Hector entered the barracks in a daze. Jack finished pulling on his jacket. Did a double take.
“There you are! You hear? The KGB has Jessica.”
“I know.”
Jack slowed. “What’s wrong?”
Hector’s answer came slowly. “Taylor won’t let me go after Alexandra.”
“You sure it’s her?”
“It has to be!” Hector growled.
Jack hesitated. “I’m sure he has a good reason.”
Hector remained quiet for a long moment. “I could take leave—go after her without a uniform.”
“You don’t want to do that. There’s too much going on. We need you here! After the XLS slows down we can–”
“What if it’s too late? What if I miss her? If she’s alive I need to find her now!”
“I understand, but–”
“No, Jack! You don’t! You don’t understand! She’s my sister! She’s the only family I’ve got left!”
Hector fumed. His chin jutted out. Eyes brimmed with tears. He stormed out of the room. Jack zipped up his jacket and swore.
* * *
Hector entered the Subdivision’s molecular transfer station and found Greg.
“Well?”
“Florida is clean,” said Greg. “Mixed results with the moon. Some interference in the Fra Mauro region, but–”
“Fra Mauro. February 3rd…” Hector wracked his brain. Something clicked. “They’re after Apollo 14! The XLS is hiding something at Fra Mauro that they don’t want anyone to see. Prep the machine!”
“But there’s no proof–”
“I’ve got enough to make me happy.”
“I haven’t heard from the colonel.”
Hector stuck his face in Greg’s. “He’s busy. He gave me the go-ahead,” Hector lied. He pushed past Greg. “Prep the machine.”
“We can’t monitor you if they’re cloaking. You’ll be off our grid!”
Hector kept walking.
Greg frowned, “It’s against protocol!”
