Overlord

21

Alex Wong was wondering if he should call another base camp staff meeting, just for something to do, when the screaming started. Still no trace of Steele, the guard now officially reported as missing. Still a massive storm coming in, getting too close for comfort. Still no report from the team down below. And now shrill screams from the front lounge. Or somewhere outside it.

He dashed from his office and before he got to the front of the building he caught sight from a side window of two large all-terrain vehicles and a swarm of soldiers. “What the hell?” he managed, staring incredulously at the heavily armed squad moving towards the base. The screaming came from Priya Yardley, a decent enough security guard in Sydney, but who clearly fell to pieces at the first hint of a real threat. Alex had no time to wonder what she was doing outside before the lead soldier whipped the butt of his assault weapon around and silenced Priya viciously. She collapsed and lay still, scarlet stark against the white snow from her nose and mouth.

“Shit!” Alex barked, and sprinted for his office. There was a contingency option to lock down the base with triggers strategically placed in various locations. The nearest was right on the desk he’d just left.

He skidded on the polished floor as he took the corner through the door at full pelt and slammed his hand down on the lockdown button. Red lights in the ceilings of all the rooms and corridors began to flash, a siren whoop-whooped from hidden speakers, and all the doors closed and locked. Wherever anybody happened to be, that’s where they would stay for now.

What the hell were military types doing here? Should he call Arthur Greene? Maybe Priya Yardley and her sudden screaming had saved them after all. Those guys would have waltzed straight in unchallenged if she hadn’t raised the alarm with her fear.

Alex sat at his desk and called up the base CCTV. He flicked from screen to screen, making a quick mental inventory of the whereabouts of all the staff. Bemused faces occupied most rooms, some people in angry conversation, others banging on doors in frustration. Alex keyed the public address system to try to calm everyone down.

“This is Alex Wong,” he said, cursing the tremble he heard in his voice. “The base is under attack from assailants unknown and currently on lockdown. I don’t know what’s happening, but you’re safe in here, so don’t panic. Sit tight while I get some answers.”

He flicked the CCTV to an outside view and watched the soldiers milling around by the main entrance. The man who appeared to be in charge gestured left and right, sending his minions jogging off. Presumably in search of another way in. But the base was secure.

Then someone else approached across the white expanse. Large, heavily-muscled in olive green combats. With a pulse of shock, Alex realized it was one of the scientists returned from below. Anders Larsen, the unlikely looking geologist. The man would meet the same bloody fate as Priya Yardley, surely? But Alex had no way to warn him.

Then Larsen approached the leader of the attackers with a broad smile and an outstretched hand. They greeted each other like old friends. What the hell was going on? Well, more fool Larsen, because Alex certainly wasn’t letting him in now.

After a moment of conversation, Larsen moved towards a small shed to the side of the main entrance. Alex knew it contained power relays, over-rides, fuse panel, and other associated paraphernalia for the maintenance of the base. It also contained a user console like the one on his desk. Alex’s face sank into a frown as he watched Larsen unlock the shed with a key from his pocket, then crouch just inside the door. It was really no surprise when the sirens and lights all went still, the sudden silence sinking over the base like a cloak.

“Well, that’s us screwed,” Alex said with a shake of his head. He quickly rose and headed for the main staff lounge where the majority of the others were gathered. Perhaps safety lay in numbers.

“There you go,” Larsen said with a smile.

Jasper Olsen slapped his shoulder. “Good work!” He barked some orders and the majority of his squad swept into the base.

“Don’t hurt anyone unnecessarily,” Larsen said. “Those guys are just working stiffs.”

“I know. They’ll only get hurt if they resist. If they co-operate we’ll see them looked after until all this is dealt with.”

After a few minutes, a large man with curly hair came back outside. “All secure, sir.”

“Any casualties?”

“One guy tried to be a hero, but he found the floor pretty quickly. The boss in there, a guy called Wong, has told everyone to do as they’re told. They’re all together in the largest lounge area.”

Olsen looked at Larsen and gave him a smile. “See!” He turned back to his officer and gestured to the woman lying on the snow, bleeding and crying softly. “Take her inside, fix her up, and tell Alpha Squad to regroup with me. You take command of Beta Squad and hold the base.”

“Yes, sir!”

When the man had jogged back inside, Olsen said to Larsen, “Once my men have returned, you can lead us directly into these mysterious caves, yes?”

Larsen grinned. “Of course.”