Mirrored Man: The Rob Tyler Chronicles Book 1

by GJ Fortier

  “Avatar?” Tiong asked incredulously.

  “Uh, huh.”

  “You want to watch Avatar at ten o'clock?” Jimmy looked at his watch. “Yes. In seventeen minutes.”

  “We have it in the video library.”

  Jimmy's shoulders slumped as he thought for a moment. “I think it's broken.”

  “I watched it with June on Tuesday. It was good.” Tiong removed a pen from his shirt pocket. “Kinda' Dances with Wolves in space.” Seeing that Jimmy wasn’t going to give up, he turned his attention back to the medical supplies where they had left off.

  “Does this mean I can go?” Jimmy asked hopefully.

  “No.”

  “C’mon, Doc. I hate busy work.”

  “Go tell that to Yeoum,” Tiong said evenly.

  Jimmy Bennett was the only member of the team who was Canadian, despite the fact that the project had been based originally in Canada. He was born in Saint Catharine’s, Ontario, the largest city in the Niagara Region, just ten miles northwest of Niagara Falls. His father was an attorney with the Niagara North Judicial District of Ontario and his mother was a member of the city council of Saint Catharine’s. He had attended Beacon Christian School where he developed a love for computers.

  He was the geek of the group, a fact that had often gotten him into trouble. He had a bad habit of invading programs. Like, for instance, the complex's security system, which made him quite unpopular with the security chief. But of the four remaining members of Yeoum’s team, Jimmy had been involved with the project the longest. The twenty-nine-year-old was recruited right out of the Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology, where he had earned a master’s in computer science and electronic technology.

  Early on, Jimmy had developed an intense dislike for the United States government after they “stole” a program he had written that not only integrated all of the project’s computer systems—which is how he gained access to off-limits programs—but also made them interactive, thereby streamlining the entire process. After this, Jimmy wrote a simple voice recognition program that would allow anyone he chose to interact with the system by voice command. He even gave the program a personality, a female personality, with a deceptively simple name. Software Integrating System, or SIS. What only he knew was that he had implanted a “bomb” that he could execute with a few simple keystrokes to render it and all connected systems useless.

  Knowing better than to draw the Korean team leader’s ire, Jimmy changed the subject. “I thought you didn't like sci-fi.”

  Tiong smiled. “Hello? Number one movie of all time.”

  Just then there was a beep followed by a man's voice over the intercom. “Doctor Tiong, Major Mathers and his guest have arrived. They are in the dressing area and will be entering the supply room shortly. Mister Bennett, you will need to vacate the area, sir.”

  Tiong checked his watch in annoyance. “It’s a quarter to ten. They're not supposed to be here until twelve o'clock.”

  “That's a shame.” Jimmy feigned disappointment. “I guess we can't finish the inventory now.”

  “Oh well,” Tiong said, “we'll just have to finish it later.”

  Jimmy eyed the doctor. “I assume that by 'we' you mean you and the major, right?”

  “The major will be tied up with the senator today. By ‘we’ I mean you and me.”

  “Oooh, sorry, Doc, but uh, I have to finish up my diagnostic this afternoon,” Jimmy said, seizing the opportunity to escape. “I guess you'll be on your own.”

  Tiong wasn't listening. He was checking off a mental list of things he had accomplished in preparation for the senator's visit. Satisfied he was ready, he said to Jimmy, “You’d better get outta here.”

  “Why? Can’t I meet the senator today, too?” he quipped. Jimmy couldn't have cared less if he met the man or not.

  Tiong gave him a knowing look. “The major.”

  “Aw c'mon. I think it's about time I met the mysterious major.” He pretended to yawn. He cared even less about meeting another jarhead.

  Tiong started to speak again but was cut off by the intercom. “I'm afraid that's not possible, Mister Bennett. The major is still off limits to all personnel but Doctor Tiong.”

  “I forgot.” Jimmy’s irritation aroused as he raised his voice. “Big Brother is always listening.”

  Tiong gave Jimmy a you-should-know-better look. “Out.”

