Daydreaming in Specimen - Essay Example

Specimen "I don't know anything. I can't tell you anything about his research," Jason said with rising panic in his voice, and fear clearly visible in his eyes. The two men just stared at him, silently threatening and obviously disbelieving. After what seemed like an eternity, the shorter but stockier of the two spoke. "Our department has been tracking Professor Farnsworth for a very long time. We know all about his research and we know all about you. Give us the formula now. We don't have time for your denials." Jason could tell they were serious and dangerous. They obviously had no intentions of leaving without the formula. Jason, who was not particularly brave, would have happily given it to them. However, he really had no idea of what they were talking about and somehow, had to persuade them that he was being truthful. "Believe me," Jason told them with desperation creeping into his voice, "I really don't know what you're talking about. I'm his assistant but that doesn't mean I know what he's working on. He never let's anyone in his office and his laptop is voice-activated. Nobody can access it but him." The taller of the two men made a growling sound and took a menacing step towards Jason, "look here you little ." His partner pulled him back before he could continue and whispered something. They walked to the corner of the deck and began talking in urgent murmurs, with a great deal of hand movement and arm flaying. Jason strained his ears, trying to catch what their conversation but their voices were just too low. One of them walked up to him, "so where is he now" "The professor," Jason said, more as a confirmation than a question, "I don't know. Last night he told me that he was going to take the dinghy to shore at dawn to collect some specimens from the island and will be back around midday What's all this about," Jason asked fearfully. "Damn," the short, stocky one spluttered. "You really don't know anything, do you" "No I mean yes, I don't know anything. Like I said, he locks himself up in the lab all day, only comes out for meals and ever so often, takes the dinghy to the island. I took this position as an assistant researcher but actually all I do is prepare the meals and clean up the yacht, and feed the specimens. I don't even know what the professor is working on or anything," Jason concluded desperately. They had to believe him, Jason thought to himself, they just had to. He really knew nothing. He had thought he was applying for a well-paying research position with the world famous marine biologist, James Farnsworth, and that this would be a career coup. However, ever since he boarded the Experian ten days ago, he'd only seen the professor at mealtimes and they had barely exchanged a few words. Jason had tried asking the professor about his research and what areas he would be assisting him in but Farnsworth had just glared at him beneath those bushy eyebrows of his and, in a surprisingly ferocious tone, had told him to mind his own business. Since that incident, which had happened the very first day he had boarded the Experian, Farnsworth had ignored Jason, barely acknowledging him with the briefest of head nods at mealtimes. If the truth be told, Jason didn't like the professor much. Certainly, he admired him as one of the greatest marine biologists of the age but he just did not like the man. He made him feel uncomfortable and a bit wary. "Look here," the taller of the two men said, breaking Jason's thoughts. "We're going to come clean with you. That boss of yours is onto some dangerous work and is involved with some very frightening people. We're not the criminals here and you really have no need to fear us if you're nose is clean. It's that boss of yours that you should be afraid of - very afraid of." A look of total confusion passed over Jason's face. He stared at the two men, open-mouthed and incredulous. "What! Farnsworth may not be a nice person but he's certainly not a criminal. The guy has been published in every single scientific journal in the world! He has done more to explain the mysteries of the marine world than any other person, ever and his books and discoveries are standard teaching material in every marine biology university and institution in the world. Maybe he's not such a nice guy but he's a respected scientist and definitely not a criminal." Despite himself and his fear of the two men, Jason involuntarily uttered a short, sarcastic laugh. "Glad you find this funny," the short stocky man spoke. He fuddled around in his breast pocket for a moment and then drew out something. Jason squeezed his eyes shut. It's a gun,' he thought wildly, they're going to shoot me.' The man nudged Jason with something and he slowly open his eyes to find an official Special Investigations Forces ID thrust in his face. Jason's confusion only increased. These guys seemed legit. "What's all this about" he asked softy, almost as if he was reluctant to hear the answer. "You mentioned something about specimens. Where are they" the taller of the two asked urgently. "They're in this tank room on the lower deck. But the room is locked as tight as a bank vault. The professor opens it electronically for me at feeding time." "Have you seen the specimens" "Yes - they're a couple of strange looking, rather small, fish." "That's where you've got it wrong. They're genetic mutations. Lab created, highly dangerous living, organic weapons. When they reach full maturity, they're expected to grow to at least twenty feet. Twenty feet of almost indestructible land and marine creature, controlled by the professor and his people through microchips implanted in their nervous systems." Jason looked at the man incredulously. "That's not possible - they're tiny little things, absolutely harmless. And why would the professor want to create something like what you've described" "They may look harmless now but within eight weeks, it'll be all over, if they're not destroyed immediately. As to why, well, according to our informants, Farnsworth is working for, has always been working for and with, this rebel organisation whose aim is world domination. These creatures are indestructible and once those two reach maturity, they begin to spawn at an incredible, unbelievable rate. Think, think carefully, what's the electronic code We've got to get them off the yacht and to the headquarters where they can be destroyed." No sooner had the man finished speaking, he slumped over. "Get down," the other man screamed at Jason, "someone's sh.." He fell over before he could complete his sentence. Jason looked up as the Professor walked towards him. He smiled at Farnsworth. "So, do you want a real assistant, or not" Farnsworth smiled back. "You may be useful yet, boy. Go feed them." Jason went to feed the specimens, his eyes shinning as he dreamt of his newfound partnership in this plot to control the world. An army of indestructible genetically modified creatures, controlled through microchips. Absolutely brilliant. Only Farnsworth could have ever dreamt of and created something like that. Daydreaming as he walked away to feed the creatures, Jason never felt the bullet enter the back of his skull. He was dead before he hit the ground. Read More