by Derek Haines
‘I want to fly to the rainbow, Marie,’ Milo said.
‘One day, Milo. Perhaps one day.’
‘Me too!’
‘Oh of course Mary. You too!’
The rain became a little heavier, but neither Mary nor Milo wanted to move. Staring at the wonders that were so new and strangely beautiful to them. Marie could see Dr Fleury becoming concerned by the rain. Understanding that he wouldn’t like to have to treat them for pneumonia, she took his concern as a good time to get Mary and Milo back inside. It took a few minutes, and she thought of how difficult it was to get children to leave a playground. Milo was still looking over his shoulder as they made their way back inside.
*****
Within an hour a telephone rang in Washington.
‘We had a signal for nearly twenty minutes.’
‘Location?’
‘Still the damn North Pole.’
‘It tells us they’re underground then. Must’ve come up for fresh air.’
‘Or inside a mountain.’
‘Yes.’
‘Do want us to keep tracking?’
‘Sounds like the transmitters are re-set, so we really stand no hope of finding them, but keep tracking. At least if we get a constant signal, we’ll know they’re out of the bunker.’
‘Will do.’
‘The evacuation?’
‘Starts tomorrow night. One with two.’
‘Good.’
*****
Rudiger Staheli tried to answer the French president’s questions, as they looked for possible action to take.
‘Why can’t it be accessed from CERN?’
‘It must be possible. But the access is probably well hidden.’
‘So why don’t you send in the Army?’
‘I’m not sure all our European friends would react well to us invading CERN. And there are the lives of those held in the facility. If we storm in with guns blazing, it would be a massacre.’
‘Well, yes. I take your point, but we can’t sit around and do nothing. What about the management of this place? Who’s controlling it and from where?’
‘That is something we can’t answer as yet.’ Staheli replied.
‘There must be some level of control within CERN though. Surely.’
‘Yes, that goes without saying. But we would need full European cooperation to be able to start questioning staff there.’
‘You and I know that could take forever. Would it be possible to take the route that these two escaped from?’
‘We’ve considered that. We’ve got a fairly good plan of the route through the ducting system now from our surveillance unit. The problem is that is it so small, we could only hope to get maybe two or three people down there. And then what? We don’t know how many people are down there or if they are armed. Then there’s the problem of getting them out. The way down is relatively simple, but back up is not so easy. The two who escaped were very lucky indeed to have made it out.’
‘So what do you suggest Rudiger?’
‘Diplomacy and pressure.’
‘How and why?’
‘We need to get a subtle message across to the US, UK and Russian governments. Get them to find out what’s going on and hopefully have the facility closed down quietly.’
‘By threatening to go public with this?’
‘Oh no, not at all. But as hard as we will try, secrets are never able to be kept for very long.’
‘Embarrass them into action?’
‘None of these governments would want to be seen being associated with human medical experimentation. I’m sure they will try their best.’ Rudiger said, matter of factly.
‘Right. So who’s going to tell them the good news? Me I suppose?’
‘I thought a combined French and German approach maybe productive. We haven’t shared this information with our German friends as yet. But what you do with the file now is up to you.’
‘I see the logic. I’ll start the ball rolling. But you’ll have to keep trying to find a way down there in the meantime. This could take a while you know.’
*****
‘We managed to get two out last night. They’re on their way to Nowheresburg.’
‘Any problems?’
‘No. None. Any sign of the two we lost?’
‘No.’
‘Well, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open this end.’
‘Good. Keep me posted.’
*****
Marie was up early and readied herself to meet the two psychologists who were arriving to assess Milo and Mary. She did not know Dr. Paul Schmidt or Dr. Sylvie Rousseau but Dr. Fleury had assured her that they were very experienced and highly regarded. It was a little after ten when they finally arrived, and began being briefed by Luc Fleury and Marie.
‘Have you worked together long?’ Marie asked.
‘No. In fact we only met this morning, although we’re aware of each other’s work,’ Schmidt replied.
‘I’m based in Lausanne and work in Vaud and Valais mainly.’ Rousseau added.
‘Private practice?’
‘Yes, pretty much. Some government work though from time to time. Like now,’ Rousseau answered.
‘And you Dr Schmidt?’ Marie asked.
‘I have my practice in Geneva plus I do some work with CERN. With their HR unit.’
‘What? You do profiling for them?’ Luc asked.
‘Yes. They’re demanding physiological analysis of all short listed applicants now. Keeps me busy.’
‘I’m sure it does,’ Luc replied.
‘So to our patients. What’s the story?’ Schmidt asked.
Luc Fleury and Marie outlined their perceptions and opinions and briefed the two psychologists on both Milo and Mary’s files. Over lunch it was decided that each psychologist would assess Milo and Mary individually and then compare their assessments at the end of the afternoon. Dr. Schmidt would assess Milo first while Dr. Rousseau assessed Mary. After a mid-afternoon break they would swap patients for the second half of the afternoon.
‘I really am looking forward to hearing what they have to say this evening.’
