BOOK 2: COMMUNITY / CH. 17: UNEXPECTED INVITATIONS
MONDAY 24TH JULY
At exactly 9 am a bemused man presented his I.D. to a guard at the lift door, as he'd been instructed. The guard ushered him into the lift and without further instruction took him up up up into the shopping complex. The visitor stepped into the room and looked around at the furnishings. The guard left, job done.
“Thanks for coming to the meet us, Mr. Campbell,” Teresa welcomed him . “I'm sure your research staff have given you a guess of who our client is. I'm Teresa, the client's legal advisor, Pete here is in public relations.”
“Albert, please. My son used to work in this store. He said that the owners' lounge was a myth. How could I refuse to visit a mythical location on my doorstep? Especially if the offer is genuine. Yes, I've read the a list of shareholders. I must say that if you're representing the majority holder then I'm not going to faint, quite. But I'm going to be listening very carefully to what you say, and then our legal department are going to get scared.”
“Yes, we both represent the Institute.”
“Then how come you're talking to me at all? The Institute is more publicity shy than a nunnery, and I'm editor in chief for a respectable news organisation. This isn't some complex whistle blowing thing, is it?”
“No, not at all,” Pete reassured him. “I won't claim it's not complex, but we're here with the approval of the Institute's director, and what we're going to propose has prior approval from Internal Security too.”
“We can give you documents to verify that for your legal department,” Teresa added.
“I'm relieved, but confused too. Reporting about the Institute is illegal, isn't it?”
“As I presume you know, the Institute has to protect its clients, and therefore it has to be secretive about who works there, who visits, and so on. That sort of reporting is illegal. However...”
“Yes, go on.”
“There are other aspects to its work that are ground-breaking and not subject to the same reporting restrictions, and even the secret work done is not secret in itself, only the people involved and of course the topics discussed in counselling. Now, this is strictly off record and your ears only, but recently there was an incident where someone who should have been directed to the Institute was convinced by an A.I. with a deliberately corrupted database that the last human psycho-counsellor had retired.”
“Ouch. So the Institute would like to raise its public profile? Why not just place adverts?”
“We were thinking something more in depth than that. More along the lines of giving a journalist regular access, on the condition that they don't actually break any laws by naming names or writing about things they shouldn't.”
“Full journalistic freedom, within the legal limits? Full access to staff for interviews? Fly on the wall in research discussions?”
Teresa started to answer, “There'd need to be careful editing to avoid accidentally disclosing enough biographical details to identify anyone, of course.”
Pete added, “A few areas of research aren't yet in the public domain, but they will be within the year, we anticipate. We'd insist on a blackout until any relevant journal article is published, since publication of science through the regular media is a big no-no. But retrospective accounts after then would be something my client would find perfectly acceptable, encourage even. And of course your reporter would have had plenty of time to work out how to present the work, its implications, and so on, where other channels would be limited to what non-experts could make up without much notice.”
Teresa jumped back in, “The journalist would need security clearance of course, and there are risks, you realise.”
“You mean risks to the journalist?”
“Yes. There are criminal elements who would want to know who visits the Institute when, and so on. There would be potential for an attack on the journalist or their family, unless the journalist remained anonymous, of course. Also, there will probably be some controversy over some of the ground-breaking research when it is published.”
“What? You're suggesting that you'd let a journalist witness some unethical research and then when you go public with the results they'd have the right to publish about how it was carried out?”
“Not unethical, though quite controversial we expect. But yes, basically you've got the idea. You could stick to serious reporting if you like, but we expect that there'd be interest in a docudrama reconstruction, and of course your reporter would be the best placed person to advise on that. Of course we'd want there to be an accurate representation without the chance of identification. Which is rather a difficult path to tread.”
“I'm struggling to imagine what would constitute controversial ethical research. But other than that, you're offering exclusive in-depth insight into one of the most secret places on the planet? Why us?”
