Insequor (23 page)

Stagg looked with contempt at the panel of politicians sat across the floor from him. Some committee! An ex-Teacher who’d probably never done a day’s work in his life; a professional politician who only got where he was because his father was a rich Senator; and a black – hell, no! – An
African-American,
dipshit who was always looking to blame someone for something.

He felt his teeth get sticky and cold as his lips peeled back. His fingers were almost snapping the pen in his hands and either side of him his officers were desperately trying to make the panel see sense.

“We cannot legally enter Abraznian airspace, let alone deploy any units on the ground with good reason. From what you’re telling us your intelligence relies solely on a few disgruntled employees and a journalist,” said the ex-teacher, Congressman Keech.

“Furthermore,” said Nilsson, and the Senator’s son leaned forward, “Your plan is not sound. You have no idea what technology is being deployed so an aerial bombardment makes no sense. You have absolutely no justification in ordering any kind of assault and this committee forbids it.”

The officers started spluttering amongst themselves. Stagg stared dead ahead at Douglas, the only congressman who hadn’t spoken yet.

“What about you, Congressman?” he said, to Douglas. “Where do you stand?”

Douglas stared down at him, his dark brown eyes giving nothing away.

“General Stagg,” he said, “I have followed your career with interest. You’re a proud man, a brave man, a true American. I’ll bet you’d be willing to lay your life down time and time again to defend that there flag we see standing behind this panel.”

“Yes, sir, I would.”

“However, regarding this
operation
, I am afraid I have yet to see any compelling intelligence; and I mean that in both senses of the word.”

Stagg picked up a folder and held it aloft. “I have full statements from ex-LAPD Detective Robert Jones. An affidavit which confirms the presence of antimatter production and containment in previously unheard of quantities. The former Head of Security in Abraznia has given us layouts of the complex, security details and as much intelligence you’d care to shake a stick at.”

Stagg’s cheeks burnt and he felt his breathing stop. His bottom jaw started quivering; something he couldn’t control when he was angry and the pen in his hand finally snapped.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “You don’t know shit!” Douglas raised his eyebrows whilst the other two stared at each other.

“When this dangerous young man brings in a new age of destruction you will personally be responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans. You have no idea what he’s about to try. We’re just supposed to stand by and watch?”

His officers were restraining him now. “Assholes!”

“General Stagg,” said Douglas, “I will have no hesitation in finding you in contempt of this committee if you do not shut the hell up.”

Stagg glared back, his fists on the desk, shoulders squared.

“I have here a letter,” said Douglas, putting on his spectacles, “from the President. It has been sent to Mr Loman in Abraznia via our Ambassador. In it he proposes support for his research into antimatter energy sources and offers not only resources, but access to the American market. He finishes, ‘whilst we are both aware of the dangers this technology represents if misused, our own planet is now at a turning point where we can truly reverse the damage we have done before it is too late.’”

Stagg sat back, shaking his head. “You knew?”

“Yes,” said Keech, “we also know of your interests in the lucrative oil and gas markets. Something yourself and Senator Tulley will have to answer questions before Congress about.”

Stagg got up, the chair screeching backwards. His mouth fumbled for words, his eyes darting around the room. Finally, he composed himself, picked up his hat and placed it under his arm before marching out of the room; his officers following.

Outside, in the corridors of power, his men gathered around him like a herd animals protecting a fallen member.

“What now, sir?” said one.

He put his hat on his head, straightened it and adjusted his tie. “Put a combat team together and get hold of that ex-cop. He’s coming with us.”

After six long weeks, with everything blurring past, Daniel at last sat across the table from Professor Grey for the final signoff.

Everything was in place. The equipment, the resources even the robot itself had been cleverly orchestrated to arrive at the Abraznian coast within a two-hour window. Daniel had taken various flights out over the ocean, running circles around it whilst Professor Grey timed the velocity. When they were finally happy that it would arrive at the pre-ordained time he flew back. That had been yesterday.

Before that had been the operational checks; a tour of the final completions with a demonstration of the magneto-optical trap, quantum teleporter and where the collision point would be. ‘Collision point’ was probably the wrong phrase though. The theory was that as soon as the robot made any kind of contact with its antimatter version they would both be destroyed.

Daniel looked down at the Gantt chart and saw there was just one final job to do; turn everything on and stand in the designated spot. He looked out through the window across the site. He would be quite some distance from the collision point, but directly in line with the robot and the magneto-optical trap. The robot would walk straight toward it and it was there an antimatter version would be introduced. The required antimatter, the largest amount ever collected together in history, was already there and waiting.

