SEA OF FRINGE: "Farrago's Legacy".
CHAPTER TEN: "TJURINGA SONGLINES".
"Each independent act of creation vibrates the whole web of the world. It is hard for me to think that the relationship between two intelligent species would not be dense with creative potential".
Whitley Streiber from the book "COMMUNION".
"This body has already been autopsied and by the looks of it, the job has been done quite professionally!", Walter Bishop remarked as he stood over the second body with both Astrid and Peter either side of him. "Frankly, I don't think there's much to really do here. I feel somewhat cheated by fate!".
A short but respectable distance behind them stood Declan, Dr Monaghan, Olivia and Justine. Craig decided that he was going to sit this one out as he wanted to keep the contents of his stomach firmly in place. Declan it seemed was also having a hard time being in the same room as the body.
"We selkies have a keen sense of smell and this is one of these times that I wish we were not so blessed with such a talent!", he joked and tried hard not to let the smell get to him too much, "Death is not a pleasant smell and one which all races should avoid".
"Declan, do you have ANY idea who could be doing this research?. We've established a link to "SEAFORTH CONSOLIDATED" who in turn is operated by a roane and to the "ZFT" organisation beyond that. We have links but no names, there has to be someone creating these experiments at a scientific level and Fanthorpe and those within the roane are no scientists. "ZFT" cannot be seen to be doing this directly which leaves us with more questions than answers", Olivia turned to the selkie that she had just met less than an hour ago and wondered if he had any ideas of who was behind this.
"As I explained, Agent Dunham to your friends, all I know is that we came looking for Erik, one of our family who is missing and I would suspect that he is mixed up in this somehow perhaps being held captive and experimented on. I asked that Dr Bishop try to extract some DNA from our farrago friend on the table to confirm this. If his sample and mine are a match then at least I know Erik is alive and we have some answer. As to the actual person who is doing this, whoever they are it would seem they have failed not once but twice in their goal. Other than that until it was possible to meet them in person, I refuse to pass judgement on their morality as we cannot know if they are doing these experiments willingly or under duress.", Declan looked thoughtfully over to the table where Dr Bishop was currently trying to obtain a sample from the body.
"I take it that it would be useless to issue a "Missing persons" alert for Erik?. You and the selkie community are like the roane community of "Jethart Point" in that you're a little of the beaten track?!", Olivia smiled.
"Correct Agent Dunham. We both like our privacy despite our species differentiations, that is one thing we have in common. However, if I may be bold in making a suggestion…" Declan replied adding in his own charm, "I take it the scientific community are a little more easier to track than we are!".
Olivia smiled back, "I like where you're coming from Declan…and your input is most welcome!", she realised that just maybe, this might be looking into.
Monaghan's phone rang and he quickly answered the call, it was MacIntyre on the other end wanting to know if the body had arrived safely at "Clyde University".
"Yes, it's fine. Dr Bishop is conducting an autopsy as we speak," Monaghan confirmed that all was going to plan and Olivia decided that since MacIntyre was calling that she should request any updates on missing persons cross referenced with any missing scientists in particular as she got Monaghan's attention. "I think Agent Dunham wishes a word with you, I'll hand you over to her…"
Olivia took the phone from Monaghan and related her request down the phone and checked with her police contact if there had been anything suspicious happening up at "Seaforth Consolidated" and Joseph Fanthorpe in particular.
"He's a tough one this Fanthorpe, " MacIntyre related down the phone, "Uses his mother's maiden name and was well educated in Edinburgh, going to all the top schools and gaining honours and distinctions. Information about his early life is sketchy to say the least and even relying on what you told me about him, it's not easy going. I'll call you later Agent Dunham and I'll see what I can do with that "Missing Persons" request."
Olivia ended the call and handed the phone back to Douglas, "He says he'll call back later but so far "Seaforth" and Fanthorpe are pretty much dead ends, nothing to report", she sounded frustrated.
"Looks like we'll have to rely on Walter for some breakthroughs then!", Douglas tried to sound upbeat, "Declan, you are still feeling okay?. No urges to change?".
"Apart from my sense of smell being triggered by our friend on the table there Dr Monaghan, I can assure you that I'm fine!", Declan answered confidently and turned back to witness what Dr Bishop was doing.
"Despite the body being in the water, it is actually better preserved than the first specimen", Walter observed as he took a sliver of tissue and Astrid held open a small phial with which to store it for testing, "At least whoever autopsied the body in the first place was kind enough to leave me some tissue to work with. Perhaps they did it deliberately hoping that it would be found!. There are so many unanswered questions on this case that are quite baffling. I do hope we find answers soon!".
"I'll second that!", Peter chimed in, "So you think this creature and our friend Declan there are related Walter?. I take it confirmation would mean that you could tell the two species apart and give Declan some answers to this mystery of the falling birth rates in both communities?".
"Apart from the normal DNA test to prove both are related then YES, I can run separate tests for that purpose. I will have to split this creature back into its component DNA to do this but there should be sufficient tissue left to do that!", Walter replied, "HOWEVER, I think the best place to start collecting that kind of tissue would be from the reproductive organs!. After all, I would like to check that this creature would have had the capacity to reproduce had it been a success and secondly just to confirm what exactly what makes this creature tick!. PETER, I think that can be your job whilst I help Astro on the first compatibility test!. You don't mind son do you?!", Walter scuttled off after Astrid to prepare the first test and what would ultimately lead to a series of tests and answers to help Declan and his people.
"GREAT!", Peter stood there wondering just how on earth his father could keep doing this to him. He turned to the group behind him and threw up his hands in frustration.
