Bioengineering Institute, Galen Province, Northern Sector
Jerryn sat in her office going over the data from the previous two days. All negative. Attempts to understand why the cure had caused the sterility eluded them and in turn hindered attempts to reverse it. Rubbing her temples she turned her attention to her consol and opened the day’s messages. One requested her attendance to observe the Natives she had apprehended on her way home two nights earlier. Reaching for her gloves she left the office and entered the lab stopping to check with her junior on the experiments set for the morning. Satisfied everything was in order she left the lab and took the elevator down to up to the secure level. In the elevator Jerryn mused over the events two nights previous. How bold they had been to openly attack her. It hadn’t worked of course and she had quickly subdued them, regrettably she had to use considerable force with the elder one. Bones had been broken but he should live. The younger one had escaped but he was weak and of no consequence. In fact his version of events would no doubt fuel the Natives fear of the Aesir. The elevator stopped and the doors opened, Jerryn stepped out into the brightly lit corridor of the secure level. Walking up to the guard, Jerryn offered her uncovered right hand to be scanned.
“OK Cmdr, you can go through. Dr Pfahler is expecting you”
Continuing down the corridor Jerryn halted and looked through the large glass window at the room beyond. Lying on the bed hooked up to numerous machines was the elder Native. Beside his bed a white clad figure looked up and nodded to her and made its way out of the room. The figure exited the room removing the white paper hood and mask.
“Cmdr Helkovaara you did quite a number in this one here” said the woman, “I am Dr Pfahler” offering her hand. Jerryn shook it, the grasp firm.
“Yes Doctor, unfortunately some…force was required to subdue him. How are his vitals?”
“He is stable. A few broken bones but he should recover. We have been keeping him under observation. We are trying to establish what provoked the attack.”
“General anti-Aesir activity or do you suspect a repeat of Marien?”
“We have found nothing to suggest it is a repeat of what happened there. I believe the Marien disaster had an environmental trigger…..we just haven’t found it yet. I understand you have been screening some of the Native DNA? We have taken some samples from those you apprehended; I can release them to you today.”
“Yes that would be appreciated. Have they given any indication as to why they attacked?”
“They had high levels of what I suspect is a narcotic in their systems. The one called Karl seems to be particularly suggestive; Cmdr Norlund is reviewing him, possibly as a new recruit.”
“Indeed” murmured Jerryn, “you had samples you say?” directing the conversation away from Cmdr Norlund. Jerryn, as an ‘Elite’ knew what Balen Norlund was capable of. The man was sadistic and took great pleasure in inflicting pain and had delighted in tormenting her when she began her ‘Elite’ training. Norlund harboured out dated views that women where not ‘equal’ to men. He had taken especial dislike to her relationship with Talia. Although Jerryn had surpassed all her peers, Norlund still looked down on her because of her gender. The less she had to do with him, the better.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Secure level, Bioengineering Institute, Galen Province, Northern Sector
Bright lights. Pain. Pain everywhere. A groan escaped his lips.
“He’s waking Sir.”
Where did that come from…I’m not dead?
“Wake him up fully, I need to interrogate him”
Lehman felt cold metal press against his neck and a heard a hiss. Slowly the pain left him and the fog lifted and he was able to open his eyes. Fuzzy at first, his eyes focused upon the man who had spoken.
“Lt. Cmdr Brellier” he croaked.
“Clean him up and bring him to interrogation.”
Telfor sat in the interrogation room waiting for Lehman. The door opened and Lehman unsteadily walked into the room and sat at the chair across from him.
“Do you know why you are here Lehman?”
“No” he croaked.
Fingering the insignia on his collar, Telfor asked “Do you know what this means?”
Lehman’s eyes flicked onto the insignia, “Its Omega sir, your ‘Elite’ mark”
“Correct and you know what it means?”
