by David Byrd
“Hold it right there Ca…” The words died in Nash’s throat as the captain came into full view.
“Well I’ll be damned,” Turner said. “I thought we killed you on RanClor IV but I guess it’s just my bad luck day.”
“Caldwell Turner,” Nash said. “Of all the people to be involved in whatever this is, I can’t believe we would meet like this again.”
Nash had to put an arm out when Zara recognized Turner. She had a deadly gleam in her eye and was ready to throttle the man in front of them.
“You know Nash, you and your little pet there should have died in the war. You swore to follow your commanding officer’s orders and I ordered all of you forward and to destroy that installation. But you had to be the big man and disobey.”
“You bastard, there were non-combatants in the area and half our team were wiped out in the first volley,” Zara hissed through clenched teeth. “You were just an idiot looking to make your name in a glorious battle that you never intended to fight in.”
“Nash single handedly ruined my career in the military and my seat in Earth council,” Turner said red faced. “But my father has big plans…and he’s been playing all of you for fools including your father, the great Henry Nash.”
“What are you talking about, your father is dead. You told the squad he died in an early conflict of the expansion wars.” Nash said.
“I lied. Caldwell Turner is my mother’s maiden name. I took it so that no one could connect me back to my old man…we had plenty of money to disguise the paper trail and my father needed a reliable person in the military.”
“Alright Caldwell…I’ll play your game, just who is this mysterious man who has played us all along?” Nash asked.
“You don’t know him but your pretty doctor sure does…In fact she works for him and he is the one that sent her out here to be kidnapped and taken to the research complex where she’ll likely stay for the rest of her life.” Turner said gloating.
“Burke? Your father is Dr. Fenton Burke, director of Paxton Bio?” Nash said with clenched teeth.
“Oh I see now; you’re really after your pretty doctor. Well you should be worried I guess. If she doesn’t behave herself she’ll end up in a giant test tube as one of the experiments.” Turner said smirking.
Zara leapt a few feet and lashed out with a well-placed kick connecting with Turner’s chin and knocking him back and across a console out cold. Zara turned to look at Nash.
“What?” She asked.
“Nothing I’m good,” he said.
“Get Jev on a channel and let’s secure this ship. We’re going to use it to go to whatever installation is at the target coordinates.” Nash said.
Chapter 23
Julia woke up and readied herself for the day ahead. At this point she needed to learn all she could so she made herself ready and found coffee and breakfast laid out on the desk in the sitting area. Resigning herself that she would have to play the game for now she ate and then tested the door to her quarters which unexpectedly opened to her touch. She walked into the corridor and down the hall checking all the other doors which were steadfastly locked including Dr. Gorman’s office. Making her way to the lift, she descended into the lab and continued reading about the research taking place. One thing kept bothering her about Dr. Gorman. She recalled Dr. Gorman’s research when she was in medical school but that was ten years ago and the research itself was a decade older than that although Gorman looked to be in her early-forties.
Julia studied all of the material in the records she was given and then made some observations of her own using the advanced equipment in the lab. The bacterium in the alien animal was really remarkable. It had unique properties that did not exist in Earth bacteria and there were still quite a few unknowns about it. If this had been any other situation she would have been excited and anxious to continue in this line of research but the facts were that she was a prisoner.
“Ah there you are dear,” Gorman said surprising Julia suddenly. “Sorry to give you a shock, I’m used to moving about quietly.”
Julia looked closer at Gorman…her eyes. No crow’s feet, excellent skin tone…remarkably smooth and youthful for someone she had to assume was in her sixties. And the way she always said dear this and that was an older form of speech.
“I hope you’ve had a chance now to see why the animal is so remarkable,” Gorman said. “I’ve uploaded a few more references of my own into your console and you will find a number of specimens in the third test bay at the end of the room to work with. I really need for you to concentrate on those and find an answer as to why the DNA in these test samples is degrading.”
Without another word Gorman turned and left the room but not before something else Julia had noticed in her subconscious hit her. In all the interactions she had with Gorman over the last couple of days, she always had her left hand inside the pocket of her lab coat. Recalling the first meeting in her office, down the hallway, her quarters and here in the lab, it was a constant. At no time was her hand exposed. Julia reviewed the data and started working on the samples which all had some form of DNA degradation it seemed. With nothing better to do she threw herself into the work which would keep her mind busy.
Nash, Jevin and Zara secured the freighter crew and Turner in a storage compartment that had no access panels or any other way to get out. Zara made sure the ship schematics contained no vital components near or through the area. Jevin reactivated the engines and they reviewed the ship logs to make sure they knew the exact approach vectors to the location and any other normal procedures that were followed. Zara went back to the StarSeeker and disengaged from the freighter and immediately went into stealth mode. She would follow the freighter closely but would not reveal her position unless absolutely necessary. Jevin and Nash piloted the freighter to the location in the logs.
