Episode 9 | No Family Left Behind Part 1
#9 of GNCR X - ZodiA WavE Pt. 1
Oliver and Ruth Brown, two brothers on their way to visit their father, discover a grim truth about the nature of reality.
Details: We return to the days before the virus, as Jay begins his first way of work at Hermes Medical's Dover Facility.
Okay, nice and re-energized, let's start the Outbreak Arc!
Episode 9: No Family Left Behind Part 1.
JAY: Hey Ollie, take care of Ruth, alright?
OLIVER: Huh?
I got out of the shower, seeing my kid on his bed playing on- Idunno, a DGS? 4DGS? So many damn consoles, I swear.
JAY: Your mom and I are working overtime, so you're gonna have to handle dinner.
OLIVER: Guessing Tio Pedro's busy too?
JAY: He- yeah, let's go with that.
Ruth then popped out from the unseen corners of the room, glaring at Oliver.
RUTH: I don't get it, what DOES Pedro do all day?
OLIVER: When you're old enough to know what "Bone Smuggler" means, we'll tell you.
RUTH: Are YOU?
OLIVER: ... yes. I think. Maybe.
NOTE: These characters are ageless.
OLIVER: Anyway yeah, no problem, Dad.
I went and got changed. Nothing too special, just a grey dress shirt and blue dress pants. Of course, this included some standard lab equipment I got in a duffle bag. While buttoning myself up, my wife snuggled up from behind me. While I was just barely shorter than her, Daisy's physique and attitude made it feel like she towered over me. It was admittedly a bit embarrassing how puny I came off, but hey, that's why I love her, she makes me feel safe in her embrace. She kept nuzzling around my neck as I spoke.
JAY: H-hey, Daisy, please, I gotta get ready.
DAISY: Sorry, guess I'll just miss having my lil' boy wife around, you know? *sniff* They leave the nest so soon!
JAY: Oh come on, honey, we'll find time to play around. Just gotta find the time as usual.
DAISY: Fine, but if I go too long without seeing you again, we're getting you in the maid cosplay!
That was when I noticed that the door was half-opened, my eyes wide as dinner plates and cheeks turning grey.
JAY: HONEY, THEY CAN HEAR US-!
RUTH: No we can't.
OLIVER: I have headphones on.
JAY/DAISY: (Ah shit.)
Grabbing my lunch, giving Daisy a big kiss, and waving goodbye to the kids, I quickly made my way down. The streets of Dover always rang busy in the mornings. Cars speeding in all directions, blue-collar workers chatting it up on their way, oh but who could forget, the outdoor train station right next door to the apartments? I'll never understand the guy who designed the town like this.
The moment I put on my earbuds for the walk, someone was strutting not too far behind.
PEDRO: EY~! Que tal?
Right, my brother-in-law, Pedro. He scurried over, and ALSO hugged me from behind. It did always feel a bit awkward, just because we looked like a couple in this position, and... yeah Daisy can get a bit territorial over me. Once he let go, I was able to get a good look at him. A white, opened-up blouse with some glittery pants on. The man knew how to dress when he didn't go around the house shirtless, wearing the same goddamn pants all the time. That said, the shirt opening still made it clear that his pecs were bouncing all over the place, and I constantly had to look away while talking.
JAY: You have a problem showing off, you know that?
PEDRO: Well, it IS part of the job! Kind of, every look's got an audience nowadays, but I gotta keep this physique to make it as a botto-
I just played my music while we walked and Pedro went on. Like, it's interesting stuff, but I needed something to get my mind off things-
PEDRO: Jay!
JAY: H-huh?
PEDRO: Sorry, thought you were spacing out. You, uh, haven't told Daisy, right?
JAY: Ehhhh, she kinda pressured me into spilling the beans, but it worked out. Told her about your side gig, the safe-for-work one.
PEDRO: Seriously, man?
JAY: Hey, you're modeling for both! Don't worry, she still doesn't know the big one.
PEDRO: *sigh* That's good at least.
JAY: Don't know why she'd be upset though. Like, trust me Pedro, your sister jokes about me being her wife for a reason.
PEDRO: It's... it's a bit personal.
JAY: I mean, we're family, you can tell me.
PEDRO: Maybe some other time, we're at your stop.
That made me pause, and see the Hermes building next to us. He was right, my stop. I gave him a quick salute, and we went our separate ways.
With a deep breath, I slid my employee ID, and stepped inside.
I counted my blessings for that internship. Had I not gotten used to that bizarre ventilation, my first day of work would've been my last in the span of two seconds. I damn near collapsed on my first visit, but thankfully, my lungs had since adapted. It didn't fix the pungent smell, but I was at least conscious.
