Beast Machine Read online

  “I thought I told you that we weren’t going to be using the mining facility as an actual mine? I want the Earth to be around as long as humanity! This goes against my wishes, Jeffrey,” said Chairman Obelis as he eyed the small nose filter still in Jeffrey’s possession.

  “We weren’t but I decided that we should continue mining out the massive amount of coal that’s left in that part of the ground.”

  “Why so?” asked Chairman Obelis growing weary of Jeffrey’s recent antics.

  “Well, sir, there are three reasons for continuing to mine the coal: the locals already have plenty of experience working in the mines, so there won’t be any extra training needed for the lowly folk in case this second device cannot be rolled out quick enough. Secondly, once these devices are implemented in all of our miners, it will show the entire world how effective the device is by how healthy the miners are, thus wanting the device themselves! Finally, the coal wouldn’t be used for energy purposes; rather it will be humanity’s emergency power source. A rainy day energy fund in a sense.”

  “Emergency power source?” Chairman Obelis flared his nostrils; signaling he was mildly interested in what Jeffrey was saying.

  “Yes! The coal retrieved will be placed in secret, well secured vaults as energy reserves only to be used in global emergencies. Only Thane, you and I will know of these vaults. In addition, I hope to put over 50% of the world’s mines under your control in the next decade, if not sooner! Thus, we’ll control what happens with the coal and all byproducts. No more accidental chemical runoff from mining facilities after they’re under our – erm – your control.” Jeffrey picked up Chairman Obelis’ coffee and took a sip. It was quite normal for the two to share drinks. “The coal vaults will be kept in our possession and without any governmental knowledge – well, it can become governmental knowledge once you eventually become President!”

  “Excellent,” Chairman Obelis clapped quietly. “I am quite impressed by your work and determination. Now, Jeffrey, the humanity-changing device – our device that will set humanity straight – educationally, not sexually.” They both giggled.

  “Ah, yes!” exclaimed Jeffrey. Jeffrey gently placed the nasal device back in the red faux-leather briefcase and pulled out a glass tube the size of a modern cell phone. “Inside this glass casing is your ‘humanity-changing’ apparatus. We cannot actually open this glass case and gaze at the device in the open world because it would render the device useless.

  “However, if you look closely you can see a bluish object within the glass case. Here, have a look.” Jeffrey slowly passed the device to Chairman Obelis. “Please be gentle, sir. Doctor Silva said he needs as many of these devices as possible since the materials needed to make them are rare at the moment.”

  “Of course, of course, Jeffrey,” said Chairman Obelis. “What makes the materials so rare?”

  “The materials are mostly from living beings – living human beings. They need to be alive to extract the necessary materials.”

  “Does it kill them? I don’t want to be killing Americans whatsoever, Jeffrey.”

  “No, no, no, sir. No one dies from extracting materials, but they will be temporarily rendered inert. It doesn’t last for more than an hour and the removed biological material typically recovers in three months.”

  Jeffrey, however, was lying to spare Chairman Obelis of the gruesome details. To create this humanity changing device of theirs, Silva needed to remove the spinal cord, soft tissue cells and white blood cells from other humans. Silva found that local orphanages were the best place to shop for spinal cords, as children had the ripest spinal cords since they were so young. An occasional drifter or streetwalker would be used as well if there happened to be a void.

  Where were the bodies of these poor orphaned children and drifters? Not even Jeffrey knew because he did not want to know.

  “So, no permanent damage done?”

  “No, sir!”

  “Now, explain to me how we will be implanting the device without a person knowing?”

  “During the surgery for the nasal device, another doctor or nurse will be inserting this biological creation of Silva’s into the nervous system by way of a cervical spine surgery – a surgery that Silva isn’t accustomed to yet, but he will be soon after enough practice.” Jeffrey sat on Chairman Obelis’ lap. “The object will hijack – for lack of a better term – certain processes of the brain. The personality of the person won’t change at all, but their patterns, habits and the like will be altered – they all will have a strong fondness for you, of course. Personality will be changed along the way naturally we hope.”

