Chapter 24 – Full Access

By ten that evening, all three reports were already on Viktor Voss’s desk. He skimmed the conclusions, lingering on the final sections, then picked up his phone. Mr. President. After today’s consultation, all three possible approaches were examined. I have the data on each of them. I’ll conduct a full audit of the materials tonight. I’ll be finished by seven, and before giving you my final report, I’d like to clarify several points with Professor Holt. The answer came almost immediately. Good. I’ll expect you at seven. Viktor looked again at the papers in front of him. If I may, make it eight. I’d like to meet with Professor Holt at seven and verify several conclusions before presenting my final report. A short pause followed. Good. Eight o’clock. Thank you, Mr. President. Good night. The call ended. Viktor set the phone beside the reports, pulled the first one toward him, and opened it from the beginning.

Across the city, Adrian Reiss lowered the phone from his ear. He was standing in the corridor of a private clinic, not far from Elias’s room. For several seconds he looked at the closed door, then unlocked his phone again and selected another number. The next call was answered at once. Yes, Mr. President. Convene all city mayors tomorrow at ten. Personal attendance, no exceptions. One accompanying person each. Ministers? Interior, Defense, and Health. No one else. Security? They may escort them as far as the Palace. Inside, only the participants and one accompanying person per mayor. Should we state the agenda? No. Understood. Adrian ended the call and slipped the phone into the inside pocket of his jacket. Almost immediately, the door to Elias’s room opened. The nurse who stepped out saw him and stopped. Mr. President. He’s awake. You may go in. Adrian gave a short nod and entered.

Elias lay with the head of the bed raised. Sensors were still attached to his chest, monitors working quietly beside him. He looked exhausted and was still pale, but his eyes were open. Hearing the door, Elias turned his head. When he saw Adrian, he gave a faint smile. Adrian… hi, my love.

Within minutes, messages from the Presidential Chancellery began arriving one after another on the phones of the mayors’ assistants: Tomorrow, 10:00. Presidential Palace. Personal attendance mandatory. No substitutions. One accompanying person. Security permitted only to the Palace’s outer perimeter. No reason for the summons was given.

At the Center, the internal review was still underway. Mark, the head of security, and Number One were in the director’s office. Mark stood at the panoramic window. The security chief sat across from the desk. The right side of his face was badly swollen, with a bandage over his cheekbone. He spoke slowly, trying not to move his jaw more than necessary. Number One stood off to the side, almost in the same place by the window where he had been during the conversation with Viktor Voss. As they moved through the Center, they left their people along the route. One at the main entrance, one at the internal checkpoint, a third at the medical wing, a fourth outside the office. Voss, Henry, the surgeon, and Number One went inside. The director refused to hand over the material without your authorization. Mark did not turn from the window. Continue. When Henry came toward me, I reached for my weapon. I couldn’t. I tried to stand. Couldn’t do that either. I tried to warn the director. Nothing. Mark turned his head. What do you mean, couldn’t? I could feel everything. My arms and legs worked. I could move. But the action I actually intended to take wouldn’t happen. Whenever I tried to act against them, it just wouldn’t start. Mark watched him for several seconds. After that? Henry knocked the chair over. Then I was hit. After that, I blacked out. When I came to, the director, the surgeon, and the material were gone. There were no serious clashes at the other posts. The guard at reception was subdued but not injured. Mark shifted his gaze to Number One. He stood quietly and added nothing.

The door opened without a knock. Giselle entered, reading a message on her phone. Presidential Chancellery. Tomorrow at ten, general meeting of all city mayors. Personal attendance mandatory, no exceptions. One accompanying person. No agenda given. Mark looked at her. All of them? All. The Ministers of Interior, Defense, and Health have also been summoned. Security can accompany them to the Palace, but they won’t be allowed inside. Mark gave a short nod. Be ready by nine. All right. Giselle put the phone away. Mark looked at Number One. Tomorrow, keep every team out of the Center. Field exercises, leave, external assignments. Arrange it however you want. No one comes back before evening. Understood. Gobby and German stay out all day too. Let them do whatever they want. You stay with them. Number One held his gaze. Constantly? Constantly. Understood. Mark turned back to the security chief. Continue.

At 9:45 the next morning, Mark’s car stopped at the outer entrance of the Presidential Palace. Mark stepped out first, Giselle after him. Their security remained at the outer perimeter. They passed beneath a high stone arch and through massive double doors. The screening in the lobby took less than a minute: identification, metal detector, brief search. Then Mark and Giselle climbed the broad staircase to the second floor and entered the long corridor of the presidential wing.

