with the WHO, absolutely brilliant.”
Alex could hear the smile in each of Dr. Whelan’s words as he spoke them; he thought the doctor might be enjoying the entire process a little more than he should.
“On to business, Doctor, if you please.” Alex was anxious to get the details squared away for this “second test” as quickly as possible. Every day they were delayed was a loss of money and potential opportunity. Alex was not one to leave such things behind.
“Of course,” the doctor began. “Ken, how soon before I can initiate another test run?”
“What did you have in mind? Same as last time?”
“Well…similar. I have an idea that would be far more mobile and would spare the need for any equipment removal afterward.”
Kunnert gave it some thought, it would make things easier, but…
“We can’t do this in Los Angeles again. If you are as mobile as you say then I would recommend an alternate city.” Alex turned to Kunnert: “Any particular preference?”
“That would depend. Doctor, am I correct in assuming that if this second test proves 100% successful then we can move immediately to phase two of our operation?”
“That would seem logical and prudent as everything is ready here,” the doctor’s voice grew slight colder, “even with the sudden addition we accepted recently.”
“You disapprove?” Kunnert asked.
“Disapprove of what?” Alex seemed bewildered.
“Not really, I simply don’t like surprises.” The chill in the doctor’s voice became more apparent.
“What are you two yammering about?!” Alex was practically hollering at this point. “Our trusty senior security advisor here thought it acceptable to bring all of the ‘test subjects’ from The Inferno to this location for storage,” the doctor finally revealed.
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?” Alex was yelling now, “You abducted over one thousand people and brought them HERE???”
“Where did you think I was going to take them?”
“I didn’t know or care! Dig a deep pit and bury them all in it or put them in a cargo container and sink it in the ocean for all I care, just make sure it can’t be tracked back to us.”
“You do remember they are all still alive, yes?” Kunnert’s crooked smile belied his concern for the victims.
“So? As long as we are safe what difference does it make?”
“We are safe, believe me. If anyone gets wind of their presence here we will say we had to bring them to our facility in order to cure them. Unfortunately, none of them will survive if it comes to that and plans fall apart, but if everything plays out as we expect, we can spin this into an excellent PR campaign as we ‘cure’ them.”
Alex shook his head. “That’s a big risk you are taking.”
“True, but the reward will greatly outweigh the risk. Besides, it gives the good doctor more test subjects to play with.”
The speaker on the phone mused, “Hmm, yes I like that part.”
“Do we still have enough space for the other “guests” we are hoping to receive after phase two?”
“Oh yes and then some.” The doctor once again sounded cheery. “Space and supplies were never in question. It was simply a case of my not liking surprises, as I said.”
“All right,” Alex concluded, “I think we can move forward. Ken, where do you want the next test to take place?”
“It would stand to reason that if we run a second test and immediately move on our target for phase two, then we should run the test in the city closest to our quarry. That way the entire unit will basically be in place and we can readily move out as soon as the test results are in.”
Again the voice from the phone hummed a happy sound. “Ooooh! Excellent idea! I will get prepared.” Then the connection closed as the doctor hung up the phone on his end.
Alex reached over and disconnected the call. “What’s he so happy about?”
“Think about it.” When Alex didn’t respond immediately, Kunnert added “The city
Alex could hear the smile in each of Dr. Whelan’s words as he spoke them; he thought the doctor might be enjoying the entire process a little more than he should.
“On to business, Doctor, if you please.” Alex was anxious to get the details squared away for this “second test” as quickly as possible. Every day they were delayed was a loss of money and potential opportunity. Alex was not one to leave such things behind.
“Of course,” the doctor began. “Ken, how soon before I can initiate another test run?”
“What did you have in mind? Same as last time?”
“Well…similar. I have an idea that would be far more mobile and would spare the need for any equipment removal afterward.”
Kunnert gave it some thought, it would make things easier, but…
“We can’t do this in Los Angeles again. If you are as mobile as you say then I would recommend an alternate city.” Alex turned to Kunnert: “Any particular preference?”
“That would depend. Doctor, am I correct in assuming that if this second test proves 100% successful then we can move immediately to phase two of our operation?”
“That would seem logical and prudent as everything is ready here,” the doctor’s voice grew slight colder, “even with the sudden addition we accepted recently.”
“You disapprove?” Kunnert asked.
“Disapprove of what?” Alex seemed bewildered.
“Not really, I simply don’t like surprises.” The chill in the doctor’s voice became more apparent.
“What are you two yammering about?!” Alex was practically hollering at this point. “Our trusty senior security advisor here thought it acceptable to bring all of the ‘test subjects’ from The Inferno to this location for storage,” the doctor finally revealed.
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?” Alex was yelling now, “You abducted over one thousand people and brought them HERE???”
“Where did you think I was going to take them?”
“I didn’t know or care! Dig a deep pit and bury them all in it or put them in a cargo container and sink it in the ocean for all I care, just make sure it can’t be tracked back to us.”
“You do remember they are all still alive, yes?” Kunnert’s crooked smile belied his concern for the victims.
“So? As long as we are safe what difference does it make?”
“We are safe, believe me. If anyone gets wind of their presence here we will say we had to bring them to our facility in order to cure them. Unfortunately, none of them will survive if it comes to that and plans fall apart, but if everything plays out as we expect, we can spin this into an excellent PR campaign as we ‘cure’ them.”
Alex shook his head. “That’s a big risk you are taking.”
“True, but the reward will greatly outweigh the risk. Besides, it gives the good doctor more test subjects to play with.”
The speaker on the phone mused, “Hmm, yes I like that part.”
“Do we still have enough space for the other “guests” we are hoping to receive after phase two?”
“Oh yes and then some.” The doctor once again sounded cheery. “Space and supplies were never in question. It was simply a case of my not liking surprises, as I said.”
“All right,” Alex concluded, “I think we can move forward. Ken, where do you want the next test to take place?”
“It would stand to reason that if we run a second test and immediately move on our target for phase two, then we should run the test in the city closest to our quarry. That way the entire unit will basically be in place and we can readily move out as soon as the test results are in.”
Again the voice from the phone hummed a happy sound. “Ooooh! Excellent idea! I will get prepared.” Then the connection closed as the doctor hung up the phone on his end.
Alex reached over and disconnected the call. “What’s he so happy about?”
“Think about it.” When Alex didn’t respond immediately, Kunnert added “The city
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