Extinction Cycle: Dark Age Box Set | Books 1-4

by Smith, Nicholas Sansbury

  “Do it,” Kate said.

  She headed straight to the lab. A few of the chromatography machines were still humming and clicking as the pumps and injectors siphoned various samples through their lines.

  Ron joined her a few minutes later, and they reviewed the data Leslie had told them about.

  By then, the last of the chromatography runs had finished, which would give them some insight into the properties of the compounds they had identified in the Chimera’s tissues.

  “I want to cross-reference every active molecule and chemical compound we find in the biopsied tissues with a known list of pharmaceuticals and biological agents,” Kate said. “If you find any matches, let me know.”

  “We’re going to see if any suspicious compounds help us pinpoint a research group responsible for developing them, right?”

  “You’ve got it,” Kate said. She scrolled through the analytical results on the computer. “Any matches might tell us the original companies or institutions where these compounds were produced.”

  “I’m on it,” Ron said.

  They each worked at computers, side-by-side, poring over the results. It took several hours for the automated database search to return their queries. While Kate found matches for a few of the molecules, she discovered several with no known matches.

  Ron came up with a similar list.

  “Doesn’t look like anything we’ve seen before,” he said. “There’s no way to tell where they came from.”

  Kate sighed. “I did find something interesting. See what you think.”

  “I’m all ears,” Ron said, turning away from his computer.

  Kate pointed to a pair of molecules on her screen. The long chain of lines and angles representing bonds between atoms was nearly indistinguishable between the two molecules at first glance. But Kate pointed to a smaller section toward the right end of the chain.

  “The first molecule you see is one of the active components in VX-99,” Kate said. “It confers many of the epigenetic changes that lead to the aggressive nature of the Variants.”

  “Following.”

  “In this second sample, the one we extracted from the Chimera, the last chain of molecules is different,” Kate said. “It’s impossible to say exactly what it does without extensive computational modeling and cellular studies.”

  “But you think that it could be enough to change the molecule’s function so it doesn’t alter the neurological activity of the Variants?”

  “It’s all a theory, but bottom line, yes.”

  She could tell from Ron’s expression that a light had gone off in his head.

  “What you’re telling me is that someone modified VX-99,” he said. “This version turns people into actual super soldiers without destroying their intellect.”

  Kate didn’t want to believe it, but it was hard to deny.

  “This has to be someone who had access to the original VX-99 studies and samples,” she said. “Someone with intimate government connections.”

  Kate tapped on the keyboard, clicking through to another molecule.

  “There are a couple of compounds that look like they were adapted from other government projects. They have a sub-90% similarity match, but it’s certainly enough to connect a few dots,” she continued.

  “Like what?”

  “This one.” Kate pointed to her screen. “It looks similar to an active compound DARPA was working on that can be used in cell targeting for drug delivery. It homes in on very specific cell types, which means that this mysterious VX-99 variant could act much faster on its target.”

  “VX-99 already turned people into monsters in days.”

  “Expediting targeting efficiency could decrease the dosage needed in a host while increasing the targeted signaling pathways.”

  “So a person would change in less than a couple days?”

  “With the right conditions, the first changes would be nearly immediate.”

  “Good God,” Ron said. He pushed away from his computer, slouching in his seat. “This is worse than a nightmare.”

  “There must be some more commonalities we can identify to find out who is responsible.”

  Ron swiveled his monitor back to face him. “I know you’re good with the molecular data, but I’m more of a big picture researcher. We already have tons of data from your past research on what VX-99 does to a human to turn them into a Variant, including anatomical studies. But we don’t have that kind of data for Chimeras.”

  “You’re right. That could be just as helpful. Tell Jacobs we need a full workup on that Chimera they captured. MRI, CT, whatever they got. I want to know what that thing looks like under its skin.”

  Ron picked up their radio to make the call.

  “No, better to keep this one quiet,” Kate said. “Just in case anyone’s listening who shouldn’t be.”

  “Yes, of course.” He started to head toward the door.

