by Ben Brown
Oscar entered the room first and offered a greeting in the local dialect. Then he introduced the two men in English. “This is Victor Martinez and James Jacobson. These are two of the men who saved Mary and Elisa.” Oscar gestured towards the two men.
A large, regal looking man broke away from the group and strode over to the three.
Martinez held out his hand, ready to shake.
Bosede knocked Martinez’s hand away as he reached him. Instead, he pulled Martinez into a hug. Martinez felt like a child being embraced by some overbearing relative.
Bosede then turned his attention to Jacobson; he gestured to his injured arm as he backed away from the impending hug.
Bosede acknowledged the man’s injuries and instead offered his hand for a shake. Jacobson took it — his hand looked tiny in comparison.
“Gentlemen, I owe you the world. Mary and Elisa are my only daughters, and they are my most precious treasures,” Bosede began in a loud, deep, booming voice. “I can never repay you, and I will always be indebted to you.
“Come see my two jewels, they wish to thank you again.” He turned and gestured with his large hand towards the group of men. The group quickly parted to reveal two beds; a daughter lay in each.
In between the beds sat doctor Annan, his hip flask clutched tightly in his right hand. He raised it in a salute.
Jacobson laughed and looked at Martinez. “I really like that man — he’s my kind of guy.”
The two friends approached the beds. Mary looked in good shape, but Elisa looked tired and in pain. Her jaw was wired shut and her face covered in stitches and bruises. She looked like she had gone through hell.
Martinez couldn’t imagine how horrific her treatment had been without anesthetic. If I get out of this in one piece, I’ll make sure this place gets fully equipped, he thought to himself. He smiled at Elisa; she acknowledged him with a weak wave.
“Where is the other one who saved us? Where is Zac?” Mary asked as she tried to look past the two.
“Where are the others? Why are there only you two?” Tears formed in her eyes. “Please don’t say they’re dead.”
“No, Matt and Jason are safe — I think. The last I heard they were hiding out in the jungle awaiting our return. As for Zac — well — he’s been captured I’m afraid. The last we heard he was still alive, but we can’t be sure of his condition.”
Mary began to cry.
Jacobson moved across to her and took her hand. He patted it reassuringly. Jacobson cut Martinez a disapproving look, then turned back to Mary.
“Look, Mary, I know Zac. He’s been in worse positions than this one,” he said comfortingly. “He’ll be fine. Besides, Martinez and I will be heading back to help him soon — by daybreak, hopefully.”
Mary’s tears began to abate as she regained control.
“You have no chance against those people. You are heavily outnumbered; you’re going to get yourselves killed,” Bosede said, as he stroked his daughter’s head with his large hand.
“We’re going back in. We have to,” Martinez said with sheer determination in his voice. “We’re not leaving Zac to that maniac. We won’t stop even if it costs us our lives. Zac would do the same for us.”
“Okay — I didn’t say you had to abandon your friend. I simply meant, you need help. We, and by ‘we’ I mean me and the other elders, have decided to help.” The other men nodded in agreement. “We have had enough of that evil man terrorizing our people. We have all agreed to make a stand, we need to fight.”
“Thank you for your support,” Jacobson said as he rejoined Martinez. “But I don’t think you quite understand what we’re up against. Dominic and his people are psychotic and violent beyond belief. Martinez and I have been soldiers for many years, and we have never encountered anyone like these people. They’re relentless.”
“We understand what these people are like; they have been torturing us and killing us for a year now. We have a choice; we can sit back and do nothing, while they rape and kill our children, or we make a stand and fight back. Either way people will die. This is the Congo my friend.” He gestured wide as if to include the entire country. “We have seen war and cruelty here for many years and we are used to it. Now, we have had enough.
“These are the elders from all the surrounding areas and every single one of them has united to fight this man. This has never happened before. We are united, and we will stand against him, with or without your help.”
All the men in the group began to chant, “Bosede, Bosede, Bosede …”
Bosede held up his hand. The crowd instantly fell silent.
“So it comes to this. You are highly trained and skilled warriors, we are not. Without your help, more of our people will die than is needed. You and your friends in the jungle are only four men. Without our help the chances of you succeeding is slim. But with our numbers and your skill, we may be victorious. We must drive Dominic from our midst; he is a parasite that weakens our people with every day that passes. Soon we will be too weak to fight. Our people will be too afraid to oppose him — it must be now or never!”
Martinez looked at Bosede, and then at his daughters. He knew Bosede was right, it would be suicide to attack without large numbers.
He turned to Jacobson. “What do you think, James? Bosede has a point. We would stand little chance of success without them.”
James nodded slowly. “They know what they’re getting into, and we could do with some help. Plus, their knowledge of the area would be an advantage. I say we team up and give that cocksucker a run for his money.”
“I agree. Let’s do this!
“Bosede, how long will it take you to assemble your men?”
“Our men are already waiting just outside the boundaries of the hospital. I would say we have about five hundred warriors. We are not well armed, but we are determined; and we know the jungle well. We will follow you no matter what the result.”
