Leviathan(42)

“With Leviathan nothing is impossible.”

“It is impossible, Doctor,” Tolvanos stressed. “Nitrogen in its purest form is a poisonous element. To any creature.”

“Unless ...” Frank began.

Tolvanos was still. “Yes, Doctor?”

“You're so smart, you figure it out,” Frank replied, opening one eye.

Tolvanos smile never reached his pale eyes. “I see. You wish to mock me. Well, I do not play games, Doctor. I am a scientist. Leviathan will sleep until I choose to wake it up, which will be very, very soon.”

Frank laughed, casting Chesterton a glance.

“Nitrogen molecules pass over a fibrous potassium water membrane that might have developed around Leviathan's lungs,” he said, abruptly dropping his hand to stare at a frozen Tolvanos. “A large portion of the nitrogen reacts with potassium to make KNO3. Potassium nitrate – a harmless chemical that's found in everyone. Then the stored oxygen inside Leviathan begins a measured reaction with the remaining level of nitrogen in its blood system to thin the nitrogen even more until the blood is oxygenated to one-half normal atmosphere. Or about 18 percent oxygenated. Enough for Leviathan to operate at full strength.”

“Unlikely, Doctor,” Tolvanos replied slowly. “And even if Leviathan could accomplish such a phenomenal mutation, it could not continue active movement forever. The beast would need the cleanly oxygenated air in its lungs for the process. The 270 liters of stored air would not last very long with the creature operating at full strength. And even the potassium nitrate, normally harmless, would eventually accumulate to a fatal level.”

“Leviathan could continue long enough to rupture a door of the Containment Cavern, Tolvanos. That would give it all the oxygen it needed. Enough oxygen to ignite the carpasioxyllelene. It would clean its blood of the potassium nitrate after it escaped.”

“I see no evidence that it can accomplish such a task,” the Russian replied angrily. “How can you presume that the creature has the propensity for such a fantastic mutation?”

Frank laughed. “A wild guess.”

“Well, I do not guess, Doctor,” Tolvanos retorted. “Nor am I irresponsible as you so transparently infer. I am an accomplished scientist, just as yourself. Our major difference, Dr. Frank, is that you are restrained by a highly developed personal code of honor while I am not so restrained.” He paused. “Be assured, Doctor. I am not an evil man, and circumstances of our earlier meeting may have cast me in an improper light. But I felt provoked by your obstinance and I ... I admit that I am sometimes too committed to my objective. It is a fault. But I tell you now that you have my genuine respect, and that I regret this event. Your prodigious, extraordinary brilliance commands international admiration, including mine. It would have been an honor to have worked beside you, Dr. Frank, instead of against you.”

Frank's head was bowed, his face expressionless.

Tolvanos stared a moment, as if waiting. Then he turned and walked away, dragging a strangely submissive Adler in tow. Chesterton watched them vanish through the door, his face stoic. When they were fully gone he looked back at Frank, and Frank saw a flicker of serious intent narrow the colonel's dark eyes. He moved on it.

“You've got to do something, Chesterton,” he whispered. “You've got to do something before they kill all of us.”

Dr. Jason Hoffman shouted, staring at the monitor. Behind him science personnel whirled, watching, as if they expected the older man to fall from his chair before the computer panel.

Hoffman was pointing to the screen.

“Did you see it!” he shouted. “It-it-it moved!”

Immediately he was surrounded by science personnel who stood staring at the screen. But the creature was as still as the stone surrounding it. There was no shifting of the reptilian form, any cracks visible between the heavy black armor plates. Nothing could be seen but hardened scales, the muscular tail coiled tightly over the feet and long, serpentine neck.

“It moved! I swear to you!” Hoffman whispered. “It is beginning to awaken!”

For a time everyone continued to watch, but nothing more occurred. Then they patted the old man compassionately on the shoulders before moving back to their stations. But Hoffman continued to stare, as if mesmerized, watching and knowing, knowing somehow that it was coming, had always been coming ...

* * *



Bearing a thick coil of 440 wire, Connor strode up a cavern walkway projecting a severely overworked, harassed expression. In moments he encountered an Army lieutenant, a tall, stoic man whom Connor knew to be smart, fair, and competent.

Lieutenant Barley walked forward, lean and muscular and disciplined, the epitome of a professional soldier. Because he was both polite and efficient, Connor had always held Barley in high respect. The man smiled warmly as Connor walked up.