Leviathan(87)
Glancing up, the scientist rose to his feet. And then Connor was also moving forward, intent to have a say in whatever was about to happen, Thor steadfastly beside him. Together they convened at the steps with Chesterton in the middle, holding forth like a king.
“Well, gentlemen, I think—”
“I think,” Adler interrupted sternly, “that these men – ” He gestured to Connor and Thor, “ – should take their seats elsewhere until we sort this out.”
“Don't make me hurt you, Adler,” Connor said wearily. “I'm not in the mood.”
Chesterton smiled broadly as Adler straightened, turning toward Connor with an imperial air. “Now understand this, Mr. Connor. I ultimately own this facility. That means you work for me. So if I want you to be in on this meeting, I will tell you. If not, then I expect you to do as you’re told. Now, please go and console your family while we proceed.”
A measured pause and Connor turned to the older man. “Adler, I want you to know something,” he said quietly. “If we make it out of here, you and I are going to have a serious meeting of minds.”
Adler stared, seeming suddenly to enjoy the conflict.
“Is that a threat, Mr. Connor?”
“You should take it like that.”
“I look forward to it,” the older man responded.
“All right,” Chesterton broke in. “First things first. Listen up, Frank. I want to know why that thing hasn't followed us into the Housing Cavern. Why hasn't it knocked down all those vaults by now?”
“Connor injured it,” the scientist replied, studious. “After Leviathan was hit by the charge it went into a self-diagnostic mode. It realized that it was structurally compromised and it knew it needed time to heal.”
“What do you mean, it realized it was hurt?” Chesterton answered, scowling. “Couldn't it feel that it was hurt? I mean, it had a broken leg.”
“No. Leviathan doesn't feel pain like we feel pain,” Frank answered, eyes zoning to recall the data. “If Leviathan perceives injury it does a visual and neural self-diagnosis of electric—”
“All right, Frank, all right.” Chesterton raised a hand. “I've had enough of that stuff. I get the point. It doesn't feel pain. I don't care why. I'm too tired to care why.” He took a deep breath. “In any case you're saying that it hasn't attacked because it's healing. That's good because it means we've got plenty of time to regroup and get out of this cavern.” He waited, concentrated. “Do you think its hurt bad enough to try for the lake?”
“No,” Frank replied. “It's stronger than that. It won't try for the lake until it's dying.”
“You're sure?”
“I’m sure, Chesterton.”
“All right, Frank, how much longer before it attacks us? A couple of days, maybe?”
“An hour or two.”
Chesterton passed a hand over his face. He seemed to have expected it. “All right, Frank, let me explain this one for you, just to give you some relief. You've molecularly altered this thing so that it heals up real, real fast, right? Heals almost instantly from any kind of wound?”
Frank nodded.
Tolvanos was enraptured.
“Incredible,” he muttered.
“All right.” Chesterton nodded. “Can you tell me where Leviathan is right now? Is GEO still tracking it?”
Raising the headset Frank spoke. “GEO, this is Dr. Frank. Give me the location of Leviathan.”
“Leviathan is at the junction of Alpha and Beta corridors.”
“How long has Leviathan been stationary?”
“Leviathan has been stationary for one hour and six minutes.”
“And what is the internal status of Leviathan?”
“Leviathan's heart rate is twelve beats per minute. Internal resting temperature has increased to 400 degrees and EEG activity has dropped to twelve.”
“Does Leviathan appear to be feeding?”
“Leviathan is not feeding. Leviathan has ceased feeding and has rerouted mitosis in bio feed loop.”
“How long before mitosis is complete?”
“Insufficient data exists to determine how—”
“Terminate answer. GEO, this is a standing command: Alert me over the intercom system if Leviathan begins moving again. And alert me if Leviathan makes any attempt to move through the power plant to approach Crystal Lake. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Dr. Frank.”
Frank looked at Chesterton. “It's been feeding on the—”
“I know what's it's been feeding on, Doctor.” Chesterton's eyes went dead at the words. “I know exactly what it's been feeding on.” He sniffed, rolling his neck before focusing on Connor. “What do you suggest we do, Connor? You know this place as well as anyone.”