The Victor Project (16 page)

     “You’re the group that the government is always trying to hunt down,” said Rick.

     “If you say so.  Hear me out.  For years, we’ve been looking for proof that it is safe to live outside the zones, doctored Epidemiology studies, falsified air quality tests, you name it.  We’ve got people on the inside who have filtered information to us, but we could never get the mother load, the one thing that would convince everyone that they should be free,” she said.

     “What people on the inside,” asked Val.

     “In all the agencies,” she replied.

     “In the CVD?” asked Rick.

     “CVD, Epidemiology, the CDC, FBI,” she said.

     “CIA?” Rick interrupted.

     “For some reason, not the CIA or NSA,” replied Val.

     “Maybe you haven’t found anything because these zones are keeping people alive.  We haven’t had an epidemic strike in years,” said Rick.

     “I’m not saying that these zones aren’t working.  For God’s sake you could put us all in a giant sterile tube and that would probably work, but that wouldn’t let us live the way we were meant to.  Besides, just because there hasn’t been an epidemic for years, doesn’t mean the zones are the reason.  There just simply hasn’t been any more viruses,” remarked Val.

     “OK, like Frank said, we can’t take away the protection of the people who like living in the zones,” said Rick.

     “So don’t.  They can stay locked up.  But just give equal consideration to everyone, inside and outside the zones, for the people that want to live free,” replied Val.  The reason I’m telling you this is because we are looking at a whole new agenda,” she said.

     “What kind of agenda?” asked Rick.

     “There’s something big going down in our department, in all of the government for that matter.  There’s a government project that we have discovered by the name of Victor.  We know that it will start within the next few months.  And we feel it’s going to effect everyone,” she said.

     “In what way?” asked Rick.

     “We’re not sure.  Possibly another virus is spreading, possibly a collision with a meteor.  We don’t know, but we’ve got to find out.  One of our people got his hands on a disk and tried to push it through to us, but it got lost.  William thinks it contained information about the project.  And he thinks it’s bad news,” she replied.

    “Who’s William?” asked Rick.

     “He’s one of our leaders.  He’s brilliant.  He really cares about people.  He just wants the earth to be the way it was a few hundred years ago, don’t you?” she asked.

     “That’s not fair.  Sure I would love to live like our ancestors, the way of life that the history books tell of, but it’s not that simple,” he said.

     “And why not?  Why shouldn’t we go back to the way it was?  Why can’t we build our own cities, travel the world, guide our own destiny and live like humans and not caged rats?” she said.

     “We’re back to square one.  Did you tell me this because you want me to join your cause and set everyone free?” he asked.

     “Yes.  We need someone on the inside to help us.  Someone with access to the Epidemiology system and that’s you.  With your access I guarantee we will find something.  Hopefully something about this Victor Project,” she said.

     “Maybe the project’s purpose is to simply transport the government underground or under the sea in case of a virus?” exclaimed Rick.

     “Good point.  What if there was some deadly epidemic that they couldn’t stop?  What if they have tried everything and still couldn’t defeat it?  Do you think after all these years our government didn’t devise some Plan B to save themselves?  I don’t know about you, but that’s easy for me to believe,” she said.

     “I can believe that,” said Rick.

     “So what do you think?” asked Val.

     “I don’t know.  I can’t think right now,” he replied.

     “Unfortunately, we don’t have time,” she said.

     “Let me ask you something.  The first time we met, did you finagle your way on my list just to recruit me?” Rick asked.

     “Yes.  We were looking for another contact in the CVD.  It was William’s idea that a Traveler might be more sympathetic, being that they had seen what it is like outside the zones,” she replied.

     The room was silent for a moment.  Val couldn’t imagine what Rick was thinking given his silence.  Moreover, she herself couldn’t think of any more persuasive comments to make.

     “I don’t even know your last name.  Or if Val is really your first name,” said Rick.

     “It’s DeDory.  And Valarie is my real name,” she answered.  “What else would you like to know?”

     “Not now, I need to go,” said Rick as the stood.

     “No you don’t.  Please stay.  You don’t have to join us.  You don’t even have to believe in what we believe in.  But won’t you please meet William?  He’s a marvelous person.  He’s the kind of individual you only encounter once in your entire lifetime, I promise.  Just meet him and talk.  If you don’t like what he stands for or what he has to say, then you just walk away,” she said.

     “It’s that easy?” asked Rick.

     “It’s that easy.  I promise,” answered Val.

     “DeDory sounds French,” said Rick.

     “Actually it’s Italian,” replied Val.  “Rick, either way
, stay and have another drink with me.  I like your company,” said Val.

     “This is part of the sales pitch,” said Rick.

     “No, no it’s not.  I meant what I said.  I like being with you.  You take the edge away.  I feel calm around you,” she said.

     “I’ll meet this William.  And it’s not because you’re turning on the charm,” said Rick.

     “If I had turned on the charm, you would have already signed over your life-savings,” she joked.

<< >>

     It was rare that Gary or Grunt as he had been nicknamed, ever called to initiate a meeting.  Over the three years that he had known Grunt, William could only think of one other occasion that the man had held up a red flag.  This time William could tell in Grunt’s voice that something or someone was definitely in danger, possibly himself.

