Colonists - Leader, part 10
BREVITY SCIENCE LAB 2
July 24, 2186
The scientific lab unit was a similar design to the other pre-fab units which had come down from the Brevity once orbit had been established. The mostly white and steel gray boxy unit provided a reasonable amount of space for the various science teams to operate. Not all of them were happy and it was fairly crowded compared to some of the larger corporate or government labs on Earth. Physical space restraints limited those luxuries. Nevertheless the science teams had made due and, in Ying Oum’s opinion, had done very well on the tasks needed within the colony.
She was now meeting with Dr. Moreau and Dr. Heying in the post-lunch hour to discuss this new development regarding the cross-breeding of the genetics of Earth and Nile species. For the most part the science of the work was well above her head. She was more concerned with the implications of said work and less of the processes it involved.
Dr. Heying had begun speaking again when the loud roar of dropship engines echoed from the other end of the colony cut her off. She sighed and started again, “Unrelated to this topic perhaps you could ask the military to fly a different route in and out of the colony? They’re being especially obnoxious today.”
The Advisor nodded, “They do seem to be going on a lot of flights today.” She reminded herself to ask the Major about it later.
Heying continued, “So with the obvious similarities of the Earth DNA, namely cenocytes, and the Nile DNA – what we’re terming ‘xenocytes’ - can be cross-bred. They require a host, however, and that’s part of the concern. I’ve already grown a number of the crossbreeds and I think people would be understanding if we asked for volunteers.”
“Human volunteers? To host alien parasites?” Oum asked incredulously.
“What? No, no I mean on some of the Earth livestock. We are far removed from human trials. And I’m working towards breeding a potential means of removing local pathogens. I’ve designed what amounts to a type of leech that is eager to absorb native fungal spores from the blood stream of its host but also seems to ignore anything laced with Earth-based DNA. The mice and rats we’ve experimented with so far have had no side effects at this time. We haven’t gone public for obvious reasons,” Heying explained.
“The concern over xenophobia? Humans are already predisposed against alien life due to the ongoing war with the Kamikaze. With the news of these new aliens reaching us from Earth the fear of the people may be at an all-time high. There’s potentially real benefits to this research, but if it will cause unrest in the colony then I’d rather not make it public. Instead we’d focus our resources elsewhere,” Dr. Moreau added.
Ying nodded in understanding. Truth be told she didn’t like the idea of crossbreeding Earth-Nile hybrids. To her mind it wouldn’t be too long before discussions of crossbreeding humans with alien DNA started. That was something she did not want be responsible for.
“I’ll give it some consideration but my natural inclination is to side with Dr. Moreau on this one. I’m afraid, being so close to the revelation about new potentially hostile aliens, I don’t want there to be any kind of xenophobic fears being worsened. For now, Dr. Heying, I’d like to ask that you don’t pursue this line of work,” Oum stated.
The female scientist was unhappy about the Advisor’s decision, “Advisor please reconsider-”
Ying held up a hand to forestall the incoming protest, “I’m not saying that we’ll never look into it. All I’m saying is that, for now, I want the colony’s tensions to die down a bit. Your research has promise and it wouldn’t surprise me if your research will be needed at some point in the future. But for now, I have to be cognizant of the peoples' emotions regarding a sensitive subject.”
“This is preposterous. We are the aliens here!” Heying protested.
“Yes, we are. Unfortunately we’re here as a matter of survival. I am more concerned with keeping this very young and fragile colony in a stable state. And we don’t yet know how much damage we can do to the native ecosystem just by being here. The hydro-electric dam is going to cause enough damage to the local ecology without adding to it by unleashing leeches which kill the native bacteria. I want this process to move slowly, I want the general populace to be on board with the idea, and when we decide to implement it I want it to be successful,” Ying said calmly but firmly. She put down her hand, “Now Dr. Heying, preserve your data and if you can keep any of your leeches alive do so. I don’t want your hard work destroyed or removed from history. This is a deferment of your research, not an abortion of it.”
Heying seemed to relax at hearing Oum say that and nodded several times shallowly in understanding. She was not at all grateful sounding when she spoke, “I understand, Advisor. I’ll work towards other endeavors.”
“Thank you, doctors. Is there anything else which requires my attention?” she asked. They both agreed there was not. Ying bid them farewell and left the science lab.
As soon as she exited the single-story fab unit she was greeted outside by a pair of Infantry being held at bay by Ilarion. He was gently holding out his arms to dissuade the pair from passing, but was not forcibly restraining them. She recognized both Infantrymen but only knew one. The first, a young man named Rogers, was a private. The second was an older middle-aged soldier named Smith; he was one of the sergeants in the Infantry.
“Advisor Oum,” spoke Sergeant Smith, “Major Decatur has been trying to contact you all morning. You weren’t at the admin building and your comm has been off. Mr. Chuvnik wouldn’t let us interrupt your meeting, but there’s a situation that requires your attention.”
She stepped up to the group, “What situation?”
“We’ve got a missing colonist, a man named Anthony Drake,” Smith advised. “We’ve been running sorties all morning with both dropships trying to find him.”
“That’s what all the commotion is about. Why wasn’t I informed sooner?” she asked.
“As stated: your comm was off, no one knew where you were. It seems it wasn’t noted on the admin calendar. Secondly, when we found Mr. Chuvnik, he wouldn’t let us pass,” Smith stated.
Ying looked at Ilarion, “This is important, why did you hold up these men?”
“Everything is important to the military. They didn’t care to tell me what was so important,” the Russian accented man replied.
