“Thanks.”
After she entered his office, he shut the door and sat down behind his desk. He was tall and slender, wore a white lab coat, and round-rimmed glasses. In spite of his gray hair, the glasses caused his Asian face to resemble someone right out of high school. “What can I help you with?”
“I have a couple of questions.”
Dr. Lee nodded. “Sure. What is it?”
“About these Sleeper Chips . . . what did you find out about the one that malfunctioned in the miner that committed suicide? I assume you did his autopsy?”
Dr. Lee cringed. “I did. That was a bit messy.”
“In what way?”
“When the chip shorted, that’s exactly what it did. The tissue around the implant was charred. Almost like a burst of hot energy burned his flesh.”
Boony shivered. “So was he conscious after that happened? No longer under its control, he’d have to be, right?”
“My guess would be . . . yes. After watching the video feed, and seeing him plummet into that deep pit, he was probably experiencing so much pain that he had no other choice but to kill himself.”
“Have any of the other defective chips caused these kinds of reactions?”
Dr. Lee shook his head. “No. We’ve not had many chips that have malfunctioned, but with the few that have, most of the prisoners are simply disoriented, stop working, and the guards notice them right away. With this man, there wasn’t any forewarning at all. No time to get him to the infirmary.”
“Any idea why these chips are malfunctioning?”
“From what the techs have told me, the chips somehow misread the directive signals from the CAM-Ls and this friction overheats the receptor, causing the chip to malfunction. None have ever heated so severely as to burn into the flesh though.”
Boony nodded. “Are you aware of the chip in the prisoner who stole the Percival 3000?”
Dr. Lee rolled his eyes slightly, thinking. He shook his head. “Nothing more than the report I read and what the two guards in the waiting room told me when I examined them.”
“I’m not certain I’d hold a lot of confidence in what either of those two guards might have told you.”
“Why not?”
“Their report indicated that one of them was in critical condition . . .”
Dr. Lee smiled. “One was unconscious when he arrived at the infirmary. It was several hours before he awakened.”
“But still . . . that’s not critical condition.”
“Yes. I understand your point.”
Boony sighed. “So Magnus Knight’s chip somehow deactivated, too?”
“Yes.”
“I’m curious about something. How did he keep the guards on the mining lines from realizing that?” she asked.
“I’m not certain. According to those two men, he kept working like the other miners, never showed any sign that his chip had malfunctioned, and even pretended to be under its control when they entered his cell.”
“What set him off?”
Dr. Lee shrugged. “According to them, when they tried to capture the ferret, that was when Magnus attacked them.”
“How serious are their injuries?”
“Not that bad, really. Bruised up, but nothing really serious. Why does this really interest you?”
Boony gave an even smile. “Since Magnus is one of the three that stole the shuttle, we’re trying to find out exactly what happened so we can accurately report it to Grayson. You know how a stickler he is for thorough details?”
Dr. Lee nodded. “Oh, yes. Very particular.”
“Well, the more we know about the thieves, the better Grayson can prepare for their arrival. One thing that might help Magnus is that he never killed either guard when he had every opportunity to do so.”
“That’s true, but if he’s ever brought back to the mines, he won’t live long.”
“And why’s that?” she asked.
“Those two guards will kill him.”
“I see.”
Dr. Lee nodded. “They’re not very forgiving, especially when it comes to their prisoners.”
“Even though he spared their lives?”
“Both are furious about what happened. I examined each of them, and each grumbled the entire time about how they’d like for Grayson to ship Magnus back here so they can make him pay. Can you blame them?”
“I’m certain more details will surface about what happened that night. However, I don’t think Magnus will ever return to Mars.”
“Why not?”
Boony shrugged. “It’s a feeling I have.”
“You could talk to Cain and Matt to get more information.”
“That’s not necessary. I needed the information about why the chips have been malfunctioning so I can try to understand the drastic differences between Magnus’ chip and the miner that killed himself.”
“Without a computer tech examining Magnus’ chip, we’ll never really know,” Dr. Lee said.
“I assumed as much, but I was hoping that maybe you could provide some speculation?”
“I’ve told you all that I know from the medical perspective. A computer technician would be more helpful, I’m sure.”
“Thanks. You’ve been very helpful,” Boony said, turning to leave. She paused at the door. “What’s your opinion on how one’s mental state will be after they are released from the Sleeper Chip’s control?”
“What do you mean?”
“Once the miners’ contracts end and they’re released, do you expect any of them to suffer from depression or become more aggressive? Anything like that.”
“There should be little change.”
Boony frowned. “So their minds being in limbo for years won’t affect their psychological state once they’re released?”
“It shouldn’t. Why would you expect it to?”
“You’re the doctor. That’s why I asked.”
Dr. Lee stood. “I suppose that what you’re suggesting is possible since the chips suppress their thought processes and quite possibly conflicts with the brain’s chemical uptake. So I guess that maybe it could. But no one rightly knows, and everyone’s body chemistry is different. No extensive research has ever been done. At least, none to my knowledge. The prisoners on Mars are the first to undergo such a long-term usage.”
