Anthony was escorted to the black chopper. As he approached the big bird Anthony noted the silenced rotors and engines. A very professional job this one. His guide knocked on the metal frame by the door
“Sir, I have Morris”
“Let him in” said the deep voiced replay that Anthony knew well. The two of them entered the chopper. Mr. Johnson was sitting behind a temporary desk covered in maps. Anthony noted the gun and radio though. He stood as they came in and Anthony was reminded how predatory and smooth the 6’ 3” Commander could be, all wiry muscle and grace Mr. Johnson. A hand was extended.
“Morris so good to see you again” he said in that deep voice. Anthony was never sure if he liked you or wanted to pounce and eat you. The solder who had escorted him put the hard drives onto the desk then withdraw.
“You have done well” Mr. Johnson said.
“Thank you sir” Anthony answered. Mr. Johnson reached behind himself and pulled a small bottle from a holdall. He handed the whisky to Morris.
“Your favourite brand as I recall” he said with genuine warmth. Anthony rolled the 12 yr old single malt bottle in his hand.
“Yes sir. Thank you.”
“No thank you” Johnson said again “the data on these drives will enable us to jump ahead of the other companies, and the unfolding crisis here will ensure that this project will close down. TransGene will be the number one company and it’s thanks to you, of all the other projects we had going inside only you came though. Well done, well done indeed” Johnson sat back and smiled. Something was finally going right today!
“Can I ask sir, what will happen to the people here?”
“Them? Well we will put them back onto their bus and leave them. I have no use for them and the way the infection is spreading they are likely to end up as Animorphs anyway before too long.”
“Animorphs sir?”
“Half Human, half animal. It is what the mutagenic that has been realised does. Totally infectious, no cure. Its spreading quickly, though we have people in place to ensure it does not get too far. The Company will also take any steps it can to ensure the general populous stays safe. Overall the Project here closes, and that’s what matters!”
Anthony blinked at the news. Janice as some sort of mutant animal? What about Bob? Or Fred from accounts? Did they deserve to be changed against their will?
“What happens next sir?” he asked calmly.
“Well we pack up now we have you and the drives and get the hell out of here”
Suddenly the radio crackled with the shouts of men and some gunshots then went quiet. Johnson looked up form the set just as the huge black Sergeant came in
“Sir, we have some contact in the woods, nothing serious. The men are observing total mask protocol”
“Good. Dickenson, get the men ready to be off the ground in five mins. Get the civvies back on there bus”
“Yes sir” the big man saluted and went out.
“Under control” he said with a grin to Morris. He stood and came round the desk. As he led the way from the chopper 2 troops came in and began breaking down the table, stowing the things on it securely.
Outside the people Anthony called workmates where being ordered back onto their bus. Dr. Harman was having a loud discussion with Sergeant Dickenson about personal property. Dickenson simply pushed the older man back up the steps and hit the door close button.
As he walked away a soldier ran up to him holding a large plastic bag with something inside. Johnson quickly walked over, Anthony following.
“Sir, one of the patrols found these in the woods as they where retreating back” Dickenson held up the bag to show his Commander a pair of ripped combats, a ripped combat shirt and what appeared to be some bloody teeth.
“Well this changes things” Johnson said “there is a newly changed Animorph out there……we should stay and try and catch her or leave now…….we have the samples and the data…….”. The others watched him deliberate, finally he spoke.
“Right, what we do is……..”