“Listen, McDonald. You can’t come in here and demand a Skimmer just like that. We have been put on high alert with the tension between countries about the water resources and our immense borders are difficult to cover. Haven’t you seen any news? Watched your scanner? Check your band now. You’ll find a Community
Alert,” the stocky, broad shouldered commander of Security said without looking at Martin. Commander
“EMILE SLUDGE, SECURITY PATROL”, his ID proclaimed. He wore a tiny communications headband
which looped over his shaggy, red hair. Sludge was a light skinned mulatto of Spanish extraction. He had a deep, husky voice.
“Sir, I am aware of the situation which is exactly why I am here this morning. By the way sir, who specifically is this tension with?” Martin asked.
“It’s obvious McDonald, primarily our neighbors to the east and south, Columbia and America. We have water, lots of it. We will shortly have a delivery system, best in the world. They don’t have either. It’s obvious, McDonald,” he replied briskly.
“If you will listen to me for a minute, I’ll explain that the water system you just spoke of may be in danger of being compromised by an Anglo employee of Alleghenia, who has left without a Security passport,” Martin said firmly.
Commander Sludge sat up in his large chair and said to Marin, “Let me hear more, McDonald.”
“This Anglo, Kurt Sloan, works at the Historical Commission offices in the Castro Complex at University Center. He and I lived in the same house over in Bloomfield. He’s disappeared from the house and his work location. If you check his Work Location in the System, you can see he hasn’t been there the last two days. His supervisor didn’t know he was missing or where he is. He just left.”
“Okay, so what? I need more to go on than you just coming in here with this story. Maybe the man is drunk somewhere. Shacked up, whatever.”
“He’s not, I have checked with his friends. He’s gone.”
“What else?” Sludge asked more seriously this time.
“I have definite information that he may have taken critical data relating to the Aquifer System. I also have information that he is escaping in a most unusual way.”
Sludge bent towards the front of his desk and asked, ”The Aquifer System. That would be serious, very serious and what’s this escape method?” Sludge sternly asked.
“All the data I have collected convinces me that he is using the Great Allegheny Passage hiking trail that goes from here to Columbia through the Laurel Mountains. It’s been unused for years but he has secured maps of the route for sure. I’m here, sir, to volunteer as a patriot, to look for him. I believe because he’s hiking a trail in the mountains, that the best method would be to use a Skimmer. It’s the only way to fly over its length, find him, and bring him back to Pittsburgh for interrogation.”
Sludge did not respond for a few seconds. He looked at Martin and then stood up. He walked over to the large office window, looked out and quickly turned back and said, “You may be on to something. First, we normally don’t bring on volunteer security people and second, even if we decided to do so, I haven’t an extra Skimmer.
But if I had one, Headquarters wouldn’t allow me to use it to find one man. Jesus, I’ve sent out Skimmers on seven red alerts in the last two weeks and so far, we’ve picked up five suspects. In fact right now, all of our available Skimmers are on duty,” he said.
“All I’m asking for is a Skimmer to search the length of the Great Allegheny Passage for three days. I know we’ll find him in that time. He may be a terrible security leak. What if the whole water system was
compromised by one person? I know how he’s getting out of the country. He’s going by way of an old trail that goes right to the Columbia border. As you said, tensions between us are high and they would love to have information on our Aquifer System. If they got such information, don’t you think our leaders in Nuevo York would be devastated? It would create a national crisis”.
Sludge looked at him for a few seconds and sat back down. He looked away and then back at Martin. “It’s all speculation. You think this guy has information on the Aquifer? Do you know what he’s got? We can’t run this unit on guesswork, especially from a student, a non-professional. That’s just the way it is,” he said and he stood up again looking at Martin as if he expected him to leave.
Martin didn’t move. He looked up and replied, “With all due respect Commander, I want to see whoever can make the final decision on this matter. As a citizen I have that right,” he said firmly.”
“Why should I tell you anything? You barge in here with some wild story about an Anglo taking down the whole fuckin’ country. Anyone would need proof of your allegations. You know that guy may be an Anglo, but he’s got rights too. If he’s still here, he’s got as much rights as you or me.”