“I know. That’s what makes me worry.”
“Worry about what, exactly?” he asked.
“If ever the CAM-L control devices stopped working and the guards lost control of the prisoners, we’re all screwed.”
Lee’s eyes widened slightly.
She smiled. “You understand what I’m hinting at. Those prisoners will take over, killing anyone that tries to stop them, including us. There’s no safe place for us to hide here.”
Lee looked toward the door as she opened it.
“Since you’re with security,” he said, “what suggestions do you have?”
“If I were you, I’d contact Grayson Enterprises and see how soon the newer chips will arrive. You might also see if you can find any recent publications that detail studies about these chips. The sooner, the better.”
He nodded.
Boony left the office and closed the door behind her. Mary glanced in her direction but quickly looked away, pretending to busy herself with papers on the desk.
Matt and Cain both looked Boony up and down with lustful glances. She rolled her eyes in passing.
“I so wish you were one of the prisoners,” Cain said.
Boony stopped midstride. “Why’s that?”
“Oh the things I’d make you do under the control of a CAM-L.”
Boony smirked. “That’d be the only way you could ever get near me since I’ve shot you down so many times before. Even chip controlled, I’m sure I’d reject you.”
Cain’s hands balled into fists.
Matt elbowed him. “Stop.”
She grinned. “No, let him. I dare him to come at me.”
Cain leaned forward
in his chair, but Matt grabbed his arm. “Don’t. Can’t you see her weapon?”
“I don’t need my weapon,” she replied.
Cain stared into Boony’s harsh gaze, read her anger, and eased back into his seat.
“That’s better,” she said. “I’d hate to give you any more bruises. Looks like you took a nasty beating already.”
She was at the door, turned her back to them, and grabbed the door lever.
“Best watch your back from here on,” Cain said in a low tone.
Boony didn’t reply or look back. She opened the door and exited.
Before the door closed, Matt whispered to Cain. “We don’t need any eyes on us from security. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Boony thought his statement was a bit odd. Since she didn’t have a lot of hobbies to occupy her extra time, she planned to keep an eye on these two guards for a few nights. While doing that, she could also research the events behind Magnus’ court case to see if she discovered any new information that might help clear his name. Even if she did, Grayson would, no doubt, file charges against Magnus for the theft of the shuttle, which could still put him in prison. However, from what she had learned about Grayson, Magnus would never see a prison should Grayson take him into custody.
She couldn’t imagine what type of punishment Magnus faced. Again she wished that she had left Mars with them, but she believed she had a better chance to help clear him of his charges by thorough research while he traveled through space. The more facts she gathered that proved Magnus was innocent, the more likely Jonas might actually help him, too. Jonas didn’t seem to like Grayson that much, and she got the feeling that Jonas was in a majority with that belief.
25
Cain shook his head at Matt. “Don’t ever put your hand on me.”
Surprised, Matt replied, “Really? You’re going to threaten me? Damn. Stop with your macho bullshit. The last thing we need is for her to take any interest in us. Besides, she works with Jonas. Hell, that alone is enough for you not …”
“I don’t give a fuck who she works for, Matt.” He rubbed his sore large knuckles.
“Well, you should.”
Cain laughed. “That old man? He should have stayed on Earth and retired. We don’t need him here, especially not for security.”
“Jonas is someone you’d best respect,” Matt said softly.
“Oh? And why’s that?”
“The majority of the guards hold the man in the highest respect. We’d be taken into custody before we ever get a chance to do anything.”
“Phht.” Cain shook his head.
“Don’t ruin this for us. We have a great thing going, and the last thing we need is for Jonas or that Asian chick to find out.”
“She’s more talk than she is fight.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“You saw how tiny she is. Hell, she’s no match for either of us. She’s only brave because she thinks she can hide behind Jonas.”
Matt sighed. “She’s a lot tougher than you might think. You didn’t see her apprehend the two drunk guards at The Vortex a couple of weeks back?”
“No.”
“Ah, that’s right. You were with Jessie that night, right?”
“Yep. She kept me more entertained than anything we could do at The Vortex.”
“I understand. I was with her the next evening, which is why I’m telling you not to ruin what we’ve got going.”
Cain nodded. “You’re right. Not too many female prisoners here that are chipped to be under a CAM-L’s control.”
“Precisely why we need to keep a low profile.”
“Gotcha.”
The door behind Dr. Lee’s desk opened. He turned with a start. A short, older Asian woman entered the room. She was five feet tall but her fierce eyes were enough to send chills down his back. She crossed her arms and frowned at him.
“Ah, Dr. Sheung,” he said.
“What did she want?”
“Boony?”
“Yes.”
Lee turned around in his swivel chair and faced Dr. Sheung. “She was asking questions about the Sleeper Chips.”
“Why is she interested in those?”
“She wanted to know why they’re malfunctioning.”
