by A M Russell
'I've never seen it before.' said Oliver bluntly, 'which means...'
'What?' I asked him.
'That they know what happened. That the conditioning didn't work on me. I wasn't given this information and then made to forget it. So I don't recognise it.'
'That means were in trouble big time doesn't it?'
'Yes.' He seems unfazed.
'Perhaps I can help?' Amber said, 'if we get through here there may be a chance to find the information; on the computer.'
'Davey?' I said.
'He's already got it.' said Oliver. There's everything on the hard drives you say.
'Not yet.' Said Amber, something is due to be uploaded at five o'clock today. It is a set of instructions. It recalls all the experiments. There is a place where this will issue from, but no one has access to there.'
'How do you know?'
'Because Mr Rimmington told me this before he killed me. He thought I was Janey still and was in pain. And that once her double was dead she would lose the capacity to remember any of that information. She is very clever though and has not tried to override her conditioning. She has added another layer on top the original. I helped her to do this. It isn't easy... the mind starts to fragment quite badly. She needed me to stabilise her mind so it could hold two conflicting sets of instructions at the same time.'
'Why tell us this?' Oliver said his hand on the door ready to pass through it.
'Because until now I did not remember myself; the initial impression is one personality. But then after ten to fifteen minutes the sequence reinitialises.'
'What does that mean?'
'It means Janey can access this body if she chooses. But she has to be near enough.'
'In this base?'
'No, in time frames. We are out of phase right now. She is too far away. And we have been compromised before. There is something fighting to get through. I cannot keep it out if I try to make the link with Janey here. It will know. It will find me.'
'What will?' I asked her.
'The monster.' She whispered and her voice was filled for the first time with fear.
*****
Seventeen
I had seen it before, and it troubled me deeply. Roman numerals, six digit numbers; things swimming in the well of darkness in that forgotten place. Trying to remember was making me feel sick. Oliver prodded me on the arm, ‘Ready?’ and I nodded, Amber straightened herself and likewise tipped her head and regarded him with a keen-eyed brightness. She was becoming more like Janey by the minute.
We entered the furthest lab; which was really a gigantic freezer. In here were rows and rows of study dark shelves. The light level was quite low and the effect was so much more like a place underground that any we had so far visited. We spread out and examined each row systematically. Oliver and I clicked on our torches and began a sweep.
It was really weird. Row after row of boxes on shelves; they were about the same size and shape as standard box files. The labels were neatly placed on the spine and on the front of the box. Lots of letters and numbers. Every so often there was a label on the shelf that changed. We went further in. a different series, this time prefixed by “III”. There were quite a lot of those files. But there were also some gaps. Oliver pointed his torch, ‘Look at that.’ I saw there was something on the shelf where a file had apparently been. It was small, and easily overlooked. A little slip of paper it first appeared.
‘Bag it?’ I asked him. But Oliver already had a pair of tweezers out.
We crowded round to see what the slip had on it. I held the torch in my hand steady. It was a plastic tag. And it had again those letters and numbers. But this time also a name.
I was still staring when Oliver spoke again. He pulled me down, dousing the light. We crouched in the semi dark. Oliver pressed the tag into my hand and flattened himself to the floor. We could just make out three sets of boots; a humming haze of warm light issued from a lantern one of the three carried. Amber caught hold of my wrist. Above the mask her eyes were worried. She pointed at my jacket. I slid the little piece of evidence into my left breast pocket through the side zip and slid the closure gently into place. Oliver tapped my knee. I got down and watched as three pairs of feet circle the open area near the doors. No one spoke. And the visitors didn’t seem disposed to move. I knew this game. The hunter waits for the prey to break cover. Or to get restless and think the danger had passed. Fortunately, we were all of a mind to wait it out. Unless their suits were extraordinarily well-made they would have to get out of these freezer soon. For the second time in a year I was amazed by the incredible marvel that I wore. The material reacted to the cold and became more insulating.
