Earth’s Moon

Armstrong City, The Pathology Research and Development Centre Dome…

Doctor Nyjiumu studied the results of his experiment as he zoomed in with the microscope’s powerful imaging display. While he prefers to use the old style oculars to peer through, today’s technology allows for it to be done by hi-res cameras that transfer it to holographic screens. They hovered over his desk in a near translucent state. From the images, he could see enzymes as they reacted to something being injected into them. Beside that visual, was a complex 3D protein string that shifted and changed patterns as the foreign substance was introduced.

The Doctor pursed his lips while watching it and tapped at his chin in thought. His medical mind was in full absorption of the data being displayed, his eyes focusing on the holo-monitors with an intense gaze. There was a slight frustrated sigh as he looked on with a disapproving nod of his head; The results where not favourable, he sat back with a frown, pondering what he just witnessed.

Continuing to stew in his analytical deep thought, he glanced at the holo-screens again, putting his finger to his pursed lower lip.

“Knock-knock Doc…” a male voice said, breaking Nyjiumu’s concentration.

When the doctor diverted his gaze from the monitors, he observed a man walking into his office without any prior announcement. He was a middle-aged Caucasian man, dressed in a fashionable grey suit (same as Barakai's), with a lighter grey-white ECU Med-lab logo on his lapel, and he gave his salt and pepper hair a quick brush.

“Hm? Oh, Gerry…” Nyjiumu passively glanced at him. “What is it? Can’t you see I’ve very busy at the moment.”

“Yes,” He smirked while stretching out the word slightly. “But I thought I’d come and give you a nice distraction anyway.” He walked up to the desk and sat on a chair in front. “Just wanted to see how’s the progress coming. You know, the board is rather keen on having an answer about it soon, right?”

“I suppose…” The doctor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with a tired expression.

“And?”

“The sample we brought back had some promising results, in some regards…” The Doctor glanced up at him. “but, I’m afraid it just can’t seem to attach and sustain itself for far too long on human proteins.”

“So it won’t work then?”

“I’m afraid not.” The Doctor sighed. “We’ll keep going at it, of course, but it might be futile.”

Gerry crossed his legs in a relaxed position as he took a moment to look at the image floating over the desk. Nyjiumu eased back in his seat and rubbed his eyes from the strain.

“So much for that I’m afraid.”

“Yeah…” Gerry passively agreed. But, his attention quickly switched from the monitor to the doctor, as he sat up straight. “Look, we’re grateful for everything you’re doing on this. The board believes this discovery we found on the meteor, sorry… I mean, you’re discovery… that you made on the meteor…”

“Thank you,” Nyjiumu said, a slight nod in appreciation.

“It’s really opened up a lot of different ideas and breakthroughs in medical research. But, they’re looking to expand on that by finding more of this… this… type of alien biology on other worlds.”

The doctor held out his finger pensively at the man, “This was just a fluke, finding that substance was probably one in a million. There’s no guarantee we’d find it again.”

“You’re probably right,” Gerry nodded. “Maybe not in our solar system, but, perhaps… others?”

Nyjiumu glared at him and waved his hand over the table. That action turned off the holo-monitors and now he could clearly see Gerry’s grinning face. Something was up. There was another reason the man just showed up out of the blue.

“What do you mean by… others?”

Gerry continued to grin at him and leaned back in his seat again.

“Earth Core United has approved the Deep Contact mission. They want to explore and expand into new possibilities. Which means… they want an expert to volunteer their services to seek out any new… alien advancements, biological or otherwise.”

Nyjiumu sat back in his chair with mild surprise. He had a feeling this was coming, but, not this soon… and not offering it to him, personally. This caused him to fold his hands together in contemplation, eyeing the colleague with a perplexed expression on his face.

“Volunteer? It sounds to me like you’re making a firm commitment, as if I didn’t have a say in the matter.”

“Look… Barakai…”

“Hold your tongue…” Nyjiumu said, sternly holding his right index finger up at him. “I”m not finished yet…” Gerry paused for a second, feeling the heat of the man’s glare, closed his mouth, and allowed the doctor to continue. “I know for a fact, that this has to do with the Omega Group. They’re pushing for this, trying to get out in the cosmos to find something… I don’t know what, exactly, but, they’re in a crazed frenzy about it. Am I wrong?”

Gerry said nothing. Instead, the man pursed his lips and shrugged his shoulders. That spoke volumes to Nyjiumu, a reaction that confirmed his suspicions. The doctor leaned back in his chair, let out a sigh, and glanced away from him.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I thought as much.”

“Listen, Barakai…” Gerry said, arching his fingers reflexively. “They want an expert in the field out there, they named you, especially since you are the one and only ‘norm’ to impress them with your skills…”

“Flattering, I’m sure.” Nyjiumu scoffed. “But, I know what this is really about. I’ve looked into their genetic engineering programs and questioned a few irregularities they weren’t too keen to share with the rest of the ECU. So, essentially, I’ve pissed them off. Now they want me out of their hair. Miserable little bastards, aren’t they?”

“They can be… yes.” He nodded. “Nevertheless, they still wanted you to go, just the same. And while I’m sure a big part of it was to have you stop sniffing around their genetic origins, I’m thinking that the other part about your expertise in Xenobiology and astrobiology was a mitigating factor.”

“For a ‘norm’ like me, you mean…”

“That’s their terminology, not mine, I think you’re perfectly suited for the job, to be honest. So, I agree with their recommendations.”

Nyjiumu tapped his fingers on the desk and gave a drawn out sigh. He had no love for those ‘specialized children’, nor did he care for how they weaselled their way into every facet of human infrastructure, still, he was slightly flattered they chose him. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, as his friend implied. Nyjiumu flicked away the holographic image still hovering over his desk aggressively and leaned into the back of his chair with frustration. He diverted his gaze from the man and contemplated the purpose.

