STONY MAN

When innocence is under attack, the Stony Man teams are primed to hit the battlefield. Operating under the President’s orders, the world’s best black ops warriors and cyber techs are willing to pay the ultimate price to uphold freedom.

LAST DEFENSE

Washington goes on full alert when Chinese operatives kidnap the creator of a vital US defense system, a top secret orbiting platform. Tracking the missing scientist to the Swiss Alps, Phoenix Force has to rescue the captive before torture forces him to give up the platform’s secrets—putting millions of lives at risk. While Phoenix Force is overseas, Able Team uncovers a plot to take over the system’s mission control facility. Both teams are outnumbered and outgunned, but they’ll do whatever it takes to stop America’s enemies from holding the entire country hostage.

“HAVE YOU MANAGED TO TRACK THE CAR?”

“Yes,” Tokaido said.

He showed a montage of the suspect vehicle picked up by various traffic cams. After a few miles it turned onto a wide parking lot adjacent to a truck stop. The monitor showed the vehicle swing around and vanish from sight behind lined-up rigs and road trailers.

“Great,” Brognola snapped.

“Not over yet,” Tokaido said.

The view of the truck stop continued for a long few minutes before the suspect car came back into sight. Passing traffic forced it to wait before it swung right and drove away.

Brognola sighed. “So they stopped for a few minutes to use the toilet. Maybe pick up some coffee.”

Kurtzman chuckled. “He doesn’t see it.”

“See what?”

Tokaido zoomed in on the image of the car waiting to merge into traffic.

There had been five men in the car when it arrived, but there were only four when it departed. Only two passengers in the rear instead of three.

“They lost one,” Brognola said. “Son of a bitch.”

Death Minus Zero

Don Pendleton

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

EPILOGUE

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

Virginia

As he did every morning, Saul Kaplan stepped out of his town house and approached the waiting car. As he also did every day, he dropped his briefcase on the seat, climbed inside and took his place in the vehicle. The driver, a uniformed US Air Force sergeant, waited until Kaplan was settled. He glanced in the rearview mirror.

“Morning, Doc,” Sergeant Steven Kessler greeted Kaplan.

“Good day, Steven. I think it is going to be a pleasant day.”

“You sit back and enjoy the ride, Doc.”

Kaplan smiled at the title he had been awarded by those he worked with. In truth Saul Kaplan was neither a professor nor a doctor, though he had been granted honorary degrees as he’d risen through the levels. But he barely recognized them and refused to use the titles; he recognized his skills in his chosen profession and was happy simply to develop his craft, seeing no advantage to having paper titles. Kaplan saw no need for aggrandizement. He was simply Saul Kaplan. That was enough for him. He was at the top of his game.

Kaplan was the man who had created and designed the Zero Platform and the human technology that went with it. It was through his determination and drive that the orbiting satellite had been approved and built. His sheer persistence had pushed Zero through the seemingly insurmountable barriers initially placed in his way. The US Air Force, the branch of the American defense services that had taken on Zero, held Kaplan in great esteem. His creation had already proved itself, and Kaplan’s dream had stepped away from being a flight of fancy to become a solid reality that was continuing to prove itself in more ways than even Kaplan might have envisaged. “Doc” was simply something people called him out of respect for his skill and dedication to the work he did and Kaplan accepted it in the spirit it was given.

The Zero Platform was an orbiting defensive-offensive machine providing observation and analysis, though it also carried an array of weaponry capable of offering destructive potential. Currently that ordnance comprised powerful long-and short-range explosive-warhead missiles that could be used in an aggressive manner if the United States so decided. Weapons planned for future use—laser and particle beam—were still under development, though the complexities of putting them into action was proving frustrating, especially for Saul Kaplan. He was still working out the mechanics of the weapons. His expertise was being tested to the limit as he and the Air Force techs at Zero Command spent their days wrestling with the math and the applications of the weapons. Kaplan was confident they would succeed. The Air Force, always wanting everything by tomorrow, had been forced to step back and allow Kaplan his space.

During Zero’s early days the USAF had made it difficult for him, and Kaplan had walked away. His return to a full-time commitment to the Zero Project had come after an attempted takeover by rogue elements in the US and an aborted attempt by the Chinese to destroy the project. Kaplan had, in the end, come back to the fold after he had deliberated the point of his involvement with the man he knew as Matt Cooper. It had been Cooper, drawn into the affair, who’d convinced Kaplan that America would be better off having Zero and making sure it was the best. Cooper had also made the point that Doug Buchanan, the human part of Zero, had committed himself to the project and the two men needed each other. Kaplan had capitulated and had returned to the Zero group, determined to carry on his work.

Zero held state-of-the-art communication equipment and was also able to produce pinpoint, bird’s-eye views of the Earth. America did not publicly announce Zero’s existence and most of the nation had no idea that it was orbiting the Earth, monitoring and watching. It had, by nature, been identified, but only as an orbiting information platform. Its full operating capability had not been released. The platform served its purpose and the Air Force considered it one of their most important assets. Unfortunately, Zero’s secrets had been discovered by elements within the upper echelons of the People’s Republic of China, which had long harbored a desire to wrest Zero from the Americans.

* * *

ZERO’S ATTRIBUTES WERE controlled through a unique partnership between Zero, the machine, and Air Force Major Doug Buchanan, the human element within Zero. The uniqueness was in the coupling of man and machine via Kaplan’s genius—more specifically, his creation of the biocouch that fused Zero with Buchanan.

The implants within Buchanan’s cancer-ridden body allowed the man to resist his illness; the coupling kept the cancer under control while generating the symbiosis of man and machine. The biocouch constantly fed him with controlling drugs that held his cancer at bay and with regenerating elements that kept him alive and well.

Since the initial connection Zero and Buchanan had successfully operated the platform, and with each passing year the partnership had grown and proved itself on a number of occasions. Kaplan had labored ceaselessly to improve the setup, making adjustments to Zero’s electronic systems as well as working on ways to reduce the advance of cancerous cells within Buchanan’s system.

While Zero Command’s medical team monitored Buchanan’s physical well-being, Air Force psychologists watched over his mental health. Their counseling sessions found that Buchanan was handling that part of his health far better than they could have expected. They were unable to find any undue stress. No deep-rooted psychological problems. Doug Buchanan passed their probing analysis with ease, leaving them with little to do in that area.

The Crown Victoria eased away from the curb and merged with the light traffic. It was barely 7:30 a.m., the day bright and holding a sharp chill in the air. The forty-minute drive to the facility would take them out of the city and through the countryside. The drive to the Zero Command Center was something Kaplan enjoyed. A relaxing start to the day, allowing him time to gather his thoughts for what lay ahead.

The route they traveled was one of three that could be chosen. Kaplan knew alternate runs were not announced and were picked randomly just before each journey. There had been no problems with the routing since the creation of Zero Command. Sometimes, though, he wondered if the lack of anything but uniformity would lead to complacency.

The Crown Victoria cruised steadily, maintaining a smooth ride along the quiet back road. The single-lane blacktop was bordered by trees and a wide grass verge on each side. It was a pleasant run along a peaceful scene.

Until a car sped into view, swinging in close and causing Kessler to swerve to avoid a collision. The pressing closeness of the vehicle forced him to run off the road and across the grass, narrowly missing the close-standing trees. Kessler stood on the brakes, bringing the Vic to stop. Something about the intimidating presence of the other car alerted Kaplan that something was not right.

“Doc, stay in the car,” Kessler said. “Let me check this out.”

Kessler pushed open his door as he reached to open the glove box where he kept his service automatic.

As fast as he was, Kessler failed to stay ahead of the moment. Kaplan saw the passenger door being yanked open behind his driver, and a dark shape leaned in. Kessler stood no chance. The hand extended toward him held an automatic pistol. The weapon fired a single shot, sending a slug into the back of Kessler’s head. He toppled forward, half out the open door.

Before Kaplan could react, his rear door was pulled open. A stunning shock engulfed Kaplan’s body. His whole body went into a violent series of spasms. He fell back across the seat, body arching in reaction to the paralyzing agony that swept over him. He was barely aware of the hands reaching in to pull him out of the car. Or of the sharp jab of a needle into his neck. The powerful sedative worked quickly and Kaplan lost all conscious thought and feeling...

* * *

WHEN THE VEHICLE failed to arrive as expected, an alert was initiated. Although fitted with a tracking device, no sign of the Air Force car could be found. Electronic searches detected nothing; the tracking device was not working. Search vehicles were sent out from the Zero Command Center. They followed each route, in reverse, but found no sign of the vehicle until almost two hours after it had disappeared.

Just after 9:40 a.m., a member of the public spotted the abandoned car and contacted the local police. It was in a stand of trees off the single-lane rural road that made up one of the routes. Once the Air Force designation on the vehicle was seen, the AF was informed and the car checked out. It was quickly identified as the missing vehicle that had been transporting Saul Kaplan.

Air Force Sergeant Steven Kessler’s body lay half out of his driver’s seat, the door open. He had been shot in the head. A single bullet, later identified as a 9 mm, had been fired into the back of his skull.

The rear door of the car was open, as well. Saul Kaplan was missing. As was the briefcase that he always carried with him.

* * *

AGENT CLAIRE VALENS had been on the security team assigned to the Zero Project at the time there had been an attempt to sabotage it in its early existence. She had seen her partner, Jackson Byrd, killed in front of her eyes during that incident. She had been actively involved in Zero security ever since, over the years moving up the promotion ladder and now heading the Zero security team that worked alongside the Air Force at Zero Command. She knew Saul Kaplan well, having forged a good working relationship with the man, and on hearing he had vanished she put herself on standby. Valens, along with her partner, Larry Brandon, drove out from the Zero Command Center and headed for the location.

Valens was already getting a feeling of déjà vu. Since the first attempt at disrupting Zero, the sensation of something similar happening had stayed in Valens’s memory. It had fueled her desire to make certain the project was never compromised again. Up until now her fears had been nothing more than shadows—but the possibility of Saul Kaplan having been kidnapped was starting to raise those shadows. Valens found the resurgence of memories unsettling.

Agent Brandon drove fast but safely. He was a couple of years younger than Valens, in his early thirties. He was a good partner and Valens counted herself lucky to have him siding her. He knew all there was to know about the original incident and understood how it drove Valens to maintain tight security around the Zero Command Center. The last thing he would ever do was to remind her of what had happened before. He didn’t need to, because he was aware how Valens reminded herself on a regular basis.

“I can’t believe this is happening again,” Valens said.

“Is it the same?”

“Saul is missing. Work it out, Larry. The car didn’t crash. It was stopped. Steve Kessler took a bullet in the head and Saul Kaplan is missing.”

“So, who?”

“The original conspirators were all dealt with,” Valens said. “At home the threat vanished but...”

