THE MAHABHARATA QUEST:THE ALEXANDER SECRET (31 page)

‘Sounds like a miracle cure,’ Colin observed.

‘It does,’ Roydon said emphatically. ‘No wonder they wanted to get their hands on this…this mixture.’ He shook his head, as if he still couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

‘You’ll pardon my saying this,’ Colin said. ‘I know there are respected scientists in this room and I don’t have any expertise to be judgmental about this. But, quite honestly, this all sounds very far-fetched to me. I mean a miracle virus that leads to the production of anti-ageing proteins and changes the nature of bacteria as well as targets cancer cells. It is a bit hard to believe. More like science fiction, really.’

‘Not really.’ Defence of the argument came from an unlikely source. Patterson had entered the fray. ‘There’s a lot about the human genome and viruses that we still haven’t discovered. There are new discoveries being made every day. Take, for example, the Adeno-associated virus type 2 or AAV2, which infects humans but is not known to cause sickness. In several studies using mice, it has been demonstrated that AAV2 kills 100 per cent of breast cancer cells in the laboratory by activating proteins called caspases, which are essential for the cell’s natural death. Cancer cells infected with AAV2 also produced more Ki-67, a protein that activates the immune system, and c-Myc, a protein that helps to increase cell growth as well as induce apoptosis.’

‘Moreover,’ Royson added, ‘8 per cent of the human
genome consists of virus genes and their remains. From evolving primates who were infected with retroviruses hundreds of thousands of years ago. And we know of viruses that turn on DNA that is usually dormant in people – the HIV virus, for example. It is very possible that the retrovirus produces proteins that attach to DNA to switch on genes that we don’t really know anything about. The human genome is still a big mystery. It has been mapped, but we’re still trying to figure out what large parts of it do. For a long time, an enormous part of the genome – over 90 per cent of it – was termed “junk DNA” because it doesn’t code for proteins. Today that tag is being discarded as new discoveries come to light.’

Galipos took up the narrative now. ‘That’s right. The ENCODE project suggests that almost 70 per cent of DNA is being copied into RNA rather than the miniscule numbers suggested earlier. It is entirely possible that there could be millions of genes out there. We just don’t know. Recent studies at Harvard University have shown that, for one genetic class –lincRNAs – more than 83 per cent are likely to contain transposable elements. These are called “jumping genes” because they can hop around within the genome. And many of these “jumping genes” are actually descendants of ancient retroviruses that have been passed down the generations along with the rest of the genes. It is thought that many of these retrovirus remnants may be involved in switching genes on and off. So the idea of a retrovirus entering the human body and switching on new genes that we don’t know about is hardly farfetched.’

‘So why did Alexander die after drinking the
amrita
?’ Colin persisted. ‘If he found this miracle cure and consumed it, he should have lived forever.’ He shuddered. ‘God knows I am thankful he didn’t, though.’

‘I’ll tell you why,’ Vijay responded. ‘It was Callisthenes.’

‘What?’ Galipos looked confused.

Colin chuckled. ‘A Greek historian who was executed by Alexander.’ He looked at Vijay. ‘So what did Callisthenes do?’

Vijay shook his head. ‘It wasn’t what he did. It was what he didn’t do. When we reached the Three Brothers, the Serpent Seal was unbroken. It had been untouched ever since that chamber had been originally sealed. Callisthenes never entered the chamber. And he would never have got past the door to the cavern even if he had managed to climb the rock and break the seal. He got the plants and fruit that were required. But he didn’t get the virus.’

Colin whistled. ‘So he planned to let Alexander die? I mean the verses are very clear. If you don’t follow the instructions, you don’t stand a chance. Not surprising, considering what we know about the virus now.’

‘Not really,’ Vijay replied. ‘I don’t think Callisthenes planned it. I think he just realised that there was no way he could climb that rock and break the seal. He probably thought that whatever lay behind the seal wasn’t all that important. And he didn’t want to tell Alexander about it. Not surprising, considering how intolerant Alexander had grown by then.’

