Ironside & Aegis- Origins

by David Bruno

“Where’s he going?” JB asked Dr. Doe as he peeked into the conference room.

  “He’s going into the plant. We’ve asked him to procure all of the process waste. The test is over. We will not be making castings today or the rest of the week.”

  “What? Why?” asked a confused JB.

  “Our experiment failed. You will be paid a prorated amount for what you made yesterday, per our agreement. Remember, this project is top secret. Please return to your office as our team wraps up.”

  JB left as requested, back to his office. What the heck happened? I trusted these guys. Now I guess I don’t get paid in full, either. He had signed the contract in such haste that he hadn’t read the clause that allowed the government to cancel the contract midway through.

  The man came back into the conference room with a chunk of slag in his hand. “I found three 55-gallon drums full of this stuff. It’s ‘hot’. We can take it with us. What shall we do with the castings?”

  Dr. Doe thought for a minute. “Take them too. We cannot attract any suspicion. They’re of no value to us and we’ll eventually have to dispose of them. Put the castings and slag in the truck.”

  As the men left to load the truck, Dr. Doe picked up the phone and called the laboratory.

  “Dr. Doe, what’ve you learned?” asked the technician on the other end of the line.

  “The castings are a failure. We’re bringing them back along with the process waste. The meteoric alloy went into the slag rather than the iron. It’s probably useless but we need to return it to the lab anyway,” Dr. Doe rumbled in frustration. “We wasted a good portion of the meteoric alloy we have remaining. How many human test subjects did you say we had lined up for this experiment?”

  “We have a hundred and twenty-five people, sir. They’re in the living sector now. What would you like us to do?”

  Dr. Doe wrinkled his nose. “Terminate one hundred of them and burn the bodies. Dispose of the ashes.”

  Max observed his boss’s cruel directive. By now, certain employees had bought fully into the agenda and wouldn’t question such an order. He swallowed hard and pinched his lips, ensuring he would not speak a word that would cause Dr. Doe to decide his services were no longer necessary.

  Dr. Doe and Max went back to JB’s office and presented him with a check for $235,000. “This covers the work you did for us. We appreciate the secrecy and the work your team did. We will recommend your foundry for future contracts as they come up.”

  JB was discouraged by the outcome of the experiment. But he was pleased that the work his team did had made a good impression on the government and that future orders could be placed. He smiled as he accepted the check.

  “Thank you, Dr. Doe. I wish we could have finished the project. We hope that you learned something from these experiments and that our contributions will benefit the country for the better.”

  “Yes, we learned a great deal. But now we have to leave. Our truck with the castings and waste has already departed.” Dr. Doe and Max shook hands with JB and departed the foundry.

  JB called Jenn to give her the bad news. She was disappointed as well, but did her best to comfort her new husband. “It’ll be okay, Jon. The company is lucky to have you. You really care about your employees. You’ll figure out how to make it work.”

  JB felt a little better. He started to enjoy the perks of his new marriage—someone on his side. He then remembered the piece of slag that he had taken, as well as his plans for it. He liked it and wasn’t about to surrender it to the government. JB thought his plan was clever, and more than a little meaningful: a ring from the iron his company made every day, topped with the slag he had found during the experiment. He made a couple calls to local jewelers and found one who was willing to cut and polish it into a stone to be mounted.

  *****

  As Dr. Doe and Max drove to the airport to catch their afternoon flight, Max used his brand-new Nokia 2191 cell phone to call the laboratory. He wanted to speak with Veronica. Although he tried to keep it hidden from Dr. Doe, he had a genuine affection for her and their yet-to-be-born children. He spoke with her when he could, almost always by phone.

  “How are you feeling, Veronica?” Max asked.

  Veronica snapped, “I feel terrible! I’m puking all the time and can barely eat. I’m only four months along and don’t know if I can make it to the end. These technicians are drawing blood daily and I feel like a lab rat.”

  She wasn’t wrong—she was, indeed, a lab rat. She was carrying genetically modified babies and was intended to be the mother of a new subspecies of superior people.

