Abrams leaned in a little closer, but heard nothing – the Secretary of Defense had gone quiet. Finally there was a few final words spoken, and Decker nodded.

“Yes, ma’am, I hope it won’t come to that either.” He hung up and turned to Abrams.

“She’ll seek immediate authorization. However, COOP is being enacted, and I’ve been requested to join them.”

Abrams knew what the initiative was – in times of significant threat from any sphere, be that biological, geological, or military, the government must be able to continue to function. COOP was this perpetuation plan, and stood for Continuity Of OPerations – all senior White House officials and military heads would be gathered in the massive underground city deep within Mount Weather in Virginia. It was basically a hollowed-out mountain, hermetically sealed, and designed to withstand anything nature or humankind could throw at it.

Abrams knew, however, that what they were facing was neither natural nor the result of any human endeavor.

Decker looked up at the tall major. “I will refuse the request to join them. Joshua, we need to find something, anything we can use against these goddamn things.”

The phone buzzed again and Decker lifted it and barked into the receiver. “What?” He gritted his teeth and listened for a second, shaking his head. “This just keeps getting better.” He handed it to Abrams and then walked to the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Major Abrams here.” He listened, and couldn’t help groaning when he heard that the police guards stationed to watch over Adira Senesh had been found bound and gagged. “Thank you.” He hung up, and Decker turned to him, his expression flat.

“She’s gone,” Abrams said.

The general grunted. “I don’t care. We’ve got enough on our plates without having to worry about a single Mossad agent on the loose.” Decker turned back to the windows.

Abrams stood, thinking through what it meant: the woman had been free for hours. What would she do, where would she go? he wondered.

A thought struck him like a thunderbolt, and he snatched up the phone, dialing the front gate.

“Major Abrams here; has Professor Kearns left the camp?” He closed his eyes, knowing the answer before it was even spoken.

“God-damnit-alltohell.” He turned to General Decker, who was already watching him from under lowered brows.

“So, looks like we should care after all,” the general said with a humorless smile.

Abrams nodded. “She’s on the road, and I believe she now has Matt Kearns with her.”

“What?” Decker’s face drained of color.

“And I think she’s going for Drummond,” Abrams responded.

“Not until we’ve finished with him.” Decker’s face went a shade redder. “Find them…we find her, we find them all.”

*

Adira turned from North Street into Willow Lane, one hand on the wheel, the other holding the tracker. She slowed as the device’s screen glowed red. Looking up she saw they were abreast of an old building, incongruously well kept in the rundown area, fronted by almost church-like black double doors. Adira sat staring for a few seconds, and then drove on to the end of the street.