Day Three: Selection

Chapter One: The Experiment

Next day, Christmas Day, Sonika woke up. She stretched her arms then looked at the floor. She stood up then went outside. As she walked out, she saw Maeda sleeping. He suddenly woke up then saw her. "That was a long night…" He said, "Sleep well?" "Maeda…?" She said, "I thought I told you to…" "Leave…?" He said, "I know, but I felt worried about you so I had to sleep in here." "But you could die." She said. He stood up then stretched his arms. "And also, scientists can believe anything proof." He said, "It's one of those things…And besides…" "What is it…?" She asked. "Huh…? It's just nothing…" He said. They suddenly heard a honk. She turned around then noticed that car. "Jerick!?" She shouted. He got out from his car then went near to the two. "No traffic." He said, "This is the way it oughta be around here." "Jerick…" She said. "So what are you sittin' around?" He asked, "We've got work to do." "Jerick…arigato…" She said. "Time to get bigger weapons!" He announced, "Sonika, this is for you." He went to the trunk then got out the Gunblade. He went and gave her the gun. "Merry Christmas Sonika." He said. "Thank you Jerick." She said. "My father had this for a long time when he was a cop then gave it to me to give it to you." He said, "There's no ammo there yet, but you'll find it. C'mon, gun shop's over there. Let's stock up!" The three headed to the gun shop.

At the gun shop, Sonika tried to open it, but it's locked. "I can't open this. It's locked." She said. "Sonika, move away!" He said. She stepped away then he got out his gun then shoots the glass door. "Are…are you really a cop?" Maeda asked. "We think so, but we don't have scientific proof, if that's what you're asking." She answered. She went near then opened the door slowly. Inside, Jerick's selecting a gun while Maeda is browsing. Sonika's collecting ammo for her gun and Jerick's. "These guns are so many." Maeda said. "Well, a cop needs to find a perfect gun." Jerick said. He saw a gun he likes then smash the glass then got it. "This looks perfect." He said, "Hey Sonika! Can you please give me ammo?" "Sure." She said. She went near to him then gave the firefly ammo. "I've selected my gun." He said. "I still don't have perfect ammo for the Gunblade yet." She said, "Guess I'm still sticking to M16A1." "Let's go to the pharmacy store to get health." He announced. They stepped out of the gun shop then headed to the pharmacy store.

At the pharmacy store, she saw the handle broken then went inside followed by the two. She collected potions and medicine while the boys are browsing around. Once she's done, they went out then headed to the car. "You ready Sonika?" He asked. "Yup." She answered. "Let's go!" He announced. Three went inside the car then he started it then went off.

As he was driving, he doesn't know where he's going. "So, where to?" He asked. "Is there anyplace with a research facility?" Maeda asked. "Research facility?" He repeated. "I'd like to do an experiment…and do a little test. It might be relevant." He answered. "How about the facility in the museum where Zander is?" She suggested, "It had really extensive equipment." "No way!!" He answered, "Anywhere but that damn museum!" "He should be evacuated by now. It should be okay Jerick." She said. "Err…yes…that should be good. Jerick is that okay with you?" Maeda asked. "Alright, alright." He answered.

At the Museum of Natural History, no one was there. Maeda looked at the museum. "So THIS is the American Museum of Natural History." He said with amazed, "It's…just what I imagined. I can find a research facility in this building?" "Yeah." Jerick answered, "I hope we won't run into that bastard who runs it. Since he's been evacuated, it should be empty."

At Zander's lab, Maeda examined. "Hmm…for a lab in a museum, it does have fairly extensive equipment." He said. "So, whaddya wanna test?" Jerick asked. He approached to the table. "Oh yes, the test…Let's see…" He said. He went near where the microscope is. "I was able to extract a gel-like substance from Sonika's jacket." He said. "Gel-like substance…?" She repeated, "Is it from May…?" He placed it on the glass then placed it on the microscope. "Yes…" He answered, "It appears to be a remnant of May's cells…" He adjusted it to see it properly then looked at the hedgehogs as they approached him. "At the cellular level," He explained, "her power cannot be as strong as Sonika said previously." He went to the table. He got an injection to extract his blood. "Ouch." He said as he got his blood. "What are ya doing?" Jerick asked. "This is the experiment I'm gonna do." He answered, "I just wanna conduct this if what May's cells are gonna do with mine." He approached the microscope then placed the blood on May's cells. He adjusted it to see it properly. "Yes…this is exactly what I knew…" He said, "Sonika, look at this." She approached him. "What is it?" She asked. "Just see for yourself." He answered. He stepped back then she looked at the activity.

She looked at the May's stream of cells going to his cells. As she looked closer, one of May's mitochondria attacked Maeda's cells then they are now helpless.

She looked away then looked at Maeda. "Your cells are surrounded by…THEM…" She said. "As you can see," He explained, "the mitochondria…I mean May, has taken over the nucleus. In a similar manner, the beasts that probably attacked you had experience the same thing." "Do the mitochondria really have the power to control the nucleus?" Jerick asked. He turned around. "No," He answered, "the 'normal' mitochondria can have such power like that. Only May's mitochondria can do this because of its tremendous evolutionary changes."

