Invasive Procedures

by Aaron Johnston

  She nodded.

  “Shouldn’t we at least call the airlines?” said Byron. “Warn them ahead of time?”

  “The FAA is alerted,” said Frank. “But hopefully they won’t have to become involved. The plan is to stop the Healers here. No one reaches the airport.”

  Soon the traffic slowed, and finally the last car parked. Stone checked the name off the list and waved for the Healers who’d been directing traffic to come inside.

  “That’s everyone,” said Frank, handing the binoculars to Hernandez. “Wish me luck.”

  “Wait, you’re going by yourself?” said Byron. “That’s the plan?”

  Frank answered with a wink, then got up and walked alone toward the hangar.

  Lichen tried to hide his disappointment. Of all the vessels to become the prophet, Dolores was the one who made him feel the most uneasy, and not because she was a woman, though that was a big part of it. It just didn’t feel right. Galen had always been a father figure, and now to have him suddenly be a mother figure who acted like a father figure felt more weird than Lichen cared to admit.

  “You’re staring again, Lichen,” said Dolores. She was looking at one of the buses parked inside the hangar and had seen Lichen’s reflection on its surface as he stood behind her.

  “Forgive me, sir. I am merely overcome with gratitude that you have returned.”

  She laughed. “No, you’re not. You’re wondering why I’m a woman.”

  Lichen said nothing.

  She turned and faced him. “All is well, Lichen. Have faith. I can see now that this was the best course of action. I have no regrets. My eyes have been opened, in fact. Until now, I only understood half the members of our species. Now I get the whole picture. Women are fascinating.”

  Carter approached. “They’re ready for you, sir.”

  “Thank you, Carter.” She patted Lichen’s arm. “Faith, Lichen.”

  Lichen didn’t shudder at the touch, but he wanted to. There was no doubt she was the prophet—he had checked the blood himself. The question was whether or not she should be the prophet.

  He followed her to the open space where all the recruits were waiting. It was a big crowd, and all were accounted for, even those who had been inside the BHA infirmary. It hadn’t been an easy task extracting them, and Lichen felt a measure of pride in knowing he had done something right for a change. He spotted the little black girl toward the front and smiled at her. She saw him, but didn’t smile back.

  As instructed, each of the recruits stood on one of the circles painted on the floor, which arranged them into rows. They were an army in formation, even if they didn’t know it yet.

  “I am George Galen,” Dolores said loud enough for all to hear. “I know I may not look like a George, but we are not always what we seem, are we? Consider yourselves. Until recently, each of you seemed a lost cause. Your doctors had written you off; many of your families had given up hope. Friends all looked at you with pity. But to me you seemed different; to me you always seemed full of life. I looked at you and saw years yet to be lived, memories yet to be made. And so my associates and I have given you a second chance at life and put an end to the suffering which so unfairly beset you.” She smiled. “It makes me happy to see you all so healthy now. Your bodies so strong and able to do so much. I want to wish each one of you well.” She went to the first person in line and kissed him on the forehead. Then she went to the next and kissed him, and so on down the line.

  Lichen noticed how some of the people exchanged glances. This wasn’t what they had expected. But once she kissed them, their faces relaxed.

  When Dolores finished giving a kiss to them all, she walked back to the front. “Now I ask something of you,” she said. “The Book of Becoming teaches us that when our lives have been lifted, it behooves us to lift others. You will continue this effort, multiply it, carry it forth, help those of our brothers and sisters who are without hope in the world. What I ask of you is a sacrifice, to leave your lives and move to a greater calling. Is there a one among you who objects?” No one made a sound. “Good. Now, hop on one foot.” Everyone did. Dolores giggled.

  Lichen felt annoyed. To make light of their sacrifice seemed inappropriate. Was this Galen? Or the remnant of the women Dolores?

  “Touch your nose,” she said. Everyone did. Some of them continued hopping on one foot as well.

  “Okay, Simon says stop.” They stopped, and she laughed again.

