Marcus Markley IV: Taking the World by Storm!

By J.A. Green

Taking the world by storm is the fourth installment of the Marcus Markley series. Marcus and his team are back with a few surprises. Markley Enterprises and its many subsidiaries further develop new opportunities while resolving many of the hardships that have occurred since the pandemic. The objects that come at Earth have set off a sequence of events the likes of which the planet has never seen in recorded history. The events will cause Markley Enterprises to look at the challenges on the Earth, in the Earth, and beyond the Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Green
• Release date: Jul 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310775413

J.A. Green

J. A. Green is an author of fiction writings in the suspense and action genres. The style of J. A. Green's writings are an easy reading often using short chapters for busy readers. He has enjoyed creative writing since his teen years (a long time ago, in a state far away). He hopes you will enjoy all his works as much as he enjoyed bringing them to you. J. A. Green is the author of the: Marcus Markley series, Passages, The Coliseum Games, Deception!, and Battlecry!

Book preview

Taking the World by Storm!

J.A. Green

Dedication

To my incredible family (and you know who you are) who have loved and supported me through these works in progress. Thank you for brainstorming with me and holding me accountable to what is truly important God and Family.

Disclaimer 1

All characters, events, and circumstances are fictional. Any similarity to persons living or deceased are purely coincidental.

Disclaimer 2

This book has been edited multiple times. There are possibly grammatical or spelling errors. While we have edited, revised, and scrutinized, mistakes may exist. If you wish to let us know you found one (or more), please contact me at [e-mail], providing page number and paragraph, what the mistake is and what it should be. If necessary a revision will be made.

Marcus Markley et al. are fictitious characters. All characters in these storylines are original and fictitious. Any resemblance of events, people, living or deceased are coincidental.

Marcus Markley: Taking the World by Storm! © 2016.

Chapter 1

The objects were reported to be coming toward Earth’s atmosphere at over 100,000 miles per hour. The Mars team had reported the issues hours ago in hopes the signal would be moving faster than the objects. They could not identify the objects. They may have been medium size asteroids or debris from a now nonexistent planet, galaxies away. It could be some type of transport.

Markley Technologies Space Exploration Division or Mar-Tec Space as it was often referred to continued working to set up a network of stations in orbit of surrounding planets to Earth and on these planets. Mars was the first planet. The Moon had a base that had expanded significantly moving space research ahead generations in a few short years. The Mars Transport Station and Moon Base 1, along with the Space Station all reported the objects. Nobody had been able to identify the objects coming rapidly at Earth.

Dr. Whitehead authorized a global partnership to use nuclear weapons in the Stratosphere and beyond for cases such as this. Whitehead accessed the low orbit stations of Mar-Tec Space to authorize use of weapons, nuclear and other for Earth’s Defense. Weapons around the globe were immediately dispatched from every continent, as well as the stations. Mars had fired their only missile they had successfully to chase after the object in hopes of catching the objects with no guarantees. The Moon had also fired their missile and had lasers on target to send several very high concentration blasts.

A mission of this type had been practiced in virtual scenarios for over a year. The division hoped it would only be precautionary not ever truly necessary, though here they were. An unidentified flying object was coming from outer space towards the Earth due to arrive within the next 2 hours. The weapons raced on target for the objects. The satellite stations sent their lasers in long blasts towards the objects. Moon tried to make contact. Since it was unidentified, contact would be difficult if there was a living being on the object. Nobody knew what the object was even made of, this was all guess work.

Marcus watched the big boards from the back of Command Center. They had just wrapped a message for the go ahead of expanding operations in conjunction with the 5 and ten year goals. He now wished they had moved faster. He thought, should have, could have, or would have, this was about as fast as they could, should, and would in order to do it right. If this was successful though it would be a huge shot in the arm for these programs.

The lasers from Moon and the satellite stations hit within a minute of each other. A constant barrage of laser bursts were shot into the object. A few small pieces broke off. According to projections they would bounce off the atmosphere and cause no damage to speak of to the planet. The missiles continued towards the main object. One minute to contact with the first missile. Everyone focused on the big boards tracking these objects. Thirty seconds to go for the first of 20 nuclear weapons that had been stockpiled for just this purpose.

Marcus and the Enterprises had picked up a healthy supply for some economic backing in some post-soviet nations that were struggling after the end of the cold war in order to instill capitalism. Markley Enterprises had been happy to oblige in exchange for receiving the weapons, they provided the technology and research, including hiring the researchers, maintaining the control. They were all adapted to the Enterprises way and Mar-Tec Space.

