Jason laughed as Arex walked up, shook Rodgers hand and then walked up to the stand. The camera then zoomed in on his father until half of his body showed. He shocked everyone in the crowd when he uttered the first few words.:
“Thank you, everyone, for coming here. As you know, my names is Arex and I‘m not entirely human. I‘m certain you have questions you would like to ask me, so, here I am. Please, raise your hands and I will pick one person at a time.”
Jason chuckled. Every press conference was like that, but Arex didn’t know that. All at once, everyone’s hand seemed to shoot up. Arex looked around and finally pointed down at a man in a blue suit.
“My question is: What exactly are you?”
“That is not so easy to answer. As far as we know, I am the combination of the original human genome, with different species of reptiles. I don‘t know which ones, though.”
The next question was just as strange.:
“Are you male?”
That drew more than a few chuckles out. Even Arex put his hand to his mouth, trying to keep a strait face.
“Yes. This is one question I can definitely answer. Yes I am male. Although, I can‘t understand why you‘re asking this.”
Arex picked out another person in the crowd.
“Sir, if I may ask, is it true you have amnesia? Is it true that you used to be human? And if so, who were you?”
“I‘m not sure if can answer that last part, but I was definitely human, although I don‘t remember being so. We‘ve officially decided to refer to me as an entirely new person, since there is no way for me to recover the memories that were erased.”
“We know BIOGENCORP was the reason you ended up like this. Are you going to sue them for what they‘ve done?”
“It‘s not my place to judge them or bring them to court. Right now, I can‘t say that the entire company will face legal action. I have no idea how the legal system works. Well, I have a vague idea, but that‘s all.”
“Is it true that you were created for, uh, less than legal reasons?”
What? What were they talking about? Was Arex really created to commit crimes?
“Yes. It‘s true. I was created with the purpose of killing people who obtained information about the project I was created in. It‘s ironic that I was the reason the F.B.I. is able to bring them to court.”
Chapter 3
Thursday, January 7th, 1999, 10:37 AM
Albany County Courthouse, New York State
The evidence was stacked, the witnesses ready, and every base covered. It was now up to Janiece to win her first case as a lawyer representing the prosecution. There was a lot of pressure on her to succeed, but it was the kind of pressure she welcomed for once in her life. Now, it was her time to prove that she was the lawyer most everyone thought she ought to be. The defense, which was Mark reeves, ex-CEO of BIOGENCORP, was represented by Maxwell Shannon. Janiece had read his file, which included over fifty cases ranging in severity from domestic violence to white-collar corruption. Janiece knew she couldn’t leave any stone unturned, because Shannon would surely take advantage of it.
As for Arex, the judge finally agreed to let him come wearing less than formal wear. Janiece could tell it was making Arex feel very uncomfortable, since he was even more visible now than he would have been in the cotton suit. Unfortunately, Arex seemed to have inherited Erickson Meyers allergy to cotton. Sometimes, Janiece pointed out, it was good to be a celebrity. She didn’t tell Arex, but they and Jason would be having supper at an expensive restaurant which she reserved three weeks ago. She felt it was time for Arex to discover the outside world for a change.
It was likely Reeves knew the trouble he was in. Nevertheless, Maxwell Shannon entered a plea of “not guilty” on his behalf. Ever since Shannon came into the picture, Reeves stopped cooperating with the F.B.I.’s investigation, which was suspicious. She figured that Shannon liked to run the show on his own, which would probably present a conflict with his own client.
The two lawyers had just presented their opening arguments. Janiece now had witnesses to bring to the stand. The first to do so was Mika Nomura. Janiece told Arex to take notes on how people behaved in the stand, such as when they were sworn in.
“Mrs. Nomura, maybe you please explain to the jury your position.”
“I am a special agent working for the F.B.I.. My superior is Corey Rodgers and he is the head the Criminal Investigation Division, or C.I.D. if you prefer, of the F.B.I.’s New York branch.”
