by F. Habib
An ugly head burst from the spray, long needle-teeth gnashed. Every person in the room fell back with a shout.
Beth grabbed Galen and backed away from the table. All the scientists watched from behind their chairs, eyes rounded. It stilled. The bubbles cleared and they could see the monster; gills pumped half-submerged in the watery remnants.
‘What…the hell…is that?’ Adrian whispered. No one answered. Then Amelia straightened her coat and approached the table with caution.
‘She needs more water,’ Galen called from his mother’s grasp. They ignored him as Amelia took a closer look.
‘Well?’ Bazir bit out through tight lips. Beth would have laughed at his fright if she weren’t so startled herself.
Amelia cleaned her glasses and stared harder, ‘I don’t know…no, that’s not right; I have an idea, but it’s impossible, so I conclude I don’t know.’
‘Impossible? What the hell does that mean…impossible? Of course it’s impossible. One cutesy fish just got swapped out for a beast.’ Bazir thumped the table.
Had he expected a charming parlour trick?
‘You don’t understand’ Amelia glared, her finger shook, ‘this fish is extinct…has been for millions of years.’
Shock rooted Beth.
‘What?’ Her shout echoed the others.
Amelia raised her palms and looked at Galen with wonder, ‘do you know where this is from?’
He shook his head. Beth wrapped her arms around him to still his trembling body and shield him from the prickles of fear in the air.
‘Are you sure it’s…prehistoric?’
‘I can’t be sure till I run some checks, but I think it’s Enchodus and not a particularly large one. It was globally distributed, survived the Cretaceous-Palaeocene extinction event and persisted into the Eocene era.’
‘You know that but you don’t know the parrot fish species?’
Amelia sighed, ‘I originally studied oceanic palaeoecology.’
Bazir crouched in front of Galen, ‘do you know anything about how this happened?’
‘He already said no, so back off or there won’t be any more transformations. This was your bright idea, remember?’
It was time to wrap up the show and let everyone calm down.
‘I’m taking Galen back to my room for a while. I think he’s had quite enough for today.’ Beth frog-marched Galen to the door before anyone could protest.
‘We’ll need you later Beth – for your medical,’ Bazir was again calm and controlled. ‘Khoen will be keen to know more about this too.’
Her stomach scrunched. She closed the door behind her.
Chapter Twelve
Absolutely never!’ Beth’s shout bounced about the lab. Is this joker for real? There is no way he is slicing up Galen’s arm. Her blood rushed about, making her feel dizzy.
‘Why not? You know he’ll heal. I can give him a shot so that there’s no risk of discomfort.’ Baudin tried to calm her. ‘It’s crucial that we test and record his healing as it happens. How else will we progress the research?’
‘Are you deaf? I said no. Where will it end? We can work on the assumption that he heals, even if near death. After all, he rescued me after the bridge jump.’
‘Why don’t we ask Galen what he thinks?’
‘He is a child and I am his mother, and I say no.’
Galen sat on a gurney, gaze fixed on a painting. He took in a long breath, ‘you’ll do it no matter what my mother says. Unless I fight.’
‘No, they won’t.’ Beth croaked against a tight throat.
‘Yes they will. I will fight them if you tell me to.’ His steady gaze showed Beth what she didn’t want to see. She’d spent the last week in a daze of testing and data analysis, convincing herself these educated, normal people would not harm them. The veil of compassion that camouflaged Galen’s guinea pig status was already slipping away.
Unless we fight our way off this ship, we’ll have to comply.
The melted face of Galen’s previous battle victim flushed away any notion of violence. I could never make him do that again. I have to get us off this ship, or make them stop these experiments. Khoen is the answer, but how am I supposed to persuade him if he won’t see me?
Beth’s nails cut into her palms, forcing back tears. She’d asked several times about his absence. Bazir had brushed her off with bullshit about how busy he was.
