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THE GENETIC DUPLICATE – DAY TWO Part 1
Six hours after going to bed Kyra had woke up at her usual time. After getting up and preparing herself for the day, she sat down on the couch to grade papers.
Kyra was grading papers for ten minutes when Dr. Randall rang the doorbell. Kyra wasn't sure want to think when she opened the door.
"Dr. Randall, is there anything wrong?" asked Kyra.
"Oh nothing is wrong," said Dr. Randall. "I have Kim's test results. At your convenience you and Kim can come by sick bay so I can go over the test results."
"Okay, give me about thirty minutes and Kim and I will be there," said Kyra. "Bye."
Seconds later Kyra was shaking Kim to wake up. Kim just laid there as though she was lifeless. Kyra started to worry.
"Kimberly," exclaimed Kyra as she shook Kim. Kyra saw Kim as she moved "Kim, you need to wake up."
Kim rolled over on her back and opened her eyes. She then pulled her lengthy hair from her face.
"I was having this weird dream that I was walking though a morgue on Earth," said Kim. "There was this one woman working at the morgue that looked a lot like me. She had just turned and looked at me in a curious manner when you woke me up."
"Well, your test results are in," said Kyra. "Dr. Randall wants to go over your test results with us so I need you to get up and get dressed."
Kim sat up. She then said, "I need to go to bathroom before we go."
"That is fine," said Kyra. Kyra watched Kim messing with her hair as Kim was getting out of bed. Kim noticed Kyra watching her. "What?'
"Do you like your hair being as long as it is?" asked Kyra.
Kim said in a manner as if she was making a stand, "I'm not getting a hair cut."
Kim, relax," said Kyra "I was only asking. I'm not going to make you get a hair cut if you don't want one." Kim grinned. "You do need to brush it though. I will be back with my brush and a hair clasp"
"Thanks," said Kim.
Kyra grinned and walked away.
A few minutes later Kyra and Kim were walking into sick bay.
"Kim, you can have a seat for now," said Dr. Randall. "I would like to talk with Kyra alone for a brief moment."
"If it is about my test results why can't you talk in front of me?" asked Kim.
"I just need to talk to Kyra alone first," said Dr. Randall.
"I have a right to know what is being said," said Kim.
"Kyra and I will only be a brief moment," said Dr. Randall.
"Actually Kim is right," said Kyra. "If it is about her then she has the right to hear."
"Kyra, this is unorthodox," said Dr. Randall.
"Unorthodox or not Kim should be present," said Kyra.
"Okay," said Dr. Randall. "Kim, you and Kyra can come with me to my office."
Kim and Kyra followed Dr. Randall into his office.
Dr. Randall walked up to a wall panel that was holding images of Kim's brain scans. He pressed a button on the panel and a light came on that made it easier to see the images.
Dr. Randall pointed to the images and said, "Kyra; Kim, these images are of Kim's brain."
"Dr. Randall, I believe that goes without being said," said Kim.
"Kimberly, don't be impolite," said Kyra.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't meaning to be," said Kim.
"Just let Dr. Randall continue," said Dr. Kyra.
"Anyway," said Dr. Randall. "Kim, before we begin I would like to say that not always, but sometimes when we encounter humans from outside the twelve colonies we find a slight deviation in brain development. This is true with you, however this is perfectly normal. The planet's atmosphere and elements a human are subjected to have an influence over brain development."
"I understand, Dr. Randall," said Kim. "So did you find what was causing my headaches?"
Dr. Randall pointed to a section of the image and said, "Kim, your brain also has what we refer to as a primitive lobe. That lobe is normally quiet or inactive. More than three thousand years ago our scientists discovered a way to safely and genetically convert fifty percent of the primitive lobe to become a useful brain mass. By doing this we improve our memory and our quickness to learn."
"No wonder the twelve colonies lost their psychic ability," said Kim.
"Excuse me?" asked Dr. Randall.
"The last teacher I had on Earth had us studying the brain during our science lessons and the doctors on Earth call that region the dead zone," said Kim. "When a scientist tests a psychic they discover an activity within the dead zone."
"Which is also what is going on in your case," said Dr. Randall. "I found activity within that region of your brain."
"So I am a psychic," said Kim.
"Kim, I was wanting to talk with Kyra in private to discuss a procedure I thought you needed," said Dr. Randall. "Now after talking to you I think our ancestors had made a big mistake. What is happening to you I now believe is a natural evolution that should be happening to us as well. Today one out of a thousand babies is born with a normal primitive lobe. Many more are even born with a higher percentage of a normal primitive lobe. Normally we would start them on a procedure right away that would convert the brain tissue to become a more useful brain mass. I'm now going to take what I learn to Cmdr Adama and Pres. Roslin. We need to stop what we are doing."