“Thank You. Now, please explain your involvement in the case at hand.”
“Mr. Rodgers had sent me to work undercover as a forensic scientist at BIOGENCORP Laboratories. Unfortunately, all the positions were taken as Mr. Reeves told me. He did, however, promise me a position if I could offer my services temporarily as a signer.”
“You are a certified signer, is that correct?”
“Yes. My late mother lost her hearing when I was very young. I learned sign language along with her so that we could communicate effectively.”
“It seems strange that Mr. Reeves would need a signer in a laboratory.”
“It wasn‘t an official position at BIOGENCORP. I was instructed to translate sign for Dr. Patrick Sandlak, so that he could understand Mr. Erickson Meyers, who was mute. Dr. Sandlak had with him a warrant to extradite Mr. Meyers from Bare Hill Correctional Facility, where he was serving his sentence for murder. Incidentally, the signatures on the extradition warrant were forged. That fact was confirmed by our experts.”
“Why was my former client, Mr. Meyers, being extradited without my, or a judge‘s, legal consent?”
“Dr. Sandlak had offered Mr. Meyers compensation in exchange for volunteering to test a new experimental medicinal drug. The drug, Dr. Sandlak claimed, was able to regenerate human tissue, even tissue that was considered irreparably damaged.”
“I gave Mr. Meyer specific instructions to communicate with me in matters such as this. Why wasn‘t I informed?”
“Dr. Sandlak told Mr. James Keith, the warden of Bare Hill, that you were unavailable.”
“I am always available from my clients. I arrived there not two hours later with Jason Meyers, trying to find his father. I admit, your Honor, that I reacted to that news in an unbecoming way. No more questions, your Honor.”
Maxwell Shannon rose up from the defendant’s table and commenced his counter-interrogation.
“Let me start by asking this: Is it customary for prisoners to partake in testing an experimental drug?”
“It is uncommon, but not impossible. Usually, prisoners are called upon to perform custodial duties. In this case, it is my belief that Meyers, as other prisoners would later on, was chosen with the idea that no free man would ever volunteer for something like this.”
“Everything was done in a legal manner, then?”
“No. Like I said, miss Ryder‘s signature was forged and so was the judge‘s. There is no doubt about that. If you‘re asking where my suspicions came from, it basically started when I asked Dr. Sandlak about the scars on his face. He lied and told me he was attacked by a Grizzly Bear. The scars were much too thin and straight to be caused by a wild animal that size.”
“But all of this wouldn‘t be Dr. Sandlak‘s fault? How is my client in any way responsible?”
“Because he accepted forged document from Dr. Sandlak without looking into their authenticity.”
After a short few seconds, Shannon declared.:
“No more questions, your Honor.”
Chapter 4
Thursday, January 7th, 1999, 6:45 PM
Manhattan District, New York City
Janiece felt Arex’s surprise when they arrived at the Royal Pallet restaurant. He seemed even more surprised when he’d learned that she had reserved their seats three weeks earlier. He expressed his discomfort to her, but didn’t back away from the idea of eating somewhere other than her apartment.
It wasn’t as if Arex had a crude way of eating. It surprised her whe
n she first saw him picking up a knife and fork and expertly cut through meat as if he’d done it for years. It was a positive thing for Arex to be left with Rick Meyers’ skills, if not his memories. Janiece wondered if there was any skill Arex didn’t retain. Besides his lack of social bearings, she thought.
They entered the restaurant, with everybody on the street and inside the place staring at them. It suddenly dawn on her that coming here with Arex was a risky decision. It would certainly spark rumors of them being a couple. It was crazy, how people can’t resist a good tidbit.
“Reservations for Ryder,” Janiece told the seating host.
“Yes, of course. We have been eagerly awaiting you,” the host replied, but not without a glance to Arex and his casual clothing. Janiece rolled her eyes. It was good that Arex couldn’t read the signs that said the host wasn’t too pleased with letting someone in the eating area who didn’t wear a suit.
