Solaria Read online

  “I know,” Solaria said, placing her hand on Betta’s shoulder. “When all of this is over, maybe we will meet again.”

  “For what purpose?” Betta asked, cocking her head slightly.

  “There does not always have to be a purpose. You’ll realize that soon enough. Now, the others are waiting for you.”

  * * *

  Without thinking Jain gave both Joanie and Betta a hug and then shooed them out the door.

  “Well, that’s done with. What now?”

  “Now I find a way onto the Company’s installation to check out some suspicious areas that aren’t on the blueprints.”

  “If they’re not showing, how do you know they exist?”

  “The plans don’t correspond with the architectural designs filed with the city.”

  “That’s not unusual. Companies are always making changes to their original design.”

  “True. Still, I can’t think of any logical reason to have underground bunkers beneath Lab 6.”

  “Security measures?”

  “The site has more than enough security and multiple vaults throughout the complex. It doesn’t need a structure capable of withstanding even the latest atomic bunker busters.”

  Jain whistled.

  “That heavy duty, eh?”

  “Yes.”

  “What do you think they’re hiding down there?”

  “I don’t know but it’s obviously important to them and probably not something they want anyone to know about.”

  “Do you think it might be weapons? After the WMD issue earlier this century, our government has been extremely cautious about that sort of thing. The people were adamant about downsizing our nuclear arsenal so we could eventually eliminate that type of threat.”

  “I doubt that. Future Dynamicon is into more subtle methods for world domination.”

  “World domination? That sounds rather ambitious even for Stalling.”

  “Maybe but from what I’ve learned about the man, I believe he regards himself as humanity’s savior.”

  “You’re kidding!” Jain exclaimed. “I know some people think he’s nuts but he really can’t be that over the top. Someone would have picked up on it by now and exposed him.”

  “Stalling is smart and has very loyal followers. He has managed to keep a low profile when it comes to his beliefs. Considering that he graduated from a fundamentalist university that was established in the late 1990’s for the sole purpose of promoting extremist beliefs, I think it’s a good indication of his values.”

  “A lot of people went to those schools but didn’t turn out to be fanatics.”

  “True but none of them run one of the most powerful companies in the world nor are they trying to coerce world leaders into following their doctrines.”

  Jain shook her head in disbelief.

  “Which is why Stalling was after Joanie. Why the Sheik, though? It can’t be because of fossil fuels. The West and the Middle East have developed alternative energy sources and are no longer dependent on oil.”

  “What about Africa and Asia? They still haven’t caught up with the rest of the world.”

  “That’s true but even if he controlled the oil rights, Africa wouldn’t be much of a threat.”

  “I disagree. The majority of this country’s products come from Third World Countries. Control them and you can control much of the economics.”

  “And sanctions could devastate a country. It seems an almost impossible plan.”

  “That’s why it’s workable if someone has the patience, time and money to put it into operation. Stalling has all three and enough people willing to do whatever he wants.”

  “So how do we stop him?”

  “Well, first I need to find out what’s in those bunkers. There could be more Hubots down there.”

  “And here I was hoping all of this was almost over.”

  “You don’t have to help, Jain.”

  Jain laughed.

  “And miss all the fun? I haven’t felt this alive ever. Besides, I think I have what it takes to be a spy. One day I might even write my memoirs: Jain Plaine, Secret Agent Woman and her sidekick, the gorgeous Solaria Dayes. How does that sound?”

  “Awful!” Solaria answered truthfully.

  “Okay. Maybe I’ll think of something a little more exciting. Right now, what’s the plan?”

  “Right now, you continue going to work. Stalling’s men aren’t stupid. They may figure out what happened and start checking alibis. If you miss any more time, you’ll be a prime suspect. I’ll let you know what I find.”

  “I don’t think I like this plan. While I’m safely going about my business, you’re taking a big chance. What happens if they catch you?”

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to escape a second time.” Solaria said and smirked.

  “You know, for someone who recently acquired emotions and gestures, you’re getting pretty good at them.” Jain teased.

  Solaria didn’t comment. Already she was working on how she would get past security. It would take some research and the altering of Carley’s pass again. If she assumed one of the senior scientist’s identities for a few minutes, she could slip pass security, have access to the secured areas and take a quick look around. At the very least, it would take several days for her to put her plan into effect.

  CHAPTER 29

  The Day after the Kidnapping

  FINTON’S FACE WAS expressionless as Lawton tried to explain why he hadn’t noticed the disappearance of the Sheik’s daughter and Hubot from the hotel.

  “They returned to their room at 2:33 this morning. Neither came back through the lobby after that,” Lawton said nervously.

  “I see. So if they didn’t leave through the lobby and they aren’t in the hotel, where do you think they are?”

  “I... I don’t know. We’ve checked all the rooms and reviewed the video tapes. They just disappeared.”

  “People don’t just disappear, Lawton, especially where we’re concerned. Exactly when did you find out they were gone?”

  “At 8:30 this morning. Betta didn’t check in like she normally does. I went to the room to see why and found it empty. Security said the cameras and alarms on that floor were deactivated. They’re checking into how that happened.”