“It means you are the best sir”
“It means much more than that Lehman. It means I can hear the subtle changes in your breathing and heart rate. I can see your pupils dilate. In essence, it means I can tell when you are lying.” Telfor paused to let what he had said sink in. “Tell me what happened in the last two days?”
“What…I…I was in barracks, and then you seconded me to that Cmdr…”
“Commander Helkovaara?”
“Yes. She had me driver her into the Native sector to the Archives. She wanted me to leave her but I told her it was against orders. She told me to stay in the foyer. She looked at stuff then we left.”
“You appear to be missing out a fair deal of what happened”
Grasping his head in his hands Lehman said “There was a problem with this little Native bitch, she was being a tease and this other one came out and started trouble. Both of them asking for it if you ask me”
“You are lying Lehman. Your eyes keep darting to the left and your breathing and heart rate have risen. Again, tell me what happened?”
“I told you!”
“I want the truth Lehman” said Telfor his voice calm.
“Shit!. Ok, Ok. There was a little Native. She was cute. So I chatted her up a bit might have got a bit fresh…”
“You attempted to force yourself on her?”
“I…yes.”
“Then what happened?”
“This other Native female came out of the office; she must have heard the little bitch whining. She started shouting the odds at me so I smacked her one”
“You struck…Kalin Morvern, the Chief Archivist?” said Telfor looking up from the incident report.
“Yes.”
“Can you explain how you had target DNA on you?”
“What….no I didn’t!”
Telfor stood up, “Cmdr Norlund would like a word with you Lehman. He shall be in shortly” and with that Telfor left Lehman alone to wonder just what the hell was going on.
Upon exiting the room, Telfor turned left and headed down the corridor for the elevator, the doors closing just as he approached.
“Hold the lift!” he shouted.
A slender hand shot through the gap causing the doors to open again.
“Thanks. Jerryn! What you doing here?”
“Could say the same for you” said Jerryn with a grin, “Picking up some DNA samples from the ‘gentleman’ who approached me a couple of nights ago” she smirked.
“Ah the ones you gave a good hiding too!” laughed Telfor. “Well I have just had a little chat with your friend Lehman..”
“I thought he was transferred?”
“He was, turns out he had this on him” said Telfor handing a file to Jerryn.
“He has the markers? What is this?”
“It’s not his, he had trace amounts of blood on him and it tripped the sensors at the Restricted Zone. I was actually on my way to bring it to you. Looks like I shall be paying a visit to the archives, the staff need to be tested again. He claims it came from one of the women.”
“He struck one of them, the Chief Archivist”
“Yes she will be screened again.”
“I would like to accompany you.”
“Of course, we leave in thirty minutes.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kalin sat in her office musing over the discrepancies between the commanders and the sergeants DNA. What was going on? There were enough similarities but could they really be so distinct? Speciation? Modifications? Modifications seemed the most likely, but it was all conjecture until the results where through. Sighing, Kalin turned her attention back to her duties made all the harder by her desire to solve the puzzle of the Aesirian DNA. It was hopeless. Frustrated Kalin got up and walked from her office, through to the foyer where she found Laura talking with Tom.
“Kalin, good to see you again” said Tom cheerfully offering her his hand.
“Good to see you too Tom, here to take Laura to lunch?” said Kailn, winking to the young woman who was now thoroughly embarrassed.
“Would that be OK Kalin? Just for an hour?” she asked nervously.
“Of course you kids go have fun” The young brunettes face positively beamed, “I’ll go get my coat” and she quickly disappeared into the office to retrieve it.
Kalin was about to enquire where Tom was taking the young woman when the doors to the building opened and Aesir troops filed in.
“What the…” her voice trailed off as she spotted a striking figure. The commander! Her dark angel! Kalin remained dumbstruck as Commander Helkovaara and another senior Aesir officer approached her.
“You are Chief Archivist Morvern? I am Lt. Cmdr. Telfor Brellier we are here to conduct a scan of yourself and your associates. Could you call all your staff here to the foyer?”
