The Big O The Final Act Act 37 Skeletons

The report came in the following morning. It was toxin derived from Azalea and Rhododendron plants. It was constructed to attack the cardiovascular system, specifically the heart. Over time, the irregular rhythm could cause irreversible damage to the heart or stop it together completely. The good news, Dr. Plebanski stated, was that it appeared the poison was still being refined in its potency and efficacy. Had it been more, complete, there was a chance Dorothy couldve… well… I wouldve been a single dad raising five kids.

A poison this complex meant one of two things. Either there was a scientist or scientists from the New World Order that was hell bent on destroying the PEF or someone in the Paradigm Electric Research Group had gone rogue. These scenarios did not sit well with me. The former meant hunting down a pair of people that nothing left to lose as they had lost the agency they had worked for. The latter meant I had to confront four people I considered friends, and asked why hadn they kept a closer eye on PERG. Even with tact and finesse, it wasn a pleasant conversation.

However, considering the nature of the poison, this alarmed every single one of us. An emergency council meeting was called, this time being me invoking the emergency clause. The doctors were working around the clock, certain they could reverse engineer an antidote to help save Dorothy. But, the research was incomplete. Initial tests from the antidote-in-progress showed that it was effective up to a certain point, then the poison would come back, sometimes in greater potency. Dr. Plebanskis team was missing something, and they needed more information. And that meant either consulting the Memory Archives or PERG. Either way, this wouldn be an easy meeting.

”Okay, Roger. You called us. Whats going on? ” Dastun asked.

President Batter, Vice President Michaelson, Lucy, Beck, Yumi, Seebach, Sheila, Angel, and Dastun all sat at a table along with Roger and Dr. Plebanski and Carlye. Yumi was taking notes with Sheila helping. Roger nodded in Dr. Plebanskis direction.

”I invoked the emergency clause, Dastun, because Dr. Plebanskis team has made progress with the antidote for Dorothy. However, their research is still incomplete. Per everyones permission, they have access to all technology available at the SCA, but it may not be enough. Ill let her break it down from here. ”

Dr. Plebanski nodded in Rogers direction.

”Thank you, Roger. As you know, Dorothys condition has been in a delicate state. We have created a preliminary antidote, but… we
e missing a key component that will neutralize the poison in its entirety. Its missing a mitigator, one that could neutralize the effects of the poison completely. The ones the SCA has are the same any hospital has in the territory. If were to use what we have now on Dorothy, theres a chance the poison could increase its potency, thus killing her. ”

There was murmur in the council. President Batter spoke.

”Thats unacceptable. I think, Im pretty confident I speak for everyone, we want Miss Dorothy saved. What is it that you need? ”

”We need access to research from before The Event, related to the poisons components and antidotes associated with them, and we may need a team from PERG. My team is at a complete loss on what to do, ” replied Dr. Plebanski.

President Batter inhaled and exhaled slowly.

”The Memory Archives request can be granted. I know me and Michaelson will fast track that. But, PERG… we agreed a long time ago to keep the two entities separate. Its one thing for the SCA to try to find pilots using the Military Police as a screening process. Exploring the world is just as important as protecting the world we know. But, because of events that lead to The Event, we agreed to keep PERG and the SCA separate to prevent… I believe someone said cross-contamination of values. ”

And here comes the bureaucracy, my least favorite thing to negotiate, thought Roger.

”But without Dorothy, none of us would be here right. It was Dorothy who remembered during the fight how defeat Big Gamma, ” said Angel, ”And without that information, we wouldn have been able to accomplish what we have so far in terms mechas, the megadeuses, or life in general. ”

”But, he has a point, dear, ” said Dastun, ”The SCAs goal is to explore the world and connect with humanity, while trying to solve worlds mysteries in terms of discoveries found. PERGs goal is… well… it deals with matters from the resets and possibly before The Event. They try to figure out mysteries that man once figured out, but have been forgotten due to time, and the cataclysm. ”

”I need both sets of information, ” said Dr. Plebanski, ”Theres a chance the archives may not be able to help solve this problem in its entirety. Thats why I need a team or a person who specializes in botany, and/or toxin removal or cures. ”

”Then, is there something in the rules that Im missing when the SCA was formed, that could supersede what I just mentioned? ” asked President Batter.

”The Greater Good clause, though its never been used, ” said Roger, ”The issue is put to a vote, on the basis that this joint research has to benefit the greater good of the Paradigm Electric Federation, the world, or both, and there has to be unanimous consent. ”

”But this is your wife, my good man! I can subject that to a vote. Its common knowledge we want to save her. ”

Roger closed his eyes, and folded his arms. His began tapping his fingers, indicating his impatience.

