THe Sentinal Satellite Read online

  As per instructions, she activated a program on her computer. Instantly a narrow red laser beam shot out to connect the three units. She was now connected to a computer system beyond human imagination. Flying fingers on the keyboard quickly hooked her up to the worldwide internet system. She then entered a most diabolical command that transmitted to the translator that in turn passed it on to the atom based computer system. After pressing ‘send’ she couldn’t help but sound like a cackling depraved witch,

  “Alright my little pretty, make me happy.”

  Chapter 6

  After dropping Belle off in the Amazon Jungle, Santo shot the D-wing close to a hundred miles straight up to the edge of the stratosphere. After turning west, now flying over the Andes Mountains and Peru there was only the South Pacific Ocean under them. Setting the GPS coordinates for Christchurch New Zealand, he sat back and prepared to take a short nap. Maria had something else in mind.

  Using her best imploring voice she looked to Santo and once again persistently asked,

  “But why not? I would do it for you.”

  With eyes still closed, something he hoped she would take as a hint, he replied,

  “Because I know nothing about Retro-genetic profiling or whatever that passive aggressive colonization thing is.”

  She quickly grabbed his ignorance of the subject as another weapon in her plea.

  “See, that’s why you should come to the lecture with me, to learn about it.”

  “No.”

  Pouting, she tried a different attack.

  “But I haven’t lectured since my time at the Rio de Janeiro State University. What if I get nervous and need your support?”

  “No.”

  Reluctantly admitting defeat, she mumbled something in French that got his attention. He asked,

  “What did you say?”

  There was ice in her reply.

  “Nothing.”

  When approaching a populated target with a ‘safe landing site’, the procedure was to drop straight down to it. However, if there was no approved secure area to land then a proven procedure was to cloak and drop straight into a forested or secluded region. In the case of Christchurch, there was no Nazarene secured area. Consequently, Santo cloaked and touched down in a forested park near the University of Canterbury. Back on the ground but concealed under low branches, they made sure nobody was nearby before exiting the craft. With his remote, Santo commanded the D-wing up into the tree branches to await their return.

  Although Santo saw the lecture hall akin to a torture chamber, he was willing to accompany her to the University. After a short cab ride that Santo was forced to suffer in stony silence, the cab entered the university grounds and pulled up to the Biological Sciences Building.

  During the silent and very uncomfortable ride, Santo realized it was not going to be a very pleasant holiday unless he was willing to suffer a long lecture on something called passive genetic recolonization first. Maria was positively giddy when he got out of the cab and followed her to the lecture hall.

  It was not the rest he was hoping for but the nap he got while attending Maria’s lecture helped. Because the lecture was in the morning, they had the rest of the day to check into their hotel, unpack, and spend some time in the sun. The following days were routine. She attended the seminar in the mornings and they spent the rest of the day parasailing, horseback riding by the river or just lounging on the beach. The nights were filled with giggles and romance. Overall, the five days went too fast. All too soon, they found themselves packing and getting ready to pick up Belle.

  Chapter 7

  Because the D-wing ‘Proximity Alarm’ did not alert Santo to danger, he never bothered to check on it the whole five days they were there. There was no need. When they walked into the wooded park approaching the grove of trees where the D-wing was concealed, before commanding it down to them, they had to wait for a young couple to hike by first. As soon as seclusion was secured, Santo pressed the remote and the D-wing returned to them.

  Close to the stratosphere, Santo again set the GPS coordinates for the Amazon Jungle. Both parents were well rested and eager to pick up their daughter. They were almost in the middle of the South Pacific, half way to pick up Belle when things went wrong. Both heard Waldorf’s desperate voice through the radio.

  “Emergency, emergency. Return to Isle de Celeste at once.”

  Confused, for Belle was in the opposite direction, Maria asked,

  “What do you suppose that’s all about?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll call in and see if we can get a delay.”

  Santo spoke into the mike.

  “On important recovery mission to Amazon. Request delay.”

  However, Waldorf screamed,

  “Code Zebra, Zebra, Zebra.”

  Already worried that getting Belle was going to be delayed, Maria now panicked and demanded to know,

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  Santo suddenly became very serious. In a dire tone he explained,

  “It means that it is no longer a request to return but an emergency demand. We have to turn around and get back to the island immediately.”

  Surprised, not liking the change of direction, Maria tried to make it sound like an order,

  “We have to get Belle first.”

  While entering other coordinates, Santo’s harsh military side surfaced. It was a side of him that she always hated.

  “Orders are orders.”

  As the D-wing changed direction, Maria cast him a cold stare. He did not see the icy wave but certainly felt it.

  Now flying in the opposite direction, Santo called Liana who came back right away.

  “Greetings Santo. We are looking forward to seeing you soon.”

  “No Liana. That is why I am calling. There is some sort of emergency on Isle de Celeste. We have been called back on a very serious Code Zebra. Would it be okay if we left Belle with you for a little while longer?”

