“Yes, that was tragic. I understand she didn’t want Beneizen’s help. I accept that. I was distraught for a while, but I’m back, ready to carry on. Anyway, enough of this morbid talk; I have asked our newest member of the secret EOJ council to join us. The President assigned him to the council even though he’s a Russian General, who is also a scientist of some repute in his own country with a military background not dissimilar to your own; anyway I have asked him here to meet you and to discuss a few upcoming projects. “Ah, here he is now,” Charles says.
Ivan Kolinski walked toward them between the various tables. His imposing frame and startling features caught a number of onlookers attention. Sam stood immediately and held out his hand and shook Ivan’s.
“You must be Sam Nichols. I have been great admirer your work,” Ivan opens.
“I’m afraid I know nothing about you,” Sam says. “I hope change that very soon, like you I work with death. I grow death,” says Ivan.
Ivan sat down, took out a small vial of liquid, and set it down in the middle of the table. "This vial of bluish liquid could kill entire inhabitancy of Manhattan, all I would need is pouring into Central Park reservoir and we lower population of America by at least 1%. You still like Manhattan, Charles? I am only joking, but it is joyful to me to have such power in my pocket. Don't you think so Sam? You have such power at your disposal.” Ivan says as he puts the vial back in his pocket.
“Why would you bring something like that here?” Sam asks.
“It relaxes me and I just wish to make point,” Ivan says.
“And what point would that be? Sam asks.
“Ah! I can’t remember; I have senior moment,” making a joke out of what had happened, but looking menacingly at Sam.
There is a pregnant pause before Charles said, “I’ve asked both of you here to discuss a few things not to see you both display your testosterone. One of our Guards, Chase Stern is not accepting his programming. He was ordered to assassinate a target and failed the mission.”
“That’s impossible,” Sam says, even though he realized that Beneizen had already interfered and was bringing Chase into a state of self-awareness.
“It may be impossible, but it happened,” Charles responds. “He’s resisting, and succeeding in his resistance. My understanding is that resisting is giving him headaches. The New York office informed me that he thinks that he has amnesia, and even more bizarre he seems to be becoming aware of himself we have a machine that is trying to become conscious.”
Sam sat back in his chair saying, “I’ll take care of it; I’ll have the New York Team bring him in for an examination.”
“His assignment was to kill his partner, Juan Martinez; an assassin that resists killing is useless!” Charles says.
“I understand” Sam responds.
“Do you? Anyway, I know you will take care of it. Up to now Chase was the best operative we’ve ever had. I don’t want to lose him, I want to fix him. He's different; he's not like the rest of the Kamikaze androids that Beneizen created, maybe too different. Anyway this is ruining my dinner. By the way Ivan, why do you have that vial with you?”
Ivan took the vial out of his pocket again, “Here catch!" Ivan throws the vial to Charles who dives for it just grabbing it with the tips of his fingers. Ivan never laughs but a smile spread across his face. "Ivan you're nuts, what if I dropped this?" Charles asks.
"Nothing, nothing would happen! It great stuff, very stable, I found in Africa. When I put virus under electron microscope saw completely new virus - was beautiful. Not just new strain or type of virus but new! Now, imagine wartime potential for virus like this. I believe was gift from God to me! I spent lots of time trying finding host of virus, lots of time in stinking jungle. I finally found how they got virus - the water, but water not stagnant, was clear-running mountain water; lives in any kind of water. Not care if hot or cold. Not break down easily and live in water long time, even with chlorine. You understand?" "Yes Ivan, but why are you telling me this. I already know all of this,” says Charles.
“I knew nothing of this project?” Sam said.
“Very true, you didn’t need to know; I’m in charge Sam, and have the big picture,” Charles replies and Sam is obviously very upset. “Calm down Sam, you don’t know about everything going on at EOJ.” Charles says.
“And why is that? I started EOJ, remember Eagles of Justice with Beneizen, "Sam retorts.
“Yes and our country is truly grateful for the self- sacrificing contribution of you and Beneizen, but the world is changing and the directives are changing to express the times,” replied Charles.
