One week later …August 1860.
The train wheels of the Filgaia Express turned as steam billowed underneath. The rails ran underneath, slipping under the wheels as the sleek black vessel sailed across the vast scrub sea that was Slayheim. A mountain range was barley visible in the early morning mist, hiding itself in shadow across the horizon to the south. Brown and yellow grasses spread out in all directions, sharing the land with no other. Well, as much as Duran hoped for anyhow. These grasses could be hiding anything. Kill Deer, coyotes, and even a band of rebels.
Duran pushed himself from the window in his room. It was small and made up of a bench on both sides of the narrow room. His bags were resting upon a rack overhead, and his blanket and pillows were still draping a bench he had used for sleep. He straightened his bow tie, as he was dressing himself as fine as he could. A white, button up shirt under a sleeveless velvet vest in turn under a black cigar jacket was what he was adorned in. He sighed as he looked to the mirror strapped to the wooden wall.
"Slayheim, land of unconquerable dreams…" Duran muttered to himself. "For twenty years we've been trying to bring her under our control, and for twenty years we've done nothing but bring boys home in body bags."
A knock on the cabin door gained Duran's attention. He turned from the mirror and straightened out his beard rather quickly. The old man then placed a hand on the knob and slowly slid the door to the side, as if expecting some kind of assassin.
"Morning Duran." It was none other than Werner dressed in usual attire of a white button up with a pair of khakis and brown 'Y' shaped suspenders.
Duran slid the door open a bit more, giving a secret sigh, and stepped back. "Good morning Werner. How was your night aboard?"
Werner stepped in and took a seat upon the unused bench as Duran started to trimming his white beard with a small pair of scissors. "Never was one for trains. Preferred a good old horse and a sleeping bag if you know what I mean."
"I know exactly what you mean, but I don't necessarily agree." Duran continued trimming his beard. "Trains don't make well for grooming."
Werner sat on the bench, gazing out the window for a few moments before returning conversation. "Duran, what should we tell Dr. Vilente?"
"What do you mean?" Duran asked, not taking his eyes off the mirror.
"Pete and Elliot think I'm a doctor. I know a little white lie never hurt anybody, but should we continue telling lies?"
"… Werner, my boy, if you want my opinion as a proud, Abraminist man, I'll tell you to speak not of deceit…"
"Ah, …I was thinking that myself…" Werner looked at his black shoes.
"However, if you want my opinion as a professional, I'd tell you to continue using the title. If your going to talk of lies, I'd at least use a constant story."
"I suppose your right Duran." Werner chuckled. "We can't have Elliot telling whoever joins us that I'm a Dr. and I've already said otherwise."
"That would create a problem…" Duran clipped one last stray hair. A loud bang was heard as a passenger dropped their case in the hall. Duran practically leaped to the ceiling in panic.
"Haha!" Werner laughed. "What has you so wound up?"
Duran frowned and dusted his coat off as he attempted to regain his dignity. "It took me by surprise. That's all."
"You're worried about a rebel squad attacking the train, aren't you?" Werner smiled.
"And you should be too, Werner. It's no laughing matter. Slayheim isn't safe country, especially for government employees such as you and I. we're the first targets on the list!" Duran snorted.
"Wow, you really are taking this seriously. Relax Duran. Nothing's going to happen." Werner stood up and patted Duran on the shoulder. "By the way, why are you getting so dressed up for?"
Duran sighed and looked to Werner. "I try to look my best when representing the Council in front of potential candidates. I don't want to give the wrong impression."
"If you want to hide the fact that your government surplus, being dressed up like a politician is the last thing you should do."
"Let an old man have his dignity Werner." Duran grinned. "We are headed to a small rural town. We should show Ms. Melody Vilente that we mean business."
"Oh… so it's Ms. Melody now, huh?" Werner winked.
Duran blushed. "You're getting the wrong impression, Werner. An old man such as myself has no desire left in him for young women." He then cleared his throat.
"As you say Duran." Werner then stepped out into the hall. "Well I'm going to breakfast."
"Hold your horses Werner. I'll be there in a moment."