  “I hope so. Six hours not accounted for. They could be anywhere now. Mr. Stalling isn’t going to be happy about this.”

  “No sir. I’m sorry, sir, but I was in the lobby all night. I checked every person entering and leaving the building.”

  “I’m sure but it’s going to be up to Mr. Stalling as to how he wants to pursue your failure in this matter. If I were you, I’d get a crew back down to the hotel and check every inch of that place. See if any of the registered guests have a connection with our competitors or other people who might have issues with the Company. I want every one of them cross-referenced against our database. It might turn up a lead.”

  “Yes sir, Mr. Finton.”

  Signaling for him to leave, Finton sat back in his chair and stared at the closing door. Lawton was one of his best men. He’d hate to lose him because of incompetence. Shaking his head, he decided to contact Stalling to give him the bad news. Within seconds, an image appeared on the video panel on the wall in front of his desk.

  “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Stalling but I need to talk with you.”

  “Make it quick!” Stalling ordered.

  “I’d prefer that it be in person, sir.”

  Stalling looked at his watch and then nodded.

  “I can give you fifteen minutes.”

  Stalling’s image disappeared as the panel went blank.

  Five minutes later, Finton was standing in front of his boss outlining the situation.

  “You’re telling me this girl and our Hubot simply walked out of the hotel and no one saw them?”

  “I don’t have all the details yet but that seems to be the gist of it. I’m hoping my men will come up with something soon.”

  “They had
better,” Stalling threatened. “This Lawton fellow, just how good is he?”

  “One of my best, Mr. Stalling.”

  “I don’t find that reassuring considering the present situation. Tomorrow bring me his file. I want to see what makes him one of your best. We may have to re-evaluate our employment qualifications.”

  “Certainly, but I can assure you I’ve reviewed the files on every employee on our payroll. Only the most qualified and dependable are hired.”

  “I’m not doubting your choices, Finton. I’ve known you too long to believe you screwed up, but mistakes are made. The Company can’t afford any more like these last ones. At this point we need to focus on the missing Hubots. The girl we can forget about for now but we need to recover our property quickly and find out who knows about them.

  “And when we do?”

  “I don’t need to tell you your job. Nothing must get in the way of my destiny.”

  “Nothing will, Mr. Stalling,” Finton promised. “I promise you I’ll find them.”

  “Good. Now, I have a meeting with the members of the Organization of African Nations. Most of them have agreed to my demands if we supply them with the oil they need.”

  “Can we deliver that without the Sheik’s daughter?”

  “No, but they don’t need to know how we plan to deliver our product, just that we can. Once we get the Hubots back and reprogram them, I have no doubt we will be able to deliver as promised.”

  Before Finton could reply, his cell phone rang.

  “Finton, here!” he replied, signaling his apology to his boss. “I see... no, don’t do anything yet. I want more information about this librarian... Yes, keep her under observation and monitor her calls but don’t let her know she’s being watched... good... no, I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”

  Snapping the phone shut, he put it in his breast pocket.

  “We may have a lead. Apparently one of the guests in the hotel was a woman who works at the library we investigated a few weeks back. We thought someone had hacked into our security system. Unfortunately, we didn’t find anything. It certainly can’t be a coincidence that she turned up at the hotel on the same night the girl and our Hubot disappeared.”

  “I agree. Keep me informed.”

  Recognizing the dismissal, Finton left. He wanted to learn more about this librarian.

  After Finton’s departure, Stalling punched in a number on his phone and waited for the other party to answer.

  “Lawrence Billings.”

  “Billings, we have a problem. Another Hubot is missing. I want Finton and his people investigated. We have a security breach.”

  “You think Finton is the one behind this?”

  “I don’t know. Even if he isn’t, we’ve lost two Hubots and the girl. At best, he’s becoming incompetent and will need to be replaced.”

  “Do you have any one special in mind?”

  “Yes but I’m not saying who just yet. I don’t want any more mistakes. I’ve come too far to have things ruined because people aren’t doing their jobs properly.”

  “I understand. Speaking of which, we’ve just re-negotiated the contracts with the Nigerian and Congolese Emissaries. If we can deliver our product in six months, they guarantee a favorable change in their leaders’ policies. Next week we’re making the same offer to South Africa and Mozambique. Once we bring them on line, we’ll be positioned to move forward.”

  “Good work. Will there be any resistance from their people?”

  “Nothing that can’t be handled. The promise of better lives will sway most of them. They are so poor they’ll do anything to put food on the table... and the ones who don’t like it, Dr. Phillips’ new drug should take care of.”

  “Well, once they realize we are there to save them from eternal damnation, they’ll thank us. If it takes a few years of suffering to bring them around, so be it. The end result is all that matters. I have been chosen to bring in the new dawn of civilization. You can’t imagine the joy I feel knowing how much faith He has in me.”

