Friday Sketch: "Butterflies are free (and so are we)"...

 

The Thirteenth (Epilogue)

A star and two small planets could be seen in the sky, through the Council Room window of the Main Building. A man alone contemplates, seriously and thoughtfully, the immense darkness, decorated with tiny specks of light, shining on the outside and oblivious to his grief.

"This world is doomed by sameness and monotony. We live for too long a time, but our existence is not necessarily filled with any kind of pleasure. There is no real purpose in living long, preserving the species, or even saving the planet. If an accident destroys this civilization, what difference would the universe feel? What difference could the past make? What if the accident were somewhere in the past, even before the great destruction? Would it really make any difference?

Here and now there is nothing that can give us any reason for pride or for longing to live. Our existence is empty. It is all so gray and dull, without any beauty. There are no feelings either good or bad. Why do we need to keep this thing still working? "

***

- I don’t want to be an experiment anymore. I will no longer be serving as a guinea pig for the creation of a sterile vaccine. I do not want to be changed anymore. This is what makes me unique in this crowd of equals.

- But the mutation is going pretty fast. Your back is covered with these black and white furry spots that are already spreading to the rest of your body and your defenses are low. You will not hold out for long.

- It's my choice.

- You do not have this option, by the rules... No clone has... in these circumstances...

- I am David, the Thirteenth... If things had been different, I would have been chosen to be the next Supreme, for being the best and the stronger, or to be an explorer of the Universe. Now I'm just a freak. It is better to let life go its normal course... or curse… and I'll live with it... for as long as it's possible...

- That can be for very little time, now, you know.

- Whatever. The vaccine does not work, anyway.

***

- We live in a planet, which, together with other smaller ones, revolves around a small star, which has limited natural light, but keeps the system functioning in a balanced way. The planet's orbit around itself occurs for a shorter period than on Earth, for obvious reasons. Time, then, has a different concept. As the day has fewer hours, the count of years is therefore different. The control of life in this system of planets belongs to a group of scientists, who constitute an intellectual elite.

- Why do you use the count of years as A.D.?

- Because the founders wanted to pay a homage to Earth, the planet they originally came from.

- And what are the clones created for, anyway?

- Each planet, in this cluster of other smaller planetoids, has its own peculiarity. What makes this one habitable is the unique and unusual feature of having Oxygen, although in much less quantity than on planet Earth. The element, vital to human life, is processed, filtered and used within the protected structures, which we call Stations. This feature is not the only thing we have in common with our distant predecessor from another galaxy. A stream of water-like liquid flowing through underground rivers is collected, reprocessed and transformed into potable water and then made available to the inhabitants in a natural way. But we are facing a new problem: we are quickly running out of this available water-like liquid. Research teams have already been sent in search of alternatives, through the galaxy, but so far, nothing real has been found. These small teams are mostly composed of selected clones, specially trained for this type of operation. An advanced robotic unit accompanies the crew of each spacecraft. At the moment, we have just a few of them out in the searching trips because we cannot create enough clones.

- Cloning is a reality and it is inevitable, being practically the only form of reproduction in our time. The process is interrupted, from the moment we find that the resistance of the body to any type of problem, physical or mental, is practically guaranteed. After the vaccine has been applied, some characteristics are allowed to mature on their own, forming different individuals within the cocoons, such as chrysalides, in the incubators. We do not use human wombs. Not all of these individuals come to the end of the process and survive, because the vaccine is quite aggressive, but it must be so. When they are ready, the strongest are selected and reported to the Supreme, who inspects them, along with the Council, to send them to the Main Building. This planet is inhabited by a single race, which speaks a unique language. The new humans are virtually devoid of hairs, having their skull box enlarged in size and their bodies diminished in proportion. Once well trained, they will be part of the teams selected by the Council to explore the galaxy. The others, of a more regular, but resistant lineage, are sent for the production of Oxygen. Demographic density is kept under strict control. Our resources are limited, so we have to use them effectively.

- This is amazing. And it all started with my research, in a remote past...

The head of the scientists laughed, a little embarrassed. The man seemed not to be fully aware of the importance his research has had so far in developing that race, which represented, in one way or another, the future of mankind. He could not be blamed for being so naïve, however, since more than twenty-five centuries had passed since then and he could have never guessed that would go so far.

