The Bovine Connection

by Kimberly Thomas

  “I agree,” Angelica said as she nodded reflecting for a moment on her career at The Washington Post. Angelica shifted in her seat.

  “Nonetheless,” the doctor continued, “after the murder of my dear friend, I took my new mission seriously. As a facilitator in the institutions, I would teach the academic young minds to call for transparency and reject academia camouflaged as pure.” Dr. Goolrick pushed his glasses back up with his index finger.

  “I became a leader in the research environment. I had finished graduate school, wrote an impressive dissertation, collaborated with excellent teams, published in high-ranking journals and was finally appointed the much sought after position at the University of Colorado as the Department Head and Director of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.” Doctor Goolrick tilted his head back, presenting an air of confidence. “Suddenly, I was in charge with formal power. I made good use of it and never exploited my leadership.”

  “At risk of ending up on the short list, I pursued my personal interest and started down the path of the curious subject of cattle mutilations. In the beginning, it was more of a hobby. I’d research and study the phenomena from a distance, careful not to leak the progress of my hidden hobby, for fear that once it was discovered my progress would be paralyzed by the University. I have observed the genealogy of social misbehavior and how it proliferates like an air-borne disease.” Angelica nodded in agreement while taking a sip of her cabernet. Dr. Goolrick reminded her of a professor from her college days at Georgetown University. She loved the way his mind worked, and the way he spoke with such confidence. Of course, he was much younger and much handsomer than Dr. Goolrick, she thought.

  Dr. Goolrick noticed Angelica’s eyes were vacant, so he cleared his throat. Angelica’s eyes widened. She was back in the present moment. “Please continue,” she said sharply.

  Dr. Goolrick nodded. “So after twenty years of research, I’ve concluded that the precision of the cuts and removal of skin and tissue from the muscle, even if done by one of the best surgeons in the world, would be quite difficult… and the fashion in which the organs were removed, well, impossible. My autodidactic approach to these cases has led me to a myriad of resources, and I have spent a great deal of time studying genetics. After meticulously reviewing and analyzing evidence along with the collaborative efforts of an underground research team of respected scientists from a myriad of specialties, including an astrobiology friend… our conclusion is… If it is not extraterrestrial, well, then there is no explanation.”

  “What is Astrobiology?” Angelica politely interjected.

  “My apologies, I tend to ramble… It’s the professor in me. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, distribution, evolution, and future of life in the universe… extraterrestrial life and life on Earth.”

  “Oh, I see,” she said as she lifted her hand and firmly rubbed it across her eyebrow, wiping away the tiny dots of sweat starting to form on her face. “Is it warm in here?” Angelica asked as she frowned.

  “You look as if you are deliberating, my dear.”

  Angelica was about to say something she never thought she’d say. Angelica leaned in. “I tend to agree with you Doctor,” she whispered.

  He looked at her suspiciously. “You do?”

  Angelica looked around the restaurant, her voice taut with fear. “I think I may be experiencing some sort of contact… And as a serious investigative journalist, I can’t believe I just spoke those words.” Angelica laughed, nervously.

  Dr. Goolrick leaned toward her. “And why do you think that?” he whispered.

  Angelica took a deep breath. “I’ve experienced some strange things, such as dreams of being on a metal table, undergoing medical procedures in a room with strange beings, and waking up feeling physically as if something had really happened to me. The same thing these people in Elberton were reporting, I’m experiencing, as well.” Angelica looked worried, she turned her head to glance around the room. “I don’t know… I just can’t shake the feeling that I am being taken somewhere after I fall asleep. I keep having the same reoccurring dream; however, it is starting to feel more and more real.”

  “Oh my!” Dr. Goolrick uttered in shock.

  “Oh… and Matthew’s friends, Ellen and Blake McKinney… What an interview that was, wow!” Angelica shook her head dramatically. “Well, he’s a retired aeronautical engineer from Newton and is convinced these beings not only exist, but that they are here on Earth with us now. He says they are creating a hybrid race.” Angelica scratched her forehead and laughed as she took another sip of her cabernet. “I sound like a crazy woman.” She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath as she sat her glass back down.

  “That’s very interesting, Angelica.” Dr. Goolrick peered down at his plate and then back up. “Well, since we’re on the subject, I believe that is precisely what some of this is about: genetics.”

  Angelica tilted her head in curiosity.

  The doctor continued, “The genetic code is a set of rules by which information is encoded in genetic material. DNA or RNA sequences are translated into protein, amino acids by living cells. Specifically, the code defines a mapping between codons and amino acids, as I’m certain you’ve learned in school. Because the vast majority of genes are encoded with exactly the same code, this particular code is often referred to as the canonical or standard genetic code, or simply the genetic code… though, in fact, there are many variations. Thus, the canonical genetic code is not universal. For example, in humans, protein synthesis in the mitochondria relies upon a genetic code that varies from the canonical code. The genome of an organism is inscribed in DNA, or in some viruses, RNA. The portion of the genome that encodes a protein or RNA is referred to as a gene. The genes that code proteins are called codons, each coding for a single amino acid, as stated in any science textbook.”