Pete listed the reasons: “With your recent take over, you've now got the muscle to protect an exclusive deal. Editorial integrity, good journalistic tradition, public trust, not to mention the local interest angle and pre-existing background knowledge. We do have other options of course, but we'd consider your organisation to be the best choice.”
“Well, I'm interested, of course. But to commit a science reporter to such a project — we only have the two right now and they both have busy schedules, not to mention young children. I don't know, it's a bit outside their profile. I'd really like to accept, but...”
“Oh, I don't think it necessarily needs to be a science reporter,” Teresa offered. “There could be legislative changes as a result of publication, so perhaps a legal reporter?”
Pete had other ideas. “Actually, there are so many angles on this, science, legal, crime, religious affairs even. I was actually thinking that it should be a familiar face. An established, respected mainstream journalist. Maybe even a news anchor.”
“Oh, you don't want much, do you? You're either naïve, or you're offering me something world-changing. Will you be letting me in on the big secret, so I can make the judgement as to which? And what on earth is the religious affairs angle on this? They’ve managed to create artificial life?”
“No, not artificial life. There are more Christians working on this project than normal though.” Pete laughed, “There was only one on the whole staff a few months ago.”
“Some kind of religious take over at the Institute?”
“No, I don't think anyone would say that,” Teresa said. “Mostly it's that God's been working there along side the research project, and certain events have helped concentrate the mind. I was really impressed by the compassion and integrity of the researchers.”
“I'll take your word for it. And the big secret?”
“What we can do, Albert, is give you a non-disclosure agreement,” Teresa said. “You can sign it now or get it checked by your legal advisor. I warn you that it has very strict penalty clauses, so you might want that advice. When you've signed, then we'll give you a disclosure document we prepared for our clients, describing the controversial research that the Institute is carrying out, a very top secret list of clients you can contact easily to verify that they have received the same information, and if you desire it then the research team can prove what is described in the disclosure.”
“And if I decline?”
“Then you have to decide whether to proceed without that information. The reporter would have to sign a similar document anyway, and we presume that it would make their reporting far easier if they had an editor who knew the whole story.”
“Oh, let me read it.”
Teresa handed Albert the data-crystal which held the document, and Pete made them all a cup of tea.
“You're joking!” Albert exclaimed, reaching the penalty clause. “Half my personal wealth if I break the agreement?”
“It is reciprocal. There is a similar non-disclosure agreement for all the relevant members of the project, with a very similar clause.”
“Do you have any idea how much you're talking about, young lady?”
“Not exactly, no. But I have been authorised to tell you that one of the first staff members who signed the equivalent form will soon receive approximately this much, left in trust.” She showed him the certificate from Sarah's trustees, with all names blanked out of course.
Albert’s eyes opened wide. “That's quite an inheritance.”
“And quite a guarantee that the person involved will not disclose anything that is learned from clients. Of course your agreement is time limited. Once the papers are written then you'll be free to comment on what you learn, within the limits of the law, of course. Project members' agreements are not time limited.”
“And the full text of that agreement, can I read it?”
“It forms part of the disclosure document sent to our clients.”
“Well, I know how to keep secrets, I'll sign,” and he did.
“Thank you, Albert.” Teresa handed him another crystal. He started to read it.
“Mind reading? The Institute are investigating mind readers? It's nothing but a fairground trick, surely!”
“No, Albert. We're not talking about ‘you're thinking of a relative’ sideshow stuff. You think something while touching them and they hear it as clearly as you hear me now. And just as unavoidable as physical hearing,” Teresa said.
“It also works through metalwork. Or if you are close to them, and decide something that affects them, they'd hear that decision,” Pete said.
“So there are civil liberty implications if it were used in law enforcement, I can see that.”
“And if someone without morals has it, they find the world is full of opportunities for espionage, fraud, theft, blackmail, extortion and so on. You can imagine what uses it might be put to, I'm sure.”