“Commander, I’ve worked hard to get where I am at this point in my life. I believe in our country and I know that this man is a threat. We all have too much to lose, so as a citizen, I ask again, to be able to take my case to someone in the next level. That, by the way, is also my right. Read the Code of Civilian Rights, sir,” as Martin ended with a strong, firm voice as he stood to face Sludge.
Sludge looked at Martin and said, “OK, your next stop would be to the Provost Marshal over at the Alleghenia Headquarters on Grant Street. Her office is on the third floor. If she believes this search is as important as you think, she can make it happen. Don’t count on anything, but you might find her in a good mood.”
“She? Her? A Provost Marshal? I thought they were like the police enforcer types,” Martin said.
“They are and believe me, she is. They’re the super police force of the various Republics in Atlantica. In Pittsburgh, our Provost is a lady. Don’t let her gray eyes and great legs throw you. She’s a tough son of a ...,” he paused and then picked up, “I guess tough daughter of a bitch is more accurate,” he said, laughing at his description with a feline like smile on his face. “Her name is Marshal Clay. First name is Dawn, I’ve never heard anyone use that name. To you she is Marshal Clay, period. Don’t try any bullshit on this one. Tell her, if you would, that I took your request as a citizen very seriously and that I was abiding by the Code in recommending you talk with her. I will send a request to her office immediately that you would like a meeting as soon as possible. I could have thrown you out, McDonald. I get citizens in here all the time with all kinds of tales about neighbors, service delivery people, even other Administration personnel, but you, you’re good,” he said smiling that cat smile of his at Martin. “I have to admit, you are a convincing young man. You should be going into the law. But remember, if she for some reason approves your request, you are on your own. If she sends me the okay, I’ll try and get one of our better pilots to take you. But you won’t be going anywhere unless you get the okay from the Marshal. You understand, don’t you?” he stated.
“I do. And Sludge, I remember people who help me. You’re on my list.
“Fuck the list, make sure you know what you’re doing or you’ll be on my list. It’s a short one, McDonald.”
“Hate to push my luck, but when will I know?” Martin said as he was about to go through the door.
“You have and soon, maybe later today. Depends on the Provost,” Commander Sludge replied without looking up.
Martin left Sludge’s office and was quickly on Grant Street, the main thoroughfare in Pittsburgh. He had decided to go directly to Security Headquarters and wait for the Provost Marshal’s decision. If his request was granted, no time would be wasted and he felt time was critical in finding Sloan.
The late November air was brisk. Far across the Monongahela River, he could see the side of Mt. Washington, which loomed over Pittsburgh. This part of the city was still the center of this old town. He was walking beside the classic Headquarters of Alleghenia’s Administration. The building had served for over a hundred years and fifty years in the same role for the City of Pittsburgh. It had been totally renovated years before by the State of Pennsylvania as a historic landmark, but while doing so, they had also completely brought it into the 21st Century of wireless technology. It was now powered by solar energy which in Pittsburgh, one of the cloudiest locations in the Hemisphere, was a technical miracle. As Martin walked he noted business people, obviously from different nationalities. It made him think of the economic potential of Alleghenia, especially with its reservoir of natural resources. Thinking of this, it became clear why Nuevo York would want to take control of these resources as had been rumored. Martin feared it could cause great friction between the leaders of Atlantica and Alleghenia, which made his discovery of Sloan’s disappearance even more important. ‘If another country gained any important system information at this time, it might weaken our country’s position especially with the UN getting involved,’ he thought.
His discovery was becoming much more than a disgruntled Anglo leaving the country. It was becoming a
potentially international bombshell or at least might create a conflict between Atlantica and the state of Alleghenia. This thought frightened Martin, as his loyalty was to Atlantica, but also he had a stake in the future success of his adopted Alleghenia. “Right now I have to protect them both by getting a Skimmer and finding Sloan,” he said out loud confidently as he jogged up the steps of the Security Complex.