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THE GENETIC DUPLICATE – DAY TWO Part 4
While carrying her briefcase, Kyra was locking the classroom. Casimir walked up to Kyra as Kyra turned away from the classroom door.
"Casimir, hi," said Kyra.
"Hi Kyra; is this a bad time to talk" asked Kyra.
Kyra slightly shook her head and said, "Not at all. I'm going to sick bay so you can walk with me."
"I hope nothing is wrong," said Casimir.
Kyra and Casimir started to walk down the corridor.
"Actually I just want to ask a question on something," said Kyra. "So what can I do for you?"
"I have two things to discuss and both topics have something to do with Kim," said Casimir. "I understand that you are her guardian."
"That is correct," said Kyra. "What about Kim?"
"Have you noticed her having any blackout spells while you are around Kim," said Casimir.
"Casimir, I know what you are referring to and they are not blackouts," said Kyra.
"What do you mean?" asked Casimir.
"Well what did Kim say when you noticed her actions?" asked Kyra.
"She acted as if she was unaware of her actions," said Casimir. Kyra showed a distasteful expression and shook her head. "From your reaction I would say that Kim wasn't very honest with me."
"I will talk to Kim and find out what is going on," said Kyra.
"Why did Kim act as if she was having a blackout?" asked Casimir.
"Kim gets visions," said Kyra. "I'm not sure what all will stimulate one, but I do know that she could get a vision by touching an object."
"What if someone would touch her?" asked Casimir. "Would she have a vision that way?"
"I can't guarantee my answer, but I would say yes," said Kyra. "Did someone touch Kim when she acted as if she was having a blackout?"
"I had placed my hand on Kim's shoulder," said Casimir.
"Then I'm a little more positive that Kim could get a vision when someone touches her," said Kyra. "I will have a talk with Kim to find out what she saw."
"What kind of vision does Kim get?" asked Casimir.
"She can see something from someone's past or a future event," said Kyra. "I do know she can't control what she sees or when she will see it."
"That is interesting," said Casimir.
"So what was the second thing you wanted to discuss?" asked Kyra.
"Kim knows how to play a musical keyboard; however, she refers to it as an organ," said Casimir. "If Kim is willing I would like for her to play the musical keyboard during mass."
"I will ask her," said Kyra.
"Well, that is all I wanted," said Casimir. "I'll see you later."
"Okay, bye," said Kyra.
Casimir turned and walked in the opposite direction.
A few minutes later Kyra walked into sick bay. Dr. Randall saw Kyra as she entered the room.
"Kyra, what brings you here?" asked Dr. Randall.
Kyra walked up to Dr. Randall and said, "Kim had mention to me that her grandma was born an identical twin. Do you know anything about identical twins?"
"I don't even know what an identical twin is," said Dr. Randall.
"Kim says that identical twins are two brothers or two sisters born minutes apart and that they share the exact DNA," said Kyra.
"Of course two brothers or two sisters can be born minutes apart, but they don't share the exact DNA," said Dr. Randall. "In fact the two babies born don't have to be the same sex."
"Kim is very insisted and sure about what identical twins are," said Kyra. "Could it be possible that the women on Earth are able to get pregnant with identical twins?"
"Normally I would say no, but since Kim's physiology slightly deviates from ours I'm reluctant to say one way or the other," said Dr. Randall.
"Is there anyway to find out?" asked Kyra.
"Dr. Salik had sent over the results of Kim's physical examination," said Dr. Randall. "I haven't looked at it yet. We could open it up and I can go over the results with you."
"Yes, I want to look over the results," said Kyra.
"Then come with me to my office," said Dr. Randall.
Seconds later Kyra and Dr. Randall were sitting down to view Dr. Randall's computer. Kyra placed her briefcase on the floor beside her chair. After Dr. Randall pressed a combination of buttons, Kim's medical record was being displayed on the screen. Dr. Randall scrolled through and explained Kim's results to Kyra. After seven minutes of explaining Dr. Randall abruptly stopped and read to himself.
"Doctor, what is it?" asked Kyra.
"Before I say anything I want to open Dr. Salik's commentary on this," said Dr. Randall. He then pressed on the link. "Huh. This is interesting."
