Table of Contents [Report This]
Chapter or Story 
Chapter or Story
Alicin Wonderland by Lizz Part 14
UNEXPECTED COMPANY
=====
Trauma 2
Patient Room
The door of Sydney’s room opened with a soft whoosh and the visitor stepped inside. With confident steps, the newcomer crossed quietly to his bedside, taking note of the IV’s in the psychiatrist’s arms. Various monitors were connected to a well-muscled chest that was bared to the waist, exposing the skin to the coolness of the room. Lips gently placed on his brow sensed the fires burning within. The door whooshed again, this time admitting a nurse, a woman in her mid fifties. She stopped abruptly, not expecting to see anyone other than medical staff in this particular room. “This patient is not receiving visitors. I’ll have to ask you to leave immedi-” She stopped in mid-sentence when the visitor twirled around to face her with an imperious smile. “Oh, my goodness, I didn’t recognize you! Welcome home, Miss Parker!”
“Lillian!” Parker exclaimed, albeit quietly, “Is that really you?” The nurse smiled and nodded as she approached the young woman she had last known as an all-too-serious teenager. “I came as soon as I heard,” Parker offered. “How is he?”
“Resting, for now. He has a very high fever that isn’t responding to any of the antipyretics we’ve tried. That’s why it’s so cold in here. We’re keeping him hydrated and making him as comfortable as we know how, although he may disagree about the ‘comfortable’ part when he wakes up, though.” Parker gave her a puzzled look. “He’s on a refrigerated mat—something new from Research and Development. We’re trying it for the first time. I can’t say that it’s had an effect on his core temperature yet, but he’s been resting easier since we installed it. Too bad we didn’t have some for the others,” she concluded.
“What others?”
“About a dozen, altogether, give or take. I’d have to check to be sure. Anyway, over the past six months they’ve been trickling in, just one or two at a time. The symptoms and course of the illness are always the same: rapid onset, high fever that peaks quickly, and then drops just as fast, all in about twenty-four to thirty hours.”
“How were they-“
“Infected? That’s still a mystery,” she said with a theatrical wave of her hand. “The boys and girls in the lab are working on it. They’re going over the patient charts looking for any connections: organic markers, lifestyle, allergies, anything that can help us find a treatment.” As she spoke, the nurse began to check the monitors and make notes on Sydney’s chart. She adjusted the drip on an IV and turned once more to Parker. “For now, he’s pretty much on his own. Not what you want to hear, I know, but he’s strong, dear. He’s always taken good care of himself. His record shows that he practices yoga regularly. Has for many years. He told us at his last checkup that he now prefers the vegetarian fare at the cafeteria and hardly ever eats meat anymore.” Parker wrinkled her nose slightly at the revelation, being a carnivore at heart, at least in the epicurean arena. “It may be comforting to know that he’s doing just as well as the others and most of those were half his age or slightly younger. We have absolutely no reason to believe he won’t recover like the others, so for now, it’s really just a waiting game.” She smiled at Parker. “And now that you’re up to speed on your friend, it really is my duty to kick you out! The man needs his rest.”
Parker smiled and nodded in agreement. The two women exited to the hall, leaving the soft beeps and whirrs of the electronic attendants behind.
Lillian filed Sydney’s chart and motioned Parker to the seats opposite the elevator that had delivered the young woman to the infirmary minutes earlier. She was truly pleased to see Catherine’s daughter and was awed by how closely the daughter resembled the mother. “Pardon a crone’s curiosity, dear, but is this just a visit or are you home for good? In other words, is Corporate’s loss soon to become the Centre’s gain?” She leaned closer to Parker and cooed, “This place hasn’t been the same without you!”
Parker returned the smile and replied, “I’m flattered that I was missed.” She paused to light a cigarette and noticed that the nurse was staring at her. “But, no, I’m not returning to the Centre. Corporate suits me and I’ve managed to make a place for myself.” Lillian was still staring. “What?”
Suddenly aware that her eyes had been locked on Parker, Lillian apologized for her rudeness. “I’m sorry, dear. It’s just that you remind me so much of …oh dear…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, embarrassed that she had stepped into painfully remembered territory for the younger woman.
“My mother,” Parker finished for her, exhaling a cloud of blue smoke at the ceiling. “You’re not the first to point it out, you know. And besides, it’s true, I do look very much like her.” And that’s where the similarity ends, she thought to herself. My mother was weak. Otherwise, she never would have-
“Miss Parker?” A doctor approached and the women stood as he extended a hand to Parker. “I had a message that said you’d be arriving today. It didn’t say you’d be bringing daybreak with you!” He was smiling.
Oh, gawd, she thought to herself, a perky morning person. Parker smiled weakly as she crushed out her cigarette. “I borrowed a pair of Corporate wings as soon as I got your message.”
“My message?” the doctor puzzled. “I didn’t send you a message. Are you sure it was from this Unit?”
