The small Kansas community was abandoned, as usual the sidewalks are rolled up and the streets are vacant. We cruised the main street up and back a couple of times and decided to return to K12. When we got there, the sarge pulled the truck into the middle of the access road turn off the lights and got out. “Need to water the lily pads.” Slammed the door and unzipped his pants. We stood on opposite sides of the truck, and just looked around and listened to nothing but, bugs and wind. We drove around the perimeter road, with the same results. He stopped again, the entrance to the access road and said, “Ah, hell” and drove away. We went back to his favorite parking place sarge and found a comfortable spot behind to wheel and snuggled in. “Hold the fort”, he as he settled down. I began the wait listening to the hiss of the radio and the occasional snore from the sage. I was thinking of K12 and what happened while stirring at its Christmas tree. I noticed a faint glow what I thought was a semi going down the highway, when I realized that there was no road in that area it moved slowly low to the ground crossing fields of corn and headed directly to K12. I woke the sarge, “look, look, look” unable to say more. He jumped up and looked around the truck thinking something else. Finally, he focused on the glow which got brighter as in hovered over the site.

The radio rang out the SAM and we took off this time, we were speeding to the site, not even slowing for stop signs. I tried to watch the site as long as possible, but with the curves, and corn fields it was impossible. We squealed on to the access road, total darkness greeted us the area was again silent and still. We followed procedure again, this time, looking up more often. I felt uneasy, like I was being watched like the feeling you get when someone is looking over your shoulder. When back at the gate phone the voice was, more aggressive, make sure you check the motion detector cones, and vents. I made the same sweep as before, stopping only to look up. I checked the vent seals and hasps as before nothing was out of place. I checked the cones, deflectors, and any exposed wiring other than being slightly warm to the touch nothing was out of place or tampered with. I picked up the phone and it rang, the all clear was given and I explained my visual results of the cones and vents. The closing was done as usual the gate opened, I climbed in the truck and we drove to the back of the site, turn off our lights. The surface lights were turned off and we sat in the dark. After about fifteen to twenty minutes the surface lights came back on. We jumped from the truck and started to survey the night sky. The portal access door crept open and a captain appeared. He walked around the launch cover and inspected the vents then walked to each of the motion cones. He stood by the portal door for a little while and then disappeared through the door. The surface lights went off and we left alone with the chirping insects. Without a word the sergeant started the truck and slowly drove without lights down the access road and on to the road for a few hundred yards and pulled into a farmer’s field hiding next to the corn rows and some over grown bushes.

Sarge turned down the radio and we sat watching the site and the night sky. After what seemed to be an eternity the morning sky was coming and sun started to appear on the eastern horizon. Our shift was over, sarge cranked the engine and back to base we went. On the way there we re-lived our exciting night and laughed nervously. We wondered if anyone was going ask about our night. We arrived at the base washed our truck, exchanged equipment with the on coming team, and passed on our SAM information about K12. The on coming shift and no questions, we turned in our weapons to the armor, and passed by dispatch and operations all without a word or inquiry. We decided for the best we would never speak of this.