The Secret (The Scinegue Series Book 1) by S.R. Booth Page B

and to see the changes that are taking place is heartrending. No one wants to believe they are behind this, but for it to have infiltrated the company as fast and as far as it has, we think it has to be them.” He shook his head as if he still didn’t want to believe it was possible.
    “You will have access to the information we need to stop all of this, but you will be closely watched. Being new, however, you will not be monitored as we are.” He swiftly unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt and glanced around before pulling it to the side to expose his shoulder. In the same spot where some people still had scars from the small pox vaccine, he bore a slightly raised square scar.
    “This monitors everything about us. Location, heart rate, temperature, overall health. The readings are sent to a monitoring facility and recorded. They won’t approach you with the implant right away so you will be able to go under their radar, so to speak, whereas none of us can.”
    Billy stared in fascination at the raised patch on the man’s arm before it was covered and the shirt quickly re-buttoned. “If you’re so closely monitored, how is it that you’re here?” he asked again, with a hint of disbelief in his voice.
    The man seemed agitated. “I already told you, I have connections within security and know a few tricks.”
    “Then why don’t you just use those ‘tricks’ to expose this whole thing, if there really is anything to expose? Again, why do you need me?” Billy questioned, his own agitation apparent.
    “I don’t have time to explain, I’ve been here too long already.” He hesitated as if trying to decide whether to say more or not.
    “I can duck under the radar outside of Scinegue, but inside,” he touched his shoulder where the implant was located, “this is picked up within any of the buildings, and within two to three hundred feet outside the facilities. I can’t do what needs to be done without getting caught. Lower level employees within the company don’t have the monitors, but they also don’t have access to the secure areas where the information we need should be. You will. You should have a window of opportunity after you’ve been given security clearance but before you’re approached about getting a monitor.”
    Then he added with a sigh, “I hope. I have to go,” he continued, “but will be in touch.” He started walking toward the front of the store, setting his basket down beside some shelves as he went.
    “Wait!” Billy hurried to catch up with him and grabbed his arm spinning him around. “I don’t know what you want me to do. I don’t even know who you are.”
    The man stopped and looked Billy in the eye. “Who I am is irrelevant. The most important part of you knowing who I am is being sure you act like you don’t know who I am if you ever see me again. Both of our lives will depend on it. You can call me Bob for ease of reference, and what I want is for you to save the world.” Bob gave him a brief, pained grin.
    “That’s not asking for much, is it?” he tried to joke. His smile vanished. “From what we’ve discovered, if all continues to go in the direction it’s headed, you will soon be in a position to do just that. Save the world. Or destroy it. It will come down to you. I can only pray your eyes will be opened to the truth before it’s too late.” Bob searched Billy’s face hoping he hadn’t made a mistake telling him what he had, wondering if Billy could really be the one who would save them all.
    “I hoped to tell you so much more by now.” He shrugged his arm from Billy’s grasp and shook his head in regret as he backed toward the front of the store. “There are others on the outside. They know and are preparing and will help you. Go to the Farmer’s Market on Maple, Saturday morning at eight. Someone will find you.”
    He turned to leave, pausing once more to call quietly over his shoulder, “And get Sarah off of her fertility treatments ,