***** Vol.5 Chap.14 Guardian technology *****

Elijah looked at the three inductees. His heart sank.

Can these three be trusted? Can they do the job? He said quietly to himself.

“Let me show you the Lab. Video on.” Elijah spoke to the blank wall. Instantly the wall to one side of Elijah became a full-size video screen. It showed a world map.

“Glybiana.” The display enlarged to show the location of Glybiana.

“Highlight the Chemical Weapons Lab.” A light began to blink.

“Center on the Lab.” The map moved slightly.

“Show topographic details.” A contour map appeared.

“Show 3D terrain.” The display showed a mountainous region.

“Where is the Lab?” May-Ling inquired. “I don’t see any building.”

“You are right. The entire compound is under ground.” Elijah replied. “Show entrances.” Two blinking lights appeared.

“There is a road leading to the front entrance of the compound used by the military to bring supplies. Show video of front entrance.”

The scenery of the wall changed. There was now a military convoy traveling at high speed over a deserted gravel road. Suddenly, the front truck stopped. The driver got out and pulled out a communicator. After dusting off a particular spot on the road this revealing a box on the ground. He patched in the communicator and spoke to the guards in the compound.

The ground in front of the truck moved revealing a steel plate underneath. The truck then pulled forward on the plate and was lowered underground. When the plate appeared again, the second truck also pulled forward and was lowered. This was repeated until the whole convoy had been lowered.

“Fast forward an hour.” The display flickered a little. There was nothing but a lonely gravel road along a very deserted mountainous area. Suddenly, the ground opened up and a truck was elevated to ground level. The first truck pulled away. Then the second truck was elevated and pulled away. In less than thirty minutes, the entire convoy was out. The trucks drove away and the same monotonous wasteland appears on the screen again.

“Magnify.”

The magnified entrance area was shown indistinguishable from the rest of the area.

“How can you find this place?” Frank asked.

“Only with precise GPS can one locate this exact spot.” Elijah answered.

“I’ll be damned. That is a good camouflage. I can’t even see where the door is.” Kristin exclaimed.

“Well forget about going in from there.” May-Ling said.

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“Nothing that a few sticks of TNT cannot do.” Kristin said.

“The front entrance is heavily guarded underground even if you can gain access through the top door.” Frank replied.

“Second entrance.” Elijah said to the blank wall.

There is a small shed on the deserted mountainside.

“The shed holds the connection boxes for utilities and communications. It also hides a giant air shaft where fresh air is pumped into the compound.”

“That may be a possible way to get in.” Frank said.

“That is if you want your arms and legs chopped up by the giant fan at the bottom of the shaft.” Kristin replied.

“There is no way to get into the compound!” May-Ling cried out in desperation.

The three looked at one another.

“Tell us more about the compound?” Frank inquired.

“The compound is totally self-contained. It has its own hydro plant for electricity. It also has a diesel generator as a backup. Every room and hallway are equipped with a sophisticated security system…”

“Wait a minute. You said it has a hydro generator in the compound?” Frank asked.

“Yes.”

“Where does the water come from?”

“An underground stream, of course.”

“Where does the water exit to?”

“Waste water exits the compound back to the underground stream.”

“How many people live inside the compound?”

“Usually, there is a complement of about thirty persons working in the compound, mostly guards and scientists.”

“How frequent is the delivery?”

“Once a week.”

“If you need more information, the computer will show you more information. Remember the rules of engagement. First, there should be no contact with anyone in the compound during the mission. No one can know the existence of the cosmic guardians. Second, restrict your activities as minimal as possible and only to what directly relates to the mission.”

“Like the prime directive.” Frank said.

“What is the prime directive?” May-Ling asked.

“In Star Trek movies, the prime directive explicitly prohibits direct interference and interaction with alien races, especially with inferior races.” Kristin replied.

“I see. Thank you.” May-Ling replied.

“Yes, the prime directive. This is of utmost importance. As cosmic guardians, we are definitely and explicitly forbidden to interact or interfere with the development of all living things on this earth. Only when the very existence of the whole planet was in jeopardy, then we will step in to make the most minimal adjustment so that all living things on earth can continue its existence.”

“And this coming crisis is such an occasion!” Again, Kristin was the first to speak.

“Yes. If we cannot rectify the situation, all living creatures will be wiped out and the evolutionary clock would have been set back ten million years.”

“Any other rules of engagement?”

“Third, there should be no violence.”

“You mean we cannot send a missile over there and flatten the place?” Kristin asked.

“Think about the consequences carefully. A missile misfired from US or Russia or Israel would instantly start World War V. This would be slightly too drastic. Don’t you think? The consequences would be too severe if there is a nuclear holocaust.”

“And don’t forget the nuclear aftermath.” May-Ling added.

“Well, if there are no more questions for now, I must take a small rest. If you all wanted a private room to rest, I have prepared three rooms for you. Go down this corridor. Frank, you are at the first room, May-Ling, the second, and Kristin, the third. Let’s reconvene in three hours and have dinner. After that we can continue our discussion?”

“Sure.” They all responded.

Elijah stood up to leave. At the door, he seemed to remember something and he paused and seemed to speak to no one in particular. “Kristin, Frank, and May-Ling are all cleared for level one.” A distant bell chimed.

He turned to the three. “You all have been given clearance for level one. That means with your voice, you can order food and simple furniture in your room. You may come into the conference room any time and use the video for up to minute happening and past archives with your vocal instructions.”

He paused for a minute.

“I am anxious to hear your plan on this urgent mission after supper tonight. In the meantime, please enjoy the hospitality.”

Elijah turned and the door closed behind him. Kristin rushed to see that the door was not locked. She turned the knob and opened the door. She peeked out and caught eye of Elijah turning the corner. She closed the door. On an impulse, she opened it again just to be sure.