  There was a sound of commotion at the door, and Lichen looked to see a Healer roughly escorting Frank inside. Dolores stopped laughing. Everyone stared.

  Frank snapped off his helmet. “Wonderful. We’re all here.”

  Carter rushed over and grabbed him threateningly.

  “Come now, Carter, is this the respect you give me now?”

  “You deserve none,” said Carter.

  “I am here for the Council. Am I not welcome?”

  Carter released him. “Council?”

  Frank pulled down his collar, exposing his neck. “Lichen, prove to this unbeliever that I am who I say I am.”

  Lichen looked at Carter, hesitated, then came over with the box and placed it against Frank’s neck. He took a blood sample, and the box beeped. Everyone waited while Lichen looked at the reading. “It’s a match,” he said.

  Carter took the box from him. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Let me see that,” said Dolores.

  Carter gave it to her. She looked at it, then lifted her eyes to Frank, studying him. “He’s tricking us somehow. That’s just like him.”

  Frank smiled. “Are you saying that because, like Hal and Nick, you believe there can be only one prophet, or is this simply cautious skepticism?”

  “It’s a trick,” said Dolores.

  Frank sighed. “I’d rather not waste time squabbling. We have too much work to do. You want proof that I’m Galen? Fine, ask me anything. Ask me something only Galen would know.”

  “What gift did you give me?” said Lichen, surprising everyone for speaking out of turn. He couldn’t help it. The prospect of a man, a sane man, being Galen was too exciting.

  Frank made a face. “Lichen, even Frank knew that. Your gift is speed, among others. Maybe it would be more convincing if I told you which underpass I found you at three years ago, skinny, homeless, half starved, with only a ragged blanket to warm yourself.”

  Lichen’s eyes widen. No one but Galen knew that.

  “You want more proof?” said Frank. “Behind that building to the east are two vans of BHA agents watching this hangar.”

  Several Healers became alarmed. Carter looked out the window.

  “I’ve convinced them that I’m still Frank,” he went on. “When the chip switched on, Frank tried stopping it by ramming a needle into the back of my neck, but fortunately he hit it an instant too late. I had already become who I am.” He laughed to himself. “What’s funny is that the BHA believe that Frank was successful and that I’m still Frank with some of Galen’s memories. It was so easy to convince them. They simply took me at my word.”

  Lichen was beaming.

  “If that’s true,” said Carter, “then why did you bring them here? Why give away our location? Why threaten the dispersion?”

  “Because it was the only way for me to get here. Had they known who I was, they would have stopped me. Plus, I had to get Byron here. He hasn’t transitioned yet. With Hal and Nick gone, we can’t risk losing another Council member. Three will have to suffice.”

  “Byron is here?” said Carter.

  “Am I talking to myself? Yes, Byron is among them. He thinks he’s along because the countervirus is close. Incidentally, we have it, don’t we?”

  “Yes, sir,” Lichen said, pointing to the trunk. “The version Galen . . . I mean, you created. And the version Dr. Hartman created in that trunk over there.”

  “Wonderful,” said Frank.

  “Wait,” said Carter, still looking skeptical. “How do we know there aren’t a thousand f
ederal agents out there, waiting for us to leave the hangar?”

  Frank rolled his eyes. “Must you always be so melodramatic, Carter? There are two vans. Two. I wouldn’t allow them to call for backup. I made the excuse that it would have alarmed you. If you want proof, send Stone over there—quietly, I’d advise—and apprehend them. We need Byron anyway. The rest of us will wait here. If I’m lying and they’re not back in a few minutes, you can shoot me.”

  Carter considered this.

  “Do it,” said Dolores.

  “But I’d recommend you take their weapons and bind their hands,” said Frank, “not tranquilize them.”

  “Why not?” said Carter.

  “Because we’ll need to cover our tracks once we’ve dispersed, and unless we make them subservient, they’ll alert the authorities to our intentions. If that happens, we’ll have federal agents boarding our planes in London or Tokyo or wherever the moment we land.” He pointed to the crowd of people still standing inside their individual little circles. “These will prove to be effective companions. Why not add to their numbers? The more the merrier. And look at Carter. He’s proven to be a most effective tool. These BHA agents could prove equally helpful.”