“The Chinese?”

“I don’t believe they’ve forgotten about Zero. The Chinese are good at playing the long game. Watching and waiting. They’ll know that Zero performs as it was designed to. And as long as it does, it presents them with a perceived threat. Let’s face it—what country wouldn’t like a piece of hardware like Zero? It would be a hell of a prize.”

“It’s not like they can just walk in and take over,” Brandon said. “Zero is an orbiting platform in space.”

“Saul Kaplan is not in space. And taking him would be something the Chinese could go for. And maybe even a hit against Zero Command. Cripple the nerve center. Do that and if they can gain control of Zero...” Valens shook her head. “Larry, do I sound like some gibbering conspiracy nut? Because that’s what I’m feeling like. Right now I’m having a nightmare in broad daylight.”

“After what happened last time, I couldn’t blame you.”

Brandon swung the car off the narrow road onto the side strip and pulled in beside a local police cruiser. The area was busy with cruisers and Air Force vehicles. Crime scene tape was strung out from tree to tree, and a collection of police and military personnel milled around.

“Great,” Brandon said. “The circus is in full swing.”

Valens had her ID out as she climbed from the car, clipping it to her belt.

“Agent Valens.”

Valens saw a broad-shouldered man approaching. He was average height, in his mid-forties, his receding hair peppered with gray. He was a local cop named Jerry Zeigler. He and Valens had met before. He wasn’t deliberately obstructive but harbored a slightly abrasive attitude toward the agencies that stepped in and took over, pushing the local PD aside. He didn’t take too kindly when it happened, so Valens tried to maintain a professional presence whenever she met Zeigler.

“Detective,” she said, offering her hand, which Zeigler took.

Zeigler glanced at Brandon. “You brought your backup, I see.”

Valens smiled. “Agent Brandon is my partner. And, yes, he has my back.”

A thin smile curled Zeigler’s lips. “I’ll refrain from making any inappropriate comments on that,” he said.

“What can you tell us?” Valens said. “Seeing as you’ve been here a while.”

“Only because the original call was made to us. But there’s not much more than you can see. One of your vehicles. Uniformed Air Force man shot dead. I was informed by your people there was a passenger. He’s missing. A preliminary search hasn’t turned up anything, so I guess the passenger has been removed from the area.”

Valens checked out the place. A spot off the road where trees and foliage helped to mask the site. A smooth operation could have been mounted and completed quickly on the quiet stretch before anyone was aware.

“They chose a good spot. Away from the main highway. Pretty quiet. Whoever it was, they were well prepared. All nicely worked out. Must have worked fast.”

Brandon had gone to talk to the investigative team near the Crown Victoria. Valens saw him check inside the car before he returned to where she was standing.

“It’s Steve Kessler,” he said. “Bullet to the back of his head. No sign of any struggle in the back.”

“Passenger some kind of VIP?” Zeigler asked.

“Yes,” Valens answered.

“That it?”

“I’m not at liberty to give out that information. Sorry.”

“Oh, I know,” Zeigler said. “Classified, huh?”

“If I was able, I’d tell you, Detective Zeigler...”

“It’s Jerry.”

“If I was able, I’d tell you, Jerry...”

Zeigler glanced at Brandon. “Is she always this hard-nosed?”

“Actually, you’ve caught her on a good day,” Brandon said. “No fingers missing, are there?”

“I can believe she bites if provoked.”

Valens’s cell rang. She moved away to answer it, knowing it was Zero Command by the caller ID on the screen.

* * *

“FROM ALL THE bodies here,” Zeigler said, “I figure you people have a lot to deal with.”

“Nothing gets by you, Detective Zeigler,” Brandon said.

Zeigler grinned. “So smart, so young, so full of bullshit. Nothing you can tell me. Yeah, I know.”

Valens rejoined them.

“If anything comes up that I can tell you,” she said, “I will pass it on, Jerry. Right now I have a missing VIP and it’s my job to get him back. You have problems with that, you can talk to Colonel Corrigan at the base. Best I can do.”

Zeigler felt the frustration rising as he eyed Valens. She didn’t lose a beat and the cop knew she wouldn’t give anything away even if they stood there all day.

Goddamn it, he thought, all this need-to-know crap is killing me.

He let out the breath he’d been holding and managed a strained smile.

“Okay, Agent Valens, you win. Just remember I’m not one of the bad guys. Just doing—trying to do my job.” He turned and made his way to where his police cruiser sat waiting.

* * *

“I DON’T ENJOY freezing the local cops out,” Valens said. “Zeigler has it right. He just wants to do what he’s paid for. And all we do is put up a solid wall and stall him.”

“Your call? Anything important I should know about?”

“That was Colonel Corrigan on the phone. It appears we have a specialist team joining us back at base,” Valens said.

She noted Brandon’s frown. “What specialists?”

“An undercover group—and that’s all you need to know—from the covert agency involved when the original Zero problem occurred. Larry, we need all the help we can get on this. I don’t have any problem accepting that.”

“If you say so. You are the boss.”

“Yes, I am,” Valens said. “So no sulking over this.”

“Moi? Sulk? And here I thought you knew me better than that, Agent Valens.”

“I know you hate bullshit as much as I do. I prefer having stuff out in the open but we have to follow the ground rules. So let’s wind it up and get back to base. I don’t think we’ll be any use here any longer. Let the investigative team do their thing. Something tells me they’re not going to find anything.”

“Yeah. Hey, these covert operators don’t all wear tights and masks and fly around in invisible planes, by any chance?”

“Sometimes I wish we had some of those guys,” Valens said. “Might make our job a damn sight easier.”

“I wouldn’t look good in tights,” Brandon retorted. “You, on the other hand...”

“Do not go there, Larry.”

Walking ahead, Brandon grinned like a schoolboy.

* * *

BACK IN THE CAR, Brandon took the wheel while Valens made a call to their department chief. Brandon was not deliberately listening but couldn’t help picking up the reference she made to a Jui Kai. All Brandon knew about the young Chinese woman was that she was on a long-term undercover assignment in China. Valens took occasional messages from their chief but said little to him about it. Brandon, understanding she was not prepared to discuss the matter, didn’t question her.

Claire Valens was a determined woman with strong opinions about her work, and she held unshakable feelings, most notably the one that resurfaced every so often; Valens was convinced, as she had been for a long time, that the Chinese hadnot forgotten about Zero. It was as close to a conspiracy theory as any belief Valens held. It seemed to be there in the background, a vaporous image that Valens could not—perhaps would not— shake off. And the fact Jui Kai was working the China beat backed up Valens’s suspicions. Her assignment at Zero Command occupied her day-to-day business and this out-of-left-field move and the disappearance of Saul Kaplan would have been a blow to her pride. It would only strengthen her resolve to stay with her theory.

Familiarity with the situation may have been partly to blame, even though Valens would take it badly. The protocols in place had been working well. Kaplan was delivered to the AF base and returned home each evening— unless some urgent matter arose with Zero. It had become the norm. Perhaps too much so. The delivery of Kaplan to the base, a routine that had been smooth and undisturbed, had become an accepted ritual. The route changed daily, allowing for some flexibility, and operated with clockwork efficiency. Valens was charged with on-base security, the Air Force with the actual fetching and carrying of the man who was responsible for the oversight of the Zero Platform’s daily routines.

Over the preceding months, the ongoing routine never varied. Kaplan in. Work done. Kaplan home. A hard routine. It was as set as the ticking of a clock. Checks were made on timing and routes. The Air Force maintained a tight schedule for the daily trip—which was the reason Kaplan’s absence was picked up so soon after the event.

Even so, Kaplan was gone.

Where, no one knew.

The why was a little easier to work out.

The man carried knowledge of the operation and the know-how about Zero.

The platform was up and running, monitored day and night.

Kaplan’s imaginative dream had become a working reality, giving America a unique piece of hardware.

Everyone at Zero Command would know with all certainty why Kaplan had been taken.

A deliberate attempt at gaining a hold over Zero’s creator and possibly an outright and hostile try for the platform itself.

That seemed to have been the easy part.

The hard part—getting him back alive and well—was something else.

* * *

WHOEVER WAS BEHIND the kidnapping had upfront knowledge. The AF vehicle had been fitted with a tracking device that had gone off-line. And Kaplan himself had an implanted signal tracker that was supposed to show his whereabouts. It was not transmitting, either. The snatch had been well planned. The disabling of the trackers only highlighted how well organized the kidnappers had been.

Claire Valens took note of these items. It concerned her that somewhere, someone had gained such knowledge and used it against Zero.

She was unable to stop wondering what came next.

Valens felt her thoughts turning toward Major Doug Buchanan, the man who controlled Zero’s 24/7 functions through his command position. Buchanan would not be happy when he learned about Kaplan’s kidnapping. Buchanan had an abiding faith in the man. There was more than the simple dependency that Buchanan had with Kaplan. He had become so tied in with Zero’s creator the bond was as strong as Buchanan’s with his biocouch. Maybe even stronger.

Buchanan, for all his characteristic strength, depended on Saul Kaplan as a son with a father. It had become far more than their working relationship. Buchanan owed his continuing existence to Kaplan’s genius, to the superior intellect that had devised and overseen the electronic wonder of the Zero Platform. It had been Buchanan’s salvation, drawing him back from a certain, painful death and allowing him the opportunity to carry on doing what he loved—working for his country. Offering back something for the debt he would never be able to pay completely.

Doug Buchanan knew and accepted that he was as much a part of Zero now as one of the circuit boards. An integral part of the complex machine Kaplan had envisaged and seen through to completion, Buchanan knew his life was with Zero. The ravaging cancer that had started him on the countdown to the end of his life was held at bay by the bioimplants that fed his body on a continuous basis, holding the cancerous cells at bay and maintaining his existence.

Buchanan had only asked Kaplan once how it worked. Kaplan’s explanation had lost him within the first couple of minutes and Buchanan had asked him to stop. Buchanan decided the only thing he needed to know was that the process worked. As long as he remained on his biocouch, linked to the system via the implants in his body, he would survive. The question as to how long never came up. To have been given even a short extension to his life was enough. The fact that it allowed him to function in his capacity as an Air Force officer, defending his country, was reward enough.

The multiple functions of Zero, as a defensive as well as an offensive weapon, presented Buchanan with day-to-day operational involvement. His routines were mapped out for him by the electronic machine that surrounded and sustained him. Buchanan monitored and collated information, passed it back to Zero Command and took his orders from the base.

Learning that his mentor had been spirited away would not be welcome news to Buchanan. He would utilize Zero’s functions to search for him, and Doug Buchanan’s unflagging spirit would not back away from that task.

If there was a chance to locate Kaplan, Valens thought, Buchanan would do his best to find it.

