Feeling the short black hairs stand up on the back of her neck, she prepared to dispense the final component into the already volatile concoction. Genetics had always been a subject of fascination to her, and to know this current project could bring the end to her dream career was enough to set Brannagh’s hand trembling. Altering the minor genes of a human to make blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair and other simpler genetic changes was like child’s play to her, but completely altering the genetics of the whole of the future human race was something altogether incommensurable.
The race to change the future of human genes started with the final World War when fifty percent of the world’s ten billion inhabitants were decimated in what would always be known as The War of Terra. The Earth’s population had remained at a little under ten billion for over five hundred years as many had chosen in the early 2200’s to leave Earth and make an attempt at living on one of the three then newly terraformed super-Earths orbiting Gliese 667C in the constellation of Scorpius.[1] The people who remained on Earth entered a period of conflict resulting from various racial, religious and governance dissension which eventually led to multiple transcontinental wars and ended with The War of Terra. This final momentous loss of life led to a conclave of the world’s leaders who gathered in the neutral zone, in space station Neutram, to discuss what could be done to stop such a catastrophic event from ever occurring again. The conclusion they came to was the decision, almost unanimously, with the advancements made in genetic science and the complete sequencing of the human genome, that all human DNA should be blended, with the exception of any mutations or defective genes. This decision is what led to Brannagh being in her current position, bent over a workstation in Neutram’s laboratory holding a pipette in her trembling hand.
***
“Are you sure she’s up to the task?” queried Ardan Palgreave, leaning back in his yellow synth-leather pod chair.
“I’ve already told you, I’m confident of her ability to finish this the way we require, and if not, then we’ll have a suitable pawn to use in furthering our cause,” suggested Ghazi Selhání.
“I still think you have underestimated her ability, Ghazi. Brannagh has proven herself time and again within her field and aside from the one minor mishap five years ago; she’s been proving herself to be invaluable to The Organisation.”
Brushing a lock of grey speckled black hair out of his eyes, Ghazi turned his chair away from the plas-glass window and fixed his unsettling, polished jet eyes on Ardan’s cobalt blue ones. “We have discussed this before, and my response remains the same. If Brannagh manages to succeed in the duty she has been entrusted with we will have a bargaining chip with which to entice the World Integration Committee to our way of thinking.”
“But surely, she will figure out at some phase of the splicing procedure that something is amiss. Are you certain she is still unaware of the missing data from the genome map?”
With a slight smile twitching at the corner of his thin-lipped mouth, Ghazi held up a small spherical object he’d been toying with just moments before. Noting it was one of the data containers from Neutram’s own private vaults, Ardan felt the tension that had been building in his body reduce. “I take it that you have ensured you were provided with the correct data sphere? It would be most regrettable this late in the game for such a mishap to occur.”
“I guarantee that no such ‘mishap’ has a chance of happening when I am the one responsible for ensuring the success of our little venture.”
Slipping the sphere into a pouch obscured inside his burgundy vest, Ghazi stood in one fluid motion and with a small nod to Ardan indicated the end of their meeting. Turning on his heel he exited the office of the Minister of Unification and strode purposefully to the station’s dock to board the awaiting shuttle back to Earth’s Brisbane port.
Watching him go, Ardan felt the last remaining dregs of tension leave with Ghazi. That man always set him on edge. The arrogance with which he conducted himself and the nerve he had thinking he could so easily dismiss himself from the Minister’s presence is enough to make Ardan’s nerves jangle. “The problem is I need him” Ardan muttered to himself.
The head of the largest underground Race Separation Supporter Society (RSSS), a group based on the belief that humanity should maintain its racial and cultural diversity rather than miscegenation to become one mongrel race, Ghazi had continued with the group’s objective after taking over as head from the last leader, Theodore Balco. The requirements for being a member of the group were not many, but they were ironclad, the most important of which being that all members entertained no prejudice or hatred toward peoples of races other than their own. However it is a condition that each and every member holds it in their best interests to conserve, maintain and preserve their own lineage and the integrity of their individuality as members of differing races. Gottfried de Purucker was an author and theosophist in the 1930’s, who when asked about the combination of races said "The time has not come when I would willingly suggest intermarriage; but I am in honesty bound to qualify that by saying that the race of the future will be a composite, composed of the many different races on earth today. Let us also remember that all men are ultimately of one blood.”[2] This was exactly what Ardan, Ghazi and the society had every intention of preventing.
