Ambrose took a step back at the sight of living and breathing splooge. “Do me a favor, Matthias,” he said. “Please don’t touch me.”
Matthias rolled his translucent eyes. “You only rescued me to get the rest of the formula?”
“Yep,” Ambrose answered. “So, if you want to be go and carry out your revolution, the sooner you cooperate, the faster you’re free to go.”
“I’m a prisoner?”
“No,” Jer said. “You’re a prisoner of war, a war that you’re not an innocent party of. Now, get on the lab table and start inputting the other half of the formula, and we can part ways. Believe me when I say that we all want to be out of each other’s hair as soon as possible.”
With a sloshy sound, Matthias used his gooey hands to launch his body out of the coffee mug and onto the metal table. He then marched over to the Holo projector, leaving sloppy and wet smattering footprints behind with each step.
“Retrofitted Holo projector,” Matthias squeaked. “Clever. I assume the other half is already inputted?”
“It is,” Ambrose said. “Just need your half, and I can get to work.”
“Surprised you’re helping them,” Matthias said. “Thought you were a badass dealer.”
“Not a lot of career options for monsters these days, regardless of one’s IQ.”
“That’s exactly why you should be following my revolution,” Matthias said in his squeaky voice, sounding less like a leader and more like a mad-monster.
Ambrose let out a chuckle. “If lives can be saved, and monsters gain a more equal footing with the humans without further bloodshed, I’m of the mind that we at least try.”
Matthias scoffed, but a piece of goo escaped his mouth and splatted on the metal table.
Everyone in the lab recoiled at the sight and sound.
Matthias ignored them and punched buttons on the side of the Holo projector, causing it to whir to life.
The first half of the formula appeared in a 3D holographic projection. Matthias swiped his gooey right hand at the image, and the equations began spinning at a slow pace.
“Fascinating,” he squeaked.
“What are you seeing?” Ambrose asked.
“We still need to combine the two halves together,” Matthias said, “but I have a theory about what Jasper discovered.”
“Now would be a good time to share, buddy,” Jer said.
Matthias sauntered around the perimeter of the Holo projector, leaving a trail of splooge in his wake. He stopped once he’d completed a full circle.
“He separated the formula in half to disguise its true nature,” he said. “Genius.”
“But why?” Ambrose asked.
“Because it’s not really two halves of an equation,” Matthias explained in his squeaky voice. “It’s a mashup. He randomly split up the equations and recombined them, then separated the two halves. This is why GenAdvance hasn’t acted with their version of the full formula yet. They still don’t know what it does.”
“But we need to,” Jer added. “So, input your half and let’s figure it out.”
Matthias swiped at the projection, and a transparent keyboard with geometric symbols on it instead of letters appeared before him. He began punching at the symbols, filling in the projection, one bit at a time. The images swirled and collided against each other like a hurricane as Matthias continued to punch his sticky fingers at the projected symbol keyboard.
After a full minute of inputting data, Matthias stepped back with two wet plods. He looked up as the equation began to settle and form into a coherent whole.
Jer and the others stepped in close, eyes wide.
The equations finally settled inside the holographic projection and formed into a coherent whole. The image before them was similar to a DNA helix but different. Unusual additions to what would traditionally be a human DNA strand made the helix longer and less symmetrical. Three different sections of the helix possessed outgrowths that stretched out from the center like tree branches.
“Are the additions what accounts for Transhumana Monstrare?” Jer asked.
“No,” Ambrose answered. “This is human DNA.”
“Come again,” Jer said.
“He’s right,” Matthias added. “There aren’t additional chromosomes here. It’s forty-two, and that’s it. The branches appear to…” He stepped back and covered his gooey mouth. “This can’t be real.”
“It is,” Ambrose said. “It goes against everything we ever thought to be true.”
“Before humans took control even,” Matthias said.
“Someone explain it like I’m five,” Jer said. “In non-science speak if possible.”
“Jasper discovered a link between human and monster DNA,” Ambrose clarified.
“But he was experimenting on Evangeline and Damiana,” Jer replied. “How would this result in them having their physical monster traits suppressed temporarily?”
“If Jasper figured out the specific markers for Transhumana Monstrare, it means he was looking for a way to encourage and discourage it at the same time, similar to activate and deactivate a genetic mutation such as blue eyes,” Ambrose said. “It means…we have the same DNA. Monsters and humans.”
Silence filled the lab.
“Wait,” Jer said, cutting through the tension. “You’re saying Transhumana Monstrare isn’t indicative of a separate species?”
Ambrose nodded. “We’re the same. Transhumana Monstrare is in everyone but suppressed in humans for some reason.”
“If GenAdvance cracks this,” Matthias began, “they could suppress Transhumana Monstrare globally, essentially wiping out our kind.”
“Or,” Jer cut in, “allow humans to manifest Transhumana Monstrare.”
“If it’s true, the global order would be disrupted,” Damiana said. “Everything would change.”
“This explains why humans and monsters are forbidden from interspecies procreation,” Jer said.
