Chapter 05
A little over two hours later saw the brothers sitting casually in one of the offices, watching as Dr. Michael Freeman was animatedly pacing back and forth before the fireplace, clearly agitated. They waited for long moments. While both were impatient for the results, Freeman's reaction to those results made them wary.
Mark was wondering which country's strings he would have to pull, as well as wondering if this was the day he would have to cut Freeman's string. It would definitely hurt him somewhat to have to kill a man that had become something of a confidant, but that wouldn't stop him. Mark had the fate of an entire planet in his hands and, since he happened to live on that planet and liked it quite a bit, he took it's care quite seriously.
John was more noticeable in his impatience, but even so he just watched. Michael was more John's friend than Mark's. However, both brothers – as they had been calling each other since they were children growing up together in adjacent homes – knew that because they had trusted Michael with so much information made the doctor both incredibly dangerous as well as vulnerable. If anyone important found out how much Dr. Freeman actually knew he would be in great danger. It was why they made such a great show of certain things. To ensure that no one knew exactly what the good doctor consulted them on, other than their own health.
John also knew that his brother had no compulsions against killing the man if the worst should happen. It would hurt them both. Like having to put down a favored pet; slightly more so, but it was an adequate comparison. They would grieve. But owners had been doing such things for centuries. Putting an animal down was, in general, for the safety of others or the overall quality of life of the animal itself. This, with as much as they valued the doctor, would be no different.
Dr. Michael Freeman suddenly seemed to come to a decision. He stopped his pacing and rounded on the two others. His tone was angry and accusatory. "Did you have anything to do with this? Is that why you've been pursuing those girls?" They glanced at each other. Both noticing which noun he had used. 'girls' instead of 'women'. It was the first time he had done that. To anyone else, it may have been seen as an oversight or habit. However, Gatiss and Altamont knew exactly how professional Freeman truly was when his patients were concerned. This change in vocabulary worried them. "Answer me!" Michael demanded, glaring at each in turn.
"Perhaps, Michael," Mark said diplomatically, trying to introduce a calming influence by referencing how well they knew each other. "you can explain what you found that gives you this reaction."
Dr. Freeman went back to his anxious, angry pacing at the response. His tone was just as antagonistic as before, but the focus had shifted slightly as he recited. "What has been done to those girls is criminal and whomever had a hand in it, I will personally shoot!" He half-growled. "Kneecap is painful. Or perhaps a quadriplegic. Having the humiliation of someone else wiping their ass for the rest of their very long lives is a good start for what they've done!"
Neither had ever seen Michael in such a state before. Never had the doctor made any sort of actual threat, much less a threat that he seemed not only willing to execute but eager to do so. Mark hit a hidden button. When the butler appeared only a few seconds afterward with a glass of ice and at least four shots of the good single-malt, Mark knew that the man had been anticipating their need. Of course, Mark paid him good money to do just that. "Thank you James." The butler bowed slightly and left, silent and discreet as ever.
Michael sighed heavily as he drank at least one of the four shots in the glass in a single swallow. The flavor was apparently enough that he settled into the window seat with a loud half-growl half-sigh and a plop. Another long minute before he spoke again, this time with the hand not holding the glass over his face. "I'm going to tell you things. Not because I don't think you don't already know, but to let you know which ones are important and how I think they are related."
The two exchanged another glance as they settled in to listen. Both knew that whatever Michael was going to say was going to have potentially profound impact and influence.
"You contacted me almost three years ago now for a very specific project." John sat up straighter at the reminder. "You had read my file, gave me some personality tests to guard characteristics, as well as an IQ test which you were apparently impressed with, along with my standing upon graduating medical school. All gave you a very good idea that I was trustworthy, discreet, professional, and ultimately interested in the betterment of mankind as a whole. To that end, you gave me a distinct sample to run tests upon. Let's call it being from John Doe as that's what is in my system. That…moniker he calls himself I find rather self-aggrandizing. Not to mention dangerous if someone hacked my files with such a label where anyone who knew could guess to whom it actually pertained." He took a breath and another – much smaller – draw on the glass.
"I noticed some…interesting characteristics Mr. Doe's blood and tissue had. More than enough to bring about even more interesting leaps in medical science. While I destroyed the actual samples themselves almost immediately afterward so that they could not be stolen or verified by any interested third party." His eyes were so full of emotion. "I have spent the time since isolating independent pieces of Mr. Doe's DNA sequence, replicating them, and testing them. It has greatly advanced my own Alzheimer's research by leaps and bounds with its unique method of memory-storage."