Kalin struggled to control the fear rising within her. Her blood! They must have found her blood. Walking over to the reception desk, Kalin flipped the switch for the loud speaker, clearing her throat she said, “Would all staff please report to the foyer immediately, I repeat, would all staff please report to the foyer.”
“Thank you. I assure you we shall be as quick as possible.”
“May I ask what this is about?” asked Kalin confused at the politeness of the young man.
“We just need to verify who is working here.”
“If I may Lt. Cmdr” interrupted Jerryn, “I would like to scan the Dr. Morvern myself.” Kalins’ eyebrows shot up at the use of her title.
“Of course Cmdr, perhaps Dr. Morvern will show you to her office.”
Kalin was totally stunned as both Aesir looked at her questioningly.
“Ah…uhm this way Comdr” stammered Kalin and walked toward her office. Oh shit! Oh shit! What the hell! They must have found my trace on him!
Entering her office Kalin automatically started to walk around her desk, halting she turned to look at the stunning younger woman.
Jerryn saw the unspoken question on Kalins face. “It is your office Doctor” and she took the seat in front of the desk. “I assume you are a…little confused Doctor. I am correct you are Doctor Kalin Morvern, former Director of the Bio-engineering Institute?”
“Yes” said Kalin falling into her seat. Kalin watched as the Cmdr removed one glove, keeping the other on and began to open the small case she had been carrying. “We need to conduct some scans, Doctor. We have verify your identity”
Kalin pulled up her sleeve to reveal her tattoo.
Jerryn pulled a black gun lie device from her case, stood up and walked around the desk. She took Kalins offered arm and pressed the scanner against the skin. A few short moments later the device beeped. Jerry removed it and looked at the read out frowning slightly at the result Kalin did not have the markers.
“You will be pleased to know Doctor you are who you say you are?” she said with a small smile.
“Thank you” said Kalin rolling down her sleeve watching Jerryn return the scanner to its case and hesitate as she closed it. Here is comes thought Kalin.
“I came across a number of your publications during my last visit here Dr. Morvern”
“My…my publications?” stammered Kalin completely confused. Not what I was expecting!
“Yes. Your work on genetics and bio-engineering is….exceptional” said Jerryn shyly.
“What! Eh…thank you.”
“I see I have confused you” said Jerryn, “That was not my intention. I…I have rather quickly become a fan of your work. I myself am a scientist and I have hit an impasse in my current research.”
Kalin watched the young woman take a deep breath.
“Would you consider possibly acting as a consultant?” There she said it. She was sure her face was bright red. The woman sitting across the desk from her was brilliant, a genius. The theories she had hypothesised and proven where remarkable and Jerryn, for the first time in her life was not the smartest person in the room. She looked up to meet Kalin’s blue-grey eyes and held them.
Kalin was stunned by the request. Even more stunned when the beautiful woman caught her gaze and held it. She as transfixed by the bluer than blue eyes. Suddenly she realised she was supposed to respond, but before she could there was a knock at the door and the other Aesir officer entered.
The gaze between Jerryn and Kalin was broken as Jerryn rose and walked over to the Lt. Cmdr, their heads bowed as they spoke in private.
“They have all tested negative”
“Same with the Doctor, Lehman must have picked it up somewhere else” said Jerryn. “I just need to finish up here then we can go”
Kalin watched as the other officer left and the young woman walked toward her, arm outstretched, offering her hand. Taking it Kalin could feel the warm and the softness of her skin.
“I hope Dr Morvern that I may drop by again and we can discuss your theories in more detail?”
“Yes. Yes I would like that” said Kalin and was shocked to find that she really did like that idea. Their hands lingered and eventually Jerryn let go, leaving Kalin confused as to why it bothered her so.
“I shall contact you in due course Doctor” said Jerryn a small smile playing on her lips. Kalin stood and watched as the enigmatic young woman turned and walked from her office.