“Well, no,” she began awkwardly. “It’s just that the usual sources claim they didn’t send it either. I guess the important thing is that someone thought to notify me. If Sydney’s here, he’s in good hands. I appreciate everything you’re doing for him.” She stopped speaking before her voice could betray the unexpected emotions that were building quickly and threatening to show themselves.
The doctor put a supportive hand on her shoulder for a moment but removed it almost immediately as Parker cast him a glance that demanded he do so. “No thanks are necessary, it’s what we do, Miss Parker. Sydney’s a valuable part of the Centre. His work has benefited more patients and staff than we’ll probably ever know. I don’t know if you’re aware that this Trauma Unit was his idea, no doubt inspired by his brother’s accident. And the other one, an intern of his, I think. The young woman who died. He made their deaths count for something by trying to give others a fighting chance. I’m not sure I could have seen that far ahead, given the same circumstances. We owe Sydney a lot. We’ll keep you informed of his progress. How can we reach you?”
“It’s my cellular phone,” she said, proffering a business card that bore only a phone number. “I’ll be here at least through Wednesday, but you can reach me at Corporate after that.”
“Very good,” he said, slipping the card into the pocket of his jacket, “I’ll be in touch.
Parker turned toward the elevators. Her next stop would be the Chairman’s office to establish a credible explanation for her presence at the Centre. Angel was homesick for Daddy; she mused, and rolled her eyes. The doors opened and she stepped inside. She pushed the button for her destination and spent the ascent studying her new Ferragamos.
=====
The whistle sounded long and shrill, as the train pulled into the station. They were just inside the Italian border. Young Sydney looked out his window, jostling for position with his brother Jacob. People on the platform were bustling about, collecting bags, greeting loved ones, searching for berths. Sydney’s mother was busy overhead, retrieving their small bundles and handing them to the boys to carry off the train. His father set about straightening their collars and ties, and tucking in their shirts. Then he combed their hair. Sydney tugged at his collar in a futile attempt to loosen it. Why did Father insist on shirts and ties? They were on holiday, after all…
At last the family stepped off the train, and an unexpected draught of alpine air nearly took Sydney’s breath away. The boy closed his eyes and turned his face into the wind. The current of air cooled his body. He took in a deep breath and held it in his lungs for as long as he could before blowing it out through rounded lips.
=====
Trauma 2
Duty Desk
The doctor was looking over Lillian’s shoulder at Sydney’s monitors when the shrill alarm sounded. “Which one?” he asked as they hurried down the hall.
“Apnea,” the nurse replied, “and his pulse is elevated.”
“Is the room set for pulmonary procedures?”
“Yes, Doctor, we have an O2 feed beside the bed, full resuscitation supplies, surgical trays and a crash cart. I can call T-1 for another nurse to assist, just in case.”
“Let’s see what we’ve got, first.”
Together, they burst into the patient’s room and Lillian shut off the alarm that had summoned them. Once the monitor was reset, she joined the doctor at bedside. Stethoscope in his ears, he listened carefully to the sounds coming from Sydney’s chest. “Did any of the others have pulmonary complications?”
“Not a one.”
He removed the device and draped it around his neck. “His chest is clear.” The monitor was purring quietly once again. The doctor held his hand on the center of Sydney’s chest for a few minutes and then studied his patient’s eyelids. Then he smiled faintly. “Rapid eye movements…there! Did you see it? He’s dreaming.”
Lillian nodded and smiled, too. “Whatever it is, I hope it’s entertaining!”
A few more observations and they were finished for the time being. The doctor left instructions with Lillian to page him in case of another emergency.
=====
SL 26
Raines’ Office
William Raines did not like surprises, not even the good ones, so it was with great irritation and perhaps a little suspicion that he looked up from his desk when he heard the knock at his door. Outside, Patrice smoothed her hair back with both hands and tightened the tortoise shell barrette that held it in place at the back of her neck. She took a deep breath and stepped into the office. “Good morning, Bill. Can you spare me a few minutes?”
“In the neighborhood and thought you’d drop by?” he replied with just enough sarcasm to be noticed.
“Well,” she began carefully, “you have the ‘drop’ part right. My stomach is still somewhere between sub-levels.” She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the ceiling.
“Well then, Doctor,” he said, leaning back in his seat, “what brings you to my door?” Not actually wanting her in his office, still he waved her to a chair, as he was determined to find out about the girl. He already knew what was wrong with Sydney.
“First, I want to know how you’re feeling. That was a nasty fall you took last night. I wish you’d stayed long enough for me to check you over.” She was sincere in her comments.
Raines was not entirely convinced of his visitor’s good will and concern. “I’m quite well, thank you, Doctor. But you didn’t come all the way down here just to inquire about my health. Why are you really here?” He was speaking more slowly than usual and seemed to be having difficulty breathing, even with the oxygen feed.