CHAPTER TWO

China

Colonel Xia Chan had the ghost of a smile of satisfaction on his face as he replaced the telephone receiver on its cradle. Such shows of pleasure were unexpected. He was a solemn man, entirely dedicated to his position and responsibilities, so the officials gathered in his presence were surprised at the emotion. Chan sat back in his seat, facing the group of men around the conference table. His hands were placed on the smooth surface, fingers tapping gently. He studied the group until he was satisfied he had their full attention.

“It has begun,” he announced. “The successful apprehension of the American Saul Kaplan has taken place. Even as I speak, he is being moved on the first stage of the journey that will remove him from the country.”

A thin-faced, balding major asked, “Are congratulations in order, Colonel?”

“A little premature, Ling. Let us wait until the man has been removed from American soil. It’s not wise to presume too much.”

Ling nodded. “Perhaps you are right, Colonel.”

“Even so, we should be allowed a degree of satisfaction. As operations go, this first phase appears to have been executed with precision and timing.”

“That was thought when the first strike against the Zero operation was mounted.”

The speaker was seated halfway along the table. A thick-set figure with a shaved head set on a squat neck, Yang Zhou was wearing civilian clothing. As always, he looked as though he had just stepped out of a tailor’s store; Zhou made no concessions to the austere dress code of the Chinese system. No one ever thought about challenging him over that. The man was head of a security section and had complete autonomy over what he said and did. He was on this occasion assigned to be Colonel Chan’s personal bodyguard, ordered to accompany him wherever he went and to protect him. The order had come from the highest authority, and even Zhou was required to accept.

“Zhou, we are talking about something that happened a number of years ago,” Chan said. “I have read the reports that were written about the affair. General Tung Shan paid the price because his operation was ill-conceived and he failed to anticipate the opposition. He made his strike on American soil and was in unknown territory. There was no backing for him. No means to call in assistance when things began to go wrong.”

“He was reckless,” Zhou argued. “He placed his people in jeopardy and they were abandoned.”

“If I remember correctly, didn’t a couple of Shan’s team desert and stay in America?” Major Ling returned.

Chan nodded. “It has not been forgotten. Shao Yeng and Yin Tang. To date we have not been able to locate them. But the search continues. When they defected, they were in possession of a great deal of money that had been allocated to the mission. That will have enabled them to move around and stay concealed.” He raised his hands. “As we are all aware, if you have money in America it is possible to buy anything. Including anonymity.”

“We are still active in searching for those traitors. We will find them,” Zhou declared.

“I do not doubt that,” Chan said. “Would it were in my own lifetime.”

Zhou stiffened, face taut with anger, but there was little he could say. His operatives had failed and werestill failing to locate the two men.

The door at the far end of the room opened and a wheeled trolley was pushed inside. It held pots of tea and coffee. Cups were filled on request before the group around the table was left alone again.

There were seven other uniformed attendees sitting around the table. Each had an open folder in front of him.

Placing his cup on the table, Chan said, “I understand there are questions to be asked. Shall we begin?”

“As I have only recently been assigned to your group, Colonel Chan, my knowledge of this project is not complete. May I ask for clarification?”

The speaker was a young military officer. His uniform was in pristine condition, hair neat and precise. Eagerness shone in his eyes. His name was Kung Lang. Chan had heard good things about the man’s progress through the ranks.

“For the benefit of Major Lang, and any others not fully aware of this operation, I will take you through it this one time,” Chan said. “Make notes, because if you miss anything it will not be repeated. I have no time to keep going over the facts.”

Chan spent the next twenty minutes cataloging the Zero operation from its inception to the less-than-satisfactory conclusion of the original Chinese strike against it. He held nothing back, giving all the names and locations.

“We became entangled with a separate operation mounted by disaffected Americans who were attempting a coup d’état. That and our presence became known and, as you all are aware, our operation was defeated. We were forced to abandon, but we did not forget.

“The Zero prize is still something we covet. It is still, as then, something we would like to get our hands on. In your files you will have read and realized the potential threat it poses. Our Pacific Rim friends, who were anxious for us to gain control of the platform at the time, have not backed down from their desires. Apart from the weapons technology, the ability for Zero to see and hear so much could prove embarrassing. If that ability fell into our control, everything would be reversed.”

“Surely the Americans would resist any attempt to take control from their hands,” one of the listeners said.

“Of course they would. Which is why we need help from this man Kaplan. He understands Zero like no one else. In reality he is Zero. The man carries everything there is to know about his creation. He has refused from day one to reveal certain details about Zero’s human-machine interface. He cleverly kept the details of his creation in his head, allowing only as much as was necessary to make the process possible. Saul Kaplan is an extremely clever man. Holding back on certain aspects of the design and interface technology has placed him in a unique position.”

“If he dies?” someone asked. “Surely he must have considered that possibility.”

“Even I do not have insight into that. It will be something we will attempt to find out once Kaplan is safely in our hands.”

Kung Lang leaned forward. “There must exist a contingency plan for the sudden death of this man,” he said. “I find it difficult to conceive there is nothing held in reserve.”

“You may be correct, Lang, and it will be one of the matters under consideration when Kaplan is being questioned. I must myself admit to having reservations over that very aspect of this affair. Rest assured that I will be pursuing that extremely thoroughly.”

The session went on for another hour and by the end of it Chan was convinced his team was up to date on every aspect of Zero known to them.

When he returned to his office, leaving them briefly to discuss the meeting between themselves, his mind was full of unanswered questions that only Saul Kaplan could answer. Chan was anticipating the confrontation of minds when he finally came face-to-face with the man. As confident as he was of his own abilities, he hoped he would match up to the American. Kaplan was no simpleton—the man who had devised and orchestrated the building of the Zero Platform had nothing to prove to anyone. The sheer brilliance coming from inside his head told Chan he would be facing a man capable of a technological marvel. Kaplan’s genius had conceived and produced something that had never been done before. Not just the floating platform—but the convergence of man and machine on a new, unheard-of level.

If he did nothing else with his life, Chan was determined to gain that knowledge so he could present Zero to his beloved country. If China could get its hands on Zero, the balance of many things would change—away from the United States and toward his country.

It was, Chan knew, a dream worth pursuing.

Having Zero in China’s control would be a major coup, for him as well as for his nation. If he, Chan, could present Zero to his leaders, he would be able to stand tall in the hierarchy. From such heights he would command not only respect but power. And power was something Chan desired. It was a need he had long harbored. He had little need for monetary gain. That was only a fleeting thing. But long-term power was something else. To achieve strength in a position of influence stirred deep feelings inside him. A basic, intoxicating feeling that demanded fulfillment.

If he could achieve total control over the American creation, it would offer him everything he wanted. His name would be forever remembered in China’s history. He, Xia Chan, would be known as the man who took the Zero Project away from the Americans and offered it to his people.

That was a victory worth aiming for.

And it was to that end Xia Chan looked.

* * *

ONE OF CHAN’S OFFICERS called him on the office phone.

“Arrangements are complete. You will be able to leave within the next hour.”

Xia Chan allowed himself a brief smile. He acknowledged the call and put down the phone. He leaned back in his padded chair, going over the details of the forthcoming trip in his mind. Finally he picked up the phone and spoke to one of his aides.

“Call the airstrip and tell my pilot to be ready when I arrive. He can be advised of our destination now so he can key in his route. Tell him I need to leave as soon as possible. I will need to speak to the group again before I leave. Tell them the meeting will continue shortly. Then come into my office.”

The aide was a thin, prematurely balding young officer. He always appeared nervous in Chan’s presence.

“You know what to do?”

“Yes, Colonel.”

“No mistakes. No one is to leave with any written notes. We keep everything in-house. If you find anything it must be burned. You understand?”

“Yes, Colonel. It will be done.”

When the aide had gone, Chan retired to his private quarters, where he changed from his uniform and dressed in a smart suit, shirt and tie. He stepped into soft-soled black shoes, already polished to a high shine. He checked the expensive attaché case sitting on the floor. It contained his passport and documentation and a fully charged sat phone. There was money and credit cards—not that he expected to need them, but it was always a wise move to have such things handy.

He left his office and made his way to the conference room where his team was waiting. He stood at the head of the table as they all turned to face him.

“As I told you earlier, the man Kaplan is now in our hands and I am leaving shortly to fly to the rendezvous where the American will be held while he is interrogated. Yang Zhou will accompany me. While we are away, I want the facility made ready. Check everything and then check it again. I want all systems up and ready when I return.” Chan stared from face to face. “I hope this is fully understood. No excuses. The facility must be ready when I return with Kaplan.”

The discomfort around the table was noticeable. That pleased Chan. He needed the team fully focused. No wavering.

“We will not let you down,” Major Ling said.

“I am pleased to hear that, Ling. In your case I hope nothing goes wrong, because I am leaving you in charge. All of you will report to Major Ling. Is that understood? While I am away he is responsible. He acts for me and his orders will be followed.”

Major Ling remained silent, aware of the responsibility and just as aware of what would happen if he failed.

“I must be excused to collect my things, Colonel,” Yang Zhou said.

“Very well. In my office in twenty minutes.” As Zhou left, Chan returned to face his team. “We must make this work. If we wish to take control of Zero, our efforts must be doubled. You will remain at your stations day and night. Ling, you will arrange for food and drink to be delivered to you. Bedding is to be provided. I give you the authority to use my name. If anyone raises objections, simply refer them to me. Understood?”

“Yes, Colonel.”

Chan took Ling aside. “This is your opportunity to make your mark,” he said. “Do not fail yourself or me. There is much riding on this project. If we succeed, we bring a great deal of glory to China. Important eyes are on us, Ling. You understand?”

“Yes, Colonel.”

“All the electronic equipment must be fully readied. When I return with Kaplan, I am confident he will be ready to comply. His input will be vital and must be matched by the setup. Make sure all is prepared.”

Ling nodded.

Chan left the conference room and returned to his office to find Zhou already there.

“The car is waiting for us,” Zhou said.

They went outside where the official car was idling. An aide stepped forward to open the rear door. “Your luggage is in the trunk, Colonel,” he said.

As soon as they were seated, the car pulled away and drove out of the grounds, picking up the near-deserted road. Neither man spoke. They both had their thoughts to deal with, and small talk was not a skill either had learned.

The drive to the isolated military airfield took just over a half hour. Sitting on the runway was a sleek Gulfstream G650. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engines, the executive jet had a cruising speed of around 560 mph, with a ceiling of 51,000 feet. It would cruise 7000 nautical miles before needing refueling. Chan had exclusive use of this luxurious aircraft and had used it many times. The Gulfstream had civilian markings and a logo for a company that existed only on paper, based in Hong Kong. The crew wore smart nonmilitary uniforms and the young woman who welcomed them aboard was fresh-faced and attractive. She guided them to their seats as their driver brought the luggage on board.