  “I’m so sorry, Veronica. Would you mind if I visited you when I return? Maybe I can cheer you up a bit?” Max asked. Four months and I’m only finding out now? I mean, I suspected but nobody said anything. I guess I didn’t ask either.

  “Of course not. This place is so sterile and lonely. Can we go somewhere outside of the lab?” she asked hopefully.

  Max glanced at Dr. Doe and replied, “Sure, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

  Dr. Doe looked over at Max, understanding what he had agreed to. He nodded with tepid approval.

  *****

  Veronica and Max sat at the restaurant perusing the menu of Italian delicacies. Max spared no expense. He had used his connections to acquire reservations at the most exclusive Italian restaurant in the Los Angeles area, about an hour’s drive away. “So, Veronica, what did you think of the movie?”

  “I liked it. It was cute. But I don’t think pigs can really be trained to herd sheep.” She looked up from her menu and blushed.

  Max laughed. “Of course. I figured it would make you smile though. You’ve had a rough time lately and I want you to know how much I appreciate you.” He took her hand. “Did I tell you that you look beautiful this evening?” She wore a new blue dress, subtly designed to conceal her expanding figure. She had spent the early part of the day at the spa having her hair and nails done in preparation for the evening. It was all courtesy of Max. The only thing missing was the meteoric alloy necklace Dr. Doe required her to wear when in the lab. Max knew it was safer for him if they left it behind.

  “No, you didn’t. But I don’t feel beautiful. Umm, not that I don’t appreciate what you did for me today and bringing me here tonight.” Deep down, she knew her error in joining the Agency. Still, she appreciated the attention from Max. It was a welcome change.

  “Well you are, and I’m the luckiest guy in California.”

  “Knock it off. You don’t have to say stuff like that. I know what’s going on here,” she scoffed.

  If you really knew, Veronica, there is no way we would be here at this table. I really am sorry. Max thought for a moment how to reply. “I don’t say things unless they’re true. Besides, I really enjoy your company.” He beamed as he moved to the other side of the booth to be next to her and gently rubbed his leg on hers.

  Veronica protested. “No, Max. We can’t do this. Our arrangement is business.”

  “Why does it have to be? I care about you.” Max persisted and put his arm around her waist. At that moment, the babies gave a gentle kick. “Oh, wow!” exclaimed Max. “I think they’re going to be athletes or something.”

  “Are you serious, Max?” She paused to gauge his reaction. He ignored the music lightly playing in the background and rubbed his palm over his heart as if it was the first time he’d felt it beat. “It sure is nice to have some companionship and be out of that place for a while.” Her heart beat so hard she thought Max would hear it.

  “Well, we can go out anytime you want. I have connections to make that possible. You know… I haven’t felt like this since my fiancée left.”

  “You had a fiancée?” Her eyes widened.

  “Yeah, a long time ago. Don’t look so surprised. It didn’t end well. Sorry I brought her up. You bring out the same good feelings I had before she left. I haven’t felt them in years.” Max fell silent and parted his lips as he gazed into Veronica’s eyes.

/>   Their lips slowly moved closer together, just about to touch.

  “What can I get for the two of you this evening?” asked the waiter as he interrupted the romantic moment.

  “Grrr. Perfect! Great timing, pal!” exclaimed Max as Veronica giggled.

  FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER

  “I think the stain will come out,” Veronica said as Max laughed and wiped the tomato-sauce stain on his shirt.

  “I guess.” He refocused on Veronica. The events of the evening had cracked the veneer covering both of them. “Dinner was so good my shirt wanted some.” Veronica grinned. “I don’t want to take you back. My place is only about thirty minutes away,” he offered.

  “Oh, I don’t know, Max.” She blushed and shyly looked downward. “This evening was great, but I don’t know about that.”

  “Umm, you’re already carrying my twins. What more can I do to you?” He flashed a sly smile as he tilted his head to the side.

  “Well, when you put it that way.” She bit her bottom lip and inched closer to Max, put her hand on his cheek. They closed their eyes as their lips finally met.

