The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 26

Sam and Ann stomped into their apartment after a brisk but silent walk from the Arcadia meeting. Sam dropped on the living room couch and Ann stood with the heavy mission plan document in her hand. After barely closing the door Ann said angrily, "Did you see that damn General? He's a real asshole."

"I didn't see all of it," Sam said. "I came in late. But I saw enough. He was really challenging you but you put him in his place real good."

"These pompous generals think they're the only ones... They need to control everything." Ann took a big deep breath as she struggled to relax. Even though still on edge from the confrontation, she felt better after hearing the general describe the details of the plan. He was right, she already knew them, but it felt different to hear him describe everything rather than reading about it in a report.

Holding the thick document and waving it in Sam's direction Ann said, "I wonder what else is in here besides what we heard?"

"I'm not sure, but I believe most plans include casualty estimates," Sam said.

Ann didn't wait for Sam to finish, thumbing through the report looking for the section about possible casualties. "Casualty Estimates. This section is quite long. Looks like it includes a complete report on the Cheik operation and initial estimates for Operation Genesis."

"They must have used the Cheik results as a basis for the Genesis projections."

"The Cheik report should be short, but there's a lot. Here's the summary." Ann read out loud the statistics to Sam pausing at the deaths but gasping the figures in disbelief.

Citizen population                        234,672  

Unaffected                          11%      25,814

Negative reaction              2%          4,693

Deaths from exposure  1.2%        2,816

Deaths from combat       2%         4,693

Control force deaths  150 (3%)     150

Total deaths                                     7,659

"I knew it," Sam proclaimed. "That's why the General didn't want us to go into the city. A significant number don't respond to the obedience drug and many get sick or die from it. Then incidental combat... The harmless, quiet, takeover killed almost eight thousand people."

"Quick. Flip to the Operation Genesis summary." Sam leaned forward motioning with his hands unconsciously turning the pages in the air.

Ann stopped her search gazing at the open report. A few lengthy seconds passed before she gasped. "What is it? What...? The initial estimates are frightening enough, but longer-term. Oh my God! They're over a hundred thousand. I need to read this whole chapter so I can understand. Oh my God, this... of, Oh my, though..."

Sam embraced Ann as she crumpled onto the couch, "I assume your mother has seen this. Right?" They both stared at the printed page desperately scanning the terrifying words.

"Yes, I know, I know...I mean she approved it. She must accept these losses to achieve her goal. I don't know what to do. This can't be. Oh my lord, what have we done?"