"Dr. Randall, what about Kim's headaches?" asked Kyra.
"I believe the activity in the dead zone of her brain is the cause of her headaches," said Dr. Randall. "I was thinking that the procedure would get rid of her headaches, but now I'm just going to prescribe certain pain killer that should help."
"Why do my headaches come and go the way they do?" asked Kim.
"Certain glands are quiet until the gland is called upon by the body," said Dr. Randall. "I believe this is also the case within your dead zone. That area of your brain is not active all the time and when it is stimulated it causes you pain. The more active it is the more pain it will cause. Kim, the painkiller I gave you yesterday should be sufficient to relieve the pain, but if it doesn't let me know. I will also note down in your medical records for it to be filled as needed. So when you run out just bring the empty container back."
"Will the painkiller stop the activity within the dead zone?" asked Kim.
"I seriously doubt it," said Dr. Randall. There was then a short silence. "Do either of you have any questions?"
Kim just shook her head.
"If I think of any I will contact you later," said Kyra.
"Then Kim you are free to go," said Dr. Randall.
"Thank you Dr. Randall," said Kyra.
Minutes later Kyra and Kim were walking through the corridor. Kim saw Kyra looking at her watch.
"So when is class?" asked Kim.
"We have three hours," said Kyra.
Capt. Lockwood walked into the corridor. When he saw Kyra and Kim, he walked up to them.
"Kyra, I was just looking for you and Kim," said Capt. Lockwood
"Why are you looking for us?" asked Kim.
"Kim," exclaimed Kyra. As Kim looked at Kyra, Kyra was shaking her head.
"I was looking for you and Kyra because Cmdr Adama wants to see both of you on the Galactica as soon as you can get there," said Capt. Lockwood.
"Why does he want to see me?" asked Kim.
"Kimberly, I'm fast realizing that you are an inquisitive person, but do you mind if I ask a question or two?" asked Kyra.
"Sorry," said Kim.
"That's quite all right," said Kyra. "Father, do you know why Cmdr. Adama wants to see us?"
"I think he wants to talk Kim about that vision she had yesterday," said Capt. Lockwood.
"Does he believe that I had a vision?" asked Kim. Kim turned to look at Kyra
"He didn't say," said Capt. Lockwood.
"Kim, we just had better get to the Galactica and see what he wants," said Kyra.
"Okay," said Kim.
After getting on a shuttle bound for the Galactica Kim got one of her headaches. Kim tried to ignore it.
Several minutes later Kyra and Kim were stepping off the shuttle. Apollo met them when they stepped off.
"Kyra, my father is in the middle of a briefing at the moment," said Apollo as he noticed Kim squinting slightly. "He might be another thirty minutes or so. Kim, are you okay?"
"I have a slight headache," said Kim. She turned and looked at Kyra. "It's not bad though."
"I have the medicine that Dr. Randall prescribed for you if you need it," said Kyra.
"I don't need it right now," said Kim.
"Okay," said Kyra. "Kim, since neither one of us ate yet let's go and get something to eat while we have sometime before we meet with Cmdr. Adama."
"I'm not really hungry, but I guess I can eat," said Kim.
"I will see you two later," said Apollo.
"Bye, Capt. Apollo," said Kim.
Apollo waived as he walked away.
Minutes later Kyra and Kim were going through the food line with their food trays. Kyra noticed Kim rubbing her head a little.
"Kim, you need to take your medicine," said Kyra.
"I'm not hurting all that bad," said Kim as a man was handing Kim a plate of meat with sauce poured over the top of it.
When Kim was taking the plate she had touched the man's hand. Kim got a vision and remained motionless.
"Kim, once we find a table I want you to take your medicine," said Kyra. Kyra noticed Kim being still. "Kimberly?"
"What is wrong with this child?" asked the man.
Kyra placed her had on Kim's shoulder and said, "Kimberly."
Kim looked at the man with a worried looked. As she was putting the plate down onto her tray she blurted out, "Oh my god."
"Kim, what's wrong?" asked Kyra. Kim never responded and walked towards the dining area without her tray. "Kim, what's going on?" As Kim stepped into the dining area she looked at the people one by one along with looking at the food each one was eating. "Kimberly, talk to me. What is going on?"