** *
The sun was at it's peak in the blue sky above the remote town of Little Twister when the train arrived. The station was home to only a few passengers in waiting at this hour, as well as a few Filgaian soldiers. The train pulled in and finally came to a halt after a long period of reducing speed upon the rusty rails. Great big signs in amber Posterbill upon red backdrops welcomed the passengers to "a little patch of paradise". The sun sank through missing boards in the canopy roof, creating sunspots upon the elevated station platform. The doors of the train opened finally as two soldiers marched to them, eyeing all whom walked out. Werner and Duran stepped out, behind the crowd, before the crowd, and between the two soldiers. Ahead of them, the platform ended in a broad staircase, emptying into the dust-covered street of Little Twister, more precisely, Main Street. A water tower sat in the middle of the wide road, as several inns, stores and bars sat along the side.
"Here we are. Little Twister." Werner announced in his trench coat and hat, carrying his goods.
"Indeed. I wonder if Ms. Vilente received our letter." Duran nodded.
"Do you happen to know where the clinic is?" Werner asked his fellow scientist.
Duran shook his head. "Not a single clue."
Werner looked to his side. A young soldier, clad in the blue uniform of the Union of Filgaia, stood there, ever emotionless, watching the town behind disciplined eyes. Werner cleared hid throat. "Excuse me sir, would you happen to know where the town clinic is?"
The soldier turned his head to see the broad hatted one. The brass bugles upon his blue cap shined in Werner's eyes. "Head straight down Main Street, beyond the water tower. It's the building on the far end, sir."
Werner nodded and gave his thanks as Duran glanced at the soldiers Springfield rifle ARM. They both then started to descend the steps, away from the crowds. The sun was much warmer out in the wilds of Slayheim then it was in Leyline, and the two found it a bit disturbing. Vigilant, nonetheless, the two marched down the dusty street. Several of the local men (poor farmers and out of work soldiers) gave the two disgusted and menacing looks.
"I can't say we're a crowd favorite out here." Werner whispered. His hand wasn't too far from his ARM, nestled in his coat pocket.
"It would appear that way. Perhaps we should have been escorted by a soldier…" Duran replied.
"For some reason, I think that would make things worse. There appears to be a lot of mistrust out here already."
It wasn't long before the two actually made it down Main Street The clinic was a small building, nestled between two larger offices. The screen door was the only barrier the clinic offered, and a large Red Cross was painted to the side of it. Werner and Duran stepped into the shade provided by the porch roof and stood before the door. A fat cat looked at the two from a rocking chair to their left and yawned.
"Can't say it's too much of a busy town so far." Werner took off his hat and scratched his head.
"A backwater place if I ever saw one. I wonder if the postal service runs out here at all." Duran thought.
"Well, let's hope so. It would be a shame to come all the way out here for nothing." Duran was about to knock, when…
CLUNK! The two council member's eyes strayed to the tin porch ceiling above them. Something heavy had just landed up there, ad was now messing about. Intrigued, the two walked out from underneath into the sun to see a large blotchy feathered Axebeak resting on the tip porch roof.
"That's an Axebeak…" Duran stated as he placed his spectacles upon his nose.
"Strange. It just perched there as any domesticated bird would…" Werner squinted to make the bird out from the sun.
Duran laughed. "Whoever thought I'd see a delicacy sitting upon a roof?!"
"A bird that size would fetch quite the price in Jolly Roger, eh?" Werner made out.
The large bird quit preening under its wing with its large blade like beak and looked to the two humans who were staring at it so curiously. The bird titled its head and let out an ugly squawk and raised itself on both scaly dark legs. A loud bang was heard from under the tin roof and the Axebeak immediately took to flying off. Werner and Duran looked down to see a rather large woman beating the roof with a broom. She had orange hair, a large, bony nose, easily identifiable make-up, and a nurse's cap and gown, as well as a cigarette between her lips.
"Get out a here you damn bird!" The woman cried out in a deep, raspy voice.
Werner blinked in confusion as Duran cleared his throat. Werner stepped up first. "Excuse me, Dr. Vilente?"
The woman leaned the broom against the painted cross and crossed her arms across her broad chest. "No. Margy. Margy Cascade."
"Is there a Dr. Vilente, here?" Duran asked.
"You wounded men?" Margy raised an eyebrow.
