                    The Genome Experiments

  The year is 1998, the U.N. peacekeeping force is in the middle 
of an undeclared war.  It has failed to stop that war utterly.  
It's not that they're getting slaughtered, but that they've 
failed to accomplish anything of importance in this situation.  
Therefore the  U.S. military in a desperate effort to appease the 
public has secretly thrown the Geneva Convention to the wind and 
has begun an unparalleled research project into viral and 
bacterial warfare.  Today's technology is horrifying compared to 
that during the original treaty; therefore, they've reorganized 
the goals.  No longer would they try to kill men, but they would 
pacify them.  Make them willing and obedient slaves, even idiots, 
or worse.  This is the story of but a few of their exploits.

    Meet David Silver.  Average guy in an average world.  The 
only anomaly in his life was his total lack of family.  At 37, he 
had no wife and no children.  Just an average job (he 
telecommutes) with an average company.  It's a shame, but his 
life is about to take a series of very unaverage turns.

    The shrill ring of a telephone disturbs the blissful silence 
of a small study somewhere in the U.S.

    "This is David."
    "Hi Dave.  It's Nick, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask 
you to come in today.  There have been some changes and we need 
to talk."
    "Uh huh.  When?"
    "Better make it about 4 this afternoon if you can."
    "O.K.  Seeya then."
    *click*

    "Oh God." David mutters to no one in particular.  "The last 
time this happened, was right before a big lay off.  Maybe my 
luck has finally run out."  The rest of the morning and afternoon 
pass with virtually unbearable slowness.

            * * * * *

    "David.  I'm sorry about having to meet with you like this.  
As you've probably guessed this isn't the best news in the world 
that I've got for you."
    "That's O.K. Nick.  I know that you've done everything you 
can for me.  So, what is the final word this time?  Is my 
presence no longer required?"
    "Well, frankly Dave, you're right.  I hate to be blunt about 
it, but honesty being the best policy and all...  However, If 
you're willing to move I know of a job that you're just perfect 
for."
    "Do tell."

            * * * * *
        (A little over a month passes)

    "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to take this opportunity to 
introduce, David Silver the newest member of our team.  He will 
be replacing Sam as the Director of Information Services.  I'm 
sure you will all find his knowledge of computers and data 
structuring to be quite useful.  Let's all make him feel welcome 
and wanted while he gets up to speed on our equipment.  Dave, 
would you care to make any comments at this time?"
    "Thanks Bob.  I'll keep this brief, I know how you research 
guys hate meetings.  So here it is in the nut shell:  Thank you 
for trusting me with your livelihood.  I will do everything 
within my power and beyond my knowledge to ensure that your 
network and research run as smoothly as possible.  I truly look 
forward to working with the state-of-the-art system you have 
here."

        (minor applause)

    Bob returns to the podium, "Well everybody, let's get back 
to it!"

            * * * * *
        (A few months pass)

    "Dave, I've got something very important to tell you."
    "O.K. Bob.  What is it?"
    "Well, I've got to have you sign these papers.  We're being 
contracted to do some high level military work and all employees 
must agree to have a full background check run and to a fairly 
strict confidentiality policy.  It's all here in this packet. 
    "Hmm.  I see."
    "It's worse than that.  If you don't sign it, we will have 
to replace you.  This contract is for several hundred million 
dollars.  You know we can't turn something like that down.  Think 
of what it will mean!"
    "Tell ya what.  Let me read over all the policies and I'll 
give you my decision tomorrow.  Is that fair enough?"
    "More than fair.  I appreciate you considering this and for 
being so good about it."

            * * * * *

    That evening David spends pouring over the reams of paper 
that comprise the new policy.  Eventually, he retires to his 
bedroom still pondering his decision.
    "Is all this stress of secrecy really worth it?  Can they 
really expect me to avoid all R&D documents?  I'm mean, I'm bound 
to read some of them, just by accident.  I can see that already.  
Surely they know that it's part of my job.  I'm supposed to be 
trusted on such things aren't I?  Ah well.  And what is this 
about the medical release?  Am I placing myself in physical 
danger just by working here?  Is it worth it?  Is it worth 
it? ..."

            * * * * *

    "O.K. Bob.  I'll stay, but only a few conditions.  First, 
You must realize this it would be impossible for me to do my job 
and totally remove the possibility of involving myself in the R&D 
department; therefore, according to Section 102, I'll have to be 
set for a higher level of clearance.  Secondly, I will not submit 
to having video surveillance of my household.  You can put as 
many cameras as you'd like around my desk at work, even tap that 
phone, but my privacy at home sacrosanct."
    "I see.  Anything else?"
    "Yes as a matter of fact there is.  Simply for the headache 
of dealing with this, I want a 15% raise.  Effective 
immediately."
    "Well, the raise is no problem.  Not with this contract 
coming through.  The Security level is not out of the question, 
we'll get the paper work started on that.  As for your house?  
Well, honestly, I don't know that I can prevent that.  I'll do 
everything I can to stop it, that's the best I can offer there."