Kyra waited a second before she spoke. She then asked, "Are you going to keep this to yourself?"
"Oh, Dr. Salik found markers within Kim's DNA along with one additional chromosome and one unidentifiable internal body part located slightly above Kim's right hip," said Dr. Randall.
"Does Dr. Salik explains his findings?" asked Kyra.
"In Dr. Salik's opinion Kim is a hybrid human," said Dr. Randall. "He believes this was done to prevent sterility among the thirteenth tribe."
"So Kim has something other than human mixed with her DNA," said Kyra.
"According to this I believe so," said Dr. Randall.
"What creature, animal or being would Kim be mixed with?" asked Kyra.
"Dr. Salik suspects the thirteenth tribe to be mixed with a primate whose physiology that closely resembles ours," said Dr. Randall.
"So how human is Kim?" asked Kyra.
"Oh, she is definitely human," said Dr. Randall. "I also suspect that if the women on Earth are capable of getting pregnant with identical twins as you or Kim calls it, it has something to do with the primate that they are mixed with."
"Doctor, you had mentioned about markers in Kim's DNA," said Kyra. "Why were those markers placed in the DNA?"
"Do you have any knowledge of how important the alpha through the zeta chromosomes are?" asked Dr. Randall.
"No I don't," said Kyra.
"The average person doesn't, but those chromosomes determine the characteristics and the general makeup of a person," said Dr. Randall. "When all of those chromosomes are exactly alike in sexual partners and if those partners become parents then the child will be born sterile. There is also a medical theory as old as the colonies. This theory was never proven, but it states that a single tribe would eventually become sterile if there were no others tribes to procreate with. However, this is not the case with Kim and the others on Earth."
"So the markers will prevent sterility," said Kyra.
"It was placed there to help prevent sterility; however, according to Dr. Salik's findings those markers will also cause random health issues."
"How?" asked Kyra.
"If a particular chromosome is the same in both parents then the marker placed would force the exact chromosome in the child to mutate slightly," said Dr. Randall. "This change is on a random basis."
"What kind of health issue can the markers cause?" asked Kyra.
"As I said those chromosomes control our general makeup such as how well we see; how well we hear and how healthy our organs will be," said Dr. Randall. "Those chromosomes also control our physical features."
"So a child on Earth could be born deformed or severely handicap?" asked Kyra.
"That's correct," said Dr. Randall.
"Doctor, you said that the markers change the chromosomes on a random basis," said Kyra. "Could the markers improve someone's health?"
"I would say yes," said Dr. Randall. "Do you suspect that Kim's health is better than what it should be?"
"Actually it is her memory that is better than what it should be," said Kyra.
"Why do you suspect that?" asked Dr. Randall.
"Earlier today, she drew a picture of something she saw yesterday," said Kyra. "She only saw that scene for a second, but her drawing was detailed and accurate."
"We do have tests that can measure someone's memory," said Dr. Randall.
"To know for sure I would like to have Kim's memory tested," said Kyra.
"I can schedule one for tomorrow," said Dr. Randall.
"Tomorrow will be good," said Kyra. "I can bring Kim here soon after Kim wakes up."
"I will see you then," said Dr. Randall.
"Doctor, before I go I would like to thank you," said Kyra. "You were a big help."
"You're welcome," said Dr. Randall. "Oh and Kyra, in a casual manner perhaps you can ask Kim about that internal body part above her hip."
"Okay, I will," said Kyra.
After leaving sick bay Kyra went to her quarters. She then sat on the couch and graded papers.
An hour and a half later Adonis and Kim left the recreational center. As they were walking down the corridor towards Kyra's quarter, Adonis took and held Kim's hand. Kim looked at Adonis and grinned. A short time later Kim and Adonis were walking up to Kyra's quarters.
"Kim, I think I can get tickets for one of the concerts that are playing," said Adonis. "If I can, would you go with me?"
"I would like that, but I would have to get Kyra's permission," said Kim.
"Then I will see if I can get tickets," said Adonis.
Kim gestured towards her quarters and said, "Well I've better get inside."
"Kim, I'm not certain if I can get the tickets so until I know for sure it would be a waste of time to ask Ms. Lockwood," said Adonis.
"I will just wait to ask her until you are certain," said Kim. "I will see you later."
