by Alexa Kang
Unprepared for the compliment, Anthony didn’t know what to say. He responded with a deferential smile.
“Would you consider working for me this summer? And perhaps beyond that?”
He did not expect this at all. “You mean a summer internship? What would I be doing? Scientific research?”
“It’ll be a little more than that.” Vinci leaned back in his chair as if he was withholding a sought-after surprise. “I’d like to tell you more about it. Before I do, you’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement. My work involves national intelligence. It is classified.” He took a document out of his drawer and placed it in front of Anthony. “Read it. Take your time. Ask me any questions you may have. Nothing in it should alarm you. It only requires you to keep confidential everything we discuss today.”
Anthony reviewed the document. The contract prohibited the signee from disclosing any information about something called the Manhattan Project. One of the clauses read, “unauthorized disclosure will result in imprisonment and the violator will be deemed to have committed an act of treason.”
“Professor. This clause here, it sounds a bit frightening.” He pointed to the part about treason and imprisonment while trying to make light of his concerns.
“Oh, that.” Vinci dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “It’s nothing, I assure you. As long as you keep secret what we talk about today, you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
Anthony weighed the situation. The Manhattan Project? Already, he could feel his curiosity getting the better of him. And a chance to work with someone as important as Vinci? Who in his right mind would turn that down?
Treason and imprisonment? Why would he ever disclose information his professor showed him in the first place? Surely he could trust whatever Vinci did.
He picked up a pen and signed the document.
“Good.” Vinci smiled as though he knew all along Anthony would accept his terms. “Now come with me. I want to show you something.” He got up and led Anthony out of the office.
They walked until they reached Stagg Field, the university’s old football field that the school abandoned over a year and a half ago. The university administration had terminated the program after deciding that football distracted the students from their academics. On the way, Vinci asked him questions about his classes and his exam preparations. He answered each question with due respect, but he could tell Vinci was not in fact listening. The professor had his mind on something else. His eyes looked wild, like a mad scientist. As they got closer to the old football field, the shine in his eyes became fanatical.
Vinci took him to the west side of the football field and led him down a stairway to the underground. In the basement, they followed a short walkway to the abandoned squash courts.
“You see these?” Vinci asked, referring to the blocks of minerals stacked in the squash courts. “You’re looking at the future of America.”
Anthony walked closer. The stacks looked like large piles of bricks lined up high within the walls of the courts. He could not tell what they were.
“This uranium-laced graphite will alter the course of modern warfare and ultimately, human history.”
He still didn’t understand.
“This is a top-secret government experiment. What we’re doing here is testing for the first self-sustaining controlled release of nuclear energy. If we succeed, we will create a weapon, a bomb so powerful we will be able to destroy entire countries, continents, and populations. It will be a threat so frightening, all our enemies will have no choice but to surrender to us.”
Anthony widened his eyes and took a better look. Fear was not something he felt often, but what Vinci said alarmed him. He looked at Vinci. Vinci still had the fanatical shine in his eyes, except now it was accompanied by an equally fanatical smile.
“Think of all the possibilities.” Vinci put his hand against the wall of one of the squash courts. “If we succeed, America can stop the war immediately without ever sending our own troops to Europe. We can deter aggression of any kind even before it starts.”
A chill ran up Anthony’s spine. The basement suddenly felt frigid and he shuddered. “Professor,” he said, keeping his voice soft and cautious. An irrational fear overcame him and he worried a loud voice might set off the graphite. “Are there any plans to use this weapon if the experiment succeeds?”
“Umm…” Vinci muttered, seemingly uninterested in the question. “One would hope never, of course. I certainly would not advise it.”
Turning to observe the graphite, Anthony pretended not to notice the professor’s insincere tone of voice. He had a gut feeling that if the experiment succeeded, Vinci would want to see his creation in action, in use to its full effect, for validation of his own genius.
“I’ll leave that decision to wiser men than I,” Vinci said. The wild look in his eyes now tamed and he sounded more restrained. “The United States government initiated this experiment and the president endorsed it. I trust that our government officials will take all things into consideration and do what’s best for our country and the world.”
In other words, you don’t care, the thought jumped to Anthony’s mind.
That thought was immediately superseded by another one. “Professor, this experiment here, in this place. Is it safe? What will happen if you make a mistake and cause an accident?”
“In that case, half of Chicago will blow up and the city will be obliterated to the ground.” Vinci laughed, but from the way he sounded, he was only half joking.
“Don’t worry.” Vinci patted the wall surrounding the pile. “My team and I have taken every precaution.” His face then turned solemn. “I do not make mistakes. We will succeed.” In the dark, isolated basement, his voice sounded haunting. Anthony swallowed hard and pulled on the strap of his school bag on his shoulder.
“What do you say?” the professor asked. “I’m offering you a chance to join my team. You must know this is a rare, special opportunity. It’s not one I easily offer to anyone.” He moved closer to Anthony. “You have a chance to be part of something that will change this world. When this project succeeds, your name will be alongside those of a very highly select group of men to be written into history for this great creation.”