  “Nifty little sucker right there.” Chairman Obelis held the glass case up to his squinting right eye. He cracked a smile.

  “The human sourcecode will be tapped in the spinal cord and our better sourcecode will be added.”

  “It’s going to work, right?”

  Jeffrey stood up to explain. “Absolutely, sir! The fifty trials on various animals worked marvelously. Each animal followed every command we gave them; eventually they started making the objectively healthier and smarter decisions on their own accord. For instance, the male chimpanzee was skipping, using a sewing machine and refusing to eat the usual slop we gave him for healthier options. The skipping and sewing machine use are examples of the being becoming happier and more resourceful as well in comparison to wanting to fight another chimpanzee. The chimpanzee slept under the picture of you that we placed in his pen. Every single night. He even admired it when he wasn’t eating or working on the sewing machine.”

  “Wonderful, my boy! Wonderful.” Chairman Obelis returned the glass case to Jeffrey. “What’s the name of it?”

  “We haven’t made the decision on that,” said Jeffrey. Jeffrey wanted to name it after himself or Chairman Obelis but knew that would be quite the haughty decision.

  “The device – we hope – will eventually be fully consumed through the brain stem in a few short months and we’re hopeful that it will be passed on through conception – artificial or natural. Then the next generation of children will be smart, healthy and overall devoid of most damaging mental illnesses; their physical stature and attributes will still be determined by their birth parents. We may have world peace in a few short decades if this device, accompanied with the nasal device, makes it into the developing countries too!”

  “That’s truly spectacular, Jeffrey.”

  Chairman Obelis hugged Jeffrey tightly. Jeffrey’s face began to turn red as a smile of relief and joy crept onto his face and into his trousers. The hug lasted longer than Jeffrey thought it would, to his delight. He placed his head on Chairman Obelis’ shoulder.

  “Now, ahem, now, what is the next phase of our – your grand plan, sir?” asked Jeffrey while slowly releasing from the embrace with a warm smile.

  “Deciding if I should go by ‘Governor Obelis’ or ‘Chairman Obelis’ once I become Governor of Arkansas, ha!” laughed Chairman Obelis as he patted Jeffrey on the shoulder. The pair laughed hysterically at the painfully bad joke. “We need to name this humanity-changing-device because calling it ‘the device’ is boring.”

  “Yes, sir! I will brainstorm immediately,” said Jeffrey. Chairman Obelis nodded and smiled.

  “Jeffrey, I will be having Thane drive me to McCarthy’s site. I am going to begin my in-person meetings with him.”

  “Well, uh, okay. What about me?” whined Jeffrey. “What am I to do?”

  Chairman Obelis smiled, “You will be my eyes and ears at the facility while I am gone. You will begin the process of hiring the troubled and impoverished people of Arkansas. Then you will slowly be giving them the new devices by way of mandatory physicals at the facility. I know you will not fail me, Jeffrey.”

  “Of course, sir,” bowed Jeffrey as he left the office. Jeffrey wanted to succeed for the sake of Chairman Obelis, much more than he wanted to see humanity succeed. Chairman Obelis’ approval and love meant much more to Jeffrey than poor people receivin
g better lives.

  “Oh and Jeffrey,” Chairman Obelis called out. “You’ve set up Silva’s deceased wife’s ‘voice-box’ at the facility, right?”

  Jeffrey replied, “You betcha. That Silva really believes it’s his wife he’s communicating with and, bizarrely, talking dirty to; he even has released some tension through physical means that I unfortunately caught on camera.” Jeffrey grimaced. “It’s quite amazing what one will do when their heart is reignited.”

  Chapter 15

  Life Is Confusing

  The first two beasts and Gora gently, but firmly, moved the frantic Tubman to a gurney, tied her down again and rested some more. Sleep was often sought in the laboratory but Gora, Hitbear and Owlbert rarely partook in the act unless emotionally or physically necessary. They had to get moving on the revenge; too much sleep would ruin their resolve. Adding Tubman would lighten the load before, during, and after each mission.

