Thirty Four Minutes DEAD

by Kaye, Steve Hammond

  The graphic visuals of the MC exploration performed upon Leah were the next batch of images to be screened and some hardened journalists audibly drew their breath as they witnessed the devouring of the eye. Both Denison and Fray explained how the lack of quality in these images emanated from the fact that the girl's memory-camera only had a half-power facility!

  The assembled media ranks were fascinated by what they were witnessing, and after Denison moved on to detail and screen the 'living mind' exploration performed upon Braddock, several journalists broke into a brief impromptu applause.

  Three of the Chinese delegation that spoke at the peace conference then made their appearance. These individuals had been requested by Denison, and after the MC project leader had detailed the 'hidden MC agenda' behind the conference, the three explained what it was like to have your 'recent' thoughts visually captured and played back at you!

  Their words captured most of the remaining doubters in the audience, but a few dissenting voices could still be heard when the conference ranks prepared for the 'question and answer' session which followed the Braddock visuals. Journalists from the two nations found guilty of treachery at the peace conference spread American conspiracy rumours amongst the collective gathering, but the loudest voices of suspicion came from a small group of Japanese journalists.

  Akira Ying Sun was the most dismissive in his tone, and he seemed to represent a powerful self-elected figurehead as far as the 'rejection' totality were concerned. It was Ying Sun who first challenged Denison in the Q and A session and in perfect English, his line of condemnation bit straight into the heart of MC project operations.

  "You will have to try harder Mr Denison, many of us remain unconvinced with regard to the authenticity of what we witnessed. We all know 'America gets what America wants' and many of us are extremely sceptical about your 'all too conclusive' visuals. Where was the invitation for Japan to become involved in MC project research? It was never given Mr Denison, and now you ask us to believe in your visual constructions with China as your best ally! You have inferred yourself that we live in times when visual morphing can create new fictional hyper-realities, and now you ask us to believe in your metamorphosed fairy tales! You quote DNA as a secondary support factor in your research, but with both the CIA and FBI involved in determining this project, isn't it fair to argue that genetic evidence can be easily fabricated? To speak in a language I'm sure you'll understand Mr Denison - can’t you do as you damn well please? The Braddock demonstration was just an upgrade of Hollywood wasn't it?”

  Denison was tempted to bite back in the hard line style he usually favoured when he felt confronted but on this occasion, he saw the value behind remaining calm. As the journalists briefly debated the merits of Ying Sun's attack, the project leader made up his mind to forego a screening of the exploration performed upon Christopher and give Akira the chance to partake in the 'Braddock option'. He rounded on his quarry keeping his anger firmly under check, with his eyes only registering faint annoyance.

  "Well Mr Ying Sun, I'm sorry that you find our work unconvincing. I feel that you are in a minority, but I guess the best way for you to learn the truth will be for you to have your own mindsight read and displayed. I didn't want to have to resort to cheap conjuring tricks Akira, but I guess there will always be those of you who want to keeping the lid on science! If you are willing to have your mindsight read, we can arrange the set-up behind the screens".

  Akira Ying Sun expressed his willingness to be tested, and Denison proceeded to divulge the method of testing. He explained how the individual who underwent mindsight testing would be blindfolded and have their ears covered, so their concentration was of the optimum level. Denison continued to detail how the individual being tested must think of a very powerful series of visual images on a reoccurring basis, and at a point determined by Denison, the individual's mindsight would be read and displayed on the laser screen which Mr Fray controlled. The final instruction that Leif gave to Ying Sun necessitated that the journalist write down brief details of the mental imagery he was going to envisage, and distribute these details to a small sample of fellow journalists at the press conference. Akira Ying Sun could determine which individuals received his visual agenda. As Ying Sun rose in readiness to walk behind the screens, he briefly turned to face both Denison and the press conference totality. His departing line had such a precise tone that it almost seemed rehearsed in its intensity.

  "Screen this, America - if you really can climb inside one's mind!”

  Vain's team attended to Ying Sun and as the journalist was made ready for the exploration, a silence descended over the venue. Denison was given the signal that the subject was in readiness, and the waiting began. After seven minutes, the laser screen illuminated the images that were destined to 'turn the world round' and act as a new scientifically determined 'dawn' for mankind.

