Under Loch and Key

by Kathryn Cockrill

  No sooner than my butt had hit the floor did I see a flash of grey down near the bottom right-hand corner of the window. Before I even had time to pull myself back up, the creature had reappeared, opening its wide jaws to snap up the entire group of fish in one mouthful. I could feel my heart rate pick up, but I forced myself to take deep breaths, eyes fixed on the creature. Pip had scurried behind my legs, his eyes also following the creature behind the glass. I could feel his pulse racing as he hid and my hand reached out on autopilot, gently stroking the length of his body.

  Once the creature had eaten the fish, its head and neck snaked round, 180 degrees to its body and stared through the glass again. This close to it, I could see that it didn’t seem to have any eyelids, its pupils constantly staring, like a shark and its head was elongated with a large gaping mouth filled with rows of teeth. It looked horrific. The main bulk of its body was streamlined, mostly taken up by the huge pectoral fins, each with thin, fan-like additions at the end, and its tail seemed to jut upwards; from here it looked like it could be six foot or more in length, even with the water and glass distortion. Under the long, whip-like portion of its tail was another fluke, smaller and pointed. It seemed to interrupt the flow of its body, almost like it had been placed there by accident. As I took in all the details, it swung its head to the side and noticed me, curled by the corner of the glass. In less than a second, its head was directly in front of me, one eye pressed close to the glass, mouth dropping open slightly to reveal more of its teeth. I resisted the urge to scramble away, even as Pip began to whimper. I was so close that I could get a real sense of its size, its head bigger than my entire body. Its tail whipped across its body every now and then, forcing the water out of its way. The resulting currents smashed into the glass.

  I really hope they reinforced that glass.

  After a couple of seconds, it seemed to get bored, flipping around and swimming down into the bottom of the Loch, past where the window could view. Even after the water returned to normal, my brain was spinning.

  Eli, what the hell were you involved in?!

  As I stared out into the water, I remembered there was another button on the panel. Standing up, my fingers hovered over it.

  I mean, we’re already knee deep in the impossible. Why not?

  Squaring my shoulders, I pressed the button. To begin with I thought nothing had happened. The water remained calm and there was no sign of the creature. It was only when I realised the ringing in my ears wasn’t actually in my ears that I understood what the button did. It was some kind of signal or sonar. The ringing got louder until it was piercing, forcing my hands over my ears. Beside me Pip was keening, rubbing his head into the floor. After a couple more seconds of ringing, the sound went higher than I could hear. I lowered my hands from my ears, breathing a sigh of relief as Pip stopped headbutting the floor. A couple of seconds after the ringing went above my hearing range, the floor began to judder. A low rumble was radiating from below the window; the flash of grey alerted me to the creature again but this time it didn’t slow down as it swam, heading straight for the glass. I stumbled backwards as I realised it wasn’t going to stop, Pips claws skittering backwards with me. With a powerful flick of its tail, the creature rammed directly into the glass, jaw open wide.

  Oh shit.

  The entire wall shuddered. I couldn’t tell if the ringing was still going but the creature had pulled back for a second attack. It rammed the window again, the glass shuddering under the pressure. I kept walking backwards, stopping when my back hit the nearest table. The creature swam backwards for another hit but just before it reached the glass, a loud bell rang out across the lab and it stopped dead, snaking its neck along the glass but not attacking. There was silence, heavy with tension. Then, with a whip of its tail, it disappeared again.

  I will not be pressing that button again. Nessie is far too friendly a name for that thing. It’s definitely a monster…wait…Nessie.

  I grinned, running back over to where Eli’s notebook had fallen earlier, the pages open and splayed on the floor. Picking it up, I leafed through to the section entitled ‘Nessie’.

  Maybe Nessie is the key to figuring out what the hell is going on in this place.

  Eli’s Journal

  Nessie

  They’ve assigned me a new project. They won’t tell me much, but I think they want to try for something even bigger after I successfully created OTT103ACAR. I get the impression that this is what they were leading up to, the entire reason GAI was created. We’re moving up to a lab in Scotland; Kincraig. That’s where I’m supposed to conduct the initial research. They’ve called the project ‘Nessie’.