"The meat is spoiled," said Kim. Kim then spoke out, "The meat is spoiled every. If you keep eating the meat all of you will find yourselves in sick bay."
Everyone looked at Kim.
A worker walked up and asked, "What are you doing? There is nothing wrong with the meat."
A few of the people smelled his or her plate of food.
"I just saw everyone that is in this dining hall in sick bay with food poisoning," said Kim.
"I don't know who you are or what joke you are trying to play, but if you are not out of here in five minutes, I'm calling security," said the worker.
"Excellent," said Kim. "We need them here."
Kyra wasn't sure how to respond to what was taking place.
"I'm calling the security," said the worker. The worker walked away.
"Kim, are you sure the meat is spoiled?" asked Kyra.
"When that one worker touched my hand, I saw everyone in this room in sick bay with food poisoning," said Kim. "Everyone in here is eating the meat."
"Everyone, please listened," Kyra spoke out. "I suspect that the meat is spoiled regardless of what the worker thinks."
"What proof do you have?" asked one of the men that were dining.
"I saw all of you in sick bay with abdominal pains," said Kim. "All of you were throwing up too."
One of the women asked in a sarcastic manner. "You saw us in sick bay? Right, I suggest you go bother someone else." The woman took another bite of the meat.
"I'm serious," said Kim. "I get these visions that come true." Everyone in the room laughed. "If everyone continues to eat the meat, all of you will end up in sick bay."
"Get out of here and let us eat our food," said another person.
"Kyra, these people are not listening," said Kim.
"They are not going to listen either until they are treated for food poisoning," said Kyra.
The worker that called the security had walked up to them again and said, "The security is on their way."
"Sir, what is your name?" asked Kyra.
"It is Dillon," said the worker.
"Dillon, did you hear about the shuttle accident last night?" asked Kyra.
"I heard something about it," said Dillon.
"Well Kim, this girl here, had predicted the accident an hour before it occurred," said Kyra. "Now Kim is saying that she saw these people in sick bay with food poisoning from a vision she had. I believe Kim. If these people don't stop eating the meat they will end up in sick bay."
"Lady, there is nothing wrong with the meat," said Dillon.
"I see you are going to be like everyone else and have to have proof," said Kyra.
Two security officers came through the door. Dillon looked passed Kyra and saw the officers.
"Good, the security is here," said Dillon.
Kyra and Kim turned and watched the officers as they walked up.
Kyra explained to the officers of what was happening. The officers didn't believe that Kim had a vision and took them to security station.
Cmdr. Adama was informed of the incident. He then had the meat and the other foods that were served examined. After the report came back on each food items, Cmdr. Adama learned that the sauce was swarming with parasites. The people that ate the meat with the sauce were being treated. He then ordered an examination of all fruits and vegetables in their stores.
Kyra and Kim were waiting at the security station for an hour when Cmdr. Adama walked in.
Kyra stood up and walked towards Cmdr. Adama. Kim stood up also and followed Kyra.
"Kyra, this is not like you to be apprehended," said Cmdr. Adama.
"It is like me to make a stand when I believe in something," said Kyra. "I believe in Kim's visions. I believe the meat was spoiled."
"I had the meat analyzed and the meat was fine…" said Cmdr. Adama.
"But I had a vision with everyone in sick bay," exclaimed Kim. "I know there is something wrong with the meat."
"Kim, your vision was accurate, but it wasn't the meat," said Cmdr. Adama. "It was the sauce that was bad. The people that ate the meat with the sauce are being treated."
"So do you believe I had a vision that came true?" asked Kim.
"I will admit I was a bit skeptical when I heard of your vision of the shuttle incident, but after this food incident I'm convinced," said Cmdr. Adama. "Kim, I want you to keep telling Kyra your visions."
"I can do that," said Kim.
"Now what I don't want you to do is call out like you did earlier in the mess hall," said Cmdr. Adama. "Depending on the situation you could start an uncontrollable panic."
"I understand," said Kim. "I will just tell Kyra what I see."
"Good," said Cmdr. Adama. "Kim, I would like for you to step out in the corridor for a moment. I would like to speak to Kyra alone for a second in private."
Kim looked into the security officers' direction and said, "You mean you don't want me to hear."
"Kimberly…" exclaimed Kyra.
Kim backed away and said, "I'm going."
Cmdr. Adama and Kyra watched the door closing behind Kim.
"Commander, I'm learning quickly that Kim speaks her mind so…" said Kyra.