"I get left dealing with the most disgusting jobs once more!. Thanks for that Walter!".
Declan turned to Olivia Dunham and asked her, "I take it Dr Bishop is always doing that to annoy his son?."
"Declan…you don't know half of what goes on there!", she replied trying to contain her amusement and not catch Peter's eye as the younger Bishop set about obtaining the samples that his father was requesting and trying to keep his temper at bay.
"Hello Joseph. I take it that you have some news regarding our mutual interest?", the voice of David Robert Jones made Fanthorpe's blood chill. Was it possible that the man sounded a little more sinister since they had last crossed paths?.
Fanthorpe composed himself and tried to put on his best business voice despite having his world collapse around him and the security services alerted to his little deal with the devil. He cleared his throat and was glad that this was just a "courtesy" call on behalf of "ZFT".
"Mr Jones, I was expecting someone else to contact me, I never realised that you would wish to view progress on the matter at hand. May I extend my warmest regards to coming here and…", he never finished the sentence as Jones cut in sounding annoyed at being given the charm offensive.
"Mr Fanthorpe, I think we can dispense with the pleasantries and focus on the business matter that concerns us both. I would very much like a tour of the facility that we graciously provided you with and to see for myself, the progress that has been made. What time would suit you best and place?."
Fanthorpe realised that Jones must already be in Edinburgh or certainly on his way to meet him and if British Intelligence or any of the relevant security services were alerted to his dealing with "ZFT", then it could be disastrous to be caught red handed for them both.
Still trying to play both sides of the game despite already been caught out by the two Federal Agents that had left him several hours ago, Fanthorpe knew that he had to tread carefully.
There was no way he could alert Jones to what was going on and risk losing his life and the precious research that was currently on going. Instead all he could do was keep going as if nothing out of the ordinary had occured and try to keep the security services off his back.
" The day after tomorrow Mr Jones?. Say around 6am. There's a discreet disused jetty not far from where we can take the boat out to the island and I think it's best we meet there first. I'll send you one of my men to guide you there. I take it that you're staying in the city?.", Fanthorpe inquired out of politeness but was interested to know where his guest was residing just in case he needed a bargaining chip if those two agents showed up again and besides, he needed more time to think and to plan should events take a turn for the worse..
"Mr Fanthorpe, give me the number of the man you plan to send to me and I will contact him with a location. We really must be SO discreet in matters such as these. That is if you don't mind as I would like to keep my whereabouts off the radar. My popularity in this country with its Intelligence services are something I do not wish to advertise freely." Jones replied and Fanthorpe could detect amusement in his tone, knowing full well the rules of the game.
Fanthorpe relented and gave Jones the information he required. The man obviously was taking no risks and seemed to be one step ahead of him.
"Until the day after tomorrow then Joseph, I am looking forward to meeting you again and seeing our project come to fruition!", Jones left Fanthorpe with his words of farewell which sounded cold and barbed as well as full of hidden warnings.
Fanthorpe ended the call and sat at his desk. There was no way he was going to meet Jones alone, not with all that was going on. His men were well trained but he felt he needed the back up of his family in case anything went wrong.
He dialled a number on his phone and hoped that his uncle was around on dry land and not out at sea.
"Hullo there lad. Mackay here. I tak it that ye have another job for yer auld uncle?!", came the gruff tones of his nearest and dearest relative.
"Your not so old Mackay, not in my eyes. There's plenty of years in you yet you old sea dog!", Fanthorpe joked, "Uncle, how do you feel about meeting me early Wednesday morning?. You know where the old jetty is about a mile from where we take the boat to the island?. You think you can meet me there for about 5:30 am?. I need your help Uncle. Things could get a bit rough…"
"Say nae mair lad!. I'll be there!. I tak it that "ZFT" bunch are in toon?. They here for their research are they?. They'd better no mess wi' oor lot or they'll be hell tae pay!.", Mackay sounded in the mood for a good fight.
Fanthorpe felt at ease since he spoke to his Uncle, "Thanks Mackay, I'll see you Wednesday."
"Night lad and dinnae ye worry yer heid aboot it!. See ye Wednesday!", his Uncle ended the call and Fanthorpe sat back in his chair and breathed out a sigh of relief.
At least he wasn't venturing into the lion's den on his own.
"Erik!. Something amazing has happened my friend!", MacInnes sounded excited and Erik leapt off his bunk and pressed himself closer to the bars to see what was happening out in the lab.
"Martin!. What's going on?!. You sound full of hope and amazement!. Something I have not heard in your words or tone of voice since we were both captured!", Erik wished he could escape the confines of this cage but only Fanthorpe and his uncle had the keys to his prison and even though it was constructed with his heritage in mind, a cell was still a cell.
There were steps leading down to a cordoned off pool underneath the cell in case he transformed and the lure of the sea was now overwhelming his senses and the change was nearly upon him, he would need the pool shortly as the full moon was imminent.
"Erik, it's simply amazing to think that the answer was right in front of us all along!. The roane and selkie mix has successfully produced not one embryo but two my friend. It would seem we have cause to celebrate!", Martin's face lit up as he appeared in view to tell his friend the good news.
"TWINS?!. That's wonderful Martin!", Erik pressed his head against the cold steel bars and sighed, his relief etched over his face, "Twins are rare in both communities, indeed, the last set of twins born to a selkie community if I recall was well over 50 years ago. The council leaders told me the story when I was a young boy and they said that when twins are born then a new dawn rises for the selkie. The roane have their own version of the tale I'm sure but THIS is just what we need Martin!. Both communities will see these children as our new hope for future generations!", Erik continued, "Martin, I implore you that you must make this project a success my friend. I fear the moon and her influence are becoming stronger with each passing hour. I may not keep in human form for much longer!".
