Chapter Thirty Two

The Counter Plan

 

            “Good evening people of the world.  My name is Matthew Wash.  I am transmitting to our web site from the Maryland Numan Refuge in the heart of Amish country.  Many of you who are users of this site know of me.  You have seen my face.  You have read my articles, my research and exposes about Dr. Henry Lincoln.

            “My physical appearance, as you can see, is quite different from what you would expect.  I am not wearing a costume.  There are no special effects making me look this way.  As you see me now, so I am.  I am Matthew Wash.

            “To all of you my present appearance comes as a shock.  I have come to be transformed into this gruesome state as the result of a designer virus created by Doctor Henry Lincoln.  He infected me and several other well-known members of this refuge.  On my left you now see two others who have gone even greater transformation.   One of them you will know, Jenny Purgea, the wife of Peter Purgea, head of the Numan Refuge in Maryland.  The other person to her right is Malcolm who is in the final form of the transformation.

            “The leader of this refuge, Peter Purgea himself, was also transformed and as a result has died.  I am here to warn you that The Doctor is trying to something very, very scary.  He is planning to transform every one of you - each and every human being in the world - into creatures like us by contaminating the water supply with his horrible disease.

            “Some out there might thing this is tabloid journalism.  I assure you this is not.  I offer you proof.  With us today is Dr. Lincoln’s own daughter, Joyce Lincoln.”

            The cam panned to the right.   There, standing alone, was Joyce Lincoln.  “Yes. I am here to say that Matthew is telling the truth!  My father has done something far worse than ever before, even worse than siding with the Nazis to overthrow America.  He couldn’t do that but now he is trying to turn everybody into apes.  He wants to make us all like monkeys.”

            The camera panned to Matthew again.  “If that is not enough, we are now going to show you video of the doctor, himself, boasting freely about his plan.”

            The picture showed Dr. Lincoln in a laboratory speaking into the camera.  “This is Dr. Henry Lincoln.  I am announcing the creation of a new species of life on this Earth!  A superior type of creature of my own making!  Of my own design!  On your monitor you now see an image of the perfect life form.  He is strong - clearly twenty times stronger than any man.  He is intelligent, five to six times more capable of superior mental activities.  And his life span?  Over one hundred and seventy five years.

            “This new life form isn’t something that will harm you at all!  No!  Instead I intend to give each and every one of you opportunity to acquire the body that is shown here.  Think of it!  After your transformation, with  superior intellect coupled with massive strength, you will live longer and with greater abilities than any human could!  And what is best, it will cost you nothing!  Within a week I plan to introduce the virus responsible for this transition into the general water supply of major cities so that the alteration of the human genetic code can begin. No need to thank me.  It is my only wish to serve you all in this manner as a benefactor of mankind.”

            “This record,” Matthew said to his cyberspace audience, “secretly taken from his own library, shows his dastardly plan.  He was planning on broadcasting this, himself, next week.  The doctor is quite mad, presuming that he will be the originator of massive and permanent change on this planet.

            “I need not say that this man is insane.  And, as long as the doctor has great wealth he is able to do what he wants.  I therefore urge everyone to do whatever you can to stop the doctor before it is too late.  Those of you who have not yet boycotted his products, I urge you to do so and persuade other to do so.  I ask the Cuban government to imprison him or to turn him over to the American authorities for prosecution.

            “Recently we placed at this web site the results of research that we have conducted to try to cure ourselves of his disease. It involves the use of Genezol and other medicines.  I urge you to examine the site and let your doctors know that you want them to make it available to you if this disease gets into the population.  I urge pharmaceutical companies to keep the proper medicines in large supply.  I urge the local water companies to make sure the water supply is secure, for dispersing it into our water would be one easy way to infect you.  I urge the military to keep watch for any missiles that he may launch that would spread the virus.  I urge everyone, everywhere to do whatever you can to stop this madman.

            “Please do not be too concerned about us.  My disease is in remission.  With continued treatment the others will be cured.  Keep in touch with this site for continued updates.”

