by Hylton Smith
Harley smiled. “Let us ask Christophe if your allegation is still true. If he can convince you it isn’t, will you help me? I could go to your comrades and ask them to persuade you, but I want to tackle the difficult hurdles first. Christophe and you are perfect examples, so will you speak with him in my presence?”
“Bring him to me. I make no promises.”
*
Harley had not spoken to Hilda since the end of the conflict. James was almost back to his normal level of misbehaving and this was in line with the doctor declaring he was out of danger. Harley couldn’t promise to visit Hilda any time soon, and he began to explain the enormously ambitious programme in which he was an integral part. She interrupted his monologue. “I can ask Cameron Rodriguez if he’ll kindly bring us to see you, it isn’t so far.”
“No, as much as I’d love that to happen, this bubonic plague is still a risk to all humans. I can’t risk James contracting another deadly disease. The travel restrictions need to be observed until the threat recedes. I will come as soon as I can.”
*
He wasted no time in taking Christophe to speak with Albert. After he’d explained his previous conversation and the appeal he had made for an antigen, Albert was given the chance to put across his case.
“Tell me Christophe, has your desire for revenge been sated?”
“Yes and no would be my answer, if the only choice I had was to tick boxes. It’s a little more complicated than that. I certainly celebrated the death of Alexander, and I was high without You2Me for the first time. It didn’t wash away the agony of losing my family, but it has allowed me to begin to grieve in a different way. I was sure his death would be the signal to end my own life. Now I have started to look more closely at why I would do that.”
“I see, and can you explain this change of heart? I also need to ask if you would support the pathogen release again, provided we could turn back the clock.”
“Absolutely, and don’t look at me as if this is a ludicrous contradiction. Look, Harley and I have never been remotely close to becoming true friends, and yet I can now see an opportunity for that to change. However, I think this experience of the second uprising has taught me something that I didn’t realise I didn’t know. We have been suspicious of each other’s true motive during the campaign. I believe he thought I was only driven by my personal loss, whereas in reality it was the catalyst to despising an ideology. As a doctor I have never had the time or interest to question certain trends. I began to blame myself for being so irresponsibly apathetic. I always thought Harley was espousing his compassion for humans to surf both sides of the board. After all, he was the Commander of the Ganymede trip, and everything was on a need to know basis. I was sure he was really a loyalist.”
“Fascinating I’m sure. I’m beginning to feel like an agony aunt.”
“Now listen you little shit, I was told you asked to see me, and I was given to understand this was a crucial discussion for all of us.”
“I’m sorry, so what made you revise your opinion of Harley?”
“I still suspected him of ‘managing’ the rebel resistance as a closet loyalist. His softly-softly approach to everything gnawed at my gut twenty-four seven. When I gave my support, and others endorsed the pathogen, he was against it, and yet he authorised it. He even came up with the avian global delivery system. I’m sure you agree that must have been and still is very difficult for him to rationalise. It’s only now that I know what I didn’t know earlier. I couldn’t have done that if I’d had his reservations.”
“Interesting, so do you think the price of achieving the cease-fire was acceptable?”
“Without any doubt whatsoever, because in the long run the extremist dictatorial regime would have been a higher price to pay. We humans used to have a term - racism, and it has become redundant over the last century, but at a price. Now we can hopefully put an end to its twenty-second century equivalent - ‘species-ism’. I think I know what your next question is. Would I endorse his request to devise an antigen?”
“That is a question I have to ask, but before you answer, how do you expect those who devised the Jupiter Paradox to interpret such a decision?”
“I don’t expect things anymore Albert, I have, after a lifetime of procedural adherence as a doctor, become a convert to pragmatism. I’ll turn your question back to you. Why can’t you figure out that you’re blind when it comes to your obsessive mission? Has it never occurred to you that the Primedes are as much a dictatorial regime as the High Command? They may be a paternalistic version, but still a repressive variety. Why isn’t it obvious to anyone but me that their sophisticated paradox is driven by the same desire for revenge which I am just beginning to shed? They are clever, much cleverer than you, and the giveaway there is that you don’t even suspect they could be devious. A good starting point may be for you to explain how and when cyborgs became the first Earth species to break free of the solar system, and annoy your sponsors at the galactic core. Let me guess, they haven’t done it yet. I have to live in the present Albert, and so do you unfortunately, so I am not able to expend the rest of my time worrying about some bloody surrogate fathers of humanity across the galaxy. I do know at last that I trust Harley, and he is better equipped than any of us to judge how to approach our near future, not this ridiculous time-travel game you’re selling. I guess you have my answer – yes, I do support Harley’s request for an antigen. I need to go now, so do you have any more questions?”
“No, but I’d like you to stay, while I advise you how to proceed with such a foolhardy policy. Harley has already said he could approach my Primede counterparts if I refuse. That is my final question, why hasn’t he done that if it is so urgent?”
