Chapter 14
The Ghost Ship Operation
“Spontaneous combustion, bleeding from eyes, ruptured eardrum, severe hemophilia…”
In Nina’s room, woods were snapping in the fireplace, the orange flame danced, surrounding it. Nina was looking at the computer screen, reading a report of the horrifying experiments conducted in the underground facility. Nina felt a discomfort. It was accompanied by abominable pictures of flesh. Although she calmly observed and studied, she felt sadness in her heart, pitying them.
She was simultaneously reading a paper written by the scientist called Jeffery Danver, a childhood friend of Simard Polchinski. She examined the file since the morning, skipping the briefing, examining the files. The paper described the research on genetic modification on the subject.
‘This silver liquid increases sturdiness and endurance of the cells in the body. However it had a high fatality rate when body fails to receive the cells, about 94.2% of our specimen twisted their body, chocking themselves to death, and vomiting blood until its lung breaks down completely. Other 4.6% showed cerebral hemorrhage inducing coma, and we have 0.2% survivors experiencing hallucinogenic special effects.’
Nina frowned. She threw away the report on the side and picked up her earphone to hear the file which was connected to the roboroaches in the underground cell. The sound came out from the earphone which made her goose bumps.
Nina heard the growl and bellowing of some sort. Nina listened carefully, gulping, trying to figure out the nature of the sound.
“What is that…?” said Nina.
In the past, when Alvin Caravel was still working with Nina, Alvin mentioned about the conversation between Simard Polchinski and the Jeffery Danver. Alvin said he was eavesdropping. Jeffery Danver was renowned bio technician while Simard was a military general in the former regime. When Veron came into power, Simard was constantly being watched under Veron, but not killed. Veron was interested in ‘Alice’s Experiment,’ which Simard was pursuing in the past.
After Veron forced them to use the human specimens to speed up the research, Simard wasn’t happy about the project, mainly due to its gruesome nature. Simard was arguing with Danver that the new method of producing massive regeneration of cell was inhumane. Although the goal was to generate cells quickly enough to overcome the breakdown of the cell structure, there were many side effects which led to a death of the subjects.
There too was a harsh argument related to the outbreak of a plague. Danver tried to convince Simard that this technology could save the lives of orphans because Veron will lose interest in using orphans in the first place. But Simard ended up shouting at him to leave his presence.
Alvin said he didn’t understand what Danver meant about saving orphans, nor did he understand what this technology is for. Instead, Alvin gave Nina some videos regarding the experiment. It was the first human subject to be tested. After an injection of the cells, he ended up having epilepsy but calmed down later. He was locked up in a chain with the eyes of a corpse, uninterested in any encounter with other humans. He was in a worse shape than the patients at the lunatic asylum. His skin and clothes were torn apart, naked on the floor. Danver commented that the experiment as a success.
Nina grabbed the chocolate and took a bite, the sweetness spread; she felt a little better. She didn’t want to research further on this subject.
“I wonder why I don’t have a cavity,” murmured Nina, looking at the big chunk of chocolate. A moment later, she heard a door knock.
“Come in James,” said Nina. And James entered the room.
“Hello admiral, how did you know it was me?” said James.
“I guessed,” said Nina, smiling. “Would you be interested in having a chocolate?”
“No, I’m good admiral,” said James.
“Did they left?” asked Nina.
“Yes, the agents just departed with Sharine Pestice. They will soon enter the trafficker’s vessel,” said James.
“Nice work James,” smiled Nina.
“Thank you admiral,” said James, with a little concerned look.
“I’m sorry for not letting you leaving with them. But you see, your face is too exposed to the traffickers,” said Nina.
“I understand,” said James.
“Don’t worry, it will work out. And your princess will return soon,” giggled Nina.
“There is nothing going on between me and her, admiral,” said James, blushing, clearing his throat. “I have to inform you that three agents who have planted roboroaches in the underground facility have returned. They are in the tower to watch over the operation.”
Nina drank her cocoa, blinking, finishing it all and laid down on the table.
“Well, I have to go there too, and if you are concerned, we can both walk to the tower,’ she said.
“That’ll be great admiral,” said James, his face getting brighter.
“Well, shall we, Captain?” Nina stood up and went over to the hanger and grabbed her jacket.
They walked on the hallway, dropping by the Madam Wanda’s coffee.
“Hello admiral!” Madam shouted cheerfully. She took Nina’s cup and refilled her drink.
Nina continued sipping as she walked. When they entered the tower, everyone was busily moving here and there, were on the phones and shouting amongst themselves. Stein, as usual, bellowed at them to check every detail.
Sarah, Michel and Paul were also there, shuddering about the memory they had inside the underground tunnel. They all took a shower for a very long time. Sarah was sniffing at her hair for a smell.
“Admiral!” Stein shouted, saluting.
“James will be joining us,” said Nina.
Stein glanced at James as if he is rejecting him. James looked the other way.
“I still think it is a bad idea to give our cloaking device to the assassin, admiral,” grumbled Stein.
“Hopefully she doesn’t aim for my head,” murmured Nina, slumping into a chair.
“All units are in position,” shouted Sarah, looking at the screen.
“So, are we just disappearing when the thing show up?” asked James, guiltily, “And whatever the thing might be, just watch them slaughter the whole crew?”
“Yep,” said Nina, gulping her drink. “See? Your princess is safe, although living with her might not,”
“Did our Captain fell in love again?” whispered Michel to Paul. They snorted simultaneously. Nina grabbed the phone and contacted the leading agent in the ship.
“Sergeant Cyre, what is our situation?” Nina said through the phone.
“It is good admiral, traffickers are loading slaves now, and all things are moving smoothly,” Cyre whispered with a low voice.
“Good to know. How’s the assassin?” asked Nina.
“Bit too excited about the cloaking device, admiral. But it is under control,” said Cyre.
“Good luck Sergeant,” said Nina.
“Roger that, admiral,” replied Cyre. Nina put down the phone, leaning back against the chair, waiting.
“Watch carefully now Captain,” said Nina to James. “I think Veron has a surprise for us,” Nina smiled shrewdly.