“I’ll take this one, Cass.” Damon turned toward Schwartz. “We don’t know that…yet. We’ve long suspected Beacon has access to the New Atlantian Gene Registry, but we can’t find their backdoor into the databank. We also believe they have people embedded in our gene centers and DNA labs even though GCD conducts thorough background checks on every new hire in those facilities.”
Fenner’s hand went up. “Major, there’s something else I don’t get. Why go through all the hassle of smuggling him out of the country? If the kid’s DNA is what they’re after, why doesn’t Beacon just sample his blood and tissues?”
“GCD has some theories as to why they want the boy, not just his DNA, but they’re speculative at this point and they don’t make a difference to the job we have to do. Capiche?”
“Uh…yeah. I mean, yes, sir.”
“Major?” It was Schwartz again.
Damon sighed. “What is it this time, Sergeant?”
There was a smattering of snickers in the room. Schwartz’ face turned red.
“Sorry, Major, I don’t mean to be a thorn in your side. I was just wondering why we don’t take Mrs. Hearns into custody and let GCD interrogate her? Matter of fact, wouldn’t it be a good idea to lock up the boy too? Somewhere where Beacon can’t get to him? You know, quarantine him until GCD sorts out Beacon’s motive for wanting the kid.”
Those options had indeed been debated at the highest levels of the Lakelands province, but, in the end, the leadership had agreed with Damon. The greatest strategic intelligence would come from Beacon operatives captured during the kidnap attempts, not from Mrs. Hearns. The underground network was not prone to sharing its strategic objectives with outsiders, therefore Mrs. Hearns would have little strategic insight to offer. Besides, after the plot was foiled, GCD could interrogate her all they wanted.
For the same reason, Damon had argued against taking Billy into custody. As soon as Beacon discovered either the mother or the boy was under wraps, they would cancel the kidnap attempts, leaving NASF with nothing.
The only objection to Damon’s conclusion had come from the Prefect Munoz, the man who governed the Lakelands province. “But, Maj. Spiers, is it prudent to use the child as bait without knowing why Beacon wants him? What if the worst should happen and Beacon is successful?”
Damon had expected the objection and had been prepared with an answer. “Billy won’t live long enough to help Beacon, even if they find a way to get past us. We will be embedding a tracking device in his body. If our plan to trap them starts going sideways, we will signal the device to electrocute Billy. He’ll die within seconds.”
With that response lingering in his mind, Damon leveled his gaze at Schwartz. “We considered a lot of options, Schwartz. But at the end of the day, the plan we’ve put together gives us the best chance of success. Now, enough questions.” Damon stood. “You all have your assignment packs. Study them and be ready to roll within the hour. I want everyone in position at least twenty-four hours before Mr. Hearns leaves for Minneapolis with Billy. If we get any new information, or there’s a change in plans, Cassidy will put out the word. Got it?”
A chorus of “yes, sir” echoed in the room.
“Good. Dismissed.”
Takoda Wells’ residence
Wolf Lake, East Dakota, Carapach
Takoda rolled off Ellie and settled on the bed next to her. Drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, he stared at the ceiling as endorphins bathed his brain. Ellie slid over and tenderly kissed his cheek, his shoulder and chest.
“Feel better now?” she asked.
“Much better,” he said.
He smiled at Ellie and smoothed the raven strands of her hair over her shoulders. The android always seemed to know when his mind was troubled. And with Billy’s euthanization just two days away, Takoda had gone to bed consumed with apprehension about the impending rescue attempt. Now, though, he felt relaxed.
“Good. Try to sleep,” Ellie said, laying her head against his chest.
Closing his eyes, Takoda stroked her back until he drifted off.
When he awoke several hours later, sunlight was streaming into the room through the sheer curtains. Takoda turned away from the glare and discovered the bed next to him was empty. Looking past the rumpled sheets and pillows, he saw the alarm clock. It was after nine.
Takoda cursed and bolted up. Ellie had turned the alarm off. He was four steps out of the bed before he remembered it was Saturday. With a sigh of relief, he turned around and retrieved his boxers from the floor next to the bed.