"Kyra, I'm not too bothered by that," said Cmdr. Adama. "My best pilot has a habit of speaking her mind so I'm used to it. Of course I won't tell my pilot or Kim that. Kyra, what I want to say to you without Kim being present is that I know when you offered to be Kim's guardian, you or me either one didn't expect you to become a guardian to someone like Kim. I realize the arrangement between you and Kim will not be your typical child and guardian arrangement."
"Commander, I'm not changing my mind about Kim living with me if that is what you are getting at," said Kyra. "In fact I'm the only one that believed in Kim's visions when no one else did so Kim will have a home with me."
"I'm glad, but that was just part of my concerns," said Cmdr. Adama. "The next part is that I need you to personally inform me of any disquieting vision she would get."
"Of course, Commander," said Kyra.
"Good," said Cmdr. Adama.
"Well if there is nothing else, Kim and I should be catching the next shuttle," said Kyra.
"Actually, there is one more thing I need of Kim before you get on a shuttle," said Cmdr. Adama. Kyra looked at Cmdr. Adama in a curious manner. "I want Kim to report to sick bay and of course you can accompany her."
"Is there anything wrong?" asked Kyra.
"Dr. Salik had just voice some concerns about as to how much of a degree that Kim's brain development deviates from ours and wants to do a more in depth look at the rest of her body," said Cmdr. Adama.
"Dr. Randall said that the deviation was normal," said Kyra.
"A deviation is normal, but Kim's brain development deviates from us by two percent," said Cmdr. Adama. "I know two percent doesn't sound like a lot, but point-eight percent was the largest deviation recorded; until now. Dr. Salik believes with how much of a degree that her brain development had deviated from us that her organs development might have deviate from us as well."
"Okay, I will take Kim to sick bay," said Kyra.
A few minutes later Kim and Kyra were walking into sick bay.
Cassandra saw Kim and Kyra walking in. When they stepped up to her desk Cassandra said, "Kim, it is nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again," said Kim. "So why does Dr. Salik want to run a few tests on me?"
"Kim, I told you that he is just wanting to do a more thorough test on you," said Kyra. "There is nothing to be concern about."
"Usually a more thorough test means that they suspect something," said Kim.
"Kim, you are fine," said Cassandra. "Dr. Salik is just wanting to run a more in depth physical on you. He didn't do it yesterday before you left, but while you are on the Galactica he would like one done of you."
"Why can't Dr. Randall do the tests?" asked Kim.
"The Galactica along with the Rising Star has better medical equipment than anywhere else in the fleet," said Cassandra. "Since you are here now on the Galactica there is no sense for you to go to the Rising Star."
"If there was nothing wrong with me then I wouldn't have to go to a medical facility with better equipment," said Kim.
"Kim, I will not lie to you," said Kyra. "There is nothing wrong with you."
"Then why was I sent into the corridor while you and Cmdr. Adama talked?" asked Kim.
"Kim, what Cmdr. Adama and I discussed had nothing to do with you being here," said Kyra.
"Okay, but if you are lying to me I won't be talking to you for a while," said Kim.
Kyra slightly grin and shook her head.
Dr. Salik and Baltar came walking out of Dr. Salik's office.
Kim turned to look.
"Thanks, for the sleep aid," said Baltar as he held the bottle. The bottle slipped from his head and rolled towards Kim and Kyra.
Kim bent down to pick it up. When Kim touched the bottle she placed her free hand on her head as she suddenly got a headache and a vision at the same time. The vision was what Baltar was doing when the destruction of the colonies occurred.
"Kimberly, are you okay," asked Dr. Salik.
Kim remained motionless as she was crouched over.
"What is wrong with the girl?" asked Baltar.
"She is having one of her visions," said Kyra. Kyra place her hand on Kim's back. "Kimberly." Kim came out of her vision and stood up with the bottle in her hand. "Kim, what did you see?"
Kim turned and looked at Baltar.
"I'm not sure. It was too quick and too chaotic to understand what it was," said Kim. "I believe my vision was from the past and not the future though."
"What do you mean by a vision?" asked Baltar.
"I would see an event of someone's past or future," said Kim.
"You saw and event from my past?" asked Baltar.
"I believe so," said Kim.
"Can you describe what you saw?" asked Baltar.
"I don't think I saw enough to know what was going on," said Kim.
"I would like for you to tell me what you did see," said Baltar.
Kim took a deep breath and said, "Okay. You were with a very pretty blonde woman. There was then a huge explosion. That was when I came out of my vision."