They were moving again. And still we did not speak. Oliver motioned with his hand for us to follow him and we began to slide along through rows and rows of shelves. Amber was following swiftly like a ghostly apparition. We crossed a wider aisle and then slipped between more rows of shelves marked with “II” and then “I”. Just beyond was another three sets of double doors, and through the windows at the tops we could see brighter light. Oliver pointed and held up three fingers with his right hand. We waited listening. Then he counted down silently. On the last we swiftly moved across the remaining space and with little fuss through the last doors.
We all pressed ourselves against the left wall. I looked back through the window. There was no movement. We stayed still for a moment, then opened and slid through into the next space.
Amber immediately pulled her hood back and loosened the com wires out of the mouth and ear piece. She seemed quite unaffected by the stinging coldness. I looked at the wrist viewer; eight degrees.
We went through the last door and moved quickly sideways into a warmer space that seemed neutral in colour and barely furnished with some office desks and chairs. There was a half open locker and something that looked like it might once have been a sandwich in a bowl in the middle of the table nearest to us.
Oliver and I both pulled our hoods back and switched off the com.
‘Shit! That was close.’
‘You think?’ said Oliver, in the process of pulling one glove off. He stopped and looked past my shoulder.
‘Now! Tut, tut, tut!’ said that same oily voice reminiscent of an old geography teacher I disliked at high school. Oliver raised both hands as I turned. Amber already had her hands up and behind her head.
There were eight men and Mr Rimmington. And the eight were pointing guns at us. Over kill I thought. But I put my hands up anyway, in a show of compliance. The eight surrounded us and we were herded rather messily through a maze of corridors to a panelled lounge with comfortable chairs and huge windows that let in the natural light of the outside daylight.
My Hands were locked in cuffs in front of me and I was made to sit down in one off the chairs. The other two were led to the opposite end of the room with the heavies, while Rimmington leaned over me grinning wildly.
‘You are becoming very predictable.’ He said, then promptly sat down on a chair opposite me and got out a cigarette. He offered me one but I shook my head. I must be about ten o’clock to judge by the light. Suddenly there was disturbance at another door and six more heavily armed men escorted a little party into the room.
There, looking sulky and in need of a serious attitude adjustment was Joe and just behind him was Hanson!
I had got used to being out smarted by others for one day. So what followed wasn’t quite as surprising as it might have been.
In another minute Janey and Lorraine were brought in, and then Davey and Marcia. She was at her indignant best; struggling quite unsuccessfully, perhaps just to make a point and distract them as much as possible. Janey was staring upwards. That was until Rimmington went over to her.
‘Well done.’ Was all he said, and one of the heavies released her from her cuffs. No one spoke, but the atmosphere changed subtly. I saw Joe look at her with disgust and then look away.
Rimmington quickly looked round as if doing a head
count, and then stood easily with the cigarette in hand. The next minute was tense, as we heard shouting and quite a scuffle from beyond in a corridor somewhere. As it came closer I could just make out a few words: “Experiment”, “Timed out” and “Archived”.
There was I think a collective indrawn breath when the next person entered, and Janey seemed quite rattled too. I was thinking why she was doing this….it had to be a trick to outsmart them… it just must. And I saw Amber with a rope round her neck like a noose held loosely in the hand of one of the men. There was Lorraine…. And THEN there was Lorraine. And it was impossible to tell which was which. Both looked indignant, both frightened. And both flushed with a rouge to the cheeks that I had only ever associated with a prolonged and steamy session in her boudoir. I tried to focus. Failed and then tuned in to what Rimmington was saying to the assembled group.
‘…. now we are all here. You may all sit down…’ at this they were all led to a place and pushed downwards. Only Janey remained standing. She glanced at me. Marcia saw the look and scowled. Perhaps she was playing along, and knew what was happening; then again perhaps not.
