The Chrysalid Conspiracy

by A. J. Reynolds

  “I must insist that all this is strictly confidential and must not to be discussed with anybody outside this room.” Lucy warned. “I think you understand why. Bridie, You’d better get the brandy and some clean glasses,” she finished, in a gentle voice.

  “Good idea,” said Bridie. “Would the non-smokers object if I get some ashtrays?” she asked. Her voice had a pleading quality about it. Everyone nodded their consent.

  Joe pulled out his pipe. Sheila nodded, beginning to realise this was not funny and confessed to her addiction. Lorraine said she thought they’d never ask. Everyone apologised to Molly, who got up to open a window. Amelia noted that her opinion wasn’t sought, and smiled to herself.

  Joe fired up and those that needed to lit up cigars and cigarettes. Little sips of brandy were out of the question and after a top up the conversation remained subdued and irrelevant. Eventually, it was Joe who turned the conversation back on itself.

  “Amelia, you’d better run this by us again, I think. As far as I’m concerned history is littered with end of the world scenarios, and breakfast the next morning must have been a riot.”

  Amelia was thankful that someone else had steered them back to the subject.

  “I gave you a rough synopsis this afternoon, Joe. Please remember it’s almost impossible to make this sound plausible.” She then explained about the opposing factions and their current status. The Galileo agenda made their eyes pop in disbelief and the news about the financial world brought nods of understanding.

  “Let me try and get this straight,” said Joe. “I’m not sure the ladies are following you. You say we’re becoming extinct. Is this a prediction or do you have any evidence?”

  Bridie spoke up. “Mathematically certainty,” she said. “We are no longer able to sustain ourselves. The world’s resources will decrease rapidly with climate change. Social institutions and commercial structures will collapse and human greed and chaos will relegate us to a historical footnote. It won’t be pretty.”

  “Not very encouraging,” replied Joe. “So, one lot thinks it is God’s will and are going for it. Right?”

  “Yes. That’s about it,” said Bridie.

  “Okay. That I can see. The other lot think they can save the species. How?”

  Bridie and Amelia looked at Lucy. “Oh no,” she retorted. “Don’t involve me in this. Amelia, What are you up to?”

  “Mother, you are up to your neck in this,” Amelia was adamant. “We need to start gathering in all these loose ends and create a nucleus of understanding, so just the basics please, no technical jargon.”

  Lucy sighed. “Genetic modification.”

  “What?” Lorraine said in surprise.

  “That’s a bad thing, isn’t it?” said Molly. “That’s what they say.”

  “You couldn’t do it,” said Sheila. “It’s too big and too much.”

  “How do you know it will work?” asked Joe.

  “Hey,” interrupted Rayn. “Take a good look at Amelia and me. Do we look and behave like a couple of giggly schoolgirls? And that’s only what you can see. Sure as hell it works.”

  Lucy was unsettled by their reaction, “Maddy’s organisation has been working on this for years, long before it was unpopular. It’s been very successful,” she pointed out.

  “But surely it’s unethical?” said Lorraine. “You can’t do it.”

  “I agree,” said Molly. “It just doesn’t seem right to change what’s natural.”

  “Ethics? Natural?” exclaimed Lucy, beginning to lose her cool, a rare and terrible thing. “Do you think if I could regenerate myself a new pair of legs I’d refuse on those grounds? We’re talking about saving the species here.” Lucy rarely got angry and Amelia needed to calm things down.

  “Look, we can’t save the whole race. That’s seven billion people. We can only save a few hundred, if we’re lucky. Maddy and Mum are handling the details. It will be explained. I’m just trying to help,” she protested.

  “Why us? Why now?” asked Joe.

  “Why you?” Rayn said. “Because we are, or will become, key players. There will be others, but we had to start somewhere. Why now? I’ve no idea. Amelia?” she looked at her friend for some support.

  “This is the earliest possible moment,” said Amelia. “Maddy said we couldn’t start till Sheila turned up.”

  “Me? Hey now, wait a minute. I…” stammered Sheila.