  Angelica interrupted the doctor. “Doctor, I’m trying to follow you but I must confess… I’m a bit confused, much like I was in science class.”

  The doctor laughed loudly, rolling his head back. “That’s not the first time I have heard that statement.” Yet, he continued. “All current life forms on Earth have twenty amino acids in their genetic code. However, most scientists believe that this was not always the case, and that organisms evolved from simpler genetic codes with fewer amino acids.” Dr. Goolrick noticed Angelica was losing interest.

  “Anyway, I will skip to my point.” Angelica nodded and lifted her glass to sip her wine looking up to notice the server with the bottle of cabernet standing beside the table. Angelica sat her glass back down as he refilled it. The doctor placed his hand over his wine glass.

  ”I’d prefer a Cognac.” He glanced up to the server and then looked back at Angelica. “Now stay with me here. The scientific field has discovered something very strange occurring. You see, in the human DNA there are four nucleic acids that combine in sets of three producing sixty-four different patterns of codons. We are discovering humans with twenty-four codons turned on. This is amazing and quite noteworthy… Angelica, human DNA should only have twenty codons turned on and the rest turned off. We are discovering a new race of humans with twenty-four codons activated and that, to say the least, is extraordinary. Humans are popping up everywhere with these additional codons. It is estimated that one percent of the world has this new DNA… Now, that breaks down to approximately sixty million people who are not human by the old, standard criteria. This new human race is becoming immune to disease. They are showing up with foreign DNA, and some believe this could be the future evolution of our species. The children born with this new DNA are already immune to most diseases.”

  Angelica took a sip of her wine, started to speak, then paused and regrouped. “So these new humans could be hybrids, genetically modified like the latest version of some exotic rose? And if I am one of those sixty million, I could be a hybrid too?”

  “That is a simple yet elegant analogy. Yes, you are correct. But, what is happening with the bovine cells is entirely d
ifferent. I’m sure after working with Matthew Tillman, by now you’ve heard the theory that the government is interested in the fact that cattle blood could be used in an emergency blood transfusion with humans. Matthew and I have spoken at great length on this, and while the science is true, I don’t believe the government’s interest pertains to this aspect. The bovine hemoglobin closely matches human blood-- this is correct. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The cattle chromosomes are identical to large sections of human chromosomes, meaning that cattle genes and human genes fall in the same exact sequence on some chromosomes. So the real benefit here is that cattle DNA can be used to fill in the gaps of the genetic sequence codes that do not have enough DNA on the human strand. Since bovine hemoglobin is genetically similar to humans, it could be used to cultivate the egg cells fertilized with extraterrestrial DNA to create a new life form. The bovine hemoglobin -- along with specific areas of soft tissue -- becomes the secret restorative that is critical to the success of such an undertaking.”

  “Really?” Angelica sat frozen with her glass in her hand.

  Dr. Goolrick nodded and continued. “However, I believe this race of non-humans could be using cattle DNA as a food source, as well.”

  Angelica interrupted, almost choking on her sip of wine. She had a wild look in her tired light blue eyes. “So, you don’t believe the cattle DNA is connected to creating hybrids?”

  The doctor shifted in his seat. “I believe it is secondary. The primary purpose, however, is immediate survival in an alien world. Since they allegedly have no digestive system, these glandular substances from the cattle are absorbed through their skin, substances that come from certain mucus membranes: the tongue, genitals, rectum, and other vital organs. The DNA from these areas can be replicated over and over again, thus reducing the amount of donors needed for their food supply. One mutilated animal can produce enough food source to sustain these creatures for an extended period of time. Humans have actually used this same technology for over a decade now.

  One neonatal foreskin taken from a baby that has been circumcised can be replicated into six football fields of living human dermis. This product has been FDA approved and used on patients with chronic wounds for years. Unless you had a diabetic foot ulcer that didn’t heal with conventional therapy, you probably wouldn’t know anything about it.”

  Careful not to sound condescending, Angelica questioned the doctor. “Please accept my apologies if I sound rude, but how do you know all of this?”

  “Let’s just say… within my underground research group there are a few in-the-know” he cocked his head to one side and ran his finger along his bottom lip.

  Angelica’s body instantly tensed as she observed his body language. She wondered who comprised the underground research team.

  Dr. Goolrick cleared his throat. “Now that they have an abundant food supply, they are able to complete their primary objective. They are creating hybrids by combining their DNA with human DNA. It is their version of test tube babies.”

  Angelica interrupted him. “Dr. Goolrick, with all due respect, this underground group you spoke of… Is there someone who might possibly have inside information that, let’s say… the general public would not be privy too?” The doctor looked at Angelica sincerely as he shook his head. Angelica understood he wasn’t about to give her specific names and sources no matter how big his ego was. Angelica smiled respectfully and nodded.