“Don’t dismiss my concern so lightly, William. You look like hell and you sound terrible!” She watched his face register shock and then mild amusement at her bluntness. “When was your last check up?” she demanded.
“Two months ago, not that it’s any of your business,” he sneered. “My personal physician is quite capable of looking after my health.”
“I bet he hasn’t seen you recently,” she said sarcastically with the arch of an eyebrow.
He raised an eyebrow of his own. “What do you want?”
Patrice moistened her lips before beginning. “Alicin. Where does she come from and how long has she been working for you?”
“Nearly a year,” he replied dispassionately, ignoring the first question. “She was raised in the Centre from childhood until her early teen years. She trained here for basic research and then was sent to the Front for advance systems research training. Mr. Broots in systems security was her instructor. Her reputation made her acquisition essential to my project panel and I had her transferred back here.” He might as well have been reading from a brochure.
“Where does she live?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” she parried. “Where’s her room? Does she have a roommate?”
“The dormitory is one level down. No roommates are permitted.”
“I’d like to see it, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Non-panel personnel aren’t permitted in the dormitories.”
Patrice paused for a moment, her annoyance tensing the corners of her mouth. “Then that brings me to the other reason I’m here. Your researcher was attacked, Bill.” The statement did not produce the reaction that she had expected. Instead of anger she saw a flash of distress and then his face returned to its usual bland look. “I don’t know where it happened, but early forensics puts the time at three to five days before your visit to Sydney. I’m not just talking about a beating, Bill. She was sexually assaulted as well. The attacker was very careful. He used a condom and there was no skin under what little fingernails she has, so he had time to clean them when he was finished with her. No hair, no fibers. Nothing.” The words were bitter tasting in her mouth, but she continued. “He had an accomplice, a lookout most likely. Of course it could also explain the absence of skin under her nails if someone else restrained her. I already know that there were two of them, Bill, and they were sweepers. I want them. Both of them. This happened on your watch and I want your help to bring them in.” Her countenance was dark and intense as she spoke.
News of the nature of Alicin’s attack disturbed Raines. His face, however, remained unreadable. “I knew something was wrong. She’s been acting strangely over the last six weeks, not eating, pacing her cell at night, belligerent toward her handlers. I thought the pace of the project was getting to her. That’s why I took her to Sydney.”
“So you thought she was just stressed out and getting bitchy with your staff,” Patrice tossed out. Raines’ gaze fell everywhere else in the room except upon Patrice. “Is that why you had someone shave her head?” She didn’t try to hide her disgust.
“I never ordered that!” he rasped. “In fact I’m looking for the employee who thought it was a good idea!” His anger was genuine. “I have every reason to keep that girl healthy and content at her computer terminal. That damn haircut cost me an early delivery bonus!”
While Patrice was relieved to hear that Raines had nothing to do with Alicin’s brutal coif, she bristled at his callous disregard for her well being apart from her usefulness to the Centre. She wanted to tell him where he could put the bonus! Instead, she came back to the focus of her visit.
“Bill? I really need your help on this one. If Alicin hadn’t gotten sick, we never would have known about this man. I mean, who knows how many other times he’s done this! There’s a vicious predator out there and he has help. How many other women are on that research panel? How many of them are you willing to surrender to this animal before you do something? How many bonuses are you ready to lose?” She was making herself sick now.
“Look, Bill, it’s once in a blue moon that a person gets a chance to be a force for good in the world. This is our chance to stop a monster.” She paused for a moment before asking, “What say you?”
Before Raines could reply, the door opened and Willie, his chief sweeper, entered carrying a large manila envelope that looked as if he had kicked it all the way from the mailroom to the office. It bore several inscriptions. Confidential. Urgent. Medical Records. X-Ray Film Do Not Bend. Project TT/K. “This just came for you, sir.” He took note of Dr. Patrice’s presence before he was dismissed by a nod of his boss’s head.
“What is it, Bill?”
“Probably a file for me to review before it goes to the burn room.”
“From the medical archives? Whose is it, Alicin’s?” Patrice was frowning as she crossed her arms and waited for his reply.
Raines looked across the desk at her and then at the package on the desk. She was annoyingly tenacious about her young patient, but he respected her for not trying to charm him out of the information with flattery or patronizing declarations of admiration.
“Do you have x-ray vision, Bill, or would you like to borrow my Swiss army knife to open it?” she pressed, mixing curiosity and impatience.
Since Patrice was making no move to leave, Raines sighed sharply and reached into the center drawer of his desk and retrieved a tarnished but strikingly jeweled thirteenth century Moroccan dagger. With one fluid swipe of the blade, the package was open. Patrice sat with her hand over her mouth as he withdrew the contents slowly, not wishing to reveal the contents fully to his guest.