            Matthew then turned directly to the camera and said.  “This is a personal message from me to you, Dr. Lincoln.  You will not succeed.  The entire world is now aware of your plan.  You will fail!”

            Matthew turned off the camera and turned to Joyce and Harold who were standing beside him.  “Do you think they bought it?”

            “I think Harold played the part of his brother very well.  He might take up acting.”

            “I think I might,” Harold said.  “What do you think Henry will do?”

            “I think he is going to hide,” Jenny said.

            “But I am willing to bet my life that he is going to have a real fit.  Now without further ado, let’s go to plan two.  Chimp, are you prepared?”

            “Yes,” he said.  The equipment is ready.

            Matthew and Jenny entered the stable and stood near a prepared table on which was a Keto Transfuser, (a device designed for emergency transfusion of blood).  The two friends sat still as Chimp carefully shaved off an area of fur from their arms, then inserted a needle.  Chimp opened the in-line valve that allowed the blood to freely flow from one person to the next.  Chimp then proceeded to install another identical system to create another blood flow in the opposite direction, thus joining the two blood systems.

            Chimp then opened a package that Harold Lincoln had brought them.  Chimp took great care handing the vials of Genezol and other related medication.  Carefully measuring the doses, he put the plastic bags of medicine in place to begin the slow intravenous treatment.

            “I hope this works,” Jenny said.  “I’d like to be human again.”

            “I hope so too, Jenny.  I have a high level of confidence that my natural immunity and the addition of these medicines will help transform us both very quickly.”

            Malcolm approached the table.  “That must be good stuff.  Do I get some too?”

Matthew turned to his friend.  “You know, Malcolm, I don’t think any one of us has even considered the possibility.  You were not a human transformed into a beast.  You were originally created as an ape.”

            “That’s true.  The removal of a virus from me would not change me back.  But there’s the other solution that Peter had devised.  Can’t we create a virus that will give me a human genetic makeup?  Is there no way for me to become human?”

            Matthew’s face turned grim.  “I - I don’t know.  I don’t know much about creating viruses.  We don’t have the knowledge or equipment Dr. Lincoln has.  I - I just don’t know how we would proceed.  Maybe the hospitals can help.  They have facilities to do this.  I’m afraid that you’ll have to endure this for a little while longer, old friend.”

            “No matter,” Malcolm said.  “I wonder if it would be right to seek to be human.  I have been struggling with the idea for some time, ever since I heard of Peter’s research.  On the one hand, I have a chance of being a human being.  But it would be extremely risky.  I could die in the transition due to incompatible or non-uniform transition.  I might wind up with hormonal imbalances or cancer.  It’s a very different process than what you are going through.”

            “Yes,” Jenny said.  “It has never been tried.  It would take years of experimentation.  But I wouldn’t give up hope.”

            “And besides,” Malcolm said, trying to weigh the pros and cons.  “I’d lose my uniqueness. Who’s to say that I am inferior to a human just because I’m a freak of nature. You know that while you two were also transforms, at least I had company.  I had two people of like form.  I could relate to you.  Your brains were at my level.  Now you are going to revert. We’ll be two distinct species again.”

            “I can see your point Malcolm,” Matthew said.  “And if this were a perfect world, you would be accepted by society the way you are.”

            “I’m not complaining about my appearance,” Chimp said.  “I’m happy to be a simian.”

            Shep, who was curled up on the floor chimed in.  “Do you think I have a problem being a dog?” he said.

            Malcolm responded, “But you two are definable animals.  Your very shapes are familiar to all.  Your bodies are part of nature and you, at least, have a place in the gene pool.”

            “Yes we do,” Shep said.  “But have you ever seen anything so eerie, so unnatural, so frightening to the average human as a dog or an ape with the brain of a human?  Not only is this scary in itself, but we have the identical brains of the world’s worst criminal.  Do you think that the world would, for even an instant, accept any of us?  There will be those who even want to kill Matthew because he is in the same situation.”

            “No,” Gene replied.  “Remember.  The actual genes came from my brain and I am quite sane.”

