I knew it was a mistake, more impulse than anything. I just refused to watch this idiot insult me or Arthur anymore. I layed in bed the night after the incident. I know the table shouldn't cause permanent damage. Yet there was a rising feeling of dread growing inside me.
That night I barely slept, when I did my dreams were oddly vivid and fresh in my mind, I was running through the lab attempting to reach an atmospheric release switch normally used incase of fire. The lab was in shambles like a storm had torn it to smithereens. What stuck with me the most was the sense of fear, I can only describe it as feeling like the eyes of a predator or beast were on me. The whole morning I found myself tiptoeing around the Habitation Section of the base and jumping at every bang or shutting of a door.
My fears were only worsened by Arthur's warning, "Hey boss man, I'd watch out, word is someone removed a weapon from the barracks last night". Arthur's face and voice conveyed his fear and I did my best to console his concerns. "Listen I'm sure one of the quartermasters just misplaced or over counted a weapon. If it will make everyone feel better, I'll ask the General once we start the day". I stated firmly as I sat down to eat. Throughout breakfeast I heard the same report three additional times from other lab assistants and scientists. Yet of everyone I saw eating I did not see ether of the two from the day before. Not knowing their names I absently asked Arthur, who was still eating next to me. "I know a lot happened yesterday but what were those two guys names again? I want to see where they bunk." With a raised eyebrow and half of a grin Arthur responded. "What you looking to start another tussle?" I didn't give him time to let that sink in. "Hey" You were already fighting with them when I arrived remember?" As if he was attempting to read some obscure text he squinted his eyes and stared into the distance. "O yeah" I did start that fight huh?" He asked beaming with pride. "You going to tell me or not"?! I finally snapped after watching him for a moment. "Yea, yea, uh I believe one of their names is Mike, yeah Mike Phillips. And his partner was James no Jake no Jack That's it Jack Porter". Bewildered by his train of thought I grabbed my pad to write what he said down. "Thanks Arthur, Hey watch yourself today as well". I said this with an acknowledging nod as I stood and put away my food before looking up the registry.
The terminals around the Habitat typically displayed current information. From events on base to Martian weather and news. For those with access the terminals can also direct you to storage locations or even bunk and occasionally locations of the inhabitants.
Typing in a code I found in the desk of the ex-directors office for lab H, I was happily pleased that the clearance I was granted for leading Lab H was relatively high. I typed in both their names "Jack Porter and Mike Phillips, searching", the computer responded in a kind female voice I've grown to know while using most devices. "Location Unknown, Bunk Habitation C level three. Last known locations Airlock B Lab H." "Unknown location"? I stated openly aloud. "I better report this in". Again I found my self speaking my thoughts aloud, something I personally disdained in others.
Was I just that nervous, I always had a sixth sense about danger. Nothing note worthy I just knew when an alleyway looked sketchy "like don't take a walk". Occasionally I'd notice someone back on mars, tucking in their coat and decided to move onto another store only to see it in the news, another robbery. Well this nervousness was like that but amplified almost like stepping on a live power conduit. I tried to calm myself, however as I fastened the last clasp on my suit I noticed my hands trembling.
Base 6 was no marvel built before the war, the entire complex was built in a hexagonal shape. Each far corner set large Satellites for communication arrays long since turned off, however they still came in handy for large data packets. Staring out the window of the descending skyway. Each sector was connected by a semi submerged skyway, each skyway had slight differences, for instance the skyway leading to Lab H was mostly larger than the rest. Moving around wasn't to difficult save for the no gravity, to counteract this a positive magnetic charge is applied to the shoes of those working. This does not assist much more than keeping your feet on the ground, literally.
Entering the Command habitat, I had to take a rest for a moment. I found a place to sit and again tried to ease my nerves. Soldiers moved about orderly but hurriedly, and more than twice had someone asked me for clearance, at my name they quickly turned to leave. This raised another concern. Who was I? Why hurriedly leave after hearing my name, surely my reputation hasn't spread that fast. I shook my head pulling my hands back through my hair. As I did this someone plopped heavily down next to me. I turned thinking I was about to shoo off another soldier, when I set jaw open and shocked again. There set Kendra, this time she was wearing a sports bra and running shorts. I instantly felt my face flush.
