Foundation

by M J Kendrick

  Although Omni had no idea, Leon was still part CIA and had been their source of information ever since he had joined the Omni board. Trent’s early intel work had been instrumental in pushing forward the impending government takeover of Omni. Apart from the agency and the White House, Leon was the only other person in the know about Trent’s involvement and when the long-planned takeover would be going ahead. Leon’s connections and intel were also why he was originally tasked with joining the board at Omni—to be the government’s inside man.

  In some ways Leon was grateful. The government takeover would signal his retirement, and, as far as he was concerned, the sooner the better. He’d always felt a little uncomfortable about the way the government had nurtured Omni so they would be in a position for takeover. Their plan to use private Omni tech for weapons development because it would be in the interest of national security, had never sat well with him. He had grown fond of the people there and their values. Deep down, he didn’t think they deserved being forced to hand over their organization, but as the years ticked by and Omni’s people continued making such incredible progress, he knew it was inevitable. What they had was far too important and could become a problem if any of it fell into the hands of unfriendly countries.

  Recently, Trent’s requests for information had become an issue, as he demanded more and more from him. Leon suspected today would be no exception. He knew Trent was up to something—to him, Slater’s obsession with Omni was obvious. He hated everything about Omni and its people, and Leon suspected his hatred stemmed from the miserable time he’d spent there before he had been pulled out.

  He saw Trent approaching wearing the smile of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

  “Leon,” he said, “been a while—you’re looking well.”

  “Cut the bullcrap, Trent. What is it this time?”

  “Straight down to business as usual. Okay, I can do that,” said Trent, nodding with his feigned smile. “We want you to keep an eye on what’s going on with the scientists over at the farm and start a detailed account of their affairs.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me! Do you even know how much work is involved with that?”

  “Hold on, don’t go getting your panties all in a twist. We’re only interested in the key staff over in the tether plant.” A look of disdain erupted on Trent’s face. “Dr. David Reese and his team, for starters. We want to make sure that none of them get any ideas.”

  Leon smirked. “We? Don’t you mean you? Anyway, what kind of ideas?”

  “Ideas that might give them the opportunity to help a rival organization or company.”

  “Look Trent, most of those folk are pretty dedicated. They were all handpicked

  and vetted. Since the Teller incident, they’ve all been running scared. It wouldn’t surprise me if half of them left when the government takes over.”

  “We’re well aware of that, Leon. We just want you to watch what they do. Start a low-key track on them—just the usual changes in behavioral patterns. Pay particular attention to the two innovators, the Reeses. Those two could be dangerous.”

  “Don’t tell me how to do my job,” said Leon assertively. “I’ve been doing this since before you were in diapers.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you have, but we’ve seen this before, and, given what’s at stake, we want to... well, let’s say avoid having to deal with anything that might rock the boat.”

  Trent had dropped his smile and was looking intently at Leon. Picking up on his meaning, Leon decided to just go with it, not wanting to antagonize Trent further.

  “Okay, but don’t expect lengthy reports. My days of doing that are over,” Leon said. “I’ll keep an eye on their movements and let you know if there’s anything out of the ordinary. Now, if we’re done here, I’d like to get back to the office.”

  Trent’s labored smile returned. “Yes, we’re all done. Be sure to stay in touch.”

  He stood and walked off.

  Leon waited until Trent was out of sight before he left to return to Omni. His dislike of the man had just increased as he felt his blood boil. He would do as he asked but it would be as and when he felt it was necessary.

  ***

  Back in his office, Trent smirked as he added a sheet of paper to a tatty portfolio, his private file on Omni. He sat and thought about how much he resented that company and its people, and his smirk turned to anger. He would bide his time. He didn’t care how long it took, but he would make sure every one of them suffered, and idiots like Leon would help him do it. His smirk returned as he closed the file and replaced it in his briefcase knowing it may be months, even years, before one of them slipped up, but, when they did, he would be there ready to gloat and pounce on every one of them, and no one would be able to stop him.

  ***

  Just before five thirty that morning., Carlton saw the welcoming lights of the twenty-four-hour service station on the outskirts of Gainesville. He had been creeping along slowly for the last ten miles as Comet was running on fumes and he needed to fill up. As he pulled into the gas station, he spied his old motor scooter parked up by the vending racks. He had sold it to old Joe who ran the gas pumps when he had first joined MIT. Carlton was surprised how busy it was as he joined a queue of Humvees.

  The army was in town, and the pumps were all being used by the small convoy. A troop carrier moved off and was immediately replaced by one of the Humvees, and Carlton moved up. He hoped he wouldn’t be too long as he wanted to catch breakfast with his parents before they left for work.

  As Carlton pulled up to a pump, old Joe came over, smiling. “Hi there, young Carlton, haven’t seen you around these parts in a while.”

  Carlton was standing by Comet. “Hi, Joe,” he said, stretching his arms out in front. “Yeah, they’re keeping me busy at MIT, just back for the summer break. What’s with all the army guys?”

  Joe started filling Comet. “Oh, these have been coming in regular for the past few weeks now. They’re all over town.”

