image of a static world map. He then tapped a search icon and typed a set of coordinates after the virtual keyboard appeared.
The monitor immediately zoomed into a five hundred mile radius of the coordinates. Several red lines appeared, radiating out from what Sam figured must be four US military bases. Above each line were numbers representing the estimated travel time. The estimates ranged from twenty-four minutes to two hours.
There was much discussion among the three men as they divided the locations based on whose command could have a plane in the air the quickest.
Sam watched as the general tapped the smallest number on the monitor and then pulled out a secure phone from under the table. Looking around, the other two high-ranking officers acted similarly. His eyes widened in wonder. The plans to gather the scattered worldwide remnant were in motion.
Chapter Eight
“Sam.”
Suteko’s voice startled him. He had been completely engrossed in the drama and apparent seriousness that was heavy in the room. What they were doing was no small matter; he was witnessing the organizing and implementation of a worldwide rescue operation.
It was only after she touched his shoulder that he realized she had healed him of a stiff neck.
“There is a room with refreshments and comfortable chairs. We can do no more here.”
Sam followed Suteko down a short hall to the entrance of a large room where he could see Ian and Catherine already seated—on opposite sides. Ian was buried in a magazine while Catherine appeared to be napping.
“Sam,” Suteko said in a whisper, pulling him aside before they entered the room fully. “Go talk to Ian. I’m just as uneasy about him being here as you are, but the old man needs him—we need him. Try to start over with him. I don’t think my words will calm Ian. He is still upset with me for something I did in the nineteenth century. But you might be able to help him understand the seriousness of the crisis we are facing.”
Sam’s stiffness returned. What little peace her touch had given him was countered by the thought of having to get to know Ian better. Sam pulled his right arm back, retightening the knot in his shoulder. But worse than facing Ian, now he had the jealous rumblings of a man realizing his girl was still a complete mystery to him.
“What exactly did you do in the nineteenth century?”
Suteko hesitated with thought before leaning over and whispering in his ear, “I promise I will tell you later. I need to spend some time with Catherine and do the same. Remember, play nice,” she said, punching the thick of his arm playfully. “No physical contact. If he insults you and you can’t take it, just get up and leave. I’ll follow you out.”
Before Sam could make a response, Suteko had left his side and was standing next to Catherine. As she sat down, Sam saw her mouthing the words, “no physical contact.” He shrugged his still-stiff shoulders and headed toward Ian. From what the old man had said, he knew he didn’t want to be on Ian’s bad side. Despite the bubbling jealousy Ian’s presence provoked, Sam did not need an additional enemy.
Suteko placed a warm hand on Catherine’s leg. The energy from Suteko forced Catherine’s sleepless eyes open.
“Catherine,” Suteko said in a voice soft enough to be heard by Catherine but no one else. “Look, I know we have never seen eye to eye.”
The edges of Catherine’s lips turned up into a self-satisfied smirk. “If it hadn’t been for Ian’s insistence, I’d just as soon let the Nephloc have you. I have nothing to say to you.” Catherine closed her lips and her eyes once again.
Catherine had been cordial to Suteko—at first, but things changed. As the days wore on and Ian’s obsession with Suteko became obvious, Catherine could no longer maintain a cordial facade. Civility died, being replaced by overt disdain.
“Nevertheless, I do have something to say to you.” Suteko pulled in closer to the
The monitor immediately zoomed into a five hundred mile radius of the coordinates. Several red lines appeared, radiating out from what Sam figured must be four US military bases. Above each line were numbers representing the estimated travel time. The estimates ranged from twenty-four minutes to two hours.
There was much discussion among the three men as they divided the locations based on whose command could have a plane in the air the quickest.
Sam watched as the general tapped the smallest number on the monitor and then pulled out a secure phone from under the table. Looking around, the other two high-ranking officers acted similarly. His eyes widened in wonder. The plans to gather the scattered worldwide remnant were in motion.
Chapter Eight
“Sam.”
Suteko’s voice startled him. He had been completely engrossed in the drama and apparent seriousness that was heavy in the room. What they were doing was no small matter; he was witnessing the organizing and implementation of a worldwide rescue operation.
It was only after she touched his shoulder that he realized she had healed him of a stiff neck.
“There is a room with refreshments and comfortable chairs. We can do no more here.”
Sam followed Suteko down a short hall to the entrance of a large room where he could see Ian and Catherine already seated—on opposite sides. Ian was buried in a magazine while Catherine appeared to be napping.
“Sam,” Suteko said in a whisper, pulling him aside before they entered the room fully. “Go talk to Ian. I’m just as uneasy about him being here as you are, but the old man needs him—we need him. Try to start over with him. I don’t think my words will calm Ian. He is still upset with me for something I did in the nineteenth century. But you might be able to help him understand the seriousness of the crisis we are facing.”
Sam’s stiffness returned. What little peace her touch had given him was countered by the thought of having to get to know Ian better. Sam pulled his right arm back, retightening the knot in his shoulder. But worse than facing Ian, now he had the jealous rumblings of a man realizing his girl was still a complete mystery to him.
“What exactly did you do in the nineteenth century?”
Suteko hesitated with thought before leaning over and whispering in his ear, “I promise I will tell you later. I need to spend some time with Catherine and do the same. Remember, play nice,” she said, punching the thick of his arm playfully. “No physical contact. If he insults you and you can’t take it, just get up and leave. I’ll follow you out.”
Before Sam could make a response, Suteko had left his side and was standing next to Catherine. As she sat down, Sam saw her mouthing the words, “no physical contact.” He shrugged his still-stiff shoulders and headed toward Ian. From what the old man had said, he knew he didn’t want to be on Ian’s bad side. Despite the bubbling jealousy Ian’s presence provoked, Sam did not need an additional enemy.
Suteko placed a warm hand on Catherine’s leg. The energy from Suteko forced Catherine’s sleepless eyes open.
“Catherine,” Suteko said in a voice soft enough to be heard by Catherine but no one else. “Look, I know we have never seen eye to eye.”
The edges of Catherine’s lips turned up into a self-satisfied smirk. “If it hadn’t been for Ian’s insistence, I’d just as soon let the Nephloc have you. I have nothing to say to you.” Catherine closed her lips and her eyes once again.
Catherine had been cordial to Suteko—at first, but things changed. As the days wore on and Ian’s obsession with Suteko became obvious, Catherine could no longer maintain a cordial facade. Civility died, being replaced by overt disdain.
“Nevertheless, I do have something to say to you.” Suteko pulled in closer to the
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