Less than an hour later they came to the planetoid that was not labeled on any star chart or navigational data. Following the glide path from the logs they maneuvered into the blasted depression and into the planetoid itself. There were a number of small domed complexes they were approaching. Several of these seemed empty or vacant with no power but two of the domes were definitely in use. There was a conspicuous lack of personnel on the landing dock. In fact there were no traffic instructions or anyone on the dock to meet them. Nash concluded that this was such a black ops base that only a small number of people knew about it and they had no need of a large contingent of guards. Even so, they would assume there were garrisons stationed here.
Nash and Jevin put on some grimy overalls over their flexible suit armor and began offloading several of the containers from the freighter’s cargo bay into the loading dock of the landing dome. While they were wrestling with one large crate, two guards casually walked up.
“That was a quick trip,” one guard said.
“Yep you know how Turner gets when he’s had his butt chewed,” Nash said winking at the guard.
“Don’t I know it…say I haven’t seen you two before,” the guard said.
“Sucks I know…my buddy and me are the engineers on that rust bucket. There was an accident onboard and Turner’s in there now raising bloody hell with em so we got the duty.” Nash said.
Apparently satisfied with the explanation the guards said goodbye and turned to leave.
“Say buddy you don’t happen to know where this directors office is do you? We’ve got a couple of boxes to deliver directly to the director. Turner said it would be hell to pay with Burke if we didn’t get it done.” Nash said.
The two guards turned a bit pale and pointed to a hallway that led to the other dome. “Down that hallway and through the airlock into the other building. The way is marked to the director’s office. But if you’ll take some friendly advice. Don’t stay long.” The guard said.
“Oh why is that?” Nash said.
“Because we’ve seen a lot of folks arrive, go down that hall and never come back out. And that’s not all…Some of the boys have
heard some terrible sounds coming from the lower levels.”
“Ah…well thanks for the warning and we’ll hop to it.” Nash said.
Nash and Jevin continued unloading boxes and crates until the two guards entered a side door to the left. It seemed that there was a small contingent of forces here but they were probably completely in the dark about the place so it wouldn’t do to take them out unless they had to.
“What do you think?” Nash asked.
“Sounds about right…secret location, bio research, a bug that causes your mind to short circuit…sounds like our kind of place alright.” Jevin said.
They continued the act picking up a couple of smaller boxes and walking down the corridor in case they were under surveillance. Reaching the end they passed through a normal airlock that opened into several offices and breakrooms.
“Looks deserted,” Jevin said. “I wonder how many people this place holds.”
“No idea but the other two domes we passed on the way in that were deserted were either built for a large operation that never happened…or they’re ready to be occupied at the right time. Either way I don’t think that would be good for anyone.”
“There’s a freight lift over there,” Jevin said as he palmed the control panel which sprang to life as the lift double doors opened silently. It was large enough to accommodate 10 people or nearly any size standard freight container.
Inside the lift, they pulled their weapons and activated the panel that had only one level highlighted. The double doors closed and they descended for a number of seconds. Jevin had been counting and it seemed to be at least eleven stories down which would put the level into the bedrock of the planetoid. The lift stopped smoothly but the doors failed to open. Jevin started searching the control panel for a hidden access door when the walls, floor and ceiling came alive with a massive jolt of electricity stunning both men unconscious in a matter of a few seconds.
The doors opened to Brielle Gorman and the two guards who met them at the ship.
“Make sure you have all of their weapons and then you know what to do with them,” Gorman instructed the guards.
“Yes Ma’am.”
An interesting turn of events Gorman thought watching the two men being dragged into the lower lab. But it could work out to be just the right thing at the right time.
Chapter 24
Henry J. Nash had been making the rounds to all of his contacts in Earth Central Government regarding the RanClor IV outbreak to deaf ears.
“But General, I have evidence that the RanClor IV outbreak was not caused by outside alien influence. There is more going on here that the council needs to consider.” He said.
“Henry…it’s out of our hands. The fact is that people are scared. They’ve seen the reports and even though Paxton has said they have a cure, it doesn’t help calm the nerves of anyone. Besides we have no idea what other kind of plague those Telvari could launch against us. The decision is already made my friend. It’s just a matter of time and socializing it around to the people so that they think it’s also in their best interests. There won’t be any dissenting votes I’m afraid.”
Henry Nash left the Council building and made several calls for his personal staff to be ready to meet at his office in half an hour. He may not be able to stop all of what had been set in motion but he damned well would put a stop to some of it he thought.
“So you all have your respective jobs to do,” Henry Nash said from the boardroom table. “I expect to have everything completed within two days at the most. So please make this your highest priority. Thank you everyone.”
Chapter 25
Julia fell asleep in the lab going over the latest tests on the target containers. Her last analysis run would confirm or deny her hypothesis about what happened with the samples.
“Julia dear, you really should have gone up to get some rest. I need you at full capacity,” Gorman said touching Julia on the shoulder waking her up.
“I…I was involved with some new tests and I wanted to run through and lost track of time,” Julia said the sleep fog starting to lift in her brain.
