Devolution

[angie girl]

Girl Monster Howling

she making those noises at me again...watching her moff parts move...how does she do that? but red stuff and bad thingie in foot hurts too bad...hooowwling...

softness and she is not hurting me...gonna go back to the warm wet place? maybe this isn't same girl monster from wet place...but she is soft and I am starting to like those funny noises they make...the funny noise monsters are nicer than loud grunting noise monsters...

I am much squinting eyes and trying to make those noises...

free ike ack free rill muk free arrr butter...

did I do that? muss be badness, girl monster has huge eyes looking at me...

 

[Kepic]

I returned quickly with the firstaid kit, stepping into the cage, being wary of making any sudden movements that might frighten my specimen. Kneeling, I took out some bandages and glanced at the wound on her sole.

"Doesn't look that bad" I said, half to myself and half to Trista, "I'll have to get some unbreakable plastic bowls, should have thought of that before."

Gently, I lifted the injured foot and took hold of the piece of glass that had imbedded itself, thankfully not deeply.

"Hold her tight... I'm going to pull it out now" I said softly, and as Trista hugged her close, I pulled it out. She gave a short cry and then calmed again, as Trista patted her back and spoke to her soothingly.

Wrapping a bandage about her foot, I nodded.

"There, that should do it, I'll have to change it every six hours or so, make sure no infection sets in" I said, standing.

 

[Celestiale]

I just stared...then grinned like an idiot.

"Did you hear her??? Did you hear what she said???" I asked Adam excitedly. "She just TALKED!!"

I was all lit up inside...excited and encouraged.

Maybe she's like me, and the virus affected her but not as harshly as it had some of the others! We might actually be able to CURE her!!

"You've got to test your serum on her...you just HAVE to!" I cried.

I hugged the girl and cried, making sure not to hurt her injured foot.

 

[Kepic]

"She did?" I asked, then shook my head, "you have to remember, they still have vocal cords... parrots can mimic what we say... I've seen it before, in previous specimens" I said, dismissing her idea, "though I intend to try the serum on her, anyway, so let's hope I'm wrong, and you're right" I added.

"First things first, lets take a look at you" I said, as we left the cage and secured it.


The next few hours I spent performing various tests on the samples that Trista provided me, with her looking on most anxiously, as if awaiting a verdict. As those hours progressed, I found myself more and more intrigued.

Finally, I lifted my head from the microscope, and turned to her.

"Please, sit" I said, waving a hand to a stool nearby. As she did so, I smiled and nodded.

"This is most interesting. As far as I can tell, you're not exactly immune to the virus - but it has had a different effect on you from anyone else I've tested... the virus has been altering your physical DNA, your genetic structure - though in your case, it has no caused no change to you mentally, at least none I can detect. Quite remarkable. It will take some time to find out why that is, though. Have you noticed any changes yourself?."

I hadn't expected such a reaction to the virus. I had designed it to alter the mind, not the body. What made Trista so special? Had the virus mutated somehow since its release? It shouldn't have done, I had its own DNA designed to be at an effective evolutionary dead-end.

What made Trista different? Had the virus somehow triggered an evolutionary leap forward in her? An interesting notion, to be sure.

And was it something I could use to my advantage, in my experiments?

I could hear my specimens getting rowdy next door, as their sedatives were finally wearing off, breaking my line of thought for the moment.

"There's a radio over there... give them some soft music to listen too, it generally soothes them down" I said to Trista, "then I'll try the test serum out on the new one."

[Edited by Kepic on 01-14-2001 at 04:20 AM]

 

[Celestiale]

I tried not to stammer as I replied to Adam, "Ye...yes...yes I have noticed some changes, actually. I feel things differently than I did before all of this...I see and hear things that I could not before."

