For the umpteenth time that morning Beck scowled at his cell phone and the unknown number trying to contact him yet again. Even in silent mode the thing was hard to ignore with its screen always on and warning of the myriad number of calls Beck would miss if he didn’t pick up. But the flare of irritation he felt for the interruption died in his chest as he waited patiently for his wife to wake. Twisting the ring on his finger as he tried to think back to happier times with little success. Hating how bittersweet even those precious memories were now. Now that he knew that while his wife had been smiling and laughing she’d been dying without him even noticing. Not until she’d crumpled to the ground in his arms one fateful day as the tumor finally grew large enough to press against her brain stem.
Beck hated himself for not recognizing it sooner. For losing himself in nearly every field of science under the sun except the ones that could have made a difference for his wife. Hated that he’d married so late in life that he only had a precious few years of life on Earth with his Maggie. The heat of the emotion barely more than a tired, flickering ember in his chest as he sagged in his chair and closed his eyes.
Oh, how he hated this room.
The blankness of the walls were as offensive to him as the sterility of it all. How clean and impersonal it was. As if the person lying in its only bed were just anyone. Replaceable. As if the hospital was expecting her to waste away until the nurses wheeled some other sickly soul inside. Not a mark left behind to tell of the loss the world had suffered. Of what he was going to lose.
“You didn’t have to come you know.” Maggie said softly as she came awake. Long used to waking with Beck by her side. “The treatments… are still the same as they’ve always been.” The weakness in her voice breaking Beck’s heart even as he kept the pain from reaching his face.
“Don’t act like I have anything better to do Maggie.” Beck smiled as he reached for his wife’s hand. Squeezing with a gentle firmness that tried to ignore how fragile her skin felt. How cold her fingers were in this vile room.
“Are you cold? I can ask the nurses for another blanket.” Beck said making to get up before a shake of his wife’s head brought him back down into the chair by her side.
“I’m fine honey. Just a little sleepy is all.” Maggie said before she frowned slightly at her husband. The bare skin of her head wrinkling as she asked. “Beck dear… is everything alright? Did something happen?”
Beck sighed as he turned his head to stare out the window. Eyes focused on nothing as he tried to think of what he should say to his wife. And how much he couldn’t say.
“My phone has been ringing nonstop since this morning. People I don’t know mostly but one of them… one of them was from the government. The military. Waving a big check at me essentially. They never told me what they needed in so many words but they wanted me to help them with something. Something that they can’t explain.”
“Oh my… it isn’t aliens is it?” Maggie said jokingly but the smile faded from her lips as she saw the seriousness in Beck’s eyes. “How bad is it? Beck.” She said as her grip tightened on her husband’s hand. “It’s not-”
“Not a weapon.” Beck said placatingly. “You know how I feel about that… I said as much to the man on the phone. And I hung up on him not long after so I can’t tell you much more than that.”
“Is that so?” Maggie asked a wry gleam in her eye, the undiminished spirit of his wife shining through despite her ailing body. “If you tell me… would they have to kill me?”
“Don’t joke about that.” Beck said sternly but his wife laughed anyway. The sound beautiful even in its weakness.
“I’m the one in the hospital honey. I can joke about whatever I want.” She said leaning in slightly. “Cancer is a get out of jail free card you know. I could probably kick a baby and get away with it if I wanted to.”
“Thank God you never became a comedian.” Beck halfheartedly chuckled. Both grateful and pained beyond words that despite everything his wife still tried to be the one lightening the mood.
The energy seemed to sap from her as her smile faded. As though the simple act had taken more from her than she’d been able to give.
“Did you want me to talk you out of it? I know you must be considering it if you’re still thinking about it.” Maggie said softly as Beck shook his head. The constant drone of her heart monitor drowning out the sounds from outside the hall.
“I don’t know.” Beck said uncertainly. “The research at the University has been progressing well. I don’t want to jump ship now for some God forsaken government project. You know exactly what those can be like.”
“Limited funding and unlimited paperwork.” Maggie said as Beck smiled at her understanding.
“I’ve been trying to guess at what they want my help for but I’m just running in circles Maggie. It could be a number of things. And not many of them good I’d wager. I just don’t want to join and find out their plans are something unscrupulous.”
“Unscrupulous?” Maggie said weakly. “There you go pulling out the big words again. Don’t… get bogged down by all the things it could be. Do you know if its going… to do some good? That it will help people?”
