CHAPTER 6
The entire left wall in the central corridor of level two, of the ship destined for storage of food and supplies, was stained with blood. A thread that began almost at the door of the elevator was lost across the hall and almost to the end. One of my soldiers had found this while doing his patrol routine of the facilities. The alarm sounded off automatically. The general who came behind me was faster and pulled the gun he had in his waistband. Soldiers who heard, my call were there already. We decided to follow the traces of blood to the end and see that we found there. I took the lead between my body the empty hallway.
My mission was also caring for the General and his life. With signs I gave my soldiers orders to make silence, caution in this cases is a fundamental ingredient, I asked my staff for a secure channel through my intercom, I needed drawings of the floor plan sent to me, the possible exits on that side of the ship. Hopefully we could find the cause of this. I took from my pocket a refractor and in seconds I could study the floor plans. Then I gave three of my men the order to block the only exit available, if the responsible was still here, he could only exit where I had sent my soldiers or where we were. Now we just needed to follow the traces of the red spots and see where they took us.
We followed the trail of blood to the end of the hallway it bent to the right. And finally right again when we finally got to the end we stumbled upon an image that could not be more heartbreaking. Dr. Shetty lay slain on the floor. His neck was completely o return severed. His white coat was completely soaked in his own blood, his eyes wide open, clear signals of the struggle in his last minutes of life. On the stacked boxes in the warehouse we noticed the evidence of a pitched battle. They were all scratched it was obvious it had been a big struggle. Then I thought maybe the murderer of Dr. Shetty could be hurt, beaten, with some scratches. I sent one of my soldiers to the ship hospital to alert doctors, mainly to Dr. Jadhav. I gave orders that if someone were to seek medical attention, should communicate to me immediately.
General Singh also gave orders to shut down the entire second level of the ship. Before removing the body, we called in forensic specialists to check for evidence throughout the area and find some clue. After the general gave his orders, he stood up and gave me his direct orders.
- Brigadier, make sure no one enters this place until the blood and body have been removed, I do not want the civilian population on the ship to know about this, I expect you in my office in 10 minutes
. - He turned around, put his gun in his waist holster, and left horrible scene.
I left two soldiers in charge of watching the scene of the crime. Things were getting difficult for me in this mission, just in 24 hours we had two deaths. I could not even imagine how, but obviously the enemy had penetrated somehow.
I ordered one of my corporals to organize greater vigilance in the most desolate part of the ship. We would no longer make rounds. From now on I wanted two soldiers in each area. After I finished giving my orders, I left for the general’s office. Once there the man was sitting on his bed, shirtless, noticeably tired. I sat opposite him and waited for him to start talking.
- What do you think of this, Brigadier?
I did not want to cause unnecessary alarm- I stated,but I'm pretty sure we've been penetrated. Somehow the selection process with the civilians population, the enemy managed to infiltrate some of their men in the ship. How many of them, or who they are, I do not know, but they are among us.
- What is your plan then, Brigadier? What do you think we should do?
- First thing is to ask back home, information and procedure used to select civilians and compare it with our records, this way we might find some clue. If identities were stolen, then those civilians are still back home. We must get in touch with the military and try to find them. I already gave orders to strengthen surveillance in all parts of the ship. The forensics experts are now trying to find traces that lead to the murderer. Hopefully that gives us results. I also think that their goals are senior leaders and scientists. The first incident with the girl could be a fluke. According to her the man repeated a phrase in Arabic.
- So from now on Drs. and everyone who has high rank within this ship should be moved to another level, organize them in different rooms and increase their surveillance, also station soldiers in laboratories, in the hospital and in the control room where flight captains are.
- It will be done Brigadier, I think it is also time to inform the other two ships on what happened, they must have a report on this incident, but no one can doubt that they are probably also infiltrated. That could create chaos. I think it's best to be prepared.
- Ok. Contact the Brigadiers of the two ships through a secure channel and report on what happened. Now ask earth to send files with all the information used, mainly civil DNA. We can compare them to what we have here and that can help us uncover these terrorist.
A knock at the door interrupted the general. It was agent Shiva, head of the RAW with the initial report on what they found at the scene of the murder.Without asking he began to speak.
- The person who murdered Dr. Shetty is a trained professional. We did not find a single trace of anything, all the blood belongs to the Dr. His neck was cut with a sharp object, small knife or razor. The murder weapon was not found at the scene. We are confident that the Dr. was wounded first in the elevator. He had a cut behind his right cheekbone, this occurred first but it was not the cause of death. The initial study indicates that the body had been struggling and tortured before death.
