Jonathan Bond - The Terminus experiment

Wake watched as Pakow’s eyes narrowed, though his voice was carefully neutral. “What is it?”

“I want one of the full stasis rooms prepared by tomorrow morning. Not one of the tanks, but one of the big rooms in delta wing. Set it up so it looks like a regular treatment room. Mister D’imato is going to be our guest for a while. I’ve convinced him we might have a way to slow his deterioration. I want him put in stasis. He’s only got about a month of life left in him anyway, and it’s time we removed him from the equation before he jeopardizes our operation.”

Pakow looked puzzled. “That’s a lot of resources to devote to someone you want out of your way. Why don’t we just finish him when he comes in?”

Wake laughed. “My dear doctor, those are very harsh words from someone who took an oath to preserve life.”

Pakow didn’t join in. “Universal Omnitech didn’t require either you or I to take any oath. In fact, I think they would have been opposed to the whole idea of preserving life when any easier measure was available.”

Wake’s laughter faltered. “Touche Doctor Pakow,” he said softly, “though you show a foolish amount of confidence in your former employers. Still, it’s not like you to be so cynical. Maybe you do need some rest. However, even though I am reasonably sure that Mister D’imato has outlived his usefulness, I am not totally convinced. Until that time, we will carry out the game. Unfortunately, the man is completely inane, utterly delusional, so I would prefer to have him somewhere I can keep an eye on him.

Pakow nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements tonight.”

“Excellent, doctor. Now finish the procedure and then try and get some sleep.”

Wake cut the connection, and keyed the monitor to show him operating theater number six. He watched as Pakow finished the fluid transfer and then wearily left the room.

In the ensuing silence, Wake studied the figure in the tank. “You could be the one. The one that leads me to the final answer. I wonder if you will find a name in the history books?”

Deep in his study, Marco D’imato leaned back and forced himself to relax. Things were not going well, and he knew that. The tremors were like a wave inside of him, and even now he could feel the forces building inside his body. A rolling ocean of pain that crept forward bit by bit, until that seventh wave crashed over him and made him feel as if he were drowning.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to the small minor on his desk. Is that really what I look like? He looked over at a picture of himself and Julius, taken two months before his infection, then back to the mirror.

Under the make-up, Marco’s black skin had turned flaky and dry, and as he turned his head, a chunk of flesh fell to the front of his shirt. His forehead was dotted with blood-tinted sweat. Marco could smell the dead animal odor coming from his body, and it was enough to gag him.

No wonder Wake is concerned I took like I’m dead already. He smiled at his private joke, then pulled open the top desk drawer. Removing the make-up stashed there, he began the process of rebuilding his face, until it looked normal once again.

As soon as he was done, he opened the line to his secretary. “Peter.”

The young man’s voice was firm, though a bit hesitant. “Yes, sir.”

“I’ve just received word on the whereabouts of my nephew. I want a car ready to go tomorrow morning, at eight sharp. You will drive me.”

“Of course, sir. That’s excellent news about Warren.”

Marco grunted. “Yes. There have been some changes on the board of directors. The paperwork is being drawn up to limit Julius’ power in the corporation. For the time being, my brother is to be removed from any positions of authority, If he is seen, he is to be placed under house arrest until I return.”

“Sir?”

“You heard what I said. Once Warren returns, I’ll be taking a short vacation. My doctor has told me of a clinic in Europe where I can get some treatments for my condition. You will accompany me, along with four bodyguards.”

“Of course, sir, but begging your pardon, if your brother is under house arrest, who will be in charge of the day-to-day affairs?”

Marco smiled. “My nephew will be taking full control. will be in touch with him daily, but he will be acting CEO until my return.”

The shock in Peter’s voice was unmistakable. “Sir, you can’t be serious? I thought Warren was-”

“You thought what? That I would be foolish enough to place all my hopes in Derek? Don’t question matters about which you know nothing.”

The fear in Peter’s voice brought a smile to Marco’s 1ips. “My apologies, sir. Everything will be as you’ve ordered.”

Marco cut the connection, and leaned back painfully in his chair. He smiled. Yes, Peter; everything will be as I’ve ordered. And when we get to the clinic tomorrow, I will feast on your blood, and show you just what that means.

Rachel’s head hurt as the post-adrenaline fatigue crashed over her. Her anger had dissipated with the excitement of the run. Now, she was merely dead tired.

The Fratellanza, Inc. warehouse was crowded with men, most of them caked with dried sweat and grime, and the smell of fear and anger was a sour tang in the air. Most of the men were still in battle armor but in varying states of undress. The armor they still wore was covered in dust and blood. They were talking among themselves in low, angry tones.

Rachel looked around the huge warehouse at all the men, some tending to the wounded, some field-stripping and cleaning their gear. Then she looked at the huge trucks, all of them showing battle-scarring. These fraggers took heavy losses, she thought.

Rachel sat huddled next to Flak and Sinunu. Unlike the Fratellanza men, the three of them were dressed in night camo, with no body armor. Flak breathed heavily through bloodied lips and still held himself in a combat-ready stance despite the swathing of bandages that covered his torso and neck. Sitting on the floor behind Rachel was Sinunu, pale and distant.

Rachel had been trying to talk to her for the past hour, but to no avail. Sinunu didn’t want to talk; she was stunned by That had happened to Truxa.