Free GeneSix by Brad Dennison Page B

this is a government, of the people, by the people, for the people, if I am not mistaken. But of course, I’m not. And if I were, you wouldn’t be able to discern it, because next to me you’re like a cave man with his fists dragging on the ground. Secondly, even though you may not realize it, my freedom is at my discretion. Thirdly, not only am I not turning myself in, but I’m coming down there to get Ms. Hollister. And if she has been harmed, you will wish you had never been born. Am I clear? Am I using small enough words for you?”
    Tompkins chuckled. “How can you possibly come here? We’re holding her at an undisclosed location. You couldn’t find her if you tried.”
    “Hey, computer,” Scott said. “Tie into this call. Tell me, where are they holding April?”
    The computer said over the phone line, conversationally, “April’s being held at a warehouse at four seven three two, Commons Drive. In the back room.”
    Tompkins said, “Wait-a-minute. How the hell do you know that?”
    Scott said, “You would never understand the mathematics behind it. But don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    The door lock was clicking, and the door swung open. It was Jake.
    “Gotta go,” Scott said. “Nice talking with you.”
    The computer actually said, “Good bye, Agent Tompkins,” before Scott could disconnect the line.
    Jake went to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. “Is this fresh, or do I have to power-up before I drink it?”
    “Jake,” Scott said. “They have April.”
    Jake turned to look at him. “How much does she know about what goes on around here?”
    “Very little. Virtually nothing. But they don’t know that. I kept her in the dark to protect her, but it appears the gesture was futile.”
    “Do we know where they’re holding her?”
    “Oh, yeah. They were foolish enough to call from that location.”
    Jake nodded. “Your computer tracked the call.”
    “Yes, indeed. Look, I know you’re pissed at me. I know you feel your life has been ruined because of my miscalculations with that reactor, and maybe you’re right.”
    Jake walked over, a cup in one hand and placed the other hand on Scott’s shoulder. “Don’t take anything seriously I said yesterday. You’re the best friend I ever had. You know how I get when I’m pissed. I know it was just an accident. I don’t blame you for anything. Really.”
    Scott nodded, the corner of his mouth quirking into a half smile.
    “Now,” Jake said. “Tell me where they’re holding her, so I can go and get her.”
    Scott shook his head. “It’s time for Plan Alpha.”
    “And dare I ask, what that is?”
    Scott began to pace. “I have been planning for this for a long time. Since the very beginning, really. I was afraid it would come to this. I’ve been kissing up to the idiot Secretary to obtain his funding, but I always knew there would come a time to move on.”
    “Move on, where?”
    “Somewhere else. It is time our operation became covert. We can no longer trust any organization or government. We never really could. You and I control too much power, and we all know power corrupts. I don’t believe you’ll be corrupted, because you’re simply too good a man. And I don’t believe I will, because my desires aren’t Earthly enough. My desire is knowledge, not power. I desire to push back the multidimensional boundaries and explore the universe. A BMW and a trust fund just don’t interest me. If they had, I could’ve had them before now.”
    “So, when do we leave?”
    “Today.”
    “Today? I’d really like to talk to Mandy, first. I went to the campus news office this morning, and she apparently told them she’s been writing as Kimberly Stratton, and has left school. They said she could probably be found at the Press Herald office, in town.”
    Scott nodded. “There should be time for that. Let’s step into the office. I’ve got to show you the schematics of some things I’ve been working on,