5.
The assassin from his black sedan had watched Emily exit her car and head for the entrance of the laboratory complex. He was satisfied that she did not suspect that someone had been trailing her as she had driven down to the lab.
“It did not do for the prey to become suspicious too soon before the kill”, he mused to himself. The time frame from when the deer realized that a predator was stalking it to when life was stuffed out of its body in nature was most times too short. But that was the beauty of the hunt.
Not that he had expected her to notice. He had taken down bigger predators in the past. Preys who had a heightened sense for danger, sixth sense as was normally referred to, and yet none of them had smelt death till he the predator had closed in. He was an artist that took pride in the process.
He frowned at himself. Just moments ago, he had almost used the switch blade in his pocket for the kill. The lion didn’t need a weapon to subdue the deer, the lion itself was the weapon. The agent nature uses, to carry out its ghastly business. Just like Judas Iscariot in the bible he thought, someone had to do the dirty work. The lion, Judas, himself were all tools. Tools who moved by divine compulsions. He couldn't control it, same way Judas could not have avoided betraying Jesus, or a Lion controlling the urge to take down a prey. It was fate.
He watched Emily chat with the security guard. He couldn’t hear what they were saying from where he was parked. The security guard presented a fresh problem, but the assassin was not worried. The more obstacles the bigger the glory he reasoned. He checked his phone for the layout of the complex which had been sent to him by his employers. He studied it diligently for a minute, taking in every minute detail. When he was done, and looked up, Emily had already entered the complex. He got to work.
Reaching back to the back seat, he collected a transparent plastic bag that lay on the seat. From the bag, he pulled out an all-white overall, and within moments, the assassin who had previously been clad in black was transformed. He had transformed himself into an aging scientist. He studied his reflection in the mirror which hung over-head and made some adjustments. When he was done, he exited his car and walked towards the complex. The security guard eyed him as he approached.
“Identification pass”, he said as the assassin came to stand beside him. The assassin could smell the fragrance of the prey. “They all smelled alike”, he thought.
He produced an identification card from his pocket and handed it to the guard. The guard combed over it meticulously. He typed in the id number into the small monitor that protruded from the corner of the wall. The screen flickered to life and beeped.
“Here to see Dr. Harris”, he asked. The assassin nodded. The security guard eyed him again as if uncertain of something. “hold on”, he finally said after what seemed like eternity.
He reached into the intercom, and began dialing a number. “security protocol”, he said, giving off a fake smile while his eyes remained glued on the assassin. The assassin casually moved his hands and allowed it rest on his side, feeling the switch blade beneath the overall he was wearing. The intercom beeped again.
“Dr. Harris?”, the guard inquired.
The person on the other side of the line was scrambling with something, the guard repeated his question.
“Dr. Harris?”
This time the man on the other end answered. “Dr. Harris here, what’s going on Phillip”, the voice answered once he had recognized who was speaking.
“Are you expecting a visitor?”
“Pardon?”
“Someone”, the guard fumbled with the id in his hands, “I have a person here, who claims to be Dr. Reginald. Says you have an appointment with him”
Another guard began approaching the two men. This guard was carrying a semi-automatic rifle. The assassin began to mummer a silent prayer.
“Dr. who?”
“Reginald”
There was a characteristic silence on the other line as if the person was checking through a file. It took a moment but the intercom buzzed again. The assassin was now beginning to sweat slowly.
“Yes, Dr. Reginald”, the voice on the other line finally said, sounding a bit puzzled. “please send him in”. With that, the line went dead.
The assassin allowed his hands to relax. You can go right in the guard announced. The other guard had now reached where both of them had stood before. The assassin who was about crossing the sliding doors could hear the two men conversing.
“Funny how this guy put on a lab overall from home”, the other guard who held the rifle and was now looking at the door was telling the guard who had just allowed the assassin slip through.