And then? Well, there the Professor had been rather vague. Yes, there would be a tremendous release of energy, but it would be largely photons. Light waves which, although dangerous to look at, would be relatively harmless. There was some potential for background radiation but the Professor had taken precautions. Daniel would be stood behind six inches of lead near the base of the control tower. The actual site itself may not be useful again for hundreds of years but that was a small price to pay.

He leaned back and rubbed his shoulder blade. The Professor stared patiently across the table. “Can I assume you are happy?”

He nodded. “We’re good to go. How long have I got?”

“Six hours. We can reschedule if you need more time but it will mean a trip out in the helicopter to bring the robot about.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Let’s do this.”

The Professor stood up, nodded and then left; there was a military air about him that seemed to present itself whenever a decision had been made. In some ways he was like an obedient dog; but one with the potential to rip your arm off in a frenzy.

He took a swig from his coffee and stared out again at the space-age view from the window. It reminded him of the megacities in futuristic comics he had read as a kid. The buzzer went and the voice of an assistant asked for him.

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Toby is here.”

He scoffed. “Of course he is. Send him through.”

With his back to the door he heard Toby enter and approach casually before resting on the desk.

“It’s been a while,” said Daniel.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“Are you sure? I thought I was meddling with powerful forces? There are still a few choppers if you need one; we’ve only got six hours.” He turned around; Toby was leaning against the desk looking at his watch.

“I make it five hours fifty-eight minutes.”

Daniel smiled; Toby was ever the professional. His mind drifted back to those early days when they had first met. He had been so young, so frightened. Toby was the mysterious and powerful man who had opened doors, summoned soldiers and organised his life for so many years. But now it had all changed. Toby looked desperate.

“You’re really going to do this? I never thought you’d have the gumption.”

“It’s no more stupid than some of your ideas. Remember the giant treadmill?”

Toby smirked, his arms loosened and he relaxed a little. “I still think if we’d have found the right materials that would have worked and we could have powered a small city.”

Daniel laughed and Toby chuckled too; the colour returned to his cheeks and he almost looked sanguine.

“Or what about the volcano?”

“True, that one wasn’t fully thought through; but if we could have found a way to predict the eruption…”

“Toby,” said Daniel, “I’ve changed. I’ve grown. I have masses of funds behind me now and a huge organisation – a country. All this you see below; I controlled the supply, the shipping, the construction and everything else. Some of the best scientists in the world are in my team.”

“I know,” said Toby, unable to hide a frown, “some of them used to work for me.”

“This time it’s going to be different.”

“Why?”

Daniel snapped his head up. “Because this time it ends!”

He walked back to the window and gazed outside. A generator building was pumping white steam into the air; next to it pipes ran from all over the complex into another warehouse that…that what? He wasn’t exactly sure but it didn’t matter. He had all the information on his laptop; he’d paid for everything and it was all the best. Every advertisement, every sponsorship, every stupid personal appearance and chat show, it had all gotten him here.

As he stood by the window, the setting sun cut his outline against the blackness of the shades helicopters buzzed past and trucks were rattling away. He turned to face Toby again.

“Are you here in an official capacity?”

“I’m just here to help.”

“Well thank you, but I’m fine.”

“Of course. Maybe I could stay to watch though?”

“I wouldn’t advise that.” He turned and walked over to a workbench near the desk. He brushed aside some tools and leaned against it.

Toby folded his arms. “I think you’ll find I’m a big boy. Quite capable of looking after myself.”

Daniel’s face creased into a grin and he gave a little snort. “You never did tell me who you worked for. Was it the CIA?”

Toby shook his head. “I work with the CIA sometimes, but I’m not an agent.”

“Military? Secret service?”

“None of those.” Toby shifted his gaze to the large clearing in the distance. “Is that the focal point?”

“Then what are you? A psychologist? Negotiator?”

Toby shrugged before turning back to the window. The orange light made his skin look bronzed and smooth. His jet black curly hair tucked behind his ears and glasses. “Something like that. The word is
Plenipotentiary
.”

Daniel felt his bottom lip stretch to the left and his eyebrows take a dive. “What?”

“People have always needed eyes and ears they can trust. But also, someone who can make an authorised decision on the spot.”

“Decisions?”

“Decisions.” Toby stared back.

“Ever made a bad one?” said Daniel.

“Yes. You?”

“Ask me again, later.”

He sat back at the desk where a laptop was projecting a soft white light and started tapping away.

“Is that the control console?”

