Awakening: The First Tale of the Trine (Trine Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

his face the respirator had covered.
    “Chief Dufresne asked me to report, per your request, on our progress. The FINDER worked perfectly, and we’ve been able to locate a sizable void near what we believe to be the epicenter of the collapse. The device picked up multiple heartbeats, and they are currently assessing one specific area that seems well suited to begin extrication of the individuals.” The fireman paused, and it was obvious from his confused expression that he was struggling on how to continue.
    “Easy now….what’s your name?” Director Scott asked, coming around the table to lay a hand on the boy’s shoulder. Christ, he thought, this kid can’t be much out of high school, no wonder he’s rattled .
    “Raymond,” the young man answered, self-consciously brushing the dust off the stitching over his chest. “Eddie Raymond. I’m sorry, sir, it’s been rough over there, and the Chief wanted me to tell you something rather strange. We were using the echo-locator and the dogs, but we’ve been having some trouble. The dogs are going crazy around ground zero, and we had to pull them to the edges. They were trembling and pissing all over everything, like they were terrified! The echo-locator seems to be malfunctioning also. I mean, it’s definitely picking up numerous signals that we are certain are human, but…sir, it seems to be showing something…huge. We don’t even know what to make of it, it’s like some sort of large animal is down there, and it’s moving across the entire void area.
    “Captain!” the Director barked, startling everyone at the table as he turned to the National Guardsman standing quietly at attention a few feet away. “Gather your men and get them over to Chief Dufresne on the double! Do not interfere with the rescue operation in any way, but have your team on standby. I’ll be there shortly.” The Captain gave a short nod, touched the comm on his helmet, and began issuing orders.
    “Eddie,” Director Spencer said, turning back to the young man. “You’ve done perfectly.” He passed the man a bottle of water from a cooler by the table. “Get back to your Chief and let them know…” The Director struggled with how much information he should reveal. Deciding that their safety outweighed the risk, he continued. “Let the Chief know that the echo-locator is not malfunctioning. We have reason to believe there is something unusual down there, and as soon as they are able to prepare an extrication point, to pull back and let the Guardsmen assess the situation. Understood?”
    “Yes, sir, I think so. We will do our job, and let you do yours. Thank you, sir!” Eddie said, as he turned and broke into a run back to the site.
    Director Spencer walked a short way from the gathered responders and pulled out his secondary cell phone. Pushing a single button, he waited only a moment for the familiar tone, indicating a secure line was being set up to the Pentagon. “This is Director Nathan Spencer,” he told the operator. “Please connect me with Scott Lansfield. Tell him we have an update. A live update,” he added grimly.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Fire Chief Samuel Dufresne had removed his helmet, and was using a rag to swipe the sweat and grime from his neck as the squad of National Guardsman approached. The engineers had been able to remove a section of debris, creating an opening sizable enough to lower a litter down to the survivors. He looked over the squad, trying to determine from their unfamiliar uniforms who he needed to address. Fortunately, they began to fan out around the entrance the team had created, and he was able to identify which one seemed to be giving orders.
    “Er…I’m Chief Dufresne,” he said nervously as he approached the soldier. “The search and rescue crew got us an opening, and the medic is ready to go down with the litter on your word. We’re hanging back, just like that Director fellow said.”
    The soldier he had approached smiled at him, and