Inside the Command Center, all of the personnel within turned towards the Pit to watch the event. Only Gabe has seen the footage before, so this was the first time for everyone else.
Everyone watched the Holo display as the same scene of the event occurring played out. It was hard to see it in the regular camera. The teams had setup floodlights to illuminate the area, but it was still dark.
The electrical arcs provided an invigorating view, though. The infrared camera provided little additional information. The black hole center radiated no energy, so it appeared as solid black void in the camera feed.
The event soon stopped, giving the Command Center staff some respite from the stunning event they just witnessed. Shortly after, Private Jacob ran up to Commander Gabe with a report.
"Here, sir. It turns out that the wire idea did not work. The team inside the interference area was not able to communicate with the comms station outside. The teams are preparing to use the signal flare system."
"That's unfortunate. I was hoping the wire would work."
"Actually, sir, the intelligence agents that were monitoring the wire during the event reported something interesting."
"Oh. Do tell," Gabe ordered.
"They reported that while the event's interference made communication through the wire impossible, they noticed that some noise was able to make it through. They hypothesized with the scientists on-site that if the wire were to be specially insulated against this interference, communication through wire could be established."
"That is some excellent news for sure." Gabe replied happily. Sadly, Jacob had to follow up with the bad news.
"Unfortunately, the people in R&D have no clue what is actually causing the interference. The research instruments on-site have picked up no abnormal readings."
Gabe's stomach ache got worse hearing the bad news. He knew something was very wrong, and he needed to figure out what it was. Emma was still on-site, and he didn't want anything bad happening to her.
"Damn. Tell them to continue investigating. If they need any other tools, we can try to get it to them. Have every member report anything strange. At this point we're grasping at straws."
"Understood, sir. I'll relay those orders," Jacob acknowledged before turning to do just that.
Time passed slowly in the Command Center. Eventually Delta team arrived at their destinated target and setup their equipment. Now with four teams investigating, Gabe hoped some finds would follow soon.
Eventually the next event activated, then another. Soon, the teams had collectively experienced a dozen different occurrences, but the scientists were stumped.
The Command Center staff had little to do. Gabe could only tell the scientists to look harder so many times before they just got angry at him. Instead of keeping everyone awake, he had some people leave to rest. He wanted as many people rested for the 0900 continuous event as possible.
Over three quarters of his staff left to rest, leaving only a skeleton crew there to continue the operation. Even Gabe returned to his room to rest. He had told Jacob to send someone to retrieve him if anything happened.
Before Gabe left, though, Jacob had one last report for him.
"Sir, a new report just came in. I think we've finally figured something out."
"Don't keep me in suspense. Let it out," Gabe said in a hurry. He was itching to get even a hint to what was going on.
"Yes, sir. It took some time, but the scientists have noticed a strange charge in the area during an event. It took them a while to notice because they were so busy during the events, and the marines were too mesmerized watching. The working theory is now that some sort of strange energy is causing these events."
"Hmmm. Ok. Has Councilor Elenor and her team come up with anything?"
"No, sir. They are just as confused as the scientists on-site."
"Ok, have everyone continue as is. Fetch me if the situation changes or we figure something out. Make sure the R&D teams rest too," Gabe said while yawning. "Get some rest, too, you've got bags under your eyes."
"Aye, sir. Thank you, sir. I'll organize a rotation and then rest."
"Good," Gabe said while yawning again. Although he napped earlier, it was by no means restful. It was tough staying up past 0300 hours with no caffeine.
As soon as Gabe fell on his bed, he was out. All the nerves from before were gone. He hadn't had any issues so far because not that much had actually happened.
So far, everything has fallen within their expectations. The only issues he had were the occasional snickers and mocking laughs from his staff. He could deal with that, though.
At 0700 hours, his alarm woke him up. He set it an hour later than normal because he needed the rest. He really wanted to just turn it off and return to dreamland. Unfortunately, he couldn't. The continuous event was to happen in 2 hours, and he needed to get ready for it.
Gabe slowly rose and got ready for another long day. He took his controlled 5 minute shower and brushed his teeth and made sure to clean himself up nicely. He still needed to play the part of Commander.
The mood inside the cafeteria was tense. The usual energy he hated in the morning was nowhere to be found. It seemed rumors about the operation had gotten around, and it appeared that there was no good news.
His temporary assistant, Jacob, found him and came to report. He just talked casually, though, because there was no need for formality during mealtimes.
"Sir, I hope you rested well," Jacob said politely.
"I can tell I rested about as well as you did," Gabe replied with sarcasm. They both had bags under their eyes.