“What new directives?” Sam asks.
Charles finishes his second peach cobbler, puts down his spoon and re-lights his cigar. He looks at Sam and says, “The purpose of this dinner was to bring both of you up to speed. Why don’t you just take this all in and you and I can have a little meeting about it later. You have been doing genetic research on very important projects Sam. I have not wanted to disturb you. I believe you could have saved my wife Doris’s life, but you didn't and I'll never forgive you for that but on the other hand I understand she wouldn’t take your help and let herself die. She's dead but many others will benefit from your genius, so I’ve kept you out of the loop on other issues. Right now you’re here to get updated.”
Charles turns to Ivan, saying, "Now listen Ivan, I know you're fond of your little viruses and I'm sure they're very important, they may even be the next atomic bomb but right now I’m very concerned about this whole Chase affair, what if he should remember?” he says, looking at Sam
“He can’t remember. His memory has been erased,” Sam says.
“I see; good, but still, what if he does? His behavior is most unbecoming a Guard.” Charles says. “I will send a team to fetch him,” Sam says.
“So you will, I want Chase fixed, repaired, do you understand?”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it,” Sam answers.
“Good,” Charles smiles and takes a giant puff on his cigar.
“Anyway I must be off, nice to meet you Ivan,” says Sam.
“Me also!” Ivan says.
The three men get up quickly, shake hands and Sam leaves lost in thought.
“Do you think he’ll say anything?” asks Ivan. “No, he’s a moody beast, but loyal and besides what is there to say?” Charles returns.
Ivan took the vial out of his breast pocket and looked at it. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small case and put the vial in it. Reaching into another pocket he takes out a pen points it at the waiter, turned the top of the pen and a small needle flew through the air and into the waiter’s neck. The waiter didn't even flinch.
Charles watched in amusement and asked, "So, what did you give him?"
"Just new strain of measles - very nasty, not deadly!" Ivan smiled.
"I am very concerned about your games and sense of fun; I'm beginning to think you have a vicious streak," says Charles.
"Great compliment, thank you Charles, I didn't join military to kiss babies, now did I? This new form of measles and I want to infect several people and see what happens. I want see how it spreads. We have tested on enough mice. The dart also injected a small tracker. We're able to follow his misery and what doctor does."
"But what if it spreads and our kids get it?" Charles spoke angrily.
"It's possible, but it only measles. When are we having next EOJ meeting?” Ivan asked.
"I don't know, probably next week. We have several new cases that have been turned over to us. You know Ivan you have done a terrific job, but I'm troubled. I mean I'm really troubled," said Charles. Ivan looked hard at Charles and noticed that he really was particularly high strung tonight. His face was ruddy red and blue and his hands were shaking. "What really up? Ivan asks abruptly.
"They want us to reduce the population," Charles spoke quietly.
"So?" Ivan spoke bluntly without emotion.
"The population of the United State
s… a team of scientists has determined that at our rate of population growth, by the year 2060 there will be mass starvation even in the United States. We’re already seeing signs of that. Some of the committee also wants to reduce Mexico by 50%, but the word we have to be aware of now is that they want to reduce the population here, by 25%. They say a controlled plague is the best way to solve this problem." Anyway, they have given the problem to us,” says Charles.
"Very difficult, try control a plague, very dangerous," Ivan retorted.
"I don't know Ivan, you’re ‘Mr. Virus,’ you're the expert. They want you to take out Manhattan, or part of it. They hate New York. The religious right has gotten into power and they hate the cities, they call them ‘centers of sin.’" said Charles sadly.
Ivan smiled "This is joke; it good act Charles." "It's not an act Ivan, why do you think my hands are shaking?" Charles puffed on his cigar and stared into space. "I don't know what’s going through these people’s heads.”
“Who is order coming from?" Ivan asks.
"It comes from the top," Charles replied. “They insist the famine problem is real. Food is going to become more and more scarce and expensive. World population is out of control and EOJ exists to deal with these problems."