"Did you see anything else?" asked Baltar.
"My vision was too chaotic," said Kim. "I really couldn't understand what I was seeing."
"Well if you can't tell me anymore then I have better get going," said Baltar.
Baltar left sick bay without the bottle.
"Kim; Kyra follow me," said Dr. Salik.
"Oh no," exclaimed Kim. Everyone looked at Kim in a confused manner. "That man forgot his medicine. I'll go and give it to him." Kim walked towards the exit.
"Okay, but hurry," said Kyra.
Kim saw Baltar in deep thought as he was walking slowly down the corridor.
"Sir, wait," Kim called out. Baltar was slightly startled. He turned around and faced Kim as Kim was stepping up. "Sir, you forgot your medicine." Kim handed Baltar the bottle.
As Baltar was taking the bottle he asked, "Your name is Kimberly right?"
Kim nodded and said, "Uh-huh."
"Kimberly, are you certain you can't tell me more of the vision?" asked Baltar.
Kim took a deep breath. She then whispered, "The blonde woman was a Cylon." Baltar had a concern expression on his face. "I also know that you were deceived by her. She used you like a puppet."
"You don't know me so why did you keep your mouth shut in sick bay?" asked Baltar.
"Cmdr. Adama knows that I get visions so if I would have said something you would have been investigated as being a traitor," said Kim.
"So you don't think that I'm a traitor?" asked Baltar.
Kim slightly shook her head and said "The puppet is not responsible for what the puppet-master does." Kim then motioned towards the door. "Well I'd better get back in there. Oh and I won't tell anyone of my vision of you, but I believe you should."
"I would be executed for treason," said Baltar.
Kim backed up and said, "The longer you keep quiet, the less likely that you will be believed of being a victim."
Baltar watched Kim as she walked back into sick bay.
"Unfortunately I believe I have already reached the point of no return," said Baltar. Baltar turned and continued about his business.
Seconds later Kim and Kyra were following Dr. Salik into an examination room.
"Kim, just sit down on the bed and we will proceed," said Dr. Salik. Kim walked up to the bed and touched it before getting in. "Kim, is there anything wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong," said Kim. Kim climbed into bed.
Dr. Salik started the examination by checking Kim's eyes. After thoroughly testing her eyes he moved on and tested her hearing. He then moved on and listened to her heart and lungs. Several ex-rays and scans were done. Dr. Salik had also taken blood samples and cell samples from Kim before ending the examination. The entire examination took an hour and ten minutes.
"Okay Kim, we are finished," said Dr. Salik.
"So did you find anything wrong with me?" asked Kim.
"Kim, you are very healthy," said Dr. Salik. "I'm just running these tests so I can add you to our records. Everyone in the fleet has had a thorough exam at least once."
Kyra looked at her watch and said, "Kim, we need to get going. We have about forty minutes before class is supposed to begin."
"I'm ready," said Kim as she hopped down from the examination bed.
In the corridor outside the bridge area Col. Tigh hurried to catch up to Cmdr. Adama. Col. Tigh called out, "Commander." Cmdr Adama stopped and faced Col. Tigh. "I have the report on our fruits and vegetables and I'm afraid it is not good,"
"How bad is it?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"I'm afraid it is very bad, Commander," said Col. Tigh. "Everything that we harvested two months ago is infected by the parasite and thirty percent that was in the stores before the harvest are also infected."
"Col. Tigh, how did the parasites go undetected?" asked Cmdr. Adama.
"Sir, our scans can not detect certain parasites during their incubation period," said Col. Tigh. "I suspect that we brought the infected fruits or vegetables on board during that time."
"Colonel, disposed of the infected fruits and vegetables," said Cmdr. Adama. "Thoroughly clean out those holds and send out the raptors to locate a planet with vegetation."
"Yes, Commander," said Col. Tigh.
"I guess I don't have to tell you that we are on half rations until further notice," said Cmdr. Adama.
"No Sir, you don't have to say it," said Col. Tigh.
"Colonel, I also don't want the severity of our food shortage to get out," said Cmdr. Adama. "If people start finding out about our food situation then people will start to panic."
"Yes Sir," said Col. Tigh. "Commander, when we start plotting our course for hyper-jumps, do you have a specific course you would like to take?"
"Since that partial star chart we obtained from the alien's ship didn't provide us with enough clues to locate Earth, we will continue as to what we have been doing to locate food," said Cmdr. Adama.
"Yes, Commander," said Col. Tigh.
Col. Tigh turned and walked away.
