of makes us blood brothers.”

“We did make a good team.”

“What about Pinda Lickoyi who lives in Big Sky and sees all?” Riba said in a mock-solemn monotone.

“We checked with Zero. Told Buchanan. He’s no wiser than we are at the moment. He’s run all the checks he can via the Zero setup. No trace. He’ll keep looking and listening.”

“Listening?”

“Saul had an implant. A small receiver that gives out a traceable signal so his whereabouts can be tracked. Designed and built it himself. Had it surgically inserted at the back of his left shoulder. Idea is that it emits a permanent signal.”

“But it isn’t doing that?”

“No. The signal has gone silent. And so has the tracker fitted to the Air Force car.”

“What does that tell you?”

“That maybe we have an inside mole working for the kidnappers—someone capable of disabling the car tracker. That the kidnappers knew about the tracking device on the vehicle and put it out of action.”

“So you have something to work on. Also means you have a weakness in your security shield.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“What about the implant device?”

“I don’t see that being public knowledge. It was inserted just below the surface of Kaplan’s skin soon after Zero was launched. Like I said, it was Saul’s own idea.”

“Not easy to get at?”

“It would have to be cut out.”

“Anything else affect it?”

“If they had the equipment the signal could be interrupted. That suggests whoever took Saul would have had to have known about it. Joshua, as of right now, we are running in the dark here. Reaching out.”

“Okay, but if these kidnappers have something they can disable your tracking devices with, then they have to be more than a bunch of perps out looking for ransom. Last time, we came up against renegade government individuals—and a bunch of Chinese trying to get their hands on Zero.”

“Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind. All the files on the previous attempt are being reviewed and individuals looked at.”

“The ones still alive, you mean?”

Valens understood the reminder. People had died before the Zero affair had been concluded. She also recalled that some of the Chinese operatives had escaped. But they had run off with a considerable amount of Chinese cash and lost themselves somewhere in America.

She had to go through everything, no matter how vague or how dead-ending it might turn out to be. She had to look into all aspects of the matter.

“Is Cooper involved this time?” Riba said.

“His name hasn’t been mentioned so far. Could be he’s working on something else. But the people he works with have their teams involved.”

“You want me to do some snooping around?”

“Off-the-reservation kind of snooping?” Valens said.

“Sharp as ever, Agent Valens, but just as you say. I’ll deal myself in. I’m closer to Saul’s lodge than you people are. I do remember where it is, too.”

“Joshua, stay in touch. If I can give you any backup I will. Use my name if you need to. Let me know if you find anything. But for now, keep it between us.”

Valens sent the data to Riba’s cell.

“Okay, got it,” Riba said. “Hey, you watch your back, Agent Valens. The way this has gone down, we’ve got some serious people out there.”

“I will, and for the record, it’s Claire. Drop the ‘Agent Valens,’ okay? I think you’ve earned that.”

“Okay. You can call me Josh. I hate the full-on Joshua. Makes me sound old and serious.”

“You’re a funny guy, Josh.”

“Got to redress the Hollywood version of solemn, hatchet-faced Indians. And don’t start me on the ‘Native American’ deal. Listen, I’ll be in touch soon as I have anything.”

CHAPTER SIX

Phoenix Force made contact with the Zero base a short time later. The credentials they carried got them inside the Zero Command Center. The isolated base, created solely for the operation of the Zero Project, was purpose-built. It stood in a wooded tract of land in rural Virginia and had a complement of around thirty, which comprised the Zero operating team and a rotating security force of Air Force personnel. A small number of highly vetted civilian personnel also worked on the base.

Even with their official Stony Man–provided IDs, McCarter’s team was well aware it was on site under sufferance. That made no difference whatsoever to the Stony Man squad; they had a job to do and territorial marking wasn’t about to stop them.

Colonel Rance Corrigan, the base commander, came out to meet them. In his late forties, Corrigan was a bluff, iron-gray-haired man who matched David McCarter in height and general build. His uniform fit him perfectly and was so neat it looked as if he’d had it dry-cleaned overnight while he was still wearing it. The perception the man might just be a poster boy for the Air Force faded quickly for McCarter. He could see behind the outward vision and recognize a true military character; Corrigan would match every word he spoke with dedication to his position in the Air Force of the United States.