  Carter and Dolores exchanged glances.

  “Or if you think that a bad idea,” said Frank, “or are still convinced that I’m trying to hoodwink you somehow, then by all means sedate them. But you’ll have to deal with the bodies, not me. I’m not in the mood. But under no circumstances should you sedate Byron. We’ll need him the moment he’s reborn. I’m not waiting for a sedative to wear off. We all have planes to catch.”

  Dolores snapped her fingers at Stone. “No tranqs,” she said. “Bind them if you must, but leave them awake.”

  “I would go out the back if I were you,” said Frank, “and go in a wide circle and approach them from the rear. They’re watching the front. If they see you coming, they’ll call for backup. Total surprise is the only assurance we have that they won’t alert others.”

  “And how do we know you haven’t already alerted others?” said Carter.

  Frank sighed. “You are a worrier, aren’t you? Ask yourself, Carter, if I had alerted the authorities and was planning a massive siege on this compound, would I bother to come in here now? No, I’d come with the siege. Well, actually, I’d probably wait until after the siege and come when the smoke cleared.” He smiled. “I did pretend to alert the airlines, though. That was fun. I acted as if I was calling the FAA, but of course I was actually calling information and checking the weather. Expect sunshine, by the way.” He laughed. Lichen joined in.

  Ten minutes later the Healers returned with the vans. Lichen opened the hangar door wide enough for them to drive in. The van doors opened, and then Stone pushed the agents out. There were six agents total, including Hernandez, and Byron, all with their hands tied behind their backs.

  “See?” said Frank. “Delivered as promised.”

  “You lied to us!” said Hernandez. She charged, but a Healer stopped her.

  “Don’t be angry with me, Agent Hernandez,” said Frank. “It was you who was naïve enough to believe me.” He looked at Carter. “And if you’re still not convinced that I am who I say I am, remove Byron’s helmet. You’ll find an EMP charge around his neck intended to disrupt the chip, should it initiate.”

  “Take off his helmet,” said Dolores.

  The Healer unsnapped Byron’s helmet and removed the collar.

  “You crooked little bastard,” said Byron.

  Frank frowned. “Such language, Byron. I hope that when you are me, you’ll show a little more decorum.” He went to Hernandez, spun her around, and checked the cords that bound her hands. “Did you secure these tightly? I don’t want them wiggling their hands free.”

  “Yes, sir,” said the Healer.

  “Good. Put them in the corner there and watch them closely.” He turned to Carter. “There you have it, Mr. Paranoid. Are we going to waste any more time questioning my allegiance or shall we proceed with the dispersion?”

  Carter bowed his head. “My apologies.”

  Frank clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “All right, let’s do inventory. What have I missed? Do we have the boarding passes?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Stone, getting the box of them.

  “Wonderful. What about the virus and countervirus? I want to see both of those duffel bags with my own beady eyes.”

  “Here, sir,” Lichen said, bringing the duffel bags over. Frank unzipped them and saw that they were full of vials of V16 and the Healer-manufactured countervirus. “Excellent. Please be careful with these. Now, show me the trunk.”

  Lichen unlatched the trunk’s fasteners and lifted the lid. The green vials of countervirus Frank had created were lined neatly in rows inside the black foam.

  “All safe and snug,” said Lichen.

  “Marvelous. Thank you.”

  “You’re a dirty coward!” said Hernandez. “You know that? A dirty stinking coward!”

  Frank slammed down the lid to the countervirus trunk, stormed over to Hernandez, put a hand on her back and another on her helmet, and jerked her head back. “And you, good woman, forget that I have the power to take your life, should I choose.” He released her, and she kept quiet.

  He stood erect and straightened his hair. “Now, where were we?”

  “Inventory,” said Lichen.

  “Ah yes, inventory.” He looked at Dolores. “Unless a member of the Council dissents, let us distribute the boarding passes.”

  “Agreed,” said Dolores.

