Chapter Two: Interview with Dr. Mitchell Zander
At the museum, the three went out. Jerick stepped out first, followed by Sonika and Kaz. "It's been a while since I've visited the museum." He said to himself. He looked at the banner hanging on the right side of the museum. "Dinosaur exhibit…" He said, "Love these things since I was a kid…" He looked around then didn't see any people around. "Hmm…looks like its closed today…" He said. "Aww…I really want to see it though." Kaz complained. "Don't worry Kaz," Sonika said, "you're with us." Jerick walked away from the hedgehogs then approached the guard. The two saw him. They ran up the stairs to catch up with him.
At the entrance to the museum, Jerick's just talking to the guard. "Hey there," He said, "how are ya doin'?" "Doin' okay…pretty cold though…" Answered the guard.
"I'm with the SSPD. I, my partner, Sonika, and her friend, Kaz, are looking for Dr. Zander. He works here doesn't he?"
"Sure does. As a matter of fact, he's up there in his room right now. Did he do something bad?"
"Nah, we just wanna talk with him. That's all…"
"Thank you, it shouldn't take long sir…" Sonika said.
Jerick entered first followed by the guard. The girls followed them then Kaz closed the door.
Inside the museum, all of them are at the customer service desk. Kaz was amazed when she saw the inside. "Oh wow…it's so huge. I wish my friends could see this." She said. He looked around. "It's like this place is haunted if there aren't any people." He said. "You'll find him in the research lab on the second floor." Said the guard. He opened the gate near the desk then went to the gate opening. "He's pretty busy for the past few weeks…" He continued, "Never comes out though…" "Thanks." Jerick said then went upstairs. As the girls are about to come upstairs, the guard turned to Jerick going up. "Oh by the way, could you sign in?" He asked, "It's the policy. Let's keep in track of who comes in." "Don't worry, I'll do it." Sonika announced. She went to the desk then wrote down the names. Kaz was just waiting for her. "You're waiting for me Kaz?" She asked. "Of course Sonika, you're already a friend of mine." She answered. "Thanks…" She said. The two went upstairs.
At the second floor, Jerick's waiting for the girls. Once they are upstairs, he shouted their names, "KAZ!! SONIKA!!! Over here!!" He shouted. The two went near him. "I was waiting for you two." He said. He turned around then saw the door slightly opened. "Looks like the door's open." He said, "Let's go inside and check it out." He opened the door then let the girls in first them him.
Inside the research lab where Dr. Zander, a turquoise fox, works, he saw him typing his theory. "Excuse me…" He said. He didn't respond. "Hello…?" He said. Hey got a bit annoyed. "HEY!!!" He shouted. He approached him. "Dr. Zander!" He shouted, "DR. ZANDER!!" The girls approached him. He stopped typing then turned his head. "I heard you." He called. He turned back to the computer then start typing again. "We're with the SSPD," Sonika announced, "but not the black hedgehog. We'd like to ask you a few questions." He didn't listen. The three looked at each other for a while then stopped. "Doctor," She said, "we're looking for clues concerning about the incident occurred last night…" "Are you accusing me?" He said as he turned his head.
Sonika suddenly felt her head in pain. She clutched her head. "Huh…? This again…? What is this…?!" She said in her thoughts. The flashback had started again. She saw the man from her flashback last night during the incident of May's destruction. "This man…" She said softly, "I…know…him…I think…" It suddenly stopped. She slowly lowered her hands. "What's wrong?" Jerick said. "Are you okay Sonika?" Kaz asked. "I'm okay…" She answered. He turned to him. "We'd like to ask you about the mitochondria research you've been doing." He said.
"…SSPD huh? Why are you interested with MY work?" Zander asked.
"The suspect mentioned that the mitochondria would be set 'Free.' Now do you…" She added.
"That 'suspect' ignited people without laying a finger on them…" He added, "Then it transformed into some kind of creature then ran off."
"Since she mentioned mitochondria, we were hoping you could supply us with some info." She said.
"Hahaha…" Zander laughed, "you two have NO idea what the true mitochondria is like…DO YOU?!"
"The mitochondria…" Zander continued, "Possesses it's own unique genetic code…"
"It's own…? Are you saying that it's a separate organism?" She asked.
"Precisely…"
"…Kinda like a parasite or something?" Kaz asked.
"PARASITE?! That's an interesting way to describe a most fascinating creature! We cannot LIVE without the mitochondria…Do you UNDERSTAND?! The mitochondria create energy for us. Without them, we're NOTHING. We're here because the mitochondria ALLOW us to be here…our brain for example…the brain functions due to the interaction between axons and dendrites. The interaction is possible due to the energy the mitochondria provided for us. Did you know the mitochondria is capable of discharging two hundred thousands volts of energy? This not only pertains to electrical discharge, but also applies to heat energy as well."
