He stood facing the door yelling at the guard but all the guard said was, “If you want the handcuffs removed, shut your face and turn around. Back up to the door and put your hands through the slot.”
Eller was almost out of control with anger over the way he was being treated. The career of these people ended here, today, he thought. The guard removed the handcuffs and closed the opening. He watched as the guard placed the cuffs back on his belt and walked out of the room.
“Don’t you walk out on me. You come back here and get General Devin,” he screamed.
The only reply was his echo.
“Control, 412 reporting. Package secure. We are 10–15.”
“Roger 412. You are released to 10–15.”
412 was the central security control point where interlopers who breached security were kept until they were turned over to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s department. The 10–15 designation meant that they were returning to their normal station.
“Control, report conditions to Thor.”
“412, conditions relayed. 10-4.”
“412, 10–15, 10-4.”
The General sat in his office, going over exactly what he was going to say. Making sure that he had everything possible covered. When he was sure, he picked up the phone and dialed. A few seconds later he was connected with the President.
“General Devin. I was told this was important. I was in a meeting. What’s on your mind?”
“Sir, I am sorry to report that Mr. Eller is missing. We have done a base wide search. We found his vehicle but we have not found any sign of him. All routine operations have been suspended and we are using every available resource to find him.”
“Missing? Good Lord. How could this happen?”
“Well sir, it isn’t the first time. On his last visit he got lost in the desert and had to spend the night sleeping in his vehicle. Just before he left, he wandered very near one of our bombing ranges. We tried to get him to use one of our people as a guide but he refused to allow a driver or guide to accompany him. This is rugged terrain and anything might have happened. You saw how unforgiving it was when you visited the facility” the general said with a worried tone.
“How long has he been missing?”
“Almost forty-eight hours. I didn’t want to alarm you until a reasonable time went by. Also, I didn’t want to potentially embarrass him.”
“Embarrass him? Meaning what?”
“Well, in case he was just lost or…”
“Or what?”
“Well, sir. I don’t want to cause any embarrassment or potential problems for Mr. Eller. I sure he has enough on his plate as it is,” General Devin said, with a hint in his voice that indicated he had more to say.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about ill will. What are you referring to?”
“He is very friendly with one of the lady scientists here. A Doctor Lynn Yurris. They have spent a considerable amount of time together. I just thought it would be best to use some discretion,” the general said trying to sound sincere.
“Yes, he mentioned Dr. Yurris. She is the one that figured out the propulsion mystery isn’t she?”
“She was one of the ones involved. It was a culmination of the whole team that is actually responsible, not just one person,” the general said.
“I see. Have you talked to her?”
“Yes sir. She says she hasn’t seen him since his arrival.”
“Is that true?”
“I don’t know for sure. I know Mr. Eller went out to S-4 and security has him going to Bay–1 where she works, but I don’t know for sure if he actually saw her,” the general replied.
“I doubt she is a factor. Let’s consider the other possibilities. Tell me your exact plans,” the President said.
“We intend to continue to use everything at our disposal to locate Mr. Eller. We are locked down at all of our ingress and egress points. We have our Blackhawks in the air and the NTS Dragons one and two smaller choppers searching as well. We have initiated adjustment 23 and 23A, which is our security patrols and search patterns. All Sierra one and Sierra two sensors are set for full alert. If he is out in the desert we will locate him, if he is alive. We have full teams on B-1 and P-1 searching as well,” The general told him.
“What’s B-1 and P-1?”
“Sorry sir. Bald Mountain and Papoose Mountain.”
“What do you need from me at this point? More men?”
“No sir. That would only compound the problem. We have all the manpower we need. Unfamiliar troops would only cause us additional problems not to mention the security aspect,” the general replied.
“Very well general. I understand your reasoning. I want to be kept informed of any progress and I want to know the minute he is located,” the President said, refraining from adding ‘one way or the other’.
“Yes sir. You will be the first to know. We are all praying that he is found alive and well. I will report anything back to you as soon we discover anything significant,” the general assured him.
“Thank you general,” the President said, hanging up.
