Ethan Morris kept running till he came to the door of the lab and stormed in without knocking to the surprise of Dr Williams.
“What are you doing here, Ethan?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Donald” One look at Ethan showed that he was struggling with a decision.
“I don’t know what you’ve been told but it is not what it looks like.” Dr William sensed trouble. Ethan had never called him by his first name.
“What exactly do you think I’ve heard?” Ethan retorted as he moved closer towards the power source.
“Ethan, don’t do this!” Dr Williams yelled.
“I’m sorry Doc. I’ve already sold my soul to the cause of humanity” Ethan responded with a sick smile on his face as he pulled the lever.
#
Ethan opened his eyes to a bright morning as his mind reminded him that he had a job to attend to. He looked at the alarm clock, groaned as he pushed himself off the bed, feet to the floor first and straight to the bathroom. He ran through his morning preparations and was out of the house 45 minutes later. On the way, he picked up a newspaper with its front page, screaming:
“ECONOMY ON FIRE”
Why won’t it be on fire? When all the leaders have done is siphon as much as they can. Ethan thought to himself, a little loudly to no one in particular.
He was lucky to arrive at his workplace, just minutes before the anticipated rain started falling. Kalete, a technologically-advanced city found close to the desert, was home to Ethan. It had been announced 3 days ago that there was to be cloud stimulation in order to cause rain at 9am today. Ethan wasn’t bothered though as he had a lot to work on. Apart from his daily job as the Head of the Department of Pathology, he had been hired by a certain billionaire, Mr Don, the founder of
the HelpMate centre, who had need of his services on a research and, he must admit, the research was paying more than his job. He had come in to check on the samples he had sent to the lab. Though intrigued with the progress he was making and the support he was getting from Mr Don, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was an ulterior motive to the man’s investment. This had made him delay the processing of the proceedings as much as possible. Now he was getting very close to the end of his research. The billionaire had chartered him to find a cure for a plague which was beginning to take shape in the lower region of Kalete. Ethan had called the plague Hersis 30. Hersis 30 was becoming a childhood killer disease, maiming adults and disfiguring the unborn. Ethan had discovered this disease the first time he visited the outskirts of Kalete. It began as a rash then the rash slowly becomes bigger, opens and starts producing pus. The rash keeps spreading till it begins to reproduce internally, blocking the blood vessels. This brings about a high blood pressure that eventually leads to death. He had tried everything within his resources to find a cure but then he had limited resources. That was until Mr Don showed up. Now he went about with a hope in his heart to help the poor people of Kalete. He had test-ran some developed samples but all were useless. He kept trying but he knew that he needed a specie of plant whose nectar was a ultimate game changer; the Yachlita, a beautiful flower with dangerous spikes on its stems and branches whose poison could put a man to sleep for days. The problem wasn’t discovering that it was the Yachlita that was the missing part of the equation. No! The problem was getting one. The Yachlita was a rare flower that only grew in a swampy area and blossomed once a in year and as there were no swampy areas in Kalete, the other option he had was to go on an expedition to planet XR67, one of the closet planets that boasted of a lot of swampy areas and plentiful aquatic animals and plants. Just a month ago, Ethan had returned with a specially designed box full of the Yachlita which meant he could finally come to the real test-running.
On route to the lab, Ethan picked his reports, scanning through them as he made adjustments.
“Hello Dr Williams. How was your weekend?”
“Amazing Ethan. Hope you saw the ball game last night or were you too busy?” Dr Williams replied teasingly. They both laughed. Dr Williams had always told Ethan that he was always too serious and work engrossed than most of his mates, so much so he was afraid Ethan would not enjoy life.
“Well, if busy means I was up all night checking my notes, then I wasn’t busy. However, I am eager to get the test results.”
Dr Williams smiled as he stood up, reached out to the top drawer and pulled out a file which he handed over the Ethan, who glanced through it and smiled wearily.
“Thank you Dr Williams. You’re a life saver” Ethan said as he skimmed through “When you do think the mass production will be ready?”
“Thought you will need that on short notice. As we speak, the mass production is on”
Ethan smiled once more as he left the lab, full of hope and fear. Hope at being able to help out, fear at what the outcome might be once Mr Don found out. Ethan kept planning and scheming even till he finally went to bed that night.
#
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Ethan’s phone rang non-stop, waking the young scientist. He looked at the caller’s ID, it read “Caesar”. Caesar was the night security guard at the HelpMate research centre. Ethan looked at his wall clock; 2am. Why would Caesar be calling him at 2am? He picked up.
“Hello Dr Ethan Morrison speaking”
“Dr Morrison, we have an issue. The Research centre’s been robbed”
With his brain still foggy from sleep, Ethan asked “What do you mean ‘robbed’?”
“The test tubes containing the formula are missing.”
That was enough to create a spark in Ethan’s brain.
“What did you just say?” he asked as he hurriedly put on his clothes.
“I just found out this morning as I clocked on for work”
Ethan zoomed off to the lab. Getting there, he discovered why Caesar was panicking. The door to the lab had been opened without a break in; which means it was unlocked with its key and in the whole department, it was only Ethan and Caesar that had the duplicates of that lock. Ethan began sweating profusely.