  Jimmy threw up his hands in defeat and started for the door. “Hey, Big Brother, wanna help me with SIS? She's lonely, ya know. She could use another disembodied voice for some company after I wake her up.”

  Tiong watched as the door shut behind Jimmy. Almost immediately a buzzer sounded behind him. Two men dressed in the same kind of green scrubs Tiong was wearing stepped into the supply room. Major Greg Mathers he knew. The other he recognized from television, a local hero of sorts. Senator Kevin Kitchens, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The axeman, as he had become known since the team had learned of his impending visit. The man who would decide if the project would live or die. It was Tiong who spoke first. “Gentlemen. Welcome to Sistema Chac Luum.”

  The senator regarded him warmly, extending his hand. “Good morning.”

  “Doctor Juan Tiong.” Tiong smiled and accepted the man's hand.

  “Kevin Kitchens. And I believe you know the major.”

  Tiong nodded. “How's it going, Greg?”

  “Good,” Greg replied with a grin. Like this ought to be!

  “Are we interrupting anything?” Kitchens asked innocently. He enjoyed catching people off guard. Tiong glanced around the room, “No, no. We were just doing our weekly inventory. Nothing that can't wait.”

  Greg was disappointed. His hope of seeing the doctor upset or flustered by the interruption was dashed.

  “We?” Kitchens asked as he looked around the room.

  “Jimmy was assisting me,” Tiong answered.

  The senator gave Tiong a questioning look. “Why did he leave?”

  “I'm taboo to the other members of the team,” Greg explained.

  “Ah.” Kitchens looked to the major. “Well, I think it's about time you meet the other folks, don't you?”

  “Well … uh,” Greg stammered.

  “One way or another, they’re gonna know you by the end of the day.”

  “I don't understand,” Greg said.

  “One way or the other?” Tiong repeated.

  “Fellas, I'm not one to beat around the bush. I’m here to decide whether this project continues or not, and I’ll be doin’ just that during the next several hours. Now Greg, you were sent here to join the team, pending the professor’s approval. He’s had three weeks, more than enough time to get that done, and he hasn't even met you yet. I think it's time for a face-to-face.” He turned to Tiong. “And Doctor, as I understand it, you committed eighteen months to this project, and eighteen months was up six weeks ago. Is that correct?”

  Tiong looked to Greg for support, but found none. After four months of busy work and no further progress in the program, things were beginning to happen too fast for both of them. “The work we've done here is incredible. History making. I'm proud to be a part of it.”

  “Well, my decision will be based on my meeting with two—or should I say four—individuals. If y'all don't mind, I'd like to get on with it.”

  7 Meet ‘n’ Greet

  “IF YOU DON’T QUIT, I swear I’ll sneak into your room tonight and hide your leg,” June threatened as she wadded up another piece of paper and threw it her attacker.

  “I thought you liked Gummy Bears,” Don retorted.

  “Yeah, well, I had a big breakfast.” She laughed as she watched her missile hit him squarely on the nose. Don's head fell back and his arms went limp as he played dead. “And I'm not picking these up,” she added, pointing to the gummies on the floor. “You're—”

  Just then the intercom beeped and they heard a man's voice say, “Good morning, Doctors. The senator has arriv
ed and is on his way to your location.”

  Don's head snapped up, his eyes wide. “Oh, crap!” he shouted, and then he started to laugh.

  “Pick 'em up. Now!” June ordered through gritted teeth.

  “Too late,” Don said, still laughing and not taking his eyes off of June as the door opened. She stared back at him as the visitors stepped inside, then turned and glared at the speaker in the ceiling. You could have warned us sooner.

  The three newcomers entered. They couldn’t help but see the rainbow of candies on the floor as Tiong introduced them. “June Phillips, Donald Cook, meet Senator Kitchens and Major Greg Mathers of the Air force.”

  June rose to her feet, placed an I'm-completely-oblivious-to-the-Gummy-Bears-on-the floor look on her face, and extended her hand to the senator. But her eyes were fixed on the major. Kitchens shook her hand and looked over at Greg, smiling.

  “I think you've made a new friend, Greg.”

  June blushed. “It's a pleasure to meet you, sir,” she managed, as she turned her attention to the senator.

