Read Online Leviathan by James Byron Huggins - Free Book Online
Authors: James Byron Huggins
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hunt and kill every other living creature on the face of the earth.
“ You used cyberspace functions in GEO to remove the locus that produces a-calcium calmodulin kinase, the chemical which would have allowed Leviathan to recognize fear, and in this way made it into a creature without any fear whatsoever. Only a cold and calculating instinct to kill. Then you neurally encoded tactical and strategic military data directly onto its cerebellum, which was in turn inlaid at ten weeks of age.
“ Then, in one of your most remarkable alterations, you increased brain synapse current levels until Leviathan's mind speed was at least five times faster than a human's. Also, the creature's newly generated brain cells, cells which have no memory at all, are continuously overlaid with an electronic echo-pulse from the chip which gives them instant memory. That is how Leviathan can never forget the Hunter-killer Mode or any of its tactical knowledge.” He paused. “I applaud you, Doctor. You deserve it.”
Frank was unimpressed. He didn't need accolades.
“You're pretty caught up on the creation process, Mr. Adler,” he said slowly. “Can you tell me how Leviathan developed the rest of its altered weapons system? Including the ability to generate an inhibitor and catalyst to cause combustion?”
“ No,” Adler replied, a slight laugh. “Why don't you tell me?”
“ Because Leviathan is innately polyploidal in its genetic makeup, Mr. Adler.”
The old man said nothing, waiting.
“Meaning,” Frank continued, “that we discovered late in the process that Leviathan had more than the usual number of chromosomes for a Komodo dragon. A great many more chromosomes, actually. Some of which we still can't identify. They don't match the molecular encoding of any identified vertebrate. And their unexpected structure created unexpected mutation.”
Confusion registered on Adler's severe face. “Exactly what kind of chromosomal structure are we discussing, doctor?”
Tired, Frank shook his head. “I don't know. I determined that it was just some kind of recessive genetic pattern remembered and made dominant by the chromatic manipulation process waves. Some kind of genetic code that nature somehow piggybacked inside random members of this species for thousands of years. It was deeply submerged but it survived in the chromosomal makeup of the Komodo dragon. And the electromagnetic manipulation didn't actually alter this particular dragon's chromosomal makeup as much as it ignited the rapid development of this unidentified, recessive genetic code.”
Adler's interest spiked. “Thus the explanation for why you renamed the project ‘Leviathan' at the fifth week of development?” he asked, keenly alert.
Dismal, Frank nodded.
“So ... a biblical reference,” Adler smiled. It was not a question, and his expression made it clear that there was no need for an answer. Yes, the smile said, I know of these things. I am not an ignorant man.
A lengthy pause and Frank nodded, simply to end the conversation. He had long ago passed the point where he wanted to leave. And the overbearing Adler finally granted his wish. He rose.
“I congratulate you on your success, Doctor,” he said. “You have reached a great achievement. And truly, there is no immediate foretelling where your research will lead. You may very well have changed the world as we know it.” Without effort he shifted into his paternal mode. “Yes, Electromagnetic Chromosomal Manipulation may herald the dawn of a new and superior life-form on the earth. In the near future it may be used to alter living organisms so that they cannot age, cannot die. It may cure cancer. Or eliminate an entire host of crippling genetic disorders.”
With tired, dead eyes, Frank focused on the director.
“Or make living weapons of war,” he said flatly.
Connor wiped sweat from a dirt-grimed brow as Chesterton led him along the steel walkway. Exhausted, he was irritable and hot and still
“ You used cyberspace functions in GEO to remove the locus that produces a-calcium calmodulin kinase, the chemical which would have allowed Leviathan to recognize fear, and in this way made it into a creature without any fear whatsoever. Only a cold and calculating instinct to kill. Then you neurally encoded tactical and strategic military data directly onto its cerebellum, which was in turn inlaid at ten weeks of age.
“ Then, in one of your most remarkable alterations, you increased brain synapse current levels until Leviathan's mind speed was at least five times faster than a human's. Also, the creature's newly generated brain cells, cells which have no memory at all, are continuously overlaid with an electronic echo-pulse from the chip which gives them instant memory. That is how Leviathan can never forget the Hunter-killer Mode or any of its tactical knowledge.” He paused. “I applaud you, Doctor. You deserve it.”
Frank was unimpressed. He didn't need accolades.
“You're pretty caught up on the creation process, Mr. Adler,” he said slowly. “Can you tell me how Leviathan developed the rest of its altered weapons system? Including the ability to generate an inhibitor and catalyst to cause combustion?”
“ No,” Adler replied, a slight laugh. “Why don't you tell me?”
“ Because Leviathan is innately polyploidal in its genetic makeup, Mr. Adler.”
The old man said nothing, waiting.
“Meaning,” Frank continued, “that we discovered late in the process that Leviathan had more than the usual number of chromosomes for a Komodo dragon. A great many more chromosomes, actually. Some of which we still can't identify. They don't match the molecular encoding of any identified vertebrate. And their unexpected structure created unexpected mutation.”
Confusion registered on Adler's severe face. “Exactly what kind of chromosomal structure are we discussing, doctor?”
Tired, Frank shook his head. “I don't know. I determined that it was just some kind of recessive genetic pattern remembered and made dominant by the chromatic manipulation process waves. Some kind of genetic code that nature somehow piggybacked inside random members of this species for thousands of years. It was deeply submerged but it survived in the chromosomal makeup of the Komodo dragon. And the electromagnetic manipulation didn't actually alter this particular dragon's chromosomal makeup as much as it ignited the rapid development of this unidentified, recessive genetic code.”
Adler's interest spiked. “Thus the explanation for why you renamed the project ‘Leviathan' at the fifth week of development?” he asked, keenly alert.
Dismal, Frank nodded.
“So ... a biblical reference,” Adler smiled. It was not a question, and his expression made it clear that there was no need for an answer. Yes, the smile said, I know of these things. I am not an ignorant man.
A lengthy pause and Frank nodded, simply to end the conversation. He had long ago passed the point where he wanted to leave. And the overbearing Adler finally granted his wish. He rose.
“I congratulate you on your success, Doctor,” he said. “You have reached a great achievement. And truly, there is no immediate foretelling where your research will lead. You may very well have changed the world as we know it.” Without effort he shifted into his paternal mode. “Yes, Electromagnetic Chromosomal Manipulation may herald the dawn of a new and superior life-form on the earth. In the near future it may be used to alter living organisms so that they cannot age, cannot die. It may cure cancer. Or eliminate an entire host of crippling genetic disorders.”
With tired, dead eyes, Frank focused on the director.
“Or make living weapons of war,” he said flatly.
Connor wiped sweat from a dirt-grimed brow as Chesterton led him along the steel walkway. Exhausted, he was irritable and hot and still
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