  “Very well,” said Frank. “Stone.”

  Stone took the boarding passes and went up and down the aisle giving them to the appropriate individuals. Frank went to inspect the buses. “Are we sure these will hold all the recruits?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Lichen. “We counted the seats. We’ll pull into the terminal, leave them at their gates, then pull away.”

  “Easy as cheesy,” said Frank.

  Lichen smiled, recognizing the phrase. It was the prophet, no question. “Yes, sir. Easy as cheesy.”

  Byron heard Hernandez’s voice in his ear. “Don’t move,” she said. “This is going to sting.”

  She was right. Byron felt the needle stick him in the neck and then the cold fluid as it entered his bloodstream. As asked, he didn’t flinch, nor did he take his eyes off the Healer ten paces away, his back to them.

  Hernandez removed the needle.

  “What was that?” he whispered.

  “Put your helmet on. Quietly.” He did. Now her voice was clear through his comlink. “Congratulations,” she said. “You’ve just been given a healthy dose of countervirus.”

  He looked at her. “How?”

  “Keep your eyes to the front.”

  He turned back.

  “Frank gave it to me,” she said.

  “How?”

  “This is the plan, Byron. Sorry you weren’t privy to it, but we didn’t know how good an actor you were.”

  He felt the cords around his hands cut loose. “Keep your hands behind you,” she said.

  “Frank’s acting?”

  “We had to get a sample for you and we knew we weren’t going to get it in a fight.”

  “He slipped it to you?”

  “I called him a coward, which was enough of a distraction for him to grab a vial. Then he jerked my head back and dropped it into my hand. We practiced the move before we picked you up.”

  “How did you get your hands free?”

  “He slipped me the knife when he checked my cords. Not a bad plan, really. I’m just amazed it worked.”

  “You almost gave yourself away with that ‘dirty stinking coward’ line.”

  “Too much?”

  “I thought I was in a bad western. And the EMP charge?”

  “An excuse to get your helmet off so I could give you the shot. The charge is actually a scrap computer part.”

  “Cute. Now what?”

 
“When I say ‘move,’ you get on that first bus there and hold tight. Now take your helmet back off before anyone notices.”

  Frank remained as casual as possible as he inspected the two buses. He surreptitiously glanced in Hernandez’s direction, and she nodded discreetly, giving him the signal. It was done. She’d given Byron the countervirus. Frank felt his shoulders relax.

  “They meet your approval?” said Lichen.

  “The finest buses in Los Angeles,” said Frank. “My only question: what will we do if someone is waiting at the bus stop?” Then he laughed so Lichen would know it was a joke, and Lichen laughed with him.

  Stone approached. “The boarding passes are distributed, sir.”

  “Good. And the trunks?”

  “On the buses and ready for transport.”

  “Excellent. Let’s put the people on the buses, too. Byron’s taking his time, and I don’t want them standing forever. That is, if the good member of the Council agrees?”

  “If I agree with what?” said Dolores, joining them.

  “I suggest we put everyone on the bus. Why keep them standing? We’ll move the moment Byron transitions.”

  “Very well.” She turned to Lichen. “Load them onto the buses.”

  Lichen directed the crowd onto the buses.

  When everyone was on board, Frank put an arm around Dolores. “Why don’t you tell them to relax? They’ve got a long journey ahead of them, and some of them look a little nervous.”

  She agreed. She went on each bus and told them to relax. Many of the passengers fell asleep immediately.

  When she was done, Frank praised her for her generosity.

  “You’re only complimenting yourself,” she said with a smile.

  He laughed. “So I am.” He scratched his chin. “Now, we should discuss temporary alternates to take Hal’s and Nick’s places on the Council. Assuming all goes well with Byron, we’ll have three. That leaves two vacancies. Let’s gather the Healers and discuss it.”

  She agreed.

  Frank made a megaphone with his hands. “Can I have everyone’s attention please? Can we all gather over here please? Healers only, please.” He led them to the other side of the hangar, as far from the buses as possible without it being obvious that this was his intent.