  Tubman was sluggish and became even more confused after the blow to the head, but she was still determined to escape the clutches of whatever these people – these things were. She jumped between reality and her dreams about the past.

  One moment Tubman was transporting a slave family of three out of their torturous life and into the North, her last journey south so she could retire and seek medical help for her painful migraines. The next moment she was a hare bound to a gurney by a strange woman and two strange beasts that could speak. It was truly a heaven and hell switcheroo for Tubman. But which was real? “Is this purgatory?” she thought. “What did I do to deserve this?” She contorted her new body the best she could, but didn’t break free of the straps until she used her teeth to cut through them.

  Gora had hoped a night of sleep would be beneficial to the entire group but awoke to Tubman chewing and rummaging through supplies in the lab. Gora wasn’t sure if Tubman had caused the lab to look more of a mess or if Tubman was rummaging through the mess Gora had made. Either way, the lab was still disgusting.

  “You know you could just ask for some food?” said Gora lightly. She didn’t want to scare the skittish hare. Gora was wrapped in her sky blue blanket and resembled a mummy with how tightly the blanket was wrapped.

  Tubman looked up at Gora quickly then kept rummaging through various supplies; breaking beakers, smashing samples, tossing chemical on the floor without hesitation and chewing on anything that faintly resembled food or smelled tasty.

  Gora took her wheat bread off a nearby chair and opened it. “Here’s some bread. I’d get you carrots but carrots aren’t good for your digestive system as a hare.” Gora tossed the bread toward Tubman. “There’s a fun fact for you.”

  “I ain’t no damn hare, lady,” replied Tubman harshly. Her jaw extended outward and she spat. “I am Harriet Tubman.” She pointed at her chest. “I am Harriet Tubman. You cannot change that. I am Harriet Tubman.” Tears slowly rolled down the gray and white furry face of Tubman as she stopped her rummaging.

  Gora stepped closer to Tubman. She wanted to be as kind as possible to her newest, and most confused, creation.

  “You are Harriet Tubman in the sense that you may remember the memories she had, you have the strengths and weaknesses she possessed and you retain the strong personality she had, but you are no longer Harriet Tubman the human.”

  “What am I then? A rabbit that can speak?” questioned Tubman through tears and sniffles. “I am Harriet Tubman!”

  “Simply put – yes – but you are more than just a hare – not a rabbit – that can speak or Harriet Tubman: you are a combination of a hare and Harriet Tubman. Like I said, you contain physical, emotional, intellectual traits of Harriet Tubman mixed with the speed, dexterity and instincts of a hare, but you also are your own person. You aren’t Harriet Tubman 2.0, or her twin; you’re a brand new being! A brand new soul brought into this world – for better or worse! All of you creations are brand new beings.” Gora pointed over at the sleeping Hitbear and Owlbert. “None of you should be held down by the past of your human side.”

  Gora walked directly next to Tubman and gently scooped her off the floor. Gora ran her fingers through Tubman’s fur and tenderly rubbed Tubman’s long ears. Tubman tensed when Gora rubbed her long ears, but eased her ears and let Gora continue.

  “You aren’t my property either. You are your own being. You will be left to your own desires once your initial purpose for your creation is complete.”

  “What is my purpose now, ma’am?” asked Tubman. Her tears stopped. “I am not Harriet Tubman anymore, so what is my purpose? I don’t want to be bound to you forever. I want my own purpose; my own destiny. I don’t want to be reborn and become a slave. Wouldn’t that make my past life a waste?”

  “You will help me complete a few – um – tasks then I will set you free… Free to go into the woods and copulate. Free to join the circus or a zoo with other animals. Free to do whatever you please. You could even become Governor of California!” Gora laughed internally. Tubman gave her a look of skepticism. “Come out as the first talking animal – I don’t care! Complete my tasks and your life will be in your control.” Gora gently let Tubman down on the ground.