“Colonel, we’re not the enemy,” McCarter said. “Right now finding Saul Kaplan is the only thing that concerns me. Run up the chain of command all you want. When you reach the highest level—and I mean the highest—you can make your feelings known. In the meantime we’ll go right ahead and see if we can figure out what happened. It’s why we’re in your face.”

“You’re a Brit,” Corrigan said, not disrespectfully. It was simply a statement of fact.

“Yes, Colonel. Hope you won’t hold that against me.”

Corrigan’s shoulder went back a fraction. “I’ve known a few RAF guys.” His expression didn’t change. “They can hold their own in a fight, and they respect the chain of command. So just explain what a Brit is doing in this outfit.”

“I work for the same government you do. Doing what I’m ordered,” McCarter said. “Whatever it takes. The same goes for my men.”

Corrigan scanned the rest of Phoenix Force. He saw a tight group who looked as if they would take no shit from anyone.

“We need to talk in my office,” he said. “I’ll have your equipment secured.” Corrigan called over a waiting sergeant. “Blaney, see to it.”

Corrigan turned and led the way to the main admin building, Phoenix Force falling in behind him. He took them through to his office, past a main area that held desks, computers and half a dozen Air Force personnel. He paused at one of the desks.

“Sergeant Ryker, call Agent Valens and have her report to my office immediately. And arrange coffee for us all.”

“Could you add one Classic Coke to that order, Sergeant, please?” McCarter said.

The colonel’s office was sizable, the main window looking out across the base. On an outsize, neatly arranged desk, there was a large-screen computer angled in one corner. A number of office chairs were ranged in front of the desk. It appeared that Colonel Corrigan favored regular meetings with his staff. Considering what went on at the base, McCarter realized it was not surprising; the Zero initiative was, to say the least, unusual, and its existence ranged well beyond what the Air Force would normally handle.

“Sit down, gentlemen,” Corrigan said. He took his own high-backed swivel chair and composed himself before he spoke. “I assume you’ve been brought up to speed on Zero and the current incident?”

“We had a briefing before we shipped out,” McCarter said. “I’m hoping you can add to what we know. Which is still coming in as we speak.”

Before Corrigan could say any more, there was a knock on the office door. Corrigan told the visitor to enter. The door opened and the Phoenix Force operatives were treated to Agent Claire Valens in the flesh. They had seen photographs of her at Stony Man, but without a doubt, they didn’t do her justice.

In the photos, Valens had worn her dark hair long; now she favored a shorter style that accentuated her open, strong-featured face and generous mouth. The eyes that surveyed Phoenix Force were sharp and showed the intelligence that lurked behind them. Her supple, toned figure was clad in a white shirt under the regulation black pantsuit. The jacket was open, exposing the Glock pistol holstered at her waist. The young woman was beautifully efficient. An interesting combination.

A man, Valens’s partner, McCarter presumed, followed her through the door.

She nodded to everyone in the office and crossed to take one of the chairs closest to Corrigan’s side of the desk. The man chose a seat set back where he could see everyone.

“Agent Valens,” McCarter said. “Good to meet you at last.”

“And you, Jack Coyle.” She smiled.

McCarter made quick introductions of his partners, using their cover names. “This is Roy Landis.” He nodded at James and then at Manning, Hawkins and Encizo in turn. “Samuel Allen, Daniel Rankin and Fredo Constantine.”

“This is Larry Brandon, my partner.” Valens sent a nod toward the back of the room. “It appears you already know who I am,” she said.

“You come highly recommended,” Manning said. “We’ve seen the file on your earlier dealings with Zero and Saul Kaplan. Impressive, Agent Valens.”

“Not such a glowing file this time around.” Valens held up the manila file she was carrying.

“Agent Valens feels this incident is down to her,” Corrigan told them.

“Happened on my watch—I won’t deny that,” Valens said. “Saul is missing and one of Colonel Corrigan’s men is dead.”

“Has there been anything to warrant higher security recently?” Encizo asked. “Activity to make you suspicious?”

“Nothing. Everything was running normally. Saul was collected from his home and driven to the base each day. Returned home each evening, unless there was a need for him to remain here. He has assigned quarters on the base. Often stayed here due to some involved operation he was running. Saul is constantly upgrading Zero. He is determined to improve the way it functions.”

“And this has been running for...?” James queried.