There were eight composite x-ray films and five grossly overstuffed file folders, clearly from the Centre’s medical archive. Setting the films aside, Raines opened the first folder and began to read. His face grew steadily stonier, if that was possible for his usually granite countenance.
Patrice persevered and still made no move for the door. “Care to share?” she inquired solemnly after fifteen minutes of polite silence.
In a gesture that surprised the doctor, Raines turned the folder he was reading to face her and slid it across his desk. Then he sank back in his chair, looking very tired. Or perhaps shaken? She received the folder and read the label that announced: Project TT/K-Subject 001002001A. Her next breath caught in her chest. A single page told the straightforward story of Alicin’s birth. The medical history noted an uneventful pregnancy and delivery with a perfect Apgar score and stated that the baby--make that ‘subject’--had a strong cry. There was no mention--absolutely none--of her parents in the narrative. It had the ring of a cover story.
The next report sickened her. It began at age two, when Alicin supposedly first came to the Centre. The toddler was the result of a breeding project intended to produce a designer genius whose brainpower could be fine-tuned to a specific task. A characteristic known as brain plasticity allowed increasing numbers of neurons to be dedicated to a selected task. For example, by stimulating the skin on the pads of the fingers, one could conceivably recruit neighboring neurons to the motor task of typing on a keyboard, thus improving accuracy and speed. In Alicin’s case, the characteristic was enhanced to an astonishing level and used to shape her affinity for linguists and integrated thinking skills, and Alicin was very good at both.
As a preschooler, her training targeted cognitive development and linguistics. By age five, she could read in four western European languages and knew three regional variations in one of them. Nothing was written about her speaking ability in any of them.
Near the middle of the file was a horrifying medical research report authored by TT/K, the initials on the project listing. It detailed the genetic studies that determined Alicin’s DNA code and the attempts at in vitro fertilization with three ‘donors’ from the Pretender Project. The fertilizations were successful, however the embryos detached from the uterine walls of the two unnamed surrogates and Alicin herself within a week of implantation. Closer study discovered that the genetic switch that had turned on the enhanced plasticity had also played a part in causing the detachments. Alicin’s trait could not be passed on through normal sexual reproduction. Doctors had then removed her uterus and a portion of each ovary for further study. On the recommendation of TT/K, the harvested tissues were forwarded to a place called the Donoterase Facility. After a brief recovery period on SL-26, the fourteen year old was deemed fit to resume her training.
Patrice was breathing in shallow, shuddering gasps by the time she had finished reading and her chest was tight. Whoever TT/K was, he—or she—was evil made flesh. The tightness in her chest turned to anger. She looked up at Raines. He was reading the contents of a second folder and still looked ill at ease. Patrice returned her attention to the documents in her lap.
On the other side of the desk, William Raines was thinking long and hard about Patrice’s proposal. Knowing of Alicin’s recent ordeal, so like his Annie’s abduction in some aspects, had suddenly brought back the painful pangs of grief from what seemed like yesterday to him. He was confused. Annie had been his daughter. Alicin was Centre property, bred, born and raised to serve. Aside from her obvious benefit to Centre, there was no reason to care about Alicin. So why did he feel obliged to help find her assailant?
Raines rose from his desk and walked slowly to where Patrice was sitting. Looking down at her he said, “I can’t be involved.” Quickly raising a hand to halt her protest he added, “Officially. I’ll do what I can and keep you informed indirectly.”
Patrice fought to gain command of her voice and her emotions. “Thank you, Bill,” she said, barely above a whisper. She studied his troubled face for a moment. “Is there something I can do for you?” He shook his head, so Patrice stood and walked to the door. “You should take a few days off, you know. No one would question it. Then maybe arrange to leave early or plan to come in late some days? No job is worth this wear and tear on your body.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes this time as she raised the folder in her hand slightly. “I’ll bring this back just as soon as I finish reading. You take care now.”
She was gone before he could form an objection to her taking the folder out of his office. “It’s not the wear and tear on the body,” he said quietly as he leaned on the cool glass of the door. “It’s the wear and tear on the soul that’ll kill you.” He returned to his desk and slumped in the chair.
Once in a blue moon, he thought. How ironic that she should use those words. His thumbs brushed over the bottom edge of his desk blotter, under which he kept a picture of his only child Annie, now deceased. Her kidnapper, the Blue Moon Killer, was tucked away in a maximum-security cell enjoying a sentence more merciful than the one he had meted out for the apple of one father’s eye.
After a few moments, he lifted the edge of the desk blotter and retrieved the black and white photograph hidden there. She had her mother’s smile, he thought, looking at his daughter. What he’d give for just one more day with her, just one memento from the days when her smile was enough to light up his heart. He pressed a button on the phone and lifted the handset. “Please hold all calls until I tell you otherwise.” He didn’t wait for a reply. Holding Annie’s picture in both hands, he turned his chair to face the wall.