Harley closed the discussion with appropriate compassion. “Although you will be long dead before we are likely to be judged by your masters, it may be helpful for them to hear from any future Primede babies born from the vial, a quotation of your support in our quest for harmony. If we can deliver this, your legacy could prove critical. I have to be more concerned about the future of Earth as I plan to be around for a while yet.”
Chapter 28
Now that Harley was able to benefit from links to the entire broadcasting network, he outlined the rationale behind proceeding with the pathogen.
“It was an option which had been developed as a last resort. You all know of the detonation of a nuclear device at the Cape. It is impossible to be certain whether the likely contagion from the pathogen precipitated this senseless act. What we did know was that Alexander broke his pledge regarding the stadium massacres, which we believe were to continue, with the next one in Mexico City. Information from surrendering loyalist commanders has revealed that their leader had no intention to sanction any further delay, and that their internal logistics difficulties were the only reason for the one week’s grace before the cull. In other words, they couldn’t have staged this atrocity any earlier. The willingness to kill himself and hundreds of thousands of his own citizens had convinced us that Alexander had lost touch with reality. Although we may have saved comparable numbers of domestiques and humans by this enforced abortion of Alexander’s plan, we firmly believe that such respite would not have continued without draconian intervention. In the circumstances, we have to correct a situation which we have created, albeit the only one which could have halted Alexander’s ruthless genocide. We are developing an antigen which will become available for anyone infected, whether they are loyalist, rebel domestiques, or even unlikely contraction of side effects in humans. More information about this antigen will be broadcast as soon as it becomes available. We must all learn lessons from this terrible series of events.”
The message seemed to prick the inflating concern over whether it was possible to produce an antigen. It also reduced anxiety in areas where the population was fairly equally distributed between the groups at risk. Although most citizens were still appalled at the use of a biological weapon, they seemed to want to draw a line unde
r this watershed moment, because of the unreserved apology. Their trust could only be further restored by the antigen promise being kept.
Christophe intercepted Harley on his return.
“Your speech means we have to get an answer from Albert immediately. I can’t help feeling he is behaving in an increasingly paranoid manner. You and Nero did the initial translation from the cavern walls on Ganymede, but you never reported that there were passages with which you had so much difficulty that they were bypassed. Am I correct?”
“Yes, now that I come to think about it, we may have got some sections wrong but I can’t recall leaving any blanks. That is strange. However, we left in a hurry and I honestly can’t be certain about it. He was very adamant about the poor semantic interpretation, claiming our attempts were about as accurate as the intonation of a parrot’s delivery of classic literature. We should challenge him about it.”
“Hold on Harley, we mustn’t alienate him further before he gives us the information we need. I took the opportunity to ask his sibling Primedes about him. They consider him a loner. Apparently he declines their company and always accuses them of disloyalty to the cause. They deny any knowledge of any cause. They are also able to translate the Primede text, and have their own interpretations of these timelines he bangs on about. You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that they disagree with him on many counts. They didn’t approve of the use of the pathogen. I stopped short of asking them about an antigen until we have all the recommendations he is going to offer.”
“Good thinking Christophe. I suggest you should do the talking, as he seems to want to gain your respect. Maybe it has something to do with you releasing him from the vial.”
Albert was busy studying a work-screen and quickly switched it off before they could see the content. Christophe was direct.
“We need to know how to counteract the pathogen immediately Albert. We value your advice, but you must understand that we are the only ones who are willing to take total responsibility for whatever comes from our decision to help the afflicted.”
“I have thought more about your request and I have decided that I can only speak of how you may utilise information in human databases to find a way forward. Bianca should be able to take it on from there. In this way I’m discussing generalities with you and not directly participating in your reckless compassion. It’s the best I can do. Anything else would be utterly disloyal.”
Christophe glanced at Harley and they both nodded.
“Albert, we recognise and understand your dilemma. Your suggestion is a fair compromise, you point us in the general direction and then we are on our own. Please proceed.”
A mischievous smile crossed Albert’s face like the slow passing of a shadow. “Well actually, it is staring you right in the face. As a member of the human race and a doctor Christophe, I find it disappointing that you haven’t recalled the approach without my help.”
“In case you had forgotten, I’ve been in active service trying to prevent my species being erased.”
“Yes of course. The cells of the human adaptive immune system are special types of leukocytes, called lymphocytes. B-cells and T-cells are the major types of lymphocytes, and are derived from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. B-cells are involved in the humoral immune response, whereas T-cells are involved in cell-mediated immune response.
“Homing in on the differences between the two types, the B-cell antigen-specific receptor is an antibody molecule on the B-cell surface, and recognises whole pathogens without any need for antigen processing. Each lineage of B-cell expresses a different antibody, so the complete set of B-cell antigen receptors actually represents the entire array of antibodies that the body can manufacture.”
Harley looked blankly at Christophe, whose face displayed precisely the converse. “Yep, I’ve got the picture, but I guess that means we need to have the entire makeup of your pathogen to ensure we can track the process in the lab before injecting serum into live subjects. As I’m sure you’ll point out, not all bone marrow donors will be able to provide suitably targeted kill instruction to this absolutely original organism you have created.”
