PROTOTYPE 23
By Heck



Comments to heck@beadyeye.me.uk

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

As the credits rolled, we all sat back and let out a collective sigh. Ruth
Goodheim was the first to speak.

"Now was that good, or was that good? What do you think?"

"I liked it", Lucy said, and I nodded agreement. Susannah picked up the phone
and keyed a number.

"We got your message across, I think", Ruth went on. "And made some good TV
into the bargain. Also, it gets repeated on Saturday".

"Switchboard's jammed", Susannah commented, hanging up the phone. "That's a
good sign".

"Well, we were after public support", I put in. "Let's hope we get it". I was
both relieved and, vainly, a little disappointed that they had used very
little of the footage of my interviews, but overall I was pleased with the
result. I hoped I could get a copy so I could watch Lucy's strength in action
at my leisure. Which was a pretty redundant thought, given that the woman was
sitting next to me and loved me.

Ruth got to her feet and waddled over to the minibar.

"Drinks, anyone? I think we have something to celebrate".

I chose Famous Grouse, neat. No true Scot would dilute his whisky. Ruth and
Susannah plumped for dry martinis, and Lucy had a club soda. It wasn't that
she was teetotal, but she told me her enhanced tastebuds made anything
alcoholic taste like kerosene.

"Cheers, everybody". Susannah raised her glass. "To a job well done".

"You seem quite proud of the programme", I observed, after we had toasted.

"I am. It's good TV. Viewers with Three Dee sets are in for a treat. But it's
more than that. I get the feeling that I'm privileged to be in at the
beginning of something really important. You might not know it yet, Lucy, but
you're about to become one of the most famous people on the planet".

"Oh, no". Lucy sprang to her feet, and you could almost taste the sudden
tension crackling from her. "Not me! That wasn't part of the deal. I'm not
going to be anyone's freak show. You guys told me that the plan was to put me
out there so I'd be left alone. That is what is going to happen. You guys can
forget about any kind of exploitation!"

I wished right then that I had one of those psychic cameras. You know, the
ones that are supposed to be able to photograph a person's aura? I bet it
would have shown Lucy's sparking and crackling round her like a thunderstorm.
Susannah looked shocked and a little scared by Lucy's reaction and even I, who
knew I was in no danger from her, moved back a bit. Only Ruth seemed unfazed.

"Bubeleh", she said in a motherly way, moving in to take Lucy's hand in both
of hers. "Not to worry. That's not what Suzie meant, did you, sweetie? We have
no intention of turning you into some kind of circus act. You're too important
for that. She meant a different kind of fame, something much more satisfying".

Lucy turned her gaze on Susannah, who was trying to compose herself. I tell
you, it's pretty scary to be on the receiving end of the anger of someone you
know could rip off your arm and beat you to death with the soggy end.

"That's right", the anchorwoman said meekly. "I was talking about the kind of
fame that will come from you being a benefactor of mankind".

"Such as?"

"Well, such as, er, well, your immune system, say. If doctors could find out
how it works and duplicate it, they could hype up the immunity of, let's say,
cancer victims. Or HIV sufferers. Helping them to overcome the diseases that
are destroying them. Or help accident victims recover more quickly. Or any
amount of things".

Lucy looked pensive for a minute.

"All right. That's different. Sorry I got angry". She smiled. "And sorry I
scared you".

"That's OK. Understandable, I suppose, after what you've been through. I guess
I could have phrased it more tactfully".

"Aye", I quipped. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out
to get you".

We finished our drinks and sat in awkward silence for a while.

"He should be here in a minute", Ruth said, checking her watch.

"Who?" I wondered.

"Senator Sumner, of course. Did he not say he would be here to take you to a
safehouse as soon as the programme had aired?"

"Aye. He did".

Senator Sumner. The man who had championed Lucy on TV, the man who had
promised to back her case to the hilt, and who promised us the ear of the
president herself. The man who was to be our saviour.

For some reason, the prospect didn't fill me with confidence and, from the
subdued expression Lucy was wearing, she felt much the same.

"Ruth, do you really think we can trust this senator?" Lucy gave voice to both
our fears.

"What's not to trust? He has an impeccable record on human rights, he's a
great supporter of the space programme, and he's already gone on record as
being your most influential backer".

"Still", I said, ever the cynic. "He is a politician".

"And you don't trust politicians as a breed?" Susannah said. "Isn't that a
rather narrow point of view?"