It would be the chance of a lifetime indeed, but all Anthony wanted was to leave. The basement felt oppressive. He wanted space. “Professor, I’m honored, but I’m not qualified. I’m a college sophomore. I don’t know nearly enough about science and physics to be of use to you.”
“Nonsense,” Vinci said. “I know talent when I see it. The knowledge, you will learn from me soon enough. You’re smart. I know that from your classwork. What I want on my team are people who can handle pressure, people who have what it takes to be a part of a project of this magnitude. You, Anthony, I believe in you.”
Anthony took a step back.
“If you work for me, you’ll not only be a part of something extraordinary.” Vinci lowered his voice. “You’ll be relieved from all possibility of being drafted, for you will be deemed a part of the most essential personnel for the war industry.”
Stunned, Anthony looked up. The professor’s last remark rang in his mind.
Vinci nodded. It was a nod of conspirators sharing a secret.
“But what you’ll have will be so much more than that. You’ll be one of the few individuals to have a hand in influencing the world’s ultimate destiny.”
The Hand of God, Anthony thought. Like the Rodin sculpture on Vinci’s desk.
He swallowed hard and stared at the piles.
Professor Collins. Collins came to his mind like a buoy in the sea.
“Do me a favor,” Collins had said. “Remind them often of what I said. War. It brings changes in ways people can’t begin to imagine, and not always for the good. There are always consequences. War never solves anything.”
He touched the wall shielding the graphite.
“Think about it,” Vinci said. “I await your acceptan
ce of my offer.”
Chapter 14
Back in his dorm room, Anthony reflected on everything he had learned about the Manhattan Project. He wished he could talk to someone about it. His father, maybe. If only he hadn’t signed that confidentiality agreement. Then again, if he hadn’t signed it, Vinci would never have told him about the project.
He wished he had never learned about it. The idea that his professor and his own government were building a weapon that could destroy entire continents and populations shocked him beyond belief. He wanted to think through the implications of what such a weapon could do, but he couldn’t because Brandon wouldn’t stop urging him to take over Nate’s role in the CDA.
“You’re the best person to do this,” Brandon said. “You know how to talk to people and motivate them. That’s why you were named captain of the swim team, and class president back in high school. They’re going to make you president of the debate team too. I know it. People listen to you. They follow you.”
“Brandon, you founded the CDA. I only attend meetings. I don’t even participate in any activities. You should be the face of the group. Or Gretchen. Why don’t you take over?”
“Because I’m no good at talking in front of people. I can write. If I can put things down on paper, I can be eloquent. But let’s face it. I’m not good at public speaking like you or Nate. I don’t have your kind of natural charisma.”
“Natural charisma? Stop that. I’ll gag.”
“I’m serious.” Brandon showed him a CDA flyer. Someone had drawn a cross over it and written the word “hypocrites” on top. “This was taped to our door when I came back. What Nate did, going AWOL like that, it’s a disaster. The AFC’s laughing at us. You can bring people back on board again.”
Anthony shook his head. He couldn’t assume a leadership role in the CDA. For one thing, it would enrage Uncle Leon, especially after he’d declined to help with the AFC. More importantly, he didn’t believe in the CDA. Professor Collins was right. War never solved anything. Uncle Lex fighting and dying didn’t change anything. And after what he had learned from Vinci today, he would much rather America steer clear of the war. If there was any chance America would launch such a weapon, he wanted no part of it. He would explain that to Brandon if he could.
Come to think of it, he didn’t even want to be part of the CDA anymore. His continued presence at CDA meetings hadn’t helped to bridge the growing gap between him and Brandon in any way. Their views and interests diverged now more than ever. With Nate gone, he had no reason to stay with the CDA to try to keep Brandon from Nate’s influence.
“I can’t,” he said. “I’m sorry but I don’t want to do it. In fact, I want to withdraw from the CDA.”
“Withdraw? Now?” Brandon sounded devastated. “You don’t care that Germany might win and the fascists will take over Europe, maybe even here? You don’t care if the security of our country is at risk?”
“Of course I care.”
“Then what is it? We have a chance to change things and make things better. Why are you refusing?”
Anthony clasped his hands together. He could still see the replica of Rodin’s sculpture on Vinci’s desk in his mind. “I can’t talk about it. I don’t want to be a part of this now. That’s all I can say.”
Brandon’s face darkened. “Well then.” A cold silence cut between them. “There’s nothing more to say. I’m very disappointed in you.” He got up and left the room.
Alone, Anthony tried to think. When did everything become so complicated?
Brandon had never walked out on him before. Never.
# # #
Two days passed. Brandon never said another word to him. He left the room early in the morning and returned late at night. Every time Anthony tried to initiate a conversation, Brandon ignored him.
Brandon wasn’t his only problem. There was also Professor Vinci. He had decided to decline the summer job offer. Whatever the outcome of this war might be and whatever would happen in the future, he didn’t want to be a part of something so destructive.