“That’s all? Did she ask anything else about the chips?”
Dr. Lee shook his head. “No. Nothing else. Why?”
She glanced toward the other door. “I don’t trust her or Jonas.”
“Her intent seemed sincere.”
“Perhaps. But she does work for Jonas.”
“So?”
“He marches around like he’s royalty, and he’s always poking his nose into everyone’s business.”
Dr. Lee offered a gentle smile. “It’s his job to know what is happening inside Olympus Mons. He’s the chief of security. As long as people aren’t participating in shady activities, no one has anything to fear. Right?”
Her eyes darkened and her jaw tightened. Her glare made him flinch and look away. “If she comes back, you tell her nothing.”
Lee nodded and refused to make any further eye contact.
She grabbed the door handle behind her without looking, pulled it open, and exited his office. When the door closed, he took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. She had always made him feel uneasy, but he never quite understood why. Yet, he’d never felt terrified of her or what she might be capable of doing. Until now, he had never suspected she might have a secret agenda that he wasn’t aware of. Suddenly, he didn’t like sitting with his back to her door.
Night shift wasn’t always the quietest time to watch the camera monitors because a lot of the off duty guards and techs visited The Vortex. With a bit of quick research, Boony found which rooms belonged to Cain and Matt. They were in the C-corridor and their rooms were only three doors apart. She also discovered the tracer identity codes for their radio transmitters, so she could keep track of where they were during the night when they were off duty. Something about the pair didn’t set right for her.
Matt was in The Vortex, but she thought it odd that Cain was not. They seemed like close friends that seldom did anything without the other one tagging along.
Typing in Cain’s code, the computer scanned the floor maps until it pinpointed his exact location. He wasn’t even in the C-corridor. Instead, he was in the prisoner bunkers not far from one of the mining pits.
“Strange . . .” she said, zeroing in on his coordinates. “Jessica Hall’s room?”
She requested prison record information from the computer. The woman’s mug shots surfaced on the screen. Other than the weird tattoo on the woman’s neck, Jessica was an attractive woman.
“In prison for . . . murdering husband and his lover? Hmm, that doesn’t seem to be a bad enough crime for her to be sent to Mars,” Boony whispered.
Then she continued reading. The husband’s lover was a female judge and he was the bailiff. A bit more intriguing, but still not reasons she believed someone should be sent to Mars to finish out their prison sentence. But no more evidence came up. The rest of her records were sealed.
Jessica was a prisoner assigned to work in the greenhouse.
“Better than the mines, I suppose.”
Boony connected to the corridor camera closest to Jessica’s room. She could see the door, but she didn’t have any idea what might be happening on the other side of it. But that was where he was, according to the tracer chip on his transmitter.
She was ready to abandon her spying routine for the evening, but another idea dawned upon her. Most of the guards were equipped with body cameras. Since the Sleeper Chips controlled the prisoners, seldom did any higher-ups request to view what the guard cameras recorded.
Boony was interested in knowing what Cain was doing inside the female prisoner’s room. Knowing Cain’s lewdness, it didn’t take much imagination to guess what his inappropriate behavior might be. Matt’s statement earlier in the doctor�
�s office led her to suspect these two held secrets that they didn’t want any others to discover, especially not her or Jonas.
Boony searched through Cain’s files, trying to find a way to connect to his camera, but she didn’t have the clearance level to unlock the code and watch.
“Damn,” she whispered.
Jonas entered the security office.
Boony glanced over her shoulder at him. He offered a worried smile.
“Any news about Derek?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’m putting together a search team. What are you working on, Boony?”
She sighed and turned in her chair to face him. “When I talked to Dr. Lee earlier today, I had a run-in with the two guards that Magnus had incapacitated.”
Jonas grinned. “A run-in? They were hostile toward you?”
“Cain was overly gender rude.”
“I don’t follow.”
Boony explained the insinuation that Cain had given and what Matt had said after she left the office.
“I can see how that’s more than disturbing. I hope you got his attention.”
“I did, but I think he’s up to no good.”
Jonas frowned. “Meaning?”
“Okay, I did some snooping and got Cain’s and Matt’s tracer codes to track their positions this evening. Matt is in the Vortex. Cain’s nowhere near.”
“Where is Cain?”
“I’ve tracked his position to a female inmate’s room.”
“What? Why would he be in there?” His eyes narrowed as he apparently had drawn the same conclusion.
Boony nodded. “That’s the first question that popped into my mind as well. The only problem I have is that I don’t have access to view through his body camera.”
Jonas walked over to her desk. “Here. Allow me.”
She slid the roller chair to the side. He typed in his security pass code and the information page popped up.
“There you go. Let’s see what’s going on,” he said.
Boony slid the chair back over and highlighted the camera icon associated with Cain’s badge I.D.
The camera footage immediately came into play on a small inset of the computer screen. Boony right clicked and zoomed in on the camera, bringing it to full screen.
ESCAPE FROM MARS Page 16