Planet Urth Boxed Set

by Jennifer Martucci

  In death, Dr. Franklin Terzini would be absolved of all debt, he would not have to flee and live the life of a fugitive. His falsified demise also released him from regulations that burdened researchers in the United States.

  Additionally, Terzini would have unrestricted access to his inheritance that had been transferred incrementally over his years on the Kamchatka Peninsula to numbered Swiss bank accounts. Eugene revered his maker’s vast intelligence, his rigid adherence to the nature of his work and meticulous attention to every detail of his plan. He respected Terzini’s genius.

  As Eugene doused the lab, he paused and inhaled the noxious fumes. One last task remained at hand.

  A portal lay ahead at the far end of the laboratory. Eugene surveyed the space before approaching the entrance. He hesitated a moment then opened the wooden door that separated the Terzini clone from the rest of the lab. After removing his dark lenses, he crossed the threshold and stepped into the replica’s tiny living quarters.

  Once inside, Eugene filled the room with his extraordinary size. Furnished sparsely with a metal-framed cot and a three-drawer side table, the Terzini clone sat on the makeshift bed and looked up at Eugene.

  Eugene noticed how the clone did not react at the sight of him as others did. Instead, he gave a lopsided grin. Smiling, the bespectacled twin looked frail and childlike. His slight build and smooth face gave him a serene and youthful appearance.

  Eugene had been instructed to allow for the clone to burn to death in the fire. Yet as he looked at the small figure in front of him, Eugene was overcome with confusion. The face of the clone was that of his maker.

  Loyalty clouded his judgment. Incinerating the Terzini clone seemed unwarranted. He simply could not allow Terzini to perish in such a manner.

  Instead, Eugene seized the beaming mute’s face in his hand. Pinching his nose and covering his mouth simultaneously, Eugene began to smother him.

  The clone did not struggle or fight. He accepted his fate and allowed life to escape him.

  Eugene removed his hand from the duplicate’s face. His lifeless form fell against the wall behind his cot.

  Loyalty and mercy were not feelings Eugene was accustomed to having. He became agitated.

  Circling the lab, he stalked equipment that enabled his creation. Breathing heavily through bared teeth, his chest heaved and his mind flooded with thoughts of destruction.

  Eugene began thrashing his balled fists. He battered the equipment in the lab, hammering computer screens and monitors, anything that stood in his way.

  Rage coursed through his body.

  Trembling, he turned to face the far corner of the facility. There stood the tank that served as a surrogate womb to genetically cloned embryos created by Dr. Franklin Terzini. It was the very vessel that bore he and Gabriel and the Terzini clone.

  The large tubular receptacle sustained the harvested eggs and donated sperm of unsuspecting women and men that would be modified by his maker. It nourished and supported the accelerated growth of the manufactured humans.

  Erupting, Eugene pounded the tank. As he drummed on the steel walls, large indentations formed. The metal buckled under the assault. Frenzied, Eugene exhausted himself leaving in his wake a formerly cylindrical container U-shaped.

  Sweating profusely and still panting through bared teeth, Eugene struck the first match. The highly flammable chemicals ignited immediately. The gases produced glowed in an array of colors, blue then blue-green, before assuming the light yellow-orange of typical fires.

  Dr. Terzini’s laboratory and his clone blazed. Flames enveloped the destroyed computers, microscopes and centrifugal equipment before encircling the U-shaped development tank.

  The fire raged as Eugene stepped out of the laboratory through a steel door. The door opened to a narrow, concrete staircase that traversed ten feet of earth to the surface. As Eugene exited, he did not bother replacing the large, white rectangular piece of plastic that concealed the entrance, blending it seamlessly into the vast snow-covered landscape. Without its covering, the charcoal entryway was easily visible. The Russians would certainly find the charred facility in search of Terzini and their money. Eugene was confident they would locate everything they were intended to discover.

