Chapter 4 - Erich Wyse

22 February 2041 - MediVance MV, Luminous City, Demeter

It has been a day and a half since Hunter was admitted into MediVance. Following the approval to move him to Level B5 the previous morning, Wyse had been busy with the selection of additional team members. As the Head of Medicinal Advancement Research & Development division, he was responsible for nearly 11,000 staff, spread across 54 floors.

Had it been any other project, Wyse would have likely delegated the selection process to his two deputies. However in this case, it was too personal for him. He felt his resolve harden as he continues to scroll and read through the endless pages of possible recruits. He needed to make the right choice. He was very aware that taking a member of staff already involved in one project or another would require careful re-balancing of the existing teams. If he wanted, he could be coldly indifferent with his choices and have the team leaders sort the mess out afterwards. This however, does not define Erich Wyse.

Wyse grew up in the slum villages within the Plains of Bothua. It is a territory far north of Luminous City where old practices in agriculture and fishery are still employed. It was for a time a large, empty mass of land that was perfect for farming. As the population in Demeter grew, more villages started creeping into existence. Unfortunately, the Plains of Bothua was relatively cut off from the rapid development of technology in Luminous City and the City of Keri. Given such a long distance from the hub cities, the National Government had decided to pour all resources in the two main cities, leaving the Plains behind.

Dissatisfied with his fortune at being born among the lower caste of society, Wyse became driven to learn all that he could, from whomever he could. He began to develop and hone his social skills, cultivating relationships with every individual that could be of the slightest use in the long term. He was friendly, kind and most importantly, hungry. His hunger to devour knowledge at such a young age had impressed those who knew him and shocked those that did not.

Upon reaching high school, frustrated at the pace the public schools teach, Wyse decided to drop out. It was then that he decided he would leave the Plains and make something of himself in the hub cities. His parents, none too happy at the prospect of their only child leaving home at such a young age, clearly protested. Wyse would have none of it. Threatening to divorce the family if not by law but through words alone, his parents could not help but succumb to their willful child.

Wyse was 14-years old when he left home. He never looked back. On reaching Luminous City, he had spent many weeks in the streets begging for money. Sometimes, he was fortunate enough to run errands for some of the local restaurants, scraping together enough to live by the day. The owners, seeing an opportunity to exploit cheap labour were very keen on using this boy. It was then that he met Weston Carrick.

**********

Winter of 2009, Luminous City, Demeter

"Erich! I have a delivery I need you to make and quickly. This is one of our regulars so you better make sure nothing goes amiss." says a fat balding man wearing an apron that could barely be tied around his back.

"You got it boss! I haven't let you down yet now have I?" answers Wyse, now 16 years old.

"No, you haven't so don't you go starting now brat!" laughs the fat man.

Grinning, Wyse carefully carries the stack of lunch boxes and soup containers, placing them in a large basket attached to the front of his bicycle. Wearing nothing but a tattered sweater and trousers which he had managed to procure from one of those 5 dollar shops, he began to pedal his way to the address he was given.

20-minutes later, Wyse arrives at the named address. It was a gated community with two security guards manning the main gate.

"Hello senior, I'm here to deliver some take-away to.." flipping the piece of paper open he reads "Brenda Carrick. House number 5." says Wyse as he gestures to the boxes in his basket. The security exchanged a few words with someone over the radio before waving him in.

Reaching the Carrick's residence, Wyse rings the doorbell. He could hear the footsteps rushing towards the door. "Coming!" a high pitched voice shouted. A moment later, a boy, no younger than 12 years old was standing in the doorway. "Mooooommmmmmmm! Food! Is! Heerrreeeee!" screams the little runt. Wyse's eyebrows couldn't help but twitch.

"Okay, my mom is coming. Please wait." says the boy, leaving the door open before running back into the house.

Moments later, Wyse heard clacking noises rapidly approaching followed by incessant barking. 'Shit.' he thought. 'You've got to be fucking kidding me' was the last thing on his mind before a large dog pounced on him.

**********

"Oh my god! Are you okay!? Harry! Get off him! Off! Bad dog! Go!" yells a stunning woman wearing tight fitted jeans and a t-shirt. "Oh God you're bleeding really badly. I'm so sorry!" says the woman. "Weston! Blackford! Carrick! Get your butt down here this minute!" she yells into the house.

"Please, come in. Let's get you into the kitchen. We have to stop the bleeding." says the woman as she ushers Wyse into their home. Just as they stepped into the kitchen, Weston arrived. Seeing the blood trail on the floor, he exclaimed, face turning pale. "HO. LEE. SHIT!"

"Watch your mouth brat! And get me the first aid kit! Then get some anti-bacterial wipes and clean the floor!" shouts the woman. In his mind, Wyse was having trouble putting the demonic sounding woman and the stunning beauty together. Hearing Weston yell an affirmative followed by the word 'mom', it was safe to assume this was Brenda Carrick.

Finally managing to speak, he says "Don't worry Mrs. Carrick, I assume your dog has been vaccinated so there isn't anything to worry about. As for the bleeding, I can help."

