RESTORATION (a science fiction novel) (RESTORATION (the science fiction trilogy)) (32 page)

“It’s
complete, the tail should come soon to retrieve the bug.”  Dodge was curious, so he slipped into the bathroom, closed the door, and asked John what he did.
         “Well, it only took a few minutes to pick up on enough of the data stream to decipher the encryption and crack it.  Once I had the communications protocol, it was easy to hack the bug’s software and change a few things.  I reprogrammed the battery monitor voltage levels to make the bug send out status reports that show the battery dropping from 90% down to 30% over the next two days.  Their tech will send their man back in sometime when no one is home to replace the bug.  I also added the stealth tracking function into the bug just like we planned.  It will be easy to triangulate on the signal through the skyphone network.  Even if their man turns the bug completely off, it will still transmit unless he removes the battery.  That is not likely because they are extremely small and very difficult to change outside of a lab environment.  It’s very likely that he’ll simply swap it for a fully charged bug, in and out, fast and easy.” 

Dodge was already thinking up a good reason for the family to leave for a few hours one night.  When the tail took the bug back with him for repair, they would reveal one of their locations, hopefully their headquarters.  They would repeat the same game on the bug in the kitchen.  When the tail entered the house to replace that one, the Black Ops would set off the security system just like they planned.

  John already found a security system company in the area that advertised a complete sweep of your home for any and all threats.  This was included even in their most basic package.  He insisted that Dodge’s work was high profile enough to blame the bugs on competitors trying to get their hands on ESS secrets by invading his home.  This would give him  good reason for a new state of the art security system like John’s and ESS would have to foot the bill.

Chapter 1
6
      The Black Ops team had been surveiling the Kerrington house now for almost 48 hours with no sign of the tail.  The trap was set and the bait was excellent.  They had to wait until he returned to swap out the dead bug.  It was boring work that required incredible patience but always worth the wait when it worked out.

The next evening when Dodge got home from work, he and Linsey rounded up the kids and went out for pizza and a movie.  Dodge and Linsey discussed taking the whole family out for a dinner and a movie in their bedroom where the listeners were sure to hear. 

They were all having a great time, when just as expected, the tail returned to the house to take care of his failing equipment.  About half way through the movie, Dodge received a message on his skyphone; Incoming message from: B.O., Device replaced, tracking blue devil, all clear, will advise. 

The trap worked and it was safe to return home any time.  Dodge nudged Linsey and showed her the message on his phone, she smiled and nodded, she hated the idea of strangers being in their home but she was glad the trap worked, the sooner they ended this thing the better. 

Back at home that night after talking for a while and saying good night, Dodge and Linsey turned out the lights and pretended they were going to sleep.  Dodge left the light on and the door partially open to give him just enough light to work.  He very quietly got the dome device out of his bedside table drawer and headed downstairs to the kitchen.  Linsey followed along very quietly, she was excited to be involved in some of the stealth activity. 

They went into the kitchen to work on the bug in the light above the table.  It was pitch black because they had intentionally closed all the blinds earlier to avoid being seen now.  The only light in the room was coming from the fridge, it was just a small LED lamp in the water and ice dispenser that provided enough glow to make out shapes in the room.  Dodge was wishing that they had left another light on in the family room. 

He very carefully cracked the refrigerator door for a little more light, setting a bottle of ketchup in the opening, to keep it from closing.  He began moving a chair but he caught it on a table leg and made a very loud noise.  They looked at each other realizing that their cover was blown.  Dodge immediately flipped on the overhead lights and made plenty of noise getting out a bowl and some ice cream and began dipping it.  He was grinning at Linsey who was still standing there frozen as if under the premise of still trying to be quiet, but then she got it.  She walked back up the stairs about half way, then turned, walking back down making the normal amount of noise.
         “Ah hah,” she said.  “Caught ya havin a midnight snack, huh?”  Dodge gave her a thumbs up

“Oh well, just having some ice cream, I couldn’t sleep.”
         “Mind if I join you?” She said. 

