Chapter Twenty

 

Genetic Poison

 

Hammy’s eyes were beginning to droop from the lack of sleep, which was slowly becoming irresistible. The woman’s voice sounded soothing and slowly lulled him onto a state of slumber. As he sat, his head rolled back and he finally succumbed. Doctor Williams realized that he had dozed off. She kept talking softly and crept past him with the intension of escaping. It was all to no avail, as she met Bernard descending the stairs to the basement. She walked back into the zone, not wanting to wrestle the loaded gun from the sleeping Hammy’s hands.

With a start Hiram returned to the living, but Terry had fallen unconscious again. Bernard walked into the room and handed the doctor the prescription.

“Sorry it took so long,” he apologized. “Someone had written some naughty words on the prescription.”

She took the packet and opened it. “I’m sorry,” she said. “How did you know?”

“I read Latin,” Bernard said softly. “I scribbled it out; we didn’t want the chemist reading it, did we?”

“I’m sorry,” she said and gave Terry a shot, even though he was still out. “You know this man is going to die if we don’t get him to a hospital very soon. It may even be too late now.”

Hammy glared at her. “I told you, we can’t go to any hospital. If the master is looking for us, that’ll be the end of us all.”

“Don’t you think someone may notice an 200-kilogram bug walking about?” she said sarcastically.

“It don’t walk. It will use its mind, then control someone else to carry out its dirty work. That’s what happened here the first time I called you. The master had taken over that hypnotist guy. He almost killed me but he didn’t know what he was doing.”

“Then why does it not do it now?” she snapped. “Is it having a nap maybe?”

Hiram felt terrible and he was in no mood to argue with the woman. “Because,” he said, raising his voice, “as long as we have the PXIs on our heads it won’t know where we are. So you’ll have to stay in the zone with Terry. If you leave here, it may take you over. Then I would have to kill you. Is that what you want?”

“No, certainly not.”

“Then get Barbara out of that bloody cocoon and shut up, woman.”

Again the doctor turned to the cocoon and began digging with her hands in an attempt to get the girl out. After awhile the slimy substance stuck to her hands and began to have an anaesthetic effect. Numbness slowly spread up her arms. She realized what was happening.

“This stuff is putting my hands to sleep,” she shrieked, trying to get it off her flesh.

“Oh, my goodness,” Bernard said. “Of course it will, that is what its purpose is.” He turned round to confer with Hiram, who had fallen asleep again. Only Bernard and the doctor were conscious. “You’d better stop, my dear, or you will be rendered anaesthetized.”

The doctor slumped back on her haunches, already she was beginning to feel dizzy. “I think I’m going to faint,” she said softly.

“Oh, my goodness,” the prof. moaned. But it was too late, she fell sideways onto the mattress, unconscious. Bernard shook Hammy. “Wake up, Hammy, wake up, we’re in trouble.”

Hiram opened his eyes. “Oh yes,” he said as if answering a question.

“The doctor has succumbed to the master’s anaesthetic from the cocoon, what should I do?”

Hiram rolled his eyes. “Let me sleep, you watch the doctor, let me sleep, I can’t think.”

“Very well,” Bernard agreed.

Hiram walked out of the cellar and up the stairs to the living room. In moments he was sprawled out on the settee and snoring loudly. It was late evening when Hiram again opened his eyes. At first he could not remember where he was or what was happening. Then suddenly with a start he realized the full scope and danger of the situation. Jumping to his feet he yelled, “Bernie,” and ran from the room.

Bernard stood in the kitchen; he had prepared a meal for his helpless companions. Hiram burst in on him.

“Where is everybody?” Hammy spluttered.

“Don’t panic, my boy,” Bernie said calmly. “Everything is under control at the moment.”

“Well where are they?”

“Terry is resting comfortably in the zone. Barbara is still in the cocoon and Doctor Williams is in the spare bedroom snoring peacefully.”

“What’s she doing there, she’s supposed to be getting Barbara out of that thing?”

“Paralysis. It would seem that the substance in the cocoon has caused some form of paralysis. It was most difficult, but I helped her to the room and she is now resting on the bed peacefully.”

“I don’t trust her,” Hammy yelled, turning and making a run at the stairs.

He burst into the spare room. Doctor Williams was either asleep or unconscious on the bed. Hammy walked over to her and felt her pulse – it felt very slow and steady. Feeling a little more relaxed he returned to the kitchen. Bernard was putting food on the plates.

“Well?” he questioned.

“She’s out cold. That stuff has her in a trance. I’ll take some of that food down to Terry and see how he is.”

