Title: Case 355
By: greygoose70
Summary: There are weapons of destruction, there are weapons of mass destruction and then there are weapons of total destruction. This is a story about the latter and those charged with its prevention.
Disclaimer: I have no rights to the show, the creator of the show or the network.
Chapter One, The Decision
CERN Facility
Nuclear Scientist Doctor Vittoria Sanchez, was standing in the control room of HSC (the Haldiron Super Collider) the world's largest and highest energy collider. She was arguing with Maximillian Kohler, the Director of CERN (Consel Europe'en Nations pour l' de recherche nucle'aire), English translation (Consul of European Nations for Nuclear Research,) on why they need to proceed with ADP (Antimatiere Developper Projet). Their previous test have been successful in the development of antimatter they just haven't been able to sustain their effort. She feels with a bit more energy from Haldiron they could accomplish their goal.
"We've already pushed Hal (nick-name for the collider) to ninety percent of its capability," Max argued. "Any more and…"
"Come on Max we've pushed Hal higher on other projects," Vittoria argued back.
"Yeah, but we weren't working with the development of a potentially dangerous negative particle," he retaliated.
"Max, We have already created the antimatter and nothing has happened. Our safety features have done their job. I just believe taking Hal a bit further will let us get us the results we all really want. The Consul has invested to much in the project for us to fail."
Maximillian Kohler looked up at his lead scientist knew she had made a valid point with her last statement. Twenty of the twenty-one nations signed off on this project, have invested close to a billion dollars. "Okay Vittoria, but 95 percent is as high as you go. If you haven't succeeded by then we shut it down for good." He then spun his wheelchair around and exited the control room.
"Okay everyone let's get started.
Fifteen kilometers away on motorway A413 Paul Brown's cell phone pinged signifying an incoming text message. He flipped open the cover, read the message then deleted it. Twenty minutes later he pulled up to the main gate of the CERN complex. He swiped his card through the reader and when the gate lifted he pulled his five year old AUDI up to the second check-point, stopped and popped open the trunk while handing his ID Badge to the guard. A second guard appeared checked underneath the car with a mirror then inspected the trunk. The first guard returned his badge then signaled for the gate to be opened the guard telling him, "have a good day."
"You as well Mike," Paul responded. Driving to the large parking lot his thoughts went to why he took this assignment "because you don't turn down a two million euro payday" he told himself. Well maybe today will be the last day he has to go through that ridiculous check-point. Paul Brown alias Nikoli Kerchenko international thief had killed the real Paul Brown three months ago. His inside contact was able to substitute Paul's picture and information with that of his so every day for the past three months he came to work as Paul Brown just waiting for this day. He thought it had come a month ago but it was a bust.
Meanwhile in the control room all are eyes glued to the monitors watching the three canisters where the antimatter would appear. As Hal's energy reached 85 percent a spark appeared in the first canister followed closely by a spark in the second canister.
"That's the same as a month ago," Vittoria commented just as a spark showed up in the last canister. "Take Hal to 92 percent," she ordered. An engineer typed the order instantly jumping the super colliders energy. The sparks remained steady.
Down in the lab where the three cannisters sat Doctor Francisco Sanchez (Vittoria's father and co-scientist on the project) is busily taken down notes when suddenly the glass door slid open, "what are you…" He never got to finish as two, .22 caliber bullets penetrated his chest. The intruder quickly went about his task then left the lab.
Back in the control room Vittoria Sanchez saw the cannister monitor go blank. She instantly announced she was going down to the lab, see what the problem was. Arriving at the labs glass door she peered inside saw her father lying on the floor. She immediately slid her keycard through the lock allowing the door to open. Kneeling down next to her father she rolled him over saw the red stains on his lab coat where he had been shot. Tilting her head toward the labs workbench is when she saw it…one of the cannisters was missing. Scrambling for the phone she snatched the receiver from its cradle and punched the button for security but when she put the receiver to her ear she discovered the line was dead. The line had been cut and there weren't any other phones on this level and cell phones didn't have reception down here.
Vittoria rushed back out to the elevator, swiped her keycard the doors instantly opening. She pressed the button for Level One, the doors closed and she began the 100 foot ascent to the surface where she exited, located the first office with a phone, dialed security having them to secure the complex.
At the sound of the alarm security guard Phillip Thompson rushed out to his assigned vehicle to take up his post at gate number six, one of the three gates that allowed egress from the complex.
TBC