  ***

  We’ve reached the new lab in Scotland. Now that we’re here, they’ve told me some more about the project. They want to create a replica of the Loch Ness Monster. They still won’t tell me why, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you could make a lot of money off of something like that. There is a lot more equipment up here; we’re directly under a Loch. They’ve actually built the lab into the Loch. It’s insane. Ari would flip if she saw it. For now, I have to find viable subjects to build the DNA with, but I know the main issue is going to be the size. They want this thing huge. Like twenty to thirty feet long. I don’t know how I’m going to do that without growth hormones.

  ***

  I’ve found a possible base genome; if I use a beluga whale as the base, I can hopefully create the snaking head movement they’re looking for. Belugas don’t have fused neck vertebrae. I don’t know what creature I would use for the neck. From the description they gave me, they want it to look very similar to a Plesiosaur or Pistosaurus but without access to their fossilised DNA, I’m not sure it will be possible. For the rest of the DNA I’ll have to use quite a few marine animals. As far as I can tell, the thresher shark is the best bet for the tail. It seems to have the ability to use it as a whip to startle prey, which might add to the wow factor. I’ve also identified blue shark DNA for the pectorals and cuttlefish genes to help with camouflage in the Loch will be the most viable option.

  The scientists here want to know how I’m going to select the genes I want. I suppose it seems simple to me. I’ve identified a few possible methods. The OTT103ACAR hybrid did not involve multiple incoming DNA strands so it was relatively simple, however on a project of this scale I will need to be prepared to try more methods. My immediate idea is to use a microinjection in the embryo nuclei to transfer the recombinant DNA, which will allow me to transfer small pieces of genetic information. With this method however, I have to ensure that the appropriate molecular modifications are made to ensure that the chosen gene has the desired effect on the embryo. This will likely require more than one attempt. From the information I studied on this method, it has only been conducted in small mammals, so I may encounter issues when transferring this method to larger animals; it may also lead to psychological abnormalities. Most of the research into splicing embryos was forcibly halted before the embryo formed a central nervous system so I cannot guess how the development will progress after this stage.

  I may also have the option of using gene-targeted zinc finger nucleases via a microinjection of plasmid. This will allow me to target specific deletions and modifications in the DNA sequence. Prior research in this area has revealed the hybrid molecules often result in consequent mutations in the subject. The tests have so far been conducted on rats which will not equate when transferred to a larger subject. My final option to use in this project is TLA (Targeted locus amplification). So far this method, which allows us to selectively amplify and sequence genes, has proven predominantly successful. TLA has identified the CRISPR-Cas 9 nucleus; I can design targeted genome editing in many biological sequences. CRISPR- Cas 9 has had more success in a larger panel of species than any other method.

  ***

  BEL502BCET has failed. This is the 5th revision of this experiment that has failed. I think it’s time to move on to a new model. I have attempted all m
ethods of mutation but separately, they don’t seem to be working as well as I had hoped. One issue that has arisen is the docility of the subject; the overseers of the project are unhappy with a subject that lacks curiosity and predatory nature, something I will have to rectify. The largest concern is the consequent mutations in the text subjects. Most were unable to develop past infancy, even with the growth accelerant. I believe it is to do with the hybridisation of mammals and fish. This worked in my earlier experiments but does not seem to be supported in such a large-scale project. I have decided to change the make-up of the subject to use only fish genes. The new experiment will use the base genome of a blue shark. I will still keep the thresher shark tail but will also take elements from conger eels and coelacanth for the physical appearance. One of the technicians was able to secure me a viable coelacanth subject to use, which was the most difficult element to procure. I have also included common octopus genes in order to allow the subject to change shape and colour and sea mouse genes to give the creature iridescent setae in order to blend in to the Loch. My immediate concern is keeping the subject under control, if it makes it to the release stage.