They were about thirty meters from the meeting hall when one of the side doors opened. Viktor Voss stepped out first, Henry behind him. Viktor wore an immaculate dark suit and carried his familiar old leather briefcase in his left hand. Henry kept to his right and slightly behind. They kept walking toward each other. A few steps apart, Viktor stopped. Good morning, Mark. Mark stopped opposite him. Mr. Voss. Viktor gave a slight nod. I wanted to thank the staff of your Center for their cooperation. After the initial difficulties, they provided everything necessary. And one more thing: the Center director and the surgeon were released this morning at nine. Mark looked at him without speaking. His expression did not change. But before Viktor had finished the last sentence, the air in the corridor began to warm. At first it was barely noticeable. Then the warmth became unmistakable. Henry shifted his stance slightly. His right hand dropped closer to the edge of his jacket. Viktor did not move. Mark stood perfectly still. He didn’t move or step closer. The temperature around him continued to rise.

Giselle moved half a step closer. She looked at neither Viktor nor Henry. With two fingers, she straightened Mark’s cuff and smoothed his sleeve, then pulled her hand back. Mark looked at her. The temperature stopped rising. A few seconds later, the air began to cool. Henry straightened, his right hand moving away from his jacket. Viktor noticed that too. Mark looked back at him. Thank you for the information. I’ll pass along your thanks. Viktor gave another slight nod. The president is expecting you. We shouldn’t keep him waiting. Mark continued down the corridor. Giselle moved beside him. Viktor watched them for several seconds, then turned and continued toward the stairs. Henry resumed his usual place to the right and slightly behind.

They walked a few steps in silence.

Red level.

Henry gave a short nod. They kept walking.

About ten minutes before the meeting was due to begin, Mark and Giselle entered the hall. Nearly everyone was already there. A long oval table occupied the center of the room, the presidential chair at its head still empty. As usual, Mark had arrived among the last, late enough to avoid most of the waiting and early enough that no one could call it tardiness. Several mayors acknowledged him with brief nods. Several of the men looked at Giselle for a moment longer. One of the mayors greeted her as well. She answered with a short smile.

Mark scanned the room and headed toward Richard Hale. Richard stood beside his chair speaking with two other mayors. Around sixty and lean, with neatly trimmed gray hair and an understated dark suit. Mark approached first and held out his hand. Richard. Richard shook it. You made it after all. I’m never late. One corner of Richard’s mouth lifted slightly. That’s your favorite distinction. Eleanor Ward was seated nearby. She was a little over sixty, silver hair pulled back, severe dark suit, a slim watch at her wrist and no other jewelry. When she saw Giselle, she rose immediately. Giselle. Giselle smiled more warmly. Eleanor. Instead of shaking hands, they briefly touched each other’s forearms. It’s been a while, Eleanor said. Not long enough, if they’re summoning us again without an agenda. Eleanor gave a quiet laugh.

Several seats away stood Martin Keller, mayor of the city that housed one of the country’s largest biomedical Centers. His companion stood out from the room so sharply that Mark noticed him almost at once. A young man no older than thirty, thin, slightly stooped, with messy hair and visible acne scarring. The expensive suit fit him badly, the sleeves slightly too long, his tie slightly crooked. He stayed close to his mayor, spoke to almost no one, and every so often adjusted the edge of his sleeve without seeming to notice he was doing it. Behind another mayor stood a broad man in his fifties with a military bearing, still tracking doors and movement around the room even while speaking. Another was accompanied by an impeccably dressed man under forty who carried no briefcase, tablet, or documents of any kind, yet several people greeted him separately.

The mayors themselves differed less than the people standing behind them.

At exactly ten, the doors opened. The conversations stopped. Adrian Reiss entered first. Behind him came the interior, defense, and health ministers. Everyone in the room stood. Adrian went to his place and set a thin folder on the table. Sit. The mayors took their chairs. The ministers sat as well. Their companions remained standing. Eleanor took position behind Richard’s right shoulder. Giselle stood behind Mark. Martin’s young companion moved behind his mayor, put his hands into his jacket pockets for a second, then immediately pulled them back out.

Adrian waited until the room was completely silent. There was no agenda for a reason. Yesterday, representatives of the Presidential Chancellery were working on several matters in several cities at once. In most cases, there was no physical confrontation. But almost everywhere, the same question arose. He moved his gaze from one mayor to the next. If a representative of the President or the Presidential Chancellery arrives at a Center with an official order and the required level of clearance, does that representative need additional permission from the city mayor? For several seconds, no one answered. Then one of the men spoke. That depends on the category of facility. On what, specifically? Some Centers operate under their own internal access protocols. The director may be required to confirm access through the city administration. Confirm an order from the President? Not the order. The access itself. Another mayor leaned forward slightly. This is more a matter of the existing chain of command. The Center director answers to city leadership. If the request concerns restricted sectors, he has to notify the mayor and receive confirmation. Adrian looked at him. Receive permission. The man held his gaze. In practice, yes.