=====
TBC
End Alicin Wonderland Part 14
Please send feedback to lizzkirsch@hotmail.com
UNEXPECTED COMPANY
=====
Trauma 2
Patient Room
The door of Sydney’s room opened with a soft whoosh and the visitor stepped inside. With confident steps, the newcomer crossed quietly to his bedside, taking note of the IV’s in the psychiatrist’s arms. Various monitors were connected to a well-muscled chest that was bared to the waist, exposing the skin to the coolness of the room. Lips gently placed on his brow sensed the fires burning within. The door whooshed again, this time admitting a nurse, a woman in her mid fifties. She stopped abruptly, not expecting to see anyone other than medical staff in this particular room. “This patient is not receiving visitors. I’ll have to ask you to leave immedi-” She stopped in mid-sentence when the visitor twirled around to face her with an imperious smile. “Oh, my goodness, I didn’t recognize you! Welcome home, Miss Parker!”
“Lillian!” Parker exclaimed, albeit quietly, “Is that really you?” The nurse smiled and nodded as she approached the young woman she had last known as an all-too-serious teenager. “I came as soon as I heard,” Parker offered. “How is he?”
“Resting, for now. He has a very high fever that isn’t responding to any of the antipyretics we’ve tried. That’s why it’s so cold in here. We’re keeping him hydrated and making him as comfortable as we know how, although he may disagree about the ‘comfortable’ part when he wakes up, though.” Parker gave her a puzzled look. “He’s on a refrigerated mat—something new from Research and Development. We’re trying it for the first time. I can’t say that it’s had an effect on his core temperature yet, but he’s been resting easier since we installed it. Too bad we didn’t have some for the others,” she concluded.
“What others?”
“About a dozen, altogether, give or take. I’d have to check to be sure. Anyway, over the past six months they’ve been trickling in, just one or two at a time. The symptoms and course of the illness are always the same: rapid onset, high fever that peaks quickly, and then drops just as fast, all in about twenty-four to thirty hours.”
“How were they-“
“Infected? That’s still a mystery,” she said with a theatrical wave of her hand. “The boys and girls in the lab are working on it. They’re going over the patient charts looking for any connections: organic markers, lifestyle, allergies, anything that can help us find a treatment.” As she spoke, the nurse began to check the monitors and make notes on Sydney’s chart. She adjusted the drip on an IV and turned once more to Parker. “For now, he’s pretty much on his own. Not what you want to hear, I know, but he’s strong, dear. He’s always taken good care of himself. His record shows that he practices yoga regularly. Has for many years. He told us at his last checkup that he now prefers the vegetarian fare at the cafeteria and hardly ever eats meat anymore.” Parker wrinkled her nose slightly at the revelation, being a carnivore at heart, at least in the epicurean arena. “It may be comforting to know that he’s doing just as well as the others and most of those were half his age or slightly younger. We have absolutely no reason to believe he won’t recover like the others, so for now, it’s really just a waiting game.” She smiled at Parker. “And now that you’re up to speed on your friend, it really is my duty to kick you out! The man needs his rest.”
Parker smiled and nodded in agreement. The two women exited to the hall, leaving the soft beeps and whirrs of the electronic attendants behind.
Lillian filed Sydney’s chart and motioned Parker to the seats opposite the elevator that had delivered the young woman to the infirmary minutes earlier. She was truly pleased to see Catherine’s daughter and was awed by how closely the daughter resembled the mother. “Pardon a crone’s curiosity, dear, but is this just a visit or are you home for good? In other words, is Corporate’s loss soon to become the Centre’s gain?” She leaned closer to Parker and cooed, “This place hasn’t been the same without you!”
Parker returned the smile and replied, “I’m flattered that I was missed.” She paused to light a cigarette and noticed that the nurse was staring at her. “But, no, I’m not returning to the Centre. Corporate suits me and I’ve managed to make a place for myself.” Lillian was still staring. “What?”
Suddenly aware that her eyes had been locked on Parker, Lillian apologized for her rudeness. “I’m sorry, dear. It’s just that you remind me so much of …oh dear…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, embarrassed that she had stepped into painfully remembered territory for the younger woman.
“My mother,” Parker finished for her, exhaling a cloud of blue smoke at the ceiling. “You’re not the first to point it out, you know. And besides, it’s true, I do look very much like her.” And that’s where the similarity ends, she thought to herself. My mother was weak. Otherwise, she never would have-
“Miss Parker?” A doctor approached and the women stood as he extended a hand to Parker. “I had a message that said you’d be arriving today. It didn’t say you’d be bringing daybreak with you!” He was smiling.
Oh, gawd, she thought to herself, a perky morning person. Parker smiled weakly as she crushed out her cigarette. “I borrowed a pair of Corporate wings as soon as I got your message.”
“My message?” the doctor puzzled. “I didn’t send you a message. Are you sure it was from this Unit?”
