She turned to where Carmen and Angel hovered over the terminal.
“Would both of you come here?” she asked. The genies rose to their feet and strode over as gracefully as the predatory animals they were. Maria had to smile. They truly were magnificent. More than she’d ever dreamed possible. “Do you trust me?” she asked.
They both nodded. “Implicitly,” Carmen said.
“I need an insurance policy…in case this meeting goes badly,” she added grimly.
“What do you mean?” Angel asked. He looked worried.
Maria ignored the question. She didn’t have enough time to explain.
“I’ve created a retro-virus that should rewrite the gene affecting your ability to manufacture methionine. If it works, you will no longer be dependent upon the injections, but I’ve never tested it, and I don’t know if there will be any side effects. I need one of you to act as the initial test subject, and if there are no ill effects within the first twelve hours, then it should at least be safe for the other.”
“I volunteer,” Angel said immediately. “Carmen has all the skills necessary to continue gathering data on the installation without me. We’ve found a good deal already, but we’re not finished. I am the logical choice,” he added.
“You need to know that there is a possibility that this could kill you. If there are errors in replication, it could cause a total system failure.”
“I understand, Momma,” he replied. “But you said it yourself. We’re running out of time.”
She nodded. “Then give me your arm,” she said. She grabbed a bottle of alcohol with a swab and cleaned an area on the upper portion of his right arm. Grabbing one of the syringes, she quickly injected him and rose to her feet. “If all goes well, I’ll be back soon. If you don’t hear from me by the end of the day, assume the worst and proceed as best as you can.”
“Yes, Momma,” they both said, worried looks on their faces.
“Altra,” she said, turning to the robot.
“Yes, Doctor Fujimoto?”
“I need you to make several liters of the serum in the incubator.”
“Of course,” Altra said, immediately moving toward the unit.
Maria smiled, feeling affection for what she knew was merely a walking computer. “I’ll see you soon, Altra,” she said to the robot standing nearby.
“Yes, Doctor,” Altra replied. “Safe travels,” she added automatically.
With a wry smile, Maria strode to the elevator, stepped in, and hit the button for the roof. She checked the time again to see that it was nine-thirty-six. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She couldn’t help wondering if she would ever see them again.
When the doors opened, a long, black, executive air car sat waiting for her. A rear door opened, and an officer of the Republican Guard stepped out, holding it open for her. He was slim, dark-haired, and had a nearly lifeless expression on his face that seemed to hide a sneer.
As Maria approached, he stepped aside and motioned for her to get in. “Please get inside,” he said. She could see now that he was a captain, and there was no “please” in his tone. It was an order.
She did as instructed and found another officer, also a captain, sitting in the forward seats. His face was as lifeless as the first one. He nodded once as the other captain got inside and closed the door, and then he held out a device, running it over her body. Looking at the readout, he pressed a button on the armrest, leaned over, and said, “We’re clear.”
Without another word from either of them, the car lifted off and accelerated hard toward the Presidential Retreat.
* * *
Part 3
The car landed on the roof, and both captains escorted Maria into an elevator that went down an unknown number of floors. They didn’t have to touch any buttons, because there weren’t any. The doors opened on a wide hallway, with a half-dozen doors on either side, as well as small tables, mirrors, and chandeliers running down its entire length. One of the captains motioned for her to proceed, and they marched her down the hallway. She felt like she was being led to an execution, but there would be little point in them killing her in the palace. She’d made it that far, so she assumed she was going to meet the Presidenté and not an untimely demise.
Maria could not believe the opulence of the Presidential Retreat. Everything was gold, marble, and crystal, with some of the most exquisite furniture she had ever seen. When they exited the hallway, she found herself in a grand room, with tables on either side, covered with what could only be described as a banquet. Grand staircases flanked both sides, and the captains guided her up the right-hand side to a wide landing and a pair of large double doors. Through them, she recognized the Presidential Office from official broadcasts. The view outside was of the Capital Gardens and the city beyond. There were two full sets of couches and chairs facing wide fireplaces on either side of the room. Each conversation pit was designed to allow for separate conversations. Straight ahead was the largest desk Maria had ever seen.
In front of the desk, and turned in his seat to face her, was a Republican Guard general that looked familiar. He was middle-aged, in excellent physical condition, and had salt and pepper coloring running through his goatee and close-cropped hair. He had stern eyes that seemed to take Maria in like a wolf evaluating an injured animal. He stood as Maria passed through the doorway, and both captains took up positions just inside the room.
Behind the desk sat the heavy-set but still handsome Presidenté Pablo Ramirez Vasquez. He wore a perfectly fitted, dark gray suit with a sapphire blue tie. His dark hair was cut short, almost in a military fashion, and both hands had large, gold pinky rings that glinted as he rose to greet her.
