I looked hard at myself in my reflection in the glass.

Well, kind of myself.

I was in my human disguise, after having snuck into a clothing store and grabbing the necessary items. I didn't feel the getup was complete at this time, but I had something to work with in the meantime. For now, just jeans, shoes, a long-sleeved shirt with NASA written on it, gloves, and a plain white baseball cap.

At this point, I hadn't formulated a full plan. I was smart, but I didn't have the information I'd need to carry out what had become my sick fantasy of destroying the penguins.

Don't worry, I had no desire to kill them. Death was too good for them. Besides, I've accepted that I'm nothing more than a monster, but I'm not that kind of monster. But I did want to find a way to make the humans hate them as they'd hated me. That's what they deserved.

To my left and right, humans cheered on as the penguins in the aquarium exhibit in front of me did their . . . adorable . . . little antics. My attention was pulled from my reflection in the glass as I focused on the penguins beyond it.

Yes, I hated them. All of them. They had taken everything from me.

I turned on my heel and sauntered away, not trying to conceal the grimace on my face. There was something that made these penguins cute, and me a terrifying monster. I knew nothing about what gave animals their physical qualities. But I was going to find out.

Finding a library, I stepped inside and found a computer. I wasn't sure where to begin, so I turned to a human a couple seats down.

"Excuse me," I said gently. The human awkwardly turned to me. "Where would one go to find answers to their questions?"

The human eyed me up and down with her brow furrowed. "Google . . ." she said slowly, as if I should've known that.

I coughed. "Thank you," I replied. The human scooted her chair away from me a little more but I ignored it. Using the glasses I'd stolen, I peered down at the keyboard and typed Google into the search bar and clicked "Go."

A search bar appeared with the Google logo above it and I thought about what I wanted to ask first. I typed in "what makes animals look the way they do?"

I was surprised at the millions of results that appeared. I skimmed through dozens of articles and journals detailing the idea of something called "DNA" and "genes." I studied how all of these things worked together and where they came from. Words like "mitosis," "meiosis," and "inheritance" were repeated a lot of times. I decided on my next question.

"can genes be manipulated?"

I had spent about five hours researching before ideas and plans came to mind. There wasn't sufficient enough technology to manipulate these "genes" at will in fully formed organisms, but I was going to find out how. I had no idea where to begin, but learning everything I could about how these genes worked was a starting point for my revenge.

I got an application for a library card so I could use the humans' books and computers to try to continue researching the information I needed.

I stared at the portion that said "Last Name" for a long time. I still used Octavius as my human alias, but I'd never needed a last name until now. If I was going to use the humans for my own needs, I was going to need to adopt my human role even more. I wasn't some ordinary octopus wading in the brine of the ocean.

"Do you need help with your application?" the librarian asked.

I was snapped from my thoughts and looked up at the man behind the desk. I shook my head. "Well, no," I replied, putting my hand over the paper, "but I don't have an ID to give. I hope that's okay."

The man smiled and looked over his shoulder. "Well, I'm not supposed to accept applications without an ID, but far be it from me to keep someone from reading. Are you finished with the application then?"

I hesitated. "Well, I just have to fill out one more field. Give me a moment."

The man nodded and returned to his computer. I continued to stare at the Last Name field until it hit me.

I wasn't some ordinary octopus wading in the brine of the ocean.

I smiled and filled out the missing field. I thought that had a nice ring to it.

The human behind the computer accepted the application and handed over a card with a barcode.

"There you go, Mr. Brine," he said. "Happy reading! What are you interested in reading first?"

I grinned. "Show me everything you have on genetics. I have some research to do."

— § —

3 years later

"Doctor."

I looked up from my microscope as my intern walked into the room. He was a stout man and wore a baby blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black slacks, black shoes, and round glasses. He was a good man, though annoyingly persistent. Sometimes I felt bad for using him, but I had a mission that was bigger than the both of us.

"Yes, Brent?" I said, dropping my glasses from my face. Since adopting my human persona on a more permanent basis, I got myself an actual pair of prescription glasses.

"I've put the finishing touches on your presentation for the committee," Brent replied, hugging his clipboard to his chest and adjusting his glasses. "All we need is your approval."

I smiled. "Perfect," I said, "thank you, Brent. Take an early lunch."

Brent smiled and nodded back. "Thank you, Doctor. Good luck," he said before turning on his heel and leaving.

