Blood on the Water

by Mark Hildebrandt

  “Yes sir, I’m on my way.” She looked up from the data pad, “James please sit down. I must go for a few minutes. While I’m gone I will turn on one of the Imperial News nets.” She ran her fingers over the data pad, and the wall directly across from James changed from shinny gray to a display screen. But a display screen unlike any James had ever seen. The display showed an announcer sitting behind a desk reading the news, but it was three-dimensional. It was like looking into the newsroom and not at some flat liquid crystal display.

  “This may give you some idea of what our world is like. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Cassandra collected her things, stood up, the wall opened, and she left. Of course, the wall resealed as soon as she was through the door, leaving James alone and dumbstruck.

  He glanced at the screen, and after only a few minutes he realized, if this was a hoax, it was damned elaborate. The American continent was divided into four provinces, Michigan seemed to be in the middle of the Mississippian province, central America was split into the Maya and Toltec provinces and South America was an alliance called the Moche provinces. It appeared the Jews controlled the Middle East. India, China and Japan were all Roman provinces. All were represented in the Roman Senate. One world government; that’s interesting. What would they do for wars? He wondered. Just when it didn’t seem it could get any stranger, they gave an update on news from around the solar system. There were colonies on the Moon, Mars, Europa, and Titan. Now the comment about him being from a less developed universe began to make sense.

  James slowly found his academic curiosity beginning to not only surface, but also gain a substantial hold on his mind, and it was begging to be fed. He had contemplated many times what would have happened, to humanity, had we not been cast into the middle ages for a thousand years, and lost the collective knowledge of the Classic Civilizations. Here in this place, this universe, that apparently did not happen. After seeing what had been displayed on the screen, he would love to sit in one of the department meeting and argue with Less Davies, who swears Christianity caused the fall of the Roman Empire. Because according to this news show, Christianity is still around and so is the Roman Empire.

  Chapter 3

  - Hope -

  Doctor Marcus Vespus quietly closed the door to the Senator’s hospital suite, and without taking his eyes from the screen on his data pad, walked to the Nurses station. As he approached, Marcus was greeted with a cheerful “Good morning doctor,” from the Head Nurse.

  Marcus looked up from the screen, and with a forced smile responded, “Good morning Octavia. I trust you had a good weekend?” But before she had an opportunity to answerer he continued, “Doctor Singh was to meet me in the Senators suite, but as usual he seems to be late.” A frown had replaced the smile when he mentioned Dr. Singh’s tardiness. “As soon as he arrives please send him to the small conference room down the hall.”

  “Yes, Doctor”

  “Thank you, Octavia,” he said, but before the words were out of his mouth, he had redirected his gaze to the data pad, and began walking in the direction of the conference room. Once inside he quickly closed the door and sat down in one of the six leather high-backed chairs surrounding the conference table. All the hospital’s small conference rooms were furnished the same, with a simple table, chairs and view screens on all four walls. The screens covered the walls from chair rail to ceiling. Marcus quickly transferred the Senators records to the view screens, leaned back in the leather chair and continued his reading.

  The chart contained the usual information, nurses’ notes, doctors’ orders, lab data, results from various imaging studies and scheduled treatments. All of which told a sad story. None of the treatments, or medications was having any effect. The Senator’s condition was worsening. The disease was progressing, just as it always did. It was the same with every other patient in the hospital, once the virus awoke and began to multiply, vital systems began to shut down. In a very predictable and painful order, the virus destroyed internal organs one by one and killed the host. He sat back as he read, rubbed his temples, and struggled with what he saw. How could this tiny packet of DNA be impervious to all the weapons modern medicine and virology had been able to develop? Once it awoke and began making copies, no known treatment could stop or even slow the progression. His train of thought was broken, fifteen minutes later, when the door opened, and doctor Singh came in.

  Doctor Singh hurried into the room, glanced at the wall and commented, “I see you have found the Senator’s chart. Has the prognosis’s improved with our newest anti-viral treatment?”