There was silence for a while as everyone digested this. A myth from the Mahabharata had led a conqueror to his death. The world may have been a very different place had Alexander not died just short of his thirty-third birthday.

‘What’s the status with Titan?’ Vijay asked. When Imran had discovered the eight hidden floors with the patients from the clinical trials still locked in them, he had swiftly organised a medical evacuation of all the patients to Jaipur. From Jaipur itself, he had called Patterson and briefed him on the discovery.

‘We spoke to Wallace,’ Patterson replied wearily. ‘He was shocked to hear about the medical facility. But he also pointed out, quite rightly, that the premises did not belong to Titan. Neither was the Jaipur facility associated with Titan in any way. Kidwai has been working on tracing the owners.’

‘They’re absconding,’ Imran reported, taking up the narrative. ‘We’ve put out a red alert but they’ve covered their tracks pretty well. This was a well planned operation. They had planned for emergencies like being discovered.’

‘Do you believe Wallace?’ Colin asked. ‘He’s been popping up in the strangest places. Too many coincidences for me to swallow. Just look at it. He funded the Olympias tomb excavation. His trust hired Stavros and Peter, who turned out to be thugs. He’s the Chairman of Titan Pharmaceuticals. And we did find that one medical centre affilitated with his company is involved in shady medical experiments. Even if that centre was outsourced, there’s got to be some link here!’

There was silence for a few moments. Then Patterson spoke up. ‘I don’t dispute the facts you have stated,’ he began, ‘but there’s no evidence. Wallace is the non-executive Chairman of Titan. Which means he doesn’t sign off on day-to-day decisions made by the company. Even if those decisions involve contracting with outsourced vendors who conduct clinical trials. It is within the realm of possibility that he didn’t even know that the Delhi centre was working for the Order. And the Jaipur centre has no connection with Titan anyway. It is good enough reason for Wallace to point out that there may be a link between the two centres that Titan has nothing to do with.’

‘What about the excavation?’ Colin demanded, unwilling to give up. He had been very fond of Radha and was searching for someone who could be blamed for her death.

Patterson shook his head. ‘Negative again. Wallace’s trust is run by a man called Seymour Parker. Parker authorises all appointments. Not Wallace. He’d never heard of Stavros or Cooper. We checked Parker’s background and he’s clear. Cooper’s papers were forged. Damn good forgery too. Near CIA quality. These guys are professionals. Even if I were to go with you and doubt Parker, there’s no hard evidence that they acted wilfully in whatever they did. They’re in the clear.’

‘But you’re going to keep an eye on them, aren’t you?’ Colin wasn’t willing to give up.

‘We have to tread carefully here,’ Patterson replied. ‘As a task force, we haven’t built enough credibility to push our case. The first time we’ve seen action, we’ve failed. That’s right. We’ve failed. There’s no other way to describe what’s happened. No matter what the reasons or the extenuating factors, the outcome is beyond dispute. Who’s going to believe us if we accuse anyone? Who’s going to agree to spy on people we want to keep under surveillance?’

‘We can’t just stand by and let them get away,’ Colin protested.

‘Is that your emotion talking or is that based on facts?’ Patterson countered. ‘I think the same way you do. The members of the task force are paramount for me. Damn everyone else. But I’m not going to be swayed by emotion. And facts tell me that we cannot accuse anyone at this point in time. If we collect the evidence, I’ll be the first one baying for their blood. But not now.’

There was silence again. Colin bit back a retort and accepted the reality of Patterson’s words. It was bitter but he was right. There was no argument that could stand against what he had just said.

‘What about Saxena?’ Vijay wanted to know.

‘No evidence,’ Patterson responded. ‘We can’t connect Saxena to the centre. No witnesses to prove that he was even there.’

‘You mean he’s going to walk scot-free?’ Vijay was incredulous. ‘After Imran here survived an assassination attempt and Radha was killed by them?’ He choked on his words as he mentioned Radha’s name. ‘Isn’t it obvious that he is involved in this?’

