Chapter Four
Lee made his way to the head the next morning, eager to shower and hoping to wash away the remains of his over-indulgence the night before. If there was any doubt he'd been drunk, it was dispelled in every step he took as each step pounded his head relentlessly.
"Sheesh, Crane. When was the last time two slugs did this to you?" he asked himself, berating himself for not reading his body better and avoiding the embarrassing scene altogether. He was grateful that his bath was private as he really needed this time to pull himself together. He'd gotten up and noticed first off, the broken mirror and the offending shoe that had caused the damage and hung his head in shame.
"Great guest you are," he told himself as he cleaned up the glass. He showered and shaved and emerged in a clean uniform, unfortunately, he wasn't able to do anything about the dark circles under his eyes.
He blew out a breath as he approached the dining room; There was nothing to do but pay the piper, he thought grimly to himself, knowing it was time to face Harry and Dr. Vickers.
"Lee," Harry greeted, "How are you feeling today?" he asked even as he assessed the dark circles under his red, blood-shot eyes.
Lee chuckled in embarrassment. "I'm fine, Sir. I want to apologize for last evening," he offered contritely. "I'm not usually that affected by two drinks."
"No harm done," Dr. Vickers replied politely.
"I'm afraid I did some damage last night," Lee confessed. "Apparently I kicked off my shoe and broke a mirror. I'll replace it," he assured.
"As I said, no harm done," Vickers reiterated. "Now gentlemen, let's eat shall we, and then we can get on to the real work."
Lee was ready to move on, but he looked Harry's way expecting to see disappointment in his eyes and caught instead a concerned furled brow. Vickers headed to the galley as Harry leaned over and spoke quietly.
"Are you running a fever, Lee?" he asked, noticing a slight flush high on Lee's cheek bones.
"I think so," he replied honestly.
"I'm pretty sure you were compromised by a bug of some kind," Harry said, resisting placing a hand to Lee's cheek to gauge the fever himself. "I've never seen you succumb to two shots of any alcohol," he noted.
"Could be, I'm just as surprised as you are," Lee returned, relieved Harry recognized the whole scene was out of the ordinary for him.
"Why don't you take it easy today while I conduct the review?"
"Thanks Sir, but I'm not really that bad off. Just a little sore... from the fever I guess. I'll take some aspirin after breakfast; I'm sure I'll be up to a little work," he added with a smile of appreciation for Harry's concern.
Harry nodded and sat back, feeling at least that the mystery had been solved. Just a bug, he repeated to himself as Vickers returned from the galley with fresh coffee.
"Here we go, gentlemen," Vickers said, taking a quick glance over at Lee and hiding his delight at seeing the first stages of the mutation now showing in the captain. "Fresh coffee and there are oats, fruit, and toast on the side board, make yourself at home," he advised as Lee and Harry nodded their thanks and moved to serve up their breakfast. As they served themselves, Vickers took notice of Lee's slight limp, a clear indication that the mutation was occurring on the molecular level. He had already noticed the fever; it would stay at low-grade for the time being, but by tonight Crane's transformation would begin to make its first appearance. He'd have to make sure that the flying sub was unavailable for transportation, at least until Nelson was on board with the plan.
# # # # #
Connor moved through complex; the halls and rooms that weren't in use were darkened and he found himself becoming more and more comfortable in the shadows. Dr. Vickers was keeping Nelson and Crane busy in the lab, so now was his chance to make sure that the flying sub was unavailable for flight. He stopped at the arctic entry, a small room with two sets of doors meant to keep the cold from the outside confined to the small room when going in and out of the facility. He looked out the window at the freezing weather and shuddered; a cold front had move in and it was now thirty below outside. If he were to go out, he would be in real danger of finding himself freezing just like the wood frog. First, he would physically slow down, his body would refuse to move like he was hibernating, and then certain vital functions would begin to freeze in a very specific order. His body would become frozen solid as he froze from the inside out. They hadn't tested his physiology out yet, so he didn't know if he would survive the freezing process, much less the thawing out... Ryan hadn't.
He took a deep breath in, glad that he could disable the flying sub without braving the weather. Chances are, his cold weather gear would keep his core warm enough to prevent the freezing process, but he couldn't take the chance that his body would sense the cold and begin to shut-down for the hibernating process anyway. He moved from the window over to his intended objective and found the electrical box. The hangar heating system was wired directly to the lab sharing its electricity from the generators of the main complex. A simple flip of the switch and all power was cut-off; in the minus thirty degree weather the flying sub's flight controls would freeze. He sighed in satisfaction. Now Nelson couldn't just load Crane up in the craft and fly for help. He would be forced to find a way to keep Crane from becoming just like him. He smiled at his handiwork, but it soon faded.
