The White Death (31 page)

Chapter 59

Loretta stood in her office, looking down at Earth. Continent-size swaths of the once-blue and green marble were hidden underneath fire and smoke.

“Computer, confirm status,” she said.

“Sensor program fully operational. Council has convened,” said the ship’s computer.

“Everyone sit,” she ordered, entering the Council chambers. “I’ve summoned the captain.”

“Why?” asked Pluto.

The chamber doors opened, and an irate Captain Grace approached the bench.

“Captain,” said Loretta, “have the warning beacons all been deployed? We don’t want any stray vessels entering this system.”

“All requests made by the Council have been completed.” Grace’s tone was curt.

Loretta was glad. With the possibility of a full Supreme Court inquiry coming down on them, every procedure needed to be followed to the letter.

“This needs to be airtight,” said Pluto. “The cleanup costs are going to be astronomical.”

Here we go again, thought Loretta, as he reamed off a dozen huge figures.

“I think the human race has paid a high enough price because of this debacle,” said Grace.

“Those comments are not helpful, Captain,” said Cecil.

“They weren’t meant to be,” said Grace. “I have followed the orders of this Council. If anything goes wrong, it will not fall on me or my crew.”

“This has been the worst disaster, in the history of worst disasters, in the history of this Alliance,” growled Killinger. “My pride and honor lies in ruins.”

“Along with your political career, no doubt,” said Loretta. “Don’t hide your true reason for anger.”

“You question me?” said Killinger. “Me? When it was the Bernay that made the biggest mistake?”

“You’re angry because you pulled the virologists off your home world and brought them here instead,” said Loretta.

“Of course I brought them here—they are needed here. Unlike you, I can put the needs of many against the needs of myself.”

“The needs of your own planet?” said Loretta. “Better hope that doesn’t make it into the press.”

Killinger fumed, but she didn’t care.

“My people will have to cover the cost of this debacle,” shouted Pluto. “This will cost us trillions.”

“You have it,” sniped Killinger.

“My leader is ready to have my head!” said Pluto. “I don’t even think I mean that figuratively anymore.”

“Calm down,” ordered Loretta. “Both of you.”

“People of money don’t practice capital punishment,” Killinger remarked snidely.

“That is enough,” said Loretta. “Captain, have you found Freda?”

“Nothing yet,” said Grace. “It’s a pretty big galaxy, and Freda once worked in Secret Services. She’s more adept than the usual on-the-run criminal. The vaccine? When is the
Reason
due to arrive?”

“Four hours from now.”

A silence descended across the room. Pluto began sweating profusely, dabbing his forehead with a silk cloth.

“As soon as the
Reason
arrives, we commence with sterilization,” said Loretta. “The vaccine will be ready at that point. A two-pronged attack.”

“This Council should hang its head in the deepest shame.”

“You are out of line, Captain,” said Pluto. “This Council was instructed to correct the human genetic illness. We intervened in this planet a long time ago, and we are responsible for the human race.”

“I warned the Supreme Court that any attempt to repair an entire gene pool was not without risk,” said Loretta. “The Court was well aware of the risks. Success was never guaranteed, as I told every member of this Council. We had two options—act with the possibility of failure, or no action and the guarantee of failure.”

“You talk as if you’re trying to fix a robot,” said Grace.

“They are biological machines, like all of us. They were malfunctioning and needed to be repaired.”

“And instead we butchered them.” Grace was, to Loretta’s fury, unrelenting.

“This is none of your concern,” said Loretta, “but before you go, think of this. Humanity would never have pulled itself out of the mud and dirt without our intervention sixty thousand years ago.”

“And you, the Bernay, were against such an intervention.”

“We were,” said Loretta. “Now, we’re vindicated. We helped a species thrive that should have, in essence, died without record.”

“This is a dark stain on this Council’s history.”

Everyone remained silent at Grace’s remark, with Pluto continuing to dab his forehead.

“Captain, your orders are to continue to search for Freda and to give us half-hourly reports on the Earth situation. I need to know what’s happening on Earth. Every detail. We are concerned about planetary health now.” Loretta had gotten reports that nuclear explosions, from weapons and from power plants, were pushing the planet to its limits. That, and the crippling pollution humans had caused over the past 150 years, put the planet itself in danger.

“Understood,” said Grace loudly, walking out.

