- You will need to
start from scratch. All the samples you’re working with are contaminated.
- But I do not have
the original DNA for starters. It’s too late now.
- No. It’s not!
The doctor and the chief of scientists looked
at the young man. Leona was the first one to realize what he meant.
- What are you saying
now? Do you have it?
- I told you I came to
help and try to save what can be saved, but we are running out of time.
The pupas were almost ready to eclose. One of
the colourful chrysalis would hatch in a very short time and by then, a sample
of the fluids running in the fragile body could be taken immediately and used
for the production of the vaccine.
The doctor and the chief of scientists had to
fight against death and time, both being very strong contestants. That would be
a risky operation and had to be done in a very short notice, or it would be too
late to save that poor human being, going into such a strange mutation.
- What do we do?
- It’s important to
get the sample when the fluid has started running through the wings and body of
the new butterfly, a little before it is strong enough to fly by itself. It is
when the elements in the DNA are more effective.
- So I was told… this
is why I brought them in different phases.
- How long are we to
wait?
- Not long, really.
- Now look! It’s
eclosing. Slow, my dear…
- Help her!
- Never. The struggle
is the most important part of the hatching. If we help her out, she will never
fly. She needs the fluids to run through all the parts of her body. Patience is
all we need now… and extreme care… to get the fluids at the right time…
- Now. Help me out
here, please.
The chief of the lab took a syringe with a very
thin needle and got ready. The doctor smiled. Time could be on their side…
***
- I’m glad we could
produce the vaccine which is now effective. I was afraid we would never get to
it.
Leona was serious and still concerned. The
young man standing with her was thoughtful and feeling detached of the drama of
that scene.
- But we lost that
battle. Some of the very ill clones died before the operation.
- But not that one. He
was not impossible to recover. Good he was such a strong specimen.
- We can make more
clones, now we have it working properly. We have the means to make better ones!
- We will have to
select the best of the best this time, to have his blood helping us to make the
perfect others…
- He will be the guinea
pig…. A prototype… for a new generation!
The two scientists were over excited. The death
of the clones was nothing but a side effect in favour of science. They were
babbling like two kids with a new toy.
The woman looked at the young man, standing
behind them, in silence. She knew there was a purpose for his trip through space
and time and the cost for the favour was yet to be charged. His eyes met hers.
She knew it was time to pay her dues.
- I think we must go
now. Come with me.
He followed her through the corridors of the
Stellar Station to where the old and unused transport terminal was located.
- You’ll have to
promise not to change anything. Your presence should not be noticed. The
consequences are disastrous if you don’t follow my instructions. It is this or
nothing at all…
- OK. Deal.
- Are you really sure
you want to do this? You’ll be confined…
- I am. This is the main
reason I came here for. Let’s do it. We’ve got little time.
- Remember this: you’ll
have just one hour and then you’ll be brought back ahead in time to the time
and place when and where you belong to.
- What?
- You won’t be coming
back here. Ever again.
***
- What have you done?
- I’ve sent him back…
to the past… Wasn’t that what you wanted, after all?
- What did he want
here? How can you trust someone you do not know?
- He came to bring us
hope. He brought the original material for the manufacturing of a new vaccine. You
know the others were not working anymore and that was our last chance.
The supreme got serious, as if disturbed by a
thought.
- I know it. And did
that work?
- It did. We saved the
Thirteenth. He’s recovering quickly. You will need to try one sample yourself: your
patches are showing…
- I will. Thanks for
the concern.
- He asked about the 'Oumuamua'.
- What?
- You know: the first Centaur detected by the Earth scientists...
- Stupid time travellers...
- I know. And he also said something so unbelievably absurd.
- Did he? What was
that?
She laughed shyly.
- He said you were
planning to destroy the planet…
- Ah! And why would I do
that? That’s ridiculous!
- I know it. That’s
why I sent him back to the time and place he came from, but I added a sample of
‘Oblivion’ in the capsule. He’ll be OK.
- Good… very good. I
wouldn’t have done it better. Very well thought, Leona. You’re a very smart
woman.
She smiled. He left a sigh come out as they entered
the laboratory and met the two scientists working hard on the production of the
new vaccine. The Supreme greeted them and stretched his forearm for the
examination of the back furry patch growing over it.
The doctor got a syringe and targeted the blue
vein which went up at the pressure of his finger. The man smiled when the needle
pierced his extremely pale skin. He had some things in mind and very little
time left to do them.
In minutes he was back to his quarters. He
stood by a large window, looking to the dark sky outside. He mumbled something
to himself and programmed the computer for two actions.
He needed to see the Thirteenth, to check the
result of the new vaccine, before hitting the right key. There was something else
he needed to do before…
***
- I knew it was
dangerous. He is not coming back. We killed him.
- Calm down, man.
Something must have happened. It’s not too long…
- You said one hour
and that is long gone. Two hours have passed. We killed him.
The young soldier was feeling gloomy and guilty
for the fate of his fellow friend. Too late for lamentations. Too late for
everything. He’s lost his best friend. He wanted to cry.
He looked at the pale man standing in front of
him, who was staring at a niche on the wall of one of the many passageways of
the city intricate underground sewage tunnels. A strange hissing sound was followed
by a bright glint. There was another flash and then they saw him.
- He’s back!
The soldier felt a twitch in his stomach when
he saw his friend lying on the floor. He was not awake.
- Is he OK?
- He’s unconscious,
but he’s breathing. Let’s bring him up.
The young soldier opened his eyes as soon as he
got up, helped by the other two men.
- Oh, man. I thought
we had lost you! Where have you been?
- Uh? I think I
fainted. Where are we?
- By the transport terminal
in the tunnels.
- What are we doing
here?
- You don’t remember? You
just travelled to the future and back.
- No way. I had this
strange dream, but I don’t remember much of it. I’m so tired now. Can we go
home?
The two men exchanged their stares. The young
soldier shook his head. The pale man spoke what he had in mind.
- Oblivion.
- What?
He smiled.
- I’ll explain later.
***
