The Vanishing (The End of Time Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “An albino,” mumbled Cleo, just barely audible. “Now I understand his code name.”

  “That’s right,” said Snowflake, “I’m an albino. And the sunlight actually burns my skin, so if you please, stay away from the curtains.” He turned his attention to Mason, “Picking them younger and younger I see,” he grinned.

  “Oh shut up,” snapped Mason. “I need your help with something very important and very top secret.”

  “Yes, so you mentioned. Well I do suppose I owe you my life. What do you need?”

  “I copied some information from a computer onto a flash drive, but it’s encrypted.”

  “Well, that never was your specialty, was it? Where’s the flash drive?” demanded Snowflake.

  Mason reached into his pocket and withdrew the small electronic device. He handed it to Snowflake, who turned and walked into another dark room, partially illuminated by several computer monitors. Snowflake sat down in front of one of the computers and plugged the flash drive into the USB port. He started typing on the keyboard so fast, his hands became a blur.

  “This is going to take some time,” said Snowflake, over his shoulder. “Make yourselves comfortable. There’s food in the fridge and the booze is in the den.”

  The last comment seemed to be directed at Mason, who immediately turned and went to pour himself a glass, of very expensive scotch. He returned with the drink in hand, and dropped onto a plush sofa in the corner of the room. After finishing the beverage, he rested his head on the back of the sofa, and fell asleep to the sound of Snowflake tapping away on the keyboard.

  “Aren’t you tired?” Snowflake asked Cleo, without looking away from the computer in front of him.

  “No, not really,” she said, as she watched him work his magic. “Mason, I, I mean Condor, did most of the driving.” Cleo bit down on her lip, glad that Mason was not awake to hear her slip up, by using his real name.

  “Don’t worry,” smiled Snowflake, “I already know his real name. I’ve known the man for many years. How long have you two been working together?”

  “Over ten years now, I guess,” replied Cleo, careful not to give away too much information. “How long have you known each other?”

  “Long enough,” answered Snowflake, without really answering Cleo’s question. “I’ll bet his wife gets jealous of the relationship the two of you share,” he added, tapping away on the keys.

  “What would you know about that?” asked Cleo.

  “I told you, I’ve known the man for quite some time.”

  “Well it’s not like you think,” hissed Cleo, “he’s never even hit-on me.”

  “Of course he hasn’t,” smiled Snowflake. “He loves his wife very much. But, she’s the jealous type and I’m sure it doesn’t help having a partner as pretty as you. I actually feel a little sorry for him.”

  “Why?” asked Cleo, a little less defensive.

  “Because, he’s stuck between a rock and hard place,” answered Snowflake. “He loves his family more than anything in the world, yet he feels duty bound to protect his nation. If he ever quits and starts devoting all of his time and energy into his family, than I’m quite confident that his relationship with his wife and children will improve.”

  “He has children?” asked Cleo, shocked and a little jealous that he’d never told her. She thought they were closer than that.

  “Why yes,” Snowflake stopped typing for a moment and turned to face Cleo. “You were not aware of that?”

  “No,” Cleo was staring down at the floor, looking hurt.

  “Don’t feel bad my dear, I don’t think he’s even aware that I know of his kids. He’s a very protective man and in his job, you can’t really blame him for being secretive.”

  “How many children does he have?”

  “Two, a boy and a girl,” answered Snowflake, a little reluctantly. He felt guilty for divulging Mason’s private information and wanted to change the subject.

  “My God, I had no idea,” said Cleo, as she sat down on the only other vacant chair in the room. “No wonder he broke protocol.”

  “You know,” said Snowflake, “I sure would appreciate it if he doesn’t find out that I was the one who told you.”

  “No worries mate,” replied Cleo, as she processed the new information, “he won’t find out from me. After all, he apparently has no bloody problem keeping secrets from me, so why shouldn’t I keep some from him.”

  She glanced around the room and noticed a laptop, separate from the rest of the computer monitors. It was sitting on an end table in the corner of the room. The laptop was open and powered on. The screen saver had a variety of colorful fish swimming back and forth, with a starfish stuck to the center of the screen.

  Curious as ever, Cleo strolled over to the screen and touched the finger pad. The fish tank screen saver immediately disappeared and was replaced with a familiar looking emblem. It was a white circle, and inside it was what looked like a globe of the Earth, surrounded by an olive branch. Standing in front of the globe, was a man wearing a white shirt with a black suit and tie. The man had no hands and in place of his head, there was a black question mark.

  “Are you part of that hackers group known as Anonymous?” Cleo seemed astonished, as she turned to face Snowflake.

  The albino’s fingers stopped tapping the keys for just an instant before continuing, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  From where Cleo was standing, she could see Snowflake’s pale face flush and turn red. “I think you’re lying,” observed Cleo.

  “I don’t give a damn what you think,” retorted Snowflake.

  “It’s not like I care,” smiled Cleo. “I work for the CIA, not the FBI. I couldn’t care less if you’re a member of a group that keeps big brother in check. I agree the governments of the world have grown much too large and far too powerful. The concept of a free republic seems like a long ago dream. What’s the Anonymous logo, ‘We are Anonymous, we are legion…I forget the rest.”