Chapter 60

“Hang on,” shouted Marina. Bertha plunged down nose-first before climbing up again, releasing antimissiles.

“Report,” said Freda, glad she was strapped in.

“Two missiles, threat neutralized,” said Marina. “Scrap that. Four more incoming.”

Bertha was hit twice, the other two intercepted by the defensive systems.

“Armor?” shouted Freda.

“Failing,” said Marina. “We aren’t going to make it back to Section 51.”

Another missile hit, and Marina brought Bertha down again, hovering just above the streets of Tokyo.

“Look at that,” said Christopher. They all peered out the windows. The mass population movement was evident, tens of thousands running towards harbors and airports. U.S. military jets flew past them, destroying two jumbo jets that were in a steep ascent, trying to escape. More jets passed them, this time destroying the airport.

“This is getting out of control,” said Freda.

“We’re sitting ducks up in the air,” said Marina. “I might be able to lose those missiles down here.”

Sparks vented out into the cabin as Bertha was hit again, and Marina turned hard right, flying between the skyscrapers.

“And I still can’t contact Washington,” said Christopher, choking as smoke entered the cabin, causing everyone to cough and splutter.

“This chopper has the world’s best mobile satellite system,” said Freda.

“I’m detecting radio traffic across the region, so it’s just us,” said Marina. “Someone is deliberately stopping us contacting Washington.”

“And the virus is about to break out of Japan,” said Ursula.

“That won’t be allowed to happen,” said Christopher. “The president is prepared to nuke them first.”

“But it’ll send us into a nuclear winter,” said Peter. “There’s no way we’re getting out of this now.”

“Washington will attack Japan with nuclear weapons,” said Freda. She knew the president would take the chance.

“The administration will risk nuclear winter,” said Christopher.

“We can’t let them,” said Freda. “That might be what Loretta wants.”

“What?” said Peter.

“She wants the destruction of the human race. If you destroy your own planet, as well, she wins, and we all lose.”

“And humanity is erased from history,” said Christopher.

“Along with the slate being wiped clean for her,” said Freda. “A tragic mistake, and blamed on humans for starting a nuclear winter.”

“You and Ursula need to go,” said Christopher.

“I’m not leaving again,” said Freda. “We’ll figure this out together.”

“There is no way we’re all getting out of this,” said Christopher. He’d never raised his voice to her before. “Only Barrington knows the vaccine, and only you can take on the Council. If the doctor’s right…”

“Then we have a bigger problem than any of us ever imagined, Freda,” said Peter. “They’re trying to exterminate us.”

“Brace for impact,” shouted Marina. Another missile slammed into the rear of Bertha now, shredding into some of the armor and leaving a critical gap.

Freda couldn’t decide now. The chopper was being torn apart, falling to pieces around them, but Christopher was right. Loretta was hiding something dark and grave, and Freda needed to stop her, once and for all.

“You need to go,” said Christopher. They were all shouting now to be heard, the cabin noise so extreme.

“We have seven missiles tracing us now,” said Marina. “Boss, you gotta go now. VIX, fire!”

Bertha’s forward machine guns fired, cutting an American chopper in half, letting her fly on down another main street.

“I might have enough transporter power left to get me and Ursula back to base, but that’s it.” She looked around at them all, feeling like she was handing out a death sentence. “I really am so sorry. I can’t think of anything else.”

“Don’t be,” said Christopher. “The job comes first, you know that. We know that.”

“Marina, I need you to get us as high as possible,” ordered Freda.

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” said Marina. She pulled the chopper straight up, narrowly missing two more American choppers. Three missiles didn’t change course in time, crashing into a Tokyo skyscraper instead. Freda and Ursula unbuckled.

“I want you all to know I’m going to fix this, one way or the other,” Freda said. “I promise you that.”

“You look after yourself,” Christopher steadied himself as Marina struggled to keep a smooth flight.

“Look after them,” Freda whispered back into his ear as they hugged. “Doctor, place your hand on my arm.” Freda activated her brooch and closed her eyes, begging it to work. Feeling the familiar sensation, she turned to look at her team, for the last time.

“Wow,” said Ursula. They had appeared inside the central information matrix at Section 51, almost in the exact spot Christopher stood when he discovered the Great Leap Forward.

“Let’s hope it lives up to your expectations,” said Freda. “CIM, recognize my voice.”

“Voice confirmed. Welcome, Freda.”

