***** Vol.5 Chap.23 Time for action *****
At exactly the same time, Frank, Kristin, and May-Ling woke up and became instantly wide awake. Kristin wondered if caffeine was circulating in the air because she had no urge to grab a cup of coffee. For a change, she was completely wide awake.
They found their favorite breakfast already laid out on the table for them. Quickly, they finished the food and found their way to the landing. Elijah was already waiting for them.
In front of them was the sphere that looked the same as the one that brought them here. May-Ling thought it seemed perhaps slightly larger.
“Is this the same TEVE that brought us here?” May-Ling asked.
“Yes.”
“I have programmed it with the proper destination already. Are you all ready to go?”
“I guess so.”
“Everything you requested have already been loaded into the TEVE.”
Kristin went into the sphere and looked around. No gears were visible except three chairs.
“Where is the stuff?”
“They are in a hidden compartment. The TEVE will automatically open the proper compartment at each destination.”
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“Here is the vial containing the harmless enzymes that you can exchange with AG-85.” Elijah gave Kristin and May-Ling a vial each.
“Oh, one last thing. This is very important. I am going to give each one of you a white pill. At any time during the mission, if you find yourself backed into a corner, then take the pill immediately. Under no circumstances should you interact with compound personnel, or worse be seen or apprehended.”
“Suicide pill.” Kristin muttered.
“What does the pill do?” May-Ling is curious.
“Let’s just hope that you do not have to find out.”
Elijah gave each one of them the white pill and made sure that they put the pill in their pockets.
“Good luck to you all.”
With much trepidation and apprehension, the three stepped into the TEVE. They watched as the door melted into the wall. Before the sphere became totally opaque, it had begun to move already.
Frank was curious. “Do you mind if I asked the TEVE to remain transparent?”
“I was about to ask the same thing.” Kristin said.
“I guess.” May-Ling was not too sure.
“TEVE, please keep the wall transparent.” Frank felt stupid saying that.
“As you requested.” A mechanical voice replied.
The walls instantly became transparent. They saw that they were speeding down a long corridor that had a slight upward slope. After a few more minutes, the TEVE shot off an opening to a water filled cavern.
“Where are we?” May-Ling asked
No answer.
“TEVE, where are we?” May-Ling repeated the question.
“We are in a deep cavern in the Bermuda Triangle. In the future, please address me as TEVE to avoid confusion.”
“Okay, TEVE, what is our course?”
“We will first exit the cavern, then ascend to 3000 feet; then follow a straight course towards the Gibraltar Strait. After we entered the Mediterranean Sea, we will go straight to our destinations.”
“When will we get there?” Kristin asked.
“In fifteen minutes, thirty-three seconds.”
They all sat there with their mouths open. Frank thought this will be fasting than taking a supersonic jet. May-Ling thought this would be faster than any high-speed bullet train she had ridden. Kristin just enjoyed the ride.
Before they knew it, the TEVE had ascended to its programmed depth and was speeding to the Mediterranean Sea. Everything outside became a blur. The three passengers were unusually quiet, each lost in their own thoughts.