Genetic Flux (Phase One Book 1)

by Eckrich,Jeremiah P.

  “That’s great Mom!” An almost overwhelming feeling of guilt came over her for not telling the whole truth. For a moment Emily fought back the urge to tell her mother everything.

  “You sound funny, is everything alright?”

  “Yes, just a bit tired. I’m cleaning the apartment before I leave for work again.”

  “When do you head out?”

  “A few days. In fact I need to get ready for that trip this evening.” Guilt was gnawing at her and she just wanted to be off the phone.

  “I hope we can talk more when you get back from that one.”

  “We will. Well, I’ll let you go mom. I’ll give you a call later in the week.”

  “Okay dear, talk to you later. Bye.”

  “Bye, Mom.”

  Chapter Two

  The Virus

  Daniel walked into the lab Monday with a big smile on his face. “Hi Doctor Schmeiderhoff, it’s a great morning.”

  “Looks like you had a good weekend.” Austin replied as he slowly flipped through the weekend data report.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony.” Daniel continued nonchalantly.

  “What ceremony?” Austin continued to stare at the report.

  “My wedding!”

  The doctor looked up, “Wedding?”

  “Emily and I went to Las Vegas.”

  Daniel explained to a stunned Austin all about the trip and the plan for telling Emily’s mom. At the end of Daniel’s commentary, Austin held out his hand. “Congratulations, Daniel.”

  “Thanks Austin. I know you and Emily have been friends a long time, it means a lot that you’re happy for us.”

  Doctor Schmeiderhoff smiled at his assistant. “Of course I am happy for you two. It would have been nice to have gotten an invite, but I understand the circumstances. We will celebrate properly soon. Now, on to work. Doctor Bragden, would you get GFVT49?”

  Austin and Daniel had worked together for almost seven years developing the Genetic Fluctuation Virus. The latest such test batch was labeled 49. Doctor Schmeiderhoff was hopeful that this would be the definitive mixture.

  Daniel went to the rack that held the virus. “Will we be ready to show our work soon?”

  Austin sighed. “No. We’ll need to do more testing.”

  Gene therapy was difficult to perfect. A single gene is responsible for many attributes and to make a change in only one attribute was proving to be problematic.

  “Austin, in the last two months we’ve had nothing but positive results.” Daniel lamented.

  “There’s too much at stake. To let others see our work and then have them find a flaw would set us back years, or possibly lose our funding. We need to do more testing,”

  Daniel just shook his head. Austin was in charge, but he was getting tired of being number two. Daniel knew that when they went public, he would have his choice of where he wanted to work. He would finally have the opportunity to become a top researcher and that is what he always dreamed of.

  ***

  It was early Tuesday morning when Doctor Schmeiderhoff administered the virus yet again. That was when Daniel got the idea. If the test Austin was running came back positive, he would have to take a step to help him conclude that letting others see their work was the right one.

  The next day Austin was in the lab checking on the specimen. “Daniel mark the time and that the eyes have changed to blue. No other signs of change have occurred.”

  Daniel did as he was told then asked, “What will be our next step?”

  “I think we’ll test one more group.”

  “Okay.” I could be here another year! The prospect was not too endearing.

  ***

  Late Friday morning as Daniel was working on some data, Austin tapped his shoulder. “I have an appointment in an hour and I know it will take the rest of the day. Would you lock up tonight?”

  “Sure I have more data to enter anyway. Why don’t you come over this evening and join us for supper?”

  “That sounds great,” Austin nodded as he put his jacket on. “It’ll be around seven.”

  “Okay, see you then.”

  After Doctor Schmeiderhoff left and he finished entering the data, Daniel believed the timing would never be better. He went to the rack holding the vile of GFVT49. He took a long swab, put it in the vile to saturate it, placed the swab into another vile, and capped it. Daniel put the vile with the swab in his pocket and the vile with the formula back in the rack. He went back through the decontamination chamber, locked the door, and headed home.

  ***

  “Emily I’m home.”

  “Did you have a good day?”

  “Yes, it was very productive. Oh I forgot to tell you, I asked Austin over for supper tonight.” Daniel quickly added, “I’m sorry I should have called to let you know.”

  Emily smiled at her husband. “You’re lucky I love you, you know that right?”

  “Do you want me to call for delivery?”

  “No. Luckily, I have three steaks to grill. We can eat outside. It’s such a beautiful evening.”

  As Emily was cooking on the grill, Daniel thought the time was right. She would be busy for a bit and concentrating on the meal. He reached in his pocket and retrieved the vial with the swab of GFVT49.

  He called for Emily’s cat, “Sweetie, Sweetie where are you?”

  Prancing in from the bedroom the small feline rubbed up against his leg and purred contentedly. He picked her up.

  “Come on Sweetie I have a job for you.” He whispered in her ear, “We have a surprise for Emily.”

  The cat fidgeted a little but Daniel held her tight as he removed the top of the vial and pulled the swab out. He rubbed it on her nose, put the swab back in the vial, and threw the vile away. This has got to work. Well, it’s done, no going back now.

