Chapter 84: What Should I Do? (Patreon)

Seven Days Later 

Bell was seated in his office, cradling a steaming mug of tea in one hand while the other held two pills that Lisa, having visited a psychiatrist, had provided. He swallowed the medication, his mind racing with the gravity of the decision before him. The thought of launching a nuclear strike lingered at the forefront of his thoughts. Yet, he harbored serious doubts about its efficacy. Even if by some miracle it succeeded, there was no assurance that the eldritch entity wouldn't strike back with vengeance. 

He found himself trapped in a dire predicament. On one side, refraining from action meant the incessant whispers would continue, driving the entirety of Frostwood to madness. Conversely, retaliating risked provoking the creature into unleashing its wrath not just on him but on all of Frostwood—a risk too great to contemplate. The only glimmer of hope lay with his team cracking the mysterious code.

Faced with an eldritch adversary, the question of how to proceed was daunting. Bell felt a profound sense of powerlessness. The nuclear option, though technically within reach, seemed like a foolhardy choice, especially if the weapon failed to detonate. This moment underscored the sheer complexity and peril of confronting such an unfathomable foe. 

Bell was in a quandary, utterly clueless about whether the cruise missile had reached its target, a fact made all the more frustrating by the relentless signal jamming emanating from the northern mountains. To complicate matters further, Lilith had made the executive decision to withhold air support, fearing a repeat of previous disasters. It was a peculiar form of combat, engaging an enemy that remained unseen and elusive.

The dilemma of what step to take next weighed heavily on him. The option of deploying a nuclear strike lingered in his mind, yet he pondered whether it might be wiser to wait for The Facility to devise a strategy to turn their own weapons against this unseen foe. Bell considered urging The Facility to accelerate their efforts, much like during the crisis triggered by the Luci virus. Nevertheless, he was acutely aware that time was not on their side, and even if they managed to disrupt the signal, the whispers that plagued Frostwood remained unaddressed.

In a race against time, RAA pulled all stops, extending their work hours and even leveraging resources from The Facility, courtesy of Amelia and Harris. Their goal was to decipher the baffling sequence of numbers, hoping to unearth some meaning in what appeared to be a chaotic jumble. Yet, when translated, the numbers morphed into gibberish, a perplexing puzzle that defied understanding. This enigmatic code, seemingly nonsensical, underscored the urgency and complexity of their mission.

Lisa stepped into the room, her presence immediately softening the tense atmosphere. "Feeling any better?" she inquired with a blend of concern and curiosity.

"The whispers have quieted down, thanks to the medication," Bell responded, a note of relief in his voice, though his eyes remained shadowed by the weight of his responsibilities.

Lisa exhaled deeply, the frustration evident in her posture as she sank into one of the sofas. "I have to admit, the idea of widely distributing Valium wasn't something I was comfortable with. But, given the circumstances, we didn't have much choice," she confessed, her voice tinged with regret. As she spoke, her hands moved through the air, tracing shapes and swipes that would be invisible to anyone else. Given Lisa's synthetic nature, it was likely she was interacting with some kind of holographic interface only she could perceive.

After a moment, Lisa's gestures became more focused, as if she had found the information she was seeking within her invisible screens. "Things outside are beginning to stabilize, to some extent. The medication has helped ease the immediate hysteria, but it's a Band-Aid solution. The community is growing restless, filled with questions, and although the whispers have lessened, they haven't disappeared," she explained, her tone serious yet filled with a hint of optimism.

She paused, searching for the right words. "The RAA and The Facility haven't stopped working on deciphering those numbers. It's been like searching for a needle in a haystack, but we believe there's a meaningful pattern hidden amidst the chaos. And we've made a breakthrough."

Bell leaned forward, interest piqued. "Anything unusual?"

"Yes, the sequence hides coordinates pointing to a precise location in the mountain range. Our satellites can't determine exactly what it is, but it's clear that's where the signal originates," Lisa revealed, her voice laced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Bell pondered this new information. "So, it's safe to assume they have the capability to manipulate the weather?" he asked, trying to piece together the implications.

Lisa nodded, her expression grave. "It's a certainty. This changes everything." 

In an event that defies explanation, a mysterious force—or perhaps a group—has managed to erase the Zugspitze from existence, manipulate weather patterns, and simultaneously commandeer several high-tech aircraft. This unsettling realization hangs heavy in the air, yet the humans around seem unaffected. 

Could it be that their minds are shielded in some way? Bell harbors doubts, though; despite the outward calm, reports of disturbances have surfaced. And then there's the matter of the relentless nightmares that besiege him nearly every night of the week, a grim repetition of messages and torment that leaves him dreading sleep. It's clear to Bell that their adversary intends to break him, to force him to decipher the meaning behind the numbers.