When they sat down, there was an awkward silence. Everyone in the room had eyes only for them and that made Janiece feel a little self-conscious. She noticed that most people were giving them disdainful glances here and there as if trying not to seem interested in her and her celebrity client. There was even a rich-looking couple who left the room with half their plate still full.
Determined not to let everyone else’s reaction get in the way of a good meal and experience, she asked for menus from one of the waiters. When they arrived, the three of them began looking at the food. After a couple of minutes, Arex asked.:
“Why are we eating here? I‘m looking at these things and the prices they‘re selling them for and I can‘t believe anyone would pay for them. It‘s not like we can‘t eat these things at your house.”
“It is expensive, but we‘re not just here for the food, you know. This is a great way to begin a social life.”
“How?”
“There are people here. You never know who you might meet in places like this. I once meet an ex-boyfriend in a restaurant like this one. I know it‘s not logical, and it probably doesn‘t make sense to you, but being here, in public, is a good opportunity to meet other people. You have to be able to open up your mind to new experiences.”
“I see. I just don‘t think I fit in in these settings. Everyone here is wearing formal clothing, and I‘m not.”
“Well, you‘re not a formal person. Besides, you are making the best first impression for yourself. Meeting someone goes both ways in mutual respect. Theses people also have to open themselves up to you. Remember, you‘re strange to them. They have to learn to accept you as we have.”
“From what I‘ve learned that‘s not going to be easy. I‘m not just seeing these people stare at me, I‘m feeling it as well.”
“That can‘t be helped. Just try and put these stares aside and enjoy your meal. Maybe somebody will come and talk to you, maybe ask you a few questions.”
“You mean personal questions. What if I don‘t want to answer them.”
“Then answer another question. Remember: The secret to a good first impression is being open and having confidence in yourself. You have to trust yourself to say the right thing.”
Their orders arrived. Everyone in the crowd seemed to stop eating and/or working just to look at the unlikely trio. Janiece had ordered Salmon with a Mediterranean salad on the side, while Arex chose a meal of Tortellini in Alfredo sauce, and Jason went with a filet mignon steak with mashed potatoes and peas on the side.
Right away, Janiece wasn’t too sure about Jason being able, not only to finish the steak, but also keep it on his plate. Arex, on the other hand, was calm polite, and more mature than his mental age would suggest. Still, Janiece couldn’t help but feel like he was holding something back from them. Something he might have been ashamed of. What could it be? Was it something she should be concerned about? How terrible a secret could that be?
“Janiece?”
Maybe he was going to open up now.
“Yes, Arex?”
“I have to tell you something. Well, to both of you.”
“What is it?”
Jason was silent. He had stopped fiddling with his steak and was looking at them expectedly.
“Jason, do you remember when you told me that Amazing Spider-Man comic was your father‘s favorite? And that I told you I recognized it before I even knew what the story was between the pages?”
“Yeah.”
“I know the answer to those questions now. You see, I first saw that comic book in a dream I had right before Janiece and I met. I saw this strange woman in a pink bathrobe, who told me she was disappointed in me, and that I was a monster for even thinking about…well, you know. It turns out that I‘m what is left of your father, Jason. ”
That hit Jason hard. His mouth went wide.
“You mean…you mean…how? That‘s…that‘s impossible…really?”
“Yes.
“Don‘t remember me?”
“No. I‘m sorry. And I won‘t be able to remember anything before Halloween.”
“Why not?”
“The computer that erased those memories had a failsafe that would permanently erase the data stored in it. Without those memories, I can‘t be your father. I‘m sorry.”
“Why didn‘t you tell us this?”
“I didn‘t know how to tell you. I was afraid you would blame me, that you would think I was trying to replace your father, but I‘m not. You‘re not my son, you‘re my friend, the first friend I ever had and I wouldn‘t trade that, even for the chance to pretend that I‘m someone I‘m not. Your father‘s gone, Jason. I‘m sorry. I can‘t even believe that I‘m telling you this now…I have to go.”