"Perhaps", I shrugged. I plucked an apple from the fruit bowl and studied its
glossy red skin before continuing. "I never knew a politician to lie unless
his lips were moving. That's a quote from my Da. But it has a basis in fact.
Politicians 'as a breed' are not known for keeping promises".

"I see where you're coming from". The newswoman leaned back on the sofa and
crossed her elegant legs. "And normally, I'd agree. But Sumner has shown
himself to be highly principled in the past. He was elected because of his
realistic pledges, and has held to them pretty well so far. In fact, he has
made a number of enemies in the Senate because of it. He calls a spade a
spade, and some of his colleagues don't like it".

"It's not like we had much choice", Lucy put in, laying her cool hand on mine.
"It's either go along with him, or go back on the run. I've had enough of
that. And how far do you think we'd get? That show of ours? It must've really
pissed Santana and co right off. They'd find us, sooner rather than later, and
what they'd do to us when they did is not something I want to dwell on".

"Is it the whole of the FBI and the military that wants you, do you think, or
is it just Santana, Jackson, and Bouvier?"

"I don't know. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that the resources that have been thrown at us, while they are
pretty formidable, seen to me to be a bit limited". I shifted in my seat to
face them all. "If the whole shitload of the establishment was on our case,
you'd think every beat cop, every agent, every GI, would be on the job. They'd
be all over us like a coat of paint, especially if Lucy is as valuable as they
say".

"I don't doubt that she is", Ruth said as I took a huge bite from my fruit.
"Every bit. But you may have a point. Maybe these people are acting
unofficially. Maybe that's why they went to ground when we tried to interview
them".

"And maybe that was why there was no interference with the programme we made",
Lucy mused. "I may not be fully up to scratch on this time period yet, but I'm
not so naive as to think that the government couldn't have placed an embargo
on it if they needed to".

"The woman speaks the truth", Ruth said. "That she should have the mind of a
Wiseman with the face of an angel, already. They could have shut us up, and
the reason they didn't, I think, is because they've been kept out of the loop,
is why".

"Surely Sumner would have said something? They couldn't have been completely
in the dark".

The phone chirped, and Susannah reached over to pick up.

"Speak of the devil", she said. "He's in the elevator, on his way up". She got
to her feet and left to meet him.

"The Senator has had only a limited time to tell anybody", Ruth continued.
"And I suspect he wouldn't have said very much to many people".

"I just hope we can trust him", I said with perfect timing, just as the door
opened to admit Senator Ted Sumner, accompanied by two men in dark suits,
white shirts, and the compulsory shades. They were built like the proverbial
brick shithouses, and had enough physical presence to scare the crap out of a
corps of marines. They certainly scared it out of me.

"Hope you can trust whom?" Sumner said through his professional smile. I felt
a blush warm my cheeks while Ruth bustled to greet him, expertly diverting
attention from my embarrassment.

"Senator Sumner!" She pumped his hand vigorously. "Good to see you again".

"Mrs Goodheim. How are you? Miss Zczacheschevska? Dr Cameron?" having done his
duty in acknowledging us lesser folk, he turned the beam of his attention on
Lucy. "Lucy! Excellent programme! Very well done!" The phone warbled again.
"Ah. That may be a call I'm expecting. May I?"

Without waiting for permission he picked up. The screen lit up, showing the
face of an attractive black woman in her mid to late fifties, perfectly
coiffured and expertly made up.

"Ted", her cultured, musical voice said. "How are you?"

"Fine, thank you, Ma'am. I take it you and the First Gentleman are well?"

"Yes, thanks for asking. Is Miss Radovic with you?"

"Indeed she is. Lucy?" He ushered her forward so the vidcam could see her
face. "May I present the President of the United States of America?"

A fleeting shadow of surprise flashed across Lucy's face, so quickly that I am
sure I was the only one who noticed. Then it was gone, replaced by her most
scintillating smile.

"Madam President". She dropped her eyes briefly as a mark of respect. "It's an
honour to speak to you".

"The honour is all mine. It's a privilege to speak with someone with such a
fascinating background. I hope we can meet face to face one day soon. I look
forward to hearing your unique perspective on how things have changed". Her
smile was warm and seemed sincere enough. But, as the man said, sincerity is
the most important thing; if you can fake that, you've got it made.

"I look forward to meeting you, too, Ma'am", Lucy replied.

"I watched the show. My God, Lucy ... may I call you Lucy?" She was polite
enough to wait for Lucy's nod before continuing. "My God, you're an impressive
young woman! I have to tell you, woman to woman, I wish I could do half what
you can. Senator Sumner tells me you might consent to working with our
scientists in the medical field?"