Beck squeezed his wife’s hand, feeling something clench inside his chest as her eyes fluttered with the need for sleep even after such a short time awake.
“They told me lives are at stake.” Beck said softly, his eyes haunted as his wife nodded.
“Oh, my dearest.” Maggie whispered as she tried to stay awake. “You’re such a… gentle soul. I love that most about you. That you never gave a thought to the money… or the awards. Just how you could help the world… move towards a brighter future.”
“Maggie.” Beck said softly but his wife cut him off with a squeeze of her fingers.
“Do what… your heart tells you to do dearest. Just promise me…” Maggie breathed as she struggled for the words. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. You give and give, but I know you… You’d give until the world breaks you if you could...”
“I promise.” Beck whispered. “Don’t worry about me in the slightest dear. I- I’ll take care of myself.”
“I’ll be… praying for you…” Maggie sighed out. The words nearly lost to Beck as she slipped back into unconsciousness.
Beck waited a moment as his wife closed her eyes, only waiting until he was sure she was asleep before allowing his tears to fall as he pressed her cold hand to his lips. His shoulders shaking as he bowed his head over her splayed fingers. Letting out the accumulated pain of the past six months in quiet sobs for the only woman he’d ever loved.
It was only once he felt emptied of all his built up frustration and heartache that Beck gathered himself. Carefully laying down Maggie’s hand over her chest as he pulled up the covers for her as her breaths came in, slow and labored. Then he forced himself from the room into the hall outside. Gently shutting the door as he stared into it. As if he could glean some answer etched into the grain of the wood.
“Doctor Wallenstein.” A gruff voice said from behind him. Not one of the nurses. “Forgive me but I need to have a word with you.”
“Can I help you?” Beck asked as he turned towards the man standing behind him.
The man, who had enough muscle on him to put most athletes to shame looked into Beck’s red rimmed eyes for a second before flicking down and away as he nodded. “I’m sorry for meeting you here sir. But you spoke with one of my superiors earlier today doctor, it’s a matter of national security.”
“Of course it is.” Beck sighed. “Can you tell me which bureau wants me to sign my life away to them?”
“Department of Homeland Security sir.” The man said not taking offence at Beck’s comment as he held his arms behind his back at parade rest. Even relaxed his muscles seemed to strain against the suit he was wearing. “Though we are currently coordinating with the National Guard and other agencies for intelligence.”
Beck said nothing. Measuring the man before him as he weighed all the reasons the government might come to him in his mind. He’d been approached before of course, many times in fact. The few times he’d worked with them however had never been experiences Beck would describe as pleasant. And he’d outright refused to work on projects with clear military applications. But his usual objections felt hollow after his visit with his wife. Enough so that his innate curiosity took over before he could subjugate it.
“Did your superiors tell you what I usually say in response to joining government projects? Before they sent you out here?”
“They told me that I’d likely have some convincing to do before you came on board.”
“And how will you convince me then, pray tell?” Beck said tiredly. Feeling a little too drained to spare this man’s feelings.
“I’m limited in what I can tell you unless you agree to join us. But I can say that lives are on the line sir. Thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of lives. American lives as well as many overseas. I can’t stress enough how much your help could prevent a crisis from developing. You’ll be working on research with other scientists we’ve approached to help with the project. ”
Beck absorbed that information as worryingly vague as it was but something stood out to him.
“I wasn’t your first choice?” Beck asked slightly surprised. He’d always tried to be humble, especially given the inflated egos of his fellow scientists. But even he had a measure of professional pride.
“You were.” The man said. “The very first I believe. But you stopped answering our calls. The others accepted rather quickly and arrangements were made to bring them onboard.”
Beck nodded despite his mind being elsewhere entirely. He could just brush this man off. They’d find a way to go on without him. Even if they said that lives were at stake that might simply be an exaggeration. Like whenever a scientist or researcher proclaimed their work would change the world. But what would he do then? He’d been truthful when he’d told his wife he’d had nothing better to do than visit her. The research the University was doing was going along just fine without him. He hadn’t returned to the lab for the last several months despite pleas from his colleagues to return.
Where was the harm in accepting and following this man? He could always refuse if they stepped across his line of ethics. And part of Beck recognized how he needed something to keep from thinking on his wife’s condition. Even if only for a short while. Plus the prospect of returning to an empty home again was just…
“How long have you been out here?” Beck asked all of a sudden. Realizing that the man must have been waiting for him for some time.
