Read Online Perfect Flaw by Robin Blankenship - Free Book Online

stayed at home intentionally, expecting the visit of an Inspector, in an effort to enlist him? How would his fellow level D workers react? Would they join or denounce the revolutionaries? Ultimately there were only two possibilities. Either the rebels were successful and grabbed power, in which case the Council and all its loyal supporters would bite the dust. It would be the end of the City. Or the Council would prevail, and all its enemies would be wiped out. So in fact there was only one wise move.
    “This flower,” Ross said. “Did you grow it in just these last few days, when the City was swamped with pollen?”
    “Oh, no,” the man replied. “These plants don’t grow that quickly. I’ve had this one for quite a while now. Look, there’s a wasp. A fascinating creature.”
    To Ross’s horror, an insect indeed came in through the open window. It flew in circles round the plant, hovered in the air for a moment, then seemed to notice him and went straight for his face. Panic welled up inside him, and he hit the insect before it could come near.
    “Don’t do that,” the man cried out. “It’s attracted by the flower. It means you no harm, unless you attack it. In that case it will defend itself.”
    “That’s enough,” Ross snarled. “I will report you. This flower, the insect, your subversive ideas, your efforts to win me for your despicable cause. You will pay a high price for your treason, citizen.”
    “Your hand, Inspector. Look at your hand.”
    Just as he grew aware of a throbbing pain, he looked down and saw his hand was swelling. The pain quickly exploded, setting his entire arm aflame, driving all thoughts out of his mind, until it filled every square inch of his body and short-circuited his brain. He yelled, thrashed and flailed, felt how he hit the plant, the man standing next to him and the wall. He must have hurt himself, but the added pain was lost in the agony that held his entire body in its grip. Then everything faded into blackness, and his consciousness dimmed.
    When he awoke he understood he was in the City Hospital. His hand was bandaged. He moved it, but there was hardly any pain anymore. How long had he been here? Had his condition been serious, perhaps even critical? What had that goddamned insect done to him? As he got up a doctor entered his room.
    “Good afternoon, Inspector. I can see you’re up and running again.”
    “Doctor, how long have I been here? Was my condition serious?”
    The doctor shook his head. “You needn’t have worried. You were stung by a wasp, a relatively harmless incident, if treated correctly and timely. You must have overreacted for emotional reasons, or perhaps you suffered an allergic reaction. You also bruised your hand by smashing it into a wall. It’s all been taken care of. In a few days you’ll be able to use your hand again. Until then you should take it easy.”
    “Doctor, that wasp… There was this man… He was hiding a flower…”
    “I know. I was told. Several colleagues of yours are taking over your inspecting duties until you’re fully recovered. The man you mentioned has already been sentenced. Several similar cases have been denounced. A small rebel movement, you might say. Your superiors will undoubtedly give you a full report and briefing. Be assured that the situation is under control.”
    “Thank you, doctor.”
    A few days later Ross was already back in shape and had resumed his old routines. The special inspection run was in its final stages. The incident with the flower and the wasp had made him even more unyielding than before. He reported everything he saw that did not belong in the City: the tiniest patch of moss, a dead bug on the street, a minuscule spider scuttling away in a dark corner of an apartment. This City was built for man, and for man only. No invaders would be tolerated, no crack in the concrete would be overlooked. His briefing, after his dismissal from the hospital, had merely urged him to continue