"There have been some developments and discoveries. Would you like to hear them now or later?"
"Are they urgent?"
"No, sir."
"Then tell me later. Let's just eat in peace," Gabe said while sighing. He then bit into his dry biscuit. The two men ate in silence before relaxing in their seats for a few minutes.
"Sir, permission to speak freely?" Jacob requested.
"Granted," Gabe replied. He didn't know what Jacob wanted to talk about, but he didn't mind a more relaxed atmosphere.
"How much Command experience do you have?"
"None," Gabe said with a sigh. He was tired of talking about this topic.
"Then why did Algo choose you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I have no idea, Jacob."
Jacob paused at that. He might be jealous of the man before him, but he realized that he was struggling. He realized that the job he envied might not have been as amazing as he thought.
"When were you assigned Commander? The previous Commander died over three weeks ago. Why didn't you get assigned immediately?"
"I graduated the university just over two weeks ago. That night, I received the order from Algo that I was to be the new Commander in Chief. I was told that I had one week to wrap things up there before being transported to Denver. My first day was two days ago, and it sucked."
"You actually graduated? Only a few dozen graduate each year! That's really impressive!"
Maybe Gabe had some things that Jacob didn't. He realized that Gabe was definitely more qualified than him. The jealousy in his heart was slowly changing to admiration.
"Do you think Algo waited for you to graduate when it performed its search?"
"No, I doubt that. It's not an AI, you know." Gabe replied to that. Even with their advanced technology, true artificial intelligence was still a long ways away for them.
"It's more likely that the council decided to wait for after the graduation ceremony to start Algo," Gabe followed up. The conversation died down at that.
"Can I ask one more question? I realize that I've asked some personal questions."
"Shoot."
"If I'm being honest, I was super envious of you. Suddenly finding yourself head of the military. It's like a dream come true. But after talking with you, I've realized that it's not all great. I'm sure you've heard the laughter and mocking that seems to follow you."
Jacob paused to look at Gabe. He wanted to make sure that he didn't piss him off. Gabe's face remained neutral, though, so he continued.
"Why do you keep going? I'm sure you have the power to find your replacement. If the rumors are true, then the other councilors have tried to have you replaced, too. What is keeping you as commander? What are you fighting for?"
Hearing that,Gabe let out a huge sigh. He didn't answer right away and instead took his time thinking about it.
"I'm sorry for asking," Jacob tried to change the topic. "It's ok, you don't have to answer. It was insensitive of me to ask."
"No, it's ok." Gabe stopped him. He took another deep breath before answering.
"I didn't have a great childhood," he started.
"My father blamed me for my mother's death. After that, the abuse and neglect I received almost killed me. I would go days without eating. The rations given to me were stolen by my father."
Tears threatened to fall from his eyes. He didn't know why he was telling Jacob this. He hadn't told anyone else before. He always just smiled like it was ok. Maybe the Speaker forcing him to confront it helped him accept some of the trauma.
"As soon as I was old enough to move out, I did. For the first time my rations weren't stolen, and I was able to think about more than surviving. I was able to walk on the streets with friends without fear of them hearing my stomach growling in hunger."
Jacob stared at the man in horror. He knew that crime was common, but for a father to starve his own son was horrible. He didn't know what to say. Gabe continued before the silence got awkward.
"After I escaped the torment of my father, I was able to see the world in different colors. I saw children and mothers playing in the streets. I also saw children starving as they were abandoned in the streets. The world we live in is not kind. It chews you up and spits you out without mercy. You asked why I am still Commander? You asked why I have not given up? The answer is simple really. I refuse to let the children of this world face similar struggles I did."
It was an idealistic goal. Utopias don't exists, but that doesn't mean he can't make that his goal. He will defend the people while they figure out how to fix it.
Gabe finished his speech with such conviction that not only Jacob felt moved, but so did the others sitting around him. Suddenly, Jacob stood up and saluted.
"Don't worry, sir, I know you can do it," he said with tears threatening to fall.
"What are you doing? I though we were speaking freely," Gabe hissed out. He learned from his experience yesterday with Emma. "Sit down before you cause a scene."
Jacob quickly sat back down at the table. Jacob knew few people supported Gabe as Commander in Chief, but after hearing Gabe's story, he was a firm supporter. The envy he felt before was no more. Now all he felt was admiration at the strength of will Gabe showed he had.
After sitting for a few minutes, Gabe couldn't deal with the awkward stares any longer. He called out to Jacob and moved to leave. It was almost 0800 hours. There was only an hour until the continuous event.