"This is what I think happened to May's mitochondria…" He continued, "Normally, mitochondrion requires oxygen when it generates energy called Adenosine 5'-triphosphate, known as ATP. So at this time, the mitochondria request oxygen from the nucelus. Without the energy supply from the mitochondrion, the nucleus cannot function properly. So in essence, the two organelles constantly rely on each other, but in this case…"

"It seems that May had the power to reverse this symbiotic relationship." He declared, "Evoltion or even mutation seems likely in this case…"

"Reverse the cycle…?" Jerick repeated.

"Even with a limited number of cells, hers have this musch power." He explained, "Can you imagine how much power May has within her WHOLE body?!"

"Itako-san," She said, "could you test my cells?"

"Of course Sonika-san. Why would you…"

"I want to know…I want to know why I had the power to fight her…I want to know where I stand with her…"

"Sonika…" Jerick sighed.

"Please Itako-san, I want to know WHY."

"Alright…"

"Arigato Itako-san."

They approached the table where he extracted his blood. "I need your arm please." He said. "Like this?" She asked as she streatched her arm. "This may hurt for a while." He got another one then inject her. "Ow…" She said. "Sorry…" He said nervously, "Let me set this." He went back to the microscope then placed her blood on May's cells. He adjusted to see. He was shocked. "No way!" He shouted. He turned around to Sonika. "I think you need to she this." He said. "What is it?" She asked, "Is something wrong?" She went to the microscope then examined it.

She saw the stream again. She saw May's cells going to her cells. She looked closer then she saw May's mitochondrion then surrounded her cells. Then her cells started to move and electricute them then they went away.

"Do you realized what happened there?" Maeda said, "Your mitochondria is supplying more energy to the nuclei of your cells…It's almost like as if they're protecting the nuclei from May's mitochondrion." "Why does Sonika's mitochonrion have this kind of power?" Jerick asked. "I really don't know…it's just…" He answered, "Are you familiar with Richard Dawkins thoery of the 'Selfish Gene'? In simple terms, it states that 'genes act in a manner to preserve and ensure survival of the species.'" "I rarely read scientific journals." "What're are trying to say?" Jerick asked. "Depending on how you look at it," He revised, "you can say that May is trying to destroy all mitochondria except her own. In response to that, Sonika-san's mitochondria has develop a power to rebel…" "Why only Sonika's?" He asked, "Shouldn't it be the same for us as well? We shouldn't also have that power based on…" "That seems to follow the natural order of things, but I'm sorry, I really don't know why…" He asnwered.

They suddenly heard footsteps. Jerick and Sonika got their guns and turned around to know who's there. "Doctor…?" She said. "What are you doing at my lab?!" Zander asked, "This is breaking and entering." "Why haven't you evacuated the city?!" Jerick shouted. "I'm asking again," He said, "WHY are YOU at MY LAB?!" "We…we've just…" Jerick said until Sonika covered what they're doing, "We've receive orders to evacuate this city. Doctor you really should…" "I tell you, COPS are the ones corrupting this fine city." He said. "I'm so sorry Dr. Zander." Said Maeda, "I was the one who made them go here you see…" "Who the hell are you…?" He asked. "I'm Itako Maeda." He introduced, "I'm a scientist from Japan…" "You were using my electronic microscope…" He said. He looked at his microscope then saw cells. "Where did you get this specimen?" He asked, "Where did you get these…CELLS?"

"Th…those are…I…I…I…don't know…"

"Do you take me for a FOOL?! With cells like these…They MUST affect the body's natural state!"

"Err…uh…umm…"

"Oh shut up! I'll just ask…Officer Hedgehog…your cells contain a tremendous amount of energy…do you feel any bodily changes…?"

"Well…I…" She said.

"You should feel…somewhat…hot? No? Speak up, I can't hear you. Have you lost consciousness anytime recently?"

Jerick looked at his computer. He suddenly saw familiar names. "Hey!" He said, "Why are my children's name here? Lisa…? Her name's here too…? ZANDER!!! You TELL ME…! YOU…! You tell me what that list is for bastard!! TELL ME!!!" He started to shake him uncontrolibly. "Let go of me!!" Zander shouted, I don't have to tell you anything…" "WHAT?!" He roared. "Jerick calm down…" She pleaded, "Jerick!!" "DAMN!!" He snarled. His anger started to grow. "Will you please get outta here?!" Zander asked. Jerick started to grumble as he went out. "We're so sorry to disturb you." She said, "But we do have to officially warn you of the evacutation. Please remember that sir. C'mon Itako-san." He heard his name then stepped out. As she was about to leave, Zander stopped her by asking a question, "Officer Hedgehog…do you really enjoy having a hot-head as your partner?" "I know him when I applied as an officer." She asnwered. "You seem really kind. Others aren't like you…" He said. She left his lab then went outside. "It's too late now…" He said, "It's too late to do anything now…"

At the car, Jerick seemed pissed than ever. "One of these days…I'll kill that bastard with my bare hands…" He declared. "Jerick, you're already like my husband, Shadow." She said. "What was that list that bastard typed?" He asked. "It was a human leukocyte antigen type list. It's acronyms are HLA." Maeda answered, "It's to see whether organs will be rejected when transplanted." "Why the shit are my family on that damn list?" He asked. "It was a list of people with matching HLA types, so…" He asnwered. "Shit!" He shouted, "I'm gonna get him!!" "Jerick…can I see if my family's are still there?" She asked, "I had a hunch they're still there at Thorndyke Estate." "Sure," He said as he calmed down. He drove to go to Thorndyke Estate.