“Well, no,” she began awkwardly. “It’s just that the usual sources claim they didn’t send it either. I guess the important thing is that someone thought to notify me. If Sydney’s here, he’s in good hands. I appreciate everything you’re doing for him.” She stopped speaking before her voice could betray the unexpected emotions that were building quickly and threatening to show themselves.
The doctor put a supportive hand on her shoulder for a moment but removed it almost immediately as Parker cast him a glance that demanded he do so. “No thanks are necessary, it’s what we do, Miss Parker. Sydney’s a valuable part of the Centre. His work has benefited more patients and staff than we’ll probably ever know. I don’t know if you’re aware that this Trauma Unit was his idea, no doubt inspired by his brother’s accident. And the other one, an intern of his, I think. The young woman who died. He made their deaths count for something by trying to give others a fighting chance. I’m not sure I could have seen that far ahead, given the same circumstances. We owe Sydney a lot. We’ll keep you informed of his progress. How can we reach you?”
“It’s my cellular phone,” she said, proffering a business card that bore only a phone number. “I’ll be here at least through Wednesday, but you can reach me at Corporate after that.”
“Very good,” he said, slipping the card into the pocket of his jacket, “I’ll be in touch.
Parker turned toward the elevators. Her next stop would be the Chairman’s office to establish a credible explanation for her presence at the Centre. Angel was homesick for Daddy; she mused, and rolled her eyes. The doors opened and she stepped inside. She pushed the button for her destination and spent the ascent studying her new Ferragamos.
=====
The whistle sounded long and shrill, as the train pulled into the station. They were just inside the Italian border. Young Sydney looked out his window, jostling for position with his brother Jacob. People on the platform were bustling about, collecting bags, greeting loved ones, searching for berths. Sydney’s mother was busy overhead, retrieving their small bundles and handing them to the boys to carry off the train. His father set about straightening their collars and ties, and tucking in their shirts. Then he combed their hair. Sydney tugged at his collar in a futile attempt to loosen it. Why did Father insist on shirts and ties? They were on holiday, after all…
At last the family stepped off the train, and an unexpected draught of alpine air nearly took Sydney’s breath away. The boy closed his eyes and turned his face into the wind. The current of air cooled his body. He took in a deep breath and held it in his lungs for as long as he could before blowing it out through rounded lips.
=====
Trauma 2
Duty Desk
The doctor was looking over Lillian’s shoulder at Sydney’s monitors when the shrill alarm sounded. “Which one?” he asked as they hurried down the hall.
“Apnea,” the nurse replied, “and his pulse is elevated.”
“Is the room set for pulmonary procedures?”
“Yes, Doctor, we have an O2 feed beside the bed, full resuscitation supplies, surgical trays and a crash cart. I can call T-1 for another nurse to assist, just in case.”
“Let’s see what we’ve got, first.”
Together, they burst into the patient’s room and Lillian shut off the alarm that had summoned them. Once the monitor was reset, she joined the doctor at bedside. Stethoscope in his ears, he listened carefully to the sounds coming from Sydney’s chest. “Did any of the others have pulmonary complications?”
“Not a one.”
He removed the device and draped it around his neck. “His chest is clear.” The monitor was purring quietly once again. The doctor held his hand on the center of Sydney’s chest for a few minutes and then studied his patient’s eyelids. Then he smiled faintly. “Rapid eye movements…there! Did you see it? He’s dreaming.”
Lillian nodded and smiled, too. “Whatever it is, I hope it’s entertaining!”
A few more observations and they were finished for the time being. The doctor left instructions with Lillian to page him in case of another emergency.
=====
SL 26
Raines’ Office
William Raines did not like surprises, not even the good ones, so it was with great irritation and perhaps a little suspicion that he looked up from his desk when he heard the knock at his door. Outside, Patrice smoothed her hair back with both hands and tightened the tortoise shell barrette that held it in place at the back of her neck. She took a deep breath and stepped into the office. “Good morning, Bill. Can you spare me a few minutes?”
“In the neighborhood and thought you’d drop by?” he replied with just enough sarcasm to be noticed.
“Well,” she began carefully, “you have the ‘drop’ part right. My stomach is still somewhere between sub-levels.” She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the ceiling.
“Well then, Doctor,” he said, leaning back in his seat, “what brings you to my door?” Not actually wanting her in his office, still he waved her to a chair, as he was determined to find out about the girl. He already knew what was wrong with Sydney.
“First, I want to know how you’re feeling. That was a nasty fall you took last night. I wish you’d stayed long enough for me to check you over.” She was sincere in her comments.
Raines was not entirely convinced of his visitor’s good will and concern. “I’m quite well, thank you, Doctor. But you didn’t come all the way down here just to inquire about my health. Why are you really here?” He was speaking more slowly than usual and seemed to be having difficulty breathing, even with the oxygen feed.