In the short silence that followed, I heard a clock ticking. It was over a mantel piece and said that the time was five to twelve. The face had roman numerals and I thought about that familiar thing at the back of my mind. Something old…. something I knew like the scent of roses, like the resin and the dust. I closed my eyes, listening. I pressed my mind to feel the presence in the room. To discern the people there… and then as if I was seeing for the first time I knew; what it was that Janey was doing. The deal was to let the others go. Rimmington was, like many others of his kind not interested in people for their own sake. He was practical and needed what he wanted then he could get rid of the evidence. But there’s the catch. A traveller could take an elaborate revenge on him. He had to get me to this place. I could feel it… an inhibiting field, to stop a jump from being made. I opened my eyes. Janey was now sat down, with papers spread out on a little table in front of her. Here Rimmington sat also. She pointed at something on the papers. He beckoned one of his men. They came with a case, about the size of a paperback novel. They gave it to Janey.
‘I will need proof.’ she said.
‘Of course.’ said Rimmington, he indicated that Marcia should be brought forward.
‘No,’ said Janey, ‘Not her.’ Janey knew, as well as any of us that Marcia was not a good test for the deprogramming. She had too much knowledge. It would be hard to say if it had worked or not.
‘Joe.’ said Janey.
Joe was prodded out of his seat. He seemed to be trembling with terror at this new development. Janey was super cool. I knew what kind of control she had. But this seemed superhuman. Joe was almost crying; ‘No…no.’ he appeared to be saying. He must think that they were going to shoot him. Janey stood. And then went to Joe. She put her hand on his shoulder. I noticed that she touched his neck with her fingers just for a moment. Then she leaned forward and whispered something.
His face changed, and he immediately seemed a lot calmer. But the thing she had done… a slight of hand, so swift. I hoped that no one had seen it but me; some transference of thought or intent to Joe. And there was the word spoken that would break the programming.
‘How do you feel?’ asked Janey.
‘I….’ Joe seemed startled, as if he was waking, ‘I don’t remember.’
‘That’s fine.’ said Janey, and turned to Davey, ‘Now you.’
‘That was not agreed.’ Rimmington said quickly.
‘I see,’ said Janey, ‘you expect a further demonstration?’
‘No, I expect you hand over the information now.’
‘No.’ said Janey.
I saw Marcia’s expression shift slightly. It was odd. It was really odd. Everyone else seemed surprised, as if they sensed that Janey’s allegiance was really with them. But Marcia didn’t seem to be taking it the same way. She edged closer to Janey. And I felt a prickle of something at the edge of my mind.
‘very well,’ said Rimmington calmly, ‘I will do as you wish. Then you keep your side of the deal. That is if your noble brother agrees to it.’
They all looked at me. And Rimmington nodded. The men moved quickly and unlocked everyone’s cuffs. Amber was still held by one of Rimmington’s men. ‘And what about this one?’
‘The copy?’ Rimmington seemed dismissive, ‘Who would like the copy? Only one careful owner?’
‘I will.’ I said.
‘Ah!’ Rimmington smiled widely like a shark, ‘I see that she is what you call…. a “dream come true”. And this would suit you. But the thing is that you are my prize Mr Arden. And the little Lady will have to get someone else to claim her.’
Amber looked quite neutral as they released her and pushed her into the middle of the room.
‘No? No one wants this fine specimen?’
I think they were all unsure whether any move at all would cost them their lives and remained still mainly looking downwards.
‘I’ll take her.’ said one of the women. It was Lorraine…. Or was it Lorraine? But the one who spoke seemed so cocky; so sure of herself; and there was a feral glint in the eyes that spoke of dark nights under a full moon, of naked dance, of blood and cruelty. She took the girl by the arm and made as if to lead her out.
‘Just a moment!’ said Rimmington sharply.
‘Yes of course.’ said this Lorraine.
One of the men ran a scanner over Amber; ‘Blank now.’ He said.
‘Just as well,’ the Lorraine character said, ‘I wouldn’t want to be spied on now would I? I hope this is the end of it. You know I’ll come back and do something else you don’t like; if it isn’t to my liking.’
