It didn’t take us long to reach our territory. I was curious to see what the Command Center looked like. I showed Anthony the approved design mock-up but I knew it would look even better in person.
I had a thought as we got closer to the pack house. “Dad, since Doyle Kessler is a demolition expert and he has had non-restrictive access to the Command Center, shouldn’t we have one of our bomb-detecting experts sweep the center to make sure he didn’t plant any devices?” I wondered out loud trying to get my thoughts straight in my head.
“You know, that sounds like a good idea. I’ve already dispatched them to the Center to conduct a search. They should be done by the time we arrive,” announced Dad with a chuckle.
“When were you going to tell me about it?” I mused a little offended that he didn’t tell me about it sooner.
“I knew you would mention it when you calmed down. Also, they are sweeping the Command Center for listening devices and other things that shouldn’t be there,” added my father as we approached the pack house.
“Thanks, Dad. I still have a lot to learn from you,” I professed as I thanked my Dad.
Pulling up to the pack house, we saw two individuals waiting for us. Dad told me they were the ones who swept for the ‘unauthorized devices’ in the Command Center. Okay. I wonder what they found.
We got out of the SUV and Dad introduced us to the gentlemen waiting for us.
“Melanie and Anthony, I want to introduce you to Allister Grant and Kyle Foster. Allister is one of our demolition experts and Kyle is an expert at finding hidden cameras and listening devices. Allister and Kyle, this is my daughter and heir Melanie, and her mate, Anthony,” Dad proudly introduced us.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I praised as I shook their hands.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” stated Anthony as he greeted them.
“Pleasure is all ours, I’m sure,” professed Allister as he shook my hand.
“Nice to meet you as well,” stated Kyle in greeting to us.
“Gentlemen, why don’t we go into my office to discuss what you’ve found or haven’t found? Hmm?” commanded Dad to everyone gathered.
“Yes Delta Troy,” they chorused together.
We all followed Dad into the pack house into his office that he shared with Gamma Jacob. We all found seats and got comfortable.
“Now then, who wants to go first? What did you find in the Command Center?” inquired my Dad.
“Well, it was as you suspected Delta Troy. I found two devices. One device was located near the mainframe of computers and the other was near the viewscreen. They were well hidden,” explained Allister Grant.
“Did you detonate on-site or place them in a container to detonate off-site?” questioned my Dad.
“We placed them in a container to detonate off-site. I clipped the wires and removed the timer, but I’m not taking any chances, sir. We don’t want any harm to come to anyone here,” explained Allister Grant.
“Very good. Kyle, did you find any listening devices or cameras hidden in the Command Center?” asked my Dad.
“Unfortunately, yes I did. I found quite a few. At last count, we found 15 listening devices and five cameras. I still have a team sweeping the center just to make sure we didn’t miss any. This person was a very busy person planting these devices,” announced Kyle Foster.
“Did you mark each location where you retrieved a device from?” I inquired.
“Yes, we did. We’ve marked its location on the diagram for you,” explained Kyle Foster.
“Thank you, gentlemen. When will we be allowed to enter the Command Center?” I wondered aloud to no one in particular but wanted an answer to my question.
“Once we have finished giving the Center another once over to ensure we haven’t missed anything, we will let you know. Give us at least another hour,” advised Allister Grant.
“Noted. Thank you, gentlemen. Proceed. We won’t keep you any longer. Let me know when you are finished. Then, we will once again debrief,” declared my Dad.
“Yes, Delta Troy,” they chorused together before they left the office.
After they left the office. I looked at my Dad with a smirk. He knew I had something up my sleeve. But what?
“Okay Melanie, spill. What are you thinking? Hmm?” Dad mused out loud.
“Well, since Doyle Kessler was here for the building of the Command Center and he knows the placement of ‘the special equipment’ and such. We need to add a little something extra as a surprise or we need to recreate another Command Center. What do you think?” I mused out loud for my Dad and Anthony to understand my logic.
“I like the way you think Melanie. We need to think we don’t know about his ‘infiltration’ of the Command Center or just totally redo it. Hmm? I wonder what the Alpha would want to do? Let’s ask him,” Dad suggested with a chuckle as he opened his pack link.
‘Alpha Richard, do you have a minute to discuss the Command Center with Melanie and Anthony?’ inquired my Dad via the pack link.
‘Yes, I do. In fact, I am currently meeting with Micah and Jacob at this time. Why don’t you three come and join us in my office?” suggested the Alpha.
‘Yes, Alpha. On our way,’ declared my Dad.
“Melanie, Anthony. Alpha Richard wants us to join him in his office to discuss the Command Center. Let’s go,” commanded my Dad.
“Yes, sir,” we answered him together.
We filed out of the office and went to the Alpha floor to Alpha Richard’s office. Dad knocked on the door and waited for the ‘come in’ before he opened the door.
“Ah, good afternoon Delta Troy, Delta Heir Melanie, and Anthony. I trust everyone is in good health today,” inquired Alpha Richard as we all walked in and bowed toward him.
“Yes, Alpha we are,” we chorused together.
“Now then, what is going on with the Command Center that we needed to discuss? Melanie, I heard you handled ‘the Colonel Thompson situation’ very well today. We had no doubt you would,” praised Alpha Richard.
“Yes, she did. She didn’t back down. He didn’t stand a chance against her as I knew he wouldn’t. She did good,” Dad professed with a proud expression on his face.
“I’m not a shrinking violet. There was no way he could or would be able to lay blame on me when he was clearly at fault. Now, that’s in the past. May we move on please Alpha?” I contended in a soft voice.
“Yes, we can move on. What’s going on with the Command Center?” inquired Alpha Richard.
“Well, we’ve had the Command Center swept for demolition charges and other unauthorized cameras or listening devices Doyle Kessler may have installed while he worked there. They have found 2 demolition charges and so far they have found a lot of listening devices and cameras. They’re still sweeping the center,” I explained to everyone in the room.
“Really? 2 bombs in the center?!?” growled Alpha Richard.
“Yes, Alpha. They have been removed and contained. They will be detonated off-site,” explained Dad.
Everyone let out a deep breath.
“Going forward, I had an idea. Since Doyle Kessler was here when the Command Center was being built, he knows the ins and outs of the center. He knows the locations of the cameras, well-everything. I was thinking we needed to add something else that he doesn’t know about or create a whole other Command Center and relocate the cameras. What do you think?” I questioned.