Please. Please don’t say that! You’re going to make me feel guilty.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Miss Chavé.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and disentangled herself, beaming widely. “Well … I guess this is good night?”
He nodded, “I’ll be seeing you.”
“ … You will? I mean, of course! I’ll see you around, Keith.”
Keith waved goodbye and walked back to the elevator, keenly aware of the eyes continuing to watch him until he was out of sight.
Well … mission accomplished, he thought, reaching into his pocket for his all-purpose headset.
It really is a shame though. If she weren’t such a flirt, she might actually be attractive. Who knows? Maybe she’ll mellow with age. He grimaced. Or, maybe not.
He placed the headset over his ear and addressed the AI
“Mac. Patch me through to Security Chief Landers.”
“Yes, sir, Agent Tagawa.” The masculine AI unit replied, and a moment later the chief’s voice drifted through the headset’s speakers.
“What’s the situation, Tagawa? Did she check out?”
“Yes, sir. I can say without a doubt that Miss Chavé poses no threat to Unitech security—or to anything else for that matter. Except for maybe the local perfume supply.”
The chief laughed dryly. “All right, Tagawa. Pack it in and go on home. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll have my report waiting for you when you arrive.”
“Excellent. Oh, and Tagawa. What about the girl? Did she take a liking to you?”
Keith sighed. “I’m afraid so, sir. But don’t worry. I’ll play the part for a little longer, and then I’ll break it off before it gets too serious.”
“Easy, Agent. You know what they say about a woman scorned.”
“Indeed I do, sir. Don’t worry. Tagawa out.”
The elevator doors slid open, and Keith walked briskly to where he had left his Mercedes. He opened the door and crawled in, noticing at once the overpowering aroma of Bridget’s perfume.
I hope no one at the Agency finds out about this, he brooded, starting the engine. They’ll never let me live it down!
Chapter 6
“Analysis confirmed. Results of subject sample: Negative,” Alex repeated, his voice slicing through the silence like a knife.
Luna leaned forward until her face was nearly pressed against her monitor. She’d read over the chemical readouts nearly a thousand times in the past forty-five minutes.
“This is it,” she whispered, feeling her heart rate increasing with each passing second. After two years of painstaking work she’d finally found it: the cure for the Blister Wart disease! She thought it was a glitch at first—like so many other false leads she’d encountered. But after Alex scanned it a second time with the same results, her hope began to soar. Two more scans and a detailed chemical analysis of sample J-75 had confirmed the results. The cure was within her grasp.
She leaned back in her chair and covered her open mouth with a trembling hand, as tears of joy began rolling down her cheeks.
“We’ve done it, Alex,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. “We’ve finally done it. Quick, Alex! Give me the exact chemical mixture we used in sample J-75. I—I need to see it.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor McKelly. But there was no chemical changes made to the specified sample,” Alex replied. “Sample J-75 was included in your control group, and, as such, was exempt from such experimentation.”
Luna wiped her eyes. “But your scans do indicate that sample J-75 is negative. If we didn’t introduce anything into that sample then why have all the Blister Wart cells been neutralized?”
“Unknown. Accessing all chemical compounds in sample J-75. Cross-referencing with previous readouts prior to experimentation.”
She waited. What if it was another dead end? Had she gotten her hopes up just to have them crushed again? Her body tensed as the results of Alex’s latest scan began scrolling across her screen.
“This is most peculiar, Doctor,” the AI said, highlighting a specific readout on the holographic display. “The sample is both Blister Wart negative and un-tampered with. It would seem that sample J-75 has been contaminated with an unknown chemical agent.”
Luna eyed the readout, comparing it to the initial scan Alex had performed nearly a week ago. There was still hope.
“Can you identify this agent?” she asked, selecting the unknown chemical compound with her index finger.
“I shall do my best, Doctor McKelly. Processing.”
Luna tapped her fingers on the desk impatiently. Even though it only took the Unitech central AI a few seconds to finish his analysis, it felt like a lifetime.
“Analysis of unknown agent complete. Chemical identified as enzyme produced by protozoa present in neighboring sample J-74. However, the microorganisms in both samples have reached the end of their lifecycle, and are presently expired.”
“Can you replicate the enzyme?” she asked, chewing her lip.
“Negative. I am sorry, Doctor McKelly, but I will need a complete and viable sample of subject protozoa in order to accurately synthesize the desired enzyme.”
After two years of working for Unitech, she had finally stumbled across an enzyme that could stop the Blister Wart disease and save the lives of millions of people, only to discover that the only way of producing more of the potent enzymes had died along with the fungus.
“Alex, can you tell me where sample J-74 originated?”
“Yes. Sample’s point of origin is Survey Laboratory 121. Location: Western Oklahoma swamp. Sample was taken 6.2 weeks ago.”
Luna contemplatively tapped a finger against her lip. “Would it be possible to contact the researchers at 121 and request another sample?”
“Negative. Looters attacked the laboratory 2.5 weeks ago, forcing the immediate evacuation of all Unitech staff. The location has been deemed hazardous and has been quartered off until further notice.”
