Four re-entry zone cubes stood in a room adjacent the molecular teleportation device. Union soldiers surrounded the first two cubes. In a room on the second floor, behind thick panes of energy-shielded, shatter-resistant glass, Subdivision operatives prepared for Alexandra and Hector’s arrival.
“Jam all outbound and inbound signals,” said Falko. “Treat them as hostiles.”
Cube #1. Turquoise mist swirled through the reconstruction zone. Sizzles and snaps. Lightening-like tendrils of energy cracked like bullwhips against the cube’s glass walls. And then, suddenly, Alexandra appeared.
“Subject acquired in Cube #1,” said Greg.
Cube #2 remained empty.
“Where’s Hector?” asked Jack.
All eyes fell on Greg, who cycled through the monitors looking for some sign. Then, like a hospital’s heart rate monitor, the terminal’s data flatlined. Greg’s fingers danced across the monitors. “I–I’ve got nothing! The signal’s gone!”
On the first floor, the soldiers closed in around Alexandra. She held up her arms and climbed down out of the reentry cube. Upstairs, Falko put his hands on his hips and swore.
“Get her to the interrogation room! We need to get every piece of information she’s got. Use whatever means necessary,” barked Falko. Then, he turned to Jack and Greg. “Find out what happened to Salazar.”
Falko headed for the interrogation room. Taylor followed. As the Subdivision’s two leaders exited the molecular reconstruction area Jessica caught them in the corridor. Falko passed by her without acknowledgement. Taylor, however, slowed.
“Was that Hector’s sister?”
“Yes. Just her. Hector didn’t come through,” said Taylor, concern evident in his expression. “Something isn’t right.”
“I can verify her identity,” Jessica said. ”All I need is a DNA sample.”
Taylor hesitated as though considering whether or not that was a decision he could make. He nodded. “All right.”
They hurried down the hallway and caught Falko just as he reached the interrogation room. Two guards stood watch at the door while inside the chamber orderlies strapped Alexandra to the center chair. Falko stormed past the guards before realizing that Jessica had entered the room behind him. He arched an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
“We need a DNA sample,” said Taylor before Jessica could answer. “It’s the only way we can verify her identity.”
Falko’s frown deepened, but he nodded. “Make it quick.”
The interrogation chamber was a bleak, unadorned room. No pictures. Only a large pane of glass where the observation room was located. The chair in the center of the room had been equipped with all sorts of examination tools, both physical and psychological in nature. Few interrogations ended without the Subdivision getting the information they needed. The orderlies strapped Alexandra into the chair before securing the monitoring pads to her skin.
When they had finished, Jessica approached her. She placed a long needle against Alexandra’s skin and filled up a small vial with an adequate blood sample. When it was full, she backed away, paused, and then said, “You don’t look like him.”
Jessica left the chamber and the orderlies closed the door behind her. One of the orderlies stepped over to the control panel and glanced at Falko, who nodded for them to begin. The orderly pressed a button and the chair’s computer became active.
“Subject ready,” announced the interrogation system’s electronic female voice.
Falko stepped forward and glared down at the bounty hunter, who met his stare evenly. A moment passed. Falko sneered, “Let’s start with an easy one. Are you Hector Salazar’s sister?”
Alexandra paused. Without blinking, she answered, “Yes.”
It took the computer nanoseconds to diagnose her brainwave patterns and physical response. It announced, “Subject is…lying.”