Bernard handed him a tray with Terry’s share on it. Together they walked to the zone room.

“Hi,” Terry said, smiling.

“How do you feel?” Hiram asked.

“Bloody awful, mate. That nosh smells good, though.”

Hiram handed the tray to Terry then examined the cocoon without actually touching it. There was nothing to be seen inside except the web stuff. “How we gonna get her out of there?” he asked.

“I think we will have to leave that to the experts,” Bernard said. “But it’s all academic if we do not get the master off our backs. We must help him finish his ship so that he may leave this planet.”

“No bloody way,” Terry growled.

“I agree,” Hiram put in. “It has broken human law. I say we kill it and as soon as possible. We don’t want it telling its buddies and bringing the whole bloody clan to planet earth for a family picnic.”

“There is so much to be learned from him. We should help him, not destroy him.” Bernard pleaded.

“I don’t give a shit,” Hammy barked. “Somehow we’ve got to get all those cocoons out of there then kill that bloody thing and it’s an it, not a him. We should also find out if there are any more of those things anywhere on this planet or even in this planetary system.”

Hiram and Bernard returned to the kitchen where they sat to eat the meal cooked by Bernie.

“I don’t care what you say, Bernie, we’ve got to get rid of that thing and soon. If it repairs that magnus thing then I figure it’s curtains for the lot of us.”

“I don’t agree. I believe we can help it leave here. It wants to go home.”

“I don’t give a toss. We have to do something and soon. I figure I’ll have to go back and take care of it myself. While I’m gone, you can get Terry to a hospital and get some help for the doctor and Barbara. I don’t want that thing going to its home. Man! it’ll spread the word that this planet is a smorgasbord.”

Bernard sat thoughtful for a few seconds. His mind was in turmoil. On the one hand he wanted that monster out of the way and on the other he wanted to share in its vast knowledge. “You know,” he said slowly, “the master has been training people to improve our technology for centuries. All he wants is that we reach the stage of crystal transmutation.”

“What the hell is that?”

“Well, they don’t have technology like we do. They don’t make things. What they do is transmogrify. They cause things to grow. With their great mental power they can grow a spaceship. They can cause any material to become any other.”

“That’s ridiculous, Bernie, and you know it is.”

“No. Already here on Earth they have been doing experiments with limited success. It can be done. It has always been the dream of alchemists to turn lead into gold. If you think about it you would see that given the right technology, it could be possible – you only have to juggle a few atoms.”

“Crap!” Hiram exclaimed. “It’s in the same realm as magic.”

“Not really. Elements only differ because of the number of electrons and protons. If you added them, you could cause a material to become the next in the periodic table.”

“Are you trying to tell me that this monster can grow a spaceship? Crap.”

“Yes, I believe it can.”

“Crap. If it was that good then why was the mag-thing and all that machinery of Earthly type and construction. The pipeline was regular metal with welded joints. The machinery was like what you’d find in any factory. I think that bloody monster has warped your mind, Bernie.”

“Please, call me Bernard, and it has not warped my mind. I am totally lucid.”

“Well I’ve seen that monster. It’s nothing more than a bloody big bug. It’s an insect. It has no love for us at all. We’re just food. I saw it eat Martha. It’s a sight that I will never forget, not as long as I live. So, with or without you, I’m going back and I’m going to kill that thing. Okay?”

“Very well,” Bernard said slowly. “I know what you mean. I would like the opportunity to question it before you destroy it.”

“That’s okay by me, but it has to go, one way or another.”

“How will you kill it?”

Hammy thought for a few seconds. “I’m not sure. First I have to get all those cocoons away from it, the women inside might still be alive. I don’t know – how would you kill a 10-ton bug?”

“Doctor Williams suggested poison,” Bernard said.

“Yeah, but what is poison to that thing? I don’t think a can of bug spray will work. We can’t enlist any help, because the master may turn them against us. In fact, he surely will. We’ve got three PXIs. That’s one for you, one for me and one for a helper. Who will we pick?”

Bernard thought for a few seconds. “Doctor Williams.”

“No, I don’t trust her – besides that, she’s paralysed. Time’s marching on, Bernie. We have to get back and do what’s to be done now. We can’t wait forever. If that thing gets the stop fire repaired we are dead meat – the whole bloody county will be on our heels.”

“Very well and that’s Bernard, please. Let us leave immediately.”

“Can you get any more explosives?”

“No.”

“We have to have something. You talked to the thing. Did it give you any clues, anything at all?”

“No.”