“No not at all.  Misery loves company ya know,” said Dodge while he grinned and motioned for her to take over his task.

She took over the process of dipping the ice cream while Dodge moved back to the table and climbed up on a chair.  He carefully placed the clear dome over the bug and then tapped out a quick message to John, “dome on”.  Seconds later John replied.

“Stand by.” 

They both sat down at the table and ate their ice cream and talked about the kids and whatever else they could think of.  After about five minutes John messaged back.     

“Got it, thanks.”
 

Dodge climbed back up on the chair and retrieved the dome device.  They rinsed their ice cream bowls, put them in the sink, and headed up to bed where they said their goodnights again.   

They had to find something to go do with the kids again to make sure the house was empty after dark.  Providing yet another perfect opportunity for the tail to come back to swap out the dead bug in the kitchen.  This would allow the Black Ops team the opportunity to trip the security system while he was exiting. 

The Black Ops team would trip it manually at the expense of the man in the blue car.  The night after next was Thursday night, the usual night that Sarah and Linsey would go for
there swimming and diving lessons at the club.  Dodge encouraged Bobby to hang out with a friend for a few hours by telling him that he needed to work late that night.  Bobby didn’t make plans with anyone so Dodge said the work thing got cancelled and they turned it into a Father Son hang out evening instead. 

They went to a climbing wall grand opening at the local sporting goods store.  The new store, Top in Sports, had it all, a huge mega-store with everything
under one roof.  Now they just added the new climbing wall with safety gear and professional instructors.  You could try it out for free with a coupon from the digipaper.  Linsey loaded the coupon onto Dodge’s driver’s license and Bobby’s student I.D. over a week ago when Bobby started asking to go.  All they had to do was scan their ID’s when they got there, and they could climb the wall for free. 

It was funny that Linsey still did these money saving things out of habit.  She didn’t seem to get the concept that they were now millionaires and
didn’t really need a coupon for every little thing.  Dodge thought it was comical but still kind of sweet that she continued doing those things.

Dodge heard his phone beeping with a message while he was harnessed up and still on the wall.  Bobby was still on the wall when Dodge descended to the floor and got out of his harness with the help of the climbing instructor.  He was anxious to see the message, it read; B.O., alarm sounding, blue devil on the run.  Dodge let out a whispered
         “Yes!” and then quickly put the phone back in his pocket just as Bobby was landing on the floor.

         “Man, Dad, what a rush!”  I love repelling just as fast as I can
go, what a blast!  They were both having a really good time.      

“Hey Son, let’s go have a look at the golf clubs, me thinks you needs a new set.”
         “Seriously? That would be awesome, I have been thinking about playing again but my old clubs are too small for me now, I hated to ask for new ones.” 

“Oh that’s all right Son, we can afford it, I got a little bonus at work, besides I think you’re ready for some real lessons now that you’re a little bit older, and most of your growing is done.”

Dodge received a second message while walking to the golf section, it read:  from: B.O., Alan on site, speaking with officers, home secure.  Bobby was curious.     

“What’s going on Dad?” 

“Well it seems we had a false alarm with the security system, it went off and Grandpa went over when the security system called him.”
         “Didn’t it call you too?” Bobby asked.
        
“Sharp kid.”

“Um, let me check.  Oh yeah, looks like I missed that message. Must have been when we were on the wall.  I think I should call Dad,” he said.  Even though he already knew the whole situation, he called Alan just to make a good appearance for Bobby.
         “Hey Dad, what’s going on?” 

“Well Son, as you probably already know, there’s been an attempted break in at your house.  I got the auto message just like you.  I was just around the corner at the Fast Mart, so I hurried over here to see what was going on.  Don’t worry though everything here is fine, they didn’t get in and nothing is missing or disturbed.” 