Adrian turned to Richard. Your view? Richard did not answer immediately. Center personnel have worked within territorial chains of authority for decades. Their highest day-to-day authority is the city leadership. The Presidential Chancellery has almost no role in their day-to-day operations. So yesterday’s response was predictable. Predictable or correct? Predictable. Adrian gave an almost imperceptible nod. Good. How do you propose correcting it? An answer came almost immediately. We could establish a separate protocol for confirming presidential clearance. Another mayor shook his head. Mandatory notification to the city administration would be enough. The order would still be carried out immediately, but the mayor would know who is on the site and why. Adrian raised one hand. No.

The room fell silent. Effective today, an order from the President or the Presidential Chancellery specifying the required level of clearance is sufficient authority for access to the facility, information, and materials covered by that clearance. No additional permission from the mayor, Center director, or head of security is required. One of the mayors was already beginning to speak. Mr. President, but in that case… Adrian’s presence changed. Pressure filled the room almost instantly. Several of the accompanying personnel straightened without meaning to. The man who had begun speaking stopped. Martin’s young companion, who until then had been staring at the table, raised his eyes to the President.

Adrian looked around the room.

This is not up for discussion.

No one answered. A few seconds later, the pressure disappeared. Adrian turned to the Minister of Interior. By the end of today, issue a unified procedure governing the execution of orders from the President and the Presidential Chancellery at facilities under city authority. Do not alter the Centers’ internal structures. Yes, Mr. President. He looked at the Minister of Defense. Bring all provisions concerning special units and training programs into compliance with that procedure. It will be done. Adrian turned to the Minister of Health. Medical institutions acting under Chancellery orders will follow the same procedure. Understood, Mr. President.

Adrian closed the folder. That concludes the general session. Mark. Richard. Martin. He paused briefly. You three stay. Thank you, everyone else. The ministers may leave as well. People began to rise. No one challenged the decision again. The ministers briefly took their leave of the president and headed out with the other mayors, their companions following. A few minutes later, the doors closed. The enormous hall was nearly empty.

Mark, Richard, and Martin remained in their seats. Giselle, Eleanor, and the young specialist were still standing behind them. Adrian looked at the three companions. You may sit now. Giselle took a seat beside Mark, Eleanor beside Richard. The young specialist sat near Martin. The chairs immediately beside the President remained empty on both sides. Adrian opened the folder, took out three reports, and placed them in a row before him. He studied them for several seconds, then pressed a button on the control panel. Ask Mr. Voss and Professor Holt to come in. No one spoke after that. Richard glanced once at the three reports. Mark sat motionless. Eleanor rested her hands in front of her. The young specialist looked at the documents, then lowered his eyes again.

Almost a minute passed. The doors opened. Viktor Voss and Professor Edward Holt entered. Both stopped just inside. Come in, Adrian said. Viktor took an empty chair on the right side of the table, closer to the middle. Holt sat opposite him. The space nearest the President remained clear.

Adrian touched the first report. Richard. Tell us what your Center is working on. Richard turned slightly toward Eleanor. With your permission, Mr. President, Ms. Ward can give you a more precise update on the project. Adrian gave a short nod. Eleanor straightened. Mr. President, the Center is developing a system for long-term mechanical circulatory support. The primary configuration is intended for patients whose own hearts can no longer maintain adequate blood flow. In parallel, work is underway on a configuration capable of fully replacing cardiac function. The first system exists and may be adapted to a specific patient. The second is still being refined. Adrian looked at Holt. Professor, you may ask questions. Thank you, Mr. President. Holt turned to Eleanor. Maximum support duration in the current configuration? Eleanor gave the figures and principal limitations. Surgical interface? The exact parameters are in the technical appendix, Professor. The project lead and surgical team will be available to you today. Holt nodded. Data on renal function, hepatic function, and coagulation? The preliminary data are also in the report. The full medical data should be reviewed with the project team. Good.