He took another sip of the twelve-year-old scotch. "Most of the things I have found out are either useless, or useless at our current level of technology. I sent those pieces off to you two as they came, assuming that you would find other individuals like me, with different areas of research, so they could try to take advantage of the information. Or use it as fuel to encourage more technological advancements." He looked over at the pair of them. "Did you do that?"
Mark gave a single-shoulder elegant shrug. "For some. None of them were even close to your level of compassion and trustworthiness. We gave them only as much information as was required."
The doctor nodded, as if he had at least halfway expected such a response. "And how long did you have the sample from Mr. Doe that you gave me?"
"Not long. A week at most." The 'sample' they had given the doctor was a scraping off of a very interesting appendage that had fallen from a ship that had hovered over London three years previous. The results Freeman had found made the intelligent doctor come to extremely accurate conclusions about life in the universe. Subsequently, they had begun to confide in him certain details about themselves, a little at a time. It took over a year to confirm that he would never share such information with anyone. At that point, they began to truly bring him into their confidence and start a real friendship…or as real as the two could have with someone that wasn't themselves.
In such time there were still secrets they had not told Michael but for the most part, he was as aware of the true nature of Earth, its politics, and the various deals they had made to ensure its continued existence in the cosmos. That included the existence of one particular off-world visitor.
Of course, Michael had guessed much of the truth. Time-travel not included. They had imparted that piece only a year ago, give or take.
"Are there other samples?" Michael's question blinked John back into the present. "I ask because, based on those girls'…" he took another long draw on his glass, "…someone has been experimenting with them." Another sip. He had downed almost three shots by now. He wasn't finished yet, either. "They have enough human-DNA to make it clear that they at least started that way.
"I have been looking at John Doe's sequence every week for years as I synthesize the next portion to test. I know it when I see it. I know what the results of my testing look like." He closed his eyes as if in pain. "One of the first sequences I found was for a kind of fast-growth. I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, but I did note the effects on the mice. Another of the beginning pieces was for high intelligence. Observed some really inventive solutions for their mazes."
He swallowed sharply and gulped down the rest of the scotch. "From those two sequences, Nova was born. Either someone has been part of a breeding program involving Mr. Doe; or someone has perfected how to turn off the fast-growth hormone. Because one-fourth of her DNA is not human…and it looks like it's been that way her whole life. Her DNA is too stable in comparison with Sara's to be anything else."
The brothers shared another glance. This time apprehension and a small amount of fear in their eyes. They were not afraid of many. Only one individual in particular. They had gone to great lengths to make a binding contract, making many compromises, with that person to ensure the safety and wellbeing of millions of people.
"And Ms. Thomas?" Mark finally asked, his voice ever-so-carefully calm.
Dr. Freeman tried to take another drink, only to discover the glass empty and gave a deep sigh. He swung his feet around so he was half-off the seat, facing the other two. "Sara's results…her DNA is not to the same percentage as Nova's, but it is also constantly changing her own human-DNA to what it needs, when it needs it. I think. I had to calibrate the machine to compare the two samples I had from Sara. One from before your little Ketamine dinner and then after. Same percentage of Mr. Doe's sequences, but in different areas.
"She is also producing some type of radiation that I had to calibrate the machine to see passed." He ran his hand through his hair again, looking defeated, tired, angry, and mournful. Emotions flicking through his face and eyes rapid-fire as his thoughts found another aspect of the situation to focus on. "It's my professional opinion that Sara Thomas is the result of genetic experiments on an already adult human. Nova has been part of a genetic experiment since before birth."
His eyes focused on the two. "If you had a hand in this…" his voice trailed off threateningly.
Both shook their head solemnly and let show their own shock and horror at the very idea of such things occurring. "You know that human experimentation is not only against Earth law, but violates the contract we created with…Mr. Doe. We would never do anything to violate that contract. It's the only thing that prevents humanity from being put into slavery, or worse."