  It was obvious in Liana’s voice that it was more than okay.

  “Of course you can. She is outside somewhere playing with a little village girl.”

  Still upset about an emergency recall to the island, Maria said to Liana,

  “Tell her that it’s only for a little while. We will be back as soon as we can.”

  Liana heard Maria and sincerely responded,

  “I hope it’s nothing serious dear.”

  Maria was not aware of the seriousness of a triple code Zebra so lightly replied,

  “No. I suspect that Gustav has misplaced his slippers again. Tell Belle we love her.”

  The flight path back to the Aegean Sea eventually took them over Turkey and Greece. A few minutes later, they were high above Isle de Celeste and Santo activated dropdown programs. However, even from five miles up it was clear that something was seriously wrong down there. To get Sentinel Satellite clearance from Flight Controller Jorgen Bostrum, Santo connected to the Nazarene communication array. To his surprise, the connection failed. Knowing that it was not possible to get past the satellite and land on the island without authorization, Santo converted the automated landing system to manual.

  As the D-wing lowered to within a mile of the island, Maria pointed and yelled,

  “My god Santo, the island is under attack.”

  To get a better look at the war zone, Santo initiated a circular surveillance approach. It was a terrible sight for both to witness. All the private villas including theirs were in flames as well as the airport hangar and many of the laboratory buildings. The Sentinel Satellite that was supposed to protect the island was strafing everything in a zigzag attack pattern with lightning death rays.

  Not knowing which way was safe, frantic people were running in all directions. A small Cessna lifted off the runway and was close to clearing the island when one of the death rays zapped it into defragmented atomic particles. There was nothing left of the passengers or airplane to hit the ground. Another bolt caught many in the escaping boats wh
o too turned to scattered atoms. Chaos ruled as people died and buildings either exploded or were in flames. A massive explosion cracked through the air and Maria screamed,

  “My laboratory!”

  Waldorf’s panicked voice boomed through the speaker.

  “Keep your distance. It’s the Sentinel Satellite. It has gone crazy destroying everything and everybody.”

  Maria yelled back.

  “But how is that possible? It is alien technology designed to protect the island.”

  “I Don’t know. All I ---.”

  They then heard a horrific explosion and Waldorf’s voice fell silent. Santo unsuccessfully called him back.

  Thankfully, a moment later Waldorf returned to yell,

  “All I know right now is what’s happening. We have to assume the worst. Follow procedures for Code Jericho.”

  Maria turned to Santo and asked,

  “What is Code Jericho?”

  There was defeat in his reply.

  “We have to assume that House of the Nazarene secrets are compromised and all is lost. We have to try to recover as many pertinent computer programs and data as possible. Waldorf is currently scrambling to do that now.”

  Amid the war scene of destruction, Santo prepared to land the D-wing. Maria was stunned and Santo’s adrenalin boiled. From somewhere far below in the turmoil of destruction Waldorf saw that Santo was preparing to land and demanded,

  “It’s too dangerous. All is lost. Do not land. That is an order. Abort, abort.”

  Ignoring a direct order, Santo watched as the satellite annihilated a far building and took advantage of the distraction to quickly land on a clear patch of grass near the castle.

  As Santo jumped out of the D-wing, he yelled to Maria,

  “The D-wing is protected by a ‘Contact Avoidance Program.’ Stay in it until I come back.”

  Maria looked to the castle and saw explosions throughout. There was no doubt in her mind that the attack was now directed at the castle. Before Santo could get more than a few feet away, she yelled after him,

  “What about Gustav, he is in the castle?”

  He turned and yelled,

  “Code Jericho demands preservation of secret records. By his own law, he is low on the rescue list. The House of the Nazarene must survive.”

  As he ran toward the Security compound, he again demanded,

  “Stay in the D-wing.”

  While dodging explosions and burning buildings he chanced to see Waldorf standing by the burning airplane hangar holding something heavy. Running toward him, he saw a blood soaked unconscious Helga in his arms. Judging by Waldorf’s dire expression, it was clear that she was badly injured. Santo pointed to an undamaged D-wing and demanded,

  “Get her out of here.”

  Caught between his love of Helga and duty to the House of the Nazarene, Waldorf became weighed down with hopelessness. He shook his head and yelled,

  “I can’t. The records have to be saved.”

  After another nearby explosion, Santo yelled,

  “I’ll get the records. Get in that D-wing right now and her to a hospital before it is too late.”

  It was clear that Waldorf was conflicted. Finally, after a short reflection, seeing the total destruction and the only thing he now cared about was in his arms, he nodded and ran to the D-wing. While doing so he asked Santo,

  “Where are Maria and Belle?”

  Santo assured him,

  “Belle is safe in the jungle and Maria is waiting for me in the D-wing. Go, go, go.”