            * * * * *

    "Here are the facts, Dave.  You've got the security 
clearance, provided you agree to the information in this 
guidebook.  Gah.  I hate all this red tape, but that's how 
government work is you know?  Anyway, they say they'll ditch the 
cameras from our homes unless one of us becomes suspect of 
leaking information.  So we've got that as well."
    "I'll need some ti..."
    "Sorry Dave.  I have to have an answer by 2 today.  Please 
read over this quickly and get back to me.  Apparently this is a 
very rush-rush situation and we're their best candidate for 
getting it done quickly."
    "Yeah, O.K.  I'll call you in an hour or so."

    "Goddamn legalese. " Dave thinks.  "I really hate lawyers.  
This shit is pretty strict, but with the raise and the lighter 
'on the job' restrictions things should be bearable till this 
blows over.  Still we've got a 20 year vow of silence on the 
matter here.  Not even family.  As if."

    Dave punches up Bob's extension, "Hi Bob.  Yeah, I'll sign 
the agreements."
    "That's great Dave, absolutely wonderful.  I'll see you in a 
few minutes."

            * * * * *

    "Well, the past few months have been pretty hectic, but I 
must say, it was fun watching all that new equipment roll in.  
Whatever it is those guys in R&D are working on it must be one 
hell of a doozie.  I'll probably get axed for this, but I've just 
gotta know..."  Dave's daydream is cut short as the file server 
bleeps annoyingly signaling a problem with the backup.

    "Goddamn Arcserve.  What a total piece of shit.  Hey!  
That's an idea.  I know how I can get at the information without 
getting busted.  I'll pose as backup and secretly dump the files 
to two tape devices at once, I can do that now with the new 
striping drive we have.  And then we smuggle the tapes past that 
big ugly red eye there and we're off to the house and some 
serious curiosity satiation."

            * * * * *

    "It's fun being the god of all things computer sometimes, ya 
know?" Dave snickers conspiratorially to his cat, Pounce.  "In 
just a few short minutes I'll know what all this shit is about.  
Won't that be interesting?" 

    *BEEEEEP*  Backup  restoration of Volume Genome Complete.

    "Heh.  I win.  Now let's see what all this is about..."

    Several hours of intense reading and searching pass as David 
tries to absorb everything he's just placed onto his computer.  
Slowly David wakes from his trance and shivers.  "My God.  I just 
can't believe this.  It's like they've thrown all the rules away.  
I knew this was military, but chemical warfare has been banned by 
the entire civilized world!  This is totally insane."

            * * * * *

    But big brother is watching.  Big brother is monitoring his 
computer at home.  Big brother is everywhere on this one.  
Because this time the U.S. is breaking the Law big time and it 
wants to make damn sure it doesn't get caught and David is going 
to be the first of many innocents sacrificed to the machine.

            * * * * *

    "David Silver?" asks the man wearing the ominous black 
shades, at night no less.
    "Um."
    "You know why we're here.  Come with us now please.  And 
please understand, you are not in any danger from us, we merely 
wish to take you to the proper authorities who can possibly put 
to rest some of your fears or at least try to."
    David stands in the doorway in stunned silence.  It had only 
taken them 5 hours to discover what he had done.  A mere 5 hours.  
David is paralyzed with fear.
    "Sir?" asks the man in the shades, while gesturing towards a 
dark blue sedan.

            * * * * *

    "Hi David.  You don't know me, so please sit and allow me to 
introduce myself.  My name is Doctor Nicole Broughter.  I am the 
liaison between the intelligence office and the military for the 
project that your company has been working on."
    "Under other circumstances I'm certain I would be quite 
pleased with making your acquaintance."  Dave somehow manages to 
smoothly toss out.  "She's pretty good looking too" Dave's 
subconscious chimes in.
    "Indeed.  It is a shame.  It seems that your company has 
burned down do to a strange chemical reaction and poor response 
from the emergency teams.  It no longer even exists."
    "You BITCH!  How could you kill all those people?!?"
    "Kill?  Who said anything about killing anyone?  We've 
merely taken over.  All the important information and all the 
personnel have been moved to an underground sight where they will 
continue their work.  No one was actually hurt although it will 
be reported that everyone directly involved in the project, 
including yourself, was killed in the initial explosion."
    "My god.  You can do that?"
    "And more David.  And much more.  Which brings us back to 
you.  You realize that you are the cause of all this don't you?  
That all the man power and monetary costs of this move are your 
fault?  Just what are we supposed to do with you?"
    Silence fills the room as David's confusion and fear 
overwhelm him.
    "You have already signed your life away to us David.  You're 
legally dead.  I can do anything I want to you.  However, I abhor 
killing so you can relax a bit.  I also can't send you off to 
another project as you've already proven yourself to be a 
potential information leak.  Therefore, I've decided to keep you 
on this project.  But you will no longer be the Director of 
Information Services.  Oh no.  It's much more appropriate.  
You're going to be part of the human testing program.  They're 
already testing it on monkeys you know.  It probably will only be 
a matter of weeks before human testing begins."