  Carlton looked around at the vehicles. “What are they doing here?” he asked.

  Joe shrugged. “Beats me, I only see ’em in the morning when they do their gas runs.”

  He pulled out the nozzle from Comet. “There you go, son. That’ll be $17.”

  Carlton gave Joe a $20 bill. “Thanks, Joe, keep the change.”

  Joe gratefully accepted the tip, and, as Carlton pulled away, he shouted, “Don’t forget to say hello to your folks for me.”

  Carlton waved and headed home.

  Twenty minutes later, Carlton pulled into his parents’ drive. He quickly grabbed his things and went inside. Jean and David had just come down for breakfast and were in their usual positions, Jean preparing coffee and toast and David at the breakfast table flicking through a newspaper.

  “Hi, Mom, hi, Dad,” said Carlton jovially as he waltzed into the kitchen and over to his mother to deliver a kiss.

  “Carlton,” they both said excitedly.

  “You’re home at last,” said Jean, returning the hug.

  “Come on, son, sit down and tell us all the news. How did your dissertation defenses go?” asked David as he pulled out Carlton’s usual chair.

  Carlton sat down and told them of his news about how he breezed through the exams, how much intense studying he had been doing to stay ahead, but also how much he was enjoying life at MIT and being with the Smarties. Carlton talked enthusiastically for over half an hour, devouring his breakfast in between sentences. Jean and David listened, proud to hear of their son’s excellent progress. When he had finished, David said, “That’s great, son, we’re so pleased for you. It’s great to have you back home. We miss having you around the place.”

  Jean was holding Carlton’s hand across the table, smiling. “Everyone at the labs are always asking about you and how you’re getting on.”

  Carlton nodded with understanding. “I know, Mom, I miss everyone too. If it wasn’t for the fact that this is so important, I think I’d have a harder time
of it, but in truth, I’m so busy with studying, I hardly have time to think about home. Being with the Smarties is a great help. We’re like a family up there.”

  Jean showed relief. “We still worry, though—can’t help it,” she said.

  Carlton decided to change the subject before his mother started crying.

  “So how are things at the labs? What’s new with the tether program and the stasis pods?”

  Jean looked at David with a straight face. Carlton immediately picked up on the unusual concern.

  “What?” he said.

  David sighed. “Son, we can’t talk about it, not now, not ever. As of three weeks ago, Omni has become fully owned by the US government and they have classified all of our work.”

  Carlton’s jaw dropped.

  “What, you mean Omni sold out to the feds?”

  Jean interjected, “Not sold out, was acquired by. It seems that what we are doing has become so important that they felt it was in the country’s national interest to... What was it they said, David?”

  David continued, “To ensure the technology receives full national protection from outside threats and keeps American innovation and technology at the cutting edge of global advancement.”

  Carlton was frowning. “So in other words, they took it!”

  Jean sat back, releasing Carlton’s hand. “Yup, that’s exactly what they did. We now all work for the US Government.”

  “Is that why I saw so many army guys in town?” asked Carlton.

  David nodded. “They’re posted at the farm and ACR. Security is unbelievable. We’ve all had to sign NSA official secrets documents that were originated by some guy named Trent Slater—he’s the one that’s been screaming at the army guys and has them all jumping around. He’s a nasty piece of work. No one knows who he is, but thanks to him we now have to go through several checkpoints before we get to the labs. Not only that, but even Rosewood has been sectioned off and is being walled-in to completely isolate it from ACR. It’ll even have its own access road.”

  Jean looked up, frowning. “I never noticed that until you just said it, but wasn’t Lydia Janovich seeing a Trent Slater years ago?”

  “You mean the guy that unceremoniously dumped her after she showed up for work with that black eye? Sounds familiar, but I don’t think he was government. From what I can remember, he was a bit of a loser, got kicked out of the army or something. No, can’t be the same person.”

  Carlton was shaking his head in disbelief.

  “I can’t believe Omni would just roll over on this,” he said.

  David sniggered. “Roll over, no, they gladly handed it over for an ‘undisclosed’ sum. Basically, they were bought off. What I can tell you is that whatever they got for Omni, it would have been a lot, and I mean a staggering amount, to give it up so quickly.”

  Carlton said quietly, “William was right, money is a powerful persuader.”

  “What’s that?” asked Jean.

  “Oh, it was something William and I were talking about recently about how groundbreaking technology can make you a target and how money is always involved somewhere.”

  David was nodding in agreement. “He’s right, smart kid by the sound of it. Take my advice, son. If any of you ever invent something of similar importance, make sure you do what you have to protect it or they will take it.”

  Carlton was amazed at his father’s words, which only strengthened his resolve about protecting his discovery. In some ways, it was the final confirmation that he needed and that he was doing the right thing by adopting William’s caution into their plan. Any guilt he had felt melted away at that moment.

  “You bet, Dad, I’ll make sure that never happens to me. You can count on that.”

  David stood and started gathering his papers. “I’ve got to get going. Unfortunately, all the new security protocols mean that your days at the labs are over, son.”

  Carlton nodded. “Don’t worry, you guys, I guessed as much. I’m sure I’ll be able to catch up with everyone while I’m back anyway.”