I put my glasses back on and refocused my attention on the microscope in front of me. I had been studying cells and genetics closely for three years now, and I had learned a lot, but still had long to go. The amount of strings I had to pull, people I had to pay, and lies I had to tell to get a degree and start up my own lab was more work than anything I'd ever done in my life, but it was going to be worth it.

Truly, it fascinated me how much about the world I didn't know. Aside from the mission at hand, it was quite fun to learn about all the ways that bodies work. If I didn't have an end goal in mind, I might actually find it kind of fun to stay where I am and continue my research. But why fancy myself with such pleasantries when I could do so much more – when I could be so much more?

And besides, those penguins still had to pay. I had gained a lot, but I had to lose a lot to get here too.

My meeting with a committee tomorrow would truly jumpstart my research, I was sure of it. I had become versed in a lot of what was already known about genetics, but I was venturing deeper. Much deeper.

I was on the breakthrough of something that would change genetics forever, and I would attain sweet, sweet revenge in the end of it.

— § —

"Ladies and gentlemen," I started into the microphone. The giant screen behind me displayed my presentation to my large audience of viewers. About fifty or so people in lab coats sat in chairs with attached tables in an auditorium style room, each row of chairs slightly higher than the previous. Each had a notepad and pen at the ready, watching me and my presentation intently. My next words would make or break my career. But I wasn't nervous.

"As you know, my name is Dr. Octavius Brine. Fifteen years ago, I began my journey learning about biology and genetics. I've spent thousands of hours of my time researching, learning, taking classes, etc. Now, I stand before you with a PhD in genetics and biotechnology."

I smiled and clasped my hands together. Of course, what they didn't know was that I'd only been studying for three years, not fifteen. All I had to do was spend a lot of time doing personal research, as well as blend myself into the background in hundreds of college classes at Cornell University. From there, I just had to forge some documents, take some tests, pay off some people, and here we are. It wasn't too difficult for an animal of my intellect.

"And now," I continued, "I plan on taking my expertise further. I am going to change the entire world's understanding of genetics as we know it.

"As you know, our genes code for every part of who we are. How we look, how we speak, our skin color, hair color, conventional attractiveness, etc. This is a basic eighth grade understanding of genetics.

"However, some people aren't too satisfied with their genetics, are they? When it comes to conventional attractiveness, for example, we as humans do a lot to conform to society's standards. Surgeries, botox, hormone therapy, you get the idea. What if we could make changes to ourselves not by paying for these expensive treatments, but by changing the way our genes express our traits?"

By now the scientists around me were nodding their heads, eyebrows furrowed with curiosity. Some were taking notes, but others were listening too intently to write anything down. Brent was behind the scenes changing my slides accordingly as I spoke.

Hook.

"Science has come a long way in identifying which genes code for which traits. We can easily identify which genes code for your hair color, and which genes code for how tall you are going to be. My work will take things a step further.

"In many cases, mutation of genes can prove to be harmful. But gene therapy has proven to be able to correct faulty genes in egg and sperm cells. My work will study how this work can be successfully done in born human beings – starting with animal test subjects, of course. This will not only revolutionize biology as a concept, but also consider the practical possibilities!

"Imagine a world where someone who wants to be taller can merely change how the genes controlling their height are expressed. Imagine someone who has asthma who can just have the gene which codes for their asthma corrected. Someone with glasses could alter the genes that code for their blindness or nearsightedness. The possibilities are endless."

More scientists started exchanging looks with each other and nodding. Some had leaned forward as they listened.

Line.

"We know what turns certain gene expressions on or off. We know how to manipulate genetic codes. What I'm proposing is that we have yet to go far enough in these endeavors. We could change the lives of people forever. All I need is the funding to launch this bold expedition and the approval of this committee. We require $8.3 million dollars for proper equipment, staffing, compensation, and test subjects. See the screen behind me for the breakdown of the expenses.

"That brings my presentation to a close. I do hope you will choose wisely. Remember, voting yes puts your name on the credits of some of the most revolutionary work this century has seen on genetics. Thank you all for your time."

I had to wait in another room while I waited for the scientists to deliberate. Brent had met me outside the committee room and sat next to me bouncing his leg and tapping his pencil on his clipboard.

"Thank you for finalizing my presentation, Brent," I told him, "especially the finances. What would I do without you? You will, of course, be getting a fine paycheck from me once I'm approved for this loan."

Brent looked at me and smiled nervously. "You're welcome, Dr. Brine, and thank you. It's been a pleasure working with you. Are you nervous? They've been deliberating for over half an hour now."

I shook my head and waved my hand dismissively. "Nah. I have them in the palm of my hand. Trust me."

