Falko flung his datapad across the briefing room table and started pacing again. The bad news was getting worse by the minute. Colonel Bill Taylor tore his eyes off the report Falko had just given him.
“So the Exodus Project does exist,” said Taylor. “And, according to this-”
“It’ll be fully operational in five years,” said Falko. “Been almost thirty since production started. This is one of the most critical projects in human history. It’ll save billions of lives. It’s earth’s only hope of colonizing another planet within our lifetime. We must protect it at all costs. We need to know their next move.”
“They’ve got two spider nukes. Maybe they’re looking to hold it hostage.”
“No. They’re going to blow it up. The XLS banks on chaos. Paranoia feeds their numbers. They want to break the system, not manipulate it. If they can destroy mankind’s only hope of staving off overpopulation they’ll do it. The wave of panic it would create could cause a civil war.”
Falko motioned for the colonel to follow him and then stormed out of the briefing room and headed straight for the control room. The brigadier general was not a man that could be kept waiting. When he wanted something, he got it, and he got it fast.
“How many agents do we have?”
“One,” said Taylor.
Falko stopped in mid stride. His frustration visibly deepened, his scowl sinking deeper into the crevices of his lips.
“Hector is AWOL, Jessica’s not fit for duty, and Sam–” Taylor cut the sentence short. “Nobody else is fully trained.”
Falko stuck his face in Taylor’s. “They’re sending bounty hunters back in time to assassinate presidents! Find me bodies to shove into that machine!”
“It’s too risky to send untrained agents.”
“Untrained XLS agents are making a mockery of us, Bill. It’s either neophytes or Agent Prentice. Take your pick.”
Falko took another step toward the control room, but Taylor grabbed his arm.
“She and Sam were–” Taylor paused. “Together.”
“This is war, Colonel. We mourn the dead when it’s over.”
Falko yanked his arm out of Taylor’s grasp and marched into the control room. All the agents and operatives snapped to attention.
“Listen up! We’re condition red! The XLS is targeting a production facility outside New London—the staging ground for the Exodus Project. Highly classified. Nothing leaves this room without my authorization.”
Silence. A pin drop would have sounded like an exploding firework. Falko’s eyes sliced through the room, seeking a target for his fury.
“I’ve taken command of the Subdivision. You report to me. I need to know the XLS’s next move. Give me a status update.” The operatives stood like statues. No one moved a muscle. Falko frowned. “Well?”
Greg stepped forward. “Nothing, sir. The boards are empty. If they’re moving, it’s off our radar.”
