The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 18

Paul opened the door of the computer room and crossed the warehouse teaming with intensive activity. I've got to get out of here. I hope VK could conceal the computer's location. If they find out I've been trying to get into their secret files... People rushing about transformed the normally uneventful casual walk into an obstacle course. Reaching the center near the stacked sacks, Paul stopped to avoid a worker. They're still moving the machines, taking them outside somewhere.

Paul saw Sam wandering in his direction from the office next to the computer room. His head dipped forward and an air of dejection embraced his pace. He stopped, motionless among the chaos, with a glazed hollowness in his eyes. The stern expression on his face replaced the jovial, gracious one he wore earlier.

"Sam, are you all right?" Paul said. Sam twitched back like he was just waking up. His eyes regained focus on Paul's face.

"Sorry, I was somewhere else," Sam replied. He visibly struggled with what to say next. Then the frown he wore changed into a faux smile.

"Have you and Teo finished?"

"Yes, we're done. The system is secure. I sent a message to our people in Sydney so they can use some of your techniques to improve our system security too."

Sam again struggled to think of something else to say. "That's... that's great. I'm glad we have both improved." Sam paused shaking his head, "I'm sorry, Mike. I'm not myself. Hope you'll forgive me."

"What's going on? Something wrong?"

"I just received more details about our New Year's Day launch."

"Is there a problem?"

"Bright Sun has given the order and the sequence leading up to that day is now in motion."

Sounds final. Paul's mind raced with options and alternatives to get Sam's support to question the Arcadia expansion plan and alert Ann about its deadly consequences. Paul had to stop Bright Sun from implementing her plan. He was sure it would cause the needless deaths of many innocent people. And for what? To make her queen?

"Paul, VK," A voice spoke on Paul's wireless earpiece.

"I have a call on my cell phone," Paul said. "Excuse me, I need to take this." Paul moved away from Sam and held his cell phone up to his ear but listened to the invisible earpiece. "Go ahead VK."

"I've been able to plant the computer IP address in other locations around the world," Nara said. "When they try to find the computer location, they'll find hundreds. This should confuse them enough to buy us the time we need."

"Thanks, I hope that works." Paul lowered the cell phone from his ear like the phone call ended and re-joined Sam. "Sorry about that. It was the Sydney office. They completed the security patches I suggested."

Sam didn't respond. He looked like he hadn't even heard Paul. Then after a moment's reflection he said, "I was thinking about what we discussed at lunch. There's got to be a better way. I don't want to see anyone hurt."

"It's not possible to construct a good building on an unsound foundation." Why did I say that? I'm not Confucius.

Sam's eyes sockets clenched as tension racked his face. His arms now intertwined and crossed around his stomach. "I appreciate your thoughts. You understand I need to talk this out with Ann." He doesn't trust me. Why should he? We only met yesterday. "I know she doesn't support using violence. But she's convinced her mother's plan won't result in any significant casualties."

Hopeless and helpless described Sam's thoughts about the inevitability of Bright Sun's plan to rule the world. Paul and Nara now were the only ones that could stop Bright Sun. He couldn't depend on Sam's help in the short time that remained before New Year's Day.

Paul had to find out more about the obedience persuasion drug and the machines in the Arcadia meeting hall so he could defeat them. I must get a sample from the large sacks stacked in the center of the warehouse. They must contain the obedience substance. He needed to make sure his antidote would be effective. After all, he prepared it for the drug Bright Sun used on him twenty-five years earlier.