VANGUARD(34)

I can do this.

Forcing a neutral expression, Sophie pushed open the door of Jaros’ office. He looked up at her with his usual smile.

“Back so soon, my dear? What news on our latest patient in the infirmary?” Of course he would ask. She understood why now.

“It’s not good. The pneumonia has moved faster than I had anticipated. I must reconsider my options.” Jaros locked his eyes on her as he waited for Sophie to divulge more. She sat down in the chair in front of him, a speculative look crossing her face.

“You have a plan, don’t you?” She nodded. “Tell me your plan.”

Sophie pursed her lips as if contemplating how much to reveal to him. She stood up and paced the length of his office, drawing out the moment.

“I fear you’ll disapprove, Commandant.”

“Perhaps,” he said. “Tell me.”

Once again, she paused as if weighing the options. Then she took her seat again, gazing at him. “The pneumonia has spread. Now it is among the young men.” She sighed and shook her head. “We have tried everything – everything! Conventional medications will not defeat this new enemy. It must be viral, rather than bacterial.” She looked at him slyly. “I would like to try something unconventional.” His eyes sparkled as she stood to lean closer, lowering her voice.

“I want to test an experimental vaccine on this new patient. He’s young and strong, not like the old ones before him. If I’m successful, we can inoculate everyone in the camp and eliminate the disease.”

Jaros’ grin stretched across his face. “Medical experimentation on prisoners is against the Geneva Convention,” he whispered triumphantly.

“Yes, it is.” She let a ghost of a smile linger around her lips. Let him believe that he had just witnessed the corruption of a young idealist. They stared at each other in the silent office. His profile hadn’t indicated a background in the life sciences. If he knew much of medicine or biology, she was lost. They didn’t need a live patient to create a vaccine, and creating one in the field with the resources available was nearly impossible.

“It’s a good plan, my dear. Why would you think I might disapprove?”

“Because I must remove the patient from Parnaas to conduct the test. Everything that occurs here will be documented by Dr. Shah and her team. I can’t conduct an illegal experiment under the noses of my colleagues. No, I must take him with me, back to our camp.” She gestured vaguely in the direction of the border. “It is there I will find a cure for this disease.”

“Absolutely not. Prisoners do not leave Parnaas alive.”

“Send a guard with us then. He’ll be returned, one way or another.” She spoke casually, her innards writhing. Michael, Michael, Michael.

“Insufficient.”

She took a few steps back and sank down in her chair, still holding his gaze.

“Then he’ll die. Others will die. Your workforce will die, and you will have failed the Soviet Republic.”

The Commandant considered her words, then chuckled. “Sophie, I know you too well. You will not give up. You’ll work to the last man, to the last hour to find a cure. I have faith in your abilities.” His eyes shone with malice.

She slumped a bit, as if acknowledging his superior insight. “This is true. You do know me well, Commandant.” He beamed at her compliment. “But going the conventional route will take longer. More time. More will die.” Sophie made her voice low, persuasive.

Jaros stepped into the trap.

“That doesn’t matter to me. More deaths among the prisoners do not trouble me.” She could hear the false ring under his joviality.

“But they do.” Jaros’ eyes hardened, but never left hers. Sophie’s voice slipped down to a whisper. “This new one is the first of the young men to become ill. Men in their twenties with their lives ahead of them. Good, strong, young men. Those are the ones you wish to keep, yes? How many will be left by the time I find a cure through conventional means?

“Consider our motivations, my friend. If you give this one patient to me, I’ll find a vaccine quickly. More refugees will live. You will keep your workforce, keep those most valuable to you.” She pressed forward. “The Soviet Republic – and you – will get credit for brilliant leadership in a crisis.”

His eyes narrowed, and she could see his mind working. “What is your motivation, Sophie?”