by J. F. Penn
“It watches over the souls of the millions that reside here in the Catacombs,” he said.
“And who watches over your soul?” Morgan answered.
Milan laughed, a deep rumble that was dampened by the dead earth. He undid his bow tie and shrugged off his tuxedo jacket.
“Oh Morgan, I wanted you to see what I’m building here. This whole thing wasn’t meant to hurt you, but I needed to be sure we weren’t followed. I know you’re working with ARKANE, so I needed to extract you carefully. You can’t stop the plan now, but there’s something I wanted you to see, and maybe even be part of. You seemed quite keen to get to know me earlier.”
Milan offered her his jacket in a gesture of peace. She walked towards him in her bare feet, aware that her dress was now damp and marked with dirt, but she was still an attractive woman and she could use that. Morgan saw his eyes drop to her breasts, nipples hard in the cold air of the buried tunnels. In the half light, with an amber glow from the flickering lamp, he was leonine in looks, a man in his prime. What did he want with her? She turned and accepted his jacket, pulling the fine wool around her, grateful for the warmth.
“I’m sorry for the way you’ve been treated,” he said. “But it seems you can handle my men by yourself.” He shrugged in the direction of the now sheepish men who had let her escape. “If you’ll walk with me now, I’ll show you what we’re hiding down here. Few have seen this Morgan, but I feel that you particularly will appreciate what I am creating. It’s not just about destruction but also about new life for those who will remain.”
Milan touched the small of her back and guided her up the tunnel. Morgan’s mind was racing as she walked with him, her fingers delving into the pockets of his jacket in case there was anything that could help her. The tracker wouldn’t work this far underground so how was she going to get word to Jake of where she was? And what did Milan have down here in this underworld of bones? She couldn’t help but be curious.
The sepia light of the catacombs made it as unending dusk as Milan steered Morgan along the maze of tunnels. The guards behind now had their guns out at the ready and Morgan knew they wouldn’t let her get away again. At the end of a darkened corridor, Milan flicked a switch hidden behind a pile of skulls and a door opened to reveal a bright, white box room.
“Now you will see what I have been working towards behind the clinical facade of Zoebios. Come,” Milan said, stepping inside. Morgan followed him in and found the room was an elevator with retinal scan and voice recognition protection. The guards entered behind them as Milan activated the controls.
“So what is this place?” Morgan asked, “and why isn’t it part of the official Zoebios infrastructure?”
“This is Sector C, where we work on secret projects that aren’t officially sanctioned, on the fringe of what would be considered acceptable to the global health market.” Milan raised an eyebrow at her. “Actually, some of it would be deemed utterly unacceptable, hence the secrecy of it all.”
His words filled Morgan with unease. How could he be taking her somewhere so secret if he meant to let her go again?
The door opened onto the atrium of what looked like a high-end medical facility and Milan led her into a further maze of clinical white corridors. Armed guards were stationed outside every room, faces stony, staring straight ahead as they passed. Clearly any problems would be dealt with swiftly and with violence. Opaque glass doors inscribed with the Zoebios logo led to patient rooms and Milan stopped at a wall sized glass window. Behind the barrier, a team of scientists worked in protective clothing on immaculate chrome and silver equipment. There was a hum of controlled activity; the sound of progress or perhaps the sound of descent into scientific insanity.
“This is what I wanted you to see,” Milan said with a triumphant tone.
“OK,” said Morgan. “But you might have to explain what’s going on. My biological science is a little rusty.”
Milan smiled.
“Of course, you know that Zoebios is the foremost company in family planning, birth and neonatal health and you know of my interest in population control. This is the logical extension of those interests, as we are genetically modifying human embryos.”
“That’s not new though, right?” asked Morgan. “Wasn’t that done a few years ago?”
“Yes, in a very basic sense but here we are taking it much further. For a start, embryos have actually been implanted in human mothers and the babies will soon be viable, although we are still testing the various batches.”
Morgan stared at him in horror.
“What do you mean ‘soon be’? And what’s a batch?”
Milan waved her concerns aside.
“No matter, but I thought you’d be particularly interested in the genetic material we have found in the cells from the religious relics. It’s one of the test conditions for the embryos. We’re experimenting with enhancing that material to make super-spiritual people and then removing it entirely to see if that creates atheists. It’s only one of the variables of course; we’re testing with many different conditions.” He pointed to the lab. “Here we are designing the future of the human race.”
“So this is basically eugenics,” Morgan stated, her mind playing back the conversation with Martin and Jake. It was as they had feared, there was another part of the Thanatos plan, but how far had Milan progressed down this path?
“The principles of eugenics are sound,” he explained. “They’ve just been tarnished with the past. But we need to improve the human race, not dilute it with imbeciles, handicapped and the impure. We breed animals with these principles in mind, selecting the best ones to continue the line and slaughtering the rest. The same should be done with humans.”
In that moment, Morgan knew that he must be behind the theft of the Devil’s Bible and the suicide attacks. She wanted to goad him on. She needed to know it all and somehow she would get the information out and make it public. Somehow she would stop this madness.