‘Yes, me too Marie. They’ve both recovered reasonably well physically, but psychologically and emotionally I think there’s a long way to go.’ Luc Fleury said.
‘How long before you think they’ll be able to leave here?’
‘As far as I’m concerned Marie, they’ll be well enough in a week or so. But I think it’s more of a security issue than a health issue now.’
‘And the things in their heads?’
‘If we can get them back into HUG or the CHUV hospital in Lausanne, it could be done quite soon. Medically that is. Like I said, it’s a security matter really.’
‘I wish I could help, but I’ve heard nothing about the attack in Geneva, so I don’t know if any progress has been made in that respect.’
‘Well, until the authorities find out who was responsible for the gunman, I think we’re stuck here for a little longer.’
‘Yes, seems so. Well, I might go to my quarters and read for a while to pass some of the afternoon.’
‘Good idea Marie. Not much we can do. I’ll be around if either of them need any help.’
‘Okay, I’ll be back for their afternoon break.’
Marie set of for her room. Half thinking of a short nap as she had woken much earlier than normal. She passed the room where Mary was being assessed and caught a glimpse through the glass window of the door of Mary smiling and seemingly enjoying her chat with Dr. Rousseau. Much further down the corridor was the room where Milo and Dr. Schmidt were. She continued on and only out of curiosity decided to pause for a split second to see if Milo was as happy as Mary. Instead, she caught a glimpse of Dr. Schmidt preparing a syringe. Giving it a small squeeze to clear any air and releasing a few drops. She opened the door without announcing herself.
‘Hi, is everything all right here?’
‘Er, yes, everything is fine,’ Dr Schmidt said, hesita
ntly.
‘Oh, I thought this was only an assessment. Not a treatment session doctor.’
‘It’s, it’s just a sedative.’
‘I don’t like you!’ Milo said.
‘Oh Milo. You shouldn’t say things like that.’ Marie said.
‘He’s from Sootere!’ Milo said, with unusual venom in his voice.
‘I really think you should leave and let me get on,’ Schmidt told Marie firmly.
‘Please put the syringe down doctor.’
‘How dare you young lady. Get out of here this instant!’
Marie drew her gun. ‘I said, put the syringe down doctor.’ Schmidt made a small hesitant move towards Marie with the syringe firmly gripped in his fist and aimed towards Marie.
‘Don’t even think about it doctor,’ Marie said and then, ‘Milo, would you press your little red button please?’
‘Oh yes Marie,’ Milo said happily, as he pushed his emergency buzzer.
‘Now, put the syringe down doctor,’ Marie repeated firmly.
Schmidt moved his hand down and looked as if he was about to drop the syringe. As his hand started to loosen its grip, he suddenly launched himself towards Marie with the syringe leading the way in his right hand. She moved instantly to her left, avoiding the threat of the syringe, and then struck towards the back of the neck of the doctor with her pistol grip. It only delivered a glancing blow, but enough to force him to the floor. The syringe dislodging from his grip as he landed and it slid into the corridor. Marie moved quickly to drag the prostrate doctor into the corridor while keeping her gun trained on him, and closing the door to Milo’s room.
Dr. Fleury came running after hearing the shouting and commotion, as well as Milo’s emergency buzzer. Once he caught sight of Marie with her gun aimed at Dr. Schmidt, he reached into his jacket pocket as he ran and pressed his security alert. Dr. Rousseau reacted to the noise as well and popped her head out from her door to see what was happening.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ Fleury shouted at Marie.
‘He’s from Sootere!’
‘Christ!’ was all Fleury said.
Chapter 18 - A Foot In The Door
‘I’m a German national. I demand that you contact the German authorities and ………….’
Schmidt was silenced mid-sentence by a savage knee to his groin, followed by an answer to his demand.
‘Get fucked!’
*****
Rudiger Staheli pressed the buttons on his secure telephone and called the French president.
‘Yes.’
‘We have one of them. A German doctor working part time at CERN. He’s been identified as having worked in the facility.’
‘Where is he now?’
‘In custody. We’ll be starting his interrogation shortly.’
‘Have you spoken to the Chancellor?’
‘No, not yet.’
‘Do you want me to pass on the news, Rudiger?’
‘If you think it would be appropriate.’
‘I spoke to the Chancellor only yesterday, so I’m sure it’ll be news well received. We’ve also made overtures to the US, UK and Russia, but not much reaction as yet. This might change things a bit.’
‘Certainly advise the Chancellor, but maybe give me twenty-four hours to see what we can get from this doctor before we serve up the news to the big three.’
‘Yes. No problem. I’ll pass the news onto the Chancellor, and you come back to me tomorrow with an update.’
Rudiger Staheli’s phone rang an hour later.
‘Good afternoon Chancellor.’
‘I’ve heard the news. Are you sure he’s a German national.’
‘Yes, we’re sure. Do you want me to send you his details.’
‘For the moment no.’
‘And representation for him?’
‘No. Not at the moment.’
‘We’ve started interviewing him. Do you wish to have an observer?’
‘No. No need. Do what you have to do. If he’s been involved in this ghastly experimentation in anyway at all, just do what you need to do to close it down.’
