Perfect Flaw by Robin Blankenship Read Free Book Online

such occasion, he had a conversation with the Squad Leader as they had taken shelter in their vehicle when another downpour descended onto the city. They had worked together for quite some time now, and did engage in conversation when there was an opportunity.
    “We can’t go on like this, Inspector. Why does the City Council send us off under these conditions? Why don’t they wait until this bad spell is over? Wouldn’t it make more sense to start cleaning then?”
    “I see your point, Thomas,” Ross said. “But the Council seems to think it’s better not to take any chances. If we wait to start cleaning until the weather improves, the city may already be infested with all sorts of life-forms. Eradicating all that might be well impossible. Our living conditions here might be jeopardised already.”
    “A few patches of moss and grass, some insects and harmless creatures, how can they threaten our way of life?”
    “Don’t say that,” Ross exclaimed, horrified. “There are no such things as harmless creatures. The problems we faced in the past are well-documented. The epidemics, spreading like fire and decimating mankind. The infections, crippling man’s existence. As if you don’t know all that. I must say you disappoint me.”
    The Squad leader sighed, shook his head, as the rain kept pounding on the vehicle’s roof and windows. “I know the City Council’s position. I’m not criticising it, and it’s certainly not my intention to disappoint you. The Council’s views is what we were taught, and what they keep telling us. Man should take his survival into his own hands.”
    “Remove himself from the food chain linking all other life-forms,” Ross joined in. “Isolate himself in a city built for man, and for man only. Where all intruders are denied entry. Thus avoiding all contact that may lead to health crises and survival problems.”
    “I suppose the Council knows what it’s doing,” the Squad leader said. “But they appear to be so extremist. Keeping men and women separate. Allowing young and healthy men a fortnightly sperm donation to ensure procreation. Feeding us indefinable stuff. Regulating and controlling every aspect of our lives. Holding us in a stranglehold.”
    “Uncontrolled contact between men and women allowed lethal viruses to decimate mankind. Our food supply does not depend on the food chain, is free of health hazards and highly nutritious. This so-called stranglehold may be the only way to keep things going. Isn’t our survival, without any major problems for a long time, proof of that?”
    The Squad Leader shot him a wary look. “Well, the Council seems to have your full support. And you’re obviously right. It’s clear this is the only way. I apologise for venting these unorthodox views of mine. I suppose the bad weather and the strain of the hard work are getting to me. Please forget what I said.”
    The rain showed signs of abating, and the men climbed back out of the vehicle to continue their jobs. Before they parted company, the Squad Leader told him: “We should talk more often.”
    “Whenever there’s an opportunity,” Ross said. He didn’t mind some conversation, even if it veered into dangerous waters at times. It was a welcome addition to the official socialising hours in the evening, which were often boring and limited to contacts with people of his own level at the designated Pub. And these last few days the only topic raised in the Level D Pub was the terrible weather, and he preferred not to be reminded of that in his few spare hours.
    After ten days the weather finally improved. The wind and rain stopped, but the grey cloud cover wasn’t restored completely, sheltering the city from the sun only intermittently. Now the Cleaning Squads could begin the real work. The City Council encouraged everyone to make sure life reverted to its former situation as quickly as possible. “Everyone should take up his responsibility,” the Council’s spokesman