Free Interface: A Techno Thriller by Tony Batton Page B

touchscreen display. "This control box effectively simulates how the interface will connect with the helicopter." He smiled. "Now, we just need to recreate it in our test subjects. We're trawling through the possible candidates, but it's hard getting quality subjects to volunteer these days."
    "What are you telling them?"
    "That we're developing a new type of brain scanner – the next generation in CAT scans – and that we need to inject a contrast dye during some of the testing for comparison purposes."
    "But won't they notice if the nanites activate?"
    "We're hoping they won't really understand what's going on. And once we demonstrate to the customer that they're viable, we just wipe the nanites by activating the fail-safes so that the node they've built becomes inactive. Then we thank the volunteers, they go on their way and everybody wins."
    "But what if they ever get ill?" asked Bern. "Wouldn't the node show up on a scan?"
    "It's not metallic so it's very unlikely. At the most a doctor would think it's a shadow or possibly a small benign tumour: ones of that size are not uncommon and, given the location, unlikely to need further investigation. If a subject did have brain surgery in that specific location, then I suppose it might be an issue but it's most unlikely anyone would realise what the node was, let alone connect it to us. No, the key thing is making sure we stay in control of the nanites. We've left some of the safety measures the government insisted on when they were involved in the previous project, like all our nanites can be deactivated by remotely sending a specific code, although it must be used with great caution because it's likely to cause temporary paralysis in the subject." He held up a remote control. "A controller like this can send out the right signal over a five metre range."
    "We also added our own safeguards," Heidn added. "Each active nanite emits a coded trace signal, at a very low frequency well outside the range of normal detection equipment. Should any of our nanites get stolen, we'll be able to track and retrieve them."
    "And where are we going to perform the process once we have the subjects?" Bern asked.
    "The key thing is that we keep them separate from this building. The name of CERUS must never be mentioned. No employee except the special lab teams must ever see them." Heidn adjusted his glasses. "Above all, it would help if we could bring some other team members in. There's just too much work to be done in the time. Something has to give. Would you prefer it to be the timeframe or the team size?"
    Bern narrowed his eyes. "I'll involve Marron. I think he can make a difference."
    "We need engineers and scientists, not help hiring from HR: we can give you names."
    "Marron knows people. And security."
    "He seems to run security," said Heidn, shaking his head.
    Bern was about to answer when a soft alarm sounded. The heavy door opened and Bradley walked through. His face was grim. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had a call from the police. There's been an accident. Richard Armstrong was killed in a gas explosion at his home last night."  
    Bern sighed. "Were we planning on using him for this project?"
    Holm turned away, scrubbing a hand over his face. "This is terrible."
    "We're all sorry this has happened, Ed," said Bern, "but we have to keep moving forward."
    "William, really," said Heidn. "Give us a moment."
    Bern shook his head. "We don't have that luxury. This project is bigger than any of us: than all of us."

TWENTY-TWO

    GEORGE CROFT WAS WHISTLING AS he walked up to the door of the elegant Georgian House, just a couple of streets over from Regents Park. He had enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at the Ivy and was feeling convivial. He placed his palm on the panel next to the door and heard it click open. Stepping into the deeply shadowed interior, he removed his coat and nodded towards the familiar form of the guard standing to attention halfway along the hall.
    "Good afternoon, Mr