CHAPTER 26 THE CHRISTMAS GHOST
The Yard had become a necropolis.
He reached into the breast pocket of his bridge coat, hanging nearby, and pulled out the cream-colored business card: John C. Stava, Esq.
The card felt like a foreign object in the room—a piece of the "Outside" that didn't obey the laws of the Academy. He remembered the heat of John’s presence, the deep laugh that had mimicked Patrick’s tone, and the raw, green-eyed longing that had nearly breached his hull.
He looked at the card for a long time, calculating the risk of a civilian safety in Annapolis. Then, with a surgical flick of his wrist, he tucked the card beneath the Panasonic tape recorder.
He wasn't going to call. He was still holding his breath for a different signal.
The SCIF: 2300 hours
Alex’s fingers flew across the keys, his face pale in the blue light of the monitor. He didn’t use names. He spoke in the language of the machine they served, knowing Patrick would translate the “Acoustic Shadow” into the truth.
FROM: AN-2204 / SECURE
TO: USS SAFEGUARD / brG-LOG
SUBJECT: AGRI-Linguistic Drift / Sector 2204 Status
1. SYSTEM STATUS: The Yard has reached zero-occupancy for the stand-down. Atmospheric pressure is low; the Acoustic Shadow has achieved total coverage of the 2nd Wing. Internal diagnostics indicate a high-vacuum state in the primary quarters.
2. PROJECT DATA: I am finalizing the ‘Model 11’ schematics. The ‘Native’ light integration is complete, though the structural load is heavy without the secondary support pillar. The lot remains the primary objective.
3. SENSORY CALIbrATION: I am maintaining the 90-degree standard, but the frequency is drifting. I am relying on the ‘Magnetic Ghost’ files for orientation. I require the recipient to confirm the brass-encased coordinates provided at departure.
4. CLOSING: The math is complex, but the solution is singular. I am holding the high ground. Standby for return-to-base maneuvers.