“The current arrangements have been in place for well over two years.”

“During that time,” McCarter asked, “have there been any security concerns?”

“None. Ever since the initial incident, Zero has been kept low-key,” Valens advised. “No one has ever been suspected of planning anything. We try to keep our business and our presence under the radar as much as we can.” She cleared her throat. “Obviously not as under the radar as we thought.”

“What about Jui Kai?” McCarter said. “The information she has sent through about Colonel Chan?”

Valens hesitated for a few seconds. “You know about her involvement with Chan?”

“We’ve been brought up to speed about her. Look, Agent Valens, our intel comes from a secure source. Us becoming involved is no good if we’re not kept in the loop one hundred percent.

“We know Kai is an asset planted in China. That she has established one hell of a cover. We also understand she’s been maneuvered into a close relationship with Chan and his group. Seems they have a vested interest in Zero.”

McCarter leaned back in his seat. “Let’s get the cards on the table, here. I told Colonel Corrigan we are here to help. Not pointing fingers and labeling people. I can understand your reluctance to pull us all the way in—this mess has caught everyone on the hoof. So let’s start from scratch. We each tell what we know and try to get a grip on it.”

Corrigan said, “Agent Valens may have been a little slow in telling all, but in her defense I have to say that she has a restrictive brief on certain matters. One of those being able to reveal information about Jui Kai. Understand, gentlemen, Kai is operating within China. An extremely difficult assignment and one we have, so far, kept under wraps. It is difficult for her to send us information, and the little we have has simply let us in on the fact that the Chinese have been looking at Zero again.”

“The fact that they made the move to kidnap Saul,” Valens interjected, “was not expected at this stage. From what we had learned, the Chinese were simply looking at developing their own platform. This sudden advancement even caught Jui Kai off guard. It’s a big step, from a committee having weekly meetings, to putting into action an actual body snatch in broad daylight on American soil. Kai is sending us anything she can learn about the incident.”

“All right,” McCarter said. “Let’s go back to the kidnapping. Any thoughts on that from your point of view?”

“This is an Air Force base,” Corrigan said. “We have no more than a few civilian attendees, highly skilled personnel from the people who supply our computing equipment. They have been vetted and re-vetted. Approved by Washington. We’re also pretty far away from any civilian enclaves.” He hesitated. “I hope you’re not suggesting any military involvement in Kaplan’s disappearance.”

“Colonel, sir, with all due respect,” Hawkins said, “we have to look at all options. After all, someone did manage to shut down the tracking unit on the car. And Kaplan’s implant signal went down, too.”

Corrigan didn’t like the suggestion, but he was not blinkered so much he couldn’t acknowledge the possibility.

“As of now, I can’t give you an answer. We are looking into it.”

Sergeant Ryker appeared carrying a loaded tray. He placed it on Corrigan’s desk before he retreated.

“Help yourselves, people,” Corrigan said.

They all helped themselves to coffee; McCarter his chilled bottle of Classic Coke.

The Phoenix Force leader glanced across at Valens. “Where have we got to?”

“Early for much to have happened,” she told him honestly. “I’ve checked with Joshua Riba. He hasn’t heard anything but he’s volunteered to help. He’s closer, so he’s going to check out Kaplan’s lodge in Wyoming. I don’t hold out much hope, but it’s worth a look.”

“Riba? Agent Valens, who is this Riba? Just how many more friends do you have up your sleeve?” Corrigan raised the mug of coffee he was holding and took a long swallow. “I just said this base was secret. The way things are going, I’m not so certain about that any longer.”

“If it hadn’t been for Riba’s involvement at the beginning,” McCarter said, “Doug Buchanan wouldn’t be alive today.”

“This is all very interesting,” Corrigan said. “But how is it going to help us find Kaplan?”

“It might simply prove a blank. We just need to look at all angles, even if only to scratch them off the list,” Encizo explained.

“Did you find anything at the abduction site?” McCarter said.

“No,” Larry Brandon said. “Apart from a few tire tracks.”

“My people are checking those,” Valens said. “If we get lucky they might be able to identify them, but I’m not holding my breath.”

McCarter drained his Coke and pushed to his feet.

“Do we get a guided tour, Colonel?” he said. “Give us some background on what this is all about. At least a chance to say hello to Major Buchanan?”