“Hold on, hold on,” Annan shouted from the rear of the crowd. “I think this is all getting way out of hand.”
He forced his way through the group and stood between Bosede and Martinez. “Do you realize what you are proposing? It will be a bloodbath! Are you all crazy?” He looked from one man to the other.
“This region has had its fill of death over the past twenty years and now you’re proposing an attack on a heavily fortified and armed stronghold. Are you all insane? I can’t allow it!”
“The decision isn’t yours to make, doctor. Look at my daughter! How many people have you treated over the past year with injuries like these, and worse? Dominic’s attacks are becoming more frequent and more violent. We must make a stand.”
Annan looked at the big man’s battered daughter and sighed. “You’re right, the attacks have gotten worse. I know it is time to defend ourselves. I also know this is going to happen whether I like it or not.” Annan straightened up. “Very well, I will prepare for the casualties. Oscar can ferry the injured here in his chopper.”
Everyone looked at Oscar.
“Sure — no problems. I’ll do whatever I can to help. After all, I feel like this is partly my fault; I flew most of those fucking lunatics in here.” Oscar choked back tears.
“Oscar this isn’t your fault,” Bosede said reassuringly, “you weren’t to know. None of us blame you; you have always been kind and respectful of us.”
Oscar cuffed away his tears and nodded; he even managed a weak smile.
“Okay, we need to get to work,” Martinez said. “Bosede, you get your men assembled here as quickly as you can. We’ll hike back to Dominic’s camp — it shouldn’t take us long.”
Bosede nodded in agreement.
Jacobson smiled and said, “So, in less than twelve hours, Dominic is going to get one hell of a wakeup call.”
Bosede shouted to some young men who had been listening outside. They promptly ran off at a full sprint.
“I have told them to spread the news and to get our men here as fast as they can.
Soon, this place will be full of our strongest men.”
The group began to sing in their native language. Bosede joined in — even Mary and Elisa seemed cheered by the song.
Oscar whispered to Martinez and Jacobson, “They’re singing about the glory of battle and the approaching victory over their enemies.”
“I hope they’re right,” Martinez said apprehensively, “because this battle isn’t won yet. I hope we’re doing the right thing, I guess only time will tell.” He had never felt so anxious before a battle. Then again, he had never had so much riding on its outcome.
24
Jane Sinclair stood next to a building that seemed completely out of place with the rest of the village. It stood surrounded by jungle, at the extreme end of the settlement’s boundaries. Its position meant it was almost impossible to spot from anywhere in the village.
The building measured almost three hundred feet square and thirty feet high. Except for the vents that lined the tops of each wall, there were no visible openings of any kind. Its smooth black surface made it look remarkably like a crypt that might house the corpses of an immensely rich family.
A slight humming sound could be heard from the vents as the air-conditioning within struggled to control the building’s temperature, humidity, and air quality.
Two large doors stood at the front of the structure; these reached almost to the top of the building, stopping only a few feet from the roof. The doors themselves blended in to the building perfectly, making it difficult to distinguish them from the rest of the wall’s surface. Their design made it all but impossible for them to be opened by force. The only blemish that could be clearly perceived was a retinal scanner, which Sinclair stood next to.
It had been five hours since Dominic ordered the activation of the device inside the black building. The hour was late and Sinclair was tired; nevertheless, she still stood patiently awaiting Dominic’s arrival. She was used to this — Dominic liked to keep people waiting; he felt it gave him an edge. However, his mind games didn’t work on her; she’d stood there for five hours and could quite easily stand there for five more. It was this kind of patience which made her a brilliant reporter — and negotiator.
Another hour passed before Dominic finally strolled casually towards the building. Since the battle Dominic had clearly found the time to clean himself up; now cleanly shaven, he wore a crisp and spotless white suit.
Sinclair, still in the clothes from the battle, did not let her irritation show.
“Hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long; I was famished, so I had a bite to eat and a shower.”
Sinclair knew Dominic was no more troubled by his lateness than she; however, it was wise to play along with his fake apology.
“Not at all Dominic, the time has passed quite quickly — are you ready to inspect the unit?”
Dominic nodded. “Absolutely. Please, would you do the honors?”
Dominic gestured towards the retinal scanner which protruded from the wall.
Sinclair nodded, and placed her eye against the device.
With a hiss of pressurized air, the doors began to swing slowly open.
* * *
The two young scientists who’d been working feverishly turned to look at the doors as they opened.
“Now remember, Chester. Watch what you say to Dominic — I don’t think we can trust him.”
“What are you talking about? Dominic is a scientist; of course he can be trusted. I’m sure he will listen to my concerns about the unit — and indeed this program.”
Josh grabbed Chester by the arm as he looked, franticly, at the opening door.
“Please, Chester, keep quiet, Dominic’s deranged — I think he’s dangerous. Please don’t say anything.”
Chester snatched his arm away as he watched Dominic and Sinclair entering the airlock; the large outer doors shut behind them. Dominic and Sinclair stood in silence as clean sterile air replaced the air within the airlock.