“All right then,” she said, rising to her feet. “Alex, send a message to Mr. Edgard’s office. Tell him I’m coming up there right now. Once he sees what I have here, he’ll have to let me go and get more samples.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor McKelly, but it’s nearly midnight. Mr. Edgard and the rest of his staff have gone home for the day. Shall I leave a message for him in the morning?”
Luna massaged her temples. Was it really that late already? She’d been so engrossed with her work she hadn’t noticed.
I guess I’ll be clocking in some major overtime.
“Yeah … I guess you should. No sense storming all the way up there if no one’s around to see it.”
As much as she hated to admit it, her discovery—possibly the greatest discovery since artificial intelligence—would have to wait until morning.
“Lock down the lab, Alex.” She said, donning her raincoat, “Make sure nothing more gets into sample J-75, and send a message to Mr. Edgard’s office telling him to meet me in the lobby at 10:00 tomorrow morning.”
“I will do what I can, Doctor McKelly,” Alex replied, activating an energized stasis field around the sample trays in the lab’s back room.
“Thanks. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Whatever you say, Doctor. I will be here when you return. Have a nice evening.”
Luna exited the lab and nearly sprinted to the elevator, watching the hall lights dim behind her as the doors of the lift slid shut.
She returned home in the early hours of the morning and quickly went about getting herself ready for bed.
However, despite her best efforts, there was little she could do to quiet her racing mind enough to sleep. Several long hours—and a handful of short half-dreams—later, she jumped from her bed and rushed through her morning routine. She ate a hasty breakfast and half walked, half ran to her car—nearly forgetting Ada in the process.
Today’s the day, she told herself while waiting her turn in the morning
traffic. Alex scanned her through, and she quickly steered her vehicle past the checkpoint. A few minutes later, Luna had parked in front of Research Building 3. She was speed walking her way to the door when her foot struck one of the steps and she tumbled forward. She squeaked in surprise and extended her hands, catching herself before she could do a spectacular face-plant on the concrete steps.
Slightly embarrassed, Luna leapt up, dusted herself off, and marched through the building’s door—she hoped her flushed cheeks weren’t too obvious.
“Are you all right, Miss McKelly? That was quite the acrobatics act,” a tall man in his early sixties asked, taking a casual step toward her.
Rats! Of all the people to see me, it had to be him, Luna thought, mentally kicking herself for being such a klutz.
She suppressed her feelings of ineptitude, nodded, and offered her hand to the man. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for taking time to meet with me, Mr. Edgard.”
The man kept his own hands firmly clasped behind his back. “You’re bleeding, Miss McKelly.”
“What?” She glanced down at her skinned palm and winced. “I—I’m so sorry, Mr. Edgard! I’ll get this taken care of right away!”
Edgard reached into the breast pocket of his white, custom-tailored suit and removed the decorative handkerchief. “Here, use this. I’ll go find one of the medical staff.”
She took the handkerchief gratefully and wrapped it around her hand.
“Thank you, Mr. Edgard. I’m sorry about your handkerchief.”
“Don’t be. I can afford to lose a handkerchief here and there. Just make sure you don’t contaminate anything else.” He placed a strong hand on her shoulder and gently steered her to a nearby bench.
She was starting to feel more than a little light-headed, but she decided to keep this information to herself. Blood was—and always had been—a weakness of hers. As long as it belonged to someone else she was fine, but if it was hers …
She had never actually passed out before, but she’d come pretty close a few dozen times or so. The funny thing was, if she were alone she would be fine. But if other people were present, she would start getting dizzy. It was almost as if her body were saying, “Okay, there are other people here. It’s their problem now. Let them deal with it.”
She forced herself to look away from the bloodied handkerchief, already starting to feel as if she was going to throw up.
Easy. Don’t embarrass yourself anymore today.
The last thing she wanted was to have Saul Edgard see her lose her breakfast in the middle of the research building’s main lobby.
Luna watched her boss walk to the lobby’s receptions desk and address the clerk. His tone was hushed, so she couldn’t tell what he said, but within a matter of moments a white-clad member of the Unitech medical staff had arrived, bringing his first aid kit with him.
Mr. Edgard greeted the man, led him to Luna, and then stood back while the young medical technician knelt and treated her bleeding hand.
“Mr. Edgard says you have the Blister Wart disease. Is that true?” the medic asked casually.
“Yes … unfortunately.”
“All right.” He turned to Mr. Edgard. “Blood-born spores aren’t contagious unless they’re introduced directly into another person’s bloodstream. But I’ll sterilize everything, just to be safe.”
The medic pulled on a pair of gloves and retrieved a miniature solar lamp from his first-aid kit. “This should only take a minute or so.”
He clicked it on and held it over Luna’s hand and the handkerchief before holding it over his own hands.
The young man applied a spray-on disinfectant to her wound, which stopped both the bleeding and the pain.
“Okay. That should do it. You’re as good as new.” He said, slapping on an adhesive bandage before returning to his feet.
“Thank you.” Mr. Edgard patted the man on the shoulder before returning his attention to Luna, who was finally beginning to feel steady again. “Are you going to be all right, Miss McKelly?”
Luna nodded and stood, forcing down her queasiness. “Yeah … I’m good. Follow me, sir.”
