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Everything is fucked, Dr. Taylor thought. His personal life was taking a nose dive, his career would become extinct, and he had indirectly caused the death of some of his patients. He was broken. If he neatly compared the events that took place the last few days his insignificance would be exposed. He looked at the keyboard in front of him. His mind knew exactly what action he had to take, but his hands and fingers were frozen. Of course, that was his imagination; his extremities worked well, only his brain was disorganized. He had to amend his will, so he could stop the killings. He knew the time was furiously approaching, and his last attempt to correct the commands of his device had to take place. He touched the keys, just brushing them, almost afraid to type the code. This was the end—a treacherous end—of the life and career he had once known. He had to admit defeat, and that pissed him off more than his failure to protect his device. He tapped the keys as he recalled the command screen where the code had to be inserted.
“I wouldn’t do it, Dr. Taylor,” a voice came from behind him.
He turned to face a handsome man in his fifties with silvery hair. He was well dressed although in casual clothes, and Dr. Taylor gazed at the man’s watch. It was expensive. He knew because he had one just like it. Did it matter if the man was wealthy or not? What truly mattered at that moment was the strange man wanted to stop him or kill him. He was holding a gun pointed straight at his heart.
“Dr. Taylor, let me introduce myself. I’m Xristos Galifalos.”
He is going to kill me. How else could he possibly stop me? Why did he introduce himself? Dr. Taylor’s mind was working intensely and readying him for a last stand of defiance. He hoped that the man, who appeared to be a proper gentleman and following protocols, would listen. Perhaps, he could delay him?
“I work for Aria Pharmaceuticals, and we are upset with your device. We suggested you stop your research. We tried, we really did.”
Of course! Dr. Taylor had received e-mails and threats, but he overlooked them all, not considering them valid. He kept his operation tight and questioned his scientists, who all assured him of their devotion.
“Well, I’m here to implement our threats.”
“What are you going to do?” Dr. Taylor knew he was about to meet his fate. Death was catching up with him, but he didn’t mind. He felt it was a fair price to pay. Nonetheless, he had to stop the man; otherwise, he would go down in history as the doctor of death, like Jack Kevorkian. He had to delay this man until he figured out how to input the data.
“Why?”
“Dr. Taylor. Don’t be naïve. Psychotic medication is a billion-dollar industry. You really thought you could destroy our industry with your invention?”
“I thought we had to try harder to provide the best care for our patients.”
“You sound either altruistic or stupid. Dr. Taylor I know what you are. I was at the Excalibur celebration. You want to make history. You are seeking status, power, and most importantly, immortality.”
Dr. Taylor wanted to defend himself, but could he mount a defense when the statements were true? His desire was to make history and have his name survive throughout humanity, even ten thousand years from now. How naïve and idiotic he was to believe in such trivial concepts.
“I’m sorry it came down to this,” Xristos aimed his gun and prepared to fire his weapon.