“For the past two hours doctor.” The man said honestly.
Beck smiled at that, both in appreciation and embarrassment at realizing how long the man had waited on his behalf. “Thank you for waiting. Truly.”
“I understand.” The man said softly. “My mother. She had Lung Cancer. Seven years ago. It was too much for her.”
A beat of silence passed as Beck looked at the man with fresh eyes. The old pain he saw in his eyes reflecting his own.
“What’s your name son?”
A frown formed on the man’s chiseled face and fled just as quickly as the man responded promptly. “Myers sir. Samuel Myers.”
“Well Mr. Myers. Your patience today has won me over. I’ll join you so long as I can return to visit my wife. Agreed?” Beck said holding out his hand to shake.
“That can certainly be arranged Doctor, thank you.” Myers said as he shook hands with the doctor.
“So!” Beck said promptly. Deliberately forcing down his own pain as he injected some levity into his voice. “How urgent is this project hm? Will I have time for lunch or will we both have to make a break for the parking lot?” Beck said half jokingly
Myers nodded as he gestured down the hall. “If you’ll follow me sir. We can head down to the cafeteria on the east side.”
“So we do have time then?” Beck said walking next to the government man who was obviously trying to slow his pace to match the Scientist’s.
“No sir, we’re cutting through the cafeteria to the parking lot outside. That’s where they’re landing the chopper. We don’t have much time.”
“It’s… It’s that serious then?” Beck asked softly. Worry bright in his eyes.
“I’m afraid so sir.” Myers said back.
Lives are at stake. That’s what Myers and the man over the phone had said.
“I understand.” Beck said. His face tightening as he felt the urgency in Myers tone. Beck didn’t speak another word as they made their way through the hospital, even as he let the bigger man carve a path for him through the crowd in the cafeteria crowding around to get a look at the helicopter landing outside. The roar of the rotors hit Beck like a physical wall, the wind alone from the spinning blades was almost enough to topple him over backwards but Myer’s unflinching hand wrapped around Beck’s arm and held him steady as they both walked towards their ride. Hair whipping wildly around their faces as they leaned into the wind.
Beck had only just gotten seated inside with Myers helping him up and in when Myers made a quick motion to the pilot, who lifted off from the ground with enough force to send Beck’s stomach into his shoes. A long moment of holding his eyes shut to keep himself steady, was interrupted by Myers expertly buckling himself in across from Beck. Something Myers had to undo with a start as he realized he’d have to help the Doctor properly strap himself in. After that was quickly done with, and Beck tried and failed to thank the man over the noise of the rotors Myers handed the doctor a headset from somewhere inside the helicopter that the man gratefully took.
The noise from the rotating blades keeping them aloft cut sharply as Beck clearly heard Myers’ voice speaking to him through the microphone of his own headset.
“I’m to brief you on the way to the operation site Doctor Wallenstein.”
“You don’t waste any time do you?” Beck responded. Looking outside the window at the land below them going rapidly by. “Go ahead, I’m all ears.”
“We have reason to believe the United States may have become the target of a unknown bioweapon. I’m with a special task force within the Department of Homeland Security that responds to threats to the country that takes place on our soil.”
“Oh my God.” Beck said numbly. The horror of those words tearing apart any notion of this project being something he could ignore.
“The CIA is currently trying to discern the origin of these weapons as we speak. We’re getting regular updates from them, MI6, and other intelligence agencies that this bioweapon has been confirmed to have been released in at least twelve other countries and counting.”
Myers paused to see if Beck had any questions but the Doctor was completely silent. Even strapped to the seat he felt like he was on the verge of falling through the floor. Then the man continued as he looked at Beck’s wide eyes.
“The FBI are in a frenzy trying to determine the release pattern of the weapons we’ve discovered so far and who may be responsible. The president is being briefed on this situation as we speak and he has given us his full support.”
“Our job and yours Doctor, is to determine the full extent of this weapon’s capabilities and any means of getting it under control before this entire situation blows up into an international firestorm.”
Despite the hollow pit that had just carved itself out within Beck’s insides he felt himself straighten with resolve in moments as the information sunk into him.
“That’s why you came to me.” Beck said and Myers nodded.
“Who better to understand a bioweapon than the next Einstein?”
