Alpha One - Chris Burton [84]
Jake felt suddenly uneasy. Clearly this man had a hold over Joely and entranced Carla.
“As you can see, we have moved from our temporary warehouse to the AUSWAS facility. I trust your accommodation is comfortable?”
Winterburn stared directly at Carla, when he spoke, ignoring Jake. Carla introduced Jake. Winterburn brushed him aside as he moved from the window to a desktop holographic display on the other side of the room.
“Alpha is in the process of delivering their star ships to the Tri-Star system with a view to penetrating the wormholes simultaneously.” Winterburn illustrated the movement of the Alpha vessels on the hologram.
“This will result in a blue wormhole, which will create a gateway for the Kryl. They will come through the gate, bringing with them a destructive force never seen before in this galaxy. They will systematically take apart civilization in this galaxy and the next. Their powers are beyond comprehension and their sole intent is mass destruction. The demons of Kryl are coming. Unless we stop Alpha from opening the wormholes they will soon be upon us.”
Jake decided he had enough of this. “What evidence do you have that the Kryl even exist or that a blue wormhole will form a gateway?”
Winterburn again ignored him and moved on. “The Collective tried reasoning with Alpha, Earth’s Central Government and the APF, but to no avail. The Sentinels, the guardians of the Tri-Star Region, are forced under the guidance of the Sect to destroy Alpha’s military capability. I am fearful Alpha is too strong for the Sentinels and the Collective will have no choice but to act.”
Jake was not be ignored. “What can the Collective do? You are a political body.”
Again, Winterburn ignored Jake. He addressed Carla and stared directly into her eyes. Carla was completely absorbed. Jake decided enough was enough.
“I have had enough of this. Come on Carla we are going.” Jake looked to storm out, but Carla just stood there staring into Winterburn’s eyes, transfixed.
Finally Winterburn spoke to Jake. “Mr. Carter, your presence is a distraction to this discussion. You are welcome to leave, but I can assure you Carla is highly unlikely to follow. She has an understanding of the issues and wants to help.”
“I am not going anywhere without Carla.”
“Very well, then you will listen quietly and say nothing.”
This time Jake found Winterburn’s eyes staring at him. The eyes were opaque and yet they carried such depth. He realized the eyes were not human. He found himself spellbound briefly, but resisted and pulled his eyes away to concentrate on Carla.
Winterburn preached to a seemingly converted audience. He had complete silence and his rhetoric was concise, almost fanatical in its delivery. He continued for a few minutes, expounding the power of the Kryl and the inevitability of destruction unless opening of the blue wormhole was prevented.
Then suddenly it was over. The spell ended. Jake found himself released and of his own free will and yet he still found himself unable to speak.
“I must leave, but will leave you in the capable hands of Joely and the other members of the Collective. They will continue your instruction, Carla. I feel sure you are ready to join us. Joely, escort Mr. Carter from the AUSWAS premises.”
“Mr. Carter, you are free to leave. You are not a believer and your place is with your own family.”
“No. I am not leaving without Carla.” Jake suddenly found his voice.
Carla looked at Jake and said, “Really, Jake. It’s okay. I need to spend a little more time here. Go get some fresh air, perhaps visit New Portsmouth. I will call you when I am ready to leave.”
“Don’t be taken in by him, Carla. This is not real. The Kryl don’t exist and this is all religious claptrap.”
Winterburn smiled. “I can assure you they are very real. It is time for you to leave…Joely.”
Three pairs of hands grabbed him from behind. Jake had not realized others were in the room. He turned around and saw twenty or more people stood there, believers, and all staring at him. Was it too late for Carla?