“Don’t dismiss my concern so lightly, William. You look like hell and you sound terrible!” She watched his face register shock and then mild amusement at her bluntness. “When was your last check up?” she demanded.
“Two months ago, not that it’s any of your business,” he sneered. “My personal physician is quite capable of looking after my health.”
“I bet he hasn’t seen you recently,” she said sarcastically with the arch of an eyebrow.
He raised an eyebrow of his own. “What do you want?”
Patrice moistened her lips before beginning. “Alicin. Where does she come from and how long has she been working for you?”
“Nearly a year,” he replied dispassionately, ignoring the first question. “She was raised in the Centre from childhood until her early teen years. She trained here for basic research and then was sent to the Front for advance systems research training. Mr. Broots in systems security was her instructor. Her reputation made her acquisition essential to my project panel and I had her transferred back here.” He might as well have been reading from a brochure.
“Where does she live?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” she parried. “Where’s her room? Does she have a roommate?”
“The dormitory is one level down. No roommates are permitted.”
“I’d like to see it, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Non-panel personnel aren’t permitted in the dormitories.”
Patrice paused for a moment, her annoyance tensing the corners of her mouth. “Then that brings me to the other reason I’m here. Your researcher was attacked, Bill.” The statement did not produce the reaction that she had expected. Instead of anger she saw a flash of distress and then his face returned to its usual bland look. “I don’t know where it happened, but early forensics puts the time at three to five days before your visit to Sydney. I’m not just talking about a beating, Bill. She was sexually assaulted as well. The attacker was very careful. He used a condom and there was no skin under what little fingernails she has, so he had time to clean them when he was finished with her. No hair, no fibers. Nothing.” The words were bitter tasting in her mouth, but she continued. “He had an accomplice, a lookout most likely. Of course it could also explain the absence of skin under her nails if someone else restrained her. I already know that there were two of them, Bill, and they were sweepers. I want them. Both of them. This happened on your watch and I want your help to bring them in.” Her countenance was dark and intense as she spoke.
News of the nature of Alicin’s attack disturbed Raines. His face, however, remained unreadable. “I knew something was wrong. She’s been acting strangely over the last six weeks, not eating, pacing her cell at night, belligerent toward her handlers. I thought the pace of the project was getting to her. That’s why I took her to Sydney.”
“So you thought she was just stressed out and getting bitchy with your staff,” Patrice tossed out. Raines’ gaze fell everywhere else in the room except upon Patrice. “Is that why you had someone shave her head?” She didn’t try to hide her disgust.
“I never ordered that!” he rasped. “In fact I’m looking for the employee who thought it was a good idea!” His anger was genuine. “I have every reason to keep that girl healthy and content at her computer terminal. That damn haircut cost me an early delivery bonus!”
While Patrice was relieved to hear that Raines had nothing to do with Alicin’s brutal coif, she bristled at his callous disregard for her well being apart from her usefulness to the Centre. She wanted to tell him where he could put the bonus! Instead, she came back to the focus of her visit.
“Bill? I really need your help on this one. If Alicin hadn’t gotten sick, we never would have known about this man. I mean, who knows how many other times he’s done this! There’s a vicious predator out there and he has help. How many other women are on that research panel? How many of them are you willing to surrender to this animal before you do something? How many bonuses are you ready to lose?” She was making herself sick now.
“Look, Bill, it’s once in a blue moon that a person gets a chance to be a force for good in the world. This is our chance to stop a monster.” She paused for a moment before asking, “What say you?”
Before Raines could reply, the door opened and Willie, his chief sweeper, entered carrying a large manila envelope that looked as if he had kicked it all the way from the mailroom to the office. It bore several inscriptions. Confidential. Urgent. Medical Records. X-Ray Film Do Not Bend. Project TT/K. “This just came for you, sir.” He took note of Dr. Patrice’s presence before he was dismissed by a nod of his boss’s head.
“What is it, Bill?”
“Probably a file for me to review before it goes to the burn room.”
“From the medical archives? Whose is it, Alicin’s?” Patrice was frowning as she crossed her arms and waited for his reply.
Raines looked across the desk at her and then at the package on the desk. She was annoyingly tenacious about her young patient, but he respected her for not trying to charm him out of the information with flattery or patronizing declarations of admiration.
“Do you have x-ray vision, Bill, or would you like to borrow my Swiss army knife to open it?” she pressed, mixing curiosity and impatience.
Since Patrice was making no move to leave, Raines sighed sharply and reached into the center drawer of his desk and retrieved a tarnished but strikingly jeweled thirteenth century Moroccan dagger. With one fluid swipe of the blade, the package was open. Patrice sat with her hand over her mouth as he withdrew the contents slowly, not wishing to reveal the contents fully to his guest.
There were eight composite x-ray films and five grossly overstuffed file folders, clearly from the Centre’s medical archive. Setting the films aside, Raines opened the first folder and began to read. His face grew steadily stonier, if that was possible for his usually granite countenance.