The first missile hit causing a major explosion though brief. Over the next five minutes the object was hit by over 500 megatons of nuclear weaponry. When the screens cleared of the explosions, the object had broken into ten pieces. Eight of these pieces would miss the atmosphere and likely burn up on route to the Sun. The two remaining pieces would hit the atmosphere. As they drew nearer the larger one was about the size of a Mini Cooper. The smaller one the size of a SMART car. Missiles were fired and prepped for launch once a firm trajectory was plotted along with multiple alternate paths. Fighters from multiple military agencies were scrambled armed with high powered nuclear weapons.

The larger object hit the atmosphere like a shot heard around the world. Australia, Chile, and South Korea launched 3 missiles each from the Mar-Tec Sites that were only armed for these purposes. It appeared the object would hit the edge of Antarctica between South America and New Zealand. The missiles hit within seconds of each other throttled from Tucson Command Control. Direct hit, most pieces hitting the ocean. This would cause some high surf warning s for a while.

Seconds later, the smaller object hit the atmosphere. It was headed for Siberia. Missiles were fired from Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Philippines, and Japan. They hit the smaller object again within seconds literally evaporating the object in air.

There was a collective sigh of relief. After Marcus’ heart stopped racing, he smiled. He looked over at Dr. Whitehead who was wiping his forehead and slowing his heart rate through controlled breathing.

Chapter 2

Australian Command Center, Port Kembia, NSW, Australia sat a compound that looked like a business park and a fly in airstrip for corporate jets and local pilots working in the park. In reality this park was one large organization with several affiliate organizations to the parent company. The park served on the surface as an aeronautics based Research Park. This was true to an extent. Mar-Tec the parent organization facilitated engineering and innovation as to space research.

Kembia had been instrumental in facilitating the Mars Base after the crash landing on the surface. It was this center with its mission control center working with Tucson that had allowed the project failure to be turned into a project success. As a result, funding and expansion had occurred in the past year. The pandemic had wreaked havoc on its population and resources. Somehow the organization had stayed strong. Many of its workers now living in the Southern Australia Community and its facilities

The base coordinated with The Compound a few thousand miles away and several miles under the South China Sea. Recently a remote link had been added to the private transport lines specifically for Markley Enterprises. The Community that was based for Southeastern Australia between Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney housed some 20 million people. Some of the residents were indigenous to the area. Others had been transferred in to stabilize this area. Many had been selected to live and work in the area as they provided value to the Research Park either directly or indirectly. The Southern Australia Community had prospered well.

Drs. John Weiler and Sarah Parkinson were the designated Executive Directors. Weiler was over the Administrative Operations. Parkinson was over the Research Operations. Both answered to Whitehead’s office, the Executive Director of Mar-Tec Space. Weiler and Parkinson had known each other when they worked for the Australian Space Agency or ASA. They had complimented each other well for over 15 years both at the two agencies. Their teams had been watching the incident in the Mission Center as they had just wrapped a meeting with the MT-S Executive Council and Mr. Markley himself had been in attendance from Tucson.

John this was like nothing we have ever experienced before, stated Sarah. I agree Sarah, replied John. Mar-Tec has had some close calls before. Heck, it is one of the things that makes this work so exciting. The job is rarely the same two days in a row. If I did not know better I would have thought this was a scene from a bad movie or one of those tragic space movies from the early 2000s, said Sarah.

Mar-Tec in recent years had begun developing colonies in mines they had excavated for other purposes. The communities and compounds developed around the globe that sat miles below the earth’s surface had proven quite beneficial in the recent world events. Markley Enterprises had started these projects initially as a replenishment program for the planet and its many resources. Marcus Markley himself had ordained the program as a way of giving back from the bounty the planet had given the Enterprises.

The Space program had been an experiment started over 10 years ago that was a lot of theory, hypothesis and planning for years. Space programs had really been government entities with a few early pioneers in the private sector, most choosing to contract with the government agencies. So much regulatory affairs entered the programs. Whenever there was a crisis either funding was increased with unreal expectations to solve the problem or funds were greatly restricted until the crisis in the government had passed.

The Private Space Exploration Coalition, primarily operated by and funded through Markley Enterprises and by association Markley Technologies-Space Exploration served as the foundational component and agency in which others supported. Marcus Markley was the sole owner of Markley Enterprises and had a vested interest in the success of the contracted vendors and associated organizations. He personally reviewed each partner as to their worthiness and significance of their projected contribution or ongoing contribution. If they could not produce or deliver as promised they were removed and replaced.

