The SONG of SHIVA (12 page)

“We’ve discovered an intriguing protein-expressing portion of the strand at that location which seems to act as an anti-telomerase antibody, turning off the virus’s ability to replicate. But it appears to require some sort of triggering agent for activation. We can’t explain why it’s there, nor do we know what the activating agent might be. Maybe you have some thoughts?”

“Really? Well, let’s have a look, shall we? I must admit what you’re describing sounds intriguing, if you’ve really identified its function correctly. I haven’t heard anything from our research team. An organism with an internalized extinction function would be, to my knowledge, unique in nature.”

Nora couldn’t help thinking about the two critically ill patients back in Atlanta. Might this exchange herald a glimmer of hope for them? If so, maybe she could transmit a suggestion in her next communiqué and raise some spirits at the CDC.

At the same instant, Lyköan was wondering,
Yeah, yeah, very interesting, boys and girls, but I’ve got other things to attend to right now and they’re important too
.
While this dazzling lightshow may be real interesting to all these scientific masterminds, this dog and pony show is of absolutely no help for me getting my job done
.

He tried getting Whitehall’s attention with a glance. No luck. Whitehall may have noticed the attempt, but he wasn’t about to interrupt this command performance. That could wait at least until after the final curtain call.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who only dream by night.

Edgar Allan Poe :
Leonora

The demonstration had ended, but most of the audience remained, coalescing into ever tightening circles of conversation. Not unexpectedly, the largest group surrounded Pandavas and included Nora and Tardieu. Cool drafts blew out of ceiling vents, but the air was still hot and thick, a faint odor of ozone and electronic circuitry hanging in the air.

Tardieu had button-holed Pandavas and, as he had promised, was interceding on Nora’s behalf. “Doctor Carmichael has suggested ― and I think it’s a brilliant idea ― that we might attempt to direct the next series of mutational algorithms towards predicting
when
the virus is likely to reemerge. If we're successful, we’ll not only have the histological template, but a timeframe as well. Do you think that’s possible, Atma?”

“Possible?” Pandavas mused, considering the idea. “More than likely. It would require splicing additional metrics into the existing formulae and writing thousands of lines of new code, but if we're successful, we would then have a target in time. It might take some time to integrate and test the math, but it’s a reasonable hypothesis. Intriguing. And this was your idea, Dr. Carmichael?”

Nora nodded, satisfied that Pandavas appeared open to her suggestion. “It seemed like such an obvious question. Knowing a specific date, we’d be able to craft countermeasures based on the deadline imposed.”

“Why yes, of course,” Pandavas agreed. “I’ll contact our people, the team that developed the original algorithms. They’ll have a much better idea how extensive a codec alteration will be needed ― and more importantly, I think ― how much time and what resources will be required.”

Out of the blue, a deflating suspicion crossed Nora’s mind ― one that ran completely counter to the current of the conversation. She had no idea what had prompted it. Some territorial instinct perhaps. While Pandavas might be a scientist first, he was also a consummate businessman.

Could it possibly be, Doctor
, she wondered,
that with thousands of corporate scientists at your disposal, redirecting a few to placate me right now might pay huge dividends to Innovac later on
?

Innovac’s working on the TAI virus anyway
,
right
?
Sure
.
Do Carmichael this little favor
.
Stroke her obviously inflated ego
.
What does she know about Hypothecated Modeling
?
And someday, if and when the Innovac Empire needs a quick approval
―
say from the FDA
―
maybe you call in the marker
?

Am I being too suspicious
?
I don’t think so
.
Corporate chieftains are always thinking, planning dozens of moves and years ahead
.

While the air of suspicion was escaping from Nora’s ego, Lyköan and Whitehall were off by themselves in an otherwise empty corner, carrying on a discrete dialog, their anxious eyes darting about the room.

“Ah, there’s the rub,” Whitehall said, in voice barely above a whisper. “The people we really should be watching weren’t here for the Pandavas vaudeville performance, perhaps by design. Could be a bit of magical misdirection, allowing the Thai authorities to further their intentions while we’re being otherwise entertained.”

“If we could only listen in on Jimmy’s phone conversations,” Lyköan said, giving voice to a longstanding wish. “I bet that would tell us plenty.”