Hah, he spent all those years hunting me, and is now too busy to spare five minutes? Something is wrong with this picture. I know he was furious about the spilled drink, but come on…surely even the most sensitive prima donna would be over it by now? I have to force the issue. For now, I just need to buy time.
‘What’s the objective of the test? We all agree he will heal.’
Baudin’s chest lifted in relief. Clearly not a battle zone kind of guy.
‘We want to monitor the exact process, perhaps get sample cells as the healing occurs, and of course, timings.’
‘So what is the minimum incision you can make to achieve that?’
‘I’d like to do six centimetres in length with a two centimetre depth, approximately.’
‘How about four lengthways, and one centimetre in depth.’
‘We need the depth, Beth. I need to sample the different layers. Muscle, fat, skin, veins. I’ll reduce the length though.’ He smiled reassuringly, allowing her a boon.
Her guts churned and chewed as Galen offered up his slim arm for the anaesthetic. She climbed onto the gurney and wrapped her own arms around him, wishing with every fibre of her being that she could take his place. What kind of mother lands her child in this situation? You are doing a shitty job of it, Irving. Responsibility crushed down so hard she was certain she’d be pushed through the floor. You’ve got to do better.
Blood oozed from the split skin like bitter cranberry. The nurse stepped forward to take Galen to the surgical table. He rubbed his face against Beth’s shoulder, before pulling away. His attempt to soothe her opened a festering pustule of shame in Beth she didn’t know was there.
She fled.
Tears blinded her way down the endless corridors as she sought to outrun her failure. Guilt howled after her, gnashing rabidly at her heels as she crashed through a fire door, bursting into the chill wind of a narrow stairwell. She clutched at the metal railings, curling into a ball of shaking limbs on the grating. Below her the waves seemed small and endless. In every direction lay unbroken captivity. Salted wind gradually blew calm back into her lungs.
I must get to Khoen. I haven’t fought hard enough for that. Beth shuddered as the truth pierced her crowded mind. She was afraid. Not of him, but of herself. Fantasies about him increasingly intruded on her sleep, and then her waking hours. She’d buried them under a mountain of work, but the time had come. The testing will inevitably escalate. It’s the nature of the beast. I can’t allow it to devour Galen, or my sanity.
The distant sunset bathed the sea in gold, and washed her with new resolve.
Tomorrow I’ll see Khoen. I will behave appropriately and I’ll make him see sense.
Footsteps echoed along the corridor and Bazir appeared in the doorway, flanked by guards. Beth rose from her crouch with as much dignity as she could muster.
‘I’ll see Khoen in the morning. It’s not a request.’
She brushed past him.
*
‘Not a request?’ Khoen raised a brow. Exchanging a low bow with his Sensei, he walked out of the studio and into the changing room. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into a shower.
‘That’s what she said,’ Bazir chuckled. His heart bumped about and he focused on steady breaths, quelling the irritation that spiked in him.
‘Ensure she doesn’t access my quarters. What have her tests shown?’
‘Nothing. No anomalies detected.’
Khoen drew a towel across his face and chest. He stared blankly at the floor for a moment, then flickered back to attention. ‘What were the results of
the boy’s stage one testing? I assume the healing occurred as predicted.’
‘Yes,’ Bazir handed over photos, ‘the incision healed within three hours, leaving no scarring. Baudin is testing samples, but predicts it’s a regenerative process not unlike that in newts. The cells regress back to stem cell state then differentiate to the required cell at super speed. We should have lab results shortly. Baudin’s requested stage two.’
Khoen stared at the images in his hands and lifted cold eyes.
‘Of course.’
‘There could be a problem with his mother. She’s…protective.’
‘She giving you a hard time?’ He pulled a silver tunic over his shoulders. ‘I can just imagine. Don’t tell her about it. Not much she can do after the fact…just prepare for the fall out.’ A gruff laugh pushed past his mouth and he faced a mirrored dresser. ‘Also bring forward Project Progeny. If the boy has half the powers we think, it’s worth starting sooner than later.’
