So it surprised him when the door slid open and Winborn entered. He’d yet to see him walking, only seeing him up until now through the small viewing window of his cell. The man was shorter than he’d imagined. Max wondered whether he’d be able to tackle him and make a break for the exit and he thought that yes, he probably would. The door slid shut and so he put that thought on hold.
“I’m sorry for all the tests you’ve had today. I hope it’s not been too stressful for you,” Winborn said. Even his voice sounded different in person, a different timbre to it.
“You lot can’t stop prodding me,” Max replied. So far today, he’d been subjected to an x-ray and blood tests. No one had come back to him and told him what they thought might be wrong with him, nor whether there was any chance of him being contagious.
“You’ve got to understand that we’ve been on high alert since the event. Department 5 are worried and we’re their best resource to investigate this kind of incident.”
“What about MI18?”
“From what I understand, there’s no comparison. MI18 is being shelved and any surviving personal are being reallocated or decommissioned.”
Decommissioned. Is that what they were going to do with Linwood?
“Your people haven’t told me anything. They won’t tell me what they’re looking for in their blood tests.”
“I told you earlier that there’s some concern about your close contact with Irulal.”
“But lots of people have been in close contact with Irulal. I don’t believe you’ve got any more people locked up.”
Winborn walked with his hands clasped behind his back, looking like a lecturer about to give a speech. He took out a device from his pocket—about the same size as a USB pen—and clicked a button. The red light on the camera in the corner went out and Winborn pocketed the device. “There, we can talk in private.”
Max didn’t want to speak. He hated not knowing what was going on and Winborn’s actions, far from putting his mind at ease, were increasing his tension.
“Why have you done that?” Max asked.
Winborn’s eyes bored into him. “I want to know more about you.”
“I don’t understand.”
Winborn sighed. “You are contaminated with the silver.”
“What’s the silver?”
Winborn’s eyes rolled. “Please, don’t take me for a fool. You don’t want to test my patience. This silver is part of the Shun nanite collective. Dominic Thadeus infected you when you first met him.”
“How can you know that? There was only me and Cindy there when that happened.”
But Winborn ignored him and continued. “The silver is dangerous. It should be. It’s meant to be. Only Thadeus had the means to distribute it and he chose poorly with you. But then, he didn’t know that you would already have been affected by living so closely with the Cindy agent for so many years. That did stuff to your body. Or rather, to the nanites that were already in your body. You seem to have built up some kind of resistance and aren't able to be controlled the same way that Thadeus was.”
Max had been instinctively edging away from Winborn and only now, as the back of his legs bumped into the low table did he realise he’d been doing so. There was something unpleasantly familiar with the way in which Winborn was speaking.
Irulal.
“I killed you,” Max whispered.
Winborn looked blankly at him, then slowly shook his head. “No. I’m not Irulal.” He chuckled then came over to the couch and sat down.
“If you’re not Irulal, how come you know so much about what happened to me? Thadeus and Cindy are dead. And I never told anyone what Thadeus did to me.”
“You’re missing one piece of the puzzle then, Max. I thought you were smart but it might be you need more time to work it out. In the meantime, look into my eyes and tell me you know nothing of this.”
Max frowned and then he looked and saw the silver flash over the man’s eyes. “You’re infected too. What if I were to tell the others?”
“I’d have to kill you. And then anyone you told. It would be unfortunate because my men are largely innocent in all of this. They do what I tell them. They’ve got families to go back home to. You don’t want to be responsible for what I’d have to do.”
Winborn gestured that Max should take a seat opposite him on the other couch. Hesitantly, Max sat, never taking his eyes from his host.
“What happened to you? Who infected you?” Max asked.
“Something was left at the Lovell Telescope. It chose me.”
“So you are Irulal.”
“Irulal was part of the Shun. The Shun are a connected species, formed most of the time by nanites alone. Occasionally, as needs must, they infect a living host with nanites and take control of that person. With the schism, they hoped to take over the nanites that had already been distributed through the population by Irulal. They’re an endlessly inventive species.”
“You talk about them like they’re not you.”
Winborn paused. “I can hear them. The silver has done something to my mind. Connecting me to their communications network. They call it the Harmony.”
“You’re eavesdropping on their conversations?”
“If you like.”
“But you’re not Shun?”
Winborn shook his head. “I’m not ever going to let that happen. I’m not sure there’s anything I can do about removing the silver from my body but whilst it’s there, I figure I can be of most use by listening, and learning whatever I can about them.”
A communications network. This was how Thadeus was able to control the others in MI18. He’d infect them with the silver, and that would give them a connection over what did Winborn call it—the Harmony network.
“That doesn’t explain why Thadeus was never able to control me, or destroy me, or why I can’t hear this Harmony.”
“And that’s why I have you in here. I want to learn more about you, Max. I want to understand why you can be infected with the silver and yet show no side-effects or discomfort.”
