And his skills were, indeed, in high demand. Primarily be-cause, in the secretive community of germ warfare, Tolvanos was a legend.
He deserved the reputation. He had achieved devastating and exceedingly deadly success in highly contagious viral infections that could cause long, lingering suffering before an utterly unalterable death.
It was the work of genius because Tolvanos' viral weapons were far more effective than simple nerve gas agents that merely killed. Not only did his shifting antigen viruses eliminate the effectiveness of a single soldier, but the long incubation period exposed even more soldiers, ambulatory personnel, nurses and doctors in critical care of the ailing patient, in turn infecting them also to kill on an increasing geometric curve.
Almost from the start of Leviathan, Stygian Enterprises had requested Tolvanos presence and input, but Frank had refused to let the Russian join the effort. He had even threatened to back out and work for similar projects under development by the Germans and Japanese if Stygian didn't accede to his demands. In the end the company had blinked, cutting Tolvanos out of the loop. It was something the Russian physicist had never forgotten or forgiven.
Now, however, he was back to claim his share of the game. And to claim his share of the profit that Stygian would make for selling Leviathan to the American government. Frank knew Tolvanos wasn't insane, just utterly committed to furthering his own game plan.
Sweat on the Russian's skin gleamed like glass on white satin. “I do not play games, Doctor,” he whispered. He shook his head ominously, as if the words should be sufficient for an intelligent man. “I am a man of science, Frank. So I do not play games in this arena. There is far too much at stake. And if you are half as intelligent as I perceive you to be, you should know that resistance to my will is futile.”
Frank laughed, but he was wishing fervently that Chesterton would arrive and put these people in their place. But Frank had a bad feeling about that, too, observing the stranger in the dark green Army uniform. Although Frank didn't understand rank, he knew the broad gold insignia on the collar indicated something serious. Just as the twenty men behind him in SWAT-type black fatigues indicated something serious. This project was, after all, guarded by the United States Army. Chesterton could always be outranked.
Adler rose from his chair. “Frank,” he leaned over the computer chair, “why won't you cooperate? I have already told you that we will take every possible precaution.”
Frank stalled for Chesterton's imminent arrival. “Cement the cavern corridors like Chesterton said to do and then I'll run all the tests you want. But not until then.”
“I am not a fool, young man!” Adler growled. “I know that you will never agree to test the creature yourself. You irrationally believe that it is too dangerous. But you overestimate Leviathan's power! You don't even understand your own creation! So I only ask you to turn over what is not yours to keep! You do not own the computer! You do not own GEO! You designed it, yes, and programmed it, but it was bought and built by Stygian Enterprises. And despite your mutinous actions, Frank, we will eventually find a way to circumvent the Voice Control System. I simply want to avoid the unnecessary expenditure of manpower which will further delay tests.”
Frank caught something in Adler's voice.
“Why is it so important that we test immediately?” he asked. The old man hesitated. But Frank knew the answer, knew it immediately, and knew it all went back to the beginning of the project when, as Frank had understood, the American government decided to develop the ultimate biological military deterrent. Originally the plan was coded “Project: Doomsday,” and was later altered to “Project: Leviathan.”
Yes, the title had changed, but not the purpose: The Purpose of Project Doomsday, by Executive Order, shall be to create the ultimate biological military deterrent, a controllable biological weapons system ultimately unstoppable against any standing army but which does not result in biological or radioactive poisoning of the atmosphere or subjugated territories.
Nor had America been the only nation to think of using Electromagnetic Chromosomal Manipulation for such a purpose.
There was first this facility, run by Stygian Enterprises, the private defense contractor that had bought Frank's services. Then there was a Japanese company, Yashima Cyberspace Technology, which also stood on the threshold of ECM success. And finally, a West German company located in Frankfurt.
For the past year it had been an around-the-clock race to determine who would be the first to develop the biological warfare technology, the ultimate military deterrent.
“What has Yashima done?” Frank asked, centering on Adler.