Adam was jotting down some notes as I spoke, a small smile playing on his lips. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, and I quietly stepped out into the adjacent room. The girls were feisty tonight and the first captive was teasing the new girl, making her react in an agitated manner. I spoke softly to them as I walked toward the radio, and switched it on. I had meant to hit the "CD" button, but accidentally hit the "FM radio" button and stood there in a stupor as I listened to the voice of one of the survivors.

"Adam?" I called, "You had better get in here!"

 

[Angelus]

As I drove down the road I saw creatures along either side. They were the things that had killed Hunter, no the things that had killed Hunter were dead but there was something or someone responsible for this virus and I had to find out who it was because he or she had a lot to answer for. I then put one of the CDs into the portable player that I had taken and listened to it as I drove along, now set in my duty. I had to find out who was responsible for this virus and make them pay, I had to send them straight to hell.

 

[Kepic]

"Unbelievable" I said, as I listened to what the radio played. "Another doctor - god must be smiling on mankind."

Someone who could ruin my work. Someone who could break the peace I had given the world.

"You'd better get your stuff back together and go" I said to Trista, "I'll give you what I have got so far on this virus to give to her. I've got some delicate work that I can't leave just yet, maybe take three or four days, to wind them down - they might be crucial in improving the serum, and we don't know how far she's got - then I'll join you."

I had no intention of giving her any documents or samples that would be of use to this damned doctor, but by the time she worked that out, I intended be long gone from here.

 

[Angelus]

When I drove into the city I noticed that it looked like every other city I had been in, a total wreck. This place looked like a war had been waged in here and I wasn't half wrong. I drove around the streets and saw creatures left, right and center but no normal humans about and I feared that I was the only one left. I knew that it was going to drive me mad if I didn't find someone normal instead of these howling, slobbering things.

I stopped the jeep and as soon as I did I saw a creature at the same time that it saw me. It howled and began to run at me but I brought up my pistol and shouted at it to stop. The creature looked at me and sniffed the air then turned and ran off in the other direction. I then walked away from Hunter's, my jeep- I couldn't get over that and looked around then shouted out to anyone, if they were around.

But nobody answered and it was then that I felt utterly alone. I then shut off those feelings, my face becoming like ice- totally unreadable.

 

[Celestiale]

Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of being alone again. I felt safe here, and now I had to leave. I didn't know what to say to Adam...he was a doctor after all, and I'm sure he knew what he was doing, but why seperate?

And then there was the girl...

She was trying to communicate with me, I just knew she was! I could sense all of her emotions when I was close to her, and she was not some savage animal! I didn't want to leave her, I wanted to help her.

I turned to Adam, trying to regain my composure and said, "I'd rather wait for you...if you don't mind. I would feel much better if we all went together."

I looked over at the girl and tried to smile. "And besides," I continued, I think that 'she' would respond better to your testing if I was to stay and help keep her calm through it."

 

[angie girl]

The warm wet place monster was gone from room? no, now she makes lots a those noises to boy monster...

"stay and help keep her calm through it", her moff moving...

fray un freep ur all fru et, trying to make soft noises too...

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I put down my slides. I had gathered some samples from the man who had been here before he disappeared and some samples from the creature that I had captured. After I fed the creature, I had let her go I just didnt have the heart to keep them caged indoors. I was so close I could feel it.

Looking up at the clock, I realized that it was about time for me to go check my radio broadcast. Going over to the locker, I removed my tranquilizer gun and walked out of the building in time to hear a shout. I almost dismissed it as one of the creatures but it struck me that there was some intellegence in this shout.

Hoping I was not doing something to get myself killed, I stepped out into the bright daylight. There stood a man beside a jeep, frozen and unmoving. "God," I said to myself,"Please dont let this be someone turning into one of the creatures." I dont think I could take seeing that process again.

I brought my tranquilizer gun up and lined it with his body. He had a gun I noticed and if he was turning, he would be especially dangerous.

"You, there," I called out to him,"Who are you?"

