Perfect Flaw by Robin Blankenship Read Free Book Online Page A

declared. “No one should rest until the City is back in its pristine state. Only this way will you all be able to live safely and comfortably. Keep in mind that this City was built for man and for man only. Not any contamination will be allowed. No cracks in the concrete will be overlooked, each sign of wear or tear will be spotted, reported and repaired. The Council counts on your unwavering commitment and drive.”
    Ross shook his head in despair as he noticed, on the first “normal” day, what was awaiting the Squads. He did his tour of inspection in his area, and made a note of everything he saw. Small patches of moss had appeared on the pavement and on some facades. Blades of grass could be seen, tiny green intruders hoping to pass unnoticed. Several insects crawled or flew around, ants, bugs, wasps, flies. One small lizard scuttling away as he approached completed the picture. The entire city must be soiled to an unprecedented degree. The Squads would have to work around the clock to eradicate all these life-forms. And the faint breeze carried yet more fluffs of pollen, those tireless messengers of death.
    At the end of the first day, Ross had a short conversation with the Squad Leader. “My men can’t take it any more,” Thomas said. “They’re exhausted, and some even claim this harrowing work is virtually pointless.”
    “I hope the Council doesn’t find out about your men’s subversive ideas. Such views aren’t exactly encouraged, and I’m putting it mildly.”
    “I know. People should be more cautious. But don’t you think the Council is going too far at certain moments? Their reasoning is so rigid, so harsh.”
    “The Council prefers not to take any chances. They haven’t forgotten the lessons from the past.”
    “Neither have we. But we can get rid of all these critters and weeds without taking things to the limit.”
    “You’re underestimating the enemy, my dear friend. One mosquito infecting one single man may unchain an epidemic. One plant may spread into a green tide, attracting many more animals and vegetation and insurmountable problems. Zero tolerance is the only way.”
    The Squad Leader shot him a weary look. “I can see you’re a hard-liner. Just like the City Council.”
    “It’s the hard-liners who survive,” Ross rebutted. “You know the saying. No cracks in the concrete will be overlooked…”
    The Squad Leader nodded. “Of course. Will you tell the Council now that my men are growing disgruntled?”
    “I will pretend I never heard your words,” Ross said. “I understand your men are under enormous strain. It’s only natural that they show weakness at a moment of crisis like this. Tell your men they have my full support. I’m sure the Council will be behind them, especially in these difficult times.”
    For several days the Squads put in many hours, removing all traces of vegetation and killing all the insects and other creatures they could find. Ross did round after round of inspection, checking if the Squads had not overlooked something and if perhaps any new intruders had arrived on the scene. A lot of progress was made, but each time Ross was about to conclude a particular area had been cleared, he noticed an alarming presence. A small spider, scuttling away, glimpsed from the corner of his eye. A minuscule patch of green, almost hidden from sight, having taken root in an unlikely place.
    Ross was convinced that everything would be back to normal soon, when on the fifth day the City Council spokesman announced some devastating news. Cockroaches had been found in the City’s food supplies. The matter was being investigated, and measures would be taken as quickly as possible. No more details were given.
    At the first lunch break after the announcement, Ross noted that his colleagues were discussing the matter. They shouted loud enough to drown the pounding music filling the mess-hall.
    “What they usually do is destroy the supplies that have gone bad or been