  Gora slowly unwrapped the blanket that had a tough hold on her and showed Tubman the raggedy clothing she currently had on – a black v-necked shirt with blood stains, loose fitting dark green cargo pants, and a red button-up shirt that had several holes. Her white socks, surprisingly, were the only clean thing on her.

  “I’m… I’m not quite sure I want to help you. I don’t know you or what these ‘tasks’ are all about,” said Tubman. “I don’t like the idea of being a slave to you either. I know you didn’t say slave specifically, but it sounds an awful lot like that…”

  Suddenly a low growl could be heard from across the laboratory, “Just kill her already and start over. She’s been more trouble than what it’s worth and if she isn’t willing to help, she’s going to be a liability.” Hitbear disliked the idea of being around unsure individuals during important missions. He could remember faint visions from his past human life. Visions that showed he was swift to deal with unsure individuals and the cowardly, though the context of these visions was lacking. He wanted to deal with this hare swiftly, if it were his choice at least.

  Gora turned her back to Hitbear, “So, Tubman, do you want to be a liability or do you want to help us complete some tasks? Your freedom is ripe for the taking. And I am not your master; rather I am your creator – no, not even that – I am your friend.” Gora stared sternly at Tubman but still emanated friendliness from her kind eyes.

  Tubman cocked her head sidewise and bit at her lips. She had been fooled by kind eyes before when she was younger. “I suppose I will help you… you things out to receive my freedom. I am not going to be named one of those foolish names I overheard you calling them. I will just be called Tubman.”

  “Of course,” said Gora.

  “I will not partake in anything I feel uncomfortable about.”

  “Deal.”

  “But may I say something to that bear-man first?”

  “Sure,” smiled Gora. “You are free to say what comes to your mind.”

  “Hey, stupid bear, I’ll show you who’s a fucking liability!” chirped Tubman as she and Gora began to laugh at the grumbling Hitbear trying to get back to sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Preparation Anxiety

  “And right here is where we’ll enter after we get past – or neutralize – the night guard in his security booth,” said Hitbear as he pointed on a large-scale map of Doctor Spotila’s facility. “This should be a relatively easy mission, but, considering we have not tested our cohesion as a group, it could get ugly fast if we don’t stick together.” Hitbear looked over at the newest beast, Tubman. Hitbear held an instant grudge against the hare because she had been insubordinate and bad-mannered toward Gora.

  Hitbear did wonder, however, if his dislike of Tubman was because of his past life’s prejudices or if he truly disliked her for her actions. He wa
s lost in this thought momentarily.

  Gora eyed over the map and processed the plan slowly in her mind. She had printed out the necessary documents for her to pose as a zoologist needing to see Doctor Spotila in Vancouver, Washington. None of the beasts questioned why she just happened to have the necessary equipment at hand to create the fake, but genuine looking, documents.

  The documents were all in order of importance and, unless the night guard had to swipe any of her identification cards, the group would get into the building where Doctor Spotila, a renowned herpetologist, would be completing his late night experiments. Gora always suspected these late night experiments of his were illegal, or in the very least highly immoral, since the good doctor never revealed to his peers how he got his results until the results were perfected; legally, scientifically, and morally perfected.

  Regardless of his suspected immoral practices, Gora just wanted Spotila dead, not detained, but dead as bellbottoms as a fashion choice. Revealing that his procedures were illegal, however, would still make Gora feel like she was correct about him being an immoral shitheel.

  The group would head west in a white utility van from Pendleton, Oregon, to the state-of-the-art building where Doctor Spotila worked daily. Each beast would be placed into a separate cage as Gora would be telling the night guard that she desperately needed to see Doctor Spotila to help her “sick” animals. “They started to grow scales after a recent experiment!” she would tell the guard with a rehearsed voice of desperation. “Doctor Spotila is the closest herpetologist in the area and a personal friend! It’s an emergency.”