            * * * * *

    The cell is small, but adequately furnished.  There are 
three well rounded meals served per day and a modicum of exercise 
and entertainment, but life is boring.
    "I guess I was expecting torture of a different nature" 
David muses.  "But this.  Sheesh.  This is just plain annoying."
    Life is simply a forced day to day existence with little or 
no variations.  One day fades into another and all too soon David 
has lost track of how long he has been held captive.

            * * * * *

    "Good morning David!" an all to cheery Dr. Broughter chimes 
in.  "Feeling cooperative today?"
    "Like it matters, right?" David sneers.  "But anyway, what 
brings you around?  Must be 'my time' huh?"
    "Oh, dear.  We simply must do something about that attitude.  
It is really starting to annoy me.  But to answer your question, 
no.  It is not 'your time'.  Not yet anyway.  Today we're going 
to take a bit of a tour.  You should feel honored, honestly.  
I've held them back from using you as a guinea pig.  I want the 
process perfected before dispensing pay back for all the work you 
made me do."
    "Joy."
    "Lilly.  Make a note, add an appropriate attitude adjustment 
routine to the process we're working on for dear David here.  Oh 
yes, make sure it also contains an exceptionally strong 'will for 
life.'  We wouldn't want our prize to damage himself now would 
we?"  A heavy sigh interrupts Dr. Broughter from somewhere in the 
region of David's cell.  "O.K. David.  Are you going to behave?  
If you do, we'll go 'walkie's'."
    "I'm not your pet.  I'm a human being, you fucking bitch."
    "Wanna bet?  Anyway.  I'll come back some other time when 
you're a bit more curious.  I was going to show you some of the 
'earlies', but if you don't want to know.  Well, I guess it will 
just be a surprise then won't it?  Bye!"
    One last quietly mumbled, "shit" comes from the cell as the 
good doctor's heels click down the hall.

            * * * * *

    A large guard-like figure enters a well furnished office.  
"Yes ma'am.  He's been on the Thorazine derivative for a bit now.  
He'll be very cooperative."
    "Good.  Just remember, that he can not be under the 
influence of anything when we start the program.  Make sure that 
little twit van Moors understands that!"
    "Yes ma'am!" the man replies with a quick salute.
    "O.K.  Let's go give our friend David his long awaited 
tour."

            * * * * *

    "Hello David.  Feeling a bit better today are we?"
    "Oh yeah.  You betcha.  Uh huh.  Never been better."
    "O.K.  Well, now it's time for that tour I promised you.  
We'll start out in the primate area and progress from their as 
sobriety catches up with.  Shall we?"
    "Grrreat."

    "Most of the initial testing we did on the chimps led to 
death.  It took quite awhile to develop a process that was both 
slow enough to work and fast enough to change a body so that it 
retains its cohesiveness.  Well, maybe that's not the best way of 
putting it.  Functionality.  That's a bit closer.  Anyway, what 
happened initially was well, the poor intestines were no longer 
compatible with this, or the blood lost all its iron.  Ugly 
things.  But enough of past failures.  Let's look at some of the 
first successes.   Here, look in there."

    Inside the room was a scene full of horrors that would have 
had the animal rights activists storming the White House.  
Everything imaginable had been done to the poor animals.  
Deformities were quite commonplace.  Some were missing limbs, 
others just didn't quite 'look right.'  But there was something 
that David just couldn't quite nail down.  Something slightly 
amiss.

    "Seen enough?  It's really rather boring.  The lower levels 
are much more entertaining.  I may even let you interact with one 
or two of them."

    A quickly sobering David can do nothing but stare into the 
chamber of abuse, until the burly man pushes him away and the 
long walk through the maze-like corridors begins anew.

            * * * * *

    "O.K. David.  I want you to take a look in this room.  This 
is Nathan.  He's probably one of greatest successes.   I'm afraid 
I can't let you talk with him, not yet anyway, but look 
nonetheless.

    Inside was a cell very much like David's own.  A well 
groomed, but rough looking individual was sitting on the bed.
He was simply sitting there.  Staring at the wall, smiling.