“You realize, Lyköan, that’s not completely impossible.”

“What, bug his double-bud? How?”

“Very discretely, of course,” Whitehall explained. “The most cunning encryption is no match for a really tenacious code-breaker.”

“You got a cryptographer on the payroll?”

“Hired and already hard at work,” Whitehall replied. “A word to the wise though, lad ― for your own protection. If you haven’t already begun transmitting all your sensitive info via hard-wire lines and even then, only if you’re certain the line is secure, I'd highly recommend you begin doing so.”

Was Whitehall suggesting Lyköan’s past transmissions had been intercepted, already been compromised? Before he could ask, a flicker in Whitehall’s eyes warned of someone’s approach.

“Am I interrupting a palace plot, gentlemen?” Julie Prentice asked good-naturedly, adding a conspiratorial wink, both eyes displaying a feral glint that Lyköan did not find at all unappealing, “or are you just hiding in this corner to escape the old man’s blathering? In either case, your secret’s safe with me.” Prentice sidled closer. Pursuing the potential Primrose security breach discussion would have to wait.

“Have to admit, that was quite a show,” Lyköan managed calmly, adding, “But we underlings still have our own chores to get to if we intend to stay in his majesty’s good graces. While the boss is otherwise occupied, maybe we can get some actual work done.”

“Such as?” Prentice asked.

“For starters, the rest of the Innovac shipments still sitting dockside,” Lyköan answered. “Be nice to know if any other items from those containers might be earmarked for the WHO.” Out of the corner of his eye he watched Gordon and Narayan approach. A transitory thought crossed his mind, that those two might be more dangerous than the luscious Ms. Prentice or any plot she might be thinking of hatching.

“I can help you with that, Lyköan,” Gordon said, entering the circle of conversation uninvited. “Atma wants four of the ten new database servers delivered and installed right here, by tomorrow afternoon – at the latest. These two old college chums think they’re onto something sure to solve this TAI virus mystery by week’s end. Maybe tomorrow.” Lyköan caught Gordon’s obvious sarcasm. “While we jump through every conceivable flaming hoop seeing they do.”

We
?
You mean ME, don’t you
? Lyköan thought. But what emerged from his mouth was, “Just as long as somebody tells me how high to jump. Or am I supposed to already know?” He could tolerate the insipid banter if it kept a slavering new boss’s teeth out of his tender throat. 

“Hoop jumping comes with the territory,” Prentice chided, with an understanding roll of her eyes. “After you’ve been working for a certifiable genius for a while you’ll learn to expect it.” She added with a smile, “I have it on good authority that Daedalus and Archimedes were even more demanding.”

“The old man’s complaining that the present land-sea transport is too damned slow to satisfy the WHO’s needs,” Narayan, the gang-of-three’s final member, contributed. “He wants all future shipments sent from London by air.” Demands were flying faster than automatic rifle fire. Were they pushing just to see if he would push back?

“The WHO’s desperate for the latest and greatest,” Gordon added. “Tardieu probably has had a string of firecrackers tied to his own tail by his superiors in New York. If he can get Atma to agree, you’ll be shipping untested beta configurations by supersonic transport next.”

It all sounded like the same demanding melody to Lyköan. Whitehall hadn’t said a word since Prentice had interrupted, but Lyköan had no trouble finding his voice, which emerged piqued. “Am I getting this right? The Primrose build-out is now playing second fiddle to the WHO? Did I miss something? I’ll see what I can do but, until about an hour ago I didn’t know satisfying the WHO's demands was even on my radar. Now they’re suddenly
more
important.”

“I shouldn’t have to tell you, Lyköan,” Gordon said with an exaggerated sigh, “the WHO deliveries and the Primrose build-out are
equally
important. Succeed in achieving
both
objectives and ― maybe ― you’ll prove your value and thereby earn the generous wage Innovac is paying you.”

“I’ll do the best I can, but a guarantee? Sorry, I can’t give one.”

Lyköan tried to mirror Gordon’s calm, relaxed stare, but something had been triggered by the exchange that he couldn’t explain that had now taken on a life of its own.