Ivan thought for a moment and then signaled the waiter who quickly came over and said, "Waiter, could you please bring double vodka on the rocks?" Ivan said as he sat forward and looked at Charles. The waiter asked, Is this Russian Vodka?
“Yes sir,” the waiter replied, then promptly sneezed. Charles practically jumped out of his chair.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry," the waiter said.
Ivan looked at the waiter, his chiseled features grimacing. "I think you're coming down with something," Ivan chuckles.
Chapter 9 Chase awakened again to screaming pain in his head. His whole body felt like it had a fever, but he managed to get himself out of bed, into the shower and into clean clothes. He was still feverish, headachy, and dizzy but after a morning cup of coffee, a few large glasses of water with lemon, and a Dr. Boner’s protein shake he was feeling much better. While eating his breakfast and looking at the aquarium the large lionfish in the tank looked at him and said, “You’re not who you think you are?” And then he asked the fish, “Then who am I?” The fish looked back at him and said, "I know who you are." Chase smiling asked, "and who is that?” "Now wouldn't you like to know, if you bring me a big goldfish I'll grant you the answer to three questions about yourself.”
Suddenly he came to his senses, realizing he had been hallucinating. “I must be sicker than I thought, but I have to get to the precinct, my job depends on it,” thought Chase.
Chase was very late. Lieutenant Bryan waved him and Juan immediately into his office, saying, "Chase, you're pushing it. You're very late again, I'm angry!” Bryan was already working himself into a hysterical temper tantrum, which he actually enjoyed. Bryan was an Irishman, close cropped hair and a heavily pock-marked face. He covered up a lot of the scarring with a moustache and 1970’s sideburns. There was nothing else Juan or Chase could do, so they sat down and watched the show. The important thing was to say nothing, keeping quiet gave no fuel to his fire which made him angrier.
"Chase, what’s the matter with you, you have a screw loose? What were you doing last night? Don't open your mouth Juan. Why did he do it?” Juan tried vainly to say something, but Bryan continued, “Chase am I not good to you? I trained you; I've treated you like my own son. You've created great problems for me. I’m not sure I can bury this one. Anyway as of right now you’re on leave, suspended, until I look into this more thoroughly." Bryan saw that Chase was sweating. “Chase are you alright, you don’t look so good?”
“I’ve picked up flu or something,” Chase replied and continued, “I know this doesn't mean much, but I’m very sorry, I don’t know what happened out there.” “See Susan, she’s the shrink, it’s her job to figure out what happened to you and fix it,” Bryan says. “I’m on my way there right now,” Chase replies. “Good!” Bryan replies.
“You look worried,” Chase replies.
“You’ve got to be kidding. You drive over a perp, then shoot him and almost kill your partner, and you’re one of my best cops.”
"How do you know I'm a good cop, I mean how do you know?” Chase asks.
Bryan looks scared, "Because you’ve solved a lot of cases in the past."
"I don't remember any of them," Chase replies. "You’re a real case Chase, you don't remember because you have amnesia - what's so difficult about accepting that condition? I can’t afford you on the team until we’ve sorted this out. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Frankly, I think you’ll be lucky to wind up giving out parking tickets,” Bryan says.
“I’ve only been here a few months, how can I be one of your best cops?” Chase asks.
“Get out my office, you’re displeasing me greatly,” Bryan says.
Chase and Juan leave the office, but Chase turns back and notices that Bryan is already on the phone talking animatedly to someone. They walk past all the tables, desks and staring eyes and down the hall before Juan says, "You’re really messed up Chase!"
“Why is Bryan scared?” Chase asks.
Juan ignores the question. “I’m going over to the hospital to see Willie the Putz. I’m on damage control again man, cleaning up your crap. I’ll tell you one thing Chase; you ever point a gun at me again. I’m going to kill you, you hear me, I’m going to kill you, you piece of garbage,” Juan walks away.