     Grunt had picked the bus station on Weaver, which was just about equal distance between the two of them.  William liked it as a meeting place because it was loud and so busy that it was hard to single out any individual.  To play the role he actually caught the bus at an intersection four blocks from his house, which had a scheduled stop directly into the station.

      The place was busy as usual and Grunt would be hard to find in the hordes of people.  They hadn’t specified any particular area in the station nor had Grunt told him what he was wearing.  After weaving through the crowd near the ticket counters, William spotted him to the left of the exit doors sitting by a newspaper machine.  It appeared as though he was actually reading the paper in his lap.  William guessed otherwise as he took the seat next to him.

     “Apparently there is important news today,” said William.

     “Are you kidding?  I couldn’t get past the first sentence,” Grunt replied.

     “What’s the problem?” asked William.

     “You are not going to believe this.  Our people in Europe got a message to me this morning, a message that I don’t know what to make of,” said Grunt.

     “And?” said William.

     “I took the risk of printing it out, so you could get it verbatim,” said Grunt as he handed a piece of paper to William.

     William glanced around the room before reading the paper.  The area seemed pretty normal.  The paper read:

    
Virus spreading through Europe and Asia.  Near one hundred percent death rate for all zones encountered.  No knowledge of how it is entering zones, possible terrorist act.  No cure known.  Close proximity of zone inhabitants increases success rate of virus.  Not sure if U.S. Government is aware of epidemic.  You will not hear from us again.  Escaping zone.

                                                                                          Signaled Zib9
 

     “Was this coded?” asked William.

     “U5,” Grunt acknowledged with a nod. 

     “I find this difficult to believe,” said William.

     “It came from Zib9,” said Grunt.

     “I know, I can read.  News such as this is too tragic to comprehend,” remarked William.

     “If you think about it, it has to be terrorists.  How else could a virus get into a zone, all the zones,” Grunt said.

     “Not many other theories seem plausible,” said William.

     “We’ve always known there are people surviving outside the zones.  We’ve never known them to be hostile,” said Grunt.

     “Maybe they’re just like us, but have grown tired of finding a more conventional way to free everyone.  Disease put us in these traps, maybe this group thinks that disease will release us,” said William.

     “Pretty thin theory.  It’s hard to believe that some rogue group would stoop to such means.   Anyway, how could they get their hands on a virus like that?” remarked Grunt.

     “We could,” said William.

     “Yea, but something that deadly?” asked Grunt.

     “Do you believe that our government doesn’t possess a creation such as this waiting for a war for its use?  I guarantee the governments of the other countries have developed such,” said William.

     “For what war?” asked Grunt.

     “A war against an alien threat,” answered William.

     “You’re joking,” said Grunt.

     “Unfortunately not. That’s the craziness of our world,” said William.

     “But aliens?” exclaimed Grunt.

     “I’ll explain it to you later,” said William.

     “It will get here, you know that,” said Grunt.

     “Who else has this knowledge?” asked William.

     “Just you and me,” answered Grunt.

     “Promise me you will keep it that way, just for a while,” asked William.

     “Oh you got that.  If I told anyone this shit, I’d get shot,” remarked Grunt.

     “Have you responded to this message?” asked William.

     “Yes, I acknowledged it and asked them to wait for contact,” said Grunt.

     “Good, we need further research,” said William.

     “You know this could be the reason that something big is going down here,” said Grunt.

     “That deduction is quite obvious,” said William.

     “You think they might be planning to open the gates and let the entire population make a run for it?” said Grunt.

     “I have serious doubts about that theory.  The government would appear in a bad light from all directions.  To the public it would appear as if they concluded these zones to be a misconceived idea and releasing the masses as hasty solution,” said William.

     “I can see that,” said Grunt.

     You know, our government would have to begin mass inoculation immediately just to hit a fifty percent survival rate.  And I have no inclination as such,” remarked William.

     “That’s if they know about the virus,” said Grunt.

     “How could they not?  How could they not know communication between entire continents cease?  They have known this for some time and have been making plans,” said William.

     “Which is what we have to do,” said Grunt.

     “We need more information.  What was the name of our contact that had retired from the CDC?” asked William.

     “Rickles,” replied Grunt.

     “Yes, and when was the last time we engaged his services?” asked William.

     “About the time I first came on board.  I haven’t heard you speak of him since,” replied Grunt.

     “Do you think you could discover his whereabouts?” asked William.

     “I’ll find him.  What’s he going to do for us?” asked Grunt.

     “I’m not sure.  I just want him available in case we come across some viral test results from our European counterparts,” said William.

     “Why don’t we just let this out to the press?” asked Grunt.

    “Quite unacceptable.  As an example, let’s say we leak this, with the possibility that our information is incorrect and it so turns out to be, we ruin what little credibility we have not to mention lose our lives.  Or let’s say we leak this to the public and the government have instituted an inoculation program, the unfortunate ending repeats itself.  Or let’s say we leak this to the press and it triggers mass hysteria, which incites a riot and again an unhappy outcome.  What we must do is come up with a viable solution that the public will believe, backed by real proof.  Video tape of the effects of this virus would help.  Scientific proof of its cure or lack of, would also help.  Put those together with a solution and everyone wins,” said William.

     “Even if the government hangs us?” asked Grunt.

     “I’d rather that NOT be a part of the happy ending, but if that is the only way to save the rest of the world,” replied William.