“You have to understand, Gordon, this isn’t London. Bangkok operates by completely different rules ― and at a pace most Westerners can’t really appreciate.” Out of the visceral depths of his subconscious, the Tanner that Sun Shi had often warned him about was reacting. Lyköan purposefully steadied his breathing, recalled Sun Shi’s admonition, thought about Right Action, thought about the middle way, all in an attempt to settle himself, but none of it seemed capable of lowering the rising temperature of his response.

“I promise, I’ll do the best I can. I might even be able to pull off some magic, but not if push has to come to shove. Understand? Now, why don’t you boys shuffle off and hassle another mark.”

Gordon reacted with a glare. Prentice and Whitehall cast their glances elsewhere.

“All well and good, Mr. Lyköan,” Gordon said, his lips narrowing. “Just make sure the critical deadlines are met and we will remain chums. And that, I hope,
you
understand.”

But Gordon wasn’t finished. “Mr. Sawadviphachai and Minister Intatha have made it quite clear that the Thai government, particularly the Ministry of Health, considers the WHO’s efforts in addressing the recent outbreak a matter of national security. And because they do, Mr. Lyköan, Innovac finds them to be equally important.”

Narayan appended Gordon’s comments again. “To satisfy our commitment, we have promised everyone that we will have the database integrations up-and-running by Friday. So you see, both goals must be considered an
integrated
responsibility. Your value to Innovac, at least at this point, is entirely dependant on your ability to achieve both objectives. To be frank, in order to fulfill your contract with us, success in achieving both objectives is your only option.” Narayan had said his piece without raising his voice above a conversational monotone.

You grinning corporate fucks
, Lyköan seethed silently, even while he was wrestling with keeping his composure.
Is
‘
national security
’
also the reason the Thai military is secretly involved
?
Who’ll tell me that
?
No one here, that’s for sure
.
I’d be an idiot to ask
.

Swallowing the impulse to bite back, he instead gave them what they wanted. “Then I’d better get to work. I hope you’ll excuse me so I can get started.” Could save even the slightest bit of face from this nearly out-of-control exchange? Unlikely.

“Goodnight gentlemen, Ms. Prentice,” he managed through a forced, toothy smile. “Whitehall, any chance we can share a cab?” He still wanted to pursue his Ōkii’s cyber-vulnerability.

Whitehall had kept his peace through the entire unraveling exchange and now shook his head, evidently embarrassed for Lyköan. “Not right now, lad. Think I’ll stick around a bit longer. Anyway, the Innovac people and I are all staying at the same hotel. You’re headed in a different direction.” The comment harbored dual meanings. Lyköan chose not to dwell on them.

“Okay, but I’d like to revisit our earlier conversation again ― soon. In the meantime, looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me.” He smiled with forced composure, turned on his heel, and left over nothing but scorched earth.

Exiting through an empty hallway, he wondered:
Sure, there was way too much ego in the air
,
but what have I really got against these people
? It was an observation, not an explanation.

Outside, the heat and humidity were still hovering beyond intolerable, even after sunset ― perfect for a guy whose emotions were equal to the environment. After pushing through the thick atmosphere for a block, it began to rain.

So what
? he thought. It was only thirteen kilometers back to his apartment. At a brisk pace that might take two hours. Almost enough time to cool off. 

* * *

  “You know, Nora,” Pandavas suggested in the muted illumination of the hotel lounge, “unless you have some pressing reason for staying here in Bangkok, your TAI virus investigation might be better served at our English research facility, that is if you can convince the CDC that a change of venue makes sense.” Formal address had been abandoned in the limousine ride back to the hotel.

Nora looked at Tardieu as she replied, “If JG is still willing to allow one of his teams to accompany me, sure, I’d head for London in a heartbeat. I see no problem with my superiors at the CDC. They’re sure to give me a green light once I explain everything.”

“I don’t have any problem at all with the reassignment,” Tardieu said, shrugging. “As far as your personal investigations go, that’s entirely up to the CDC and Innovac. In the next day or two we should have the survivor serum titres loaded and available for study. I’m sure Chen and her team will jump at a opportunity to work with experimental technology. I have absolutely no problem with loaning them to you, at least for the short-term. What’s advantageous to one is likely to benefit all. If everyone is being relocated, team leadership is no longer an issue.”