"Hey George, Whatcha doing?" She added a lot of emphasis on my name. Still shocked I blinked a couple times before my senses returned. "I, I'm seeing the General about a rumor and an odd report. What about you, seems you are running I assume?" I attempted to sound disinterested however my second glance at her attire quickly gave me away. She obviously noticed as she leaned in with a small smile and said. "Just warming myself up for the day." "O, while you're here what was that yesterday? You acting all in charge. I didn't want to ruin your moment asking then." She leaned back as she spoke, her face going from jokingly and enticing to what seemed calm annoyance. For a moment I didn't understand what she meant, then it dawned on me. I'm a idiot, I forgot to tell anyone that I was put in charge of lab H. I half chuckled at my own stupidity. "O about that, I'm not sure why or all the details just yet. Yesterday morning I went to the General to discuss last months unauthorized experiment, and he made me boss of lab H." I said this I realize now off handedly. Kendra just looked at me like I called her ugly or a tramp, or maybe someone had punched her in the nose. After a minute she responded. "So, He made YOU my boss? That son of a, Okay okay." She got up obviously angry and began pacing in a circle thinking. I tried to not admire her but it took considerable restraint. Stopping she looked at me fiercely and said. "Then this will be how it works. I file my stuff when I want. I'm not your secretary or lab aid. Do your own work. Luckily I like you so I don't have to hurt you just," She let out a audible sigh. "Just don't keep dropping tables on the staff. Please?" She said with a wry smile and then said goodbye and continued her run. Not long after a soldier took me to an observation room where the General was waiting.
"Here he is sir." Stated the soldier as he led me in, turning and leaving without confirmation. "Good, Good. Sit down George." The General said absently as he stared at a stack of what looked budget orders. He continued as I sat. "What's the problem? it's been one day hell 21 hrs.' to be exact." "Well General a few things first, No one was informed of my transfer, I have already had to deal with two aggressive elements beyond that I don't know ANYONE besides Arthur and Kendra." As my voice raised I felt myself stand from my chair, but somehow I still felt smaller next to the seated man behind his papers. "Sit back down. Now if You can't inform your own scientist, maybe you're not right for the job. As for you Handling the situation yesterday, I would have expected a Drop Trooper with Drop Rage to have acted better. But it was a funny report to read." The General was impossible to read, happy one second enraged the next, but always with a calm demeanor that chilled the bones. My head snapped back as he spoke again.
"George I chose you for Lab H because I need someone in there that will push the envelope regardless of how many samples they loose. I put you there to make something, boy get to it!" He said with a vigor he obviously hoped would inspire me onward. "There is one more thing General." "Yes George?" "The two that spoke out yesterday they never reported in to Habitation. And there is a rumor that a few weapons have gone missing." "Ah, yes so I have been informed. I see your concern I will station a few soldiers in Lab H itself and In your quarters, and to look for anyone you mention was there, until they are found. Would that appease?" The condescension in his voice was so thick it could choke you, so I simply nodded and rose to leave. "O George, about knowing your employees. Ask down stairs for the files on those in Lab H, they will also give you access to reset your passcodes and the like now go. Dismissed." I didn't know how to feel about being dismissed, so I just left. Down stairs a well built soldier, gave me all the files and access I needed on a pre loaded Display. Taking the Dp or display pad with me I headed to Lab H to begin my day.
The pad contained a wealth of data. At my fingertips was the lifelong information of every scientist in lab H, every experiment over the last Twenty-Two years of the labs life. I found myself intrigued and daunted, where do I begin. Still walking down the skyway I had opened personnel files. Lab H was split into four contained sections, each on holding about five work places with a total of twenty-five scientist in the lab. Of all, only three interested me at the moment. First Jack Porter and Mike Phillips. I clicked on the first file.
