The Resistance

annoying sometimes. ‘Frustrated because the Authorities moved us to a hideous box house in the suburbs. Frustrated because they watch our every move and I still haven’t taken Anna to the countryside because I can’t get a permit to travel. Frustrated because there’re old people everywhere and they stare at us like we don’t belong here. That’s all. I won’t let it get in the way. I promise.’
    Pip regarded Peter thoughtfully, then he stood up and walked calmly around to the back of his chair. ‘You mustn’t let your emotions get the better of you. There is a great deal to be angry about, but anger doesn’t change things.’
    ‘I know. Action changes things.’
    ‘Action, but also strength of will, Peter.’
    Peter nodded seriously. ‘I know. I’m strong, Pip. Come on, I’ve proved that, haven’t I?’
    ‘Of course you have,’ Pip said, his voice warmer suddenly. ‘Peter, you have proved yourself a thousand times. But you’re going to be on your own, with the whole weight of Pincent Pharma’s machine against you, and I need to know that you’re prepared. You must realise that this isn’t just a job, Peter. It’s a battle. A battle of nature and science, good and evil. People get seduced by Longevity, and your grandfather will do everything in his power to win you over. You have to go into this with your eyes open.’
    ‘My eyes are open,’ Peter said, his eyes shining. ‘I hate Richard Pincent. I hate everything he stands for. Longevity is responsible for everything bad in my life. Anna’s life, too. I want to destroy it as much as you do.’
    ‘I know you do.’ Pip sat down again, and his eyes softened. ‘And how is Anna? Is she OK with what you’re doing?’
    At the mention of Anna’s name, Peter felt a warm glow surround him. ‘She’s fine. And she’s as keen as I am to fight Longevity. You know that.’
    ‘Of course I do,’ Pip smiled. ‘Well then, on Monday morning you will report at Pincent Pharma as your grandfather requested.’
    ‘As Richard Pincent told me,’ Peter interrupted, his voice low.
    ‘As Richard Pincent told you,’ Pip corrected himself.
    ‘And then what do I do?’ Peter asked excitedly. ‘Do I blow it up? Do I smash the machinery?’
    Pip raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. ‘You keep a low profile and you take note of everything. And you learn, Peter.’
    ‘That’s it?’ Peter’s face fell slightly.
    ‘That’s a great deal,’ Pip said. Then he leant closer. ‘Peter, we have people in many places – in every Authorities department, in Longevity distribution companies, in prisons. But we’ve never had anyone at the heart of Pincent Pharma. No one with access to the information we need. Your eyes and ears are going to be your tools, Peter. Through you we can get to God himself.’
    ‘God doesn’t exist,’ Peter said in a low voice. ‘Everyone knows that.’
    ‘No, he doesn’t,’ Pip agreed. ‘But your grandfather is doing his best to become the most fearsome deity that the world has ever known. A deity that feeds on nothing but power and greed. A deity that must be stopped, for all our sakes.’
    ‘So I just look and learn,’ Peter said. ‘OK. But is there anything I’m looking for? Anything specific? Do you need the formula of the drugs?’
    ‘So we can make more?’ Pip smiled and Peter felt himself go red. Pip’s face turned more serious. ‘I’m sorry, Peter, I shouldn’t have laughed. It was a good question. So no, it isn’t the formula we want. We want to . . .’ His voice trailed off, as though he didn’t want to finish the sentence.
    ‘Want to what?’ Peter demanded.
    ‘The source of some of the new drugs coming out of Pincent Pharma,’ Pip said thoughtfully. ‘We’re not sure what it is. We have our suspicions, but . . .’
    ‘But what?’
    Pip sighed. ‘Peter, something tells me there’re things going on inside the walls of Pincent Pharma, bad things behind the clean, professional facade. But whatever they are, they’re well hidden.’
    ‘What sort of bad things?’ Peter asked.
    ‘That,’ Pip said, smiling again, ‘is what you’ll need to find out.’ He stood up suddenly, his muscles tautening visibly as he moved. ‘I’ll be in touch, Peter.’
    Peter nodded, stood up and turned to leave. Then he stopped. ‘We are going to do it, aren’t we?’ he said softly. ‘We are going to win?’
    Pip put his hand on Peter’s shoulder. ‘Eventually, Peter. But I imagine there will be a few