‘We can’t arrest him,’ Imran said gently. ‘You and I suspect him. But without evidence, there’s nothing we can do. We’re going to watch him like a hawk. He’s going to trip sooner or later. And then we’ll nab him.’

‘We have to follow due process,’ Patterson explained. ‘Anything we do, anyone we charge, we have to make it stick in a court of law.’

Vijay was silent. His bitterness showed on his face.

‘Right, then. I think I’ve got all I need for a report to the US and Indian governments,’ Patterson summed up. ‘It wasn’t an ideal start for the task force. Our enemy got away. And they have the virus. We have work to do. It won’t take them long to isolate the virus, sequence it and then create the solution they are trying to develop. We have to stop them. But we don’t have much to go on. Let’s get to work and see what we can dig up. There has to be a trail. History may have overlooked the Order but would not have ignored it altogether.’

The others nodded. There would be no rest. They had to find the Order. And stop it. Before it was too late.

Patterson nodded and everyone stood up to leave. He looked pointedly at Vijay. ‘Stay.’

Vijay hung back as the others left the room. Patterson, too, was by himself now. The big man looked down and then back at Vijay.

‘I can’t pretend that I know how you feel,’ he said. ‘But I promise you, I can empathise. I have lost buddies on the battlefield. Boys I grew up with, hung out with, guzzled beer with...’ He shook his head. ‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned about war, it is this. Don’t hope. War doesn’t bring hope. It takes hope away. It is peace that brings hope. And that is what we must work towards. I’m sorry about Radha. I really am. But you have to move on. I suppose you harbour thoughts about avenging her death. It is natural. But I want you to suppress those thoughts. We have to work to defeat the Order. If we don’t there will be anarchy. This is war, my boy. This is not about Radha. It is about the future of the world. So hang in there.’

Vijay stood for a while, silently. ‘I understand.’ he looked Patterson in the eye. ‘Saxena, Van Klueck and the others; they can’t walk free just because we don’t have the evidence. If we can’t collect the evidence then we have to do more. And I will work to bring the Order down. Not just to feel that I’ve exacted revenge. They must also be stopped from taking away the loved ones of others. Like the people who were the subjects of the clinical trials. We will stop the Order. God knows how we’re going to do it. But I know we will find a way. Whatever it takes.’

Patterson nodded.
Whatever it takes.

How many lives had been claimed already? And how many more would be claimed before this was over?

Thoughts of revenge

As Vijay left the conference room, he was surprised to find Shukla barring his way. The linguist’s eyes were bright and there was a hard determination in his face that was difficult to ignore.

Vijay stood in silence, facing Shukla. He knew that the older man wanted to speak to him in private. The others had left. It was just the two of them.

Shukla waited a few moments before he spoke, as if he was trying to control his emotions.

‘I have not seen my daughter’s body,’ he said finally, emphasising each word. ‘Do you know how precious a daughter is for her father?’ Vijay could see him choking back the tears and he felt a strange feeling rise within him to reciprocate. ‘A daughter is her father’s life. He feels pain when she feels pain. He cries when she cries. He wants to give her every bit of happiness that she wants, even if it is beyond him.’ He paused, visibly composing himself again. ‘She was all that I lived for. And now...now, she is gone!’

Shukla’s restraint broke down and tears flowed down his cheeks. He was unable to control his emotions any more.

Vijay stood there, his own emotions a maelstrom in his mind. Shukla’s words had reminded him of what he, too, had lost. A selfless human being who loved him for what he was, blemishes and all.

He gripped Shukla’s arms and looked into his eyes. ‘I will bring her back,’ he assured Shukla. ‘I couldn’t do anything to help her. I couldn’t save her.’ The words tumbled out and he knew that his emotions were dictating them but he didn’t want to control himself now. ‘I promise you will see her again. I will bring her back. I don’t know how, but I will hunt them down and find her body. And I will ensure that they pay for what they have done.’