  “When you’ve had a chat with Maddy, we’ll talk again. She’ll explain much better than I can.”

  “Come on Lucy,” Bridie said. “Let’s get you settled. I promised Antonio I’d be over later.” Lucy agreed and gave her apologies. Molly said she had to leave as the boys’ would be home soon.

  “Could you stay a while, Sheila and Lorraine? And you Joe, unless you have to lock up or something?” asked Amelia.

  “Sure, no problem,” said Sheila.

  “Okay with me too,” Lorraine agreed. “But not for too long. I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

  “I’m fine,” said Joe. “I expect Jim and Jem will have locked up by now, anyway.”

  “Jim and Jem?” enquired Rayn.

  “My kids.” He replied. “Well, they’re all grown up now. In their twenties. When Betty died ten years ago, we decided to buy a burger joint together and settle here. I’m not really keen, but it’s what they want. And I do owe them for being away a lot. Jim, that’s James, runs the kitchen and Jemima is the manageress.”

  Lorraine gave a sudden spluttering cough, and the searing brandy ran down the inside of her nose and back into the glass. Amelia thumped her on the back as she gasped for breath.

  “Oh my god!” gasped Lorraine, when Joe left to use the toilet.

  “This sounds interesting,” said Sheila. “What’s up?”

  “Jemima Young. Of course! I didn’t realise,” replied Lorraine, and then continued in a whisper. “She’s the date I had to cancel. What am I going to do?”

  Amelia and Rayn sat fascinated as the drama unfolded.

  “Tell him?” said Sheila.

  “No way. Look at the size of that man,” Lorraine wailed.

  “Yeah, but he wouldn’t hit a woman, surely?” reassured Sheila.

  “I’m not a woman. I’m his daughter’s lesbian girlfriend,” she moaned.

  “I suppose that does make a difference,” said Sheila. “What are you going to do?”

  “Running springs to mind,” said Amelia.

  “Or maybe a convent,” added Rayn. Their attempts to find a humorous solution were interrupted by Joe’s return. He sat down and began to concentrate on relighting his pipe oblivious to the emotional imbalance surrounding him.

  Bridie came in to say goodnight, and Amelia saw a way out for Lorraine.

  “Are you going to Antonio’s place, at the Hall, Bridie?” asked Amelia. Bridie nodded and Amelia continued. “If you hang on, Lorraine could give you a lift.”

  Lorraine grabbed at the lifeline. “Yes, of course, Bridie. I’ve got to go now anyway. Early start and all that. Can we use your car Sheila? mines bug…broken.” and she made for the door.

  Sheila was trying not to laugh as she said goodnight to Joe. “It was nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon,” she said, and after shaking his hand made a more dignified exit.

  Everything went quiet and Joe asked Amelia if she would like him to go too. “You do look a bit pale,” he said. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Joe. I’ve been sitting or lying down all day and I hate it.”

  “I know what you mean. Being inactive takes some getting used to. I’d like to get out and travel again, before I’m too old, but I promised the kids I wouldn’t leave again.”

  “I’m sorry about your wife. How did she die?”

  “Cancer. At least it was the quick kind,” he said.

  “I’ll start clearing up,” said Rayn. “Would you two like some coffee?”

  “No thanks, Rayn. I really can’t stay long,” replied Joe.

 
; “Yes please Rayn,” replied Amelia. “And bring yourself one. I’m going to pick Joe’s brain.”

  Joe laughed. “I should have seen this coming,” he said. “You want to know if I’ve had any ideas. Truth to tell, girls, I’ve had several. But they’re all academic, unless you know what this Ryxyl character is up to next.”

  “And that’s something we have no way of knowing,” confirmed Amelia.

  “I don’t know, though,” said Rayn, when she returned with the coffees. “Don’t the police work out the villain’s next move by doing some sort of profiling? That way we may get a better class of guess.”

  “Rayn, what would I do without you?” said Amelia.

  “All right,” said Joe. “Let’s give it a try. Tell me all you know about her.”