***
Heart pounding, Brannagh slowly released the breath she was holding, slid out of her hiding place next to Ardan Palgreave’s office and haltingly walked back to the lab. She had been heading to his office to inform him of the final step in the processing of the DNA when an unfamiliar man had exited his door. What is Ardan planning, and who was that man leaving his office? Learning that the man she trusted to be taking steps to ensure the future safety and harmony of the human species was in league with a suspicious man, discussing her use as a plaything in their schemes, was enough to weaken her already shaky confidence. Rounding the corner of her private lab, she lightly scraped her finger on the sequencing lock. Instantly recognising her unique genetic code, the door unlocked and slid open to permit her entry. The familiar bright white and grey sterile environment which should have been comforting, suddenly felt unfamiliar and dangerous.
The computer simulated DNA combination had appeared successful after being run eight times and was the only reason she had proceeded with combining the real samples. Her body felt cold and prickled with anxiety at the thought of what the missing data could represent. Years of hard study, sample acquiring and testing had gone into ensuring the success of the project which would one day hopefully benefit the whole of humankind. To have what sounded like a large group of humanity doing what they could to jeopardise and in fact ruin what was hoped to be the solution to end instability, race riots, wars and genocide was a concept Brannagh had not considered. Would all the work she had done amount to a tragedy? Could millions of people’s lives be at risk? If the final procedure was successful, what would happen when they started administering the genetic cocktail to first term pregnant mothers and those trying to conceive?
Sitting at her designated work station and turning to face the computer which would scan the results from the final DNA combination procedure to check if the Electropherogram printout would match the original simulations, Brannagh considered what options she had and who if anyone she could tell about her suspicions regarding Ardan’s involvement in a RSSS. There was no possibility of stopping the operation as it would have gone into lockdown the moment she inserted it into the automated sequencer and even if there were a chance she could stop it, the reality was she didn’t want to. It had cost too much time, brain space and personal life for her to want to reduce what she had worked so hard for to smashed glass and liquids on the floor. Waiting for a positive result shown by a purple light or a negative result indicated by an orange light was her only option regarding the DNA.
“Maybe I could talk to Montalbán” she murmured her voice sounding loud in the empty lab. Pressing the spot on her arm where the communit device was implanted, Brannagh called up the data for Kane Montalbán. Having the head of Neutram Station as her covert lover had its advantages, one such being direct access to him and an ear to bend. Feeling a slight tingle in her little finger alerted her to the connection linked with him. His face appeared above her hand in a small twelve centimetre by ten centimetre hovering display, his sea green eyes and rugged stubble speckled jaw as clear as if he were in the room with her.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Greetings my little Raven.” he smiled with a twinkle in his eyes, a twinkle that quickly turned to concern when he saw her haunted expression.
“Brannagh, what’s happened?” his gaze questioning.
“Monty, I know you don’t usually like me to contact you while you’re at work, but I had to. I’m concerned about the motivations of a personnel member on your station.”
“Who and why? And be sure of your response and reasoning because you know I have to take all concerns brought up by staff as a serious matter” he frowned.
“I know Monty and you should know I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think it was serious” she replied.
“Go ahead Bran” he nodded in agreement.
“I have reason to believe Ardan Palgreave is a member of a RSSS group and is planning a covert operation to destabilise the unification process.” she blurted.
When the look of shock she had expected did not appear on Monty’s face, Brannagh was concerned he hadn’t heard her.
“Monty, did you hear what I said? I said I think Ardan is planning to undermine the unification project.”
“Yes Bran, I did hear you” he affirmed.
“Then why haven’t you said anything? Aren’t you concerned?”
“Well, of course I am. I’m just not sure what to say right now.”
“How about, I hear you and I’m going to investigate?” she demanded.
“Mmm…and how would you suggest I go about doing that? I can’t just walk up to the Minister of Unification and accuse him of being an agent against all that he is supposed to represent.”
“But I heard him, Monty, and I watched a man walk out of his office after hearing him talk of using me as a scapegoat in his plans. How do I know my life is not in danger? Doesn’t the potential threat to me mean anything to you?”
“Of course it does, Bran, but I can’t accuse a member of my employ, particularly one so important, without good grounds to do so. Have you got any evidence of his dealings?”
“No Monty, I don’t! I’m telling you this because I thought you’d take me seriously. The only ‘evidence’ I have is what I heard and saw!” she cried.
“Just wait there Bran and I’ll have someone come by and bring you to me.” he cut off the connection.
A few minutes later Brannagh heard the chime that meant the sequencer had finished its scan, just as the door to the lab slid open. Whirling around she noted no-one but her and a select few had immediate access to this lab, so who could be coming in? The sight that greeted her was the grinning face of Ardan Palgreave as he noted the flashing purple light on the sequencer. Breaking into a sweat, Brannagh quickly stood up and started over toward Ardan.
“Minister, how can I help you?” she said rapidly. Hoping he hadn’t noticed the light on the sequencer she tried to place herself in front of his line of vision.
