by C. R. Daems
“Give us that snake and we’ll leave, or else we are going to contaminate this whole building,” a small squat man said as his Mfw swung in my direction. Of course, they couldn’t contaminate the whole building but certainly the lobby, especially if shooting started and their blood and flesh were splattered on walls and floors. That could be cleaned up but it increased the chance of one or more individuals getting infected if we overlooked one tiny piece of matter, who would then spread the virus to c-agents, staff, and delegates, who could then take it to their systems…the nightmare of all nightmare scenarios.
The face of the man who was speaking looked scared and hard under the brown blisters. The other men also looked comfortable with the Mfws they were holding. Not your average citizens, I mused while evaluating the three.
“If I give you this snake, I’ll die,” I said while moving slowly toward the far wall and the entrance to the building. “Lock down the delegates, Core group, conference rooms, stop everyone from entering the Committee compound and from entering this facility,” I said into my mic.
“What are you doing?” the hard-faced man shouted.
“Keeping twenty c-agents from blowing you to pieces.” I smiled.
“And you'll die along with us,” he growled as all three Mfws swung in my direction.
“We have a dilemma,” I said. “If I give you my red-headed friend, you, your two friends, me, and my red-headed friend will die within the week.”
“Bull crap!”
“Oh, you’re an expert on red-headed kraits. Yes, bull crap. Why do you think I’m the only person with my own krait?” Alternatives raced through my head. I could give them Red and assume he would kill all three like he did with the man who had managed to knock me unconscious and steal him…but did he have enough poison to kill all three before they left and took him to only the space gods knew where? And if one died after being struck by him, would they just kill him? And even if he got away, what were the chances of me finding him before I died of the virus? Too many unknowns. I had to get them to take me with them.
“Because you’re a high muckety-muck.”
“Shows you what you know. This krait found me when I was four years old dying of the Coaca Virus. He lives off my blood. In the hospital they tried sharing him with other patients but they found he couldn’t live off anyone else’s blood.”
“Lying bitch,” hard-face screamed. “Give me that snake.”
“Can you take a transfusion from just anyone?” I asked, trying to sneer. “This krait found me because I had something in my blood that attracts him. So, the government lets me keep him since he wasn’t fit for sharing. I’ve had him for thirty years. Long before I became a high muckety-muck. So, it’s me and the krait or you are going to die of the virus with or without the krait.”
“You’re a bit old for my taste, but you’d be better than nothing,” hard-face said as he walked up to me and grabbed my arm.
“Let them take me. That’s an order,” I said into my mic. Hard-face smiled and pulled me in the direction of the entrance. “Do you have a vehicle?” I asked, wondering how they got here and hoping it wasn’t by public transportation.
“Think we walked, bitch?” he growled. “We have a skimmer.” His head jerked toward a black skimmer just outside the entrance. As we walked, I decided the two sidekicks were bodyguards whom hard-face had probably infected, since they weren’t speaking, were following hard-face’s direction, and hard-face looked to be in stage four whereas the other two looked to be in stage two. At the skimmer, he entered the pilot’s side while the bodyguards started to put me in the back, which could seat four.
“Put me up front with you,” I said. “I’ll have the krait give you a treatment before you take off. Wouldn’t want you dying while we were airborne,” I said in a concerned-sounding voice, which wasn’t hard considering the situation. I needed to contain these three as soon as I could. Only the space gods knew how many people this moron had come in contact with.
Hard-face smiled and nodded to his two henchmen. When we were in and the doors shut, I stretched out my arm and placed my hand on hard-face’s shoulder. As I knew he would, Red wound his way onto hard-face’s shoulder and proceeded to strike him in the neck.
“Ouch! Shit, that hurt!”
“The price of keeping the virus dormant,” I said, knowing Red had just given him a lethal dose of krait poison. As I watched his face begin to turn dark purple, I reached in and pulled out my Sig Sauer and turned to see the bodyguards staring wide-eyed at hard-face. I shot the one who began to frown as if he understood something wasn’t right, and then I shot the other man, who was looking about to be sick.
“This is Director Paulus. I’m fine. Everyone is to stay in place until Doctor Renata arrives and inspects the facility. Seth, make sure no one enters the lobby or enters the hallways if they are in the lobby now,” I said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Seth replied.
I looked over to hard-face, whose head was hanging lose on his chest, scooped up Red, and pulled him to my lips.
“Someday, I wish you would say something,” I muttered, knowing the tiny head held a supersize brain. I knew he could read and solve puzzles and sense trouble and others’ emotions by his actions over the past thirty years. Instead, his tongue flicked against my nose. “All right, Red. Another day when you are up for it.” I snorted and got another lick.
Five minutes later medical vans began arriving. When I saw Renata get out of the first van, I shouted, “Doctor Renata,” and waved out the open window. She came running over to the skimmer.
“A Colonel McKenzie called and said you told him to call and that you had individuals in the building with the Coaca Virus,” Renata said in a rush. She and everyone with her were dressed in Level A Tychem Suits with SCBA units attached.
