Element 94
Page 37
“And?”
“And I think we’ve been able to make the necessary adjustments”
“Good; I’m sending a DNA fingerprint over – I want you to prepare it for the field.”
“What?” The CIA doctor intoned with as much incredulity as he could muster. “It’s still in the experimental phase…”
“Not any more. I need this one operational and ready to go as soon as possible.”
“Are you out of your mind?” The scientist blurted bluntly, and then added more gently, “I mean, with all due respect Bill, if this thing backfires, or anyone finds out…”
“There is no other way.” Kelly intoned somberly. “Believe me when I say that. We’ve got no other options.” The scientist took his time now before he spoke, as if mulling the magnitude of the request before proffering a reply.
“Okay, Bill…okay. But it’ll still take time. I’ll have to prepare a knock-in model for pre-deployment testing, perform the requisite transfections, run a battery of safety drills,…”
“Do whatever you have to do” Kelly interrupted, “tell me what you need, who you need, and how much money you need, and just do it.”
Kelly hung up the line and made his way down to the STAT facilities. He would soon be shepherding the nation into yet another of the uncharted oceans of dark espionage.
* * *
[1] The acronym SURVIVAL continues as follows: I: improvise, V: value living, A: act like the natives, L: Live by your wits