The Killing Code (35 page)

“Not that kind of wedding doctor.
You are going to marry your technologies to develop the most potent and adaptable tactical weapon ever conceived – aside from nukes. With this technology, even armies the size of China’s will be no challenge for our forces.”

“How can our research on the human brain possibly make an advanced weapon
such as this?” Gelling asked.

“
The possibilities are staggering if you put your mind to it. Imagine a foot soldier that can see like a hawk, smell like a bloodhound, hear like a rabbit, and feel no pain. Then imagine that same soldier programmed with SSCH to achieve his mission without fear or remorse, yet still have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. We already have powerful anabolic technology to dramatically boost physical strength and endurance so when we combine all these elements, each one of our soldiers will be worth ten of any other army’s. And that’s just the beginning – imagine a fighter pilot supercharged with the same technology…and the list goes on. We’ve always had nuclear superiority but with this, we’ll be unbeatable in conventional warfare too.”

Gelling’s mind raced as he realized that the colonel was right – all this was theoretically possible
. “But how can we do this to our troops. These are free human beings with lives of their own, and families, and rights. The anabolic treatments cause serious long term health problems. And that doesn’t even address the ethical concerns.”

Watson smiled knowingly.
“Follow me.”

The colonel walked out of his office, Veronin and Gelling following closely as they looked at each other
, shocked by the revelation. Flanked by two guards, they went to underground level eight, almost directly below Gelling’s laboratory. They entered an anteroom with a viewing window, made from super high strength hurricane glass, overlooking a laboratory. There were four burly military guards armed only with high tensile batons, handcuffed to each wrist so they couldn’t be disarmed. In the center of the room was a reclining lab chair with heavy restraints mounted to eight different points around it.

“Society is cluttered with useless human refuse
. These people add nothing to society and are a major financial burden as well. I’m talking about murderers, psychopaths, rapists; you name it. Why should we, as a society, keep them safe and warm with three squares a day in their bellies, when there’s no hope they will ever reform or make any useful contribution. Your combined technologies are going to change all that.”

Watson signaled one of the guards inside and he opened a door at the far end of the room.
A man heavily strapped to a tilted mobile table began to enter the doorway. Just as he was pushed fully into the room, Watson said, “Doctor, Professor; I would like you to meet your first test subject. This is Bryan Adler.”