  David left for the farm. Jean finished clearing the table and said, “I need to get going too. Why don’t you sleep some, and when we get back later, we can talk about the trip. We won’t be late. We keep government hours now!”

  Jean smiled, pecked Carlton on the cheek, and left for work.

  ***

  Carlton awoke at two in the afternoon, took a shower, and fixed himself a sandwich to eat in his loft lab. He had been contemplating the morning’s conversation from the moment his eyes had opened.

  Several difficult questions and decision that he knew he would have to face in the future had been answered for him. He knew he would now not be joining his father at the farm and that he would definitely make his own career somewhere away from Gainesville.

  In some ways, he was grateful that he had been released from the burden of disappointing his parents. He felt sure they would fully understand given the new developments at Omni. Plus, it would mean that when he grew his own triple-walled nano tubes, it was less likely to be considered an Omni innovation. Either way, he would remain tight-lipped to the outside world of their use or existence.

  Carlton had planned to sound out Lucy’s views on what he planned with his career post-MIT, but, with these new developments, he wanted to see what her plans would be, specifically if she would now consider becoming a government employee in order to work on stasis pod research with ACR. He also decided not to inform William of the news over the internet or phone just in case anything was being monitored.

  He didn’t feel as though he was being paranoid, as both his parents held very senior positions and were both the primary innovators in their fields, so it would be likely that, given their knowledge, they were considered both valuable and high risk.

  Carlton knew that he had to make sure that his trip was seen by all to be nothing more than a regular family holiday.

  ***

  When the Rondstats arrived five days later, it was full-on party mode almost immediately.

  At dinner the first night, Lucy’s father remarked on all the troops he had seen in town. David and Jean had casually mentioned that they were now incorporated into the government and practically dismissed the subject and quickly moved on. Carlton took this as confirmation of his earlier thoughts that they might all be being monitored.

  His suspicions were further aroused on the journey to the lakes. He felt sure they were being carefully followed but decided to keep his worries to himself and remain casually observant of every coincidence that he noticed.

  On the fourth day of the trip, everyone had a totally relaxed attitude as they drank wine, laughed and joked, played games, and ate meals well into the night with music gently playing on the house boat’s porch. It was a happy time, and everyone was thoroughly enjoying the break from normal life.

  After they had all finished eating, the parents were getting stuck into coffee and brandies. Lucy was sitting with Carlton on the edge of the houseboat, chatting about how much they liked the still summer nights, oblivious to the mothers quietly nodding in their direction. Lucy really enjoyed dangling her bare feet in the warm lake water and occasionally would make sure that a playful splash or two would reach Carlton, much to her amusement.

  “Why don’t we take a small boat out tomorrow and go exploring,” said Carlton. He had been unable to find the right time to talk to Lucy without anyone being nearby, and this would give him a perfect opportunity.

  “So you want to get me alone, do you?” said Lucy mockingly.

  “Er... no, yes, no, er... What I mean is it’ll be nice to maybe have a picnic or something out on one of the islands, just the two of us.”

  Lucy loved making Carlton feel awkward. She teased him constantly, and, judging by the way her eyes sparkled, she obviously delighted in making him squirm with embarrassment. He was convinced it was a girl’s fundamental duty to carry on the pleasure of this female tradition, so he fully expected her to milk it at every opportun
ity.

  “So you DO want to get me alone, then,” she said, smiling.

  Carlton finally saw he was being toyed with and giggled.

  “You know what I mean,” he said, trying to brush her fun aside. Lucy, however, was far too skilled to let that put her off.

  “So you don’t find me attractive, then,” she replied quickly.

  Carlton knew he was in for the long haul and decided to play her at her own game.

  “Lucy, you are the most attractive girl I have ever met. I’ve been waiting to get you alone for so long, there’s something that’s been burning deeply in my mind, and I’ve been trying to find a way to ask you.”

  Lucy blinked as though taken aback. She clearly hadn’t been expecting that kind of response from Carlton, and forgetting about her man squirming duties, she looked into his eyes and gently said, “What is it, Carlton?”

  Carlton returned her gaze and taking hold of her hand quietly said, “Can you row?”

  Jean, David, Sylvia and Mike, all stopped talking at once and turned, alerted to a loud splash, only to see Carlton laughing as he climbed out of the water covered in pondweed.

  ***

  The next day, Carlton packed the small rowboat with fishing poles, blankets, and a small CD player, while Lucy prepared them a large picnic.

  There were several small islands in the lake, the largest being the most popular with day boaters. Carlton wanted to take a long circular route around three of them, to one of the more secluded tree-covered islands that were considerably further away. He would tell Lucy the reason why once he was sure they were well out of view and earshot and had the cover of at least two of the islands between them and the houseboat.

  They set off around eleven and within minutes were in stitches of laughter as Carlton splashed the oars, went around in circles, missed strokes altogether, and kept falling forward into their boat. But, after a few attempts, he managed to get them pointed in the right direction, and they slowly headed away. Actually, Carlton was a proficient oarsman; the act of being a novice was purely to give any observers an impression of ineptitude.