Interface: A Techno Thriller Read Online Free PDF Page B

cloudy green liquid.  
    Kate leaned forward. "What's that?"
    "Nano," he said. "Intelligent nanites in liquid suspension. Automated particles on a molecular scale."
    She looked closer. The liquid almost seemed to be glowing. "You're kidding."
    "What I hold here could be the basis for creating functional systems beyond the microscopic, with applications spanning biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. The nanites just need to be programmed."
    "You got them from CERUS? I thought that project was shut down?"
    "My company is good at many things, but permanent deletion of valuable research is not one of them."
    Kate stared more closely at the vial. "Of course I could be staring at food colouring and glitter. It's not like I can see the actual nanites."
    Armstrong nodded. "Now you're talking like a scientist. Ten thousand of them stacked would be thinner than a sheet of paper: so impossibly tiny, yet they could change the world."
    "Why would the company risk it? Why would Bern risk it?"
    "Before we talk any more," he said, "we need to agree how this is going to work."
    Kate sat back, clearing her throat. "I want to be clear that our funds are limited."
    Armstrong laughed. "You think I want money? Ms Turner, you've misunderstood me. This is about technology changing us. And whether we should allow it to." He paused. "Or perhaps whether we can even stop it."
    "So, what do you want?"
    "I want to make things right." He paused. "And I don't want anyone dying. Not like last time."
    "What?"
    He slid the vial across the table. "A gesture of my good faith. Do some research, Ms Turner. You need to understand more about the company and its history because if it's about to make mistakes, it won't be the first time. Then if you still want to, let's talk again."

ELEVEN

    TOM BECAME AWARE OF THE sound of heart monitors and the smell of disinfectant. Around him a swirl of light and noise coalesced into a hospital ward, with several patients sleeping in beds to either side. He blinked and tried to sit up, but realised he was swathed in electrodes and wires, a drip in his left arm. His tongue felt like a dry sponge.  
    "Careful now," said a man's voice. A doctor walked quickly over and scanned the electronic display next to the bed. "Welcome back, Tom. How are you feeling?"
    Tom's head was pounding. He coughed, trying to get moisture into his mouth. "Can I get a drink?"  
    The man produced a white plastic cup and held it to Tom's lips.
    "Thanks." Tom coughed as the cold water softened his tongue. "Where am I?"
    "The Royal London Hospital," said the doctor. "You were brought here yesterday after you collapsed."
    Tom shook his head and winced. "My head hurts."
    "You have a nasty lump where you hit your desk, although thankfully it's nothing serious." The doctor paused. "It seems you fell over."
    "I was feeling under the weather. I think I had a bit too much to drink at the weekend."
    The doctor frowned. "When you say a bit too much to drink , could you be more specific?" The doctor lifted his pen and started jotting notes on his clipboard. "Times, quantities? Did you take any narcotics?"
    "To be honest, I don't remember much about the weekend."
    "We've run some tests and nothing showed up, but if you know you took something you really should tell us." He hesitated. "We're not interested in reporting drug use to the police, if that's your worry."
    Tom shook his head. "I really don't remember"
    The doctor started to say something, but behind him an alarm began ringing. He strode quickly away.
    Tom watched a nurse walk across to his bed. "You have a visitor," she said. Tom turned towards the door, expecting to see Jo. Instead a grey-haired man in a neat suit walked up to him. His face seemed familiar.  
    "Mr Faraday," said the man with a smile. "Good to see you're awake. I'm Peter Marron. We met during your CERUS interview."
    Tom frowned. "HR, right? What... Why are you here?"
    Marron turned and looked at the electronic display next to Tom's bed,