March 19, 2023
WATER AND ARRIVALS
As a helicopter approached the coal sludge impoundment dam, the siren continued to sound. Aaron was at the top of the ridge when he heard a command given over the loudspeakers. Because of the siren noise, he could not understand what was said. He saw an odd sight looking over to the hills and valleys to the west. It looked as if the forest was moving and coming in his direction.
Aaron spotted the two men running. The larger man was trying to cover ground without much success. He saw the other man run toward the boulders. He saw Mike halfway up the embankment, struggling because of the slope. He could see Mike reaching for small trees to pull himself up and forward.
With the siren still sounding, the helicopter quickly maneuvered toward the boulders. The man reached the boulders and appeared to be trying to attach wires to a small box. From the front of the helicopter, Aaron could hear automatic rounds fired. Tiny explosions of earth burst into the air. The man fell at an odd angle to the ground. He observed the man limp away into the woods.
The helicopter turned toward the direction of the dam. The larger man and Mike were still struggling to gain elevation. Aaron looked further up and to the side of the impoundment dam. A twenty-foot wall of water moved toward them. There was a low-pitched rumble as the water swept up everything in its path. The larger man has swept away in an instant. Mike grabbed a small tree to pull himself up the embankment. Water rushed over him, and Aaron saw Mike’s hand release from the tree and disappear. Aaron stood in amazement, disbelief, and sorrow as the water filled the area below him and continued to move down the valley. There was no sign of Mike. The rumble of water faded in the distance until only the whirl of the helicopter blades was heard. Moving water filled the valley. Aaron signaled with his arms from the ridge, and the helicopter turned toward him.
***
Colvin arrived at the Charleston Convention Center at 5:00 p.m. and looked at the NMC shareholder meeting agenda on his phone. Wingate was scheduled to give the opening address at 6:00 p.m., so he felt he had plenty of time to survey the ballroom and determine the line of sight at the podium. The convention center's parking garage was across the street and connected by a walkway above the road. As he parked his vehicle and entered the walkway, cars were lined up for the event.
A news truck was in front of the convention center. Its lights were on as an interview was taking place. Colvin knew that more news outlets would arrive because Wingate was rarely seen in public and was controversial. Colvin entered the convention center from the second-floor walkway entrance. The open area was large, with gold and blue herringbone-patterned carpet extending in all directions. Two mobile cocktail bars flanked the twelve entrance doors to the ballroom. Early arrivals were gathered at the bars and tall tables in the center of the room.
Colvin passed a group of people looking at a television monitor. He stepped closer to hear the breaking news alert: “As was reported minutes ago, the NMC Hydroelectric Dam west of Naoma has failed. The major damage reported is the complete encircling of Darknight Mountain and a coal sludge impoundment dam. Darknight Mountain is the location of the controversial Necro Metallum Corporation mountaintop removal project.” More people gathered around the monitor. The reporter continued, “We are working to verify reports of criminal activity near the NMC Coal Sludge Impoundment Dam, where one person of interest and one FBI agent have been killed. An anonymous FBI source confirms that agents are tracking an additional suspect at the crime scene. Federal authorities had raised concerns about the integrity of the coal sludge impoundment dam because the massive amount of water surrounding it could weaken its containment walls.” As he walked away, Colvin listened to the report, “We can verify that there has been no damage to the city of Naoma, nor have any residents lost lives. We are waiting for a comment from officials at Necro Metallum Corporation.”
Colvin switched his focus and looked for access to the ballroom. He spotted a convention center employee in a blue uniform entering a door left of the main ballroom doors. He stood near the door, and when an employee exited, he caught the door before it was closed and entered a long hallway parallel to the ballroom. He quickly walked forward and saw a man entering a doorway on the left. Reaching the door, it read “Storage” and “Employees Only.” He walked in.
He stood in a large rectangular room filled with folded chairs and tables. Colvin walked to the back of the room, where folded tables were stacked on top of one another. He heard a man singing in Spanish. He turned and saw a man with his back to him. He was dancing with a cigarette in his hand. The man suddenly turned and saw Colvin. Startled, he exclaimed, “You can’t be in here, man.”
Colvin calmly walked toward the man and answered, “I just wanted to …” He quickly reached out, spun the man around, and broke his neck. He gently lowered the man to the floor, taking the cigarette from his fingers. He inhaled, dropped the cigarette, and stepped on it. Within five minutes, Colvin stepped out of the room dressed in a blue uniform and adjusted his nametag – “Felix Hernandez.”
***
Liam arrived at the Convention Center parking garage. Rather than take the walkway, he went to the ground floor, crossed the road, and entered the main entrance. A large banner swayed over the lobby: “Welcome to the 50th Annual NMC Shareholders Meeting”. He walked up the escalator to the second floor, entered the ballroom, and stopped at one of the eight reception tables. Guests were lined up at each table, picking up badges for the event. He asked the receptionist for a schedule to confirm Wingate's speaking time. Guests were lined up at each table, picking up badges for the event. To his right, a group of people crowded around a television monitor above.
“If you are just joining us now, let’s keep you up to date. About forty-five minutes ago, the Necro Metallum Hydroelectric dam was breached. Thousands of acres of forest have been destroyed. The controversial Darknight Mountain Top Removal project has been completely encircled by water. We can now confirm that the NMC Coal Sludge Impoundment Dam was the intended target of these criminals. A secondary ecological disaster was averted because of the hydroelectric dam breach, which prevented the detonation of explosives. We can also confirm that one suspect has been killed, along with one FBI agent. The second suspect was last seen escaping into the woods to avoid FBI sharpshooters. Federal authorities have not confirmed the deceased FBI agent’s identity. It has been reported that the individuals responsible were suspects sought in the blackout that occurred earlier in March.”
Liam sat down to collect himself as he punched Liz’s number into his phone.
“Liam.” Liz was audibly upset. “We just received news. It was Mike.” Holding back tears, she continued, “We are trying to piece together the events. An FBI chopper was on site at the impoundment dam. They lifted Aaron from the area and brought him to Charleston for medical attention. Clay Matthews may have been wounded but has not been apprehended.”
“Mike was a good man. I need to stop Colvin before anyone else gets killed. I am at the convention center now.” He looked at his watch, which read 5:35 PM. “I have twenty-five minutes before Robert Wingate arrives on stage.”
“Morgan dispatched agents to the convention center.” There was a pause. “Liam?”
“Yes, Liz. I’m just thinking. Colvin is smart and calculating. He will not take the shot inside the ballroom if he suspects that FBI agents are in the convention center.” Liam proposed, “Liz, I have an idea.” Before Liz could reply, Liam hung up the call and proceeded to the parking garage walkway entrance on the second floor.