Free Savage Bay by Christopher Forrest Page A

diameter. Far too small for a person to fit through. Incoming air is run through a system of chemical, biological, and radiological filters.”
    “And are there ... ” Hawkeye began.
    “Wait, wait,” said Quiz. “The ventilation system. That’s the answer.”
    “But you heard Cruz. Too small.”
    “It’s plenty big enough,” said Quiz. “You just need a little help. And an air drop.”
    TITAN SIX, SAVAGE BAY
     
    Thirty minutes later, a stealth helicopter deployed a small cargo container attached to a static line parachute above Savage Bay. The black parachute canopy opened almost immediately, and the package hanging beneath it floated slowly toward the ground.
    Tank and Gator followed a
GPS
beacon attached to the payload to its landing site in the woods on Es Vedra Island. They carefully retrieved the package and brought it to Hawkeye, who waited with the rest of Titan Six near the base of the mountain ridge.   
    OPS CENTER, ABOARD THE ALAMIRANTA
     
    Dr. Ambergris switched off the microphone in his headset. He turned to face Caine and spoke in a hushed voice.
    “Catherine, you have to tell Hawkeye about The Genesis Project,” he said. “He’s leading a team of men into harm’s way. They need to know what’s going on at Savage Bay.”
    Caine shook her head adamantly. “It’s not necessary for Titan Six to complete the operation.”
    “You can’t possibly know that,” said Ambergris. “And there is far too much at stake. Not just the life of your daughter and the rest of our people down there.”
    “Don’t you think I know that?” said Caine.
    “Catherine, The Genesis Project will change human civilization forever. It’s already starting. Hawkeye needs to know why Savage Bay is so important. It may be crucial to his mission.”
    Caine considered his words. “Not yet,” she said. “I hear you, but I’m not convinced. I’m not telling them anything yet.”
    Ambergris frowned.
    Caine pointed a finger at him. “And neither will you.”
    TITAN SIX, SAVAGE BAY
     
    The Titan Six team gathered in an area of thick undergrowth near the base of the central ridge on Es Vedra Island.
    “Ops, we’ve retrieved the package,” said Hawkeye.
    “Acknowledged,” said Cruz. “Make your way to the air intakes at the South Portal. The ventilation shafts are located next to the South Portal entrance about six hundred meters north of your position.”
    “Understood.”
    Hawkeye and Titan Six moved silently their through the trees. Wet debris covered the forest floor, and a continuous rain of water droplets fell from the foliage above. The air was thick with humidity, and the sound of cicadas filled the air.
    After several minutes, Touchdown spoke again over the COM just as Titan Six neared the edge of a broad clearing in the forest.
    “You should have a visual on the South Portal any minute.”
    “Acknowledged. I don’t see -- ”
    Thunderous machine gun fire erupted from the woods on the opposite side of the clearing. Tracer fire mingled with tungsten-jacketed rounds that shredded foliage and splintered tree trunks all around Titan Six.
    “Cover!” yelled Hawkeye.
    Gator and Tank leapt to the ground behind a large fallen tree trunk. Hawkeye and Shooter took refuge behind a massive oak. Pyro disappeared into the underbrush.
    “Ops, what the hell?”
    OPS CENTER, ABOARD THE ALAMIRANTA
     
    In Ops aboard the Alamiranta , the roaring machine gun fire filled the room, emitted from speakers arrayed around the circular command center.
    “Touchdown, where is that fire coming from?” yelled Caine.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Aren’t you watching the infrared scans?”
    “No heat signatures show up on the satellite feeds. They’re either shielded somehow, or the data we’re getting is wrong.”
    “Wrong?” asked Caine.
    “Either corrupted data or intentionally altered,” said Touchdown. “The hostiles should show up on infrared imaging. Their body heat should show up red on the scan. But they just