“Yes, I see that. I see. And the risks you spoke of earlier — by publishing this, we'd possibly be exposing some criminal's modus operandi. And they could be powerful figures in the underworld.”
“Yes. I'd suggest you don't put anyone on the story who has a young family.”
“Assuming I can convince the new owners to sign on the line.”
“I'd start near the top if I was you. Have you looked at that list of names?”
“Not yet.” He glanced at the file. “Oh, I see what you mean. So these people know about the offer already?”
“No, but I'm sure they'll quickly work out what a story the offer includes when you talk to them about it.”
“But I still don't really get why you want to explain your work. Why not just publish?”
“We were thinking about phrases like ‘media circus’ and ‘feeding frenzy’ when this reaches the public's attention. Especially if you add the term ‘witch hunt.’”
“Ah. Yes. I see. So if you've got a journalist on site already, then the press's innate desire for ‘more more more information’ when doors are closed against them becomes a different but nevertheless strong desire to break an exclusive deal. Which normally involves more lawyers, less long lenses, and of course would give them two targets instead of just one. Very sensible.” He paused for a little thinking time. “And if someone talks of witchcraft, then our reporter can laugh it away saying, ‘the so called coven of witches are very short on flickering candles but they have been trying to convert me to Christ.’ Yes, I understand. You get the sort of good publicity that money can't buy, we get the scoop of the century, if not millennium. Both of us win. I will try very very hard to get this agreed to. Thank you for asking for this discussion. Urm. The thing about gloves. It works? It's that simple?”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Teresa answered, pulling out her lace evening gloves. “Dry fabric seems to work well. Even flimsy things like these. I don't think it counts as insider trading to suggest that glove manufacturers are in for a good year.”
“Such an elegant solution! I presume that a note to our fashion editor that evening gloves seem to be becoming all day accessories wouldn't constitute disclosure?”
“Not at all. You could even say that you've heard someone recommending them saying they stop the weather from drying out your skin, and avoid various other problems.”
“Thank you. I must get some for my wife.”
“And for yourself?” Pete asked, getting out his cycling gloves. “These might not be quite so elegant, but they work just as well, and I'm sure they've saved me the odd grazed knuckle when I accidentally walk too close to a wall.”
“I do believe you're right, Pete. And they're becoming more popular too?”
“Oh, yes, I've got several friends at church who wouldn't go anywhere without some sort of gloves on. I'm sure it's a new fashion. You'll see a growing number of industry leaders and politicians wearing gloves when they're out and about, I believe, though some prefer smart leather.”
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“Kate, I'd be very surprised if we need to contact anyone else,” Pete reported. “The only question in my mind is how soon we get the answer. If I were a betting man I'd say about 5 o'clock, taking time zones into account.”
“Really?” Kate was surprised.
“You don't get to be editor in chief by being slow at decision making.”
Pete was wrong. He got the call at half past three.
“You've made quite a lot of people very happy, Pete. Thank you. Offer accepted. The director agrees with me, best guy for the assignment is Bob McDaniel.”
“Mr. Respected himself, thank you indeed. Hopefully Security don't have any quibbles.”
“Don't see why they should. I mean, they let him do that series on the royal family.”
“True.”
“Actually, Bob is overjoyed to get this assignment. He's due to retire pretty soon, and had been really worried about having to end his career on minor stories. I mean, there's still conflicts going on and the like, but he's not really fit enough to be chasing over hilltops any more.”
“I'll pass on the good news, and the Institute will forward his name to Security, Albert. Thanks.”
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“Kate, you know that we were hoping to get a known, respected journalist? How does Robert McDaniel strike you?”
“You are joking, aren't you? Robert ‘My month with the royal family’ McDaniel? Not someone else by the same name?”
“The man himself.”
“Well. Hmm. I wonder what Karen will say. I'll just ask.”
[Karen? Reporter looks like it'll be Robert McDaniel. Does he know you?]
