Dr. O. Soozana
Aaron T Knight
Published by Aaron T Knight 2017 Chapter One Twenty years of hard work and research reached a peak on this day in June. Dr. O. Soozana stood in front of a diverse group of invited guests. All of them were leaders in earth sciences, EPA groups and agriculture. Dr. O. could barely contain his excitement before the crowd. He was a tall, sort of loose jointed man, with a long neck. His rather craggy face had pronounced cheek bones and an overhanging forehead which shadowed his dark eyes. For contrast he had a lopsided grin spread almost ear to ear.
Dean of the university, George Benson, stepped up to the microphone and made the introductory speech.
“I believe you are indeed fortunate to be invited here to witness a truly unique contribution to the entire world. Working mostly on his own time for twenty years, Dr. O. Soozana has used his expert knowledge of genetics and DNA to create a new living organism.
Step up here doctor.”
O. eagerly came forward while two of his lab assistants set down a metal box near the podium. Public speaking wasn’t one of O.’s talents. He plunged into complex theories in a number of fields as he wildly produced a mass of equations on a blackboard. He broke pieces of chalk and one of the fragments flew like shrapnel into Dean Benson’s eye.
It was suddenly dead quiet in the auditorium as O.finished his calculations. He stood there as if he was in a trance now trying to pick up the threads of his lecture. Joe Parker stepped into the breach to help his boss move along. He gently shouldered O. to the side and grabbed the microphone to address the audience.
“My name is Joe Parker and I have been a lab assistant for Dr. Soozana for several years. He had asked me to present his creation and explain things in layman’s terms.”
He opened the metal box and brought out a strange looking creature. It was about five inches long, past that, it was different in every respect from all species inhabiting the planet. The main body was a thick light blue shell, the legs were a bright red. The hind legs resembled those of a grasshopper, and the front appendages were unique, possessing attachments of claws and pincers. It had yellow wings, red antennae and round blue eyes. Suddenly it chirped, startling the crowd. Joe put it in the palm of his hand to show it was a passive creature.
“Dr. O. has created this animal for the sole purpose of ridding the world of our huge mountains of plastic waste. Eco-X eat petro carbons as its only nourishment. Dr. O. through thousands of mutations has bred it to consume carbon atoms a major component of plastics. As we all know plastic is not bio degradable, but by removing their petro carbon atoms, the rest of the plastic components return to their natural state.
He had to stop talking because the crowd erupted into hundreds of excited conversations. Joe stepped aside for Dr. O. so he could continue on with the lecture when the audience calmed down. They moved on to the actual field demonstration of the plastic eating animal.
A large round container was wheeled to the center of the auditorium filled with plastic scraps. The lab assistants opened the metal box and brought out one hundred Eco-X. They didn’t have to be coaxed to eat plastic.
They dove head first into the plastic and bored holes with their corkscrew snouts. Soon there was a low hum emenating from the container similar to the sound of sawing wood. They watched the level of plastic parts sinking faster and faster as the Eco-X creatures swung into eating their native sustenance. Within fifteen minutes all of the plastic was consumed. There were audible burping sounds coming from the container.
At the bottom of the tank the Eco-X chirped loudly apparently a happy noise for a great meal. It sounded like the chirping of small birds, wrens, warblers etc. in springtime. Around them a vapor cloud formed and floated upward over the amphitheater. It rained inside the auditorium until the cloud was gone. It was all too weird for most of the guests who rushed for the exit doors in a panic. They were soaking wet and wondering if these glutinous little beasts might still be hungry.
Dr O. tried to stop the stampede, using the mike.. “Please, please, Eco-X are harmless to everything but plastic, their only food.”
While he was talking, Joe pushed a button on a small gadget he held in his hand recalling the Eco-X to the box.This action pacified the crowd.
