Personnel: Dossier Feldgrau Read online

He snapped his fingers to emphasize his point. The group stared at him with blank faces.

  Tone down the tech talk, he thought. They aren’t here for a physics lesson.

  “Basically, it turns light into water,” he clarified.

  “Ohhhhhh,” the group replied.

  The Ethiopian woman nodded at Nadi.

  “Excuse me; my English is not the best,” she apologized. “Did you call the device paws? Like . . .” She held her arms up, bending her wrists so that her hands formed cartoonish kitty-cat paws.

  Nadi grinned. “No, ‘PAUS’ is an acronym,” he replied. “It stands for ‘Photon And Ultrasound System.’ Though I won’t deny that I may have been biased when I named it. Who doesn’t love a cute nickname?”

  The group chuckled, their good spirits at odds with the stoic security guards surrounding them. The German officer raised his hand, and his accent sharpened his consonants as he spoke.

  “You referenced ultrasound. Does that mean you completed phase two?”

  Nadi sighed, offering a tight smile. Stepping back into the center of the demonstration, he retrieved his keyboard. Once the device was in his hands, Nadi said, “Zugführer Kalt is referencing a request he made several years ago. Back then, I was entirely focused on the pair production process, creating fresh water and placing it into areas in need. However, Kalt argued the additional value of transporting the water after it was created. He wanted us to research some way to reposition the fluid, post-production. I, of course, was completely on board with the idea.”

  Nadi shook his head and sighed again, running his fingers through his hair. “Before I had the opportunity to perfect it, though, my hometown was crippled by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. My family died under the crushing waves.” He took a breath, wiping his eyes. “But the tsunami didn’t stop at Kerala. The entire coast of Southwest India, as well as several other neighboring countries, were buried by the Indian Ocean. Almost three-hundred thousand people perished.”

  The group lowered their heads in solemn remembrance, and Nadi continued, anger biting into his words. “I was so close to completing Zugführer Kalt’s request. The wasted time and unnecessary delays haunt me to this day.”

  Nadi’s agitation manifested in a sharp, sweeping gesture toward the water-filled trough. His voice grew louder as he spoke. “See, any field that could control the movement of water would have to have hydrophobic properties to contain the fluid; that is, the force must repel water from it in order to move it. Therefore, any field manufactured on a large enough scale could be repurposed as, for lack of better words, a ‘force field’ against oceanic disasters.”

  He picked up the keyboard and entered a few keystrokes. There was a low hum, barely noticeable, despite the fact that it reverberated all around the laboratory. The edges of the trough shimmered like a mirage; then the water raised into the air, as if weightless. The liquid mass maintained the form it had while in the trough, leaving it a sharp-edged, hovering prism of clear water.

  “Imagine deploying PAUS along major cities of your countries’ coasts,” the scientist said. Drifting toward the benefactors, the prism morphed into a large sphere. “Another earthquake or hurricane stirs the waters, and your citizens watch in terror as a wall of aquatic death sweeps toward them.” Nadi was practically yelling now. “But you, their fearless leader, push a button on the PAUS. The wave strikes!”

  The sphere plummeted toward the group, and there was a frantic rush of security guards diving to protect their employers. Nadi cackled as the projectile collapsed a meter above their heads, flowing around them. The investors gasped in awe at the bubble of water which now swirled around them, leaving a pocket of air in the center where they stood.

  “An invisible force covers the cities in a dome of safety,” Nadi shouted through the bubble. “The ocean swims across the sky, though it never comes close enough to touch anyone. Your citizens see the power you wield and the way you’ve chosen to use it, restoring their faith in your leadership.”

  The security guards were reaching for their weapons, so Nadi dropped the bubble with the press of a button. Water splattered around them on the floor, and applause erupted, the crowd emphatically showing their approval. Begrudged, the guards’ hands dropped back to their sides.

  The Indian man looked at Nadi, his eyes almost daring him to guess the question on his mind.

