The Resistance

of that nature.’
    ‘It’s just that there have been questions raised,’ Adrian continued. ‘Concerns that any problem, or perceived problem, with the supply of Longevity knocks confidence. You know that the twenty points lost from the Finance Index last month are being directly attributed to the problems Pincent Pharma ran into.’
    ‘Not problems,’ Richard said immediately, grimacing as he spoke. ‘Short-term blips which have been resolved. Our vulnerabilities have been eradicated.’
    ‘The thing is, Richard, people are talking. The name of your grandson kept coming up this morning. People feel uncomfortable with your decision to offer him a job. They’re concerned about his Underground connections, his association with the Surplus girl. He’s dangerous. The worry is that he spent his formative years being brainwashed by her family . . .’
    ‘That’s the worry, is it?’ Richard said icily. As he spoke, he pressed a button and a screen came to life, revealing Peter in the laboratory with Dr Edwards.
    ‘It’s just that your grandson is a figurehead for revolutionary activity,’ Adrian continued, not noticing the sarcasm in Richard’s voice. ‘According to the Anti-Terrorism Department, the rebels are calling him the father of the next generation. Him and that Surplus girl.’
    ‘The father of the next generation?’ Richard almost spat the words. ‘Well, Adrian, if that’s what he is, tell me, where would you have him – free to roam the streets, associating with Underground scum, or here, at Pincent Pharma, where I can track his every move? Do you think I’m stupid, Adrian? Do you think that I am a fool?’
    ‘No!’ Adrian said quickly. ‘No, of course not. But you can see how people might wonder –’
    ‘No, Adrian, I cannot see,’ Richard said angrily. ‘But I will tell you one thing. If you think that I am going to let anyone – Peter, your Authorities colleagues, anyone – get in the way of Pincent Pharma, then you have another thing coming. Do you understand?’
    ‘Yes, of course, I –’
    ‘Peter is working for me now,’ Richard interrupted. ‘And when he signs the Declaration and embraces Longevity, the Underground movement will crumble.’
    ‘He’s signing the Declaration?’ Adrian gasped.
    ‘Of course he will,’ Richard said dismissively. He hadn’t broached the subject with Peter yet, but he was entirely sure he would convince him. Richard could be very persuasive when he chose to be.
    ‘But he’s a Surplus. Was, I mean . . .’
    Richard allowed himself a little smile. ‘Yes, he was. And now he isn’t. Now he can live for ever if he chooses, and he will choose to, Adrian. Have you forgotten the power of Longevity to seduce?’ he asked softly. ‘Have you forgotten what it is to have temptation put in front of you, offered up on a platter? Peter won’t be able to resist.’
    There was a pause. ‘So . . . what’s he doing? Peter, I mean. Where have you got him working, if you don’t mind me asking?’
    ‘I do mind,’ Richard replied levelly, ‘but since you ask, I have him working with Dr Edwards. He’s going to learn all about Longevity. All about its powers.’
    ‘Dr Edwards. Isn’t he the one who was moved off production?’
    ‘He wasn’t able to cope with modernisation,’ Richard said smoothly. ‘But he’s still useful. Still the best teacher at Pincent Pharma. He’s been heading up ReTraining for years now; he loves Longevity more than anyone in the world. If anyone can convince Peter to sign the Declaration, it’s Dr Edwards. He sees the beauty of it. It’s a religion to him.’
    ‘You make him sound like your Mephistopheles.’
    ‘Adrian, what I am offering Peter is eternal life, not a pact with the devil.’
    ‘And you really think Peter will be swayed? It sounds risky to me.’
    ‘Adrian, you are a civil servant,’ Richard said coolly. ‘Everything sounds risky to you. Trust me, Peter won’t be able to resist the lure of eternal life. People have sold their souls for less.’
    ‘You still believe in souls?’ Adrian asked with a nervous laugh.
    ‘What’s not to believe? After all, our job here is to preserve souls, Adrian. Everyone’s souls are now reliant on Pincent Pharma for their very existence.’
    Adrian hesitated, apparently unsure whether or not Richard was joking. ‘Don’t let anyone else from the Authorities hear you say that,’ he said nervously. ‘I’m sure they think souls are their remit.’
    ‘The