Dr O. continued describing Eco-X functions. “I apologize for the brief monsoon, ha ha, but I needed to demonstrate the entire cycle of Eco-X feeding. Petro carbon atoms gone, disintegration of the plastic molecules begins. Hydrogen and oxygen form their natural bond to create water while the other chemicals evaporate harmlessly into the atmosphere. There is no waste residue from their harvesting of plastic, only pure water from the hydrogen/oxygen bond.”
Dr O. took a small device from his pocket like the one Joe had used to recall the Eco-X. “ With this device we have complete control of Eco-X. It pulses out an ultralow frequency heard only by them. Recent research into ultralow frequency has revealed its unique power to travel in the same manner as ultrahigh frequency, but with a significant difference. Ultralow frequency waves can penetrate any solid object, walls, etc. so Eco-X can never be free of our control.
He pushed the button and the hundred Eco X flew out of the box. Another button push and they reversed course and returned to the box.
“ This is a vital element in the use of the Eco-X. We will be releasing thousands of them on plastic waste in landfills and waste dumps. The ultralow frequency’s ability to penetrate anything assures us none of the them can stray off. This recall power is built into the Eco-X genes and is irresistible to the animal.”
At the end of the meeting Dr. O and his crew hastily retreated to their vehicles as a horde of media people ran at them for information.
Naturally the first harvesting of plastic was used on the gigantic landfills in Virginia. It was fantastic to watch these waste piles shrink at a rapid rate. Then the Eco-x soared above the area and released their plastic waste to form a rain shower. EPA officials had mixed emotions about this miracle. Publicly, they lauded Dr. O. Soozana for his brilliant work and his contribution to a cleaner planet. Privately, they were extremely upset about the possibly of losing their government posts to a bunch of bugs. Almost nostalgically, they longed for a dirtier world.
Dr.O. was busy trying to train technicians for Eco-X production. Embryos were produced and left to mature like eggs, then birthing into Eco-X. Supply was extremely pathetic in ratio to the avalanche of demand from every segment of society. Many companies license to produce Eco-X, but legal clamored for a
counsel advised against allowing others into the gold mine. Demand kept growing as the use of Eco-X on many levels expanded. For example, at a seaport, Joe did a harvesting of plastic fishing nets which clog every seaport in the world and threaten to eliminate many species of fish. Fish become hopelessly entangled in these indestructible underwater nets and they drown. Eco-X were also swimmers and divers. They seemed to like the water since their chirps were louder and went on longer. It was a huge success so marine biologists became another group to deal with for Dr. O.
Dr. O. formed a group of scientists to work on the myriad of problems being created. He had been naive in planning for production, scheduling harvests and all of the administrative functions needed to form a well run enterprise. Wall Street brokerage firms entered the picture as naturally as water running downhill. What Dr. O. had unleashed was a unique answer to one of the biggest headaches in enviromental protection. Damned stuff was a man made indestructible chemical not subject to any of nature’s methods of recycling waste material. It was impervious to rotting, fire, heat, erosion, dissolving, and chemical decomposition, etc.
This undertaking would require a sizeable amount of capital to finance the many areas needed for what looked like
a future giant international corporation. The brokers knew it would take a public offering of stock ownership to raise the necessary capital.
Joe somehow became the head of operations at this point. It’s true he had been close to the development work and he supervised projects while he trained his harvesting crews. But, he had no ambitions to become an executive with such a major responsibility. He had taken on the role thinking it was temporary given Dr. O’s absolute lack of interest in the business side of the project. Besides he himself was ill equipped to deal with the money guys sprouting up like weeds around him.
A rudderless ship it was. Production of new embryos was a slow process to create more Eco-X. Dr O. had resisted the idea of designing a reproduction process. He had a profound respect for Nature that made him cautious. Getting involved in natural reproduction of Eco-X was like walking into a cave without a candle.