“Ah, Miss Naia. I have come by to see how the processing of the DNA is coming along, and I see that it was successful.” Ardan smirked.
“It would certainly appear so, Minister. However, I still need to run a couple of further tests to ensure the stability of the combination before we can assume it is complete and able to be administered.”
“Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary, Miss Naia. After all, I ensured the equipment is the best that could be supplied for such a momentous project. With that being the case and the preliminary results being successful, I think it would be pertinent for me to take the sample now so that our replication team can begin straight away.”
“But, Minister, I must follow protocol and it dictates that final tests must be performed before we can ensure that the DNA is completely stable.”
Walking toward Brannagh, Ardan held out his right hand. “Miss Naia, you will give me the sample and you will give it to me now or I will have to take it forcefully.” he demanded.
“Of course Minister. I am not trying to stop you from taking the sample. I was merely trying to do what protocol dictates. If you don’t mind waiting a few minutes I will have to remove the sample from the sequencer and ensure it is securely in a containment vessel.” Brannagh quickly conceded. “You are welcome to wait in the hall while I perform the necessary checks to remove the sample from the sequencer and secure it for transport.”
“That won’t be necessary Miss Naia. I will wait right here while you do what you must.”
Her heart pounding in her chest, Brannagh turned her back to the Minister and started towards the sequencer, gathering the tools she needed to remove the sample and secure it on the way over. Stopping in front of the glass fronted cabinet she placed all of the items on the bench next to it and glanced over her shoulder at Ardan. He was searching for something inside his suit coat looking directly at her. She quickly turned her head back and grabbed a pair of gloves to put on. What could she do to delay him? Was there something she could do to stop him from getting the sample? Reaching for the lock on the sequencer, Brannagh knocked the small poly-glass transport pod off the bench which shattered upon landing. That is the one problem with transport pods, until they have the sample in them and have been locked and secured with a heat shield which hardens the poly-glass, they will shatter.
Suddenly there was something cold against her neck, pressed there with some force. Brannagh froze, startled as the Minister’s voice spoke from directly behind her.
“You will stop these foolish attempts at avoiding giving me the sample, now. I will not hesitate to use this Neural Disc on you.” he growled. The Neural Disc was a deadly little weapon created to disrupt the brain’s neural processing capacity and effectively destroy all connections rendering the individual a thoughtless and incapacitated husk, incapable of the simplest tasks like eating, thus ensuring a drawn out death.
“I will need to get another pod for the sample from the storage room.” Brannagh said, her voice shaking slightly.
“Fine. I will come with you.” Growled Ardan.
“That will not be necessary, Minister. I will not try to defy you again. This disc you have attached to my neck is insurance of that.”
“Good. Don’t forget I do not need to be next to you for it to work. One push of this button I hold and you will be on the floor dribbling before you know what’s happened.”
Brannagh slowly moved away from Ardan, her back stiff with fear, and headed toward the storage room. Scraping her finger on the sequencer which locked the storage room, she entered the temperature controlled space and listened for the telltale snick that indicated the door was closed and locked. Taking a deep breath she headed over to the padded containment chamber in which hundreds of transport pods nestled safely away from damage. Her hands felt slick with sweat inside the gloves as she opened the chamber and reached for a single pod, placed it into a carrying vessel and closed the chamber door again. Turning back to the storage room door, Brannagh nearly dropped the pod when she saw Ardan’s face watching her through the small clear panel in the door. Regaining some composure she walked to the door and pushed the yellow exit button to the left of the door. It hissed as the locks slid aside and the door opened allowing her to exit. As she walked over to the bench with the sequencer she heard the main entry to the laboratory open, and looking up again ran through the short list of people who had entry and wondered who it could be.
“Monty!” Brannagh exclaimed. “Help me! The Minister has a neural disc on my neck and is threatening to use it if I don’t provide him with the sample right now.”
Brannagh noted Monty’s green eyes were serious as he took in the situation and holding her gaze, walked slowly over and placed his hand gently on her cheek.
“My little Raven, how sorry I am that you are in this situation, but it is for the greater good you understand?” he murmured. He watched her face turn slowly from relief to confusion, as she noted the look that passed between Monty and Ardan.
“W-what do you mean?” she stuttered.
“Well, I am sorry that you were drawn into this, it could not be helped. I tried to have you removed from this project when you were elected, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful. You are simply too good at what you do.”
“But, I don’t understand. Can’t you see this man is threatening me? What happened to the security personnel you were supposed to send to get me?”
“Raven, dear, I never send I was sending security. The person to fetch you is already here.”
Confusion turned to horror and ice cold water filtered into her veins as Brannagh’s fear was realised. Montalbán had betrayed her and was here to ensure the task assigned to him by the RSSS was fulfilled.