Jerryn sat in her office going over the data from the previous two days. All negative. Attempts to understand why the cure had caused the sterility eluded them and in turn hindered attempts to reverse it. Rubbing her temples she turned her attention to her consol and opened the day’s messages. One requested her attendance to observe the Natives she had apprehended on her way home two nights earlier. Reaching for her gloves she left the office and entered the lab stopping to check with her junior on the experiments set for the morning. Satisfied everything was in order she left the lab and took the elevator down to up to the secure level. In the elevator Jerryn mused over the events two nights previous. How bold they had been to openly attack her. It hadn’t worked of course and she had quickly subdued them, regrettably she had to use considerable force with the elder one. Bones had been broken but he should live. The younger one had escaped but he was weak and of no consequence. In fact his version of events would no doubt fuel the Natives fear of the Aesir. The elevator stopped and the doors opened, Jerryn stepped out into the brightly lit corridor of the secure level. Walking up to the guard, Jerryn offered her uncovered right hand to be scanned.
“OK Cmdr, you can go through. Dr Pfahler is expecting you”
Continuing down the corridor Jerryn halted and looked through the large glass window at the room beyond. Lying on the bed hooked up to numerous machines was the elder Native. Beside his bed a white clad figure looked up and nodded to her and made its way out of the room. The figure exited the room removing the white paper hood and mask.
“Cmdr Helkovaara you did quite a number in this one here” said the woman, “I am Dr Pfahler” offering her hand. Jerryn shook it, the grasp firm.
“Yes Doctor, unfortunately some…force was required to subdue him. How are his vitals?”
“He is stable. A few broken bones but he should recover. We have been keeping him under observation. We are trying to establish what provoked the attack.”
“General anti-Aesir activity or do you suspect a repeat of Marien?”
“We have found nothing to suggest it is a repeat of what happened there. I believe the Marien disaster had an environmental trigger…..we just haven’t found it yet. I understand you have been screening some of the Native DNA? We have taken some samples from those you apprehended; I can release them to you today.”
“Yes that would be appreciated. Have they given any indication as to why they attacked?”
“They had high levels of what I suspect is a narcotic in their systems. The one called Karl seems to be particularly suggestive; Cmdr Norlund is reviewing him, possibly as a new recruit.”
“Indeed” murmured Jerryn, “you had samples you say?” directing the conversation away from Cmdr Norlund. Jerryn, as an ‘Elite’ knew what Balen Norlund was capable of. The man was sadistic and took great pleasure in inflicting pain and had delighted in tormenting her when she began her ‘Elite’ training. Norlund harboured out dated views that women where not ‘equal’ to men. He had taken especial dislike to her relationship with Talia. Although Jerryn had surpassed all her peers, Norlund still looked down on her because of her gender. The less she had to do with him, the better.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Secure level, Bioengineering Institute, Galen Province, Northern Sector
Bright lights. Pain. Pain everywhere. A groan escaped his lips.
“He’s waking Sir.”
Where did that come from…I’m not dead?
“Wake him up fully, I need to interrogate him”
Lehman felt cold metal press against his neck and a heard a hiss. Slowly the pain left him and the fog lifted and he was able to open his eyes. Fuzzy at first, his eyes focused upon the man who had spoken.
“Lt. Cmdr Brellier” he croaked.
“Clean him up and bring him to interrogation.”
Telfor sat in the interrogation room waiting for Lehman. The door opened and Lehman unsteadily walked into the room and sat at the chair across from him.
“Do you know why you are here Lehman?”
“No” he croaked.
Fingering the insignia on his collar, Telfor asked “Do you know what this means?”
Lehman’s eyes flicked onto the insignia, “Its Omega sir, your ‘Elite’ mark”
“Correct and you know what it means?”