The woman’s name was Jui Kai.

Chan knew her very well. On an extremely intimate level. His involvement with her had been ongoing for some months. Her natural beauty and her entrancing personality charmed him. He enjoyed her company immensely.

“It is good to see you again, Colonel. It has been some time,” the young woman said, playing the game for the plane’s crew. “I hope you enjoy the flight.”

“I am certain I will, my dear.”

Zhou studied the Gulfstream’s well-appointed interior with a jaundiced eye. “A very expensive toy,” he stated.

“But necessary,” Chan said.

“If you believe so,” Zhou said.

Jui Kai moved away to the rear of the jet, where the galley was located.

Zhou mumbled something about it being a long flight as he pushed his way to a seat.

“Look on this as an adventure,” Chan said. “We may be witnesses to China’s greatest success in the field of espionage.”

“Just because we have this gweilo does not mean we yet have his secrets,” Zhou said.

“Foreign devil? Ever the pessimist, Yang Zhou.”

“I prefer to call myself a realist. Nothing is won until the race is over.”

“Very good,” Chan said. “But I have a good feeling about this, Zhou. I don’t deny we have much work ahead of us. From what I have learned about this man Kaplan, he may be difficult to break. Which in itself offers a challenge.”

Jui Kai appeared again from the galley.

“May I offer you both a drink? Colonel? Mr. Zhou?”

“A glass of very decadent American whiskey would be pleasant,” Chan said, smiling.

“Mr. Zhou?”

Zhou managed a sharp nod. “The same,” he said. “With ice.”

“Ice?” Chan said. “What a disrespectful way to treat good whiskey.”

Zhou slumped into his seat and stared out the side window.

The Gulfstream began to move as the pilot increased power. It held position at the end of the runway, the engines building until there was sufficient power to speed it along the tarmac and into a fast rise.

Minutes later they were at cruising altitude.

Jui Kai brought the drinks, handing them to Chan and Zhou. “Please call me if you require anything further.”

Chan nodded. He smiled at the young woman. An expression of familiarity. Extreme familiarity. He sometimes found it difficult to control his feelings in her presence.

“When do we eat?” Zhou asked. He was so concerned with his stomach he failed to notice the looks exchanged between Chan and Kai.

“Whenever you wish, sir,” she said.

Chan relaxed into the soft, cream-colored leather seat, savoring the mellow whiskey. He could still hear Zhou grumbling to himself.

It was, he realized, definitely going to be a long flight—around fifteen hours with a stop for refueling. All that time with Yang Zhou sitting across from him. As much as Chan recognized the man as an expert in his work, he was not so impressed with Zhou’s social skills.

From what he knew of the man, it was obvious Zhou had little in the way of a social life. He gave himself to the job, denying pleasure and spending much of his off-duty time in his office. A strange and reclusive life, Chan decided, but one Zhou chose.

Chan tried to push the negative thoughts out of his mind, concentrating on the task ahead.

He was looking forward to meeting Dr. Luc Melier again. It had been some time since he had been involved with the man. Melier, Chinese-French, was an excellent choice to work on Kaplan. He resided in France and refused to travel very far to carry out his work, which was why Chan was coming to meet him.

Melier’s reputation as a skilled manipulator was without equal. Chan had seen him on other occasions, working to break through stubborn minds. He did it with comparative ease, very seldom having to resort to anything close to violence—not that it was ruled out entirely because there were times when the minimal amount of force could tilt the balance.

That would be where Zhou came into his own. The man had no kind of conscience when it came to using brutal methods. It was quite an education watching the man at work; the only thing that troubled Chan was how Zhou obviously took great pleasure inflicting hurt on others. Yet there was a place for Zhou, and Chan never interfered when it came time to employ the man’s talents.

An hour into the flight, Zhou fell asleep. He had already eaten, downed a couple more whiskies and had even stopped grumbling. Chan hoped the man might sleep for the rest of the flight. He doubted that would happen.

He took tea when Kai offered it, not yet ready for food himself, allowing a pleasured smile when her slim, warm hand brushed his as she passed him his drink. When she left, he slid a file from his attaché case and spent some time going through work-related documents. There was, he thought, always something that needed his attention. Not that he minded. Xia Chan was dedicated to his profession, the demands of his position keeping him fully occupied. At present it was the Zero Project that demanded his time. Though it was a consuming matter, Chan did not regret a second. It was the single most important thing in his life at the moment. Sanctioned by the supreme authority in the country and placed in Chan’s hands, he understood that nothing of such importance would come his way again and he was aware of the honor that had been bestowed upon him.

Failure was something he refused to even consider.

It would not happen.

He would breathe his last before he would concede victory.

* * *

THEY MADE THEIR one stop for refueling and then continued with the flight. Chan was able to steal a little time with Kai as Zhou settled back in his reclined seat, covered in a pair of blankets. In the well-appointed galley, she came into his arms and they allowed themselves some personal time. For Chan it was a welcome distraction from the demands of his office and Kai gave him much to think about. She was as skilled as she was beautiful, and Chan found himself briefly allowing his demanding mission to be pushed aside.

* * *

THE LONG FLIGHT ended in late afternoon. The Gulfstream took a lengthy sweep as it lined up on the single runway of the private airfield and made a fast approach, with barely a jolt as it touched down. It slowed and cruised to the parking area, coming to a gentle stop adjacent to the small airport building.

Chan had rested, worked and was in a pleasurable mood.

“Colonel, it may be cold when you disembark,” Kai said. “I have your overcoat here.”

“Thank you, my dear.” Chan stood and allowed her to assist him in putting on the long coat. “The flight has been made bearable by your presence once again, Jui. I am so pleased you are here.”

“Of course, Colonel. The aircraft will be serviced and refueled for your convenience.”

Chan touched her shoulder, a pleasant thought filling his head. “Perhaps you would join me for a meal when I have some free time. Come and see where we are working. The house is a delight. I am sure you would enjoy seeing it.”

“That would be my pleasure, Colonel Chan.”

“Then I will send my driver for you.”

“I look forward to that and seeing you once more.”

They said no more while there was the chance of being overheard.

Having spent the flight sleeping and sipping whiskey, Yang Zhou roused himself from his reclined seat to gaze through the window. He stared out at the ranks of snowcapped mountain peaks rising above the green forests of fir and pine. Above the high crags the sky was crystal-clear and blue.

Chan smiled at the man’s discomfort. He took his attaché case and made for the now open exit. As he stepped onto the tarmac he breathed in the fresh, cold air. It felt good. Zhou, still fastening his own coat, was muttering under his breath, not at all happy. As they moved away from the Gulfstream, Kai, who had followed them out, said quietly, “I will look forward to your call, Colonel.”

Chan smiled at her. “It will come,” he said. “I promise you that, my dear.”

He paused and patted his companion on the shoulder.

“Zhou, welcome to Switzerland,” he said.

CHAPTER THREE

Hal Brognola, head of the covert operations based at Stony Man Farm, walked beside the President of the United States. They were at Camp David, where the President was taking a brief respite from the demands of the job. But even while he tried to wind down, he still maintained a hands-on attitude. The Commander in Chief never truly stepped away from his responsibilities, which was why he had requested Brognola’s presence to discuss a matter that was on his mind.

The tranquil atmosphere of the presidential retreat surrounded the pair as they strolled through the grounds. Unobtrusive Secret Service men followed them at a discreet distance. Brognola and the President were wearing thick topcoats against the chill of the wintery weather. The odd snowflake drifted between them. There was a promise of more in the air.

“You’ve probably worked out why I asked you to join me, Hal.”

“Kaplan going missing? We already got the word from Doug Buchanan. He picked up on Kaplan’s tracker going off-line and the failure of the device fitted to the Air Force vehicle. Agent Valens briefed us, as well. So we know about Kaplan going missing, which brings Zero into the picture.”

“Am I ever going to catch you Stony Man people out?” the President said.

“I hope not. If you ever do, Mr. President, that will be the day I resign.”

“Don’t even think about it, Hal.” The President paused to stare around him at the tranquil scene. “I sit in my office at the White House, door closed, hoping to catch a minute. Never works. But coming here is a different ball game. Just walking through these trees, surrounded by silence...it gives me space to sort out what’s buzzing around in my head.”

“And right now that’s Saul Kaplan,” Brognola concluded.

“We have to find him, Hal. Get him back alive and well.” The President hesitated before he said, “The bottom line would be to say if he can’t be retrieved then his life might have to be forfeit. I hate having to even think about that, Hal, but the knowledge Kaplan has must not be allowed to remain in enemy hands.”

“I understand that, Mr. President. Stony Man is already on this,” Brognola said.

He knew that even as he was speaking to the President the cyber team at the Farm was working flat-out as it searched for information on the whereabouts of Zero’s creator and guiding light. Stony Man had been involved with the Zero Project from its early days, with Mack Bolan stepping up to investigate when Doug Buchanan had gone AWOL. The resolution of that incident had been getting Buchanan back into the program and finally installed on Zero. If there was anything to find, where Kaplan was concerned, Aaron Kurtzman’s team would unearth it. They had the best equipment available, along with the ability to hack into databases and systems that were supposed to be hacker-resistant. The state-of-the-art technology was only as good as the people using it, and the Stony Man cyber team had no equals. If it was out there, Kurtzman’s team would find it, interpret it and strip out the data they needed.

“Zero has become a valuable listening post for us,” the President said. “I don’t have to tell you how valuable. When we complete the development of the laser-particle beam weapons systems, Zero is going to become even better than it already is.”

“Are we still having operational problems with the laser-particle beam systems?”

“Zero has conventional missiles and Slingshot capability,” the President said. “The added refinement of the other weapons is proving to be difficult. Development is ongoing. We will get there, Hal, but right now those weapons are still in the theoretical stage. There are complex problems we are still trying to overcome. Major Buchanan is working with Zero Command in the development alongside Kaplan, which is another reason why we mustn’t allow a foreign power to have their chance to get that kind of information out of him.”

“I can understand that, sir. Even without them, Zero is still a hell of an achievement. No other country has anything to match it.”

“Not at this moment in time. Which is exactly why somewhere like China would like to get their hands on it. Hal, we cannot allow this to happen. Zero is our high card. It gives us one hell of an advantage in the defense game. I won’t let it be taken from us. We fight this, Hal, with everything we have. Stony Man. Your teams. I’ll give you whatever you need in backup all the way down the line. No question here. We keep Zero because if someone like China gets its hands on it, we’ll all be in trouble. My God, Hal, can you imagine what would happen if we lost Zero to Beijing?”

“Unfortunately, I can, sir. Which makes this latest move against Saul Kaplan something we need to fully address. Stony Man will put everything we have on this.”

“I don’t care what toes you step on or who you upset. If there are territorial borders you need to cross, I’ll stand by you.”

