Chapter 266: Grand Slam (4)

“Isaiah Franklin, I have a question unrelated to the virus. Let me ask you something that I personally don’t understand,” Robert asked.

“What?”

Doctor Ref looked at Robert with disdain.

“We obtained your personal information during a raid on one of the secret hideouts of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the Middle East. Everyone had already fled, and the place was fairly tidied up,” Robert said. “And Agent Whittaker found a lot of data about your identity here. That’s where the name Isaiah Franklin also came up. It seemed like you had scattered it around on purpose.”

“...”

“Why didn’t you destroy it? Even if you lived in the Middle East under the codename Doctor Ref, revealing your true identity would make you easier to track.”

“Because I wanted to be found,” said Doctor Ref.

“That’s what I don’t understand. Why did you do that? Did you hope someone would stop you?”

Doctor Ref burst into laughter.

“You’ve been watching too many cartoons. Do you think I’m some kind of psychopath who can’t stop committing acts of terror and needs someone to stop me? I’m not crazy.”

“Then?”

“... Based on the name Isaiah Franklin and the identity I left behind, how much did you find out about me?”

“We found your mother, Elsie Franklin, but we didn’t get anything particularly helpful. All she said was that she lost you in the Middle East.”

“Of course, she did. Because her life would be at risk if she said anything.”

“Were you planning on also killing your mother if she told anyone about you?”

“I’m not killing anyone. What are you talking about?” Doctor Ref snapped. “I’m not a crazy killer, though I do have an awkward relationship with my mother now.”

“We’ve been investigating your surroundings, but we haven't been able to get a lot of information. Almost everything is shrouded in secrecy, there is no record of you at the hospital where you were supposedly born, and no record of you attending daycare in the United States,” said Robert. “Where did you live right after you were born in the U.S.?”

“I’m telling you now, don’t ask my mother because she won’t tell you, and I’m not going to tell you either. I don’t trust you. Get me Ryu Young-Joon,” Doctor Ref said. “I’m sick, right? And he’s a saint that would heal the Devil if he was sick.”

*

After arriving in the United States, Young-Joon was thinking of going to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, headquarters in Washington, D.C. with Song Ji-Hyun. They wanted to get a sample of the microorganisms on the outer wall of the space station.

“I’m just providing a way for you to obtain the sample, and then it’s up to you and Cellijenner to do everything else, from identifying the microorganisms to isolating them and figuring out the mechanism of radioactive material removal,” Young-Joon said.

“Of course. I can’t ask you for any more favors,” Song Ji-Hyun said. “Where do your relatives live?”

“Pardon?”

“You know, the family of your niece I saw at the hospital before.”

“Oh.”

Young-Joon nodded.

“Um... Where was it...”

As Young-Joon stood there, unable to answer, they heard a voice call out from the lobby of the hotel they had checked into.

“Doctor Ryu.”

It was a familiar face that Young-Joon was glad to see.

“It’s been a while.”

Young-Joon shook hands with James Holdren, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, or the OSTP.

“We’ve never met, but I think I recognize you,” James said, glancing at Song Ji-Hyun.

“Hello.”

The OSTP was effectively the agency that oversaw the United States’ science and technology policies, and it was responsible for advising the president on these matters. And its director, James Holdren, had previously provided substantial funding to support the establishment of A-GenBio’s cancer research institute.

“Is it alright for you to come see us? I know you’re busy, and we could have visited you instead,” Young-Joon said.

“The fourth floor of the Eisenhower Building is a bit hectic these days. I wanted to get some fresh air,” James replied with a smile. “I heard that you want to request some bacteria from NASA. That’s something I can do for you easily.”

“Thank you. That would make things much simpler,” Young-Joon responded.

“More than that, I need to have a meeting with you. There’s something I need to discuss.”

“I’ll step out for a moment so you can talk privately,” Song Ji-Hyun said.

“Thank you,” replied James, nodding to her before leading Young-Joon to a small meeting room.

“I’m stepping down as director soon,” James said as he sat down on the sofa.

“You’re stepping down?” Young-Joon asked. “Is something going on?”

“It’s nothing political. It’s just that I’m getting older and the position has become a bit physically demanding. I’d like to retire soon.”

“I see... And who will be your successor?”

“It’s a scientist named Alphonse Lofair. Have you heard of him?”

“No,” Young-Joon replied, shaking his head.

“He’s the head of the Kennedy Space Center at NASA right now. He was also the negotiator who reached the agreement to share the Mir Space Station when the Soviet Union dissolved,” James said. “He became a symbol of peace in science as the United States and Russia, which had been in a tremendous race to develop space, reconciled.”

“He’s a good man.”

James just smiled without saying anything. It felt strange for some reason.

“You might run into him if you’re trying to get microorganisms from the outer wall of the space station,” he said. “Anyway, President Campbell is thinking of offering him the director position when I leave.”

“I see.”

“You should look into the Lofair family.”

“Their family?”

“Alphonse Lofair is backed by the Lofair family. They are what you could call the true aristocracy of America,” James said.

“...”

“Doctor Ryu, I consider it a great accomplishment and fortune that the last thing I would be doing before leaving is helping to establish a landmark research facility called the A-GenBio Cancer Laboratory.”

