The Maya 1.37

Previously On The Maya...

Secret Service Agent Lance Simmons lands on the Isle of Use and is taken to the office of the President. He understood he was to meet IPB Agent Landers Smith, but is told there's been a change in plans. After a brief ride to unassuming buildings, he meets Secretary of Security Rori Burke, who takes him to a secluded office. Burke tells Simmons he has information about the missing minutes a few weeks back when he and other SS agents were on the President's protection detail in Kiev. Simmons probably shouldn't be there, but his love for duty and country is only surpassed by his need to know what happened to him.

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The Maya—a living legend covert operative-for-hire that no one she encounters can remember.

George Kirkegaard—a former newspaper owner forced out of business by state government.

Eugenio Stavros—a shipping magnate on a trip to the mysterious Isle of Use to renegotiate a steel contract.

Amara Barclay—a savvy, independent multi-millionaire entrepreneur and socialite with unparalleled beauty.

Mr. Tic and Mr. Snake—two U.S. government officials running off-the-books dark ops involving The Maya.

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And now...the next installment of The Maya.

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"The Maya is early."

Mr. Snake made the observation over the shoulder of Mr. Tic, who was back on a stool next to the telemetry machine. The drawing arm had just begun, and as the two watched, another part of the island took shape. This one took longer and more paper to produce, but when it was done, Mr. Tic was able to line it up perfectly behind the first.

It was almost seven-thirty pm, still roughly an hour before sundown. That would make it shortly before six-thirty on the island. Neither man had expected another portion of the island survey until well after dark, when The Maya could move around more discreetly. There was plenty to accomplish in the next couple days, however, so whatever consternation the two might have felt about the earlier start was swallowed up in the ever dwindling window of opportunity, and then in their analyzing of the new part of the map.

"Looks like the island maintains a width of roughly seventy-eight miles," Mr. Tic said, "and were now an additional ninety miles inland."

"So the residential area ends about there," Mr. Snake said, pointing to a spot not too far into the second part. "Then, it looks like farms, ranches and orchards."

"Which helps explain how they provide for over a million people."

"The layout of this island is well-thought out," Mr. Snake said. "I'll give you that."

"What we're lacking is industry, which must still be coming, in the most eastern section."

"Not too mention mountains."

"Yes. There's already an increase of elevation. Starts about here." Mr. Tic put his finger on a section of the new survey.

"Okay, so we know our estimate of island inhabitants is close, give or take several thousand. And we also have a good idea of where the food supply originates. See anything that might look like the target The Maya referred to in last night's brief?"

Mr. Tic took a minute or so to look over the second part. He then shook his head.

"No, but this grouping of buildings here doesn't look like these other homes and barns." Mr. Tic underlined a cluster of boxes, one much larger than the others, that seemed oddly placed in relation to a scattering of others around it. "My guess would be, it's some kind of fertilizer plant." He then ran his finger up and found another similar grouping farther east and to the north. "Here's another one."

"I think you're right," Mr. Snake said. "The buildings you found first are fairly close to this main river, too. Otherwise, it's a long ride to an east-west roadway."

Mr. Tic nodded with admiration. "So the Maya used a boat to survey the first part. Makes sense."

"Then, used it to go upriver, where they found the fertilizer plant, or whatever it is."

"With as much area here that could be grassland," Mr. Tic said, "and the amount of livestock the inhabitants would need to be self-sustaining, that adds up to a lot of manure."

"Not too mention a lot of methane."

"I wonder if they'll try anything tonight," Mr. Tic said.

"Possibly," Mr. Snake said, "but a big enough explosion, like one a fertilizer plant could cause, might adversely affect tomorrow night's dinner. It would be better if The Maya comes in contact with Sutton first, then blows up the fertilizer plant, possibly using something to implicate Sutton."

Mr. Tic nodded. "I agree. Hopefully, that's The Maya's thinking, as well. From their report yesterday, it didn't sound like they were ready to move yet."

"Maybe I'll actually sleep straight through this time," Mr. Snake said. He yawned and stretched.

"I don't mind if you want to go to sleep now," Mr. Tic said.

"Let me know if anything blows up."

Mr. Tic watched Mr. Snake head off to the sleeping quarters, then turned back to the telemetry device. Since their heated discussion about their endgame, when Mr. Tic had drawn his line in the sand, the relationship between the two had actually improved. At least on the surface. Mr. Snake's mood had lightened significantly, and he seemed less combative and more deferential.

Mr. Tic, if these were normal times and conditions, would have been thrilled. Instead, it put him on edge. He felt like the farmer's lamb which is raised with love and tenderness by the farmer's children, only to be led to the slaughter when fattened. Killing with kindness still meant death.

His escape plan was not yet formalized, but there was the beginnings of it. Timing would play a role, and just how much he could accomplish while Mr. Snake was asleep. It would be better if he and Mr. Tic switched shifts, because there were a few things that could only be accomplished during the day, and he would need to sneak out for short periods of time to do them. It was unfortunate for his plan that they had bought as much food as they did. Their careful organization had not accounted for a falling out. Nor a deadly one, at that.

He would just have to bide his time, and take advantages of the openings when they came.

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'The Maya' publishes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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