Lost in Magadan: Extraterrestrials on Earth

General Paxton said, “So they say. But we are in a tight spot if they change their minds. We are trying our best to catch up, as fast as we can. That’s why we need the Element 115 and other off world elements, too. It’s necessary to build AG Fighters and fusion reactors, and they can’t be found here on Earth, at least in any kind of meaningful quantities. If we can’t stand on our own, then we are subject to the whims of these aliens.”

“Sir, I thought the Vitahicians were trying to help us?”

Stone Byrd answered, “They are, and they have. If it weren’t for them, we would still be using rotary phones. But, they can only provide so much help. They are a long way away. If Earth were attacked, by the time they could get here, the war would have been over for years. Not to mention their weapons systems are still behind the Ondagra. If more Ondagra were to show up, well, I doubt we could survive even a month.”

General Paxton added, “That’s not even the most immediate problem. Mike Evans, one of our Vitahician scientists, someone who has been with us for decades, since the Eisenhower administration, defected. He killed all the crew on his C-17 and flew it to Antarctica with a load of Element 115.”

This was the first time Snap was hearing this. “What? We lost a C-17? How? Who was on the plane he took?”

“None of your team. He killed the clone that was with you, the crew, the rest were survivors from the Impegi.”

“He got Bob? How?”

“Bob?” Paxton asked.

“Bob is what they named the clone,” Stone Byrd said. “I heard them referring to one of them as Bob; I was not sure which one they were referring to until now.”

“You named the clone?” Paxton asked in surprise.

“Yes Sir. Was that wrong?”

“No. I suppose not. It’s just never been done before. Anyway, Bob’s dead. The problem is, we now know Mike Evans was not working alone. He had help. Help from within.”

Snap asked, “How do we know he had help?”

The Generals glanced at one another; Stone Byrd nodded. General Paxton went on, “Shortly after we lost contact with the C-17, and we realized what had happened, we searched all of Mr. Evans personal belongings and found some of his communications. It was clear that he was talking to other Vitahicians. Several of them.”

“Do we know who they are?” Snap asked.

“No. Unfortunately, they used code names, and we cannot crack their encryption. Well, that’s not entirely true. We don’t even understand the technology they use to transmit data, much less how to break it down or track it.”

There was a pause in the conversation, as if the Generals were wanting him to respond. Snap, not wanting to reveal too much of what he learned while in the Siberian cave, said, “So, what can I do, Sir?”

General Stone Byrd said, “Well, son, the dynamics of power are shifting now that the crew of the Impegi have arrived. You see, there were two commanders on that ship. Commander Furier and Forte are now among the top Vitahician leadership here on Earth. Forte has become a hero among the Vitahicians, based on him saving as many of them as he did that day. The others, the ones that have been here for so long, will be forced to confide in them. Forte and Furier will be forced to take sides.”

“Take sides?” Snap asked. “Do you think the conspiracy that Mike was a part of is really that big, goes that deep?”

“Unfortunately, yes. We believe, based on the communications we could intercept, and the way he was able to execute his plan on such short notice, that he must have had substantial help,” General Paxton replied.

General Byrd leaned forward in his chair and said, “Major, we don’t know, but the conspiracy may lead all the way back to their home-world. We are concerned that the Impegi’s crash landing in Russia may have been the work of sabotage.”

“To what end? Couldn’t that have killed the saboteur?”

“Maybe. But most of them escaped and survived the crash. It could have been planned to just drop the ship into the hands of the Russians and Ondagra. If the Impegi was intentionally dropped, we need to know who ordered it. That’s where you come in.”

“I’m sorry, Sir. You lost me. How do I come in?” Snap asked, as he sat up straight in his chair.

“You spent the night with Commander Caliana Furier, down in that Russian bunker. We are assuming that you must have formed some sort of bond. Down there. Alone. For so long,” General Paxton said with a weak smirk and raised eyebrow.

Snap shifted in his seat, more than a little uncomfortable, and said, “I assure both of you that nothing inappropriate happened.”

“No. Major, you misunderstand. We are not accusing you of anything,” General Paxton assured.

Stone Byrd laughed and said, “Not that we could blame you. She is one hell of a looker. If you know what I mean.”

Snap smiled faintly and replied, “Yes Sir. She is.”

“All we want you to do is to use your relationship with her to stay close and keep your ears open,” Stone Byrd said.

“You want me to spy on Caliana?” Snap asked indignantly.