The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 29

Exhausted to the edge of passing out, Paul rested on the floor leaning against the wall of the Arcadia warehouse meeting room he now knew well. He tried to sleep this way since his capture but he only dozed off a few minutes at a time. It didn't help he was soaking wet from his venture into the flood control tunnel and running unprotected through the torrential rain.

The room didn't have any windows so he couldn't be sure it was morning. But the sounds of people moving about on the other side of the door signaled its arrival. Outside the locked door, although he couldn't be sure, his captor likely sat with a gun in hand, maintaining a singular vigil.

Sam entered the storage building, as always ready to start his daily routine, but this time it felt different. It was New Year's Eve and only one day remained before Bright Sun's Arcadia expansion mission. Just one day before what he feared would cause misery and death for many. He knew now that Ann shared his fear and wanted to stop her mother's conquest plan. But the launch sequence had already started.

Sam noticed the armed guard sitting in front of the meeting room at the rear of the meeting hall. He surmised Mike must be inside. "I'm Sam Howe director of this chapter of Arcadia," Sam informed the guard.

"Sir, I know who you are," the guard answered. "I have the prisoner."

"Is a gun really necessary?"

"Yes, he was very difficult to subdue. He severely beat two of my partners and nearly escaped. If I didn't have a gun..." The guard held up Paul's wet Strong-Arm sleeve. "I got this from him last night." Sam inspected the sleeve curious about was it was and handed it back to the guard.

Sam didn't understand how Mike, a fit but physically unimpressive fifty-something, could have beaten two large men. "It won't be much longer. Ms. Andromeda will be here soon."

Sam turned toward the front of the building where there was a disturbance. Ann had arrived, and the staff quickly assembled to greet her. They bowed and even kissed her hand as if she were royalty. She gracefully responded by holding their hands, dipping her head and smiling. As quickly as she could, she left them to join Sam.

"Is he inside?" Ann said, after arriving at Sam's side.

"Yes, the guard told me Mike beat two of them to submission, so he had to use his gun."

"He must be extremely strong?" Sam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"You can unlock the door," Ann said to the guard.

"Yes ma'am, but be careful. He's as strong as ten men."

Sam's puzzled look exposed his confusion about Mike's strength. Ann retreated slightly, so she was behind the overweight armed guard who unlocked the room door. I hope that's Sam. Paul struggled to his feet moving with difficulty because of his wet clothes, relieved to see Sam behind the guard and Ann in the doorway.

"Be careful Sir," the guard said. "I've seen him strike. You won't be able to stop him."

Sam halted his advance. Paul wasn't wearing his Strong-Arm so he couldn't over power the guard. Besides, this was his chance to talk with them both about a plan to stop the Genesis mission. "I think it's okay, guard," Sam said. "I know this man and we have an understanding." The guard wasn't convinced and nervously held the gun ready to fire.

"Yes guard," Ann said. "I think it will be okay. You can leave us with this man. Stand guard outside the door."

"I don't think that's a good idea but..."

"It will be fine," Ann motioned for the guard to leave.

Paul nodded assuredly, and the guard left the room locking them all inside.

"He told us you beat up two men," Sam said. "How did you do that?"

"I used my invention," Paul replied. "It's a sleeve I wrap around my arm that makes me stronger than any man."

"The guard has it," Sam said. "He showed it to me when I arrived."

Ann appreciated his invention and marveled at his ingenuity, but needed to find out more about his alternative to Arcadia. "Sam tells me you've been talking to him about your ideas to share our world changing inventions without the need to take territory," Ann said. "We're worried about the casualties from a forced takeover. I understand you manage an Institute that does something similar?"

"Yes, I've been working with a partner for over twenty years creating innovations that have improved the human condition. We have shared these willingly with the world." Should I tell them who I really am? "You can use this approach too, but you can add conditions."