Ying pulled free her comm and was powering it on while shaking her head in frustration. “We need to work on our communications,” she addressed the entire group. She then spoke to Smith, “Did you walk here sergeant?”
“No ma’am, we took a car from HQ,” he said.
“Then take me to the Major,” she said as she pulled up the short-range radio wave assigned to Major Decatur’s direct line.
He picked up almost immediately, “Advisor Oum, we have a situation.”
“I’m aware, Sergeant Smith and Private Rogers have found me. They’re bringing me to you now.”
“Very good, ma’am,” he acknowledged.
“What’s the latest? I was told Anthony Drake is missing?” she inquired.
“That’s correct. He’s the husband of one of my people, Specialist Ashley Drake. She said he went out last night to check on their livestock and didn’t return. There are also several missing cattle, as well. We’ve checked the local area, their closest friends don’t have any idea where Mr. Drake has gone. He’s not at the mining site, nor with the team investigating the worm carcass,” Decatur explained.
“We still have people out there?”
“A couple scientists do a run out there every couple days to investigate the decomposition progress of the creature,” he explained flatly. Ying assumed they were trying to find out how the breakdown of the body by local wildlife, parasites, insects, and other natural processes differed from Earth’s. She wasn’t sure what they’d discover but science sometimes had amazing discoveries by accident.
“I see. Anything more?” she inquired.
“Not at present. Air searches have come up with nothing so far. There’s no fires, no signal flares – I don’t believe Mr. Drake went out on his own. We’re operating under the assumption he’s been taken, we assume by something native since the cows were taken too,” Decatur voice said through her comm.
“What about Mrs. Drake?” Ying asked.
“I’ve ordered her home to be with her sons, along with one of my people as escort. Counselor Elloway is with her as well. I thought that might be best in case she needed some emotional or mental support. She’s pretty distraught,” he detailed to her.
“I’m sure. I’ll go by after I meet with you to let her know that we’re doing all we can for her,” Ying said as Smith drove the vehicle along the path to the military HQ. “I’ll be to you presently. You can explain more at that time.”
“Understood, Advisor,” Decatur said and ended the comm.
BREVITY MILITARY HQ
July 24, 2186
17 minutes later
Ying got to the command room in short order. “Any update?” she asked not expecting there to be any.
Major Decatur had some headphones on listening to something, and then flipped a switch to play it on the external speaker. The voice of Flight Lieutenant 1st Class Alisha Ledger, who went by the callsign “Pharaoh,” came belting through the machine. She was part-way through whatever she was saying.
“-caves to the southeast. I’ve dropped off Sergeant Lesniski and his fireteam. They were exploring the area when Corporal Ortega found a boot. Does Specialist Drake’s husband wear a size 10?”
“I don’t think there’s too many boots lying around Nile, Pharaoh. Where’s Sergeant Lesniski now?” Decatur asked.
“He moved into the cave system, sir. I’m standing by for RTB to get more people, if needed. My bird is parked outside these caves in case our Infantrymen come out guns blazing,” Pharaoh replied.
“Copy that. Hold position, Pharaoh. I’ll have Grayhawk RTB and pick up medical staff. Update me immediately when your situation changes,” Decatur instructed.
“Copy that, over and out,” she answered. Decatur took off the headset then.
“Advisor, good to see you aren’t missing as well,” Decatur said.
The verbal jab angered her, “I’m sorry that I can’t be at your beck and call, Major. I wasn’t aware I needed to be.”
Decatur gave her a sidelong look before replying, “You aren’t. I was only trying to communicate with you so I could update you on this situation.”
“Yes, our communication is a topic I need to discuss. But not right now. Are your people entering this cave system to search for Anthony Drake?” she asked for verification.
“That’s correct,” he said.
“Are you sure that’s wise? We never got around to sending a team out there to look at that formation,” Ying asked.
“I’m not sure that it is, no. However, speed is important right now. If he’s alive he’ll be dehydrated and scared,” he justified.
“Major you are aware that the life on this planet – much like Earth’s – uses caves for shelter. You don’t know what your men are walking into. You’re endangering more peoples’ lives with this action,” she said. She wasn’t really protesting so much as trying to urge caution.
Decatur walked over to the doorway to the command room and motioned her over with him. Just outside the door he said to her calmly, but with a very firm voice, “Advisor Oum I know you mean well, but I can’t have you questioning my orders in front of my people in my own command room. I’m aware there is risk with the actions my Infantry are taking - but that is our job. In addition this is what they volunteered for. And they’re all veterans – we’ve all seen combat agains the Kamikaze. I think they can handle the local wildlife. Add to that, Sergeant Lesniski was with the Special Rescue Infantry – life-saving actions in hostile territory are his specialty. Furthermore, if we aren’t putting our best foot forward with trying to find the first missing colonist here, it’s going to look poorly for us in the peoples’ eyes. I’m trying to save a man’s life, to save the life of a husband, and father. Add to that I might save this from being a public relations issue for you as well.”
Oum was annoyed by his words and was going to counter his argument, yet she knew he was right. She was concerned too. The man needed to be found, and quickly. She decided she’d be best to let the Major do his job, “I understand, Major. If you’ll allow it I’d like to remain here to monitor the situation.”
“That’s not a problem, ma’am,” Decatur said, visibly relaxing. He turned to enter the command room again. She followed right behind him.
Oum wasn’t happy about the breakdown in communications, which was partly her own fault, but they’d agreed to keep military and civilian command structures separate. Questioning him in the middle of his own command center wasn’t good for anyone. For now, it was up to the Infantry to handle the missing Mr. Drake.
"Colonized city by Min-Nguen on DeviantArt"
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