"What exactly do these numbers signify?" he probes.

Lisa chimes in, "They're part of a substitution cipher—a cipher, to be precise."

"And what's their aim?" Bell inquires, seeking clarity.

"They're beckoning us," Lisa responds succinctly.

Bell can't help but respond with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, they're doing a fine job of rolling out the red carpet." His attempts to send fighter jets at low altitudes have all ended in failure—a far cry from a warm welcome. Despite Lisa's insistence, Bell remains skeptical about the true intentions behind this so-called invitation.

Lisa elaborates, sensing his skepticism, "I mean it—they're inviting us, specifically."

Bell raises an eyebrow, his skepticism tinged with curiosity. "An invitation, decoded from a Caesar cipher? That's surprisingly straightforward for such a sophisticated adversary."

Lisa nods, her expression serious yet betraying the significance of their find. "Precisely. The numbers translate to coordinates and a message, all through a Caesar cipher. It's as if they expected us to solve it eventually."

Bell leans back, pondering the implications. "So, this entity, whatever it may be, has the power to alter weather, erase entire locations, and capture our aircraft, only to extend an invitation? That's an odd approach to making acquaintances."

Lisa then places a piece of paper on the table, adding, "It seems they have a specific interest in us."

[Sir Radcliffe, Miss Elenhard, Visit 28.2741N, 7.8945W]

Bell found himself trapped in a whirlwind of uncertainty, pacing the confines of his office as if movement could help untangle the web of dilemmas before him. The invitation, hidden within a Caesar cipher by an unfathomable entity, seemed as much a snare as it did a call to action. The persistent disturbances and nightmarish visions that plagued his rest left him with a gnawing sense of urgency to heed this mysterious summons. The entity's desire for a meeting was evident, but the rationale remained shrouded in mystery.

The prospect of ending the nightmares was enticing, yet the risk of death loomed large. What would become of their efforts should he fall? Bell knew Hanna had system access, and the protocols he had established ensured the system's autonomy, designed to prevent any tyrannical misuse of power on his part. This safeguard meant that, even in his absence, the system would persist, guided by the principles of the Federation rather than his individual will. Lisa's continued operation of the system during Bell's previous brushes with death was testament to this resilience. But facing this enigmatic foe without him presented an unfathomable challenge.

The nuclear option lingered in the back of his mind, a desperate gamble against an adversary capable of turning their worst fears into reality. Yet, to do nothing risked his sanity and the Federation's future. It was a dilemma with no easy exits.

"What's our move? I'm inclined to accept their invitation, but we need a solid fallback plan in case we don't make it back," Bell pondered aloud.

"Should we consider a nuclear strike?" came the hesitant suggestion.

"No, that's unlikely to be effective. Lukas reconsidered after the shared nightmare. It's curious, though, why target just the two of us?" Bell mused.

Lisa offered her insight, "Lukas commands significant influence over the military. His opposition to a nuclear response would sway the entire force. It's a strategic choice from our adversary's perspective."

Bell, still grappling with the logistics of their visit, weighed their transportation options. "What's our best mode of travel? A helicopter isn't in my skill set. And which plane? The F-15S, or should we consider something less aggressive, something more 'diplomatic'? A fighter jet hardly sends the right message. Plus, we need a plan B in case we're shot down."

Bell's questions hung in the air, a testament to the complexity of their situation. The mechanical hum of the office equipment and the distant sounds of activity beyond his door underscored the gravity of their discussions. Every option carried its own set of risks and implications, requiring careful consideration and strategic planning.

Lisa's nod was one of understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of their situation. Her mind was already sifting through potential strategies, mapping out contingency plans with precision. "If we fail to return within a predetermined timeframe, we'll have RAA and The Facility initiate a sequence of predetermined actions. These won't be direct assaults, but rather a series of protective measures for Frostwood and investigative efforts. Following that, evacuation procedures will be put into motion."

Bell found some comfort in the feasibility of the plan. "That's manageable, especially with the resources at Hanna's disposal. We're not exactly short on options."

"I'm in agreement," Lisa responded, her tone reflecting a blend of determination and the weight of the task ahead.

Bell's resolve hardened as he considered their precarious position. "Coordinate with Hanna to get this plan in motion. It may sound extreme, but our choices are limited. Ignoring their summons isn't likely to leave us in peace. Their intentions remain unclear, but safeguarding our sanity is paramount at this juncture."

Lisa's agreement was solemn, "Considering the events of last week, their capacity to harm us from afar is evident. There's really nothing more to lose."

"Then it's settled. Let's proceed with the arrangements," Bell concluded, a sense of urgency propelling them into action. The conversation marked a pivotal moment, a commitment to face the unknown head-on, despite the myriad risks.