THE EXPERIMENT 4 --by Nickz

(Image source: www.youtube.com)

Dear Reader,

This story is sequel to THE EXPERIMENT 3. Please follow the series from the first part for clearer understanding. At the blog's homepage, go to the category "Series" and scroll down to see previous parts. We apologize for the delay in its continuation. We hope not to let this happen again.

In mid-1938, the relations between Hungary and Czechoslovakia were tense. The Hungarians held an invasion force on the border, threatening to take a region of Czechoslovakia.

In the evening of 13 March, Germany forced Slovakia to declare independence from Czechoslovakia, threatening that a rejection would mean German-authorized invasion of Slovakia by Hungary within days. Slovakia complied at 1700 hours on the next day. Adolf Hitler claimed that the unrest in Czechoslovakia was a threat to German security, and sent troops into Czechoslovakia for a forceful annexation. Germany soon declared support for the Slovakian regime. On 15 March, Hungary declared recognition for the new Slovakian nation, but only two days later the Hungarian Foreign Ministry requested Germany to mediate further transfer to territory from Slovakia to Hungary. Before any final agreement came to fruition, however, Hungarian troops invaded Slovakia on 23 March and starting the Slovak-Hungarian War, also known as the Little War.

On 23 Mar 1939, Hungarian troops crossing the border largely surprised Slovakian troops, penetrating the border. The Slovakian Air Force, however, was slightly better prepared and was able to launch a bombing run on three Hungarian cities, causing minor damage. Nevertheless, Hungarians won the air war during the conflict, as 11 Slovakian aircraft were destroyed at the cost of no Hungarian aircraft. On the ground, by the second day of the war, the Slovakians were able to organize a counterattack, supported by armored cars. Near the Okna River, Hungarian forces countered with field artillery and anti-tank gun fire, destroying several armored cars, at first faltering Slovakian morale and then turned the Slovakians back in a panicked retreat.

Early on 25 March, after the arrival of four armored cars, three light tanks, a 37-millimeter anti-tank gun, elements of the Slovakian 41st Infantry Regiment, and a battery of the Slovakian 202nd Mountain Artillery Regiment, Slovakian troops were calmed and was able to resume the advance again. On the same day, Hungarian aircraft raided the Slovakian airfield at Spisská Nová Ves, killing 13. On 26 March, the remaining units of the Slovakian 202nd Mountain Artillery Regiment arrived on the Hungarian border, followed by elements of the 7th and 17th Infantry Regiments; Slovakian forces now totaled 15,000 men. A major counter offensive was now being planned by Slovakian leadership, but by now the Hungarians were well-entrenched and had ample anti-tank weaponry to counter Slovakian armored cars and light tanks, plus Germany began the assert pressure for an end to fighting. The war embarrassed Germany, as Germany had the obligation to protect Slovakia while it also enjoyed friendly relations with Hungary.

Fighting largely ceased by 31 March. On 4 April, a peace treaty was signed in Budapest, Hungary, which forced Slovakia to cede 1,697 square-kilometers of territory to Hungary. Eight Hungarian military, 15 Hungarian civilians, 22 Slovakian military, and 36 Slovakian civilians were killed.

Mr. Dalimil Bronislav always had this story in his heart; the statistics and details were still fresh like it was yesterday. His despise for the Hungarians was unfathomable. They killed his people, took their lands, destroyed their properties, and separated families; they were the single cause of calamity and instability of his country. He was happy he had a chance in his lifetime to give them sorrow. He would instigate a conflict and it will escalate into war. He knew the people to contact and had access to classified files that gave intel to the security level of Hungary. They were no match for their new weapon of destruction.

Professor Lukas paid a visit to his playground the following day with his friend Dalimil. The two aged men still looked strong and brisk in their perfectly tailored suits. Lukas led the way into the closed chambers where Dr. Natalia, Dr. Ayinka and Mr. Hooke were awaiting their arrival. The professor made introductions and they were wowed by the caliber of guest he brought along. The two men looked quite enthusiastic as they saw for themselves how smooth things went. The professor was pleased over his creation. He handed Hooke an empty hard drive. “Download the programs and command files, the stages of formation, the details of the VCU, everything on this project; I want them here. Do that now.” The technologist nodded and departed with the storage device. He commended the scientists and assured them that they’ll be rewarded even more.  But earlier in the morning, Dr. Ayinka had held a conversation with Dr. Natalia, expressing his fears and concerns over the legality and application of the project. He had also shared with her the possibility of them to be exploited and discarded after the project. He did not trust Lukas anymore. Dr. Natalia, though she personally reasoned along that line, refused to accept any of his suspicions, deliberately rejecting the possibility of being screwed over. She had worked for a while with the old man and knew his level of respect for her. Besides, she, like most other workers who knew the Prof well enough couldn’t afford to do anything against his instructions. Dr. Ayinka was not convinced by her faith in Lukas’ trustworthiness. He needed someone to see things the way he did. There was something about the whole project and the professor that made him so unsettled. 

