Staff called in on emergency shifts began arriving in the offices of the Corry Building, many of them bringing their families through fear of being separated in the event of sudden evacuation. The Catacombs below became a scene of increasing noise and activity as more functions were staffed and brought on-line, and personnel from above came down seeking space to move into, now at a premium.
A 2:00 A.M. news bulletin brought the surprise announcement that Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, no doubt following secret negotiations, had come over to the Federation, opening the way to the Mississippi. Virtually simultaneously, Federation aircraft and ground-based missiles opened a wave of attacks against Union positions on the far side. Gerofsky guessed that secretly prepared assault units for the crossing were already moving into position, while the armies in Texas raced forward in support. It all followed the policy that Jeye had committed to: going all-out now, before the odds against success got any less. And it seemed he was getting others to go along.
Then, at 3:35, Di Milestro’s private channel from Sacramento brought the terse statement that McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, one of the Federation’s primary bases flying combat and support operations for the central sector of the front, and the air logistics center at Tinker, southeast of Oklahoma City, had been obliterated. Not simply “attacked,” but “obliterated.” Nine minutes later, it was the turn of the bomber and missile-support base at Grand Forks, North Dakota. They were being picked by something in polar orbit. The next sweep could be north-south through California. If so, Edwards would surely be a prime target.
Cade came around from the cubicle that Di Milestro and Gerofsky were using and into the cubbyhole where Hudro and Yassem were talking to a technician in Cairns. “Hudro, get onto the plane crew out at Edwards!” Cade exclaimed. “Tell them the hold’s off. We’re on our way now!”
Hudro looked startled. “What’s happened?”
Vrel was nearby, looking across in alarm. Cade turned to him. “Vrel, bring the flyer here from the other building. We’re loading up.” On Vrel’s other side, Nyarl was juggling data on one of the screens. “Time to wrap up,” Cade told him. “That’s Yassem’s job now. Get the stuff sorted out now that you need to take.” And then, finally answering Hudro’s question, “We just got an answer to the air strikes. They’re wiping out our main bases.” Vrel nodded. There was no need to say anything. He hurried away. Luke finished a call he had been making. “Can you organize getting everything to be loaded up to the lobby?” Cade said to him, at the same time pulling out his phone. “See if you can get a cart from somewhere.” He tried Clara’s regular number. A voice told him calls were being switched to the answering system. He punched in Clara’s priority code. “Where are Marie and Dee?”
“I’m here,” Marie said from behind him. She had come over from the far side of the room to investigate the commotion. “Dee’s upstairs talking supplies.”
“Go find her. We’re moving now.”
“Why? What’s happening?”
Clara’s voice answered sleepily. “Tell you later. . . . Hi, Clara? It’s Roland.” Marie turned and disappeared toward the door.
“What time is it? I had to take a break.”
“Sorry, but things have changed. We’re leaving right away. Chester will give you the whole story. Briefly, they’ve started zapping air bases, and I don’t want to wait for Edwards to be next. I guess you’ll be the one keeping an eye on things at this end. We need to agreee who else you need to stay on here.”
“Well, Luke, I guess. . . .” Clara and Luke had known each other for years. She was still having trouble surfacing.
“Yassem, we already decided,” Cade said.
“Does that mean Hudro will be staying too?”
“I don’t think we can let him. Neither of them knows anything about LA or anyone here. I’d rather it be Vrel. Besides, we’ll need an on-board expert in Hyadean technical and military matters. That can only be Hudro. Dee can stay with Vrel.”
“Fine.” Clara sounded more herself now. “Do you want me to come over there? It would take me about thirty minutes.”