Milo Moon: It Never Happened (12 page)

‘Where did you get those?’

‘We’ve always had them,’ Anne replied.

‘And how long have you been here?’

‘We arrived this morning.’ Michael said.

‘And from where?’

‘Sootere.’

‘Sous terre! Underground!’ Officer Dupont inflected in disbelief.

‘Yes. We climbed through the exhaust ducting system to escape.’

‘The exhaust system from where?’

‘As I said, Sootere. That’s where we lived. We escaped because we believed we were going to be terminated.’

‘So…..’ Officer Dupont paused in total disbelief at Michael’s story so far. ‘So, where exactly did you enter, here. From the exhaust system that is?’

‘Near a blue sign that read CERN - Aimant Dipôle - Superconductor - LHC, just in front of a big brown ball.’

The mention of CERN had Officer Dupont on guard immediately, and suspected she had two possible nut cases on her hands. She started taking notes in her notebook, and continued.

‘So, it is only the two of you then?’

‘Sort of,’ Anne replied.

‘What do you mean? Sort of.’

‘Hello, I’m Milo Moon.’

‘And I’m Mary Seaton.’

The voices ever so slightly different from Anne and Michael, but not enough for Officer Dupont to notice.

‘I think you had better come with us,’ Officer Dupont said firmly.

‘Oh, thank you,’ Michael said. ‘That’s very generous of you.’

Officer Dupont turned to her colleague and told him to call in to base to tell them they were bringing in a couple of junkies.

After being processed and having their files started, Officer Dupont asked them to put their possessions on the table. Both complied happily and once again thanked Officer Dupont for the time she was taking in helping them. After going through their sacks and pockets it was clear that they had no money at all, nor any identification. Some tools, maps and scraps of food and water bottles. It was only when she came across the file and opened it that she realised this was going to be a long day.

‘Oh merde!’ Officer Dupont said, as she read the first few pages.

‘Where did you get this from?’

‘George gave it to us. He wanted us to escape before we were terminated. That’s the date next to your finger there.’ Michael said, as he pointed to the date marked in the file.

‘And where is this George?’

‘He has been terminated.’

‘What? Killed?’

‘We only know the word terminated.’

‘I’m having trouble believing all this,’ Officer Dupont said, almost to herself.

‘We have cameras implanted in our heads,’ Milo interjected. ‘Maybe you could download the data.’

‘Cameras in your head!’ she exclaimed in disbelief.

Michael turned his head and lifted his hair slightly, as the light reflected from the small lens.

‘Oh, putain.’ Officer Dupont hissed to herself as she realised she had a serious problem on her hands. ‘Look, it’s getting late. I think I’ll arrange your accommodation here for the night and I’d like to get a doctor to have a look at you. Is that okay with you?’

‘Oh, please don’t go to any trouble,’ Anne said.

‘No, it’s fine Anne. Really. I think you both need a good meal and a some sleep tonight. I’d just like the doctor to make sure you are both fit and well. That’s all.’

‘All right. If it’s no trouble for you, that’s very nice of you. Umm, can we have our things back?’

‘Sure Anne. Would you mind if I just make a copy of your file?’

‘Oh, if you like. Sure,’ Michael said innocently.

‘Great. Thanks. I’ll get you settled in straight away then.’

‘Can I ask you something?’ Milo said.

‘Yes?’

‘What’s your name?’

‘Marie.’

‘That’s a nice name.’

‘Thank you, Milo.’

Dr. Luc Fleury reported back to Officer Dupont after he had completed his examinations.

‘I think there is a major problem here officer. I’ve taken blood for analysis and will have the results by morning. But these two are drugged to the gills. That’s for sure. I just don’t know what with. There are also signs of repetitive trauma injuries and scarring from any number of surgical procedures.’

‘What? Oh my god,’ Officer Dupont said, and picked up the file, opened it at the page with the copy of the document referring to human experimentation, and handed it to the Dr. Fleury.

‘I think you had better have your commander contact Bern immediately, Officer Dupont.’

‘Yes Dr. Fleury.’

‘I’ll be back around eleven tomorrow with the results of the blood tests.’

‘Yes. I’ll be here.’

Dr. Fleury left, and Officer Dupont headed off nervously to see her commander without an appointment. Something she had never done before. Within an hour, telephones were ringing in the Swiss capital, Bern.

Chapter 12 - Cold Turkey

‘Good morning, Dr. Fleury.’

‘Good morning, Officer Dupont. Look, the blood test results are frightening. Their blood is more like a chemical cocktail. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.’

‘All right. Can you wait for a short while? I’m expecting my commander any minute with some people from Bern. They may want to see the results.’

‘Can I check on Anne and Michael?’

‘Not at the moment I’m afraid doctor. We’ll have to wait. It’s out of my hands now. My commander just wanted me here to make sure they were calm when I introduce them to him and the other people.’

‘Do you know who they are? These people from Bern?’

‘No idea. As soon as I told my commander, he took over the case.’

‘All right. I’ll get a coffee in the cafeteria. Come and grab me when you need me. I’ll have to go by midday though.’

‘Yes, I understand. They should be here any minute. I’ll find you.’

‘Right. See you soon then.’

Marie Dupont waited anxiously for her commander to arrive. She also had in her mind that she wanted to see if Anne and Michael were well after a night’s sleep. Her commander’s arrival was heralded by a lot of shuffling and movement, as he made his way through the building towards the secure area where Marie Dupont was waiting.

‘Are we ready, Dupont?’ he half barked, as he arrived with three men and a woman.

‘I believe so sir.’

‘Right, let’s go. I’ll come in with you and you can introduce me. Then our friends here will join me once they’re settled and comfortable. By the way, is the doctor here?’

‘He’s in the cafeteria sir.’

