Asterion (12 page)

Christine reaches out, touches Taylor’s face. “I’ve been in the lab all this time. When I realized someone was following me, I parked in a garage at the mall. I walked home, disguised myself, gathered some stuff and snuck out my apartment by the back way. I traveled here by foot in case they were watching my vehicle and apartment. I came here because I knew that unless they had clearance they could not get to me. I waited until I could tell there were no strangers around.”

Taylor sighed, “I was sick worrying about you. I thought I might have lost you. We can take shifts staying at the lab watching Asterion. It’s not absolutely necessary, but they will buy it.”

“Great idea, but when does my shift end?”

Taylor thinks for a second and responds, “Oh yea.” Thinking some more he says, “I’ll scout out your apartment. If it is clear, I’ll come back and get you. Then we will get some of your belongings and your car and bring them to the lab. We’ll alternate each day. One of us spends a day in the lab and a day at my place. If we pick up a tail….”

“You’ll be dead or missing,” Milar interrupts Taylor’s planning. “Not one of you had an agent following you. At least not one through the government’s main security agency, but other agencies, enemies and subversives may have a newfound interest in this project. Security is a suspicious business. Caution and paranoia are survival techniques for us. I’ll supervise a detail and make a sweep of the area. If it’s clear or we discover who is following you and we detain them, security will get you and we’ll go with you to scan your apartment for surveillance equipment and get whatever you need. There are a few rooms set up as apartments in the unused sections of the lab. That will provide a secure, safe place for you to stay. The same goes for you Taylor. We won’t take a chance, better safe than sorry.”

Taylor and Christine nod at Milar in agreement. “Good, I’ll get right on it.” She spins around and briskly leaves the lab.

Christine looks at Taylor. “Maybe we misread her.”

“Don’t read too much into her reaction. She is still on the government’s side and we are just valuable property that needs to be protected.”

“Hey,” Christine perks up, “We might have rooms that are side-by-side!”

Taylor smiles “See there is a bright side to our predicament. Hey, let’s go see Asterion.”

Taylor and Christine enter the maturation chamber and she marvels as Asterion looks up at her and studies her face. He sniffs trying to process the smells of his visitors, but the bubble prevents any comingling of atmospheres.

Christine remarks, “He’s marvelous. It’s amazing what we’ve engineered here.”

Taylor nods, “Yes, I still have to pinch myself to make sure it’s not a dream.”

Trent’s voice comes over the intercom, “Thirty minutes until show time people. Let’s go!”

Taylor laments, “The time got away from me. We better get ready.”

Christine agrees, “Yea, better go.”

Ten minutes before Burnsom’s arrival the team assembles near the covered assembly area with Asterion’s travel incubator in the nearby building just out of site. Reporters are everywhere and the constant flash of cameras is disorienting. From off in the distance the familiar beat of a large helicopter grows louder.

Devin looks at the team. “This is it guys. Remember this day, because every day after this one will be different for each of us.”

Taylor wonders if it is for the positive or the negative. “Well, too late to turn back now,” he thinks.

The rotor blades are deafening now and the wash is whipping up dirt and dust from everywhere. Everyone is shielding their eyes and skin from the sting of dust until the helicopter lands and the rotor blades slow to a stop.

Looking around, they notice that security teams are everywhere. Well hidden before, they make their presence known to everyone. They line the perimeter of the grounds and unmanned aircraft keep a vigil from the sky. The security detail opens the door to the craft and lowers the steps. Getting off first, they set up a perimeter, scanning the assembled crowd. Burnsom appears at the door, smiles and waves at the crowd, and then steps down the steps and strides towards the podium.

Burnsom stands behind the podium and looks over the applauding crowd. He smiles and with both hands motions for everyone to take their seats. The crowd quiets down and everyone waits in anticipation. Burnsom waves his hand in an arc and says, “The heartland. This is where we grow the food to feed the citizens of this nation and many of the nations throughout the world. We, as a people have succeeded in our quest to meet the needs of all citizens. I could sit on my laurels, but I want to do more for everyone. I have authorized a project that today is beginning to come to fruition. This project will create more food supplies for the nation and revenues from foreign buyers; it will also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for agricultural purposes. With the reduction in our needs, we increase supplies that we can export for increased revenues for our other needs. Our top scientists have engineered a new work beast that will pull new planting and harvesting machines, ones that do not work on internal combustion engines that require fossil fuels. They will perform many mundane, manual tasks without complaint.”

Motioning to Taylor, Burnsom continues, “Let’s meet our new tool for prosperity.” Trent and Christine hold open the doublewide doors and Taylor walks in and wheels Asterion next to Burnsom. All the while, cameras and video recorders are chronicling everything. Burnsom points at Asterion and says, “Here is our future.” Moving in closer to examine the creature, Burnsom’s face is just inches from the glass. Asterion looks at Burnsom and a look of panic comes on his face. He hisses and lunges at the glass with claws extended tries to attack Burnsom. Burnsom instinctively jerks back with a frightened look on his face. The crowd goes wild with laughter. Burnsom is embarrassed and angered, but he composes himself and ever the skillful politician, smiles and says to the crowd, “He’s a fighter alright and I will always fight for the people. I will never stop trying to make this a better world for everyone. Thank you for your time everyone. My press secretary will hand out releases detailing the project.” Burnsom waves to the crowd and heads to his helicopter where he steps up into the doorway, turns around and waves one more time before disappearing into the craft with his security detail following him in and closing the door.

The turbines whine into life and the rotor blades spin up to full power and the helicopter rises into the air and disappears in the distance. The reporters start pummeling the team with questions and Devin steps up to the podium while the team brings Asterion back to the lab. Devin motions with his hands for the press to quiet down. “Ladies and gentlemen, much of this project is classified. I’m sorry, but we cannot answer any questions. The press release is the only information that can be given at this time.” Disappointed, the reporters slowly file away until the area is empty.

