Source...
Part 12 (One In a Hundred Million): Recap
Meanwhile, at another undisclosed location, after several long moments measuring, adding ingredients one drop at a time, then twirling the flask between his thumb, Viktor Popov jerked a sharp breath. He watched with anticipation as the liquid slowly separated from its plasma.
Ten years and millions of citizens the head researcher meticulously investigated and documented attempting to identify the mutated virus strain. His head jerked in the direction of Loomey, the lab technician busy at work across the room on an unrelated DNA sequence project.
"Grab records from ICO North for this year." A slow smile soon gained speed before continuing, "hand me the two-way field broadcaster." Viktor's orders shot from his mouth rapidly now.
As soon as Loomey held up the file marked "Classified", Viktor swung his lanky frame around, grabbed his cane, and hobbled toward him; his starched, white coat floating behind.
"What specifically are you looking for, sir?" Loomey spied his supervisor with keen interest before quickly averting his gaze.
"Humanoid male. Aged 50 to 60," Viktor replied hastily. He'd no time to explain. His pulse raced at the implication of his discovery.
He stared at Loomey bewildered who shook his head, then extended his arm. The fragment of life, Viktor repeated internally as he grabbed the confidential file, then walked haphazardly with the aid of his walking stick back to his office situated on the far west end of the compound.
Passing his assistant's desk, he shielded the file and continued into his office without his usual compliment and polite conversation. Her back was turned away from her supervisor, but sensing his presence as usual, she immediately glanced in his direction, but couldn't see the object he was trying to conceal.
Plopping down in his desk chair, he grabbed the speaker phone. Understanding the implication, he surveyed the room. His pulse beat rapidly as he spoke.
"I've identified the DNA marker, XICO99 and the human. One in several hundred million. I can go no further. The next step is yours. I need the human's tissue for the final test. Then, we'll discuss this more."
Viktor waited for a response. But none came.
Frowning, he stared into the communication device. Immediately, the screen flashed blank and stared back as if officially dismissing him. What the hell! Viktor shouted, fuming he'd been disconnected from headquarters.
"Alexis, get in here this moment. My intercom has malfunctioned!" he shouted.
"Sir, there's nothing wrong with the equipment. I'm still connected," his long-time secretary assured him.
Viktor started to respond, but paused as he watched her step back, but not toward the door. Instead, she moved to the opposite side of the room, her head cocked.
"What the hell is this?" he questioned, completely unaware that Alexis was allowed to tap into his conversation, and that his part in ICO's master plan had come to an end.
"Security!," she shouted into the wall's intercom. Within minutes, two ICO security officers burst through the door, lazer weapons pointed at Viktor's head.
Slowly, the realization materialized as he overheard Alexis. "Loomey, you've been promoted."
No sooner than Viktor placed the file on his desk, the sea green light faded in his Silver Coin. His body slumped across the desk. Alexis smiled as she moved toward Viktor. Lifting his arm, she gathered papers, then retreated behind the officers.
Loomey arrived. Alexis passed the folder to him. Without a word, he backed out of the door and disappeared down the long hall of secrets, turned the corner, input his access code, and stepped into the laboratory.
"It's done." Loomey cast a wicked smile at Alexis as he spoke from the phone.
"The human will be delivered to you by tomorrow," the voice on the other end declared.
Now, Part 13: (An Unforeseen Betrayal)
From ICO North Headquarters, Benedikt Inhumos swirled around in his 50th floor office chair and faced the window. The console flashed green until his enormous eyes behind the mask locked onto the reflection.
Finding the four consumed him.
He bolted from the chair and rushed toward the hidden vault behind the office wall. The opening responded to code embedded in his palm.
There waiting to receive him pulsing was the Silver Coin hanging in front of a portal. The gateway to Omicron Vorsey Planet 9. After reaching Earth, Benedikt applied a simpler name his crew and inner circle humans on board with his mission could adapt to: ICO Bridge Planet 9.
Benedikt stepped through.
On the other side lay Planet 9, a carbon planet in a small solar system with three other planets, had deteriorated drastically since his departure fifty years ago. Now almost devoid of life, a dark atmosphere descended. Decay pounced upon his nostrils, and devastation shrouded his gaze.
Waiting to receive him was Zolgroth, the Supreme Cigol leader. In their language, Benedikt spoke quickly, reassuring him of the breakthrough.
