Alpha One - Chris Burton [121]
“We are on vacation. What the hell is an entire fleet doing out here?”
“As if you didn’t know, Enson? I am sure you are here for the same show as everybody else. Can you tell me what your involvement with Winterburn is?”
It was Jake’s turn to reply.
“What do you know of Winterburn? Where is he? We’re here looking for him, but more specifically for someone who followed him out here. We are here legitimately and with the permission of our Academy.”
“What do you know of Winterburn?”
Jake then went on to detail his meeting with Winterburn, and Carla and her sister’s involvement with him. The Security officer said nothing and listened intently. He then stood and headed towards the door.
“Gentlemen. Your knowledge of Winterburn may be of interest to my superiors. Please wait here. I will arrange for your debriefing to continue shortly.”
The Security officer left the room. Jake and Steve drank their coffee and waited patiently. Steve started to get edgy.
“There is definitely something they are not telling us here. There is no sign of Winterburn; there is a huge Alpha presence and the blue wormhole is open. What are they waiting for?”
“Don’t forget what we are here for, Steve. We came to find Carla and bring her home.” This was the first time either spoke about her in the last two days. The subject became taboo, because every time Carla’s name came up, Steve accused Jake of having an affair with her. Jake continued to deny any wrongdoing but the constant lies made him uncomfortable. However, this was definitely not the right time to talk about his newfound relationship with Carla.
Steve could not understand why this became such an obsession with Jake, unless something was going on between them. Steve was about to react, but pulled back and simply said, “I have not forgotten Carla, and I know you haven’t. Your obsession continues. We have to assume she is with Winterburn, but where, I don’t know. I suppose it’s possible they may have gone through one of the wormholes.”
Lieutenant Commander Peters walked in.
“That’s astute of you, Mister Costello. Apologies for eavesdropping on your conversation. I needed to get a grasp of the real reason why you are here. I am the Fleet’s Chief Intelligence Officer. Your collective experiences and, in particular, Mister Carter, your personal knowledge of Professor Winterburn, is of significant interest to me. I am going to transfer you to some more hospitable surroundings and allow you to freshen up; then we can continue this conversation. Before I do, I am going to play a message we received from Professor Winterburn moments after his ship entered the blue wormhole.”
The intelligence officer played the message and Jake and Steve listened intensely. The message finished and they sat in silence. There was no disputing the severity of the situation. The wormhole must be closed, but Carla was probably in the Kryl’s galaxy and in great danger. Jake knew he could not just sit and watch this one out.
As promised, they were allowed to freshen up and eat a light meal before they were taken to separate interview rooms. They were subjected to two hours of intensive questioning by members of Commander Peters’ team. They answered the questions delivered as accurately as they could. Jake, in particular provided them with a detailed physical and character description of Winterburn and discussed the fixation he had created in his disciples. Steve affirmed Jake’s story by highlighting Carla’s strange behavior in recent months.
They were led into a small conference room, where Commander Peters thanked them for their useful input.
“We now move on to what we should do with you. Unfortunately, in the current climate, you cannot be allowed to return home at present, Your knowledge could compromise the situation at home, which remains delicate. We have to get some idea of our new enemy’s intentions. You are both Alpha personnel, and I understand from your PS files that you both have considerable jump ship experience. I am, for the time being, putting you in the hands of the Illustrious CAG, who