[Yes. Certainly. Always greets me by name, with no memory searching. Used to be a good storyteller too. Shame there are no kids around.]
[Well, I suppose we could still draft young May Ngbila, but at her age she's probably past stories. Do you want to break the news to your mother, or shall I just fill in the form?]
[You fill in the form, Kate. I'll tell Mummy.]
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Karen called her mother right away. “Hello, Mummy, can you talk? Not urgent, but it's work related.”
“Hello, Karen, yes, OK. What is it?”
“Mummy, Kate's filling in the forms right now, but we've just heard who the reporter they want to assign is — Robert McDaniel. Is that good news, bad news or do we need to rethink everything?”
“Very good news for the Institute, Karen. And not much of a problem. I'm surprised, but really you couldn't get a better reporter. You know he's a Christian?”
“No, I didn't, not for certain.”
“Well, he doesn't make a big thing of it in his reports, but yes.”
“Can I pass it on, or is it something we should let him tell us?”
“I'm not sure. See what you can find out about him on the net. If you don't see anything there, then you'd only have known from me, I expect.”
“You my Mummy, or you in your job?”
“Job, dear, so don't give away secrets if it is one.”
“OK. So, should I prepare a briefing for him on everyone? Or would that spoil his fun?”
“Oh, I'd recommend that you prepare a briefing. Include what the people there know about you, since he probably knows more. Put the others’ in an envelope so he has the choice.”
“Thanks, Mummy. One other thought. What about the gift? We weren't sure if we should write about it, and I know you suggested leaving it for a while. But it's going to be hard going to keep it a secret.”
“Yes, he'll notice there's more than you're telling him.”
“I wonder what the others would think if we did a paper aimed at a theological journal about the gift, rather than a scientific one.”
“Sounds more appropriate, dear. Very different attitudes to mentioning God to start with.”
“And if we're aiming at publication then we can tell him, and he'll be bound to not pass it on.”
“You discuss it, dear. How are you and George getting on?”
“OK, Mummy. Very well in fact. I'm definitely not intending to tell him to get lost for a decade.”
“He seemed a pleasant young man. You could obviously do far far worse. Have you two made any plans for the wedding or engagement that I should know about?”
“Nothing concrete. But I don't fancy dancing with all the dirty minded young brats at the autumn ball this year. I was thinking that if we're engaged then no one would really mind me being his exclusive dance partner.”
“Well, yes, that's one option. But you should probably just opt out of the dancing all together. I mean, just because you're out of the cast doesn't mean you can dance straight away! Maybe even you coming should depend on the trial too.”
“Any idea when it'll be?”
“Not yet. Too many open questions. And Pris won't be able to testify easily until after the ball. But she could give video testimony, and well, seeing her with no fingers would probably help the jury appreciate his crimes.”
“But will there be a trial? Kate said he'd admitted everything.”
“Almost everything. And possibly some things he's not guilty of. It's either a cunning plan, or he's lost his marbles.”
“Or maybe he was being pushed, or even threatened by someone else?”
“Was that your idea?”
“No. Sarah's. It seemed a bit like he was making too many mistakes from the description you'd given, like he was improvising too much.”
“Yes. Roland doesn't improvise well. He's a long range planner.”
“Why didn't you tell me about him, Mummy?”
“We thought he'd be in jail a long time, then he was released earlier than anyone expected — we're trying to find out who actually authorized that — and I couldn't really get away. I certainly wasn't going to tell you about him except face to face. I'm sorry. It was bad planning, and look at where it's got you.”
“It's OK, Mummy. It's worked out for the best, I think. If I'd known, maybe I wouldn't have been so silly, wouldn't have got this gift, or fallen in love with George.”
“And those two are pluses?”
“I think so, Mummy. If I didn't have the gift, I wouldn't have found the tunnel, after all. What's happening there, by the way?”
