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about the drug, I just don’t understand how determined you are to put right the mess you have created.”

“I didn’t create it, young man, I invented. God and humankind create. We always have

what we deserve.” Professor’s voice instantly changed from soft and feeble to icy cold, he looked at Bikie with ill-concealed contempt.

“Professor, let me repeat more courteously, as you requested. Sorry, Bikie, he got really tired looking for you and took things a little bit too far. Are you willing to try, let’s put it this way… to reboot the program? To correct its malfunctioning, especially since the program has already done a lot of good, and all the achievements will be retained?”

The professor sighed and started pondering, shifting between a smile and a sadness. In

the end, he glanced at his watch and replied:

“I have devoted the last five years of my life to this and I’m willing to devote all the time I have left. Of course, it’s annoying for me to hear about the negative aspects of my invention from a pair of young pups, no matter how intelligent they are, but I’m a scientist and I studied the consequences intensely myself a long time ago. And I’m prepared to try to correct them.”

The professor was writhing out uneasily. There was clearly a struggle going on inside of him. Agreeing, he would cross out all his achievements, acknowledging their extreme danger.

Those words took a huge weight, a massive burden, off Isaac’s mind. The immense rock

that had been hanging over his head crumbled to dust. He struggled to contain the emotions welling up inside him. Until today he had been obsessed with the idea, and now he saw a hope ahead. He was successful in generating an opposition. Not a radical opposition of fanatics, but a powerful, conceptual opposition by intellectuals. And from the part of this genius even

“intelligent pups” sounded flattering. He felt terribly sorry for the professor, understanding him very well as an inventor. He was aware that at that moment Link was renouncing the apple of his eye.

Isaac suddenly felt ferociously tired, he couldn’t even move an arm or a leg the right way.

As if the burden has been lifted, and his body demanded a rest, a well merited time not to be disturbed for a while. He was tired. Very tired. The constant adrenalin has left his bloodstream.

Link's spirit was as hard as granite. Having taken hold of himself and fixed the final data, he quite soon gathered his wits and continued the conversation with Bikie, who had apologized.

Bikie and Link continued arguing and agreeing about things; Professor commended his

conversant several times. Isaac saw Bikie take out his mobile phone and press something on it.

He was sending the text message to cancel the publication of information about Link on the Internet.

As for Isaac, he simply looked at the glitter of the waves, incapable of either listening or thinking. At that moment, he was not even thinking of Vicky or Michelle. There was only peace, peace and the splashing of the transparent blue water.

He could not see the land or the yachts beyond the horizon. Only occasional silhouettes of fishing boats, and a distant expanse of light-blue. The tabula rasa of the sea, he thought.

Genoa was somewhere over there, not far away.

“I will definitely reach my shore, I’ll reach it and discover my own America, completely new and not fucked-up, and I’m going to build a new life there,” Isaac decided firmly.

His mobile phone rang. The number did not display, but Isaac answered it reluctantly.

Something might be wrong with Vicky.

“Good afternoon, my name is Pellegrini, I’m a commissioner of police and the head of

Orange Energy Department. I need to talk to you about the incident that happened in Monaco.”

“I think I already told everything," began Isaac, but the Commissioner interrupted him sharply.

“I inform you that you must appear for the interrogation in your local police station.”

“I'm not there," said Isaac. “I'm in Spain... at a friend's place,” he lied.

“When are you coming back?”

“I don't know yet.”

“Young man!” pressed forward aggressive Pellegrini. “If you do not come voluntarily, I

will declare you wanted, and I promise you will be delivered to me nicely strained by small iron bracelets. I do not advise to mess with me!”

“I... I'll be back to Monaco in a week, and I will go to the police station,” promised Isaac.

“Okay. I'll wait.” The Commissioner disconnected. He was pleased with himself. He

heard fear in the voice of Isaac and did not doubt, that he will break him instantly. Isaac’s comfort and fatigue vanished as if by magic. Who was this damn Pellegrini and what did he want? It was more than two months since the attack at the Monaco branch of the Agency. Why in the world can’t they all just relax at Cote D’Azur?