It was another twenty or so minutes before a woman in a pants suit exited the committee room. I recognized her as the head of the committee, a short, dark-skinned woman with short black hair named Annalyse Geating. I stood to greet her and shake her hand.

"Hello, Dr. Geating," I said as I shook her hand, "thank you for allowing me to meet with your committee. This is my intern, Brent," I said, gesturing to my intern with my other hand without looking at him.

Dr. Geating released my hand and smiled, nodding a greeting at my intern. "Hello, Dr. Brine. I was very impressed with your presentation. It both looked and sounded quite interesting."

I smiled and clasped my hands behind my back. "Well, the words were all mine, but the credit for the aesthetics and data analysis must go to my intern, Brent."

Dr. Geating continued smiling and clasped her hands in front of her. "Well, I suppose we should move on from the pleasantries. It was quite a debated vote, but . . ."

Brent and I leaned forward in anticipation.

". . . the committee voted to approve your loan, Dr. Brine. Thirty-two to seventeen. You were quite convincing and charismatic in there. I look forward to seeing where your research leads, Dr. Brine. Congratulations."

Sinker.

Brent and I beamed at each other. I reached out to shake Dr. Geating's hand again. "Thank you so much, Dr. Geating. You will not regret this decision."

Dr. Geating turned sideways and pointed at me, giving me an amused smile. "You see to it I don't. This is a hefty sum you're receiving."

I shook my head. "Don't worry, Doctor. My word is as good as my intelligence."

Dr. Geating chuckled. "All right, well, your money will be wired to an account in your name within five business days. You'd better use that time to figure out where you're going to get started. The International Society of Smart People is counting on you to spend it wisely."

Dr. Geating turned on her heel and walked away. Brent and I turned to each other and I smiled smugly.

"Congratulations, Doctor," Brent said, almost disbelievingly.

"Thank you, Brent," I replied. We started walking toward the elevator. "I am very excited for the future."

"Me too, Doctor," Brent responded, hitting the button to call the elevator. "How do you know we're going to succeed? You seem so confident about everything."

I smiled warmly as the elevator doors opened and we stepped forward into the small metal box. "Because, Brent," I started, "all it takes is faith and trust."

— § —

It was a slow start, but once things picked up, we got moving quickly.

I lived a bit of a double life. Part of my time I spent in a building close to the bay in New York. It wasn't a large building, only about three stories high. I had about thirty employees helping me in my research studying genes and gene manipulation. Little did they know what they were really helping me do.

I used some of the money to manufacture a custom submarine and helicopter. There, I worked independently and could drop my human persona. I could also rest comfortably and keep tabs on the penguins. A few months after I'd left Africa, I had heard they finished fixing the plane up and went to Monte Carlo. I didn't know what they were doing there and I didn't care. I just needed to make sure I didn't lose track of them so I would know where they were when I was ready to strike. I had made a few octopus friends and convinced them to join me on my mission, and they spied on the penguins in France while I continued my work here in New York.

I had met the first one, who was sitting weakly on the beach trapped in a net. I helped nurse him back to health. I explained to him who I was and what I intended to do. Turns out he was eager to help as he also harbored anger toward the humans since they were the reason he almost died. A few days later he had recruited a few of his friends to help. I gave them the important job of being flies on the wall of sorts, to keep an eye on the penguins and their whereabouts. It took a few weeks before I realized I had essentially gained a few henchmen. I was truly becoming the villain the humans always thought of me as.

I'm not complaining. Just an observation.

— § —

"Nikki, read me the latest update about the penguins," I asked one of my new recruits. She was now one of twenty-three octopuses helping me on my journey to revenge. She told me as of yet there had been no change.

We had been working on this project for weeks now, and the penguins had yet to make any moves. As far as we knew, they were still gambling away the gold they'd found in Africa. Whatever kept them busy. Their winning streak was going to end at some point, one way or another.

I had enough henchmen now where I had brought some more lab equipment on board my submarine to help me get my research done even faster. We were getting so close. I had taught a few what to do and had them help me with experiments. All in all, I had three stationed in Monte Carlo to watch the penguins, four to help with submarine maintenance and security, and sixteen to help with science experiments.

Back in the human lab, we were certainly getting very close. Gene therapy and genetic engineering already made transferring genes possible in petri dishes in egg and sperm cells. All we needed to do was figure out how to make these changes happen instantaneously in a fully developed and grown organism without the need for a lab, since penguins don't exactly fit under microscopes.

