CHAPTER 3
Ishtar frowned as the perimeter alarm sounded, something that hadn’t happened since she’d adjusted her motion detectors to ignore anything smaller than a person after getting tired of stray birds setting it off, usually the only other living thing that ever strayed into this area.
Using her feet, she propelled her wheeled chair over to her security monitor and pulled up the cameras for the zone with the intruder warning. The video loaded, and she stared.
Stared long and hard at the man hiking through the valley, head swinging left and right, looking as if he were out for a casual stroll.
Except…no one ever went for a stroll this deep in Antarctica.
He didn’t belong, and his outfit only further proved it.
He sported a parka meant for a mild winter, not the deep freeze of the southern pole and what seemed to be hiking boots, but wore no hat, nor gloves.
He also didn’t carry a backpack or any gear for that matter, unless the gun holstered at his hip counted.
Did he come alone? Despite showing no other warnings, she quickly flipped between her cameras, checking the entire valley for movement. No one else and yet he remained one person too many, and being aware of recent events in the world, a cold lick of fear went through her.
It found me.
Rising from her chair, Ishtar headed for the rack on the wall with its array of weapons.
This would be first time she resorted to grabbing anything because she’d chosen her location, deep in the Antarctic, specifically because no one ever casually wandered by—until now.
Problem being, none of her firepower might be enough.
Should she confront the intruder? Not if she could help it.
Better to leave him wander and see nothing than realize someone actually lived here.
Just in case, though, she headed for her aerie, a fancy name for an icy cave above her lair that allowed her to overlook the valley—and provided an excellent spot for sniping.
Before reaching the slit in the ice and rock that overlooked the valley, she dropped to her hands and knees, crawling to get into position.
She lay flat on her belly and propped her rifle on a tripod before putting her eye to scope.
It took but seconds to zero in on the intruder and decipher more details, such as the fact he appeared tall and lanky.
His hair a shade of brown. His skin pale, as if he didn’t often see the sun, so not a habitual trekker of ice plains.
Snow glare usually left skin burnt or tanned.
For some reason, he strutted straight for her, or at least the mountain ringing this side of the valley.
How had he entered? The open area he strode couldn’t be easily accessed, the enclosed valley requiring a steep hike up a mountain then down a sheer and slippery, rocky face.
Not a tourist; they weren’t allowed to visit this deep.
A scientist? Didn’t seem likely, given they tended to stick close to their base stations, not to mention this area of the Antarctic sheet was considered too dangerous due to extreme sub-temperatures that could literally kill those exposed to it within minutes.
The cold also hampered vehicle operation such as snowmobiles, helicopters, and planes.
His presence made no sense. The valley, a barren, lifeless bowl, offered nothing of interest—except for me.
Tell that to the interloper who’d paused and spun in a circle as if seeking something.
He swiveled until he faced Ishtar’s hiding spot again and took a few more determined strides before bellowing, “Ishtar? I know you’re around here somewhere. I need to speak with you.”
Her brow lifted. Unexpected. One, he knew her name, and two, few people knew where to find her and those who did would never betray her location.
The fact he sought her specifically made her more determined than ever to remain hidden.
Let him wander aimlessly until he got bored and left or died.
Assuming he could die. If it had found her, then nothing she did would matter.
Her satellite phone vibrated from the pocket tucked inside her jacket. She rolled to her back and pulled it free and recognized Lance’s number.
“What is it?” she murmured, her voice low enough it shouldn’t carry past the cave.
“Your location might have been compromised,” Lance said without preamble. “Sorry.”
Her lips pursed. “Explain.”
“I was at the bar when this dude by the name of Reece started chatting me up and buying me drinks.”
“Chatting about what?”
“Computers. He claimed to be some kind of hacker in town for a conference.”
“And?”
“I’m getting to that. We got on the topic of nanotechnology and how he was fascinated by it, and did I know anyone who worked with that tech.”
“You told him about me,” she growled.
“Of course not,” Lance hastily exclaimed. “I would never, but by the time the bar closed down, I was smashed. Given I couldn’t walk straight, Reece insisted on accompanying me home. I vaguely recall getting inside my apartment, but then I passed out.”
“With a stranger in your apartment,” her flat reply.
“Yeah, not one of my finest moments. In my defense, he seemed like a really chill guy. Anyhow, I woke to find him gone, and at first, I thought all was good, but then my log files showed him accessing my system. More specifically, our communication, which contains your current location and—”
“And you’re just telling me about this now?” she snapped, although the fact Lance lived had to be a good sign. The enemy usually didn’t leave behind loose ends.
“I only found out an hour ago.”
The time frame made her blink. “When did this actually happen?”
“Last night, meaning you’ve got plenty of time to prepare in case he actually shows up.”
“Here’s already here, at least, assuming it’s the same guy.” Which seemed likely, even as it should be impossible. No human could travel that fast, not even her enemy.
Silence followed her statement then a sputtered, “What do you mean he’s there? There’s no way. We met less than seven hours ago.”
She rolled to her belly to see the stranger striding in her direction, unerringly, as if he knew where to find her. “I gotta go.”
“But—”
She hung up and grabbed her rifle, debating whether to shoot. Killing him meant she couldn’t ask questions, and his death would likely bring trouble down on her. Then again, his very presence didn’t bode well.
The man stopped a few paces from the rocky mountain wall, sheer and unclimbable. His head tilted upward, and she’d swear he stared right at the cave hiding her.
“I know you’re watching. I don’t suppose we could have a civilized conversation? I’m not here to cause any harm.”
He shouldn’t be here at all.
“I’m Reece by the way.”
A name that confirmed him as the same guy Lance met. The skin on her nape prickled and her stomach tightened knowing he brought trouble. She lived far—far—away from the world for a reason. For him to seek her out…
“Listen, I’m here about that nanobot you worked on a little while back.”
Her unease deepened. She did recall. Recalled how she’d debated getting involved but not acting would have led to severe consequences.
“I need your help. You were the only one to figure out that little bot.”
Because she could fix anything.
“The Earth is in grave danger.” He paused before adding, “Help me, oh wise techie, you’re my only hope.”
Did he seriously parody Star Wars?
Oddly enough, it worked better than any threat. She stood and let herself be framed in the cave mouth.
“I don’t like visitors.”
“Obviously.” He glanced around before tilting his head to offer a lopsided smile.
“To confirm, yes, I fixed the nanobot, so I’m not sure what else you want from me.”
“Do you mind if we talk face to face?”
“Why? Going to get me drunk like you did Lance?”
He grinned. “Not my fault he’s a lightweight.”
“Hate to break it to you, but I don’t drink.”
“Good since this is a conversation best had sober.”
“You’re not going to leave, are you?”
“Can’t, fate of the world and all.”
Words that ensured she couldn’t turn him away. She sighed. “Stay where you are. I’m coming.”
It took her a few minutes to reach the main level and activate the mechanism that cranked open the rarely used exterior door.
Daylight filled the area, partially blocked by Reece’s bulky and taller-than-expected form.
She eyed him over, noted how he didn’t seem to notice the cold, the way he appeared at ease despite the harsh conditions and strange situation.
Thought of how quickly he’d managed to reach her and sighed as she realized who she faced.
Not the enemy, but someone almost as bad because it meant her time of hiding and penance had come to an end.
“What’s a Zodiac Warrior doing on my doorstep? ”