After pulling them on, he went to the window and pushed back the sheers. It looked to be a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky and a light breeze rippling through the trees. If he recalled correctly, the temperature was expected to climb into the seventies, perfect weather to spend the day fly fishing in the stream and napping on his hammock under the shade of trees. Both would be welcome respites from the rescue preparations.
With a yawn, Takoda stretched his arms above his head and padded out of the room. He was a little startled when he reached the kitchen and saw Akecheta sitting at the breakfast table instead of Ellie. Then he recalled he had promised to teach Ake the finer points of fly fishing this weekend.
Takoda considered himself fortunate to have both Ake and Ellie as android companions. Beyond their pre-programmed skills, they brought lively presences to his otherwise empty home. And though they were different class androids with different constructions and functionalities — Ake was a Makoa-class, Ellie was an Athena-class — Takoda had customized their external features to make them look like part of the same family. And he took pride in his Sioux Indian family.
“Morning, big fella, where’s Ellie?” Takoda asked.
“She went into town for groceries,” said Akecheta. Takoda watched the android’s eyelids flicker, a sign that he was communicating with his counterpart, Ellie. “She says she will be back in approximately twenty-seven minutes unless you want her to get you breakfast on the way.”
“No, that’s okay. Tell her I’ll slap together something here.”
“Yes, sir.” Akecheta pointed to the beverage dispenser on the counter. “There is fresh coffee and Ellie suggests you consider protein cakes for breakfast.”
“Does she now?” Takoda walked to the pantry to evaluate alternative options. “Any messages overnight?”
“Only one. A holosnap from Dr. Fujita. Do you want me to play it now?”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll look at it in my office.”
After toasting a bagel to go along with his coffee, Takoda left Akecheta in the kitchen and headed for his office. On the way, he passed through the living room and paused to say good morning to his wife and daughter. Their smiling faces stared back at him from the table full of picture frames.
Placing his breakfast aside, he knelt before the table and murmured a brief prayer. When he finished, he took hold of his favorite photo of them and touched their faces. “May the four gods continue to watch over you, my loves.”
He remained there a little while longer, recalling the memories associated with each picture on the table. As painful as it was to revisit happier times, the trip down memory lane brought a smile to Takoda’s face. He had been blessed to have them in his life. The sentiment of the picture frame in his hands reflected his feelings perfectly. Gone too soon. Cherished always.
The words echoed in his mind as he replaced the photo in its honored place in front of the others. The ritual completed, Takoda picked up his breakfast and continued on to his office. Once there, he used his foot to shut the door and lowered himself onto his desk chair.
The leather was cold against his bare back, causing a spate of shivers to race over his skin. Once again, he set his breakfast aside, this time to snag the blanket hanging off the arm of the sofa behind. After wrapping it around his shoulders, he spoke to the holonode on his desk. “I understand I have a message from Dr. Fujita.”
“Yes, you do, Dr. Wells,” answered the
holonode’s male voice. “And good morning.”
“Morning to you, too, Dasan.” Takoda sipped his coffee. “What time did she send the snap?”
“Two-fifty-two a.m.”
Takoda frowned. That was late, even for Yon. “Play the message.”
A glow appeared above the black sphere occupying the center of the desk. The glow quickly spread out into a rectangular holographic screen at eye level with Takoda. On the screen was a frozen image of Yon. She looked disoriented to Takoda, as if she had just awoken. As the message began to play, she managed to smile as she said hello, but her greeting was swallowed by a gaping yawn. Covering her mouth as the yawn subsided, she said, “Sorry, that was gross. Buzz me when you get up. Got a message from Hoot. We may have to cancel our plans for Monday.”
She waved goodbye and yawned again as the snap ended. Takoda’s frown deepened. “Dasan, send Dr. Fujita a reply. Ask her if she can talk now.”
“Yes, sir.” A thin blue light moved back and forth at the base of the sphere, then a tone sounded. Windchimes, Yon’s holotone. Takoda directed Dasan to answer her call. Grasping the blanket tight around his neck, he waited for Yon’s image to appear above the holonode.