‘Naturally.’ said Rimmington, and waved a hand. The two disappeared from the room. And then there were the remaining group in including Hanson and Lorraine herself. She seemed to be crying and looked at Oliver who just remained impassive and very still indeed. I remember that they hadn’t frisked us. And thought about how quickly we could get to the guns.
‘And now. Just one small matter to clean up.’
‘Yes.’ Janey straightened.
‘My dear,’ don’t be so innocent. ‘I know that you thought you could fool me. But it is obvious that you would try to double cross me should you ever be put in this…. impossible position.’
‘What position is that?’ I asked.
‘Mr Arden,’ said Rimmington, ‘your sister has made a deal for the life of you all and your friends in exchange for the information I require. I give you the deprogramming codes, and you give me; or rather your sister gives me the formula.’ And then you all go home.
‘Well….’ I began.
‘But,’ Rimmington interrupted, ‘here’s the thing. She has been messing around, and she thinks that she can do a little extra thing to my lovely computer system. But it really is naïve to consider yourselves that clever. You’re not you know!’
Two of the men stepped forwards and forcibly bent Janey’s head backwards. Everyone reacted. But no one dared move.
‘Easy now.’ That was Oliver.
‘Mr Reece is correct,’ Rimmington was amused, ‘easy does it. Now who will give me the correct formula; before I cut her pretty little throat?’
‘Shit! Oh Shit!’ Davey was saying.
‘Very good…’ he flicked a finger and one of the men held Davey rather firmly from behind.
They jerked him a couple of times and then he said quite clearly something that sounded mathematical and complicated. He looked sick.
‘Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?’ Rimmington waved his hand again and they were released.
‘And now you will leave. All of you.’
We started to move. ‘Except him.’ Rimmington pointed at me.
‘Very well.’ I said.
‘No!!’ Janey screeched, ‘that wasn’t in my deal. You’ve got what you need. Now let us go!’
‘You are free to leave,’ said Rimming
ton matter of factly, ‘but he stays.’
‘It’s okay.’ I said, ‘Just leave. It will be alright.’
‘No!’ Janey looked agonised.
‘Janey!’ I spoke quickly, ‘listen to me. The window is open. You must fly. Get the others to safety. Get them to the river. You can do it. Please… do it now. There’s still time.’
She saw my face. And then I knew. There was little time indeed. Mr Charles knew it too. Janey had set it to run. It was double cross on top of double cross. She saw the future and it was not bright. But I was confident that I could get myself out of this one without any bother.
Marcia didn’t seem as compliant to the situation. She was boiling with a furnace heat that seemed volcanic. And then the whole room turned to a frenzy, as Marcia leapt towards the others, and the guards moved suddenly too.
I saw the glint of a knife edge and someone pushed me to the ground. Davey.
‘Jared! Duck!’ he said. I dropped instantly onto my stomach as Marcia swung the knife round in an arc.
She leapt toward Janey. The blade pointing upwards, the aim would be a death blow. It was micro seconds. And I saw every single one of them.
Like a crack of thunder, a sound deafened me. My head was singing and I stayed low.
I turned my head and saw a spreading pool of blood. Everyone was shocked and barely moved for two seconds. Then everyone stood, as Oliver slowly lowered his arm to his side. Cool, impassive, and cold. There was the body. There she was; a dead horrible mess on the carpet. Rimmington staggered back. He looked at Oliver; who stared solidly back at him.
‘Take him. And come with me.’ Rimmington sounded as if he was choking. Janey stood holding her left arm, where blood dripped downwards.
‘Joe. Help her.’ said Oliver. Joe went to Janey, took her to one side and slinging down his pack, quickly got out the things for a swift bandage. Oliver did not move. He seemed like a great bear; a terrifying figure. The light level started to drop and a rumble of thunder was heard. Lights came on in the room automatically. Rimmington waved the men away from us all. He backed off. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Oliver would shoot the next person who didn’t comply with Janey’s instructions.