Markley took the program extremely seriously. So much so he invested in each company heavily. He did this partly for control, and partly for the innovation. Many alliances were built as a consequence. All companies prospered, or else.

Markley and the other owners were business people, though they knew they did not know space exploration and sciences involved. Whitehead was an excellent bridge at administrating business and science with research and how to maximize potential including how to make a solid profit from the endeavors. Markley had developed a strong team to cover the respected interests which allowed for no nonsense.

The crisis of the meteorites or whatever they were had been abated. The executive council had been reconvened. Markley and Whitehead were facilitating, primarily Whitehead. The teams were delegating their teams to determine what happened and preliminary reports of what had worked and what had not. Marcus was fine taking a back seat and listening to this situation and how the decisions were arrived at.

Stephen Jefferies, Project Director of Stratospheric Colonial and Unique Development and Defense or SCUDD which he was jokingly referred to as the Chief Stud at SCUDD. Stephen spoke up on the videoconference. Our low orbiting stations provided outstanding support during the crisis. This was a great test of our potential and effectiveness, he stated. We will be reviewing the data. The situation analysis should provide outstanding feedback as to what we did well and where to improve. From what I could tell there was a delay in cooperation between the Defense Teams onsite and the government agencies authorizing release of weapons. Early reports indicate a lag time in the decision process due to multiple layers for approval by certain key governments.

Marcus spoke up: Steve, please submit your full report to Dr. Whitehead for review. He will forward the final copy to me. If necessary we will get the appropriate people involved to address these issues if diplomatic solutions at lower levels are not identified and resolved. A meeting of the Global Congress Executive Council may be forthcoming as a result of the event. Please make sure, all of you please make sure we are well informed and fully prepared for this meeting 1 week hence. Dr. Whitehead, said Marcus, I would like to request with your permission final reports be on your desk by 9:00 am Pacific Time, Wednesday one week from now, then the complete summaries to me by 7am Friday Pacific Time. The GCEC meeting will be the following Monday. Dr. Whitehead acknowledged and agreed. The meeting was adjourned and the teams fired up to run on all cylinders reviewing and assessing all aspects to begin the process for the final reports.

Chapter 3

The warm desert air exhilarated him as he drove down the dirty two lane highways between Tucson and Interstate 8. Once he arrived on Interstate 8 driving his 600S, he made a brief stop for a bottle of water and some premium fuel. He added the new MER fuel additive to increase power while lowering exhaust emissions. He thought this was one product very much needed for his 12-cylinder convertible addiction.

Marcus drove across the lower Mojave Desert down towards I-8 and San Diego from Tucson. It had been a long few days of meetings at Mar-Tec Space. He loved what they were doing. They had great leadership and a strong promise for what the strategic vision was short term and long term. As he drove the 6 hours back to the California coast then turned right to drive up the coast late this summer night which turned into early the next morning by the time he would arrive at Markley Mountain, he will have thought a lot about how to best address these projects.

He rolled back out to the highway. It was about 11pm when he crossed from Arizona into California. He cleared the Agricultural Inspection Station. It was not about 150 miles of open road and four lane highway until Indio then into San Diego. He would cruise to I-5 and then onto the 405 near Irvine, onto Santa Monica, the 10 and into Malibu going up the PCH from Santa Monica where Interstate 10 ended. What should have been about a 7 hour drive he concluded in a little over 5 hours. The warm air gave way to coastal breezes. The top was down the whole way.

Marcus thought this is what driving is made for. These were the times he liked best if he was not in the deal. He relaxed on these long drives. He wondered if since he had to fly so often internationally, if should he consider getting his pilot's license? Unfortunately to fly himself would take too much time away from conducting business which was often done on flights. As he contemplated this he realized it was because of such situations where he often chose to bring people along on flights he would not enjoy flying as a pilot for this. He really enjoyed these times with the top down and rolling through the desert to the coast. He had never done a drive coast to coast. He might have to do this. How would he make best use of his time? He would have to think on this.

Was it time to increase the levels between him and the Space Exploration Program? What would be the right move? Should there be a liaison between the communities subterranean and extraterrestrial? Should there be someone for subterranean and one for space? Some tough decisions were on the horizon. Who would be the right people that he could call upon for these changes?

Marcus knew the Enterprises thrived under his control and his dynamic leaders. Giving up some degree of control and direct contact often meant risk of deviation form the plan, this was never acceptable though he knew some variance in execution and application was reasonable to allow leaders and the programs to thrive. By relinquishing to a leader focused on these projects, the division would be expected to grow and grow exponentially without significant increase in overhead. Most of the selected leaders knew this long before they achieved such a position.