  He realized that a part of him was nervous about what he was doing, but the other side of him was excited to see the results. Daniel opened a beer to help calm his nerves and waited for Austin to arrive.

  ***

  The evening was going well. Everyone was having a great time and enjoying each other’s company. The weather was comfortable and a small breeze brought with it the fragrance of the season. After supper, they all went inside to the living room to relax and talk. Sweetie joined them, jumping up on to Emily’s lap. She picked her up, gave her an Eskimo kiss, and let the cat sit on her lap.

  “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, Emily,” Austin laughed.

  “What?”

  “You and the cat rubbing noses. It’s just funny to see you do that.”

  “I think I’m a bit jealous.” Daniel jokingly chimed in.

  “I don’t know why. You play with Emily’s hair so much I don’t think you realize it.”

  Daniel had a lock of Emily’s hair between his fingers. “She has beautiful long black hair though! It’s so soft, I love putting my fingers through it.”

  “You two stop!” Emily laughed shyly. It was a wonderful evening that she didn’t want to end. Austin was the only one who could come over for a visit until she told everyone else about her marriage to Daniel. It was very late by the time he left.

  The next morning while Emily was getting ready to leave for work, she asked, “Do you think you’ll get the fence up by the time I get home?”

  “Yes, babe.”

  She hugged her husband then gave him a kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Are you ready to go?”

  “Almost, I just have to finish packing my bag.”

  She finished packing her bags and stopped at the dresser on her way out of the bedroom. There, she carefully took her engagement and wedding ring off and placed them in her jewelry box.

  While Daniel waited for Emily he walked downstairs to the living room and gently called out, “Sweetie, come here.”

  The cat meowed. Daniel followed the sound into the kitchen. “There you are.”

  He picked her up. Looking into her eyes he sighed. “No
change! I thought your eyes would be blue by now!”

  Daniel heard Emily putting her bags by the door and walking back up the stairs. He put the cat down, went to the bottom of the stairs where Emily had set her luggage, picked them up, and walked out the door. He put them in the trunk and then opened the car door for Emily when he saw her coming out of the house.

  She slid inside the car and looked up at him. “I’ll miss you.”

  “Me too.”

  Daniel closed her door and walked around to the driver side. The ride to the airport was subdued. Emily watched Daniel as he drove, she would miss him very much while she was gone.

  “Do you have enough to keep you busy while I’m gone?”

  “Yes. Between work and getting the fence up I’ll be very busy.”

  They quieted down again until they arrived at the airport. Daniel pulled into a parking spot at the drop off area and jumped out. He opened the trunk as he went around to open Emily’s door.

  Emily walked back to where Daniel was pulling her bags from the trunk and waited for him to set them down. They embraced and Daniel smiled at her. “Take care of yourself, honey.”

  “I will and you be safe for me.” She smiled back.

  They kissed and Emily set off into the airport. Daniel got back into the car and headed home feeling very alone.

  ***

  The St. Louis International Airport was always busy. It seemed like everyone was in a hurry to get somewhere. As she walked towards her gate she heard her name being called. She turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar face.

  “Hi Tammy!” She smiled at her friend.

  “Hi, Emily. I saw you a while ago, but there is such a crowd. I couldn’t catch up very quick!”

  Emily was ready to get this flight going. It was booked, so the women jumped right in to welcoming the passengers aboard and getting them seated.

  Military from the east come into the US at the Bangor International Airport. Greeters would gather to welcome those coming back from war. There was a crowd ahead, and she knew by the clapping that some military personal were going through the airport. She knew some of the greeters came to the airport whenever the military was expected, but there were just as many who, when encountering such a group, would stand and applaud. It would catch on and in no time, there would be what she had heard many children call, ‘a parade of soldiers.’

  She moved towards the group. As the men and women filed by the greeters clapped and cheered the heroes. Some of the military would veer off to someone in the crowd to give or receive a hug.

  Emily was more than willing to greet these great men and women. She would hug one and turn to hug another. She laughed when one of the older women complained, "Look at that! They all want to hug the pretty woman.”

  After a while, the military started to move on. The greeters and others who had gathered to welcome them home moved on to their own destinations. It warmed Emily’s heart to see Americans stop what they were doing just to herald these young men and women.

  The two arrived at their gate and stopped to talk to the attendants at the ticket counter. “Hi Sandy. Doreen.” Tammy said to the women.

  “Well, hi you two!” Doreen answered back, “I haven’t seen you for a couple of months. How are things going?”

  “I’m doing well and you?” Emily answered.

  “Can’t complain, can’t complain.” Doreen chuckled.

  “And you Sandy, how have you been?” Emily asked.

  “I have a new puppy!” Sandy beamed.

  “A puppy? What is it?” Tammy chimed in.

  “Well, I guess a mutt,” Sandy giggled. “But she’s a good little girl. I’ve only had her a month and she already goes outside to potty!”

  “Wow, that’s very good, Sandy.” Tammy nodded.

