Operation Orion - Kevin Dockery [96]
After perhaps five hundred meters, the driver made a turn to the left, pulling the laundry shipment into what looked like a large, open garage door. Other Eluoi were coming and going there as well, some of them in the white uniforms of the laundry workers and others in maintenance coveralls that looked very much like the Teammates’ garb.
Once again Jackson thanked his lucky stars for the assistance of Olin Parvik, who seemed to have outfitted them in the perfect disguises. The four SEALS wandered through the door after the laundry cart and watched as it entered a side passage, a long corridor to the left that smelled of steam and soap.
Looking around, the LT took stock of the situation. He saw several carts, three like the laundry vehicle and two that were much larger, along a far wall that was lined with benches and tools. Several technicians in workman’s coveralls tinkered with the suspension of one vehicle and, with the rear-mounted hood opened, studied the battery pack of another.
Just beyond was a smaller door leading into a back room. While he watched, one of the technicians headed back toward that portal and pushed a button to open it. Before entering, he called back to his fellow mechanic.
“Don’t forget, Fillser, we have to get some new heating elements up to the outer level. They’ve had some frost problems in D Sector.”
“Yeah, well they can put on an extra sweater for now,” the second worker grunted. “I need to get this truck running or Commandant Spiker’s gonna have my ass for breakfast. And if he chews my ass, you can bet I’ll be using yours for a topping!”
“Yeah, fine. I was just reminding you,” the first tech said grumpily. He lowered his voice, and Jackson turned away, inspecting a tool bench as he strained to listen. “Anyway, I’m on break now. I’m going in the back to see if Lower’s got any action going on.”
“Don’t drop your whole paycheck,” the tech grumbled sourly as his companion moved through the door into the back room and closed it behind him.
Jackson made up his mind and started across the workshop. None of the technicians gave them so much as a second glance, and when he reached the door, he pressed the same button he’d seen the worker use. It slid smoothly open to reveal a long, narrow compartment that he guessed to be a parts warehouse.
The LT led the way, with his three men following. They passed the technician they had first observed as he was scrutinizing a shelf of electronic components, apparently seeking a specific part. Turning a corner, they moved down a more shadowy passageway with tall shelves looming to either side. At the far end, they turned another corner, and there they found a lone Eluoi slouched in a chair. He was wearing one of the small plasma guns and looked up suspiciously as the four SEALS came into sight.
He was wary and watchful, Jackson saw, but not because that was his job. It was more like he was goofing off and worried about being caught by some supervisor. The LT was pleased but adopted an air of nonchalance as he approached.
“What do you want?” the soldier asked suspiciously. He didn’t raise his gun, but his eyes flickered to a nearby door, an opening Jackson hadn’t noticed before.
“I think you know what we want,” he said with a conspiratorial wink. He nodded at the door.
“Oh, well, yeah,” the guard said, looking past the SEALS as if making sure they hadn’t been followed. “You can go in.”
Jackson pushed the button, and the door smoothly slid open. They found five men in there, two