[Edited by Isolde on 01-16-2001 at 11:59 AM]

 

[Kepic]

I glanced at the specimen which had just 'spoken', albeit roughly, and nodded to Trista. "Perhaps you are right" I said, slowly.

Letting this doctor continue her work would be folly, I had no idea how far she had got - she might, god forbid, even be close to a cure, though I felt confident that was unlikely. However, could I afford the chance she was?

"Very well, lets get started then" I said, "she might as well take the first dose of the test serum now, we will be able to chart any progress with her as we journey anyway, after I've shut everything down properly here."

The doctors location was a drive several days away.

"I'll have to inject it... there are some clean disposable needles in the first aid kit. You keep her calm, I'll go fetch my test-serum."

I went to collect something else though as well - something to put my unexpected guest, Trista, under...

 

[Angelus]

At first I didn't hear the person call out to me and continued to walk but then the person called out the same thing louder and I turned around, my pistol in hand. It was then I noticed the gun that she had in her hand and the lab coat that she was wearing. Before she knew what was happening I raised my pistol and said, "Lower your gun now or I will shoot you. Do it slowly or I will kill you."

When she lowered the gun I said, "Are you responsible for this madness because if you are then I should just kill you now. Now, who are you and what do you want with me."

 

[Angelus]

As I stood there and looked at this woman in front of me I was starting to get a little annoyed. She just stood there staring at me as if not knowing what to do or say.
"Look, if you are going to say something then say it now but if not then I will keep on walking and leave you here in this small section of hell."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

"I am Dr. Nancy Kenan and I seak a soultion to the madness-not to cause it. What makes you think that it is manmade anyway?," I said at last, after getting over the fact that the man was not one of the creatures. I had come to the same conclusion myself that this virus was not a product of nature but I was curious as to how this man knew.

"And if you wish to walk away, that is your choice," I added, a bit peeved at his tone of voice and assumptions,"But if you want to find out what this is all about than you can help me by providing samples of someone unaffected by the virus. It's up to you. I do not force anyone to help me."

 

[Angelus]

"I know of a virus that had the same effect as this but what I knew of it was that it had been destroyed. Okay, I will give you the samples that you need. If you need my blood to study and find an antidote to get rid of this bloody virus then I will do what I can to help."

I then slid my pistol back into its holster and looked around before I followed the doctor into the building where I found a fully equipped lab. I looked around nervously, wondering what was going on here. I turned to the doctor and said, "What the hell is this lab for. Are you trying to help get rid of this virus or make a better version of it?"

[Edited by Angelius on 01-18-2001 at 01:07 AM]

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I gave the man a hard look.
"This lab was once devoted to the research and development of medicines. I was one of the researchers who were working on a solution for certain types of cancer. Now, I dont think that cancer is a problem this world is most afraid of right now."

I went through and started pulling out the equipment I would need. "Strip your shirt off and get up onto the examination bed if you will please."

As he was doing so, I pulled some fresh charts from the file cabinet and placed them on a clipboard. Turning to him, I see that he has done as I asked but he has that same smug look on his face and I sighed. If I didnt need the samples...

I placed the blood pressure cuff on his arm and started pumping as I listened with my stethescope. "I dont belive you have given my your name yet, Sir," I said to him.

 

[Angelus]

"The name is Troy," I said as I looked at the doctor, the smug look instantly vanishing from my face. I then closed my eyes and tried to calm down as I hated to be here. All I wanted to do is go out and destroy the bastard who had made this virus.

I then heard her ask me something and opened my eyes to see her place the needle into the vein in my arm. I looked up at her and said nothing, I just hoped for her sake that she wasn't giving me any type of experimental new drug that was meant to stop the virus.

As soon as the blood samples were taken I began to sit up but she stopped me and I looked up at her, "Now what do you want from me?"

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I gestured to the blood samples I had just taken.
"I just took a hell of alot of blood out of you. What I want is for you to lay back and recooperate before running off and doing who knows what."

