OUTCAST Ops: The Poseidon Initiative

TWENTY-THREE

Tanner was behind the wheel of a rented SUV with Liam and Daniele on the way back to Maryland. They had just gotten over the sting of their failed sortie — the knowledge that not only were they unable to follow Amir to a Hofstad higher-up, but that now Hofstad was aware the antidote ploy was a ruse — when they got the news.

Tanner had kept the radio tuned to an AM news station, knowing that Hofstad’s deadline to the government for shutting down the embassy would pass while on the drive home. Thirty-seven minutes after that deadline came and went, the stunning reports came.

Hundreds dead on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii after a touring helicopter flew low over the beach. Dozens more still seriously ill. Doctors report that victims inhaled some type of neurotoxin thought to be released by a man wearing a mask from a yellow tourist helicopter. The search for that helicopter continues.

Tanner pounded the wheel in frustration as he accelerated past a slow-moving camper vehicle. Liam shook his head in silence while Daniele reached up from the backseat to grip Tanner’s shoulder.

“We tried our best.”

“Our best wasn’t good enough.”

“Sometimes it’s not.” This from Liam.

“Hold up — listen!” Daniele turned up the radio volume, where the reporter was saying something about transferring to a live feed. Then the same voice that Tanner recognized as having delivered the statement following the football stadium attack boomed over the airwaves.

“Americans: Hofstad claims responsibility for the Waikiki Beach attack that has killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of your citizens. We executed these people because our demands have still not been met. The United States embassy at The Hague remains open for business. And so do we. I reiterate our simple demand to the U.S. administration: close The Hague embassy. You have a two hour grace period after which you may expect further attacks at any time, without warning.”

Tanner wasn’t sure if a video accompanied the broadcast, but a radio announcer came on to signify that that was the end of the message.

The SUV was silent, all three OUTCAST operators lost in thought. Tanner knew by the fact that a second attack was carried out that Stephen’s gambit had failed to pay dividends. That left the lab effort. He wouldn’t be able to communicate securely with them until he reached the OUTCAST facility.

As they crossed the Maryland state line, Tanner could only hope that Jasmijn was making progress.