The Lucifer Sanction by Jason Denaro Page B

world.”
No reaction.
“Although we cannot as yet move into the future,
we most certainly can chart the route on which the future
will travel. We have already sent our people back and took
the necessary steps to reducing the population of the 14th
century. AIDS, Ebola and cholera epidemics are reducing
the numbers further, but the toll is insufficient. Indications
are we must repeat the bacterium exercise. Libra’s decision
came about with extreme trepidation,” Bosch said in a
forceful tone. “We can argue the ethics of the situation all
day, or we can move forward with the Triumvirate’s request
for your organization’s involvement.”
Danzig interjected in a consolatory tone. “We have a
more immediate problem than your ethical belief. Our man
Moreau has refused to return as ordered. He delivered a
weak transmission threatening to spread a newly developed
bacterium. We believe he is suffering mental issues.”
“Mental
fuckin’
issues?”
Blake
groaned
in
disbelief. “And this guy, this Moreau, he’s carrying a new
bacterium?”
“Yes, it is known as Lucifer and is several times
deadlier than its predecessor and eh, most unfortunately,
there is no antidote. It is the ultimate cull,” Bosch replied. “Its
implementation has been sanctioned by the Triumvirate.”
He smiled broadly as though the creation of the
strain was a plus for medical science.
Sam hammered his fist down and stood in rage
causing his chair to bounce back across the room. Patrice
Bellinger sprung to her feet as Sam shouted, “This is
absurd!”
Sam clutched at his chest and collapsed to the floor.
Blake scrambled to his side as Bell quickly dialed 911.
Fifteen minutes later two medics monitored Sam’s vital
signs.
“How are you feeling, sir?” the younger medic
asked.
“Vitals look good,” the other said quietly.
“It’s not his heart,” the younger man added.
“Hyperventilation I’d say,” the other said. “His
vitals are fine.”
Sam groaned into Blake’s ear, “Just get me the hell
out of here.”
“He’s delirious,” the first medic said.
“Sure, Sam, sure,” Blake whispered. “Just take it
easy, Chief. Please – just take it easy.”
Bell sobbed and passed Blake a look of pessimism
as Dal glared at Bosch.
*****
    American Interpol Division
Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
March 22, 2015
3.48 P: M
    Two hours and twenty minutes later, Sam had
sufficiently recovered and returned to the meeting. Danzig
passed an unconvincing look of concern to Sam and
remorselessly continued the briefing as though nothing had
happened.
    “You must understand that the Lucifer sanction is
for the good of humanity. Libra has gone to great lengths
in transferring Campion and Moreau to a parallel universe.
We can access past years just as we can open pages of a
book, a novel that has already been written. However we
are unable to move forward because, well . . . because
those pages are yet to be written, but we can certainly move
back.
    “Whatever lay ahead of us consists merely of
possibilities. But the past, well now, the past is a manuscript
we can peruse, a story we can alter – the same manner in
which a writer can alter the completed paragraphs of a
novel. The writer has the ability to direct where his story is
heading, the ability to affect the outcome.
    “We at Libra are able to correct past misgivings
so long as we do not infringe on what has already been
recorded by history. Recorded history has happened, but
we have the power and technology to assist history in most
satisfactorily arriving at that end.”
    Blake asked, “So where are we involved in the
scheme of things?”
Bosch raised himself from the chair amidst a
shuffling of feet as anxiety in the room peaked. “I will make
this as simple as possible. Libra will transport your team to
the coordinates we transported Moreau and Campion. The
assignment is quite simple – you must locate the ampoules
containing the