  Stalling’s voice was filled with rapture as he pictured the statues and stories that would be written about him. He would be immortalized in this world and sit on the left hand side of God when he died... -if he died. Perhaps he would be granted immortality for his sacrifices and achievements; after all, he had forsaken marriage and children and most earthly pleasures in order to fulfill his master’s wishes. Surely he would be rewarded for accomplishing what even his God’s son hadn’t been able to do.

  “No I can’t,” Billings agreed forlornly. “It must be wonderful to know you’ve succeeded in achieving your dream.”

  “Almost,” Stalling corrected, wanting to sound humble, but failing, “but soon, Billings, soon. A few minor setbacks can’t stop us now. We must get those Hubots back.”

  “We will. How can we fail knowing God is with us? I mean you.”

  Billings knew Stalling didn’t like others horning in on his accomplishments. Because he believed his boss was truly blessed, he was willing to overlook the man’s arrogance.

  “Yes, how can we? Alright, enough! I need to leave for a conference.”

  Without waiting for an answer, Stalling disconnected the call and left for his meeting.

  * * *

  Lawton and Finton sat in the black mini SOLR-V watching the woman as she walked up the library steps and unlocked the door.

  “That’s her,” Lawton said.

  “She’s fat!” Finton exclaimed, unable to hide his disgust.

  “Uhh, yes, she is.”

  Lawton wasn’t sure how to respond to the remark. Being fat didn’t mean she was stupid. From everything he had gathered on Jain Plaine, she was an intelligent, highly competent woman.

  “What have you found out about her?”

  “Basically, she’s a loner leads a boring life from all indications. She goes to work every day; arrives twenty minutes early and leaves exactly at 6:45 p.m. Her mother and father were killed in a car accident when she was twenty-three.”

  “I don’t need her life history... just anything that might connect her to the Hubots.”

  “The only connection we’ve come up with is that someone may have used one of the library’s computers to hack into our security system and Ms. Plaine was staying at the hotel the night the Hubot disappeared. Homeland was unable to find anything in the library and no one at the hotel saw her with anyone.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences. Keep her under surveillance until I say stop.”

  “Will do, boss.”

  “Oh, and Lawton. You’re already walking a fine line with Mr. Stalling. I suggest you make sure you and your men don’t screw this one up.”

  Lawton nodded nervously.

  “It’s covered, I promise. She’ll be under 24/7.”

  “Good.”

  After Finton left, Lawton radioed two of his best men and ordered an around the clock surveillance on the library and Jain’s condo with camera, phone taps and long distance voice monitoring. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be able to eavesdrop inside of her complex due to the specialized voice scrambling equipment that had been installed there several years ago. The people’s distrust of government had created a boon in anti-spying technology making it difficult to monitor conversations in many private establishments.

  CHAPTER 30

  JAIN WAS BORED. Solaria had left the condo several days ago and hadn’t been heard from. Neither was there any news about Joanie.

  They probably think they’re protecting me, she thought and sighed. Someone could have at least told me if Joanie and Betta made it home okay.

  Sifting through the returned book basket, she pulled each one out and examined it closely for damage or wear and tear.

  “I never realized what a boring job I have,” she grumbled.

  Halfway through the box she noticed one with a paint stain on the binding. Shaking her head in disgust, she rubbed the white stain with her thumb.

  Still wet! Maybe I can was
h it off!

  Walking into the ladies room, she grabbed a paper towel and began blotting the stain. Whatever the substance was, Jain realized it wasn’t paint. In fact, by the time she finished rubbing it, the stain was vanished.

  “Hmmm. Strange,” she murmured flipping through the pages to see if the inside had been damaged. A small piece of paper tucked between two pages caught her attention. Pulling it out, Jain read the note.

  Recently found package delivered to owner but tracking number still active. Company researching all possibilities pertaining to initial disappearance and any possible persons involved in handling up to time of discovery. H.A.

  “What the hell! H.A?” Jain muttered, rereading the note. “Shit! Hackattack! The bastards are watching me. I hope Solaria knows this.”

  Tearing the note into tiny pieces, Jain divided them into several sections and flushed them down three toilets.

  “Let the assholes find this.”

  Frowning, she glanced around the bathroom suspiciously, looking for anything out of order.

  Like I’d really be able to spot a bug.

  Shrugging she grabbed the book and headed back to her desk. If she was being watched, she’d make sure whoever it was understood what a boring life she really had. If that didn’t put them to sleep nothing would. The rest of the day she made sure she followed her normal routine but was frustrated knowing there was no way to warn Solaria.

  * * *

  It had taken Solaria more time than she expected to find the right scientist to impersonate and then alter Carley’s I.D.. Dr. Sasha Sonella had advanced degrees in Physics and Microbiology but specialized in retro-viral research. From everything Solaria had read about her, the woman was dedicated to discovering a magic bullet to cure several forms of cancer using genetically altered viruses to attack malignant cells in their embryonic state. Curing cancer at such an early stage would be mankind’s greatest medical success, and worth billions to whoever held the patent.

  Similar in build and bone structure, it would be easy for Solaria to alter her features. Because Dr. Sonella had dark hair and wore it short, Solaria would need to cut her own hair and dye it.