Before anybody could say anything to stop him, Arex stood up fast, and quickly walked out of the eating area, nearly ripped his jacket off the hanger in the hall, and left the restaurant while everyone else stopped what they were doing and stared.
* * *
Janiece watched as Arex left. He was humiliated by his own decision, that much was clear and the fact that he left ashamed by it meant he probably didn’t want to face Jason’s sadness or anger in the matter. Jason didn’t seem too angry, but looked really sad.
“But he‘s my dad. Why did he say that he isn‘t.”
“You have to understand, sweetie. He‘s went through a lot recently. Besides, as far he‘s concerned, he met you for the first time on Halloween morning.”
“Why did he leave? Doesn‘t he like me?”
“Of course he does. He considers you his best friend.”
“But why won‘t he be my dad?”
“Because he feels like he‘s your age. He‘s really a kid, just like you. He has enough on his plate right now. He will have to grow up a lot faster than you do because he‘s an adult. He feels the growing pains of dealing with dishonesty, suspicion on our part, fear, and death. You have to understand these feelings because you feel them too.”
Jason nodded.
“You‘re right. He‘s still pretty cool, even if he‘s not my dad.”
“I think so too. I also think he would make a great brother, what do you think?”
“Yeah.”
With that, they also made their way out of the restaurant. They found Arex outside, beside the car, sitting on the stairs leading to a triplex. He was slumped on his right knee, with his left leg hanging slack on the steps. Janiece got Jason in the car, and then sat on the stairs next to him.
“What‘s on your mind?”
“I feel like I let everybody down. Jason‘s angry at me isn‘t he?”
“No. He thought that you didn‘t like him and that‘s why you claimed you weren‘t his father.”
“That‘s not true. I‘m just not Erickson Meyers, and I have to accept that fact. I‘m just sad because Jason has to accept it also. I just wish I could turn back the clock and prevent this entire mess from happening.”
“If that were to happen, then you would never have existed, Jason‘s father would spend the rest of his life with the label of murderer, and
Patrick Sandlak would still be alive, creating reptiles out of human beings. You have to realize that your existence is a blessing, not a curse, and you stop hurting over the negative side of what you represent. Understood?”
“I guess.”
“No, there‘s no I guess. Promise me you‘ll stop brooding over this.”
Arex looked up at her, then nodded
“I promise.”
It was a solemn promise with a small grin attached to it. Albeit half-hearted, it will have to do.
Chapter 5
Friday, January 15th, 1999, 2:45 PM
Albany County Courthouse
Another court day and this time Corey Rodgers was scheduled to testify. Janiece suspected that Maxwell Shannon took the time to dissect everything Mika Nomura had said just over a week ago. He probably had some detailed questions for Rodgers, especially seeing as he was Mika’s superior.
“Mr. Rodgers,” Janiece asked, “we have already heard from miss Nomura, one of the agents assigned to this case, that you are her supervisor and the head of C.I.D.. You assigned miss Nomura to this case. May you please explain how you came to the conclusion that you needed her to infiltrate the company.”
“Yes ma‘am. We had received an anonymous tip, warning us of corruption within BIOGENCORP‘s staff and administration. We were asked to look into their financial records, it was very vague. It‘s our duty to respond to any tip we receive, no matter how vague. In fact if the tip is anonymous, then there‘s something to be suspicious about.”
“What did you find when acting on the tip?”
“We realized that BIOGENCORP was spending far too much money than needed to for the size of their roster and the equipment they use. They spent that money on computer components. Every necessary individual computer component needed to create a computer from scratch.”
“Surely not every single computer piece can be sold individually. I have BIOGENCORP’s financial records in my hands. These components were ordered from various independent companies. How can these pieces not only fit together, but also allow for functioning and viable computers connected to an independent network?”
The A.R.EX. Project:Transformation Page 13