  ***

  The 2nd run of the newest model worked! BLU201ACAR has progressed steadily past the stages the previous experiments failed to survive. Our next step is to release it into the Loch to see how it functions in a larger body of water. So far there have been no adverse effects from the accelerants I gave it in order to aid and support the gene splicing. The overseers have shown interest but also dislike of the small fluke that has grown under the main tail, a part of the thresher shark DNA but, if this works, I am confident I would be able to rectify this issue… they mentioned Ari today. Talking amongst themselves. I heard them saying that Caden was still in place to prevent any issues… I don’t want him to hurt Ari. I’ve just got to keep my head down, produce the results they want. I’ll keep her safe.

  ***

  BLU201ACAR has progressed better than expected. The release into the Loch has shown no issues and the subject has grown exponentially, even past my initial estimates. I have come up with a use for OOT103ACAR whilst studying the subject. In order to keep the predatory nature in control when the subject is released into a larger Loch, we have created a sonar signal that should incapacitate it, should the situation arise, however the overseers have expressed a desire to have a secondary system in place should this not work. I recently read some research about Otters attacking Conger Eels and believe we could use the base genome of OTT103ACAR to provoke and move the subject away from any future issues. So far, I have not suggested this to the overseers as OTT103ACAR would need training to follow commands. I will move forward with this idea once I have studying the subject’s reaction to sonar… Caden called one of the overseers today. Ari has contacted him. I miss her so much; I hate that I can’t talk to her. I don’t trust that bastard not to hurt her.

  ***

  BLU201ACAR has been declared ‘not viable’ due to the additional fluke. I believe they’re being twats. But I have been instructed to conduct another run of the experiment, this time using ZFNs to remove the additional fluke. They told me to eliminate BLU201ACAR, but I made the case that we should study it further. This is the first successful experiment and I will not allow them to destroy it on the grounds of a purely aesthetic issue. I’ve come too far and too close. They’re already talking about the next project. They want to move us to Europe. If I move to Europe, I don’t think I’ll ever be coming back. I don’t want to leave Ari. I have begun on the newest batch of subjects, but they will still take a few weeks to fully mature, so I won’t be able to leave this lab until they do. They told me they have a release site lined up for the next successful subject, but I don’t know where it is. They want to release it as a juvenile. It might not survive.

  I have begun my training of OTT103ACAR. Most of it is conducted in secret, when the rest of the scientists are asleep. I don’t sleep much anymore. I don’t need to. I think one of the overseers knows what I am doing but they won’t get rid of me. I’m too valuable. So far, he is responding well, but is becoming attached to me. I cannot allow myself to feel emotion in this place; it feels like if I do, everything will fall apart.

  ***

  They’re moving us. Caden called again, saying Ari knew about GAI. I couldn’t help but smile. She’s always been incredibly smart and determined when she wants something. But they made me pack up my lab and the juveniles. They eliminated some of the other preliminary subjects. I saved BLU201ACAR and OTT103ACAR, but I couldn’t bring them with me. I am leaving the secondary generator on to allow them to survive for as long as I can. I am not sure the juveniles will survive the move. The overseers are saying Ari is close to figuring out where this lab is. I hope she does. I know my sister; she’ll be able to find it and when she does, she’ll give them all hell. Then I can go home. I don’t know if I’ll be able to go back to the boy I was before this, but at least I can be with my parents and Ari. I never got to say goodbye to them.

  ***

  In case Ari finds the lab, I’m leaving this notebook here. I’ve transferred all my research to another file.

  Ari,

  I love you. Please don’t give up on me. I’m still in here, I’m still your brother. I’ll be waiting for you.

  Love,

  Eli

  I love you too Eli. I’ll find you, I promise.

  Chapter 9

  I put down the notebook with reluctance, the final few entries hitting a bit too close. Part of me was glad Eli had thought about us, his family but the other part felt all the more guilty that I had taken this long to find a solid lead and had then missed him by a couple of days. If I hadn’t fallen prey to Caden, believed him, trusted him, he would never have know I knew about GAI. Maybe I could have got here before they panicked and moved everything. I was so close.