  Eugene, above ground and a safe distance from the underground facility, looked skyward. Dark-gray clouds moved quickly, crowding out the white expanse, their tattered and ragged shapes assembled with haste, portended. The wind did not stir, yet the great and grim billows advanced, threatened with moisture. Snow would fall soon; Eugene could smell it in the air. The snowfall would conceal his tracks but not the smoldering metal door. It would stand out against the silvery terrain.

  Satisfied that his maker’s plan was executed, he replaced his dark lenses and walked toward his Hummer. Once the evening grew darker, he would proceed to the docks in search of a vessel traveling to America. Eugene would then reunite with his maker.

  Chapter 9

  Gabriel James sat at his desk in fifth period History and wondered what was happening to him. Dr. Franklin Terzini had created him to not feel human emotions of any kind.

  He knew of their existence and was informed of their physical manifestations. But sentiments were not part of his design. He was well-versed in emotionality, its every nuance. He could readily discern each sensation inherent in human beings and mimic it when necessary. But he did not possess any of his own; until recently.

  Gabriel recognized that genetic modifications made by Terzini endowed him with intelligence, strength, reflexes, agility and physical perfection unheard of in the general humanoid populace. He also knew that he utilized a larger portion of his brain for higher cognitive functioning because the portions of his brain that would be engaged in regulating emotions had been disconnected.

  His maker had presented various materials aimed at generating an emotional response from him. Music, literature of every genre, movies and religious material all offered opportunities for a response. Yet, Gabriel remained detached, impassive. He never produced a physiologic, physical or psychological response.

  Until several hours ago, Gabriel had been disengaged, emotionless. Things had changed for him, quickly, unexpectedly.

  Today, he had been roused more than once. Feelings surged and swelled inside him without warning. But this odd reaction only occurred when he was near Melissa Martin.

  She intrigued him.

  But he knew that he had to abandon all thoughts of Melissa. If his maker were to detect the slightest hint of emotion, he would be terminated, his existence deemed a failure.

  ***

  Melissa sat in her fifth period chemistry class listening to Alexandra Georgopoulos, her lab partner, gush about the new student at Harbingers High School.

  “He is so hot. I’m telling you, Gabriel James is even hotter than Kevin.” Alexandra said.

  “He seems really nice, too. We went for a walk together at lunch.”

  Alexandra gave Melissa a furtive glance and leaned in. “What? Really! You went for a walk with him and you’re just telling me about it now? And just what happened during this walk, hmm?” Alexandra could not contain her excitement and arched one of her meticulously groomed eyebrows in expectation of juicy gossip.

  “What?” Melissa asked distractedly as she dipped a piece of litmus paper into a green solution in a test tube. The paper turned blue. “Alex, write down that test tube A contains a basic solution.”

  “Ah she won’t answer my question. Something happened between you and Gabriel,” Alexandra teased.

  “You’re horrible! And what are you implying? Nothing happened during our walk. I mean, we walked and talked. That’s it.”

  Melissa watched as Alexandra brushed a hand through her shiny black hair. Even with safety goggles on, she managed to look sensational. Her rubber apron fit her like slinky lingerie, accentuating all her best assets.

  Anyone standing next to her could not help but feel inadequate. Her perpetually sun-kissed skin, deep chocola
te-hued eyes and generous curves made for a striking presentation. Then, without apology, Alexandra produced a loud belch. Surrounding students turned to gape at her. Embarrassed, Melissa contemplated crawling under their workstation. But her friend did not seem to share in her embarrassment. To the contrary, she appeared oblivious.

  Alexandra continued her interrogation. “So you spent lunch with the hot new guy. I hope this means that jackass Kevin is out of the picture for good.”

  “Actually, Kevin and I spoke just before lunch,” Melissa offered, “He wants me to go to the bonfire with him tonight. I told him I was going with you and Daniella and that I would talk to him for a few minutes if I saw him.”

  “You cannot be serious. After what happened last night? Seriously? You’re actually going to hang out with him again?”

  “No! No way! I only said I’d talk to him to shut him up. Gabriel was waiting for me. I just wanted to get the hell away from him.”

