Toys

Chapter 71

“I am afraid that the invasion by the Elites, the premeditated annihilation, is almost upon us,” Sir Nigel said. “I’ve decided you two must continue your operations elsewhere. I’m sending you to a location in France. An emergency meeting is in progress there now. Nothing could be more important. Perhaps nothing in our history has ever been more important.”

The poor, maimed man was lying in a military hospital bed, and his speech was slow and labored, but still full of passion. During the Tower of London attack, Sir Nigel had been struck in the face and chest by laser fire. I had seen this kind of wound before. I knew he would die from it.

Lucy touched his arm lightly, her face tense with concern. “I’m so sorry for your pain, sir. It’s my fault. I brought Hays Baker to London.”

“Nonsense!” Nigel raised his voice with visible effort. “It’s essential that he’s here with us. Hays Baker may be our only chance to survive this terrible ordeal. He and Lizbeth Baker. Seven-four Day was just a warm-up round for this abomination. This is the fault of that monster President Hughes Jacklin.”

“When do we leave?” I said.

“That’s the spirit. There’s a stealth jet waiting for you now. You’ll parachute into France. When you get to the world summit meeting, pay special attention to the memory-purge sessions. Remember-memory purge!”

“Have there been any breakthroughs?” Lucy asked anxiously. “Sir Nigel?”

“I know that our finest scientists are working on it-feverishly. Your recent contribution was a great help,” he said to Lucy.

I glanced at her. “What contribution was that?”

“Elite brains,” Lucy said, as calmly as she’d say a box of chocolates. “You remember those headless Toyz Corporation executives in Baronville?”

I’d hardly thought about that in the turmoil of the past days, but Lucy’s words brought back shocking images of the executives.

“This is a war,” Sir Nigel reminded me. “We are trying to stop a holocaust that could actually eliminate the human race. You must go to France, first. Then move on across Europe-Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. Then on to Asia-if there’s time. Sound the warning loud and clear.”

He offered his hand. I clasped it gently, and Lucy leaned over to kiss his cheek. We suspected that this might be the last time she and I would ever see Sir Nigel Cruikshank.

“Bonne chance,” he whispered as we left.