- Yes, doctor. All this based on your precious research... in the remote past and on a planet a bit different from this.

***

- Leona! I need you to come to the lab right away. Something very strange has happened.

- What thing?

- You better come and see... I do not know what to say...

When they arrived they realized that the laboratory was empty, except for a Monarch, standing on the wall.

- How did it come here?

Leona laughed.

- I do not know, for sure, but I have an idea of ​​where it might have come from... a certain clone... that traveled to the past and was enchanted by music and a flock of butterflies...

***

- The outbreak is uncontrollable. The clones perish very quickly and the line can no longer produce them to meet the needs, due to the incubation period. The continuation of life is doomed.

- I have an idea. Do we still have the Monarch with us?

- Yes. But what's a butterfly for, now, anyway?

- That's how the study began. Maybe we have a chance... We're going to have to start all over again. We isolated the DNA and made a vaccine in the past. The original one does not even work anymore. We have to start from scratch. There was something, in the meantime, that stopped working and we do not have enough time to try and repair it. We have to start all over again.

- Yes. Let's stop trying to recover the unrecoverable and do everything from the beginning, again.

- OK. But it may take a long time before we get to the point where we were, before the incident.

- Perhaps. At least we'll know what to do from this point on...

***

The Supreme looked at the black and white patches covering his thin, pale body. They seemed covered with a dense layer of very soft hair. He felt a pang of pain in his head. He knew that his defenses were compromised, as a result of the anomaly and for no longer taking the vaccines.

He sighed and looked up at the sky of that desolate and insignificant planet in the midst of the infinite Universe, so little known, despite all the evolutions after the First Chaos and decided that it was time for a radical decision.

"This was not supposed to happen. They are very close to finding a solution. If they suspect of anything, they will turn against me. But I'll never let them know what I did. I have to fix this situation straightaway before it gets too late."

He programmed the main computer, which controlled all the units, for two actions. Destruction was absolutely necessary. He concluded his commands and sat down, relaxed, as he had never done since he had become the Supreme.

"Genocide and suicide. It was a great idea to sabotage the production of the vaccines, since I discovered that the anomaly could be a great opportunity for the extermination of this sterile breed of beings. This will all look like an accident, but who do I have to explain something to, anyway? There will be nothing left! What a great plan!"

He closed his eyes and waited. In a few seconds, the planet imploded and then exploded completely, in a predetermined sequence, taking on a huge cloud of debris, already devoid of any sign of life, traveling at high speed through the space, in all directions.

A solitary capsule wandered adrift not far from where the asteroid existed a few moments before. Inside it, a metal tube carried precious information about a race of humanoids, who lived on a small, arid planet that ceased to exist. The capsule is thrown, along with the debris of the destroyed planet, through the silent, dark emptiness of space, being drawn into a crevice in the midst of the chaos and disappearing completely with a quick flash of light.

***

On a nearly deserted beach, two young men were talking while walking side by side, each one with a beer can in hand. A flash of lightning crossed the darkness, drawing their attention, especially because the sky seemed clean and starry. The sound of something big falling into the sea, right behind where they came from, made them stop and come back.

The strange metal object floated on the ocean water, swaying to the taste of the waves and still steaming.

It was a warm summer night in the Anno Domini of 2018.

The Thirteenth (Part 3)

It was not too late at night, in the suburbs. The silhouettes of two people, with very dissimilar looks, moved among the shadows, among the narrow streets and the dark alleys. Some people were still walking outside, others were chatting happily in the pubs and restaurants. It was quite a pleasant and fresh autumn night, fresh but not chilly at all. To the stronger man, that temperature was ideal, but his companion was uncomfortable, feeling his pale and fragile body tremble with cold.

- Let's go that way. We are not far by now. I just hope I don’t give the old man too much of a fright.

The other man looked at him, not quite realizing what that really meant and continued to follow the strong man, first behind a large house, which covered a whole block, in the farthest part of the village, then through a children’s playground at a small park and then they finally crossed a large patio that led them into a dense group of large trees.