“Have you touched anything in there yet?” Ethan asked.
“No sir. I didn’t touch a thing just the door handle” the frightened looking Caesar replied. Ethan called Dr Williams to inform the equally shocked scientist of the development. Then he called Mr Don.
#
“You mean to say that the entire package of antibiotic was stolen?”
“Unfortunately, that is my report sir”
Mr Don heaved a sigh. “What do you suggest we do?”
“Naturally, there has to be an investigation. That is a 2-year research gone missing and we are yet to test-run it. It could have side effects if not handled correctly” Ethan replied, a bit harsh as he had heard a relaxed tone in the way Mr Don asked him the question.
“Of course, we will investigate. However, you said there are still some preserved species of the Yachlita, correct?” Mr Don asked.
“Yes sir”
“I would suggest we restart the procedures again while the investigations are going on. Time is not our friend. We have already promised the people that we will have it ready by November, and that’s just five months away”
Something in Ethan’s gut told him that the “people” Mr Don was talking about was not just the sick people of Kalete, but also the buyers he had been secretly meeting. He had mistakenly overheard a business phone call Mr Don had made recently. He could only wonder what kind of business he wanted to do with the cure.
Three months later, Ethan on-route to the lab, with his test notes readily attached to his arm, he marched into the testing room. After watching the other scientists going about their testing, he nodded in a satisfied way and proceeded to his office where he would call Mr Don and inform his of the progress made. He had just sat down when he got an anonymous call.
“Hello, Dr Ethan Morris speaking”
“He’s not who he seems to be. He’s no philanthropist but a savage man. Mr Don isn’t who he seems. Be careful”
“Who..?” Ethan began but the person on the other line was long gone. Ethan sat for a few minutes, thinking. His gut had always been against trusting Mr Don fully. Fun fact, all he knew about Mr Don was his name and his foundation. At first, he had thought that was all he needed to know about the man but now he was beginning to doubt that.
Ethan began his own secret probe, gathering information from both co-workers and people who had done business with Mr Don in the past. For some weeks, he gathered nothing but dust, until…
“Hello Dr Ethan Morris speaking, who’s on the line?”
“Come outside”
Ethan recognized the voice immediately. It was the voice from the other day. He excused himself from the board meeting that was running, thankful that the number had called on his cellphone this time, picked up Randy, his secretary, a highly efficient tech bro, and had him run a trace on the call while he ran a record as he stepped outside.
“I am outside the building”
“I can see you. Now go towards the phone booth by the left. Not that one, I said left. Good. Pick up the file. Good. A job well done. Now you have your evidence.” The voice said a bit out of breath.
There was a gunshot sound on the other side of the call and the line cut.
Ethan, shocked, took the file and fled towards his office. As he walked past, he noticed Yetch, Mr Don’s head of security, looking at him in a not-so-happy-way. Ethan ran to his office, picked up his notes and dashed to his car as fast as he could. He had just left the lab’s garage when he noticed some security personnels moving frantically. He knew he was in danger. Ethan zoomed off to his house, packed some important documents, zoomed off again, packed his car in the garage of a nearby hotel and took a bus to a motel about a mile away, where he lodged and began looking through the delivered file. His eyes kept getting bigger as he read page after page on the crimes and deeds of Mr Don, who was involved in various vices such as drug trafficking, cocaine importation, just to mention a few. On the last page was the full description of Mr Don, including a photo of him. Ethan looked at the photo and couldn’t help wondering why it looked familiar. The document was very detailed, enough to kill someone for. The thought just crossed Ethan’s mind. He quickly picked up the file and his documents, went to a nearby phone booth and made a call, as he had ditched his cellphone in his car.
“Welcome to Military division squad 4, how can we assist you today?” A female voice asked.
“Entre’ Niva” Ethan replied.
“One moment” the voice replied knowingly.
“Hey old pal. Long time. How have you been?” A man said from the other side of the line.
“Hello Langley. Not really the time for pleasantries. I need help.”
“Always getting into trouble. What’s the issue this time?”
“Remember the work I told you I was doing for a billionaire?”
“The research work you said you smelt a rat in? What happened?” Langley’s voice dropped into seriousness.
“There was actually a rat and I have serious evidence pointing towards it”
“Where are you now?”
“Some phone booth at Ridug street. Figured they won’t look here. I’m lodged at the motel there”
“Do you think you will be safe there for the next five hours or should I make a call to a nearby station asking for transportation?”
Ethan looked around “I think that transportation will be nice”
“I’m doing that right now. Stay safe.” and the call dropped.
Some minutes later four men knocked on Ethan’s door.
“Police!”
Ethan’s gut gnawed again. They weren’t supposed to say that. He just took it as their making sure he knows he’s safe. He opened the door even as he noticed bystanders looking at them.
“Pack up. We have orders from our superiors to transport you safely out of the city.” one of them said.
“By whom exactly?” Ethan asked, skeptical.