"Possibly". Lucy's response was understandably guarded.

"Excellent. But we have a more pressing problem. The Senator also tells me you
have been subjected to some, ah, unwarranted attention from certain government
bodies. Let me assure you that this president will not tolerate blatant
infringement of human rights by any officials, government or otherwise. My
administration stands for equity and equality, and will not countenance any
physical or psychological abuse of any US citizen. Nobody should have to go
through what you have experience without their express permission".

"Glad to hear it".

"It's what this country was built on, what it should always have stood for
and, as long as I am president, always will stand for. Lucy, let me assure you
that, as soon as this conversation is over, I am going to order the FBI and
all other interested parties to cease and desist any and all attempts to take
you or your companion into custody. You have the full support of me and my
administration".

"Thank you, Ma'am".

"No, thank you, Lucy. For any help or information you may freely decide to
give us in future". The President looked off to one side, then back at the
camera. "I must go, now. Affairs of state, and such. I understand that you are
to be taken somewhere safe, for the time being. I don't know where, and I
don't want to know. The fewer that know, the better". She smiled warmly. "Good
luck, Lucy. I hope to see you soon".

"Thank you, Madam President. Goodbye".

The screen went blank. Lucy stared at it in silence for several minutes,
smiling quietly to herself.

"What is it, Lucy?" I asked.

"The President", she said, turning her radiant smile upon me. "She's a woman!
And she's black!"

"Aye. So?"

"Don't you understand? That's great! It shows that the American society is
maturing at last! In my day, although there had been a female candidate, and a
black male one, there had been no serious challenge to the white male bastion
of the presidency. A black female president shows just how far you've come".

Susannah hid her mouth behind her hand. Ruth stared at the ceiling. Lucy
frowned in puzzlement.

"What? What?"

"Lucy", I explained. "Jennifer Lydon is the third female president, and the
fourth black one. She's also the second black female one. It's nothing new, to
us".

"Oh. Well. That's even better, then. Proves my point".

"Aye, I guess it does".

"So", Senator Sumner said. He had been taking a back seat until now; unusual,
for a politician. "We have a very comfortable safehouse ready for you both,
where I'm sure you'll be very secure". He indicated the two threatening men.
"These two officers are from the presidential protection squad itself.
President Lydon has loaned them to you for the duration. As soon as you're
ready, we'll go".

"Hang on a wee minute". I stood up and faced the Senator, trying without
success to ignore his two heavy companions. "Did the President not just say
that she was going to order a cease and desist against the FBI?"

"Yes". Sumner smiled patiently. The smile of a tiger waiting in ambush. "Your
point?"

"Well if the dogs have been called off, why does Lucy need to go into hiding?"

"You said it yourself, Dr Cameron. Santana et al may be working alone, outside
the FBI's control. Until we ascertain otherwise, it's the prudent thing to
do".

I frowned at that, but had no argument against it. We hurriedly threw our
sparse belongings into a single shoulder bag and accompanied the Senator and
his two heavies to the roof where, we were told, transportation awaited us. I
expected a helicopter, and was delighted when the aircraft turned out to be a
brand new V-TOL Learjet. Lucy looked puzzled at first, but was quick to spot
the powerful thrusters nestling under the plane's wings.

"Wow! Vertical take-off! These things used only to be available to the
military. I never imagined I'd see a civilian version, especially not as a
private jet".

"They're not common", I explained. "Only the super-rich can afford them. And,
I suppose, the government. Senator, am I right in thinking that Air Force One
is a similar jet?"

"Indeed it is. But this one isn't the government's. It's mine. Best to keep
any knowledge of your whereabouts in the family, so to speak. Please, go
aboard".

"You're not coming?"

"No. I have a few things to take care of. You won't see me again until you're
entirely safe". He indicated the bodyguards. "Milo and Jules will look after
you".

Lucy shook his hand and climbed the three steps into the passenger cabin. I
looked at him studiously, examining his weatherbeaten face for any sign of
duplicity. Finding none, I took my leave and joined Lucy on the Airplane,
taking a seat opposite her.

Sumptuous wasn't the word. Deep pile carpet, cream leather upholstery with
walls that were padded and covered to match, mahogany trim and furnishings. A
fully stocked bar and refrigerator. If this was how the rich travelled, I
could easily get used to it.

The black suits seated themselves either side of the hatch, like guards on
sentry duty. As far as I could tell, their eyes being invisible behind their
sunglasses, neither of them had so much as looked at us since they first
arrived, but their was an air of alertness about them that led me to believe
they didn't miss much.