Corrigan sighed as he stood. “I suppose you do need to understand the background. And your clearance does cover Zero.”

He led them from his office and through the complex to the Zero Command Center.

The center was a generous room full of electronics that none of them could fully understand. Over the banks of equipment the main wall was lined with large-screen monitors.

Corrigan nodded to the technician on duty and the man tapped in the coordinates that alerted Zero of an incoming call. The large plasma screen directly in front of Corrigan came online and he found himself facing Doug Buchanan.

“Colonel,” Buchanan said.

The image was a head-to-waist shot of the major. He had his biocouch in a sitting position. Behind him Phoenix Force could see the circular layout of the Zero operations facility: scan monitors and control consoles and an occasional flashing panel. The overall impression was of controlled efficiency.

“Any further intel?” Corrigan said.

Buchanan’s head moved in a negative response. “Nothing, sir. We’ve had probes working since the initial report. We can’t find anything.”

We.

Not I.

Not me.

We.

The collective term for the partnership between man and machine.

From the day Zero had come online and Buchanan had made his first report from the platform, he had used the epithet “we” when referring to Zero. His assimilation into the system through the bioimplants keeping him alive had worked with far greater success than anyone, Saul Kaplan included, had expected. Doug Buchanan’s melding with the implants designed to keep his cancer at bay and offer the major a chance to continue as a viable Air Force member had proved out. With Zero online, the orbiting platform had become a vital part of America’s defense system, and Kaplan’s cherished dream had become a reality.

“Our scans will continue.”

The voice coming through the speakers was Zero’s. The modulated tones, with a slight mechanical edge, emanated from the platform’s integrated synthesizer system.

Saul Kaplan had developed and installed the system just under six months ago. It was one way to get a manual response from Zero when there was a need for communication and also served as a direct link for Buchanan, enabling him to have verbal interaction with Zero’s responses. There had been another, less obvious reason for the interaction—being able to converse with Zero gave Buchanan a companionto talk to. Kaplan had seen that as an important function for Buchanan’s solitary existence. He had programmed Zero with a wide range of interactive knowledge that included a number of languages and as much encyclopedic data he could put in. The process was ongoing, allowing Zero to self-improve and to develop a coherent personality. It made for interesting social intercourse for Buchanan and the Zero team.

Kaplan had seen this interaction as a necessary advance on the Zero program. It had needed to happen if the platform was to extend its existence beyond the present. Kaplan was looking to the future. Science did not stand still. It would stagnate if it did, and Saul Kaplan refused to allow that to occur.

“Major, we have visitors with us,” Corrigan said. “The team assisting in the investigation.”

A second plasma screen showed Phoenix Force and Claire Valens.

“These people are from the same group Cooper is with,” Valens said.

“Cooper pulled me out of a hole way back. Hell of a guy.”

“You said it,” McCarter agreed.

Buchanan said, “I hope you’re having more luck than we are at the moment.”

“Information is still skinny on the ground,” McCarter told him. “We know Kaplan is missing. We have a feeling the Chinese are involved...but that’s about all, Major Buchanan.”

“It’s Doug. Let’s drop the rank, huh? Colonel, no offence, sir.”

Corrigan managed a faint grimace that might have been labeled a smile.

“My fancy bag of tricks isn’t working its magic today,” Buchanan said. “I had Saul on track from the time he left home, but his signal cut out at around the time he was snatched.”

“You think the kidnappers knew about his implant?” Encizo asked. “Disabled it?”

“A possibility,” Buchanan allowed. “It was our main chance to keep him online. Of course there might have been a malfunction. I’m still trying to reengage his signal.”

“The implant may come online again,” Zero said. “Unless it has been removed and destroyed.”

“Always looks on the bright side. We’re initiating a wider scan,” Buchanan said. “Using all our surveillance.”

He tapped keys and his biocouch began to traverse the interior on the monorail that circled the equipment banks. An alternate-view screen showed his progression around the facility. View ports set around the platform allowed him to see the exterior behind the curved instrument consoles. Buchanan could make a complete three-sixty run around the cupola, allowing freedom of access to each and every function. There were duplicate control panels around the circular access, so he was never far from a control point. The same applied to the plasma screens he used for communication and exterior viewing. The whole of Zero’s working area had been designed by Kaplan to cater to someone who was restricted to the biocouch.