The Quisling Covenant by Jerry Ahern

Author:Jerry Ahern [Jerry Ahern]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Military, Spies & Politics, Terrorism, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Thrillers, Pulp
ISBN: 1628152044
Amazon: B00QZD9ADE
Barnesnoble: B00QZD9ADE
Publisher: Speaking Volumes
Published: 2014-10-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-One

Akiro Kuriname’s successful “transition” had opened the possibilities for the clones, during the tunnel sweep, to salvage their lives. If Kuriname could be saved, logic said that maybe the others could be as well. The attempt was made. Those housed at the Ambrose Federal Detention Center had been hit with oneirogenic general anesthetic, the formal name for sleeping gas; it was pumped into the cell blocks, rendering them unconscious. Once the atmosphere had been purged, the unconscious prisoners had been transferred to the main gymnasium area where four “operating tents” stood; within each was a surgery team that worked in relays.

The removal of all of the alien tattoos took less than three hours. Once removed each tissue sample had been placed in stasis for later study and analysis. Now, three weeks later, Dr. David Blackman, Chief of Psychological Research at Mid-Wake and Dr. Henry Drake, Chief of Medicine at Tripler, were ready to enter the second phase of the prisoners “reconditioning.” “Luckily, Rourke’s theory proved to be correct,” Blackman said. “Our assumption is that when Akiro Kuriname was knocked unconscious, the link between he and the aliens was temporally broken; and, since the tattoo was removed prior to his regaining consciousness, it has been severed completely.”

Drake nodded, “David, we still are not sure how the tattoo linkage works. The best we can come up with right now is there is some method of biochemical interaction with... I don’t know. The closest analogy would be something like nanotechnology present in the tissues. Frankly, we haven’t seen anything like this before; I just can’t explain how it works.”

“That is something,” Blackman said, taking a sip of hot green tea. Blackman’s favorite tea was a Moroccan Mint loose leaf blend. The mixture of traditional Marrakech Gunpowder tea, peppermint, and spearmint gave a smooth flavor. The Green Gunpowder base was subtly sweet without the normal bite of the mint. Properly prepared—brewed at 180 degrees Fahrenheit and steeped for three minutes, then re-steeped twice more—it was a relaxing beverage that he thought was equally delicious when iced. It was his single passion, almost a vice.

“That is something we will simply have to continue researching. It is relevant certainly, but the important issue is we have been able to break that linkage. Psychologically, these men are ‘rescued.’ Henry, I’m ready to proceed. Is there any reason, any medical reason, you see for further delays?”

Drake shook his head, he drank a simple but strong cup of coffee; black. “No, the syn-skin grafts have all healed. Medically, they are healthy. I am, however, still concerned by how well they have rehabilitated emotionally. I have concern about using these men as Guinea pigs.”

“I know Henry,” Blackman said, nodding. “But as Rourke stated, if we had not been successful they would have spent the rest of their lives as prisoners. We wouldn’t have had a choice; now these men can at least see the light of day as free citizens. I say it’s time to move forward.”

“Then let’s bring in Mr.

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