Just then, someone sped right past me in the stair corridor. The image was blurry, but I made out a shark, black business suit with a purple ascot and gloves, and a black pompadour.
???: SORRY! Sorry! Runnin' abit late!
JAY: WHOAH! Uh, okay, no problem!
Didn't know if he heard me, but I felt it was worth it.
DOROTHY: You're late, Brown.
JAY: *pant* *pant* Sorry, I got lost.
DOROTHY: How do you get lost? There should be enough signs- nevermind, I know exactly what you mean. (Damn gateways...)
JAY: What about gateways?
DOROTHY: OH! Sorry, just thinking out loud, come in!
My new boss, Dorothy Harrison, welcomed me into my assigned lab. After some brief introductions, I shook hands with my colleagues. Well, except for one owl in a hazmat suit, he'd need to get decontaminated first. No one liked Chris though, he was always a bit of a weirdo.
JAY: This is the flu strain I got screened on, right?
I asked, lightly tapping the label on a magnifying tube. Another cairn terrier, Templeton Harrison, swatted my hand away.
DOROTHY: Indeed. It's a rare one that was recently discovered. It seems to mainly affect Axolotls, and other evos with very low immune systems. The current plan is to just get a vaccine done, so that people are safe first and foremost. Once that's covered, we can move on to integr-
JAMES: HEY, DOROTHY! YOU IN THERE?
DOROTHY: Oh for the love of- YES, MR. JOHNSON, COME IN.
In came an octopus, red with yellow polka dots, and long tentacles stretching down to his chest. No shirt underneath his labcoat.
JAY: (Christ, Pedro dresses more professionally.)
DOROTHY: What do you need, James?
JAMES: All the heads need to hit the board room. You didn't hear the loudspeaker?
DOROTHY: Johnson, you know damn well that thing doesn't work in my sector.
JAMES: Well, the bottom line is we've got a meeting. C'mon, Director's waiting on everyone.
DOROTHY: Alright, fine. Templeton, take over for me, will ya?
TEMPLETON: Roger that, Sis!
As the two of them left, I could hear a loud, ear-piercing humming outside the facility. It was like a million airships flying above us.
It felt like hours that I was waiting for Harrison and Johnson to show back up. They were met with me right outside the board room, tapping my feet.
DOROTHY: Sorry, Kattan, technical difficulties in my sector.
TOM: *sigh* Could be worse, I suppose. Come on in, Wade is THIS close to having a mental breakdown.
We stepped into the awkward scene. Head Researchers, Dorothy Harrison and James Johnson; Assistant Researcher, Tom Kattan (me); Head Supervisor, Wade Ryan; and Facility Director, [REDACTED]. We were all seated on this circular table. The employees twiddled their thumbs in anticipation, while the director cleared his throat.
[REDACTED]: Now then, I believe you're all more than aware of The Order's recent acquisition of the company, yes?
JAMES: Yeah, about that, would it be alright if you told us who these people are? I can't get any straight answers anywhere.
[REDACTED]: I'll get to that, but firstly, I brought you all here because you all need a briefing.
WADE: On what?
[REDACTED]: Starting today, The Order will be providing us their advanced technology. I don't want you to be fooled by the fact that it's analog, these advancements are capable of scientific milestones we couldn't even dream of!
JAMES: Analog medical devices in 2019? Yeah, that'll be a sight for sore eyes. Why would we even need that?
[REDACTED]: Well, that's the more pressing matter at hand... it's time I told you about gorgons.
The room went dead silent, no one knew how to respond or what he meant.
WADE: Gorgons, like Medusa or somethin'?
[REDACTED]: Not exactly. The Gorgons are a race of people who follow the Gospel of Despair.
DOROTHY: So a cult.
JAMES: Be respectful, Dorothy, we call 'em religious groups nowadays.
[REDACTED]: That's not the end of it... they're from an alternate universe.
Everyone reacts differently to odd statements. For instance, Tom and James fell onto the floor laughin' their asses off. Dorothy just sat there pinchin' her nose, feelin' like her time was being wasted. As for me, I was more intrigued than anythin' else. Fake or not, the idea of aliens runnin' the show was at least an entertaining concept, so I decided to humor my boss.
WADE: Alternate universe, you say? Please, do go on.
TOM: YES, PLEASE! I have GOT to know where this is going!
[REDACTED]: *sigh* Put simply, several governments have formed across this network of alternate universes, The Order is one of them. As of recently, our world is being incrementally integrated into the faction. With our status as a leader in the medical field, we were picked to join the monopoly.
