“It still seems its main concern is its products’ reputation,” Sarah declared.
“I’m heartily sick of this ‘it’,” said Mahmoud. “Dai, what is Niseyen for ‘gender unknown’?”
“Well, that depends if it is single gender or one of a multiple. Kifjehiss means one of two genders, kifjoress means one of multiple genders and kifkudorex means one of a species where two or more species are needed to reproduce. Then there is describing multip—”
“Forget I asked! Don’t you have ‘gender unknown’?”
“Kif.”
“So ‘kif’ means ‘it’?”
“Kif is lazy. It can be substituted for ‘it,’ ‘his’, ‘hers’ and so on.”
“OK,” Sarah said, “so ‘kif’ is ‘it.’ Kif it is.”
Mahmoud groaned, then brightened. “I’ll tell everyone,” he said, and raced off.
As Sarah reported later to Pickdaa, “I think we can take that as a tacit admission of fault on their part. Kasjeindid made no mention of the Keulfyd knowing in advance that the Shield was coming but kif did appear to have noticed the incoming Attack Fleet.” She chuckled.
“Yes. I think you are right. But had we not listened to you and made a complaint, we would now be in a precarious situation.”
“Mathew says he is virtually certain that the Keulfyd will know the exact strength of the first Shield. Won’t they get an unpleasant shock!”
“What do we do about all the incoming ships now?” asked Dai.
“We won’t warn them off but we’ll tell them of the possibility the Fleet is headed here and leave it to those on each ship to decide for themselves. And we’ll tell them we have a Shield and the Loridsyl are running it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
As Kumenoprix went about finishing off his work before starting on the vaccine, he saw Maxadifidis who was helping another security guard walk towards the clinic. Kumenoprix went to assist, and between them they got her there. She looked awful. Kumenoprix went over to the heavily locked cabinet. After Maxadifidis put in her code he added his and removed a small vial of the most precious liquid on the planet. He expertly slipped the needle into the security guard’s vein then slowly injected into her a full 25 ml and replaced the plasma in the cabinet.
She was young but she didn’t look it today. Her heart rate was too fast, as was her breathing. Her temperature was even higher than yesterday. Worse, her blood pressure was lower, indicating not just dehydration but also probable internal bleeding. Her eyes were sunken and red from micro bleeds, her skin was pale and its texture clearly showed the dehydration and, worse, widespread bruising. He checked her mouth for signs of bleeding. He found it. “Are you vomiting blood?”
“Yes.”
“Bleeding into the toilet?”
“Yes.”
Her clothes sagged on her. Uniform clothes. The idiot had been working! “If you haven’t improved by tomorrow, I will put you in the Healing Machine. But the serum should work. You are young and fit and the progress of the virus in you has not been fast. Your immune system has been slowing it down and this should give it the help it needs. But you will be ill a few weeks.” In the air between them was the knowledge that if she was allergic to the serum she would be dead by tomorrow. Most likely within an hour.
An exhausted-looking nurse had approached and was looking relieved at the speed and efficiency with which Kumenoprix was doing his job for him. “Please check her blood pressure once she is rehydrated,” Kumenoprix instructed. “Let me know how bad she is. I will put her in the Machine if needed. She is a priority case.” She looked no worse, he thought. So if she was allergic, it was not the anaphylactic shock allergy that killed Keulfyd in about twenty minutes and other Races much faster. There were other allergic reactions, though, one lethal and others potentially so given her weakened condition. They would know by tomorrow.
Maxadifidis was looking rather regretful as they headed back to the security area. “That leaves only eight that are well out of ninety-four staff. Most of us are too sick to work. We’ve closed down all the areas we can. There are another eleven well enough to work part time and another five that are working when they can. None of us have died, thanks to you. I need to talk to you. Come with me.”
Now I’m for it, he thought.
Maxadifidis took him into a small room. She looked embarrassed, as if she didn’t know how to start. There was a long pause. “In case you are wondering,” she said, “I told no one and there is no evidence left.” Kumenoprix was shocked. He hadn’t expected this! But she was still talking, “We’ve all been talking since this virus hit. We think you are our best shot at stopping this virus — you specifically, your knowledge and your Race. We realize, well, Cukudeopul thought when we first suggested this, that your Race may solve it and then hold us to ransom with the price but we thought we would offer you a deal. We will let you go to your people with all your data. In return, we ask that you let us buy off you, as soon as possible, small quantities of what your people develop in the way of vaccines, anti-virals etcetera. And the recipe and method so we can duplicate it. We will still buy it in bulk off the Okme once you have made it. We will have to anyway, as you’ll be able to make it much faster than we can. And we will need shiploads of it. But if we have it, plus the knowledge of how to make it, that will save us development time. It will save a lot of lives.”
She was telling him as soon as the vaccine or anti-viral arrived, they would promptly analyse it and reproduce it themselves. But it would take time to get it right. If he gave them the instructions they could do it faster.