  *****

  “Jenn, I have something for you,” JB said with his hands behind his back. “Close your eyes and hold out your left hand.” He gently slipped off her wedding ring.

  “Hey!” she protested, her eyes popping open.

  JB re-covered her eyes, letting out a mock tsk. “Relax, I’m going to put it right back on.” Then he slipped on the custom engagement ring he’d had made from the slag.

  It had turned out even better than he’d hoped. The slag had facets perfectly cut into it. The dark black was splashed with faint greens and tans, and—unbeknownst to him—it had a twinkle about it from the presence of the meteor within. It was quite beautiful, considering it was made from nothing more than foundry waste. The stone was set in an iron ring precisely machined from iron created at the foundry. He slipped the wedding ring back on afterward.

  “Go ahead, open your eyes.”

  Jenn opened her eyes. “What is this?” She held out her hand, giving the ring a confused look.

  “It’s your temporary engagement ring. I had it custom made for you,” replied her husband with a proud smile.

  Jenn puzzled over the ring. It was certainly an odd choice for an engagement ring. But she knew how much his work meant to him, and if he’d made it for her, it was special to him. Because of that, it was special to her as well. She looked at him and with an encouraging smile said, “I love it. I’ll wear it every day.”

  *****

  OCTOBER 20, 1995: 9:35 P.M., THE AGENCY HEADQUARTERS

  Max wheeled Veronica into the residential complex of the laboratory, making sure the necklace was back around her neck. They had been “dating” for about three months. By now, her condition had deteriorated such that she was unable to walk more than a few steps at a time and was in constant pain. Hard nodules had appeared on her legs and abdomen. Yet she laughed as Max wheeled her inside.

  “I had a great time, Max. I’ve never been to a hockey game.”

  “Babe, I’m so happy you had a good time. The nurse here will take you back to your suite. Take your meds and think about tomorrow. I’m thinking a picnic on the desert hills.” The nurse took control of the wheelchair and began to wheel Veronica away. “Wait!” The nurse stopped. “Where’s my goodnight kiss?” Veronica worked through the pain to giggle slightly as she and Max kissed goodnight.

  Max stood by as Veronica and the nurse disappeared through the security doors into the suite. Dr. Doe entered the area and walked over to Max.

  “You sure are seeing a lot of her.”

  “I like her, Jeff. I’m trying to make her happy. She deserves some happiness before… ”

  “Before she dies, you mean,” Dr. Doe blurted coldly.

  “Thanks for the reminder.” Max’s throat tightened as he recalled the truth of Veronica’s future.

  “Listen, you knew all along it would come to this. We talked about not getting too close. That’s why I didn’t want you dating.”

  Max took a step away from Dr. Doe. He had finally had enough, drew his weapon and pointed it at the doctor’s head. In a lightning-quick and fluid motion, Dr. Doe grabbed the weapon, released the magazine, and pointed it at Max. Max gasped at the speed of his disarmament. The motion was so quick, Dr. Doe’s cigarette never dropped a speck of ash.

  “Knock off this foolishness,” said Dr. Doe, expressing no fear of Max.

  “I can’t do this anymore. Veronica is a beautiful person and we did her wrong. I’m done, Jeff. Just kill me.”

  Dr. Doe laughed as he swung the pistol, connecting it with the side of Max’s face. Max fell to the ground with blood seeping from his cheekbone. “Nobody leaves. You know that. But I like your spunk. It’s about time you showed some. Get up. Here’s your gun back. Let’s get back to work.” Without emptying the chamber, he handed the weapon back to Max.

  He’s taunting me. This is my chance to kill him. He sighed. But that won’t save Veronica. Max placed his pistol back in his holster and applied pressure to his cheek through a tissue.

  Dr. Doe led Max to the laboratory section of the complex.

  “Jeff, it’s late. Can’t we do this tomorrow?”

  “No.” He cast a stern glare at Max, no doubt trying to intentionally create discomfort in him, given what he’d tried to do moments earlier. “The cancer is spreading. She has been instructed to carry the necklace at all times. It seems that the babies are okay as of now—we have another six weeks until she reaches the standard forty. December 7 is the target date. We can’t treat the cancer now that we are so far along; the babies must be born unless the cancer spreads to them.”

