The Mirror Man, стр. 46

Jeremiah peered over Brent’s shoulder and scanned the file names that appeared on the screen. He saw several with his own name attached, probably notes on his physical exams, he figured, and an entire folder devoted to “low-fat food options.”

“This one looks promising,” Brent said, pointing to a folder on the monitor. “Department of Defense Correspondence: Confidential.”

“Department of Defense?” Jeremiah said. “What the hell is Pike’s involvement with that?”

“I told you,” Brent said, “there are some powerful people involved behind the scenes. He’s probably making regular reports to someone. It doesn’t surprise me in the least.”

“Open it. Let’s see what’s in there.”

Brent clicked on the icon to no avail and looked back at Jeremiah in annoyance. “You just assume something like this wouldn’t be protected with a password? For the Department of Defense? Really?”

Jeremiah grunted. “Now what do we do? Do you have that password, too?”

“No,” Brent said, “but I bet I can find it.”

He rooted around on a shelf just above Pike’s monitor until he found a thin red notebook and started riffling through the pages.

“IT got tired of the execs always locking themselves out of their own files,” he said. “So we developed this very high-tech system for them. Nice to know they’re still using it.”

He began systematically trying each password from the notebook and, in under a minute, he had access to the file.

Inside the folder were several dated files. Brent clicked on the most recent one, which was dated just two days before. It was an email exchange between Pike and an army general. They read together in shocked silence.

From: General Matthew McGavin

Re: Project Mirror update

To: Philip Pike

Dr. Pike,

We are pleased with the Meld-induced behavioral aspect of the project and look forward to a successful third test. This is of particular interest to us, as it will demonstrate parameters of control for clones of key personnel in the future. Along with viability, complete control of these clones is obviously paramount to our needs.

One presumed security risk to project now neutralized.

Keep me advised on any additional security threats. Continued funding of the project depends on no one becoming suspicious of the clone’s identity. We can handle any threats as they arise.

Gen. M. McGavin, United States Army

m.mcgavin@usarmy.mil

On Tuesday at 8:32 a.m., p.pike@ViMed.com wrote:

To: General McGavin

Attachment: Monthly report on Project Mirror

Physical viability of clone: Within expected parameters. No organ/muscular degradation.

Meld-implanted memory synapses of clone: Within expected parameters. No noted deviation.

Meld-induced behavioral testing: Two of three Meld-implanted suggestions executed successfully to date with no noted hesitation.

a. On day 21, clone made waffles for breakfast

b. On day 98, clone deviated from normal route to ViMed offices

Final test scheduled for day 239: clone will sing the third verse of “Come Fly with Me” in the hallways of ViMed offices.

Respectfully,

Dr. Philip Pike

Jeremiah read the emails over a second time and felt his stomach fall. His eyes settled on a single, sinister sentence: One presumed security risk to project now neutralized.

“A security risk? They’re talking about my mother, Brent. It’s exactly like I said. They thought she knew something and now she’s dead.”

Brent said nothing, but Jeremiah could hear him take in a deep, labored breath.

“They killed her,” Jeremiah said, his hands raking through his hair. “Neutralized. They murdered my mother. Tell me you see that.”

“I’ll admit it does look pretty bad,” he said. “But jumping right to murder? I don’t know.”

“I need a copy, Brent. Make a copy.”

“That’ll show up in the print queue,” he said. “I’ll take a picture.” He took out his phone and snapped two quick photos, adjusting the copy on the screen to make sure he got it all. Jeremiah noticed a slight tremor in his hand as he did so.

“Someone has to pay for this,” Jeremiah said. “These people are murderers. She wasn’t a threat, Brent. My mother didn’t know anything about the clone. It was just her mind. She couldn’t remember. That’s all. And they fucking killed her for it.”

“We don’t know anything for sure yet, Jeremiah. We need more. There’s not enough here to prove anything. We have to be careful. And we have to keep this to ourselves. Everything. I do agree that this just became dangerous.”

“But you believe me now that this whole thing is definitely more than it appears, right? That there’s something more to all of this.”

Brent nodded and turned off the computer.

“And they’re talking about clones of key personnel,” he said. “What do you suppose that means? Who are these key personnel?”

“World leaders? Diplomats? Hell, for all we know they want to clone the president.”

“And from this, it looks like they can totally control them with the Meld,” Brent added.

“These aren’t just clones. They’re making avatars.” Jeremiah was astonished at the realization. “They’re making totally controllable fucking avatars.”

“But ten times worse,” Brent said, “because these will be real. These will be out there in the world and no one will even realize it. This is freaking huge. No wonder they’re willing to kill to protect this thing. We don’t even know how far up this goes.”

“Don’t delete these photos, Brent. And back them up somewhere. We may need them. If we’re going to stop them, this is useful. But for God’s sake, don’t let your phone out of your sight.”

“Count on that.”

“Well, I can tell you another thing you can count on. No one is ever going to see me singing Sinatra in the hallways of ViMed. I am getting the hell out of here long before day 239.” He shook his head. “I don’t even know the words to that song.”