"Well, no, but-" Duran tried to explain.
"Then we don't want any. Thank you, good day." Margy then turned around and opened the screen door, but a small woman had opened it already and slid it form behind the nurse. She was thin with a small frame and was dressed in a long white lab coat with a dark turtleneck underneath. Her hair was Very light, almost white, and short in the back, ending just above her shoulders. However, her bangs almost completely covered her purple eyes.
The woman turned to Margy and spoke in a timid, small voice. "Margy, please don't send people off like that."
"But the debt collectors keep coming. If we greeted every one, we'd have no time for business." Margy said a matter-of-factly, letting smoke drift from her lips.
"We can handle it." The smaller woman said. She then turned to the two doctors and partially smiled, her eyes hiding a true smile. "May we help you gentlemen?"
"Thank you madam. I'm Dr. Werner Maxwell, and this is Dr. Duran Feld." Werner extended his hand, which the woman reluctantly accepted in a shake.
"We represent the Council of Seven, and we're looking for a Dr. Melody Vilente." Duran finished when his hand was accepted as well.
"I… I am Dr. Melody Vilente." The woman said sheepishly. She was shorter than Duran, but taller then Koge was.
"Did you receive our letter?" Werner asked.
"Y-Yes! Yes, I did. I'm very honored you selected me for an interview, Dr. Maxwell! Truly I am!" Melody leaped up, as if trying to defend herself.
"It's O.K, Melody, if I can call you that?" Werner laughed.
"You may call me that, Dr. Maxwell." Melody nodded.
"Please, call me Werner." Werner smiled. "May we step inside?"
"Inside?!" Melody looked behind her, past the screen door into the clinic. "It's-it's a bit dirty. I couldn't possibly let you in like this, I'm so sorry."
"Relax Melody." Margy patted Melody's small shoulder. "I'll clean it up for the gentlemen here." She then winked and opened the screen door.
"It's really no trouble, Ms. Vilente." Duran said. "We've seen our share of messes."
"Please, it-it's not prepared for you, Dr. Feld, Dr. Max-… Werner." Melody ended her sentence softly.
"Perhaps we should come back at another time?" Werner asked.
"Um…" Melody looked to the dirt below them.
"Dr. Vilente." Margy's voice came from within. "Why don't you take the good doctors out to the animal pen?"
"The animal pen! Of course!" Melody hopped, a smile on her face. "I-I mean, if you would follow me, Doctors."
Melody then began to walk around the clinic, between the clinic and the office adjacent to it. Werner looked to Duran. "Is it just me, or is she rather timid?"
"Just the opposite of Enduro, huh." Duran stated. "Well, let's follow."
Duran and Werner easily caught up to the female doctor ahead of them. Behind the clinic was a rather large building, what appeared to be a tin barn. Melody held open a door, indicating the two should go ahead of her. Werner smiled as he tipped his hat to her as he stepped in, causing the poor woman to blush. Duran stepped in afterwards, as Melody closed the door behind them all. The floors were dirt and naked light bulbs hung from wires off the ceiling a story or two up. It was overall dark, save the spots under the bright bulbs. The low growls of several large animals could be heard from the room over. Melody instructed the men to a large circular room with a concrete floor and a drain in the middle. Chins of all kinds littered the area, connected to the walls. Attached to such heavy chain was a large Cannon Buffalo, resting on the ground. Sunlight filtered through several holes in the wall, spattering the ground in sunspots.
Melody stopped before the Cannon Buffalo and laid a hand upon its scaly hide. "Well, first, is there any questions I can answer for you?"
Werner unpacked his notes and scanned through them as Duran started. "Your resume states you're a virologist. What exactly do you do?"
"…I study, examine, and research microscopic organisms known as virus's. These organisms are smaller than cells and consist of nothing more then a protein capsule, a stalk, and hereditary material. Using animal and laboratory research, I determine whether a virus can be benign or malignant and whether or not I can find a way to treat the virus." Melody explained softly.
"…You're in business with a Dr. Elliot Enduro, are you not?" Werner asked, looking through his notes.
"…yes…" Melody answered, looking at the sleeping animal.
"You provide him with DNA altering agents. Can you explain about that?" Werner asked, trying to look the timid woman in the eyes.
