March 19, 2023
WOODS
The IP address was traced to a five-mile radius southwest of Naoma in Boone County. The maps showed roads ending in the forest. After the road ended, the terrain was unknown except to a few locals. Finding the location of the IP address would be difficult, and they would need some luck. Liam was willing to give it a try.
Liam, Mike and Aaron left the FBI office in two cars. Liam was in the lead car, followed by Aaron and Mike. They hoped to arrive in Naoma at three o’clock. A map, with the search area circled, sat on the seat next to Liam. He passed the Superior Auto Service, Rebecca Miller’s house, and the Starlite Bar and Grill. They turned west on Cedar Cliff Road. The landscape changed. Fir trees of all sizes replaced the sparse buildings. Seeking more sunlight, the occasional Oak or Maple dropped their branches over the road. After two miles, the asphalt road turned to gravel and, in another mile, turned to dirt groves and grass.
Liam spotted an opening on the left and turned in—a clearing between two Maple trees provided room for their cars. Stepping out of their vehicles, they scanned the area, and Liam pointed to a path. They reached the path and Mike said, “Look, there is an opening at the bottom.”
Liam directed, “Ok, let’s go. We are looking for a small structure.” Liam suggested, “The building will be old and blend into the surroundings. Let’s stay together and not lose visual of each other.”
“Got it,” Aaron agreed as he stepped onto the path.
The forest was dim, and sunlight struggled to reach the earth through the trees. The path was steep, and tiny rays of sunlight reflected off the boulders. At times, they needed to sidestep down the hill. The sounds of their laboring breaths broke through the stillness of the air. Their attention was focused on the descent. Sweat began to form on Liam’s forehead. They reached the sunlit clearing of wild grass and weeds they had seen from above.
Liam’s martial arts training proved helpful during the challenging hike. He encouraged them for the task ahead, saying, “That was a good warm-up.” He continued, “We need to keep moving steadily to conserve energy. I tripped on a tree root back there and nearly lost my balance. Keep your eyes open because it would be difficult to continue with a sprained ankle.” Aaron and Mike, laboring to breathe, nodded in agreement.
Soon, they saw a path that ascended with a steep incline. Liam led the way as they walked up the mountain at a steady pace. The front of Liam’s burned as he leaned into the mountain for balance. He tripped and caught his balance with his hands on the hill. Both hands bled from abrasions. His shoes slipped on loose stones and moss-covered rocks. Aaron occasionally grabbed a small tree trunk with his long arms, pulling himself up and forward. They stopped once during their fifteen-minute assent.
At the top, they surveyed the hills and valleys that surrounded them. The beauty of the distant mountains filled their vision. The struggle of the climb was replaced with the realization of the enormity of the forest. While catching his breath, Liam let his mind wander to the tragedy in Logan County fifty years earlier. In a trance, he could imagine the sudden rush of coal sludge thundering down the mountain. In his mind’s eye, he could see blackened water move through the valley, destroying everything in its path.
“Liam?” Aaron repeated, “Liam?” Did you hear what I just said?
“I’m sorry.” Liam apologized, “My mind was distracted by the mountains.”
Aaron pointed into the valley. “See that valley to the west between the larger and smaller hill?”
“Yes, I see it,” Liam replied.
“Look closely. I believe there is smoke.” Pointing with conviction, shouting, “There!”
Liam excitedly said, “Yes, I see it now.”
Mike also confirmed, “Yes, there it is.”
Liam explained, “From here, it looks closer than it is. I estimate that we are thirty minutes away. We need to keep moving.” They began their descent to the valley below.
The trio was exhausted as they stood behind a shrub-surrounded clearing. They saw a cabin one hundred yards ahead of them. Crouching down, Liam directed, “We don’t know if anyone is still in there, but from the smoke we saw earlier, there is a good chance. Liam pointed to a group of trees and said, “Aaron and I will come in from the right. Mike, you go to the left and try to get as close to the cabin as possible. Once we are in position, I will give a signal. Storm the front as fast as you can. The element of surprise will be in our favor.”
Mike was in position. Liam and Aaron rushed forward. Liam made a signal with his arm, and all three ran to the front door. Liam shouted, “FBI,” while Aaron kicked in the front door. Aaron kicked the door so hard that it hung by one hinge. The cabin was deserted. He concluded, “They must have seen us. They couldn’t be that far ahead.” Liam saw embers in the fireplace. The sharp smell of burnt logs wafted in the air. Beer cans and paper were piled near the sink. Unmade cots bordered two walls. A blanket partially covered an old work shirt. Liam picked up the shirt and noticed a paper in the pocket. He pulled the piece out and unfolded it. It was a pay stub for Mason Boggs, from Necro Metallum Corporation, Darknight Mountain Project Site.
A box mounted on the wall was labeled “R-Tec Power Booster.” An attached cable lay on the floor and ended at a table in the middle of the room. The other attached cable was connected to an indoor antenna and fed through an open window. Liam pointed to the cable and directed Mike, “Find out where that line goes.” Looking at the table, Liam saw a map and deducted that they had left in a rush. He shook his head and announced, “With all their elaborate planning, I cannot believe how careless they are.”
Liam and Aaron looked at the map, which circled three areas. Liam read the circles and read, “NMC Hydroelectric dam, south of that, NMC Impoundment Dam, and east of that Darknight Mountain.” The day's date, the acronym NMC, and Charleston had been noted in the margin. The circled areas were apparent targets. NMC Charleston, written together with today’s date, was a puzzle.
Mike returned and reported, “The line leads to a directional antenna mounted on a tree.”
The NMC Hydroelectric Dam and the NMC Impoundment Dam were targeted, considering the locations identified on the map. He needed to understand the significance of the Darknight Mountain Project. However, from the Buffalo Creek Disaster, he knew the potential dangers of a coal sludge impoundment dam.
Aaron inquired, “What are you thinking?”
Liam, lifting his eye from the map, responded, “The coal sludge impoundment dam is the target. I am sure of that. Colvin is trying to cause NMC as much pain as possible.” He reached down, picked up the cable, and concluded, “This is how they could access the FBI bureau in Charleston. The burnt-out rented building in Naoma was the suspected location of the blackout. We can assume they can still cause terror by disrupting the electric grid. Where and when this will occur, we do not know. They could have already flipped that switch. Liam paced the floor and inquisitively said, " I don’t understand why NMC Charleston is written in the margin.”
Looking at the map again, he concluded, “This is where we are now.” He pointed at the map. “This is the location of the impoundment dam. They have a head start, so you must move quickly.” He folded the map and handed it to Aaron.
Liam looked at his watch and said, “I don’t have much time. I need to get back to Charleston. Once I get back on the road, I can call in support for the impoundment dam, and I’ll get in touch with Liz to see today’s connection between NMC and Charleston.”
Very nice story. Things are heating up.