* * *
Dominic looked at Josh through the clear doors. “Josh seems jumpy; how long has he been like this?” His eyes were fixed on the nervous young scientist.
“He’s been jumpy for a while; I think he’s worked out what you’re up to. He’s not the problem though, it’s Chester — we can’t intimidate him, he simply doesn’t get it. He thinks he can leave whenever he wants — and I think he wants out.”
“I see,” Dominic said. There was a danger in his voice which she recognized. She smiled as the doors opened; Dominic smiled too. He approached the two young friends as Sinclair held back.
“How are things progressing, gentlemen?” He walked past the two waiting scientists, heading straight for the large device in the middle of the room.
“Th … things are going great, Dominic,” Josh stammered as the two followed him towards their creation. “The husk is developing nicely; it should reach maturity within twelve hours.”
“Good, I’m pleased to hear that.”
“Excuse me, Dominic,” Chester piped, “but I feel I must point out the issues we are having with the husk. I think it’s in a great deal of pain — I think we should halt this test. As I have said before, I think we are some years away from doing full body cloning. This technology was meant for organs — not whole humans.”
“W-what Chester means is — we have encountered some issues — nothing big however, we are compensating. Everything should be ready for you when needed,” Josh said nervously.
Chester turned to his friend with a confused look on his face.
“That’s not what I meant; this project should be shut down until we can further develop our procedures and equipment. I see no need to rush in this way — if this fails then we have accomplished nothing. All we need is a little more time.”
Dominic stared at the large glass cylinder that towered above him. He seemed transfixed by its contents.
The device was primarily an enlarged version of the one they had built to grow body parts; however, there were some differences. At the base of the glass cylinder sat the main Bio-encoder, this took D.N.A. and stem cells and encoded them to create a heart, or a leg — even a living being.
Located above the Bio-encoder sat the maturation chamber. This consisted of a large reinforced glass cylinder which contained the Bio-conductive gel. The gel had been conceived and created by Josh; it allowed electrical and biological data to pass through the semi-permeable outer membrane of the husk using osmosis. Everything the husk required passed to it this way; nutrients, stem cells, D.N.A, and, of course, nanites.
The creation of the husk was the result of the friends’ combined genius. Inside the husk lay ‘the sack’. The sack contained an inert bio-receptive material which possessed all the characteristics of a living organism, except it contained no D.N.A. If they implanted D.N.A. and stem cells into the sack from the same source, the encoder would manipulate the husk into whatever was required.
In its raw state, the husk resembled a large jellyfish, transparent and shapeless. The only thing that could be discerned within the husk and the sack was the inactive nuclei, which awaited the D.N.A. The nuclei sat at the exact center of the husk — a single white sphere with the potential to become any living thing on the planet.
Dominic had made some changes of his own to the device. He’d incorporated a nanites production unit; this implanted his nanites directly into the husk, ensuring control of the clone once completed.
Dominic stared at the husk, which was well on its way to maturity. While the husk was still transparent, it had already started to grow arms and legs.
The beginnings of a rudimentary head had also formed; it lacked features, but a brain could be seen through its transparent outer layer.
In addition, the beginnings of bones and a circulatory system were apparent. Dominic could see the heart beating as it pumped its nanite-filled blood around the newly formed body. The image was completely intriguing to him.
Suddenly, and without warning, the husk slammed itse
lf against the glass. It began to writhe and thrash violently within the chamber.
Startled, Dominic took several steps back; he hadn’t realized the husk could move.
“What’s happening?” he demanded. The two scientists dashed to their workstations and began adjusting settings franticly.
After about thirty seconds, the husk returned to a tranquil state in the middle of the cylinder.
Chester finally answered Dominic. “This is why the project should be terminated. The husk is developing far too quickly; it’s causing errors during the encoding process. Cloning a human should take weeks, not hours. As a consequence, the husk is losing cellular cohesion … it’s dying before we’ve even finished with the encoding. It’s in pain; this is completely unethical and should be stopped.”
Dominic turned slowly to look at Chester; Sinclair began to smile even more.
Josh looked at her — he, too, could sense Dominic’s anger; he quickly placed himself between the two.
“Chester is over-simplifying things somewhat,” Josh said with his hands raised towards Dominic, gesturing for him to stop. “We are able to correct the errors with your nanites. We can assign them to the repairs while the husk continues to mature — it’s not ideal, I agree, but it is working.”
Chester pushed past his friend in an effort to reassert his protests. He clearly sensed none of the dangers that Josh did.
“While your nanites are repairing some of the degradation, it would be impossible to repair it all. The viability of this clone, once out of the maturation chamber, would be extremely limited.”
“How limited are we talking?” Dominic growled.
Chester still seemed blind to his intent. “The clone’s cellular structure would begin to degrade the second it was out of the chamber. Death would occur within twenty-four to thirty-six hours.”
Dominic returned his gaze to the chamber. “That is all I need. Continue with the project and …”
