Tarizon: Desert Swarm Page 11
Chapter 11
Stunning News
It was late and Colonel Martin was getting ready to go home when his phone rang. He picked up and found out it was Maria Sutton, a microbiologist working in his lab.
“Yes, Maria. Give me some good news.”
“Well, I have news. You’ll have to decide if it’s good or not.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“As you know, I have been studying the crystalline substance found at the Bat Mountain Site.”
“Yes, so what did you conclude?”
“It’s alive. There is some kind of microorganism within the substance that is making it expand or grow.”
A chill darted down Martin’s spine. “What kind of microorganism? Where did it come from?” Colonel Martin asked.
“It’s very small and our strongest microscopes cannot clearly see it. All we can see are clouds of these organisms. But we do know they are constantly in motion and their activities appear to have purpose.”
“What does that mean? Appear to have purpose?”
“They are either following a preset program, instinctively working together, or someone or something is guiding them.”
“That’s very hard to swallow?” the Colonel said. “You can’t expect me to believe that someone is controlling microorganisms?”
“Well, it’s only a preliminary analysis, but that’s what it looks like to me.”
Martin’s stomach twisted and he squirmed in his chair. “Thank you, Maria. Let me know if you learn anything else.”
Colonel Martin got up and went to the window. He looked out wondering what he was going to tell his superiors. He didn’t relish telling them the truth. The phone rang. It was an operator advising him that General Thornton was on the line. Thornton was Colonel Martin’s contact at the Pentagon and he’d hoped he wouldn’t have to talk to him for a few days.
“General, it’s so nice to hear from you,” he lied.
“Yes, well the Joint Chiefs are getting anxious for a report. Do you have anything for me?”
Colonel Martin gave him a complete rundown of everything he’d learned to date except the most recent report from Maria. He swallowed hard.
“Oh, and there’s one last thing. Our top microbiologist just reported to me, minutes ago, that in her opinion, the crystal substance used in the construction of the Bat Mountain structure is alive with billions of microorganisms and they are responsible for its growth.”
“Have you ever seen this microorganism before?” the General asked.
“No sir. It’s completely unique.”
“So, where did it come from?”
“Well, it didn’t come from the site itself. It appears to have been brought in by air and deposited on the site. Apparently this microorganism propagates quickly.”
“Are you saying aliens deposited these microorganisms?” General Thornton asked.
“No, sir. I don’t know where they came from but two American Airlines’ pilots did report a UFO over southern California that could have landed at the site.”
“Wonderful! That’s all I need,” the general spat. “Keep this new information to yourself, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Not a word to anyone. If this leaks out, it could cause general panic around the globe.”
“I’ll contact the personnel at the lab and remind them that everything they learn is classified.”
“Good. Keep me posted if you learn anything else.”
“Yes, sir. I will.”