“I don’t know about discomfort. It hurt pretty bad when Thadeus first infected me. It didn’t like being prodded.”
Max wondered how much he should say. Winborn had been honest with him to a point, but he was sure that the complete truth hadn’t been revealed. If Winborn had been infected with the silver and could hear the Shun, he couldn’t be trusted. He should be in quarantine himself, not running the TALOS Institute.
“Surely, there’s a conflict of interests here. I’m not sure Department 5 would be pleased to hear you’ve been keeping your contagion a secret from them. How can anyone trust you?”
His features darkened. “How can anyone trust anyone anymore? We’re all infected with Shun nanites. Some of us may have been infected with a higher concentration than others, and some of us may be able to hear the Shun, but that could all change tomorrow. We barely understand how the Shun operate. We’ve only got your testimony about Irulal’s actual motives. What if we find out tomorrow that Irulal’s plan actually succeeded? What if the Shun are able to open a second dimensional schism and finish what Irulal started? Who could we trust in that situation? In short, I’m suggesting that it’s not in your interests to reveal my condition to anyone.”
Max didn’t know he could keep that quiet. If Linwood crossed that threshold tomorrow, he would tell her everything he knew. How could he not?
“Why are you telling me this? You could have just kept quiet and I’d never have known.”
Winborn patted his leg absently, tapping out a rhythm. “You are the only one here that might understand. If we’re going to save the human race, we might be the best option.”
“How do we do that?”
“I want to cultivate the silver. Develop our own strain of nanites that can tap into our communications network.”
“You want to control people.”
“I want to save people from needless fighting and waste. Just think what a coordinate
d British Empire could achieve.”
“There is no British Empire,” Max replied, his heart sinking.
“But there could be. With us at the heart of it, reaching out and encouraging action that’s in this country’s best interest. I can be at the centre. We won’t have to face any threats like the Shun again. We’ll be unstoppable.”
Winborn’s phone beeped and he checked the display for messages. “Right, got to go. Conference with the directors in five minutes. I’ll come back and see you in the morning. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we’re going to have a lot more to get through.”
And with that, he fetched his remote and turned the security devices back on, then got up and left the room. In the open doorway, he hesitated, turned to look at Max and said, “We’ll be unstoppable, Max.” Then he left and the door slid closed behind him.
29
3rd June 2013
Erik was the last to arrive again. The Diogenes Club hated members rushing around the club’s halls. Erik tried not to check his watch as he forced himself to slow down. It was an impossible task as his chest was trying to contain his rapidly beating heart, and he was charged with nervous excitement.
“You're late,” the scientist said as soon as Erik opened the door and stepped into the room. It was warm. The fire was lit in the grate and crackled with energy. “We're living in one of the most modern cities in the twenty-first century and you're not able to make it to a meeting on time. What's your excuse? Tube delayed? Stopped off for a chat with the local barbers again?”
Erik ignored the sarcasm and addressed the Colonel. The man had aged considerably since he’d last seen him. Was it a side-effect of the travel or just a sign of his increasing displeasure with the youngest of the group? “Sir, we need to go to TALOS. There's a problem.”
“What kind of problem?” the Colonel responded, looking up. His eyes were heavy and his brow furrowed.
“I don't trust Trenton Winborn. His last update was intended to deceive us. We've yet to see any progress with Project Lantern and I understand he's still holding Max Harding in quarantine. If we're not careful, he will alienate the entire security services and Toby Kingston will send his own people in to monitor the situation.”
“Kingston already has his own people inside. They're called Department 5,” the scientist said.
“Thanks for the contribution. Helpful as ever.”
“Hey, I'm not the one who's been over-sharing with people outside the mission.”
The tips of Erik's ears tingled. “What do you mean by that?” Erik glared at the scientist and for a second or two, it seemed that the scientist might have something more to say, but whatever it was, he kept it to himself.
The Colonel was looking into the fire. Had he even heard what he’d said? “Sir, we can't trust Winborn. He's running rings around us and we can't allow it. We need to nip it in the bud. Send someone in.”
Finally, the Colonel spoke. “Do you have anybody in mind?”
“I've engaged an agent,” Erik replied.
The scientist laughed. “An agent, indeed. You're proving yourself quite industrious. I've high hopes you'll go a long way.”
Erik didn't care what either of them believed. From where he was standing, he had the most to lose in this mission and if that meant he had to occasionally take matters into his own hands without consulting the others, then so be it.
“My agent is efficient and knows how to handle himself. He’ll do a good job.”
The scientist leant in. “And what have you told him about us?”
“Nothing.”
“And that's how it must stay. For his sake as much as ours,” the Colonel said firmly. “There's too much at stake to mess around behind our backs like this Erik. Do it again and I'll make sure this mission never ends for you.”