  “Wait,” she said.

  Ron looked back.

  “The last report we got back from Ghost said they have a Chimera in their custody, too. See if we can get the same data from the Canadians. The more, the better.

  Ron disappeared into the hall to relay the message, and Kate continued working for another thirty minutes trying to fit the pieces of this scientific puzzle together. She was certain that the spider web of connections they were making would lead to a clue.

  The radio on the lab bench crackled. “Doctor Lovato, are you there?”

  It was Sammy. Her voice was tinged with worry.

  Kate grabbed the radio. “What’s going on?”

  “We’ve got… we intercepted something. Leslie is headed in your direction right now.”

  A minute later, someone pounded on the door. Kate opened it to let Leslie in.

  The woman’s face was red. “We heard it! We finally heard it!”

  “Heard what?”

  Leslie took a deep breath. “They’re in Las Vegas.”

  “Who? The collaborators? Another mastermind?”

  “The Prophet. The New Gods, everything. They’re headquartered in Las Vegas.”

  Kate nearly stumbled backward. “You’re sure?”

  Leslie nodded. “Sammy recorded the transmission. We’re positive.”

  “This could be it,” Kate said. “But you can’t tell anyone. We cannot let this get out.”

  She hung up her lab coat and started to open the door.

  “Go find Ron and tell him and Sammy to wait for me at the Variant tunnels.”

  “Where are you going?” Leslie asked.

  “I need to tell Reed,” she said. “And the president.”

  ***

  Another long day in Calgary had passed without incident. The sound of water dripping echoed through the warehouse far outside the city limits. Banks of sodium lights hung overhead, and pipes ran along the ceiling. Team Spearhead was taking their turn guarding the place, while Dohi and Ace watched Corrin.

  But that was not why Fitz had trouble finding some shuteye.

  “Can’t get a lick of sleep?” Ace asked, his face ripe with bruises and exhaustion.

  Fitz sat up against a crate. “Impossible.”

  “Worried about an attack on Calgary?” Dohi asked.

  Fitz gazed over at Corrin, who had somehow managed to nod off. The Chimera was in the corner of the warehouse, chained and shackled to a bolt in the concrete floor about twenty yards away from them. That was a result of the Canadians’ orders when they had arrived, before the medics had taken General Kamer elsewhere into the outpost for medical treatment with Sergeant Prince. They had left Spearhead and Ghost to watch Corrin out here.

  “Worried about him,” Fitz said, gesturing toward the Chimera. “He got us out of Seattle and saved Kamer. I’m worried the Canadians are going to kill him.”

  Ace flicked a cockroach crawling toward him. “Yup, and it’s a damn shame. I think the guy is being truthful with us, even if he is uglier than my ass.”

  “The Canadians are
right to be suspicious,” Dohi said, voice calm.

  “What? You think he actually called the enemy in?” Ace asked, bushy gray brow raised.

  “No. I just think there’s something we’re missing. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  “If you figure out how they tracked him—or us—I’m all ears,” Fitz said.

  “Maybe a GPS,” Ace suggested.

  “We didn’t find anything on his clothes or on his body,” Fitz said.

  “They might’ve forced one of those devices down his throat or something,” Ace said.

  “No,” Dohi said. “The only GPS trackers small enough to implant in a person or ingest have batteries that don’t last more than a couple days at max, especially with the power required to transmit a signal from Banff to Seattle.”

  Ace opened his mouth to speak, but the sounds of footsteps clattering toward them interrupted him. Fitz scrambled to stand on his blades, and the other two followed suit. Corrin jolted awake.

  The steps echoed in the wide space, until Neilson appeared with Toussaint and Daugherty. Behind them were another ten men, all military. A few gasped when they saw Corrin. Others looked terrified, and Fitz noticed several lift their rifles slightly, like they were ready to shoot Corrin down.

  Fitz swallowed, was this it? Had the Canadians decided to come deal with Corrin and get rid of him?