“Not interspecies,” Ambrose corrected. “We’re the same species. Humans simply have the Transhumana Monstrare suppressed.”
“But how?” Matthias asked.
“It’s as if humans are a sub-branch of monsters, with almost no manifestations of Transhumana Monstrare,” Ambrose said. “Basically, the weakest rung of the ladder in a way.”
“This needs to be available to everyone,” Jer said. “We need to get the formula to the whole world, monsters and humans alike, so that each individual person can decide for themselves and not the ill-intentioned GenAdvance conglomerate. They’ll only find a way to exploit this and control us even more.”
The others nodded as they murmured agreement.
“We have to get this out to the world,” Jer emphasized. “No matter the cost.”
“It’s essentially proof that we’re all the same,” Matthias said, “In the populace’s minds, that’s going to undermine GenAdvance’s power. They won’t be able to use our division against us.”
“A large number of people aren’t going to believe it or want to believe it,” Damiana warned.
“But if enough do, we could change everything,” Jer replied.
“I hate to admit it, but Jer is right,” Matthias said.
“Are you saying you’re with us now?” Jer asked.
Matthias grumbled but nodded. “It would appear my whole philosophy is based on a lie that we never could have known before now. There is no difference between monsters and humans. At least not on a genetic level.”
“My question,” Ambrose began, “is did Jasper figure out a way to bring Transhumana Monstrare to the surface or suppress it. Or is that up to us?”
“Can you unravel that mystery?” Jer asked.
“Possibly,” Ambrose said. “If we have a large enough sample size.”
“Again, we need to get it out to the world,” Jer replied.
“The only facility in shouting distance with a device strong enough to transmit a signal globally at once is GenAdvance Headquarters,” Dami
ana said.
“Perhaps that was what Jasper was trying to do when Pike and her enslaved monster kill-squad took his life,” Matthias said.
“On Jakoff’s orders, no doubt,” Jer added.
“Jasper deserved better,” Mira chimed in.
Jer appreciated everyone’s concern for his lost friend. A sense of satisfaction filled him at knowing the answer behind the mystery of the attack on Jasper, but now he wanted to avenge his murder and carry out Jasper’s last wish and gift to the world…a choice. A choice to be whatever one wanted in this divided world, and a way forward with the potential to end the ageless conflict between monsters and humans once and for all.
“If anyone is in disagreement,” Jer said, “voice your objections now. If you’re afraid, that’s fair. You have every reason to be. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred we lose this battle, but this time, we’re going to win. This time is going to be the one time that we set a new course. I’m not going to stop anyone from taking a different path and running away now, but we need everyone involved to be fully onboard, or we will fail. Either we win as a team, or we die as individuals.”
No one objected. Their eyes filled with conviction, eager to begin the fight.
“It’s agreed then,” Jer said. “We take the fight to the true enemy and risk everything for the one thing that could make things better.”
“Infiltrating the Pharma police station is one thing,” Ambrose said, “but breaking into GenAdvance and using their satellite connection is a whole other impossibility. Even with the full support of the monster underground and human sympathizers on our side, you’re proposing the unimaginable.”
Jer chuckled. “Like that’s stopped us before.”
Everyone smiled.
“Mira,” Jer said. “We’re going to need your best warriors to get the full formula inside the satellite control room. You’ll have to contend with GenAdvance’s A.I., but the whole thing hinges on you.”
“Consider it done,” she replied.
Jer looked to Damiana. “We’ll need to draw the Pharma police away from the GenAdvance main building. Specifically, Pike’s kill-squad.”
Damiana smirked. “You’re thinking monster protest?”
“I am,” Jer said and smiled.
“Good cause to bring Lavenza out of retirement,” Damiana said.
Surprise spread across Jer’s face. “She’s still around?”
“Alive and well,” Damiana answered. “But she’s been waiting for a good moment to make her move. Been turning down requests for years. This might do the trick.”
Jer looked to Ambrose and Matthias. “What are the chances you two can figure out how to make Jasper’s discovery work in our favor?”
“Depends on what you mean by ‘in our favor,’” Ambrose replied.
“Ready to wreak havoc on the status quo,” Jer answered. “In other words, simplified to the point that it’s usable by anyone. So that anyone can choose if they want Transhumana Monstrare to manifest or not. That would be enough to completely undermine GenAdvance and make them crumble. We can stop them from carrying out a massacre on monsters if we can do more than show the world that we’re all the same species. We need to shove it in their faces and make it undeniable. And we need it to be ready right before Mira’s furies infiltrate the satellite control room. Are you up to the task?”
Ambrose clacked his heels like he was a soldier ready for action.
Matthias made a similar motion, but instead of clacking, his feet sloshed together and created an uncomfortable splattering sound.
Everyone cringed but didn’t say anything about it.
“What about you?” Damiana asked Jer.
Jer stepped in close to the 3D projection of the formula. “As for me, I’m going to take care of loose ends that could get in our way.”
Ambrose unsealed the underground lab door.
Damiana and Mira rushed out.