“These three…individuals…” I refrained from saying psychopaths. Who knew what average people were capable of doing if faced with an opportunity to save their or their loved ones’ lives. “…entered the Committee lobby and demanded I give Red to them. So, the lobby is infested, possibly a few individuals, this skimmer, and whoever these three came in contact with.”
“And you,” she smiled. “Get yourself over to the last van. It’s a decontamination unit.” She pointed to the van and began walking toward the entrance to the Committee building lobby. Twenty minutes later, dressed in pink hospital scrubs and booties, I entered the rear door of the domed building and made my way to the Core group’s offices, where the three had been sequestered in Bennett’s office.
“What’s the situation?” Bennett half shouted as soon as I walked in the room.
I held up my hand. “It’s under control. Let me get a cup of coffee, and I’ll explain everything,” I walked over to his sidebar, mixed my coffee and milk concoction, and sat. I felt physically and mentally exhausted.
“Sorry,” I began. “Three men entered the Committee building…” I went on to explain, between multiple interruptions, the events of the morning.
“They came to get you?” Glaser asked, sounding angry.
“Yes, it’s one of the disadvantages of having me. And I’ll understand if you would like me to resign. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last,” I said, not really caring whether or not they wanted my resignation, although I was beginning to like the job and the people.
“You’re a dangerous—” Glaser began to say but was interrupted by Scherer.
“This is not the time to make that decision. I suggest we wait to see the outcome of this…event before we decide on what action to take. In the meantime, Anna can take a day or two off while we decide.”
“I agree,” Bennett said, sounding relieved.
* * *
“You’re home early, Daughter. Run out of work or just bored?” Alexa said as she closed the door and saw me sitting in the living room listening to a Black Water composer whose music I found relaxing. It was played by a full orchestra, and I could imagine hiking in a wilderness—the
wind rustling through the trees, water gurgling in a nearby stream, raindrops dripping on the leaves, and birds chirping in the background.
“No, I think I may be fired. Well, asked to resign,” I said, not sure how I felt about being fired. I was beginning to like the assignment.
“Why? I thought everything was going well. The assassination attempt?” Alexa asked.
That took me by surprise. I hadn’t considered that the second incident might have been another assassination attempt.
“Maybe indirectly. Three men entered the Committee lobby with Mfws and the Coaca Virus looking for me…” I went on to explain what happened.
“The Coaca virus would worry anyone and inside the Committee building would be even worse,” Alexa said softly, obviously considering the potential ramifications. “I can understand their concern. What will you do if they do ask you to resign?” Now Alexa’s voice was full of concern.
I shrugged. “I don’t know, Mother,” I said. I hadn’t given it much thought. I unwrapped Red from around my neck and held him in front of my face. “What do you think?” I asked and stared hard at his little red head. Of course, he didn’t do or say anything. “I’m waiting,” I said, willing him to do something. Nothing. I set him on my shoulder, and he disappeared into my blouse. “Neither Red nor I have a clue. I can’t go back to the NIA as they have no open positions. Webb said he’d find something for me but what? I’m not a tactical officer… I have the training to be a lieutenant, but I’m a damn two-star admiral. He and General Guzman may be willing to give me a desk job, but I’d be bored to tears. Maybe Red and I could start our own security business. The only problem with that is I’d need more security than any client who would hire me. Not very profitable if half of my workforce is protecting me.”
Alexa put her arm around me and pulled me close. “You’re future surfing, Daughter. Let’s address the real problems as they come up. Now tell me more about the three men with the Coaca Virus.”
* * *
Three days passed without a word from the Core Committee group. Doctor Renata did stop in the next day to see how I was doing and updated me on the cleanup at the Committee Compound—no one appeared to have been infected. Mr. Hard-face had been a well-known criminal and to the police’s delight the vast majority of his contacts had been his crew and a few other criminals. Of course, several women who hung around with him and his mates had contracted the virus. But all in all, what everyone considered collateral damage was minimal for a Coaca Virus outbreak. Renata gave me a lot of credit for nipping the outbreak in the bud early. If I did, it was by accident.
On the fourth day, Martha notified me I had an appointment with the Core Committee at thirteen hundred hours. When I arrived I got smiles, thumbs-up gestures, and cheerful greetings as I made my way to my office. Martha and Seth were there to meet me.
“The place seemed like a morgue with you gone, Director Paulus,” Martha said, using my title rather than the usual Anna.
“Martha’s right. Everyone agrees you prevented a major catastrophe with your quick thinking and at considerable risk to your life.”
“But the reason they were here was to find me,” I said, knowing that was what the Core group would be thinking. If I weren’t here…
“President Bennett had a meeting with all of your senior people and to a person we gave you our unconditional support,” Seth said. “No one wants you to leave, which when you consider you’ve been with us less than a month that’s quite a compliment.”
“Thank you, Seth, and thank the others for me. I’ve become fond of each of you,” I said, not sure their support would mean much to the Core group. They had larger issues to be concerned about.
Just then Red wound into my hair and a minute later his red head thumped against my forehead. A definite message, but what?
“That’s eerie,” Martha said, pointing at Red.
“Red looks…eager,” Seth said and ironically I got the same feeling.
