Lies Among Us
Part 3
SEE DISCLAIMERS IN CHAPTER 1
Copyright 2000 by Mythe. All rights reserved.
Feedback: Mythe@xenafan.com
“So, do you know this area well?”
“Yep,” she nodded, “Been here all my life.”
“Good, so I guess you know-”
“Like the back of my hand,” she finished, “But if you want in there, you'll have to wait till it's dark.”
“Alright.”
“Do ya need a place to stay?”
It didn't even cross my mind… I responded, “Yes, I guess I do.”
“My wife runs an inn a mile back,” she gestured, “Elysian Fields, tell her I sent you. She'll give you a good deal.”
“Thanks, Malachi…” I said, pulling out my card and passed it to her. “Here's my cell number, call me anytime.”
Malachi took it and grinned, “My wife might think we're have'n an affair or something.”
“I don't want you-”
The mechanic chuckled.
I raised a brow.
“It's a joke,” she revealed. “Taylor, loosen up…we'll help you find your answers.”
“Sure,” I flashed her a grin, turning back to my car. “I'll talk to you later,” I informed, getting into my car.
“See ya!”
01JAN2000
1500 HRS
GEN. DAKOTA'S OFFICE
LOCATION: NELLIS AFB
“WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED?”
Lt. Colonel West, a dark haired man in his late thirties, held his hat between his arm and his side and his body was in ate ease stance. He kept his gray eyes locked on his Commanding Officer.
“Well?”
Colonel finally responded, “I don't know, Ma'am.”
Sitting back in her chair and suggested, “Start from the beginning.”
“I was transported by Black Hawk # 2531, we arrived at Edwards at 2300 hrs.”
“What were you doing in Edwards?”
“Dropping off a package.”
“What kind of package?”
He shook his head, “I didn't check, Ma'am.”
Narrowing her eyes at him, “Who gave this order to you?”
“Brigadier General Wright, Ma'am.”
The General stared at him, assessing him and abruptly changed the subject, “Colonel, I'm expecting some guests here later tonight. I want you to set them up in the Lab #5.”
He blurted out, “You want them in Area 51?”
She raised a brow, “Did I stutter?”
“No, Ma'am.”
“Since you're already head of security there, include them as well.”
He nodded, “Yes, Ma'am.”
Remembering something else, “No one's to know about this,” glaring at him, “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
“Dismissed.”
The Colonel moved to attention and saluted her.
The General rose up and returned the salute.
He took a step back, made a left face and exited the room.
Liv watched the Colonel leave before she picked up her phone and dialed a number. She spun her chair around, facing the large window behind her and opened the blinds.
The phone was picked up on the third ring and a husky male voice greeted, “Brigadier General Wright, here.”
A smirk formed upon Liv's face, “General Wright, it's-”
“Liv!” he recognized the caller's voice and stated, “It's been a while. How's everything going?”
“Sam, just fine.”
ON A C-130 HERCULES (CARGO PLANE)
Sam and Daniel were strapped into the side seats in the cargo area. Sam was enjoying her apple and thumbing through a magazine. “So, Dad…”
Daniel was lightly napping, until he heard his daughter's voice. “Yes, Sweetheart?”
“What's your thoughts on Liv?”
“She's a exceptional young woman…very bright.”
Sam whispered, “not to mention, fine-looking.”
He opened his eyes at the tiny comment and spoke up, “So, my little girl likes them in uniform. Humm…well, at least she's a General.”
Sam punches him in the shoulder and whined, “Daddy!”
“Liv's a nice,” he expressed and whispered, “Is she family?”
Sam blushed at this ancient phrase, “I believe so.”
“Well, chance makes good bed fellows.”
“Dad!”
ELYSIAN FIELDS INN
I threw my ruck over my shoulder as I opened the door and stepped into the office.
“DING-A-LING!” the sound of the tiny bell overhead.
Glancing up at the bell as I entered the tiny office.