  President Delavoy's face was the first image to hit the screen. Ying Sun had framed the man's features in a 'static' capacity, reminiscent of a front-page type of exposure. This image slowly sank into blackness and after a few seconds of suspense, the visuals returned, but this time in a dynamic moving capacity. The initial image in the second batch focused solely on a hand which grabbed an axe with such force that the knuckles were rendered white. The mindsight memory-camera then started to retreat to expose the fact that it was Delavoy who brandished the said weapon. The man stood quite still with a malicious look upon his face, and although this was a powerful image in it's own right, the surroundings that housed the President generated great consternation amongst the assembly. The journalists were hardened individuals and they knew that they were witnessing a 'fictional' construct, but that didn't stop some recoiling in horror as they realised that Delavoy was standing with his axe in a maternity ward. Cots on either side flanked the President, with new-born infants being the occupants. As the world watched events on televised links, millions of individuals uttered a collective 'no', but Akira's mindsight couldn't hear the cries for restraint and as the American leader stood poised above the first cot, many had to turn their heads away. The axe came down on the infant's skull, shattering it to a pulp and blood sprayed onto the wall behind. Two of the journalists passed out and several vomited where they sat. Delavoy's rampage continued systematically, and the infant screams reached a shrill pitch as the blade broke more young little bodies. Delavoy was once again 'framed' at this point but now his flesh was scarlet with the blood of the innocent. The blood ran down his face and his tongue licked traces of it from his lips. The portrait closed on a smiling, blood-soaked president. Some of the assembly howled their protest, bidding Fray to shut the screen down, but the project member was so caught up in the evil of what was being witnessed that he had been rendered frozen as far as a shut-down option was concerned.

  As more journalists passed out, the carnage continued until the visuals thankfully came to an end with a focus on a tiny coat in a pool of infant blood. The guignol imagery had lasted for a total of just two minutes, twelve seconds, and yet their magnitude had reduced most of the journalistic ranks to tears or convulsions. The presidential guard closed in around their leader, as he looked like his worst nightmare had been played out in front of him and his pallor had diminished to a worrying shade of grey. When Delavoy keeled over, his guard were ready for his fall. The President had passed out after witnessing the fictional evil that Akira had let him star in - the split young bodies had been too much for him to bear. Denison restored order.

  "I apologise that you had to witness such a sick mindsight exploration, but I'm sure the doubting Akira would want me to prove that we climbed inside his sick mind, and so I ask the chosen confidants to reveal exactly what Mr Ying Sun had planned to envisage".

  One of Akira's trusted Japanese colleagues was the first to read. He stood up and with a nervous half-look at Denison, he read what had been entrusted to him. His use of English was not as flawless as his Japanese compatriot, but the clarity of the mindsight intention was
clear for all to understand.

  "Delavoy breaking the children of America".

  The other three confidants read out exactly the same words with regard to the intentions they had been holding, and it became patently obvious that Ying Sun's mindsight had been captured to a perfect degree. As the blindfold and earguard was removed from Ying Sun, he returned from behind the screens and sarcastically asked Denison if project staff had read his mind. Denison grabbed the journalist by the scruff of the neck, partially lifting him off the floor in the process and he screamed his reply straight into the face of his frightened volunteer.

  "Oh yes Akira, we've read your filthy stinking scab of a mind, and a few of your colleagues probably want a few fucking choice words with you about what they saw".

  Once Denison had reluctantly put his quarry down, he turned to the world's media and summed up the power of what had been witnessed. His closing line had been rehearsed for years - it was Denison's piece de resistance.

  "So we've climbed inside the private corners of the mind, and as far as you're concerned, the world of this morning is a thousand years ago!”

  TWELVE

  The global exposure of the MC project and its focus of operation had proved a tremendous success. The press conference had been broadcast live to most countries and the newspapers of the world naturally ensured that the vast majority of their pagination featured coverage of the events in Washington. Akira Ying Sun's doubts had been shared by many individuals who felt, as he did, that the project involved a form of American manipulation, and thus after he had been won over by the witnessing of his mindsight capture, the vast majority of the global population followed suit - becoming 'believers' in the process. When Denison had introduced the focus of MC project operations he had stressed that the collective personnel involved were American-led, but he did continue to say that project staffing was more cosmopolitan, with Britain being the second most powerful operational presence. Despite this, the overwhelming majority of individuals who witnessed the press conference events, either by a first hand presence or a secondary broadcast capacity, felt that this new scientific breakthrough owed America the biggest debt as far as driving forces were concerned. In many ways this public reaction reflected what Vain and others had been feeling for some time, and those people within the embryo of project confidence knew that this 'superpower' factor determined who was the ultimate project rein handler.

  Within a few days of the press conference, repercussions beset France and Germany. Their guilt had been established beyond any doubt now as far as the vast majority of the citizens of the two respective countries were concerned, and pressure was placed on both the political leaders running the said nations.

  Gericault resigned due to French public pressure, and Germany organised plans for an election to offer voters a chance to vent their feelings surrounding the exposure of their hidden agenda. Several nations that traded with the two countries cancelled their commitment forthwith, and thus the Washington events were set to scar the high status of both of these dominant trade players. Gericault longed for a hiatus to slow down the global 'bad press' France had generated, but when he realised that world trust for his nation would take years to recover, he opted for a quicker personal solution. As his lifeblood ebbed away, his lips offered a half-smile - he hadn't been the first 'French-Gericault' to find release in suicide!