Milan continued with his rant.
“People pay more attention to the breeding of their cats than they do to the breeding of the human population. Hitler was only criticized because he killed by race, but it’s not race that matters. There is an underclass in every culture who contribute little worth to the furthering of the human species. These must be weeded out for the health of the rest. You know the world is under incredible pressure from over-population and we have caused the destruction of so much. The sea is poisoned, the fish are almost gone, new species become extinct every day and we are crammed into mega-cities where no one can breathe. People abuse their children and hurt loved ones. There aren’t enough jobs. Poverty and violence persist across generations and it’s not a pleasant world when there are seven billion mouths to feed. Think how much better it would be if we reduced the population by one quarter. One in four people gone for the sake of the greater good.”
He walked up and down, seemingly agitated, then turned to Morgan in appeal.
“Let’s face it, not everyone deserves to live. Imagine if we could rid the world of the worst quarter and raise better humans with enhanced capacity. That is my vision Morgan, that is my mission.”
Milan’s eyes were alight with fanaticism and his true self was revealed in that moment. The cool, smooth talking CEO was gone and in his place was a psychopath with the global power to recreate humanity in whatever image he wanted.
“Don’t you see that humans are different to animals?” she pleaded. “We have free will, we can choose.”
Milan spun towards her, grabbing her by the shoulders, almost shaking her in his ferocity.
“I disagree,” he said passionately. “Humans are not different. We’re herd animals, we obey the authority of others. We do as we’re told. We work, sleep, fuck, watch TV and switch off. Most humans basically subsist for a miserable lifetime and then die. Why shouldn’t those of us with more intelligence be superior? Why shouldn’t we be the ones who choose who is allowed to procreate and who cannot pass the
ir inferior genes to the next generation?”
Morgan pulled violently away from him, unable to stand his tirade. The nearby guards put their hands on their weapons at her sudden move.
“You have no right to do this,” she shouted.
“But don’t you think the wrong people have children now?” Milan continued. “Birth rates among educated societies are dropping as women find a life that doesn’t involve being pregnant all the time. The people who should be producing the next crop of humans are not doing so. But the criminals, those on benefits, the poor, the stupid, the hyper-religious, the immigrants; they are having the bulk of the children. The world will be a better place with fewer people but it needs to be less of the wrong kind of people and more of the right. My mission is to make that happen, and with Zoebios spearheading global family planning, we can adjust the situation.”
“But Zoebios is aimed at the health of mothers and children, isn’t it?” Morgan asked, as the scope of his plan became clearer.
Milan laughed.
“Oh Morgan, how naïve. The centers are for education but also for sterilization and enhancement. Zoebios is enacting the ancient Spartan laws in order to save humanity from a threat that could send us all back to the stone age.”
“The Spartans practiced infanticide of the weak. Is that what you’re doing?”
“Come now, we have more sophistication than that. Time and technology have enabled us to start much earlier. We have systematized a selection of tests that women respond to when they first come to the clinics. Based on the answers, they are given a score and a drug batch is allocated. Those who are fit to continue the human race are given vitamins and vital supplements including brain boosting hormones for the baby. Those who fail are given the sterilization batch. Of course, the health nurses don’t know what they’re giving them but remarkably, they just do what they’re told.”
Morgan was aghast.
“But you’re doing this without people’s consent. It’s not your place to decide who should have children and who should not.”Milan stepped away from her, his eyes cold.
“I’m disappointed. I thought you were a scientist, someone who would appreciate the beauty of what I’m doing here. It won’t be long until the world knows everything as the final stages are in place but it is too late to stop it now. You know I have the means to destroy a quarter of the world and now you know I can remake it again in a much better way. Surely you want to join me and be part of the future? I need eggs from women like you for the program, strong genetic material that will be beneficial for the new world.”
Morgan’s temper exploded and she spat at him through clenched teeth.
“I would never be part of this. It’s an abomination.”
He took out a handkerchief and wiped his face lazily, a smile playing about his lips. Her response seemed just what he wanted to see, evidence of her strength of character.
“Earlier this evening, you were almost in my arms by choice. You know I’m genetically superior, why so shy now?”
Morgan shook her head violently.
“You disgust me.”
Sensing the danger she was now in, she looked around to see three of the guards closing in on her, two with meaty hands spread wide and one with a taser. Behind them stood a man in a white coat with a syringe.
“You have nowhere to run,” Milan said. “I had hoped you would join me by choice, but no matter, I will have you anyway.”
Morgan launched herself at Milan with fist clenched. She managed to connect a fierce hammer strike before being dragged off him by the guards. She grunted as she hit the ground and was pinned face down. She struggled but their grip was unyielding and she felt the prick of the needle on her arm. The lights dimmed and the sensation of falling faded to black.
