Chapter 29 - THE BEACON IN THE SNOW
Clara pulled the satellite beacon out, switching the emergency frequency to the US Coast Guard high-altitude channel.
A sharp, rhythmic pinging sound began echoing through the dark vault.
Ten miles away at the Colorado National Guard base, radar screens suddenly lit up with a high-priority military distress ping.
"General! We have an active Montgomery emergency beacon firing from the Aspen ridge!" an operator yelled.
"Scramble two Blackhawk rescue units immediately!" the General ordered, grabbing his hat.
Inside the vault, forty minutes had passed, and frost began forming along the edges of the steel door.
Elena's breath was visible in the small penlight beam as she huddled against Clara for warmth.
"I hear something," Reese whispered suddenly, pressing his ear against the cold vault steel.
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The faint, rhythmic thumping of heavy helicopter rotors vibrated through the rock foundation.
Above the snow mountain, giant thermal drills began cutting through the thirty feet of packed snow covering the chalet roof.