He sighed. “Okme don’t do that, over-price a vaccine. Vaccines are normally cheap to make, store, and transport. With our newest techniques they have a shelf life of four to ten years. But the initial production run can be very expensive. Until one starts one never knows how long it will take and how much it will cost. Another example of Okme being accused of things they would not do, due to ignorance of what is actually involved. Ignorance from the general public and disinformation from the medical authorities of other Races who do know but lie, because they have their own agendas or have added their own huge mark-ups. And the Keulfyd expecting the Okme to hold them to ransom is just because that is what the Keulfyd would do.”
Maxadifidis looked unconvinced. “But a treatment and a vaccine are both badly needed. The plasma causes an allergy reaction in three percent of the recipients, and is fatal for nearly two percent. The virus kills over two thirds of those who contract it, despite the antibody treatment, and almost every exposed person seems to catch it. The allergy itself wouldn’t be so bad on its own, but the allergic reaction stresses the already badly stressed organs. It is like the last straw. But there is no choice. It has to be used because for most it enhances their chance of survival.”
Kumenoprix was having trouble believing what he was hearing. I’m going to get help to escape? And Cukudeopul knows? He had to ask: “Cukudeopul knows about this?”
“Not officially. Officially, he can never let you go. Not with the knowledge you have. But frankly we doubt you know anything that isn’t already common knowledge in certain circles. I doubt that you are a spy. Yes, I checked the tape. The fact that much of the information was obtainable was one of the things that decided me. Plus the way it was organized and how it detailed all the methods tried indicated it was clearly meant to help us and to speed the production of a vaccine or treatment. Crucially, you made no mention of total incidence, information that would have been harmful to us. You told them quarantine was being used without telling them it wasn’t working because it was being broken! We think you have the potential to do more far more good than harm if you live. None of us wants the job of killing you once Cukudeopul dies. He is still on his feet but we can all see he has slipped again. It won’t be long now. So this is the plan. You go and get all your data, everything you want to take. I’ll organize all the medical samples you will need. Then we will help you ‘escape.’”
“And Cukudeopul has sanctioned this?”
“Of course he has! I wouldn’t dare do it otherwise. Covering up for you is one thing but helping you escape is another. And we are all helping — all of us that are vertical, that is. It will take you only a month to get to the first world that has an Okme lab but the ship we have waiting is an Okme ship and it has a small lab on board. That, plus open data links, means the Okme can get all your data including that huge file on the Keulfyd immune system that your friend sent you. That’s got to help! We noticed how pleased you were when it arrived and how fast you added your own data to it, so we hope it will help us. And I know about your worry that our immune systems may have been permanently compromised. That this virus threatens our Race not only now but in our future. It was that that decided us.”
“I can take all my data?”
“I am to come with you now and sneak it away. You are to board just as you are so it will look as if you simply took your chance and ran away in all the confusion. Security is minimal these days. No one has any idea how much data you have, so nothing will be missed.”
Kumenoprix was a little embarrassed. “Umm, the data that is left behind will self-destruct when accessed. Use an old computer, unlinked.”
Maxadifidis laughed. “ I like that! And we thought you were naive. Looks like we’ve taught you well.” She chuckled in delight as they walked down the corridor. She had needed a laugh. Looks like he picked up some security tips from us after all.
Reaching his quarters and lab, Kumenoprix and Maxadifidis started to pack up. Hundreds of years of work made a surprisingly small pile. Kumenoprix turned to his sleeping room and looked around. Most of his quarters were a lab and rather too large to take with him. Pity. It was a state of the art lab and it was all his, all hand picked. There was very little in here other than the lab that he really cared about. Just ordinary furniture. He had never really minded what went into his home so long as it was functional. He picked out a few clothes and a few mementos but there was nothing that was really precious. He wasn’t acquisitive by nature, except of knowledge. And that made a very little pile due to compaction. Two small boxes.
He knew full well that this may be all a big lie, a ploy to get his data undamaged. If so, it would not work. All his files were encrypted and the keys memorized. No one except himself and Helkmid could access his data. His files would not be able to be opened. He trusted Maxadifidis as much as he trusted any of the security staff. And of all of them, surely she should be the least likely to deceive him. It could be true.
“That’s it,” he said, “all that is essential. I will do my best.”
Maxadifidis went to move away and then looked back at him, troubled again. She said softly, “We didn’t all agree on this but the ones that disagreed were not involved. They don’t know Cukudeopul knows and sanctioned it. So we are going ahead but we have to move now, and move fast. Today’s team and the evening one are hand-picked. But don’t come back, Ku. Don’t ever come back.” She left with a small bag and all his most precious data. Of course he had it all duplicated, but still… Was this for real? Yet he felt it was. Her instructions had been simple: wait fifteen minutes then walk out carrying nothing he couldn’t conceal about his person. Just as well the latest fashions are flowing styles, not skin-tight. He concealed various items around his body. The wait seemed a lifetime. Fifteen minutes when all he wanted to do was run! He had never expected to survive this long. He wanted so badly to live now that he had been offered the possibility.