            “That’s true,” Matthew said.  “But it seems to have become common knowledge that I am his hybrid.  Now that he has transformed me into a beast it may make me into a target.”

            “Some,” Shep said, “may even suspect that you killed Peter Purgea.  They don’t know Chimp killed him.  They don’t even know about Chimp and me.  How could they believe that Peter turned on a cow, a horse, a cat, a dog, a chimp, a goat?  Could they understand how he was an unwilling pawn and tried to do the best he could under unfortunate circumstances? Can the public understand why he tried to kill the hybrids and why we had a right to defend ourselves?  Some would want to finish the job and kill us both.  Hopefully others might take our side.”

            “This whole situation is so damn bizarre,” Chimp said.  “We might be killed because we don’t have human rights yet have killed a human.”

            “But he wasn’t a human,” Shep said.  “He was an ape.”

            It depends on how you look at it,” Matthew said.  “He was born human.  He had a genetic disease.  And he was a very outspoken enemy of Dr. Lincoln.  You two will have enemies if they ever found out about you.”

            “But if we are discovered,” Chimp said, “we might be a force for animal rights.  I don’t know how you perceive things but I cringe when I read about how other chimpanzees are treated. I think it is horrible.”

            “And dogs,” Shep said.  “I know it might sound queer but I will not apologize for my position.  I don’t want to see a single dog enslaved.  Kept as pets, maybe. Maybe some should have jobs.  But if they have jobs they should be compensated.”

            “What?” Joyce said.  “Dogs, compensated?  How?”

            I see,” Chimp said.  “Depending on their service.  If they are pets, they should be cared for with strict laws governing their care.  But if they produce a service, like a guard dog, then their quality of care should increase proportionately.  They should be given more freedom. Or perhaps better quality of food.”

            “This is a new territory,” Shep said.  “I think it needs discussion.  I think that each animal should be tested to see his or her natural talents.  A dog should be given a choice as to what profession he or she should take based upon how happy the animal seems while performing that function.”

            “And certain dogs,” Chimp added, “would be designated as hunting dogs because they are happy being hunting dogs.”

            “That’s right,” Shep said.  “And no dog would ever be killed, but be guaranteed at least a minimal level of life.  There should be canine welfare just like human welfare.”

            Matthew started to smile.  “Canine welfare?” he said.

            “You smile, Matthew, but who will be an advocate for a canine if not for me?” Shep said.  “And remember, you are speaking as an advocate for all who were numans.  Your civil rights struggle is still at its beginning stages.  Known freed numans are not even allowed to use public transportation.  They are still denied jobs and social welfare.  We both have our struggles in this area.  I would appreciate you not taking my struggle any less seriously than your own.”

            Malcolm’s expression grew grave.  “Do you think we will ever, ever gain publicly recognized dignity?  Do you ever think that humans, who have trouble dealing with themselves, will ever start caring about other species?  It seems impossible.  Humans are not capable of such nobility.”

            “There’s the S. P. C. A.,” Matthew pointed out. “They’ve been around for well over a hundred fifty years.  They are making great strides toward animal rights.  Some animals had more rights than numans because they were considered living creatures while numans were just tissue masses.”

            “This world is beyond comprehension,” Shep said.  “Full of contradiction.  Full of chaos and confusion.  A mixing bowl of arbitrary morality and immorality.”

            “Do you think that the leaders of the S. P. C. A. should be told about us?” Chimp asked.  “If they could spread the news that there is a new species of ape and dog that show superior intelligence then maybe it will be a beginning.”

            “Maybe,” Matthew said.  “But not right now.  It isn’t the time.  We must stick to the project at hand.  Chimp, is the blood transfer almost complete?”

            “Yes, Matthew,” he said.  “And if our theories are correct Jenny’s suffering will be short lived.”

            “Good.  Now with Joyce and Malcolm manning the web site to answer inquiries, the news will be referenced and duplicated all over the world within hours, especially when the news services pick up on it.  Shep, please don’t forget to send them press releases.”