“CIM, activate the advanced database. Authorization 19890214. Confirm code and voice.”

“Authentication verified. Advanced database activated. In accordance with Council Direction 49 Alpha, no humanoid may be present when the advanced database is live. Sensors detect one humanoid female. Please remove before continuing.”

“Noted,” said Freda. “Override, Authorization 500724.”

“Welcome, Mr. President,” said CIM.

“President?” asked Ursula.

“My own world leader,” said Freda. “He gave me his authorization codes when I first began on Earth, in case of an emergency. Discreetly, of course.”

“Of course,” said Ursula, mesmerized.

The room went completely dark, with Ursula standing still, her keen eyesight watching for anything. Two bright blue lights slowly came on, growing brighter with each passing moment.

“Oh my,” she said.

Freda smiled, knowing even the hard-to-impress doctor would be in awe. All around them, they watched as diagrams and moving images formed, showing the greatest events in history.

“You’re seeing every momentous occasion in the history of our Alliance and all planets we have encountered, including Earth.” The experience still sent a chill down Freda’s spine. With the mention of Earth, the database began changing the topic of the images to more human-based articles. Dinosaurs, ancient humanoid species, and more surrounded them now, all illustrated in bright white colors.

“My word, is that…”

“Jesus, yes,” said Freda. “Being crucified. We record everything for history. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to indulge ourselves.”

“I could spend a lifetime in here and still only scratch the surface,” said Ursula. She tried to pet a small animal that floated above her, not recognizing the species.

“You could spend as much time as you want in here. This room slows down human time.”

With the database fully activating, Freda listened as the doctor brought her up to speed on her theories about the virus. Why the infected did not die, why they killed certain humans. Everything.

“CIM, scan human database for SRGAP2 gene,” said Freda.

“Scanning.”

“I hope we’re right,” said Ursula.

“Do you?” questioned Freda. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, at least we’ll know.”

“Scan complete,” said CIM. “The SRGAP2 gene is present in all mammals on Earth. It has been duplicated three times in the human species, allowing for advanced synaptic development. Human researchers believe this gene to be critical to human intelligence, and their research is correct in that assumption. Further study is recommended.”

“Is that it?” asked Freda, surprised.

“Affirmative,” said CIM.

“CIM, scan the entire database for the SRGAP2 gene,” she snapped.

“Scanning.”

“This will take a moment. Doctor, if we’re right, any ideas why?”

“None,” admitted Ursula. “This virus is designed to delete the SRGAP2 gene. My team in Britain knew the gene was affected by the virus, but we considered it a side effect.”

“You didn’t know then that the virus was specifically designed to delete this gene set?”

“No, we didn’t. What would be the reason for deleting a critical element in our development? It serves no purpose. The purpose of this virus is to delete the SRGAP2 gene. I’m sure of it.”

“That’s what I don’t understand,” said Freda. She kept trying to imagine herself in Loretta’s position, for any inkling into her thoughts. If she wanted to eradicate the human species, this had to be the most difficult, silly way to do it.

“Scan complete. The SRGAP2 gene is present in the human database only.”

“Damn,” cursed Freda.

They stood, Freda trying different scanning patterns, but nothing worked. “We can’t fail now,” she said, pained. “How exactly does this gene work?”

“They all work together,” said Ursula, a projection of a small white rabbit hopping past her. “You have SRGAP2.”

“Which was then duplicated three times in humans,” said Freda. “So humans actually have four?”

“Yes,” said Ursula. “The original, and the three copies, SRGAP2B, C, and D. The regeneration was shocking.”

“CIM, call up the four SRGAP2 proteins,” said Freda,

Four large gene strands appeared in front of them in full graphic detail, rotating slowly.

“Four genes, one puzzle,” said Freda. “We have no time left. They are only present in our human database. It doesn’t tell us why deleting them would be so important to Loretta.”

“You keep saying Loretta, instead of the Council,” said Ursula.

Freda frowned.

“The other Council members certainly have their flaws, but I can’t believe they’d go along with this.”

Freda had to admit genetics wasn’t her strong point, and it was obvious Ursula knew that, too.

“Will it recognize my voice commands?” asked Ursula.

“Yes.”

“CIM, what would be the result if one of the duplications was removed?”

“Removal of an SRGAP2 copy would result in all effects of the protein genes being removed.”

“So all four are essential?” she asked.

Freda listened, not sure where this was going.

