Anderson, Kevin J - Slan Hunter by Anderson Kevin J

Author:Anderson, Kevin J
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER 22

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The last of the Samuel Lann records were a hodge-podge of media reports and news items.

Wanting to know more, to know everything, Anthea viewed them all, drinking in the horrifying details.

One clip blared that the dangerous Dr. Lann had escaped from custody and interrogation.

A squat, angry-looking man spoke to the reporter, “Our security is tight, but his mutants possess abilities against which we have no defenses. It’s clear to me that Dr. Lann’s own

corrupted children were involved in the breakout. They twisted our minds, hypnotized us so they could free their father.” He sounded quite indignant.

“This proves two things. First, this implies that Dr. Lann is indeed guilty of everything we suspect him of doing. If he had nothing to hide, as he insists, why would he escape? Second,”

the man pointed now at the camera, “it proves that these slans are a genuine threat. Look what happened here! With such mind powers, they could walk into any home, rob our families, assault our wives, kidnap—or even mutate—our children! Be afraid of them. We should all be very afraid.”

The next clip showed a large building completely engulfed in flames. Fire vehicles and army troops had surrounded the structure, but did nothing to quench the blaze. The emergency personnel stood back and watched, waited, like predators. They didn’t seem to be there to help.

Finally, a lone man broke out of the doors and ran away from the blazing laboratory. His clothes were on fire. He waved his hands, screaming. Anthea recognized Dr. Lann himself.

Instead of helping him, though, the soldiers raised their rifles and shot him in full view of everyone. Lann’s body jittered as a dozen bullets struck him full in the chest. Then he collapsed to the pavement.

“Do not approach!” a military commander shouted through a bullhorn. “There could still be some danger.” The cordon remained in place as the uncontrolled fire raged through the laboratory. No one came within twenty feet of Dr. Lann’s still-smoldering body.

Watching the records, Anthea felt sick.

“His three children are in there,” bellowed the incident commander. “They’re a bigger threat than the doctor is. If they come out, your orders are to shoot to kill. Don’t give them a chance to twist your minds. Remember, these are slans we’re talking about. They could hypnotize you into opening fire on a comrade. We can’t risk that. Slans are a danger to all humanity, and they must be wiped out.”

But the laboratory building continued to be consumed by flames; the roof collapsed, timbers fell, but no one else emerged. Having seen what had happened to their father, Anthea couldn’t blame them. The son and daughters of Dr. Lann were doomed, either way.

The brittle tape footage jumped. Anthea could feel her baby’s agitation as he drank in the knowledge. She sensed an undertone in the air of the archives vault, a humming that grew louder. Before she could wonder about the strange background sensation, though, the next footage showed the same laboratory complex in daylight.

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