I picked up the blood samples and carefully placed them in my pocket. "I will need skin samples a little later. Until then I will get you something from the snack machine to help you get over all the blood I have taken."

Leaving the room, I dropped the samples off in the Pathology lab which was right next door to my own and then went to the machines to grab a sandwich and some juice before returning to Troy. Handing him the items, I picked up the clip board and started to scribble a few lines on it while exiting the room again.

"Eat that and I will be back for the skin samples after I start the blood tests running."

 

[Angelus]

I sat up and instantly wished I hadn't as the entire room started to spin. I had no idea why I had to have so much blood taken out of me but now she wanted skin samples. I opened the sandwich and took a sniff of it then figuring out that it was alright to eat took a bite of it before taking a sip of the juice.

I then got to my feet and slowly walked around before I noticed the windows. I walked over to them and saw that there was nobody around, there were no creatures running around and I found that that was strange. What was it about this place that they did not like?

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

As soon as I got the blood samples going, I reentered the room. Troy was standing by the window and I was glad to see that he was not feeling too bad from the loss of blood.

Sitting on the edge of my desk, I said,"You said something about having seen a similar virus to the one that is striking down people. Can you tell me about it and any information about why certain people are immune to it's effect?"

Looking at him, or his back to be precise, I continued,"I have determined that this virus is man made and that it is not made to mutate. It was designed to do one thing and do it well. The DNA structure is designed to be a dead end. Whoever did this wanted complete control over thier project-and he or she knew exactly what it was supposed to do."

"If I can trace it to it's origin than I can find out who made it. I dont know if they have an antidote for it-I dont even know if they were affected by it or not. Until then, I want to see if I cant find something that will start to reverse the effects. The virus worked quickly and the antidote may work as quickly as well."

I sighed and said,"The only thing is I dont know if these 'creatures' would come out of it with their sanity intact. The best I may be able to hope for is to keep those unaffected by the virus-unaffected."

I reached for my instruments again and went over to collect a skin sample from his arm. "Then again, if the creator of this thing is alive-what the hell is he or she doing now?"

 

[Angelus]

Troy

"I would say sitting back and laughing. He or she has gotten exactly what they wanted." I swept my arm out over the city. "This."

I then turned and walked over to the bed so that the doctor, Nancy could take my skin sample. As soon as it was taken I looked at her as the bandage was placed on and said, "I can't stay here. I have to go and try to find who is responsible for this and see if there are any other survivors. I hope that you understand."

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I looked at him and nodded.
"You are free to do what you wish. I have enough samples to work with but I am hoping to draw people here instead of having to go and find them."

"There is a military instillation just outside of town that has some radio broadcast equiptment. I have it on a cycle so that a message to come here is repeated every fifteen minutes. I was about to check on it when I ran into you."

 

[Angelus]

"I'm sorry that I seem to be a little bit rude but I was travelling with someone here when she was killed by some of those creatures."

I then walked over to where my clothes were and after putting them on I turned to Nancy and said, "If you need someone to accompany you to this installation then I would be happy to offer my services. If you don't mind travelling with me that is."

I also might be able to find a weapon or two I thought. But I wasn't going to say that, this person wanted to save these creatures, to turn them back into humans and in some part I agreed with her but a large part of me wanted to send as many of them as I could straight to hell.

 

[Isolde]

Nancy

I nodded and smiled. "That would make me feel better. We can go now while the blood tests are busy running. We can take my car."

I dropped the skin sample off at the pathology lab and led the way out to the covered car park. Slipping into the driver's seat, I waited for him to get in before turning the engine over.

As we pulled out, I made my way slowly towards the installation. There wasnt much conversation-what did you say in a situation like this, 'So how have you been doing since the world went to hell?', but we made it to our destination shortly and I got out of the car, tranquilzer gun in hand.

Pushing open the heavy doors, I walked into the coolness of the building. "The communications room is straight ahead," I said to him.