Arthur shook his head in disbelief. He was wearing an expression of pure shock. "Fucking mind control?"
Samira shook her head, seemingly disagreeing with Arthur. "Mind control is only the simplest way to put it. I need one more piece of information to complete my analysis. Sheila, is the chemical analysis done?"
Sheila nodded, handing a tablet to Samira. "This isn't looking good."
Samira snatched the tablet out of Sheila's hand and began devouring it with her eyes. Her frown grew more and more exaggerated as the seconds ticked by. "This is quite concerning. There are traces of scopolamine and Flunitrazepam."
Arthur scoffed. "Again, Samira, English."
Samira nodded. "The first is a drug that temporarily inhibits memory recording and makes a person more open to suggestion. The second is a date rape drug that essentially makes you black out. I predict that the chip uses externally received signals or preprogrammed protocols to manipulate behavior while the host is under the influence of the drugs."
Arthur immediately stood up. "I need to make a few calls. Samira, I want a full writeup of this on my desk within the next 10 minutes. James, you're with me."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but I'm eating on the way." I was still so damn hungry having not eaten yet today.
Arthur quickly started walking towards the exit of the lab. Seeing this, I scrambled and grabbed my wrap and coffee from the fridge before following behind him.
Neither of us uttered a singular word while we rode the elevator and walked towards his office. I couldn't complain though since my mouth was filled with alternating bites of sandwich and sips of coffee.
About 5 minutes later, we were in Arthur's office. His office was on the top floor of the building and occupied an entire corner. It was complete with a couch across from a TV, a conference table with 16 chairs, and his obnoxiously large desk that was filled with stacks of data pads and a workstation with 6 monitors.
As soon as we walked in, Arthur spoke to seemingly no one. "Isaac, initiate lockdown."
A robotic voice spoke over the speakers in the room. "Immediately, sir."
It might seem like no one was there but Arthur had a personal AI built into his office. It was a personal assistant of sorts and was integrated with all of his devices. He'd probably forget to eat and communicate with his wife if it wasn't for Isaac.
I raised my brow in curiosity upon hearing him activate the lockdown. The last time I remember him activating the lockdown procedure was when there was a Chinese military contractor attempting a bout of corporate espionage. "Is it really that serious?"
Arthur scoffed in frustration, haphazardly tossing tablets off of his desk. "Do you really think that an organization with this type of tech would limit themselves to a petty bank robbery?"
I nodded, realizing my lapse in judgment. This type of thing was why Arthur was trusted by the CEO to interact with the Department of Defense. "So, who are we calling?"
Arthur picked up a wireless number pad from his desk and started tapping numbers. "The Secretary of Homeland Security, Lindsey Stromann."
Involuntarily, I tensed up. These government types were never really my crowd. They always have agendas and I am just too passionate about my work to see it. "Am I really qualified to be here?"
Arthur nodded. "Just so you are aware, I am about to petition for DEFCON 3 or maybe even 2. DEFCON 3 means that we must be ready for war to break out at any time. DEFCON 2 means that war is imminent."
I grimaced, starting to get scared. I clutched my coffee for comfort. "What's DEFCON 1 then?"
Arthur looked me straight in the eye as he tapped the dial button on the number pad. "War."
I sighed, not realizing what I had gotten myself into. I should have just stayed on the ground so I could eat my sandwich at the diner. "Why am I here then?"
Arthur chuckled. "These idiots in the government need to hear some technical jargon to confuse them so I can really hammer in how dire this situation is."
I nodded, not wanting this role but accepting it anyways. If this was what I needed to do to keep the country, and my pregnant wife, safe, then do it I shall.
A tone played from Arthur's workstation, indicating a message. "Right on time. Samira is just as fast as usual."
I nodded, dragging a chair from in front of his desk, placing it next to Arthur's seat. I decided to remain quiet until called upon. Arthur was clearly stressed and when he is stressed, he is quick to anger.
A male voice answered the call. "This is the office of the secretary of defense, Major Grant Norton speaking. Who am I speaking to?"
Arthur hissed over the phone, clearly on the edge of an outburst. "It's Arthur, put Lindsey on the phone."
There was silence for a few seconds. Clearly Major Norton was trying to figure out how he should respond. If the person he was speaking to was important, he couldn't snap back so he checked his notes. "Oh, Dr. Page. Unfortunately, Secretary Stromann is in a meeting right now. She has some availability on Tuesday if you'd like to schedule a meeting."
Arthur reacted to this by grabbing a stray tablet on his desk and chucking it across the room. It smashed against the wall, the screen shattering onto the floor. "I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THE GODDAMN PRESIDENT IN THE ROOM! GET HER ON THE PHONE NOW!"
