The Hidden Cavern

On the far end of Kia's garden almost hidden behind some trees is a hidden cavern. Very few people even know it is there. The cavern is recessed into the mountain and cannot be seen directly. To enter you must follow a small path and turn right. The opening is more of a crack but is still big enough to easily step into. Upon entering it is dark, faintly lit by the sunlight. A hand light switches on revealing a small cave used for tool storage and growing fungi. On the opposite end is another opening that leads further in.

This entrance is larger. Wide enough for two people shoulder to shoulder. It leads into a spacious and artificially lit cavern. In the center is an examination table with several mobile racks of medical equipment behind it. Off to the side is an incubator. It contains a headless and limbless embryo. Despite the embryo's grotesqueness, it holds the necessary essence to continue on with the work. The examination table has a clear enclosure attached on top of it. Strapped inside from head to feet is a native primate, asleep from medication.

Kia is pacing impatiently by the table. She stops and looks up, "Well, were they successful?" Enki waddles closer, "Yes Kia. It took great effort on my part to keep their work from prying eyes." Enki lifts his hand and offers Kia a small container holding the vial. She rudely takes it, "Spare me your insignificant problems. Let us just hope that they did it right." Enki quietly replies, "Yes Kia. I made sure of it." She places the container down and sits at the keyboard. She opens Doctor Chamiabac's stolen research data.

Enki looks over her shoulder, "What do we do first?" Kia only stares at the monitor tapping at the keyboard, "I just opened it fool. Give me time to look. Let us see, history of the technique. No, skip that. Biological analysis. Chemical formulas. Already have that. Okay. Planet life forms, compatible species." Enki interrupts, "Maybe we should refer to that. It may contain important information." Kia snaps back, "Quiet! I am trained well enough to know that these primates will do. You are only a natural resource scientist. What do you know?"

Kia finds what she is looking for, "Ah here it is, theoretical application in detail. Go get everything ready." Enki steps over to a nearby little table. He begins to prepare a few vials and several small hand instruments. Kia has a vessel as well. It stands on another table with two drinking cups sitting next to it. She rises from her seat and walks over. Kia opens the vessel and pours the fermented drink into both cups.

She places the vessel down and picks up the cups offering one to Enki, "Come over here. I want to propose a toast." Enki walks over and takes his cup. Kia begins, "The others have been wasting months deliberating whether or not we should modify these primates into useful servants. Now we are about to resolve our colony's labor shortage, domestic or otherwise, in only one night. To our patriotism." They both drink deeply finishing with several gulps.

Enki picks the vessel up and pours another drink into Kia's cup, "I would like to also propose a toast. Because tonight is of historical significance." He pours himself a drink and raises his cup, "We are about to do what no one else has dared. Here is to unlocking the mysteries of life, and to the progress of science." They both drink fully again. This begins a series of several more self-commemorating toasts. So many that it requires another vessel. Feeling happy with themselves they make their final toast and clumsily proceed.

Kia quickly takes charge, "Stand on the other side and let us begin." Drunken by the fermented drink her hands are shaking as she works. When she is finished the result is not much different than what they started with. That is except for the primate's feet, which are severely disfigured. The poor thing cannot stand on it's own. It only groans and looks at them with sorrowful eyes. With a noticeable glee in his voice Enki comments on Kia's creation, "Nice attempt but not very useful. It cannot work if it cannot walk."

Kia takes a drink and slurs, "Shut up! It is only a first try. Get me another primate!" Enki props himself up with the table and begins to roll it away, "What do you want me to do with this one?" Kia is too busy preparing the equipment to bother facing him, "Dispose of it. The primate is useless." and continues to work. She cannot hear Enki quietly chuckle, "Oh I can find a use for it." and he happily rolls the table out of the cavern humming to himself.

Later, Enki returns with another primate and vial. The effects of the fermented drink are beginning to wear off but the two conspirators are still feeling a bit intoxicated. This fuels their determination so they forge on. Modifying a primate is delicate work and it is taking excruciatingly longer this time. Kia is struggling to regain control of her senses while she works. Finally it is done and they stand back to examine their handiwork. Enki speaks first, "Well. It looks a little better."

The primate's physical appearance is closer to what they had anticipated, but it cannot reproduce because it has no sexual organs. It constantly whines and urinates uncontrollably from behind. When it is released Kia and Enki suddenly find themselves struggling to regain physical control over it. They finally manage to strap it back down and sedate it. Kia's head wobbles as she speaks, "No, this will not do at all. What is wrong? We have done everything exactly as written. This should be working."

Enki brushes her aside and looks closely, "The problem lies in that you are giving the orders around here. Despite your status and prestigious education it is I who has the nimbleness and expertise required for the task." Kia quickly concedes, "Fine. What do you want me to do?" Stumbling with his first step Enki walks over and pours a drink, "First take this back with the other one. I will attend to them later. Then bring me another. Only this time you will keep your mouth shut and be my assistant." He drinks from the cup as Kia rolls the table out grumbling.

In a while she returns with another primate and vial. Enki is finished with his preparations. He turns around to look, "Ah, excellent choice Kia. This will do very nicely. Now prepare yourself to witness my scientific artistry." Kia just rolls her eyes and quietly follows Enki's instructions. By now Kia is somewhat sober. Enki is beginning to feel what he drank while she was away. With unsteady hands he begins. He manages to complete the procedure but fumbles constantly during the process. Placing his hands on his fat hips Enki steps back to look at his creation in disbelief.

The primate's spine is horribly deformed. The legs cannot be moved without breaking its weak hipbones. It does not have the ability to sit or stand on its own. Just lying there with a pitiful look on its face. Kia tries to feed it some food. It is too weak and cannot even lift its arm to take it. Looking closely they suddenly realize that it has no anus. Kia is outraged, "Damn you, Enki! This is the worst one yet, you drunken fool!" Enki just stares "Let me try one more time. I know I can do this."

Kia will have no part of it, "No! This will stop immediately! We were fools to think that we could do it. We will just have to wait until the executive staff decides. Hopefully they will decide in favor of the colony." Enki is suddenly worried, "But the others must not know about this, especially Anem. We violated the law!" She pauses to think and concurs, "Yes Enki that is right. I had hoped to present our results to the executive staff in triumph. Show them a thing or two. Violating the law would have been forgiven then." Consumed with terror Enki's chubby face quivers, "But I am a staff member and I stole the doctor's research for you! If he finds out he will be furious!"

With an angry stare Kia chides him, "Calm down Enki! We can get out of this. Now let me concentrate." and continues to think out loud, "So the first thing to do is ensure that those who helped us will keep their mouths shut. Then we must dispose of the evidence. You can start by taking these creatures into the wilderness and destroying them." Enki protests, "But I have a use for them." Kia loudly scolds him, "Shut up! Do you want to get caught or not? Just do as I say and no one will find out. Understand?" Enki lowers his head and looks to the ground. There is still fright in his eyes but he obeys, "Yes, Kia. I understand." Guilt is beginning to take hold of his conscience.

The makeshift laboratory is soon bustling with commotion as they attempt to erase any trace of their deeds. Outside the hidden cavern the garden is beautiful and full of life. Oblivious to what goes on inside. Kia and Enki have broken an ancient law. Even though their actions may have been inspired by personal selfishness their intentions were sincere nonetheless. It was in the colony's best interests. If Kia's husband and the others find out there is no telling what they will do. It all depends on how well Kia and Enki can keep a secret.