Jer followed their lead but went in a separate direction as soon as he was outside.
Ambrose and Matthias stayed behind and began fiddling with the 3D holographic projection of the formula to figure out how they could make it accessible to everyone in time to deliver to Mira and her furies.
28
Belief
Jer was halfway down the corridor on his way to go and rescue Evangeline when it hit him. What he’d been saying to everyone but not listening to himself was starting to seep in. Alone they were failing. Together they could win. What did he really expect to happen when he went charging in on his own, threatening the worst when all he really had was hope and a plan that depended on the well-executed and precise timing of multiple humans and monsters depending on each other. If even one step in the cog failed, the whole scheme would fall apart. No, he couldn’t just go off on his own and carry out his personal mission while the other sacrificed and stuck to doing what was best for the whole. His job now was to help the whole, even at the risk of personal loss. Not that he wouldn’t do anything to protect and save Evangeline, but winning this battle gave them the best chance of doing so on a realistic and less impulsive level. It was time for Jer to pull his big-boy pants up and do what actually needed doing. It was time to help the others.
With gusto, he wheeled around and rushed after Damiana, catching up with her just as she was swinging her left leg over a Heritage Softail Harley Davidson. The sight of her about to ride out on a motorcycle in cutoff jean shorts, suspenders over her halter top, and her seductive yet dangerous horns in place of a helmet caused Jer to lose his train of thought for a second, and he considered just grabbing a hold of her right there and going to town. Forget the fucking mission. What was the mission again?
“Cat got your tongue?” Damiana asked.
“That’s what Jasper used to say,” Jer replied.
Damiana nodded. “I remember. He used that line often.”
“Never worked on you if I recall. Why’s that?”
“Wasn’t looking for someone to flatter or seduce me,” she shrugged. “Wanted someone who cares about more than what he wants.”
“Jasper was a good guy.”
“I get that. I agree, but I’m not talking about what kind of person he was. I’m talking about what kind of person I want to be around. Someone who’s giving not just enough but everything to the ones he loves and fights for. You do that for Evangeline, Mira, and me.”
“You couldn’t have known that until you gave it a shot and until all of this went down. There’s no telling what path a person’s going to take when pressure and stress hit you hard. All those ideas about what kind of person you want to be can fade if you don’t redouble on your decisions.”
Damiana chuckled. “You really can’t turn it off, can you? You geek out on psych shit the way other dudes geek out on video games, sports, promotions, money, power. You have no idea how sexy that is, do you? I’m in love with your mind, Jer.”
Jer blushed but stepped closer and put a hand on her left leg. “I’ve been known to play a few video games here and there. That’s how my friendship with Jasper started.”
“And now, it’s all about the high you get from helping others. You practically glow when you see hope on someone’s face.”
“True, but what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. As long as you don’t forget that you’re a person too, and you have needs. Neglect yourself too long and you’ll end up as the one who needs a hand up.”
“Everyone seems particularly worried about me of late. What’s that about?”
“You haven’t even grieved, Jer. You lost your best friend, and you haven’t even stopped to grieve.”
Jer hung his head. Damiana was right. He’d lost his most trusted friend, but he’d completely engrossed himself in solving his murder and the conspiracy behind it as a coping mechanism. He was skipping grief so he wouldn’t have to deal with it. He’d done the same when he lost his father, burying himself in his studies and psychiatry. Trying to understand the ‘why’ while never taking the t
ime to simply accept that bad things happen and that’s okay.
While his mind was still spiraling, Damiana pulled him in close and wrapped her hands around his neck, her claws digging into his skin a bit. “It’s okay, Jer. You’re going to be okay. We’re all going to be okay. You’ve still got family. We’re your family now.”
Jer nodded as he embraced her, pressing his body against hers. She was right. He needed to let it all out. It wasn’t time yet, but soon.
“I promise I’ll open up when this is all said and done,” he said. “I promise.”
“You’d better,” Damiana warned. “Or I’ll beat your ass.”
Jer smirked and pulled back. “I should come with you. I want to help make the case to Lavenza that we need her help and it’s worth it.”
“Hop on,” Damiana replied. “Let’s go talk her out of retirement.”
Jer slipped his right leg over the Softail, but before he had a chance to settle onto the seat, Damiana revved the motorcycle and screeched the tires as she took off, almost sending Jer flying off the back. He wrapped his hands around her firm midsection and enjoyed the high-speed ride.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled into an obscure part of the isle, near an electrical grid station that was run over with moss, weeds, and ivy. At the top of a mound was a fenced-in stone building that looked as if it were built during the Gothic architecture period. The setting was ominous despite the sun being out.
“Come on,” Damiana beckoned. “No time to spare.”
The two of them trudged through the neck-high weeds and climbed up an embankment. Damiana used her claws to rip through the fence, and they slipped inside. At the cusp of the stone castle, she rapped on the wooden front door three times.
No answer came right away. When she went to knock again, the door groaned open. Lavenza, no longer a youthful beauty, appeared before them.
“I thought we had an understanding,” she said.
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