  “Close the door Dr. Singh”, Marcus said making a conscious effort to keep his voice clear of any emotion. As soon as the door closed he continued, “Look … Singh. The Senator’s condition is deteriorating just like all the rest. None of your cute little chemical tricks have had any effect. We must find a different approach. We are losing the Empire’s citizens at an alarming rate. I suggest you assemble your team and find some way to motivate them to think outside the box. We need to come up with some results that will stop, or at least slow this damn thing.”

  Dr. Singh excitedly looked at Marcus and said, “Yes sir.” He clearly wanted to continue, but Marcus, who was still looking at the display, cut him off.

  “I have a meeting with the Emperor this afternoon, I will try to stall him, but he expects results. For two thousand years, he has depended on my family and this Ministry to oversee and develop the medical technology to protect the Senate and People of Rome. After all this time, I will not let it be said that this Marcus Vespus disappointed the Emperor and the world. Please tell me you have something new, no matter how premature, I can present to the Emperor.”

  Singh took a deep breath, smiled and said. “Yes sir, there is something. We have been working on the idea for a while, but I didn’t want anyone to get overly optimistic expectations at this early stage and have kept the work quiet. I will say; however, the initial results are very promising.”

  “Damn it man! If you weren’t good a scientist, I’d have gotten rid of you long ago because one thing is certain, you are a damn poor communicator. I want an executive summary, followed with a full report sent to my data pad immediately. Just maybe I can keep our butts out of hot water with the Emperor.

  “Now go! I’ll see you after my meeting.”

  Dr. Singh quickly left the conference room. Once the door resealed Marcus turned his gaze back to the screens, but he was not looking at the patient information. He was considering Singh’s words. How could he keep a research project secret? Marcus wondered. None of them, not Singh or anyone on his team have any idea how much pressure the Emperor has directed at this Institute. If we don’t come up with something positive, there will be no place to hide. No place will be safe from the Emperor’s wrath. Marcus hoped Singh’s enthusiasm was not misplaced and would send him something he could use to placate the Emperor. He then grabbed his data pad and left the conference room.

  Marcus’s office was on the top floor of the building. It was one of the few administration offices with an actual window. One entire wall was transparent with a view of the city. He briefly stared out the window at the latest rendition of the coliseum. The latest was the sixth version to be built on the same site. It had been constructed to host the cities sporting events two hundred years ago, but now served as a museum because with all the modern entertainment options available, no one felt the need to cram into a stadium just to see it live. Life must have been much simpler in the days of the first coliseum, Marcus thought, staring at the large white elephant.

  He cleared his head, moved to his desk and activated the desktop display screen. The search for Singh’s report didn’t take long, as it was the first item in his inbox. Marcus’s heart rate increased after reading only the first few lines of the executive summary. This looks promising, he thought. No this might just save them all. Marcus devoured the summary and was half way through the technical report, when his phone startled him with the announcement
his wife was calling. He quickly checked the time and remembered he was supposed to meet her for lunch in fifteen minutes.

  “Hello Irena. I haven’t forgotten lunch. I may be a few minutes late. But I will be home soon.”

  “You had better. No … I want you to promise me, you won’t get engrossed in a project and forget.”

  “I promise. I won’t forget. Besides I need to come home and change before I go to the palace and meet with the Emperor. See you soon.” He said and broke the connection. After keying a note to have his vehicle at the front door in five minutes, Marcus called his administrative assistant.

  “Yes sir,” Quintus answered.

  “Quintus, I am going home to change and prepare for my audience with the Emperor. I may or may not be back today. I want you to make sure I am not disturbed unless it is an emergency. Is that clear?”

  “Perfectly sir.”

  Marcus smiled to himself as he left to meet the limo. At least he could trust Quintus. Quintus would do whatever he was instructed, no questions and no second-guessing.

