by Susan Kelley
Chapter Six
Mak saw little of Molly on the first two days of the trip to Dewell. Though he couldn’t forget the kiss they’d shared, what he really wanted was to talk to her again. She had a way of listening that drew more words from him than he knew he had. With Pender healthy enough to take a turn as pilot, Mak found himself with more free time than he had work to fill.
He researched military and civilian info dumps on Dewell. Unlike the first two lab locations they’d visited, Dewell was currently occupied. A small village, Welling, did a bit of trading, exporting small quantities of rare herbs in exchange for some basic survival needs. With a population of less than four hundred, Mak expected to find a primitive farming settlement at best.
Maybe he should report his findings to Molly. Though she could easily discover such information on her own. It would be a reason to search her out though the subterfuge didn’t suit him. Why should he need a reason to speak with her? Though he was better at civilian interactions than his brothers, casual conversation eluded him. Did one practice it or were civilians born knowing how to speak of nothing? The comm unit on the bridge console chirped. Molly’s voice sounded good even over the waves.
“Lieutenant, could you join us in the lab. We’re ready to share our results taken from the space lab.”
Mak nodded at Pender, pleased that Molly had provided the reason for them to speak. But when he arrived in the lab, the other two doctors and Box waited also. They had the large screen on the wall lit up with a picture of gene strands. Molly smiled at Mak but the others looked unhappy. With him or what they had to tell him?
“Thanks for joining us, Mak.” Molly tapped the unit in her hand and changed the picture on the screen. Two columns of figures popped up on the screen.
Mak took a seat beside Box facing the doctors.
“Why don’t you start, Helen?” Molly leaned back, her smile gone.
“The blood contained DNA and other markers from twenty-seven different male subjects.”
“Men,” Mak corrected her.
Dr. Shear nodded. “They were at one time just regular men. Some alterations in their genetic makeup occurred in adulthood. The scientists recombined the genes associated with growth and strength, eliciting physical changes in their body types. We can’t know how much it changed or enhanced them without bodies to examine. They also stimulated genes that would invigorate the production of certain hormones from the pituitary glands and testes.”
“Also in the blood we found the elevated levels of those hormones as well as artificial testosterone,” Dr. Loren said. “Unusual amounts of protein in the samples indicate a radical diet, probably to support the increased muscle density. But along with it were indicators of kidney stress, high levels of cortisol and dangerous cholesterol levels not seen since Old Earth.”
“What does that mean?”
“Cholesterol is a lipid that circulates in the blood if a person consumes a poor diet. The genetic predisposition for it was one of the first diseases defeated generations ago. People only suffer from it in the modern world by consuming a diet high in certain foods.” Molly grimaced and then went on with her explanation. “Cortisol is sometimes referred to as a stress hormone. The high levels indicate the men involved in this testing were likely angry or very tense at the time of their deaths.”
“Or terrified?” Mak asked. “Fright is a form of stress, is it not?”
No one spoke for a moment but then Dr. Loren cleared his throat and spoke. “Their mean age at time of death was forty years old. They showed antibodies as we might see in people vaccinated for travel to off-worlds. Like soldiers routinely get. We’ve entered their DNA into the military data searches, but we’re cut off from the main entry points out here.”
“We’ll be in range for about five hours later today,” Mak said. “I was going to contact General Drant to update him on our progress and make sure he received my request to destroy the space station.”
“Though we found no bodies, we found overdose amounts of synthetic narcotics.” Molly’s eyes took on that dark, sad expression. “We believe the men were killed in that manner.”
“Then why all the blood?” Box asked.
Molly swallowed. “We’re only guessing, but we believe the subjects were autopsied and their remains tossed in the trash.”
Dr. Shear snorted. “They butchered them quickly, probably in a hurry to move onto the next lab that was already up and running. Then they threw them out like meat scraps.”
Mak stood up. “You’re speculating. Please report only facts.”
“We’re making educated guesses,” Dr. Shear said.
“No. Mak is right,” Molly said. “We can’t let our personal feelings lead us to guesses. Only the results we can prove with scientific testing will go in our reports.”
Mak nodded to them, not sure if he was to thank them for doing their job or not. What they had done was add another layer to his own perceptions of what kind of things went on that were connected to his own creation. Another horrific scene to visit his nightmares. He returned to the bridge and sent Pender to rest. The young soldier still favored his arm and wore a thick bandage on it. Mak wanted the time alone to mull over the doctors’ report.
Pender’s footsteps still clopped in the hallway when Molly’s light footsteps skipped up the two steps to the bridge level. She slipped into Pender’s seat. “I’m sorry, Mak.”
“That you kissed me?”
She gave him an odd look that transformed into a smile. “I believe you kissed me.”
“It seemed mutual.” Though he wasn’t completely sure how it had happened.
“I meant I was sorry about those poor men who died on the space station.”
He looked out the viewing screen, not quite able to interpret her apology. “You had nothing to do with what happened there.”
“And neither did you.”
