Project Venom Read Online Free Page B

feeling that I’m being watched.”
    “Me too,” said Barnes. “Guilty conscience, I guess.”
    “We’ve nothing to feel guilty about,” said the Head of Science. “It was an accident. Now, I suggest we all return to work. Those tests mustbe done as quickly as possible.”
    At that moment, a signal from SWARM headquarters registered in Widow’s circuits.
    Her transmitter silently replied, “Widow online.”
    “This is Queen Bee,” said the message. “Report.”
    “Alva arrived 8.22 a.m., went directly to lab. Made cup of coffee, talked with Lab Assistant Emma Barnes for six minutes and fourteen seconds. Do you want to hear the recording?”
    “Not unless it’s relevant to the mission,” said Queen Bee. “Just give me a one-sentence summary.”
    “He’s done nothing unusual today,” transmitted Widow.
    “Nothing at all?”
    “Only standard laboratory work. Nobody has accessed the basement store. The Venom has not been touched.”
    Pablo was busy at the lab’s desktop PC, entering figures into a spreadsheet. He paused and turned to Emma. “I feel better already, knowing that everything will be fine.”
    Suddenly, a loud klaxon sounded outside thebuilding. Alva and Barnes flinched with fright. The voice of MI5 agent Drake barked through a loudspeaker.
    “This is an official announcement. The Smith-Neutall facility is surrounded by agents of Her Majesty’s government. All personnel must remain where they are. All communication in and out of this building is being monitored. Do not attempt to use phones, computers or other equipment. All personnel are under arrest.”
    “Widow, stick close to Alva!” cried Queen Bee. “Now he knows that the authorities are on to him, he may start to delete email logs or try to get his hands on the Venom.”
    “Logged, Queen Bee,” signalled Widow. “Further orders?”
    “Stand by for updates. The SWARM is on its way.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    Outside, MI5 agents wearing plain clothes had ordered soldiers in body armour and helmets to form a cordon around the Smith-Neutall Bio Labs. All of them were armed with machine guns. Three army personnel carriers, their back doors wide open, blocked the entrance to the car park. Orders were shouted over the whipping sound of a helicopter positioned high above. A steady stream of soldiers and agents began to march into the building itself.
    On the other side of the road, hidden behind the blinds of a vacant office block, SWARM’sAgent J watched what was going on through binoculars. “We’re way ahead of you, Drake,” he muttered to himself.
    He tapped a key code into a small box sitting beside him. The box sprung open to reveal the SWARM micro-robots.
    Agent J spoke into his phone. “Hive 2 to SWARM.”
    “Acknowledged, Hive 2,” said Queen Bee. “The robots’ sensors show MI5’s raid is beginning.”
    “Confirmed,” said Agent J.
    “Release the SWARM,” said Queen Bee.
    Agent J hesitated. “Are we sure about this? MI5 and those soldiers are supposed to be on our side.”
    “They are on our side,” said Queen Bee, “but Drake has ruined any element of surprise. I don’t like the idea of working against MI5 any more than you do. However, Alva will know his cover’s blown. Everyone online?”
    “Affirmative, Queen Bee,” signalled the robots, including Widow in the laboratory.
    “Our plan of action must now be updated,” said Queen Bee. “To stay a step ahead of thesituation, we must reverse our tactics and allow Alva to escape. Or rather, allow him to think he’s escaped. He’ll lead us to the terrorists. Logically, once he’s on the run, he’ll hook up with the EBLS in order for them to hide him.”
    “I can see an office window open on the second floor,” said Agent J, looking through his binoculars. “Chopper, Nero, Hercules, Sabre and Morph can enter through that. Sirena can stay by the window to track movement outside.”
    “Throughout this raid,” said Queen Bee, “those MI5 agents are to be