And what they didn't know was that while they were experimenting for small scale use, I was waiting patiently for large scale testing. We weren't just going to be manipulating the genes of one or two animals at a time, no, no. We were going to manipulate the genes of dozens at once.

Dozens of penguins, to be exact.

Oh, have I not told you my plan yet? Where are my manners.

You see, as I said, our genes code for all of our traits. Gene therapy was developed by humans in order to correct faulty genes in sex cells before fertilization to prevent genetic diseases. Genetic engineering was also developed by humans to transfer genes of one species into another by inserting the desired genes into the sex cells of the chosen species.

My goal was to be able to make this happen instantaneously on animals that were already born. I wanted the power to change the genes of organisms at will. Specifically . . . I wanted the ability to change the genes of animals that gave them their desired characteristics.

Desired characteristics . . . such as . . . conventional attractiveness. Cuteness.

The humans were under the impression that I wanted to use this technology for good. And you know, maybe after I've had my fun I'll sell the patent to the technology and let them do whatever they want with it. I won't care after I've gotten my revenge on the penguins by stripping their cuteness straight out of their genes.

Call me a mad scientist, but you can't pretend like my plan wasn't ingenious.

But until then, this technology was going to give me everything I ever wanted. No amount of money or fancy technology could compare to that. Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own, and I planned on having all the happiness I wanted.

— § —

I sat in my land-based office studying some results that had come through from some DNA samples on my computer. A notebook lay in front of me and I wrote down some notable findings. This work was tedious, and took forever, but I knew that the results were going to be worth it. We had had some small scale victories in a petri dish, but nothing had been replicated in mice yet. Everything we tried either didn't work, or just caused cancerous mutations like tumors.

Some employees I had called me crazy, some even quit. You win some, you lose some. But I still had several that had very high hopes for my work. Several that had their own desires for how to use the technology we were developing. It was almost adorable seeing the hope in their eyes. Little did they know that what could be used for good could also be used for evil.

Suddenly the door to my office flung open and I staggered to my feet.

"Brent!" I exclaimed. "You know that you're always supposed to knock before –"

"Doctor!" Brent interrupted as he breathed heavily from running up the stairs to my office. I met his eye and saw wild excitement, which caused my hearts to skip a beat. "We've done it."

— § —

"We have had many great nominations tonight," the speaker started. "But after much deliberation, the committee has come to a final decision."

A woman walked forward with a fancy velvet pillow with a gold medal on it. The Nobel Prize.

"For his work in genetics, and developing technology that would allow the manipulation of genes to combat genetic diseases and revolutionize the cosmetic industry, we present the Nobel Prize in physiology to Dr. Octavius Brine."

The crowd erupted in cheers as I walked forward to the stage. The man at the microphone took the medal from the pillow and placed its ribbon around my neck, the weight of the medal hanging over my chest. I stepped forward to the microphone as the cheers died down. Flashes from the cameras blinded me, but I held my composure.

"I would first like to give my thanks to the International Society of Smart People for getting me started on this journey just a short year ago. Without their generous donation that kickstarted this whole journey, I would not be standing before you today. I would also like to thank all my subsequent donors who helped with the cause, my employees from my lab, and my secretary, Brent, for helping all of this come together. I'd also like to thank my close friends and family for their encouragement when things got difficult and it seemed as though no progress was showing on the horizon. They truly have kept me going." The humans, of course, didn't need to know my 'friends and family' were octopuses. "Unfortunately, we are still a long way from human trials, but with the success of altering the genes in a mouse from black fur to gray fur at will with no fatal or other negative biological consequences, we are one step closer."

The crowd cheered again as I walked from the stage. None of them noticed the devious smile I wore as I descended the stairs and walked out the door. I didn't have time for parties.

There was work to be done.

— § —

Note: In the Penguins of Madagascar Movie, the magazine Dave showed to the penguins when he explained how the humans knew him was called GeNiUS LiFe and published by "The International Society of Smart People." It was a detail I had to include.

The quotes in this chapter were: "All it takes is faith and trust," spoken by Peter Pan (portrayed by Bobby Driscoll) in Peter Pan (1953); "Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own," spoken by Donald Duck (portrayed by Tony Anselmo) in DuckTales (2017-2021).

Also we have two celebrity puns: "Wilder Genes" (the chapter title) is a pun on Gene Wilder, and Nikki Reed. And Annalyse Geating was a reference to Annalyse Keating from How to Get Away with Murder.

Next chapter will be posted on October 4, 2023.

Now that Dave has henchmen, the movie quotes will be about as frequent as celebrity puns.