The President’s mood and his willingness to stand by his people made Brognola aware of the implications if Zero was compromised.

“What about...?” the President started to ask.

He was asking about Mack Bolan.

The Executioner.

“The guy is off somewhere on a mission he initiated himself. He’s gone black. We’ve had no contact with him for over a week. We have no idea where he is right now. And we don’t have the luxury of waiting for him to make contact.”

“I only mentioned him because he was so deeply involved the first time around. No slight on the other teams, Hal, since I know they’ll offer us the best way out of this.”

“You can depend on that, sir. This will be our priority from right now.”

“Keep me informed, Hal. I want to be kept apprised every step of the way,” the President said. “Which brings me to ask, do you need anything?” The Man paused. “Hal, anything.”

Brognola’s phone began to ring. When he took it out, he saw that the screen was showing a call from Stony Man.

“Like I said, Mr. President, we’re on this as of right now. Excuse me, sir, I need to take this.”

The President watched as Brognola took the call. The expression on the big Fed’s face told America’s leader he wasn’t being delivered good news.

“I need to get back to Stony Man, Mr. President. This is hotting up already.”

“Then get out of here, Hal, and good luck.”

Minutes later Brognola was leaving Camp David. Jack Grimaldi, who had been entertained by Camp staff while their bosses liaised, powered the chopper into the bright, cold sky. Stony Man’s ace pilot set course for the Farm.

CHAPTER FOUR

Stony Man Farm

David McCarter followed his team into the War Room and took his seat next to Barbara Price. The Phoenix Force commander was clutching a chilled bottle of Classic Coke; he still refused to drink the other flavors currently available, claiming they were technically not the real thing. The Briton stuck to his preferences and would not consider changing; that applied to the Player’s cigarettes he occasionally enjoyed and his beloved 9 mm Browning Hi-Power pistol.

He glanced at the manila folder Price, the Farm’s mission controller, had placed in front of him. He idly scrolled through the pages without comment as the War Room filled up with the Able Team and Hal Brognola, who had arrived at the Farm only minutes ago. Aaron Kurtzman, clutching a steaming mug of his deadly coffee brew, rolled up to the table in his wheelchair.

Five men comprised Phoenix Force, all experienced warriors who carried a long list of credentials that enabled them to face any odds put in their way. McCarter, who had inherited the mantle of leader from the late Yakov Katzenelenbogen, led his team by example.

With a legendary background that included the SAS, McCarter was an accomplished combat veteran and a noted brawler. He could handle aircraft as well as wheeled vehicles and was proficient with most any kind of weapon he could get his hands on. The man had an infectious sense of humor that often got him looked at sideways, but there was not a better man to have at your side in a firefight. He had a reputation for taking chances and ignoring the rules, but McCarter had long ago decided that in the middle of an armed conflict, where the saving of his skin and that of his partners was involved, anything went. He was ultimately proved right.

Some would label him reckless, but the Briton saw breaking the rules mattered if it led to ultimate victory. His manner got him into trouble on more than one occasion, but that did not worry him in the slightest. McCarter had a tough hide, and verbal barbs bounced off him, though after becoming leader of Phoenix Force he had made an effort to temper his impetuous nature.

His team trusted his instincts, and it was a given they would follow him to the gates of Hell to face the Devil if asked. The connection was often close to the truth. The violent savages they had to face were often close to being the mortal equivalent of Satan. McCarter was more than satisfied with the people who backed him.

Calvin James, a tall, lean black man, was the team’s resident medic. James was good-looking, wore a thin moustache and had an easy way with the ladies. As well as being handy when it came to saving lives, James was also a ferocious fighter. Coming from the south side of Chicago had given James a taste of the tough life. He had enlisted in the US Navy at seventeen, and his natural skills and dedication had brought him to the attention of the SEALs. After his service, he had become a cop in San Francisco and it was while on SWAT duty that he had been approached and recruited into Phoenix Force. He might have been a little unsure at the outset, but he now admitted it was the best thing he had ever done.

An expert demolitions man and sniper, Canadian Gary Manning had been a time-served RCMP operative and had spent time with GSG-9, which had given him detailed insight in global terrorist organizations—something he still kept up to date on. He had been a security consultant for an American company and had come to the notice of Brognola’s Special Operations Group. Manning, a powerfully built man with superb reflexes and a no-nonsense attitude, took to the closeness of Phoenix Force quickly. He was a fast thinker and maintained a tolerant attitude toward McCarter’s brashness, even though they engaged in deliberate banter at times. Over the years both men had come to respect each other.

To Rafael Encizo, a Cuban, Phoenix Force had become his family after losing most of his natural one. His experiences back in his home country, including his incarceration in a Cuban political prison from which he eventually escaped, had left Encizo with little to fall back on and a problem with trust. That was before he became a member of the team and found lasting friendship with his adopted country, having taken on citizenship, and with the men of Phoenix Force. The powerfully built commando had excellent reflexes and was a noted martial arts expert.

For Thomas Jackson Hawkins, Phoenix Force had turned out to be the best move of his life. The youngest member of the group, T.J. was also its newest recruit. Born in Georgia, he was raised in the Lone Star State and staunchly considered himself as Texan as the Alamo. After graduating high school, Hawkins joined the Army. After successfully completing Basic, he volunteered for Airborne and was later trained by the Rangers and detailed to the 75th Ranger Regiment. Years later, he moved on to Delta Force.

Following the divisive resolution of Operation Restore Hope, where Hawkins and twelve others of his Delta Force unit successfully secured a Somali village from a small-time warlord, he resigned his commission. News of his actions during that assignment had reached the ears of Hal Brognola, and he offered Hawkins a position with the SOG. “Hawk” to his friends, his genius with electronic communications and airborne ops made him a vital member of the SOG team.

The talents and skills each man brought to the table made Phoenix Force a formidable combination. Their successful missions were mute testimony to their dedication. They went into each new situation with one single purpose—to give their best under extreme circumstances and to never back down from any challenge. Putting their lives on the line did nothing to deter Phoenix Force in any instance. They saw that situations often developed because no other agency would step in, and with the anonymity of Stony Man and the ultimate backing of the President, Phoenix Force stepped into the breach and did what they could to redress the balances. Their reward was the satisfaction of a task brought to a successful conclusion with, hopefully, the closure they desired.

Phoenix Force’s five were complemented by Able Team, who dealt mainly with domestic threats, though they occasionally took on assignments abroad. Three men from widely divergent backgrounds had blended together to form a resilient and tough team that worked on the same premise as Phoenix Force.

Carl “Ironman” Lyons was a blond ex-cop who led the trio. He was one of the hardest men around, his bull-at-a-gate attitude often resulting in utter carnage. He did not like badmen and treated them all with equal contempt. His credo could be summed up as “kill them all and let God sort them out.”

During Mack Bolan’s early career, Lyons had been one of the cops assigned to hunt him down, and though their paths had crossed, seemingly on opposite sides, the berserker that was Lyons came to not only understand the Executioner but also to change sides and back him. That backing went as far as Lyons’s becoming a member of the SOG and ultimately the head honcho of Able Team.

Lyons was fully competent with any and all kinds of weapons. He kept himself geared up to understand the latest developments and spent many hours at the Stony Man shooting range, familiarizing himself with the latest weaponry under the tutelage of John “Cowboy” Kissinger, the resident armorer. Kissinger had the skills and the expertise to advise on any kind of ordnance and would give his time willingly, because he understood what the combat teams had to face out in the field. Spending time with Kissinger and increasing his skill with weapons was one of the ways Lyons relaxed.

Lyons’s partners, also survivors of Bolan’s original war, were Hermann “Gadgets” Schwarz and Rosario “Politician” Blancanales. Each had particular skills and each was equally proficient when it came to out-and-out combat. While Blancanales had the gift of persuasion, Schwarz was the man for inventiveness with gadgets of every kind. He loved nothing better than working with electronic components, always searching for adaptations and improvements of existing hardware.

Blancanales and Schwarz also had an insatiable appetite for constantly ribbing their sometimes touchy leader. It had become an integral function of their makeup. It was part devilment and part need to release tension in stressful situations. That aside, they understood Lyons and were able to put up with his often curt responses to their verbal pronouncements. They were both older than Lyons, but they had no problem keeping in step with the former LAPD detective.

Also at the table was Hal Brognola, the Stony Man chief, his Justice Department role giving him cover for his covert running of the SOG, something he achieved with a skill even he often couldn’t understand. As far as he was concerned, it was his job and he did it the best way he knew how.

And then there was Barbara Price, the mission controller. Her wide-ranging responsibilities included mission briefings such as this one; she also had the day-to-day logistical matters to handle, and in the opinion of the Stony Man teams there was no one better. The honey-blonde, strikingly attractive former NSA agent, who felt at home in blue jeans, simple shirts and Western boots, had a magic touch when it came to organizing missions, whether she was simply buying air tickets or engaging in more involved dealings with the US Air Force when unnoticed insertions into risky areas were called for. She made sure the teams had what they wanted, where they wanted and when. If it was humanly possible Barbara Price would go that one step beyond to make sure her guys were delivered safely and, if needed, picked up under the same auspices. When they were in the field, she worried about them constantly and was always there at the end of a phone call with much-needed backup. Given the opportunity, she would have armed herself and gone to their aid if they asked.

Across from Price sat Aaron “the Bear” Kurtzman, the ruling hand of the cyber team. Confined to a wheelchair after a bullet severed his spine during an abortive attack on the Stony Man facility years back, Kurtzman was the driving force behind the team that provided logistical information for the Farm’s teams. His skills behind a keyboard, allied with those of his cyber people, meant that no digital stone was ever left unturned.

Kurtzman and his team—Akira Tokaido, Huntington Wethers and Carmen Delahunt—openly stole, siphoned and worked magic to obtain their data. Brognola had one rule: do what you have to, just don’t get caught, and don’t tell me, if you can get away with it—the last always accompanied by a knowing smile. Kurtzman’s cyber team did just that and stayed well out of reach of every agency in the country and abroad.

The Computer Room that was Kurtzman’s lair was equipped with high-power computers and lightning-fast internet connections. The walls were filled with large plasma monitor screens, and the cyber crew used their wireless appliances to push data back and forth with ease as they probed and dug for the information they needed. They had a direct connection with Zero and could deliver and exchange information with Doug Buchanan whenever needed.

The President’s covert group, from the combat teams to the on-the-job blacksuits and maintenance personnel, worked in obscurity. They asked for and received no recognition or praise. When it came to job satisfaction, Hal Brognola and his clandestine outfit found it in bringing a mission home to success.

Once everyone was settled, Brognola nodded at Kurtzman and the Stony Man cyber chief used a touch pad to power up one of the large plasma screens fixed to the wall.

