The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,60
and onto a long narrow drive. At the end of it lay a tall fence interrupted by a booth that was so small it could only hold two men. Beyond them lay a sprawling one-story brick structure that bore no windows.
Agent Walker slowed the vehicle to a halt at the gate.
A soldier in black stepped out of the booth, his hands loosely gripping a long firearm. He glanced at Walker and his man, then peered into the back seat. Retreating a few steps, he nodded respectfully to Walker. “Sir.”
Walker nodded back.
Leaning inside his booth, the soldier pressed a button.
The gates slid open. Walker drove forward.
A rectangle of asphalt preceded the nondescript building, numerous cars dotting it. Walker continued past them and followed a path that took them behind the building.
Another patch of asphalt greeted them there, this one filled with vehicles that were all black like the one Walker drove. Behind them, another structure rose, taller than the first. Taelon peered through the large open doors of it and saw machines commonly used by Earth’s military—helicopters, planes, trucks, and tanks. More soldiers in black moved industriously around the grounds, each seeming to have a purpose.
Walker parked the vehicle and cut the engine. The other two vehicles parked beside them.
Stay here, Taelon told Lisa telepathically. When I exit, lie down and stay down until I return.
Her hold on his knee tightened. Where are you going?
To seek information.
She shook her head. That building is probably full of these soldiers. You can’t make them all not see you!
I won’t have to. He motioned to his clothing. I’m garbed as they are garbed. The only ones I have to keep from seeing me are Agent Walker and his team. If I walk in with them, everyone else who sees me will assume I’m with them.
She bit her lip. It’s too dangerous.
He handed her the rifle. I’m leaving the weapon with you.
Walker opened his door and stepped out. Taelon waited until Walker moved to the nose of the vehicle, then opened his own door at the same time the second soldier did.
Giving Lisa’s hand one last squeeze, he stepped out and closed the door in conjunction with soldier number two.
What do I do if someone sees me? Lisa asked as she flattened herself as well as she could across the back seat and clutched the weapon.
We’re located on the edge of this lot. Aside from Walker’s team, the soldiers all appear to use a path down the middle. Hopefully none will venture this way. If they do… the windows are tinted and your clothing and hair are dark, so you’ll blend in with the dark seats as long as you stay down. If anyone does see you and approaches the vehicle, call to me immediately and I will divert their attention.
Don’t do anything crazy.
He would do whatever it took to keep her safe. Use the weapon if you have to.
Taelon…
Walker left the keys in the vehicle. If you must flee to protect yourself and our daughter, do so.
I’m not going to leave you here!
Do it, Lisa. Please. I need to know you’ll be safe.
When Agent Walker and the other man headed for the main building, Taelon fell in line behind them.
Just be careful, she implored.
I will.
Two soldiers slipped ahead of the group as they approached a pair of double doors. One soldier retrieved a small, flat white card from a back pocket and touched it to a dark electronic screen beside the doors. A beep sounded, followed by a thunk.
The men then opened the double doors and waited for the rest to pass before slipping in behind them.
Because they couldn’t see him, Taelon barely managed to keep them from stepping on his heels.
The inside of the building was the complete opposite of the outside. While the exterior appeared old and worn, the interior was sleek and modern and full of what constituted advanced technology for Earth. More soldiers strode about. Most nodded at Agent Walker’s group and didn’t give Taelon a second look. A couple eyed him curiously but said nothing.
Walker approached a wide desk with a shiny stone surface behind which a dozen armed soldiers sat, staring at monitors. “Is Mr. Henderson still in his office?”
“No, sir,” one of the men replied. “Mr. Reordon wanted to have a sit-down with him and sent the Celtic immortal, Aidan, to retrieve him.”
“Are there any immortals currently on-site?”
Taelon frowned. Immortals? He had not been aware that there were immortal beings on Earth.