  Nadi chuckled. “Ultrasound, as the device’s name suggests. A series of sound waves beyond the range of human hearing, broadcasting an infinite number of frequencies. Some have been found to create physical pressure. Inspired, I hunted for a similar frequency; one with hydrophobic properties.”

  He tapped on the keyboard again, and the water on the floor collected itself as small globules, merging together until they returned to one large prism.

  “Once we found a wave range that would work for our needs, we programmed the PAUS computer with 3D mapping capabilities,” he murmured, continuing to type.

  The prism lifted into the air.

  “Now, we can create an ultrasound field around a body of water to control its movement,” he said. “All we had to do was outfit PAUS with some specialized directional microphones.”

  The water shimmered a little, emphasizing his point. The prism floated above the unused trough on the other side of Nadi’s machine, then lowered itself into the container, a final puzzle piece fitting into its jigsaw frame. Nadi turned back toward his audience. “Both sides of the project, of course, can be formatted to meet any environmental or geometric needs you may have.”

  Eagerness had overtaken his investors, and he knew they were done with conversation for the moment. Nadi had come to expect a degree of rudeness from people in such positions of power, though; he understood how important their time was. The group began to dissolve. Some poked at the trough of water, while others examined the PAUS.

  The German officer, however, approached Nadi directly. “I’m glad you reconsidered the request, mein freund. I would like to know more about your project, now that our friends are distracted. Okay?”

  Nadi offered a polite smile and walked further from the crowd, the Zugführer in tow.

  “Danke,” Kalt continued. “So, what is the range of the device? How much water can you make at once?”

  Nadi shrugged. “In theory? An infinite amount. It all depend on the size of the PAUS.”

  The German man smiled. “Excellent. Sehr gut. Also, what is your highest programmed velocity for moving the water?”

  “Well . . . we haven’t really tested for a speed,” Nadi said, placing a finger on his chin. “I can’t say for certain what our current limitations are. I supposed our limit would be the speed at which the ultrasound waves travel, so let’s say about 340 meters per second?”

  Giddy laughter erupted from Kalt. “That is spectacular! I will have my associates reach out to your marketers for an official order, but I will be very interested in a device with a range of at least thirty kilometers, programmed for your highest speed.”

  Nadi shifted, uncomfortable. “Yeah, I wouldn’t really be involved with . . .”

  “I can’t thank you enough, mein freund. The U.N. has been so critical of our avoidance of surmounting terror threats. It’s time that we introduce something new, something powerful. You and I, we can change the playing field. Terrorists around the world won’t know what struck them!”

  There was a disquieting pause as realization sunk into Nadi. “Sir, with all due respect, this is a humanitarian project. I have no intention of weaponizing PAUS for you, nor for anyone else.”

  Another pause. The Zugführer grazed Nadi with his cold blue eyes, as if to size him up.

  “War will continue whether you like it or not,” Kalt said. “Your device has the ability to create a quick and efficient response to terrorism, without lasting consequences.”

  Nadi shook his head. “But there will be lasting consequences, Zugführer. Consequences for those at the receiving end of your mil
itary force. I cannot stop the wars you wage, but I will not allow them to be my personal legacy.”

  He took a breath before continuing, plastering across his face the most flattering smile he could manage. “We received your funding in order to build the device. We added the features you requested. We were not, however, paid to weaponize it. Therefore, I will personally ensure your PAUS models are equipped with the appropriate safety features. I expect you will use them solely for their intended purposes. That is the end of this conversation.”

  Nadi turned heel on the glowering officer and addressed the rest of the crowd. “I believe we have representatives who will reach out to you to negotiate purchase agreements. As we wrap up development here, we plan to outsource manufacturing in the near future. You, our loyal investors, will of course receive enormous discounts on your orders.”

  He winked at the East African woman. She reciprocated, her lips curling into a flirtatious grin. The group chattered, swirling with positivity, and even the security guards seemed more relaxed. Everyone but Nadi began to file toward the elevator.

  Before he could turn away, Nadi felt a firm grip on his shoulder.

