Free The Amazon Experiment by Deborah Abela

couldn’t we use the Time and Space Machine?’ Max asked.
    â€˜Not this time, Max. Ben and Francis have advised us it doesn’t have the weight capacity to transport the agents and equipment needed for this mission.’ Harrison turned towards a miniature plasma screen positioned on his desk. ‘Before you go, Frond has a few final words for you.’
    Harrison called up Frond’s direct videoline but a frown creased his forehead. He turned the screen to let the others see. ‘She must have stepped away from her desk. I’ll switch to a different angle.’
    â€˜Sir?’ Steinberger lost his usual calm demeanour as Harrison moved the camera around the Plantorium by remote, but this time it wasn’t Frond’s presence that made him agitated, it was her absence.
    â€˜Hey, what’s that?’ As the camera angle shifted, Linden saw something on Frond’s computer.
    Harrison zoomed in. A note was stuck to the screen:
    Â 
    Your beloved Frond has gone.
    Sorry there was no time for goodbyes.
    Â 
    â€˜That’s Frond’s handwriting.’ Steinberger’s face went from crimson to white and back to crimson again as his eyes remained fixed on the screen.
    â€˜Are you sure?’ Harrison stared at the fine handwriting.
    â€˜I’d put my life on it.’
    â€˜But why would Frond write her own kidnap note?’ Max felt a weird chill at what they were seeing.
    â€˜This is much more serious than we thought.’ Harrison seemed momentarily lost for words. ‘Max, Linden and Suave, you must complete your mission with Alex to find the triatoma bug and get back here as soon as you can. If what Finch and Frond say is true, we need that bug within seventy-two hours.’
    Max opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Suave. ‘You can count on us, sir.’
    â€˜But sir,’ Linden said quietly. ‘What about Frond?’
    Harrison’s eyelids wavered, as if they were being pulled shut and he was doing his best to resist.
    â€˜I … I …’
    Linden and Max exchanged worried looks. ‘Sir, are you okay?’ Linden leant forward to see the chief’s face more clearly.
    â€˜I must find her!’ Steinberger cried out, his eyes still transfixed on the plasma screen, staring at the place Frond should have been.
    Harrison moved to face Steinberger. ‘Sorry, Steinberger, my decision has been made.’ He tried to stifle a deep yawn. ‘It is essential that you conduct the operation from here.’
    Max and Linden could see Steinberger wasn’t listening.
    â€˜Steinberger,’ Harrison said with a warning ring in his voice. ‘You have neither the on-field experience nor the stomach for this mission. And pardon me for saying so, but you’ve never been one for being in the middle of nature.’ He paused, his eyelids drooping over his eyes. ‘And I forbid you to put your life in danger by …’
    And at that Harrison slumped into his chair, fast asleep.
    From that moment, the bumbling Steinberger from the Plantorium was gone. He took out his palm computer and tapped at it decisively.
    â€˜Finch, Harrison is in his office and has the illness. We need medics here right away. Max,Linden, Suave and I are going in search of the triatoma bug and Frond, who has been kidnapped, no doubt for her expertise in the Plantorium. I know she briefed you on the antidote, so do everything you can to prepare until we return. Alex will remain here and direct the operation from the ground. And Finch …’ He stood taller for his James Bond-style sign-off. ‘May the Force be with you.’
    He shut down his computer then turned to Max and Linden with a steely look in his eyes that they’d never seen before. ‘Let’s go.’
    Steinberger’s determined step was cut short by a resounding thud that Max knew was the unmistakable ring of someone running into the Shush Zone. Steinberger rubbed