Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

"Yeah, and that's not all," he motioned to Brian to draw near enough to hear himwhisper, "they've got bio-weapons here too—anthrax and some lethal pollutants.""How do you know?""It's my expertise, man. I've handled the stuff in grad school; believe me, I knowwhat it looks like and how to read the labels. The freaky thing is, our clearances allow usto get to it. Now you tell me how that stuff is used in disaster relief other than to just clearthecasualties.""I would think if it had some sinister purpose then they wouldn't have let you justgo snooping around for it.""Well," he checked his voice, "they didn't exactly give me directions to where itwas. Once I saw we had some weight around here, I just hitched a ride on a few trucksand rode around all day. You'd be surprised what you can do with one of our badges anda clipboardnot to mention an expression that convinces people youknow where you are and what you're doing. While everybody else has been sitting aroundplaying cards or picking their noses, old Malcolm's been up and about town. I've been tosome of the storage areas that are way back inside the mountain; that's where they havethe real interesting stuff.""So what's your theory?""I haven't got one, but I can say two things with confidence.""Yes?""One, they know something's gonna happen that we don't, and it'll be real nastywhen it goes down; two, I'm glad we're on the survivor's list. Maybe they'll make me thenew EPA head if I behave.""Only you could put things quite that way.""C'mon," Malcolm grinned, "we need to get our butts in gear. We can pick upMelissa afterwards. She'll want to see some of this too."The two of them showered and dressed quickly, then exited the exercise area.They covered only a few yards of the short distance to their accommodations before thesight of flashing red lights ahead distracted them."What's over there?" asked Brian."The cafeteria, one of them anyway.""Look's like something's going on.""Can't be anybody getting their stomach pumped," cracked Malcolm, "the food'stoo good here.""Want to take a look?""Yeah, but just for a minute."As they neared the cafeteria, they suddenly saw the familiar form of Deidrebreaking through. She didn't see them, but they could plainly make out her expression."Not to be unscientific or anything," Malcolm said seriously, "but I've got a bad feelingabout this.""Dee!" Malcolm called. She turned and, upon recognizing them, trotted out tothem."Now, Brian," she warned, putting her hand on his chest, "this is going to lookmuch worse than it is.""What is it?" he asked, a feeling of dread building inside him.267