Story so far
Anna Thurman identified Erskine, whose name she said was assumed, as one of the three principal planners with Victor and Paul Thurman. Erskine said he developed tiny machines to repair and protect soldiers, then discovered hostile machines fighting them in a blood sample and subsequently found those machines everywhere. He initially favored countermeasures but said finding nanos in his daughter’s blood and hearing Victor’s argument persuaded him to accept the silo plan. He described the treatment chamber as healing its visitors rather than infecting them.
Erskine worked with Dr. Sneed on a new formulation after Donald’s previous medication use came to light. He wished someone like Donald were in charge and held his hand sadly after the injection that ended his waking period. Later, Donald considered Erskine a possible author of the database changes that placed him in Thurman’s role, but had no evidence. Erskine had been left to coordinate shifts and had sent Thurman a message about overflowing cryopod levels. Donald now recalls Erskine’s explanation about wiping the earth clean while reconsidering the project’s purpose.
Appearance
Erskine is a thin man who wears glasses and speaks with a British accent.
Role
Erskine is a nano researcher and one of the project’s principal planners, involved in medical formulations and shift coordination.
Relationships
Victor — Erskine worked with Victor at a hospital and says Victor persuaded him to support the silo plan.
Sources — 40 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 32
- Anna identifies Erskine as one of the three principal planners alongside Victor and her father.
- Anna says Erskine is not his real name.
- Anna says Erskine discovered the original nano threat and warned Victor and Thurman.
- Anna says Erskine has worked a double shift with her investigating the lost silos, outside his expertise.
Chapter 33
- Thurman says Erskine is planning a small ceremony limited to those who know about Victor.
Chapter 38
- Erskine is a thin man with glasses and a British accent.
- Erskine says he and Victor worked at the same hospital before his discovery.
- Erskine claims to have discovered the great threat.
- Erskine says he developed tiny medical machines intended to protect and repair soldiers.
- Erskine says he found hostile machines in a blood sample that fought the medical machines.
- Erskine says he subsequently found the hostile machines everywhere.
- Erskine offers to escort Donald upstairs and asks him to come see someone.
Chapter 39
- Erskine says he never saw a nano design with complete killing efficiency.
- Erskine believes North Korea’s nano designs could have killed most people.
- Erskine says he originally advocated countermeasures while Victor advocated the silo plan.
- Erskine does not know why Victor killed himself and doubts that Victor lost faith in the mission.
- Erskine wishes he could wake his daughter, but sees no need for her accounting expertise.
- Erskine says finding nanos in his daughter’s blood convinced him the silo plan was right.
- Erskine says the meetings in Thurman’s chamber healed the participants rather than infected them.
- Erskine says he wanted machines that would destroy hostile machines before they could reach people.
- Erskine recalls Victor explaining his psychological argument to him and Thurman in the cafeteria at Walter Reed.
- Erskine says the computer-virus analogy eventually persuaded him to accept the plan.
Chapter 40
- Erskine’s story prompts Donald to consider the difference between doing the right thing and doing the correct thing.
Chapter 44
- Erskine fears the hackers may be reprogramming the airborne nanos.
- Erskine visits his sleeping daughter.
Chapter 46
- Sneed wants to consult Erskine about changing the formulation in light of Donald’s medication history.
Chapter 47
- Donald recalls Erskine saying he wished people like Donald were in charge.
Chapter 51
- Erskine and Dr. Sneed are working through the night on a new formulation that may take weeks.
Chapter 52
- Erskine carts away the disconnected computers and coiled wiring from the war room.
- Erskine needs a few more weeks to finish his work alongside Sneed.
Chapter 54
- Erskine holds Donald’s hand after the injection and appears sad.
- As Donald loses consciousness, he hears Erskine say that someone like Donald would be better in charge.
Chapter 64
- Donald considers Erskine a possible participant in switching his identity through database changes.
Chapter 65
- Erskine was left behind to coordinate the shifts.
- Erskine sent Thurman a message about deep-freeze occupants overflowing into a lower cryopod level.
Chapter 69
- Donald considers Erskine a possible source of his placement in Thurman’s role, without evidence.
Chapter 80
- Donald intends to inspect Erskine’s locker for possible secrets.
Chapter 86
- Donald thinks one signature on the Pact memo might be Erskine’s.
Chapter 96
- Donald believes his planned action differs from what Erskine hoped he would do in charge.
Chapter 98
- Donald recalls Erskine telling him about wiping the earth clean.