“Thank you.”

“And we put a lot of medical resources of the United States into that cancer lab, and it has produced all kinds of new anti-cancer drugs based on dendritic cell bypass,” James said. “We are good business partners and friends, right?”

“Of course,” Young-Joon said, nodding his head.

“That’s why I’m telling you this, Doctor Ryu. Go back to Korea.”

“Pardon me?”

“I will get you the microorganisms from the outer wall, but don’t be in the United States right now. You’re thinking of going to see Doctor Ref, right? Don’t do that either.”

“...”

Young-Joon thought for a moment.

—He’s saying this for your own good.

Rosaline sent him a message.

—But I don’t know why he’s doing this.

“How much do you know about Doctor Ref, Doctor Ryu? Do you know about her childhood in America as Isaiah Franklin?”

“Yes, I do.”

“...”

James wiped his forehead.

“You know dangerous information. How much of the details do you know? You need to tell me, because depending on the extent of that information, I may be able to help...”

“I know that Doctor Ref is a genetically engineered human. She was born as the daughter of Elsie Franklin in a genomics lab at Groom Lake Air Force Base in the United States during the Cold War.”

“...”

James looked a little surprised.

“Uh... You know too much.”

He sighed.

“That is a huge vulnerability of the United States,” James said. “And the people that drove the research when Doctor Ref was born still hold important positions in America. Don’t conflict with those people. I’m saying this for your sake, Doctor Ryu.”

“I didn’t come here to conflict with them. All I’m here to do is treat Doctor Ref. I’m sure the U.S. government will take care of the rest, whether it’s interrogation or whatever.”

“... I hate to say it, but...”

James hesitated like he was in a difficult situation.

“Just...” he said. “Just let her die.”

“What?” Young-Joon asked.

“Just let her die. That’s what the higher-ups in America want.”

“Mr. Director...”

“She’s a terrorist who deserves to die, isn’t she? Before she dies, American intelligence will get the information they need by any means necessary. I’m telling you not to go out of your way to venture into this dangerous spot.”

“Is the Lofair family, those true aristocrats or something, involved in Doctor Ref’s birth? Did they genetically engineer her and bring her into existence?” Young-Joon asked. “So since Doctor Ref’s very existence is a disgrace to the United States, they want her dead because she’s an obstacle to the new director? Or is there something more that I don’t know?”

“... That’s hard to answer,” James said with a bitter smile. “Doctor Ryu, I’ve given you my best advice as a friend. From now on, I’m going to go back to being a director at the White House and not divulge classified information.”

He rose slowly from his seat.

“Please choose wisely and return home safely, Doctor Ryu.”

*

“We can’t treat her?”

Robert was a little surprised at the absurd order.

“The order came straight from the Director.”

Whittaker crossed his arms and shook his legs nervously.

“Wait, didn’t Doctor Ryu tell us that this was a curable disease? He said he would create a cure,” Robert said. “Whittaker, we haven’t gotten any information from Isaiah Franklin yet, and she doesn’t have long to live. Doctor Ryu probably already came here with the treatment, and you’re telling me we can’t treat her?”

“That’s what the order says,” Whittaker replied.

“That’s what I don’t understand. What if she dies before we get anything useful out of her?”

“They want us to let her die.”

“

Sigh...

Do the higher-ups ever think? If they realized how much trouble we went through to get her, they couldn’t say that.”

“Of course, they’re not telling us to just sacrifice her. They told us to get as much information as we can on what she was doing in the Middle East and why she created the polyomavirus before she dies.”

“How can we do that if she won’t say anything? We need more time...”

“They said we’re allowed to use whatever means allowed by the Enhanced Interrogation program to get information out of her until she dies.”

“You mean torture?”

“...”

“They’re crazy,” Robert said. “Absolutely insane. Torture is not an effective way to gain information. And it’s completely illegal...”

“Do you think we’re interrogating some petty thief on the street? That woman is a terrorist! She almost killed all the scientists in the GSC, and she led the Palestine Liberation Army,” Whittaker shouted. “And now, she’s keeping her mouth shut about all the information she knows! Philistines has been shut down, and the Egyptian government is investigating, but what if the Palestinian rebels get ahold of what they were doing?”

“...”

“How do we know what they’re going to do with the polyomavirus or the botulinum toxin? We’re in a race against the clock, and you think we’re going to be able to get the information we need by gently urging her?”

“...”

“That woman is a terrorist! And human rights are a luxury for terrorists! This is the best option!” Whittaker shouted. “I also find the part about not treating her odd, but I agree with the interrogation method itself. We’re in a hurry.”

“She said she’ll speak to Doctor Ryu,” Robert said.

“

Sigh

... Robert,” Whittaker said incredulously. “I know about the whole Nobel Prize grand slam thing. He’s an incredible person, but he’s an outsider. He’s worked with us a lot, but he’s not someone to include in interrogating a terrorist like Isaiah Franklin. He’s a foreigner and a civilian. Get a grip.”

“But...”

“Let’s leave it at that. If you can’t do it, I’ll interrogate her,” Whittaker said. “We work for the government, for the safety of the people of this country.”