Dr. Strait took a breath. "The… triggers… you could call them that… which buffer the genes are fantastically rapid in response — fifty to a hundred times more rapid than normal human DNA. We've concluded that they allowed receptors to relay impulse, reaction to hunger or threat or anger, to activate adrenaline and other proteins which in turn gave it a spectacular propensity for violence." She glanced again at the corpse, as if glad it were dead and entombed. "Something it was quite capable of even without the proteins. But its genomes made it basically a creature that moved on any impulse — any impulse at all, regardless of consequences. I don't think it was capable of understanding the concept of consequences, actually. According to the specs that we've mapped so far, all its physical attributes from cardiovascular fitness to strength ratio were at least thirty times that of Homo sapiens. And an ocular check revealed that its powers to discern color and see movement were approximately five times greater than that of modern man. It may have even possessed a type of telescopic vision, like an eagle."
Hamilton shook his head in unconcealed admiration. "And don't you see the beauty of that? Even without the mutations which eliminated serotonin and dopamine from its system, chemicals which were in some way compensated for by other unknown segments of the DNA strand to prevent compromised cerebral capacities, it was the most perfect predator of all time. As I assumed. And…," He hesitated, "was my other assumption correct as well?"
"Yes." She nodded. "The immunity segment of the strand, and remember that we haven't finished mapping it, split in quadrilateral pairs. Its mutation somehow allowed it to heal up almost instantly from wounds or disease. Its lymphatic system, which we were lucky enough to stumble upon by mistake, indicates a set of reflectors and transmitting genes that far surpass anything we have ever seen — even in sharks. It was, for all practical purposes, immune to any invading bacteria or viral agent. The genes that we tested on the computer matrix revealed that its lymphocytes and white cells suffered no delay at all in identifying an invading molecule. Even something so small as the single molecule of a virus. It's really… quite fantastic. I've never seen anything like it. None of us have."
"Nor have I," Hamilton breathed. "And now we can begin to isolate the specific genes which buffer that incredibly robust immune system. Isolate them, and bring them into the present day. Within a few years, those selected for the glory will know what it knew. A life span of hundreds of years. Immeasurable strength. A hardiness that has been so jealously claimed by a forgotten age. Soon we will have the same fearlessness at the approach of old age or disease or frailty. We shall be untouched by sickness or feebleness, and laugh as all those around us are ravaged by time. Yes… that was my dream: immortality."
Nothing was said for a moment. Then: "Dr. Hamilton," she began, "the search team… they made contact with the facility an hour ago."
Hamilton's suddenly darkened presence was chilling. He turned to her slowly. "What did you just say, Emma?"
She took a deep breath, bracing. "The search team is still alive, Doctor."
"That is impossible," he scoffed. "They have been alone in the forest for almost four days, battling the creature. No one could survive such a conflict."
"They radioed in, Doctor. They're still alive, somehow. They survived, and they're being picked up by helicopter within the hour."
"It seems my young protégé, Luther, disappointed me. Hmmph. Well…nevertheless. Until I see them alive before my eyes, I will not believe it." Hamilton barked a short laugh. "Luther, the young fool, was impetuous and paid for his arrogance. The matrix had not even been tested when he injected himself with the serum alone and unsupervised. He should have died, but he did not, and became what he has become. I consider his transformation… a blessing, of sorts."
"Will we try and help him if we capture him?"
Hamilton seemed astounded. "Help who, Doctor?" He waited to no reply. "Help Luther? That is truly amusing. No, we will not help Luther, Emma, because Luther no longer exists. Except, perhaps, in some dim half-dream within the creature's mind. Luther is gone forever. Only his body remains. Transformed. Mutated into the mightiest, the fiercest and most predatory beast to ever walk the face of the earth. And in this diluted canard age of evolution, where the true beasts have fallen to fire and ice, and expendable man is the reigning species, he will enjoy his feast."
Dr. Strait's face tightened. "Then what will the creature do?"
"It will do as it has done," Hamilton answered calmly. "It will come for the rest of the serum, for Luther used an inadequate amount for complete replication. There are other genomes which it must absorb to perfectly mirror this indestructible coding. This much, I am certain, he remembers. Though I am sure that, in shape and form and ferocity, it is almost the equal of this magnificent ancestor, and may even retain some of its memories."
"Memories, Doctor?"
"Yes, of course." Hamilton smiled. "Memory is encoded in DNA, just as the manufacturing for particular proteins that decide a propensity for violence or pleasure. There are clearly areas of the DNA strand — imperfectly decipherable to us as of yet — that grant such a faculty. And as Luther's body and mind are overwhelmed, so too I believe are his memories disappearing under the onslaught of the memories of another time, another race."
Dr. Emma Strait stepped close. "And what of the facility if Luther, I mean… the creature… comes here for the rest of the serum as it's done at the other installations?"
"Oh, we are well protected, my dear." Hamilton smiled. "I have no fear that it can penetrate this vault, and our means of communication are self-contained. If it does indeed destroy the base, just as it has done, we shall be quite safe within the vault. Even the creature's terrific strength cannot tear that twenty-ton vault from the passageway. It is only an animal, after all, though magnificent and manlike in structure." He released a deep breath. "So, we shall continue our research, and when we are quite finished, I shall allow you and all those who have labored so diligently to join the new society — a society which will never grow old, and will accumulate power century after century until we are princes on the earth. You and I, Emma, will rule nations, enjoy the feasts of kings, and live for centuries with perfect health, perfect strength. All that remains is to isolate the immune strands and the receptor genes and leave the genes regulating instantaneous replication, as Luther so foolishly did not, from the serum."
A tense moment followed, and Dr. Emma Strait responded, addressing him by his first name. "Arthur, the staff… is concerned. They don't want… well, they're worried. I know what you say, but Luther, uh, the creature, it's killed so many people and—"
"Emma, Emma." Hamilton spoke indulgently. "Rest assured that we are all quite safe. I created this. I know quite well what it is capable of accomplishing. I am as familiar with its glory as with its corruption." He smiled — a spectacular smile. "A terrifying beast it is and shall remain. But even a beast of such incalculable power must die one day. As it surely will."
Crouching in darkness, lifting the torch high, Hunter scanned the jagged, broken ledge that stretched out before him. Twenty feet above the passageway, carefully balanced on a granite slab, he saw nothing but shadows leaping before the flickering flame.