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.A worried expression crossed his face and he added, “What I am worried about is how long we’ll have to live once we deliver the data they’re looking for.My guess is, once we figure out how to retrieve the data from the alien lab, we’ll have outlived our usefulness.With all the criminal activity these two are involved in, I’m sure they won’t trust us on our word to keep quiet about it.It’s much safer just to get rid of us.”Javi shook his head in denial.“Jack, they can’t kill us.They need us to translate,” he countered.“These guys are smart and resourceful.My guess is they already have a team of guys who are learning the hieroglyphics as we speak.Furthermore, I’m betting they’re programing the symbols into some kind of translation database so in the future, all they’d have to do is scan a document and have the computer spit out its translation.It’s what I’d do if I were them,” he said, shrugging his shoulders in resignation.Javi thought about Jack’s words and realized the truth in them.“Maybe we should hold back data… keep ourselves valuable until we find a way out of this mess,” he suggested.Jack smiled.“I’m hoping we won’t have to do that,” he said in cryptic tone.Javi stared with intensity.“You have a plan?” he asked in a low hushed voice.Jack shook his head.“Just an idea,” he said simply.“Don’t keep me in suspense, Jack.What is it?”“Once they send us down in the spacecraft, they’re going to have to disconnect the tether cable in order for us to get into the loading hanger and seal the doors, right?”Javi smiled, now understanding the plan.“Once they do that, we activate the propulsion system and get the hell out of there.I’m pretty sure we can out run them once we’re free of the tether cable,” he said confidently.“You think you can fly that thing?” Javi asked with suspicion.“I don’t know, but I’m not going to let that stop me.”“Jack, I’m just as worried as you are, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.The smallest inputs could throw us into outer space,” he speculated.“It could or it could move us forward at manageable speeds.I’m betting it’ll be the latter,” Jack replied confidently.“Besides, I really don’t think we have much of a choice.I’m pretty sure if we don’t find some way to escape, that lab will become our burial pit.”The grim reality of Jack’s words registered in his mind.He nodded once more and accepted their fate.“Now would be a good time to buy flight insurance,” he responded humorously.“Have faith,” Jack assured.----- ----- ----- -----Two days later…Marianna TrenchSouthern endJack looked out the porthole of their cabin and watched the high-intensity lights of the ship illuminate the black seas around them.Sitting behind him on the bed, Javi fidgeted nervously with a small backpack filled with research data.Jack glanced down at his watch and noted the time.“8:35pm.I wonder where the two stooges are at?” he mocked.“Maybe they forgot us?” Javi responded in hopeful tone.Jack was about to respond, but heard a loud knock at their cabin door.Without waiting on an answer, Price and Hammond opened the door and entered the room.“Ready?” Price asked abruptly.“I guess manners weren’t taught at the CIA secret spy school, huh?” Jack said sarcastically.“Ordinarily, barging into people’s rooms is viewed as socially unacceptable.”Hammond glared at Jack, mildly irritated by the comment.“Grab your things.Let’s go,” he responded bluntly.With Price leading the way and Hammond trailing behind, the four made their way up to the main loading area.Stepping out onto the expansive deck, the bright lights were blinding.Jack shielded his eyes with his hand and squinted across the ship’s length.Silhouetted by the lights, he spotted the alien spacecraft in the distance.He felt a light shove on his shoulder and turned.“Keep moving,” Hammond ordered sternly.Jack shot him a disapproving scowl, then continued to follow Price.As they neared the spacecraft, Javi pointed to the military-style netting that clung tightly to the outside.High above the craft, a cable ran from the netting to an overhead crane.He stared at it disapprovingly.Apprehension swept his body [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]