Thankfully, when the assassin entered the complex Emily was conversing with a colleague. He had been worried that by the time he managed to enter the complex, if he had managed to, Emily would have been out of sight. She began moving as soon as he had entered and he followed her closely. She entered an elevator and he paused, pretending to study the huge poster on the wall which had letters sprawled across it in a very huge font size.SCIENCE IS THE NEW RELIGION“sacrilege”, he thought.“Forgive them lord for they know not what they do.”He looked up at the small led display which indicated the floor the elevator was headed.Third floor.When the light changed to green, he quickly moved in and pushed the open button. He stepped in. As the doors were preparing to shut a young boy who he guessed was an intern rushed in blushing slightly. He eyed the assassin briefly before entering the elevator. The boy pushed the button and the doors hissed to a close.“Third floor ehn?”, he asked, but
Evading the receptionist was a matter of formality. The lounge was structured in a manner that the doors which led into Emily's lab was facing away from the reception stand. As the assassin exited the elevator, he walked up to the reception desk. A number of people were in the lounge presumably waiting for a scientist to come out of one of the huge doors. No one paid him any attention."Hello, waiting to see Dr. Thomas", he said flashing his best smile. The girl nodded absentmindedly as she punched something into a computer.He prayed that some stupid doctors name would be Thomas. He had made up the name at that instant. His prayer was answered when she replied."Wrong floor", she said and began giving him instructions on how to locate the imaginary Dr. Thomas. That was all he needed."Thank you", he replied and moved away. The girl barely looked up from her screen, apparently she was engrossed in some kind of movie playing on her phone. He was certain that she would not recognize his
A while ago, just after Emily had arrived at the complex, the air had buzzed with anticipation as a group of wide-eyed children, backpacks slung over their shoulders, entered the high-tech science research complex. Their excitement was palpable, a vibrant energy that mirrored the sleek, futuristic environment that enveloped them. Led by their enthusiastic teacher, Mr. Anderson, and a knowledgeable guide named Dr. Reynolds, the kids embarked on an excursion into the world of cutting-edge scientific discovery.As the group crossed the threshold into the facility, the children marveled at the sleek glass walls and the hum of machinery that surrounded them. The facility was a labyrinth of innovation, a testament to the boundless possibilities of science. The children's faces lit up with curiosity, their eyes flitting from one marvel to the next."Wow, look at that giant microscope! What can you see with it?" exclaimed Jake, a spirited boy with untamed curls.Dr. Reynolds, a seasoned scien
A year ago, within the Turner household. Dr. Emily Turner, the brilliant geneticist who was on the verge of a groundbreaking research opportunity, stood in the kitchen in her home, the aroma of fresh coffee mingling with the bittersweet fragrance of impending separation.She had made up her mind that if she was to finish up her research, then he needed to go to a place with a better research facility. This decision had come with the condition that she might have to leave her family behind for at least a year. It had taken a year and half for the facility to approve her proposal and financial grant needed to continue her work.Her husband, James had moved around the room that morning with a sense of quiet purpose, his eyes betraying the heaviness of the moment. Their four-year-old son, Ethan, oblivious to the weight of impending farewells, played with his toy cars on the living room floor, blissfully unaware that his world was about to shift.Emily, was wearing her crisp white lab coat
1.When Emily recovered from the shock waves that had rippled through her body, she tried to speak. She was sprawled on the floor of the lab from the bolt of electricity that had been run through her system.Making an effort to catch her breath, she said, "What..what do you want from me?" The assassin who was now watching her with a deadly intent was fixing some kind of mechanical device. Slowly coupling the instrument into place. She could only wonder what it would be used for.She looked at him again, she could tell that the device was taking longer than it should have from the slight frustration that showed in his face. In a moment, his eyes had drifted from her for an instant. Emily used the split second to glance at the emergency button that was positioned beneath the counter top on the second row of laboratory tables. She wondered if she could reach it if she ran. The assassin was murmuring something under his breath. It sounded like the lords prayer to her, but she was not cer
Dr. Harris was looking puzzled as he discussed with the guard who had contacted him about forty minuted ago."Wait, you haven't seen him? He went in about forty minutes ago"Dr. Harris was becoming irritated, "I haven't seen anyone Philip". "A moment please", the guard said. He began barking orders into the device in his hands."Maybe he got lost somewhere, I've asked officer Hernandez to locate him, just be patient Dr.", the guard smiled. This Godforsaken complex that was built like a maze he wondered, even the architect who drew this design was bound to get lost.The device on the guard's belt buzzed and he lifted it calmly."Any news?""Negative sir. Err should we search the security feed?", the officer on the other line inquired. Officer Philip was reluctant to blow a case of a missing scientist out of proportion. He responded, "I don't think that will be necessary yet". Then an idea popped into his head. He walked to place Dr. Harris had moved to. He was talking with another sci