Before MacInnes could reply, he could hear the door to his lab, or his prison depending on which view he chose to take, being opened and two armed men entered, Fanthorpe's men by the looks of it. They had stony expressions and Martin was sure he could recognise at least one of them from that day when Fanthorpe had dropped by with all the genetic samples to continue his work.
"Gentlemen, I take it you're not here to release us both?. Fanthorpe not seen sense in this matter?!", he tried not to make it sound like a joke but was met with the same expressionless gaze as both men looked around the lab and saw Erik then looked back to him.
"We're here to pass a message to you scientist. Fanthorpe sends his regards and hopes that you have succeeded in correcting the fault.", one man repeated his tone just as emotionless as his expression whilst the second man completed the message.
"You have an early start for Wednesday morning. Be ready for just after 6am as Mr Fanthorpe is coming with a guest from overseas. He expects you and the prisoner to answer his guest's enquiries and to present them with a full mature specimen ready for transportation."
Then both men left abruptly and without any further recognition of both himself or Erik locking the door and leaving both the scientist and the selkie to ponder what they should do next.
"Martin, you cannot let the twins be taken by Fanthorpe or "ZFT", they cannot fall into the hands of terrorists let alone the roane!. Is there no other way out of this Martin?!", Erik's tone was now bordering on desperation as he realised what was at stake.
"Erik, I can bring the embryos of the twins to maturity in the chamber or I can try and fool Fanthorpe and this "ZFT" contact of his with this other embryo that I have been working on. I've been busy my friend and I have a way out for us both if you agree to my plan and it is risky, believe me. I don't know what is going to happen to us both after Wednesday is finished with us. We could both be expendable once the game is up. Before the change comes upon you, I have to know that you agree to this or it will have been for nothing!", MacInnes and Erik faced each other with the bars of the steel cage dividing them.
"What is this plan Martin?. What have you been up to my friend?", Erik demanded, hoping that MacInnes would not get them both killed.
"Listen closely Erik, it's time we made our own luck and get ourselves out of here for good!", MacInnes came closer to the selkie and lowered his voice, "In case we are being monitored, it's better we lower our voices and make our plans in secret."
Erik moved closer and MacInnes started to relate his back up plan that could just both save their lives and the ones he was just about to create.
The test results were going to take time and with Walter, Astrid and Peter along with Declan staking their claim to the University lab it was the perfect opportunity for Justine to approach Olivia regarding setting up a test to chart her abilities.
"If you're fine with this Olivia, Douglas, myself and Craig can oversee the test and hopefully we can give you some answers as to the questions that you've been seeking. That is if you don't mind being a test subject considering from what you've told me about your past. I don't want to think that we're exploiting you in any way…" Justine briefed Olivia on her plan.
"Agent Dunham, I must say that I never knew that Walter had conducted such tests let alone experimented on children as young as yourself!", Monaghan cut in, he seemed a little angry and disappointed in his friend, "Believe me, I and my colleagues at this department could never be that extreme!. Frankly, I'm surprised at Walter doing such experiments. I met William Bell once and if I recall correctly it seemed that granted he had a brilliant mind but ethically, he left the impression on me that it was RESULTS that mattered at the end of the day and damn the method that he chose to achieve those results!. I never really took to the man but who was I to stand in the way of a budding friendship?!. Walter and Bell seemed to work well together perhaps too well I would add!".
"You met William Bell?!", Olivia looked at Monaghan a little surprised and shocked by that statement, "Walter never said, mind you, with Walter's mind not being as it was, I can put that down to a lapse in memory.", she turned to Justine, "Don't worry Justine, you're not exploiting me in the slightest, this is just something that I have to do and I'd appreciate it if you could keep this from Walter, Dr Monaghan, you as well Craig…"
Craig nodded, "I'll no say anything Agent Dunham. This is just our wee secret between the four of us!".
"Okay, so what does this test involve then?", Olivia was glad that they were all reading from the same page of the book and the plan could continue whilst Walter and the rest of the team were otherwise engaged elsewhere.
"We'll be running a simulation that's based on the "Ganzfeld tests" that were first developed back in the early 70's. I know this can sound a wee bit far out for the novice but these are tried and tested methods which have proved successful Olivia. We'll put you into a room, dim the lights and place a pair of headphones over you to block out any stimuli. Along with covering your eyes we'll transmit some white noise over the headphones to try and put you into a more "receptive" frame of mind. The three of us will be watching you over the monitors in another room and we'll be choosing images from "Zener" cards which will flash up randomly on the screens. All you have to do is focus on the screens and the images flashing up and just say the image out loud and we'll log your answers down and work out your results. Simple as that!", Monaghan explained.
"Sounds easy enough. I take it all three of you have undergone this experiment yourselves?", Olivia queried, wondering what the results were from the three parapsychologists and if Justine had been the strongest one out of the group.
"We all did this when we first got together. It's no surprise to learn that Craig here being the sceptical one scored the lowest along with myself next. Justine on the other hand…" Monaghan turned to her smiling, "She still refuses to believe that we've never had anyone else get close to the results that she produced, almost 92% success rate which in our scientific circles puts her on a level with some of the great minds of our time!".