  Standing behind her, Don hadn't seen the exchange but could guess what had happened. His eyes were also on the major as he offered his hand. “The mystery man at last. It's very nice to meet you, sir,” he parroted, and then turned to Kitchens. “Senator.”

  “Major,” June said curtly, verbally acknowledging Greg.

  “Now that that's over with …” Kitchens attempted to lighten the mood.

  “Who are these men and what are they doing in my laboratory?” a male voice harshly demanded from the other end of the room.

  Professor Yeoum Chi had entered the room unnoticed by the others, his raised voice startling the group. The senator quickly recovered and painted on a smile, hoping the professor hadn't noticed he had been affected by the abrupt interruption.

  Yeoum was alerted to the presence of the major and senator when they arrived at the convenience store. He chose to take on a dominant presence with them, as he always did with everyone. Dressed like the others in green hospital scrubs, he strode toward them quickly, an intense scowl on his face. The diminutive man’s gray hair betrayed some idea of his age, but that was his only feature that did. If Kitchens hadn’t already known Yeoum was in his seventies, he would have guessed him to be in his late forties. The professor’s exotic features were a clear indication of his Asian heritage, and his disposition was certainly in keeping with his reputation. But now, in his presence, Kitchens sensed something ominous about the man.

  “Professor Yeoum.” Tiong stepped forward to head the man off. “Allow me to introduce Senator Kevin Kitchens of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”

  Yeoum stopped short of the group, paying no mind at all to the candy on the floor. He folded his arms across his chest, squared his shoulders and looked Kitchens up and down.

  “Professor.” Kitchens only nodded, knowing that if he offered a handshake it would be refused.

  Tiong rolled his eyes, making certain that the professor couldn't see him, and that Kitchens could. “And this is—” Greg stepped toward Yeoum with the beginning of the introduction, leading with his outstretched hand.

  “I know who this one is.” Yeoum’s voice betrayed no sign of an accent.

  Undaunted by the professor’s treatment, Greg let his arm drop to his side and smiled. He was enjoying himself. His day was shaping up very differently from what he had expected.

  Kitchens smiled as the professor's eyes wandered from him to the major in the uncomfortable silence that lasted long enough for the sound of the computer's cooling fans to reach an almost deafening crescendo. It was June who broke the silence. “Can I get anyone anything? Coffee, Coke?”

  “Yeah, we've got some Gummy Bears,” Don offered, reaching for the half empty bag on his desk.

  “Donald!” June couldn't help laughing as she scolded him.

  Greg laughed, as did Tiong. But if the senator or the professor had even heard the exchange, neither showed it.

  Forcing himself, Kitchens looked over at June. “Doctor Phillips. I found your file to be very impressive. Are your parents still missionaries?”

  “Yes, sir.” She was impressed that the senator remembered such a detail. Is he letting me know that he cares or just that he knows? “They're actually on vacation in Malaysia at the moment.”

  “Never been there,” Kitchens commented.

  “Neither have I.”

  The senator frowned. “That's a surprise, given the extensive travelin' y’all have done.”

  “Well,” said June, “my dad always said that the point of a vacation was to go somewhere you've never been before.”

  Kitchens quickly changed gears. “No offense, but frankly, I find it intrigin' that a woman with a PhD in ethology would be involved in a project such as this. What would Doctor Goodall think?”

  Jane Goodall was June's idol. The preeminent ethologist was part of the reason had June chosen to become one. “None taken. I would hope she would understand that my involvement with the animals here is only the beginning of my relationship with them.”

  “Yes,” Kitchens acknowledged. “You'll be tendin' to the chimps long after they’ve been relocated.”

  “That's right.” Since he had opened the door on the subject, she took the opportunity to ask, “Do you know if they've found a suitable reserve for the others yet?”

  Kitchens gave Tiong a sideways glance, “Why, yes they have. I don't have the paperwork with me. The good doctor insisted that I leave my portfolio in the dressing room, but if my memory serves, they will be very happy at the North Carolina Zoo.”

  June’s expression soured immediately. “That's unacceptable. They can't go to North Carolina.”

  Kitchens cocked his head to the side. “Why is that, Doctor?”