  “Danke for the demonstration, Herr Acharya.” The name escaped Kalt’s lips in a cold, biting tone. He continued his passage and joined the rest of the group in the elevator. Before the doors closed, he caught Nadi’s eyes one more time. “We will be in touch soon.”

  ________________

  “WE DID IT!”

  Reyansh uncorked a bottle of champagne. It released its foam with a great pop, and the other scientists surrounding him cheered.

  Ananya sidled over to Nadi, who was laughing at the commotion.

  “Your presentation was unbelievable,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they signed a ten-year blank check for this facility.”

  Nadi chuckled and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, I just told them what they wanted to hear.”

  Reyansh wandered closer to them, pushing through the throngs of partying coworkers.

  “Bullshit!” he yelled. “You made googly eyes at Miss Zala until she was swooning. Don’t think your good looks and charm will last forever!”

  Everyone around him chortled.

  Nadi peeked over at Ananya. “I don’t know. They’re working now, aren’t they?”

  She responded with a quick kiss on his cheek, and they both blushed.

  “Oooooooh,” crooned the tipsy crowd.

  Aquifer’s Report

  01.05: “Massacre”

  Karnataka, India

  April 18, 2006-B

  Nadi walked along the first floor of the laboratory, chatting with other scientists. The air buzzed with ingenuity, yet it managed to retain a certain casual charm that he had grown to love.

  “Hey Nadi, what brings you all the way up here?”

  A man in a lab coat approached, yelling to drown out the ratcheting noises coming from a nearby project. The scientist appended a jovial smile to his question.

  “Oh, I just needed to stretch my legs,” Nadi replied in Hindi with an aura of nonchalance. “The PAUS is reaching the production phase and some fresh air—“

  He was interrupted by a deafening roar.

  In the far corner of the room, the emergency doors connecting the first floor of the facility to the ground floor of the Waste Water Treatment Plant exploded from their hinges, surrounded by fire and smoke. The pearl-white metal barriers made a tremendous crash as they landed, wobbling, halfway across the room.

  Through the smoke entered a swarm of men, dressed in black riot gear and holding large, imposing rifles. Nadi counted at least ten of them even as they rushed inward, but he had to stop.

  He had to stop because they opened fire on the scientists.

  The intruders aimed their rifles toward each of the four corners of the large, hangar-like room, releasing bursts of flame and death. The scientists scurried like cockroaches under a kitchen light, but they had few places to go. Bullets riddled their bodies, spraying warm red blood over the pearl-white walls and floors.

  As Nadi turned to run, a nearby intruder fired at him. He ducked and felt warm liquid splash against his back. Rolling on the floor, he saw the man he had been speaking to had received the bullets meant for him. His decapitated body fell to the ground in an awkward heap, sprinkling red across the floor. Nadi crawled to his feet and ran, panicked, searching for an escape.

  A woman in front of him sobbed as she crawled beneath a project table, her right arm stained red from an open wound. Moments later, her cries ceased when one of the intruders, hearing her voice over the cacophony, knelt down and dispatched her with the squeeze of his trigger. The intruder turned to Nadi, but Nadi scrambled away, his heart pounding in his chest.

  He made his way to the elevator and pressed the down button. The button did not glow, intonate, or respond in any other way.

  They must have disconnected the power to the elevator.

  A scientist pushed past him, trying the exact same thing he had done. He turned to Nadi and yelled, “THEY MUST HAVE DISC—”

  Rifle fire sounded, and a series of holes appeared in the man’s neck and chest. His blood splattered across Nadi’s shirt and face, producing a sweet, metallic aroma. Nadi recoiled and turned toward the wall furthest from the hostile men in black—toward the service ramp.

  The service ramp created a smooth, gradual decline into the outer walls of the facility. It began at floor-height on the first floor and spiraled through the other floors like a giant corkscrew, stopping down on the fourth floor. It opened up for access to every floor, facilitating the convenient transport of materials too large to fit in the elevator.

  Today, however, it might just save Nadi’s life.