“As I said previously, Bianca will assist with this work. I am done with this discussion.”
Harley reminded Albert that he had specifically excluded Bianca from that phase of his creation. Albert waved away the accusation and Christophe was sufficiently confident they could develop the antigen, but was worried about the time it might take. He took the gamble that the other Primedes would be able to guide Bianca to shorten the exercise.
“You want us to fail don’t you? Listen to me very carefully Albert. I brought you to life, and if you have any doubts about my present state of mind, I warn you here and now, I won’t have any qualms about switching you off. Start talking.”
“As I told Harley, I’m dying so your threat is meaningless.”
“Look, I’m running out of patience. I’ve talked with your buddies from the vial and what they told me puts your story in a different light. You made it up didn’t you?”
Albert began to stutter in protest. “How d-dare you? My s-siblings are l-l-lying to you.” He became tearful. “I h-have always tried to help.”
Christophe was unrelenting. “No Albert, you are deluded. We didn’t miss any text. The cavern on Ganymede doesn’t have another chamber which is supposed to prove the Primedes aren’t extinct. There’s no evidence at all of any present or future war with cyborgs. It’s what you wanted to believe.”
“I see, so I am now completely alone in quoting you the truth. My kin who came from the vial shunned me. I was so looking forward to being part of a family, but they preferred to mix with others. Being so isolated in a world which was destroying itself beckoned me to fix the problem. All I ever wanted was for you to believe in the Primedes the way I do. My frustration became acute when I discovered that the maturation process limiter would be thwarted by this poisonous atmosphere, and my life would be truncated after all. However, I have stuck to my task and yet you reject my help.”
“You just can’t stop lying can you? I verified the limiter for your maturation with your kin, but they deny that there is any toxicity problem with oxygen. Remember, I nurtured you from birth and you began to adapt pretty quickly, as have your siblings. They don’t deny that they have to be careful when expending energy, and keep their respiratory demand in balance. But unlike you, they say it is actually becoming easier as they adapt. So you see Albert, you aren’t going to die, unless you keep telling these lies. I could also delude myself by believing I had nothing to do with the pathogen. You suggested it could be done, you developed it, and I agreed to endorse its use. So, now you’re going to show me the quickest way to produce the antigen.”
“Christophe, your knowledge of the human immune system tells you that even single cell organisms have rudimentary immune capability. I can’t be precise on how to deal with any mutation which has already occurred.”
Christophe smashed him in the face, knocking him to the floor. Harley intervened and motioned Christophe to back off. “Look Albert, we can help you with your demons; I’ve had a few of my own to exorcise recently. Just start by admitting you have a problem and we move forward. I suggest asking your siblings to join us and then we can all share the same information. I haven’t forgotten your request to nurture more Primedes without the maturation process. We can still do this and it may give you the purpose you crave, to care for them, and watch them grow up. Your siblings have names, yet you never refer to them. Christophe will bring them now.”
Albert was exhausted and shuffled into the corner of the room without getting to his feet. He was also shaking with fear at the prospect of being further disgraced by the only other living Primedes. Just prior to Christophe leaving to bring them, Albert confessed that the synthetic pathogen had been developed without immune capability. “It will not be able to sustain resistance to an antigen. I will direct Bianca, please bring her to me.”
Chapter 29
With all parties assembled in the lab, the Primede kin of Albert were introduced as Napoleon and Josephine. They couldn’t remember who had actually chosen their names and they hadn’t felt it necessary to acquaint themselves with the history of their famous namesakes. Christophe owned up as a Francophile, and declared it was simply a hopeful gesture in the midst of a battle which they were losing at that time. They were the antithesis of Albert, being laid back, unambitious, and apparently without any agenda other than seeing their baby arrive. Josephine proudly pointed to her bump. They hadn’t changed their names but preferred the abbreviated versions of Nap and Jos. They apparently agreed about everything.
Albert’s muted welcome betrayed his nervousness. It wasn’t helped by the random symphony of flashing LEDs. The lab was designed to have infinitely more machines than operatives. The Borg had decreed that there would be limits to the concessions made to human weakness. The banks of analytical and predictive equipment did have numeric and pictorial displays, but the Borg could directly interface with the digital output. The distractive rhythm of the LEDs and audio prompts took on a sinister aura against the pure whiteness of everything else in the facility. Albert went through the electron microscope images and myriads of calculations with Bianca, and the expectant couple had no remarks as yet. The next step of profiling appropriate bone marrow from which to extract B-cells provoked the first queries. Apart from selecting and testing several of the closest matches to the desired template from available donors, Christophe brought up the question of quantity.
“If we find we have outbreaks all over the world, we need to know if there are local donors.”
Albert quietly stated that he would respectfully suggest cloning the most efficient type. “As long as you have competent geneticists like Bianca in these regions it will be more effective to produce the copied antigen locally.” He waited nervously for a reaction.