"Aye right Douglas, there's always someone out there better than yourself, that's what I say!. Pay no attention to him Olivia!. I did the test three times and that was my average score, these guys only did it twice and gave up the third time, how many times you want tested is up to you but for now we'll just do it once and see how you go. That okay with you?", Justine joked and made sure that Olivia was at ease with what the results could show, "I'll take you through and get you set up, we can take as long as you like. I think Walter and the others will take a good couple of hours yet to get the full test results back to Declan!".
Olivia went with Justine into the other room leaving Craig and Monaghan exchanging looks.
"I hope we don't kick something loose in Agent Dunham's mind. Walter's damned experiments with Bell are something that I don't wish to involve myself with Craig personally or professionally!.", he expressed his concern to the younger man, "I just hope the pair of them haven't psychologically damaged her with their quest for answers concerning the human mind and its perceptions. That's something I always warned Walter about in my younger days!".
"This stuff that they were looking into, I take it you know about this trial and all its gory details, Dr Bishop must've said something to you at the time…" Craig looked at his boss sharing his concern.
"I never asked Craig!", Monaghan sighed, "All Walter told me was that he and Bell were conducting research into the effect of perception on the human mind and that they had developed a method by which they were positive could arrest or stop the process from eroding a person's view of the world and diminishing that potential of what humanity could achieve."
"Sounds like this Dr Bell and Dr Bishop were influenced by Jim Morrison and The "Doors". Wasn't it one of them that said something about perception or something similar?", Craig frowned.
Monaghan laughed, "William Blake, Craig, that's who inspired Morrison, the English poet, I think it went "If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is infinite" and it wouldn't surprise me if Walter had read his Blake either!. Which of course Craig brings me nicely on the subject of music to that call earlier on today when you were in Edinburgh?!", he raised an eyebrow at his young assistant.
"Oh, THAT!", Craig shifted uncomfortably and decided to make a quick exit, "I, um…think I…uh...should set the monitors up for the experiment Douglas…I'll see you in a wee bit!", and he headed out the door to the observation room as quick as he could.
Monaghan smiled recalling another saying of the poet Blake.
"Mutual forgiveness of each vice, such are the gates of Paradise", he wondered if he could get past Walter's scientific indiscretions of yesteryear or they would forever raise their heads regarding their friendship and chosen scientific path.
Depending on what Olivia Dunham's test results were, Walter would have to face the consequences of his actions one day in the future.
Monaghan hoped that this experiment they were doing just now was not going to be the catalyst that was going to set off the inevitable chain reaction.
"FASCINATING!", Walter was scanning the results from the first series of tests that he was running on the DNA from the body and from Declan. What he had hoped for was certainly a lead and possibly something to wrap up the mystery surrounding this case but it had seemed that he had discovered so much more.
"What's up Walter?", Peter came over and wondered why his father was so excited, usually when Walter ran a DNA test it was a normal run of the mill procedure and nothing to shout home about.
"Son, this is pure scientific gold!", Walter beamed at him and looked over his shoulder, "DECLAN!. Young man, come here!. This may be of interest to you!", he called over to the selkie who was talking with Astrid nearby.
Declan wandered over, "Yes Dr Bishop?. Do you have good news?. You seem to be in high spirits!", a smile spread over his face as he saw the elder scientist beam and his features light up with pure joy.
"You've made me happy young man!. Just when I think there is nothing else to discover, along comes you and this whole "seal" legend and it's fired me up young man!. Indeed, I have news Declan and I have completed the first in my series of tests and we are successful in more ways than one!", Walter was positively beaming and his enthusiasm was infectious.
"It seems or friend on the table there DOES in fact possess "SELKIE" DNA, which of course I can now differentiate you from the roane!. PLUS Declan, the Selkie DNA is a match with your own proving that this Erik that you seek is very much involved with this creature and it's creation!".
"I was right about Erik!. That Mackay did take him for a purpose after all!. Dr Bishop, can you tell from the samples if they were taken from a living host or a dead one, is that possible for the test to tell me?", Declan was filled with hope but it was tempered by wanting to know for certain if Erik was truly still alive.
"The sample of selkie DNA is a fresh one, so to speak. I know of techniques used where badly decaying DNA samples undergo various processes to extract information and this is NOT the case here. The sample is too fresh, it was not frozen or kept in nitrogen UNLIKE the human part of this equation. Perhaps if I could now get a sample of roane DNA I could start to make headway, A pure sample on a subject much like yourself Declan. I could do WONDROUS things if such a thing were possible!", Walter continued.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Walter!", Peter interrupted, "I think we've made enough headway on this subject for one day at least!", he decided that it was best to keep Walter from exploring further possibilities than was necessary.
"Dr Bishop, we have a roane aboard as a guest on our boat. If one of you were to travel back with me and make this request of him, then you may just get your missing part of the equation. I take it that just simply using my sample is not enough, but the roane need to contribute some material to help your research?", Declan looked thoughtful, "After all Dr Bishop, our DNA is strongest when the moon is at her fullest which shall be very soon. What else can you tell me about this farrago that we have here?", Declan gesticulated to the table where Astrid was finishing up with the creature's body.
"Patience, young Declan, that was only the first part of the test!. Thanks to my son extracting viable reproductive DNA samples, I hope to continue to provide you with answers within the hour. I need to know WHY this attempt at creating this "farrago" as you call the creature failed. I suspect, though the test should confirm my suspicions that, simply, that something is wrong within the genetic make up of the creature which caused it to fail. There is also a troubling aspect regarding HOW this creature came to be. Something is not right about this, it should take months if not YEARS to age a specimen to this adult level and yet within days of each other TWO creatures are in our possession!.
