SECRET SALVATION by Chad Josey

Author:Chad Josey [Josey, Chad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hicks Creek Press
Published: 2017-10-27T23:00:00+00:00

PRESENT - Stony Brook, morning

1,828 Days Prior to Impact

FOR NINE YEARS, Dr. Joseph Bishop’s office had been his sanctuary. A place where he could collect his thoughts and write his findings from his research in the adjoining lab.

His office was his refuge from the chaos of the world around him. Too many times, it also had served as a hotel room. Joe found it too easy to lose track of time due to his countless hours of peering through volumes of trade journals, thesis works, and lab results.

It was the place where Joe wrote his definitive research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Since publication, various conferences had contacted Joe to present his discovery of the genetic marker miR-182 and its RNA codex, which potentially can reduce the growth of cancerous tumors. Joe felt with his discovery the purpose of his life finally was coming to fruition. He just did not realize how, until last week.

Still, it was another night without sleep. Joe had left early this morning to go to his sanctuary. On his way, he decided, today, would be the day he began the process to determine what stays and what goes to Salvation.

Joe stood at his desk shuffling through his papers. Years of memories and hard work trapped in binders and folders on his desk and bookshelves. It was a painstaking task reviewing everything without stopping to reminisce about his work. His thoughts about Salvation replaced his memories.

Mary and me… on a rocket? Living on Mars? We’ll be Martians.

Sarcasm was his usual defense against stressful situations. As Joe sat behind his desk, he pulled closer a stack of papers, followed by pushing another pile off his desk into the trash beside him.

So, now I’m Mr. Important. I will be the one who develops cures for cancer and illnesses... on Mars… I can’t even get funding to do that here.

He made two sections placing items he wanted to send to Salvation: a keep and a maybe pile. The trash can was home to his third choice, the obvious things not going on this fantastic journey.

Joe pulled out books and notebooks jammed with loose-leaf paper from his bookshelf. Dust rose into the air from the books, which had not moved in months.

Conference notes from April… keep.

Fantasy football stats from 2011… trash. Dammit, I should have drafted Brady first that year.

Climate studies and their impact on human genome development… keep. Anything in there about the climate on Mars, Dr. Jennings? Nope. That’s why I’m going and you’re not, Sucker.

Oh, shit… a Playboy.

Joe pulled the magazine from the shelf. It sat stuffed between two volumes of research material. He flipped through the pages. Naked women in various positions unfolded in front of him.

I told Charlie not to keep these around the lab. Maybe I should put this in the keep pile.

Joe stood with his back to the opened doorway. He turned to the centerfold admiring the picture, while facing the bookshelf.

“If I’m interrupting anything, I can come back later.” A familiar voice came from behind him.

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