Second Genesis

by Eric Williams

  The single cell, that Steven isolated in the clear fluid looked like a microscopic version of an octopi. It had three dark cores, three separate nuclei that were intertwined by what looked like red veins. The organism was mostly red in color, with some translucence in its core and six smooth tentacles. It had what looked like teeth, needle like. It even had what looked like a hook at the end of each of its extremities, being a darker shade of red. This was something that shocked the crew. Aaron however seemed overwhelmed more than the others.

  “OK, so. It has three nuclei, looks like a squid, has teeth, and according to the last scan, twenty-eight pairs of chromosomes. Great, it's superior to our chromosome count.” Steven said sarcastically.

  “Is it a parasite?” Ali asked.

  “No, not exactly.” Steven switched the slides. This time they saw something else. This cell had the same dark cores bound together by a white veiny tissue. It maintained its red exterior but had white veins down it's extremities, and its hook was different, bluish in color. “This sample came from one of our patients in the other room. It's adapted. It absorbed the patient’s DNA and started producing these. Whatever this thing is, is replacing patient 22’s blood cells with more of these things.”

  Steven changed the slides a third time. This sample he retrieved from Clyde Owens. The cell maintained the same features, but with an additional color variation. This cell had brown veins, and a green hook at the end of its tentacles. The cell also seemed to swim faster, “This one came out of our researcher that was attacked on the beach. Again, it's replacing his blood cells with this…”

  “What are you saying Steven? Jane asked.

  Steven played back a bioscan his laser pen had taken a few minutes before they gathered from Owens. The recording on the screen was detailed. Showing the man’s name and had a time counter going. They could see inside the human heart. Hundreds of bumps had formed inside it. Each nodule was releasing more of these cells into the bloodstream. They watched as the new cells attacked the existing blood cells, devouring them, then swimming off. The next recording shown something else. The hooks the cells had, clung to the liver tissue inside Clyde Owens. They watched the cell use a tentacle that opened up at one end like a mouth. It ate one of the liver cells, while another tentacle started to swell up, giving birth to an alienized version of the liver cell it had just consumed. Within a matter of minutes, the new cell was replacing other liver cells as it continued. The same activity was occurring in muscle tissue, and various other organs.

  Steven was shaking his head back and forth as he leaned back in his chair. “This thing is bioforming it's host guys. Think terraforming, only this thing is creating life. It's taken the DNA of that sand shark to help it adapt, and then started doing the same thing to Owens. The man has gills growing on his face now…”

  Steven pulled up a video feed of Owens in one of the containment pods. He wasn’t strapped down and was being compliant with the droid in the room. They could see the four gill slits around his ear and going down part of his neck. His hands had also started to become webbed.

  Aaron closed his eyes and made a gulping noise. “This can’t be happening. It just can’t…”

  _____

  The Haze.

  Xairin had got up to make his way over to the young man dancing. He was feeling pretty confident thanks in part to his third drink. After all, what did he have to lose tonight.

  He tapped the man on his shoulder, gently. “Want to dance?” Xairin couldn’t believe he was being so bold tonight. This wasn’t normally something he did. Usually he sat there and hoped someone would pick him up instead. Tonight, was a new beginning he thought. Why not try to be a bit bolder.

  Rory had called it. When the young guy turned around, he scoffed in Xairin’s face. “I don’t dance with fatties.”

  Xairin instantly went from feeling confident, to that heart sinking sensation when something bad happens. He almost couldn’t believe it and had to ask. “What?”

  The young man was clearly annoyed and turned around to point out the facts. “You see that bear over there? Sitting at the bar?” Xairin looked over his shoulder to viewing a man in his later sixties, guzzling a pitcher of draft as fast has his round body could chug it. Xairin saw the man’s ass crack, and hairy belly just jiggling since he had no shirt on. “Now move along little fatty, I’m sure that bear daddy over there would just love to take you home.” The man said and gave Xairin an actual shove while his back was turned.

  “What’s your problem?” Xairin asked. “I was just trying to be nice. I thought you looked like an attractive guy.”

  The blonde-haired man simply rolled his eyes. “Look, you’re just not my type. Now go find you a cub or a bear ok? I’m into muscle, not what you got going on, now piss off!”

  Xairin had been shot down before, but never like that. He had his fair share of let downs, but this one really struck a nerve. He was never the type to hit someone, but this really tempted that boiling point in his alcohol reserves. NO, just walk off. He thought. While sulking he made his way back to his seat, he noticed Rory looking at him shaking his head. Xairin shrugged. “Guess he’s right.”

  “FUCK IT!” He thought loudly. “ANOTHER GODDAMN ROUND! His brain echoed. He ordered another drink the moment a skimpy dressed waiter passed him by, and a moment later was sipping his fourth.

  Topher Haze was 40. He had dark hair, was about an inch shorter than Xairin depending on his shoes, and had a smile that usually invited anyone in. He was a flirt, but not over the top, just really friendly. Topher appeared Italian. He had nice arms, nice legs, no visible abs, just nice to look at overall. He didn’t obsess over staying in shape, he was one of those that had it honest. The first time Xairin ever came to his club, he ended up going home with him. Xairin’s first one nighter, that ended in a decent friendship. Xairin of course wanted more at the time, but Topher was a cat that wasn’t about to be tamed anytime soon, or by someone a decade younger. Topher was wearing a purple top hat, black dress pants with suspenders. He was shirtless while he danced on the stage. Xairin didn’t even notice him come out or hear his usual invitation that he always mentioned.