The resulting pandemonium that followed, happened rapidly. Officer Philip ordered all exit shut down and placed the complex on red alert. My God, I hope this man is truly the person he claims to be, but even he knew he was lying to himself. Two officers who had just finished their shifts and was about to depart the complex caught his eyes."State of emergency boys", officer Philip called out as he hurried towards them. The two men looked puzzled."What you saying cap?"Officer Philip repeated himself, this time with a sense of urgency, "There's been a development boys, I need all hands on deck. A rouge has somehow found his way into the complex. I need all the hands I can get". The two men didn't seem too pleased to be giving up their sleep time. Philip did not care less."Dammit", he muttered and reached for his intercom. He had forgotten to ask officer Hernandez to begin checking the security feed. He blurted out a series of rapid instructions. "Yes cap", The person on the other
Dr. Alexis Monroe's lab was an intricate dance of stainless steel and humming machinery, a testament to the boundaries she pushed in the realm of genetic engineering. Under the sterile glow of overhead lights, Alexis meticulously worked on her latest creation – a crocodile-snake hybrid, its sleek scales blending seamlessly with the crocodilian armor. From beneath the razor sharp teeth, the two forked reptilian tongue of a snake curled in and out in a hissing fashion.The creature, nestled in a secure enclosure, moving with a sinuous grace that defied the traditional boundaries of the animal kingdom.Her colleague, Dr. Mark Thompson, a fellow genetic engineer, observed the captivating blend between biology and technology from across the lab. Mark's eyes sparkled with a mixture of admiration and curiosity as Alexis adjusted the parameters on a control panel, fine-tuning the genetic composition of the hybrid."Alexis, this is incredible. The intricacy of the genetic splicing is beyond an
Monte Pizzaro wrapped the black rosary gently in his palm and made the sign of the cross. He had been watching the designated window for an hour now. He sucked air into his nostrils in a controlled manner and exhaled after holding for a few seconds.This was a part of his preparation routine. Monte recalled how the events of the night had panned out. Not so bad he reasoned, except the prey had somehow found a way to survive despite the skills of the predator. He pulled his sleeves up and studied the engraving on his watch."If we are not monsters, then we are food"Tonight however, Monte knew he was no food. He remembered the numerous times in his past life when he had been weak. The times when he had been food to the hungry predators of the world."Not tonight", he thought, "Not forever".Science had to go. Science had been responsible for the loss of his young family. Science had made him weak, it had made him vulnerable, but not anymore. He looked around him at the unsuspecting pas
Toby was seated on a small chair just outside the security check office, waiting for officer Philip who was still talking to another officer.He wondered why he was still being held in the complex when all he wanted to do was be in the hospital. He had to see Emily and seating here waiting, was making him nervous.The news tonight had exploded like as bomb in his head , much like everyone else. Toby had fixed a date this night with a girl he had met at karaoke a few weeks ago, after several rescheduling due to the gruelling demands of working with Emily Turner."This work will change the course of history", he could still recall Emily saying to him. She had made him, or rather he had sacrificed those date nights in order to help her in the laboratory, and now this?Sometimes Toby wondered if he was in-love with the researcher. For Eight long months he had come into the Lab at awkward hours at the request of Emily. "Toby, I know how much of your life you have given up for me. Not that
Roooooooooooar!!!The animal in chains was tugging dangerously at the extra heavy iron chains that secured it neck and feet. This was 900 pound lion-gorrila hybrid. A gorilla with the head of an African lion. The beast pounded its chest angrily and roared again.Earlier that day, and about seven hours before Monte Pizarro had began stalking Emily Turner, Dr. Palmer had been facing this monster of an animal.This special hydrid had been shipped to England by Alexis Monroe. This was one of the flagship of Alexis research work over the years. The use of genetically engineered animals was nothing new at all. For ten years now, certain animals have been engineered to perform certain functions to near perfection.Certain species of worker bees had been modified to produce pure honey in very large quantities in factories, almost without the interference of humans. In Africa, wall geckos twice their normal size had been modified to feed mostly on mosquitoes. This had eliminated the need for t