  He reached the entrance to the ramp, but he tripped over the small curb at the top of the descent. Crying out, he collapsed against the wall. Mid-fall he heard more machine-gun fire close to him, and bullets peppered the metal wall above his head. Nadi felt a chill as realization struck him: If he hadn’t tripped, he’d be dead.

  He could see two men advancing in his direction, rifle barrels smoking. They made a gesture to the dozens of other armed figures in the room, who were finishing off the few remaining survivors on the floor. As they completed their kills, they each migrated in Nadi’s direction.

  Nadi scrambled to his feet and fled down the ramp. Even with its long, winding path, his adrenaline allowed him to reach the second floor at record-speed. The wall opened up, revealing a cluster of confused and worried scientists.

  “RUN! COME WITH ME NOW!” Nadi cried, motioning with a panicked gesture. Even as he spoke, he could hear heavy, militant boots stomping close behind him.

  The group on the second floor approached him, but they were too late. As Nadi sprinted down the ramp, he heard machine-gun fire behind him. Cries of anguish and the splatter of bullet-ridden bodies filled the air, and he pressed his hands against his ears to drown them out.

  Footsteps slapped behind him, and he was overtaken by a blood-soaked man.

  “FASTER!” Nadi yelled at him.

  They reached the third floor, and this time Nadi chose not to mince his words.

  “COME WITH ME NOW OR THEY WILL MURDER YOU.”

  The workers on the third floor already seemed aware of the commotion above, though, as a group tried to repair the elevator through a panel on the wall. Those not near the elevator shivered, wearing frightened faces. Everyone on the floor looked toward Nadi as he yelled, dropped their work, and stampeded toward the ramp.

  They moved with such speed and panic that they began to trip over each other near the ramp’s edge. The few who made it there shoved against each other to squeeze through the opening, creating a bottleneck congestion. Two short, scared women in lab coats joined Nadi and his blood-soaked friend only moments before the intruders reached the third floor. They heard screaming, begging, and gunfire. The blood-soaked man wept as he ran, and Nadi swallowed a lump in
his throat.

  The squad of survivors made it to the end of the ramp. It opened into a donut-shaped entryway that encircled the elevator chamber. That entryway had a few meters of separation before it flared wide into the giant, hangar-shaped fourth floor.

  The Special Projects floor.

  The hangar was nearly empty; the room had very few projects compared to the other floors. Today, the only researchers on staff were Reyansh and Ananya, who were finishing some software updates for the PAUS, and an older, grey-haired scientist named Indra, who was working on his floating disc project in the back corner of the room. They all looked up with horrified expressions at the sight of their coworkers’ conditions.

  “The blast door!” Nadi yelled. “Close it! Now!”

  Reyansh stood in alarm. “What happened?”

  A sharp crack of gunfire exploded from above the ramp, and bullets rained into the lab. Sparks flew from the metal table and equipment all around Reyansh.

  “Okay, got it,” Reyansh squeaked, sprinting into the security room. Even as the door closed behind him, an alarm sounded. The opening to the hangar area released hydraulic steam, and two thick metal doors began to inch together from the left and right sides. It had closed halfway by the time Nadi and the three other survivors managed to cross its threshold.

  The four runners dove to the floor, under the giant green jet engine structure. Nadi gestured for Ananya and Indra to join them, but neither of them moved, as if fear glued them to the ground.

  The first few intruders on their warpath down the ramp appeared, and they shot through the shrinking gap of the hangar entrance. The rattle of bullets against metal deafened Nadi, and more blood splashed him, though he wasn’t sure whose.

  One of the attackers near the front of the party dropped his heavy rifle and sprinted toward the closing doors, now barely shoulder-width apart. He turned sideways to slip through; he would have made it, too, if a Frisbee-sized metal disc didn’t whiz through the air and strike him directly in the forehead. The man in black gear fell onto his back, with his left foot and ankle still poking through the doorway. Nadi looked to the left and saw Indra with his white-gloved hand extended, dozens of hovering discs surrounding him.