Dark Progeny by Steve Emmerson

Author:Steve Emmerson [Emmerson, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Thrillers, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction; English, Doctor Who (Fictitious Character), Psychokinesis
ISBN: 9780563538370
Publisher: BBC Pubns
Published: 2001-08-14T07:00:00+00:00

Tyran couldn’t help feeling things would have been easier if the real Domecq had been delayed just another day or so and WorldCorp had been able to use the impostor Domecq as their tool and scapegoat. But now Tyran could feel the reins being tugged from his grasp by this self-possessed tinpot bureaucrat.

‘If Ceres Alpha turned out to be another Gildus Prime,’ Tyran told him, ‘it would be disastrous for everybody, not just WorldCorp. Your precious Earth Central Administration is not exactly in a position to be able to afford the luxury of procrastination. People need room.’

‘We need to tread carefully with this situation,’ Domecq announced levelly.

‘We need to understand these creatures. There’s a time for destruction, and there’s a time for caution.’

‘We don’t have time for caution. Work here is already months behind schedule.’ He waved vaguely at the room around him. ‘There’s a real danger that this entire project could collapse completely.’

‘We need answers –’

‘Forget answers!’ Tyran slammed his fist on the desk. ‘Destroy them. Now –’

‘Very dangerous tactics,’ Domecq warned. ‘We don’t understand where these creatures came from, what the full extent of their power is, what they’re capable of. . . ’

‘I don’t care what they’re capable of. Kill them and they’re capable of nothing.’

‘Not that simple.’

‘Of course it’s that simple.’ Tyran felt the blood boil in his veins. He clenched his fists in frustration. ‘These things aren’t immortal. I just proved that.’

‘And look at the results,’ Domecq argued. ‘For all we know the damage they’ve instigated could be irreversible when they’re gone. While they’re alive, there’s a good chance to get this situation back under control. . . ’

168

Dark Progeny

‘Two months!’ Tyran shouted. ‘Two months you’ve had us playing the waiting game. Experimenting on them. You had all the sub-ether reports. You knew what damage they were inflicting here. What harm they’ve caused. If we’d destroyed them at the start like I said, we’d have none of this trouble now.’

‘Might I remind you, Mr Tyran, that you are here only under licence by Earth Central?’

‘What’s this all about, eh, Doctor?’ Tyran demanded suddenly. ‘Don’t tell me Earth Central are concerned about the welfare of these creatures, or of WorldCorp. These things have been kept alive for a reason. . . ’

Domecq said nothing.

‘You’re hoping to somehow harness their powers, aren’t you?’

Still, the steely silence. It spoke volumes.

‘You bastard! You want to have your cake and eat it. You want Ceres Alpha and these creatures. And you’re willing to risk every life on this planet to get them.’

‘I wouldn’t say there was risk to life, Mr Tyran. . . ’

‘Tell that to Dr Pryce. Those things sucked his mind dry.’

‘Dr Pryce committed suicide. From what I’ve seen of your reports, he was potentially unstable from the start. That’s why you were able to use him as you did.’

‘The comps are dying!’ Tyran seethed. ‘We can’t grow crops! Does Earth Central expect us to live like savages here?’

Domecq wallowed in a short silence. Then he stood and walked about the back of his chair lost in thought.

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