It is possible that the murderer wanted to know something and used torture, he could have killed him in the elevator and did not. Dr. Shetty tried to defend himself. All the scratches on the boxes match the remains found in his nails. The death was caused by a severe cut into his aorta and this was lethal blow, this killer knew where he needed to cut. We have also concluded that it looks like it had to be a strong man, because he dragged his victim, the Dr. physically a tall man and nearly six feet tall and weighing around 200 pounds. Then the murderer had power to control that weight, or more than one. As I said earlier it is a professional, he wore gloves and mask. We could not find a trace of hair, nor a drop of sweat, or anything by the murderer.
The general stood up unexpectedly, nobody expected him to do that, sat in front of his computer. His back to us, contacting urgently with the FBI. The image appeared on the screen, it was the image of an agent,he greeted the general and began to speak.
- What can I do for you General? How are things up there?
-Hello, agent Barton, I requested personal communication with you because I need to report an extremely serious situation here, I can only trust the Brigadier Jay and his men, we had two major situations here, I can tell you that we have been infiltrated by the enemy. A man named Jamal Ahmed tried to kill a girl. He was caught trying to open a few panels in the wall, about an hour ago we found the body of Dr. Shetty beheaded. We think that enemies could be impersonating other identities and are within us. I need you to send me a list of all missing or found bodies on Indian soil in the last thirty days that are not victims of war. If possible send these records with medical reports, DNA. Social security and criminal history records. I have to stop this dangerous situation as soon as possible.
The man on the screen noted in astonishment as the general spoke. When the General finished explaining what happened, he responded:
- Do not worry, General, you can count on my discretion. I will send those files as soon as possible. Give me a few hours to get them ready.
- Remember Barton, that you need total discretion. I do not know how or where was this operation infiltrated, you will not comment on what I just asked you OK?
Barton nodded with military gesture to the general.
The screen went off the in the air, the General closed it then returned to us, and give us instructions. He started by Agent Shiva.
- Agent Shiva, re-check again the scene of Dr. Shetty death. Find something, anything, give me at least a clue. Again check the body again. Do the retinal test.
Perhaps we find something there. Use all necessary resources. I want to see back here with results in four hours. I do not want one more death on this ship. – He said, the officer got up and left right away. The general and I were alone again. The General slumped in his chair and slammed his fist on his desk, I never would have expected this reaction from this man that
I admired so, I dared not mention a single word. He looked up to me and started talking.
- Jay. It was the first time he had called me by my first name –I need you to take charge of checking the records that agent Barton sends. Make sure you reinforce security on all fronts, and all specialists in this ship, do not leave it in the hands of anyone else. Do it yourself personally. We do not know what will happen with this. I prefer a thousand times a thousand battles on land than this uncertainty. You take charge of the research and catch the enemies among us.
The general's words got to me, they seemed so very human, I could feel this strong military man that had commanded armies had collapsed under the pressure of all that had happened. I walked to where he was and put my right hand on his shoulder. I found in me encouraging words and a smile, I said.
- Everything will be fine, have faith in God, everything will be fine.
- I know -was his answer, this is why you were chosen among many, we have walked a bit of life together and I know who you are and what you are capable of giving. I am an old man now. I also know that if tomorrow I’m not here, this mission will be in good hands.
I removed my hand from his shoulder and with my right hand took his and expressed:
- Do not say that. You and I will return and liberate many battles together.
- No, son. My body is tired now.
The general's eyes were beginning to moisten, a bad feeling about this came to my mind. I decided to change the subject and asked.
- General, forgive my indiscretion. There is something I want to ask you, out of curiosity. May I?
- Brigadier, said. Of course, what do you want to know?
- Why is the President not on this ship?
- No captain abandons his ship, nor his sailors because, Brigadier, would you leave your men if an operation goes wrong or becomes dangerous?
- No – I quickly replied.
- Yesterday, when we boarded this ship, the President was in the secret hangars, I asked him a thousand times to come with us, but he showed his courage by strongly refusing. His wife and two children are somewhere in a safe place this massive of iron machine. Just myself and their secret service know where they are. But the president stayed behind to command his troops. From here I can only send blessings and wish that everything on earth goes well.That is a brave man.
With nothing to say after his answer, I asked for asked permission to leave, I'm convinced I’m a Brigadier of a country and armed forces always ready for anything in order to defend freedom.
**********