  The ride to the villa took twenty minutes. More than enough time to assemble a quick presentation on Singh’s work for the Emperor, after all, the Emperor’s attention span was not very long when it came to anything scientific. It was far better to be brief and optimistic. The Emperor would get lost in data otherwise, and he tended to get angry if he thought he appeared confused.

  Marcus was busy constructing bullet points when the vehicle arrived at the villa. It was an oasis in the middle of a sprawling city. His ancestors built the Vespus villa nineteen hundred years ago. At that time, it was a quiet country retreat far away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, but the intervening years had seen the Italian countryside replaced by the urban sprawl of the world’s most populous city. The Villa was twenty acres in the middle of town. The grounds were meticulously maintained as an example of an early Roman villa. It was without question one of the best historical parks in the city, but the only people to enjoy it were members of the Vespus family and their guest. The limo stopped at the main entrance and Marcus quickly went inside. He was greeted by one of the servants, and informed his wife was awaiting him in the triclinium.

  Irena was already seated, munching on a bunch of grapes, when he entered. He crossed the room, kissed her on the cheek and took the seat next to her. Irena was a tall blond. They met while Marcus was in medical school and married twelve years ago, and even though her figure had spread slightly after two children, she was in his opinion the most beautiful woman in the world. “Marcus, why are you always late? You are so good at it that I can only believe it must be intentional.”

  “Nonsense. It’s just that this morning, I learned of what might be, the breakthrough research we need to save the Ministry, and the Vespus name. I simply lost track of time, that’s all.”

  “Oh Marcus” Irena said as she put down her grapes and moved closer to him. “You’re always finding fascinating new scientific reasons to be late. I guess that is why I love you so much, you’re too busy with your work to have room for another woman in your heart.” She whispered into his left ear as she stroked his cheek.

  She continued gently stroking his cheek and began methodically kissing his ear when the servants brought in lunch. Marcus had become completely lost in the physical sensations Irena had used to displace the stress, he brought home from the office, and the interruption startled him. “Please serve the food quickly and get out!” He ordered.

  The outburst quickened the servants’ pace; it also brought an end to Irena’s activities. With a puzzled look she said, “Marcus what’s wrong with you? You never speak crossly to the servants. You’ve always said losing one’s temper in front of your employees exemplifies poor control.”

  “Irena, I’m sorry. It’s just the meeting this afternoon. The Emperor has been steadily increasing the pressure on the Ministry. I’m not sure how much longer his patience will last. At least this new work, from Dr. Singh, really looks promising. I’m just tied in knots.”

  “I know you are under a lot of pressure, but I’m just not accustom to seeing you snap at people like that. Come on now, let’s eat some lunch then I will take you to the bath and fully prepare you for your meeting.” She said with a seductive grin, “What time is the meeting?”

  “Four o’clock, but I need to be there by three thirty to clear security”

  “Good that gives us three hours. I am certain that will be enough time to put you in the proper frame of mind. Now come on, let’s eat.”

  Lunch was a simple affair, sautéed white fish in a sauce made with fresh tomatoes, olives, and artichoke hearts topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, served with angel hair pasta, fresh bread, and a crisp light white wine. After the desert of coffee and pastry was served, Irena once again moved close to Marcus. She resumed slowly kissing his ear and began unbuttoning his shirt. With several buttons undone, she plunged her hand inside and began to gently stroke his bare chest. “Marcus, why don’t we take our coffee to the bath? I want to make sure you are clean, and … refreshed for your audience.”

  Marcus was having difficulty focusing. The years and kids had done nothing to change the way he felt, he still found her the most exciting woman he had ever known. And what’s more, she knew all his buttons and could play him like a concert pianist. He truly hoped, he could bring her, just some of the happiness she brought him. Because without Irena, life would be very bleak. “Yes darling, that is an excellent idea, and certainly the most exciting offer I have had today.”

  A large private bath was attached to Marcus and Irena’s room. They had left strict orders not to be disturbed, and after Marcus’s outburst at lunch, none of the servants was likely to violate the order.