But even as Myers spoke Beck shook his head. Speaking loudly into the microphone to make sure he was heard. “I’m a generalist in most fields of study, not an expert! And I’ve only dabbled in genetic engineering and computational biology! Please tell me you have an epidemiologist at the site?”
Myers shook his head seeming unnerved for the first time Beck had seen him in the past few hours he’d known the man. “It’s not a disease Doctor, this bioweapon is… It would be better if you see it in person. Because explaining it doesn’t do it justice.”
The rest of the ride passed in a blur as Beck was brought up to speed. The first thing he’d been told of was an event the researchers at the site were calling the Little Valley Incident, the first recorded encounter with the bio-weapons. Living breathing creatures as hard as it was to believe and not some kind of horrific manufactured disease. Though the details Myers was giving him were troubling enough on their own.
It wasn’t long before the helicopter touched down again at what seemed to have been some kind of industrial warehouse site. Military trucks and personnel were quickly moving boxes and equipment to and from transports into the large building Myers was pulling him towards. The powered down rotors giving Beck the opportunity to speak again without fear of is words being lost to the wind.
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“Hudson Shipping Co?” Beck asked. Gesturing towards the faded sign on the side of the warehouse that contrasted starkly with the military presence establishing itself inside.
“Homeland Security has a number of unofficial locations kept off the market for special use cases, like our new task force. Keeps us close to the action to respond to any developments and keeps us out of the way so everyone else can do their jobs. Or start to do them at least. The United States military is a violent but slow moving beast Doctor. Arnold Airforce Base, Holston, and NSA Mid South are in the process of mobilizing. Which is slang to say they’re being prepped to prep for the process of mobilizing.”
Beck nodded. “I’ve only some experience working with the government. I take it that we’ll be able to skip a bit of red tape here?”
“Doctor, this task force is the result of us throwing the red tape away entirely. As soon as you meet Commander Connelly we want you to be in charge of the first dissection.”
“Dissection?!” Beck said shocked. As they made their way inside the building. A large plastic divider separating a portion of the room with a number of men in hermetically sealed suits standing before what seemed to be a quickly set up decontamination chamber. “You captured one?”
“Several. All dead though. Cooked from the wildfire that sparked in Little Valley but still mostly whole.”
“Well they definitely aren’t cooked Sergeant.” Said an older man striding up to them, a dry smile on his lips. “I don’t even think breaking out the Sweet Baby Ray’s would save that charred dino meat from giving me indigestion.”
“Commander Connelly, Sir.” Myers saluted as the officer waved for Myers to drop his salute.
“This the Einstein that’s gonna join the other egg heads?” Connelly said primly. The juxtaposition of the man with higher rank cracking jokes and Myers being the more serious one throwing Beck for a moment before he nodded and shook hands with the man.
“Doctor Beck Montgomery Wallenstein sir.”
“I know.” Connelly said his ever present smirk widening as he looked Beck over. “I have your face sitting on my coffee table back home.”
“The New York Times article.” Beck sighed. Shaking his head in embarrassment “I told them not to compare me to such a man. I have a long way to before I can live up to his memory.”
“You might just get your chance here and now Doctor.” Connelly said as he gestured over to a rack almost hidden by the plastic set up around it.
“Do you need anything before you get started? I can have someone walk you through putting these on if you need.”
“That won’t be necessary Commander. I’m more than familiar with Hazmat and containment procedures. I spent a year working with some former students of mine testing applications for a new radioactive isotope.” Beck said selecting a suit from the rack, checking the suit over for any damage or malfunctions with a familiarity that spoke of long use.
“We should begin as soon as possible.”
Thirty minutes later, after briefly acquainting himself with the other men and woman poached by the task force for their scientific knowledge. Beck stood in the decontamination chamber with two other scientists waiting for the system to clear them for entry as their suits were sprayed with a mist like chemical disinfectant. Through the narrow window in the door Beck could glimpse the edge of a table holding one of the specimens to be dissected and analyzed. It was unnerving being this close to the creatures, or rather the bio-weapons that had somehow appeared in dozens of countries across the globe.
