Chapter 36

Mika saw horrific images, and it felt as if the pain was happening to her at that very moment. The visions suddenly stopped as Mika tossed the hoody onto the woman, and rushed for the exit. Before reaching the door the voice rang in her head once more.

"Please help me...I just wanna go home."

Mika glanced back at Nissa before slamming the door. She was struggling to catch her breath as the room went through decontamination. Nissa noticed the clothes, and promptly put them on. Watching her stand up Mika noticed how close their bodies resembled a human.

'If it wasn't for those eyes we couldn't tell through the hoody.'

Mika entered the laboratory trying to reassure herself this was a necessity. Omar realized most of the cells were empty, but there were two left. He stepped forward to look into the room, but it was too dark. A figure gradually stepped out from the shadows, and a horrid look overtook Omar. He ran off to the side and vomited onto the ground.

'What the fuck was that?' Omar tried to shake the image from his head.

"We have the means to fix that now." Kurt offered his handkerchief to Omar.

"If we take any longer we could be late," Mika told Omar.

"You should get going." Kurt smiled.

Mika smiled politely and helped Omar along as they retraced their steps. Kurt went to check on today's interrogation as the others disappeared from view. She had a sigh of relief and rushed for the exit. Walking through the hangar Omar didn't even glance in the direction of the ships.

'Does everyone know about this?' Omar glanced back at the vault.

"All personnel below level four need to exit the hangar until further instructions."

Researchers rapidly cleared the room, and only security personnel remained. Before Omar reached the hallway to the elevator he witnessed an alien being escorted to one of the ships. Mika pulled him along as they rode the elevator to the garage.

"Wouldn't a chopper be quicker?" Omar asked.

"We need another vehicle for the operation. Could you drive while I continue the background checks?" Mika requested.

"I don't mind," Omar replied.

They entered the garage as silence resumed. Being a manhunt they needed a vehicle capable of high-speed chases. This would be an easy find from their selection, but it also had to be durable in case of contact. They settled on a sixty-two impala that was renovated with state-of-the-art equipment.

'Why can't we take these every time?' Omar glanced at the surrounding selection.

Omar tried hard to distract himself from his visit to the vault with the gadgets inside, but it didn't last long. Mika finished loading the weapons into the trunk and walked over to the passenger side. She took her seat and tapped on the console as a laptop appeared.

"Was that leg.."

Mika rapidly covered his mouth and gave him a serious look. Talking about Kurt's operations to any degree was a risky move. A few agents stepped forward in the past and were never seen again. Knowing the entire bunker was bugged she didn't want her comrade rocking the boat.

"Focus on the road." Mika interrupted while shaking her head.

Omar now understood the fearful look Mika had before entering the elevator. He did as Mika instructed while she began working. She was starting with Cameron's adoptive family. There were several sudden removals, but none of them correlated with powers.

'These sessions display sociopathic tendencies, but nothing extraterrestrial. Was he always in the system?' Mika continued browsing.

'That's a tragedy for sure, but it doesn't seem off either. Alaska is a hotspot for sure, but she shows no signs of contact and lived an average life. She had a husband, but his autopsy revealed natural causes. Was it a case of adultery?'

Mika glanced at Yura's autopsy and noticed the cause of death listed. She was prepared to search elsewhere when noticing an odd scar along the chest. It wasn't looked over for long since it resembled a burn. It was an hour after sunrise as they hit the road to regroup with Murphy in Lake Havasu.

---

The investigation just concluded along the mountain and they relayed the cover stories to the proper channels. They were playing the destruction on the mountain as the result of an earthquake. Those who witnessed the UAP were convinced that it was a drone checking the damages in the area.

Agent Murphy was currently talking to a member of the FBI, and the leader of the highway patrol. Waiting behind the yellow line was an audience of locals devastated about the destruction. Hiking up the scene was a news team, and Garrett signaled Murphy.

"Remind them to report their sightings not attempt apprehension themselves." Murphy turned from the approaching news cams.

"Where are you going?" The officer asked.

"To meet with the tribal police," Murphy put on his glasses.

Garrett escorted Murphy down a discreet part of the hill. They neared the highway as the van pulled up, and the door opened to await them. Murphy loaded up first and checked on the surveillance team's progress.

"Any luck?" Murphy inquired.

"No signs of the anomaly, but we do have some company today." The agent pointed at the screen.

"Staying out of range as usual." Garrett looked over their shoulders.

"If they are lingering in the area then we're on the same track." Murphy took his seat near the driver.

In under thirty minutes, they met the tribal police on the outskirts of the reservation. Murphy exited the front of the van and adjusted his suit. Noticing the cane the sheriff approached to shorten his trip.

"It's been a while." Murphy smiled.

"That's a good thing. Anytime you're around it means trouble." Tobias replied with a stern tone.

"Mind if we look around?" Murphy asked.

"You know we do. We're more than capable of watching our own land." Tobias replied.

"You're aware of the federal manhunt right?" Murphy asked.

"And we've checked the grounds thoroughly, but you're welcome to have a look. Just don't stay a minute longer than you need to."Henry motioned his men to unblock the road.