The Ardoon King Read online

  Chapter 53: DIA – Alpha Squad

  The remaining members of Alpha squad continued their reconnoiter for another half hour, exploring each room they came upon, until the long corridor terminated in what could only be described as a “war room.” It contained a massive rectangular table capable of seating thirty individuals. Microphones were placed in front of each of the large leather chairs that circled it and giant flat-screen monitors were attached to all of the room’s high walls.

  Disparthian turned to Demit. “Tell the squad to break out their rations. We’ll head back to the main intersection in fifteen.”

  As Demit conveyed the order, Disparthian plopped into a chair at the end of the long table.

  “Mr. President,” mused Demit when he returned, bowing slightly in his superior’s direction.

  “Most likely,” agreed Disparthian, motioning toward a chair, which Demit took. “This place was definitely built as a long-term bunker for higher level government and military types.”

  “Yet it is empty,” remarked Demit, sprinkling hot sauce on a chunk of mystery meat. “It doesn’t make sense. With the world coming to an end this should have been the first place they’d come. Why do you suppose it is empty?”

  “I think the Great Sage prevented its use.”

  “In order to ensure the Ardoon leadership was killed?”

  “No, he could have done that more easily with other scripts. I believe he prevented this place from being used because he wanted it preserved for our use. For the Fifth Kingdom.”

  Demit chewed. “That implies the sage had this facility constructed, also.”

  Now spooning peanut butter from a pouch, Disparthian said, “Yes. In fact, the king sent us here because of a clue left him by the sage. And as you saw, the biometric plate was programmed to allow me to enter. I was Annasa Lilitu’s secret ally before the apocalypse. The sage would have known that.”

  “He recruited you?”

  “No. I never met the man, but I am certain I was part of his script. He knew I’d come here eventually.”

  “This facility will be useful, certainly. Steepleguard is overflowing and is a very poor base of operations. It is too remote. It will be hard to govern the new territories from there, especially in winter.”

  “The airport is very defensible, also,” said Disparthian. “The lanes of fire are excellent and the control towers can be converted to command centers.”

  “Just so.” Demit thought for a moment. “Actually, even without this bunker, the airport would have been a good hub of operations.”

  The other man nodded. “I had discussed that option with the king. The biggest obstacle was the lack of electricity. Steepleguard has it and the airport did not, or so we believed. Indeed, it should not. There are no operational generators outside. If we can locate the source, we’ll be able to run the power aboveground to the terminal and gates.”

  “We will find the power source, Lord.”

  “There remains the issue of distance. It would not be easy for troops stationed her to support Steepleguard if it came under attack. Similarly, the forces at Steepleguard could not support the troops here. Not quickly, anyway.”

  “I agree. Yet if the Great Sage intended us to occupy this facility he would have taken such concerns into account. He comprehended all things.”

  Disparthian nodded, though he thought the lieutenant might be exaggerating Ridley’s omniscience. The scribe was brilliant and did, in fact, seem almost prescient. He was still just a man.

  His thoughts were interrupted by the rapid approach of another Peth.

  “Lord Disparthian,” said the man, out of breath. “A million apologies for interrupting your meal, but Charlie Squad requests your immediate presence.”