0100 came just moments after he closed his eyes, or so it seemed. He washed his face, went to the bathroom and dressed. It was a clear night and he could hear the Blackhawks winding up in the distance. Minutes later, he and the seven other Strike-1 Team members stood on the helo-pad loading their gear onto the two deadly looking Blackhawks.
At 06:25 Miller handed the pilots the landing zone coordinates. At 06:30 the pitch of the rotors whined higher and higher and seconds later they lifted off and headed for their objective. It took thirty-five minutes to reach the destination.
As soon as they touched down at the LZ, Miller and Number Two were out the door first and headed in a different direction from the main body. They raced ahead and took up positions on high ground so they could overlook the entire compound below. A few minutes later Miller could see the four Strike–1 team members slowly making their way toward the compound entrance.
The two other team members had remained on the choppers to make sure no one on the Blackhawks was involved. Miller checked the M249 once more, making sure it was ready to let loose with 700 rounds per minute if needed. His eyes never rested, moving from one place to the other, looking for any tell-tale signs that a trap was being sprung.
He saw a door on the far side of the compound open just a crack and close again. He trained his gun on the door opening. He could see his men in his peripheral vision taking up position just outside the main door to the compound.
The team below him kicked open the door and spread out. Two broke off and headed for the holding pens. Suddenly two doors inside the compound opened and men started to pour out. Not hesitating, Miller let loose with his machine gun and Number Two did the same. The ambushers were not prepared for the onslaught of the two M249s spitting out death. The other Strike–1 members huddled together, firing their weapons as they started working their way back out the door. Miller didn’t let up. He was taking no chances that a second wave might try to come through the doors. He kept on firing until his men were well away from the compound and heading back toward the choppers.
When he stopped firing the silence engulfed him. Number Two had already packed up his machine gun and was running toward the main Strike group. Miller fired one more burst just in case anyone was thinking about coming out and then headed to the waiting Blackhawks.
He knew for sure now that someone aboard the AWACS was a direct link to the enemy. He called the base and reported to the commanding officer what had just transpired.
“8–0,” he told the commander.
“Understand 8–0, Excellent. The AWACS has been directed to land at Adkins AFB where the military police will be waiting to take them to interrogation,” he told Miller, “Good call on your part Number One.”
“Thank you. I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Our dead brothers would thank you as well,” the commander replied.
Devin walked around the weapon, admiring its simplicity of design. Its looks were totally deceiving. Right in front of him was the most powerful weapon ever conceived by man. It would make the so called ‘super bombs’ pale by comparison.
“What is the next step?” he asked Dr. Gimbel.
“All we have to do is get the splitters installed and make the adjustments. It is time consuming as you can imagine but we are very close now.”
“How long?
“A month at the most,” Gimbel said, giving him a window.
“A month? Just to do this final step?”
“General, if we rush this and we are not within.0012 of a millimeter in alignment this thing could potentially create an anti-matter field several miles in diameter. It would wipe everything in its path from existence. Considering that, don’t you think we should take the extra time to be very sure that everything is exactly right?”
“Yes, of course. I just want to get to the stage where we can see if it works the way we think it does. It’s been a long road,” Devin said.
“I understand. Honestly I do. I’m sure Oppenheimer felt much the same way back on July 16, 1945, when they exploded the first atomic bomb. They had the same fears and doubts you have. Anytime a radical new technology is unleashed it is both thrilling and dreadful at the same time,” Gimbel replied.
“I’m not dreading it one bit. In fact I embrace the way this has the potential to change the future,” he said, running his hand over the outside of the weapon, caressing it like it was a sports car or a beautiful woman.
He wanted this weapon functional. He would become the most famous man on earth and control the most powerful weapon ever devised. His eyes twinkled at the thought of that. He would be the most powerful person on the planet.
“Alright. Keep me posted. I want to know the second you think everything is ready for testing.”
“Of course general. You will be the first to know when we button it up,” Gimbel assured him.
