Arsenal Code RED
By R.A. Jetter
Adam leaned against the window, head in hand and spoke softly; “The pilot must’ve realized where he was at the last minute, tried to get it out of there. Do we know if there are two fatal crashes… or just one?”
“DIA confirms only one commercial went off their scopes,” Baines answered. “South and west of DIA. They have no way of knowing exactly where.”
“I mistakenly assumed he was attempting DIA, crashed on an east-west heading, not a north-south heading… and definitely not the north-south runway of Stapleton.” Adam stared past the snow as the howling wind drove it through the branches of the pine trees. “If it’s down on the north-south runway, we’re screwed. Two huge nerve gas bunkers are just north of the end of that runway. Could he have hit them?”
“I only know he hit the embankment on the north side of the highway.”
“OK, Robert, keep me informed.” Adam said in a hushed tone, “I’m leaving for the station as soon as I get dressed.” Pushing the [end] button, he slipped the cellular into the pocket of his robe. The floor creaked from his weight as he flipped on the hallway light, intent on listening to the police scanner as he dressed when his thoughts turned to the Code R.E.D. alert system. He’d designed the Rapid Emergency Deployment system with the sincere hope it would never be used, but several years ago, it was determined his department and companies had better be prepared just the same. Right now it looks like it’s a damn good thing we are.
The phone rang again, “Captain, I’ve got reports of cars stopped right on the highway already. This snowstorm is getting everything screwed up.”
“Not much we can do about that, Robert.”
“I’ve called the Denver Chief of Police, informed him. He wanted to know where you were. Told him you’re on your way.”
“Standard Operating Procedure, Robert. Anything else?”
“I can’t find Captain Ross or Captain Doyle.”
“Find their Lieutenants, they can handle pre-lims,” Adam said. “That it?”
“Yes sir. You’re on your way?”
“I’m getting dressed.” Adam passed the photos hanging on the hallway wall as he talked. He glanced at his younger brother, Dan and his new wife, smiling in a happier time — their anniversary celebration. Too bad it didn’t last. “I’ll be there shortly, Lieutenant.” and fingered the [end] button. Seems like only a few weeks ago Dan resigned his position as Senior Chemical Analyst at the Arsenal. Adam recalled he’d quit right before their divorce. Unfortunately, Dan’s wife… now ex-wife, Donna, wasn’t willing to stick around to find out what Dan was like out of the Army.
He stopped at the first doorway. I’m going to need every resource I can get my hands on right now, including Dan and his team. Sure as hell looks like this could turn into a major problem, what with the weather and not knowing if anything is damaged at the Arsenal. He opened the door to look in on his children before getting dressed and leaving.
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