  “Yes she’s a smart one, which is good because my husband said if she was a dumb dog I couldn’t keep her.” The women all laughed and finished their chit chatting. Tammy and Emily proceeded to board the plane and receive the passengers heading overseas.

  Emily moved up the aisle asking each in their turn if they would like something to drink. A man in his thirties with a beard motioned for her. He was a tall slender black man with his hair cut short and his beard neatly trimmed.

  “Hi, what can I get for you?”

  “May I have a little more?” Mark Ahrens asked holding up an empty cup.

  “Sure,” Emily smiled. “Would you like a can?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Emily turned back up the isle and fished a cold soda out of the cooler. When she was just a seat from him, she popped the top for him and gave him the drink. “Is there anything else I can do?”

  “This is fine, thank you.”

  Emily smiled at him then was off to tend to other passengers.

  As the plane was approaching the airport Emily received a message that a connecting flight was going to wait for a passenger and needed them to be allowed to disembark before the others. He was the same man Emily had given the can of soda to, Mark Ahrens. They had a ride at the gate to pick him up as soon as he could disembark. He thanked her for her help and dashed up the ramp to the terminal where the cart was waiting. They sped off as fast as they could.

  After Mark Ahrens had departed the plane, the regular rush for the exit began and reminded Emily of controlled chaos, everyone wanting out and very few allowing others to go first. Oh well, she thought, the fact that no one got hurt was amazing.

  ***

  “What about my luggage?” Mark asked the driver.

  “They’ll put it on the next flight and send it on.”

  “But I’m going out of the country,” Mark explained. “How will it catch up to me?”

  “They will have it follow you on later flights and bring it to your hotel once it arrives.”

  Mark thought this was just the beginning of a long trip. His company had worked for months getting this client, and they sent the very best to make sure everything went as it should. He had never been out of the United States and was a bit nervous, but when it came to his job he knew what he was doing.

  ***

  As Tom and Paul left the greeters at the Bangor International Airport, Paul nudged his friend, “That was some welcome home!”

  “Yes,” Tom answered with a smile. “I didn’t know what to expect. That was awesome. A beautiful woman with long black hair will always cheer me up.”

  Chapter Three

  It’s Out

  Just over two weeks later Tom was back on base. He was getting ready for a week’s leave when he noticed a strange sight. He looked closely at himself in the mirror and saw the roots of his hair had changed color. He had blonde hair, but his roots were now black. He retrieved his electric razor and quickly shaved his head to remove any blonde hair left. While in the latrine, looking in the mirror, he noticed his friend’s hair.

  “Paul?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What color is your hair?”

  Paul turned to Tom with an amused look on his face. “Ummmmmm, brown!”

  “Look again.”

  Paul turned back to the mirror. He tilted his head to the right a bit and his eyes grew wide. “No way, I have brown hair not black.”

  They were gaining the attention of the other men in the latrine by this point.

  “My hair is supposed to be blonde.” Their buddy Chance drawled, “But my roots are black!”

  “I noticed mine a bit ago,” Tom said.

  “What could this mean?” Paul asked. No one had an answer for him. They just looked at each other, not knowing what to think.

  “You know, years ago, people thought the military did tests on the troops all the time without their permission. What if they’re doing that to us?” Brian asked.

  “What about this?” Randy added pointing to his ears.

  “You look like Ben.” Paul laughed.

  Ben, A.K.A. Spock, just looked at Randy. He knew he was the only one with a point on his
ear. That was why they nicknamed him Spock.

  “What if they’re doing experiments on us?” Randy repeated Brian’s question.

  “Well,” Tom smiled sheepishly, “let’s not play into their twisted game.”

  “What do you mean?” another asked.

  “I mean if we don’t tell them, they have to find out on their own, and that’ll take them longer. They expect us to go whining about hair color or a point on our ear. If we don’t say anything, they’ll wonder if anything happened or not.”

  “That’ll teach them,” Paul chimed in. “Make them work for it.”

  “Let’s finish up in here so they don’t suspect anything.” Tom turned back to his mirror.

  This is all very strange. Why would the army do something like this? He was on his way out the door for his flight home and didn’t give it another thought. He would be home in just a few short hours, and that was all he wanted.

  ***

  While home on leave, Tom hung out with his best friend from childhood, John. John lived on the Navajo Nation land outside Farmington, New Mexico with his sister, Honovi. Tom divided his time between his friend’s home on the Indian reservation and his mom’s house.

  John made sure Tom could make all the rounds in the small community saying ‘hi’ to everyone. The best place to do that was at a town meeting.

  John and Honovi picked up Tom and his mom the night of the meeting.

  “I’m so excited to see everyone tonight.” Tom said getting in the car.

  When Tom walked into the meeting everyone yelled, “Welcome home!”

  Instead of a meeting, it was a party for him. It was an evening Tom would never forget. He hoped that when his enlistment date was up, in a little over a month of his return to his barracks, he and Honovi would be married, and they would raise their family in the town they had both grown up in.

  His leave went by all too quick. When Tom returned to base, Paul pulled him aside the moment he walked into the barracks. “Tom, things have gotten out of hand.”