The limited amount of details he’d received before prepping for the dissection were almost too fantastical to believe. Horns, tails, and other distressing mentions of changes to appearance and behavior. With sizes varying wildly for reasons Beck couldn’t understand for the life of him. Northern India was supposed to have found and slain a bioweapon that had grown to eight feet in height. Grown. From the five feet it had originally been discovered at. One more thing Beck hoped he could disprove. The level of metabolic and hormonal requirements to grow anything naturally were extensive. That anything could grow that quickly was just…
“You’re almost cleared to enter Doctor.” Connelly said into his earpiece. Now sounding more serious than he’d been outside. “We’re all watching from the control room. We don’t believe these things are inherently toxic but we need to be absolutely certain of that. As well as anything else you can tell us about their internal makeup and possible origins.”
“I’ll have those answers for you momentarily Commander, God willing.” Beck said as the decontamination chamber’s lights marked its final phase.
“Um… Excuse me sir? Doctor Wallenstein?” A timid voice spoke from behind Beck as he turned, a rather cumbersome process in full hazmat gear, and looked at the woman hidden almost completely within a suit of her own.
“Yes? Something amiss?”
“No! Nothing like that, it’s just- just an honor to meet you. Biology and Botany are my specialties sir. I’ve read your dissertation on producing viable genetic alterations to crops to increase nutrient balance and crop yields. I’m exited to learn from you.” The woman said with obvious admiration in her voice, even muted as it was muffled by their suits. “Um, my name is Cathy Nunez by the way.” She added after an awkward beat.
“A pleasure Ms. Nunez.” Beck responded. Adding the name to the dozens of others he’d memorized earlier. “But we’re all among peers here. I may lean on your expertise just as much as my own.” Beck said before his gaze sharpened as he faced forwards. “Ready yourselves. Dozens of lives have been lost already due to these creatures. What we learn here may be what saves thousands more.”
With a green light bathing them all and a ding of approval the door to the decontamination chamber swept open and revealed the room to them proper. The monsters within revealed to them at last as the three made their way over to the table with the most in-tact specimen. The decontamination chamber cycling again to prepare the next team of researchers entering after them.
Beck stared down at the beast before him finally able to see it for himself and not through a monitor or hazy plastic screen. It was blackened like the report had described. The scales chipped and flaking even in the stable environment of the quarantine room. A soft gasp from Cathy and a steady stream of muttering from the scientist to his left told Beck that he wasn’t the only one shocked by being so close to the monsters.
That’s what these things are. Monsters. Living breathing monsters. Beck thought stunned. The bioweapon was terrifying to behold, even in death it looked lean and ferocious. How could such a thing even exist in the first place?
That’s what we’re here to find out. Beck thought as he started.
“Begin audio log zero zero one of subject three.” Beck began as his mind split. One half of his brain narrating his actions and observations as his gloved hands roved over the charred remains of the beast on the table.
“Subject three bears the same burn damage to its outer scales and exposed skin as noted in the other subjects. Appearance of the creature overall is the same as confirmed by previous intelligence reports. Reptilian, though bearing less a resemblance to modern reptiles and more than a passing resemblance to those of the Dromaeosaurid family with the sizable claws on each digit.” Beck spoke mechanically as he gripped and held a talon between his fingers.
One hand reached up to peel back the remains of the creature’s cracked lip to reveal the blackened but still terrifying teeth of the beast.
“Subject also retains a number of rather sizable incisors, larger than would be typical in a creature of its size. Cause of death…” Beck stopped as one of his fingers found a hole in the beast’s scales. His finger reaching more than halfway before brushing against the ends of something metallic. “… A 9mm or possibly a .45 caliber round causing fatal damage to the heart and consequently heart failure. Matching the reports of the family’s testimony of their encounter with the creatures as described in the Little Valley Incident report.”
Reaching to his side Beck extracted a perfectly clean cotton swab and dug the tip into the wound. Gently rolling it around the inside of the entry wound before removing it and the congealed blood and flecks of tissue stuck to the end. This he handed carefully to the man on his left.
“Prep this sample for examination please-” Beck’s mind barely paused as he recalled the man’s name “-Ingram. Start with the Electrophoresis to prep a viable DNA sample, then we’ll perform a full breakdown of chemical composition to ensure these things don’t decay into anything hazardous. That is our most immediate concern at the moment. Don’t fret if the tests are inconclusive on the first try.” Beck said giving the dead beast on the table a soft pat. “We’ll have many more samples where that came from momentarily.”