Marcus rolled up to the gate of Markley Mountain at about 4am. Many of his neighbors would be getting up for the day. Some heading to the studio. Others to their high rise offices. Some were fortunate like him to be able to operate from the surroundings of their residence. He parked the Benz in the garage, grabbed his bags and headed into the house. After a quick shower and dressing he headed to the Mountain and into his office. He was at his desk by 5 am. On his desk was a fresh cup of coffee and a large bottle of chilled water along with all the morning reports. He grabbed the reports and the coffee heading for the oversized wing chair in his reading area. His tablet and phone with him he began to read and make notes. The day had begun before he would start his day of doing business.

Chapter 4

The global pandemic had devastated the population. A large percentage of those that had resided in more populated areas had taken to underground. Some had chosen to move to underground facilities such as the communities Markley Enterprises offered. Many had chosen to take their chances. As a result most had been severely infected in they were in more remote areas, whereas others had lived in a lager cosmopolitan environment and the antidote did not come fast enough. They had either died or permanently disabled Freedrik Ignacio and his organization had caused a global calamity. This had been his agenda of sorts to shift the paradigms in the balance of power.

The atmosphere had significantly improved from several months ago at the height of the pandemic. There were those that chose to leave the underground communities in order to return to the surface. Others chose to remain in the subterranean environment in order to pursue a better quality of life. There were those that had chosen to create a better life and become a more integral part of their community. There were those that believed themselves more entitled to being taken care of due to the events of these past months. They watched their empowerment wane as the opportunity faded to be a part of something greater.

The new government systems in the United States and many other leading nations had done away with Public Assistance for those unwilling yet able to be contributors to their community or to their nation. Those that were truly unable to work or contribute in some viable form were offered limited services in a more controlled environment where often collectively they were able to generate some type of contribution on some level.

More than the environmental physical climate had changed. The services to the manipulators of the system were shifted dramatically. If an individual was able to work in physical labor, office or administrative work, or food services, they were offered a position within the new government. Markley Enterprises offered similar opportunities. Some individuals did not choose to exercise this option.

Many had special services and were recruited to be in a more active role as they had taken the initiative and chose to demonstrate greater benefit to all in their community and the surrounding communities. For those that chose to try to live off the new system they were allowed to stay until it was safe to be evacuated from the subterranean communities. When the all clear was given by the government these individuals had been released from the communities to pursue their own options. Many had expected a financial or lifestyle adjustment and believed they were owed this.

Those that had entered a Markley Community had signed a contract to forfeit their property on the surface. If there was no real property, they would make arrangements to work off their housing and living expenses while in the community unless they chose one of the more entrepreneurial options. The contract had offered a cash stipend at the termination of the contract if all conditions were met. Most had not met this condition. As a result, they were released to their own devices.

The US government was in the process of re-establishing itself. It was not fully functioning and would not be for some time. Several private security services were contracted to provide support services in physical and intellectual security. Others private service providers were contracted for health care, community services, and assistance to those that could prove a debilitating disability that prevented them from serving in some manner.

If at all possible citizens and residents were expected to contribute in some manner whether picking up trash, clearing debris, answering a phone, stuffing an envelope, or administrating a major computer network. Participants were needed at all levels to bring the country back. If all went well the country would come back stronger and healthier than before.

The population that expected to be taken care of quickly learned their own survival skills when they tried moving from community to community and did not receive assistance unless they were willing to step up and be a part of the community by contributing. All would be welcomed with open arms. Upon assessment if they did not choose a role, the No Work, No Pay Policy was enacted and they were not allowed to stay in the community. The result had developed a new type of homeless population.

Those that had chosen to not be a part of the structured communities were forced to live in non-occupied areas, often the abandoned or deserted communities due to the massive loss of life. Thus, there was considerable looting of these communities. Rules were established by local leaders of the structured communities and the contracted services by the federal government to addressing these issues. Law enforcement was provided guidelines with reasonable leniency as to interpretation of these rules. Any misappropriation by the contractors or their employees would be dealt with severely under treason laws to the US Government. The government was in the process of stabilizing the 5 branches of military service. Some militia groups were developing to enforce their own version of martial law.