“Confirmed,” said CIM.

“Combine all four together then,” said Ursula.

“Why?” asked Freda.

“If all four are essential and work together in the human body, let’s see what they look like joined up.”

“Working,” said CIM.

“It’s only a hunch.” Ursula watched as CIM expertly weaved the four genes together.

“Complete.”

One denser looking gene was now in front of them, more magnificent looking.

“Now,” said Ursula, nervous, “scan the entire database for the combined gene.”

“Scanning.”

“Why would this work?” asked Freda.

“If all four are required in humans to have the full effect. Maybe we should look for the whole, instead of parts.”

CIM kept working, taking longer than usual.

“By the way, thank you for leaving that notepad,” said Ursula. She was referring to the notes she found in the Chinese lab that helped her to decipher the Eugenics Virus.

“What?” said Freda.

“The notepad in the Chinese lab.”

“That wasn’t me,” said Freda honestly. She had no idea what the doctor was referring to.

“Then who was it?” said Ursula. “The more I analyzed the notes, the more I realized they didn’t come from a human mind.”

“Perhaps the Chinese deserve some more credit,” said Freda.

“I’ve worked with some of the best scientists in the world, including those in China,” said Ursula. “I’m telling you, those notes didn’t come from any human.”

Freda was about to start debating the possibilities, when every light in the room went red, alarms sounding.

The Supreme Court logo appeared.

Ursula stepped back. “Are we under attack?”

“No,” said Freda, mesmerized. “This can’t be possible…”

She held on to the console, breathless. “Oh, goodness.”

“What is wrong?” said Ursula.

“CIM, reconfirm immediately,” said Freda.

The Supreme Court logo hovered before them, large and intimidating.

“Confirmed,” said CIM. “Gene One has been found in the human species, on Earth. Contact the Supreme Court and Alliance leadership immediately using the Priority X channel.”

“Gene One?” said Ursula. “What the hell is going on?”

Freda looked up, watching as the four genes appeared again, combined, and then turned a stunning gold color, glistening and sparkling.

Ursula had to shield her eyes, the brightness from the center of the gene blinding.

“So … that’s it…” said Freda. She touched her brooch. “Freda to Grace.”

“Freda,” said Grace. “Where have you been? I’ve orders to bring you in.”

“Transport me directly to the bridge. We have an emergency,” said Freda.

“Stand by for transport.”

“Ursula, please tell no one of this until my return.” Freda was grave. “Not Peter or Christopher, no one.”

“Can you trust this captain?” said Ursula.

“The captain will not have lost her ways, and my safety is irrelevant now.” Freda had white fury in her eyes. One way or another, she was going to end this.

“What are you going to do?” said Ursula.

“Confront Loretta, settle this. Keep working on the vaccine. We’ll need that to stop the president launching those nuclear missiles.”

“But Christopher said that’s happening now. We’re running out of time.”

“Then get to work. I need to settle this with Loretta first,” said Freda. “I don’t have time to explain.”

She disappeared, zapping up to the starship, appearing in the center of a busy bridge.

“Well,” said Freda, everyone stopping to stare.

“Freda. What’s going on?” said Grace, her bridge staff unable to tear their eyes away.

“We need to speak in private.”

“Well?” asked Grace, now in her private office.

“All this is off the record,” said Freda.

“Understood. Computer, seal the doors to this room and deactivate all monitoring equipment.”

“Deactivated.”

“Now, what is going on? What have you found?” The captain sat on her desk, her hands fidgeting. Her maroon, form-fitting uniform was modern and authoritative.

“What makes you think I’ve found anything?” said Freda, being unusually cagey with the captain. She noticed. The gravity of the situation was barely comprehensible to her now.

“Ask me what you want,” said Grace. “I have nothing to hide.”

“Are you and Loretta working against me? Against Earth?”

“Freda,” said Grace, stunned.

“I have to ask.”

“I detest that woman as much as you,” said Grace. “And I would never betray you.”

“Have you or this ship any current orders relating to Earth?”

“Freda, the only orders I have are to find you and to allow any future nuclear launches.”

“You know, until very recently I thought it was the planet Loretta must have been after. I searched through resource records, ancient artifacts, everything. I kept thinking she must want to get rid of the humans because the Bernay want the planet. But I know differently now. Grace, this was never about a planet. It was about the humans all along. Their very being is an offense to her.”