‘Thank you for your confidence, Chancellor. I’ll keep you informed.’
‘So, Dr. Schmidt. Let’s start with a few facts. How many, should I call them patients, are there in this place called Sootere?’
Schmidt sat silent with his hands facing palms down on the table.
Crack! A fist crashed into the fingers of Schmidt’s left hand, sending instant pain shooting up his arm and inducing a grunt of pain from him.
‘You don’t get to pass on any questions, my friend.’
Schmidt nursed his probable broken fingers and winced.
‘Let me make myself clear Dr. Schmidt. I suggest you answer our questions. We know you have a wife and three little daughters at school in Geneva.’
‘You wouldn’t dare!’ Schmidt spat.
‘Oh Dr Schmidt. This is not American television. You have no idea what I’m capable of. Really. It would surprise you.’
‘I demand to see a consular representative from the German Embassy.’
‘I’m sorry Dr. Schmidt. We’ve already spoken to your Chancellor. And do you know what he said? He said you can rot in hell. So, no. I don’t think there’s any need to call anyone for you.’
Schmidt remained silent.
‘Okay, I’ll send the order to get your children and take them to a safe house.’
‘No! No!’
‘Well, it’s up to you Dr. Schmidt.’
‘There are about one hundred and eighty residents I think. I’m not really sure.’
‘That’s better. And how many people controlling?’
‘I’m not sure either.’
‘Looks like we might have to pick up the kids after all.’
‘No, no. Let me think. I don’t know everyone. But at least one hundred.’
‘Good man. Now we understand each other.’
Schmidt was still nursing his throbbing hand.
‘So you entered CERN, and then hopped in an elevator down to this Sootere place?’
‘No. It’s not so easy. It takes an hour to get down. All by stairs.’
‘Through the collider?’
‘No.’
‘So what did you do down there?’
‘Assessment and profiling.’
‘How often?’
‘About once every two months.’
‘And who do you answer to?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Oh come on Dr Schmidt. You were doing so well. Your youngest is called, Angelique, I believe.’
‘No, No. Honestly I don’t know. I never knew. I just received messages.’
‘So? From who?’
‘They were only ever signed, Frank.’
‘You were paid I presume.’
‘Yes. From a Cayman Islands account.’
‘Okay then. We’ll come back to that. I’m going to leave you with Klaus here, and you’re going to give him a list of names.’
‘Who?’
‘All the people you work with at CERN who also work in the hell hole.’
‘But I don’t know that many.’
‘Oh Dr. Schmidt. Really. I think little Angelique would expect her daddy to have a better memory than that.’
Schmidt hung his head. ‘Good. I think we understand each other better now. I’ll see you later, Dr Schmidt. Have fun giving Klaus some dictation practice.’
*****
‘Is Milo okay, doctor?’
‘Yes, he’s fine, Marie.’
‘So what was in the syringe?’
‘Not really sure. We’re having it analysed but I don’t think it was sedative or….’
‘Look, sorry to interrupt you doctor,’ the Lieutenant Colonel said apologetically. ‘We’re going to have to move you all.’
‘I had a feeling,’ Marie said.
‘Yes. If this Schmidt communicated the location to anyone, it’s better to be careful. The helicopters will
be ready to take you in twenty minutes.’
‘That fast?’ Dr. Fleury asked.
‘Taking no chances sir.’
‘Can I ask where we’re going?’ Marie asked.
‘Ticino. Bellinzona.’
‘At least it’s warmer,’ Fleury smiled.
*****
‘We’ve got a problem.’
‘What is it?’
‘One of our CERN people has been arrested.’
‘Shit!’
‘How?’
‘He went to a military base near Bern. He was a doctor or something.’
‘One of the escapees?’
‘Can’t be sure. But that’s what we’re working on.’
‘The location of the base?’
‘Yup. Three kilometres south of Bern.’
‘Any chance of getting in there?’
‘We’re trying right now.’
‘Let me know.’
*****
The President made a call from the Oval Office. To the Kremlin.
‘You’ve heard about this facility near Geneva then?’
‘Yes, just two days ago. Did you know anything about it before this?’
‘No. And you?’
‘Nothing at all.’
‘If we let the Swiss and French go marching in there, it’s going to look very bad for us.’
‘Yes, I agree. London have the same concern.’
‘The difficulty is that we have all been funding this thing. Goes way back and deep.’
‘Yes. We came to the same conclusion. We’ve all probably got some deep operatives working on this thing.’
‘The nasty part of the problem is that this facility has been feeding its research to medical researchers and drug companies for nearly sixty years.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, we verified it this morning.’
‘So, we can’t just close it down?’
‘No. Drug and medical research investment would collapse, and then flow directly to the stock markets.’
‘So, we’re talking billions here.’
‘Or more.’
‘So, the problem really is, where and how do we relocate this thing?’
‘And keep it all quiet.’
‘Yes, I see. I think we should include London on this.’
‘Yes, me too.’
Chapter 19 - Money And Drugs
‘What do you mean? You can’t be serious?’