ENCOUNTER by Hep Aldridge (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

outside of the Citadel up to a point.” She paused and then continued. “There was a time when our energy network was worldwide, and we were able to use it as a transportation medium. Now, however, it has broken down or been destroyed, and my range of travel outside the Citadel is limited.”

“So, why didn’t you tell us this before?” Doc asked.

“I had to understand how your minds responded to the initial sharing of information and determine if you would be able to handle the rest.”

“The rest?” Joe asked.

“Yes, there is much to learn about my people and our role in the development of this planet. That is if you wish to be informed.”

I looked at my team and then back at Jeannie.

“Yes, we absolutely wish to,” I responded.

“That is as I expected,” Jeannie replied as a genuine smile spread across her face.

“I am glad that I allowed you to enter the Citadel,” she said.

“Allowed us?” Reggie piped up, “Hell, I fell in…”

“I know; I allowed that to happen. I allowed you to pass through the cloak as you call it.”

“What?” I asked.

“I was able to make the cloak an impenetrable barrier if I chose when more power was available. Now, I can only make a person falling into it believe they are falling into a bottomless rift—a mental image that ultimately leads to their death.” She raised her hand again, stopping any questions from us.

“However, that is an extreme measure that I have not had to use for hundreds of years and do not relish the idea of ever having to use again. As I said, there are many things to be learned about my world. Just know you are welcome visitors here.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” Dimitri said under his breath.

“Thank you, Jeannie. We do have many questions and look forward to you sharing as much of your knowledge as you deem appropriate.”

Another smile and a nod of her head.

“I have not had visitors such as yourselves before and find it…” She didn’t finish her sentence as her head snapped up, and a frown replaced her smile. Her next words sent a chill down my spine.

“They have found the road. They are coming, and I fear for my Watchers’ safety…”

We had all jumped to our feet, and I exclaimed, “Can’t you do something to protect him?”

“No, I cannot. My power is limited at this time to the Citadel. While I can see outside and receive limited thoughts, I cannot act.”

“Do you know how much time we have before they get here?” Dimitri asked.

“A few hours,” Jeannie replied. “My Watcher is injured and very weak; his thoughts are hard to read.”

“Then there’s no time to waste,” I said as I headed for the door. “Time to rock and roll.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

We left the building at a run and headed to our campsite. There was a flurry of activity as we broke out our weapons and ammo. In addition, we filled our canteens with fresh water, and each grabbed a few energy bars. No telling how long what was about to happen would take.

Dimitri and Reggie had previously scouted our defensive position at the rock pile and filled us in. They would take high-ground vantage points on opposite sides of the rock pile. Joe, Doc, and Eduardo would make their way to the base of the rocks and set up there. O’Reilly and I would take the center position on top of the rockpile.

As we finished our preparations, I said, “This is going to be ugly; we cannot let them get past the barrier, and no one can get away. They may have gotten enough information from the elder/Watcher to be able to return with a larger force if any escape. We have to protect this secret, so you know what that means, and remember, we need to try and protect the Watcher if it’s at all possible.” I didn’t expect an answer. It was clear on everyone’s face, even Eduardo’s. They knew it was us or them—nothing in between. We did a Comm check and headed up the steps to the top of the platform and our exit from the cloak.

Using the steps that Reggie had found on the rock pile’s backside, we made our way to the top. I secured the knotted rope to a boulder and tossed it over the edge. Joe, Doc, and Eduardo were going to have to rope down. Dimitri called Joe over as he dug into his pack.

“Here you go, Sparky; this is your Alamo surprise,” and handed him three Claymore anti-personnel mines and their clackers.

“Set these up in an arc twenty-five yards in front of your position. Space them about thirty feet apart. This will be your last line of defense before things get up close and personal. Know what I mean?”

“Got it; I know the drill and thanks.” Designed to counter human-wave assaults, the Claymore uses a shaped C-4 charge to fire several hundred steel balls into a designated 55-yard killing zone. Joe knew this would be a wall of death. If that didn’t stop the enemy, then they were probably screwed.

“No problem, you keep Doc and the kid safe and cover your ass too.”

“Roger that… Oh, and Dimitri, don’t call me Sparky,” Joe said with a slight grin on his face as he stuffed the mines in his pack and headed down the rope. Dimitri and Reggie headed in opposite directions to the positions they had picked out for themselves. O’Reilly and I set up about twenty feet apart and found well-protected positions that gave us a good field of fire into the canyon. I had lost sight of Dimitri and Reggie as they blended into rocks on either side of the canyon wall. The rocky outcroppings offered a variety of vantage points for them to set up sniping positions. Joe was finishing laying out the Claymores and running the trigger wires back to their positions behind the rocks at the base of the rockpile.

As I surveyed the scene, I