“I’m disappointed to hear that,” Vinci said when he gave him his answer. “I expected great things from you. I guess I was wrong.” The tone of belittlement in the professor’s voice was hard to miss.
He waited for the professor to say more, but Vinci kept his head down and his attention on the papers on his desk. He wasn’t sure if Vinci wanted him to stay or go. After a minute of awkward silence, he decided he should leave. “Thank you for offering me the opportunity.”
The professor mumbled something without looking up.
When he reached the door, Vinci glanced up. “Don’t forget you signed the agreement, Mr. Ardley. Any breach of confidentiality will be a cause for imprisonment.”
Involuntarily, he tightened his grip on the doorknob. “I understand. Good day, Professor.”
# # #
Anthony left Vinci’s office and walked across campus back to his dorm. On the way, he passed by the university chancellor’s office building. Another CDA rally, this time led by Brandon and Gretchen. Brandon stood behind a podium and spoke to the crowd with Gretchen behind him.
He changed direction and went toward the rally. Did Brandon finally decide to step into Nate’s role himself?
“As you all know, Nate Sanders has deceived us, myself and Gretchen included.” Brandon spoke into the microphone before the crowd. Unlike their past rallies, the crowd here was silent and tense. Anger festered beneath the outward calm.
“But our cause is bigger than one man,” Brandon continued. “Our efforts cannot go to waste because of the actions of one Nate Sanders. We have to continue our work. We must make our voices heard.”
“Why should we believe you?” someone wearing an AFC pin shouted from the crowd. “You all talk a good fight but when your life’s on the line, you run like a scared chicken.”
The crowd grumbled in agreement. Brandon hunched his shoulders and gripped the edges of the top of the podium. Anthony walked closer. He wondered if he should get behind Brandon.
Brandon looked up and stared into the crowd, his eyes determined. “You can believe us because…” He took a deep breath. “You can believe us because I will go in his place. As of yesterday, I have voluntarily enlisted with the United States Navy. I’ll be reporting for duty in one week.”
The crowd buzzed as everybody began talking all at once. Anthony stood frozen, too stunned to react.
“To prove to you we are truly committed, I will take the first step to make our goals a reality. We believe wholeheartedly in our cause. I hope you will join me and continue the work we have started.” Gretchen stepped up next to him. “In my absence, Gretchen Moore will be the new CDA leader. I will send word to her whenever I can to let you all know what I am doing. She will keep me informed of the CDA’s efforts.”
Anthony watched the entire scene in disbelief.
“Even away, I will do everything I can to help,” Brandon said, his voice now firm and assured. “We will not stop until we defeat Hitler. We will stamp out fascism and keep the world safe.” When he walked away from the podium, the crowd broke into applause.
“Brandon! Brandon!” Anthony ran toward his friend.
Brandon and Gretchen stopped. They looked at him with cool and guarded eyes.
“What are you doing?” Anthony asked. “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to enlist for Nate. What about your parents? What will they think?”
Brandon responded with a smile of contempt. “My parents? Yeah, you just go on and think about your own self-interest with your small mind, Anthony.”
The words stung, but at the moment his concern for Brandon overrode his feelings. “Please, Brandon. Can’t you reconsider?”
The firm look on Brandon’s face softened. A glimpse of the old Brandon returned. “It’s too late. The Navy already accepted my application. There’s no turning back.” For a few brief seconds, it felt like they were back to their old selves again. “Goodbye, Anthony.”
With that, Brandon walked away. Gretchen took one look at Anthony, then she too followed Brandon. The crowd had dispersed. The yard in front of the chancellor’s building had become deserted.
Alone, Anthony remained, trying to come to terms with the truth that he had lost his friend.
That same night, Brandon left school. His personal belongings were gone and his half of the dorm room was now empty. Anthony sat by himself at his desk and tried to study, but all he could think about were the good times he and Brandon had spent together. Summer camps, birthday parties, swim team, high school graduation, college. How did so many years of friendship fall apart just like that?
But life went on. Summer had arrived again.
When the semester was finally over, he was more than relieved to pack up his things and go home. It had been a lousy school year. He disappointed Uncle Leon. He disappointed his best friend. He disappointed Professor Vinci. Professor Collins asked him to remind people about the dangers of war and he had done nothing about it. Everyone wanted him to take a side regarding the war and all he wanted was to not deal with it.
He never thought he would be so happy to start work with Uncle Leon and leave all this behind.
PART SIX
A Chicago Summer
Chapter 15
Summer again.
Tessa shed her school uniform the minute she came home and shoved it into the closet. The last day of school was over. She couldn’t be happier putting the St. Mary’s emblem and colors out of her sight for the next two months.
A full year had passed since she left England. The London bombing had finally stopped in March when Germany turned its attention eastward to Russia. For the time being, her parents were safe. She had hoped they would let her return home, but the U-boat attacks had gotten fierce and frequent and they didn’t want her to travel by sea. For the same reason, they couldn’t come visit her either.