  Topher noticed Xairin sulking. He didn’t know why, but knew he had to go and check on him. After doing a little dance, with a few friends on stage, he made his way over and plop down right beside Xairin, patting his leg. “Sup brother?”

  “Oh, not much.” Xairin mentioned while trying his best to keep his composure.

  “You sure? You seem off, and you’re drinking.” Topher said slyly.

  “It's the end of the world party Toph, besides, I’m supposed to lose myself in the haze, right? That’s what you’re always saying on stage. Besides I needed a drink, or four. Maybe a fifth one, I’m not too sure yet.” Xairin said trying to muster a grin.

  Topher leaned in and snuggled Xairin for a moment. “Just be careful tonight. It's been kind of crazy here.”

  Xairin looked around the room while Topher tried to hug him hard enough to squeeze the live out of him. “Yeah. it's a great crowd.”

  “NO, it's not the crowd. Just some people have went missing in our area Xairin. Just be careful ok? Don't go home with anyone you don’t know alright?” Topher said sincerely.

  Xairin leaned back and looked into his dark eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t come out but once a month buddy. Some cops were here at opening. Apparently, some people have turned up missing. Burt being one of them.” That caused Xairin’s jaw to drop.

  “What?”

  “Look, I can’t really go into it right now, maybe after closing if you’re still here ok? But yeah, some cops were asking some questions about some missing persons, asking if they were regulars. Four hits were traced to the Haze being the last place anyone saw them. Three I didn’t recognize, but Burt, his sister reported him missing last week. I thought he was a no call no show, which I found odd. But, yeah, just no new guys tonight.” Topher pat Xairin on the cheek and ga
ve him a kiss to his forehead before running off to entertain another group that was schmoozing around the dance floor. Xairin however just sat there astonished. “Burt is missing?”

  Xairin sat there for another thirty minutes breathing heavily while finishing the fifth long island. His vision was a little off, but that was about it. He figured after hearing what Topher just mentioned, he would take K2’s advice and head on home. He noticed Baxter, and at least wanted to tell him and Rory goodnight before leaving so he got up and started the trek through the dancing bodies all around him.

  He was looking down as he walked, not enough to be fully blindsided by anyone in front of him, but enough to not notice someone rushing through the crowd. His lack of paying attention to detail while deep in thought, caused him to bump into someone’s shoulder. Instantly he saw a bottle of water hit the floor and roll across the dance floor as if everyone around him was playing a game of soccer. There was no way he could get it.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Xairin blurted while looking up into the warmest blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. He was dumbstruck.

  Standing there in a plaid button up short sleeve shirt, was a nice hairy chest hinting from the top few unclasped buttons. Xairin’s eyes shifted from that, to the man’s eyes. Then noticed his neatly trimmed goatee, He had brown thick hair, a little wavy but short and a smile that seemed to lift Xairin’s spirits. The man had nice arms too, and you could tell he worked out, enough to likely bench 250 lbs. easily. He had definition. He was tall, having an inch on Xairin easily. Nice shoulders, a trimmed middle, and by all accounts, beautifully flawed in Xairin’s mind.

  “Are you ok?” The man asked with a soft masculine voice.

  Xairin could just stand there in shock. He was handsome. Stunning to Xairin. His looks were soft, yet had this element of, roughness all melded into one. He appeared to be Xairin’s age, or possible a year or two older. Either way, Xairin was smitten at first glance.

  Xairin being speechless, prompted the blue-eyed stranger to pat him on the shoulder. “Well ok then.”

  “I’M XAIRIN.” He yelled.

  The man was about to turn around and walk off when he caught Xairin’s name. The turned and smiled. “You be careful Xairin, make sure you get a cap home ok?” The man could obviously tell Xairin had drank a few, it was on his breath now.

  Xairin looked at the floor as the blue-eyed beauty was turning to walk away. He had to say something fast. Darn it liquid courage! Where are you? He thought. Finally, he asked. “Can I get you another water?”

  The man turned around and pat Xairin on the shoulder. He studied Xairin’s face for a moment. Xairin had this longing in his eyes. He seemed sad. This moved the stranger, but he had other plans tonight, and Xairin wasn’t to be in that equation. He simply tenderly grasped Xairin’s shoulder, smiled. “You be safe tonight Xairin. Get that ride home, ok?”

  Xairin watched the man dodge incoming traffic and joined a black woman with this Jackie Brown vibe going on across the way. The two clearly knew each other. They were not affectionate with one another, but seems to be either good friends, friends with benefits, or helping the other scout the crowd. When they looked back at Xairin, he noticed the woman’s afro shake from side to side, while she shook her head, clearly the smug look on her face indicated Xairin was a no for the man.