“What can I do for you?”
I turned toward the voice that came from behind the desk.
A burly, dark haired woman had her feet on the desk. She was leaning back in her chair, watching TV. She picked up the remote and turned the volume down.
I looked back and noticed a fifteen-inch color TV in the corner. Some kind of talk show was showing a couple arguing. Then they erupted in a slugfest. Crap…TV. “I need a room,” I replied, feeling this woman's eyes upon my body and I cringed. “Malachi sent me-”
“What's that hoe doin' anyway?” she grumbled under breathe, “I'm tryin' to make a livin' here.” She pulled out a ledger, a pen and placed them in front of the Stranger. “It'll be five bucks a day,” she said. “Just sign in.”
I signed in, pulling out my wallet and pulled out a ten. “Here, you go…” I stated, “Two days.”
“Thanks, Miss Rineheart…” she took it and placed into a small box. The woman reached behind her and grabbed a key labeled # 7. “Room 7, you have cable, a phone and a king size bed,” she informed, “If you need anything just call me. My name's Kelly.”
“Taylor,” I revealed, taking the key. “Thanks, Kelly.”
“Your welcome,” she grinned, “It's on your right.”
I stepped outside and followed her directions to my room. Reaching my door, I unlocked it and entered the decent size room. I tossed my ruck on the bed and bee lined it to the restroom. After finishing my business, I flipped the TV on and sat down on the bed. I pulled out my cell, dialing my home number and checked my messages.
The automated voice said, “You have 1 message.”
I pulled out a pin from my jacket and address book form ruck.
A male voice spoke up, “Miss Rineheart, my condolences…Mike was the best pilot I've flown with and a good friend. Anyway, I have some info you might like hear. My name is Kevin and my number is -”
I hurriedly copied the number down and dialed the number. The phone rang twice and on the third it was picked up.
The same voice from the message answered, “Hello?”
“Kevin?” I asked, “You left a message on my machine.”
“Miss Rineheart,” he stated, “I'm sorry to hear about Mike's death. We worked together on some missions together. Until my recent transfer to Nellis.”
“Thanks,” I responded and inquired, “You said you had some information?”
“Yes, I do…” he stated, “But not on the phone. So, where are you staying?”
How would he know- “How do-”
“Because, if it was my brother…I'd sure as hell be here.”
I chucked a bit and answered, “I'm at the Elysian Fields on highway 15.”
“I'll pick you up in 10 minutes,” he said, “I know a café that's nearby.”
“Sure,” my stomach growled, “That would be nice. I'll see you in a few.”
“Alright, later…”
I hung my phone up, placing it back its case and stretched out on the bed. I've got some time…
NELLIS AFB
The large cargo plane's tail section was in an upright position locked and ready for it's cargo to be unloaded. Airmen were unloading the equipment and finally the trucks. Lt. Devin was escorting the Doctors towards the greeting area.
Sam placed her round-rimmed sunglasses on, observing the airstrip and then her gaze went to the gorgeous blue sky above.
Daniel nudged her, “Liv's here.”
Sam instantly turned as her eyes made contact with ones of brown. Her smile grew bigger as her face lit up. “Hello, Liv.”
“Sam…always a pleasure to see you again,” she enlightened, flashing her a grin. “Daniel…how was your trip?”
“Oh, it was okay….” he shrugged, “It's lacking in the entertainment area, thou.”
Liv chuckled, ushering them to the car and responded, “I know…” lowering her voice an octavo; “Uncle Sam doesn't like it when we're having too much fun.”
Sam whispered, “That's too bad.”
“The good thing is that we have Vagas,” Liv decreed.
“Oooo…gambling, the lights…”
“Chaos…” Daniel grumbled.
Sam raised a brow, “Dad, I thought-”
“Booze induced Gamblers, cheap acts and Showgirls-” he flatly stated, “Well, Showgirls might be nice to see.” A grin formed upon his otherwise serious face.