DOROTHY: Okay look, [REDACTED], I'm willing to believe in gateways that teleport us around the facility, but this? Would you mind proving to us that this is real, and not just a stupid prank? Because I'm really not buying it.
[REDACTED]: Gladly, YOU CAN COME IN NOW!
I could sense the blood fade from Dorothy's cheeks, as something stepped into the board room.
The guy... I mean he LOOKED evoid, but nothin' else about his face looked right. His muzzle was smaller than an ape's, he had this weird white-ish exoskeleton around him, and his goddang skin- it looked like he was made of thin, purple tentacles. All around his body were tubes that all conjoined to the back of his head. His eyes were these empty, green gems that formed perfect circles.
He opened his mouth to speak, revealin' teeth sharper than mine.
???: Good morning, hybrids! I am Poseidon Nolux, head of The Order's Board of Scientific Developments, or BSD for short.
WADE/DOROTHY/JAMES/TOM: ............................................................................
NOLUX: You have interesting subordinates, [REDACTED].
[REDACTED]: Comes with being mundane, sir.
NOLUX: Anyways, I'll be supervising progress on this facility's technological upgrades, as well as all your pawns' training. Now then, you four, do you have any questions about the occupation?
DOROTHY: R-right, about that, um, Mr. Nolux? I noticed in the file that one of the shipments included "test subjects," I just wanted to make sure that they're either volunteers, or at least being handled humanely with proper precautions.
NOLUX: ... yyyeeeees. In accordance to the faction's laws, anyways.
TOM: And those would be?
NOLUX: You'll all be handed free copies soon. Any other obvious questions?
JAMES: Um, yes, why are we going analog? Isn't that a bit counter-intuitive and archaic?
NOLUX: Not at all! For you see-
Nolux dashed over to James' side, at such a speed that the octopus flinched. He then saw the phone right next to 'im, unlocked it, and grabbed it. The display started freakin' the hell out, and screamin' like a banshee. It actually made my ears hurt.
He then handed the phone back to James, and sped further back, causin' the display to switch back.
NOLUX: Now, digital signals like Data Energy are normally fine in our presence, otherwise you'd all have disintegrated by now-
DOROTHY: Wait what-?
NOLUX: However, the same cannot be said for weaker signals like what's on technology. When in the presence of a gorgon, it will completely go out of whack. The solution was simple: standardized, and streamlined analog technology.
JAMES: N-noted!
NOLUX: I'll leave it up to you, [REDACTED].
Nolux left the room, with the rest of us left in a daze of confusion. Lord knew what the employees were thinkin' if more of THAT thing were goin' all over the place.
TOM: So, I take it you have one more thing for us?
[REDACTED]: Specifically for Wade. Mr. Ryan, I'll be needing you for securing funds.
WADE: HUH?! Why me?
[REDACTED]: The man we're trying to please is The Order's High Priest, Hadron. I've spoken to the man and, well, let's just say he's one for appearances.
WADE: I fail to see what that has to do with me.
TOM: Tall, strong, handsome shark man always in fancy suits and haircuts? I'd say you're a damn good face for the company.
WADE: I- um, th-thanks.
I looked away, my cheeks flushed as hell. Sure, I'm in a pretty high position, but the first day and already I was representin' the whole company? That was a tall order, but one I knew I had to take.
WADE: Alright, I'll do it.
[REDACTED]: Excellent! I'll get you a ticket to Hadron's next sermon. You can leave backstage arrangements to me.
WADE: Wait, tickets? Backstage-?
JAY: MS. HARRISON!
The door slid open, this time revealing a thin drake man. He was stiff, panting, sweating bullets, a complete mess. Yet, something about that face, the way he carried himself, it was... captivating. Noticing that I was losing my composure, I stood back upright, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts.
JAY: A-aliens- not like immigrants- like- ACTUAL SPACE ALIENS! They're knocking everything down and- something about despair and obsolete tech and clowns and-!
DOROTHY: Jay, don't worry, we know.
JAMES: If it helps, I'm still in shock myself.
TOM: Yes... these gorgons will take some getting used to.
HUMANOID #1: (What's with the hybrid?)
HUMANOID #2: (Apparently we started integrating some lowrace organizations recently.)
HUMANOID #1: (You know, I understand that you can't question the High Priest, but who DOES that-?)
HUMANOID #2: PATRIOT PROPOSITION, ARTICLE 1132, OBEDIENCE CLAUSE! ANY AND ALL QUESTIONING OF THE HIGH PRIEST IS PUNISHABLE WITH IMMEDIATE FEEDING TO THE BIRDS...! Oh. Wait-
A dart struck the first humanoid gorgon's neck, makin' the guy pass out. In 'round a second, some others came by, armed with little beastoid gorgons that resembled guns. They pulled the guy over his seat and dragged 'im away. I was immediately shown what it was like in The Order's society.