  What’s wrong with me? Am i that fucking ugly?” He thought. Between being shot down so rudely about thirty minutes prior, to now this encounter, Xairin was batting zero tonight. He quickly sunk into feeling sorry for himself. “I should have just fucking stayed home!”

  To make matters even worse, a shorter brown-haired guy, with a spiked necklace, black eye liner, and covered in newly acquired tattoos was on his way to meet Xairin head on. It was Cale… “FUCK ME SIDEWAYS!” Xairin thought as soon as he noticed his ex was bouncing over his way. Cale and Xairin had dated for almost three years, a one-night stand that turned into Xairin literally fighting for his life. His ex when sober, was a sweet and likeable guy. Once alcohol was added to the situation, he went quickly from Doctor Jekyll, to Mister Jackass. Between the physical and mental abuse, Xairin thought suicide was his only way out. Finally, he pulled himself up, and fought to find himself again.

  Cale was of course drunk off his ass. The smell coming from his mouth was about a hundred times the strength of what Xairin had consumed. It hit Xairin in the face hard enough to make his nose run. “JESUS CALE. what do you want?”

  “You’re going home with me tonight!” Cale demanded.

  Xairin had let this little creep bully him for almost three years to the point he almost lost himself. Xairin may have had his own issues but being Cale’s victim again wasn’t about to happen. Xairin looked him dead in the eyes and stood his ground. “I would rather take a chainsaw up the ass than ever go home with you again.”

  “OH Xair, don’t be like that baby.”

  “Cale, please, leave me alone, please, just leave me be. I honestly don't quite know how to be clearer on this subject. You put me through nine shades of hell and I’m done. Please take the hint…”

  “I miss you baby, give me another chance. “

  “Cale, the only thing you miss is me paying for all your shit. Please take a hint man, I took out a restraining order on you. Please, just leave me alone.”

  Being the vulgar type, that and playing on Xairin’s tendency for a good rough romp in the bedroom, Cale hoped that reminding Xairin of the size of his eight-inch dick would sway the redhead into relenting. “You know you want it...” he said while rubbing his crotch.

  Xairin rolled his eyes, “that won't work on me any more Cale.” Xairin walked off. Hoping and praying Cale would fall on his face or a bouncer would intervene. He knew if he could get close enough to Baxter, Cale wouldn’t dare come close, no matter how drunk he was, he knew Xairin’s friends would either say something, or have him barred again.

  Success. Xairin made it to Baxter. Baxter also noticed Cale standing there and shot the man an if looks could kill, type of glare. “You ok Xair?” Xairin nodded, while looking over his shoulder to make sure Cale got the picture and went after someone else. After a moment, he did.

  “Man, it's been what, three years and he still won't leave you alone?”

  “I thought he was barred?” Xairin asked.

  “I'll make sure he’s back on the ban list. Apparently, the new door guy, has let a bunch of people in here tonight that shouldn’t have been allowed back in.”

  “I just wish Cale would get the hint. I mean, you would think after two restraining orders and my droid hanging him out the window, it would have done the trick. I just can’t go back to that sort of thing.” Xairin said while he started to get a little teary eyed.

  Baxter pat his friends hand, “Just hang here at the bar, he knows his place.”

  _____

  City Outskirts.

  Along the road outside of New Beginnings Zoo, the swarm of bats had taken to the air. One of the bipedal wolves, could also been seen running through the woods, claiming it's new found freedom. Another one followed right behind it, their yellow eyes pierced the darkness.

  The pack had split, as had everything else escaping. Sniffing the air with their muzzled snouts, catching a whiff of fresh meat and in the bats case, blood. The alien inside them had increased their need to feed. The physical changes had caused a caloric debt, and it had to be replenished. Many of the creatures were heading their way to Bastion City. Their senses had heighted, the sounds of the city, and even the smell of people and animals alike, were steering them towards the round walls.

  In the air, the white bat was flying with six others. They had broken off from the main group while hunting. Flying high, they cleared the wall easily. The outskirts of Bastion City were just as any other city would be. They had flown into a poorer part of town. Homeless people were rare, unless it was the types that didn’t want to conform to a world government rule. This part of town had a few out bumming, along the part of town where
prostitution was legal with a license.

  A hooker on the corner standing near a light post, trying to pull her pink bra back up after getting out of a car, struggled with it. The man had gotten a little rough apparently. Not hitting her, but she looked like she had been choked. She had a scratch on her shoulder, it was bleeding a little. The woman had bleached blonde hair, curly. She couldn’t have been older that forty. While this line of work was frowned upon, it was legal only in designated places so long as you had a license for it. Like anything it was taxable now, and had put a damper on human trafficking, an unexpected benefit.

  The scratch was small, but with their enhancements, the smell of blood was as if someone had thrown in a tiny drop of blood into the sea and attracted a shark from miles away. The bats, with the albino guiding the small group, rushed the woman from above, forcing her to the ground, screaming.

  Two people saw the attack and took ignored it. Another walking by simply ran off, the sight of a bat almost the size of a medium sized dog, with a vicious face and blood dripping from its mouth was something out of a horror movie. The running attracted the albino, and it flew upward again attracting the others with it to follow the fleeing prey. The woman was barely breathing.