Waking Gods (Themis Files #2)(36)

—It’s not.

—Then who? At this moment, a group of ill-advised people with candles is probably our best hope for a peaceful resolution. I believe it is our only hope until Themis is found. I am also worried about the young ones, but one could argue that having children present helps make our message … unambiguous.

—I see your point.

—Thank you.

—Don’t thank me! I still disagree with you. I think this is a bad way to die. It’s pointless. I just don’t have anything better to offer. In any case, what I think doesn’t matter much right now, since these people are there, with their children. I don’t think candles will help, but it’s not like we can send the army to evacuate them. For what it’s worth, I sincerely hope it works.

—I do too, but I urge you to help us prepare for what comes next if the robot obliterates these families.

—You don’t think I’m trying?

—I—

—Seriously. I don’t think I should be alive, but don’t you think I wanna find a way to make things better? Don’t you think I wanna save these people? Kara, Vincent, you, everybody? I’m trying. I’m trying really hard.

—I know you a—

—I don’t know how! I just … I don’t know how to fix this. I’m not smart enough.

—If you allow me to complete a sentence, I will tell you that I never doubted your willingness to help. Moreover, I am absolutely convinced you can, even if you do not share that conviction.

—Why? What makes you think I can do anything?

—Without you, we would not have discovered a giant hand in the Black Hills. We would not have thought to create an argon compound to locate the rest of the pieces. For that matter, we might never have looked for other pieces had you not been so utterly convinced there was an entire body to be found. Without you, we would not have had Themis a year ago. She probably saved millions of people when she defeated that robot.

—That wasn’t me. That was all—

—I was not finished. You are, as far as I know, the only person who has ever cheated death. Some people went to great lengths to make sure you are with us today. I admittedly do not know very much about them, but what little I do know tells me that they are not the kind of people to waste time or energy bringing a complete stranger back from the dead without a good reason.

—You make it sound like I’m some kind of messiah. Believe me, I’m not.

—I do not believe you are part of a prophecy. I do not believe you have mythical powers that have yet to reveal themselves. I do not think the people who brought you back even give credence to that sort of thing. While I am reasonably confident you are not “the chosen one,” you are without doubt one who has been chosen. I believe they chose you for very practical reasons, for what you are. And as far as I can tell, that is a brilliant scientist who happens to be in the best position to help humanity when it needs it the most.

—What if they were wrong?

—Then we are no worse for it, and I will have had the pleasure of your company for a while longer.

—You said I could meet them, the people that did this to me.

—I said you could meet one of them. I only know of one. I will arrange for that meeting as promised, but I have to take care of a few things first. Are we any closer to finding Themis?

—No. We know for a fact that no one could have physically moved her without our knowing. That leaves two options: Either someone else transported her using technology we don’t have, or she transported herself.

—Where could she be?

—If it’s on Earth, it has to be underground, maybe submerged. We’d know if she were anywhere above the surface. If Vincent’s stuck and he can’t make his way back, I’m not sure what we can do but hope he figures it out on his own. If they make it back, I might have found a weakness in the alien robot’s defense.

—What sort of weakness?

—Let me show you … This is footage from last year in Regent’s Park. We can’t see the shield unless it rains or something flies into it, but look … here … when I zoom in on the feet. That’s as close as I can get.

—I do not see anything.

—That’s my point. That robot’s shield extends outwards about one foot. On the ground, you’d expect a hole around and under its feet. There isn’t any. The grass is still up right on the edge of its foot.

—Achilles’ heel.

—Yes. Wherever that shield ends, it doesn’t go all the way to the ground. I’m not sure how that helps us, but it’s all I have for now.

—Keep working, Dr. Franklin. We may not have much time.

—I’m trying, but I don’t even know what I’m looking for.

—If Mr. Couture were here, he would find an appropriate quote from a fictional character. As I do not share his enthusiasm for science fiction, I will simply tell you that “trying” suggests you lack confidence in your ability to succeed. Find Themis.

—What? I don’t get it. What would Vincent say?

—Find Themis and ask him.

—Where are you going?

—Goodbye, Dr. Franklin.





FILE NO. 1544

INTERVIEW WITH LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALAN A. SIMMS, COMMANDER, JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (JSOC) Location: Fort Bragg, NC