As such, I just sat there with my head down, limbs tucked in, sweatin' in absolute anxiety. Worst part was that a day prior, I'd read bits o' that free lawbook to see how evos were bein' affected. Turns out we can't do much of anything, or else we get fed to the birds for everything from disturbing the peace to terrorism. For the same offense. I couldn't stand out at all, or I'd be gettin' eaten for sure.
With the ringin' of a distant mic, the sermon was 'bout to start. Didn't know what to expect, really. Sure, the church had a very Christian look to it with all the arches, stained glass windows, it was like a violet-tinted version of Notre Dame. Same time though, they kept mentionin' this god o' theirs, Poseidon, but not in reference to the Greek god of the sea. This Poseidon was some form o' hybernatin' god, and he'd only wake up once The Order's taken over the multiverse. Dunno how they'd do that when these universes are infinite, but that's the mission statement.
The clacking of solid soles echoed down the aisles. I heard all kinds of jewels and medals jinglin' to the sides, metals rangin' from gold to platinum. Each step caused his cloak to wave back, as if his every step created wind. For a brief second, all time seemed to slow down, and I sensed something looking at me.
A red mask, shaped like a maniacal, grinning skull. Its eye sockets were empty, save for two little orange lights for eyes. On the back of it were dark, bat-like wings. I was paralyzed from intimidation. This man was the High Priest, Hadron, a man who was dead-set on ruling all of reality.
HADRON: My subjects, my followers, my children, I'm afraid that today's mass must be brief. After all, those birds won't feed themselves!
Everyone on the pews laughed, but I just managed a nervous chuckle.
HADRON: So, I decided to impart you with... an anecdote. Something to keep in mind until next time. You see, the other factions, Exiles and Diablico, they always seem to characterize me as a cold dictator. A ruthless, genocidal monster, indiscriminately signing the death warrants of millions, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My children, I am a forgiving man, I believe all deserve some form of redemption from heresy!
WADE: (Redemption?)
HADRON: I mean, at the end of the day, yes there are those who deliberately rebel against Poseidon. However, some of them simply cannot help it. I acknowledge that lowraces never asked to be born at all, let alone as an inferior species. Let me tell you about this boy, Nathan we'll call him. He was actually detained after entering a Gorgon-Only hospital. The young one had a broken leg, and, instead of being helped, we punished him. This was, of course, despite the attacker being a fellow lowrace. During his trial, he said something that I still think about, "my lord, why wasn't I born a gorgon? Why couldn't I ever become a highrace like you?" And, I needed to tell him, "I'm sorry boy, but, even I cannot fix that." I ultimately chose to spare him, because I realized something: what if there was a way? What if we could pass our superior genes into a lowrace and ascend them?
My eyes grew wider, and my ears perked up.
HADRON: At first the idea seemed laughably heretical, but then I realized... why NOT assimilate them? Why erase potential champions of our people over something that, while they couldn't change, WE could maybe change? That was when I recently found THIS!
From under his cloak, Hadron pulled out... somethin'. It looked like an egg covered in eyes. It had tentacles writin' all around it, and a mouth underneath like that of a lamprey. It was disgusting, but I couldn't look away.
HADRON: THIS is a GorgoN SeeD, now I know, you all know that this isn't anything new, most of you were born from one.
I did not know that, but I sure as hell started writin' it down!
HADRON: This seed is unique, anomalous even. Despite being made of pure anti-chroman, it can actually attach itself to a lowrace and kill them from a chroman overload. But there's more, what we discovered within its shell was a virus. One that, when injected into a lowrace, would turn them into one of the four types! When I discovered this, I authorized to have the virus sent to Nathan, and... it was a success.
WADE: (Wait, they- they made someone a gorgon?!)
HADRON: Yes, he would become a fine beastoid gorgon, with his only remaining thought being to fight for our cause. Now he lives the rest of his days as a bioweapon, a decent one too!
WADE: (Wait, what?)
HADRON: So, in Nathan's memory, I send this proposition to all lowrace groups under BSD's wing. The one who takes the challenge to perfect this virus, to guarantee ascension to the plain of a humanoid, angeloid, or even... DIOID! I SWEAR BY POSEIDON'S SOUL, YOU WILL JOIN US IN OUR GLORIOUS CONQUEST!
HUMANOIDS:
YEAH!!!
WOOT WOOT!
PREACH IT MY LORD!!!!
ALL: HUNT! KILL! BURN! PURGE! THE ORDER IS ABSOLUTE!