She led him to the elevator and keyed the button for sub-level four. A few moments later the lift came to a stop and the doors slid open. The hall lights flickered to life, and Luna walked briskly down the hallway to her lab—noting that for the first time in two years, she didn’t have to use her inhaler.
“Welcome back, Doctor McKelly,” Alex said, having verified her identity. “I trust you slept well?”
“Not really. But that’s a small price to pay.”
“So what is it you’ve discovered, Miss McKelly?” Edgard asked as the lab powered up around them. “Alex’s message said it was—and I quote— ‘an invention to rival the light bulb’.”
Luna laughed. That was Alex all right.
“Well, it’s not that revolutionary,” she replied, taking a seat at her monitor. “But it is going to be one of the century’s greatest discoveries. … If I can find a way to replicate it.”
“That’s a bold claim,” Edgard said, bending down to survey the glowing blue letters and symbols flashing on the holographic screen. His eyes widened and he turned to Luna, his mouth agape. “Miss McKelly … this is the cure for the Blister Wart disease!”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, sir. We’ve found it.”
“I’ll say you have! This cure could really turn things around for us. It’ll be worth a fortune!” he said, returning his gaze to the screen. “Have you started synthesizing more of this serum yet?”
“Well … we’ve run into a bit of a snag there.”
Edgard raised an eyebrow, and she continued. “You see, the sample came out negative because of a fluke—an accidental cross-contamination from a neighboring sample.”
“Go on,” Edgard said, seating himself in an adjacent chair.
“I had Alex scan the other samples, and we’ve determined that the key to this cure is an enzyme produced by a specific species of protozoa native to the swamp in the Oklahoma region.”
“Let me guess: Alex can’t synthesis a serum without this protozoa.” Edgard leaned back in his chair.
“That’s correct. And according to Alex, the lab where the sample was taken has been evacuated on your orders, Mr. Edgard.”
“Lab 121? Yes, I remember. That entire region has become a hotbed for Swamper activity.”
Luna sighed deeply, preparing herself for what she had to say next. “Sir … I can’t make any further progress on the cure without a sample of that protozoa. I request that you let me go to the swamp and gather the samples I need.”
Edgard rose quickly to his feet. “That’s impossible, Miss McKelly. The area around 121 is too dangerous.”
She felt her hopes beginning to crumble. Why is this happening? Luna thought, fighting back her building anger. Doesn’t he know how important this cure is to everyone? To Me?
Edgard placed a hand on her shoulder. “That is to say … it’s too dangerous for you to go in there alone. You’re going to need the best help you can get. The kind of help my agents can give you.”
She stared at him in astonishment.
“Sir! Thank you!”
“Don’t thank me just yet. You still have to find your samples.” He released her shoulder and walked toward the door. “It’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack, but you seem to have a considerable amount of luck with that sort of thing. That being said, I have every confidence that you will find what you’re looking for. After all, it can’t be much harder then accidentally stumbling across a cure.”
He laughed and scanned his ID badge at the airlock. “I’ll send word to Security Chief Landers. Meet his men in hanger eight at 4:00 this afternoon.”
“I’ll be there,” she replied, grinning. “Thank you again, Mr. Edgard.”
She watched him walk back down the hallway. If all went as planned, she could be cured within a matter of months—maybe a year at the most.
Luna’s sm
ile widened at the thought. In just a few hours, she would be on her way to the swamp—and the cure.
Chapter 7
“You wanted to see me, sir?” Agent Tagawa asked, stepping into Chief Lander’s office.
The older man stood and greeted him with a firm handshake then offered him a seat. “I’ve read your report on that Chavé woman. You did good, Agent.”
“Thank you, sir. But I take it you have some other matter you wish to discuss.”
Landers nodded. “Indeed I do. Tell me, do you know anything about the Blister Wart disease?”
“From what I understand, sir, it’s a potentially debilitating disease caused by the inhalation of Blister Wart spores. If left unchecked, the fungus spreads and eventually consumes the host. Fortunately the rain barriers and air-scrubbers keep the spores out of the cities. But the disease is becoming quite a problem in the Swamper population.”
“I see you know your stuff, Agent,” Landers said, seating himself behind his desk. “For nearly twenty years we’ve been treating the disease with light-therapy treatments. The treatments don’t cure the disease. But they do keep the fungus from ever maturing past its dormant stage.” Landers reached into his desk drawer and produced a file, which he then handed to Keith.
“Alex, activate your maximum security subroutines. No one outside this room must ever hear the following discussion,” the chief said, addressing both Tagawa and AI alike.
Keith turned the file over and read the printed letters stamped on its surface: Top Secret. He cautiously opened the file and skimmed over its contents. Inside he found a holographic picture of a young woman with blue eyes and long brown hair, along with a detailed medical history and the results of several high-level background checks.
“That’s Miss Luna McKelly.” The chief leaned forward to rest his elbows on his desk’s polished surface. “She’s a Unitech scientist who’s been trying to find a cure for the Blister Wart disease for the past two years.”
Keith raised an eyebrow. “It says here she has the disease.”
Rain Saga Page 4