”I want her saved too. But… this has to benefit everyone, not just her. Trust me when I say that its hard for me to say. Dr. Plebanski, is there anything else you can add before this is brought to a vote? ”

”But… ”

”President Batter, please. I understand, but Dorothy wrote this clause herself. To not abide by it… ”

Roger didn finish his argument. Dr. Plebanski looked at President Batter then back to Roger.

”I do have one more thing to add, Roger. Theres cause for concern that the poison is still being worked on, and its possible Dorothy was just a test. Its possible, with time and resources, this poison could be refined to target the heart much quickly, which could result death within minutes to a day after exposure. And who knows what delivery system theyll use it. So, its possible they may be trying to weaponize this… ”

There was another murmur on the council. Roger nodded in Dr. Plebanskis direction. He turned to Yumi.

”Let the record show that Im abstaining from this Greater Good clause vote, citing the party affected is related to me by marriage. ”

Roger got up and exited the room along with Dr. Plebanski and Carlye as everyone began proposing and counter-proposing arguments. Roger shut the doors and sat outside the meeting hall with Dr. Plebanski and Carlye finding seat themselves.

”This shouldn even be up for discussion, Roger! I mean, your wife, my friend, has practically done a lot for the SCA, Paradigm, Electric City… I mean… ” said Dr. Plebanski, annoyed.

Roger sighed. ”I get how you
e feeling. But… Dorothy and I decided to keep the Paradigm Electric Research Group out of the SCA activities, and we went to great lengths to insure that. ”

”Are you really going to abide by the rules while your wife… ”

Roger glared at Dr. Plebanski and stood up for a moment, shoving his hands in pockets. Dr. Plebanskis face turned from stern to concern.

”Im sorry. I forgot myself. ”

Roger softened his look. ”Forget it. It happens to the best of us. But to answer your question, whatever happens in that room, will determine my next move. ”

Rogers comm went off. He looked and saw Norman was contacting him.

”Go ahead, Norman. ”

”Master Roger. Mr. Dale has called and said that Big Ear has the information you are seeking, or at least a part of it. ”

”Finally, a lead. I appreciate it. Tell him Ill be by later this afternoon. Im waiting on the council to vote. ”

”Understood, sir. Will it be a late night again? ”

”More than likely. ”

”I understand. I shall keep things held together on the home front. ”

”Thank you, Norman, ” and Roger disconnected the call.

Dr. Plebanski stood up and put a hand on Rogers arm.

”Is there anything I can do for the kids? This can be good… not having their mother or father around… ”

Roger shook his head. ”Just get Dorothy better… please… ”

****

An hour had passed. Roger was slowly walking up and down the hall, waiting for the council to finish voting. Finally, the doors opened, and everyone walked out with President Batter leading them.

”Roger, moy, its a unamious vote. Dr. Plebanski, if you would be so kind, could you please forward everything you need to my secretary, Lucy? I will see to it the request is fast tracked. ”

”Understood and thank you, sir. ”

She and Carlye went back to the lab to get the information requested. Angel and Dastun walked over to Roger.

”Weve been looking over for the name, at this point its just Sampson, since we figured Azalea Paneel has nothing related to it. But we did find two blurbs in the transcripts. It was regarding the sentencing of a William Hayword. Hes still serving time at the prison and may be able to help you. I can arrange time if you want to speak with him, but Ill have to be present, ” said Dastun.

Angel nodded. ”I also found that a large number of plants were seized and destroyed from the ruins of the New World Order base. Some were identified. One as, probably not saying this right, Azaleastrum Sampson. I checked with PERG. They have no samples and none were ever given to the SCA. ”

”So, why would he say it was a person then? ” asked Roger, confused.

”I don know. Maybe he needed the plant to finish his research to weaponize the poison, and decided to use you and Dorothy to help him find its whereabouts while using you as test subjects. ”

Roger grimaced at the uncomforting thought. However, he had leads and pieces of the case were coming together.

”I now have three leads. Dastun, Angel… I can thank you enough. ”

”Don mention it, Roger. Do you need help with the kids, the house? ” asked Dastun.

”Normans got it, but thank you for asking. I have to go. I got to go talk to my informant. Ill see you soon. ”

Roger walked out quickly while Angel and Dastun watched him.

”Wheres Lizzy, Angel? ”

”Shes with Marcus and Anna, in the control room. Why? ”

”I know Roger. Hes working late. Take Lizzy with you and help Norman out. ”

”But… ”

”I know what he said. But just say Lizzy wanted to play with her friends to Norman. Hell know why you
e there anyway. Besides, you
e their Aunt, technically. Theyll be happy to see you and itll help them out. ”

”But what about you? ”

”Ill be fine. Ill be home late myself. Ill need to get ready for this interview. I love you. Be careful. ”

Dastun turned around and walked out in the same direction as Roger. Angel sighed and went to go collect her daughter.

