Exterminator : The Dark Beneath

“EVO was first developed by a Swiss Laboratory in 2025 as a Metabolism enhancer for the crews of early space vessels. The original compound contained a complex mixture of hormones, transcription factors and gene targeting molecules that “tricked” the body into normal growth patterns, by reducing the loss of muscle, bone and organ integrity observed in Astronauts during the first space age. The company was brought out by a conglomerate that later renamed itself the Megacorp Gentech. EVO was further developed into compound that their marketing company labelled as a “Adaptation optimizer”, able to change the behaviour of natural bone, muscles and cardiovascular systems so as to significantly improve adaptation to new environments, such as higher or lower gravity, reduced oxygen content, gas partial pressure and other constraints.

However a string of unauthorised modifications by third parties produced batches of EVO rife with side effects and mutagenic compounds. Some feared the creation of a genetic elite, others an epidemic of disabling mutations. The UN banned all further research into EVO, despite Gentech’s strenuous objections. The base compound is still produced under strict license in specialised labs, due to its importance for human colonisation, but research or modification in any form is met with severe financial and criminal sanctions.”

-“Medical innovations in the Age of Space travel” Lecture by Professor Martin Saunders, Stanford University

11: 55, Upper ARC, South wall executive offices

It was funny really, Malcolm thought, absently playing with his watch, In the mystery novels and old films that his sons had loved, conspiracies and secret meetings happened in darkened rooms or smoky bars, where dangerous, power hungry, men plotted dark deeds or nefarious conquests. In reality the real machinations happened in country clubs, or well-appointed board rooms like the one he stood in now, with expensively imported wood tabletops and clear glasses of triple purified water neatly set on the table.

Malcolm was early as usual; preferring to beat the others to the room so he could gather his thoughts. Standing against the glass wall of the room, he looked out over the ARC valley, admiring the stark beauty of the rolling red dunes and rocky outcrops, created by millions of years of weathering and erosion. He dismissed the occasional mine-head that dotted the landscape; the areas surrounding them piled with slag heaps and discarded rock. Given time the planet would reclaim them too, geology being the ultimate example of the long game. One day the planet would reclaim it all, and the only evidence of mankind’s presence here would be a few scattered ruins.

A chime from the door behind interrupted his ruminations, and he turned to watch Mrs Carter enter, the overseer’s red blazer and skirt immaculate as always and her brunet hair artfully arranged in a stylish bob. It amused Malcolm how the prevalent fashion trends in Gentech still mirrored twentieth century American business norms, although a few brave souls dared to be different. Carter was in her late forties but careful exercise and diet, coupled with the latest in Gentech’s telomere enhancing anti-aging drugs helped her looked at least a decade younger.

With her came Mr Homes, her corporate lapdog, his smart suit and slicked back blond hair completing his image as a copy paste corporate drone. Carter moved to the head of the table and sat in the large swivel chair, Holmes hastily laying out her smart-pad in front of her, and she immediately began typing away on the tables, no double keeping personal logs of the meeting for her own records. Homes laid his own smart-tablet on the table, and Malcolm could already see him collecting his notes, ready to fire small-minded concerns into any advances the group reported.

Sighing, Malcolm moved from the window to take the seat opposite Carter, the long wooden table, imported at great expense, dividing them. He took his own smart pad from his pocket (the group never used the tables’ built-in screens for security reasons) and pulled up the files he needed before sitting back to wait for the last member of their little group, though it wasn’t as if the man actually contributed much to the discussion.

Several minutes later, precisely on the hour, Mr Rinehart arrived, the tall man moving into the room with his fluid gait, his immaculate grey suit artfully offsetting the touches of grey that coloured his close clipped hair, sunglasses concealing his eyes. He moved along the table and Malcolm’s eyes were drawn once again to the long zigzag scar running from Rinehart’s left temple to his chin, his inquisitive mind dying to ask what kind of weapon caused the wound. Malcolm knew he was a corporate fixer, someone the company called it to deal with off the book issues. The fixer sat in the last chair, leaning back to rest his feet on the table and pulling a honest to god paper book from his pocket, immediately beginning to read.

“Gentleman” Mrs Carter began in her smoky voice, only traces of mid-western roots remaining in her accent. “If we could get on with this, I have a meeting on the books in half a hour that is actually official, unlike this one.” She looked at Malcolm expectantly. “Professor Malcolm, I assume all necessary steps have been undertaken to secure the laboratory space for the new team members to assist with the Project?”

“Indeed,” he replied confidently, pulling up his notes for reference, ” as you know, to assist with project Apex the main lab space has been equipped as per the new arrivals’ requests, the equipment is the best the company can obtain, and the facilities second to none. As you know, the new staff members are all experts in their fields, and I am confident that with their help we can commence Stage 3 within the year. Soon we….”

“Excuse me, Professor,” Holmes interrupted apologetically, although Malcolm saw right through it, “I have to admit that I remain worried about the secondary laboratory space. Are you certain it will remain hidden from the new employees until we ascertain their loyalty? I still feel it’s unnecessary to bring in more people on this endeavour, as the risks are high enough already!”