"Maybe I was supposed to kill you. Maybe I just resisted the ‘directive.’ I hear voices Juan and I remember one of them saying, kill Juan! Somehow I'm playing a role. I'm not this identity. I'm just playing this role but I'm not going to hurt you Juan and I’m coming with you to see Willie,” Chase said as he followed Juan down the hallway very disturbed. They take a cab to Belleview and were given the red carpet to Willie's room. They’d given him a suite. “I love the justice system,” Juan says to Chase as they walked into the room and Willie greeted Chase like a long lost friend, saying, "Chase, man like I'm sorry I made you so angry. I’se really tryin’ to reform myself in prison, but I understand, man, why you’se did it. I mean I deserved it, man. You were really spectacular out there. You were like Rambo, man, you’se the power!"
Willie was strange but he continues, "Chase, you shouldn't have shot me. That wasn't right! I know I raped the old lady. I have some very unhealthy appetites, but she sure looked tasty. That was a sin. We both know it, but shooting me in both legs was a bigger sin and I want you to beg my forgiveness," Willie was delivering a sermon. “If you get down on your knees Chase and beg forgiveness. I’m not going to press charges.” "Lower you’se head," Willie pronounced.
Chase got down on his knees, and Willie leaned over and whispered in his ear. "They thought I was asleep last night but I wasn't, I mean who can sleep in a hospital? There was a pair of men talking to the nurse about you; one of them was some kind of politician and I overheard him saying... he’s active, you may have to ice him." Willie then made a big gesture, "I forgive you my son."
Chase got up and looked at Juan who was standing in the doorway almost cracking a very wry smile.
Chapter 10 "Come in Chase," said Susan, the precinct’s shrink. Juan and Chase paraded through the door together. "I thought you wouldn't mind if Juan sat in on my session with you this afternoon," said Chase. Susan just looked perplexed. "Let me understand this, you want Juan to be present at your psychiatric session with me, do you guys take showers together?" Susan was not amused, "Forget it Juan, and get out. He’s mine for an hour."
Juan left and Chase sat down in the comfortable chair in front of her desk. It was the only comfortable chair in the entire precinct. She picked up a pencil and just stared at him for a minute. She was waiting for him to speak, but Chase wasn't a big talker, he was happy to enjoy sitting quietly in comfort.
Susan was a beautiful woman. She was slim with black hair and large luscious red lips. S
he had a perfect figure and one had to wonder why such a perfect female specimen ended up a cop shrink, this chick could have been in the movies. She and Chase seemed strangely out of place in this world of cops and robbers.
"No explanation?" she opened.
"No!" Chase replied. Chase liked silence. He was tired and emotionally beat; not talking was just fine. Susan stood up and walked around the chair. "Chase I’ve known you for a long time; we're friends and you're just about the most stable cop I have ever known. What's up?"
Chase says in frustration, "How could you have known me for a long time, I've only been here for six months; I’ve been in a coma, I have complete amnesia and I’ve been back on the job for less than a year.
Susan thought for a moment, and then said gently, “That’s true.”
He continues, "How old am I really? I still don’t remember anything, and tell me, Susan, why can’t I get any information about myself? I checked around at the precinct that I was supposed to have worked at for a long but undetermined time and no one knows me, why is that? How is that even possible? Why are there no records on me?” Chase asked.
“I don’t know, but maybe we can find some answers to your questions together, Susan replies.
“I often feel there is a closed door between me and reality. I think people are keeping me from the truth and what they are telling me is all lies,” Chase says. Susan says, “Lies? I am going to tell you a number and I want you to tell me what it means to you; 1428571,” Susan says woodenly.
Chase stopped cold. He was frozen in time paralyzed, and then as suddenly as he had fallen asleep he woke up. Susan was taken aback; he was not supposed to wake up until she woke him. “That shouldn’t have happened,” Susan says quietly to herself.
“What shouldn’t have happened? What’s going on here?” Chase asks.
Susan walks quickly to the door, locks it and then closes the shades to the room. Chase grabs her by the throat and lifts her up and holds her against the door. Susan does not struggle she simply looks him the eyes. Chase gradually puts her down and says, “Susan, I can hear every word being spoken in the next room, they’re monitoring this room. We’re under surveillance.”
Sentinels of the Cosmos Trilogy Page 4