Hamish X and the Hollow Mountain Read Online Free PDF

Mimi, Parveen, and Mrs. Francis held a meeting in the cabin occupied by Hamish X.
    â€œ SO WHAT the heck do we do? We’re here in Switzerland but there ain’t nobody ta meet us.”
    â€œI think we have to be cautious. We must wait. The coordinates are correct.” Parveen shrugged. “We wait for this King of Switzerland to initiate contact.”
    â€œWhat about the ODA? Surely they are looking for us?” Mrs. Francis glanced nervously over her shoulder, as ifexpecting Mr. Candy and Mr. Sweet to walk in the door any moment.
    â€œWe must assume they are looking for us,” Parveen agreed. “But the EMP has slowed them down and the Orphan Queen ’s stealth capabilities make her difficult to track. Let’s hope we’ve bought enough time for the King of Switzerland to make contact. If we haven’t heard anything by dawn tomorrow, we’ll have to start making a new plan. Agreed?”
    Mimi nodded. Mrs. Francis wrung her apron in her pudgy fists and nodded, too. Their decision made, they looked at the object of their plans, Hamish X, lying under his blanket on the former Captain’s bed.
    â€œLooks like he could just wake up and start talkin’, don’t he?” Mimi said.
    â€œOh heavens,” Mrs. Francis whispered, taking his limp hand in hers, “how I wish he would.”
    But he didn’t. His pupils flickered under his closed eyelids. His breathing quickened but he didn’t awaken.
    â€œHe must be dreaming,” Parveen said softly. “What are you dreaming about, Hamish X?”
    THE PAIN WOKE HIM . He arched his back until just his feet and the back of his head touched the metal table. Liquid fire coursed through him, through every fibre and nerve ending. The sensation went on and on … and all the while he heard voices.
    â€œIs this normal, Professor?” The voice was cold and impersonal with a flat, lifeless quality. The answering voice was the opposite; it had a slight quaver that betrayed tense emotion.
    â€œNormal? Nothing about this is normal. This whole process is unethical and immoral.”
    â€œSpare us the humanity, Doctor. You have a job to do. Try to focus on the task at hand. Remember your poor mother. She needs you to do as you are told.”
    â€œGood point, Mr. Sweet.” The third voice was as flat and dead as the first. “Describe to us what is happening, Professor.”
    The Professor swallowed audibly. After a pause, he spoke. “The augmented nerve fibres are grafting themselves onto the boy’s natural nerve fibres. The process is very painful.”
    â€œObviously,” said Mr. Sweet.
    â€œCan we not give him some form of sedative? He needn’t be awake for this part of the procedure.”
    â€œHe won’t remember the pain, Professor. His memory will be erased.”
    â€œThat’s not the point!” the Professor shouted suddenly. “It’s needlessly cruel!”
    â€œNeedlessly? Oh no, Professor. All cruelty is necessary. Cruelty instructs. Pain teaches lessons. Think of your mother and how she might react to such high levels of pain.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t dare.”
    â€œOh but we would,” Mr. Candy said softly. “But as long as you do as you’re told, she will be spared.”
    The Professor was silent.
    â€œAaaaaaaaaah,” Hamish X screamed unheeded, writhing in agony as a new surge of pain washed through him.
    â€œThe artificial nerve tissue is accommodating the added power flow perfectly, Mr. Candy.”
    â€œIndeed, Mr. Sweet. The genetic mapping was superb. He is ready for the memory wipe.”
    The pain stopped suddenly and the boy slumped onto the cold metal surface. Sweat bathed his body. He quivered with remembered agony.
    â€œM-m-mommy,” he whimpered.

    The grey, goggled faces of Mr. Candy and Mr. Sweet loomed over him. The fedoras were gone, revealing the hideous nest of wiring that perched atop their