“It means you are the best sir”
“It means much more than that Lehman. It means I can hear the subtle changes in your breathing and heart rate. I can see your pupils dilate. In essence, it means I can tell when you are lying.” Telfor paused to let what he had said sink in. “Tell me what happened in the last two days?”
“What…I…I was in barracks, and then you seconded me to that Cmdr…”
“Commander Helkovaara?”
“Yes. She had me driver her into the Native sector to the Archives. She wanted me to leave her but I told her it was against orders. She told me to stay in the foyer. She looked at stuff then we left.”
“You appear to be missing out a fair deal of what happened”
Grasping his head in his hands Lehman said “There was a problem with this little Native bitch, she was being a tease and this other one came out and started trouble. Both of them asking for it if you ask me”
“You are lying Lehman. Your eyes keep darting to the left and your breathing and heart rate have risen. Again, tell me what happened?”
“I told you!”
“I want the truth Lehman” said Telfor his voice calm.
“Shit!. Ok, Ok. There was a little Native. She was cute. So I chatted her up a bit might have got a bit fresh…”
“You attempted to force yourself on her?”
“I…yes.”
“Then what happened?”
“This other Native female came out of the office; she must have heard the little bitch whining. She started shouting the odds at me so I smacked her one”
“You struck…Kalin Morvern, the Chief Archivist?” said Telfor looking up from the incident report.
“Yes.”
“Can you explain how you had target DNA on you?”
“What….no I didn’t!”
Telfor stood up, “Cmdr Norlund would like a word with you Lehman. He shall be in shortly” and with that Telfor left Lehman alone to wonder just what the hell was going on.
Upon exiting the room, Telfor turned left and headed down the corridor for the elevator, the doors closing just as he approached.
“Hold the lift!” he shouted.
A slender hand shot through the gap causing the doors to open again.
“Thanks. Jerryn! What you doing here?”
“Could say the same for you” said Jerryn with a grin, “Picking up some DNA samples from the ‘gentleman’ who approached me a couple of nights ago” she smirked.
“Ah the ones you gave a good hiding too!” laughed Telfor. “Well I have just had a little chat with your friend Lehman..”
“I thought he was transferred?”
“He was, turns out he had this on him” said Telfor handing a file to Jerryn.
“He has the markers? What is this?”
“It’s not his, he had trace amounts of blood on him and it tripped the sensors at the Restricted Zone. I was actually on my way to bring it to you. Looks like I shall be paying a visit to the archives, the staff need to be tested again. He claims it came from one of the women.”
“He struck one of them, the Chief Archivist”
“Yes she will be screened again.”
“I would like to accompany you.”
“Of course, we leave in thirty minutes.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kalin sat in her office musing over the discrepancies between the commanders and the sergeants DNA. What was going on? There were enough similarities but could they really be so distinct? Speciation? Modifications? Modifications seemed the most likely, but it was all conjecture until the results where through. Sighing, Kalin turned her attention back to her duties made all the harder by her desire to solve the puzzle of the Aesirian DNA. It was hopeless. Frustrated Kalin got up and walked from her office, through to the foyer where she found Laura talking with Tom.
“Kalin, good to see you again” said Tom cheerfully offering her his hand.
“Good to see you too Tom, here to take Laura to lunch?” said Kailn, winking to the young woman who was now thoroughly embarrassed.
“Would that be OK Kalin? Just for an hour?” she asked nervously.
“Of course you kids go have fun” The young brunettes face positively beamed, “I’ll go get my coat” and she quickly disappeared into the office to retrieve it.
Kalin was about to enquire where Tom was taking the young woman when the doors to the building opened and Aesir troops filed in.
“What the…” her voice trailed off as she spotted a striking figure. The commander! Her dark angel! Kalin remained dumbstruck as Commander Helkovaara and another senior Aesir officer approached her.
“You are Chief Archivist Morvern? I am Lt. Cmdr. Telfor Brellier we are here to conduct a scan of yourself and your associates. Could you call all your staff here to the foyer?”
