Leviathan (12 page)

Frank searched the white eyes.
“What do you mean? What did Yashima do?”

“
Yashima crossed the void, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “They used ECM to genetically alter a superior beast of prey and they succeeded. Succeeded tremendously, I might add.”

Frank held a defiant silence.

“Dr. Tolvanos,” Adler began, shifting nervously, “I don't think—”

“
Yes, Doctor,” the Russian physicist continued coldly. “Until yesterday Yashima Technology was the sole possessor of a thoroughly tested weapon of war created by Electromagnetic Chromosomal Manipulation.” And the Russian said silently: You have failed. Dr. Frank. You have failed because I was not working at your side.

Frank wasn't touched.
“I asked you a question, Doctor. What exactly did Yashima do?”

A pause, and Tolvanos laughed harshly, retreating from any semblance of respect.
“Yashima created the world's first genetically enhanced beast of prey, Doctor. A beast specifically created and genetically altered so that its single reason for existing would be to wreak havoc on an army. That is exactly what Yashima did.”

“
You're lying.”

“
No,’' Tolvanos replied, shaking his head. “Hardly, Doctor. I never lie about such things. The Japanese successfully altered a lion, I think it was, into something the world has never seen. And never wanted to see, I assure you. A singularly vicious creature, according to our most reliable intelligence reports. It weighed well over two thousand kilos and was of a rather startling transformation of structure. It did not so much resemble a lion, in the end, I think. It was almost like a god, or something from another world. It was vastly, almost unbelievably intelligent. Strong beyond belief. And with a superior weapons arsenal that included thermal senses and night vision. Means-testing on its claws and fangs revealed a level of hardness that surpassed diamond molecularly molded around steel cores. Not one-tenth as powerful as Leviathan, no, but still strong and armored enough to survive light weapons fire, in truth, a creature of phenomenal power.” He frowned. “Now, fortunately for us, it is gone, along with Yashima's computers, records, everything else, the result of a sudden and tragic accident.”

A hushed silence dominated the Observation Room.

“What kind of accident, Tolvanos?”

“
An explosion, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “It seems that someone from Stygian Enterprises sabotaged the facility with what may have been the largest nonnuclear explosion in the history of the world.” His stare was utterly devoid of emotion. “Suddenly ... no more research facility. No more creature. No more nothing.”

Frank turned to stare at Adler.
“I can't believe you people did that,” he whispered. “Chesterton will absolutely kill you when he finds out about this. He is going to go absolutely ape-crazy ballistic.”

Trembling, Adler whirled, glaring at Tolvanos.
“Dr. Tolvanos! I believe enough has been said about whatever ... ah ... accidents may have—”

“
So it is clear, Doctor,” Tolvanos continued, “America is currently losing the arms race. I am employed by the American government through Stygian Enterprises to ensure that such does not happen.”

“
You work for the Russians, Tolvanos,” Frank muttered.

“
Oh no, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “Please, do not be mistaken. My previous national loyalties have nothing to do with my current loyalties.” He paused, laughing lightly. “You yourself can remember how, ah, generously the German rocket scientists of World War II, who were only days from perfecting the V-2 which would have burned England to dust and changed the fate of the war, were received by your own government. They were lauded as heroes, and American cities, streets, and civic centers were named after them. But if these same scientists had succeeded in fully developing the V-2 rocket before 1944, Germany would have decisively won the war. And within a few more years, Hitler would have possessed the intercontinental ballistic missile along with the hydrogen bomb that it would deliver. Then, to be cruel, Hitler would have crossed the Atlantic to invade American soil. And quite probably would have won.” He paused.

“
But after the Allied invasion at Normandy, the war was lost,” he added. “And Hitler's famed V-2 rocket scientists were offered American citizenships and received into NASA and every other private and military enterprise with open arms. Because military and monetary expertise overrule all other commandments, Doctor. Or sins. And for that reason, Frank, I am committed to ensuring that your government is the first and only country to possess the power of Leviathan. I would have preferred to have worked beside you. But you refused. So the situation eventually worked to my advantage. You defied the mandate of the project, refusing to cooperate, so you have been outcast. And now I alone possess the power of the Dragon.”

“
So what are you saying?” Frank asked. “You're saying that we have to rush the tests and confirm Leviathan's true potential so Stygian can close their deal with the government?” He shook his head, arguing the point in desperation. “But why can't other nations share the technology? Other nations share atomic weapons, and everyone uses treaties to control their use! The same could be done with Leviathan!”

“
No, no, Doctor.” Tolvanos frowned. “What I am saying is that the time has come for you to reluctantly accept the truth.” He paused, an exasperated professor staring upon a disappointing student. “We have surpassed the age of treaties, Frank. And you are far, far too intelligent not to realize it. Neither America, nor the powers which control America, can any longer risk the tenuous security of treaties. That is the truth which your moral blindness has prevented you from recognizing from the beginning.” Tolvanos hesitated, frowning. “The simple truth that has evaded you, Doctor, is this: America can, and will, use Leviathan to control the entire world. That is why America does not wish for any other country to have its equal.”

Frank stared at the Russian.
“But ... but how are they going to do that? If America ever used Leviathan against any country that possessed a nuclear arsenal there would be an immediate nuclear response!”

“
And how could that be, Doctor?” Tolvanos posed, pausing as if he were willing to wait forever for an answer. “Leviathan is simply a beast. It would come from the sea and return to the sea. No one would know that America was responsible for the atrocity. Leviathan would rise from the ocean as the beast of ancient lore to destroy a single city, army, nation, or even a targeted individual. And absolutely nothing on the face of the earth, save a nuclear holocaust, could stop it.” He paused. “No nation would ever call down a nuclear holocaust upon itself. So they would be left with conventional defenses which would, of course, be wholly inefficient. And eventually, within a few short years, the entire world could be brought to the feet of the very men who control the Dragon.”

