Hey, I think I've almost got it. I called over my shoulder to Lucius.
Really? He asked. I could tell by his voice that he was more than a little skeptical. I was in a very small, dimly lit room. The walls were made from smooth, white ceramic, and the floor was a metallic substance that was currently covered by a steel grate.
Hold on, I should have it in a second. I replied, leaning forward over the glowing control panel in front of me. My gloved fingers hovered above a digital keypad that sat on the table before me.
I was making an attempt to manufacture a new type of medicine. Technology that had come a long way since humanity's exodus from Earth millions of years ago. It had finally reached a point where scientists could use the genetic makeup of the human genome to aid in the treatment of individuals afflicted with specific illnesses. The genetic code was constantly in a state of flux, constantly changing.
So I was working on creating an organism that could adapt and not only survive in such an inhospitable environment, but thrive.
I entered a sequence of keystrokes, and watched as the single strand of DNA floated from the tiny syringe-like apparatus in front of me, down towards the straw-sized vial of liquid in the tube below. It was not a very long sequence of code, but it was long enough.
I started to type.
Okay, I think it's in.
I paused for a second as I watched the fluid disappear into the tube. The way the liquid was being held into the tiny vial was almost like a liquid smoke. The syringe was being forced down the straw into the liquid, somehow.
Well, uh. Okay, it's in. I added after a minute with a sigh.
I waited for a minute or so, and then started to type again. I entered another sequence, and watched as once again, the nucleic code began to travel through the straw and into the liquid. There was no other sensation at this point than watching the liquid disappear through the straw.
The codes automatically adjusted themselves, no matter what I did to them. I was getting a little frustrated, but I was sure the sequence was entered correctly. It was an incredibly complex series of instructions, but it seemed to make it happen.
Okay, I think I'll be able to take a look at this one tonight." I spoke at last, as it seemed the device was functioning correctly. I was staring down at the screen with a face of absolute concentration. Just a second. I typed a short string of code. "There you are. It's official, Lucius. I've got it.
Awesome. Lucius said from over my shoulder, pushing off the nearby wall. That's all I needed to hear. We both stood there for a moment.
So what now? He asked.
Well, that was kind of the easy part. Now we just wait for it to start spreading.
We both laughed as we both found ourselves before the same closed steel gate. And how long will that take? Lot said from behind us.
"You should be all ready to go after the virus has spread out the main population a little bit. Just fill up the white vial with some liquid oxygen and then stick it into the gas chamber. I said, pointing at the enclosed cylinder about six feet away from us.
I'm going to have to get something to stand on. Lot said with a laugh.
I know. Just wait a second. I replied, grabbing some metal plating from the wall beside me and flipping it around.
Just in time. Lucius added, preparing his carbon fiber baton for me.
He asked me to hold the torch for him, and I obliged. Lucius stepped up to the small iron gate and leaned his baton against the two metal rods that were looped through the side of the gate. The gate itself was about three feet tall.
He placed the torch into my hand as well, and with one leg, he stepped up onto the two stripped rods.
Ready? He asked. I replied, holding the torch out in one hand and the metal panel in the other.
Yeah.
He raised his baton, and with one swift blow, he knocked it over, causing the two connected rods to spring to the side and pull the closed gate open.
Guess the virus is primed. Lot said with a laugh, walking past us.
He grabbed the vial and the white, plastic cylinder and disappeared into the hallway. We followed him out of the room.
We were in the hallway of what looked like a large, factory-like set of sealed gas chambers. There was a ramp going up the middle of the hall, and the walls were made of the same hard, white ceramic that was on the walls of the room we'd just broken into.
Lot reached a pile of white containers erected on the side of the ramp. He stepped up on top of a pyramid of stacked containers and grabbed the cylinder by the lid. He then proceeded to hang the cylinder at his side and carried the cylinder up the ramp, carrying the vial in his other hand.
Thanks for the help. Lucius said from behind me.
No problem.
So, why did you pick the DNA of a sea creature? He asked.
I thought it might make for some good genetic variety, but I didn't know it would be so bulky. I replied, as we were now headed up the ramp towards the doorway at the end.
Well, you certainly got that right. I don't think I've seen an animal like this in my entire life. What is it, some kind of mutant worm?
Exactly. I replied. We reached the end of the ramp and proceeded through the doorway.
"Where do I look for the keys?" Lucius asked. I handed him the torch and grabbed a small, wire brush out of my pocket.
"Just start scraping around for some sort of key card. It should have a key card slot on it.
I started to scrape around the edge of the door, trying to rub out the curved lines on the inside of the circular door lock.
"Here's something. Lucius said, grabbing a metal card out of the wall next to him.
Give it here. I said, holding my hand out. He did so, and I walked it to the slot. I slid the card into the slot and turned the wheel until it was aligned with the locked symbol. I then lifted it out of the slot.
So, did you find a key card for the other locks here?
Yeah.
Can we get back to the others? Lucius asked.
Yeah, of course. I replied, sliding the card back into the slot in the door lock. I positioned the card on top of the one still in the lock, and then turned the wheel until the locked symbol was aligned with the card. I then lifted the card out of the slot, leaving the other on top of it.
What are you doing? Lucius asked.
I'm going to hope that it will open the door. I don't think there's anything else we can do here.
Okay.
Lot was walking down the hallway in the same direction of the door that was now missing a lock.