  Vain arrived back in Britain to enjoy a short period of project leave. The explorations upon the dead would intensify during this period, but now other front-line teams had been trained to relieve the pressure upon Greg's trio. Diana Fearston headed the support teams and Vain had personally trained her. It was Fearston who would research the gossamer thin membrane between the main MC vault and the mindsight extension section. Gregory Vain had realised this area of the brain may well hold more answers for neurological science, and he was content to hand over the bulk of the exploration research to a woman of such a capable intellectual pedigree. When Vain had journeyed through London on his way home, he had seen evidence of reportage surrounding the global press conference which had introduced the MC project to the world. On newspaper stands, 'Mindreader' headings beckoned attention, and dynamic 'spectacular' display sites had running copy that kept reiterating Denison's power lines. One hoarding read "Who are our MC heroes?" and for a brief instant, Vain regretted the anonymity that enshrouded his team.

  Vain spent two weeks with his family, enjoying his return to the fullest level. His thoughts turned to Levene on occasions, but in many ways she was part of his 'other world' - the closed existence afforded by the MC project environment. He tended to live a double life with respect to his domestic obligations and his more illicit interactions with Levene. After some initial guilt-determined discomfort, Vain had got used to living as both husband and lover. He felt safe because his two worlds didn't collide, and the secrecy that dominated project operations had effectively hidden his betrayal from those in his domestic world. When he and Levene had been caught in Alvettis, Vain had been frightened that their security indiscretions may result in severe discipline being imposed on them by the hand of Wheeler, but after the optimum successes surrounding the global press conference, the fear diminished. Before Denison gave his MC project ranks their leave, he had addressed all personnel. He had been gushing in his praise for each project section and he continued to speak of the 'less restrictive' internal security policies that would be an organisational factor when the MC project ranks reconvened. Denison had prided himself on waiting for the right moment to globally display MC power, and his caution had been the motivating force behind the restrictions pertaining to internal security. Leif had 'won the day' with regard to global exposure and as far as he was concerned, his staff became the cement that underpinned his victory. He was keen to reward his team, and the reduction of some of the more pedantic 'internal' social policy regulations was part of his new edict. When the MC project reconvened in England's Designation B, social liaisons between project members would now be permitted and an inquisition wouldn't hang over socially intimate project relationships. Denison's reward ironically seemed to endorse Levene and Vain - a more liberal internal social climate would greet the MC project staff upon reconvention!

  When the project rank and file reassembled at Designation B, the new liberal corporate culture was very much in evidence. The armed guard that lined the driveway to the venue was reduced quite significantly, and a banner proclaiming 'Victory' was hung from the Neo-Gothic pillars in the main entrance. The number of internal security checkpoints were reduced and even Leif Denison seemed less austere, wearing a navy coloured suit as opposed to the black clothing he had previously favoured. The project leader's greeting speech initially concentrated on this form of security relaxation, but then Denison carefully added that the MC project was still underpinned by the most intense security cover of any Western research group that were currently on 'active' duty.

  In the post-Washington ergonomic climate, MC project staff still had to adhere to Designation curfews for the majority of their 'days in residence', but usually they would have a thirty-six hour weekend leave-facility built into their contractual commitment. When project staff were in attendance at an MC Designation, section heads would organise the hour breakdown with regard to their team's obligation, and Denison would check various section proposals. Leif could call an intensive work period at any time and all sections would then wait on his instructions alone. The pressurised atmosphere of pre-Washington MC project operations could subsequently be revisited if Denison felt the need.

  Vain's front-line team carried out further mindsight explorations in the first week back at Designation B, and the majority of the volunteers involved Chinese scientists that Denison had invited into the MC project ranks. These individuals were collectively very sincere with regard to the gratitude they expressed toward Vain's team, and as they 'shadowed' the front-liners a bond built up between the two groups. The good-natured Eastern delegation even seemed to nullify the inheren
t suspicions Tavini harboured for their countrymen and that represented quite a conversion! The team were more than ready for their thirty-six hour leave period as Friday's working commitment drew to a close, and as Vain packed his travel bag he looked forward to surprising his family with a quick return home. Denison had introduced the new social freedoms on-site and thus Vain had not been able to envisage that he would be back home on the first weekend! Usually an MC project 'tour of duty' lasted a number of unbroken weeks and Tanya had got used to these lengthy separations. Vain felt that she would be pleased to see him despite the fact that they had rowed quite frequently during the recent leave period - Tanya still detested the notion of mindsight-reading even after witnessing the strengths which were evident in the televised global press conference. Vain hadn't had any interactions with Levene during the week, and he had wondered if she had had her 'fix' as far as he was concerned. Vain had only seen Levene from afar during the week and he was surprised that she didn't actively seek his company after Denison's effective endorsement. As Greg's bag was zipped up, he contented himself by envisaging the mental image of his good-looking wife. To Vain, relationships currently seemed to involve a no-lose scenario!

  Vain was still mentally trapped in 'social blindness' as he turned towards the door of his quarters and he nearly collided with the figure in the doorway as a result. Leaning against the doorframe stood Levene.

  "If that's a family bag you've just packed, I'll understand Greg, but one femme's ready to end the foreplay, if you get my drift!”

  “Here?”

  "No. I've got a place in mind. You drive, Greg."