The Genesis Glitch by Stewart Ferris

Author:Stewart Ferris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Genesis Glitch
ISBN: 9781786152879
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2017-04-11T04:00:00+00:00

***

A sprinkling of snow dusted the formal gardens of Chateau de Chambord, creating the appearance of a vast wedding cake; an effect broken only by the incongruous presence of the container lorry in which Ruby had arrived. Ruby paused to appreciate the view before descending the broad spiral steps to the basement laboratory where Philipe had promised her the chance to witness a scientific miracle.

Philipe was waiting for her at the base of the stairs.

‘The double helix staircase,’ he said. ‘Designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It was as if he were modelling DNA in stone. An appropriate setting for what we are about to do.’

‘Most impressive,’ said Ruby. ‘And what are you about to do?’

‘We will challenge the capability of DNA to reanimate following a period of induced dormancy.’

He opened a door to the laboratory. An operating table sat in the centre of the vaulted room, surrounded by life support and surgical equipment that seemed completely anachronistic in the simple, ancient grandeur of the castle cellar. Next to the table was a glass tank filled with seawater. Between the table and the tank was a hoist from which dangled wide straps. People in scrubs and masks were busy with a dozen tasks, while others sat and watched. Through a glass door Ruby could make out another room, similarly equipped, but with the addition of the kind of plastic isolation booths that she associated with the outbreak of plague.

A noise returned her attention to her immediate vicinity. A medical team was wheeling in an apparent patient, but Ruby could see that this was no ordinary procedure. The patient was encased in a body bag, completely sealed.

‘Reanimate DNA?’ asked Ruby. ‘You mean you have a dead body you want to bring back to life?’

‘There is a certain finality about the word dead,’ said Philipe. ‘There comes a time when language must evolve, as must our way of thinking about these matters. The patient is, by some definitions, dead, but the preservation that was carried out on him will, we believe, be reversible.’

‘Why did he die in the first place?’

‘He needed a new liver.’

The mention of a preserved body in need of a liver sent a chill through Ruby, a sensation exacerbated by the cool air of the underground laboratory.

‘How long has he been preserved?’

‘Not long. A few weeks,’ replied Philipe, thus confirming Ruby’s fears. ‘He was shipped over from Guatemala along with the other items obtained by my government. According to our tests, it appears that he has been embalmed according to the technique of the ancients.’

‘It’s Otto, isn’t it? You’re going to bring back Otto Mengele.’

‘Correct.’

‘Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? What you might be unleashing?’

‘We have the full co-operation of the Guatemalan president.’

‘Orlando? He’s here?’

A man on the far side of the room slowly stood up, with the aid of a walking stick, and removed his surgical mask.

‘I am,’ he said, shuffling towards them.

‘Orlando? You look like shit,’ said Ruby. She no longer needed to fear this man.

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