Read Online Agent Counter-Agent by Nick Carter - Free Book Online Page B

out in a cold sweat. The euphoria gave way to intense anger as the President's words became more and more abusive, louder and louder. His face slowly warped and became hideously distorted. In a minute the face was all that was left of the image. It began expanding, growing larger and uglier as the venom spewed from his twisted lips. The face was
so
close I thought I could reach out and attack it.
    I heard a scream in the room and realized it had come from my own throat. I had reached out savagely for that awful face, trying to tear into the flesh with my bare hands, clawing at it with my fingers.
    But I couldn't reach it. The scream had been one of complete frustration and abject despair at not being able to reach the awful face and destroy it. In another minute the voice died away, and there was just silence as the contorted face continued to move in front of me.
    Suddenly Tanya's voice came out of the darkness. "This is your enemy. This is the man who stands between your people and freedom. He is a vile, ugly animal, and he feeds on the carcasses of his people. You have always disliked and feared him, but now you are consumed with a desperate, violent loathing. You hate him more than you have ever hated anyone or anything in your life."
    I thought my chest was going to explode with the repulsion and hatred I felt for the twisted face. I kept remembering the President's vile words, and I clenched my fists until my nails tore the flesh of my palms.
    Finally the image disappeared into the blackness and was replaced by another. This was not familiar to me at first, then I remembered it from the newspaper. It was the American Vice-President. He was speaking in English, but I understood him perfectly. He was explaining that he would work closely with the Venezuelan government, that the United States would offer more economic and military aid to keep the Venezuelan President in power. As he spoke, his face changed. His eyes became more and more evil, and his mouth spewed forth hideous, detestable words.
    When the lights finally went on, I was covered with sweat. The technician unstrapped me from the chair and took me back to my room. The drug and the overpowering emotions had completely drained my energy. My legs were so weak that I could hardly walk.
    Back in my room, the technician helped me onto the cot and then stared down at me. "Are you all right?" he asked.
    "I think so."
    "This is all necessary for your mission." He said kindly.
    I took a long, deep breath. "Where is Tanya Savitch?"
    "She is busy on the project."
    "I have to see her."
    "I'm afraid that is impossible."
    I looked up at him. He was a young Venezuelan, the man called Salgado. His face looked honest. Maybe because of the frankness I saw there, I blurted out a something I hadn't even realized I was thinking.
    "Am I really who they say I am? Is all this really necessary for the people's revolution?"
    His eyes narrowed on me. "Do you doubt it?" he asked anxiously.
    "I… I don't know. I guess not. Sometimes I think I am going crazy."
    "You are not insane. In fact, you are quite well now." His voice was soothing.
    "How long have I been here in the clinic?" I asked.
    He hesitated as if wondering whether he should answer me. "You were brought in by a comrade the night before last."
    "And when will I be ready to leave?"
    "Today."
    I propped myself up weakly on my elbow. "Really?"
    "The last phase will be over later today. You will have a few more orientation sessions. The next one will not be very pleasant for you, but it will be over before you know it. It is an absolutely necessary part of your preparation for the job at the conference."
    "What is that job?"
    "They will tell you later today."
    Suddenly the door opened, and Dr. Kalinin walked in. He scowled at the technician. "What is it? Why are you still with señor Chávez?"
    "He wanted to talk for a moment." The technician sounded frightened.
    "Get back to your work," Kalinin said curtly.
    "Yes, of course."