The team is laughing about the incident with Burnsom in the break room when Devin walks into the room with a scowl on his face. “Don’t laugh too hard. Burnsom doesn’t like to be embarrassed and I don’t know how much of this he will blame on us and when I mean us, I mean me.”

Taylor shrugs, “Sorry Devin, but you have to admit, it was funny.”

Devin replies, “Still, if Burnsom gets wind that we laughed at him, it may not bode well for us.”

Trent responds, “Sorry, we’ll tone it down.”

Christine, choking back her laughter joins in, “Ditto.”

Devin looks at everyone with his best patrician stare. “Okay, that’s the end of it. Carry on.”

The team waits until they hear Devin’s office door close and they burst into laughter again. Covering their mouths to muffle the sound they make their way back to the lab.

Trent begins to work on modifying the system for mass production. The list of safeguards Taylor has outlined is extensive and detail many error prevention modifications. Trent looks it over and smiles. With a glance to see who is around, he begins work on the next phase.

Christine works to supply multiple streams of production. They will need vast material and agent supplies for the many AutoDNA instruments needed to meet the demand of engineering and cloning the creatures.

Taylor is in the maturation chamber observing Asterion. His level of growth and advancement surprises even Taylor. The creature is examining his small world. Taking apart and putting together puzzles introduced into his chamber with amazing speed and agility. Taylor easily gets Asterion to imitate his gestures and Asterion tries to mimic Taylor’s words. He checks Asterion’s chamber, leaves the chamber, and goes to his office.

Taylor takes a moment to reflect on the magnitude of the moment. He has produced an engineering marvel. Sure, DNA engineering of animals and even cloned animals occurred before, but no one has successfully engineered a creature from scratch using the building blocks God created. The sky begins to turn red as the sun sinks in the west. Time to call it a day.

CHAPTER 15 - RELUCTANT FATHER

The engines whine and with a low rumbling rush, come to life. The Titanliner, in familiar presidential colors starts its slow roll down the taxiway. Inside, Burnsom is still fuming over the embarrassing moment with Asterion.

Thomas speaks up, “Ira, let’s think about this for a second. There has to be a way to put a positive spin on this.”

Burnsom looks up at Thomas. “What are you thinking about?”

Thomas thinks for a second and replies, “Joke about the event. Say to the press that you guess Asterion is a future political rival or Donovan’s replacement.”

Burnsom thinks for a second and says, “Asterion and I may be a bit scary to look at, but together we plan to remove fear from our future.”

“Great,” Thomas laughs, “Self-deprecation, everybody likes that.”

Burnsom smiles, “We’ll go with that.”

They leave the safety of the office and face the assembled press corp. traveling with him. The press assaults him with a cacophony of questions. “Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s take these one at a time. “I guess Asterion has political aspirations and he was sizing me up.” A round of laughter goes up. “He might be the next Donavan, digging to get a piece of me.” Another round of laughter breaks out. “Now, the reality is that we both may be scary, but we want to remove fear from our citizen’s lives.” The room applauds.

After the applause, a reporter asks, “What about the two isolated sectors? Some say that they are being suppressed for protesting the government.”

Burnsom cannot avoid the shouted question so he smiles and politely responds, “I guess my old friend Donovan is getting good ratings off his tabloid journalism with that one. Let me set the record straight. Our health agency quarantined those sectors because a few foreign visitors, here to learn about our advanced farming methods came down with a yet unknown illness and died. It killed them so fast that we had to protect the rest of the population. The agency isolated the immediate area and they are monitoring those who were in contact with those unfortunate individuals. So far, they show no signs of the illness. Our hopes are with the deceased, their families and those living in those sectors. We are working with the local governments and we are not releasing the name of their home country because we don’t want to start a panic there or here. Just know we are doing everything to insure the safety of everyone in those sectors and the country as a whole. We should applaud the health agency for their fast action in this matter. It has certainly stopped the illness from spreading. That may not make Donovan happy, but it makes me happy.”

Laughter erupts from the crowd and the pilot comes over the speaker, “We are beginning our descent into Washington. Please take your seats. Burnsom takes his seat and smiles. Once again, his ability to think fast and lie big has served him well.

Suited up in the lab, Taylor takes Asterion out of the incubation bubble and introduces him to his new surroundings in the nursery. Taylor has to avoid frightening Asterion. Even with the suit, the claws are still painful. He has quite a grip for a little fellow. He understands quickly, but still mumbles. Taylor thinks he can make out some words, but it is hard to be sure. When his shift is over, Christine takes over. Asterion tries to go with him and cries as he leaves. Christine quickly gets his attention and engages him in learning activities until he falls asleep.

Taylor hears a knock. Opening the door, Christine is holding snacks. He ushers her in and starts setting up the table. “Living next door is great. Living in the facility is not so great.”

“I know. We have to make the best of it. When are we going to hear from Milar about us being followed?”

“I don’t know. I think they are happy with us here. They don’t have to worry about us. It’s getting old though.”

“Yea, you’re right about that,” Christine responds with a sigh.

Taylor smiles and puts his hand on her hand. “Well, look at it this way; we get to spend a lot of time together.”

“Yea, but that time is in here.”

Taylor laughs, “That’s the spirit!”

Taylor and Christine retire to their apartments. Taylor listens to the various noises that the facility makes during the night as he tries to fall asleep. He starts to think about Asterion becoming an adult. How intelligent will he be? Will he be too intelligent for the intended purpose? Will he be controllable? Taylor works through the various scenarios of how he would respond to various actions by Asterion. He did not like to leave anything to chance, but planning for every problem is almost impossible and reality may be much different.