“Good morning, Doctor Fujimoto,” Vasquez said, smiling a perfect politician’s smile. “You know me of course. Permit me to introduce General Valdez,” he added motioning toward the general. Maria realized who the man was. He was commander of the entire Republican Guard and the President’s Chief of Staff. “Please,” Vasquez continued, “have a seat. I don’t have much time, and I am in desperate need of your help.”
She raised an eyebrow. She may have been right about what he wanted from her. “Good morning to you both,” she said, nodding to each of them. She quickly took the seat beside the general and looked at the president expectantly.
“I apologize for the short notice,” he said, “and I hope my staff did not make you feel too unsettled. I have trained them to be direct and to respond to my requests quickly,” he added with a confident smile.
“No need to apologize, Mister President,” she said. “They were perfectly agreeable, and it is a sincere pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m sure,” he replied. “But enough pleasantries. As I said, I have a busy day ahead of me.”
“What is it I can do for you, Mister President?” she asked.
He leaned back in his chair and looked at her for a moment. “It is my understanding that you are no longer with Paragon Savage Genetics. Can I assume you find yourself in search of new opportunities?”
Maria tried and succeeded not to smile. She kept her features calm and impassive. “Indeed I am,” she answered truthfully.
“Excellent,” Vasquez said. “Then I believe I can offer you the greatest opportunity you could imagine,” he said enthusiastically. “An opportunity to continue your work, unfettered by corporate policy, and with virtually unlimited resources. Carta blanca, in fact, so long as I get what I want.” The smile he gave her was more unsettling than the grim countenance of the General. “I would like you to continue the work you were doing for PSG, but for me. Exclusively.” He leaned forward, a hungry look upon his face. “Would that interest you?”
I guessed right, Maria thought, but she feigned surprise at the suggestion.
“I believe it would, Mister President,” she said. “I want nothing more than to continue my work, and to be honest, I had no idea how I was going to proceed without PSG.”
“Indeed. Your line of
work requires a very significant level of resources, resources I am more than capable of providing.” He eyed her, searching her face for something. “To put it simply, I want a genie army capable of wiping out the insurgents who have made life so difficult for my citizens.” He raised an eyebrow. “Am I correct in assuming that was what PSG intended to provide to any paying customer that came through the door?”
“That’s correct,” Mister President,” she replied.
“I’ve been informed that the second generation of your creations have been highly successful in war games against my Republican troops. I must admit, I am impressed. To that end, I will require more of them…much more…but I would have to add some additional constraints.”
Maria eyed him warily. “What might those be?” she asked.
“It’s very simple. The Methionine Protocol must be implemented without fail or exception. I can assure you, if that condition weren’t met, you would suffer far worse than being fired.” He smiled, but there was deadly menace in his eyes. “Furthermore, I would require that all subjects be made utterly loyal me and me alone. I am correct in my understanding that such a thing is possible, yes?” he asked.
“Yes, Mister President. It is already part of the process.”
“And what of the two escapees?” he asked suspiciously.
“As a result of that situation, we implemented a more stringent process that insured there would be no further anomalous behavior.”
“Good!” he said.
“I must add that because we are dealing with living organisms, I cannot guarantee with absolute certainty that there would never be another anomaly, but I can assure you that what we implemented raised the bar significantly. They would be more loyal than any normal person is capable of.”
Vasquez cast a sidelong glance at the general and a smile played about his lips.
“Excellent,” he said, turning his eyes back to her. “Furthermore, I want a virus, or toxin, something that could be released that would kill them but not full-blooded humans. Would that be a problem?”
Maria was not surprised.
“Not at all, Mister President. In fact, PSG had required such a virus at the beginning of the program. It kills within a minute or two, disrupting biological functions once it hits the lung tissue. I developed it as we were creating the first generation. There are even stores of the serum at PSG that could be dispersed via any airborne delivery system.”
“You are certainly full of good news,” Vasquez said. “And I am delighted you are as receptive to the idea. But let me sweeten the pot.” He said. “As I mentioned, I would give you, essentially, carta blanca. Additionally, I have at my disposal a…recently unmanned orbital research station that would suit your needs. You would have access to a personal shuttle that is ready for delivery, and a pilot could be made available to you.”
“No, Mister President,” she replied, trying to remain calm. “I have an assistant that is fully capable of piloting orbital craft.” She could not believe what she was hearing. As she sat there, she started working through possibilities.
“As you wish,” he replied. “The station is already equipped with most of what you need. It already has one hundred of your first-generation maturation chambers and consoles installed. And there are another four hundred of them awaiting you in a cargo bay aboard the station.” He smiled wickedly as Maria got a shocked look on her face. The specifications for the chambers were one of PSGs most closely guarded secrets. “I have people everywhere,” Vasquez said. “One of my agents was able to get those specifications and the software near the end of the Gen1 stage.”
“I don’t see how I could refuse you, Mister President,” Maria said, suddenly appalled at the resources such a man had at his disposal. She never imagined that something like what he was suggesting was even possible. He would be an even worse devil to deal with than PSG, but she had her own plans, and he was offering much of what she needed to achieve them.