God bless the director. Weren't for him, we wouldn't have beat the other groups to the punch. 'Course, since Hadron singled out lowraces for the offer, we already had a head-start. Maybe that was the point, cuz he knew we'd take that offer in a heartbeat! I mean hey, it ain't a bad idea. Get the boys on the bottom of the food chain to haul ass, and as a reward, they get to climb up, somethin' I was determined to do now.
But of course, how would I address this guy? I've spoken to my higher-ups, which I got used to pretty quickly. Sure, a chat with President Darko would be intimidatin', but this man, Hadron... this man had his hands on entire universes. I couldn't even BEGIN to process how many countries that would be! I needed to make an impression. So, after preenin' up my hair, adjusting my ascot, and plantin' my feet, I walked up to Hadron, AND-!
WADE: E-excuse me, Lord Hadron, my name is Wade Ryan. I'm a representative from Hermes Medical, one of the groups you acquired.
I chickened out and went for the safe option.
HADRON: (Hmph, that was quick...) Yes, yes! Of course! I must say, you look quite put together for a hybrid!
WADE: Well thank you, Lord! Gotta keep workin' out when half yer job's just sittin'!
HADRON: HA! Well said, Mr. Ryan! So I take it you're interested in taking my challenge?
WADE: Y-YES SIR! I... I was so moved by your sermon, and- can I be honest for a moment?
HADRON: As long as it's not blasphemous, I'll allow it.
WADE: Well, I've always been strugglin' with having some control in my life, you know? Always felt tied down by strings, pushin' and pullin' me all around, and, what you said... ascending... just the thought o' that gave me a whole new purpose! I HAVE to supervise this project!
HADRON: I appreciate the enthusiasm, however-
WADE: Huh?
The High Priest pressed his hand on my shoulder.
HADRON: -you only feel these "strings," correct?
WADE: Oh, well, yes Lord.
HADRON: Then by all means, don't let those strings control you, let my gospel guide you into your freedom. Take what I've taught my subjects over the eons, and use it to finally take the world for yourself! No matter the cost!
WADE: You... you really want me, a lowrace, to do that?
HADRON: Well, if this goes as planned, you won't be for long! Here, store this in your disk dive.
He pulled the GorgoN SeeD out and passed it over to me, and I quickly pulled out my disk drive. Those gadgets took some gettin' used to, since I needed a minute to remember the controls, then store the SeeD, but I got it!
WADE: ... thank you for the opportunity, Lord Hadron.
HADRON: The pleasure is all mine. Now then, don't disappoint me.
WADE: I won-
HADRON: I'm serious. Do not disappoint me. We wouldn't want you getting fed to the birds now, would we?
WADE: *gulp* N-no, sir!
HADRON: Good!
Hadron turned away from me and headed out, but not before waving at me from behind.
HADRON: Remember, The Order is Absolute!
WADE: Y-yeah, The Order is Absolute!
I floated in that stasis pod, all kinds of wires and tubes were practically welded to my sensitive body, this liquid felt like alcohol stinging my open wounds. Protruding from my skin were monitors detailing shit I couldn't even process. All around me were people in similar tubes, and identical mutilations on their bodies. Moreover, nowhere could I see my little brother, since they had taken him away from me.
The ship rocked every which way, the force tugging at my attachments. It made me feel those sharp pegs exiting and entering me, like being stabbed on a continuous loop. By the time we had finally stopped, I didn't even know where we were anymore.
All they had said was that we were being moved out of the prison. What for? Was the war finally over? At first, I wanted to believe we were being let go. But then this setup, us being locked up, then transported, it made me remember this genocide that happened in certain timelines. A German dictatorship was eventually overthrown, and to hide the evidence of war crimes, their prisoners were executed.
These thoughts made my naked body shrivel up in the already cold liquid, and they were all cut short by the back hatch opening. A flat, rectangular light, one that made me think of a version of the underworld. The one where the good were taken to the sky, to bask in eternal light.
That was when I first heard their voices.
DOROTHY: Oh my god... what- what did they do?
JAMES: Is this even legal?
NOLUX: Like I said, in accordance to The Order's law.
DOROTHY: I- How could-?!
TOM: (Hey, Dorothy, shut up, you know what'll happen if you say another word!)
DOROTHY: (... dammit.)
Then someone walked over to my pod, a shark. Unlike the others there, he wasn't dressed in any professional lab garb. He had this casual, open, purple dress shirt showing off his chest with hair popping out. Even through this glass, I could tell that he reeked of snake oil, and he gave me this sick, twisted smile.
WADE: Hey Tom, c'mover here! This one kinda looks like you!