  Once in the bathing pool, the two took turns washing each other. As Marcus washed Irena’s back and then slowly moved to the front, he was once again amazed how much he loved every curve of her body. He worked to say in shape, biking, running, weight lifting. He always said it was simply to feel better. Exercise was physically satisfying. It also helped calm his mind, but deep down, he did it for Irena. He hoped she would want him as much as he wanted her.

  At some point during the washing, Irena once again began working her magic and the next hour was lost in erotic pleasure.

  Lying on the bed naked, Irena bantered with Marcus while he put on his finest gabardine slacks and matching tunic. “That should give your mind something to think about while awaiting your audience.” She snickered. “And if he starts berating you, just let your mind wander back here. You won’t even hear what he is saying. But I suggest you not let it show on your face. He may not appreciate you smiling while he is yelling at you.”

  The ride to the Imperial palace was quick, getting through security wasn’t. The Emperor was once again feuding with the Senate. That is not exactly correct. The Emperor and Senate have been feuding for thousands of years, each attempting to usurp the power of the other. Marcus was certain politicians fit the definition of insane, they always fought their battles the same way, expecting a different outcome, but nothing ever really changed.

  At least this time, Marcus wasn’t late. Three thirty and he was comfortably seated in the reception hall anteroom. The calm sense of well-being he felt when he left the villa, was slowly being replaced with an anxiousness that was taxing his mental control. He took several deep breaths, and reassured himself that once in the meeting, he would be okay. At exactly four o’clock, the door to the reception hall opened, and two Imperial guards summonsed him. He once again took a deep breath and walked in to meet the Emperor Claudius.

  “Good afternoon doctor. You have exactly thirty minutes to update me on the progress the Ministry has made to rid us of this damn virus. I warn you, I am not in very good spirits today, so don’t you dare bring me bad news. Understand!”

  Marcus nodded slightly, “Yes excellency. I understand, and I have some encouraging news. My team has begun development of a very promising technique.”
<
br />   “Excellent Marcus. Your family has faithfully served the Emperor for two thousand years. I knew you would come through. Now tell me of your discovery. And I warn you do not slip into that scientific double speak, you so eloquently wield.”

  “I will do my best Excellency.” Marcus quickly routed the output from his data pad to the screen adjacent the Emperor’s throne. “My team has developed a kind of phage, a viral phage. It is like a bacteriophage, but instead of attacking bacteria, it attacks our virus. The existence of bacteriophages has been known for over a hundred years. Quite simply, it is a virus that attacks a specific bacterium. The phage attaches to the surface of the bacteria, and then much like a syringe, injects its’ own DNA into the bacteria. The phage DNA then commandeers the bacteria’s metabolism and reprograms it to make copies of the phage instead of bacterial DNA. Ultimately destroying the bacteria.”

  “Marcus do you find trying my patience amusing? I said no scientific double speak. Now get to the point.”

  “Yes Excellency. My team has bioengineered a viral phage. The phage will selectively attach itself to the virus and inject it with an enzyme that will depolymerize the viral DNA. The point is; it will stop the disease.”

  “Now that dear doctor is something I do understand. Excellent!” The Emperor said while moving closer to Marcus. Claudius was just over six feet tall, with an athletic build and short-cropped hair. And other than his head, the Emperor was hairless; all the rest of the hair on his body had been removed. He slowly put his bald arm around Marcus’s shoulder and said, “Come walk with me for a few minutes.” The two left the reception room, walked onto the terrace, and out into the bright Quintlis sun. “The Senate is trying to flex its muscle and wants to make a play for the Ministry of Health and the Environment. I don’t have to remind you, your ancestor Marcus, and mine Trajan, forged this alliance nineteen hundred years ago. I will not let a power-hungry Senate destroy it. They have made it abundantly clear, if we do not find a cure for this virus, they will cut all my health and environment funding, and reform the agencies under Senate control.