Husk

Chapter 6

Time – 2:34 am

Location – Montana Military Base

Husk lay on his back, eyes closed and seemingly asleep. To the average spectator, Husk’s slow, even breaths signalled he was not awake, however the truth was a very different story. Whilst Husk was, in fact letting his body relax and rest, his mind was as active as when he was awake.

It was times like these when Husk got to think, enjoying the time alone. Husk felt that the plain concrete walls, floor and ceiling made sure he wasn’t allowing him to get distracted from his state of mind. In a way, he supposed, it was another form of meditation.

Snapshots of his previous mission, that had ended two days previously, flashed across the back of his eyelids.

The Sahara Desert stretched beyond my line of sight, sand grains twinkling in the moonlight. I could see the temporary terrorist base ahead of me, cloth roofs bathed in shadow within the valley of two massive sand dunes. I could see little lights moving around, lanterns, likely held by members of this group. Holding the night-vision binoculars up to my eyes, I –

The faint sound of footsteps was picked up by his ears. Throwing all thoughts aside, Husk got to his feet and faced the door, standing to attention. A quick glance around the room showed nothing but a single light globe and a metal-framed bed, the room awash in a weak yellow light.

The steel door grinded open, the hinges groaning in protest. A marine Husk didn’t recognise stood in the doorway. Husk looked him over instantly, noticing a strong build on the man as well as his ranking; three stars on the left of his chest told Husk he was a Lieutenant. The Lieutenant wore an expressionless face, although Husk could see in his eyes the man was uncomfortable.

“Sir, please come with me; you have been requested to see General Byrne.” The man spoke briefly before turning to leave.

With a raised eyebrow, Husk followed at a brisk pace, the clicking of boots echoing against the polished floor as they trailed through the concrete halls. The General had never had anyone escort him before, but Husk knew where he was going; he had walked this path many times before. It was quite common for him to be travelling this path mere days after accomplishing a mission, and if Husk were being honest, he loved getting onto new missions.

They passed a few soldiers and turned the final corner, at the end of the corridor was an open door. Both Husk and the Lieutenant strode to the doorway, the man stopping beside the entrance and saluting before walking off.

Husk half-waved to the retreating form and turned to the room before him. Stepping inside, he observed what surrounded him.

General Byrnes was murmuring and checking his watch, shaven head shaking and dark green sleeve of his felt jacket crumpling slightly. Several badges adorned his chest, each with a multitude of colours on each ribbon attached to the shining metal.

In the centre of the familiar room was a long, oval chrome table. Eight chairs lined each side, and every one of them was filled except for one. The fifteen individuals in the matching chairs did not strike Husk as familiar, however based on the fact they had an audience with the General, they must have been somewhat important.

“Ah, you’re here. I would like to introduce you all to Stealth Agent 1; Husk. Please, take a seat.” General Byrnes indicated to the empty seat. Husk nodded to the blank faces that now observed him as he made his way to the chair. He sat down and shuffled closer the table, chair scraping quietly as he did so.

The General retrieved a small remote control from his coat pocket and after a quick scan pressed a button. The lights that had lit the room with a sterile-white glow slowly dimmed, and at the same time a screen was pulled down at the front of the room, opposite the door. A projector at the back of the room was activated, beams of light projecting onto the screen.

The General stood beside the projection with feet spread at shoulder width and arms behind his back.

 “Gentlemen, if you could please turn your attention to the presentation.” The General pressed another button on the remote and a video appeared on the screen. Husk and the other members in the room shuffled in their chairs to get a better view.

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A grainy image played with no sound, depicting the distant silhouette of a man walking down a street at night, away from the camera.

The man carried a suitcase and seemed to be in a hurry. A van suddenly careened into the frame, pulling up directly next to the now visually-distraught man. He made to get away when he slumped to the ground, and three shadowy figures dashed from the side door and dragged the unconscious man back to the van. The door had barely closed before the van took off, leaving the street dark and empty.

-----

The video ended with a fizzle of static, leaving the men around the table silent and with confused expressions. Husk maintained a steady façade as this video did not faze him in the slightest. He had seen and dealt with much worse after all.

“The victim of this kidnapping” General Byrnes rewound the footage to the image of the lone man with the briefcase “is a remarkable man by the name of Doctor David Pax Marlin.” The General stated, beginning to pace in front of the now still screen.

A face popped up on the screen, with text below the image; David Marlin. He looked to be in his mid-fifties, greying hair combed to the side and a warm smile adorning his face.

“Doctor Marlin is one of our top astrophysicists; some of his work has pushed others into learning more about relativity in our Universe. This man,” Byrnes said, pointing to the picture “is very important.”

Heads nodded in understanding around the table as the General replayed the footage.

“This was recorded last night, 7 blocks North of the Doctor’s workplace. Doctor Martin was most likely knocked unconscious by a form of tranquilizer. The group suspected as being responsible for kidnapping him are known as ‘El Muerte’.”

Conversations erupted around the table at the mention of this name, and Husk knew how it could cause such a stir. El Muerte, or ‘The Death’ were a group of rogue marines from the Argentine military who had turned to crime when their pay checks weren’t enough for them. They had never attacked anywhere outside of South America, and were known for cold-blooded murders.

So why kidnap a scientist?

“As you can see,” General Byrnes spoke over the noise in the room, “This is a serious issue for us. We need to ensure Doctor Marlin does not come to harm, whilst bringing down this new threat to our country.”

“Our secret weapon is this Agent right here.” Byrnes pointed a finger at Husk. “He is the one we are sending to solve this problem that has many of you concerned.”

So that’s why they’re here. Husk thought. They must be members of the company Marlin works for, or Social Security.

“Gentlemen, I shall see you soon” With a nod, fifteen chairs slid back as the men stood up, some shaking the General’s hand. Husk waited patiently in his seat, knowing the mission briefing would come next.

The men shuffled past Husk, throwing glances his way as they left the room and the door clicked shut. General Byrnes and Husk were the only ones left in the room.

Husk crossed his arms and looked to the General, who slid a manila folder over to Husk. The front cover read ‘Project – Nova’.

“Agent Husk,” Byrnes began. “This is your assignment.”