Kalin struggled to control the fear rising within her. Her blood! They must have found her blood. Walking over to the reception desk, Kalin flipped the switch for the loud speaker, clearing her throat she said, “Would all staff please report to the foyer immediately, I repeat, would all staff please report to the foyer.”
“Thank you. I assure you we shall be as quick as possible.”
“May I ask what this is about?” asked Kalin confused at the politeness of the young man.
“We just need to verify who is working here.”
“If I may Lt. Cmdr” interrupted Jerryn, “I would like to scan the Dr. Morvern myself.” Kalins’ eyebrows shot up at the use of her title.
“Of course Cmdr, perhaps Dr. Morvern will show you to her office.”
Kalin was totally stunned as both Aesir looked at her questioningly.
“Ah…uhm this way Comdr” stammered Kalin and walked toward her office. Oh shit! Oh shit! What the hell! They must have found my trace on him!
Entering her office Kalin automatically started to walk around her desk, halting she turned to look at the stunning younger woman.
Jerryn saw the unspoken question on Kalins face. “It is your office Doctor” and she took the seat in front of the desk. “I assume you are a…little confused Doctor. I am correct you are Doctor Kalin Morvern, former Director of the Bio-engineering Institute?”
“Yes” said Kalin falling into her seat. Kalin watched as the Cmdr removed one glove, keeping the other on and began to open the small case she had been carrying. “We need to conduct some scans, Doctor. We have verify your identity”
Kalin pulled up her sleeve to reveal her tattoo.
Jerryn pulled a black gun lie device from her case, stood up and walked around the desk. She took Kalins offered arm and pressed the scanner against the skin. A few short moments later the device beeped. Jerry removed it and looked at the read out frowning slightly at the result Kalin did not have the markers.
“You will be pleased to know Doctor you are who you say you are?” she said with a small smile.
“Thank you” said Kalin rolling down her sleeve watching Jerryn return the scanner to its case and hesitate as she closed it. Here is comes thought Kalin.
“I came across a number of your publications during my last visit here Dr. Morvern”
“My…my publications?” stammered Kalin completely confused. Not what I was expecting!
“Yes. Your work on genetics and bio-engineering is….exceptional” said Jerryn shyly.
“What! Eh…thank you.”
“I see I have confused you” said Jerryn, “That was not my intention. I…I have rather quickly become a fan of your work. I myself am a scientist and I have hit an impasse in my current research.”
Kalin watched the young woman take a deep breath.
“Would you consider possibly acting as a consultant?” There she said it. She was sure her face was bright red. The woman sitting across the desk from her was brilliant, a genius. The theories she had hypothesised and proven where remarkable and Jerryn, for the first time in her life was not the smartest person in the room. She looked up to meet Kalin’s blue-grey eyes and held them.
Kalin was stunned by the request. Even more stunned when the beautiful woman caught her gaze and held it. She as transfixed by the bluer than blue eyes. Suddenly she realised she was supposed to respond, but before she could there was a knock at the door and the other Aesir officer entered.
The gaze between Jerryn and Kalin was broken as Jerryn rose and walked over to the Lt. Cmdr, their heads bowed as they spoke in private.
“They have all tested negative”
“Same with the Doctor, Lehman must have picked it up somewhere else” said Jerryn. “I just need to finish up here then we can go”
Kalin watched as the other officer left and the young woman walked toward her, arm outstretched, offering her hand. Taking it Kalin could feel the warm and the softness of her skin.
“I hope Dr Morvern that I may drop by again and we can discuss your theories in more detail?”
“Yes. Yes I would like that” said Kalin and was shocked to find that she really did like that idea. Their hands lingered and eventually Jerryn let go, leaving Kalin confused as to why it bothered her so.
“I shall contact you in due course Doctor” said Jerryn a small smile playing on her lips. Kalin stood and watched as the enigmatic young woman turned and walked from her office.
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