Startled at this teenager's calm demeanor, Brenda Carrick's eyebrows drew closer together. Tilting her head to one side, she asks, "And pray tell what do you know about treating dog bites, hmm?"

"Well.. first you need to place a clean towel over the injury to stop the bleeding. Then I need to elevate my arm above heart level to slow the flow of blood. Afterwards I need to wash it with soap and water before applying the antibiotic ointment and wrapping it up with a sterile bandage." says Wyse. Ticking off the steps one by one. "In the ideal world, I would have to see a doctor and answer their questions regarding the dog and its behaviour before the attack. But seeing as I can't afford a doctor, I chose to believe that you've already taken care of the vaccinations, including rabies." finishes Wyse.

Brenda and Weston, who came back just in time to hear the explanation, were dumbstruck. Right here in front of them was a child no younger than 15 years old, wearing a tattered sweater and trousers that barely came down to his ankles. Someone she had thought was uneducated, had just explained clearly, precisely - and more importantly confidently - the home treatment method for dog bites.

**********

Having done just the exact same procedure that Wyse outlined, the three find themselves sitting around the dining table drinking juice. It was an awkward silence.

"Umm. Can I go now? I kind of need to get back or my boss will dock my pay.. or worse.". Wyse asks Brenda. For a moment, he didn't think that she heard and was about to ask again until she said "Yes, sure, you can go. Ah! Wait a moment. Here, take this, it's the least I can do and it'll sort you out for the doctor."

Wyse smiles at the gesture. He liked this woman. She was gorgeous and kind. 'I think the right term if I remembered it correctly is MILF?' Wyse tells himself. "Mrs. Carrick, it's okay.” refusing the dollar bills he was being given. “It was an accident. I have been through worse and I think you are honest enough to tell me if I was in any danger. Am I wrong?"

Brenda smiles. She too took a liking to this kid. 'He's intelligent and has very good social skills. Well mannered and sincere.' she thought. "Okay. But promise me that if you feel anything is wrong that you will come to me do you hear?" Wyse nods. "Just to make sure you do, I'm going to tell your boss that no one else but you will be delivering my orders from now on."

This, was the beginning of a relationship that will turn his life around.

**********

22 February 2041 - MediVance MV, Luminous City, Demeter

Something about that brief flashback is tugging on Wyse's mind. Irritated, he sits back and stares at the ceiling, willing his mind to hunt down the perpetrator.

Jerking in his chair, Wyse pulls his keyboard close and starts pulling up the files that have been compiled on Hunter Markell. 'It's here, somewhere.' he thought. The word he was looking for was there, hiding behind a thin veil, almost within grasp. Scrolling through the documents, his eyes scanning for the word that will draw the curtain open on this elusive.. thing.

He froze. In front of him was the word he was looking for. "Blackford." he whispers. "Sasha and Katherina Blackford. Weston Blackford Carrick.". He continued staring at the name, brows furrowing. “It might be a coincidence. He would tell me if they were related somehow, right?” he tells the empty office..

Bringing up the video conference option, Wyse connects to Charlena Bentzen. "Hi Chief, what's up?"

"Charlena, have we got those blood samples from McKinsey and the Blackford sisters yet?"

"Yes Chief. We received it at lunch yesterday. However, since moving Markell to Level B5, everything's just been so hectic we had to prioritize. It's still in cold storage Chief, we haven't had the chance to sort it out. When's backup arriving? I think Linwood is dying here."

"I'll sort out the additional team members. Do me a favour and grab a couple of people from the Technology division. Tell them I'll owe them one if they don't put up a fuss."

"You got it Chief. Anything else?"

"Yeah. How's our boy doing?"

"Sleeping beauty is still out cold Chief. Vitals are all normal. We haven't had any abnormalities pop up on the scans outside of the concentration of modified CS-01TV in his cerebrum. For the sake of keeping things simple, we've renamed this strain CVS-01."

"Very good. I'll be heading down there later this evening. Make sure the techies know what it is they need to do. If you need me I'll be here in my office."

"Leave it to me Chief." says Charlena before ending the video conference.

"Sigh. Weston, it better be a coincidence.." mutters Wyse as he continues to browse the files of all currently unassigned personnel. Minutes later, a calendar reminder pops up with an attached note saying 'Dinner with Shenna. Her treat. Shepherd's Ward Restaurant, 7.00pm.'

Wyse couldn't help but groan visibly.

**********

Shepherd's Ward Restaurant, 61st Floor of MediVance MV

background chatter of staff and registered guests dining

"Is it just me or is it busier than usual around here?" comments Wyse.

"It's just you darling. If you spend more time out of your office and your lab, you'd know that this is perfectly normal." answers a chubby blonde woman wearing square glasses.

"Time is not something I can spend so freely as I please Shenna. There's seemingly always something coming up." retorted Wyse as he cuts into a piece of lamb chop.

"Hmph." says Shenna, giving him a reproachful look. "You can choose how to spend your time Erich not the other way around. That's what you have deputies for. Look at you, 48 and still yet to re-marry. I can already name a few that could fill that role."

