SECRET AND LIES [2]

Kevin looked for a moment as if he was contemplating whether to punch Sam in the face, and then he snorted a laugh and settled himself more comfortably against the desk, folding his arms.

'Not exactly,' he said. 'It's more the bit where the little unimportant people discover how the world really works, and how they can do absolutely nothing about it.'

'That sounds even more boring,' Sam muttered.

'So tell us,' said Purna with weary contempt, 'how does the world work? In your estimation?'

Kevin smirked. 'Why do you think you're really here on Banoi?'

'Because we're immune,' said Purna. 'Because we were brought here to be manipulated, to be used as guinea pigs.'

Kevin nodded. 'And why are you here now? In the prison, I mean?'

''Cause this guy, Ryder White, said he'd get us off the island if we brought him the vaccine,' said Sam.

Clearly amused, Kevin raised a hand and waggled it from side to side. 'Well … that's partly right,' he said. 'But I'm afraid that's not the full story.'

'All right,' Purna conceded, 'so why don't you tell us the full story? I can see you're dying for the opportunity to let us know how clever you've been. Why don't you start by telling us who you really are, because you sure as hell aren't a regular prisoner?'

Kevin pursed his lips, as though inwardly debating how much to reveal. Eventually he said, 'My name is Charon. I'm a sleeper agent for the Organization—'

'The Organization?' Purna interrupted mockingly. 'Ooh, how mysterious.'

The man now called Charon shrugged, unmoved by the taunt. 'It doesn't have a name because it doesn't officially exist. It's a secret association of the world's wealthiest individuals, who make their money by exploiting certain financial opportunities that arise in areas of global conflict.'

'So they're like vultures?' asked Sam. 'Feeding on the misery and destruction of innocent people?'

Charon sneered. 'I wouldn't expect you to understand.'

'Oh, we understand more than you think,' Purna's voice dripped contempt. 'I know how people like that operate, and they're not opportunists. They might have been once, but when your financial profile achieves a certain level, you no longer passively sit around, waiting for something to happen. You make things happen. You stoke the fires. And if misery and chaos are big business, then you make damn sure you're the one creating it.'

'So they start wars?' asked Sam. 'And they created this virus to use as a weapon they can sell to the highest bidder?'