Michael nodded, for he had known. But the girls…the situation was so terrible that he had to have a verbal confirmation. What had been done to them was beyond inhumane. Beyond even what came out at the Nuremburg trials, in his opinion. Those scientists had at least had the defense of 'we're at war'; while not a valid defense, it was one. But this…no part of Earth was currently at war. Not even secret wars. Nothing that would even begin to warrant such measures.
"In that case," he straightened his spine and focused his intense blue eyes on each other man in turn to express the now-formal nature of his statement. "I, Dr. Michael James Freeman, do hereby formally request asylum and protection on behalf of my patients, Ms. Sara Jennifer Thomas and Ms. Elayne Nova Morganson, until such time as their tormentors can be brought to justice or the threat eliminated." He knew that the girls probably wouldn't like the new measures that would be put into place because of his decision, but he doubted they had any idea what had been done to them. Their personalities and demeanors were too well-rounded and adjusted for them to know. If he hadn't analyzed their DNA himself, and checked it twice each for good measure, and he had met them on the street they would have been unremarkable.
Even he, as a medical doctor with more than enough experience, formal training, and the top of his class, wouldn't have been able to tell from day-to-day interactions. They behaved as perfectly normal mid-twenties females. Which meant the only plausible scenario he could think of was that they had no idea. Nova was probably given to a loving family to raise her outside of a lab. Sara's memories wiped of the events, or kept sedated for the entire process.
The brothers didn't even hesitate with their equally-formal reply. "We, on behalf of the Earth Government and Alien Oversight, do hereby accept into our protection and safekeeping the individual's Sara Jennifer Thomas and Elayne Nova Morganson until their safety and wellbeing is no longer under attack from outside forces; to include safe havens at their disposal, namely all property owned by Mark Neil Gatiss and John Thomas Altamont, where they may find all their physical, emotional, and mental needs met for the remainder of their lives."
Once the legalese was finished, Michael collapsed back onto the window seat for a moment before getting to his feet again. "I'm going to borrow one of your guest bedrooms for the night."
"Of course. You know that you are always welcome."
"Sleep off the alcohol. Try to avoid the nightmares. Let me check on the girls in the morning." He stopped right before he was to leave the room. "How much ketamine did you give them?"
"Enough that we will have to explain how they missed dinner. They shouldn't be late for breakfast, however. I will ensure that salad, steak, and other means are available to them, doctor." Mark assured the man. "You gave them into our protection, as established under the contract we have with Mr. Doe." He decided he quite liked calling the off-worlder that. I sounded so much better to his ears. Less domineering and overbearing. "They are quite safe…even from ourselves."
John watched as Michael finally fully left the room. Then he waited longer until he was certain that the doctor was out of hearing range. Finally, he faced his brother in all but blood. "This does change things, you realize." His eyes went up to face the part of the ceiling where one of the girls was sleeping. "Not just with the medical results. Our oath will ensure we keep them absolutely safe or we will have much more than two girls passing truth as mutated fiction to worry about."
Mark nodded his understanding. At times it became clearer that he was the smarter of the pair. John sometimes had a tendency to state the obvious when he reached a certain level of concern. When such occasions did crop up, Mark humored his lifelong friend by answering with just as obvious replies. "The contract states that if we do not adhere to its clauses that the Doctor's protection will be withdrawn. The Earth would be enslaved or destroyed in less than a year." He took out his phone. "I will call up extra security for however long it takes me to find the ones culpable for the events of the last day, investigate the extenuations, and bring justice."
John nodded in turn, pulling out his own cellphone. It was of only two on the planet capable of calling the Doctor direct. "I will inform him that a clause of the contract has been enacted but that we estimate immediate resolve within a week." Anyone actually able to gain protection under that specific contract, and the requirements were several to even qualify, also gained protection for life. Which was why he stated the 'immediate resolve'.
In truth, Dr. Freeman's activation of the contractual clause was lifelong of all of their parts – both the brothers' and the those being protected – even going so far as to apply to their successors. It was binding and inescapable. Unless they violated the contract…which neither was willing to do. Sara Thomas and Nova Morganson were in fact only the second and third people to be under its umbrella. The first was male and was the entire reason that particular clause existed at all, along with its very careful wording.
Sara Thomas and Nova Morganson were now two of the safest people on the planet.
Not that they would enjoy the experience.