“It would be foolish to refuse me, Doctor Fujimoto. As the general here can attest, I am very accustomed to getting exactly what I want. And in this case, it is my way or the highway. Besides, where else could you possibly find such an opportunity?”
“I have no doubt I couldn’t,” she replied. “I’ll need a week or two of preparation for such a large undertaking, and I would like to begin the process of seeking appropriate staff before I go to the station.”
“I expected as much,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with that. As impatient as I can be, I’m not an unreasonable man.”
“Thank you,” she said. “Then I can see only one problem.”
“Oh?” Vasquez replied, raising a surprised eyebrow. “And what might that be?”
“PSG holds an NDA and Non-Compete over my head, and the CEO made it clear upon my departure that he would have me arrested if I undertook genetics work again. It would be a very public matter, I’m afraid.”
The smile on Vasquez’s face sent a chill up Maria’s spine.
“You needn’t worry about him,” he said simply. “I’ve already seen to that.” He rose out of his chair and held out his hand. “So, Doctor Fujimoto, do we have an agreement?”
She stood quickly, stepping up to the desk, and the general rose as well.
“I believe we do,” she said, and shook his hand. “Can you have the shuttle delivered to my home? Assuming it isn’t too large to land on the roof.”
“Oh, no,” Vasquez said. “It’s not much larger than a cargo van, so it should be fine. You will schedule regular meetings here in my office, to keep me up to date on your progress. Once a week should suffice.”
“As you wish, Mister President,” she replied.
“Then I’m afraid I must say goodbye, Doctor Fujimoto, and thank you for being so accommodating.”
“The pleasure was mine, Mister President.” She turned to find both captains standing just behind her chair. She walked out between them. They fell in step behind her as she walked out, and the General took up the rear.
“Oh, and Doctor?” Vasquez called out.
Maria paused and turned in the doorway.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that you understand, any betrayal will have the direst of consequences.” He fixed his eyes upon her, and there was no humor left in the man. His face was as cold and menacing as any she could imagine.
“I understand, Mister President,” she replied.
“Good day,” he said, as he sat down and waved his hand dismissively.
She felt a firm hand on her arm and was guided out. Both captains and the general escorted her out of the palace and up to the roof where the same car sat waiting.
As they approached it, the general pulled on her arm and turned her to face him. She met his gaze, and he stared at her for several moments with narrowed, calculating eyes.
“I don’t like you…or the work you do,” he said evenly. “In fact, I believe that genies and the people who create them are the greatest threat to the Republic since it was established.” Maria felt a chill. “For now, the Presidenté has a use for you, so my hands are tied…but that may not always be the case,” he added, and there was a profound menace to his words. “I’ll be keeping my eye on you, Doctor,” he added.
Nodding once to the captains beside her, he turned and marched away.
One of the captains opened the door and got in. The other motioned for her to follow, and she did so. Both captains sat across from her, their features stony and menacing. The car lifted off, and as it carried her home, she could only think that she had even less time than she thought. And now the general would be watching.
* * *
When the car landed and she got out, she saw the shuttle the Presidenté had spoken of was already sitting on the roof. It was a small, military interface shuttle, designed for atmospheric and orbital space flight. The Presidenté had made good on his first promise, and as Maria stared at it, a plan started to form.
She would have to move quickly. She
called up the elevator, stepped inside, and hit the button for the lab level. When she stepped out of the elevator, she found Carmen at the terminal and Angel behind her with a blanket over his shoulders. He was shivering slightly, and the news was again playing in the background. They both turned, and their faces showed relief at the sight of her.
“Momma!” Carmen said, rising. “You’re alright.”
Maria nodded. “How are you doing, Angel?”
He smiled weakly. “I think I’m okay. A little feverish, perhaps, but that’s all.”
“That’s to be expected. Let me know if it gets worse.”
He nodded.
“Julio Sakai is dead,” Carmen said, pointing at the news station playing on the monitor. “His air car went down in the jungle as he was flying home.” Both genies looked at Maria expectantly.
Maria shook her head, but she wasn’t surprised. “The Presidenté doesn’t waste time, does he?”
“You knew?” Carmen asked.
“It came up during our conversation this morning,” he replied.
“Are you going to tell us what happened with him?” Angel asked. There was strange insistence to his question.
“In a nutshell,” Maria said, “he wants me to start up the program, using his resources to create an army of genies loyal only to him.”
Their eyes went wide, and then they looked at each other with worried expressions.
“They’re going to kill him,” Carmen said.
“What?” Maria asked, stunned.
“They’re going to kill El Presidenté…” Carmen clarified. “Our old team…they’ve been tasked with neutralizing Omega Deuce…it was our internal designation for the President.”
“Omega Deuce?” Maria asked, confused.
Angel got a mischievous smile. “It means ‘big shit,’” he said, chuckling.
We Dare Page 12