Malcolm hid a grimace at the man’s lack of vision, always concerned with the risks without seeing the benefits of the project, not just to the company, but to humanity itself.

“As I have repeatedly explained, Project Apex needs more scientists. My current team are the experts in their fields, but the sheer complexity of the task at hand is taxing even them. Professor Branson and his team are at the cutting edge of molecular bio-molecules and tailored microorganisms, and have a depth of experience with EVO related Fields second to none. Their work has already greatly aided the project. Without it the Stage 2 specimens wouldn’t have been possible for at least another year. Our observations regarding how the implant and EVO secreting plasmodium have interacted are..”

“But Professor, the Stage 2s are part of the problem,” Homes butted in again, his right hand tapping on the table top in agitation, ”their very existence contravenes the genetic manipulation accords of the UNSF, and you have them in a lab less than 20 metres away from the faculty where you propose to lodge a group of highly intelligent, inquisitive scientists. Again, I must ask what steps you’ve taken to ensure their secrecy?”

Malcolm bit back his anger and tried to keep his voice even, conscious of Mrs Carter’s eyes on him. The harpy queen was highly invested in the project, but any sign that it might damage her career and she’d have Rinehart burn it all to the ground rather than risk a information breach.

“If you insist of revisiting decisions that we’ve already made, Mr Holmes, so be it. As I have already stated, the secondary lab is carefully concealed to prevent detection. Access is only possible through two doorways in the lab itself, along with a well-concealed emergency door into a mine tunnel nearby. The first of these is only accessible via my office, which has a biometric lock keyed to me and me alone. The other is hidden behind a concealed panel in the restricted material storeroom, which again is only accessible by a limited number of staff. The secondary lab areas, namely specimen storage, autopsy, and implantation room all run off separate networks and utilities, so it is impossible for anyone to externally access them or even deduce their presence.”

“What about your team?“ Homes ploughed on. “Although the main lab is well staffed, only Jeffrey and Michaels know of our further work. Can you guaranty that they won’t let anything slip”

“Those two are as committed to the project as anyone in this room. Arguably more so! Michaels is as dedicated as I to unlocking EVO’s potential for the good of mankind and Jeffrey….”

“Jeffrey is solid!“ Rinehart interjected without looking up, his voice carrying traces of a Sheffield accent. His sudden activity shocked Malcolm and Holmes to silence. Malcolm couldn’t remember the last time the man had voluntarily contributes to a meeting.

” He has a history, and the information and hold Gentech have over him ensures his silence. However, I do share a partial concern with Mr Holmes, Professor,” the grey suited man continued, finally looking up from his book. “How secure are the specimens? Capturing them was interesting to say the least, and having seen the reports how the experiments have .... changed them, it would be unfortunate if any were to breach containment!”

The quiet man rarely spoke, but when he did something demanded your attention, so Malcolm carefully considered his response. “Let me assure you, Mr Rinehart, the specimens are quite secure,” he assured the fixer, “we’ve taken steps to improve the security of the cages after the last incident, and are confident in the improvements. Also, as the lab is totally sealed apart from the three doorways, if any did somehow escape they would be contained in the lab until we dealt with them using the incineration units.”

“Enough of this!“ Mrs Carter declared, cutting off any further discussion. ”We’ve rehearsed these issues before and I, for one, am tired of going over old ground. The new scientists are arriving in the next few days and, once situated, they will work with Malcolm’s team to develop a more stable line of implants, having been told that the experimental data on our prototypes behaviour was provided via Advanced AI predictions of biological response, rather than from in vivo testing on live subjects. It is vital to the success and security of the project that this remains the perceived truth, until we are assured of their commitment.”

She leaned back and looked at each man individually, her eyes cold.

“If word of our work on EVO got out, Gentech would face sanctions from the UNSF and the Corporate congress, together with significant embarrassment. Exposure of the Apex Project’s main lab would be bad enough but could be spun as being merely theoretical and developmental in nature. If it was revealed that the Project was conducting studies using EVO on living creatures, we would be lucky to just be let go from the company. More likely we would all face significant criminal charges. That said the rewards, both professional and humanitarian remain sufficiently high for a select and enlightened few on the board to secretly sponsor this project, but if operational security is breached we will be disavowed and thrown to the wolves.”

She broke off and stood, looking sternly down at them.

“ Keeping the secondary lab and its test specimens secret from the board and other Overseer’s is a risk I have shouldered, but let me be clear. I have worked too hard and given too much to this company to fail now. Get things sorted gentlemen”

Without another word she turned and walked out of the room, Homes staring after her in shock for a moment before hastily grabbing his tablet and rushing to follow. Reinhardt watched him leave with a smirk and stood, giving Malcolm a nod before sauntering out of the door.

He lent back in his chair and let out a sigh. He hated these meetings, although at least this one had been brief. Usually he ended up trying to explain the difficulty of scientific experimentation to three people without any background in the field, who all only looked for the payoff.

He stood and looked out over the valley, absently removing the dulled metal of his watch and winding it, his eyes drawn to the inscription on its underside.

Happy birthday Dad, from Janice , Thomas and Micheal.

“Soon,” he promised, “soon, I’ll be able to ensure no one has to suffer like us ever again.”