Leviathan(35)
The old man gazed down. “What Yashima may or may not have done is none of your concern, Doctor.”
“I think it is.”
Tolvanos spoke. “They have broken through to the other side, Dr. Frank.”
Frank focused on the indifferent face.
“Yes,” Tolvanos continued, solemn, “they have beaten you, Doctor. They have done what you could not do. Yashima has demonstrated without question that a vertebrate can be genetically and ultimately enhanced for purposes of total war.”
Frank searched the white eyes. “What do you mean? What did Yashima do?”
“Yashima crossed the void, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “They used ECM to genetically alter a superior beast of prey and they succeeded. Succeeded tremendously, I might add.”
Frank held a defiant silence.
“Dr. Tolvanos,” Adler began, shifting nervously, “I don't think—”
“Yes, Doctor,” the Russian physicist continued coldly. “Until yesterday Yashima Technology was the sole possessor of a thoroughly tested weapon of war created by Electromagnetic Chromosomal Manipulation.” And the Russian said silently: You have failed. Dr. Frank. You have failed because I was not working at your side.
Frank wasn't touched. “I asked you a question, Doctor. What exactly did Yashima do?”
A pause, and Tolvanos laughed harshly, retreating from any semblance of respect. “Yashima created the world's first genetically enhanced beast of prey, Doctor. A beast specifically created and genetically altered so that its single reason for existing would be to wreak havoc on an army. That is exactly what Yashima did.”
“You're lying.”
“No,’' Tolvanos replied, shaking his head. “Hardly, Doctor. I never lie about such things. The Japanese successfully altered a lion, I think it was, into something the world has never seen. And never wanted to see, I assure you. A singularly vicious creature, according to our most reliable intelligence reports. It weighed well over two thousand kilos and was of a rather startling transformation of structure. It did not so much resemble a lion, in the end, I think. It was almost like a god, or something from another world. It was vastly, almost unbelievably intelligent. Strong beyond belief. And with a superior weapons arsenal that included thermal senses and night vision. Means-testing on its claws and fangs revealed a level of hardness that surpassed diamond molecularly molded around steel cores. Not one-tenth as powerful as Leviathan, no, but still strong and armored enough to survive light weapons fire, in truth, a creature of phenomenal power.” He frowned. “Now, fortunately for us, it is gone, along with Yashima's computers, records, everything else, the result of a sudden and tragic accident.”
A hushed silence dominated the Observation Room.
“What kind of accident, Tolvanos?”
“An explosion, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “It seems that someone from Stygian Enterprises sabotaged the facility with what may have been the largest nonnuclear explosion in the history of the world.” His stare was utterly devoid of emotion. “Suddenly ... no more research facility. No more creature. No more nothing.”
Frank turned to stare at Adler. “I can't believe you people did that,” he whispered. “Chesterton will absolutely kill you when he finds out about this. He is going to go absolutely ape-crazy ballistic.”
Trembling, Adler whirled, glaring at Tolvanos. “Dr. Tolvanos! I believe enough has been said about whatever ... ah ... accidents may have—”
“So it is clear, Doctor,” Tolvanos continued, “America is currently losing the arms race. I am employed by the American government through Stygian Enterprises to ensure that such does not happen.”
“You work for the Russians, Tolvanos,” Frank muttered.
“Oh no, Doctor,” the Russian replied. “Please, do not be mistaken. My previous national loyalties have nothing to do with my current loyalties.” He paused, laughing lightly. “You yourself can remember how, ah, generously the German rocket scientists of World War II, who were only days from perfecting the V-2 which would have burned England to dust and changed the fate of the war, were received by your own government. They were lauded as heroes, and American cities, streets, and civic centers were named after them. But if these same scientists had succeeded in fully developing the V-2 rocket before 1944, Germany would have decisively won the war. And within a few more years, Hitler would have possessed the intercontinental ballistic missile along with the hydrogen bomb that it would deliver. Then, to be cruel, Hitler would have crossed the Atlantic to invade American soil. And quite probably would have won.” He paused.