30
3rd June 2013
After three hours in the car, the last twenty minutes of which she’d spent arguing with the satnav over her reluctance to drive across dirt tracks at the edge of fields, Linwood finally arrived at the TALOS Institute. She drove up to the barrier at the main entrance and waited for the security guard to leave his booth. As he stepped up to her car window, she wound it down and flashed her best smile.
The guard scratched the side of his head as he input information on his tablet. He was balding, wore spectacles, and had the no-nonsense manner of a perfect piece of officialness. Linwood prepared herself for the worst.
“Can I help?” he asked, peering up at her once whilst still tapping away on his tablet.
“I’ve got an appointment with Controller Winborn,” she replied, passing him her security service identification. The man barely glanced at the ID.
“Controller Winborn doesn’t have any appointments scheduled.” And all without checking his tablet.
Of course, Linwood hadn’t booked an appointment. She was hoping to catch him off the hoof.
“What I meant to say was that I had an appointment with Controller Winborn next month, but because of the Jodrell Bank Incident, I thought it prudent to come and see him today. It’s urgent.”
The guard, his name badge identified him only as Lambert, didn’t bat an eyelid.
“You’ll need to rebook your appointment then, I’m afraid. There’s nothing I can do.
Linwood pressed on. She switched off her ignition and hurriedly stepped out of the car. She was acutely aware of the security cameras focused on her.
Lambert, despite being several inches shorter, somehow looked down on this impertinent guest with the full blown arrogance of security guards everywhere. “Get back in your vehicle,” he said in a bored tone.
“Listen, it’s vitally important I speak to Controller Winborn at once. He’ll speak to me.”
“If you’re not on the list, I can’t let you into the complex.”
Linwood resisted the urge to grab the man’s tablet and smack him around the head with it. Instead, she said. “Get in touch with him. Tell him it’s about Operation Snowflake.”
Lambert paused. Whether it was a term he’d heard before that caused him to hesitate or whether it was just Linwood’s imperious tone that did it, the result was the same. She’d got his attention.
“Get back in the car. Pull over to a visitor parking spot and wait until I come over to you.” He gestured to his left where a choice of parking bays was next to the security booth. She nodded and did as she’d been asked. Now, if only Winborn would fall for the bait without getting in touch with her superiors. They’d put the kibosh on this immediately.
Once in the parking bay, she sat and waited for the guard to come back to her. There was every chance he’d demand she leave the premises, anyway. In which case, she’d have to find another way to get inside.
Two minutes later the guard approached. He had the resigned look on his face of a man who’d failed to get his own way.
“Back up to the main entrance, then go through the gates. Turn left into the main visitors’ car park. You’ll see signs for reception there.”
She nodded a thank you, that she didn’t mean in the slightest, and did as he instructed.
The main building looked more intimidating this close up. The steel and concrete walls with its tiny windows made her think more of a secure installation like a prison than a research facility.
Once in the reception, she was met by a young woman with shoulder-length hair, loose about her shoulders. A well-polished makeup gave her the aspect of an air stewardess. The waiting area was clinical and modern. Low-backed leather chairs and low tables made her feel she’d stumbled into an airport executive lounge. Linwood sniffed and the receptionist must have noticed the look on her face. “The air is run through the facility’s filtration system. All air goes through three filters before being released into the conditioning system.” She spoke about it like one might exude about a favourite child that had done particularly well in school. “It helps us all stay young and healthy.”
Linwood smiled wanly, not wanting to dispel any hop
es the young woman might have about living longer due to the air-conditioning. “I’m sure it all helps.”
The receptionist returned the smile. Linwood noticed it never reached higher than her nose job.
And then the man himself arrived. A swish of automatic doors at the far end of the room and he strode in, a Nehru suit with mandarin collar, horn-rimmed spectacles, thinning hair, almost completely gone. But he was smiling as he approached.
“Alice,” he said, concern in his tone, “What’s the matter? Why the unscheduled visit?”
Linwood extended a hand, but Winborn ignored it. “Excuse me, but I think I’m coming down with something. Wouldn’t want you to catch it.”
She retracted her arm. “I’m sorry for the surprise visit, but I’ve been meaning to talk to you after our chat at Jodrell Bank. I don’t think we got off on the right foot and with all that’s going on, I didn’t want to leave any issues between us.”
He seemed to brighten at that and Linwood knew she’d done the right thing adopting the servile facade. “It’s fine. I guess we were both having a stressful morning. I’m sorry that you felt the need to come all this way to see me. You needn’t have. I never bear any grudges.”
She tried to smile, but it came out somewhat half-baked. “There was something else, though. Is there somewhere we can talk?” Linwood was thinking of the receptionist sitting there, earwigging on her every word, but also she needed to get beyond the safety of the waiting room if she was to get anything useful out of Winborn.
He nodded amicably and led her through the doors he’d entered by. “I hear you’re back at Thames House.”
“It seemed to be the best option.”
He flashed her a quizzical look, but she pretended not to notice, staring instead at the paintings hung along the main corridor.
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