When they started walking through the woods, they hit some branches of the Swan Milkweed that were hanging on their way and that had a surprising effect on some of the forest's temporary residents. A rustle of movement and color impressed the clone, but irritated the man who led him down those dark paths in the cool autumn night.

- Oh! What are these?

- They're butterflies. Monarchs, more specifically...

- How interesting... They are so...

Words failed him. He could not, with such a short life, say what he felt about beauty, one of the few things that really impressed him.

- ...annoying when they fly around us. We should avoid these swift moves because anything we do can raise suspicion and put us in danger. We have to keep our presence as discreet as possible.

The clone looked at the man, who was annoyed with such beauty and did not understand why he did not enjoy that unusual moment. The man pulled him by the arm, whispering, irritated.

- Let's go! Every minute we waste is too precious and we'll miss them eventually. You'll know more about the Monarchs, if you ever have the time... Now, let’s move on!

They finally arrived at the entrance of a tunnel, hidden in the basement of a building. From there, after passing through a series of other passageways, tangled in a rather intricate network, they finally got into a small old shed, built in the backyard of an ordinary house.

From there, they noticed there were lights on in the house, showing evidence that someone was still up. They were careful to stay hid in the shadows until they were absolutely sure no one could see them. The silence was proof enough that there was no danger. The two of them stepped up to the door. The stronger man knocked on the door with his knuckles. He then stopped for a short while and knocked again twice. That was the code he reminded. At the sound of footsteps coming from the inside, he felt a strange apprehension.

A middle-aged man opened the door, but his expression soon changed from a smile to a mix of worry and fear. What those two strangers were doing there at his door, using the code only known by his son and daughter, was unknown to him, but he felt they were no good news. The strongest man reminded him of someone he knew, but he could not recall who that could be.

- What can I do for you?

The man kept the door half open, trying to control the situation. He sensed that he was at a disadvantage, but he had to try and intimidate the visitors, who still stood somewhat in the shadow of the night.

- Can we come inside? It is important.

- No. You cannot, without telling me who you are and what you want.

 The younger man stepped forward, while the older man grabbed the door firmly, trying to close it, before he lost control, but his strength did not match that of the other one.

- Father?

The man's eyes widened. That was unexpected. He was absolutely sure he had no children that age. The younger man's eyes, however, when they were struck by the light from within the house, were as green as his son's, but he immediately refuted that common characteristic.

- My son is a lot younger than you and I'm pretty sure I've never had another one. I do not know who you are or what you want, but you will not get anything from me.

- I know it sounds unbelievable, but I can explain... Let us in, please. We are all in danger.

The older man’s face changed immediately to a very serious and hard expression. The younger man then tried his last attempt.

- I’m not trying to fool you. Look at this! Do you believe me now?

The man pulled the door open, carefully, so as to let the two visitors in. Until then, he'd hardly noticed the features of the little man, which he now watched, attentively. He was extremely pale, young and almost hairless. His head seemed to be disproportionately larger than those with whom he used to be. Her skin looked very thin. The green eyes also reminded him of someone, but he did not catch it at first. He was now busy examining that strange being whose anomaly he had already seen before in his own son.

- How could this be possible?

- We believe the answer is here at this time. That's why we need your help.

The three of them turned their attention to a spot in the shadows, behind the old man, from which the female voice was coming.

- Leona? What happened to you? You're so different...

- We are all, Father, but…

- You shouldn’t have come.

- And let you trigger a catastrophe? This untimely behavior of yours has already put us in a very big trouble... We have to interfere as little as possible with this time and place. Everything we do here, will surely have consequences in that world.

- What world? Can anyone explain this whole mess to me?

Before her brother began telling improper truths, Leona went forward. She would be more careful with the words and say only what would not change… much… the course of the events, but their father had to know what happened... or was going to happen... as a matter of fact… so he could help them.

The scientist listened quietly but not without showing how impressed he was. He would never imagine how important his research would become in the future. In his modesty and simplicity, behind all intelligence and brightness, he did not foresee that his work would bring so much benefit to mankind... or at least to a portion of it...

***

- Father, the chief scientist, who is a very experienced and competent man, could not find out what caused that anomaly in the clone. The concern is that it is serious and that will put a good part of those who are born at risk, as if it were an epidemic, difficult to control. Some element in the vaccine might have stopped working, or there was some mutation of a sort.