Over six foot, Zolgro sat steely but elegantly, unimpressed at the report. His enormous vacant eyes shuttered rapidly as his two protracted arms gripped the silver throne.
Zolgroth's thin mouth and nose, typical of their mammal race, quivered. His long ears hung to his broad chest, covering small horns that extended to his back. Smooth skin, though very thick and strong rose slightly from beneath covered short hairs as if agitated. What Benedikt feared most was his color change in skin from a mixture of black and orange to gray.
Benedikt peered at his leader's long, thin tail as it swelled and moved rapidly behind the throne. I must tread carefully my next words.
"Fifty years wasted on that insignificant planet. Your extension has reached its limit. Recall our replacements. The planet's species has rejected your method. Infiltration was unsuccessful," the leader commanded disapprovingly.
"A hasty decision, Supreme Leader. The timeline is but a fraction in terms of assimilation we've used in other galaxies. Besides, there's been a major development.""
"We can't risk exposure. Eliminate the planet. "My decision is final," the Supreme Leader issued."
Benedikt shrank back. So close to finding the mutation. He'd no choice but to deliver a deep bow of acceptance and return.
Viktor's eyes were shut; but his mind was wide open as he slumped over his desk. Replaying Alexis' announcement, "Loomey, you've been promoted", and Loomey's eagerness to accept as he spoke with headquarters stabbed at his heart.
Disappointed, Yes. Unexpected, No. He waited until the room cleared.
He opened his eyes slowly, shaking off grogginess in their sockets. Doing so directed his gaze toward the looming figure on the far wall. The Silver Coin. It stared back, crystal clear as if pulsing with the souls of millions encapsulated. Underneath the accompanying silver chain, the words "Pendant of Eternal Life or Perpetual Dread...Your Choice".
It was late summer when Viktor Popov stepped outside the Research Center. Sensing a break in the weather, he pulled his jacket up around his neck. Smirking, he could relate to the nickname, Silver Otherworld Watchtower.
He dared not turn. The guards were watching.
Interdisciplinary Consortium Orbit's (ICO) Research Center. Located in the northernmost part of the hemisphere where coldest, it was mockingly called the "Silver Otherworld Watchtower". The central hub of all activity for molecular diagnostics. Although, citizens suspected cloned humans were manufactured beyond those walls.
A year to build, fifty individual buildings within the stark gray massive compound were crafted from materials unknown to then builders. With its gray granite walls, Silver Otherworld Watchtower possesses a spine-chilling atmosphere: the sophisticated tall guard tower structure enabling a view of the entire hemisphere.
Its position in society was cemented as the premier authority on advancing universal knowledge to equip citizens with resources for future advancement. What the heck that meant was unclear to many. To Amos Goodall, his sister, Annetta, his brother-in-law, Julius, and the rest of the dissenters, it signaled trouble for mankind controlled by the Silver Coin.
"I hope it's not too late. I'll focus on headquarters in due time. Something isn't right with Benedikt." Sensing a change of loyalty in his supervisor, he reached deep into his lab coat and felt the object that would prevent their heinous plans from materializing. Good thing I acted on my suspicions about Alexis and Loomey.
They may have the male human. But without his correct formula, they'll never have the capability to reproduce the strain. Not without his female counterpart.
Viktor turned and headed away from the watchtower toward his vehicle. Plans formulated as he neared the gate.
Two miles from the compound, results of his report surfaced as he remembered the start of his research.
Thirty years ago there were four. Two mating pairs. Shipped from ICO Bridge Planet 9, derailment at the extraction point separated the four experimental subjects.
Instead of mating with their assigned counterpart to produce the virus, the female subjects disobeyed the ICO's directive.
The result. A mutated strain of the virus in the general population. But who and where?
[to be continued]
18 December 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2590: fragment of life
28 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2630: implication
26 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2628: kick him harder
29 January 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2631: discuss this more
4 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2637: mysterious clinic
5 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2638: Did you authorise this?
20 february 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2653: survival of the richest
If you'd like to return to the beginning of my series, here are the previous parts:
Part 9: (Uninvited Guests At the Rebellion)
Part 10 (The Unexpected Confrontation)
Part 12: (One In A Hundred Million)
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
1 What is Stable Diffusion? StarryAI.Com. Online at: https://starryai.com/stable-diffusion