Adonis leaned in to give Kim a kiss. Kim was about to pull away, but stopped herself and allowed the kiss.
Kim grinned after the kiss. Adonis also grinned.
"I will see you later," said Adonis.
After Adonis walked away, Kim walked into her quarters. Kyra paused from grading papers and looked at her watch when Kim walked in.
"So did you have fun?" asked Kyra.
"I did," said Kim. "I learned five knew games today."
"I suspect that you and Cleona ignored each other," said Kyra.
"Cleona left the recreation room in a huff when Adonis and I walked in together," said Kim. "She would really have gotten pissed off if she would have seen Adonis kiss me."
"Kimberly, I don't want you saying the phrase 'pissed off'," said Kyra.
"It only means to be angry," said Kim.
"Then say that and not the other," said Kyra.
"Fine," said Kim.
"Now what was this about Adonis kissing you?" asked Kyra.
"Oh he just walked me to the door and just before he left he kissed me," said Kim.
"Kim, Adonis kissing you at the door is okay, but you are not to be in a room alone with him at any time," said Kyra.
"You told me that yesterday," said Kim.
"I'm just reminding you," said Kyra.
Kim said in a sarcastic tone, "With my poor memory I do have to ask directions to where I live each time I'm out."
"Kimberly, don't be sarcastic," said Kyra.
"Well I don't need reminding," said Kim.
"I understand you have a good memory, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded from time to time," said Kyra.
Kim crossed her arms and said, "Well it bugs me when people keep telling me what I already know."
"All right Kim, I won't remind you again, but I will be upset with you if you are found alone with Adonis or another boy," said Kyra.
"Is the chapel considered as a room that Adonis and I are not to be found alone in?" asked Kim.
"The chapel is always open and when there is no sermon people are always entering on a random basis so I believe I can trust you and Adonis alone in the chapel," said Kyra. Kim grinned. "Don't make me regret allowing that."
"I won't," said Kim. "Beside, making out in a chapel would desecrate the house of god and I won't do anything that would desecrate any place of worship or resting place."
Kyra stood up and gave Kim a hug and a kiss on the head. Kim grinned.
"Oh Kim, I talked with Casimir earlier today," said Kyra. Kim looked at Kyra in a curious manner. "He came to me because he was concerned that you were having blackouts."
"I had a vision of something from his past," said Kim.
"I figured it was a vision, but why did allow him to think that you had a blackout?" asked Kyra.
"The vision was something very personal so I didn't want to say what I saw," said Kim.
"Can you tell me what you saw?" asked Kyra.
"I shouldn't; however, I do want to get your advice about what I should do of what I saw," said Kim.
"What did you see?" asked Kyra.
"I saw Casimir visiting Adonis' mother in the hospital just after Adonis was born," said Kim.
"How is that personal," said Kyra.
"Casimir is not Adonis' uncle; he is his father," said Kim. Kyra had a curious expression on her face. "Adonis has the right to know who is father is, but it is not my secret to say. What should I do?"
"Kim, I feel that you were right of keeping what you saw to yourself," said Kyra. "When Casimir is ready he will tell the truth."
"What if he feels it is too late to tell the truth?" asked Kim.
"It is still not your place or mine to reveal his secret," said Kyra. "I'm going to keep this to myself and I want you to do the same."
"Okay," said Kim.
Kyra looked at her watch and said, "Kim, it's time for us to get something to eat."
"Is that the reason you told me to come home at this time?" asked Kim.
"Yes, it was," said Kyra.
"So I can go back to the recreation center after we get done eating?" asked Kim.
"I think you should come home after we get done eating," said Kyra.
"Why can't I go back?" asked Kim.
"In two hours both of us are going to bed," said Kyra.
"It won't take two hours to eat," said Kim.
"Kim, you just spent a few hours there already," said Kyra. "You need to take a break from there. Besides you haven't bathed yesterday or today. You need to take one before you go to bed and I'm planning to do the same."
"Can I read one of your books after I get done bathing?" asked Kim.
Kyra grinned and said, "Yes." Kim grinned. "Now let's go and eat."
"Okay," said Kim.
Kyra and Kim walked out of their quarters. While walking through the corridor Kyra said, "Kim, when I spoke to Casimir, he had also told me of how well you can play a musical keyboard. He would like to know if you would be willing to play it during mass."