Patrice persevered and still made no move for the door. “Care to share?” she inquired solemnly after fifteen minutes of polite silence.
In a gesture that surprised the doctor, Raines turned the folder he was reading to face her and slid it across his desk. Then he sank back in his chair, looking very tired. Or perhaps shaken? She received the folder and read the label that announced: Project TT/K-Subject 001002001A. Her next breath caught in her chest. A single page told the straightforward story of Alicin’s birth. The medical history noted an uneventful pregnancy and delivery with a perfect Apgar score and stated that the baby--make that ‘subject’--had a strong cry. There was no mention--absolutely none--of her parents in the narrative. It had the ring of a cover story.
The next report sickened her. It began at age two, when Alicin supposedly first came to the Centre. The toddler was the result of a breeding project intended to produce a designer genius whose brainpower could be fine-tuned to a specific task. A characteristic known as brain plasticity allowed increasing numbers of neurons to be dedicated to a selected task. For example, by stimulating the skin on the pads of the fingers, one could conceivably recruit neighboring neurons to the motor task of typing on a keyboard, thus improving accuracy and speed. In Alicin’s case, the characteristic was enhanced to an astonishing level and used to shape her affinity for linguists and integrated thinking skills, and Alicin was very good at both.
As a preschooler, her training targeted cognitive development and linguistics. By age five, she could read in four western European languages and knew three regional variations in one of them. Nothing was written about her speaking ability in any of them.
Near the middle of the file was a horrifying medical research report authored by TT/K, the initials on the project listing. It detailed the genetic studies that determined Alicin’s DNA code and the attempts at in vitro fertilization with three ‘donors’ from the Pretender Project. The fertilizations were successful, however the embryos detached from the uterine walls of the two unnamed surrogates and Alicin herself within a week of implantation. Closer study discovered that the genetic switch that had turned on the enhanced plasticity had also played a part in causing the detachments. Alicin’s trait could not be passed on through normal sexual reproduction. Doctors had then removed her uterus and a portion of each ovary for further study. On the recommendation of TT/K, the harvested tissues were forwarded to a place called the Donoterase Facility. After a brief recovery period on SL-26, the fourteen year old was deemed fit to resume her training.
Patrice was breathing in shallow, shuddering gasps by the time she had finished reading and her chest was tight. Whoever TT/K was, he—or she—was evil made flesh. The tightness in her chest turned to anger. She looked up at Raines. He was reading the contents of a second folder and still looked ill at ease. Patrice returned her attention to the documents in her lap.
On the other side of the desk, William Raines was thinking long and hard about Patrice’s proposal. Knowing of Alicin’s recent ordeal, so like his Annie’s abduction in some aspects, had suddenly brought back the painful pangs of grief from what seemed like yesterday to him. He was confused. Annie had been his daughter. Alicin was Centre property, bred, born and raised to serve. Aside from her obvious benefit to Centre, there was no reason to care about Alicin. So why did he feel obliged to help find her assailant?
Raines rose from his desk and walked slowly to where Patrice was sitting. Looking down at her he said, “I can’t be involved.” Quickly raising a hand to halt her protest he added, “Officially. I’ll do what I can and keep you informed indirectly.”
Patrice fought to gain command of her voice and her emotions. “Thank you, Bill,” she said, barely above a whisper. She studied his troubled face for a moment. “Is there something I can do for you?” He shook his head, so Patrice stood and walked to the door. “You should take a few days off, you know. No one would question it. Then maybe arrange to leave early or plan to come in late some days? No job is worth this wear and tear on your body.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes this time as she raised the folder in her hand slightly. “I’ll bring this back just as soon as I finish reading. You take care now.”
She was gone before he could form an objection to her taking the folder out of his office. “It’s not the wear and tear on the body,” he said quietly as he leaned on the cool glass of the door. “It’s the wear and tear on the soul that’ll kill you.” He returned to his desk and slumped in the chair.
Once in a blue moon, he thought. How ironic that she should use those words. His thumbs brushed over the bottom edge of his desk blotter, under which he kept a picture of his only child Annie, now deceased. Her kidnapper, the Blue Moon Killer, was tucked away in a maximum-security cell enjoying a sentence more merciful than the one he had meted out for the apple of one father’s eye.
After a few moments, he lifted the edge of the desk blotter and retrieved the black and white photograph hidden there. She had her mother’s smile, he thought, looking at his daughter. What he’d give for just one more day with her, just one memento from the days when her smile was enough to light up his heart. He pressed a button on the phone and lifted the handset. “Please hold all calls until I tell you otherwise.” He didn’t wait for a reply. Holding Annie’s picture in both hands, he turned his chair to face the wall.
=====
TBC
End Alicin Wonderland Part 14
Please send feedback to lizzkirsch@hotmail.com