JACK PORTER
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Age: 35
Height: 6.1
Weight: 185 pd
Eye color: brown
Origin: Artouros Seven Research station. Titan High orbit.
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Background
Jack was born on Artouros, spending his life among science labs probably benefited to his choice of jobs. An Aspiring Physicist and Biologists.
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Notes: It seems Jack is okay most of the time however since his arrival, outbursts of saprobic aggression have lead to him being detained twice.
I quickly skimmed Jack's file only taking note of what I saw of interest, not like I'm interested in his life story or reading intrusive military reports. Mike's was not any different save from being born on earth. Looking up I realized I had walked directly to the tunnel leading to lab H without consciously recognizing it. Standing at attention as I absently approached was a young soldier, who introduced themselves as Private Miller. Miller was about my height five-nine or general there abouts. Well built however most of his body was covered by loose fitting fatigues, obstructing further observation. Only a sidearm rested on the belt of the soldiers hip.
Before I could make a reasonable greeting, or decide why this soldier had interrupted my path, my pad made a alarming Screech. I flipped the pad up to see a red box pulsing over the center.
"Warning Lab H Lockdown Defense engaged"
The alarm was followed by a Klaxon alarm ringing from he tunnel to Lab H. Two large quartile doors began to lower over the inside and outside door entrances of Lab H. The entire Skyway shook with the weight of the doors. After the immense doors rolled close, another warning, this one from the tunnels' speaker system, "Security Lock Down of Lab H has commenced. Be warned all access is prohibited. Sentry guns will Fire on intruders."
This message repeated every minute or so to my dread. Almost with perfect synchronization, the overkill guns descended from a ceiling mount I had never even noticed. Large Vulcan machine guns set on a pivoting arm with laser guidance. A bit antique these days but still effective.
Throughout this process I was thumbing heavily through the Admin pad but every access was locked. A sudden gut wrenching realization accrued to me, I never saw them leave yesterday. Quickly searching my pockets I whipped my hands out empty. I felt like someone kicked me in the testicles, I left the old admin password on the desk.
As was audibly yelling "Fuck!" as Kendra and Arthur approached both looking concerned. I explained the situation, though both listened, I lost Arthur at some point and he disappeared, Kendra looked at me blankly, after I explained, still racking my brain for a solution. After a second she smiled and turned to the soldier.
"Private right?" she asked inquisitively. "Yes miss." The young Miller answered so quickly I thought he was telepathic. "Can you get me down there?" She said putting on as much of her obvious wiles as she could. Miller looked down the hall and than back at us two specifily at me. "Director?" I stopped at the title mention. I had never been anything more than doctor to most people, as quickly as the sense of pride filled me it left with the thought of what I was going to have to explain.
"Get her through. I'm not doing this, Trust me if I was I'd have this whole area quarantined. I think I know who's in there." I paused and made a contemplative look down the Skyway. "We need to get back control Miller, any ideas?" Miller nodded quickly and pulled free a come beacon. Activating it, "This is private Miller, We have an entrenchment situation at Lab H. Requesting back up and Phalanx deployment." "Request received Miller, that's a lot for a Lab and some eggheads. I'm going to need high clearance for this." The condescending voice echoed through annoyed, at this point I snatched the com and barked into it. "THIS IS GEORGE JURGEN! DIRECTOR OF LAB H GET US THE DAMN BACKUP!" The voice returned quickly "Ye,YES SIR. Right away sir!" from behind me Kendra's laughter was slowly growing as she was barley able to contain it.
Within a few minutes 30 soldiers and 2 Phalanx Units arrived, The phalanx was a unique arms deployment. Standing at 8.1 feet high and an easy one thousand five hundred pounds. The unit required one manned operator who stood at the center of the phalanx, once inside the operator could either move forward, backward or slowly turn, as well as operate the 5.56 auto guns. The advantage of the unit was it contained a deployable carbon graphene shield. These shields could absorb most explosions and heavy caliber ammunition.
