At 0200, and after a considerable amount of silence, I decide it is time I share with the team what I have known for several hours. I prepare the com system so my voice will carry through the Biosphere.

“Dr. Winston, Sergeant Overton, and teammates. Prompted by the opening of the Biosphere doors, an automated message from Dr. Hoffman emerged at approximately 2100 hours. Please relocate to the mess hall, where I will play the video on the holographic projector.”

As the team migrates down the hall, I cannot help but experience what humans would define as curiosity. After all, the past few days have resulted in more questions than answers, and if I am correct, Dr. Hoffman’s message will only add to the list of mysteries.

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

TIMOTHY ripped a hangnail off his index finger as his right eye twitched. “I’d like to know what the hell is going on.”

“Right now we have just as many questions as you do,” Overton replied, as they waited for Sophie to wheel Emanuel into the mess hall.

“You guys are Marines. You’ve been outside. You should know what’s happening!” Timothy fired back.

Overton continued to twirl his combat knife on his fingertips, ignoring the man’s comments. Over the years he had increasingly lost his ability to deal with men like Timothy—men who were, in his opinion, a waste of time. He’d spent his entire career as an active-duty Marine protecting men like that.

“Hey, I’m talking to you, man,” Timothy persisted, fidgeting in his metal chair. “What is it, some kind of military thing? Is it World War Three out there?”

Overton gave him a quick “shut your mouth or I’m going to put my boot up your ass” look.

It worked. Timothy rolled his eyes and strolled over to help Sophie wheel Emanuel into the room.

“Do you believe that guy? Why the hell did they let him in this joint?” Finley asked.

“Sounds like a nut job to me,” Bouma replied with a grin.

“Keep your traps shut. Do you know where we are?” Overton paused to scan his men’s faces, but they stared back at him blankly. “Jesus Christ! We’re at Cheyenne Mountain, one of the best protected military bases in the history of the United States. This bunker was built to withstand a direct hit from a nuclear weapon, and can support the population of a small town for months. Right now we are guests at this facility. And until we figure out what’s going on out there, I don’t want to give them a reason to kick us out. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

The squeaking of rubber tread prompted Overton to sheathe his knife and stand. He welcomed Sophie and Emanuel to the room with a short nod. “How’s your tall friend?”