“NO!” Connor yelled.
And Thor had spun, leaping to his feet with the battle-ax almost magically appearing in his hand. Roaring a Nordic curse that thundered across the cavern, he immediately angled forward, the weapon raised
“Tolvanos!” Connor shouted, struggling to control his rage. “This is crazy! We've got to—”
Muttering, Thor closed a step but at the movement Tolvanos pressed the barrel hard against Beth's neck. Connor saw her face tighten with fear even as she reached down calmly, trying to soothe Jordan, who was howling and crying with fear.
“You are making a decision of deadly consequences,” the Russian said, focusing intently on Thor. “Although this rather small firearm would never kill you, it will certainly kill this lovely lady.”
“I have never lifted my hand against another man,” Thor growled, lowering his head like a bull. “But I swear before Almighty God: Your blood will follow hers.”
Tolvanos smiled. “I am not afraid to die.”
Thor grimaced and stepped forward and with a sharp click Tolvanos thumbed back the hammer. “Do you think I'm bluffing?” he asked with a curt nod. “Please, take one more step. Discover the truth.”
“Hold it, Thor!” Connor said, focusing on the Russian. “What do you want, Tolvanos?”
“Oh, I want to escape the wrath of the creature, of course,” he smiled, teeth as white as his face. His eyes were opaque. “As any sane man would. That is why I waited until this moment to do what I have done. But I cannot allow you to destroy this cavern, Mr. Connor, because I know without question that Leviathan can ultimately be reprogrammed and controlled. And the computer is the only device that can accomplish such a task.”
“You're a fool, Tolvanos!” Connor said, taking a small step. “That thing can't be controlled! It could never be controlled! And we're all going to be killed if we don't get off this island! The fail-safe is on a timer! We've got less than seven hours!”
The Russian smiled, a horrifying sight. “I know, Mr. Connor. I know. And that is why you or Dr. Frank must first disarm this nuclear device before I set your wife free. Because we cannot afford to lose this cavern or the computer to a futile explosion.”
Connor glared. “Why?”
“Because GEO can always track Leviathan, Mr. Connor,” the Russian responded. “Even if the creature escapes into the sea, GEO can track it by satellite anywhere in the world. And I am convinced that, despite Dr. Frank's grievous scientific errors, the beast can be captured and reprogrammed.” He stared. “But we can do none of that if GEO is destroyed. So Dr. Frank must first ensure the safety of the computer and this facility by disarming the nuclear fail-safe. And then, and only then, will we depart this cavern.”
The speaker whispered.
“Leviathan is at Lucifer's Gorge.”
* * *
Chapter 21
Two minutes!” Chesterton shouted, pale and trembling. “That thing will be here in less than two minutes!”
Connor stepped boldly forward. “Listen to me, Tolvanos! We can settle it when we get to the surface! You heard Chesterton!”
“Then I suggest you disarm the nuclear fail-safe rather quickly,” the Russian replied calmly. He motioned to his science team. “Go quickly through the shaft and rewire the elevator so that we can make a departure! You may take Mr. Adler with you!”
Adler was the first man to the ventilation shaft, climbing quickly. But placing the gun again at Beth's neck, Tolvanos spoke coldly to Frank. “Dr. Frank, I believe that you are quickly running out of time. I strongly suggest that you order GEO to deactivate the nuclear fail-safe.’'
Frank was like stone. “That's impossible, Tolvanos. GEO can't be disarmed.”
“You said it yourself, Doctor. Nothing is impossible with Leviathan. Do as I say. And do it quickly, please.”
Without expression Frank spoke into the headset. “GEO, I’m ordering you to disarm the nuclear fail-safe. That is a command.”
“I'm sorry, Dr. Frank, but that is not possible. Only the destruction of Leviathan can disarm the fail-safe. Those were the program parameters. They cannot be altered.”
Frank stared coldly and Tolvanos faltered. “Tell GEO that the fail-safe must be disarmed or you yourself will die!” the Russian grimaced. “After all, Doctor, you are speaking to a duplication of your dead wife's neural network! Surely GEO can overrule any programming parameters, if GEO so chooses.”
Frank's teeth came together angrily, as if he were jealously defending a living creature. “But GEO isn't human, Tolvanos. It will never be human! It's just a machine!”