“Well, family claims we've got the wrong guy of course, he's not saying anything, the local authorities want to use torture or truth drugs on him, of course, but we're really hoping it won't come to that.”
“Oh no. I'd forgotten they'd consider that.”
“Do you want to chat that over with your ethics committee?”
“What, me interview him and get him to think about the answer?”
“Or George.”
“It wouldn't be admissible in court, surely.”
“Nor would the other, and he'd still be able to walk afterwards. But he wouldn't even need to know.”
“I don't know, Mummy. It sounds like a lesser of two evils argument to me. I don't want to use this gift for any evil. But if you want me to give it serious consideration, then I'm going to have to discuss it all with Enoch.”
“Enoch? The guy who helped you limit Roland's torture spree?”
“Yes. He's a policeman, had the gift a long time, he must have faced dilemmas like this. But I'd have to let him know that we live in the embassy compound, at least. He's guessed that maybe you worked at Security, which Kate neither confirmed nor denied and told him not to ask such things.”
“Can you get me his full name, rank, address and so on?”
“I guess so. Do I tell him why?”
“So you can get him basic clearance to help you with a dilemma.”
“OK, Mummy. If you really want me to. Now I'd better get back to work.”
“Me too. I wonder if you and George should visit home even if you don't talk to the tunneller. You could introduce George to Daddy. Oh, do make sure you give your father and me at least a couple of months' notice before the wedding, OK?”
“Mummy! We're actually planning to wait until after the end of university.”
“Just thinking ahead! Personally, I don't expect you'll want to wait that long, dear. Now do take care.”
“I love you too, Mummy.”
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She looked at the clock. If Enoch was already awake then it'd be a miracle, and she didn't think her mother's suggestion was that urgent. She talked to George instead.
[George love?]
[Yes precious?]
[{love} Don't do that, George!]
[Sorry. {grin}]
[No, you're not, but you're going to trigger feedback one of these days, and then where would we be?]
[Not holding hands any more. Sorry.]
[So you should be. You've heard about the reporter?]
[Kate said. You know him?]
[He knows me. But George, When I told Mummy, she gave me an ethical dilemma in exchange. Among other tidbits of advice.]
[So, more experiments while we talk about it?]
[Yes please, if that's OK.]
[Of course it is!]
The checks the previous week had shown that there was possibly some kind of magnetic link as well, which possibly explained the intention effect. Iron of course transmitted that well. Ivan had been trying to set up coils and magnetometers to measure what they were transmitting, but it needed data.
All they needed to do was sit with their heads not moving, and think at each other. The not moving bit was hardest.
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[So, tell me about your dilemma, love.]
[You know the guy I caught in the tunnel?]
[Yes, they caught him, didn't they?]
[Yes, he's in local custody, his family are claiming he's innocent, not even just digging where he was told, but totally the wrong guy. He's not saying anything, and the local authorities really want him to talk, name his employer, who else he was working with, something, so they can put an end to the diplomatic embarrassment without it turning into a crisis.]
[And you mother suggested you scan him? That's outrageous!]
[So is torture, George.]
[Your mother would suggest he be tortured?] George was shocked.
[No! George, how could you? The authorities there have though. They probably would have used it already if there hadn't been pressure from my father. Mummy didn't say, but I expect the embassy staff are keeping a close eye on him, just so he doesn't ‘accidentally hurt himself.’]
[Oh. Sorry, love.]
[So, we have an opportunity to solve a diplomatic crisis without anyone being hurt. By the use of the power if he cooperates, or the gift if he doesn't.]
[If he cooperates?]
[Well, he probably doesn't want to be tortured, but I expect he's taken vows or invoked curses that he wouldn't speak. It's fairly standard there.]
[So maybe thinking doesn't count as oath breaking, and he'd be willing to answer?]
[Exactly.]
[But he'd have to be brought here.]
[No. We'd have to go there. Mummy's invited you anyway so that you can meet my Daddy in person.]