  “We don’t forgive and we don’t forget,” said Snowflake, finishing the phrase.

  “Right,” exclaimed Cleo in triumph, “that’s it. So how long have you been a member?”

  “A few years,” answered Snowflake, without ever looking away from the screen.

  “Why did you become a member?”

  Snowflake stopped typing and turned his chair to face Cleo. “I’m an American citizen, but when I saw what my country was becoming, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. The United States, like many countries, is quickly becoming a police state. What does it tell you about a nation, when the military and police force are used to round up and imprison citizens. Citizens who are outspoken against their government for taking away their freedoms? That’s why I was forced to move out of the country I love. People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people. At least that’s how the founding fathers of America felt. Just because the government makes a law, doesn’t mean we have to follow it, especially when it’s unjust. We’re supposed to rule on those laws through juries and our actions. We get the final word, and I, for one, am doing something about it,” finished Snowflake, as he turned back toward the computer and began typing again.

  Cracked!!!

  The Vanishing – Day 3

  Alexandria, Egypt

  Snowflake finally cracked the encryption, his full process having taken about five hours. “Yes!” he squealed, through a triumphant grin, as unguarded information began spilling out onto the computer screen.

  Mason, who’d been sleeping on the couch, jumped up while drawing his gun. “What, what is it?” he asked, blinking his eyes and looking around the room for an intruder.

  Snowflake spun around in his chair and shouted, “I did it! Oh no, don’t shoot,” he added, when he saw Mason’s gun pointed in his direction. “I, I cracked it!” he finished, with a small pleading smile on his alarmed face.

  “Well, what is it?” asked Mason, as he holstered his weapo
n. “Where’s Shasta?” he yawned, looking around the room.

  “She’s watching television in the other room,” answered Snowflake. “Should I go get her?”

  “No, let her rest,” said Mason, looking over Snowflake’s shoulder at the monitor screen. “What did you find?”

  “See for yourself,” replied Snowflake, scooting back from the desk and allowing Mason to have a better look.

  As Mason read the classified information his heart began to race. This changed everything! They would never stop looking for him or the information that he possessed. “Did you find any names on here?” he asked Snowflake.

  “No but I found the addresses for facilities were some of these things are already being created. These so-called Traitor Trackers and Hell Hounds are already in production. Can you imagine a man who can run forty miles an hour, jump twenty feet high and paralyze a person by biting them? Or a venomous dog the size of a bear that can breathe fire? I wonder who will be considered a traitor. What do you think we should do?”

  “What I want to know is who the linchpin is and where can I find him?”

  Cleo came running into the room suddenly with a worried look, “Mason, come and check this out, ya’ have to see what’s on the tele!”

  Mason stood up from where he was sitting at the computer desk. He and Snowflake followed Cleo into the living room, where the television was broadcasting the news. The three of them stood there in awe, watching and listening, as the reporter described the global devastation.

  Every nation around the world was scrambling to regain control in the absence of their capital cities and many of their elected officials. Although very few politicians and government leaders had vanished, many had been killed during the earthquake and meteor shower that followed.

  “I can’t believe that Washington D.C. is gone,” whispered Mason.

  “That’s just the bloody tip of the iceberg,” said Cleo, “keep watching.”

  “Millions of people around the world, including all young children have vanished in the blink of an eye,” announced the reporter. “Thousands of eye witnesses have come forward, describing a blinding light filling the area before their loved ones disappeared. All that remains of those that have vanished, are the very clothes and jewelry that they were wearing. Some theorists claim that nuclear fallout is the cause, while others cast the blame on chemical warfare. There are also an increasing number of people who believe that the vanishings, the earthquake and the meteor shower, are actually an alien attack. Authorities appear baffled and have yet to come forward with an official explanation.” The reporter paused to take a deep breath, while regaining her composure.

  “In other news, a new and deadly disease has been sweeping across Europe and has now gone global,” she announced. “The disease, known as Chimaera, is believed to have originated in Munich, Germany and has now been reported in parts of Africa, Asia and even the Americas. Already responsible for the deaths of thousands, Chimaera is an epidemic that appears to have no end in sight. This plague could very well be the end of mankind.”

  “See!” said Cleo, eyes wide in horror. “What are we going to do now?”

  “This changes nothing,” said Mason. “We fly to Manchester and make the drop with Snake Eyes. Then we refuel and fly back to the United States to find my family.”

  “But what about Chimaera, the last place we want to go is Europe, especially an airport,” said Cleo.

  “The disease has spread to other continents, hell it’s already here in Africa,” argued Mason. “We can’t hide from it. If you don’t wanna come, then you don’t have to, but I’m going.”

  “I agree with her,” Snowflake interjected. “I’m staying here and I don’t think you should go either.”

  “I’m going!’” said Mason. “The two of you are free to do what you want!”

  “I’m with ya mate,” said Cleo, “but why not head straight to the states and forget the drop in Manchester. If every capital in the world was destroyed, then we probably don’t have a government to report to.”