  They told him what little they could surmise. That she was tall and very beautiful, and she knew it. Impatient, aloof, immaculately dressed. Amelia thought she expected respect without having to earn it. They showed him the mask she was wearing and described her robes.

  Rayn explained that her skill with a sword was incredible, and said that if she was to make a Samurai film she wouldn’t need a stunt woman or any special effects. She could do it all on her own. Amelia described her contorted face when she lost the mask.

  “Well, what do you think?” said Amelia.

  “I think,” said Joe. “Disregarding Rayn’s description of the fight, I’d say you were lucky you survived. How on earth did you manage it?”

  “Luck,” said Amelia.

  “Poker,” said Rayn, and explained about the fourth knife.

  Joe was very impressed and thought for a moment. “I can’t see this one running off to hide, can you? Too impatient. Mask and robes – could be fanatical, unbalanced maybe. Contorted face – hates to lose, even a skirmish. Wants to be top dog, obeyed, with everybody subservient to her. In short a very dangerous megalomaniac. But that’s only a guess, don’t forget.”

  The girls gave him a silent round of applause, and Amelia kissed him on the cheek.

  “In my opinion, this one will most likely try to disrupt the opposition and come at you with everything she’s got.” He summarised.

  “Why bother to mess with the opposition? Surely that’s an advantage for her?” asked Rayn.

  “No, if she does that, as I explained to Amelia there’s a chance they’ll tear themselves apart. Then she’d have a clear run at you.”

  “Well Rayn?” said Amelia. “Do we make our next move based on that brilliant analysis?”

  “Feels right,” said Rayn.

  “Me too.”

  “Hey, hang on you guys,” protested Joe. “I’m not a professional. It would be a hell of a gamble.”

  “Everything’s a gamble, Joe. But part of that ‘enhancement’ we mentioned means Rayn and I have a so-called extra sense. Two different ones, I’m glad to say, but it reduces the odds of being wrong down to almost zero. That’s how we beat her last time. Please don’t mention this to anybody. It’s meant to be a secret and it comes in handy.”

  “Oh,” said Rayn. “When you said she’ll come after us, you’d better include yourself from now on. Sorry.”

  “Look,” he said as his face went paled. “There’s something I have to tell you that I’ve never told anyone. I was on the Sheffield when she went down in the South Atlantic.” His voice was rushed and trembling. “I got a medal and they made me a hero. The truth is, I let a man die to save myself. I’m the only one who knows. My fear is that I don’t know how I would react the next time. The memories of his screams for help are never far away. I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m going to be much use to you.”

  Amelia stared at this giant of a man, brought down by his internal struggle with himself. There were tears in her eyes, and her heart felt for him. She allowed her extra sense free reign in her mind and heard herself speaking to him.

  “Joe, we lost a man in battle. He was a very exceptional man. He was our inspiration, loved by everyone and respected. He was the wind that filled our sails. We chose you to replace him. It wasn’t a random choice. We were looking for a very special person and we chose you. All I can say is, don’t look for redemption, because you won’t find it. You have to forgive yourself. Nobody else can. Only then will you find some peace. We still want you. In fact, we need you. If you’ll be kind enough to stay on board, we’re happy to have you.”

  “I really don’t believe this,” he managed to say. “Solace from a couple of kids. I’d love to join you, but I’m still not sure. At least you know the truth. Hey, I’ve got to go,” he said, looking at his watch. “Thank you so much.”

  As he went through the door, Rayn called after him. “Hey Joe. Remember – if you take a chance, anything can happen. If you don’t, everything stays the same. See you tomorrow.”

  ***

  The sound of a boiling kettle calling for attention, with bacon frying in the background was, to Amelia, the perfect way to be woken up. Without opening her eyes, she muttered her gratitude to Rayn. “Oh, thank you, my friend. I don’t deserve you.”

  Sheila’s voice broke into her reverie. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. Rayn’s at war with the kitchen.” Amelia was immediately wide-awake.

  “No, she can’t do that,” She managed to say.

  Sheila laughed. “That’s what she said, but she’s giving it a go anyway.”