Sector C, Paris, France. 5.16am
Morgan woke from a nightmare of screaming skulls. A dull pain thumped through her brain. Her first thought was of Milan and his psychotic plan, her second of how to escape and stop him. She tried to sit up but found herself manacled to a hospital bed with little ability to move. At least she could still feel the weight of the gold cross around her neck for in some kind of hubris, Milan had left his personal mark on her and she could still be tracked if she could only get above ground. She moved her head slowly and looked around. There was a logo on the door, the Zoebios unfurling shoot of new life, so she was still in their facility. Through the opaque glass door she could see the movement of people in blue uniforms.
The door opened.
“Welcome to Zoebios. I’m Dr Harghada.”
It was the man who had wielded the syringe. He stood incredibly straight as if a metal rod held him upright, his blue-black hair thick and perfectly styled.
"I'm not here by choice,” Morgan replied. “But then you know that."
“No matter. You’ve been chosen by Milan and that’s all the choice you have.” The man smiled, a savage glint in his eye. "Usually, once the subject is under, she stays under. But Milan wanted something a little more personal for you. He wants you to see the farm before we put you back under for good.”
Morgan's mind raced. At least she still had some time. She couldn't have been out for that long and she knew Jake would be searching for her. She yanked in frustration at the handcuffs that held her to the bed. Harghada laughed.
"Now, now. No need to be so aggressive. You have two choices. Come quietly to the farm and I’ll show you what Milan wants you to be part of, then we can sedate you and you won't feel a thing. Or I can forcibly start the process now, with you awake and screaming. What's it to be?"
Morgan stopped struggling.
"I want to know what you're up to here," she said. "You won't get away with it. We know about the Devil’s Bible, the suicide bombers."
“But there’s so much more, Dr Sierra. The plan is far-reaching and stretches over generations. I’ll show you, but I think we'll keep you manacled for now."
He called for an orderly and they forced Morgan into a wheelchair, her hands swiftly manacled to the frame. Harghada wheeled her out of the room and down a long hallway with rooms on either side, although she couldn't see in.
“What exactly do you do here?" she asked, counting on the Doctor's arrogance to explain what was going on.
"You know Thanatos will rid the world of the useless quarter, destroying those who are unproductive in society. Well, there is no point in the destruction unless you can reinvent the new. Zoebios is about life in all its fullness, the true ethics behind eugenics. We want to rid the world of the weak, the useless and keep the smart, the productive, the intelligent ones. Thankfully, after so long, the next phase is almost upon us.”
"It's a huge and ambitious project," Morgan said, as if the plans were completely rational. "But what part am I meant to play?"
"You'll see in just a few moments."
Harghada swiped a card at the next door. They entered an air lock and compressed air blew over them, the scent of antiseptic heavy in the blast.
"This is just to make sure we're sterile. Now, you’ll see the farm and your place with us.”
The doors opened at the other end of the airlock and Harghada pushed Morgan out, wheels squeaking on the pristine floor. She gasped in horror at what she saw.
Houseboat, Paris, France. 5.31am
Jake ran his hands through his hair, tugging it as he tried to think of some other way to find Morgan. He took another sip of cold coffee and reached behind JP to turn on the percolator again. They had been up all night trying to find where she could have been taken. Martin Klein was still working on the databases back in London and JP was scouring security camera footage trying to piece together the clues.
As the minutes ticked away, Jake was increasingly worried for Morgan’s safety. The Hôpital La Rochefoucauld had proved a dead end; the car was found abandoned with no evidence inside. It had been parked outside the orbit of any cameras so the kidnappers could have swapped cars with no witnesses at that time of night. Jake’s guil
t weighed upon him. He had let jealousy override his natural caution. He couldn’t bear watching Morgan flirting with Milan Noble so he’d given her too much space when he should have protected her. He banged his fist down on the table, frustration spilling over.
“We’ll find her.” JP put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Martin’s the best in the business and we’ve got a team mobilized. The moment we have a lead we’ll be off.” Jake sighed.
“Marietti’s livid but he’s sending the best to help us although he has enough on his plate with the spiraling religious violence. The public side of ARKANE is being called to press conferences to explain this sudden upsurge in religious fundamentalism.”
JP shook his head.
“How little people know of what actually goes on behind the scenes.”
“And better it stays that way.”
The video phone chimed and Martin Klein appeared on the screen. Jake could see he wasn’t the only one tearing his hair out over finding Morgan. He topped up his coffee cup with a fresh brew as Martin spoke.
“Milan Noble is a black box. It’s like he appeared out of nowhere fifteen years ago with a lot of money and built this company from nothing. I’ve hacked as far as I can and I can’t find anything in their systems relating to Thanatos. But I have found reference to a Sector C which isn’t on the Zoebios official listings.”
“That sounds like our only lead for now. Where’s this Sector C? We can’t go storming into Zoebios unless we know exactly where she is.”
“I’ve been tracking Armen Harghada who seems to be a kind of clean-up man for Noble. He spoke to the press earlier this week about the tragic suicide of one of their top research scientists who jumped from the twenty-first floor. It just so happens that this scientist was responsible for the trials of the anxiety and depression audio programs. I tried tracking him instead of focusing on Milan as he must be heavily involved in Sector C.”