"You mean play in front of a crowded room?" asked Kim.
"You would be playing in front of people," said Kyra. "What should I tell him?"
"Kyra, I get too nervous in front of a crowd and depending on how nervous I get, I start throwing up," said Kim.
"While on the way to the mess hall I could have gone without hearing that," said Kyra. Kim grinned in a timid manner. "Kim, you don't have to play the musical keyboard if you feel at all uncomfortable. So should I tell him no?" Kim was quiet for a brief moment while thinking of her answer. Kyra looked at Kim when Kim didn't respond. "Kim, what should I tell Casimir?"
"Actually I would like to try," said Kim.
"Are you certain?" asked Krya.
"I'm certain," said Kim. "I love playing music and playing at mass might be my only chance to do it while in the fleet." Kyra grinned and hugged Kim as they walked down the corridor. "Besides, to overcome one's fears the individual must face his or her fears."
"That is true to a degree," said Kyra.
"Kyra, Casimir isn't expecting me to play tomorrow is he?" asked Kim.
"Since you don't know what to play, I seriously doubt it," said Kyra.
"That was what I was about to get at," said Kim. "I am a fast learner though so it shouldn't take me too long to learn."
Kyra grinned and rubbed Kim's neck for a second.
"Kim, I found out about that information on identical twins," said Kyra.
"What did you learn?" asked Kim.
"I learn that although the women of the twelve colonies can't get pregnant with identical twins, I believe in what you had told me and that the women of Earth can," said Kyra.
"Why can't the women from the colonies get pregnant with identical twins?" asked Kim.
"Other than knowing that we just can't, I don't know why," said Kyra.
"That's a bit strange," said Kim.
Kyra noticed an inquisitive expression on Kim's face and said, "Kim, this is not a mystery for you to try to solve."
"Who said anything about me trying to solve a mystery?" asked Kim.
"My memory may not be as good as yours, but it is not poor either," said Kyra. "I remember the conversation we had earlier about how you like solving mysteries." Kim just grinned. "So just take the facts as facts and don't try to find out why."
"Okay," said Kim.
"Now speaking of how well your memory is, Dr. Randall told me that there are tests that can be perform on a person to determine on how well a person's memory actually is…" said Kyra.
"You want me to take that test," said Kim.
"Yes, but how did know since you didn't allow me to finish?" asked Kyra.
"You wouldn't have brought it up if you didn't want me to take it," Kim said with a smirky grin on her face. Kyra shook her head and grinned. "So when am I supposed to take the test?"
"You will take it tomorrow after you get up," said Kyra.
Minutes later Kyra and Kim sat down at a table to eat their rations. While they were eating the fleet made another jump into a new sector.
After eating Kim and Kyra went back to their quarters to grab clean clothes. Minutes later they were stepping into the public showers. After bathing they went back to their quarters. Kim sat on the couch and read for about thirty minutes. Kyra also sat on the couch and was preparing the students' lessons for the next day. After Kyra finished she looked at her watch.
"Kim, it is time to go to bed," said Kyra.
"Can I finish this chapter I'm on?" asked Kim.
"How many pages you got until the end?" asked Kyra.
Kim flipped through the pages and said, "Twenty."
Kyra picked up a blank piece of paper and folded it. She handed the folded paper to Kim and said, "Put a place marker in it and you can finish it tomorrow."
"Fine," said Kim.
Kim put the paper in the book and closed it.
"Now you need to go to bed," said Kyra.
Kim stood up followed by Kyra.
"Goodnight," said Kim. Kim then hesitated to leave as she stared at Kyra.
Kyra noticed an expression on Kim's face as if she wanted to say something. She then asked, "Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"No," said Kim. Kim turned towards away.
"Kim, I can tell you wanted to say something," said Kyra. Kim faced Kyra again and hesitated to speak. "Kim, what is it?"
"This is going to sound weird especially from a fourteen-year-old teenager," said Kim. "Can I hug you goodnight?"
Kyra smiled and said, "I would like that very much."
Kim then gave Kyra a hug. The hug lasted a few seconds.
Kim broke the hug and said, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," said Kyra. They went to their bedrooms.