Gary tried his best to let Barakai have a moment to think, but he was pressed for time himself and edged up on his seat.

“It’s a lot to ask of you, I know. It means being away from your family for a good length of time, and your son, who’s involved in this current research project. But, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime, Barakai.” He paused momentarily, giving a look of concern. “Look, at least give it a day to think about it, and then let me know. I’ll be at my office if you need to contact me at––“

“I’ll do it.”

Gary was caught off guard by that quick reply and gave a quizzical glance. Barakai turned to face him, repeating his answer with a nod.

“I’ll do it, but with one condition added.”

“Okay, name it.”

Barakai leaned in and placed his hands flat on the table. “I want my son to be made the Chief Researcher and given total authority over the project.”

“Woah-woah, wait a minute now…” Gary passively waved a hand in protest. “Barakai, you can’t seriously mean…”

“That’s my price.” Nyjiumu firmly tapped his right index finger on the table and glared at him. “I will go on this mission, but you have to assure me—in writing, mind you—that my son will be given full and total control of the research project.”

Gary gawked at him momentarily, the stunned look on his face spoke volumes of what this kind of request meant. The Omega Group always over saw all the science projects or had a hand in any governmental research activity, no matter if it was theirs or not. Nyjiumu finally had them by the balls. They wouldn’t be so keen on having him for this mission if it wasn’t of one of ultra-importance to them. They were desperate, he figured. Coming to him was the first sign of weakness he’d ever seen them make. Barakai knew full well that Gary was a gopher for them, a middle-man between his lab and theirs, giving him the perfect opportunity to secure their findings for themselves, and not for those spoiled little brats.

Gary sat back defeated and crossed his arms. “I’ll see what I can do. I need to confer on it.”

“Of course,” Nyjiumu smiled. “Give it a day to think about it, I’ll be here in my office if you need to contact me.”

The man frowned upon hearing his own words being reflected back on him. Barakai’s continuing smile irked him to no end. Gary stood up, giving a hesitant nod, and walked out of the room. It was a far cry from the happy entrance of before, a simple friend popping in for a chat, but now, a reluctant messenger that had to report back to the enemy. Nyjiumu wondered if they would in fact cave to his demands, or would they simply look for another to take his place? No, they came to him, through a colleague instead of in-person. That meant he had the upper hand. He continued to smile about it and leaned back in his chair with confidence.

“Checkmate…” He proudly stated.

* * *

Two months later…

Nyjiumu was unloading equipment and his bags from a transport as they arrived at the terminal on the orbital moon station. His son, Maliki, a handsome thirty-year old who practically towered over his father, helped him to place the items on to yet another transport that awaited near by. The terminal was a-buzz with military and ECU officials alike. It reminded Barakai of the airports of the past; they were loud, packed with travellers coming and going, and the speakers awash with updates and announcements of different flights. He was glad his son could make it and give a proper goodby before his long journey. Even now, he could sense Maliki was saddened by his father’s departure.

“What is it?” Barakai said, holding onto his son’s arm.

Maliki paused in his actions and gave a sigh. He looked at his father with concern and dropped the bag in his hand.

“This is foolish, papa! Why did you do this? Why did you even agree to this?”

“I did it for you, my boy.” The man smiled, patting his son’s arm lovingly. “I want you to complete our work and get all the benefits of the discovery. You should be the one to get the credit, not those super-kids.”

Maliki shook his head negatively and held onto his falters hand. “Papa, this is your legacy, not mine. You should stay and be the one to bask in all the glory it could bring. Let me take your place, I’ll go out in the galaxy and… and you can stay here…”

“Oh, my dear child…” Barakai stated, trying to hold back the tears. “I love you, very much. But, I know how hard you’ve worked on this project just as much as I have. Giving you the chance to make a name for yourself is what I dearly want, more than anything. I want you to succeed and become what I, your father, always believed of you…”

“Which is what?” Maliki shrugged.

“That you are a great scientist, and the most amazing gift your mother and I have ever been blessed with. You will go far, my boy. You will, just wait and see.”

“But…” Maliki soberly stated. “I… I don’t want you to go…”

“Be strong, Maliki, yes?” Barakai grinned as he gave him a hug. “Do it for me. A finally request, from your foolish old papa.”

Their embrace lasted for a few minutes, and as they let go, Maliki continued to load up the rest of his father’s belongings onto the transport. Once it was done, he turned to him again and smiled.

“What should I tell mama for you?”

“Tell her,” Bakakai gave an uncomfortable inhale, shining his eyes uncomfortably. “That I’m sorry we couldn’t make it work. And that she was right, it was all my fault.”

“Wow,” Maliki laughed. “Mama will definitely be shocked to hear that one.”

“I know.” He chortled back. “Make sure she’s sitting down before telling her.”

The two laughed and gave each other one last long embrace.

“Safe journey, papa, I love you.”

“I love you too, my boy, make me proud, yet?”

“I will.”

Suddenly, over the loudspeakers overhead, a drone-sounding male voice boomed across the busy terminal.

“Attention please! Attention please! Boarding of Deep Contact is commencing, all assigned crew and staff must transport to the ship as soon as possible. I say again, all crew and staff please report to the ECU vessel, Deep Contact for immediate boarding. That is all.”

Barakai stepped away from his son, giving him one last long look and shook his hand proudly. Once the final goodbye was over, he stepped into the awaiting transport and waved to Maliki from the small glassed window. The transport took off and sped down a well-lit path that headed to the shipyard docking area. Resting in the round construction ring, was the large and imposing-looking submarine-like vessel, Deep Contact. The doctor looked on with wonder as he marvelled at the deeply black vessel.

“And so, it begins.”