“I’ve been patient but I must insist that you give this your best work. I need some answers from you regarding these samples and I need them quickly,” Gorman said with a slight edge to her tone. Julia may still be sleepy but she detected another note. Anger or desperation she couldn’t tell yet but something was driving this that was larger than it seemed.
Julia pulled a console closer and called up the test cycle she initiated before falling asleep. Waking more fully the results of three distinct tests confirmed what she theorized.
“Well these samples are not decaying. There is nothing wrong with the cells or the cell structures. The problem is that the alien bacterium is re-writing the DNA in the samples. It’s a slow process for sure, and I have no idea the method it’s using but it’s slowly replacing the host DNA with another copy.” Julia said.
“Impossible!” Gorman yelled suddenly livid and angry. “I’ve been running tests on similar subjects for the last several years and nothing I’ve seen leads me to those conclusions. You’re obviously trying to subvert my work.”
Julia was taken aback at the sudden change in attitude. She was starting to forma a mental picture of Gorman as someone who had a serious mental instability.
“Brielle…I’ve run these corroborating tests three times and they are all the same. At some point depending on the metabolic rate of the host, the alien process is replacing strands of DNA. The faster the metabolic rate, the faster the displacement of DNA.” Julia said.
“Then you will stop it,” Gorman said. “You will work until you drop dead to find a way to arrest the process of replacement or your worst fears will come true Dr. Danforth.” Gorman said with color in her checks and spittle on her lips.
Julia tired from the work and the captivity was suddenly angry herself. Throwing caution to the winds she stood up so quickly that the chair she was in toppled backwards hitting the floor with a crash.
“Lady I’m through with you giving me orders. I don’t know what bug is up your butt, but I won’t cooperate with you any longer. You’re sick. Some of the data I’ve read about your tests make you look like the fictional Frankenstein instead of a gene researcher.” Julia said angrily.
Gorman’s face became as impassive as stone with Julia’s outburst. Her eyes were completely devoid of any feeling whatsoever.
“Then it’s time for you to make a choice Dr. Danforth,” Gorman said. “Please follow me there is something I want to show you. After you’ve heard me out if you still want to waste your talents and fade away in this complex I’ll certainly accommodate you.”
Gorman walked into the lift and Julia followed wary of what was to follow but resigned to do something.
Gorman placed her right hand on the flat panel which sprang to life at her touch. Telltale lights flared around her hand apparently reading her biometrics. The lift instead of ascending as normal descended quickly many levels below the area Julia had been working in. When the lift opened, they walked into a very large room that appeared to be cut directly into the native rock of the planetoid. The rock itself had been highly polished to a smooth gloss. To the right were small cubicles of laboratory equipment, machines and analyzers. To the left was a series of very large square containment vessels. Square boxes from floor to about 3 meters in height and width. The lights were dim in the room, activating as they progressed further into the complex so she couldn’t see what was inside. As they neared the first cube the lights flared and what she saw was straight out of a nightmare.
Inside, held in specimen preservation liquid (Preservatol) in the middle of the cube was something that once was a man but now had four arms if you could call them that. The “new” arms were smaller and thinner and had a greenish scaly look to them ending in two long pointed appendages. But that was not the only abnormality. Protruding from the head was a large globular cluster of something.
“My
god what have you done…you’re mad.” Julia said.
“I’ve had enough of your ranting Dr. Danforth,” Gorman said pulling out a small weapon and pointing it in her direction. “Please continue. I think you’ll find something of interest. As for madness…is it madness to try and create a perfect soldier? One that could handle multiple weapons in a ground war or have skin that could absorb and deflect pulse bursts. Just think of the advantages we would have not only in the military space but for the general population. Imagine if your cells could regenerate instead of dye off. What if you could live to do you work for decades longer than normal?”
Julia as aghast and fighting the urge to throw up but she had to play along for the moment. There were numerous cubes all with obvious failures and deformities too grotesque to think about.
“So I guess this is why there are no other researchers here.” Julia said.
“Oh they are here dear, you just walked past the last two that I had. Dolts I’m afraid but you can see they had their uses in advancing science.” Gorman said. “Keep going you only have a few more at the other end. I think you’ll like the experiments about to take place with those.
Julia continued and the last set of lights in the room came on illuminating the contents of the last two cubes. There, lying on the floor of both cubes were Jevin and Nash!
Julia was overcome and started to cry. She never knew if her warning on RanClor IV made it out or not and now that she knew they made it, the situation was much worse.
“So you see Dr. Danforth I believe you have everything to gain by working this problem. You see we had such good results in the beginning that I embarked on some personal research. Perhaps you’ve noticed how smooth my skin is for a woman of my age. That’s due in part to this line of research into cell renewal. But as you have seen, we’ve had a few unwanted side effects.” Gorman said pulling her left hand out of her lab coat pocket. Julia could see that it had a greenish tinge and looked like scales were forming. The fingers were also elongating.