“Yes Doctor.” The man in the suit nodded and left towards the table of lab equipment on the opposite side of the chamber as Beck turned towards Cathy. “Right, I do believe we’ve discovered as much as we can by observing the exterior Ms. Nunez. Let’s delve deeper. Do you have the- ah, thank you kindly dear.” Beck said as Cathy passed him the circular saw.
“I’ll begin by cutting through the exterior scales on the right side about an inch to half and inch deep. Then we can peel back the epidermal layers and cut our way past the ribs and into the chest cavity proper. Do you have your camera in a good position?” Beck asked as he turned to Cathy as she fiddled with her head mounted camera.
“Ready.” She said determined.
“Excellent. You may want to take a step back though.” Beck said as the circular saw whirred to life, the blade a spinning blur as Beck leaned in to carefully carve into the monster before him.
“I’m going to make a mess.”
A full five hours later. After having done a full dissection of two more of the bioweapon specimens and performing numerous tests on them Beck’s mind was a haze of speculation as he tried to make sense of everything he’d just discovered. Standing by the wall of the make shift conference room because he couldn’t sit still. The thrill of discovery nearly enough to overwhelm the towering sense of dread and worry in his heart at what he’d discovered during the dissection.
“Doctor Wallenstein.” Commander Connelly said gesturing to the array of people seated around the table. “Everyone here is cleared to know whatever you’ve learned. So what do you have for us?” Shaking Beck from his musings as he apologetically nodded at the Commander.
“Apologies Commander. What would you like to know first?”
Connelly leaned back in his seat as if he were preparing himself to take a punch. “Just give us the most pressing information in a way we can understand. That will make it easier for me, and these fine people so they can get the info to the people that need it more quickly. Any in depth analysis can be sent later on once you’ve confirmed your results. But right now we need actionable information.”
Beck nodded as he stared down at the floor. Haunted eyes staring into the concrete floor as he tried to reorder his thoughts into something workable.
“It is of my opinion so far.” Beck began carefully, very carefully. “That these creatures may indeed be artificially produced and are not the result of natural processes.”
A breath went out of the room as Beck clasped his hands behind his back to hide his kneading fingers as he tried to work out the soreness from hours of careful work inside a suit.
“Genetic samples from all the specimens we have available are essentially, perfect copies of each other. There are circumstances that could allow for other possibilities but the most likely is some manner of cloning I truthfully cannot fathom at the moment.”
“Cloning that you can’t fathom?” Connelly asked his arms crossed over his chest. “Please elaborate Doctor. What do you mean by that? Is this some new technology?”
“I don’t know.” Beck said honestly.
“You don’t know?” Connelly said exasperated.
“I don’t.” Beck said frustrated as he started pacing back and forth across the room. His expression a tight frown of focus as he explained. “I’ve worked with the teams who advanced CRISPR tech to the point of being able to combat genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia and Cystic fibrosis. I helped write the book on human genetics while working on the second iteration of the Human Genome Project. And none of that experience is helping me understand what I saw out there.” Beck said gesturing through the wall to the room beyond where the dissection took place.
“The DNA samples we’ve collected so far have returned a zero percent match with anything.” Beck said incredulously. Waving an arm as he stared fixedly into the floor as he moved back and forth as he paced. Trying to handle his frustration and confusion gnawing at his heart. “Reptiles, Mammals, Cold-blooded, Warm-blooded, I mean everything. Commander you have to understand. That shouldn’t be possible. There are genetic similarities to everything on Earth present within all DNA. We humans have a high genetic similarity to chimps, bears, dolphins, even seaweed. For something to have nothing in common with anything else on the planet? It’s just…” Beck trailed off, shaking his head in bafflement.
“So it is artificial then.” Connelly said with entirely too much calm.
“It must be! But Commander, there isn’t any technology on the planet capable of making artificial life forms! Those things out there should be impossible! I’ve spent years working with the best minds in the world on advancing genetic engineering and nothing they or I have ever done could create a completely unique gene sequence that was viable enough to act as the base for such a creature without them breaking down into a puddle of proteins!”
Beck shook his head and stared at the Commander with a mix of emotions in his eyes. Confusion, awe, and more than anything else. Fear.
“I don’t know where these things have come from.” Beck said slowly. “I don’t know how they’re made, who could have the capabilities to make them. I don’t even know how they could possibly be real. The technology currently available to us is decades away from being able to attempt anything close to this at least…and that terrifies me Commander.”
