Heroes United

“They say evolution took a billion years to create the dinosaurs. Well, I will have created them in a matter of years,” Dr. Wyntres grinned at the crowd before him. “With scientific processes we will have a genetic chain to continue the link of fossilized DNA that the dinosaurs have left behind. With proper sequencing and help from my great staff we can bring back the great species that has been lost for an eternity.”

The scientist made his way to the specimens and the blood. With careful matriculation and methodical movements he used his special devices to create a small dinosaur embryo.

Malcolm Zidek, a middle aged political activist, awakened.

He carried on his day as normal; brushed his teeth, brushed his hair, showered, put on his clothes and ate breakfast. But as he watched the news he saw the breaking story, “DINOSAURS ARE BACK!” Intrigued by the story he turned the volume up and watched.

Soon after, Malcolm walked to work. He was employed at a small firm that lobbied in the capital, Dark City. Dark City was one of the greatest cities in modern civilization. It also had one of the highest crime rates. Malcolm’s firm, represented a number of issues and worked for many political action committees and interest groups. He made a modest wage and was liked by his co-workers.

When he arrived at work everyone was excited by the news of dinosaurs.

He dismissed the news, laughed and said, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

As of late, Malcolm had grown into a relationship with a women. She worked at a similar firm. Ever since they met in the capitol building fighting for lower taxes they became close companions and shared insights on their work and their personal lives. So, she was excited and enticed him to go out to “lunch” to see the dinosaurs for themselves.

“Malcolm, a good time will be NOW!!! Let’s go! We’re going!” Aura’s text read.

Malcolm told the office that he was going on an early lunch.

Aura and Malcolm headed to the State’s Science Research and Development Center. After a large rally and heavy lobbying, the center opened their doors to the public the previous year.

“So Aura what do you plan to get out of this visit?” Malcolm questioned.

“Look this guy Dr. Wyntres is a lunatic,” Aura answered. “First, you know he secretly supplies and funds genetic testing on humans. Also, he pushes the little man down. You remember the rumors about that scientist at the pharmaceutical lab he forcefully tried to buy.”

“Yes, I remember the rumors but that man was just missing he showed up within days.” Malcolm recanted.

“And that same lab had been in a legal battle with Dr. Wyntres for years,” Aura said sternly.

“Ok Aura, so it seems sketch,” Malcolm said. “But what do you hope to expose? We aren’t investigative journalists. We are activist, lobbyist. We work for political groups. If anything, we should be asking this guy for a donation.”

“I honestly can’t believe you Malcolm, if anything we should be fighting this guy at the legislative level.”

“Aura, you know I was just joking” Malcolm reassured her.

“We’re here, let’s just look around and see what this guy is really up to,” Aura always got her way. Malcolm only argued with her to keep his wits up and just to entertain her craziness.

“Wow this place is something else, huh?” Aura asked Malcolm.

“Yes, it is,” Malcolm agreed with Aura.

“Why hello,” a professional man greeted Aura. Aura was very beautiful.

“Hello, Mr.?” Aura turned her attention away from Malcolm.

“Well, doctor, my name is Dr. Martin Mors,” Mors replied. “I am the lead scientist with..”

“New Health Pharmaceuticals, I’ve heard,” Aura cut him off intrigued. “You were the scientist that went missing.”

“Yes, I guess you can say I came back from the dead,” Mors smiled. “Actually, there was a big misunderstanding. I had simply left town conveniently after Wyntres proposed to buy our company.”

The truth was Dr. Martin Mors was all too familiar with death.

Death awaits us all. Sometimes we don’t realize until it’s too late. Dr. Mors was a great man. He healed the sick. He touched the lives of the innocent and eventually he defeated man’s greatest enemy, death. But we are all eventually consumed. His life became his work. His work became his death. So in turn he became death.

His work with New Health Pharmaceuticals created a wave of new medications and cures. Some thought he was playing God. But he simply wanted to help others, so he dedicated his life to that very cause.

For years, he gave his company formula after formula: super strength, endurance, enhanced eyesight and more. He eventually became renowned for his expertise. But he saw evil. He worked for an honest man but one day his demeanor changed. Their funds were cut and they were almost bought out by Dr. Wyntres. He was on the breakthrough of a lifetime, the death cure. He hid it from Dr. Wyntres and his goons as they would prowl around his office like a pack of ravenous wolves.

They knew he was onto it or he had it already. But how they knew, he did not know. Dr. Wyntres was already on trial for many dishonest things but he was a wealthy man. It was hard enough trying to pin him while the doctor constantly looked over his shoulders.