An audible sigh came over the phone. Major Norton responded calmly. "I'll go speak to her. Please hold."
As soon as we were put on hold, Isaac spoke over the speakers. "Arthur, your heart rate is extremely elevated. Take deep breaths and drink some water. You know this is bad for your health."
Arthur rolled his eyes, quickly reaching for his top left desk drawer. "Yeah, yeah, shut the fuck up."
Upon opening the drawer, Arthur pulled a bag of gummies out. He quickly opened the bag and popped one in his mouth. I noticed that he immediately relaxed once he started chewing. This was obvious due to the way his shoulders loosened up and his facial expression became more casual rather than enraged. These were his weed gummies. He was prescribed instant release medical grade marijuana for his anxiety. I can confirm that they truly work.
Not even a minute later, we were taken off hold. "Dr. Page, Secretary Stromann will video call you now. Have a great rest of your day!"
Arthur, unbelievably more relaxed now, actually responded kindly. "You too, Major."
*Click*
The call ended with that audible sound. Within seconds, a ringtone sounded from his computer with the caller ID showing Secretary Stromann. Arthur answered the call with an uncanny smile. "Lindsey, thank you for contacting me so quickly."
Lindsey looked quite distressed. "Arthur, what the hell is so important that it couldn't wait? That was an important meeting."
Arthur nodded. "I apologize for that, but this is truly urgent."
Lindsey sighed, shaking her head. "I've known you for 60 years and you've always been impatient. Who is this?"
Arthur bobbed his head towards me, too lazy to gesture with his hands. This was probably because of the weed. "This is James. He works for me."
Lindsey raised her brow. "Clearance level?"
Arthur smirked. "Black."
Lindsey's eyes shot wide open, clearly shocked by the revelation. "Wow, quite young for that. Anyways, let's get to it. I have a meeting with the president in an hour. Getting to the White House from the Pentagon isn't exactly a quick drive."
Arthur shrugged. "This might take precedence. I'll start by saying that DEFCON 3 at a minimum should be established immediately."
Lindsey slammed her fist on her desk. "What the fuck? Why?"
Arthur shook his head. "You misunderstand. I called you for a reason and not the Secretary of Defense. I believe this is an internal threat."
Lindsey quickly calmed down, her interest having been piqued. "Explain, now."
Arthur nodded, continuing. "Through a twist of fate, we have come into possession of a certain device that is capable of mind control. The device was controlling three men during a bank robbery."
Lindsey sighed. "A bank robbery? That's what you interrupted my briefing for?"
Arthur shook his head. "Do you really think that this will stop at some pointless bank robbery? I think they are just testing the device."
Lindsey shook her head, still confused. "Who is 'they' and why is this such a big deal?"
Arthur nodded towards me. Clearly that was my queue. "Well, Secretary, the device works by using two drugs to inhibit memory, effectively blacking out the host, and making them more suggestible. We are not yet sure how the device receives instructions but we do believe that they are capable of being activated at any time."
Lindsey furrowed her brows, looking quite skeptical. "So let me see if I'm getting this. There's some organization that is targeting the United States with sleeper agents?"
I thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I guess you can put it that way."
Lindsey began to laugh hysterically. "Oh, Arthur, this is a good one. What do you think this is, the Cold War?"
Arthur sighed. "Lindsey, this is serious."
Lindsey was still catching her breath as she replied. "Oh man, I needed this laugh. Maybe get me some proof first before coming to me with this."
Arthur shook his head, clearly disappointed with the lack of concern. "Very well. I thought our 60 years would at least instill some trust. Don't come crying when everything goes to shit."
Lindsey frowned. "Arthur, I don't appreciate such words coming from you. Anyways, if you guys actually have anything to show, give me a call. I'll do my best to fit you in. Good day." She hung up the call.
I looked at Arthur, somewhat appalled. "Well, that was pointless."
Arthur shrugged. "Government types, not your crowd, right?"
I nodded. "They only care about reelection. Nothing we can really do."
Arthur shook his head, smirking. "Well, I wouldn't say that. I think I found a purpose for the extra funding we'll receive from your demo. Have your team get some designs drawn. I want a presentation on Wednesday. Isaac will send you a calendar invite."
I sighed. "This is a hassle."
Arthur shrugged. "The return on investment will be huge. Once the government comes crying, we can charge them double and really shove it in their faces."
I blinked slowly, not sure how to react to that. "Isn't that just profiteering?"
Arthur let out a quick laugh. "HA! Not at all, James, it's just good business. They'll come when they're ready. If not, we'll just pick up the pieces that remain of these not so united states."
I shook my head at this. "Well, just leave me out of all the business bullshit. I apparently have work to do because all I know is one thing; we're in danger."