“How much of what they learned from their inhuman experiments was used to create the Recon Marines?”
“I told you that the branch of the military science that worked in the Recon Marine program branched off from the one we’re following years before you were born. Nothing gleaned from this cruelty was used by your creators. From everything I’ve been permitted to look at, your genetic material was carefully selected before fertilization. All manipulation of DNA occurred during the embryonic stage.”
“None of that is as comforting as you seem to think it is.” Mak touched the AI unit and asked it to make a connection to the secure link General Drant had provided to him. The time differential told him it was early morning for the general.
Seconds later, the general’s image came up on the screen. His austere office filled the background. “Finally, lieutenant. What did you find on Julian?”
Mak gave him a summation of the events, leaving out his watch over the unconscious lab victim. He tapped in coordinates of the space station, explaining the booby traps filling the operations level.
“Where are you heading now?” Drant asked, a darker than his usual scowl on his face.
“Dewell, sir. The space station communicated with it and had transports between it and the planet during the last year of operations. Maybe longer but only the last five hundred days were recorded.”
“I wanted you along to protect the scientists, but I never expected dangers like you’ve encountered. Maybe I should send more soldiers to join you.”
“Dewell appears to have a small farming village in the quadrant where I expect to find the next lab, sir, so I doubt the risk is more than we can handle.”
“Makes some sense, but you’ll report to me immediately after you complete your investigations there.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll arrive in sixty-five hours and thirty-three minutes.”
Drant shook his head and smiled. “Now let me talk to my daughter.”
“Molly? Why do you want to talk to her?”
“Because she’s my daughter,” Drant roared. “Go get her! Wait! Why did you call
her Molly?”
Molly nudged the AI so it faced her. “I’m here, Dad.”
Mak couldn’t see the general anymore, but his voice changed from its customary growl to something softer. “You’re well out there in the black?”
“You know I love it out here.”
“I know. You have your mother’s wandering spirit. Have you found anything to further your research?”
“Not really. Mostly we’ve found disturbing examples of criminal cruelties.”
“I wish you didn’t have to see it. It shames the military that these studies sprang from our midst.”
“You ended them, Dad.”
“I did but too late for a lot of people.” Drant cleared his throat. “Now tell me why my Recon Marine is calling you by your first name.”
Molly looked over at Mak with a grin. “I ordered him to. It’s only the way we could work together after you put him in command behind my back.”
“Well, now, I wanted a military man in charge in case you ran into trouble. I thought you wouldn’t be able to bully a Recon Marine into letting you overlook caution in the name of science.”
“I haven’t been able to bully him yet.” Molly’s smile widened. “But I’m working on it.”
“I love you, girl, but you listen to the lieutenant. Go easy on him. He’s not accustomed to dealing with the likes of you. Now go back to your lab and let me speak with my marine in private.”
“I love you too, Dad.” Molly blew him a kiss and then turned the AI back to face Mak. She winked at him and then left.
“I have one more order for you, lieutenant.”
Mak wondered what the wink meant. “Sir?”
“Dr. Drant is my daughter, more precious to me than the rest of the universe all together.”
“Yes, sir.” Mak couldn’t imagine one person being more important than the entirety of mankind but he’d learned in the past year that men would do crazy things to protect those they loved.
“Do you understand, soldier, that you answer to me?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve answered all your questions.”
“If something happens to my daughter, are you going to be able to answer why you didn’t protect her?”
“No, sir.”
Drant moved closer to the screen, managing to loom from more than a million miles away. “What do you mean by that no, lieutenant?”
“Sir, if something happens to Molly, it will only be because I’m dead and unable to answer questions.”
Drant moved back, shaking his head. “Good answer. Your discovery of live subjects on Julian raises my concerns that you’ll run into similar troubles as you follow this evil trail. You make sure you’re first through every door. Protect my daughter.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And keep your hands off of her.”
“Sir?” Mak tried to think of the few times he’d touched Molly. Except for that one kiss.
“Every father thinks his daughter is beautiful, and I’m no different. Even after thirty-three years of watching her grow, she’s still my little girl. She’s brilliant and kind-hearted like her mother. She’s not meant for a soldier, and certainly not for a Recon Marine.”
“I don’t understand, sir.”
“I’m just a soldier, lieutenant, but being in command of men has made me pretty good at reading a man’s face. I see what is in your expression when you say her name. My daughter is not for you. I’m ordering you to have no relationship with her beyond your professional duties. Now do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” What could his expression expose when he looked at Molly? Of course, there was his yearning to spend time with her, talk to her, listen to her speak of her discoveries and what she still searched for.
“Fine. Send those DNA samples you recovered from the space station and we’ll see if we can identify the men. I know you can’t communicate with me again until you leave Dewell. Be careful.”
“Yes, sir.” Mak forwarded the DNA information and the summary files the doctors had prepared. After that, he studied the star maps for the region of space where Dewell’s solar system circled. Dewell had no moons and more landmass than many similar-sized planets. The sparse facts listed on the planet in the military’s survey files indicated only the lands nearest the midsection of Dewell had enough water to support life. The village of Welling had grown up in that area. It wouldn’t be difficult to spot once they broke atmosphere.