He looked up with a smile. It was an old smile, from a time long ago. “Nice try, but I’m not that careless. I’m actually just checking my email. Do you want the Wi-Fi password?”

“No, thank you.” Toby placed his hands together, the fingers stretching out like a lazy chameleon on a rainforest bough. “Everyone’s pretty scared out there. Do you know how dangerous this could be?”

“Yes, I do. But we’ve taken all the necessary precautions.”

“Oh that’s right, you have Professor Grey working for you now. How is he by the way?”

“Ask him yourself.” Daniel returned to the laptop. “He’s in the next building updating the software.”

“I did some background checks on him. He’s had quite a colourful life. Did you know he’s wanted for several crimes?”

“Not in this country.”

“You mean
your
country.”

“Yes,
my
country.” He looked up and snapped shut the laptop. This was becoming tired. “Do you have travel plans?”

“No, I don’t. Is there any way we can stop this?”

“No. You’re not in control anymore.”

Toby stepped back momentarily as if he’d been dealt a blow. His eyes were glistening and his mouth turned down.

“For Christ’s sake Daniel, you don’t think they’re just going to stand by do you?”

“My Russian friends seem to think so.”

“Right, not content with creating a global catastrophe, you’re also intent on bringing about World War Three. A lot of work for one day, yes?”

“The fact that your boss and the Russian Premier don’t get on is not my concern.”

“Can’t we just talk? I have dozens of ideas. We want to try and help you.”

“You’ve tried before, remember?”

“That wasn’t our fault Daniel. The army, they...”

Daniel smashed his fist against the window; the thick glass banging with a hollow sound like a bell underwater. “She was the closest I ever got to feeling normal.”

They both stood in silence a moment. Although it had happened long ago it felt good to finally make the break from Toby to his face. He shook his head. “I don’t want to try any more of your stupid ideas. It ends.”

“It doesn’t have to be like this. Some people think what you have is a curse, others think it’s a wonderful gift.”

“It’s a curse I assure you.”

“I understand why you think that. But you can still turn this around. Something good can come out of this. You’re a very powerful man now, why waste it?”

“I’m a powerful prisoner.”

“They’ll find a way to stop you.”

“Maybe.”

“They won’t let you do this. They have people working on it right now.”

“I don’t think they will have time.”

“You’re leaving them only one choice.”

“Let them come.”

They sat in silence for a while, both occasionally looking up as a chopper buzzed past with people making their last trip from the science community that had been their home for the past few years. Eventually, he poured some coffee which Toby accepted and they stood out on a terrace.

“I never did tell you about Davis, did I?” said Toby.

He shook his head and looked back at the town. He hadn’t heard from Davis since the introduction to Grey back, where was it? Paris? It was hard to separate all the cities and vistas, the airports and hotels. Strange, but when he looked back on a time in his life and attempted to draw a memory it felt like scooping up melted marshmallow. He wondered if it was that way for everyone; surely it never used to be like that? When he was younger, before.

“After we dismissed Davis from the team he disappeared for a while before turning up in Boston. Dead.”

“He died?”

“Shaving accident.” Toby made a slashing motion across his neck.

“Murdered?”

“It would appear so.”

Daniel shook his head. “I had no idea. You never did tell me why you took him off the team.”

“You never did ask,” said Toby, with a smirk. “But we both know you know the answer.”

“I’ll admit we spoke.”

“You did more than speak. He put you in touch with Grey; something I had expressly forbidden.”

“So you had him killed?”

Toby shook his head and looked alarmed. “Do I look like a killer to you? We had nothing to do with it. Someone else didn’t want him sharing Grey’s secrets. But who had the most to lose? Grey? You?”

“Me? You think I did it? I just took his advice. I’m not the bad guy here.”

He leaned over the railings and looked down. The drop was about twenty feet to pale, dry mud. Cables ran amok amongst the struts of the tower. Nobody had played the blindest bit of notice to health and safety without officials around to enforce it.

Toby joined him at his side, his arms crossed on the railing as he too peered over the edge. “’Wouldst thou be good, then first believe that thou art evil.’”

“What’s that?” said Daniel, “more Milton?”

“Someone else. A philosopher in fact.”

He turned back into the tower, pausing at the door, looking at Toby from the side. He was leaning forward, almost casually, but still poised against the railings.

“This philosopher,” he said, “is he dead?”

“Yes,” said Toby, “he’s been dead a couple of thousand years.”

“Well then, his opinion doesn’t really count for much, does it? There’s a chopper leaving the airport in thirty minutes. Be on it.”