As to your offer Declan, it would be a great honour to travel with you to get this sample from your guest but I'm afraid, I should botch the process through my enthusiasm and would think that Astro is quite capable of taking my place and getting the job done. From what you have told me that nice young lady Justine should accompany her as I know that this guest of yours was one who was encountered at that place you visited the other day. Peter, bring over the samples you took and we'll start the next test!", Walter replied, hoping that Astrid would agree to this mission.
"Maybe a woman's touch on this is better Declan!. I'll talk to Justine and see if we can take you back to your boat, but it might have to be tomorrow. I think Justine has to get back to look after her son. You are okay with staying over with us?. I'm sure Dr Monaghan can sort something out for you." Astrid had heard what Walter had said and piped in with her response. She had a feeling that Dr Monaghan did not want to lose track of this young selkie and for good reason!.
"Here's your samples Walter. That's the last time I'm doing anything like that ever again. Next time the honour is most definitely YOURS!", Peter brought over the samples to his father and told him in no uncertain terms how he felt.
Walter merely grunted and ignored his son's discomfort and took the samples, ready to discover their genetic secrets. At least part of the mystery would be solved in a short time but for now there was still one final piece of information to relate to the selkie.
"Declan, one thing I should mention. Both you and the other selkie sample have what I would term as the most fascinating genetic markers that I have encountered in all my years as a scientist. Both of you share extra chromosomes that we humans do not have. I would go as far to say that it would seem to mark out your race as unique but until I have a roane sample to compare with, I cannot truly say. One in particular stands out and that happens to be on Chromosome 11 and a variant known as TR-78. This extra chromosome, I think may be linked to fertility and reproduction but again without the comparison to roane DNA, I can only theorise."
"Dr Bishop, you have done some amazing work here!", Declan thanked him, "You have done what no-one else could do in my community and that is to give me at least some place to start seeking answers to our age old problem. For that we are truly in your debt, but it still troubles me as to why Mackay took Erik. I still cannot fathom WHY the roane refuse to experiment with one of THEIR kind and had to resort to one of my people!. I can barely believe that closely related as we seem to be, the roane cannot find their own answers and must exploit our kind in order to do so!", Declan seemed hurt at this sort of exploitation by people who in all respects were their nearest living relatives of a certain kind.
"Perhaps your kind have something that the roane do not Declan. I hope we discover in the next set of tests what that might be!", Walter felt a pang of sympathy for Declan's plight, "It won't be long now I hope".
Declan smiled, "I'll let you and your son get on with your work Dr Bishop. I'll go and help Astrid with our friend on the table over there.", he thought it better to leave the men to get on with their research and help Astrid with the remains of the creature.
"Do you want a last look before the body is frozen with liquid nitrogen?. The University want the body kept and I guess this is your last chance to say goodbye. How do you feel really about all this Declan?", Astrid stopped what she was doing and questioned the young man about what was going on, "Surely you find it disturbing?!".
Declan sighed, "Disturbing Astrid, but necessary. Science is the last hope of both the selkie and roane nation. What else can we do?". He uncovered the face of the creature and stared at it trying to come to terms with what he had just heard from Dr Bishop.
"Science may also give us hope Astrid and that's what both races need. This feud of ours has gone on for too long and the price is a heavy one to pay. This "farrago" and the one before it have paid a great price and will be written in our stories for years to come.", he mused looking at the half seal and half human remains of a face despite crinkling his nose in distaste at the stench of death before covering it back up again with the sheet.
Astrid left him alone for a few minutes with his private thoughts as Declan turned things over in his mind.
Declan stared at the body on the table thinking to himself…
"What tales we shall tell of your sacrifices…my friend…A FARRAGO'S LEGACY indeed.."
"I see a star. A five pointed one", Olivia Dunham's voice called out as white noise filled her head and she felt a sense of disconnection from the world as she lay on a couch with headphones on and bathed in red light.
In the room nearby, Justine, Dr Monaghan and Craig were trying their best to contain their excitement and perhaps fear at what they were witnessing.
"That's the twenty ninth one in a row out of the fifty we have planned in this test that she's got right!. My god!. She's even beating your record Justine!. What the hell did Walter and Bell do to her all those years ago?!", Monaghan tried hard to reconcile the facts with what he was witnessing in front of him. Such results were impossible and were off the scale!.
"Whatever they did to her Douglas, there seems to be a latent ability within certain parts of her brain. Have you seen some of her readings here?. Normally I would put it down to some hormonal spike but there's something else goin' on here!. Didn't she say that there was some chemical that they injected her with in those experiments?. Could this chemical have done something to her mind and cause her to become this psychically open?", Craig took the readings from the machine that was keeping track of Olivia's brain patterns.
"Whatever's happening, Olivia has the right to know what's going on in her own mind and body.", Justine sat there determined that there was no way that they were NOT telling Olivia about what they were seeing. Her training as a nurse swung into play and insisted that it was a person's right to know if anything was going on inside their body that was going to cause concern. There was going to be no cover up here. After all, she had experienced doubts over her own gift and abilities when she first began her job in this department. Olivia should be spared what she had gone through several years ago namely fear and doubt and wondering indeed if her gifts made her some sort of "freak".
"A square" Olivia's voice continued over the microphone as a square appeared on the monitors within the observation room and then Olivia added, "Three wavy lines" just before the screen changed to show the three wavy lines and whilst still on that image Olivia's voice insisted that the next shape was "a circle". Duly enough a circle appeared several seconds later to confirm her answer.
