Page 7 of Savage Mates
“Let me ask you something,” Pamela continued. “Have you ever heard of Blackwell Industries?”
I thought about the question. Yes, I knew about Blackwell Industries and the terrible experiments they’d performed while attempting to connect with an alternate universe. While unconfirmed, I’d heard all the juicy gossip about the discovery of intelligent lifeforms. Just like my students wanted to believe. As a woman of science, the theory was a little far-fetched in my mind, but the horrors inflicted on wild animals had been verified.
I’d even written a paper about when the company had been exposed, expressing my views on the scientific possibilities while avoiding the ethical side of whether attempting to create new life was something any scientist should be involved in.
However, since it was such a controversial issue and after I’d been threatened by unknown sources, I’d removed my paper from the internet. At this point, keeping my views to myself was a practice I intended on keeping. Even from my friend. The topic was polarizing.
“Wasn’t Blackwell shut down a couple years ago after discovery that their research practices included performing horrific experiments using wild animals?” I asked innocently enough.
She nodded, almost as if prodding me to remember additional details.
Sighing, I looked away briefly. I’d heard several rumors that had seemed more science fiction than science. Altering the DNA of animals, merging them with humans and other lifeforms. Impossible. Maybe. “I remember hearing they discovered a portal or something. Energy fields.”
“You’re almost correct. Blackwell had a research facility located in Manassas, Virginia. A couple of years ago, a group ofhighly skilled, world-renowned scientists discovered a parallel universe.” She allowed the information to sink in.
“Okay. Wow. So the rumors are true.” The same excitement I’d felt before crowded out all sense of reality. Even so, a cold shiver skated down my spine as I thought about the reason for my grant application, the information found in the dumpster near the site of the facility. That couldn’t be coincidental. Was my past article coming back to haunt me?
Don’t be silly, Lauren.
However, somewhere deep inside I knew part of my reasoning for wanting to believe in the existence of the Cape lion was to prove what I’d written in my article was correct. The tingling continued.
Her laugh was somewhat nervous. “I don’t think anyone will ever know the full extent or truth regarding their experiments and the horrors inflicted. However, there are some scientists within our field who believe new lifeforms were created from the discoveries made.”
“You’re suggesting they altered DNA and in the case of the Cape lion, they managed to bring the predatory animal back from extinction.” I could tell she was concerned where my curiosity had been piqued all over again.
“Yes, but there is some indication the lifeforms within the parallel universe were not only highly intelligent, but allowed for a merge of DNA structures.” Pamela was watching me carefully to gauge my reaction. She was still being cautious with what she was divulging.
Even just a year before, a dozen scientists and other experts had denied the possibility of new lifeforms.
“Whatever happened to the investigation? I haven’t heard much about it in months.”
Pamela half laughed. “They had very good lawyers. The evidence was inconclusive.”
“After everything they did to those poor animals. That pisses me off.”
“I knew it would. There were some rumors that the judge was pressured into dropping the case.”
“By whom?”
“The Justice Department. Supposedly, William Patterson, the attorney general of the United States government was friendly with Marcus Blackwell.”
The head of the Justice Department. I laughed. “It pays to know people in high places.”
“Evidently, it does. Thankfully, much of Marcus Blackwell’s brilliant ideas and formulas were destroyed in the massive fire at the laboratory.”
Good.
Hissing, I looked away. Anyone could be bought. What if the real reason the case was dropped was because the experiments had been successful? Was there a chance they’d set up another laboratory? Maybe, but they certainly wouldn’t be as open about their work as before. “Shifters. Animals transforming into humans.”
I did my best to tamp back my excitement.
“Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of. As you might imagine, Lauren, it’s not something that can be taken lightly. But if you believethe buzz in the scientific community as well as what I heard, these lifeforms make contact with humans being able to keep their memories, experiences, and level of intelligence. They can then enter the body of another creature, passing along that knowledge and gifting it incredible powers. Including the capability of shifting from one form to another at will. Before you ask how I know, I have a friend who worked at Blackwell’s laboratory at a low level. While she was under a strict nondisclosure agreement, she told me enough that I was able to put the pieces together.”
My mouth suddenly went dry. More proof from a scientist who’d worked on the project. “Do you believe what your friend disclosed actually occurred? Is that even possible?”
“I think you can ask yourself that same question. Do I believe it’s possible based on what I heard? Yes. Do I believe playing God is ethical? Honestly, I don’t know. It was believed that only a few hybrids had been created, most subsequently dying. What I do know is that the portal that allowed the lifeforms to remain in our world was destroyed and the animals within the experiment euthanized. Or so the public was told.”
“But this photograph could prove otherwise.” It was possible another portal could be created. A tiny shiver trickled down my spine for no reason.