  Corrin’s innocent, Fitz thought. But will you die trying to protect him?

  “Master Sergeant Fitz,” Neilson said politely. “We got orders from your science team in Houston. They want a full-body workup on Corrin. Medical image, biopsies, all of it.”

  “What for?” Fitz asked.

  “Didn’t say. These men have a truck waiting to transport Corrin in the loading bay. They need to take him to a medical center in the city but want to keep him out of sight. You want us to help with escort duty?”

  Fitz looked at Corrin, then the men. “Yeah, that would be good.”

  He didn’t trust the other Canadians, but his gut told him Neilson was a good man.

  “Brass is anxious to get this thing out of here,” Neilson said. He tossed the keys for Corrin’s chains to Dohi. The Canadians had not even trusted the Americans to hold onto the keys, they were so worried about betrayal. “They’re wondering how long it’s going to be before these New Gods attack Calgary too, especially with the beast so close.”

  Dohi took the keys to Corrin.

  “We’ve kept the guy locked down, under guard, and hidden since we got here,” Fitz said. “He hasn’t made a single call and hasn’t once been out of our sight.”

  “I believe you,” Neilson said. “But it would make people feel better to have hard proof that this Chimera didn’t start the attack on Banff. And even more important, that he doesn’t bring the New Gods here, too.”

  Dohi finished unlocking Corrin and helped the Chimera stand. Chains still shackled his wrists and ankles together.

  “He helped us escape that attack,” Fitz said.

  “Yeah, but he’s one of them, and all people know is the attack happened not long after that beast arrived at Banff.”

  “And what do you think?”

  “I don’t know what to think,” Neilson said. “All I know is that I watched most of our people die in a matter of minutes. And now all we can do is watch the walls around Calgary for another attack that you and I both know is inevitable.”

  Fitz understood why the Canadians were nervous. Hell, he wasn’t sure how the collaborators had found Banff, but Dohi was right. Somehow it had to be connected to Corrin.

  “Where are we going?” Corrin asked, a slight tremor in his normal gravelly voice.

  He sounded nervous.

  “We’re just doing some routine exams,” Ace said. “Science team back home wants to know what makes you tick.”

  Corrin eyed the ten military men standing behind Team Spearhead. “You’re not just leading me outside and putting me down like a rabid dog, are you?”

  “Just medical stuff,” Neilson said. “I promise.”

  Corrin nodded, but remained tense. “Fine. I’m used to being a medical experiment.”

  A minute later they were outside the warehouse next to the waiting truck. Ace helped Corrin inside, and Dohi and Fitz jumped up with them. The other ten soldiers piled in around them. Neilson patted the door and started to close it when Fitz reached out.

  “Don’t fuck us,” Fitz said.

  “We don’t betray people,” Neilson said. “You have my word, Master Sergeant.”

  Fitz kept his hand on the door for a moment, then relaxed and Neilson sealed the door.

  The vehicle took off through the streets.

  Fitz peered up through the window to see the Calgary Tower after they passed through the gate into the city. Once a tourist attraction, the structure now served as a military observation deck to oversee the base and its surroundings. He hoped the Canadians would see an attack long before it hit Calgary, but he couldn’t help thinking that the tower could do nothing if the Variants decided to tunnel under the base’s defenses.

  The truck eased to a stop. Fitz readied his rifle again, still suspicious that the Canadians might try something. The door opened, and Neilson gave them a nod to hop out. Ace helped Corrin back out of the truck, while the soldiers formed a perimeter around them at a back entrance to the hospital.

  Standing outside the door, a doctor in scrubs with a head shaved bald looked at them, his piercing green eyes never leaving Corrin. For a second, he said nothing, clearly in shock.

  “Doc, you all right?” Ace said.

  “Jesus,” the doctor started, then blinked as if trying to dispel an illusion. “That thing… oh, God. I never imagined—”

  “We going to do this or not?” Fitz asked.