Allan knew the guy had been inside but was playing dumb for the officers on the scene.
         “Don’t worry, I’ll stay here until you guys get home.  We’re just filling out a police report here, be done shortly.”
         “Okay, Dad, thanks, I guess we had better get a new security system huh?”  Alan, chuckled because he knew the plan.
         “Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt, a new system would be a good idea, crime seems to be on the rise in this neighborhood.”

“All right, thanks for taking care of things
there Dad, I’ll be there soon, bye.”  Dodge ended the call and put his arm around Bobby.      “Well Son, someone was tampering around with one of our windows at the house, and set off the security system.  It scared them off and the police came out.  Grandpa was in the neighborhood so he swung by and he’s there filling out a police report with the officers, don’t worry Grandpa said everything was fine.  You know I think you’re tall enough now for a men’s set of clubs.  Let’s go check them out.”

They went over to the golf world area of the store and began the process of getting him fitted for a high quality set with one of the professionals.  They had a new system that you just stepped into and it measured you body with lasers.  Based on your body type and size the system would call out a six digit alphanumeric code.  The on duty fitting pro went in the back and retrieved a set of clubs from among hundreds in a rack.  Then you would step into a hitting booth and use each of the five clubs, driver, fairway hybrid, 5-iron, 8-iron, and pitching wedge, to hit a few balls.  With this complete the computer system went to work designing your perfectly fit clubs.  It was very impressive. 

They went over to the in store café to get some food while they waited for the automated system to build his clubs.  It took less than an hour for the robotic machine to assemble a complete custom set.  By the time they ate, got some balls, a glove, tees, and a towel, the clubs were done and waiting for them.  On the way out Bobby was already asking when they could go try them out.  On the way home, Dodge called Linsey.     

“Hey you guys heading home?”
         “Yeah, we’re on our way now, did you get that message earlier?”
         “Yeah, sure did.”
         “All right, see you there in a minute.

“Okay, bye.”

  When Dodge and Bobby pulled up to the house there were still two police cars with their lights on in front of the house and Linsey was pulling in right behind them.  She and Sarah were just getting out of the car as the officers were speaking with Dodge.  All the neighbors were standing around in their yards, and Matt’s parents, Bill and Brenda McNeil, came over to talk to Dodge and Linsey. 

“Hey Dodge, everything all right?” asked Bill.
         “Yeah, the officers said that the perp got scared off when the security system went off.  I guess crime is on the rise around here.”

Linsey and Brenda started talking and moved to the other side of the drive.
         “Yeah no kiddin,” said Bill, “I think maybe we should get our security systems updated.”
         “Hey don’t we have some neighborhood watch guys still canvassing around at night?”
         “Yeah we do but there are just two of them each night and this neighborhood has grown, I don’t think they can cover it all anymore.”  The officers were leaving so Alan joined Dodge and Bill on the corner while Linsey, Sarah, and Brenda stood on the opposite side of the driveway continuing their own conversation. 

Soon the neighbors that had been drawn out to talk to each other at the property lines marked by shrubs and short fences were one by one disappearing back into their homes.  Bobby and Matt were shooting the basketball around and the excitement was seemingly over. 

Bill and Brenda said good night, and headed back over to their house.  Dodge and Linsey walked slowly up their  front walk and went inside; it was finally the end of a rather long crazy day.  They sat at the kitchen table discussing how they should get a better security system, fully aware of the new bug with a fresh battery directly above them. 

Meanwhile, across town the man from the blue car was standing in a dark office in front of a very large desk.  Two large suited men stood motionless behind him in the shadows.  The old, nearly spent, LED lamp above him, provided light to see figures in the shadows, but not faces.  Cyrus sat behind his desk smoking a cigar, his face only visible briefly as he took a draw from it.  The brightened ember of his Cuban cast an eerie orange glow across his ragged face.  The room was clouded by the
thickening haze.  The man from the blue car was becoming nervous, he looked down at the floor to see what was making a strange sound when he moved.  He realized he was standing on a large sheet of black plastic. 
“Not good!”