The transformation process was fast acting, and it had only taken a week for him to become what he was now. His hands flexed tightly into a fist; if only Ryan hadn't injected him… they had promised they would find a way to reverse the effects, but Ryan had gone mad, striking back in a way that he thought was befitting. Angry and out of control, Ryan had overpowered him, injecting him with the same compound that Vickers had tested on the unsuspecting assistant. He remembered looking up into Ryan's hideous face, discolored unnaturally brown and full of wretched bumps protruding from his very bone structure. His hair had fallen out and his ear lobes had begun to fuse to the side of his head. His fingers were nearly useless as the webbing took away much of his dexterity, but Ryan had managed to plunge the needle in without care for his victim. Then he spoke, his voice low and guttural, as if he could just as easily croak as speak.
"Now you'll suffer the same fate you damned me to," he said as his Adam's apple protruded out in a bubble in conjunction with his breathing before leaving Connor to his misery, writhing in the effects of the compound.
Vickers had found him lying in the hall and promised he would reverse the effects somehow. He helped him back to his room and then searched for Ryan, but it was too late; the mad mutant had left the safety of the laboratory to let the elements take him, ending his life to escape the pain of his transformation. Vickers brought his frozen body back in, but Ryan hadn't survived the thawing out process.
So now here he was, brownish-green scaly skin covering most of his body with the tell-tale marking of the wood frog; a dark band masking his eyes and then running down the length of both sides of his face in a stripe, with hideous bumps protruding to accentuate that he was now a freak... a monster. His fingers were now webbing and his joints hurt. Things were happening inside his body, changes that were making him more frog-like than human, changes that would eventually manifest themselves in his outward appearance. But he also noticed something else; he was losing his humanity in his mind as well. Slowly he was losing his compassion and becoming just like Ryan… desperate for an answer and without remorse that he was making Crane suffer the same fate.
# # # # #
"This habitat demonstrates the frog in its winter preparations," Dr. Vickers explained as Harry nodded, both holding clip boards as they toured. "Urea is accumulated in tissues in preparation for overwintering, and liver glycerin is converted in large quantities to glucose in response to internal ice formation. Both urea and glycose act as cryoprotectants to limit the amounts of ice that forms and to reduce osmotic shrinkage of cells. Frogs can survive many freeze/thaw events in the winter if no more than 65% of the total body water freezes."*
Harry nodded, completely understanding the process and enjoying the study of the fascinating frogs immensely, as Vickers moved to the next habitat box.
"At the first snow, the frog begins pumping water into spaces where it won't damage cells if it freezes. At the same time, it pumps large amounts of glucose into its cells, which acts as an antifreeze protecting the cells. When it finally gets cold enough it freezes," he said moving to a third habitat box, each one with individual climate controls set to demonstrate and study the hibernating process at each stage.
"And flat ice crystals form between layers of tissue and in the body cavity in between organs."
Lee and Harry looked on with interest at the brownish-green frogs in the third winter box. Frozen crystals had indeed formed all over the amphibians and were completely in a state of hibernation, frozen solid and as hard as a rock.
"The blood and organs literally freeze solid," Dr. Vickers said, explaining the wonder of the process. His excitement increased as he continued. "The heart and the liver are the last to freeze, by then, almost two-thirds of its body water is ice, and glucose holds the cells together. Breathing stops. The heart actually stops beating, and its eyes turn white because the lens freezes. The frog is basically dead, except in the spring it comes back to life!" he finished in clear excitement.
Harry nodded in approval, examining the habitat boxes and the individual climate controls, noting their specific settings.
"These are marvelous," he noted in appreciations for both Vickers' methodology and the state of the art apparatus in use.
"Very interesting," Lee joined in, making his own notes on the project.
"Yes, well this phase of the hibernating process was due to the success of the last four years' worth of work. We are still working on the thawing out phase," Vickers indicated as he moved the pair to the other side of the room where more habitat boxes were displayed. "The mystery is not that the frog thaws, but the fact that it thaws in a very orderly manner," the scientist said directing their attention to another climate box. "Somehow, the frog's body targets the heart and liver to thaw first. Think about it! It doesn't thaw from the outside-in, but from the inside-out!"
"An amazing feat of nature," Harry observed.
"Yes, and this is where we are placing most of our study now," Dr. Vickers added.
"Do you mean to say that you can duplicate the freezing process, but not the thawing process?" Lee asked in clarification.
"No, I didn't say that, only that we understand the process. That's the first step to a successful cryogenics experiment," he added in correction.
"So at this point, you're focusing on understanding the physiological changes that occur in each phase of the hibernating process?" Harry clarified, his face showing keen interest in the project.
"Yes, of course we can also begin to extrapolate how those physiological processes might be obtained in a mammal. We can actually use the microphobes to examine the frozen tissue and determine whether the subject is technically still living, even in its frozen state. My assistant is focusing on the issues of mammal cryogenics while I'm focusing on the physiology of the thawing process."