"Heat…?" The girls repeated.
"Then the combustions from last night were…" Jerick said.
"For a human, an anthropomorphic or any humanoid animal, like you three, to burn and melt, one thousand six hundred degrees of heat must be generated. There are a several hundred mitochondria present within a single cell…if all mitochondria in the body began functioning at the same time…a tremendous amount of energy would be generated and released. Melting a human, an anthropomorphic or any humanoid animal into a puddle of fluid would be a simple task with so much energy."
"So you're saying that the 'mitochondria' ignited the people once a lot of energy is generated?" Sonika asked.
"Doctor, you may be right in that we need the mitochondria to live…" He said, "But in the end, we're just USING them for energy…right?"
"Hahaha…" Zander laughed again, "You have NO idea. The mitochondria have control over an organism's growth. Take this hand for example. Before we're born, the hand is merely a glob of flesh, but when cell between the fingers deteriorate, that's when the fingers first form. When the cells which make up the body aren't needed anymore, it receives a signal to die. This signal is initiated by the mitochondria. When it is relayed, the genetic information in the nucleus is cut off and in essence, dies. The same can be said for 'aging.' The mitochondria mutate ten times faster than cells. Of course, this also applies to mutant forms of mitochondria as well…when too many mutant mitochondria multiply, energy production level decreases…the decrease in energy production is associated with the 'aging' process. So…are you still stupid enough to say that WE are the higher species?"
"Hey! We're not stupid!?" Kaz shouted.
"But you're NOT saying that the mitochondria is doing all of this 'CONSCIOUSLY' right?!" Jerick asked.
"When I said that the mitochondria could mutate ten times faster than normal cells, I also meant that they could evolve at a rate ten times faster…since the beginning of creation, the mitochondria have been evolving at this rate. It's no surprise if they process a power beyond our cognition. No surprise at all…Now let me tell you something…there was a scientist who tried to determine the mutation rate of the mitochondria. With this, the scientist wanted to establish a connection with human ancestry. In 2015, it was announced that the root of all beings can be traced to…a single woman in Africa. This finding was announced around the world. And with this, the mitochondrial theory spread like wildfire…you know what they call the root of all...? 'Mitochondria May.' Splendid name…just incredible!"
"…May?!" Sonika repeated, "The suspect in yesterday's case called herself MAY!"
"WHAT?!"
"Hey, if you know anything, you'd better not be holding back on us!" Kaz announced.
"…She calls herself May…? Sorry, but I've told you what I know…I'd like to return to my studies now…I believe you know the way out…"
"HEY!! You'd better explain WHAT THE FUCKING HELL is going on HERE!!!" Jerick shouted.
He didn't listen. "Jerick forget it." Sonika said, "He's not listening. Let's just go." "…Godammit!!" He shouted.
Back at the car, it was close to night, he was really pissed about Zander. "What the fucking hell is wrong with that guy?!" He shouted, "I can't stand him!?" A thought is in her mind. "That man…I've seen him…before." She said, "But…I can't remember…where…" "Sonika is something wrong?" Kaz asked. "It's nothing…" She answered.
As he was driving, he heard a beep from his communicator wrist. He looked at his wrist then activated it. "This is Jerick." He said, "WHAT?! Alright, we'll be there right away." He looked away from his wrist then looked at the road. "Girls," He said, "looks like we've got a break in the case!" "Huh?" Said the girls. "We've got to get back to HQ!" He announced, "Hang on! I'm kicking this into turbo!" He stepped on it then they went fast.
At the entrance, he went inside. "Kaz, you'd better stay here." Sonika suggested. "Okay." She said. She went to the seat then got a book from her spikes. Sonika went to the doors then saw him. "C'mon, the meeting's about to start." He announced. The two went inside.
Inside, Vincent was talking. "Alisiya's solo concert was scheduled for tonight." He said, "She had disappeared after last night's incident and the concert was canceled, but people are still gathering at the stage. We must NOT let this massacre happen again!" He approached the map of Station Square. "The concert is at Station Square Central Park amphitheater." He announced. "SS Central Park?!" Jerick repeated. "What is it Jer?" She asked. "My kids, Danny and Alyssa, and my wife, Lisa…They're at that concert!" He answered. He dashed off. "Jericko Yanato!" Vincent shouted. "Screw you Vincent!" He yelled, "My family's in danger!!" "Jerick…" He sighed. He turned to Sonika. "Sonika Jenita," He said, "Watch his back. He's your partner." "Yes sir…" She said. She dashed off to Jerick.
At the entrance, Kaz heard footsteps going fast. He suddenly saw Jerick running. "Jerick…?" She said. She suddenly saw Sonika. "What's wrong with him?" She asked. "I'll tell you later." She answered, "We've got to go to him." "Alright." She said. She placed her book back in between her spikes then got up. The girls went outside then headed to Jerick.