  “Good because after what happened, that asshole proved he’s nothing but a dog.”

  “You won’t get an argument from me, Alex. He is an asshole,” Melissa said and they both giggled.

  They finished their lab assignment, laughing and chatting until the bell rang and ended fifth period chemistry. They quickly cleaned up their workstation and submitted their findings to their teacher. Both girls had a free period next.

  “Hey let’s go see if Daniella will cut class and hang out with us,” Alexandra suggested mischievously.

  “No way! That girl is going to go to Harvard. I know I don’t want to mess with that.”

  “Ah, you’re no fun.”

  Melissa and Alexandra walked down the corridor toward their lockers. As Alexandra fumbled with the combination to hers, Melissa’s noticed someone waiting at her locker. Gabriel James stood smiling at Melissa.

  “Hey. How’d you know this was my locker?” Melissa asked.

  “I asked the girl with the curly blonde hair and blue eyes I saw you standing with this morning. I think her name is Danielle or Daniella.”

  “Daniella,” Melissa corrected. “She’s been my best friend since kindergarten.”

  “Cool. She was very nice and very helpful.”

  Alexandra, who had been watching from her locker, approached. She brushed her raven locks out of her face and over her shoulder turning her head ever so slightly. Melissa marveled at how her friend managed to make an ordinary gesture such as removing hair from her face sensual. She had applied a fresh coat of lip gloss and, standing with her back arched more than usual and her lips slightly pursed she looked as though she were ready for a photo shoot for a men’s magazine.

  Melissa was relieved that Gabriel made no attempt to gawk at Alexandra with mouth agape as all other men did. Instead, he seemed oblivious of her. His focus remained on her.

  “I’m glad,” Melissa continued. “What’s up?”

  Alexandra cleared her throat.

  “Oh, sorry. This is Alexandra Georgopoulos, my other best friend since kindergarten,” Melissa said.

  “Nice to meet you,” Gabriel said barely looking at Alexandra.

  “Likewise,” Alexandra replied slightly irritated.

  “Anyway, Melissa, I heard that there is this bonfire tonight and a party afterward. Are you going?”

  “Umm, yeah, I am going. I mean, I’m going with Alex and Daniella. I’m supposed to meet someone after, you know, at the party, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to go for a little bit and head home.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m going to the bonfire too,” he began. “I was hoping we could go together, you know hang out for a while. But I don’t want to ruin your plans with your friends. I’ll just see you there. You can give me all the goods on everyone another time.”

  Alexandra spoke next. “We can all hang out at the bonfire. That’s not a problem for me. I’m sure Daniella won’t mind either.”

  Melissa and Alexandra exchanged a quick glance.

  “Yeah, that sounds like good idea,” Melissa agreed. “Why don’t we do that?”

  “Great I’ll see you there,” Gabriel said to just Melissa.

  As Gabriel walked away, Melissa felt excitement bubbling despite her many self-doubts. Every cell within her buzzed and hummed. But pure excitement was replaced by negative self-talk. She watched Alexandra. Her best friend looked as if she were about to burst as she waited for Gabriel to walk far enough away for her to begin gushing. And she did not try to conceal that she enjoyed watching him stride away as much as she enjoyed watching him approach.

  “Hello! Earth to Alexandra!” Melissa began.

  Completely enthralled by his backside, Alexandra was oblivious of her friend’s words. Instead, she shook her head and muttered to herself, “That boy is just too damn fine.”

  After Gabriel was far down the hall and about to round the corner, safely out of earshot, Alexandra turned to Melissa. Wide eyed and expressive, she said, “Holy shit! He is so into you.”

  “Oh, you’re back,” Melissa chided.

  “Huh?” Alexandra asked genuinely confused.

  “Never mind,” Melissa giggled.

  “He’s hot for you,” Alexandra said confidently.

  “No, he’s not. I’m the only person he knows here,” Melissa reasoned. “He’ll probably ditch me once he hooks up with his own kind at the party.”