“Okay,” Hammy sighed, rising to his feet. “I don’t like it. Going into battle with no ammunition is suicide. I’ll leave a note for Williams. When she comes round she can get Terry to a hospital and look after Barbara for me.”

Hammy walked up the stairs deep in thought. The problem of killing an indestructible bug had to be solved and time was rapidly running out. Doctor Williams was conscious when Hammy walked into her room.

“I’m coming with you,” she said softly. “You can’t leave me here.”

“Oh no you are not, my lady,” Hammy snapped. “But now you are awake, you can tell me how to kill that thing.”

“No, not unless you promise to take me to see it.”

“How come you are suddenly a believer?” Hammy growled.

“Nothing you could have devised could have had that effect on me. My arms are still paralysed, though I can feel that they are returning to normality. I do believe that you have found an alien and I believe it could help me, help all of us. There must be a wealth of untapped information. That preservative in the cocoons, for instance, perhaps it could be synthesized. If I could find out how that is made. It would be a boon to medicine.”

“You’re crazier than I am. That thing is an insect. It only likes people because they taste good. What, do you think you’ll sit at the table with it and have tea and discuss the state of medicine today?”

“I’m not completely stupid. This opportunity is unique. Please let me come with you.”

“No, I want muscle and bravery. I don’t need any more brains on this trip. I want to kill the thing, not negotiate with it.”

“Oh yes you do,” she said. “You want someone to tell you how to kill this monster. I could do that. I think I know how to kill it.”

“Then tell me and I’ll get the hell out of your hair, lady.”

“No. Not until you promise to take me with you.”

Hammy stood and thought for several seconds. He really had no choice. “I don’t want to take you because it is a very dangerous mission. I’m not joking. This bug is some pissed off at me. Terry and I just about blew up its entire empire. We took away its control of the masses. When we go back it’s not just going to sit there and let me kill it. It’s going to put up one hell of a fight. Don’t you realize that? God only knows what weapons it has.”

“So?” she said nonchalantly. “You’ve survived so far. You are the commander, I’ll be just another soldier, let me help you.”

“Tell me how to kill that thing, then maybe, and just maybe, I’ll let you tag along, but you’ll be strictly under my orders.”

“Oh no you don’t,” she said forcefully. “Promise to take me, and then I’ll tell you how to kill it. I will be alright, look,” she said, holding her arms up and painfully wiggling her fingers.

“Alright,” Hammy said. “You’ll have to do exactly as I say without question.”

“You promise on your word of honour that you will take me with you and let me see this monster of yours?”

“Alright, but who’s going to look after Terry? We can’t leave him here all alone.”

“Call the police and tell them there has been a shooting here in this house. When they come they’ll find Terry and take care of him. They will call for an ambulance and everything. You have nothing to worry about on that account,” she said.

“I don’t know. It seems to me that the fuzz are always in this street for something or other. The last time we had to keep driving because of them.”

“Oh, well. The last time it was a burglary up the road a bit, if you are talking about that incident just a few days ago. They were not looking for you.”

“Okay, okay. Never mind the local history. Now tell me, how can I kill this bug?”

“I have been thinking about it. What you need is something that will penetrate its casing, something that will be an irritant and something that will poison its system.”

“Oh! bloody brilliant,” Hammy smirked. “That sort of information is no use to man nor beast.”

“It is, if I tell you what the three things are,” she said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

“Well, tell me.”

Something was tickling her sense of humour, she smiled and her eyes sparkled. “Very well, a substance called hydrofluoric acid will penetrate its shell and may even kill it in time. Simple sulphuric acid will definitely irritate. The ultimate weapon is a mixture of diazinon and bicycloheptene dicarboximide.”

Hiram stared at her, his mouth slightly open. “I couldn’t even bloody say that. And you expect me to believe that crap would work? What the hell is it?”

She smiled sweetly. “It certainly will work and not very much would be required. The hydrofluoric acid is what glass-etchers use, it will dissolve glass. It’s the only acid that will dissolve glass. It is very dangerous and will painlessly penetrate your skin in only ten seconds. Once inside your system, it regenerates using the metal oxides in your blood. Without treatment it becomes painful and eventually deadly. The sulphuric acid will merely agitate the creature, making it ingest the genetic poison DBD.”

“So how will I administer the poison? I’m sure it won’t just stand there and let me hose it down.”

“Via three small plastic squeezy bottles, say 200 millilitres each. If you could squirt just 10 per cent on the thing it will eventually die.”

“How quickly is eventually?”