‘Is it still advisable to use her if she’s so troublesome? Especially if there are plans to dispose of her. We’ve already sourced an alternate.’
‘I think a substitute is inevitable. We’ll do the embryo transfer in phase two. Let me know when phase one is complete.’
‘And her disposal? Will you handle it yourself?’
His brush stalled mid-stroke. ‘I’d assumed I could leave that in your capable hands.’ His reflected gaze iced Bazir.
‘Certainly.’
*
Murder bloodied Beth’s vision and her fingers closed around cold steel, eyes locked on the base of Baudin’s throat. Three fast steps. She launched herself onto a table edge, flew at him and roared with satisfaction as the point of the scissors gushed beef red onto white cotton.
‘Get her off! Secure the room.’
Bazir’s screech didn’t carry the authority it should have. Pandemonium rushed through the lab as four security men hauled her away from her victim. She spat and screamed, veins standing in her throat. Her insides boiled with disjointed fury. The room reeled in a haze of white noise before a sharp blow dimmed the lights and shot an explosion of bright needles through her face.
Tiles scraped against her teeth, hampering her airflow. She sucked in sharply, but a heavy knee in the back knocked the precious oxygen back out. Restraints closed on her wrists and someone lifted her into the air. Arms of steel locked around her waist. Beth twisted to see Galen bent over Baudin’s slumped form. Panic and outrage fought for attention in her spinning mind. There was no regret.
He’s lucky he has Galen to save his Nazi ass! How could he have done it? She kicked her legs against the unyielding grip of security, and heard a grunt. The man didn’t break his stride, and Beth’s final glimpse showed Galen cradling his bandaged hand as he pressed his good palm down on Baudin’s neck. A crowd of medical staff was being held back by Bazir.
That bastard is using it as another test. I am going to kill all these people if they don’t let us go. I’ll tell Galen to stop helping them and turn them all inside out. Then we’ll be free. I’ll take him away where no one will find us. I’ll dig a hole in the ground and build a bunker that no one can breach…
Her body slammed against a hard surface with a force that threatened to push the bones through her skin. The slam of a padded door muffled her scream of pain. She caught sight of her bloodied clothes and her guts threatened come up through her throat as she gagged and choked. As she lay stiff on the floor, Beth listened to her rasping breaths. Her heart slowed. Time crawled on endlessly.
*
The clang of heavy bolts yanked her out of sleep. Bazir stood in the doorway with crossed arms. He looked calm but she sensed he dearly wanted to kick her repeatedly with his glossy shoe.
‘Congratulations. Every member of the team wants you kept in here for the foreseeable future.’
She said nothing, just kept her gaze locked on his shoes. How long have I been here? Overnight? Mustn’t move, mustn’t fight. Stay calm, Irving. Galen needs you with him, not here. Make it better. Make it ok to go back.
‘Nothing to say? Well, that makes a change. What am I supposed to do with you, Beth? How can I help you, when you’re determined to sacrifice yourself on the altar of belligerence and now, psychotic behaviour?
‘It is not psychotic to lose your cool when your child’s fingers are chopped off.’
‘They were not chopped. We removed three of them in surgical conditions and he was under general anaesthetic. And stabbing someone in the neck is more than losing your cool. I appreciate you weren’t informed, but we saw no point. It would have upset you and you would have just landed in here sooner, I guess.’ Bazir’s gaze flicked around the cell lined with thick rubber. ‘You are the first occupant of these four walls and I have to admit you wouldn’t have been my first guess.’
He crouched to her eye level, two meters distant. ‘Talk to me Beth. Tell me why you should be let out of here.’
She kept her gaze lowered. What do I say? She cleared a space in her mind. For long drawn seconds nothing came. Then it glowed like a beacon. She raised her face, ‘I will produce the solution.’
He lurched back like she’d tasered a thousand volts through him. His face was so pale, she called for the guard.
‘Hey, someone help. Are you ok?’