Today, the old man had visited the facility with his friend and he was not saying anything about his discharge. He did not visit Bratislava for this. He only came to get assistance for his project. This was just on the way and he had to remind the professor of their deal. “Excuse me Prof, I would love to express some personal concerns.” Lukas was still engrossed in watching the Sapiens. If only Ayinka could see the picture he was painting in his mind while watching those robust creatures, it was that of billions of dollars. Ayinka was too small to fathom. “Yes, Doctor. Let me guess; this is about our deal right?” The Prof said, not shifting his gaze from the transparent viewing glass pane. The doctor fell silent. The old man turned and looked at Ayinka with the kind of glance that said, “Don’t worry, everything’s fine”. “Well, you can see I have a very important guest here so your timing is not acceptable. I’ll give you a call in the evening but I have to say again, I’m really impressed at your performance. I knew you were good enough for this. You have no reason to be concerned about anything.” He patted him on the shoulder and continued his dialogue with Dalimil. “Here it is professor, all intact.” Mr. Hooke interrupted him to hand him the loaded device. After few minutes, he exited the facility with his friend.

Mr. Dalimil had made his calls and developed a plan. He would take advantage of a dispute the country had with Hungary over airspace invasion which trended for weeks late last year. It was few months ago that a Hungarian jet was claimed to have been spotted within the Slovakian airspace and was shut down after repeated warnings. The Hungarian government had accused the Slovakian government of initiating an attack on them, claiming they were not within their airspace. International communities assisted in resolving the crisis and after a while, the news gradually diminished from media tabloids. Dalimil had contacted some loyalists in the military. He knew where and how to get a perfect Hungarian designed long distance RPG. The plan was simple but consequential: shoot down a Slovakian plane. Let forensics gather fragments. Investigation would reveal the source of the attack; Hungary. It would look like a small revenge from them. The Slovakian government would be furious. That’s when he would come in with his proposal. The Prime Minister and the federal government would give him an open cheque. Professor Lukas will come in with the ferocious Sapiens and the world would be one sweet bowl of war. This time, victory was guaranteed. The thoughts brought so much pleasure to his heart he hardly could wait for the professor to finish producing the next batch of one thousand Sapiens.

When the professor called Dr. Ayinka in the evening, he expressed his apologies for utilizing his service for long. He appealed to him for a little more time to complete another batch but that did not go down well with the doctor. He disagreed and opted to withdraw his services. That was when he confirmed the other side of the old man; the venomous side. The old man did not yell at him, he did not slam the table or throw a glass at the wall, no, he couldn’t hear any of that at the background. All he heard was a heavy silence from his end. The line was still open. Then finally, the professor, in a deliberate and carefully coordinated manner, spoke words that sent chills down his spine. “Doctor Ayinker, there’s something you fail to have noticed. The moment you walked down the stairs of that facility was the moment you stopped living for yourself. No one on earth knows where you are, if you’re alive or dead or got eaten by a bear; not one soul, except me. If you, in anyway try to challenge my authority, I’ll send your death certificate to your family in Nigeria. Of course, I know that’s not what you want. So what I say you should do is what you will do. And one more thing; that dialogue you had with Dr. Natalia was a very stupid thing to do. She knows better. Do as you are told and everyone will go home happy and of course, alive.”

When the professor hung up the call, Dr. Ayinka stared at the receiver in disbelieve. That was the same man that he had thought was his salvation. Indeed, all that glittered was not gold. But he needed to be cooperative until he could develop a good plan. It was obvious all was not well. He was almost sure the Sapiens were created for the wrong purpose. Instincts told him. He had to do something.

…To be continued

(Italicized part extracted from http://ww2db.com)