[Urm, that's not going to be an easy journey if I'm stuck in this building. Or cheap.]
[I expect she'll suggest we fly with her, George. She's going home soon, I'm sure.]
[So I'd go from hiding in a safe house to catching a plane at a busy airport? Doesn't seem quite normal to me, Karen.]
[Government jet, silly. Probably military transport actually. Don't think comfort, think noise and security.]
[Ah. So not a busy airport?]
[Not in the terms you're thinking of, no.]
[And I'd see where you grew up?]
[One of the places, yes. Actually, possibly bits of all of them, depending what route we take.]
[So if we agree, then the government pays for us to go and read this terrorist's mind, I meet your father and see your old haunts?]
[And if we don't agree then Mummy and Daddy pay instead. It's not a bribe, George, but it would solve a problem.]
[OK. So we'd just need to decide on the ethics of it all.]
[Yes. I'm going to ask Enoch's advice if Mummy can get him enough clearance to be told about it.]
[Good idea. If it goes ahead, how would it work? Through an interpreter?]
[I expect it'd be better if I asked directly. I speak the language.]
[But if he recognises you?]
[I'd probably be veiled. It'd fit the role I'm thinking of adopting.]
[Oh?]
[Something along the lines of “I am a servant of the most high God, the God of Abraham who destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the God of Moses who killed the first born of Egypt when Pharaoh was stubborn, whose Holy name is forever honoured and who judges the living and the dead. He knows all things and nothing is impossible for Him. Through the gift of truth He has given me I can know your thoughts and if you lie. “]
[Wow. And it's true, isn't it? Every single word.]
[Of course. You could say the same thing. We could say more, claim more, but I think that sort of thing which would get looks of incredulity if you said it here, would get their attention there. We'd probably get a tribal elder or someone of similar stature to confirm that he broke no vow of silence. Maybe his wife too.]
[And if he's an atheist? And why his wife?]
[Then he'd probably have spoken already, and if he's speaking to strange young women, why not? Actually, it'd help if he had thoughts about going home, I'm sure.]
[You think we should do this, don't you?]
[Yes, if he's willing. If he's not then it gets more complicated.]
[Much. It'd be good to hear what Enoch says.]
[Yes.]
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[Enoch, it's Karen. Can you help with an ethical dilemma?]
[You guys are full of them, aren't you?]
[This one's pretty messy. So, I could ask you in very general terms, or if you're happy about it then I can pass on your name, rank, serial number, address, etc. to Security here, and then they'd tell me if I can tell you all the details.]
[Wow. That's some dilemma! How on earth would your security guys decide if I'm a safe person to tell?]
[Oh, they'd probably ask their counterparts, maybe through the embassy, add that to the Godly clearance you've already got and then they'll say go ahead.]
[They'd know about my gift?]
[Our contact in Security, who knows about our gifts and already heard us using the name Enoch referring to our teacher, would know your details. But the fact that you're gifted wouldn't be passed around. You said you were in schools liaison?]
[Yes.]
[Then we could ask that the request be worded as though you were someone an ambassador's kid wanted to ask some questions, and were you a safe person for them to reveal family details to.]
[You seem to know the process quite well, Karen. But, yes, OK on those terms.]
[I've been well briefed. Stop guessing until you're cleared, please, Enoch.]
[So if they ask me what ambassador's kid I've been giving my details to, then what do I say?]
[Say that the kid got your name from a friend and you'd been approached to help with an ethics paper.]
[OK kid, here are my details...] Karen wrote them down.
[Thank you, Enoch]
[Are you going to tell me anything or do I wait?]
[It involves a current investigation you know nothing about. Using the power or the gift if the arrested underling has taken a vow of silence. Don't leap to conclusions until you know more.]
[But the underling isn't happy about their vow now?]
[That sort of thing. It's more complex.]
[Get me that clearance then.]