The commander turned and instructed one of the men behind him where to find the doctor.

‘Right. Ready Dupont?’

‘Yes sir, eh, can I ask who these people are?’

‘No Dupont, you can’t.’

‘Sorry sir.’

‘Let’s get moving.’

‘Good morning, Anne. Good morning, Michael.’

‘Oh hello, Marie. How are you?’ Anne replied.

‘I’m fine thanks. I’d like to introduce you to my commander. He would like to help with your file if that’s ok?’

‘Sure,’ Michael said agreeably.

‘Good morning Michael, I’m Pierre André.’

‘Nice to meet you Pierre. Is it all right if I call you, Pierre?’

‘Certainly, Michael. And Anne. Nice to meet you too,’ Pierre André said, in such a friendly tone it surprised Marie Dupont. She had never even seen him smile before.

‘Thank you. Everyone has been so nice to us. Especially Marie. She’s been wonderful, hasn’t she, Michael?’

‘Yes. That’s for sure.’

‘All right,’ Pierre started. ‘I’ve seen a copy of your file and it would seem that this is a very sensitive story you have bought with you. You say you were held underground.’

‘That’s right. In Sootere.’ Milo said. ‘Oh I’m sorry I interrupted. My name is Milo Moon. Nice to meet you too, Pierre.’

Pierre André did notice the subtle change in voice, as to did Marie this time.

‘I see Milo, and yes, nice to meet you too,’ he said, as he shook hands again to greet Milo.

‘And I’m Mary Seaton Pierre. Nice to meet you.’

‘The pleasure is mine Mary,’ Pierre said politely and without showing any surprise. ‘Well, now that we have all met, could I ask you if it would be ok with you to have some friends have a chat with you? We would really like to understand what has happened to you, and what we should do next,’ Pierre said.

‘How many friends do you have?’ Milo asked, and Pierre to his credit was sharp enough to know it was Milo talking.

‘Oh Milo, I have many friends, but this morning only four. They are from the government.’

‘And what’s a government?’

‘My bosses, Milo.’

‘Oh. Understood. No problem. Will Marie be staying too?’

‘Well,’ Pierre hesitated knowing that she didn’t have clearance to be at such a sensitive interview. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because we trust her. We don’t know you very well, nor your friends,’ Milo said, in a rare demonstration of his strength and determination.

‘Right. Give me two minutes then,’ Pierre said, as he left the room.

‘It’s all okay,’ Marie said, after André had closed the door. ‘I’m sure they’re nice people. You don’t really need me here.’

‘Yes we do Marie. You are the only person we trust,’ Mary said, and Marie picked Mary’s voice for the first time.

‘Thank you Mary. I’m very honoured by your trust, but we’ll have to see what my commander says. He’s a fine man……’

Marie didn’t have a chance to finish as Pierre André returned to the room. ‘Are you ready for a double shift today, Dupont?’

‘Yes sir. Certainly.’

‘Good. Right then, Officer Dupont will be staying with us, so can we begin?’

‘Very well. We’re ready.’

‘Thank you Michael.’

Marie Dupont was very impressed with Pierre André’s ability to pick the subtle changes in voices so well.

‘Dupont. Could I ask you to show the people from Bern in please?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Would you like some coffee?’ Pierre asked his four new acquaintances.

‘Thank you, that would be very nice,’ Anne and Michael replied, almost in unison.

André used his mobile and called someone to organise tea, coffee and sandwiches for eight people for lunch. While he was doing that, Marie re-entered the room with two men and one woman.

‘There’s one more to come,’ Marie told Anne and Michael. ‘He’s just speaking with Dr. Fleury right now.’

‘Okay Marie. That’s fine,’ Michael replied.

Pierre André introduced the people but of course didn’t say that they were from Switzerland’s secret service. So secret in fact that the service didn’t even have an official name. Marie had no idea where they were from either. All she knew was that they were from Bern.

‘If we can begin before our lunch arrives, we would like to take some notes of your experiences in, was it, Sootere?’ André asked.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Milo confirmed.

‘Just to get an idea of what you know and remember. Marie will go with Anne and Mary to the room next door, and I’ll stay here with Michael and Milo, while my friends here ask their questions. Our lunch will be here in about an hour, and we can take a break then. Is that okay?’

Michael and Anne looked at each other before Michael agreed with André’s plan.

‘Right. Let’s get to work then,’ Andre said, and they moved and organised themselves for the one hour session before lunch.

A little under an hour later, Pierre Andre’s phone vibrated. He answered, listened and said okay before hanging up.

‘Lunch is ready. I think we could all do with a break. It’s being served in the room just two doors down the corridor. I’ll fetch Anne and Mary.’

Half way through lunch, Mary whispered in Marie’s ear. ‘Anne is not feeling well.’

‘I’ll get the doctor. Okay?’

‘Okay.’

Marie stood up and went to tell Pierre André. He agreed that she should call the doctor back, but in the meantime, the man from Bern who had met the doctor earlier also had a medical background of some description. He said he would get him to have a look at her in the meantime.

Pierre took Anne to an adjoining room to lie down. Mary was still bright and communicative, but said that it felt like Anne was sleeping. Marie returned. The doctor was on his way as he had just finished an appointment down the road. The man from Bern had a quick look at Anne and Mary, but had no idea of what was happening. There was a tap at the door just before it opened. It was the woman from Bern. ‘Michael is not feeling well either,’ she announced.

Dr. Fleury arrived and checked them both. There was little he could do except call for an ambulance and get them both to hospital.

‘So what is it?’ Pierre André asked.

‘Drugs and chemicals. They’ve both been heavily medicated every day of their lives. And now without them, they are dying. With the results of their blood tests, I can only hope we can get them stabilised.’