The person who lay on the hospital bed in the city central hospital when James entered, looked nothing like his wife Emily Turner. Emily who was attacked by multiple modified Indonesian needlefish endured numerous puncture wounds, potentially deeper and more widespread compared to a single normal needlefish attack.On the hospital bed, post operation where Emily lay, she was displayed in a series of stitched and bandaged wounds across her body, especially around her limbs and torso. The overall effect gave off the idea of a badly mutilated rag doll. The kind of thing you might read about or see in a horror movie, but this was no movie, this was the city's central hospital and James was struggling to process the image of the damaged figure he was looking at.Just a few weeks ago, Ethan their son had been excited about the prospect of his mother finally returning home. The house was just not the same without his mother and although his dad performed his fatherly duties to a fault,
Emily Turner's frantic gasps echoed in the tank, her pulse racing in tandem with the alarming thrum of the needlefish tank's filters. She'd been inadvertently locked in, left isolated among the piscine inhabitants that soon turned aggressors."These fishes are naturally peaceful", she thought as she struggled. "This aggressive behavior have been induced". The Indonesian needlefish, now looking sleek and menacing, darted around her, their silvery bodies catching the glint of the lab's artificial lights.Emily's panicked screams reverberated, but her calls for help remained unheard, swallowed by the sterile walls of the sealed tank in the laboratory.Minutes stretched endlessly, each passing second etching terror deeper into her being. She fought to fend off the relentless assault of needle-like snouts, the piercing bites scoring her skin as she struggled against the relentless onslaught. With every lash of their razor-sharp beaks, pain exploded in waves through her body."God please sa
Earlier that morning, as Rev. Father Marco, who was adorned in immaculate vestments, stood in the confessional booth, which was a sanctum of whispered confessions and hushed absolutions, his mind was heavy.The morning sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of the church, casting kaleidoscopic patterns on the wooden pew. Father Marco felt the weight of a secret gnawing at the sanctity of his thoughts."Is this the will of God?", he thought.The morning mass had just been concluded and Father Marco sat in the confessional, the worn wood beneath him a familiar comfort amidst the turmoil churning within. As he waited, the soft rustle of footsteps approached, and a parishioner entered the adjoining booth, their silhouette obscured by the wooden screen that separated penitent from confessor.The voice that emerged from the other side was tentative, and just beyond a whisper that carried the weight of unspoken sins. "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned," the parishioner began, their
Officer Philip was looking dejected. In one night, he has made two very costly mistakes. Not one, but two! In the world of security, it was completely unacceptable. How on earth did a seasoned officer like him allow a man pass through him twice in one night.The only redeeming feature about this night was the fact that he had discovered the body of the scientist trapped in her own experimental tank. Whether the strange man was responsible for this, Philip could not tell, although he suspected that the man might be involved somehow.Oh Lord, may she survive, prayed silently. It was very clear that his job depended on that outcome. The police department had swooped in as soon as news of the incidence had gotten out and the chief himself had rushed down to the facility. This was a very high profile mess. A journalist was now walking towards him."Oh, well, can this night not get any worse", he thought within himself. Anything but the pressure of the press was what he needed right now."A
Monte Pizzaro sat on his hotel bed, his eyes glued to the television. He had been praying since he had returned, and now after taking a bath, probably to wash away any stench which he had picked up in the hunt, he sat now waited for the hour news.Surely something of this magnitude could not be swept under the carpet. He turned to the bed side table and lifted out one of the vials carefully, examining its contents.This was what Emily Turner had died for. Science was a gift given to mankind by God, but man had began to misuse such gifts. From guns, to bombs and now this. Fifteen years ago, as Monte could recall his wife and kids had been killed in a bio-terror attack. The attacker, a young scientist had carried in his bag, a modified strain of the Ebola virus; a much more deadlier strain.Apparently, this stupid researcher had thought it wise to move a level four risk virus without adequate protection. There was a leak and every human who was exposed to the deadly virus had died gruso
Dr. Alexis Monroe's lab was an intricate dance of stainless steel and humming machinery, a testament to the boundaries she pushed in the realm of genetic engineering. Under the sterile glow of overhead lights, Alexis meticulously worked on her latest creation – a crocodile-snake hybrid, its sleek scales blending seamlessly with the crocodilian armor. From beneath the razor sharp teeth, the two forked reptilian tongue of a snake curled in and out in a hissing fashion.The creature, nestled in a secure enclosure, moving with a sinuous grace that defied the traditional boundaries of the animal kingdom.Her colleague, Dr. Mark Thompson, a fellow genetic engineer, observed the captivating blend between biology and technology from across the lab. Mark's eyes sparkled with a mixture of admiration and curiosity as Alexis adjusted the parameters on a control panel, fine-tuning the genetic composition of the hybrid."Alexis, this is incredible. The intricacy of the genetic splicing is beyond an