His features twisted with horror, like he was seeing a ghost. He shook his head and used trembling hands to push to his feet.
‘What do you mean, the solution?’
Beth blinked.
Huh? He looks freaked out. Hmm, just keep it general, don’t say too much and ruin whatever he’s thinking.
She rose with purpose; these guys like theatrics.
‘I have the solution to the problem. Without me, the answer will remain hidden.’ She raised her shackled hands, palms up in front of her and used every ounce of will to keep her features neutral.
He stumbled backwards and spoke in rapid Spanish to the guard. Without a backward glance, he hurried down the corridor.
Beth slumped against the wall, waited for the door to slam. Her eyes widened when it thumped next to her.
‘I will take you to your room now.’ The guard gestured at her stained clothes. ‘You should change before you return to the lab. They will be expecting you.’
Beth’s mouth hung open.
The solution to the problem. How does a simple, non-committal phrase make it ok?
She brought her mind into focus. His face had echoed the horror of Livia the babysitter all those years ago. Was that it? Superstition? Abracadabra! Magic… What is it with these people? I thought they were scientists.
Beth rubbed her wrists as the cuffs were removed. I better get going before they change their minds. A cracking ache bloomed between her eyes, but she pushed off the wall and stepped into the sunshine once more.
*
‘Those were the exact words?’ Khoen spoke through stiff lips. He pressed a hard palm to his chest and abruptly sat.
‘Word for word: I will produce the solution.’
Bazir held onto Khoen’s desk to hide the shaking. ‘Isn’t that what the Mexican said? You need to tell me more. How can I best be of service if I don’t have the information, Maestro?’
‘Get out,’ he whispered. Khoen’s eyes fluttered shut and his head sank to his knees. The sight was fuel on the blaze already threatening to consume Bazir.
Oh my God, he’s panicking. Is he? He couldn’t be certain. He’d never witnessed even a moment of weakness before. Not ever. What little Khoen had told him about the prophecy burned bright in his memory now.
The Mexican centre; a girl had approached. She’d spoken of Khoen’s future. The answers he sought. The woman who’d produce, not only the solution to his ambition, but much more. Khoen had dismissed what that ‘more’ was. Bazir had assumed…he’d had the impression Khoen didn’t think it important.
I was wrong, presumed too much and he used it against me. Pain sliced through his chest. How can he still not trust me? I
’ve done everything right!
The sting to his pride flashed to fury.
She has more power than I thought. More power than she knows. I have to kill her. Or is that a mistake? Perhaps she has the answer to my ambition. Am I the more? Will she be the key to power for me? Confusion warred with excitement and dread. Khoen will tear me limb from limb if I am discovered. He’s tricked me once; I must apply vigilance.
‘I released her back to the lab. Baudin is in recovery, but should be back on his feet by tomorrow. The kid is astonishing. If his fingers regenerate too, the implications are huge.’
‘Why are you still here?’
‘Don’t you have any instructions for me, Maestro?’
‘Get out!’
*
‘Sixteen hours and six minutes.’ A ripple passed through the spectators. At least a dozen heads were craning to see the amputated knuckles, exposed under a bright spot light. Some turned to the screen on the wall where a close up was displayed. Protruding from Galen’s pink flesh were nubs of white bone.
‘At this rate, we expect full regeneration within a week. The formation of totipotent cells at the incision point has been confirmed.’ Jenny’s eyes flashed to Beth, who sat with studied stillness. Everyone was giving her a wide berth. Galen raised curious eyes to his mother.
He’s probably picking up my calm and doesn’t know what to make of it. Thank God he managed to hold it together yesterday. Such an amazing boy.
The medical team busied themselves. Bazir hadn’t returned.
I wonder if he’s in some corner cowering about the solution thing. She rose, walked to the door and slipped out; paused to listen for the rumble of angry footsteps.
Silence.
Her fingers trailed lightly over the panelling as she moved at a steady pace down the corridor.
You have to find him before they lock you down, Irving. It’s your only chance.