Orphans Beloved: "Attack of the Fifty-foot Clones…"
Summary: Like my Immortal Beloved and Sheldon Swifties bits in my Buffyverse and Sheldonverse, these are fragments and short bits, some longer…Just to fiddle with ideas, possibly forming longer tales later.
Disclaimer: No copy write infringement intended…
Note-There are always these minor consequences to any great advances in Science.
Part VII…
Dyad Institute, Medical High-Level Containment…
Hallway outside conference room B…
Dr. Norris eyeing Dr. Nealon…
"I guess the shit is really hitting the fan today." Chad noted, wan smile.
"If I were you, Norris…Never mind." Nealon, coolly sneering smile. He strode over to the lead nurse monitoring Rachel's telemetry.
Creepy little sob…Chad thought sourly. Nearly forgotten what a pain in the ass he was.
That was the one good thing about field work. Anysley may have acted like a bitch on the job, poor kid, but when we were off duty…Nice.
Though she was actually getting into the jealousy thing a bit much at the end. One actress who really lived the part…Poor kid.
Not that I harbor any ill will toward the freak bitch who killed my more-or-less make-believe wife. Hell, I worked with Rachel Duncan for years. I can maintain my professional objectivity with that murdering strumpet Hendrix who left my poor Anysley's real kids, whom I love like my own and adopted…And still have with me…, Without a mom, no problem.
"No problem…" he repeated aloud, tensely.
"What? Well, good…" Nealon eyed him from the monitoring station.
What's the little putz up to now? Another bright idea to show off in front of Aldous?
…
"Aldous…Delphine…" Marion on video, large screen in the conference room in which they were seated, sighed. "This is quite a situation, as you can well imagine. I know…" She put up a well-manicured…Must ask her where she goes, Delphine thought…Hand… "You couldn't foresee this, but…"
"We're taking all steps possible to contain the situation, Marion." Aldous noted. "What's the status at Topside?"
"I've tried to minimize the damage." She replied. "But there's really no long-term way to conceal the fact that several of our clones are now over ten feet in height and a few are wandering about Toronto."
"Not for long, they are all coming in. We've managed to persuade them." Delphine, hastily.
"Well, one mercy…We'll have them collected in one spot." Marion, calmly.
"Meaning?..." Delphine, anxiously…Turning to Aldous. Who raised hands in calming gesture. "Marion…We really need to consider the big picture here. This can be contained, I'm sure…And actually is a unique new opportunity to gain a window into…"
"Spare me the advancement of Science and Biotechnology lecture, Aldous." Marion frowned. "I've put my own career…Even possibly my life…On the line for our girls in the past few days. I don't need soothing comforting glorious future of science happytalk from you. But we have to be rational about this. And unfortunately Topside received word on this phenomenon from other sources as well as me. It seems Project 'Castor' has finally reopened negotiations at a higher level than those we worked out in the Helena exchange…"
"Castor?" Delphine stared.
"Then Helena…?" Aldous began.
"Escaped…And is now at fifty-feet, if the reports coming through are accurate." Marion sighed. "The Board met in emergency session just a few minutes ago and I had to confirm similar symptoms in our other clones. As a result, Ferdinand's suspension has been put on hold and he has been temporarily reinstated. He'll be coming back to you shortly."
"No. Marion…" Delphine insisted.
"I wouldn't panic Dr. Cormier…Even he's not able to whack fifty-foot clones." Marion noted, wry look. "For now he's orders to assess the situation and observe. Strictly to observe…And report back."
"He's not likely to be an objective reporter…Given what happened…" Delphine, nervously.
"He knows what's expected of him and he's a professional. Besides, Aldous is the new Rachel so he'll be dealing with him, rather than you. And the Board did stress its desire to preserve our product…If possible. He's anxious, naturally, to get back in their good graces."
"What about Rachel? What have you told the Board?" Aldous asked.
"I went with your suggestions, Aldous. I mentioned that she tried to prevent Sarah's release, became irrational over the suicide of her father, and was injured in a struggle with Sarah and our security, in case you need to cite the trauma and stress as a trigger… But no details…"
"Good…Thanks, Marion." Aldous nodded. "I think we can work with that…"
"Aldous…Topside wants this situation handled. The product saved if possible but above all…The situation…Handled."
"And it is being so…" he eyed her calmly. "Things are under control here, the ladies are being collected and treated. Nothing…"
"ALDOUS!?" Rachel's howl…Echoing down the hall.
"Excuse me, Marion…I think my girl needs to see me. As you can hear, she's aware I'm back and quite willing to be guided…"
"UNCLE ALDOUS! RACHY WANTS UNCLE ALDOUS!" howl…
"Gotta go. Dr. Cormier will wrap things up. Oh, as to the Helena situation?" he paused.
"We've made a temporary arrangement with the military…We'll try to work together on this one, with the usual safeguards on both sides. Topside is sending you know who to liaise."
"What?" Aldous stared. "Not him…Marion…" Delphine eyeing him, Aldous…?
"What can we do, Aldous? These clubby rich boys want one of their one handling some part of the show, even if he's a loud-mouthed incompetent…Just be glad he's not taking over with you." Marion shrugged. "At least Ferdinand is highly competent and takes orders."