“No need to ask if you are all familiar with Saul Kaplan,” Brognola began as the Zero creator’s photo appeared on the wall screen.

“The man behind the Zero Project,” Rafael Encizo attested. “Smart guy. Nice guy, as well. You don’t often get that combination.”

“I am sitting across from you,” McCarter quipped, grinning at his own wit.

Brognola interjected, “Kaplan’s missing. All the signs point to an abduction. When the Air Force car he was traveling in was found, the driver was dead—shot in the back of the head—and Kaplan was gone.”

“Any suspects?” Manning said.

“If I compiled a list we’d be here all day,” Brognola said. “Zero, as much as we want to keep it low-key, has created interested parties.”

“There haven’t been any demands,” Price noted. “Nada, from anyone.”

“I don’t anticipate that happening,” Brognola said. “Saul Kaplan is not known outside his working environment except by a select few, so I don’t believe he’s been taken by someone liable to want to ransom him. This isn’t about someone who wants a shedload of cash for the return of Saul Kaplan.”

“On the other hand, a foreign power might want him for a particular purpose,” Price said.

“Like coercing him to spill what he knows about Zero?” Hawkins asked. “I mean that’s his thing. Having knowledge about the setup.”

“That’s how we see it,” Brognola said. “And our chief suspect—coming from Agent Claire Valens—is the same one who was involved last time.”

“China,” McCarter said. “Well, we all know they were the main perps last time around. They attacked the Zero base and burned it to the ground. Doug Buchanan escaped by a fluke before they found him. And we all know how it went from there.”

“You figure they’re still in the game?” Blancanales queried.

“They have a degree of knowledge about Zero,” Encizo said. “And they still have alliances in the Pacific Rim. As long as the US has presence and influence in that area, there are going to be interested parties who want an advantage over us.”

“According to long-term analysis,” Brognola said, “the overall consensus points to China and the Pacific Rim nations. Anything that would give them a hold over the US, force us to withdraw, weaken our defenses, is going to be looked at. China, with control of Zero, would dominate the area. Hell, they would be able to threaten half the world.”

He slid a printed sheet from his file and placed it on the table. “This is the current text from a US asset in China. Been in place a couple of years. Her name is Jui Kai. She’s been able to send back a number of reports on sensitive ops being worked by the Chinese under this guy.” An image came up on the wall screen. “This is Colonel Xia Chan. Chinese military, in charge of a special projects division. And recent data points to him having been appointed as top man in a group looking at Zero.”

Kurtzman said, “We’re still building identification data. More we get, the more we will release to you. This has all come to us out of the blue.”

The image of a woman next appeared on the screen. It showed an attractive and seemingly wise individual and the text next to the image simply added to her qualifications.

“Jui Kai. US covert agent,” Kurtzman told them. “Long-term undercover in China. As Hal said, she has been in the country a couple of years using a well-established cover role. She has got herself close to Chan.”

“Hope she’s as sharp as she looks,” McCarter said. “Not an assignment I’d fancy.”

“Not you,” James said. “Let’s face it, David, you just don’t have the legs for one of those Chinese slit-sided dresses.”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

Price held up a hand. “Not something I’d like to imagine.”

Carl Lyons flicked the data sheet. “It says here Kai has worked herself onto the flight team providing trips for important Chinese officials.”

“It seems she caught the roving eye of our Colonel Chan, who has a thing for young women, and was assigned to his flight roster once she established a relationship with him. Whenever Chan takes a trip, Kai is on his flight. It seems he insists she is assigned. His influence is strong enough to get him what he wants. Kai’s feedback tells us Chan is highly thought of by the Chinese top brass.”

“How did she manage to work that position?” Blancanales said.

Price cleared her throat. “I believe that’s something we don’t need to go into too deeply.”

Blancanales glanced across at her. “Really?”

“Pol, I’m sure I don’t need to go into sharp details. Suffice it to say that Miss Kai really has Colonel Chan’s attention.”

“She’s one brave lady,” Hawkins said. “From that picture, our Colonel Chan looks a pretty mean hombre.”

“Past history does show Chan has a suspect past with females,” Price said.

Brognola continued. “Phoenix Force will take a run out to Zero Command and make contact with Agent Valens. Pick up whatever you can from there. Intel is thin on the ground at the moment, but we have to make a start somewhere. Able Team can take a lead from the background data Aaron and his team have started to pull in from traffic cams in the area following the kidnap. We might get a lead from those according to what comes up. I wish we had more to go on, but for now that’s all she wrote. So let’s do it, people.”

The teams began to disperse, heading out to claim paperwork and travel gear. Stony Man transport would provide them with vehicles, and if any long-distance needs arose Price would, as usual, organize that.

Finally alone, Brognola sat back and considered what might lie ahead. The Zero Project was important. It offered America a degree of protection no other nation had, so he was not surprised that whoever was behind Kaplan’s kidnap had taken the step. If Kaplan could be persuaded, in whatever form, to spill what he knew about Zero, then trouble could be just on the horizon.

If the US lost Zero, it would lose a powerful security asset.

One that could not be replaced so easily.

Even the thought caused Brognola to shake his head in frustration.

Now it was down to the Stony Man teams to step up and be counted. If anyone could resolve what had happened, it was his collection of experts. He knew they would not let him down.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Joshua, have you heard from Saul Kaplan?” Claire Valens said.

Joshua Riba sensed the concern in her voice even over the phone. The Apache private investigator knew her well enough to sense a problem.

Riba’s initial connection with the Zero Project had come about when Doug Buchanan had survived the attack on the New Mexico facility that housed the fledgling operation. Partway through his treatment to turn him into the human component of Zero, Buchanan had managed to survive the hit. Sick and in pain from the implants in his body, he had been found by Riba’s uncle, who had run him down when Buchanan had suddenly stepped into the path of his truck.

Taken back to the Apache settlement, Buchanan had been looked after. Riba had become involved after Buchanan had taken off. His detective skills had brought him into contact with the people looking for Buchanan and Kaplan, and he had tracked the group to Albany, New York, where he had met Mack Bolan. After an explosive confrontation, the two had decided to team up and become fully involved in the Zero conspiracy.

“If you have to ask, then I guess something has happened.”

“Saul was taken from the Air Force car on his way to the Zero base. Taken by force, as far as we can figure out.”

“When did this happen?”

“Only a few hours ago.”

“Any signs he might have been hurt?”

“None we’ve found yet, but his Air Force driver took a bullet to the back of the head.”

“So Saul has been kidnapped.”

“Looks that way.”

“Nothing beforehand? Threats? Hints something might be going to happen?”

“You know the Zero operation, Joshua, from when you were involved before. It’s still being kept low-key. As covert as we can keep it. Which doesn’t always work out.”

“No suspects, then?”

“Suspicions, but no proof.”

“That the official take or just yours?”

Valens smiled. “No fooling you, is there.”

“It’s my heritage. Anything we can work on? That old man is special. He needs finding.”

“That sounds suspiciously like you want to help.”

“We were connected last time round, Agent Valens. Kind of makes us blood brothers.”

“We did make a good team.”

“What about Pinda Lickoyi who lives in Big Sky and sees all?” Riba said in a mock-solemn monotone.

“We checked with Zero. Told Buchanan. He’s no wiser than we are at the moment. He’s run all the checks he can via the Zero setup. No trace. He’ll keep looking and listening.”

“Listening?”

“Saul had an implant. A small receiver that gives out a traceable signal so his whereabouts can be tracked. Designed and built it himself. Had it surgically inserted at the back of his left shoulder. Idea is that it emits a permanent signal.”

“But it isn’t doing that?”

“No. The signal has gone silent. And so has the tracker fitted to the Air Force car.”

“What does that tell you?”

“That maybe we have an inside mole working for the kidnappers—someone capable of disabling the car tracker. That the kidnappers knew about the tracking device on the vehicle and put it out of action.”

“So you have something to work on. Also means you have a weakness in your security shield.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“What about the implant device?”

“I don’t see that being public knowledge. It was inserted just below the surface of Kaplan’s skin soon after Zero was launched. Like I said, it was Saul’s own idea.”

“Not easy to get at?”

“It would have to be cut out.”

“Anything else affect it?”

“If they had the equipment the signal could be interrupted. That suggests whoever took Saul would have had to have known about it. Joshua, as of right now, we are running in the dark here. Reaching out.”

“Okay, but if these kidnappers have something they can disable your tracking devices with, then they have to be more than a bunch of perps out looking for ransom. Last time, we came up against renegade government individuals—and a bunch of Chinese trying to get their hands on Zero.”

“Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind. All the files on the previous attempt are being reviewed and individuals looked at.”

“The ones still alive, you mean?”

Valens understood the reminder. People had died before the Zero affair had been concluded. She also recalled that some of the Chinese operatives had escaped. But they had run off with a considerable amount of Chinese cash and lost themselves somewhere in America.

She had to go through everything, no matter how vague or how dead-ending it might turn out to be. She had to look into all aspects of the matter.

“Is Cooper involved this time?” Riba said.

“His name hasn’t been mentioned so far. Could be he’s working on something else. But the people he works with have their teams involved.”

“You want me to do some snooping around?”

“Off-the-reservation kind of snooping?” Valens said.

“Sharp as ever, Agent Valens, but just as you say. I’ll deal myself in. I’m closer to Saul’s lodge than you people are. I do remember where it is, too.”

“Joshua, stay in touch. If I can give you any backup I will. Use my name if you need to. Let me know if you find anything. But for now, keep it between us.”

Valens sent the data to Riba’s cell.

“Okay, got it,” Riba said. “Hey, you watch your back, Agent Valens. The way this has gone down, we’ve got some serious people out there.”

“I will, and for the record, it’s Claire. Drop the ‘Agent Valens,’ okay? I think you’ve earned that.”

“Okay. You can call me Josh. I hate the full-on Joshua. Makes me sound old and serious.”

“You’re a funny guy, Josh.”

“Got to redress the Hollywood version of solemn, hatchet-faced Indians. And don’t start me on the ‘Native American’ deal. Listen, I’ll be in touch soon as I have anything.”

CHAPTER SIX

Phoenix Force made contact with the Zero base a short time later. The credentials they carried got them inside the Zero Command Center. The isolated base, created solely for the operation of the Zero Project, was purpose-built. It stood in a wooded tract of land in rural Virginia and had a complement of around thirty, which comprised the Zero operating team and a rotating security force of Air Force personnel. A small number of highly vetted civilian personnel also worked on the base.

Even with their official Stony Man–provided IDs, McCarter’s team was well aware it was on site under sufferance. That made no difference whatsoever to the Stony Man squad; they had a job to do and territorial marking wasn’t about to stop them.

