***** Vol.5 Chap.20 Useless suggestions *****

Frank heard a knock on the door. “Come in.” Frank said aloud. It was Kristin.

“Well, are you as surprised as I am?” Kristin started off the conversation.

“Who would not be?”

“Why me? Why you? Why May-Ling?”

“I have no clue at all.”

“Well, I was at a dead-end job. My career was over.”

“Same here.”

“What about May-Ling?”

“I have no idea. I thought she was one of those up and rising doctors.”

“The whole thing does not make sense.”

“Nothing makes sense.”

“Well, what do you think about this warfare thing? You think it is real?”

“I can believe anything at this point.”

“Doesn’t it sound too farfetched to you?”

“I can believe anything after today.”

“For all I know, we could be in a space ship speeding out of the galaxy.”

“Could be. There is no way to tell. If we are on a space ship, then it is very steady.”

“Maybe it is a very advanced space ship. Don’t you think?”

“I really don’t think so, because I walked down a series of steps to get to the cubicle. Then going from the cubicle to here, I saw that we were traveling in a tunnel. So, I think it is correct that we are in some kind of subterranean cavern.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Okay, assume that you are right, do you buy this whole thing about the biological warfare in Glybiana?”

“Of course, even our government has warned about this situation for quite some time now. We just have no idea how far our enemies had gone.

“So, you believe everything that this Elijah fellow said?”

“Let’s put it this way, I see no reason not to disagree.”

“I wish I have your confidence.”

They both felt silent for a while.

There was another knock on Frank’s door.

“Come in.” Frank said aloud.

May-Ling opened the door. She was not surprised to find Kristin there. “Have you guys got a viable solution already?” May-Ling asked.

“We wished.” Kristin and Frank both answered at the same time. They sat there looking at one another for a while. Then Kristin started the conversation again, “Well, what do you think regarding our mission?”

“I think we are out of time for diplomatic solutions.”

“I never consider diplomatic solution to work at all.”

“I think that the front entrance is too heavily defended that it would be hard to go in that way. However, it would be easier to gain entrance to the compound through the airshaft or from the underground stream. Here, I found the layout of the compound. Let me show you.”

They both looked intently at the lab layout. Then they shook their heads.

“This is tough. Do we know anything about their security system?” Kristin asked?

“I have not got to that part yet.”

“You don’t want diplomatic solution. You said that is too slow. You don’t want military solution. You said that is against the prime directive. What other solution is there?” Kristin asked.

Again, the three fell silent.

Kristin paced around impatiently. May-Ling put her head on her hands on the table. Frank was drumming on the table with his fingers.

Kristin stopped and raised her hand. She was about to speak, but then she shook her head and resumed her pacing.

She did that several times.

“What if we capture this mad scientist and I can treat him with acupuncture?” May-Ling offered her suggestion.

“But you said the effect is only temporary?” Frank questioned her.

“Yes., it is not a permanent solution.”

“If I can get back up to the cavern and get this special flower, the tea brewed with this flower eradicate any violence among the drinkers.” May-Ling thought she really had something.

“Does that mean that we will have to serve them this tea every day?” Now it is Kristin’s turn to shoot down the idea.

“I guess you are right.”

“Besides, they will find someone else to continue the work.” Frank added.

“What do you think, Frank?” Kristin asked.

“I thought of sending them a computer virus that would wipe out their database. But I am sure that they would have log books, as all good scientists do, that record what they have discovered. Wiping out their database may be a slight setback, but we cannot wipe out what they know.”

“That is for sure.” Kristin said.

“I don’t think any hindrance to their work is productive.” Frank said thoughtfully.

“Then we are doomed.” May-Ling said in a resigned tone.