Frank closed his eyes.
“I'll talk,” he said simply. “I swear to you, I'll talk. I won't let you do this.”

He felt Tolvanos staring upon him, almost sympathetically.
“No, Doctor. I doubt very seriously that you shall talk.”

Frank looked up hard.
“You're crazy, Tolvanos. You people can kill me if you want. I know you can. But it won't make any difference because Leviathan can't be controlled. Leviathan has brought itself into its own Hunter-killer Mode, and it cannot differentiate between friendly and non-friendly organisms! Don't you get it? Leviathan's unstable DNA promoted itself ahead of programming, and it doesn't have any program parameters to limit prey. It's not going to work with anybody! If Leviathan ever gets out of that cavern it's going to kill every living thing on the face of the earth! Everything! Including us! Because Leviathan actually believes with all its heart that it has to kill every other living thing on the planet in order to survive! It's something that can't be corrected! It's too late to undo what's been done!”

“
I don't agree with you, Doctor,” Tolvanos said. “And I will tell you that I am not, as you say, crazy.” He stared down. “Crazy is a man who throws away his life because he will not finish an experiment that will be finished with or without his help.”

Adler spoke.
“The situation is out of your hands, Doctor.”

“
Nothing is out of my hands!” Frank shouted, glaring. Tolvanos had taken his headset, but Frank knew that the panel microphone of GEO was still activated. “Nothing! All I have to do is tell GEO to wipe out everything in her memory and the backups and then you won't have anything but an uncontrollable creature. And you'll never be able to find the right formula to repeat the genetic transformation of another Komodo dragon. It'll be gone!”

Tolvanos froze and Adler paled, sweat gleaming on his face. Instantly Frank realized that they had never anticipated this movement. They had been caught completely off guard.

A long moment passed as Frank gazed over the edge, his entire life's work almost gone with a single command. Then slowly, entreatingly, Adler lifted a hand. “Listen, son,” he began, “let's discuss this rationally. I respect you, Frank. Truly, I do. You're a great scientist. Certainly you don't think I would ever go against your—”

“
What is going on in here?”

Frank felt a long withheld breath leave his chest as a livid Chesterton—followed by a big black man, Lieutenant Barley— stalked into the room. They were followed closely by two Rangers.

Shocked by Chesterton's vivid anger and Barley's glaring, warrior aspect, Tolvanos science team parted like water to leave a wide and cautious wake. As Barley came through the door he sharply turned his head toward the two soldiers behind him.

“
Secure it!” he snapped.

Instantly the Rangers divided solidly to either side of the exit, M-16s frozen at port arms. Their intent was immediately clear: Absolutely no one, armed or unarmed, was leaving this room
dead or alive without Chesterton’s permission.

Tolvanos and Adler stepped backward toward the control matrix as Chesterton halted beside Frank, glaring down, and Frank saw a quick suspicion flicker in the dark eyes. Somehow, Frank knew that Chesterton understood, had even expected this. Then Chesterton turned with a menacing frown toward Tolvanos. His voice was low.

“And just who are you?”

Adler gathered himself, spoke distinctly:
“Dr. Tolvanos is... uh, replacing Frank as head of the science team, Colonel. In fact, all the members of Frank's team have been replaced. I believe the strain has become too much for them.”

“
Nobody's replacing anybody as long as I'm around, Mr. Adler. This isn't musical chairs at a Halloween carnival. We're running a secure facility here and I'm still in charge of who comes and goes.”

A voice came from the side, entering the debate.
“I am afraid that you are not ultimately in charge, Colonel. Not any longer.”

Imperious, the portly man in the dark green uniform had spoken for the first time. And Frank focused on him; the man was well into his fifties and much shorter than Chesterton, his short
black hair heavy with gray. Behind him, the black-clad soldiers stepped forward.

“
I must remind you, Colonel Chesterton,” he added, somewhat cautiously, “that this project remains under Executive Command. And I inform you that I am now your commanding supervisor.”

Chesterton stared, his eyes flickered over the insignia.
“Blake?” he asked, peering. “Colonel Blake of the National Security Agency?”

Blake nodded.

Implacable, Chesterton shook his head. “This facility doesn't answer to the NSA, Blake. It's under Pentagon control.”

“
Not any longer, Colonel Chesterton.”

“
What do you mean?” Chesterton's voice hardened. “What do you mean that it's not under Pentagon control any longer? Who gave the NSA authority to take over my operation?”

Blake stepped forward, removing papers from inside his uniform. He handed them to Chesterton with a solemn air, clasping both hands patiently behind his back as Chesterton read. He was forced to wait a long time. Finally Chesterton looked up.

“I don't like this, Blake.”

“
That is an Executive Order, Chesterton.”

“
Neither the NSA, the CIA, the Director of Central Intelligence, nor any subordinate of the DCI has the authority to control an Army weapons system,” Chesterton said, dead steady. “Not unless they do it according to Act 186-4 of the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee of 1976, which requires that, the United States Army supervises and maintains and ultimately controls the use of all such weapons systems.”

“
Act 186 has no relevance to this situation because it has not yet been demonstrably proven that Leviathan is a weapons system, Colonel Chesterton. That Executive Order grants me the authority to oversee all further research. And further, in case you have forgotten, I am a colonel in the United States Army.”

“
Blake, you can rest assured. That thing
is
a weapons system.”

“
But tests have not proven that to be a fact, Chesterton.”