*****

Roger pulled up to the Speakeasy and stepped out, activating the security system on the Griffon. He walked inside, catching a beer from Dale and went over to Big Ears corner, sitting down.

”You look tired, Negotiator, ” said Big Ear.

”Ive been multi-tasking work and the kids, ” replied Roger, taking a long sip from his beer.

”You
e a better man than most. ”

”Thanks for the compliment. Now, what did you find out? ”

”Are you aware of the plant family that Azalea belongs to? ”

”I have an idea, but to double check, is this related to the person I asked about? ”

Big Ear looked at Roger over the paper.

”Aren we impatient. ”

Roger took another sip of beer.

”Im sorry. Just a little tired. ”

”I see. Well, everything is connected, and you paid me for a job, which I will add that theres still money left over. ”

”Then, please… continue… ”

”So, the plant family that Azalea belongs to is called the Ericaceae family. Prior to the Event forty years, the area that is now Paradigm had a beautiful botanical garden and was known for these plants. ”

”Any chance it included Rhododendrons? ”

”As a matter of fact, yes. There was an incident at these gardens in which insects called bees were trying to pollinate and create honey. However, it was little known back then what toxins these plants had, as theyve come from another part of the world. When the honey was sold, the people who bought the honey began to feel ill, citing hallucinations, problems breathing, coughing, and heart problems. ”

Roger nodded and took another sip of his beer. Big Ear continued speaking.

”Well, the gardens realized that the toxic effects from the flowers transposed to the honey, creating what was then called, Mad Honey disease. Thankfully, those who had bought the honey were tracked down and the contents were disposed of. However, the incident was recorded and, well, after the Event, it seems the New World Order got a hold of it. This is where your Sampson fellow comes in. Apparently, he was a grunt and discovered this information going through the ruins of the old botanical building. This information naturally led to a promotion. ”

”Any chance that promotion came with being modified into a cyborg? ”

”Its possible considering that most captured after the fight 14 years ago were cyborgs. He worked with a head division scientist by the name of William Hayword. Apparently, according to research documents and word-of-mouth, Hayword took Sampson under his wing. Sampson learned everything that he could and eventually, recreated an Azalea that he named Azalea Paneel, in hopes of gaining recognition from the leaders of the New World Order. When that didn have the promised outcome he had hoped for, he changed it, renaming it Azalea Sampson. ”

Roger digested this for a moment. ”So, the name Sampson gave me… was for a plant? ”

”Apparently so. ”

”So, I guess why use my firm to look for it… ”

”Perhaps its because of your reputation, Roger, for being the best. ”

”Joy. I can now add questionable people to my list of clientele. ”

”The base self-destructed, Roger. Perhaps he felt a certain attachment to it. Word-of-mouth indicated he was obsessed about the plant, even going as far as to sleep with it in his bed. ”

”Thats unhealthy. ”

”Indeed. Perhaps he thought you and your wife could find the plants whereabouts, though your efforts wouldve been in vain. PERG destroyed all evidence found, only making note of their discoveries. Supposedly, this plant that he made was to be used in advanced chemical warfare, but he could never secure the funding to weaponize the poison. ”

”So… its possible he was trying to use me to find the plant, maybe to finish his research. But after everything thats happened, hes gone under again, rethinking his plan probably. My next question is… hes had 14 years. How would he have been conducting his research on this poison and where? How would he fund it? ”

”If hes a botanist/chemist, he could easily figure out how to make drugs to sell on the black market to generate funds. The Underground is a good place to research and sell such things. There are still parts of it that haven been mapped, and well, with the SCA exploring new territories, new resources become available for trade which means… ”

”He wouldve been able to discover new things to help further his research. For every action, theres an equal and opposing reaction, I guess. He has to have an accomplice though. Something tells me he wouldn just leave this unattended if he had an underground lab set up. Did anything else come up with that? ”

”No, but you still have funds available. ”

Roger finished his beer and rose from his seat. He set another pile of twenties on Big Ears table.

”Heres more. Contact Dale when you find out more information, specifically about this guys research, whereabouts, and possible accomplices. I know we didn catch all of the New World Order, and some are still hiding in the city, either because they can leave, or they won . Make this a priority, please. ”

Big Ear looked at the stack of cash on his table. ”Thats a lot of money, Negotiator. ”

”I have someone I know who possibly got affected by his poison. I need this information ASAP. ”

Big Ear nodded and opened his newspaper. ”Consider it done, Negotiator. ”

Roger nodded, stopped to pay Dale for his beer, and walked out of the Speakeasy.

*****