“Hey, Tak,” she said. From the bobbing vista behind Yon’s head and her labored breathing, Takoda realized he had interrupted her morning run.
“Hiya. Just got your snap. Is this a bad time to talk?”
The bobbing of the image began to abate. “No, I could use a breather.”
“Okay. So, what’s up with Monday?”
“Potential snag,” said Yon. “Actually, we probably should discuss this in person. If you aren’t busy, I can come over as soon as I’ve finished my run.”
“Yeah, sure, that’s fine. If I’m not at the house when you get here, I’ll be down at the stream, fishing with Ake.”
“Marvy. See you later.”
She blew a kiss and then the holofeed vanished.
Sipping his coffee, Takoda pondered Yon’s clipped description of a potential snag. It must be a helluva lot more than a “snag” if Hoot is considering canceling the rescues. Sarah probably changed her mind again. Or maybe another logistical issue popped up in Chicago.
Takoda set down the coffee and said another prayer, this one beseeching the four gods for their assistance. Help us overcome whatever threatens our success. Help us to save Billy Hearns. Help us end the jakali scourge.
An hour later, Takoda was standing in the stream behind his house, showing Akecheta how to twitch a fishing rod. “You want the fish to think your lure is a real flying insect, so you have to simulate how insects dart around as they land and take off.”
Akecheta stood next to him and attempted to mimic Takoda’s movements with his rod. As sophisticated as the android was in nearly every respect, the random movements of flying insects were beyond Akecheta’s grasp, figuratively and literally.
“Forgive me for saying this, Tak, but if the objective is to catch as many fish as possible, as quickly as possible, isn’t my method of fishing more efficient?”
The method Akecheta referenced involved employing his array of sensors to detect a fish swimming nearby and then snatching a fish with a lightning-quick grab of his hand.
“Not all of us have advanced hydraulics and electronics, Ake. Besides, where’s the sport in that?”
“I don’t understand. Haven’t humans used their hands to catch fish for many millennia? Isn’t it considered a test of a man’s skill to catch a fish in this way?”
“Yes, I guess that’s true.”
“Then, why don’t you consider my way of fishing sporting?”
Takoda twitched the rod again and watched the lure splash on another spot in the stream. “Good point, big fella. Your way is sporting, but in a different way than I meant. Catching a fish with your hands is a test of physical prowess. Fly fishing is more of a test of mental prowess and physical finesse. You tease the fish, tempt him with deceptive movements and then take advantage of the fish’s aggression to catch him.”
Akecheta stabbed a free hand into the water and pulled out a flailing trout. “Why waste time with deception? My way is more efficient.”
“Yeah, but it’s not very relaxing.”
The android dropped the fish back into the stream. “Deception is relaxing?”
As Takoda laughed, he heard Yon’s voice calling from behind. “Hello, boys! How’re the fish biting this morning?”
Takoda turned and saw Yon and Ellie standing on the streambank. He waved and then turned back to Akecheta. “That’s enough for now, Ake. Here, take the poles back and stow the lures.”
“You got it, Tak.”
As Takoda waded toward shore, he said to Yon, “Hey there. How was the rest of your run?”
“Kinda boring, but I needed to clear my mind, so it worked out okay.”
Takoda splashed his way out of the stream and unhooked the suspenders of his hip waders. He plopped down on the grass and wiggled his bare feet free of the rubbery body-boots. “The message from Hoot bothering you?”
“Somewhat, but I was kinda nervous already.”
“You and me both.” Takoda reached a hand toward Ellie. “A little help, please.”
Ellie tugged Takoda up to his feet and then picked up his waders. “If there’s nothing else you need, Tak, I’ll go spray these off.”
“Thanks, El. Appreciate it. I’ll catch you later.”
As Ellie began to walk away, Yon said, “Um, before you go, El, ask Dasan to scan for nano drones.” Yon then turned to Takoda. “Just to be on the safe side.”
“Very well. Transmitting request now,” said Ellie.
Takoda frowned at Yon. “Sounds like Hoot’s situation is more than a snag.”