  “No,” said Amelia. “What’s the time? It’s Molly. We can’t have her thinking her wages are just charity. She’ll go bananas. We’ve got to have something for her to do. Get her out of there before Molly gets here. Please, Sheila.”

  Sheila did as she was asked and, a few minutes later, Rayn came in carrying a plate of bacon sandwiches. “Good morning, my hero,” she said. “I really like the way your mind works.”

  “If you’re too intelligent for housework, like you say you are,” said Amelia, “then you should have figured that one out yourself.” As she spoke, she pushed back her duvet and made as if to get up.

  “Whoa!” Rayn cried out. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I’m getting up. I’ve had enough of this,” Amelia snapped.

  “No you’re not,” Rayn told her. “I need you back to full fitness. I’ve lost my training partner and I don’t have the willpower and self-discipline to work on my own. You’re staying there till Sheila says it’s okay.”

  “I must agree with her, Amelia,” said Sheila. “I’m sorry, but if you were rugby scrum half I’d have you strapped up for a week. Give it one more day, at least.”

  “Why are you ganging up on me?” Amelia moaned in frustration. “Can I at least get up for breakfast?”

  Amelia was sitting at the table with her consolation prize of bacon and coffee when her mother breezed in, looking completely revitalised. Her face was fresh and vivid and Amelia saw the woman she had always known.

  “Mum, you look fantastic. What’s the deal?” she said, really pleased for her.

  “Thank you Amelia, and good morning. We have a Genie in the house. Sheila, you are pure magic. I feel better than I have for years. Any more of those sandwiches going begging?”

  “I’ll put some more bacon on,” said Rayn. “Come on, Sheila, dig in. You’re part of the family now, whether you like it or not.”

  “Molly’s late this morning. I wonder what’s up,” Amelia said to her mother.

  “Oh, I gave her the day off. She was so excited by what Lorraine said, it didn’t seem fair to make her work.”

  “Oh no,” Amelia sighed. “I wish you’d told me. Rayn’s going to be all over me when she finds out.” Before her mother could ask, Rayn came back in with another pile of sandwiches, more tea and coffee, and ashtrays.

  “Do I notice a glitch in the communications department?” she asked, not amused.

  To avoid an open confrontation, Amelia launched off into a different subject. “So, whereabouts in Australia do you come from, Sheila?” Amelia asked.

  To be fair, her knowledge of Australian geo
graphy was so bad it wouldn’t matter what Sheila told them. She’d be none the wiser.

  “I used to tell people that I came from the middle of nowhere,” Sheila smiled. “But being in the middle implies that you must have some idea of where the edges are. My parents own a sheep farm and I grew up a long way from any neighbours. Mum taught me school stuff and we had a teacher fly in once a week. So I grew up surrounded by sheep, farmhands, more sheep, and Sundowners.”

  “Sundowners?” Rayn was intrigued.

  “Migrant workers. Mainly sheep shearers, but anything else going. I suppose they’re a bit like your gypsies. Crooked to the core but the nicest people in the world.”

  The others laughed and Lucy explained that Rayn and her mother were, in fact, Gypsies. Sheila was thrilled and wanted to know more, but Amelia continued her questioning. “How on earth did you end up being a physiotherapist? It seems an unlikely profession to emerge from that background?”

  “We discovered I had a magic touch. I used to sort out the Sundowners during shearing. Mostly muscle strain and back problems. That’s why the farm was so successful – we always had the pick of the best workers. They used to come for miles just for a massage. It was free and the best in the known world. That’s our known world, not the real one. So, I went off to college and everything went downhill from there.”

  “Downhill?” said Rayn, suddenly on the edge of her seat. “What happened?”

  “You don’t want to know,” said Sheila.

  “Well, come on. Don’t stop now.” Rayn was almost salivating with anticipation and Bridie’s tail was up.

  Lucy cut in. “It’s none of our business. Leave it alone.” Amelia couldn’t change the subject at this point, so she gave it a nudge in a different direction.

  “Look, Sheila,” she said. “I’m sorry I was a bit brutal yesterday. I hope you can forgive me?”