Markley Security Forces was one of the major contract agencies for security and physical facilities and law enforcement. The Force brought on many refugees that had chosen to join the company in order to restore the peace and the social order. The MSF also developed units to protect the properties now owned by Markley Enterprises or Markley Investments. Many properties had been fenced off with roving patrols. The properties were widely spread out thus physical security was difficult at best.

Marcus and Michael had ordered installation of security systems including video at these sites if only a few webcams and an old POTS line connected to a centrally located recording equipment. All infractions by unauthorized individuals were quickly and swiftly dealt with as best the force could do. In fairness all violators were given options to make restitution. Some were put to work to be allowed a hand up. Others expected a hand out due to the massiveness of the corporation that owned the property. Marcus heard of these instances and became increasingly concerned of this separation of class and what this had done.

He had met with Phil Hendrix at M3, Sergio Aguirre at Markley Health Services, and Diego Sanchez at Markley Community Services. Each was a contract agency to the federal government. Each was also a key part of Markley Enterprises in many different aspects of the organization and on a global basis. They developed a plan in conjunction with Thomas Phydeux at MSF to break through any barriers to provide expedited service to an identified family or individual that was willing to invest, contract, or contribute to the environment. This way anybody that would add value would be welcomed with open arms to be brought into the communities and given a new start.

Not everyone chose to exercise this option. They were then detained until their arraignment hearing. At this hearing their choices were laid out to them. If they expected to be taken care of this would not happen unless they could prove a disability or illness that completely disallowed them from providing any substantial contribution to nation or community at any level. If they could not provide such proof written, physical, or mental and emotional, they were taken to The Facility.

The Facility consisted of 4 locations in the US: East, West, North, and South. The facility was no more than a holding tank for these individuals. They came in wearing the clothes they had on and any possessions. It was here they would live out their life. They were provided no food, shelter, clothing, or any services. The individuals were merely contained in these locations. They either survived or they did not.

The personnel were not required to provide for these detainees, only to prevent them from escaping. Life in The Facility was brutal. Some would say inhumane. Most would say they were given any and all opportunities to survive and thrive prior to coming here.

An individual that was contained at The Facility could request a reconsideration hearing. They would be given such a hearing within 24 hours of filing the request. An individual contained here could make one request for such a hearing. They would be offered the same thing as at the arraignment hearing.

If they chose to join a community, they were monitored on a probationary basis to insure quality of service. Some chose to negate their contract. They were returned to The Facility never to be seen again. Most did not survive in The Facility for more than 168 hours or one week. By this time, they were so emaciated and dehydrated they could not survive, or they had lost their will to live and died thinking they were owed something.

Few complained that were members of the community. Yes there were protestors as some of the individuals lost to The Facility were family or friends of the deceased. They were reminded all opportunities had been afforded these individuals. They had chosen not to be a viable part of society. As a result of these measures, crime was down significantly from the previous 10 years.

Some stated it would have been anyhow due to reduction in population. The officials had to admit to a degree this was true however incidents of crime in the communities were drastically lower. All community members were invested in the community and each other to be successful together and together be stronger. There is a pride in the community and the nation.

These programs were difficult to bring into being and to continually implement. It was sad to see any individual choose death and their own path to destruction by choosing not to be viable. It was disappointing on many levels. Most leading nations implemented similar programs as the US Model. They also reported far less crime and need for additional services, thus lowering overhead to the government, allowing more empowerment to the citizens. Decision making was made at the local levels with national oversight.

Crime and punishment looked very different. Any crimes committed were dealt with swiftly and directly. The legal system was dramatically streamlined. If a hearing was necessary, a select group of a diverse population from a neighboring community that would be neutral was brought in to hear the case and the Court Officer would hand down the judgment in accordance to the jury’s findings and the laws in place.

The Court Officers had wide parameters to work within with broad interpretation. Immediate rehabilitation or restoral if warranted was offered. If there was no indication of remorse or willingness to rehabilitate, the individual was moved to The Facility.

At first this system met resistance. As crime had dropped and community investment improved, there was greater acceptance. Several agencies had come together to develop the US Model. These contract agencies offered to establish similar systems to other nations. Of the now 150 recognized nations, over 75 had adopted this system. The numbers were growing daily it seemed.

Markley Security Forces were an instrumental contributor for these services. Samantha, Thomas’ personal assistant for the past several years was named to head the Global Security Team that provided the contract services for policing, transport to and from hearings and to and from facilities. Sam had learned the business well watching Thomas and his teams under MSF. In these first few months she had structured and developed this organization to be a well-oiled machine. She added degrees of scalability that only a world class organizer and leader could. Marcus and Thomas knew they had made a great choice. Sam had been quickly placed as Executive Director of the Global Congress Community Policing Council, spearheading the policies and practices for these organizations globally that were GC members.