Still, if he was very careful, he reasoned, there might be a way to limit reproduction to once a year, or something. Temptation thoughts attacked Dr O. disturbing his sleep. During the day the doctor had to attend many meetings about the supply crisis. He developed a nervous twitch in his left eyelid. When he spoke he often stumbled over his words. To ease tension O repeatedly smashed a rubber ball clutched in his fist
Joe was worried about Dr. O..They were close. He had become head of operations only to help him. He would have gladly turned the job over to anyone who was willing to take it. No volunteers were forthcoming since they knew Joe was trying to solve a plethora of mind twisting dilemmas. Money didn’t tempt them.
This craziness has to stop, he thought feverishly. One idea dominated his psyche. Close the company and regroup. It wasn’t as if they would lose any customers. Joe burst into a meeting Dr. O. was conducting and ordered.
“Everyone is to leave the building and go home until further notice.” As he was saying this the same order was being broadcast over loudspeakers, and emails were sent to every employee. These workers weren’t exactly in the Teamsters Union members’ class, so they dociley filed out of the building muttering curses to themselves. Ah, how much easier life in the corporate world was when the unions had been largely elininated from their operations It was possible to go directly to an employee without fear of being attacked or have complaints filed with a union.
Worldwide media was almost unanimous in harshly criticizing Dr, O. for his so-called traiterous actions by allowing the environment to suffer. Only one newspaper published an article defending Dr. O’s. action. They defended him declaring he was probably forced to close the operation temporarily to handle the overwhelming demand for Eco-X creatures. Their stance came off badly. Emotions were out of control and someone burned down the newspaper plant.
Dr. O. was in shock over Joe’s drastic actions, he said. “That was an unforgiveable thing to do Joe. You may have ruined me and my project. ”
“Not hardly doc. As the director of operations I had the
legal right to save the company from disaster. You think
you’ve had it bad, my problems are ten times worse. You
have the research side of this operation while I have all of
the responsibilty over everything else”
Dr. O. started to say something but Joe stopped him. “This predicament happened to Henry Ford in the the early 30’s when he was losing all of his business to competitors. He had been tooled up to only make Model T’s whose day was over. Ford shut the entire company down for one year. Then he came out with the Model A, one of the best cars ever made. Doc, we have to do something.
“ We must triple the production of Eco-X in a solid way like industrialists. Closing the company for a year or for whatever time is needed will solve the problem. After all, the demand for Eco-X will still be there.”
Dr. O. was a reasonable man and he knew Joe was right. “You have the solution, Joe,” he replied softly. “I needed to have the pressure off while I decided on the best solution. I’m considering using the Eco-X themselves to solve the problem. I believe I can add reproduction and eliminate the slow embryo production. It’s faster and easier to reproduce than the complicated embryo process.” Dr. O. talking about reproduction was a surprise.
“ Wait a second doc, you have said it was a dangerous idea since Nature can be tricky. Don’t let public pressure make your decisions for you, it’s not worth it.”
. Dr. O. shook his head and replied.
“ World demand isn’t the only reason Joe. Our limited operating experience has shown me we can only make a dent in elminating plastic waste the way things are now. So it’s all or nothing! We have to go balls to the wall!” Joe was shocked to hear Dr. O use a street phrase. Chapter Two
At times the team of scientists and the company personnel would nearly reach a breaking point from the long hours worked on this almost sacred mission. Dr. O. was the worst offender for breaking the rules needed to remain healthy. Sometimes Joe had to bring in a doctor to dope up O and force him to rest.
This mad pace went on for almost a year, then one day O. called for a meeting. Everyone in the company was ordered to attend the gathering. He stood in front of his group of scientists holding a box. Dr. O. had the familiar lopsided smile and blazing eyes leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind he had solved the problem.
He held the container with his arm thrust in the air like a champion golfer, or baseball pitcher, maybe a basketball player or something. Then he lowered his arm and opened it. Out came two Eco-X with approximately the same structure as the original insects. Dr. O, pointed out the major changes.