Adrian placed his fingers on the second report and looked at Martin. Your Center. Martin inclined his head slightly. Mr. President, with your permission, our transplant immunology specialist will present the medical details. Adrian looked at the young man. Speak. He straightened. When he began, his voice was calm and precise. Mr. President, we are developing an accelerated pre-transplant desensitization protocol. The goal is to temporarily lower antibody levels and suppress the most dangerous part of the recipient’s immune response. This allows us to consider donor organs that would normally be excluded under standard matching criteria. Holt came in immediately. How far can you broaden the compatibility criteria? It depends on the patient’s baseline sensitization. In some cases, substantially. Primary risk? Acute rejection. Beyond that, infectious complications and the systemic effects of intensive immunosuppression. Preparation time? The immunologist answered without hesitation. Holt followed with questions about antibody levels, acceptable mismatch, reduction time, and post-transplant rebound. The young specialist kept his answers concise and within the available data. When he finished, Holt made a short note.

Adrian touched the third report. Mark. Mark raised his eyes. Mr. President, in our case this is not a development project. We are not working on anything of this kind. The report mentions biological material. Yes. It was found less than a day ago. We do not yet know how it appeared or what practical value it may have. Adrian looked at Holt and gave a short nod. Where did it come from? the professor asked. It was found in the wall of Drogo’s stomach. I know that. I spoke with your surgeon this morning. Mark said nothing. He confirmed autonomous contractions, independent blood supply, integration with surrounding tissue, and the presence of conductive structures. I’m asking how it got there. We don’t know. Holt watched Mark for several seconds. Your surgeon said the same thing. Then he told you exactly what he knew. Holt lowered his eyes to the third report and left it open in front of him.

Adrian waited until the room was silent. Professor. Your assessment. Holt looked at the three reports. Mr. President, all three approaches remain possible. None can be guaranteed at this stage, and each carries serious risks. He touched the first report. Mechanical support is the most conventional approach. If its stated performance is confirmed, the system could stabilize circulation, buy time, and if necessary, serve as a bridge to a total artificial heart. The principal risks are the procedure itself, thrombosis, infection, damage to other organs, and the body’s limited tolerance for prolonged mechanical support. It has real clinical potential. His hand moved to the second report. The immunologic protocol, combined with an expanded international donor search, could substantially increase the available donor pool. The principal risks are antibody-mediated rejection, infectious complications, and the consequences of intensive immunosuppression. The patient’s current condition and the time available will be critical. Holt looked at the third report. The third approach is the most uncertain. If the data are confirmed, we are dealing with living cardiac tissue capable of maintaining autonomous activity, establishing its own blood supply, and integrating with tissue in another organ.

He paused briefly. We do not know how it will behave after transfer, whether its growth can be controlled, whether its capacity for integration will persist, or what immunologic response it will provoke. This is where we have the most unknowns. But if the reported properties are confirmed, the material must be investigated immediately. Holt looked at Adrian. I would like to evaluate all three approaches personally. Adrian nodded. Evaluate them.

He looked at the three mayors. Professor Holt is to have full access to everything related to these approaches: equipment, raw data, test results, documentation, personnel, and any materials required for evaluation and further work. Richard inclined his head immediately. Of course, Mr. President. Martin answered next. My Center will provide full access, Mr. President. Adrian looked at Mark. In your case, that also includes the origin of the material, every circumstance surrounding its appearance, any related research, and every person connected with its discovery or possible reproduction. Mark paused briefly. Mr. President, everything medically relevant will be provided. Viktor raised his eyes. Adrian’s expression did not change. I said full access. Mark answered at once. The professor will receive everything necessary to evaluate the material and proceed with the work, Mr. President.

For several seconds, no one spoke.

Adrian looked at Viktor. Mr. Voss. You will coordinate all three approaches. Yes, Mr. President. The professor decides what he requires. You ensure access. Any delay is to be reported to me immediately. It will be done. Adrian looked at Holt. Begin today. Yes, Mr. President. Adrian gathered the three reports. Thank you. You’re free to go.

The mayors rose. Their companions stood with them. Mark and Richard left together and headed down the long corridor toward the staircase. Eleanor and Giselle followed several steps behind. Martin and his immunologist soon turned into another corridor. Mark and Richard walked in silence for a while. You didn’t answer him, Richard said without turning his head. I did. Not the question he asked. The one I intended to answer. Richard said nothing for several more steps. If you need help, you can count on me. I’ll keep that in mind. Richard asked nothing else. At the stairs, their paths split. The two men exchanged brief nods. Eleanor said goodbye to Giselle and joined Richard. They went the other way.

A few minutes later, Mark and Giselle left the Palace. Their car was waiting beyond the outer perimeter. They took the back seat, and the car pulled away. For a while, neither spoke. Richard noticed, Giselle said. I know. Viktor did too. I know. Giselle turned toward him. What are you going to do? Mark kept looking out the window. They already have the tissue. They’ll get the documents. He turned his eyes to Giselle.

But I’m not giving them Gobby.