  “She doesn’t know how sick she is,” said Max. His eyes welled as he thought of her plight. Worse, he imagined the inevitability of losing her.

  “Not yet. I want you to tell her. It’s the least you can do after that little stunt you pulled. We held off as long as we could. She should be settled in her suite now. You should go to her.”

  “Will she survive the birth, at least, and can we attempt treatment afterward?” inquired Max, genuinely concerned for Veronica. After a brief silence, Max exclaimed, “Dammit, sir, can we treat her? We must be able to do something!”

  Dr. Doe shook his head, though Max didn’t detect any emotion behind his eyes. “It’s of the utmost importance that she carries the babies to full term, and by the time the babies are born, it’ll be too late to treat her. It’s already too late, if I’m honest. Veronica’s fate is sealed,” Dr. Doe said. “I know she grew to mean something to you. For that, I am sorry.” Surprisingly, he put his arm around Max in an uncharacteristic display of humanity and affection. “I like it better when you call me Jeff.”

  *****

  Max knocked on Veronica’s door. A weak voice invited him inside.

  “Hi, babe. I just wanted to see you again before you go to sleep.”

  “That’s sweet. I’ll be okay, aside from being a bit sick. What happened to your face?” Veronica had already slipped into her pajamas and turned down the bed, ready to go to sleep.

  “Oh, that’s nothing. We need to talk. I need to tell you something.” Max looked away as he approached her. His heart raced and his palms began to sweat. “I love the time we spend together and you mean so much to me.”

  “Me too. Why do you look so serious?”

  “I don’t know how to say this.”

  “Just say it. It’s okay.” She grabbed his hand.

  “That sickness you feel. Those hard bumps. The pain. It isn’t going to go away. It’s going to get worse and there’s nothing I can do about it.” A pronounced frown fell over his face and she let go of his hand.

  “What do you mean? I’m going to get through this, right?” Her body began to shake as she burst into tears. Somehow she knew the answers to her questions before Max could respond.

  He grabbed her hands. “I’m so sorry. They tell me you won’t survive the b
irth, assuming you can hold out that long. But they say the babies are okay, at least so far.” Veronica pulled hard away from Max, curled into a ball on her bed and began to sob. Max withdrew, giving her space to absorb the news. He said softly, “Oh, one more thing… I… I think I love you, Veronica.”

  Staying in the same position, Veronica momentarily stopped crying and whimpered. “How could I love you in return? You’re a monster. You all are. I could no sooner love you than the devil himself.”

  Max stepped back, having been hit with a sledgehammer of truth. She’s right, I have become a monster, everything I despise. I don’t deserve her. “Well, I thought you needed to know the truth. I’m here for you and you never have to be alone.” After a moment of silence, Max nodded and exhaled a final time before he turned to leave Veronica for the evening.

  *****

  EARLY NOVEMBER 1995: SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

  JB came home from work after a difficult week. He was tired. The foundry business was difficult. Many castings were now being made overseas, and his margins were thin. He’d begun to think of ways to add value to the processes and keep his small shop busy, and his sales team had so far been successful in securing deals for pumps, automotive work, and even a little military work. It paid the bills but wouldn’t make them a Fortune 500 company.

  “Dear, are you home?” called Jenn from the kitchen.

  “Yeah, babe. Long day.” JB cracked open a beer, flopped onto his recliner and turned on the TV to his favorite TV show about alien conspiracies—mindless enjoyment for him.

  Jenn walked into the room and squeezed onto the recliner next to him.

  “Ugh, hon,” said JB, squirming slightly away. “I’m tired, hungry, and kinda grumpy. I don’t feel like being your snuggle bunny today.”

  Jenn snickered and pushed him gently. “No. I have some news.”

  “You burned dinner again and we need to eat out?” he snapped peevishly.

  She playfully shoved him. “No, silly. How would you like to be a daddy?”

  JB straightened immediately. “What? Really?”