Chapter 5

The estate looked out over the beautiful South Pacific. It seemed as if on a clear day you could see all the way to Antarctica. The white clouds on the horizon looked like they could be the tips of the mountains from the frozen continent. Today was one of those days.

He came out from the laboratory building to get a bit of fresh air. He looked out to the ocean and the beautiful blue waters. There were some white caps out there at a distance. A strong breeze was coming in. The clouds were moving towards them quickly. The radar had been showing a fast moving storm from the East as well as one form the Southwest coming in to meet over the stretch of water between Tasmania, New Zealand, and Australia. This would make the search harder though not impossible.

He returned to the building and walked down to the Command Center deep in the caves below The Coast House. Hank, the Executive Director of the facility gave the order to launch the unit to begin the search. The goal being for the unit to get deep enough before the storms came in and made visibility more of an issue. The unit of 6 submersibles, 4 two man units being carried by 2 larger submersibles that were the long range and base of operations for the team. Eight individuals were assigned to the small submersibles to go deeper. These were the new all-terrain vehicles developed by Mar-Tec Space at The Compound. So far these experimental devices had proven quite durable and self-sufficient for what they were designed. The larger vehicles were refurbished and redesigned Aquila class submarines that Mar-Tec had picked up in a salvage sale from the US government and made their own modifications.

This mission would allow The Coast House operations to identify four lost vessels that had disappeared over the past 10 years in some of the most desolate and deep waters in the world. These uniquely designed units could go deeper than any other vessels of this size and were specifically designed for extreme conditions. The combined unit was successfully launched and descending quickly to greater depths. The next 48 hours would tell the tale as to if this mission had a reasonable chance of success.

Chapter 6

The woman entered the lobby of the hotel not being noticeably visible in a deliberate manner. She strolled up to the front desk to check in. Yes, a double room please, she requested of the clerk. She paid cash for the room and registered as Sonya Alberts, one of her many false identities. She headed for the room on the third floor in the back east corner.

Upon reaching her room she texted a message: Go. She then changed into a different disguise and headed for a back door. The monitoring equipment was in place. She went for her jog to return in 90 minutes. She jogged past the building in question where she received confirmation all was going as planned.

She jogged to the back entrance and entered through a service entrance in a services uniform and identification badge. She opened the utility closet and pulled out the cleaning cart. The woman then headed to the 35th floor with the cart to start her duties. Upon exiting the service elevator on 35, she placed her mobile device on the cart.

As she worked her way through the floor and the executive offices in the Northwestern corner of the floor, she dusted the desks. Her mobile device was transferring all the packet information and security countermeasures that had been installed a week ago by the Security Technology Consultants hired for increased corporate protection. In a matter of minutes, she had the information she needed. She worked her way back to the cart and did the same thing on the 34th floor.

The offices on these two floors were the offices of Bachendorf and Becker, A Consultancy Firm for Management and Executives. Their client list read like a Who’s Who of the Fortune 400. The firm had also recently started a Headhunter recruiting arm to assist their registered clients in achieving Master of the Universe stature more expeditiously. The two floors were completed within about 45 minutes. The woman returned to her cart and took the service elevator to the 33rd floor. She placed the cart in a service closet. She entered a women’s restroom. It was here she exited the building, at least according to any security surveillance. Later review would show no identifying information to place her in the building. Her presence had been completely wiped.

She exited the building 51 minutes after entering. She walked casually back to the hotel with a bag of fast food. She entered from a different side door careful to not give away any facial of body features. She waited until late that night before she exited the hotel. There she walked to a nearby coffee shop and met her Uber driver to take her to the airport. About 30 minutes later she was on a plan bound for Costa Rica.

Chapter 7

Admiral Susan Johnson, the former First Officer to James Weatherford on MARS1 now headed the Moon Base operations. She sat in her office 200 feet below the surface of the moon in the now developed research facility for Mar-Tec Space. Admiral Johnson had been given her choice of assignments upon safe return to Earth after that unique mission. She had wanted to return to space as soon as possible. She knew the Moon Base would be instrumental in the furtherance of the programs being developed to go both towards and away from the Sun.

Specialist Jackson knocked at the Admiral’s door. Enter, Johnson said. Jackson entered the office standing at attention in front of the Admiral. At ease Jackson. Have a seat. What can I do for you? Admiral, I sent you the report on substance MB