Although did he really need to worry about it when professor Link himself promised to

work it all out and put an end to downloading? He had Michelle and Bikie and soon, when he got the patent money, he would be able to pay for the surgery and dear little Vicky will be fine.

Isaac shivered – what if Link cheated and disappeared again? He still had to be on the

defensive to make sure everything was all right.

Link looked quite relaxed, talking to Bikie, who, in his turn, seemed rather nervous, asking his questions in a cocky manner, as if trying to offend the professor. Link didn't seem offended at all, though, spoke calmly, his every word logic, facts brought in just in time. He was behaving in a very friendly manner, clearly happy to welcome his guests. He also was quite lavish with praise, comparing Isaac and Bikie with his students and lab-assistants. When he found out that they were staying in an ugly cheap hotel, he invited them to move to his villa.

After returning to the port in the evening, professor's assistant took them to fetch their things. While packing, Bikie looked sullen, as if he wasn't anymore happy to find Link. Isaac asked his friend what happened and if he was ok, but Bikie just grumbled he was fine.

Professor served some gorgeous dinner, made from the fish they had caught during the

day. It was totally delicious, especially after their usual daily pizza they felt so much tired of.

After eating all he could, Isaac went to sleep in a cool air-conditioned room professor had offered him and immediately passed out on a decent soft bed – finally.

Hardly had the morning smile faded from the commissioner's face, when his mobile rang.

The number was that of Monaco – must be from the hospital, Pellegrini thought and picked up.

"Commissioner Pellegrini? Good afternoon! We didn't have the chance to speak a few days ago, sorry about that. This is the attending doctor of Victoria Frank, you asked me to get in touch with you.”

“Yes, thank you for calling back. The thing is that her brother, Isaac Leroy, is our

suspect,” Pellegrini had already made his decision.

Probably because of different kinds of medical equipment, the doctor's phone wasn't

working very well, issuing background noises, which made him miss the last word, so he continued:

“Yes, Isaac... why, her only relative, I know him well. A kind-hearted man. Selfless. He sold all, to pay for the treatment of his sister. I really empathize with him in this difficult situation. He has signed a contract for the operation, left a check, had to pay thus wanted money, the orange energy was supposed to help. But this terrible terrorist attack! He did succeed, and now his sister is in a coma. And now he's got another couple of months. He said he has found the means, so I hope they will be fine!”

“How did he find it? Where?” Pellegrini stiffened.

“It seems, sold his invention. Said, the money will be there soon.”

“Are you sure? How long is his sister being treated?”

“Nearly a year. And a sharp deterioration happened just then, before the attack. What

would you like to ask?”

“Nothing. Thank you. I'll still call you.”

The Commissioner could not breathe. So the truth was that selling creativity for the sake of treatment of his sister. Isaac is not a felon, but a normal decent person. Pellegrini was terribly embarrassed that he so easily judged the good guy. The commissioner opened the Cabinet, poured some whiskey and drank. Such mistakes he had never allowed. Damn the Agency,

brought up the fact that he, an experienced police officer, invented a criminal! Also scared the poor lad!

Calling back with apologies wasn't in the commissioner's manner, his job didn't really

suggest things like that.

Something was dragging Isaac down, he tried to turn and failed thus waking up. With surprise, he found himself sitting on a chair, with bound hands behind his back. Next to him was also captivated Bikie sleeping right on the chair.

“Bikie, wake up!” Isaac realized that they are in serious trouble.

“What? Where are we? Isaac, is that you?” woken up Bikie couldn't fully understand.

“We are restrained! Professor! Jerk!” Isaac tried to free his arms – nothing worked.

"Damn it!” echoed Bikie.

From behind their backs silently the red haired guy emerged and quietly left the room.

Isaac tried to understand where they were, apparently on the same Villa, only now in the basement. The walls were dimly lit, along them were various boxes, some wine racks, and a large cigar humidor. There were no windows, it smelt of damp.