    "What did you do to him?" David queried feeling increasingly 
uneasy.
    "Nathan was a mass murder.  Double Y chromosome.  The whole 
bit.  He killed 27 people, but now, well, he probably couldn't 
bring himself to swat a fly.  We re-engineered him.  He's now a 
normal XY chromosome with an almost non-existent testosterone 
level.  He's adrenal gland is also a bit weak.  He simply has no 
more aggression.  Fantastic isn't it?"
    David begins to shiver.  "This is terrifying.  What else can 
they do?" he thinks.
    "We discovered a bit later, that we'd messed up a few 
combinations in his formulae, he's basically about as smart as a 
5 year old.  So the non-aggression formulae still needs some 
work, but a few of the others, well, they can only be seen.  We 
don't want a nation of morons, although that could have its uses.  
We just want to be able to control them.  Ready to see some of 
the advanced work?"
    "The chimps!" David remembers, "There were more than just 
chimps, a few larger apes, maybe even a gorilla.  And they were 
all coexisting.  Holy shit.  They're definitely further along 
than she's letting on."
    
            * * * * *

    A loud retching sound fills the hallway.
    "David!  I thought you had a bit more stomach than that.  
Hey!  I made a joke!  Seriously though.  It's not that its 
disgusting or anything.  Guard, radio for the cleanup crew.  We 
wouldn't want someone to have an accident would we?"
    A sputtering David finally gathers himself together enough 
to plead, "Tell me that was not a man.  Please.  Anything."
    "Sorry Dave.  That was.  Although we're not totally sure 
about IS anymore,"  Dr. Broughter smirks.
    Inside the small cell was something possibly humanoid.  At 
first appearance anyway.  A slightly closer inspection revealed 
something canine.  Possible both.  O.K.  It definitely looked 
like a really bad movie werewolf.  With mange.  And puss.  And 
cancerous growths.
    "Hey.  That was only our first attempt at an Anthromorph.  
We've gotten much, much better.  O.K.  I'll tell you what.  We'll 
tone down the tour for a bit.  How about something truly amazing.  
We've a whole segment full of 'recovering guests' that are here 
for legitimate medical treatments."

    "Here.  Look in there.  That man used to be a double 
amputee.  Now, thanks to a super high volume diet and our little 
miracle he's got both of his legs back.  Dr. van Moors says he'll 
be able to walk again in a few months."
    "That's incredible.  I can't believe you'd offer that kind 
of service to humanity."
    "Oh, come, come, Dave.  Don't be naive.  For everything 
there is a price.  The U. S. A. will be the only nation with this 
capability.  IF, and that's a serious if, we decide to continue 
this avenue.  Yeah, yeah, better life and all that jazz, there's 
even the possibility of profit in this, but as soon as we reveal 
the capability, EVERYONE, goes ape.  If we can do that, what 
else?  That kind of thing.  I'm sure you know exactly why we 
don't want that happening."
    "Jesus.  So you're just going to drop this?  You're not 
going to help others?  You ARE the bitch, queen, psychotic from 
Hell."
    "Tsk.  Tsk.  David.  You're not being very polite.  I didn't 
say that we weren't did I?  Why, look in this room."

    "She was in a fire, David.  Massive burn trauma.  Now her 
skin is re-growing faster than anyone ever imagined.  She should 
be recovered by the end of the week.  Incredible isn't it?  But 
boring.  Hum drum.  Who cares?  I certainly don't."
    "You fucking little whore!  How can you talk about this that 
way!  The potential good for the entire world is staggering and 
you, you gelatinous bit of snail dropping.  YOU ought to be 
reduced to compost.  Argh.  I can't even articulate the things 
that should be done to you."
    "Guard?  Would you care to restrain Mr. Silver for a moment?  
Thank you.  Now right this way please."

            * * * * *

    "Now David.  Look out that window very, very carefully.  You 
see that?  That is where we are now.  We can do it David.  I'd 
re-think my attitude and be damn quick about it, if I were you."
    "What?  You mean that . . . p . . . po . . . pony?  Oh, fuck 
me.  No."
    "Yes, David.  Punishment can be severe.  That was another 
uncooperative 'volunteer.'  Now, he lives his life as a horse.  
We know that he still retains the ability to understand us, but 
damned if we didn't have to do some really creative brain chem. 
work on him.  We didn't make him like or hate it, we just trapped 
him there.  Along with the instincts of a real horse.  He's just 
a passenger.  We're fairly certain he'll be totally insane after 
awhile, but the horse-part will still be in control so what does 
it matter?"  THUNK.  "David?  Oh David?  Guard, carry Mr. Silver 
back to his residence please.  Thank you."

            * * * * *

Continued in Part 2!