"Your work is extremely well-thought out, Dr. Vickers," Harry complimented. "But it appears to me that your work would benefit greatly by adding more able assistants."
"I plan to, but not until spring. To stop now and interview applicants would entail too much time away from the work here and much more traveling to Anchorage to conduct interviews."
"I see," Harry said in thoughtful review. "Still, I'm going to suggest that you make those plans a priority. You've made wonderful progress and with the right help, you could move the project to the next phase."
"I'm pleased with your faith in me and the project. I will take your suggestions to heart. Does this mean you are inclined to give my work here a favorable review?" Vickers asked hopefully.
"Well, let's just say that I see the advantage of your methodology and deem your progress here quite acceptable. I would of course, like to review the entirety of your project, but from what I can see, the last four years have not been without measurable and meaningful progress," Harry encouraged.
The sound of breaking glass interrupted their conversation as both Harry and Dr. Vickers turned toward the surprising noise to see Lee leaning against a table, trying desperately to stay upright.
"Lee!" Harry called, closing the distance and helping to steady his friend.
"I'm sorry, Admiral," he replied, taking a deep breath and finding his footing. "I'm just a little dizzy."
"Let's get you back to your quarters," Harry suggested to Lee's agreeing nod. He wasn't one to give in easily to illness, but this one really had him down.
"If you'll excuse us, Dr. Vickers?" Harry stated politely.
"Of course, I'll just clean this up," Vickers answered.
"I'm sorry about that doctor," Lee said before turning toward Harry. "I'm sure I can make it on my own, Admiral. I'm feeling better."
"Well, I'll just come along anyway," Harry stated.
Lee relented, recognizing the Admiral's tone of determination and withdrew from the lab. A thin, knowing smile grew as Dr. Vickers recognized the symptoms of the internal mutations taking place.
# # # # #
Lee walked on his own power, but his face was flush, broadcasting a fever. They didn't speak until they reached the sleeping quarters as Lee sat on his bed, rubbing his forehead with the tips of his fingers. Harry filled a glass of water and found the aspirin sitting alongside Lee's shaving kit.
"Here," Harry said, offering the medication and glass as Lee took them gratefully.
"How are you feeling?"
"To be honest… pretty run-down," Lee replied placing the glass on the table near the bed.
"Should we cut our visit short and get back to a doctor?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lee raised a hand to decline the offer. "No it's just a bug, and to be honest, I think I'd rather hit the rack than travel just yet. Besides, it will pass soon enough. You might as well continue the review while I goldbrick a little here," he suggested with a small smile for his joke on not pulling his own weight on their visit.
"That sounds like a good idea," Harry agreed. "I'll check in with you later."
Lee nodded and waited for Harry to leave before toeing his shoes off and easing himself down on the bed. He was chilled and pulled the blankets up high, then rolled on his side hoping it was just a twenty-four-hour variety flu.
# # # # #
"How is Captain Crane?" Dr. Vickers asked feigning concern.
"He's resting now. I'm afraid he's contracted a flu virus of some kind, he was running a fever this morning and is most likely the reason he was so affected by the alcohol last evening."
Vickers nodded, feigning sudden understanding. "Ah, that would explain why he got so tipsy so fast. I thought it was strange for a navy man not to be able to hold his liquor," he added with a smile.
Harry smiled back politely, but thinly. He hadn't appreciated Vickers' insinuations the night before. "I assure you, Captain Crane is a very conscientious man. He would have never allowed himself the indulgence had he realized he was compromised so."
Vickers nodded, agreeing amicably but inside he was pleased that Admiral Nelson's apprehension for Crane's health was so easily read.
"Well, there's no reason to hold us up any longer," Harry added, ready to move on and not that comfortable with the focus on either Lee's situation or his own private concern.
"Yes, that's a good idea. We have a lot to cover yet," Vickers agreed as he motioned Harry to the Analysis Room.
"This is where the work gets fascinating," Vickers said in palatable excitement as he opened the door to the chemistry lab, a well-stocked room complete with all the latest in scientific analytical tools. One side of the room housed the apparatus for conducting various chemical tests and analysis, while the other housed an impressive inventory of equipment, including several microphobes that sat at a table by themselves. The nuclear microscopes applied a beam of charged particles, allowing the scientists to determine the elemental composition of the sample.
"A very nice set-up," Harry observed. "You certainly have applied your funds well," he complimented.
"Thank you, Admiral Nelson."
"What's this?" Harry asked curiously, noticing a test tube, apparently ready to examine.
"That is the next phase of our research, it's on hold waiting for Connor to return but I thought you might be interested in the compound," Dr. Vickers' replied, taking an eye drop and extracting a sample to place on the slide. He applied a slide cover and placed it under one of the conventional microscopes then invited Harry to see for himself.