Colonel Rance Corrigan, the base commander, came out to meet them. In his late forties, Corrigan was a bluff, iron-gray-haired man who matched David McCarter in height and general build. His uniform fit him perfectly and was so neat it looked as if he’d had it dry-cleaned overnight while he was still wearing it. The perception the man might just be a poster boy for the Air Force faded quickly for McCarter. He could see behind the outward vision and recognize a true military character; Corrigan would match every word he spoke with dedication to his position in the Air Force of the United States.

“Colonel, we’re not the enemy,” McCarter said. “Right now finding Saul Kaplan is the only thing that concerns me. Run up the chain of command all you want. When you reach the highest level—and I mean the highest—you can make your feelings known. In the meantime we’ll go right ahead and see if we can figure out what happened. It’s why we’re in your face.”

“You’re a Brit,” Corrigan said, not disrespectfully. It was simply a statement of fact.

“Yes, Colonel. Hope you won’t hold that against me.”

Corrigan’s shoulder went back a fraction. “I’ve known a few RAF guys.” His expression didn’t change. “They can hold their own in a fight, and they respect the chain of command. So just explain what a Brit is doing in this outfit.”

“I work for the same government you do. Doing what I’m ordered,” McCarter said. “Whatever it takes. The same goes for my men.”

Corrigan scanned the rest of Phoenix Force. He saw a tight group who looked as if they would take no shit from anyone.

“We need to talk in my office,” he said. “I’ll have your equipment secured.” Corrigan called over a waiting sergeant. “Blaney, see to it.”

Corrigan turned and led the way to the main admin building, Phoenix Force falling in behind him. He took them through to his office, past a main area that held desks, computers and half a dozen Air Force personnel. He paused at one of the desks.

“Sergeant Ryker, call Agent Valens and have her report to my office immediately. And arrange coffee for us all.”

“Could you add one Classic Coke to that order, Sergeant, please?” McCarter said.

The colonel’s office was sizable, the main window looking out across the base. On an outsize, neatly arranged desk, there was a large-screen computer angled in one corner. A number of office chairs were ranged in front of the desk. It appeared that Colonel Corrigan favored regular meetings with his staff. Considering what went on at the base, McCarter realized it was not surprising; the Zero initiative was, to say the least, unusual, and its existence ranged well beyond what the Air Force would normally handle.

“Sit down, gentlemen,” Corrigan said. He took his own high-backed swivel chair and composed himself before he spoke. “I assume you’ve been brought up to speed on Zero and the current incident?”

“We had a briefing before we shipped out,” McCarter said. “I’m hoping you can add to what we know. Which is still coming in as we speak.”

Before Corrigan could say any more, there was a knock on the office door. Corrigan told the visitor to enter. The door opened and the Phoenix Force operatives were treated to Agent Claire Valens in the flesh. They had seen photographs of her at Stony Man, but without a doubt, they didn’t do her justice.

In the photos, Valens had worn her dark hair long; now she favored a shorter style that accentuated her open, strong-featured face and generous mouth. The eyes that surveyed Phoenix Force were sharp and showed the intelligence that lurked behind them. Her supple, toned figure was clad in a white shirt under the regulation black pantsuit. The jacket was open, exposing the Glock pistol holstered at her waist. The young woman was beautifully efficient. An interesting combination.

A man, Valens’s partner, McCarter presumed, followed her through the door.

She nodded to everyone in the office and crossed to take one of the chairs closest to Corrigan’s side of the desk. The man chose a seat set back where he could see everyone.

“Agent Valens,” McCarter said. “Good to meet you at last.”

“And you, Jack Coyle.” She smiled.

McCarter made quick introductions of his partners, using their cover names. “This is Roy Landis.” He nodded at James and then at Manning, Hawkins and Encizo in turn. “Samuel Allen, Daniel Rankin and Fredo Constantine.”

“This is Larry Brandon, my partner.” Valens sent a nod toward the back of the room. “It appears you already know who I am,” she said.

“You come highly recommended,” Manning said. “We’ve seen the file on your earlier dealings with Zero and Saul Kaplan. Impressive, Agent Valens.”

“Not such a glowing file this time around.” Valens held up the manila file she was carrying.

“Agent Valens feels this incident is down to her,” Corrigan told them.

“Happened on my watch—I won’t deny that,” Valens said. “Saul is missing and one of Colonel Corrigan’s men is dead.”

“Has there been anything to warrant higher security recently?” Encizo asked. “Activity to make you suspicious?”

“Nothing. Everything was running normally. Saul was collected from his home and driven to the base each day. Returned home each evening, unless there was a need for him to remain here. He has assigned quarters on the base. Often stayed here due to some involved operation he was running. Saul is constantly upgrading Zero. He is determined to improve the way it functions.”

“And this has been running for...?” James queried.

“The current arrangements have been in place for well over two years.”

“During that time,” McCarter asked, “have there been any security concerns?”

“None. Ever since the initial incident, Zero has been kept low-key,” Valens advised. “No one has ever been suspected of planning anything. We try to keep our business and our presence under the radar as much as we can.” She cleared her throat. “Obviously not as under the radar as we thought.”

“What about Jui Kai?” McCarter said. “The information she has sent through about Colonel Chan?”

Valens hesitated for a few seconds. “You know about her involvement with Chan?”

“We’ve been brought up to speed about her. Look, Agent Valens, our intel comes from a secure source. Us becoming involved is no good if we’re not kept in the loop one hundred percent.

“We know Kai is an asset planted in China. That she has established one hell of a cover. We also understand she’s been maneuvered into a close relationship with Chan and his group. Seems they have a vested interest in Zero.”

McCarter leaned back in his seat. “Let’s get the cards on the table, here. I told Colonel Corrigan we are here to help. Not pointing fingers and labeling people. I can understand your reluctance to pull us all the way in—this mess has caught everyone on the hoof. So let’s start from scratch. We each tell what we know and try to get a grip on it.”

Corrigan said, “Agent Valens may have been a little slow in telling all, but in her defense I have to say that she has a restrictive brief on certain matters. One of those being able to reveal information about Jui Kai. Understand, gentlemen, Kai is operating within China. An extremely difficult assignment and one we have, so far, kept under wraps. It is difficult for her to send us information, and the little we have has simply let us in on the fact that the Chinese have been looking at Zero again.”

“The fact that they made the move to kidnap Saul,” Valens interjected, “was not expected at this stage. From what we had learned, the Chinese were simply looking at developing their own platform. This sudden advancement even caught Jui Kai off guard. It’s a big step, from a committee having weekly meetings, to putting into action an actual body snatch in broad daylight on American soil. Kai is sending us anything she can learn about the incident.”

“All right,” McCarter said. “Let’s go back to the kidnapping. Any thoughts on that from your point of view?”

“This is an Air Force base,” Corrigan said. “We have no more than a few civilian attendees, highly skilled personnel from the people who supply our computing equipment. They have been vetted and re-vetted. Approved by Washington. We’re also pretty far away from any civilian enclaves.” He hesitated. “I hope you’re not suggesting any military involvement in Kaplan’s disappearance.”

“Colonel, sir, with all due respect,” Hawkins said, “we have to look at all options. After all, someone did manage to shut down the tracking unit on the car. And Kaplan’s implant signal went down, too.”

Corrigan didn’t like the suggestion, but he was not blinkered so much he couldn’t acknowledge the possibility.

“As of now, I can’t give you an answer. We are looking into it.”

Sergeant Ryker appeared carrying a loaded tray. He placed it on Corrigan’s desk before he retreated.

“Help yourselves, people,” Corrigan said.

They all helped themselves to coffee; McCarter his chilled bottle of Classic Coke.

The Phoenix Force leader glanced across at Valens. “Where have we got to?”

“Early for much to have happened,” she told him honestly. “I’ve checked with Joshua Riba. He hasn’t heard anything but he’s volunteered to help. He’s closer, so he’s going to check out Kaplan’s lodge in Wyoming. I don’t hold out much hope, but it’s worth a look.”

“Riba? Agent Valens, who is this Riba? Just how many more friends do you have up your sleeve?” Corrigan raised the mug of coffee he was holding and took a long swallow. “I just said this base was secret. The way things are going, I’m not so certain about that any longer.”

“If it hadn’t been for Riba’s involvement at the beginning,” McCarter said, “Doug Buchanan wouldn’t be alive today.”

“This is all very interesting,” Corrigan said. “But how is it going to help us find Kaplan?”

“It might simply prove a blank. We just need to look at all angles, even if only to scratch them off the list,” Encizo explained.

“Did you find anything at the abduction site?” McCarter said.

“No,” Larry Brandon said. “Apart from a few tire tracks.”

“My people are checking those,” Valens said. “If we get lucky they might be able to identify them, but I’m not holding my breath.”

McCarter drained his Coke and pushed to his feet.

“Do we get a guided tour, Colonel?” he said. “Give us some background on what this is all about. At least a chance to say hello to Major Buchanan?”

Corrigan sighed as he stood. “I suppose you do need to understand the background. And your clearance does cover Zero.”

He led them from his office and through the complex to the Zero Command Center.

The center was a generous room full of electronics that none of them could fully understand. Over the banks of equipment the main wall was lined with large-screen monitors.

Corrigan nodded to the technician on duty and the man tapped in the coordinates that alerted Zero of an incoming call. The large plasma screen directly in front of Corrigan came online and he found himself facing Doug Buchanan.

“Colonel,” Buchanan said.

The image was a head-to-waist shot of the major. He had his biocouch in a sitting position. Behind him Phoenix Force could see the circular layout of the Zero operations facility: scan monitors and control consoles and an occasional flashing panel. The overall impression was of controlled efficiency.

“Any further intel?” Corrigan said.

Buchanan’s head moved in a negative response. “Nothing, sir. We’ve had probes working since the initial report. We can’t find anything.”

We.

Not I.

Not me.

We.

The collective term for the partnership between man and machine.

From the day Zero had come online and Buchanan had made his first report from the platform, he had used the epithet “we” when referring to Zero. His assimilation into the system through the bioimplants keeping him alive had worked with far greater success than anyone, Saul Kaplan included, had expected. Doug Buchanan’s melding with the implants designed to keep his cancer at bay and offer the major a chance to continue as a viable Air Force member had proved out. With Zero online, the orbiting platform had become a vital part of America’s defense system, and Kaplan’s cherished dream had become a reality.

“Our scans will continue.”

The voice coming through the speakers was Zero’s. The modulated tones, with a slight mechanical edge, emanated from the platform’s integrated synthesizer system.

Saul Kaplan had developed and installed the system just under six months ago. It was one way to get a manual response from Zero when there was a need for communication and also served as a direct link for Buchanan, enabling him to have verbal interaction with Zero’s responses. There had been another, less obvious reason for the interaction—being able to converse with Zero gave Buchanan a companionto talk to. Kaplan had seen that as an important function for Buchanan’s solitary existence. He had programmed Zero with a wide range of interactive knowledge that included a number of languages and as much encyclopedic data he could put in. The process was ongoing, allowing Zero to self-improve and to develop a coherent personality. It made for interesting social intercourse for Buchanan and the Zero team.

