A few days later I felt much better about everything. The Cambridge scientists had modified my sticks so that only I could ever unplug them - some sort of DNA fingerprint sensor. That meant that nobody could ever again introduce any malicious code into my system. They also managed to modify the implant by non-invasive methods, god knows how. The result was that more of my memories were now being stored organically, encouraging my brain to do more of the work itself and rely less on the implant for day to day normal functioning. They estimated that it would take only a few months for my brain to adjust - after that I would have a normal functioning brain and memory and the implant would be no more than an additional enhancement.
I also had some nifty new features installed. Using what we'd told them about the bug, they had fitted a nano microphone in the access port which I could focus to any distance from two feet to two hundred yards and record the sound onto the stick. That could come in handy.
It felt good to be in charge of my own mind again and the paranoia that had been obsessing me for many months had almost entirely dissipated. It was also useful to learn more about the technology that had been in my head for the last four years, though much of it was still beyond me.
I phoned headquarters and A1 was delighted to hear about all my modifications.
"So it's been a worthwhile trip for you then?" he asked.
"Oh yes, sir, it's been fantastic. Although if I'm stuck behind a desk I can't put my upgrades to much use."
"Hmm. Well, to be honest I mainly gave you the job to keep you out of the way while we weren't telling you about the bug. Not that you're not the best candidate in the agency for deputy but I'd much rather have an agent of your experience out in the field. Talk to Barbara, see what she thinks about you going back to active duty."
"It would reassure her to know about the upgrades but I can't tell her, can I?"
"I'll have to think about that. In the meantime, how is 22 getting on?"
"He says he'll be finished in a couple of hours."
The following morning we met in the briefing room
"It's nothing that far fetched that the Cambridge guys are working on," said John. "It's mostly enhancements or replacements for everyday brain functions that have been lost in a stroke or what have you, with purely commercial applications. They estimate that they'll be able to cure all symptoms of Parkinson's within three years."
"That's amazing," said A1.
"I reckon in ten years, given enough funding, they could just about cure death itself. Anyway, that's not our concern. They are also working on the sort of things that people like us, or indeed the CIA, would be very interested in. Arthur now has some of that stuff installed and it's pretty remarkable, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's fantastic," I said. "This focusable microphone for example. I haven't really explored it yet but I'm already working on loading in certain sounds, such as a gun being cocked, which would then be automatically brought to my attention if they occur in my vicinity. I could do the same for human footsteps, breathing, vehicle sounds, you name it. I'm not sure at my age I could cope with the full usage of all that but it's amazing technology nonetheless."
"And you're now totally sabotage proof?" asked 37.
"Totally," I said, looking at him pointedly. "Nobody except me can remove my sticks now."
"And you've made some progress on what may have happened to you?" asked A1.
"Well, sort of. We've eliminated a few possibilities. It seems the virus or whatever it was merely had the same affect a discombobulating drug would have. It seems certain that whoever administered it gave me verbal instructions to get on that plane and, in my confused state, I meekly applied, though stopping in that field and removing my stick indicates that I did a reasonable job of fighting against it. The only way we'll know is by getting one of those bastards downstairs to cough up the truth."
"Those CIA bastards wouldn't talk if we put them in thumb screws," said 22, "but maybe the Iranians would."
"We don't use thumb screws around here, John," said A1. "I do have an idea about how we could get them to talk but it's fairly drastic. Though I'm sure you'll be up for it, 45."
We all turned to 45, who looked quizzically at A1.