"She's predicting them quicker now than the monitors can change the images!. THIS IS ASTOUNDING!", Douglas sat there blinking and had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming, "In all my years as a parapsychologist…", he muttered not knowing what to make of Olivia's ability it was both disturbing and exciting at the same time.
Meanwhile back on the couch, Olivia could see shapes exploding within her mind's eye, triangles, squares, circles, stars and lines all appearing in order and frankly she was having a hard time keeping up with what she saw.
"Olivia, we want to continue the testing and have decided to use everyday images instead of the shapes that we've been using to begin with. Just relax for a couple of minutes while we load up the first batch of images and say whatever comes into your mind. There will be a beeping noise to let you know that the first image will be ready.", Monaghan's Scot's brogue replaced the white noise momentarily as he explained the second part of the test to her. "Are you still okay with this test continuing?", he added.
"I'm fine!", Olivia answered back and settled back into the comfort of the couch and tried to clear her mind of the last remnants of the images that still haunted her. She took several deep breaths and forced herself to relax. The buzz that she felt was quite intoxicating as the thrill of seeing the images had stirred a part of her that she always kept hidden away from the others, something that felt forbidden but exciting at the same time. Yet still this sense of loneliness and fear was still present, a voice urging her to be cautious and not to jump in with both feet without checking the depth first. A loud beep in her headphones signalled the second part of the test was ready and the stream of white noise swarmed back to envelope her senses and block out the world whilst focussing her mind on the task at hand.
Over in the control room, Monaghan pressed a button to begin releasing the next torrent of images at a more slower and controlled rate. There were fifty images to get through here and then he decided, that was going to be it. No more testing just to be on the safe side and no pushing any boundaries where this young woman was concerned regarding her history with William Bell and Walter Bishop.
"Let's see how she deals with colours and details, Craig, keep monitoring her brain signals for any changes, Justine and I will watch the monitors and catalogue the results", Monaghan briefed his team as the first image flashed up.
A picture of a polished copper kettle flashed on the screen and Olivia's voice immediately came over the monitors, "It's a kettle made of copper".
Justine, Craig and Monaghan shared a look, first image down and Olivia had nailed it perfectly. The kettle image melted away to be replaced by a peacock tail feather and Olivia again answered, "A feather, peacock I think".
Third image of a red car followed by a fourth image of a pearl necklace was also answered correctly by Olivia and so on until the forty fifth image was presented on screen, that being a burning log fire and suddenly it seemed all hell broke loose!.
The picture on the monitor suddenly wavered and vanished and Craig's voice jumped a few levels, "Douglas!. Her brainwaves have just spiked!. My god!. You should see this I've never witnessed anything like it!".
"WHAT?!", Monaghan dived over to the machine where Craig was working and took a look at the readings for himself, "THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED!", he could barely believe what he was seeing and it seemed in Olivia's cortex and pre-frontal lobes something was going on as the monitors were going crazy registering above average readings and the printouts on her brain patterns were practically off the scale and page for that matter!.
"Stop the test immediately!", he looked at his two assistants and the monitor that had Olivia on screen inexplicably blacked out and Monaghan's face now became gravely concerned, "Justine, go and check on her. We're switching off the equipment in case of overloading. This has to end now!. We're way in over our heads on this test!".
Justine dived out of the control room and couldn't get the door on the testing booth open quick enough. Nothing like this had ever occurred before whilst running this kind of test, not even with her!. She could see that Craig and Monaghan were spooked by what was going on and despite their professional demeanour, Justine knew that deep down both men were scared of what they had just seen. She knew that she was the only person that could go into that room and talk to Olivia as someone else who had a gift, it was always the same in cases like these.
"Olivia!", Justine got the door open and found that Olivia was already up and off the couch standing there, headphones thrown to the floor and she seemed strangely calm. Perhaps a little too calm at what was going on here. She approached her quietly and not wanting to alarm her but she could see that Olivia was in some kind of trance and looked as if she was completely unaware of her presence.
Justine felt responsible for her friend's condition after all, it had been her idea that Olivia should take the test to check on her psychic abilities and hoped that no damage had been caused by the procedure. "Olivia?. Olivia?. Can you hear me?!. It's me Justine!", She gingerly reached out and touched her arm and a torrent of images suddenly crowded Justine's sensitive mind. The shock made her take a gulp of air into her lungs as both women seemed to connect through the power of touch.
Justine saw fire and a young child scream, she could see the picture of a young boy and the boy's face morphed into that of a young man. There was a scar on his face, like the number "2" and he had blonde hair and sad eyes, haunted even. Then all went black and both women came back to that little room in the University.
Justine shook her head and seemed dazed momentarily and Olivia snapped out of her trance as if someone had snapped their fingers.
"JUSTINE!. AGENT DUNHAM!", Monaghan and Craig appeared at the door of the testing room seemingly wearing worried expressions and looking flushed and a little flustered.
Olivia frowned and looked at Justine's dazed expression and then over to Monaghan and Craig. "Uh…what just happened here?." she looked at all three of them. "One minute ago I was on that couch seeing images in my mind and now I'm standing here. Justine?!.." she turned to her friend seeking an explanation and trying to calm her own racing heart.
Justine looked at Olivia and over to her two colleagues, " I think we need a few minutes to get ourselves settled. I think we need to discuss what the hell we just witnessed!".
Olivia looked at the three parapsychologists and wondered why the three of them looked rattled and both Monaghan and Craig in particular seemed to be avoiding looking directly at her. Had she done something to scare them?. Had something gone wrong in the test?.
