Free The Olympus Device: Book Three by Joe Nobody Page B

communications capabilities, the small facility seemed to be the perfect fit. In addition, its central location made it convenient for the government’s experts to fly in from all over the nation.
    Mitch now replaced his brother as the man in hiding, keeping the rail gun at his side while maintaining a safe distance from the proceedings. He was also an insurance policy of sorts.
    Dusty and Grace didn’t trust the government, or more accurately, the couple had little faith in the hearts of men. While both had thought it best not to bring the weapon into the conference room, the older Weathers had taken the precautions a step further.
    “We insisted on having a man in the control tower,” Dusty announced. “That is going to be you, Mitch. Take the rail gun along. From up there, you can see St. Louis and the bridges crossing the Mississippi. If they try any shenanigans, we’ll threaten to drop a span or two… maybe the arch. I’m sure they’ll see things our way.”
    At first, Mitch thought it was a bad joke, but it soon became apparent his older brother was absolutely serious. “We need an ace up our sleeve,” Dusty had insisted. “A card to play if things get rough. If they try any shit, drop a railroad bridge. In another ten minutes, level something more valuable. Keep on going until either they let us go or kill you. It’s our only option.”
    Now, with a steaming cup of brew sitting right next to the world’s most powerful weapon, Mitch wasn’t so sure he could execute Dusty’s wishes. He was a scientist, not a killer. And while the first target of a railroad crossing might not cause any deaths, the professor realized that eventually his wrecking of the riverside city would result in causalities. Eventually his own.
    As usual, Dusty’s forethought had been sage. The control tower’s elevated perch allowed for the best view of the entire facility, thus making it difficult for any assault teams or snipers to stalk around the area. If airborne assets were going to be part of any betrayal, the newly installed, high-tech radar system would make their approach difficult. While Mitch was confident the government would eventually apprehend them, they wouldn’t make it easy.
    Like his two counterparts, Mitch studied the line of federal SUVs crossing the concrete expanse. He’d watched nervously as the two Air Force executive transports landed a short time ago, right on schedule. Rather than assault teams in full combat regalia, men in business suits had emerged from the two jet aircraft.
    Grace reached for Dusty’s hand as the first vehicle stopped a short distance away and began unloading its passengers. She recognized Dr. Witherspoon, the Department of Energy Secretary, and sighed her own breath of relief.
    Fifteen minutes later, with introductions and handshakes out of the way, the two parties began taking their assigned seats around a large conference table.
    It was an odd assortment facing the couple from Texas, a dozen influential men and women sitting across the table. The whole thing appeared so one-sided, it reminded Grace of the Biblical David versus Goliath. Leaning close to Dusty, she whispered, “David won.”
    But Dusty seemed to not hear her remark, absorbed in thought. Instead, he turned and asked, “How many people are supposed to be here from their side?”
    “I don’t know… 11, I think.”
    “Why did only nine show up?” the Texan inquired.
    Grace understood his nervousness. “I think Mitch kept the list in his briefcase. Maybe he knows for sure.”
    As he watched the government representatives slowly take their seats, Dusty dialed Mitch’s cell phone. “Everything okay,” the nervous professor answered.
    “I don’t know for sure. How many people are supposed to be attending on their side?”
    “I think it was 11. Hold on a second, let me dig out the list.”
    “Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get started,” the Secretary of Energy began. “Mr. Weathers, would you be so kind as