Payback

67

“There’s a problem with Lia’s helicopter,” said Rockman. “She’s not moving forward.”

“Are they landing?” asked Telach.

“I’m not sure. Her com system’s off.”

Telach glanced up at the map screen displayed at the front of the Art Room. Agents’ positions were tracked in two different ways. One was by a simple locator that worked with the communications satellites. It was similar to the global positioning technology embedded in many cell phones and 911 systems. Because it involved radio signals, however, it could be detected. Since field ops had the option of turning off communications for safety (and, Telach knew, to get the Art Room off their back), there was also a backup system using implanted radioactive isotopes. The system had technical limitations, but it was working now and showed Lia’s position about eighty miles north of La Oroya.

“She’s definitely not moving,” said Rockman. “Can’t tell if they’re in a hover or what. Maybe they landed. Map shows a village nearby.”

Telach leaned over to look at his screen. The locator showed they were about a half mile south of a settlement on the side of a mountain. The latest satellite image showed rough terrain, and it was an unlikely place to land.

One of the occupational hazards of working in the Art Room was something Telach called Mother Hen Disease — a tendency to worry that something had gone wrong simply because information had stopped flowing back. The field ops — Lia especially — were constantly complaining about it.

“What are the flying conditions?” Telach asked Rockman.

“Clear skies. Unlimited visibility.”

“How long has she been at this position?”

“Two minutes.”

“Call her on the sat phone. If she doesn’t answer, see which one of the U-2s is closest to her, and get it over the area.”