Commander Connelly stared at Beck for a moment before his sharp eyes snapped over to those of his subordinates.
“Well, what are you all standing around for? We just received some new information on the bio-weapons. Hop to it!”
There was a scramble of people as phone calls and messages were sent out. One that Beck hardly noticed as he fell into a chair and his thoughts roiled. The impossibility of the creatures he’d dissected were just too innumerable to recount. He’d only given the Commander the shortened version of his analysis. Not even mentioning that the reason for it had been because the further he delved into the monster’s tissues the more irregularities he found. A digestive system that couldn’t excrete waste and seemed engineered to fail, yet allowed the creature to live on. A musculoskeletal system with built in gaps in its bone framework that seemed like they were primed to carry muscles that hadn’t grown in yet. And an intracranial cavity that was measurably larger than the brain it held. As if the underdeveloped cerebrum were expected to expand in size to fill it.
The mysteries were as baffling to Beck as they were foreboding. There was something he wasn’t understanding here. Not just a minor detail but a fundamental part of these creatures that made them so alien in the first place.
“Isn’t it remarkable?” Ingram said to Cathy as Beck slowly turned his head towards the scientist.
“I beg your pardon?” Beck asked quietly as he turned his head towards the man.
“These wondrous creatures!” Ingram said excitedly. “This could revolutionize genetic science as we know it! Think of the applications once we discover the means by which these things were produced. We could get our names out and onto the world stage for being the first to discover these creatures.”
Beck stared at Ingram for a long second before responding promptly. His eyes holding steady on the man as he said. "The Marshalls.”
“Um… What?” Ingram asked. Clearly not understanding.
“The family that nearly lost their lives to those, wondrous creatures.” Beck said coolly. “They would be the first. A father, a mother, and their daughter who’s remains we may have very well discovered cutting open those monster’s stomachs if one of the beasts attacking them hadn’t fought the others for the pleasure of eating them alive.”
“Ah, well.” Ingram said sounding flustered. “I’m grateful they survived, naturally. But the scientific accolades must go to those researching these beasts, yes? Don’t tell me you aren’t looking forward to snagging every scientific accolade and medal this year for ourselves hm? Think of the looks on their faces as we show them what we’ve discovered!”
Beck stared at Ingram, truly lost for words as he looked to Cathy. Getting a sheepish and embarrassed smile from her as she tried to tell him with her eyes that she didn’t agree with Ingram in the slightest.
Why are so many men like Ingram attracted to the Sciences? Beck thought as he stood. What's the point in discovering something just for a piece of paper or a medal?
“I need a drink.” Beck said as he excused himself from the others.
“Is that wise doctor?” Cathy said worriedly.
“Of course it is.” Beck said managing a smile despite his own fears. “I need a good cup of coffee before I head back to re-examine our results. Do either of you want a cup?”
“I’ll…” Cathy started as if battling internally asking someone she admired so much to take an order for her. “I’ll take a cup. One cream, two sugars please.”
“A decaf if you please.” Ingram said as Beck made his way to the break room.
It wasn’t supposed to be a break room, it had clearly been something else at one point but the military was ruthless in its pursuit of maintaining a steady supply of caffeine for itself. Even if most in the hastily made base couldn’t spare the time to sit and enjoy the space. Pouring himself a cup first Beck took a slow sip before slowly making the other two cups. The thought of his wife making him feel a sudden pang of guilt for not being by her side, and more so for losing himself in his work earlier. As if a few hours distracted by a new project and not despairing over his wife were something to be ashamed of.
“Mind making one more?” A voice said from behind Beck as he turned.
“For you Commander, certainly.” Beck said before adding wryly. “Though I am going to have to end my orders for the day after yours. I didn’t come all the way here to be the base’s barista.”
“Apologies for that Doctor.” Connelly said as he shut the break room door. His expression growing serious as he spoke. “I have something I need to discuss with you.”
Beck frowned for a moment before nodding. Simply pouring a black coffee for the man as he finished making the other two cups for his associates.
“By all means, if I can answer your questions I will do so to the best of my ability.” He said handing it over.
“Fantastic.” Connelly said as he took the drink, taking a sip of the bitter brew like it was nothing as he stared into the plastic cup with his eyes clouded. “One of the countries that hasn’t reported any kind of bioweapon presence has been the Russo-Asian Coalition. I’m sure you’re aware of the progress they’ve reported to have made in their own genetic experiments.”
