The Alchemist's Children: Panacea

  **********************

  Surrounded by bookshelves loaded with books and walls covered with family pictures, Callen watched his father from the corner of his office. With it's scattered projects and table in the corner overflowing with designs, the office was an organized mess.

  Over the large wooden desk that housed an advanced computer system, Alex waved his hands using a motion interface. Images flashed on the monitors that crowded the desk and e loaded up a file marked Panacea. He began working through the variety of data screens filled with medical diagnostic and genetic data.

  The largest x-ray caught that Callen's eye depicted the image of a strange chimp-like creature, which was missing a leg, an arm, and an eye. Next to the image, it read 'Niknak.'

  Alex waved his hands a few more times sorting through other graphic pictures showing scans that were labeled 'Callen,' with certain similarities to the Niknak scans. He stopped at a top file that showed a collection of genetic information. He swore.

  "What, daddy?"

  "Oh...ah...sorry...it worked...but the simulations of the effects on a human were inconclusive. There were just too many possible outcomes for me to test..." After a long sigh, he smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin chain. Attached to the chain was a metal beetle with runes stamped into it. It reminded Callen of an Egyptian scarab. He waved his other hand and loaded up a strange program. Some code scrolled across the screen followed by light flashing on the desk and he held the charm up to it and waved his other hand again.

  A sliding tray extended from a computerized portion of the desk. From the tray, he picked up a rune stamped coin. He looked at the coin before attaching a loop on it and placing it on the a chain. “Alright. It’s ready.” Using his cross, he made one of his bookcases him vanish. Behind it was a small pressurized metal door that hissed open.

  "What's that Daddy?"

  "You know that's the door to my private lab."

  "No, not that...I know the door comes from your cross...what you have in your hands?"

  "Oh, these?" He said holding up the coin and the scarab.

  Callen nodded.

  "The runed coin helps me fix Niknak if there is a problem. The scarab I need to give to Dr. Patterson later to control his test subjects. Anyway, I have to go check on Niknak so we can get home on time. You stay here. I'll be back fast."

  "But..."

  "You know the computer is set for you to use. Just put your thumb on this spot." Callen did and felt a familiar prick from the DNA access device. "So, just load up one of your games."

  Callen pulled on the gloves. The gloves shrunk to fit his small hands. "Yeah...they are so cool here...it reacts to my voice and hand motions...instead of an analog controller."

  "You are learning fast." Alex smiled. "Next year I’m scheduled for a virtual interface upgrade. So, you will be able to fully enter the game. You will get to see the places in the game, like you're there."

  "Wow!" Callen began loading up a game.

  "I knew you would like that." He laughed. "Be right back." He turned and walked over to the wall opposite the door to the hallway. A section of the wall near the corner hissed open and Alex disappeared into the hallway. The door closed behind him.

  Callen was enthralled in the game, which required an intense combination of reflex and hand-eye coordination. It was an adventure game starring cartoon animals battling each other with quirky guns.

  The time seemed to melt away and soon Alex returned carrying a glass canister filled with some sort of viscous metallic fluid. He placed it on the desk.

  "Why did you bring the metal stuff upstairs, daddy?"

  "My equipment up here is all set up with the stuff I need for this one." He said. "This one is just about complete and I need to tweak it as everything finishes up downstairs."

  "Ok."

  "So, how did you do, pup?" He asked.

  "I did well, it was better than last time."

  "I had Nichols do some upgrades on the program. We had a conversation about marketing it as a combat simulation to the military. Of course, he was going to have to remove the infinite life for training, but you get the idea."

  "I wish I could have this game at home."

  "I know, Pup. But, I need the computer now." With a few waves of Alex's hands, a metal drawer hissed open from the desk. The drawer had an electronic rack, which slid out to hold the canister. He placed the canister in the spot and with a wave of his hand the drawer closed.

  "What is it, daddy?'

  "This should be the last version. With the data I am getting from my experiment downstairs and all the simulation that I will be running up here, this is going to be great. Any problems will then be corrected for. Hopefully, I will get some more conclusive test results and it will be done soon."

  Someone walked up and knocked on the doorframe to Alex's open office. A dark-haired man in his early 20's smiled at Callen and looked at Alex through his little circular glasses. In his hands, he held a package. "Dr. Throne, these just arrived."

  Looking at the visitor, Alex nodded. “Thanks, Skylar”

  “I guess they finally sent them." Skylar stated.

  "He sent word. Did they tell you where they got them?"

  The messenger shook his head and handed Alex the package. He rubbed his hand through his cropped dark hair.

  "Great, he didn't tell me either. Was this authorized?”

  “Yes, and sent them to you for a material analysis…they told me they sent you directions."

  "Oh...I haven't had a chance, but I will...thanks." He pulled a pair of scissors from his desk drawer.

  "Dr. Thorne...since I'm here..."

  "Yes?" Alex looked slightly annoyed, but with a breath he let it go. "What is it?'

  "I was wondering if you'd take a look at some of my designs...I think I may have found a way to make them work with humans...if you confirm it...it could mean we'd be ahead of schedule..."

  “Shooting for a job, when you graduate?" He let out a long sigh. "I guess I could take a look. My free time's on my calendar...send me an email..."

  "Sure thing, Dr. Thorne...and thanks. Oh, and before I go...Dr. Card said for me to have test subject 6 ready for when you complete your material analysis." The intern turned and excitedly walked down the hall.

  Alex slid the scissor blade over the tape and folded back the flaps. He scratched his beard. "I wonder how this would affect..."

  Callen interrupted him. "What is it, Daddy? Is it Legos?"

  He looked confused as pulled out a metal box, kept closed by secured electronic clasps. "No, not Legos..." He waved his cross next to the case's lock, and lifted out a mask. "Four masks, what was he thinking?" He let out a sigh and inspected the one in his hand.

  The mask's face was a mix of shiny black and dull black that looked blended like watching falling snow land on fallen snow. It had narrow sad eyes and a mouth twisted downwards in a perpetual frown. A single tear was carved below the right eye. "I guess they finally got them." He sighed. "Subject six is perfect for the first test, before I move to see what the effects are on the blessed. So, I guess I better notify Patterson." He looked into the box. "Wow, I really can't say I'm not impressed though...magnificent work. This should help a lot. I may be able to reverse engineer...now I'm just getting ahead of myself." He laughed. "Too much excitement."

  "What, Daddy?" An uncomfortable feeling washed over Callen as he gazed at the mask.

  "Oh, ah..." He put the mask back in the box. "I'm sorry, Callen. You didn't need to see that. Everything is okay. You don't need to worry about a thing." He smiled reassuringly.

  "I don't like it here sometimes, daddy. I've heard screams and seen monsters..."

  "The monsters can't hurt you. They have to do with what is being done here. You are safe
, and if something did go wrong this runed coin, I made emits a low command frequency signal that helps prevent the monsters from deciding to attack whoever has it.” He sighed. "It still needs months more research and development before it can fully prevent attacks. Although, it will be enough if they don't realize what the coin is doing…and if I finish it will be able to control them…regardless if they know about it or not…”