  “Ah, yes, of course,” the doctor explained. “First up is the CT scan.” He led them into the hospital, nervously glancing back at Corrin as they marched down the corridor, the soldiers flanking them. “We’ll get a three-dimensional look at his skeletal system, along with the anatomical layout of his soft organs. It won’t take very long, but…” The doctor studied Corrin. “Normally, I leave the patient in the machine alone. You don’t want an operator exposed to excess radiation, but is that going to be a problem?”

  “No,” Corrin said with a slight growl, shuffling after them.

  The doctor looked at Team Ghost as if he didn’t believe the Chimera.

  “It ain’t going to be a problem.” Ace tapped the side of his rifle for emphasis. “We’ll be right outside, and he won’t try anything, right?”

  Corrin gave a sad nod.

  The doctor took them into another room off the hall, and the Canadian soldiers waited outside. Inside were two imaging techs, a woman and man each wearing scrubs. Both took steps backward when they saw Corrin, shaking slightly.

  “We’re, uh, going to have to remove those shackles to do this,” the doctor said.

  Dohi followed the doctor’s orders.

  The doctor still watched Corrin suspiciously. But the Chimera didn’t struggle when Dohi and the staff undid his wrist restraints and laid him on the scanning bed of the CT. Once Corrin was settled, they exited the room, joining Team Ghost behind the observation window.

  Through the glass, Fitz watched the bed slide toward the huge donut-shaped CT machine. They waited for nearly fifteen minutes as Corrin’s body traveled through the scanner.

  “We’re all done,” the doctor said. “Quick and, uh, painless, right?”

  Corrin gave the doctor an unamused look through the observation window. The doctor’s two imaging techs entered the CT scan room and escorted Corrin back into the observation room with the rest of them. Ace and Dohi stood beside Corrin, ensuring he didn’t move.

  Images started to populate on the doctor’s computer, processing in real-time.

  “The next test is going to be a few biopsies,” the doctor said. “We’ll head down the hall to an exam room, and—”

  “Wait,” Corrin said.
“I want to see what those assholes did to my body. Can I see?”

  The doctor looked at Fitz for approval, and Fitz gave him a subtle nod.

  “Sure, it, uh, won’t take long. Just a couple more seconds, and the images will be done processing.”

  A black and white three-dimensional model of Corrin’s body appeared on one of the monitors.

  “That’s it,” the doctor said.

  Corrin’s eyes roved over the screen, his bottom lip trembling slightly.

  Fitz scanned the skeletal structure. It didn’t look too different from a normal human’s, except that the ends of each finger and toe were long and pointed and most of the bones appeared thicker. He could see the shadows of the Chimera organs.

  “I’m no doctor, but his organs look pretty similar to a human’s,” Ace said.

  “That’s right,” the doctor said. “Beside the structural differences in his skeletal system, I don’t see many differences.” The doctor traced his finger along the image of Corrin. “Except here. That’s odd.”

  Fitz noticed what the doctor was pointing at. A bright white speck.

  “The contrast indicates this is about the same density as bone, but it is embedded in his muscle,” the doctor said.

  Fitz’s stomach twisted. He looked at Dohi and Ace. “Could that be…?”

  Their expressions told him they all had that same thought.

  “I thought you said a battery wouldn’t last,” Ace said to Dohi.

  Dohi stroked his goatee. “A battery wouldn’t last. But then again, these people have made all kinds of strange biological weapons. Maybe…”

  “It’s my fault,” Corrin grumbled. “Death follows me everywhere.”

  He looked down at his arm, and before anyone could stop him, he tore his left claw into his bicep. Skin peeled away to reveal glistening muscle.

  The doctor stumbled out of the room with his techs.

  Corrin dug into his flesh, howling in pain as he plucked out a metal capsule and pulled it from his flesh. Two small wires snapped off from where they had been attached to his muscle.

  “Stop, Corrin!” Fitz reached out to the creature. His touch seemed to calm Corrin, who wept for the first time since they had captured him.

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. Saliva dripped off his fangs. “Just kill me… just get it…”