  From the safety of the D-wing Maria saw the death ray bombarding the castle. Knowing that she could not just sit there watching death and destruction, she made a bold decision. With the renegade satellite raining death down in rapid succession like a machine gun gone mad, she leapt out of the D-wing and ran to the castle.

  Most of the castle was in flaming ruins. The large front door was blown outward onto the lawn and splintered to shreds. Inside, she saw that the massive foyer was largely intact although the giant crystal chandelier lay shattered on the floor. She yelled out Gustav’s name but there was no response. When the chef ran past her she frantically asked,

  “Where is Gustav? Have you seen him?”

  The only thing he saw was the safety of the door and kept running.

  As she hurried to the Grand Staircase, she saw Lexington’s broken and bloody body under the chandelier tangled in wrought iron. Suddenly from above, a death ray beam shot through the foyer ceiling like a buzz saw cutting through everything in its path. The only escape for Maria was up the Grand Staircase. What she did not notice was just as she was half way up, the death beam sliced through the stairs behind her. In a thunderous roar, everything was exploding into shattered wood. Once at the top landing she turned to see the destruction. There was no going back.

  Frantically calling out Gustav’s name, she ran to his private office. Throwing open the door she saw him in the middle of the floor pinned half-conscious under one of his many toppled marble Greek statues. His desk was in ruins along with all the computer terminals. She ran to him and attempted to lift the statue off his crushed body but it was an impossible task.

  The death beam cut through the wall and blazed through the office exploding everything in sight. Amid the roar of explosions she cradled Gustav’s head and assured him,

  “I’ll get help.”

  As she prepared to dash off, Gustav held tight to her arm and struggled to say,

  “No. All is lost.”

  With his free arm he pointed to a wall not yet destroyed by an explosion and said,

  “There. You must get that computer.”

  She saw one of his many computers on the floor amid debris.

  Because she hesitated leaving him, he coughed blood and struggled to say,

  “It contains the alien DNA records you asked for along with the pure human DNA you need to save humanity.”

  Just as she was about to race over there, a large slab of concrete fell shattering the computer to pieces. It also shattered her last hope of preventing the re-colonization of the Earth. Defeated, looking down at the dying Gustav she asked,

  “Why have the Grays programmed the satellite to destroy us?”

  With blood in his mouth he replied,

  “This is not the work of the Grays.”

  “Then who?”

  He was about to blurt out a name but coughed up blood and died.

  ***

  Even deep underground was not a safe place for the wrath of a death ray gone berserk. It easily sliced through a hundred feet of concrete into the secure Satellite Communication room. Amid the mayhem and destruction, young Roberto De Luca was at his desk frantically transmitting security codes to an orbiting Sleeper Satellite. Major Philmore, known for his cantankerous behaviour wiped dust off his immaculate uniform and with a bloody leg hobbled over to Roberto. In his usual crusty fashion he grabbed Roberto by the shoulder and demanded,

  “You can’t do any more here. Get to the escape pods with the rest of them.”

  Remaining steadfast to his duty, Roberto did not move. With eyes only to the keyboard he snapped,

  “No. I have to transfer more codes.”

  With a surprisingly strong arm, the Major abruptly pulled the young man away from the desk and demanded,

  “Go! I’ll finish the transfers and join you later.”

  At the entrance to the escape tube Roberto turned back to the room just in time to see the Major desperately entering codes when the beam encompassed him. With a splattering of blood, he was gone.

  ***

  Santo ran into a blazing building yelling out for anybody still inside. Outside, he assisted a young family into a boat still tied to the wharf. With a heavy heave, he sent them on the way to hopeful safety. Overwhelmed, he stood amid the destruction and was forced to concede what no soldier ever wanted to admit, he was defeated, and all was lost.

  Two of his Security Team members ran to him. It was clear in their eyes th
at they too had admitted defeat. Santo pointed to the last remaining life pod and said,

  “We have done all that could be done. Get to the boats and away you go.”

  One of the men asked,

  “What about you Sir? Come with us.”

  “No, I’m okay. Maria is waiting for me in a D-wing. Go!”

  ***

  There was very little of the castle left and Maria had to admit defeat. The whole East Wing was missing. The only evidence that there was once something there was raising plumes of smoke. The Great Hall was ablaze and crumbling. Gustav had died in her arms and the only thing she could do now was save herself. She reluctantly left him and ran to the door.

  To her horror, the upper mezzanine was engulfed in flames. She was trapped. She ran back into his office and out to the balcony. Choking smoke pouring out of Gustav’s office forced her tight to the balcony rail. With scorching heat at her back, she looked down to the Aegean Sea a hundred yards below. With the thunder of death stampeding toward her, she had no choice. She climbed onto the railing and with toes dangling over the edge she prayed for the impossible, that she would survive the long fall. With only two things on her mind, Belle and Santo, in that order, she closed her eyes and jumped.