“ As you can see they have rounded bellies significantly larger to accomodate their, uh, reproductive organs. The female of the species on the right has a larger belly and set back to allow for egg production. In the beginning they will have four reproductive cycles producing two off spring, one female, one male. When the Eco-X population has grown large enough to satisfy the world’s needs, the Eco-X will be modified to one cycle to replace themselves. The ECO-X life span has been set for two years so the population will be easily controlled.
“ Their jaws have been enlarged by doubling the number of those razor sharp teeth. Our field data revealed the EcoX’ rate of consuming plastic could be improved with more teeth. If you will form a line everyone will be able to study our new creature.”
O. and the crowd was astonished when the male Eco-X suddenly jumped the female and began wildly humping her. A scientist standing close to the pair quickly scooped up the male Eco-X and placed it back in the box. O. was upset and annoyed by the snickering of some employees.
“Needs work,” he mumbled as he walked out. Joe was deeply troubled by the incident it was exactly the control problem he feared. He entered O.’s office and began to plead with him to stop his research. Public demand be damned he said, let’s go back to the sure production with embryos.”
Flattery will definitely work to inflate the ego, causing delusions of greatness and, well, distortion of reality. O. was human and he was susceptible like anyone else to adoration.
“It’s only a minor glitch Joe, I can fix it.” he replied. This response angered Joe. “ Stop now doc, have you forgotten your own respect for Nature and its power? What happened today with your new model was a damned good example of the unexpected”
Dr. O. was too far down the road of commitment to the wishes of the public to quit while he was ahead. After nearly two hours of impassioned appeals, Joe gave it up and walked out of O.’s office to icy silence.
He returned to the harvesting crew to get away from the madness in the office, and he refused to answer Dr. O’s. calls. Let him find another poor soul to take on the enormous problems the company faces. At the moment, Joe was busy cleaning up a big mess at a large plant producing plastic pellets to be used for injection molding. They were fed into machines cranking out all sorts of plastic products such as toys, bottles, molded parts.etc.
In a move by angry workers determined to do some damage to the company, they broke into the
plant at night. They proceeded to turn on every pellet making machine to full capacity then jammed the controls to stop anyone from turning them off. It was an awesome sight as the pellets poured out of every window and door in the plant. There were rivers of pellets in a variety of colors streaming down city streets burying parked cars. A rank odor from the huge quantity of hot plastic enveloped the town.
Company managers, police, firemen and curious on lookers stood on the fringes of the massive outpouring. None of them had any clue of how to stop the machines since they were jammed and so were the electric power breakers. Engineers studied the problem and unanamously agreed only shuting off the power to the whole county would work to stop the machines.
Joe had to bring the entire population of Eco-X to meet the crisis. Thousands of the little beasts swarmed into the town and had a feast on the easily digestable pellets. There was a cacophony of chirps and burps as they chomped away. It was a sweet sound to the townfolk as one street after another was eaten clean. They didn’t mind the rain showers produced from the banquet,
Joe signaled his harvesting crew to turn on the ultralow frequency sound to recall the Eco-X as soon as the last burp was heard. They were out of the town in minutes. He now had plenty of experience from other clean ups to know the grateful citizens would want to laud them as heroes.
It was always a heartfelt sentiment albeit a short one.
Crisis after crisis kept him busy on the road until his harvesting crew rebelled. Enough already they told him and what good was the extra money if they couldn’t spend it? It wasn’t a difficult decision for him. He needed them, so a paid month off was decreed, home office be damned.
Three days into the time off as Joe was packing to fly over to Switzerland for two weeks of skiiing, Dr. O entered his place without knocking.
"I haven't received a letter of resignation from you so I assume you are still working for me. Correct me if I have missed something Joe."
"Taking some time off O after a month of a brutal harvesting schedule is actually overdue. By the way, the harvesting crews have been financing the company's operation. No thanks required. The crew is as tired as I am so we're taking a month off with pay. Okay?"
DR O and the ECO-X Page 1
