|
"Oh. So there aren't any guards we
can bribe? No weapons we can take?"
"No."
"Maxis does have a personal guard," Odin added, "but
it only consists of twelve persons, and only four are on duty per shift.
These persons appear to be armed with sidearms. I found no traces of
heavy weaponry."
"As could be expected," Jake said.
"What about the drug plant?" Evvie asked. "Y'know,
where they make the drugs to suppress the rebelling urges in the
people?"
Jake rolled his eyes. Well, at least she'smanaged to
do some research about revolutions after agreeing to help. Too bad for
her "research" means watching hokey old videos, not reading actual
history.
"Evvie, something like that only occurs in fiction.
Reality is not like that."
"Actually, Jake, you are incorrect," Odin interrupted.
"I call your attention to that large room on level six."
"That's food processing."
"Yes. I previously discovered hardware and software
tied into the main food processing systems. I investigated them
thoroughly. They are used for the specific purpose of injecting
chemicals into a food supply system."
That explains why Odin hedged a couple days ago, Jake
mused.
"Such systems are typical of mental institutions
housing dangerous individuals," Odin continued. "They prevent ordinary
nurses, visitors, and other unqualified personnel from being placed in
threatening situations. They are admirable safety measures, accepted by
every civilized government."
"Okay. What are they doing here?"
"Since there are no facilities for housing the
mentally ill, the only logical conclusion is that these systems are used
to inject chemicals into the workers' food and drink."
"Y'see?" Evvie said.
Jake ignored her. "So what chemical or chemicals are
being injected, Odin?"
"I was able to uncover shipping records for only one
chemical. The medical name for the substance is Lypinisan Oh-Five. The
more common name is 'Relaxafin.'"
"Oh, my God."
"What?" Evvie asked.
"Relaxafin. Those commercials? Y'know, the hokey ones
with those formerly hyperactive kids being all nice and quiet?" He
impersonated the actress who played the grateful mother in the spots,
"'It's given my child his peace back.'" He then did the eerily passive
kid. "'I can work with others now.'" He shook his head. "Those
commercials have consistently been criticized by almost everyone as the
worst broadcast spots for four years running."
"By who? I mean, they work, don't they?"
"Only in the cheesiest, stupidest way possible. The
only campaign that is anywhere close to being that annoying is the one
for that colonial building chain that uses that beaver."
Evvie shuddered visibly. "Don't mention that, please.
That beaver creeps me out. I once had this dream--"
"Please. No."
"But--"
"No. Odin, is Maxis using that operation for what I
think he's using it for?"
"It appears that it's being used to repress anger, and
therefore to repress any unrest or dissension."
"Is this drug being injected in dangerous amounts?"
"Actually, it's being used in dosages well below
average, and only in the adult population. That suggests the drug is
being used as a minor control on the population's mental state. I should
add that Relaxafin is comparatively expensive. That might also be a
factor in the small dosages used."
"Geez. He can't be a little more imaginative?" |