  “Trust me,” Mason rubbed the stubble of hair on his chin, “I have some questions for Snake Eyes.”

  “This just in,” continued the reporter, “the President of the United States of America, is about to make a statement.” The picture switched to live footage of Camp David and the President. As he approached the podium, he was greeted with applause. He smiled and raised his hands to stop the applause, which slowly began to subside.

  “Thank you my friends,” began the President, as he lowered his hands. It seemed like his accent and personality had drastically changed. It was now painfully obvious how guarded the leader of the free world had been. As he continued to listen, Mason wondered how the man had hidden it so well.

  “I welcome you all to hear me speak and wish you the best. First, let me begin by saying that our hearts go out to those who have suffered and those who still do. As the President of the United States of America I promise, here and now, to do everything in my limited power to restore order out of chaos and help those in need. I’ll work tirelessly with the remaining leaders of the world and try to create the peace that we need so desperately right now.

  I’m not sure how, or why, this tragedy occurred without any notice. I’ve begun discussions with world leaders, that are willing to try and figure out exactly what happened and why. I know the smartest minds in this world will figure it out. For us to prevail, I need your patience and your trust. I would ask that the citizens and governments of the world stop and think, before doing anything regrettable. I’ll bring you further information as I have it. Thank you once again for all of your support and trust in these trying times.” The President then turned and walked away from the podium.

  “Snowflake,” Mason turned down the volume on the television, “can you arrange for a fueled jet in the next thirty minutes?”

  “Sure, if there are still any planes that work,” he smiled, as he flipped open his satellite phone and walked into the other room.

  “Are ya sure about this? I still say it’s a damned foolish mistake.”

  “Do you trust me Cleo?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alright, then trust me.”

  “Yeah, a pilot would be good, but a key in the ignition would suffice,” said Snowflake, still speaking into the phone. “Alright thanks.” He pocketed his phone and nodded to Mason. “Everything has been arranged, the plane is fueled and ready; both of your pilots are company men.”

  “Thanks,” said Mason. “Ya sure you don’t wanna come with us?”

  “Yeah I’m sure,” smiled Snowflake. “Are you sure you don’t wanna stay here?”

  “No,” Mason returned the smile, “some things are worse than death. I need to find my family.”

  “I understand. Here,” Snowflake handed Mason two manila envelopes, “new identities for both of you. And,” he handed him two flash drives, the original and a duplicate, “I thought you might like having your own decoded copy. I left the original one the condition that I found it in.”

  “Thanks,” said Mason, putting the envelopes and flash drives into his pocket. “I was gonna ask you to do that.”

  “I figured,” smiled Snowflake. “I also called a taxi for you. It should be here any minute.” It was still raining outside, when Mason and Cleo left the dimly lit flat, and climbed into the backseat of a cab, headed for the airport.

  The Drop

  The Vanishing – Day 3

  Alexandria, Egypt

  Mason and Cleo arrived at the airport in Alexandria, to find their jet fueled and waiting for them on the tarmac. The pilot and co-pilot were standing in front of the jet talking, and smoking cigarettes. Mason climbed out of the cab first followed by Cleo. After a quick introduction from the pilot and co-pilot, they boarded the small plane.

  A moment later, they were in the air headed northwest toward England. The two pilots were used to not believing the names they were given, but they were not used to being given no names a
t all. Mason and Cleo kept quiet the entire time, only opening their mouths to order drinks from the flight attendant on board. Three hours and several glasses of scotch later, Mason woke up, to Cleo, gently shaking his shoulder.

  “We’re landing,” she whispered, staring out the window into the darkness.

  The wheels of the jet touched down and a few minutes later, the plane came to a stop. As the stairs were brought up to the plane, the pilot opened the door and Mason peered out before exiting. A black sedan, with tinted windows, was parked next to the jet, and a man in a black suit was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

  Mason leaned over and whispered in Cleo’s ear, “Keep your eyes open.” He checked his weapon before descending the steps, with the original encrypted flash drive safe in his pocket.

  “Hello Condor,” greeted Snake Eyes, “it’s good to see you.”

  “Snake Eyes,” nodded Mason, shaking his hand.

  “What took you so long to get here?”

  “Things are crazy out there right now, if you haven’t noticed,” replied Mason. “It’s pure chaos.”

  “Don’t I know it,” grunted Snake Eyes. “Did you get what you were sent for?”

  Mason reached into his pocket and withdrew the flash drive, handing it to Snake Eyes. “So what do you know about what’s going on?” fished Mason, with little hope of gaining any real insight, but he had to try.

  “Nothing really,” Snake Eyes looked at Mason skeptically. “Have you looked at this?”

  “It’s encrypted,” said Mason, without admitting that he had indeed looked at it.

  “I see,” said Snake Eyes, “and where’s Shasta?”

  “She’s waiting on the plane,” answered Mason. “Now that my mission is complete, I’ll be headed home to check on my family.”

  “This isn’t the best time for you to get sentimental Condor. Your country really needs you right now.”

  “My family needs me too. The Company will get along just fine without me.”