Wyse grimaced. Topics concerning his dead wife was not something he enjoyed discussing. They had parted under disagreeable circumstances, with her taking their daughter. Seeing the look on his face, "I'm sorry Erich" as she reaches for his hand. "I just worry about you. You and Weston, I treat you both like my big brothers. I just want you to be happy, that's all. For you and your daughter."

Wyse waves a hand indicating they should just forget the discussion. "So how are the acquisition projects going? I had heard that another newbie became your latest victim." he smirks.

Shenna, appreciating the change of topic, giggled. "Yes. She's a bright one but she needs to learn how to fear. Besides, I still get the kicks when those newbies return looking like they've seen shat their pants." she teases. Wyse almost choked at that last comment.

"I am never going to live that down am I?". Wyse seemed resigned to his fate. Fortunately, only the ones who have lasted as long remember the incident and each one of them has their own memorable experience.

"Hahaha! No darling, not as long as Weston and I are around at least." beams Shenna.

The rest of the evening was spent reminiscing about college days when they first met. Back in those days, Shenna was half the size she is now. 5 years younger than Weston, Shenna was considered one of the most beautiful in the campus. Naturally outgoing with a high level of charm, she was also very intelligent. It was a rare commodity in those days.

Things changed when Shenna married her long term live-in partner. Neither Carrick or Wyse pressed her on what happened, but she lost that outgoing personality and had instead begun to stick to only the good few people she already knew. She's still very intelligent, but more wary and wiser to the ways of men.

**********

Restricted Area, Level B20 of MediVance MV

It was late and Wyse had completely missed his appointment with Charlena to check up on progress on Level B5. This was one of those occasions where he would set his responsibilities aside for just a moment. The conversation with Shenna had struck a chord in Wyse and he realised that he is indeed getting on in his years. It was something he promised himself he would seriously think about. After all, who would care for his daughter when he is no longer around?

Arriving at Level B20, he was greeted with a large cavernous area. They had been excavating and expanding underground since they first bought the building. The level is in fact rather misleading. Currently, Wyse is approximately 1,000 ft below ground, half the height of the MediVance building above ground. Flood lights are placed strategically to illuminate all areas and workers can be seen modifying or building supports to ensure that the area remains intact in the event of an earthquake.

Heading off towards one of the smaller tunnels, Wyse greets several of the armed guards. He knew them all by face. After all, this place can be said to be his own little kingdom. Wherever he goes here, he has free reign. Not even Carrick can dispute that.

"Hello sir. Good to see you back." salutes a female guard.

"Hello Merissa. How's the crew doing?" Wyse acknowledged.

"Very good sir. We have the newer recruits doing 12-hour shifts before giving them time above-ground. They need time to acclimate to being this deep down. The rest of us can now stay down here for weeks without needing much 'air' time." By 'air', Merissa means above ground. Wyse had no idea how that term came about.

"Good. Let me know if you or any of the lads need anything. It's not an easy job being down here and what you do here is important, so don't hesitate to ask."

"Understood sir. I need to check the other sections, so unless you need anything else at the moment...?" queries Merissa.

"No, that will be all Captain. Dismissed.". Merissa saluted Wyse before she resumed her duties.

Further down into Level B20, Wyse stops in front the Ops room. Pressing his right palm against a pad on the wall whilst simultaneously leaning forward so that a rectangular device on the door was at level with his eyes, Wyse says "Erich Wyse. Designation XBNFG245S."

A feminine robotic voice sounds out, "Welcome back Doctor Wyse. Please enter."

**********

The Ops room only had one individual stationed in it. Looking up from his work as the door opened, he welcomes his visitor.

"Heelloo Erich! It's good to see you my boy! How are things going up there?" says the elder man.

Erich smiles. "Things are going well. Doesn't it get boring for you around here? You really should get out more.". Inwardly, he laughs at himself for saying the very same things Shenna had said over dinner.

"Oh come now. I'm too old to be moving about you know? Besides, can't leave these babies here unattended." the elder man gestures towards rows and rows of computer screens, each and every one scrolling rapidly with data or images and sorting them into files.

Erich's smile is full of warmth. Though not outwardly saying it, his eyes shone with love. "Thanks for being around, Dad." as he hugs the old man.

The old man chuckles. "I love you too son. Now, go and do what you came here to do."

Erich nods and heads to the next door. The room was dim with a lot of overlaying cables of various sizes, the biggest as thick as a man's thigh. Stepping gingerly around the clutter, he makes his way to the center of the room, in the same direction as the cables. There, in the middle is a large tank, the cables snaking around the base.

Resting his hands and forehead on the tank, he breathes deeply, choking back tears. In the tank was a naked girl, no older than Hunter's age. She was unconscious, with the same breathing apparatus and cerebrum attachment as Hunter.

"Hello Lara."

The father greeted his daughter.

**********

Author's Notes:

Ho ho ho. Kudos if you saw that coming since I didn't until I woke up the other day. If the chapters are making you feel depressed, that’s great! I am hoping you can capture the feeling somewhat. So that when everyone starts kicking everyone else’s asses you’ll remember this and understand. Off to get hammered. Happy Easter!