One day, Dr. Wyntres grew frustrated with Dr. Mors. His men broke into his office and tore apart his laboratory. He tried to put up a fight, but they were fierce, relentless and cruel.

“How about a taste of your own medicine, ” they mocked and laughed at him, and began to pump him full of everything they could get their hands on. He hid the death cure. Not at his home, where they searched when he was away, but in his lab. His lab had all sorts of areas that he could store things and rename and mislabel them for the purpose of secrecy. They found it though, but they had no idea, what it was. They had no idea, what they were about to do to him.

They finally finished off the job. He now had every known human enhancement in his body. He was dead, overdosed. His eyes were filled with blood as his sight went from red to black.

All he remembered was waking up to the taste of dirt and the sight of blackness. They had buried him, but he was awakened. His heart beat moved at an accelerated speed. He crawled and clawed his way out of the dirt and looked to the sky. His eyes never saw clearer. His lungs breathed the air and he felt the oxygen race through his body. He never felt better. All of his wounds were closed. He returned to work. He died that fateful night but he was reborn.

Dr. Mors smiled at Aura and Malcolm began to take notice.

“Hello, how are you?” Malcolm reached out his hand. “My name is Malcolm Zidek.”

“Oh hello, Mr. Zidek,” Dr. Mors shook Malcolm’s hand. “So do you two work together?”

“No,” Aura said.

“Yes,” Malcolm said over her. “Well, we work closely with one another.”

“I hope not too close,” Dr. Mors looked into Aura’s eyes.

“Yeah, so let’s go see these dinosaurs,” Malcolm interjected.

Aura and Dr. Mors looked at him strangely.

They made their way to the showroom floor. Dr. Wyntres was explaining the delicate process of splicing DNA.

“But how long until these dinosaurs are ready Dr.Wyntres?” A suited man asked Wyntres.

“Time is the greatest architect in the universe sir,” Wyntres smirked. “All of your answers will be revealed and all of your worries will be wiped clean.”

Dr. Wyntres’ attention was drawn to the group of exibitionists.

“More guests, reporters?” Wyntres asked holding his hand out to greet everyone. “I am always willing to speak with the media.”

“No, I am Aura Min, I work with Dark City Consultants,” she did not reach to shake his hands. “We just wanted a closer eye on what you were doing.”

“Yes, well what a beautiful woman you are,” Wyntres smiled. “And you are the scientist, Dr. Mors. I must say your company puts up a hard bargain.”

“Well, we are always ready to fight for our spot in the health market Dr. Wyntres,” Dr. Mors replied.

“Yes, smart man,” Wyntres grabbed a chair. “We could have changed the world with your work doctor.”

“Let’s make this clear Wyntres,” Dr. Mors walked closer to Wyntres. “I want to change the world. You and your freakshow want to poison it. We will never work together.”

“All bark and no bite doctor,” Wyntres made dog hand gestures toward the doctor before looking at Malcolm. “And you are young man?”

“Young man,” Malcolm smiled. “I guess the gym does me well. My name is Malcolm Zidek. I am in the same field as Min but I work for a smaller...”

“Remember I have resources,” Wyntres interrupted him. “I can help fund you and your firm, or even just you. I am always looking for someone to fend off the dogs in the government.” He then looked back at the man in the suit and grabbed his shoulder. “But they do look after my interest and fund some of my more ‘bizarre’ experiments.”

“Let’s not play dumb Dr. Wyntres,” Aura cut in. “I am sure millions of taxpayers are not too happy with their money being poured into Jurassic Park.”

“Well, didn’t you see all the movies,” Wyntres protested. “I’m sure the children will have a lot of fun.”

“Children?” Aura frowned. “You truly are sick.”

“Well maybe that’s why I became a doctor,” Wyntres smile grew even larger.

“Wyntres, let’s we get back to business,” the suited man cut in.

“Oh yes, you political organizers can understand that I shouldn’t keep business waiting,” Wyntres waved the three away.

Aura and Malcolm took a stroll around the facility and eventually parted ways with Dr. Mors once they exited the facility.

“That snake!” Aura shouted in the car.

“Yeah I saw Dr. Mors flirting with you,” Malcolm replied.

“No, not Mors,” Aura looked back at Malcolm. “Wyntres. I could see right through him. Genetic testing and gene manipulation to create some kind of super soldier.”

“True, some kind of super dinosaur soldier,” Malcolm replied.

“It looks like the city, maybe even the state, may need our firms’ help, Malcolm,” Aura told Malcolm as she turned down the radio when she pulled up to his firm to drop him off.

“Call me,” was all Malcolm said to Aura as he closed his door.

Malcolm walked back to his desk and contemplated the night he would have.