 

            Meanwhile, ninety miles off the coast of Florida, a very frail and angry man screams at his computer monitor, disregarding the official company he was keeping with a Cuban General. “Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!  What are you up to Washer?”  The doctor pounded his desk with both clenched fists.  “You are too smart for your status numan!”

            “Yes.  That man is a thorn in your side,”  General Ferdenan said forcefully.  He sat in a comfortable chair in Dr. Lincoln’s plush office.  “But that is your concern.  I trust that it will not cause any more delay in this year’s contribution to the general fund.”

            I have more to think about than money at the moment, General.  I have a crisis at hand.”

            Crisis?” he said.  “More of a crisis then your contribution which is due the day after tomorrow?”

            “Don’t worry.  You’ll get your cash General.  Tell your president your funds will be there.”

            “You say that, Doctor, but we are not as optimistic as you.  In fact, the president believes that you might default on this month’s payment, a default which would prove tragic for you.”

            “Well tell your president that he has nothing to worry about.”

            “But your assets, Doctor.  Your assets were frozen or confiscated during the Numan Civil War.  You are wanted for any number of crimes.  And the price on your head from various governments is now four billion dollars.  A very tempting offer.”

            “Damn it!” he shouted.  “You’ll get your seventy million tomorrow!”

            “One hundred million, Doctor.  One hundred million.”

            “What?  Are you crazy?  We agreed on seventy!  Why?”

            “Because of what Matthew Wash just emailed to everyone who cares to listen.  Apes, huh?  Is that what your big secret was?  Turning men into apes?  That’s imaginative.  Were you planning on making monkeys out of everyone Doctor?  Now that your secret is out, your bounty will rise.  And therefore so must your protection.”

            “But one hundred million!  Do you know what that will do to my cash flow?”

            “That is the least of your problems amigo.  Your cancer gives you three months then you’re dead.”  The cruel man smiled at this.

            “That’s a lie!  Just a few more injections of my serum and I’ll be in remission.”

            “Doctor, you may be able to fool Matthew Wash but not me and not the president.  Our own doctors say his blood serum has been keeping you alive but can not cure you.”

            “Your doctors say?  Do they know his blood has changed and is able to repair genetic mutations now?  Do your doctors know as soon as I am injected with his blood that I will win?  You’ll see!  Even now he is probably injecting it into Jenny Purgea.  She’ll revert!  You’ll see how powerful it is!  I’ll get some soon, even today!  You’ll see!  It will cure this cancer!”

            “As you say in America, ‘that’s a big if.’  You’ll never get his blood Doctor!  Matthew Wash lives in a sophisticated fortress.  Peter Purgea is dead.  And, fortunately for you, you’ll be dead too before you go bankrupt. Ha ha!  Ah ha!”

            Dr. Lincoln paced nervously as he spoke.  “No!  You’re wrong!  People will pay!  They’ll pay to be inoculated or cured after I contaminate the water supply!  It’s to your benefit that I do this.  You country will be full of cash!”

            “You think so Doctor?” he said mockingly.  “You think you will be rich again?  That you can just walk over to America and contaminate their water system?  The most sophisticated water system that produces the purest water in the world?  You think so?  Then pay the hundred million for another month of protection!”

            “And your shortsightedness will be your downfall.  I should use that money to shore up my businesses, not deplete them so your leader can buy cocaine!”

            The general was quick to raise his voice for this insult. “You’ll have nothing at all if we turn you over to the Germans!” The general got up in a huff and quickly left through the office door. The doctor called after him.  “No!  You’re wrong.  I will survive.  You!  It is you who will fail.”

            The stressed Dr. Lincoln sat in the same chair the General had occupied.  Gone was the haughty aura and confident composure he had in his prime.  Now his time-worn body was plagued with the combined effects of age, disease and too many medicines.   His flesh, usually milky white and with model-like complexion, was now an unnatural orange caused by chemotherapy, and uglied with small lesions. His muscles were atrophied and his bones thinned.

            “I need the blood serum,” he said to himself, then put his head into his hands.  “I need that serum.  How do I get it?”  A light turned on in the doctor’s head.  He smiled.  “There is a way.  There is definitely a way.”