Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

said. "We really aren't able to articulate a viable answer to that.""Aren't able or aren't willing?" Deidre Harper asked suspiciously."Sir," Brian interrupted the Colonel, who now directed his gaze in his direction, "Idon't know exactly how to say this, I mean I don't want to be disrespectful, but—""But what, Dr. Scott?" he asked curtly."But you're not being forthright," he answered carefully. "By your own admissionyou know what's causing the predicament, and so does Dr. Chadwick. And, judging bywhat Malcolm has shared with me, I don't think it's a stretch to say that all the scientistshave more than an inkling of what's creating this danger. I understand you may not beready to inform us, but I'd at least like a candid reason for the secrecy. It seems to me thatthe `cloak and dagger' treatment is counterproductive. We ought to all be on the samepage."A hush fell over the room. Brian expected an acrimonious response, but insteadthe Colonel stood erect and strode thoughtfully back to the podium."Vernon," Neil interrupted. "I know it's ahead of schedule, but I think it's apparentthey need to be told."The Colonel remained silent. Neil continued. "We've done extensive personalityprofiles. I've stated before that I felt conditioning could be minimal. You have theauthorization.""Conditioning for what?" Dr. Kelley inquired in a concerned tone."I'm perfectly aware of my parameters," the Colonel said in response to Neil,bypassing Melissa's question. He suddenly directed his attention back to Brian. "So, Dr.Scott, I take it that your little excursion on the Internet last evening is what allows you todraw your conclusions?""Yes . . . it is," Brian answered. Despite being told about the monitored computeruse, he still couldn't help feeling spied upon, and although he shouldn't have been, he wastaken aback that the monitoring had already begun."So you've arbitrarily connected Dr. Chadwick's earlier work with our geneticanomaly?""Yes, but ...""On what basis? Where's your evidence?""I haven't got any other than your reaction this moment—and Neil's. Call it ahunch.""Would someone please tell the rest of us what this is all about? " Dr. Harperasked, making no attempt to hide her annoyance."I think I'll leave that to Dr. Chadwick," Colonel Ferguson replied, still staring atBrian. "Your hunch is warranted, Doctor. I don ' t like being challenged, but your initiativedeserves commendation."Dr. Chadwick looked apprehensively around the table. "Well, based upon myresearch of some years past and an examination of our randomly selected heifers, we areabsolutely positive that the genetic change can be directly linked to what our governmentwould officially call . . . well . . . violent animal slayings of indeterminate causation. ""Come again'?" Dr. Kelley queried impatiently. "In English, please. ""Cattle mutilations," Brian answered. "Cattle mutilations."47