Chapter Ten – The Test

The med lab was alive with electronic sounds and the steady flashing of instruments as Kristanna performed barrage after barrage of tests on the burned remains of the creatures. Her determined expression unfazed as reams of results scrolled across the lab computer's screen. She sat and examined the data output. A flash of realisation appeared in her eyes as she excitedly strode to the remains of Pollard. She inserted a syringe into the carcass and extracted some of the not-yet congealed blood. Carefully she placed a small sample onto a glass plate and placed it under the microscope.

"Cellular activity. You're not completely dead, are you?" Kristanna placed the remainder of the blood into a Petri dish and activated a small blowtorch. "Let's see how you react to this." As the flames touched the surface of the blood an almighty screech emanated from the Petri dish as the now clumped blood leapt to the floor and slid under the desk. "Cellular individuality. Each cell is a separate living entity." She grabbed the blowtorch and doused the blood-creature until none remained. Excitedly she ran to the intercom and pushed the button, "Can everyone meet me in the holding area? I think I'm onto something."

The excitement raised in Bok'Tof's chest. He could sense that combat was imminent. The Female soft meat was clever. She had used her primitive human reasoning and had found a way to identify the Changelings. When they hear of the potential risk they would be certain to attempt to silence her. And he would be waiting. He entered the perimeter of the complex and set up a vantage point close to where the soft meat was congregated. It was only a matter of time before his fellow Yautja found him, he had to ensure that he could neutralise his quarry before they arrived.

The holding area was a small concrete corridor situated under the main complex itself. At one end sat the main generator and at the other an entrance into the complex. Two large sturdy doors sat halfway. These were holding cells for detaining perpetrators of violent crimes. It was commonplace for researchers to suffer from cabin fever due to the isolation that working in the camp required.

Kristanna walked the stone steps into the corridor; flamethrower at her side. The others were already there. "Okay, are any of you armed? If so, toss whatever you have to the floor. It's only temporary." The others exchanged glances and finally stared back at Kristanna. "I'll make it simple; toss whatever you have or you burn. I'm pretty certain at least one of you isn't who you say you are."

Sverre dropped his pistol to the floor.

Morris dropped his fire axe and raised his hands "What's this about Krissy?"

She gestured to the large doors, "Everyone inside; two to a room. Then I'll explain"

Reluctantly, the group entered the tiny holding cells and the doors slammed closed behind them; the freezing stale air inside causing them to wretch as they inhaled it. The cells were designed for single detainees and were only three meters by two meters. Morris and Baldur were contained in one cell, Martinez and Sverre in the other. Kristanna slid two Petri dishes under each door; "My research has uncovered a lot about what we're dealing with. This creature operates at a living cellular level. It digests the cells of those it attacks and creates a perfect replica which then splits away from the original. I watched it happening through the microscope. Each individual cell is capable of functioning independently, when it detaches from the original it becomes a separate entity capable of independent thought and action. Complete assimilation could take only twenty minutes; a single cell introduced to a host would be a guaranteed assimilation but may take longer." She slides scalpels under the doors, "I want you to pick up the dish with your name on and use the scalpel to obtain a blood sample then pass it back under the door."

Morris looked over the scalpel, "What will this prove?"

"Human blood is just tissue but anything discharged from these things is something else completely. If my theory is correct, once the blood is separated from the original being, it will be a new life form that the original cannot control. It's not going to sit there in the dish while I try to harm it."

Sverre pushed Martinez aside and ran at the door kicking it violently, "This is bullshit! I'm not slicing myself open. You're crazy!"

Kristanna stepped back from the door, "I think we'd better do you first Sverre. Sooner you do it the sooner you can leave. Just a scratch on your thumb should be sufficient."

Sverre cursed in Norwegian and picked up the scalpel. He winced as he ran it across his thumb. The sharp blade dug deep into his skin and was followed by a trail of crimson that slowly dripped into the Petri Dish marked "Sverre". He sucked on his wounded thumb and pushed the dish under the door with his foot, "There. Happy?" he asked sarcastically while raising his middle finger.

Kristanna picked up the dish and unclipped the laser scalpel from her jacket pocket. She set it to the lowest output and circled the red hot beam around the dish. The resultant steam and slight hissing sound heralding a look of relief on the faces of both Sverre and Kristanna. "Ok, you can come out." She slid the bolt from across the door and Sverre pushed it open. As he stepped through into the corridor, Martinez shoved Sverre aside and sprinted up the corridor toward the complex. Kristanna spun to face him, "Stop him!"