“DAD!”
He abruptly spoke up, “Maybe you and Liv-”
“Dad…” Sam whined as a blush overcame her.
Liv noticed this and inquired, “Sam, I would be honored if I could escort you on a night of fun and excitement.”
“I'd like that…”
“It's settled then, we have a date.”
FRANCES' CAFÉ
I glanced up from my menu and stared over at Kevin. He's about Mike's height, a bit more muscular; dark shaved hair, tanned and had deep brown eyes. I look back at my menu and found what I wanted.
A waitress approached us and greeted, “What can I get you two?”
“After you, Miss Rineheart.”
“I'll take the # 2, French fries, a Dr. Pepper and a glass of water.”
“Okay,” she nodded, turning to Kevin. “And you?”
“I want the # 4, French fries and a glass of water.”
She jotted it down, gathering the menus with her. “Alright then, I'll bring your drinks to you right away.” She scurried off and to fetch our drinks and place the order.
“I still can't believe that you're from the same gene pool as Mike,” he flirted, “He showed me a pic of you and my jaw dropped.”
“Thanks…” I grinned, changing the subject. “So, how long have you known my brother?”
“About 2 years now,” he replied, “I met him through one my many missions.”
“What kind of missions?”
“Oh, Black OPS…he would transport us to our next objective.”
“Is that what he was doing-”
Kevin shook his head, no. “He called me before he left, about his visit to Nellis. We were going to hang out in Vegas this weekend.”
“He called you?”
“Yes, he told me that he had to transport a Lt. Colonel.”
“West.”
“Yeah, that's him.”
“Do you know anything about him?”
“A bit,” he shrugged, “He's an Officer through and through…but there's something about him that makes you not want to trust him.”
“Really?” I inquired, “What's his MOS at Nellis?”
The waitress brought back their drinks and continued on her rounds.
“He's a Black OPS Commander on the base. His main position is the head of security for Area 51.”
I raised a brow, “Area 51?”
Kevin took a quick sip, lowering his voice. “It's true…the Government keeps all kinds of weird stuff there.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked around the room, “I was on patrol about month ago. When I heard what sounded like a scream, I though it was person but I was told later that it was Alien.”
“An Alien?”
“I didn't believe it at first either,” he stated, “Until I was a patrolling the underground labs and I heard it again. Taylor, it seemed to be in some kind of pain.”
I just stared at him, observing his demeanor. He seemed to be telling me the truth. “In pain?”
Kevin leaned closer to her, “So, I went to check it out and found them moving it from one lab to another.”
“So, you saw this creature?” I asked, taking a drink.
He nodded, “The scientists were pushing its cage…the thing was on its knees in pain. It seemed to be holding its side. The creature glanced up at me and tried to lunge for me, but the bars kept it in. Then I noticed West following in tow towards the new room. He held out some kind of device and activated it. The creature shrieked, shaking uncontrollably and fell to the ground. I ducked back around the corner and prayed that no one noticed me.”
“What did it look like?”
“About six ft, dark hair covered it's body…very muscular…human-like and those eyes-”
The Waitress came back with their food, placing them on the table. “There you go…do you guys need anything else?”
I shook my head, no.
“No thank you,” Kevin responded.
The waitress moved to the next table, leaving them to their dinners.
“Kevin, I have one question…”
“Shoot.”
“Do you do drugs?”
His eyes widen at the question and abruptly answered, “NO…I don't even take aspirin. I know this sounds crazy…but it's the truth.”
“I just want to make sure,” I explained and continued, “You're telling me that the Government is really keeping Aliens and doing weird experiments. What do you expect me to say? This sounds like something from the Sci- Fi channel.”
“I know…” he nodded, “I don't blame you for being skeptical.”
I took a bite from my sandwich and wiped my mouth.
“Anyway, about Mike…” he abruptly changed the subject. “Someone witnessed Mike's copter landing outside of Nellis.”