Free First Horseman, The by Clem Chambers Page B

degeneracy. Sadly, the later the treatment starts, the less life can be extended. Perhaps I will live two hundred years more, but if you begin treatment at thirty you may live five hundred or perhaps a thousand more years. I hope to be able to widen the use of the technology so that, within fifty years, the serum will be one of a number of treatments. If I can discover these new solutions, I may go on for yet further centuries myself.’
    Jim’s mind boggled. This was either the biggest lie he’d ever heard or the most amazing truth. Maybe the professor’s story was one big pile of bullshit – but he had the evidence of his own eye to prove that it wasn’t. And Cardini certainly didn’t look his actual age.
    Jim jumped to his feet. ‘Can you take me to your factory?’
    Cardini took a sharp breath. He looked at his watch, then back at Jim. ‘Yes, why not?’ He stood up, unfurling himself to his great height. ‘Then, I hope, you will believe me and become my benefactor.’ He looked down at Jim. ‘With your help we will be able to find a way of producing this panacea for all. Together we will make history. Together we can save the world.’ Cardini smiled, but not in a friendly way. The smile seemed to come from an internal pleasure that was hardly connected with Jim’s presence.
    He walked up to Jim and patted him on the back. ‘Come on, let us go, you and I. Out to where the sky lies etherised as a patient upon a table.’
    Jim wondered what he meant.

22
    For all its speed and technical wizardry, the Veyron was a small car and the professor was crammed into the passenger seat. He struggled to buckle his seatbelt in the confined space. ‘Very good,’ he said, as it finally clicked into place.
    Jim fired up the engine.
    ‘Turn left at the entrance,’ commanded Cardini, ‘then right at the main junction. After several miles I will point out the next turn.’
    ‘No problem,’ said Jim.
    It wasn’t an elaborate route, and a little more than ten minutes later Cardini was indicating that Jim should pull into a road that entered some woodland. At a gate among the trees, Jim spoke into an intercom and it opened. Down a private track out of sight of the road lay a modern warehouse-style building, with a small office area embedded in the left side.
    ‘I will ask you to say little to the staff you meet,’ said Cardini. ‘They are technical employees and not apprised of the compound being extracted. They believe it to be a vital component of a highly poisonous nerve agent. The result of their work is completed by me in my lab so what is made here is an inert waxy fat, which I alone activate into the final compound. I hope you understand the need for total secrecy.’
    ‘OK. I’ll try not to put my foot in it.’
    Cardini heaved himself out of the car and stretched his long arms upwards. ‘That’s better,’ he said. ‘I suspect in a few weeks’ time I’ll be in need of further treatment. My joints do not feel as young as they did last week. Such is the battle waged. Come,’ he said, dropping his arms, ‘let me show you.’
    A small man in a white coat came out of the office. ‘Ah, Professor,’ he said, in heavily accented tones. ‘Such a nice surprise to see you, we weren’t expecting you.’
    ‘Good morning, Dr Ramos. This is an associate come to see our work.’
    Ramos shook Jim’s hand. ‘Very good to meet you, sir,’ he said.
    Jim wondered where Ramos was from. The Philippines? ‘Good to meet you too,’ he said.
    ‘Follow me,’ said Cardini, striding to the door. ‘Time is not my friend today – or, for that matter, on any other day.’
    Jim and Dr Ramos marched after Cardini.
    The reception desk was empty and looked as if no one ever manned it. Cardini’s thumbprint opened the door beyond. They followed him through and he unlocked another door.
    Dr Ramos grabbed a white coat off a peg and handed it to Jim. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘It’s not necessary but it looks correct.’
    Jim put