Zero Hour, Part 3 of 4 by Will Hill

Author:Will Hill [Will Hill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2014-04-24T04:00:00+00:00

“I’m sorry,” said Cal Holmwood. “You’re going to have to run that by me again. I don’t think I heard you right the first time.”

“I think you did, Cal,” said Colonel Ovechkin.

“No,” said Holmwood, shaking his head and smiling wildly at his Russian counterpart. “I can’t have. Because what I thought I heard you say was that one of my Operators, a man who actively tried to kill my Security Officer and one of my best young Lieutenants, was a spy for your Department. But that can’t be what you said, surely? It just can’t be.”

The Blacklight Director’s voice had risen steadily as he spoke; he was shouting as he said the final words. The SPC Director looked back at him, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and anger; he was clearly not used to being spoken to in such a way, regardless of the circumstances.

“That is what I said,” said Ovechkin. “And I have already told you that this is also news to me, Cal. I would appreciate it if you keep your temper under control.”

Holmwood stared at the screen, temporarily struck dumb with outrage.

My temper? he screamed inside his head. You’re telling me you had a spy in my Department and you’re worried about my temper? HOW DARE YOU?

Mercifully, before he managed to speak, to say something that he would almost certainly later regret, Paul Turner stepped in.

“The Director’s temper is hardly the issue here, Colonel,” said the Security Officer. “Please can you tell us exactly what it is you have discovered?”

Ovechkin stared at Cal Holmwood for a long moment, then switched his attention to Turner. “Of course, Major,” he said, each word sounding as though it caused him physical pain. “The records that we have found show that in the early 1980s Demidov was charged by our Director at the time, a man by the name of Zellev who I do not think either of you ever met, to compile intelligence reports on the other supernatural Departments. These were standard strategic documents: strengths, weaknesses, equipment, command structures, etc. Very similar, I have no doubt, to the files that you kept on us.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” said Turner. “The Cold War is not a period that any of us should look back on with pride.”

“On that point, you and I are in complete agreement, Major Turner,” said Ovechkin, his face twisting momentarily into a hard, narrow smile. “It is much better now that we are all friends.”

“Indeed,” said Turner. “Go on.”

Ovechkin nodded, and continued. “After the intelligence reports had been completed, Demidov made a proposal to Zellev, a proposal that appears to have been known only to the two of them. It related to advances in techniques of psychological conditioning, and centred on Demidov’s belief that a combination of psychotropic drugs and hypnotic suggestion could implant instructions within a human being so deeply that they would follow them without question. The proposal was a request for permission to explore his theory, which was granted.”

“Who were the test subjects?” asked Turner.

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