Page 20 of Dark Island: Rescue

"Anytime, mate."

The four of them headed out to the front porch, where Jade, Phinas, and Drova joined them.

They walked toward the command center, where the senior staff was supposed to be waiting for them. The sun was climbing higher, the humidity becoming oppressive, and Kian was grateful that they didn't have far to walk.

"Before we go in," Boshev said, "I should mention that the construction foreman is a character. Raj is excellent at his job, but he has opinions about everything and isn't shy about expressing them."

"Noted," Kian said.

The command center's first floor had been converted into a large operations room. Maps covered one wall, monitors lined another, and several tables held architectural plans and equipment manifests. Four men were waiting for them—two Kian recognized as Kalugal's people, and two he didn't.

"Welcome to our nerve center, gentlemen," Dandor stood.

He was thin and intense, with the slightly manic energy of someone who lived on coffee and adrenaline.

Wellgorst, broader and calmer than his partner, nodded a greeting. "We are getting close to having thesecurity system fully operational. We need another week or so."

"Excellent," Kalugal said.

Boshev gestured to a short, stocky man in his fifties with paint-stained clothes and a hard hat tucked under his arm. "Allow me to introduce Raj Patel, our construction supervisor."

"Finally, the money men arrive," Raj said in accented English. "Do you know how difficult it is to renovate buildings on an island with no proper supply chain? Every nail, every board, every bag of cement must come by boat. It's a logistical nightmare."

"Which you seem to be handling admirably," Kian said.

"Admirably." Raj snorted. "I perform miracles daily. My crews work with limited equipment, racing against impossible deadlines, and what thanks do they get?"

"A generous salary and completion bonuses," Kalugal reminded him.

"Yes, yes, the money is good. That's why we're here." Raj's demeanor shifted, becoming more professional. "Current status: barracks are forty percent complete, training facilities sixty percent, residential ninety percent. We're on schedule despite the challenges."

"What's the main bottleneck?" Jade asked.

"Materials delivery. We need more frequent supply runs. Also, some of the specialized equipment for the training areas is delayed."

"I'll handle it," Kalugal said.

Boshev seemed impatient to move on to the fourthman in the room. "This is Marcus Chen. He's overseeing our defensive installations."

Chen nodded in greeting. "We're installing integrated radar and sonar systems with full coverage out to fifty miles. Underwater sensors will detect a submarine approach. Surface radar can track anything bigger than a speedboat."

"What about smaller craft?" Phinas asked.

"Thermal imaging cameras around the perimeter. Motion sensors in critical areas. If anything approaches this island, we'll know about it."

"Response time?" Jade folded her arms over her chest.

"From detection to alert, under thirty seconds."

"Why the delay?" Jade asked.

"To verify that it's not a false positive."

"That's too long," Phinas said. "I'd prefer an immediate alarm, so the troops are ready to respond."

Chen nodded. "It can be done."

Drova had been quiet until now, studying the maps on the wall. "What about evacuation procedures? If the island is under attack, how do we get people off quickly?"