"Tweedledum and Tweedledee", I whispered in Lucy's ear.

"Tweedledumb and Tweedledumber", she whispered back, and I stifled a snort of
laughter.

An illuminated sign came on, instructing us to fasten our seatbelts and
reminding us not to smoke. Very few people use the foul weed, these days, but
I suppose there are a few unenlightened souls. There was no announcement from
the pilot who, I assumed, had been told little about his passengers, and
without preamble the engines whined into life. Take-off was a smooth as a ride
in an elevator, and before long the jet was streaking across the night sky.
Through the windows, we could see the lights of New York reflected on her
myriad canals.

We cleared the city in minutes. The flight was so smooth and silent that I
couldn't hear the engines at all. I guessed Lucy could, though, because she
sat with her fingers in her ears.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's the engines. They're so high pitched, it's a little uncomfortable".

"There has to be something ... " I rummaged in an overhead baggage bin. "Ah,
here we are". I handed her a tiny plastic packet containing a pair of
earplugs, which she inserted gratefully. "Better?"

"Much. Thank you". She looked over at our two protectors. "They don't say
much, do they?"

"No", I agreed. They're the strong, silent types". Lucy unclipped her belt and
went over to them.

"Hi, guys", she greeted cheerfully. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm
Lucy".

They ignored her proffered hand, staring silently ahead like a pair of stone
statues.

"You guys haven't been taught many manners, have you?" She withdrew her hand.
"I can see that being around you guys is going to be fun, fun, fun!" No
reaction. She switched on her lighthouse smile. "Aw, c'mon, guys. Lighten up.
At least tell me, which one's Jules, which one's Milo?"

They sat rock still for a long moment, but at last the sight of her dazzling
smile and radiant looks must have softened them up. One of the men raised a
hand and pointed at his companion.

"He's Milo".

"That's better. Pleased to meet you, Milo. Jules". She turned the spotlight of
her smile from one to the other, but no further conversation was forthcoming.
Eventually she gave up with a shrug of her shoulders and returned to her seat.

"Well", she sighed. "At least we know which is which".

I wasn't so sure. I scrutinized them carefully. Jules had a tiny scar on his
left cheek, and Milo had a cleft chin, but apart from that they might have
been twins. Or clones.

Lucy leaned back in her luxurious armchair and closed her eyes. I took the
opportunity to let my gaze wander over her splendid body, taking in every
curve and contour, until it settled at last on her long, elegant legs. Legs
that were so beautiful and shapely that it was hard to believe that I had seen
them propel her at speeds in excess of one hundred kph.

Her foot flicked out and rapped me sharply but, thankfully, playfully on the
shin.

"Eyes front, soldier!" she barked, but she was smiling as she said it. "Plenty
of time for those sort of thoughts later".

"Sorry", I grinned back. "But you have to give me some leeway. It's hard not
to look at you. You're so beautiful, you're like a magnet for my eyes".

"What a lovely thing to say. Corny, but lovely". She sat forward and stared
earnestly into my eyes. "Sean, what do you think is going on?"

I paused in thought for a while before replying; probably one of the most
inane answers ever.

"What do you mean?"

See?

"I mean all this. Secrecy. Learjets. Bodyguards. All of it".

"We're being taken to a place of safety. Jules and Milo are our protection and
will look after us until everything gets sorted out and it's safe again. On
the face of it".

"Aha! On the face of it. So you think it's all a blind?"

"Possibly. I don't fully trust Ted Sumner, although I can't say why".

"No?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you sure? Because I can".

I was leaning forward myself, now, mirroring her body language.

"What? What do you know?"

"I don't 'know' anything, but I have a reason why we shouldn't trust him".

"Why?"

"Think back. You asked him why we needed to hide when the President, in your
words, had 'called off the dogs'. What did he say?"

"He said that we shouldn't be sure that Santana and the others weren't working
alone, without authority".

"Did he? Think hard, Sean. It's easy for me; I've got total recall, but it's
important that you try to remember for yourself".

I thought hard. I could picture his face, could see his lips forming the
words.

"I see. He said that I had said that we couldn't be sure about that".

"Exactly!" She sat back with a satisfied expression. I just stared at her,
wondering what I was missing.

"What's wrong with that? He's right, I did say that".

"Yes, you did but, Sean, there's an important point you're missing".

I was sure there was, but whatever it was I couldn't put my finger on it.

"What?"

"You said it before he came into the room. Before he came in. He couldn't have
known you said it unless he had us under surveillance".