The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 35

Ann burst past the guard, who was still holding his gun pointed toward the fallen Colonel, into the vacant meeting room. Flinging herself into the chair facing the closet at the back of the room it rocked almost overturning from the impact. An avalanche of thoughts and memories clogged Ann's most logical mind making it difficult to sort out tiny unused bits of information like the emergency number for Bangkok. One, five, five, five, I think?

"Metro Administration," a female voice said in Thai. Wrong number. Ann speaking in Thai explained she needed an ambulance. The operator recited the correct number. One, five, five, four, but connected her anyway.

Sam crouched, bare-chested, at Paul's side pressing hard on the wound using his shirt. Others in the building, hearing the shots, cautiously approached until Sam motioned that it was safe. Several of them then made emergency calls to police and for medical help. Paul hadn't moved and Sam didn't try to move him. Sirens warbled outside the door causing those inside to cover their ears. Sam gratefully relinquished his vigil over Paul to the uniformed attendants as they took his vital signs. Preparing him for transport to the nearest hospital, they handed Sam his mobile phone, wallet, and other valuables.

Staring straight ahead, sitting in the meeting room Ann's face was flush and her breathing rapid. The guard entered the room with his gun lowered to his side. Ann told him to put it on the table and sit in one of the chairs. His deliberate movements and distant gaze showed he was still under the influence of the persuasion drug.

Awakened from her stupor Ann walked toward the closet at the back of the room entering the keypad code to open the safe. Looking inside she lingered then removed several documents. We'll need these when we approach the government authorities. The weapons descriptions might convince them we are friendly? The second safe remained locked keeping the abort codes only a few inches from her fingers. She left the main safe open and returned to her seat. Paul?

A green light flashed from the interior of the safe. Seeing the signal, Ann instinctively turned toward it. The lock mechanism activated. The latch withdrew and hinge spring swung the door open.

Ann froze for a second to process what had happened. She then realized the devastating significance. Ann wailed wildly thrusting her arms in the air, "Oh my God. May-may, May-may (Burmese for mother)."

Hearing Ann's cries Sam ran to the room. She threw herself on him in a passionate embrace crying and screaming uncontrollably. "My May-may is dead. Oh my God." Sam tried to console her with no effect. She began convulsing in a violent unrestrained hysterical outburst.

Even though Bright Sun had evil intentions, she still was her mother.

Still crying and sobbing Ann composed herself enough to separate from Sam. She reached into the small safe and retrieved the precious abort codes. After looking at them briefly she handed the document to Sam, "Broadcast this at once to all of our field generals and the local chapters. They will terminate operation Genesis and wait for further instructions. I can't do it. I'm too upset." She began crying again putting her head in her hands on the table in front of her.