The research only took up an hour of Mak’s time, and then he had nothing to do. And despite the general’s order, he wanted to seek out Molly. Instead he used the AI to read about her. She’d been a child prodigy in medical school, graduating when only sixteen. From there she’d spent the next five years working in disease research facilities and treating patients with newly discovered illnesses. For the last twelve years, she’d headed up her own search for cures outside the laboratory. One of her main areas of interest was the immune system and the variations from human to human.
Mak lost track of time as he read Molly’s story told and retold in medical journals. She’d already found numerous cures for odd diseases. She was amazing. And special. Anyone with her knowledge of medicine and genetics could only have a scientific interest in a Recon Marine. Was that why she’d ended the kiss?
His only previous relationship had been with Acacia, another scientist. She’d called him interesting, like a rare find to study. When she’d decided to teach at a university, he’d had no desire to follow her there. She’d been disappointed but not heartbroken. He’d been relieved.
Now he was drawn to another scientific type. Did she also see him as an interesting specimen to study? Mak turned back to the star charts, determined to avoid Molly as the general ordered. It was best for both of them.
****
Molly paced up and down the short hall between the lab and the bridge. Helen and Hector watched her each time she strode past the lab. They had their packs ready and only awaited word to start out. Andy and Kory hid from her wrath by staying on the bridge.
Mak had put down the ship in a small clearing a good mile from the village. He’d then ordered everyone to stay on board until he returned. That was over an hour ago. Those were the first words they’d exchanged since the day they’d both spoken to her father. She suspected what had happened.
Her father hadn’t liked that Mak had addressed her by her first name. He’d probably ordered Mak to keep his distance from his baby girl. Men and their damned old fashion attitudes.
On her next loop, she went up to the bridge and again looked at the map Mak had made before landing. The ship’s outboard cameras had created a detailed picture of the village and research facility. There had been no obvious landing areas near the facility as the villagers had built their homes on what might have once been a landing pad. Everything else around them was forest. She wanted to explore the flora surrounding the ship, always eager to categorize new trees. But Mak forbade it.
“Can you see where Mak is right now?” Molly asked.
Andy shrugged and pointed at another display that showed bright figures of people and a few animals in the center of the village. “I assume he’s where those people are gathered but his camouflaged suit renders him invisible to our sensors.”
“So if something happened to him, we wouldn’t be able to find him?”
“Actually, sir, we could pinpoint his radio signal if he has it on,” Kory said.
“Does he have it on?”
“No, sir.” Kory flushed as if she’d reprimanded him. “The lieutenant wanted radio silence until he contacted us or returned.”
A chirp form the control panel captured their attention. Andy tapped a button. “Yes, sir?”
Mak’s deep voice filled the tiny bridge. “Full alert. Box take point and Pender take rearguard. Bring the doctors to the village and no side trips to examine anything off the trail.”
Molly answered before Andy could. “We’ll be right there.”
A long moment passed before Mak s
aid anything else. “Corporal Box, make sure the doctors follow your orders. Full armament and keep a tight formation.”
Molly stomped down the two steps to the hall and then into the lab to snatch up her pack. “Let’s go before that hard-headed marine decides it’s not safe for us.”
After Julian and the space station, Molly understood that Mak’s security precautions were necessary and might have saved their lives already. But he didn’t have to coddle them. She and the other two doctors had spent many years on wilderness planets in pursuit of their research.
Once they set out through a narrow trail that wound around the wide trunks of the black-barked trees, the surroundings distracted Molly from her irritation. Leaves the size of her head crunched beneath their feet. Only a few scraggly bushes managed to survive among the trunks of the towering trees. She looked up and through bare branches to the canopy two hundred feet or more over her head. The massive trees only sprouted leaves near their tops and blocked the sunlight so that underneath the day passed in an endless twilight. The cool dimness should have felt pleasant after the scorching sunlight, but after a few minutes beneath the trees the hushed fall of their footsteps echoed through the trees with a haunted sound.
The others must have felt the same way. Andy set a fair pace and Molly stayed right on his heels. Hector and Helen panted with the effort to keep up but no one asked to slow down. A glance over her shoulder showed her that Kory walked only two steps behind Hector. Both of the soldiers held their long guns in both hands, looking alert or nervous. Something about the dark trunks stretching into dimness around them touched on a primal instinct.
The feeling didn’t lift until the path brightened in front of them. Mak waited in the sunlight, his long gun slung across his back. A small crowd of people, over thirty of them, stood behind him. They held back while Mak walked to join Molly and the others.
“No problems?” Mak asked Box.
“No, sir, but those woods felt unfriendly.”
Mak nodded and looked at Molly. “We’ll go look at the research building though these people claim it was cleaned out nearly two years ago. The villagers salvaged anything they could use for themselves over the years so I’m not sure you’ll find anything.”