The Reaper Plague Read Online Free

scurried to the twitching figures, efficiently stripped them
of all their weapons and gear, then wrapped them in specially-made,
metal-free restraint suits. They injected powerful narcotics and
paralytic agents using nonmetallic syringes, then signaled for the
beam to shut down. IVs dripped drugs as they lifted their charges
onto five gurneys to load into unmarked medical trucks.
    Other men and women, Edens selected for their
particularly kindly disposition, took charge of the children. They
checked them over, questioning them gently and eventually loading
them onto a minibus that took them to a teleconference with their
families.
    Spooky supervised the evolution throughout,
deliberately putting on a faintly pleased expression for the
benefit of his highly efficient subordinates. I appreciate Edens
for this kind of work – young in body, balanced in mind, eager and
efficient and hardworking. Mormons without the theology. I couldn’t
ask for better slaves, just as long as they never find out what
they are. The gods of my ancestors bless the human desire to serve
something greater – as long as I am that something.
    He accompanied the five precious commandos,
his cybernetic breeders, on the way to the hastily-expanding
laboratory. Each was an endless source of self-replicating
nanobots, a ridiculously useful gift of shortsighted Tiny Fortress
officials. Nguyen’s careful prying conversations with Daniel
Markis, and his old friend and comrade Larry Nightingale, had
revealed the outline of the Americans’ foolishness. He mused that
he himself would never have let living, functioning nanocommandos
into enemy hands. I would have installed fail-safe devices to
shut down, deprogram, or otherwise render the nanobots useless –
and I will. I will not make such mistakes, nor squander this
windfall.
    Even as they drove, his industrious,
well-paid and happy Edens were improving the nanomachine research
facility that he controlled. In his jealously-guarded hand of
political cards, that was his ace in the hole. The Committee
underestimates nano-cybernetics’ role in the coming conflicts. They had relegated nano research – at his own suggestion – to his
Direct Action command. Naturally the cybercommandos fell within his
purview.
    In return he had given up all but a
peripheral role in the development and production of Ekara’s first
space warship. The Committee believed in a division of power among
its members, and this was the price he paid. Still, he had always
preferred the blade to the bludgeon, and his ambitions were not, in
his own estimation, overweening. Few powerful people have ever
been content with “enough,” but I shall be. Perhaps I should
instruct Ann to recite “remember, thou art mortal” to me at least
once a day.
     
    ---
     
    The convoy rolled out into the countryside
well away from the Sydney urban sprawl. Nguyen observed the
bustling economy with satisfaction. Spared both the nuclear strikes
and all but a few cases of the Demon Plagues, Australia was
booming. Well-educated, carefully-vetted immigrants – many of them
from among the extended Nguyen clan – filled high-tech positions,
ensuring the nation remained at the forefront of scientific
progress. Given the state of the rest of the world, Australia had a
hundred applicants for every open space. Things were going very,
very well.
    Spooky wondered when Murphy would show up to
spoil the party.
    They drove past the busy heavy equipment
planting fence posts and sensors in a new, wider ring, before
passing through the older compound gate. Concrete trucks poured
their contents into molds full of rebar, heavy haulers dispensed
loads of wood and metal and prefabricated pieces. In a few weeks he
would have triple the floor space upon which to dig out the secrets
of the nanomachines.
    The five cybercommandos soon occupied five
beds in a bay full of medical equipment. A squat, strangely
out-of-place machine pointed its electromagnetic array down the
full length