Yon stood on her tiptoes and whispered in Takoda’s ear. “The New Atlantians know about the Hearns rescues.”
The succinct delivery of the news packed a punch Takoda had not seen coming. “That’s not a snag, Yon. That’s an operation killer.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Yon said. “Come on, let’s take a walk in the woods and I’ll fill you in. Ellie should tag along too…with her radio jammer on.”
Takoda agreed and the three of them followed a narrow trail into the hundred acres of woodlands surrounding Takoda’s homestead. As he and Yon walked shoulder-to-shoulder along the path with Ellie following a discreet distance behind, Yon described the message from Hoot.
“She basically said both missions are on standby until further notice. Said she had to assess whether the New Atlantians knew enough to spoil the rescues.”
“Did Hoot say how they found out about it?” Takoda asked.
“No. She didn’t get into any details. Just said to hold until she contacts me again.”
It surprised Takoda that Hoot had not scrubbed the mission outright. Typically, the Beacon leader was supremely cautious. But, then again, she obviously realized how important it was to prevent Billy Hearns from being euthanized.
“If the New Atlantians know about the rescues, does that mean they know about us, too? Our involvement with Beacon?”
“I don’t know. I assume that’s part of what Hoot’s trying to find out, along with whether the New Atlantians know about Billy’s repaired gutations.”
“Oh, they must know, don’t you think? They have access to his DNA test results. His repairs are obvious.”
“Yeah, but…it’s not like Billy’s the only kid who’s had gutations spontaneously resolve. It’s rare, but it does happen. And the DNA tests aren’t perfect. Anomalies do occur. So, they might not think the repairs are all that big a deal. They may be more focused on his existing gutations.”
Takoda did not agree. He was convinced the New Atlantians would examine Billy’s DNA closely. And he knew if they dug into the results deep enough, there was a decent probability they would connect the repaired gutations with Billy’s violet eyes.
If they established such a connection, and the New Atlantians examining Billy’s DNA recalled their ea
rly twenty-second-century history, they might just make an additional connection with the GODD chip. For the deceased inventor of the chip, Dr. Dyan Mugabe, had been very selective in picking subjects for her experiments testing the heretical device, and violet-colored eyes had been an attribute all her test subjects shared. The unique pigmentation was the result of the replacement of an innate eye color-determining gene with a synthetic gene known as VE011.
That was how Takoda had zeroed in on the connection a year ago when he’d first discovered some of Billy Hearns’ gutations had been repaired. He then examined the repairs more closely and found protein molecules he had never seen before in the gene binds. At first, Takoda had been at a loss. He had spent years studying every synthetic protein created during the Genetic Revolution and the ones in Billy’s repairs matched none of them.
The notion the unusual proteins might be Mugabe’s smart-proteins never crossed Takoda’s mind until he re-examined the repairs. But the moment he noticed one of the repairs had been made to a base-pair-bind near the VE011 gene, his memory of Mugabe’s twenty-five-year-old study clicked in and he arrived at a stunning hypothesis: someone had recreated Mugabe’s chip and smart-proteins and had tested them out on Billy.
Takoda realized the New Atlantians would pull out all the stops to prevent Billy’s rescue and imprison Sarah if they arrived at the same conclusion. Looking off into the forest, he said, “Let’s hope you’re right, Yon. Let’s hope they don’t dig too deep.”
Yon spent the rest of the afternoon at Takoda’s as they waited for Hoot’s follow-up message. While Takoda fished, Yon reclined on an Adirondack chair and soaked in the sun. Several times, he encouraged her to join him in the stream, but she told him she found it more relaxing to watch him fish rather than angle herself.
“It’ll distract you from thinking about Hoot,” Takoda had countered.
“I have all the distraction I need watching you.”
The teasing tone of her answer had brought a smile to Takoda’s face. Warmth spread through Yon as she smiled back. They had shared many an afternoon like this over the last two years, not to mention many dinners by campfire under the stars. When she was able to cajole him to leave his woodland paradise, he sometimes dined at her house or shared a bottle of wine by her patio firepit.
The GODD Chip (The Unity of Four Book 1) Page 5