- I brought a sample of the new vaccine, which is under test, to be analyzed by you. How did you reverse the effect when it happened to me? There is no record about this in the known data.

- I know. I never left any of it written in the official records. I only made a few notes in my diary, which I kept out of sight for everyone. But I know what to do... I dealt with it not so long ago. But we're must first go to the University's laboratory, do some more tests. We have already eliminated the... err... I do not know if it will result in a clone, whose DNA may have already undergone many mutations, nor do I know what kind of reactions can still happen, but it’s worth a try.

Before they left, however, the man looked at the three visitors and, frowning, asked, with childlike ingenuity.

- What are clones for, anyway?

The three of them looked at the old scientist, as if he had said an obscenity. Leona laughed tenderly and said to him,

- I’ll try to explain on the way...

***

- What is it? It's so nice...

- It’s music. Let's go.

- Where is it coming from?

- Come on! Quickly! We do not have time for this.

The father, much more patient than his son, tried to explain, in a more or less coherent way:

- Music is the language though which the souls of men talk to those of the gods. It is capable to touch the most intangible living being. There are many different types and styles. This one that you hear is by a famous artist, who no longer walks on this Earth.

- No? Where does he walk on, now?

- He’s dead. His name was David Bowie. The music comes from the club bar ahead, but we should avoid going there. We cannot raise any suspicion and it’s too late in the evening already...

- By the way, we have to find a name for you. If someone stops us, for some reason, it will be the most convenient... and appropriate way. We should not take unnecessary risks.

- I am the Thirteenth.

- Yes. But that's not a decent name for this place. We have to choose another one; more common and suitable...

- Could it be David Bowie?

Leona chuckled loudly.

- It can be David. Forget the Bowie. It will raise more suspicion if it is used here.

***

The university campus was practically deserted when they arrived. There was a white van at the entrance, parked near the research area, where the lab was located. The letters N. M. E., painted in red, on the sides, did not raise suspicions, when the four characters descended the flight of stairs, which took them to their destination. As soon as the scientist took the key out of his pocket and turned the lock in the narrow metal door, a hiss was heard and a deep mark was engraved above his head, in the light gray hard metal. They threw themselves in, closing the door behind them so to gain some time and rushed to the Main Lab.

- Who are these? We are being attacked by fire guns. We have to get away and try to get back to the terminal. Let's all go. Run!

As they entered the lab, they dragged a large cabinet and blocked the door.

- We must use the emergency exit that is located at the opposite end of the laboratory. I'll show you the way. Now, hurry and keep on walking to the end of the hall and go through the door where it’s written "To the roof" and, instead of going up, go behind the stairs. There is another door there, at the bottom of the broom and cleaning cabinet, painted the same color as the walls, to make it difficult to find. I’ll have to go back and get my notes.

At that moment, they heard a loud blast. The front door had been broken into with explosives. The sounds of footsteps running down the hall, very close to them, made them panic and imagine a hurried escape plan.

- There is no time to go back. We have to get out of here as soon as possible. They are already coming after us...

- But it's extremely important... it's right in the desk drawer...

The younger man knew his father was right. It was extremely important to seek the information, to fulfill the purpose of that time travel or else it would have been useless. Without thinking much, he decided:

- I’ll go back. I'm faster and stronger. I can defend myself better, and besides, when we get back to the terminal, we will not be able all four to travel at the same time. The programming will be done for three, only...

- We can reprogram it.

- If we have time... Let’s hurry. I’ll come back. Don’t wait for me. Don’t worry, I'll find a way. If the portal is not open anymore, I’ll wait for a signal.

- We'll send one, as soon as we get there, programming the terminal for a passenger, only, so it closes as soon as you get in and we bring no more danger along with us to the future.

- OK. Now, let's move on. Time is short.

Leona felt a sting in her chest. Things had gotten out of hand. The whole operation had been too risky, and now they were struggling to stay alive. She had the lead and show the way, but they had to be fast and unsuspecting, until they reached the terminal.

Then they heard a series of gun shots. What an efficient and dangerous way to rush things...