“I’m not sure. Its size and how much it ingests will affect the end result. The hydrofluoric alone would probably take a month and the DBD alone would be perhaps three or four hours. All three in the right order would cause discomfort in minutes and probably loss of muscle control in ten or fifteen minutes.”

“Okay, doc. Have you got this stuff handy?”

“No.”

“Then why the bloody hell are we having this conversation?”

“I can get it,” she said, smiling.

“When?”

“I’ll have to make a phone call.”

“Time is of the essence,” Hiram said, glaring at the woman. “I don’t think you realize. If we don’t get this job done before it repairs the mag .... magnam-inus thingy then the battle and the war is over. It will be able to turn the whole of humanity against us. I figure it will do just that. At this moment it can only control one or two people at a time. So it’s got its work cut out just repairing the damage Terry and I caused. But if the stop fire starts again, it’s game over for all of us.”

“Sounds good to me,” she said. “I can probably have what you want first thing in the morning. Anyway, by then I will have full control of my limbs back. This is going to be fun.”

“You’re a crazy lady. I don’t classify 10-ton bugs as fun.”

“Help me up and I’ll make the phone call now.”

“You scientific people all seem to have friends that can produce anything.”

“I do have a friend in a research lab in Peterborough. He will supply us with what we require.”

“How can you be sure?” Hiram asked.

“Just trust me, Mr Kawalski. I promise I won’t let you down as long as I am on your team.”

Hiram was not keen on the idea of letting yet another outsider into the team, but there was no choice. Doctor Williams seemed to know what she was doing and where to get the supplies to carry out the work. Hammy bubbled both with excitement and fear. He was excited that the end of the master may well be in sight and the fear that the moragnus may be repaired before they could strike overshadowed everything.

Hammy had visions of the master taking control of the armed forces and having them search him and his friends out. It was obvious that the creature would not leave its equipment open to vandalism again. Now that it knew of the PXI and the fact that there were three of them it would pull out all the stops to protect itself against further attacks.

Doctor Williams phoned her friend and arrangements were made to collect the chemicals at noon on Monday. Hiram was annoyed and afraid, he wanted to attack the monster as soon as possible. Collecting the stuff on Monday would mean another twelve-hour delay.

Terry was made comfortable and left in the PXI zone in the cellar. No one told him what the plan for the day was in case the master tapped into his head when the police removed him from the zone.

“As soon as we leave that lab place in Peterborough,” Hammy said, “we all put on the PXIs. Then Doctor Williams can make the phone call to the police about Terry. Agreed?”

Doctor Williams and Bernard nodded in agreement. It was a solemn and frightening adventure that the trio were about to embark on. This would be it, the last attempt to rid the world of alien tyranny. To do or die, death or glory. As the doctor’s car was a newer model and unknown to the people of Craig it was decided to take it instead of the one the left in the garage.

Collecting the materials they required from the government laboratory in Peterborough was simple, easy and quick. The next step was to see to Terry’s dilemma. Doctor Williams made a call to March Police Station, using her own name and reporting the victim of a shooting in the house on Norwood Avenue.

All the plans were laid and execution begun. The only difficulty that remained was reaching Craig undetected and before the master finished its repair work. Hammy drove the doctor’s car. It was easy for him; it seemed that he had made the trip so many times that he could do it blindfolded.

“Do you think they will take care of Barbara okay?” he asked as they drove off.

“Yes, I’m sure they will,” Williams replied. “They will be able to do a lot more than I could. Terry will tell them of the anaesthetic effect. Now,” she said, “I have the three little bottles here in my bag and they are labelled. I think it would be better if each one of us used one rather than one person trying to administer all three.”

Hiram pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Now it’s time to put on the PXIs. Did you put new batteries in them, Bernie?”

“Yes, and that’s Bernard – please.”

The three placed the strange-looking devices on their heads. Doctor Williams thought it was rather fun. She seemed to have no concept of the danger they were heading into.

“Well,” she said, manoeuvring herself to look in the rear-view mirror. “It doesn’t look very Saville Row. Maybe we’ll start a new trend. The PXI look.”

Hiram was relieved to find that when he switched his PXI on there was no colour shift. This proved that the master had not yet finished repairs to the stop fire. The journey seemed endless as they hurtled northward. Conversation gave way to thoughtfulness as each contemplated their fate. The three travellers sat silently thinking of the wonders or terrors in store for them.

Suddenly Hammy slammed on the brakes. The vehicle noisily screeched to a halt. “What’s up?” Bernard quizzed excitedly.

“Look at that,” Hammy said, pointing. “I’ve got a great idea.”

Both Bernie and the doctor looked – there was nothing but a filling station and a large fuel tanker.