The new restrictions that would be put upon them, for their own safety, would chafe. Eventually the more strenuous restrictions would be relaxed, but not for at least three months after their pursuers, all of them, were caught. They would still go about their work, but with a heavily-armed escort. It was to their advantage that the brothers had a reasonable political scenario to explain such protections and restrictions away; otherwise they would have had to arrange a 'reasonable' explanation. The last one hadn't been pleasant to set up, while still ensuring nothing physical, mental, or emotionally harmful happened to the subject. It had been an exhausting thirteen days pulling everything off on top of providing the protections and pursuing the criminals. Neither brother had been able to sleep much during that time.
Another advantage was John would be relatively close, if not immediately on hand, to their jobs. The acting job had been a joke in the beginning. Not anymore. He was going to be playing the part of…himself. He smirked. At least I have something to look forward to amuse myself.
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"What's the last thing you remember?" Dr. Freeman asked the two girls gently. Both appeared shaken. He had the presence of mind at least to arrange for their rooms to be adjoining knowing any measure of comfort would be of help through this experience.
Nova was trembling, holding tightly to Sara's hand while tracing patterns on the nightgown she knew she didn't own or remember changing into.
"The door." Nova supplied. "They locked the door and…." She remembered Sara struggling to open it. "And they told us to change for dinner." That was where all their memory became a blur. She looked down at her wrist seeing the distinct puncture wound over one of her veins. Pressing her lips together, her gut felt as though it were twisting, tightly knotted with her own fear. She glanced at Sara in that hint of knowing. At this moment, she saw little point to dance around the proverbial elephant in the room.
"You took a sample of our blood." Nova managed to keep her voice stoic, staring at Dr. Freeman who had the decency to give them a look with regret mixed with sorrow.
"You both fell unconscious at dinner." He said grimly. "Given you were medically incapacitated, I had no choice."
"We told you 'no' before." Sara said as though her statement could somehow unwind what had been done. "We didn't give consent. This is unethical considering…." Her voice trailed as she struggled to think of the appropriate phrase to construe her meaning. She suddenly pushed herself up from the couch in the sitting room area they were both occupying, while tightening the robe she didn't own around her. But she also didn't know where her clothes were. These rooms while appearing so beautiful upon first glance, lacked the coziness of their own flat. "We both executed durable Power of Attorneys and our agent has a copy. As we are both acting agents for each other, we specifically named two provisional agents in that instance." It was their publishing agent and their attorney. Both people they had long since developed a rapport with. "None of which are you or them." Her hand gestured to their 'hosts'.
Dr. Freeman simply waited patiently and nodded in general sympathy of his patients. They were aware of their distinct differences and nonetheless wanted to conceal it. Likely out of fear of losing their own autonomy. He understood their reasons for concealment given the debriefing he had already with them, but it failed to change the circumstances.
"A durable power of attorney was a smart idea," He started cautiously. "But it only holds to the United States. You're aware of our government mandated healthcare system and as a condition of your visa here-"
"Which they revoked." Sara interrupted. "They declared us persons of interest."
"On the contrary." Michael sighed. It would be a long morning. Neither one seemed particularly motivated in touching their breakfast that was laid out on the table and he did want to see them eat. He pondered whether they enjoyed the traditional English breakfast. He hadn't thought to ask them, only ensured that the proper amount of protein and vitamins were in the meal before sending the order to the kitchen. But Americans eat a bit differently than we do. He thought. He cleared his throat. "Your passports were suspended. Your Visas are still in place and after your observation, you will be permitted to go back to work."
There was a silence. Nova looked downcast while Sara appeared indignant.
"You have our blood. You must have…" Nova choked off, before standing up to look out the window.
"I've tested it, yes." He spoke calmly. "And I only want to help you and as your doctor, anything you tell me, remains confidential. Just between yourselves and I-"
"And our ever so benevolent hosts downstairs, right?" Sara asked. "And perhaps a few research assistants. Who knows?"
"Sara…." Nova's voice was weary. She still felt tired. Very lethargic even after having slept so long. She knew she had been sedated once but it had been relatively fast acting if she could judge. So why was she so tired?
"You would both feel better if you had something to eat. If you don't like the…" Dr. Freeman winced as Sara had suddenly seized her breakfast place off the table and dashed it against the wall. Pieces of egg, sausage, toast and bacon were sliding off the wall while the tomatoes were already staining the expensive Persian sickle leaf vine scroll rug to which he believed Mark had stated was 17th century in origin.