"That blowhard fool will turn this into a catastrophe…" Aldous sighed.
"These boys like to play at being tough guys…Compensation for fearing they're soft, effete types from when the local boys used to beat the crap out of them when they were away from their bodyguards. And he's got the loudest mouth among them, so they defer to him." Marion shrugged. "Just hope the Castor people won't put up with his nonsense." She eyed them. "Listen, I've done the best I could for you and our girls under the circumstances. Don't argue with this unless you want Ferdinand placed in charge there."
"We'll manage and this will be handled, Marion." Aldous noted. "We have two on site and…"
"Dr. Leekie!" cry from the hallway as the building swayed a bit… "UNKLE ALDOUS! I WANNA DRINKA WATER!"
"Really hafta go…Delphine?" Aldous waved a hasty good-bye, exiting.
"You mustn't abandon our subjects, Marion." Delphine insisted. "You have a stake in this, I know. I will not hesitate to tell Aldous about Charlotte if you fail us."
"Dr. Cormier…" Marion, coolly. "I'm doing all I can, within reason. More would only create suspicion. If you wish to protect our subjects, do your job and find a solution quickly. And above all, keep this as contained as possible. I've got to get back…" she paused. "And, Delphine…Don't ever try to threaten me again or I will take it personally. And Aldous knows all about Charlotte…" smile. "Who do you think secretly implanted her in me?"
….
Containment cell…Er, patient room…E…Dyad Medical High-Containment Area…A short time later…
"Crystal…I'm Dr. Cormier…" Delphine cautiously addressed the frightened Crystal as she reclined on a hastily constructed "bed" of sorts adapted for a now fifteen foot woman. "And this is Dr. Norris…" Chad gave cheery grin and wave…Hiya… "You're at the Dyad Institute, a top bioresearch institute. We're doing all we can to help you, you understand?"
"Sure…Yeah. Johnny told me you people were the best." Crystal eyed her. "But what's happenin' to me? And where is Johnny?"
"Hey, babe…" a rather nervous Johnny stepped from just outside the doorway, a tall, thin, if wiry, slickly dark-haired, rather oily fellow in suit and obtrusive jewelry just crass enough to label him…Part-time pimp for the last twelve years…Full-time Dyad field biologist/monitor for fifteen. "Just like I told ya, got ya the best, right? Right?" he beamed at her.
"Yeah, Johnny…Thanks. But are they gonna help me? Lookit me?! What happened to me? Was it those weird guys the other night who tried to grab me?"
"We don't know, Crystal." Delphine, sincere tone. "But we doubt they could have given you anything that would have caused this, unless somehow it had a triggering effect. Tell me? Were you very frightened, stressed when those men tried to kidnap you?"
"What the heck do you think?" Crystal, annoyed. "'Course I was scared, I nearly peed my panties. You think adrenalin did this?" she eyed her.
"I'm not stupid, doc, just cause Ima whore." she noted calmly to Delphine's stare. "I went to high school and community college, I took Biology…And I still watch Star Trek." Grin.
Chad grinning back…She eyeing briefly.
Not bad…And always good to keep up the list of potential clients. Probably doesn't do too bad here, this "Dyad" place not being government or academic, Johnny said.
"It's good you're keeping up your spirits. We'll do all we can for you." Delphine nodded. "Are you in any pain now? Do you want anything?"
"Drink'd be nice…I suppose I can't have alcohol?"
"I think we better avoid that right now." Delphine nodded.
"Right. Well, apple juice if you got it. And can Johnny come in and stay?"
"Of course and certainly…" Delphine eyeing the nervous Johnny…
Get in there and do your job…Or else…Her look…And Chad's…His immediate superior…Rather stern glance… Saying.
"Johnny?" Crystal cooed… "You comin' in?"
"Right away, babe…Just wanna tell the doc here to get things movin'…" he called, stepping back out of the room a moment to face a grim Delphine. Chad remaining at her nod.
"Babe. We'll be just a sec…And Johnny'll make sure you get your juice." he closed the door.
"So, you're not from Toronto originally, right?" Chad noted pleasantly.
"You want me to stay with her, like that?" outside, in the hallway, Johnny hissed to Delphine.
"You have your job, do it." She whispered, coldly. "Or you'll meet with a serious accident and we'll find some nice staffer here to kindle a new romance. She'll mourn you, doubtless, but she seems the type who gets over things in time."
"Jesus…Dr. Cormier, I like Crystal and all…It's been a fun gig…And I have even risked my health and life in this assignment. Chance of getting VD? Thugs threatening us? No problem…But…"
"She's still the same girl. Seems very sweet as always, despite her life choices. Just act as you always do…In fact, a little nervousness will be natural under the circumstances. You're not supposed to be a hero in this role."
"Exactly…I'm not a hero…Not even for Science." he sighed.
"John. You like Crystal, you're fond of her. I've seen it in your reports." Delphine noted. "And she cares a great deal for you…She won't hurt you, if you're afraid of that…" smile… "And we will, so you really have no choice." Cold look.
"Fine. Right. Sure." He glared.
"Good. There'll be a little something extra in your paycheck next week. Call it hazardous duty pay. When and if this is over, you can take her somewhere nice, away from her current life. She may be ready for a lifestyle change after this…"
…..