“Me too,” I said, straightening my jacket and marching out of my office toward the Core group’s offices with my security following. When I arrived, I was issued in immediately. Bennett sat behind his massive curved desk, Glaser and Scherer sitting in their normal places. Bennett waved me to an empty chair. No one was smiling.
“I had nightmares when I considered the potential disaster this incident could have caused,” President Bennett said. “Not only affecting the delegates on Eastar but spreading the virus to all the other systems. Then I had to consider whether any person was worth that risk. Mrs. Scherer and Mr. Glaser had similar concerns. The three of us appreciate your problem-solving ability so we examined alternatives. We considered making you a separate department with your own building and security agents or returning you to the NIA and letting you work under their umbrella. We have spent countless hours discussing the issue as well as talking with Admirals Webb and Lulltrel, General Guzman, Colonel Pannell, Doctor Renata, and the senior Committee security staff.” He paused for a sip of coffee while staring at me. While he talked, Red had wound himself into my hair and his head lay on my forehead. It helped to relaxed me and reminded me I had him, Alexa, and a good life no matter the outcome.
“Doctor Renata and your security agree that without your actions, which included risking your life, the incident would have been a disaster,” Bennett continued. “We, the Core Committee, agree you present an added risk, but the Coaca Virus isn’t going away and there is no guarantee that individuals with the virus won’t try to enter the Committee facility for reasons other than you. Fortunately, the threat is only present when there is a Coaca outbreak on Eastar. In that event, you’re the best person to handle it. To minimize a similar occurrence, we have removed your name from all reports on the incident: Coaca response team, our security evaluation, and news reports. The three individuals are being listed as terrorists who were killed trying to enter the building. We hope that reduces the number of people who know you have a red-headed krait, it’s a potential cure, and that you work here.” He snorted and nodded to Scherer, who rose and waved for me to rise.
“Director Paulus, the Committee is pleased to award you the UAS Committee’s Medal of Valor for risking your life for the safety of the Committee’s personnel. Congratulations, Director.” She handed me an open velvet-lined box with a ribbon with the UAS colors and a gold medal with the UAS seal.
“Thank you,” I said weakly as relief washed over me.
Bennett and the others stood and clapped. I blushed.
“Thank you,” I said again and decided to divert the focus from me. “I have a tentative update on the murders, if you have time.” When Bennett nodded I continued. “The NIA stations have identified the deaths of four delegates over the past year. I’m having them investigate the deaths. I believe we might have a group of political assassins.”
“Political assassins?” Bennett said, indicating he wasn’t sure he understood.
“Yes, a group offering to ensure your candidate wins the seat under contention. For example, Mr. A and Mr. B are in contention for position X. Mr. A is the frontrunner but you want Mr. B… What would that be worth to you to ensure Mr. A died prematurely—accident, heart attack, robbery gone bad…”
“You’re serious?” Bennett asked. “What about the WEP manifesto?”
“I believe the manifesto is a cover for a very lucrative business. The right candidate can be worth a fortune to specific businesses and power for special interest groups.”
CHAPTER TEN
Aide-de-camp
“Good morning, Martha, do you have anything to keep me busy today?” I said as I entered the reception area for my office. She rose smiling as I continued into my office. It felt like heavy weights had been lifted off my shoulders. I would have missed being the Director of Committee Security. I hadn’t realized how fast I had acclimated to the people and job or how important it was to me. Seth followed Martha and closed the door.
“Welcome back, Director Paulus,” Seth said. “I w
as hoping President Bennett and the Core members weren’t going to do something rash in a knee-jerk reaction to the Coaca Virus incident. If the situation had been left to us to handle, the space gods only knew what would have happened. None of us thought we’d see you alive when you left with them.”
“I think we need a class on what to do if a c-agent thinks he or she has someone with the Coaca Virus. If you have to shoot them, hopefully you can get them in a closed room or isolated space. The virus is very contagious and it can remain active in body matter or fluids for days. That includes a dead person.”
“I’ll coordinate with Martha and set up a schedule.” He typed himself a note before looking up.
“Good. Seth, can you get me a dossier on each of the murdered delegates and the Committee issues on the table at the time of their deaths? NIA has identified four delegates who died on their home system. I’m having them do an in-depth investigation into their deaths. I believe we may have a group of political assassins,” I said, thinking if we could deduce the issues that got them targeted we may be a step closer to finding the organization behind the murders. If not, then maybe the most likely future targets.
* * *
Over the next three weeks the results began coming in. Commander Weaver at NIA reported that investigations into the four delegates found:
1. The vehicle accident of Erik Chapman on New Zheng was considered suspicious but not conclusively a murder.
2. The drowning of Julia Butler on Sutan was found on reexamination to have been murder. The water in her lungs didn’t match the lake water she drowned in.
3. The robbery-gone-wrong death of Kevin Reynolds on Oasis was on reexamination considered suspicious but not conclusive. The knife wound was too precise to have happened by accident and the victim didn’t appear to have put up a struggle.
4. The vehicle accident on Black Water that resulted in the death of Owen McDonald was determined to have been mechanical failure of the brakes. A leak in the brake cylinder appeared to have been due to road damage—a small stone or stones.