Harry leaned over the microscope viewing a very interesting sample.
"This is a synthetic variation of a wood frog's fluids," Vickers indicated before applying a second slide to the microscope. "And this is the actual fluid taken from a live subject. As you can see, the actual sample has an element that we can't identify," he said pointing out the various chemicals on a clip board beside him.
"Hmmm," Harry said in full investigative mode. "Tell me, was this sample taken before or after the hibernation process?"
"Excellent question," Vickers beamed. "You see, this unidentified chemical is found after the hibernating process. It dissipates quickly from the frogs once they become mobile, in fact, by utilizing the microphobe and analyzing the frog in its various frozen states, we have determined that the chemical occurs right before the heart and liver are thawed. Within two hours the rest of its body thaws and the frog becomes mobile, actively searching for a pond to begin mating."
Harry nodded as he continued to study the unknown chemical. "And so you suspect that this is the key to the thawing process?"
"Yes. We believe that this chemical not only stimulates, but dictates the order of the thawing. The heart and liver must thaw first to pump blood and to deal with the overload of glucose as well as other bodily toxins. Hypothetically, we could recreate the chemical change in a human body to accept the cryogenic freeze right now, but until we identify this chemical we would not be able to successfully thaw the subject."
"I had no idea you had progressed this far," Harry exclaimed excitedly. "And you've actually reproduced the chemical make-up of the frog's fluids?"
"Yes, the freezing process prior to thawing that is," Dr. Vickers said, obviously pleased with the feat. "The glucose is the key, as it protects the cells by keeping the water from freezing. As you know, frost bite occurs in humans when the water in the blood freezes."
Harry nodded his understanding as he continued to study the synthetic sample, while Vickers continued.
"Now the trick comes in the spring when the glucose must be turned back into glycogen so that it can be processed by the liver and expelled through the natural bodily functions of the frog. We believe that this too is ordered by the mystery chemical."
"I'd like to take a look at that mystery chemical if you don't mind?" Harry asked, engrossed in the project and knowing he had already been invited to participate during the course of their visit.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Dr. Vickers replied, grinning and taking a stool next to Harry as they both hunched over their microscopes and busily jotted down notes.
After working for the next several hours, Harry leaned back and stretched. It was tedious but exhilarating work.
"Shall we break for lunch?" Dr. Vickers asked, pleased that Harry had become so engrossed in the project.
"That's a fine idea. Let me check in on Captain Crane, and I'll meet you in the galley," Harry suggested, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Harry headed to the sleeping quarters content with the morning's work. He had seen nothing that would deter his original assessment that the project was not only on track, but well worth the continual funding. He was aware that Washington would like to see faster progress, but to rush research like this only invited trouble. Many a good funding had been wasted on shoddy and poorly ran experiments that, in the end, did nothing to further scientific study. He was pleased that Dr. Vickers had taken the high road and planned on issuing a glowing review saying so.
He arrived at Lee's door and rapped lightly, when no one answered he opened the door quietly and peered in spotting Lee lying on his side and facing the wall. He was asleep and Harry figured that was the best thing for him. It was highly unusual for Lee to nap in the middle of the day, and it only went to prove that he needed his rest, so Harry closed the door quietly and retreated.
As the door closed, he completely missed the airy, pained call coming from the bed.
"Admiral…"
Harry headed to the galley to help Dr. Vickers prepare lunch and looking forward to the rest of the afternoon, almost sorry that their work here would be through tomorrow.
Behind him, a strange set of eyes watched him move through the corridor. His eyes were oddly round and no longer blue, but now an elongated black pupil, as Connor's metamorphosis had progressed eerily along through the night and morning. He withdrew deeper into the shadows, allowing Nelson to proceed on his way and wondering if Crane's mutations had begun to appear yet. He pushed out of his mind the memories of the painful beginnings of his own metamorphosis, as well as the fact that he had purposefully and willfully forced the same fate upon Crane. All he cared about now was Vickers' promise that Nelson would find a way to reverse the freakish changes making him into a monster; he wasn't concerned with anything else.
# # # # #
Lee woke just as the door closed shut and tried calling for Harry, but his voice was surprisingly weak. He shivered and pulled the blanket higher on his shoulders as the fever continued to rob him of his strength, in addition to the painful aches in his joints and muscles. He could have ridden those pains out, but it was the burning in his insides that was causing him the most distress. It seemed that all his organs were inflamed and on fire. He curled tighter on his side, dealing with the unusual pain and unable to move to make a better effort at getting the Admiral's attention. Something didn't feel right inside, but he figured it must just be a nasty flu. He was grateful it hadn't affected his stomach, because he wasn't sure he could add nausea and vomiting to the mix right now. Another round of pain gripped him as he closed his eyes and shivered again, letting his weary body take him back to sleep.
# # # # #
*Quoted from Wikipedia – wood frog