  Melissa shifted uncomfortably.

  “His own kind; what the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know, guys and girls that he belongs with; the ‘in’ crowd, jocks and cheerleaders.”

  “Excuse me. You are his kind. You’re beautiful and sweet and smart and funny. That is everybody’s kind. And, furthermore, you don’t even know that he’s a jock,” Alexandra contended.

  “Come on Alex, with that body. How could he not be?” Melissa countered.

  “Good point. But still. He seems into you. Go with it. Wear that blue shirt of yours. You know, the one that brings out your eyes, and your good ass jeans. You got to bring you’re A game tonight, girlfriend.”

  Melissa walked with Alexandra the remainder of the locker-lined hallway past the door to the gymnasium and out to the rear parking lot. She could not wait until the end of sixth period to tell Daniella everything that had happened.

  Chapter 10

  Gabriel could not recount the drive from Harbingers High School to the old Victorian house he lived in. Instead, as he drove, his mind swirled and spun with thoughts of Melissa Martin. Her face continuously appeared in his mind’s eye, her shy smile, her pale green eyes, her full lips that curved to form a perfect bow.

  He tried numerous times, unsuccessfully, to focus on guiding his hunter-green Ford Explorer along the winding roads of Harbingers Falls, yet his mind continually returned to Melissa. He envisioned them together at the bonfire as ambient light reflected from the flames illuminated Melissa’s exquisite features. He daydreamed she would focus her attention on him. The more he visualized himself with her, the more his insides stirred.

  Stirrings would not be something his creator, Dr. Terzini, would take lightly. Gabriel knew he was designed without human emotions, had embraced the idea; until now. He wrestled with strange and unfamiliar reactions that could only be identified as feelings. If Terzini were made aware of Gabriel’s recent responses, he would be considered a failed experiment. Failed experiments were unacceptable to his maker. He would be destroyed. And he would never see Melissa again.

  The thought of not seeing Melissa again made Gabriel’s heart race. He needed to convince Terzini to allow him to go to the bonfire.

  As he approached the long, gravel-filled driveway, his residence came into view. The house, constructed with cream colored brick and trimmed in forest green, was a Victorian Gothic-style structure. It boasted materials of different colors and textures, carvings in a foliated pattern and pointed arch windows and doors. An expansive deck occupied the front of the house and wrapped around to the rear of the structure. The overall appearance of the house was stately,
impressive.

  A knot formed Gabriel’s stomach as he pulled up to the three-car garage.

  Certain that Terzini was in his laboratory, the task of obtaining permission to attend the bonfire remained. Gabriel would cite that it was imperative for him to attend to further develop his social skills. He would argue that it was a necessary annual rite; that such a convention was socially obligatory for him to meld seamlessly with the student populace.

  Gabriel did need to attend the bonfire, but for reasons that did not involve his maker. The primary reason was to be close to Melissa. He could not aptly articulate the impact she’d had on him. He could not describe the intensity of emotions that had manifested themselves, emotions he was unaware he could possess before meeting Melissa.

  It was vital that he be present at the bonfire for an additional reason that concerned Melissa. Kevin Anderson, the blond student at Harbingers High who’d spoken of her depreciatingly, made plain his intentions with her, worried Gabriel. He intended to separate Melissa from her friends and have sexual intercourse with her. Kevin viewed it as a conquest, an acquisition that he could mark with his friends.

  As he recounted Kevin’s degrading remarks, he felt an unprecedented rise of anger inside.

  Gabriel struggled to push the thought of Kevin Anderson from his mind. Such considerations infuriated him. He was unprepared to bear such emotions, let alone cope with them. Prior to meeting Melissa, anger–or any type of sentiment for that matter–had been a remote emotion he’d read about and seen on his educational downloads; he had seen it represented by actors in movies and on television but had never truly been exposed to it, much less experienced it. But after encountering Melissa Martin, a range of sensations presented themselves. Though perplexing, the reactions were surprisingly easy to accept. Some were even pleasant; except the anger.