"Come on Olivia, we'll go into the office and I'll get us a couple of stiff drinks!. I think we both need something a wee bit stronger than tea or coffee!", Justine smiled, gently touching her arm and making her feel a little more secure, "You're not gonna believe what's been goin' on!".
"This really is cutting edge science!", Walter announced to the room filled with his friends and co-workers. He had decided to call everyone together to discuss the results and let various opinions and questions be aired regarding his findings. "Whoever is doing this work, from what my son Peter has explained to me from when he and Agent Dunham visited and spoke with that man Mr Griffin.", he looked around the room and simply said, "The techniques are almost a match for the methods used to create "Dolly" and her predecessors, HOWEVER…", he raised his voice before anyone could get a word in edgeways and added, "The two creatures we have in our possession are the resulting mix of SELKIE and HUMAN DNA which begs the question as to WHY the roane will not use their genetic material to experiment with!. I need to research this further with a sample of tissue from a roane subject of course but for now at least I can say that someone has been continuing work that Mr Griffin may not necessarily know about".
"So you're saying that someone from the "Roslin Institute" has been continuing their research in conjunction with this "ZFT" organisation?. I take it we don't have any word back from MacIntyre on any missing persons with a scientific background just yet?", Craig managed to get the first question in.
"Not yet, but I'll get onto him shortly.", Olivia sat there strangely feeling a little disjointed and not part of this meeting, her mind seemed a million miles away trying to figure out what had happened up there in the testing room. Unfortunately there had been no time to discuss what had happened as Peter had texted her saying that Walter had news which everyone should hear regarding his tests on the creature.
"I take it that you found at least some answers to the mystery of this creature's origins, Walter?.", Monaghan was impatient to learn what Walter knew and he could tell that both Justine and Craig were too. Agent Dunham though seemed not quite on the ball as usual, he noted as he hoped that their test had not opened a can of worms regarding the F.B.I investigator's past with Dr Bell and Walter.
"Partially Douglas, yes, I did and I wanted to share the findings with you all regarding this. Declan, this may be somewhat troubling for you especially but I found that these creatures have been subjecting to extraordinary measures and procedures which for all intensive purposes SHOULD and possibly COULD not exist regarding our own technological state of affairs. The farragoes were aged rapidly to get to this adult stage by some artificial means and although "Project Mosaic" and other such schemes which I encountered when working at "Kelvin Genetics" were merely dealing with THEORETICAL ageing, it seems this is now a reality." Walter began.
"Wait a minute what about that case we investigated regarding Dr Penrose and his experiments?. Weren't they subjected to accelerated ageing and it was to do with pineal gland excretions?. That if you remember was no THEORY but was something that was happening in the here and now. Could this be happening here Walter?", Peter stepped into the discussion by bringing up one of the first cases they had worked on.
"Excellent observation son!", Walter congratulated him for his sharp memory regarding that case but it was to be short lived, "BUT WRONG!. Surgically induced progeria is NOT the cause of the rapid ageing of these creatures, although I admit I am somewhat envious of the fact that someone has perfected the process that both Claus and myself could never overcome within the "Super Soldier" program. No, this is something FAR, FAR more intriguing and hyper acceleration of the pituitary gland can be ruled out as a cause since these creatures were created from scratch meaning artificially fertilized then put through some rapid growth therapy to get them to a particular stage of development.", Walter seemed in his own world and looked as if he was going to get waylaid by what he had done in the past for the United States government.
Peter caught a glimpse of Olivia's far away expression as Walter began to reveal the third part of his findings and Peter frowned noticing that she seemed to be quite distant from all the events happening around her. Discreetly he leaned in closer and lowered his voice.
"You okay there Dunham?. It's just you look a little out of it. Bad memories of Dr Penrose and that man baby we investigated?", he inquired.
Olivia turned and gave a small smile in reply, "Just a little tired I guess!", she lied, "It's been a busy day."
"I know the feeling Olivia!", he smiled back, "Looks like Walter's just getting into his stride."
He drew back and wanted to add something else but thought better of it and besides, he did want to hear what his father had discovered about the creature as he had insisted in not telling anyone until everyone was present to hear all the details.
Walter was in the middle of explaining about Declan's extra chromosome and the fact that he could not verify everything until he could get some roane DNA and then came the news that they were all dying to hear.
"Apart from this Chromosome there also happens to be a difference between at least between selkies and humans that I can say for certain. That happens to be in the blood work. Congratulations Declan, you happen to be the first carrier of the "Langereis" blood type that I have had the pleasure of meeting. 30 proteins have been counted and logged for basic blood type and now we have yet ANOTHER one to add to the family namely ABCB6!", Walter looked pleased.
Declan shook his head in amazement, "Dr Bishop, you are suggesting that truly the selkie are a unique population because of our genetics and blood work?".
"That I am Declan and until I get some Roane DNA to confirm this and test any similarities or differences, I can only theorise that a mix of pure selkie and Human genetics has become impossible due to incompatible blood work due to differing ways that the proteins transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. THAT I would suspect is why your birth rates have fallen so low and I suspect this Chromosome that you have has become shall we say defective or at least watered down so much over mixing over the past goodness knows how long that it is causing some deformity or genetic fault in your offspring. Simply put, Declan and I feel this must be stated for the Roane as well.." Walter sighed, looking around the room.
"I suspect both your species must start by burying the hatchet so to speak and simply adhere to the old human saying!", he grinned.
"Walter!", Peter groaned as he guessed what the scientist was about to say as he could recognise the glint in his father's eye.
