Experimental

by Peter Shillen

<>

The darkness was almost oppressive. While not black, the dim lighting always made him feel jumpy. Swiping his card through while the scanner ran over his palm and fingers, the authorization was complete.

"Good Morning, Professor Kleinberg."

Gee! Was it morning already? It seemed like time was just a blur these days .. since the accident anyway. It was strange to think that the accident had gotten him into this in the first place.

- Shameless use of Flashback -

It had been another long night at the lab. Coming out, he finally remembered something which did not involve a lab rat! He was to pick up Ellen and Jen from the Parent's evening. He would just about make it, if he got a move on. So, he started the car and headed for Parkhurst Elementary.

It was a miserable night, rain lashing onto the windscreen. He got to the school late as usual. Ellen gave him a mock 'tut' echoed by Jen.

"Late *again* Daddy!"

"Sorry baby," he chuckled. "I'm just hopeless."

And so they left for home.

Driving along, Rudy looked at the lines of the road. He felt as if he was finally beginning to unwind after a long day at the lab. Maybe it was two days. The lines began to blur as his eyes began to close ...

- Shameless use of Flashback -

He shook his head out of reverie, a single tear running down his cheek. He hoped the security camera didn't pick that up. He had come to this lab to try to make amends for what he had done. They had promised him access to the best facilities. In return for doing some *work* for them, he could research into other aspects of genetics. He was interested in trying to grow organs from the other tissues of the body. After little Jen died when no liver was available, he knew the only way he could salvage something from that death was to save life.

What was he now? A producer of bastards! He wasn't saving life. In a way he was creating life, but he didn't feel like a father. His life made him sick, but he had been too sunk within himself to care. He was, however, beginning to surface; to realize what he had done.

He finally got to his project room and started work. Under the microscope, he could see the embryo. It was beginning to form; the cells were dividing. He had timed it well. He took the specially prepared DNA from the cold cabinet, carefully transferring it to the micro-syringe. Turning once again to the microscope, he carefully injected the contents into the embryo.

Coming away from the eyepiece, he turned his back to the camera he knew was there. He cried, staying as still as possible. He hadn't believed he could ever have been led to this. Yet, here he was. He hadn't believed the rumors. Not until he saw the New York Times while eating his midnight doughnut. They had released something. A test of ability.

He stopped crying. He couldn't keep wallowing. He had killed two people at the start of this project and the number was rising. He had to do something. He couldn't keep it to himself anymore.

<< Location: ZULU's hotel>>

Jim and Vanessa arrived back in time to see Martin being dropped off by the pathologist. Hmm. Her charms were not lost upon Jim Reaper and yet, he felt Martin was fundamentally wrong. It was all about code; if you didn't have code, you had nothing. He gave him the slightest of greetings, a fact which did not seem lost on SA Reed. They entered the room together.

When all were sitting comfortably, Jordan began his tail. Of course, everyone knew such experiments went on, but each revelation sickened to the pit of the stomach. Jim, however, pulled out his evidence bag.

He explained his findings at the tunnel and passed around the hair and nail/claw.

"You're saying you think we're dealing with a *human*?! I find that hard to believe," Jordan said.

"So do I Chief. Besides, I don't know if it's human or not. I do know that these things have certain human characteristics. Maybe the scientists these days don't have the hang-ups of old."

"Are we considering a plot by the military to produce a half-human hybrid?" Zenya asked. "Even if it were possible, how would it get to the subway?"

"A trial," Leo suggested. "Let it loose, see what it can do. Either that or, as usual, they didn't realize what they were dealing with and it escaped."

"This is all pure conjecture people," Jordan interjected. "We have no proof of anything."

Leo brought his evidence into play.

"Well, let's put it this way," Jim said, "whatever's down there is bigger, stronger and faster than a man and it kills without weapons. Whatever it or *they* are, we have to find out."

NPRG:

Just a little interjection. I don't know if Rudy is going to come forward or not, or even if he's right about his *creations* being released deliberately. What do you guys think?