  With renewed determination, I tore through the rest of the boxes, every now and then glancing over to the glass window to see if Nessie had reappeared. I couldn’t have imagined something like that but clearly Eli had. I was struck for a second at how smart he was. Why hadn’t my parents kept looking for him? Pip twisted himself around my feet, chattering to himself as I moved box after box aside. I opened the last box hoping I would find at least something helpful but this one didn’t have a single sheet of paper in it. With a cry of frustration, I swept all of the boxes off of the desk, sending them clattering to the floor. Pip yelped as they hit, scurrying backwards. Bending down, I scooped him up and held him to my chest, stroking his soft fur until he calmed down.

  “I’m sorry buddy, I’m just frustrated. I’ve searched everywhere and there is nothing that tells me where they could have gone. Where they’ve taken Eli.” I looked around the lab, at the mostly bare tables and the storage containers I’d already searched. Even if they had left in a hurry, they’d done a pretty good job. As I scanned the lab, my eyes fell on the doorway leading off to the room of cages. My mind went back to the plywood box that had been split in half. I’d only been in one half of it.

  “There might be something in the other part of that room.” I mused to Pip, who blinked up at me. Setting him down on the floor, I cautiously made my way over to the entrance to that room. I didn’t want to go back down there, especially not now that I knew there might be more mutated creatures. But, and it was a large but, that room was the only place I hadn’t searched. It might have something, it might not but there was no way I could give up now after reading Eli’s journal. Pip was dancing at the doorway, little paws padding up and down the entrance but never going further. Not giving myself a chance to bow out, I put one foot on the wobbly staircase. Pip let out a squeak and I turned to give him a pat.

  “Stay here. I don’t need to be worried about you down there as well as myself.” I didn’t know how he understood exactly but he laid down, head resting on his paws. I made my way down the rest of the steps, glad that the lights had remained on. Entering the room in the light was definitely more comfortable,
although the reality of what I was looking at was harrowing. I could only assume that they had taken some of the creatures with them, judging by the obvious use in some of the cages but a lack of creature or body. I tried not to let my eyes linger on the wolf-polar bear hybrid cage but even in the bright halogen light, something about its eyes, staring vacantly into the distance, was still creepy. I’d left the door open to the control room, the thin plywood swinging on its hinges, every so often letting out a small creak. There was no window into the other half of the room, and, on closer inspection, I realised the only way in was through an almost invisible door in the control room. I took one more look around outside, the cages still silent. I couldn’t help but feel like something was watching me. Jolting, it suddenly dawned on me that there could be camera’s in here, still functioning, if they ran on the same loop as everything else.

  Well shit. It’s a bit too late to do anything about that.

  Hurrying back inside the room, I shut the door, hoping they hadn’t thought to install any cameras in here. Then I started trying to get into the separate room. The door itself didn’t appear to have a handle or a lock; it was just a completely smooth line in the door. Cursing, I looked back at the switchboard. The last door I’d needed to open had been on there. There was a good chance this one was too. I quickly scanned the codes, eyes skipping anything that looked like a creature code. The bottom line of switches were the only ones with written names instead of codes. The first was ‘Main door’ which I presumed was the door I’d come in through, although why anyone would want to lock themselves in here was beyond me. The next seemed to be an override for the electricity circuits and an override for all the doors. I carefully avoided those.

  The final two seemed the most promising. They were labelled ‘Door 1’ and ‘Door 2’; to me that seemed a tad vague and unhelpful. Granted they had probably known which was which. I hadn’t looked at the other side of the room, but I was willing to bet one of those was a fire escape in case of total chaos, which didn’t seem like it could be all that dangerous. I mean, surely if it was dangerous you would label it as such? Like a big red cross or warning label or something? I shrugged; I’d already been charged by a Loch Ness monster. I could deal. I placed a finger on each switch, the smooth silver cold under my touch, and flipped them both up. The same loud buzzing filled the air; this time I had the good sense to cover my ears before it got too loud.