With a sudden thought, he accessed his bank and investment accounts and linked them all, ordering an immediate release and accepting the penalties. He was startled at the amount. He sent all the available balance to Helkmid with a link that added all the other accounts as they were released. He wondered how much would get sent before someone caught on and confiscated the remaining funds. What else should he have done? This had all been so sudden and he was in too much of a state of anxiety to think properly. Anxious! Okme don’t get anxious! He looked again at his watch. Twelve minutes. He was going to get hysterical if he didn’t move now. He went out, leaving the lights on, leaving the whole place as if he would return in a minute. But he couldn’t, ever. He had understood her warning. Don’t ever come back. Surely that comment meant she was for real? Surely this wasn’t just a ploy to get his data before he could destroy it?
Trying not to run, he went through three checkpoints he could let himself through and then headed for the first of the manned checkpoints. Just walk through as if you are expected, he was told. He knew the guards. He knew them all. He just walked through. Two barriers.
The third barrier he was not allowed past without an escort. Maxadifidis was waiting for him and calmly joined him and walked him to an Okme ship. He boarded and she left. It was as simple as that. How many times have I daydreamed about how I could escape? He started to shake and realized he was going into shock. An Okme grabbed him, administered an injection, and sat him down. An Okme! She was asking him what was wrong but he was shaking so much he couldn’t talk. He looked around, overwhelmed. All Okme. Everyone he could see was an Okme. His own Race! A few minutes later, he noticed that they were airborne. He shook and shook, despite the injection. It was embarrassing but he thought it was also part exhaustion and part hysteria. The same woman gave him another injection. It worked fast but now he was sleepy. When had he last slept? He was so tired. She was looking at him curiously. “Who are you?” she asked.
He looked at her in surprise. “Don’t you know me?” His voice was slurring and his mind sluggish. He struggled to remain conscious.
“No. We were just about to leave when we were told to wait for a passenger. We waited three hours. Your stuff was delivered, then you. We were told to take you to the nearest Okme lab. We were told you would pay. We were also told we couldn’t leave until you were on board. They revoked our clearance until you arrived,” she added grimly.
The stress, exhaustion, and sedative were all too much. “We must go to Torroxell but in secret. I am Kumenoprix,” he managed before it all caught up with him. He just had time to hear a reaction of his identity or destination. Who cared? He slept a full day.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Awaking, Kumenoprix discovered he had caused some controversy. There were fifteen other passengers aboard and five crew, all Okme. The passengers had been working on updates and maintenance of the Healing Machines. He was shocked at the hostile reaction he got, the glares. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You told us you are Kumenoprix.”
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“You are a traitor to your Race, keeping that monster alive!”
Kumenoprix looked at the man, astonished. Then he realized. “There is an awful lot you don’t know. Do you know Helkmid Jisenfodas? He’s on Torroxell.”
“Of course. He is well known to us.”
“Please contact him if you can do so safely. I will tell you how to reroute the message. Please listen to him. My mission is most urgent. I must get to Torroxell and to Helkmid.” He could almost read their minds. They were wondering what a low-life like him knew about a decent, brilliant person like Helkmid, who was a living legend. He wandered off to find the bathroom and freshen up. He was busting, stiff, and smelly. He was also very hungry. He hoped they would feed him.
An hour or so later he was called up to the small control room. He stared fascinated at the screen. Was this Helkmid? They had never been allowed to converse face to face. Never even allowed to converse in real time. Someone had always checked all their communication; until now.
“You are Kumenoprix?” Helkmid gazed at him, not unkindly. “How did you escape? They tell me it was arranged by the security staff.”
“Yes. You will be no more shocked than me. I got about half an hour’s notice! I was told it was for two reasons. Firstly, because the security staff thought I had the best chance of finding a cure for the virus or developing a vaccine. Many attributed their survival to me. T
hey asked that I ensure they are not exploited by the Okme and that I get some small samples to them as quickly as possible, plus the instructions. Which I will do!” Kumenoprix looked determined. “And secondly, because Cukudeopul will not last much longer and my friend Maxadifidis told me none of them wanted the job of killing me. I didn’t realize that one of them would have to do it.”
“What was your mission?”
“Are we encrypted?”
“Of course,” replied the Communication Officer. “Our codes are unbreakable. To the best of our knowledge,” she added.
“My mission was to spy. To find out if the Keulfyd were guilty of any complicity in genetic problems of certain Races, to keep Cukudeopul alive at all costs, and to keep working on the Niseyen genes and the Niseyen comparison programs. I have completed all of these missions and you should have all of my Niseyen files — well, all the major ones — plus a nearly completed solution to the reprogramming of the damaged female genes.”
“But those programs are Helkmid’s work! They’re famous already and going into use. They’re brilliant,” exclaimed someone behind him.
“Thank you,” said Kumenoprix.
“They are all Kumenoprix’s work,” said Helkmid, “with the occasional, small contribution from me. I just checked and endorsed them so they would be used fast and without questioning. Kumenoprix is owed a fair bit in wages. He has been working for our Intelligence Service for two hundred and twenty-seven years and hasn’t been paid for most of that time. Kumenoprix was told to keep Cukudeopul alive because his successors will be far worse, At least we know him. As Kumenoprix has often said, Cukudeopul has judgment but his successors do not.”
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