Free The Bloodlight Chronicles: Reconciliation by Steve Stanton Page B

she replied evenly. “The transfusions temporarily halt aging, but do not actively regenerate body tissue, even after months of regular treatments. When combined with chemical rejuve, cellular breakdown can be reversed up to a point, as we all know from personal experience, but the permanent catalyst continues to elude us.”
    â€œWhy?” asked the Chairman bluntly. “We’ve all poured a lot of money into this project. Your Institute, your salary.”
    Helena continued unperturbed, smiling with practised charm. “The virus infiltrates every living cell in the human body, but not by any known biomechanism. On the subatomic level, we have recorded a series of unexplainable events centred around or within the mitochondria of individual cells.”
    â€œEvents, you say?” asked Chairman Tao, tilting forward in his chair.
    â€œSubatomic exchanges of energy, Chairman, producing lightwaves up near the top of the visible spectrum.”
    â€œImpossible,” he countered definitively.
    â€œEven the black market is using spectral analysis to target Eternal blood. Hand-held units are being manufactured in the underground economy.”
    â€œA simple refractory phenomenon,” the Chairman insisted.
    Helena raised an eyebrow at him speculatively.
    â€œMost of us don’t have the technical expertise to understand this line of questioning,” interposed the Japanese woman, representing a major corporate consortium that controlled three percent of the world’s wealth. “What we are looking for is results, the black bottom line. Are we to understand that both are lacking in this report, Director?”
    â€œOur progress has been slow, yes, and in fact we have reached an impasse of sorts. All hope of duplicating, modifying, or artificially transmitting the virus has now evaporated. I am not prepared to download the experimental data at this time, but it is available for burst transmission to appropriate terminals. Suffice it to say that we have exhausted every avenue known to medical science and have stymied some of the best subatomic theoreticians in the world. The financial reports, of course, are at your fingertips. All current activities are adequately funded.”
    â€œAre we giving up then?” demanded the Japanese women, Madame Shakura, her red lips a mere knife slit in her face. “Are you admitting personal defeat?”
    Helena looked coolly at the Chairman for some exercise of his authority.
    He remained silent, grim as a watchdog.
    â€œNot at all,” she continued unruffled. “The virus can only be transmitted in what we term its activated state. We have not been able to secure an activated sample, but have traced the source of several contagions. We conclude that the virus is being produced offplanet and shipped to Earth in single dosages. We suspect it is being cultured by a small but influential group who plan to use their superior technology to take complete control of this planet.”
    Several avatars glistened with white static.
    Severe emotional trauma in all listeners
, Zakariah whispered.
    No kidding.
    â€œNaturally, to shift our primary focus offplanet will require a considerable financial commitment from all those present,” Helena said. “I have a full report ready for transmittal to authorized terminals, and I trust you will continue to support the Eternal Research Institute in all its varied research and development interests.”
How much time do I have?
    Perhaps forty seconds realtime. I’m shutting down all our windows and back alleys.
    â€œThe first stage of our new program will require an envoy to the Source, which we know to be one of the planets in the Cromeus colonies. I have already booked passage for myself and my bodyguard through the Macpherson Doorway. I need an immediate commitment of funds to cover the trip.”
    â€œWe cannot allow it,” the Chairman croaked, “not you