Sverre sprinted to his pistol and snatched it up, bringing it to bear in the direction of Martinez just as he disappeared round the doorway. The main door slammed shut and the locking mechanism could be heard to engage. "Shit, we're stuck in here!" He turned to Kristanna, "what now?"

Kristanna ran her fingers through her hair and closed her eyes. After a long sigh she finally replied "We carry on with the tests, once we know who's on our side, we can look for Martinez"

Morris gripped the bars on the cell door and arched his neck to look at Sverre, "She needs to do the test before I even consider it."

Kristanna nodded curtly, "You're right, I'm under just as much suspicion as you all are." She pulled a third scalpel from her jacket and sliced through her own thumb. The blood dripped into the Petri dish originally intended for Martinez. As the laser scalpel circled the sample, a faint hiss could be heard. "I'm clear"

Morris kicked the door, "I think we're wasting our time here. This test isn't proving shit."

Kristanna ignored his gripes and walked to the door of the cell containing him and Baldur, "Baldur, you next."

Baldur sighed. "Is there no other way?"

Kristanna stepped closer to the doorway, "It's all we've got for now."

Sverre, leaned toward the cell door, "Come on you sissy. It's only a little prick; like you."

Baldur used the scalpel to slice deep into his thumb; the blood flowed evenly into the Petri dish bearing his name. He thoughtfully placed it onto the floor and shoved it under the door.

Kristanna picked up the laser scalpel and activated it. The red beam flickered into life for a split second then faded out. "Damn. It's out of charge."

Morris rapped on the cell door, "One of you go to the generator cage. I always leave a set of screwdrivers in there in case I need to fix the backup power supplies for the servers. They're metal and sturdy enough to be heated by the flame thrower. I always to do it when I cant find my soldering iron."

Kristanna gave Sverre the flame thrower and headed off to the generator room. Sverre leaned against the locked cell door. "Looks cosy in there."

Kristanna returned with a thin but sturdy looking screwdriver with a rubber handle, "Right, let's carry on." Baldur closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Sverre held the screwdriver in front of the nozzle of the flame thrower until the tip was glowing red; he took the dish from Kristanna and held it under the screwdriver, "Time to clear your name"

The screwdriver tip barely made contact with the blood lining the dish when high pitched squeal came from within. The blood pulsated and quickly formed into a pulped mass before crashing to the ground. Sverre fired the flamethrower at the blood mass instantly incinerating it leaving no trace of its existence. Within the cell, Baldur sat motionless; his eyes still closed and his head still solemnly bowed. Suddenly his body erupted into violent convulsions. Morris tugged at the door and slammed his fists repeatedly against it, "Get me the fuck out of here!"

Sverre and Kristanna fumbled with the bolt on the cell door. It had not been used for a significant length of time and had all but seized. Inside the cell; Baldur was starting to reveal his true form. His torso split open from his abdomen to his throat. His mouth started to stretch as though beginning a yawn that would last for eternity. Morris attempted to put as much distance as possible between himself and the creature, the intimacy of the cell allowed only a few inches.

Sverre kicked at the bolt on the door in a vain attempt to loosen it, "Open! Open!"

Morris stared in horror as an exact replica of Akira's head emerged from the gaping chasm of Baldur's torso, his innards flailing and cracking against the walls like whips. Without warning, the Baldur-thing leapt toward Morris sending him backwards into the wall. The jaws of the dog head snapping mere inches away from his throat. Morris twisted and dragged himself from underneath the imposing, pulsating figure and crawled toward the cell door in time to see it swing open and Sverre point the flamethrower towards the creature. Morris rolled out of the cell and struggled to his feet "Sverre, torch it!"

Sverre stood staring at the immense creature that now almost filled the room; its neck had now torn loose from the rest of the body causing the head to loll sickeningly back and forth. The head was still Baldur, his kid brother. How could he possibly kill his brother? Thoughts quickly flooded his mind; maybe they could change him back. Maybe they could save him. He slowly started to lower the flamethrower. He quickly raised it again as the creature sent its grotesque tentacles toward the door. They gripped the doorframe and the beast started to advance toward Sverre. As he aimed the flamethrower into the room he could feel tears welling in his eyes. The dog head snapped forward toward Sverre and he instinctively fired the flamethrower into the room engulfing the monster in flames. As the beast squealed and writhed in agony he continued the barrage of fire until it lay motionless. Finally he looked upon the lifeless, twisted face of Baldur and with a broken voice he whispered "Adjø meg bror."