  “I would suspect this research and replication takes place in some sort of laboratory on their crafts.

  At this time, I cannot make a theoretical connection, and it definitely is causing mass confusion with our underground research, but we have concluded there are two different races at work here, and whereas one race could allegedly blend in with the population, it’s speculated that the other could not.

  Angelica sat back in her chair. “Complicated, yet fascinating… and quite scary, Doctor!”

  Her words lingered in his head. “Yes, it is rather alarming to consider what this may mean for the human race. Their ultimate agenda is still unknown. Is it benevolent or malevolent? Your guess is as good as mine.”

  Dr. Goolrick looked around the room and then leaned in closer to Angelica… “But if you can continue to piece this together through your investigation you may be able get this out to the general public in a manner that is palatable for them. At any rate… now you know the bovine connection.”

  The doctor smirked then leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his brandy. Angelica sat there for a minute examining the doctor’s confident body language. She looked bewildered as she thought about the cattle sucked into the sky, and then she envisioned the non-human beings using their blood and raw organs as food. The thought gave her the jitters. Then she remembered her dream with the human fetus in the tube of fluid.

  Suddenly Angelica remembered the voicemail. Why had she not been more concerned over it? That was a question she was now seriously analyzing. “You know, Doctor, I received a strange voicemail while in Elberton. It was from a man… he said I may be in danger, and that I needed to meet with him as soon as I was back in D.C. He said he would leave a note with instructions under the front door of my townhouse.”

  Dr. Goolrick sat straight up. “I don’t know about that, Angelica! That call worries me!” The doctor’s voice grew grave. “Apparently, you’re in deeper than I realized. You’re probably being followed as we speak, and it may be a rogue splinter of the government. Our mutual friend Matthew is convinced that they will use any means possible to quiet those who speak about this. You need to be very alert.”

  The doctor slowly looked around the restaurant, as if he were profiling each person. A man sitting with two women looked back at him inquisitively. “Angelica, watch everything and everyone from this point forward,” he whispered, as he turned back around.

  This wasn’t the first time she had heard of a shadow government. First it was Blake McKinney, then Paul Colbeck, and now Dr. Goolrick. Her mind raced. It was hot in the restaurant again, she thought.

  Angelica adjusted in her seat and felt the moisture in her armpits. “There were also rumors in D.C. of such a group.” she paused. Dr. Goolrick sat silently, watching Angelica bite down on her thumb nail nervously with a blank stare.

  “Yes, those rumors are true. Are you all right, Angelica?”

  She felt as if she were coming undone. Her head had started to tingle. “If I proceed with this story, it means I could be putting myself in danger. But I’ve never quit a story before, and most of them involved writing about something that at least one person in a powerful position didn’t want known.” She took a deep breath and probed his eyes for a response. She decided, right then and there, that she’d keep going regardless of the risk involved. “My satchel with my laptop and files was stolen on the flight today.”

  Dr. Goolrick nodded. His face was flat. “The question is: who took it and why?”

  Angelica looked at the doctor, puzzled. “Yes, I agree. This story may be more than I bargained for.” Angelica hesitated for a moment. “But I can’t turn back now. Well, how could I?” Her eyes shifted into a blank stare and she chewed at her bottom lip. “I have to know everything. Why the hybrids?” Angelica stared Dr. Goolrick straight in the eyes. His eyes appraised her as she raised her hands and clenched her fingertips under her chin. “What’s the connection with the government? Doctor, I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s a reason I’m covering this story and my gut tells me to keep moving forward.”

  “Do you live alone?” he asked out of the blue.

  “Yes.” She frowned as her face went ashen. She swallowed hard.

  The doctor smiled sincerely. “You are a brave woman.”

  After Angelica charged their dinner to her room, they both rose from the table and walked out into the hotel lobby.

  “You have my work number,” he told Angelica. “Please stay in touch.”

  The doctor took out a business card from the insi
de of his jacket pocket. “Here’s my cell number; if you can’t reach me on it, call the university and they’ll page me.”

  Angelica extended her hand and took the card. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  She watched the doctor as he walked out the lobby doors and then she walked over and stepped into the empty elevator. Leaning back against the wall, she closed her eyes, reflecting on the evening. The interview with Dr. Goolrick had zapped the last bit of energy she had and she just wanted to sleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Laughter erupted in the hallway outside her door. Angelica opened her eyes to the sound. She stretched her arms out in bed feeling rested, and then pulled the sheet back as she sat up and planted her feet on the floor. She let out a horrified gasp at the sight of blood on the white sheets. She suddenly felt a sharp pain and grabbed the back of her neck. The pain ran down her shoulders and into her back causing her knees to buckle.

  As she lowered her arm, she noticed a raised area of skin on her forearm. She examined it closely. Right above her wrist was a rectangular shaped object under her skin. Shocked, she gasped and raised her hands to her face, the tips of her fingers covering her open mouth.