Once both units were fully deployed the soldiers began moving down the tunnel. It wasn't a second before the sound of deafening gunfire echoed out. Looking up the tunnel both Vulcan Cannons had a pile of ammo under them already, each barrel looked like it was spitting jets of fire. The phalanx shields held as the graphene made them near transparent, the smashing rounds looked almost beautiful. Another twenty or so minutes passed before the first Vulcan was taken offline with extreme prejudice, a frag grenade slid under the shield. The second immediately disengaged to everyone surprise, which lead to five soldiers stepping out from behind the screen, despite my yelling down the tunnel. To say they where cut down would be a drastic understatement. Within moments the multiple explosions of lobbed grenades, not only destroyed the turret, but also ruined any rescue chance for the soldiers.
Kendra moved in once it was cleared safe and began to try to circumvent the security door. Not seeing much to do I walked up to the surprisingly intact intercom port, as I
walked past the fresh bodies I tried my best not to hurl.
Pressing down the call button I slowly started my attempt to defuse this catastrophe. "This is Director Jurgen. Who ever is in there announce yourself, the turrets are down and we will breach the doors." I tried to sound confident but at best I sounded uneasy. Within moments a voice I assumed was Jack answered. "Well well. 'Director' now, has the bar fallen so low?" Not having a answer for the jab as I looked around I stayed silent. "Jurgen, I get your new. Want to make a good impression on the boss right? Forget it. I should have been director, hell I should have been put in charge," An argument broke out in hushed tones before Jack resumed. "Listen the point is we aren't leaving here." I heard him smash the talk button hard enough to echo before it clicked off. "Jack, listen yea I'm new, but at the moment I hold the say. You want this gone you want to stay at base 6 and continue your work? Well who do you think the General will ask for recommendations?" Silence followed my plea. Angrily I stomped away.
Working on the door Kendra had given up on the clamp lock and was hooking a pad up to the console controls of the door. About ten minutes later we all jumped as a shot rang out from inside the lab, hurriedly Kendra tried code after code and finally found an old cached password. A second shot rang out as the door began to roll back down into the floor and up into ceiling, As the "hissss" of the pressure lock escaped so did the most earsplitting, sorrowful and inhuman screeches that has ever been heard by human ears.
The scene before us was disgusting, demoralizing and still makes me shake to this day. Inside the lab was becoming a blood bath before our eyes, the scientist Jack and Mike had perfected their cloning techniques over night, producing 25 of each of themselves, all of Jack's twenty five were now tearing each other apart. More like animals than humans, they attacked savagely still screeching, as they leapt at each other. Once we were noticed, those standing rushed the door, however the soldiers were trained. Their training quickly kicked in and they mowed down the unarmed advancing clones. Training or not two soldiers were lost to these animalistic clones as we moved through the lab. I barley remember much of it as my mind has blocked a lot of it out. But the sound of my feet squishing and sloshing through the blood and bile still haunts my dreams.
We found both the originals in the back lab. Mike was heavily injured and rushed to the nearest hospital and held in psychiatric care. Jack was shot point blank in the back of the head. Camera footage showed Mike take the weapon they had stolen and almost in a trance, walk up behind his friend and shoot him. What happened next was the clones of Jack tackled him and wrestled for a moment before a shot was fire into Mike's lower abdomen. When he was found we killed three clones still kicking and biting at him. I remember when I got back to the Habitat I went straight to my now lavish domicile and immediately begun hurling into the toilet.
A couple weeks later I went to visit Mike to get his side of the story. He told me, "You got me thinking George, we needed that deal, I begged Jack but he said no we can handle you. I was angry so I walked back to my lab station. Then I looked at them, really looked. You know mirrors are perfect they reflect you as you are, who you are. When you look at a mirror for a second you get a sense of unease right? Yet it's quickly dashed when you see yourself move. When I looked at them I got that feeling of unease but no relief, they moved and acted differently than I would." At this point he looked up at me with tears in his eyes, and begun yelling, "THEY WEREN'T ME!" Mike died by his own hand one year later. I don't like talking about this as I've mentioned, it makes me sick thinking about it.