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Chairman Markis addressed the open Council meeting, now a de-facto worldwide forum, building on the success of the first one. Everyone was willing to tolerate Markis as arbiter of procedures and protocol – or, unknowingly, his virtual interactive clone. If any of the more tech-savvy nations knew, they did not say anything.
“As you all know by now, the Free Communities biolab here in South Africa has achieved a breakthrough, with Raphaela’s help. Without her, this might not have been possible.” Technically true, though a stretch. Elise’s team would have come up with a cure, though the Blend did help. Still, best to play up her assistance.
“The files available worldwide, combined with the samples we have distributed, will allow anyone with basic biotechnology, any well-equipped university for example, to manufacture the vaccine. The reason I am talking to all of you now is to discuss the resistance we are seeing to the vaccine, and to address any concerns you may have.”
Markis touched the icon for the Russians. Might as well get the worst over first, and say most of what must be said up front.
The new, somewhat more reasonable Prime Minister spoke in a heavy accent, reading off a paper. “The Russian Federation appreciates the distribution of biological research, but will make its own judgment about the quality of any vaccine. We shall test and prove all materials before using them on any of our own citizens. Citizen safety is our highest priority.”
Markis took the floor. “Thank you, Mister Prime Minister. The second alien attack will arrive sometime within the next two weeks – in exactly nine days if Raphaela is correct. Our calculations show that you will need most of that time to produce enough vaccine to cure or protect your citizens. Can you assure us that you can do this?”
The Prime Minister looked to the side, then spoke in Russian. The voice of a translator came slightly delayed. “Russia’s citizens are its own responsibility. We will not distribute an untested drug. This is an internal matter, and we will not be bullied by any external entity.”
Dear God, there go fifty million Russians. No point in arguing with him; he’ll just get more stubborn. Markis replied, “Thank you, Mister Prime Minister. I would like to remind everyone that the Free Communities will provide no-cost inoculations at any hospital or clinic to any person regardless of nationality or status. We are doing everything we can to get stocks of the vaccine out to target populations. We have very few non-Edens of our own, so the key is to get it out to you, the rest of the world, where it can do the most good. Thank you to all the Neutral States, who are working closely with the Free Communities Health Cooperative.”
Markis pressed the icon for the USA, expecting what came next. President McKenna said, “The United States of America thanks the Free Communities for their generous assistance and will implement vaccination programs immediately. We expect to have ninety percent of our citizens vaccinated within the next nine days. We also have achieved a breakthrough of our own, a vaccine that protects Eden Plague carriers against Demon Plague Number One. We have begun distributing this vaccine among our own citizens, but it is limited and difficult to produce.”
To Markis, McKenna looked relaxed, not at all the fearful man he had observed at their meeting. He wondered whether he had misjudged the situation. He tapped the key that seamlessly loaded his virtual clone while turning off the sound and video feeds and said, “Rick, is there any chance this McKenna is also a virtual clone? Is there any way for you or your technicians to tell?”
“We’ll check on it, sir, but it will take several hours of recording analysis, so I can’t tell you now.”
Markis nodded, turning his clone back off and listening again.
McKenna went on, “We have also supplied samples of this vaccine to the Free Communities and the Neutral States for their use, and we sincerely hope they can produce enough for all their citizens in time.”
Nicely stabbed, sir. Sow some discord; get the citizenry wondering how the FC and Neutral States leadership will distribute a limited amount of Eden nanotech vaccine. I hate politics.
Six hours later Markis paced in his office. “So it was a virtual clone of McKenna? How would they have responded if someone asked questions?”
Rick answered, “It could have been an overlay program – changing the virtual appearance of a real speaker into McKenna’s clone.”
Markis responded, “And even though it’s easy enough to detect in retrospect, we can’t antagonize the Americans by blowing their cover, not when they have the nanobots. But it means that McKenna is out of the loop. He might not even really be in power – he could be just a figurehead.”
Cassandra spoke up from her chair. “But it’s an advantage that they don’t know we know.”
Markis massaged his temples theatrically. “Makes my head ache, what we know they know we know. Who do you think’s the real power?”
“General Tyler?” Cassandra suggested.
“Maybe. Didn’t seem the type, though. Get working on it, Cassie. See if you can get through to our people inside. If there is someone pulling political strings in Pueblo, it will be connected to Tiny Fortress somehow.”
