A Cure for Cancer

'She got smacked for speeding,' Frank said. 'But she's my type. You know. I couldn't let her down.'

'You're too good.'

'It's too sweet.'

Rose returned with a white tray on which various bottles, ampoules and instruments were laid.

'Now — let's see,' said Frank. His hand hovered over the tray. 'Anything you fancy, old boy?'

'You go ahead. Unless you've got anything in blue.'

'Rose had the last of the rozzers last night, didn't you, Rose?'

'Y...'

'She'll tell you. Nothing in blue.'

Then I'll let it go.'

'As long as you're sure.' Frank picked up an ampoule with the finger-tips of his left hand, a needle with the finger-tips of his right. 'I've been experimenting too, you know, in my own field. Something that might even interest you, though I know you haven't my obsession with chemistry. A synthesized DNA, with something added.' Frank rolled back his well-cut sleeve and applied the needle. He smacked his lips. 'Tasty. The trouble is, I found, that it's virtually impossible to manufacture in large doses. With your physics and technical know-how, we could be in business.'

'You shouldn't diversify too much, Frank.'

'That's rich advice from you, old man!'

'Besides, it's not a lot to do with my work. Not if you mean transfusions.'

Transfusions are what I had in mind. A little from that source, a little from this, mix 'em together and see what happens.'

'Schitzy!'

'Quite.'

'But it still isn't my scene. Now, if you could hand over the machine. Or maybe let me know where...'

'Ah. Well, you see, it's Rose that knows where it is. She told me all about it the other day, didn't you, Rose?'

'I...'

'It was a vision of some kind, I believe.'

'I... wish...'

'Anyway, I checked her out.'

'I... wish... I...'

'And she was right.'

'I... wish... I... was...'

'So I got in touch with you.'

'I... wish... I... was... pretty...'

'So it's around here somewhere is it?' Jerry frowned at Rose. 'In London, I mean?'

'I... wish... I... was... pretty... again.'

'Oh, it's in London, old sport.' Frank smiled, turned Rose round and pushed her towards the door. 'That's why I contacted you. I mean, there wouldn't be much time, would there? The way things are working out.'

'You mean...'

'The Op, old son. The rationalization program. That's why my boss and I are here, naturally. There's a conference of all European commanders...' he checked one of his watches... 'in about ten minutes. General Cumberland has taken emergency measures already, but I don't think they'll contain anything for very long. Berlin, Geneva, Luxembourg are now negative threats and I expect reports on Helsinki and Milan any moment.'

'Bombed?'

'Out of their minds, old bean!'

There was a knock on the door.

'Come.'

The lieutenant entered and drew himself up in a salute. 'Sir. The native commanders are in the conference room. The general hoped you'd entertain them until he can make it.'

'Of course. Well, Jerry, if you'll ask Rose for anything you need... I'll be back in a little while. Take it easy. You look beside yourself!'

'I wish I were.'

'Chin up.' Frank, one hand on the butt of his own neatly stashed needle-gun, struck off towards the door. 'Wise yourself up to the situation, if you like.'

He pulled a cord as he left and the wall over the fireplace glowed and became a map. 'I never forget, you see. You taught me how to do that.'

Jerry glanced at the bright relief map on which little spots of light flickered where cities had been. It was a bit of a bore. He, wondered if you could change the channel.

2 Gallagher to form label in thrust overseas by MCA

Jerry found a button and pushed it.

The map gave way to a scene somewhere in the palace; evidently the conference room. At the long table sat the generals and the field marshals of every European country (with the exception of the Three Republics and the one or two who were still having trouble with the Israelis). They chatted cheerfully among themselves, looking up when Frank, his seamed face set in a smile, came in.

'Gentlemen. I am Major Frank Cornelius, the general's special aide in the European Theater. Please call me Frank.'

He put down a slim file on the table and took his place near the top. 'General Cumberland regrets he has been delayed, but will join us shortly. In the meantime,' he spread his hands, 'I'm here to answer any minor questions you might like to put.'

The Norwegian field marshal cleared his thin throat.

'Field Marshal Lund?' said Frank.

'I was wondering if you could give us a brief run-down on which areas have been — um -'

'Depersonalized.'

'Ah. Yes.'

'Capitals — Helsinki, Berlin, Geneva, Luxembourg, Vienna. Major conurbations — Milan, Munich, Strasbourg...' Frank's pencil paused over his file.

The commanders politely accepted the information.

'Of course, news is coming in all the time. We'll keep you up to date.'

'Thank you.' General von Chemnitz nodded his burly head. 'We realize we are not up to date...'

'These are rapidly changing times, general. Who can hope to cope with so many events?'

'Indeed, so...' The red fat at the back of General von Chemnitz's neck trembled a little. 'And what will you be needing our forces to do?'

'Work with our boys I should expect, general.' Frank laughed and glanced at all their faces. 'Seriously — we'll be needing your men to clean up any pockets of subversive activity after our first wave has gone over your particular areas. The details of that are what we're here to discuss just as soon as General Cumberland gets here.'

There's the question of looting,' General de Jong of the Netherlands raised his elegant pen.

'Reclamation of goods. We have two basic categories here, gentlemen. Perishable commodities and non-perishable commodities. Most perishable commodities may be used by the divisions that come across them. Non-perishable commodities should be stored safely until a committee of senior officers has conferred as to their use and distribution. We have had the leaflets prepared which tell you how to cope with that problem. There are also leaflets available on Sexual Intercourse By Force, Sexual Intercourse By Consent, Sexual Intercourse By Unnatural Methods, Sexual Intercourse Between Members Of The Same Sex, Sexual Intercourse With Animals, Sexual Intercourse With Minors, Sexual Intercourse With Enemies Or Those Likely To Be Potential Enemies Or Enemy Sympathizers, Sexual Intercourse While On Active Military Duty, Conditions Under Which The Use Of Torture May Become Necessary, Conditions Under Which The Orders Of A Commanding Officer May Be Disobeyed, Conditions Under Which Allies May Be Killed Or Confined, and so on and so forth. General Cumberland and his staff have thrashed all these matters out to save you time and trouble. General Cumberland wrote most of the leaflets himself, in fact. He is a man of immense energy and thrust. An inspiration.'

Field Marshal Lord Martell glanced at his wizened wrist.

'Good Lord! Look at the time! I say, do you mind if I bow out on this one? I promised a fellow a game of golf in a quarter of an hour. You'll keep my staff up to date, I take it.'

'Of course, Field Marshal.'

Martell shook hands with some of the other generals, saluted and hurried off the scene. Two or three others got up and made their apologies.

'I'm sure we can leave it with you.' General Groente of Belgium lifted his belly over the edge of the table. The wife...'

'The children...' said the youthful Field Marshal Denoël of Switzerland.