  June couldn't tell if the man’s concern was genuine or not. “Because Brad and Angelina are going to Tanzania.”

  “Brad and Angelina? Why, that's very clever, Doctor.” Kitchens chuckled. “Why is North Carolina a problem?”

  Don, seeing an impending battle coming, sidestepped out of June’s line of fire as she stiffened. “Because I'm supposed to oversee their transition into their new environments. How can I do that effectively with each pair of chimps separated by an ocean?”

  Since Kitchens had anticipated this confrontation, he didn’t miss a beat. “The government will be pickin' up all of your travel expenses, Doctor.”

  “Travel expenses?” she repeated as a curse. “That's not the point.”

  “Now, Doctor.” The senator took on a softer demeanor, allowing more of his southern charm to flow through. “The chimps can't all be sent to the same reserve due to the nature of one of the experiments side effects. Is that correct?”

  June's exasperation was growing. “It's only known side effect. And we haven't determined if it's permanent yet.”

  “Well, that may be true. And if it turns out not to be permanent, then we can place all of them in the same location. But unless it’s determined at some point that the animals will not be adversely affected, they must remain separated, yes?”

  “Yes, that's true,” she replied, as the logic of the senator's argument began to dismantle her defenses. “But they don't need to be on separate continents.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but Kitera Forest and Gombe Stream are the only reserves willing to take them as of now.”

  June began to protest again, but the senator held his hands up disarmingly. “Doctor Phillips, I can assure you that we are not intentionally attemptin’ to make this a difficult process. This is simply the best we can do for now. The only alternative is to keep two of the animals here indefinitely. And in that case, I fear you will have the same issue. Perhaps, in the future, more suitable arrangements can be made.”

  June settled a bit. She wasn't happy, but what choice did she have? The senator’s implied threat was unpleasant at best. Once they were out of the facility, she wouldn’t have to deal with government bureaucrats. Then she could find suit
able reserves herself.

  Kitchens continued. “The good news is that the reserves will be prepared to receive them on the first of September.”

  “The first of September? You mean we're leaving.” June could hardly contain herself.

  “They'll be transported the last week in August.”

  June beamed at the professor, but his expression remained unchanged. His dark eyes were fixed on the senator. Yeoum couldn’t yet determine whether the news was good, bad, or indifferent.

  Kitchens turned back to Yeoum. “Professor, I don't wanna take up any more of your very valuable time than I have to. If you don't mind, I'd like to get started.”

  Yeoum didn't blink.

  Tiong turned to the senator. “What would you like to see first?”

  “Should somebody go and find Jimmy?” Don asked.

  “He's messing around with SIS,” Tiong answered.

  Kitchens frowned. “Sis?”

  “Software Integrating System. S-I-S.” Don said. Kitchens still looked perplexed.

  “It's the program that makes the entire experiment possible. Jimmy wrote it,” Tiong elaborated. “Only computers are capable of thinking fast enough to keep up with the processes that make it work.”

  The professor scoffed. He knew that Tiong was right, but he didn't have to like it.

  “Thinkin' computers?” Kitchens was still unsure as he looked back at Yeoum.

  “Thinking super computers,” Don interjected. “Like in Jurassic Park.”

  An amusing image from the movie popped into the senator's head. “Well, let's hope our luck here in the real world is better than theirs was on the big screen.” Giving Yeoum a sideways glance, he added, “There isn't anything else runnin' around in here other than chimps, is there Professor?”

  Yeoum ignored the senator’s attempt at humor. “Luck has nothing to do with it.”

  “Senator?” It was Tiong again.

  “Doctor?”

  “What would you like to see first, sir?”

  Yeoum spoke up again. “I have not authorized that man”—he pointed accusingly at the major— “to be inside this facility.”

  Greg, who had been quiet since they entered, suddenly felt all eyes focus on him. “Senator, maybe it would be better if I just stayed here.”

  “Nonsense, Doctor. You're a part of the team now.” Kitchens kept his eyes on Yeoum. “Assuming there is a team here at the end of the day. They need a medical doctor,”—he turned back to the major—“and you're it.”