Kaplan had seen this interaction as a necessary advance on the Zero program. It had needed to happen if the platform was to extend its existence beyond the present. Kaplan was looking to the future. Science did not stand still. It would stagnate if it did, and Saul Kaplan refused to allow that to occur.

“Major, we have visitors with us,” Corrigan said. “The team assisting in the investigation.”

A second plasma screen showed Phoenix Force and Claire Valens.

“These people are from the same group Cooper is with,” Valens said.

“Cooper pulled me out of a hole way back. Hell of a guy.”

“You said it,” McCarter agreed.

Buchanan said, “I hope you’re having more luck than we are at the moment.”

“Information is still skinny on the ground,” McCarter told him. “We know Kaplan is missing. We have a feeling the Chinese are involved...but that’s about all, Major Buchanan.”

“It’s Doug. Let’s drop the rank, huh? Colonel, no offence, sir.”

Corrigan managed a faint grimace that might have been labeled a smile.

“My fancy bag of tricks isn’t working its magic today,” Buchanan said. “I had Saul on track from the time he left home, but his signal cut out at around the time he was snatched.”

“You think the kidnappers knew about his implant?” Encizo asked. “Disabled it?”

“A possibility,” Buchanan allowed. “It was our main chance to keep him online. Of course there might have been a malfunction. I’m still trying to reengage his signal.”

“The implant may come online again,” Zero said. “Unless it has been removed and destroyed.”

“Always looks on the bright side. We’re initiating a wider scan,” Buchanan said. “Using all our surveillance.”

He tapped keys and his biocouch began to traverse the interior on the monorail that circled the equipment banks. An alternate-view screen showed his progression around the facility. View ports set around the platform allowed him to see the exterior behind the curved instrument consoles. Buchanan could make a complete three-sixty run around the cupola, allowing freedom of access to each and every function. There were duplicate control panels around the circular access, so he was never far from a control point. The same applied to the plasma screens he used for communication and exterior viewing. The whole of Zero’s working area had been designed by Kaplan to cater to someone who was restricted to the biocouch.

Buchanan never felt restricted. He had come to accept the couch as part of himself now. He was dependent on the couch to keep his bodily function controlled and fed through the implant system, and early, but brief, concerns had been wiped away when Buchanan realized his body was responding to the medical stimulants and banishing the pain and discomfort he had been plagued with as his cancer grew. It could have been said Buchanan’s life had been encapsulated within Zero to the degree he was severely denied any kind of normal life. Buchanan saw it from his personal view—Kaplan’s creation had freed him from the debilitating illness and had gifted him something newer. Better. A unique perspective on life and a chance to be of service to the Air Force and humanity, which meant a great deal to Doug Buchanan.

“We have a good view from here,” Buchanan said. He paused the biocouch and pointed to the image beyond the port. It was a full view of Earth, the blues and greens evident; continents could be clearly distinguished. It was an impressive display. Buchanan held the image for a while. His face on the monitor showed the expression in his eyes: a recall of what life had been when he had stood on his own two legs and had been able to walk the real world.

“Doug, listen to me,” Valens said, breaking the moment. She could understand his reluctance to move on. Doug Buchanan could view the scene from his lofty perch, but he would never be able to set foot on home ground ever again. “We won’t give up on Saul. My word.”

“I know,” Buchanan said. His gaze remained on the earthly vista and Valens picked up on his mood. “We’ll talk again later,” he said quietly, tapping his console and closing the connection.

“He sometimes has a melancholy fallback,” Corrigan said. “When he does, we’ve found it best to let him phase it out. Have to say I can’t blame him under the circumstances.”

“Must be difficult for him to see a view like that,” Manning said.

It was obvious to Valens the man had also seen the look on Buchanan’s face. “I know how I’d feel,” she said.

“Man, I don’t know if I could take it,” James admitted. “That’s one brave guy.”

“Major Buchanan is an exceptional officer,” Corrigan said.

“He’s more than that,” Hawkins said. “Talk about above and beyond...”

Manning asked, “He ever get relieved? I know he can’t get up and walk away but...”

“There’s a time when he needs treatment through his biocouch,” Corrigan said. “We have a link where someone here in Zero Command can assume remote control for the time he needs to stand down. Not the same, because we don’t have the integration Buchanan has with Zero. Since Doug was assimilated he’s developed an affinity with the platform. With Zero. That’s something that can’t be manufactured. No one standing in down here can match how he operates.”

“What about a second string?” McCarter queried. “Someone else who could be based on Zero...if something happened to Buchanan.”

“That’s something Kaplan has been working on over the past months,” the colonel said. “He’s aware more than most that Major—Doug—is mortal. The bioimplants are working at keeping the cancer at bay, but if the worst-case scenario happens there would be a need for a replacement. That is being initiated right now. Still a way off. Finding a match for Doug is proving difficult. Sorry if I sound cold-blooded. It always comes out that way no matter how it’s phrased.”

“We know what you mean, Colonel,” Valens said. “Since Zero came online we’ve become a close family. There’s no other way to put it. Our lives are so intertwined now. There’s more than a working relationship that exists.”

“A good combination,” Corrigan said.

“And part of that is lost now that Kaplan’s been kidnapped,” Valens said. “We have to get him back. No question about it.”

“Saul Kaplan is the life-force behind Zero. He’s constantly adding to and fine-tuning things,” Corrigan said. “The man never stops. Just when you think he’s added all he can, he comes up with a new theory. A fresh attachment. If I come across as sounding selfish, I still have to say we’ll be taking a step back if we lose him.”

“Then we had better make sure we don’t,” McCarter said. “It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll find him.”

“Agent Valens.” McCarter turned to her. “How about you run us out to take a look at the site?” He had sensed the slight tension in Corrigan’s presence and decided it might be easier on them all if they got Valens off base, even if it was only for a little while.

“Any problem, Colonel?” Valens said.

Corrigan shook his head. “If you think it might help.”

“We have nothing to lose,” James pointed out. “And we need to start somewhere.”

“We’ll do it this way,” McCarter advised. “Constantine and Rankin, you stay here and liaise with Brandon. Go through anything you can see. That okay with you, Agent Valens?”

“Fine. Larry, you can use my office.”

“If that’s what you want,” Brandon said.

Valens smiled. “That’s what I want. Okay? Good. Shall we do this, gentlemen?” She led the way to the motor pool.

* * *

VALENS WAS DRIVING the black SUV. It was a large-edition model, with enough room to accommodate them all. McCarter was in the passenger seat beside Valens. She glanced at him.

“Nicely handled, getting us out of there,” she said. “Thanks for that.”

“We appear to be a pain in the arse as far as the colonel is concerned,” the Briton said lightly. “I guess he’s got enough to be worried about without a bunch of cowboys invading his range.”

“I think he sees us as raining on his parade,” Manning said.

Valens said, “He’s touchy because his command lost Kaplan. Can’t expect anything else.” She gave a weak smile. “I know how he’s feeling.”

“Right now soothing his tender bloody brow isn’t my concern,” McCarter said.

“Well, look at it from his viewpoint,” Valens said. “This whole setup is his responsibility. His top man has gone missing. He isn’t going to take that lightly. Not Colonel Corrigan.”

“I’ll lie awake tonight thinking about that,” James said dryly.

“What’s your gut telling you about all this, Agent Valens?” Manning asked.

“Hey, let go of the ‘Agent’ angle. It’s Claire—or Valens, if you do feel official.”

“So what does your gut tell you, Claire?”

“Off the wall? My money is on a feeling I have that the Chinese are involved. Tying it in with the information we received from Jui Kai, it’s all starting to fit.”

“That’s pretty direct,” Manning said. “I’m guessing you don’t have any concrete proof?”

“General Tung Shan was the man in charge of the original Zero strike. He ran the operation and when it fell apart he was dismissed. From gathered intelligence at the time, it meant he would most likely have been executed and replaced. Failure in the People’s Republic is not something to be dealt with lightly.”

“I’m seeing something coming here,” James said.

“Kai has sent us updated data,” Valens said.

“How up-to-date is ‘updated’?” McCarter asked.

“Last contact we had was a day ago. Kai has been concentrating on our identified player.”

“Colonel Xia Chan,” McCarter said.

Valens nodded. “Really been doing your homework.”

“We like to keep up,” Manning replied.

“Kai has confirmed Chan as the man promoted to engage in the task of bringing a major military prize into Chinese hands. Chan is a rising star. Real go-getter. Zero would be the project to push him up the ladder.”

“After all this time?” McCarter said. “I can see where your line of thinking goes—”

“The Chinese went after Zero before because they saw it as a threat, especially in the Pacific Rim,” Valens said, cutting him off. “They have allies in that theater. Removing Zero would have maintained the statusquo. When we canceled their attempt, China lost face. That would have hurt. They withdrew active interest at the time, but I don’t believe for one second they forgot about Zero.”

“Put it on the back burner,” Manning suggested. “Went into slumber mode.”

“Exactly. The old Sleeping Dragon scenario,” Valens said. “Something China is very good at. Patience in all things. The long game. Gathering data. Waiting for the next opportunity.”

“You make them sound a little paranoid,” James said.

“Read up on it,” Valens said. “The debate is still going on but there’s a consensus that wars could be waged from space in the not-too-distant future. If that’s so, the nation with the technology is going to be able to call the shots.”

“As with Zero,” James said. “It gives us the advantage at the moment.”

“Which is why the Chinese may still have an interest. And with Kaplan’s sudden disappearance, it starts to make sense.”

“Are they thinking if they have Kaplan they can make him work for them?” Manning said.

“They won’t have taken him just so he can visit the Peking Opera,” McCarter returned.

“They may have Kaplan,” James challenged, “but it’s a long leap from that to having a platform of their own.”

“Maybe the idea is to coerce Kaplan into providing them with the information that might allow them to break into the system and gain control,” Manning said.

“No argument from me,” Valens said. “It would certainly be a faster way to get what they want. But just the thought of it happening is enough to make me nervous.”

“Next question...” McCarter said, moving on. “I can’t see the kidnappers staying in this country. They’ll want to get him clear of the US. That could be happening right now. If they get Kaplan out of the country, they have a whole world to hide him in. And we have a larger playing field to search.”

“The minute we realized he was missing there was a clampdown on exit points. Sea. Air,” Valens said. “And I know what you are going to say. There are no guarantees we’ll pick them up. If they work at it they’ll find a way to get him out of America. Let’s not forget private airstrips and failing to declare exactly who is on board and where a particular aircraft might be going.”

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