Vijay was conscious that he was contradicting everything he had told Patterson just a few moments ago. But he didn’t care. He didn’t want to care. He wasn’t a hero. He wasn’t here to save the world. It was all very nice and noble to talk about ensuring that others wouldn’t lose their loved ones. But what about him? What about Radha? There was no going back for her.

He embraced the old man who broke down openly now.

Two men stood in the semi-dark anteroom of the conference hall, sharing their grief. In that moment, for that moment, they were one in their thoughts and feelings.

EPILOGUE

A disturbing call

Vijay sat in the study of the fort, nursing a whisky. He was alone. Colin had left that night for the US. He had gone to the airport straight from the task force meeting. Alice had gone with him. They had been booked on the same flight. Patterson had made arrangements to ensure that Alice would be under protection in the US. He hadn’t disclosed what those arrangements were and no one had asked. It was better that way.

For the first time in his life, Vijay felt truly alone. When his parents had died, his uncle had been there. When his uncle was murdered, he had Colin by his side. And, later, Radha.

Now, there was no one. It was true, he mused, that one came into the world alone and left the same way. For some reason, his thoughts were dark and depressing. He couldn’t stop thinking about death. He didn’t find it surprising, considering how often death had visited his loved ones and taken them away.

His set his glass down on the desk. If nothing else, he would busy himself so that his thoughts would not overwhelm him. It would be better to spend time going through the cartons in the room on the fifth floor until he was too tired to continue. He would then retire for the night.

The jangling of the phone intruded on his thoughts. He frowned. Who could it be? He glanced at his watch. It was 11 pm. A bit late for a social call.

It was an unfamiliar number. He decided to answer
it. ‘Yes?’

‘Vijay Singh?’

He frowned. It wasn’t a wrong number after all. But the voice was unfamiliar.

‘Speaking.’

‘You don’t know me.’ The voice was hesitant. A bit tremulous. As if the speaker wasn’t sure he should be calling Vijay in the first place. It was guarded. Cautious.

‘Who is this?’

‘I’m a friend of Pratap Singh,’ came the reply. ‘A very close friend.’

Vijay sat up. His father’s name was Pratap Singh. ‘What’s your name?’

‘I… can we meet?’

‘I need to know who you are.’

‘We need to meet.’ The speaker was more forceful now. The hesitancy was gone. ‘I need to tell you something. Your father gave me something before he died.’ The speaker corrected himself. ‘Before the car crash.’

‘What was it?’

‘I can’t… not over the phone. We need to meet.’

‘And why have you waited fifteen years to contact me?’

‘I didn’t need to. Now, I do.’

Vijay considered this. What need could have driven this mysterious caller to call him after fifteen years?

‘How do I know you aren’t a fraud? Making up this story about knowing my father?’

‘Check your email.’

‘Hold on.’ Vijay pulled his laptop towards him and switched it on. He quickly checked his email. There was, indeed, an email sent just a few minutes ago. From an email address that he was not familiar with. He clicked on the email.

And froze. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing on the screen. It now made sense. The file among his father’s papers. The newspaper clippings and articles. The research on archaeological excavations. He was shocked. But he had to know more.

‘Are you there?’ the caller enquired, a bit anxiously.

Vijay shook himself out of his reverie. ‘I’m here,’ he responded. ‘When can we meet?’

‘Six months from now. Starbucks. Cyber Hub, Gurgaon. I’ll call you two days prior and give you a time.’

‘Why wait so long to meet if it is urgent?’ Vijay couldn’t understand.

‘I need time to prepare,’ was the terse reply.

The call disconnected. Vijay put his phone down and sat thinking. His mind spun. Who was this mysterious caller? He clearly had an urgent need to meet. So why wait for six months? His explanation didn’t make sense. What preparation did he have to do? And what was he going to reveal to Vijay when they did meet? There were too many questions that were unanswered.

Six months from today this puzzle would unravel.

He would have to wait.

To be continued…