“You mean their super soldier lunacy.” Beck spat. “I haven’t had the heart to keep up with it. I only know that any amount of progress they’ve made is due to their blatant disregard for human life, not any kind of innovation or genius. Just stubborn, heartless fools eager for another weapon.”
“Good to know what side of the debate you fall on.” Connelly said approvingly. “But that wasn’t what I meant to discuss. Do you believe that the Coalition may be the origin of these bio-weapons?”
Beck thought for a moment, weighing the possibilities with what little he knew of Coalition tech.
“I don’t believe so, but nothing is impossible. Declaring anything to be impossible is the best way to blind yourself to new possibilities. But with what I know there’s two good reasons they shouldn’t be responsible for the bio-weapons. The first is that I truly meant what I said back in the conference room. We are decades from being able to do anything close to what would be required to create the monsters out there. Possibly even a century away. The Coalition might recklessly charge forward with their experiments but there’s a limit to how far that can take you before your results diminish drastically.”
“And the second reason?” Connelly asked patiently.
“They’d be shouting it from the rooftops if they had made them.” Beck said simply. “They keep reminding the world they have nuclear weapons every couple of years, how would this be any different?” Beck said sipping his coffee.
Connelly seemed to seriously consider Beck’s words for a moment before his face split into a grin. “That’s very true Doctor. You have no idea the amount of propaganda they try and work into Western social media.” Connelly said before nodding in acquiescence. “Thank you Doctor. I realize its a bit unfair of me to ask you for answers like that the moment you finish your first examination. But I just want this to be taken care of as quickly as possible so its nothing more than a bad memory.”
“It’s fine Commander. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to re-examine our results and refuel our science team.” Beck said hefting the coffee cups suggestively.
“Of course. I’ll walk with you back.”
“My thanks.” Beck said smiling.
It was a relatively short walk considering the size of the facility the task force had commandeered but it was long enough for Beck to ask a question of his own to Connelly.
“I know its a bit unfair to ask this Commander but… can we really end the threat of these bio-weapons without causing a panic?”
Connelly seemed to weigh his answer at first. But the man waved Beck’s concerns away after only a moment.
“The United States has faced disasters and dealt with them swiftly enough in the past to not raise too much of an alarm among the public. We’re rather good at that Doctor. At worst, hopefully the biggest thing we’ll have to lie to the public about is running a large scale training exercise to track down these creatures.” Connelly said to Beck with a confidant smile. “They don’t get very big as far as we can tell, if they aren’t inherently toxic, I’m positive it won’t take much to hunt them down.”
“I don’t know if that part about lying is very comforting Commander-” Beck started as he turned a corner. A number of people gathered around a small display on the wall, the screen hidden behind a number of heads as Connelly strode forward with a scowl.
“What are you all standing around for! Get a move on already!”
But even as Connelly shouted at his people to get moving Beck moved forwards. Drawn to the screen like it had its own gravitational pull. As he caught a clear line of sight to the screen he heard the newscaster speaking as a video played on repeat.
“…Again I have to emphasize that this footage has not been edited by Channel Seven or any of its affiliates. The creature you’re seeing on screen is not a special effect or the result of computer generated images. The police officers you’ve seen fighting off the creature in this video have survived and have all corroborated each other’s stories. An official statement from the police department is pending on the total number of casualties suffered in Centennial Pines. As well as what… what these monsters are in the first place… Oh God… This is Suzy Summers speaking to you live. We’ll continue to keep you updated on the situation as it unfolds…”
Beck became transfixed by the footage even as Connelly’s shouts became roars of commands at how such a broadcast could be airing without their knowing. Beck remained still as the people gathered around the screen rushed to do whatever it was they were supposed to do. He couldn’t look away.
His mind raced as it absorbed every detail in the video he saw. The sheer size of the creature, so much like the others he’d just dissected but on a scale so much larger than the others it couldn’t have been possible. The ease at which it shrugged off gunfire and thrown an entire patrol car left Beck slack jawed as he stared. Then it had eaten another one of its kind, one just as impossibly large that- wait. That had a horn? But there was no genetic basis for that kind of trait! It didn’t make any sense! Nothing could grow that big, that fast, or produce spontaneous mutations like-
Oh, the bioweapon’s tail just tripled in length.
The sound of ceramic shattering filled the air as Beck’s mug of coffee slipped through his fingers.