"MAKE LOVE NOT WAR!", Walter clapped his hands and grinned watching the expressions of everyone around him suddenly become less sterner and serious and they let out smiles and laughs.
Declan laughed and he understood the situation perfectly. "If only it were that simple Dr Bishop!. But I do like the sentiment behind your logic!".
"Declan, you said that Owen was a guest on your boat?. I take it that say If I went with.." Justine began but Astrid stepped in to finish the sentence.
"Not to interrupt Justine but if we BOTH go back with Declan and talk to Owen and convince him to get a DNA sample, then I think that might be our best shot to solve this case. That is if Dr Monaghan thinks it's a good idea?".
"Astrid, Justine…" Douglas nodded, "I agree completely with where you're going. Everyone else agree with this?", he queried, looking around the table.
No-one disagreed and murmurs of assent filled the room as it was decided that this was the next course of action to take.
"Well, if we're agreed on this then I think we should call it a night ladies and gentlemen!", Monaghan announced, "Certainly we could all do with a good night of rest and I for one could do with some sleep!". "Declan, first thing tomorrow morning, Justine and Astrid will take you back to your boat. If you're okay with that Declan, then you're welcome to stay over with me as I feel someone has to take responsibility for you regarding your…" he smiled ruefully, "Your condition".
Declan nodded, "It would be my pleasure Dr Monaghan and I must extend my thanks to you all for your hospitality and understanding", he bowed gracefully, "Owen made a wise choice in trusting you and I am grateful to him that he did!".
It seemed that the selkie magic had everyone under Declan's spell and it was the best way to end what had been a busy and very intriguing day for one and all.
"We'll get you your answers Declan!", Walter Bishop vowed, "We can't give up now as we're so close to finding the truth!".
Olivia tried to avoid looking at Monaghan and Craig as they left the room and wisely kept her own counsel on what she was feeling. Only Justine gave her a look that conveyed that she alone could understand how she was feeling.
Walter was intent on finding answers to the case but Olivia it seemed now had gone looking for answers of her own and now had questions to deal with from the fallout of that test.
Just what the hell was going on inside her head and just why was she seeing that man with the scar on his face?.
The chapter title was one which I came across via Bruce Chatwin's book namely "The Songlines" and I mentioned it before way back when I wrote my first story "Fusion". A "tjuringa" is an oval plaque made of stone or mulga wood used by the Aboriginies in Australia as part of their spiritual teachings and culture. Basically to quote from the book…
"It is both musical score and mythological guide to the Ancestor's travels. It is the actual body of the Ancestor, it is a man's alter ego, his soul, his obol to Charon, his title deed to his country, his passport and ticket "back in". On the other hand if you lost or smashed your tjuringa you were beyond the human pale and had lost all hope of "returning"."
More or less a case of "don't lose your mojo or you're screwed". Combining that with the meaning of what songlines are namely : " trails of songs or stories left by the Aboriginal totemic ancestors connecting people in the Dreaming", it's time to start weaving and connecting the story and its relevant parts together for the closing chapters.
As far as the actual part of the story dealing with the DNA aspect and the blood groups that was partially down to watching a show on TV that dealt with the genetic testing of King Tut's DNA and how they overcame the problems which ensued from trying to get proper readings. Apparently, if you mix a bad DNA sample with I think it was bacteria, the bacteria causes the DNA to grow or replicate and a sample can then be properly tested. Pretty cool stuff huh?!.
The blood group research is also something which I've been looking into and it's interesting to note that there are so many groups out there apart from the standard RHESUS ABO grouping. "Junior" and "Langereis" I think were the most recent groups discovered along with the "Bombay" group, (no this isn't a " Mighty Ducks" reference but it is the name of yet another rare group.)
All these groups including the Rhesus ABO group as far as I can grasp it are all different to one another because of the proteins that make up these types. Rhesus negatives like myself don't have or lack the "D" protein or antigen and from what I know, this effects how we process oxygen and carbon dioxide for starters ( some say fertility too and point the finger at us neg women but I would dispute that there's something affecting the men as well. There has to be a balanced theory and flipside to the coin don't you think?!), as far as some researchers have found but it's damned difficult to track this stuff down. Basically it's good stuff to write about if you can get your head around it!.
To continue with the science bit, the "Ganzfeld Tests" I took out of the "X FACTOR" magazine which explains the background to them and what exactly goes on there. I thought it would be cool to try and link up into the beginnings of the next case namely the "Nick Lane" and Cortexiphan trials and get back to the canon of the show which I thought a shout out to season one and "The Same Old Story" should achieve by mixing a little of that case history into the narrative.
If you happen to be a fan of the band "The Doors" then you'll know that Morrison was influenced by William Blake amongst other people and that's how the band got their name from that quote I used first PLUS the track "End Of The Night" uses a quote from Blake as well. I got the quote from the "Oxford Book Of Quotations" which is a great book for referencing things like that.
(Note that Jim Morrison was "O" NEGATIVE apparently and it explains quite a great deal about him with this in mind and weirdly enough I practically live in a "Doors" T-Shirt most of the time as well, I'm addicted to wearing one!).
Finally they'll be another Whitley Streiber quote coming in the next chapter or so from the book "Communion". I was flicking through the book and another thing he wrote about stuck in my brain and refuses to budge!. Anyway, maybe another four or five chapters left in this story. Don't worry, it will hopefully be less than twenty this time around!.
Thanks for reading and putting up with my ramblings and theories!. Now if only we could get a picture of Mr Jackson from the set of "The Affair" I think my life and the other fan's lives would be complete!.
Fingers crossed…catch y'all later…