"Not a fan of poached eggs?" Michael worked to keep his voice light. He knew what a strain this would be on his two patients and considering the heavy dose of ketamine they had been given, it only added to more complications.
"I'm not hungry." Sara told him firmly while glancing at Nova seeing her own friend's fatigue. It didn't take a genius to realize their lost time was likely due to controlled use of a sedative. Considering that Dr. Freeman appeared to had left, John and Mark had likely delivered the chemical in some form. For that reason, she wasn't trusting the food they were giving them.
"Sara, you need to eat. You both have to…" But Sara simply stalked out of the sitting room area back to her own bedroom, leaving Dr. Freeman in a fair amount of consternation.
"I'll try to make something for us later." Nova said finally. "We have a little agreement, Sara and I worked out at home. I cook most of the time. She cleans and brews the tea. But we trust one another. That is our relationship. As far as anything else…." She shook her head, "It's not very relevant because Sara and I have that trust." The word hung distinctly in the air.
"And you don't trust me." Dr. Freeman conceded. "Nor Mr. Gatiss or Mr. Altamont."
Nova rubbed her hands over her arms, licking her lips. Her mouth felt dry. She looked at the breakfast waiting right there for her to try. Her stomach did ache with that distinct hollow feeling to it but she had to consider what else she might be ingesting. A list of possible chemicals that could be mixed with certain food groups ran through her head and she gave a slight shudder. Turning back to Dr. Freeman, she raised her eyebrows at his statement.
"You haven't provided a lot of reason why we should." She told him sadly, taking a measured breath as she hurried in step after Sara. At least, Dr. Freeman's mind had some useful things at the very surface that didn't become buried in the more practiced mazes she experienced with the other two. At least, one thing in particular was the security code that kept the house on a monitored lockdown.
It was a particular prize but she hesitated on whether or not to propose using it just for the purpose of getting to their flat. The considering public mania they had drawn wasn't counterfeit by any means from the two brothers. What risk might they undertake in getting outside if the car they were in was hit so easily on a public street? She'd nearly burned to death. Somehow, from what they knew of the brothers, it would hardly seem in their agenda to take such an uncalculated and maddening risk. She was told she stopped breathing for several moments before Sara….
She closed her eyes. The saying Sara employed before. 'Better the devil we know than the devil we don't.' But that notion alone was terrifying. Who was the devil they didn't know?
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It was the media scrutiny as well as their continued presence right outside their estate often delivering live updates as to the 'progress' in the 'crisis from Bonfire Night'. Even though only one night and a morning had since passed, that was considered a lengthy time for the press who demanded updates for the dramatic scenario involving Nova and Sara.
Neither brother had been particularly forthcoming. Mark Gatiss relayed to them the two authors were resting comfortably and were now considered safe from the sudden attack that occurred last night. But the press wanted more. Of course they wanted more. News was entertainment. They wanted a statement from the authors themselves and considering the viral feed that Nova sent out on the internet, accompanied by their interviews on the talk show, the press was nothing if not circumspect about the supposed reconciliation that occurred for the public to see.
But if nothing else, this caused each brother to feel inclined to approach their guests even if said guests were not in a talkative mood as far as they were concerned. But the brothers had gone so far as to make a public statement promising their appearance at a publicized reception that night in recognition of the work performed by a colleague. Although, he had been allowed a limited access to the knowledge Dr. Freeman had perused several years ago, in contrast, Dr. Richard Landvik was considered far less scrupulous. Therefore, someone they kept a measured eye on should his value or benefit therefore become exhausted.
But this doctor promised tonight would be a surefire boon for them as to the achievement he was able to find. His premise was based on DNA rejuvenation and repletion.
Mark Gatiss was carefully watching the television after the statement he delivered to see whether it had the impact he desired while John Altamont was content to invariably fold his hands together and stare off into a distant corner, reanalyzing the information for which had come to their disposal.
Mark had only to clear his throat to capture his friend's attention. "Shall we make our potential escorts aware of tonight's venture?"
John nodded. "Best to conclude such necessities as early as possible." Such an event was a way of hitting two birds with one stone. Well, in consideration…three. He thought of the Doctor in turn with the event. Having their guests cooperate was a very necessary fait accompli.
It merely had to be explained to them. Their willing participation would make this endeavor far simpler.
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