Zero Point

48

February 7th 1:09p.m.

Once back at Bull Dog HQ, we were told that Medland's teams had already begun analysing everything we'd found from the Black Fox base, and would give us a full briefing. According to Lisa, apart from conventional manual analysis, they'd scan everything into an advanced computer system that would subject the documents and imaging to comprehensive analysis, unearthing connections and linkages, and cross-referencing to all kinds of databases to reveal information that the analysts might otherwise miss.

As soon as I'd walked into the main complex, Medland personally snatched away the particle cannon for technical examination. I also offered him the documents in my pack, before Frost wordlessly laid a firm hand on my shoulder and pulled me into his office alone. Andy followed Lisa into another room. He hadn't taken my news very well. That didn't surprise me―it was one thing breaking the rules of the Secret Intelligence Service. Quite another to start bending the rules of physical reality.

Frost's office was a small square room, immaculately tidy, and Frost sat me down on one end of the slick brown leather sofa, rather than at his sparkling desk, and sat himself at the other end. Then he spoke in earnest.

"David―we're going to have to abandon ship. I've talked to my contact at the RAF and he's really pissed off about what just happened. I've been trying to explain what's going on, but obviously it's difficult. I've promised him answers, but he's made very clear that he won't be able to stall for more than a day. Beyond that, we can expect visitors. We'll need to be out of here by tonight."

I leaned forward on the sofa and rubbed a hand through my hair. "Okay. So where do we go?"

"We'll have to set up a temporary outpost somewhere reasonably remote and concealed, but not too far from London, because that's where our next op is going to be. I'm thinking somewhere near Wiltshire, in the woods."

"You know we won't be able to hang out there for very long?"

"I know. We won't need long. We need to act, and we'll brief all of you on the next mission soon. But before that, we need to talk through a couple of things. First of all, what the hell happened at the RAF base? What did they ask you?"

"They wanted to know about Bull Dog. Everything. From top to bottom. Specifically, the guy asked me who's running the show. He wanted names of all key personnel. Obviously I told him where he could shove it."

Frost nodded quietly, but his face looked strained. "They shouldn't even know the name Bull Dog. How do they know that?" He shook his head slowly. "Can't tell right now. I'll have to think about this later. Anyway, there's something else we need to discuss."

I guessed what was coming. I was waiting for it. Hell, I needed it.

"While you'd disappeared outside the Black Fox base, Jason and I had the opportunity to watch all your audiovisual data feeds," said Frost. "And we've been examining some of the documents the team found on site." He paused, as if trying to find the words. "To be frank, we're still trying to figure out what the hell we're dealing with here. First off, I want to thank you, personally, for risking your life to do what you did. If you hadn't―" He exhaled loudly. "If you hadn't, we would've had no idea what we're dealing with, what these people are capable of. Now obviously Jason has a team working on analysing everything you found―the weapon, the files, your audiovisual recording. But I need you to run through everything that happened in your own words. I know I've already heard this when you told Andrew on the way back. But I need to hear this from you, alone, and in detail."