The Professor entered the room and turned on the light.

“Good morning, boys! I trust you slept well?” he asked as if nothing had happened.

“What is it, Professor?” angrily asked Bikie.

“Nothing. A small check. Precautions. Now I can't say anything. Let's wait it out," replied Link.

The red-bearded assistant brought some equipment, both related to connecting several

sensors.

“What are you going to do with us?” Isaac cursed himself for his gullibility. “What is it?”

“We'll have a chat. This is a polygraph. More precisely, the lie detector of my own

invention.”

“And what are we going to have to tell you?”

“All. All that I decide to ask you.”

“And if not?”

“Then I will connect another equipment. I have been doing neural research for many

years. A nudge here and there. At a small level, and I'll let you go.”

“Just let us go like that?”

“Of course! Minimal artificial amnesia will not hurt you. Unfortunately, it won't follow a chronological order. Memory fade will be random, and while I don't see what you really forget about this place, or what I was looking for, I have to proceed further.”

“So, we can forget not only you but also something else?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I'm really sorry. I didn't invite you here. You came.”

Isaac was terrified. The Professor could do what he said, he had no doubt about that. He could erase their memory! Childhood, youth, parents, Michelle, even Vicky! God, Isaac can choose to forget that Vicky needs an urgent operation!

“What are you, fucking Professor!” muttered Bikie. “We come to you with a pure heart,

and you!”

“Let's check that pure heart," replied Link. “Isaac, you can start your story. How did you find me and why. Everything, everything, in fine detail. It's in your best interest.”

Isaac told the professor his story since the attack. He didn't conceal either Yoshi nor their trip to England nor a cigar shop. Wanting to protect Peter, he explained that Wolanski did not know where they are exactly and that he doesn't know they found the Professor. Michelle wasn't aware of their business at all. After the story, Isaac answered some additional questions. He didn't know how to work around the polygraph, so he couldn't lie to the machine, but he didn't have bad thoughts either.

“I think you have something to add,” said the Professor and eyed Bikie.

Bikie moved uneasily, and looking askance replied firmly:

“No!”

“There is a simple choice. You either say or stay silent, if you are silent or lie, I erase the memory of you both.”

“No,” repeated Bikie. “Nothing.”

“Think,” Professor sighed. “It's not just about you. Also, about Isaac, about his sister. Or are you satisfied with the role of Pascal-2? This time, it's in your hands, not his.”

Isaac did not understand what was happening, but judging by Bikie's grim face, his friend was stubbornly silent about something.

“Isaac's motivation is clear to me. But yours... How far were you going to go?”

“I was going to kill you,” suddenly calmly replied Bikie.

Isaac caught an eloquent look from the Professor: "You see, Isaac, what's your buddy like. You didn't expect and it is the truth.”

There was a pause.

“But beyond that, Bikie, are you serious? You lied to me all this time?” Isaac felt

betrayed.

“For his father,” calmly replied Link instead of Bikie.

“Yes. I was going to kill you. My dad was on heroin. And he was downloaded. Not cured,

but downloaded. Then he died and I vowed to take down whoever is responsible,” Bikie's voice was hoarse.

“But it is now in the past. And I won't do, as much as I would love to do that. You are the key to ensuring that this all will stop.”

“Why do you blame me?”

“And whom? Einsteiner is actually your brainchild.”

“Come on, then all those who have lost their loved ones from electric shock will damn, I do not know, for example, Volt. Or Columbus for tobacco. I discovered the orange energy and learned to use it, have saved millions of lives!”

“Don't compare yourself to Volt. You will not find a whole a 1 percent of families who

haven't lost their beloved ones because of you.”

“But it is a fact,” thought Isaac. “Pascal, himself, Sandrine, as it turned out, and also Bikie who lost his father.” Isaac was not pleased to realize that the Bikie isn't quite the straightforward man, as he thought; he is secretive, not sincere man who used him to his own advantage.

As if reading his thought, Bikie gave a guilt filled look to Isaac.