"DNA altering agents are specially crafted virus' that I have created. Dr. Enduro will send me a letter, requesting an agent that will alter a certain gene. I then create the genetic information needed to instruct a virus to do so, using pieces of DNA, RNA, and peptide agents obtained from certain bacterium to bond the two together. When I reach a satisfactory amount of information, I insert the coding into a harmless virus. Doing so, the virus' genetic coding for reproduction is still in effect, which is the only way to create large numbers of these agents. Agents are then inserted into a test animal, and if the coding I created was correct, the virus's would attack a cell and insert the coding. The coding then will react with the DNA already within the chromitids, 'unzipping' the DNA and RNA and replacing parts that I wish to be replaced, and then 'zip up' again. The viru's die and drift harmlessly through the body, where phagocytic cells would dispose of them." Melody explained, taking a little pride in her profession.
"Huh." Duran said. "That must take an awful amount of time."
"Yes, it would be rather interesting to see it in action." Werner crossed his arms.
"Well… I am about to test a new agent. If you would like to view it…" Melody smiled bashfully.
"We'd be honored." Duran said.
"That's a cannon buffalo, right?" Werner asked.
"Yes it is. Cannon buffalo are great test animals due to their cellular meiosis rate. When cells are lost, say due to a wound, cells will induce meiosis at once, rushing through the meiotic cycle at an amazing pace. They heal at a rate we humans could never dream of. If a cell's DNA is altered and a wound is applied, the cell will start meiosis, thus giving it's sister cell the exact same new DNA, and so on and so forth until a large number of DNA enhanced cells have been created. When a large amount of the cells have been created, we can then see the effects of the DNA on the animal." Melody lectured as she sorted through a briefcase that was lying near the wall. She took out a rather large hypodermic needle and squirted it to see if it was working. She then pulled from the briefcase a clear plastic raincoat. She donned the gear and stepped to sleeping megafauna and placed the syringe just behind one of the giant shoulder mounted horns. The beast's eyes shot open and a shriek of pain escaped it's toothy jaws. Melody stayed on the beast until the needle was completely empty, despite the thrashing of the animal. Once the needle was empty, she placed it in a disposable bag and reached for a clean knife. Carefully, she sliced an incision along the buffalo's hide, creating a small wound. Blood began to trickle as the animal roared. Melody then stepped back, cleaning the knife with a napkin, and closing her briefcase.
Werner was debating to question about the raincoat as Duran had his hand to his chin. "Should you give the animal anesthetic first?"
"Anesthetic slows down the body, thus inhibiting cell growth." Melody replied. "Now, it should begin."
The blue creature stood up on its two powerful legs and blinked several times. The wound was healing and the blood dried. However, the animal began to whimper and stomp about, straining against the chains. Duran and Werner cringed at the sight. The powerful animal was obviously going through a whole lot of pain. The area of the cut began to swell, and it wasn't long before the entire animal began to bloat. Duran and Werner stepped back as the cannon buffalo gave one last cry before unexpectedly exploding. A rain of tissue, muscles, blood, and skin fell over the room, covering absolutely everything within. The shattered skeletal framework that slumped to the floor was held together by whatever remaining bits of tendons and muscles was left.
Duran gave a disgusted look as his best clothes were covered in bits and pieces of cannon buffalo. "What the hell was that?"
"Science at best…" Werner grumbled as he flung a bit of cartilage off his nose.
"I'm-I'm terribly sorry! I didn't know that reaction was going to occur! Please forgive me…" Melody pleaded, hurt in her eyes.
"It's all right Melody." Werner placed his hands on her shoulders. "Science can be messy. Right Duran?"
Duran kicked a bit of flesh off his shoe. "Sure is."
"Right. Well, let's use this to our advantage. What happened?" Werner looked into her scared eyes.
"The agent must have created a hyperosmotic situation within the infected cells, swelling to a critical point. The rate of reproduction within the cells along with an attempt to balance out the pressure lead to a pressure build up within the cells. The cell membranes couldn't hold it in, and thus the cells exploded." Melody calmed herself down.
"Whatever you do, don't sell that to the military…" Duran sighed as he picked at his beard.
"Well… who's for lunch?" Werner smiled.