“We were not given details on that” another replied. Ethan smiled, relived. That reply was correct. He moved with them towards the unmarked car they came with.
As Ethan was about entering the car, the cellphone on one of the men rang. He answered it and gave it over to Ethan.
“Ethan, I’ve just informed the police department of Ridug. They should be there in an hour” Langley said “Be careful”
Ethan tried not to show the surprise on his face. If he had just informed them, who then were these guys?
Ethan was about giving the phone back to the man when he caught a glint of something in the man’s eye, a sort of warning. The man seemed to be directing Ethan’s focus to something. Ethan followed his gaze to a paper clip which he picked up cautiously and held in his palm.
“In order not to draw attention at the station, as this is supposed to be a secret transport, we will have to cuff you and act like you are a criminal ready for transportation” one of the men said. Ethan’s gut fired another shot. On a close look, Ethan noticed an earring which had been covered all along by the man’s long hair.
Ethan now knew this was no police squad. He had been discovered by Mr Don but what was he to do to four men who he suspected to be armed? They got into the car, with Ethan handcuffed, and his box of evidence and documents in the trunk of the car and they zoomed off.
On the way, the guy that gave him the phone, Matty, asked them to stop at a pharmacy as Ethan had said he needed a supply. Ethan was speechless as he had never said that but kept his calm. At least there will be only three left to fight, he thought to himself. Before he could be done with picking the cuffs with the paper clip, Matty returned to the car with cups of coffee for everyone and a prescription of pain relief for Ethan. Ethan knew the drug well and wondered how Matty knew about it. As they drove, suddenly the driver changed direction and began taking another route.
“There’s been a change of orders. We are to keep you safe until sundown before we move.” he said.
They arrived at a tastily-furnished cottage. The cottage looked like a mini-lab, with a MRI machine in it.
“Why are we here?” Ethan asked.
“To make sure there are no tracking devices in your body” the driver, Corosol, replied. “Please undress” Ethan did and was handed a patient gown.
Just as the MRI machine was ready, Matty moved towards it and shouted “Ethan! Duck!” as he switched it on.
Ethan fell to the floor, just in time. As the machine seemed to suck the others towards it, amidst bone crushing sounds and screams. When Matty eventually switched off the machine, the others were all dead.
“Those guys are with Mr Don’s security detail. They were tipped off by someone in the force. Langley asked me to accompany them just to be sure. I was given some active liquid lead which I poured into the cups of coffee I bought” Matty said as he helped Ethan into his clothes. “Let’s get out of here. The others from Langley will meet us on the other side of the road. We’ve got to be quick”
Both of them dashed into the waiting car outside the cottage. However, Ethan’s gut was still churning. Something wasn’t adding up. They got to the other side of the road and true to Matty’s words, Ethan saw the others. Men he had served with in the force. He greeted each one of them. It was not until he was about getting into the transport vehicle that it hit him.
Mr Don’s full name, according to the file, was Herbert Donald Morginston. The word Donald kept ringing.
Oh my God! The picture finally made sense, Ethan thought aloud. He jumped out of the transport vehicle and ran towards one of the other cars, took the keys from the driver and zoomed off back to the lab in a state of fury.
Getting there, Ethan Morris slipped in through the service doors and kept running till he came to the door of the lab and stormed in without knocking to the surprise of Dr Williams.
“What are you doing here, Ethan?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Donald” One look at Ethan showed that he was struggling with a decision.
“I don’t know what you’ve been told but it is not what it looks like.” Dr William sensed trouble. Ethan had never called him by his first name.
“What exactly do you think I’ve heard?” Ethan retorted as he moved closer towards the power source.
“Ethan, don’t do this!” Dr Williams yelled.
“I do what I want especially to those who have been lying to my face for the past two years, Dr Williams or should I say Herbert Donald Morginston.”
Donald froze.
“I’m sorry Doc. I’ve already sold my soul to the cause of humanity” Ethan responded with a sick smile on his face as he pulled the lever and machines began exploding. He picked up one of the vials and ran out leaving ‘Dr Williams’ there. The noise, however, attracted the attention of the security personnels. Ethan avoided them as much as he could until someone nabbed him from behind. He was about to react when…
“Shh, it’s me, Langley. Don’t go running off like a headless chicken next time. You could get killed.”
Ethan saw him clearly and smiled.
“Being a hero now, are we?” Langley teased.
“How did you get in here?” Ethan asked.
“As soon as I sent the others to get you, I came down here. I have already collected all the evidences I need. What do you say we go get the bad guy and blow up this popsicle stand”
“Sure thing” Ethan laughed.
#
Ethan sat on his balcony as he read the news which had made the front page of his favourite newspaper. It read:
“BILLIONAIRE CAUGHT WITH LIES BETWEEN HIS TEETH”
Ethan’s cellphone rang. “The media has a sure fire way of coining headlines”
“That’s because people like you, Langley, do their jobs well”
“Get out of my phone. Soon you are going to be making a joke about my job”
“Of course. Does your wife still think you are just a man who sells electronic gadgets for a living?”
“Oh shut up” Both of them laughed.
“THE END”