“Alright Dad, I’ll need to take care of a few things at the office before I go.”
“Think about your replacement too. It is likely that you will be spending more time outside and less at your desk.”
That announcement surprised Keith as he had become accustomed to both his job and his men. But he understood that change was coming.
“Can I get you something to drink Jim,” Frank Bishop asked his longtime friend and senior aide.
“Sure. I’ll have a little of whatever you are having,” he replied.
“Have a seat,” Frank Bishop said as he went to fix their drinks. When he came back into the living room of his apartment, he handed one drink to his friend, and carried the other one to his seat. It was a moment before either one spoke.
“Nice,” his friend said after taking a sip.
“Jim, it’s time we started making preparations to leave. To begin with, we’ll need to build a staging area outside the mountain where we can establish a foothold into our future,” Bishop said.
“Is it safe to go out yet? I know Keith just took a short trip out, but I thought the radiation levels were still beyond the protection capacity of the Demron suit for any sustained length of time?”
“There are other sources of protection, some of which are on a need-to-know basis.”
“I’m not in a position of need-to-know?” he asked in an agitated tone.
“That depends,” Bishop went on ignoring the retort, “on whether or not you would be willing to be the one to take charge of this next stage. You would be in complete control of pioneering man’s journey into the new world.”
“You make it sound as if it is an adventure, when it may in reality be a disaster.”
While he was not used to being talked to this way by his subordinates, he indulged his friend to maintain the appearance of Jim being his peer. He also knew how he would feel if the positions were reversed. Jim was no fool, nor did he want one for this undertaking. “If you think I want you to try something that hasn’t been thought through, and planned for, then you are mistaken. It would be a waste of time, manpower, and material to undertake something this significant if we were not ready.” He paused as he took a sip from his glass, “If I told you that the elements would not be an issue, would you feel differently?”
“If you could prove it, then I would.”
Frank Bishop smiled appreciating the candor. “I’ll set up a time for you to meet with Martin. He will be able to alleviate your concerns on this matter. That is, if you are willing to accept the responsibility?”
Jim sat there with any number of thoughts coursing through his mind. He knew his former boss was not a risk taker, at least not on a long shot, but this entire conversation caught him by surprise. He wanted time to think. “Let me see what Martin has to say. I’d also like some time to think it over.”
“Fair enough, I’ll call Martin in the morning and have him schedule a time to meet with you.”
“What do you think?” Dr. Maddow asked Frank Bishop on the following day when they were alone.
“I’d say we are ahead of schedule.”
“Yes,” the doctor agreed, “I’ll still be happier when your son is successful in finding what I need.”
“If they are out there, I’m sure he’ll find them.”
“They are. Those creatures are virtually indestructible.”
“It seems he is doing quite well and in a short period of time,” Frank Bishop said in regards to his son.
“Much better than we did. He went through the procedure at a younger age.”
“That and the additional steps you’ve taken,” Bishop added.
“Yes. It worked better than I had hoped. Every stem cell transplant was effective, every chemical enhancement was also not only effective, but sustainable due to the regenerative properties of the planarian genetic material administered to his bone marrow. His body is a self-sustaining and repairing machine.”
“He will serve his purpose,” Bishop said.
“And Jim?”
Frank looked at his friend, “I gather he was less than enthusiastic at his prospect of being the avant-garde of this expedition?”
“Actually, once I assured him of the precautions we were taking, and recognizing that your son had already made a successful and safe trip, he was quite eager. Fear of the unknown isn’t as bad when someone explains it in terms you can relate to. Few people understand the differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and what can be done to prevent and treat the symptoms they cause.”
“And what can we do for them?”
“First, we will need to send one physician along with the team. He will have potassium iodide and glutathione to administer as necessary. They will have a special diet of dried algae, beans, lentils, and other dried vegetables we have set aside for them. They will take daily supplements of spirulina and multi-mineral support,” he paused and looked his friend in the eye, “I really think they will be fine. They may not live as long as they would otherwise, but I don’t really think it will take that many years off of their lives.”
Frank Bishop nodded in acceptance. “I also told Jim he would be able to return periodically to provide us with briefings. I thought that was necessary to instill trust,” Bishop said.
“We should be able to deal with the decontamination, but I’ll want to limit his exposure to any others inside,” Maddow replied.
Bishop shook his head in agreement and said, “I think it’s time we go public.”
—
The internal broadcast and radio stations had repeatedly delivered a message, advising people to listen for an important bulletin to be delivered just prior to the finish of the first work shift on the following day. Because they operated in three separate shifts, and it would be more than twenty-four hours before they would know what the announcement was, this prompted speculation and rumors to run wild. It was once said that there was ‘nothing new under the sun.’ The monotony experienced underground made that statement even more profound. When the time came, all eyes, and ears, were waiting in anticipation.
The broadcast channels went silent from their regular programming, and remained that way for a short time while they were all tuned into the same frequency. Soon after, for those who were watching through video monitors, the image of Frank Bishop entered the screen. He looked directly into the camera, and began, “I am aware of the excitement and talk generated as a result of this announcement. I can now assure you that some of the more creative rumors will be put to rest.” There was the expected laughter from those who were in the studio with him, and throughout the facility. “We are finally starting our ascent,” He said getting to the point, “To date, we have had one successful exit and return from the mountain.” Even though he did not turn to see the expressions on the people near him, he did not have to. He knew everyone was paying close attention now.
“We are looking for volunteers to begin the next phase of our lives. We are building a staging area just outside the mountain. Every precaution in regards to personal health and well-being is being employed. Jim Forrest, whom you all know, will be in charge of the operation on that side. We are looking for volunteers who have construction and engineering skills. It is not just a matter of putting up structures, but of building an infrastructure that will allow us to finally leave our underground home.”
After the initial shock of the announcement, cheers could be heard throughout the complex. They did not get any of the details, but the fact that it was beginning was a cause for celebration. People started slapping each other on the back while others embraced. The thought of returning to a life they once had was enough to disrupt most of the activities for the remainder of that day.