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laughed at their simultaneous reaction. You had to be careful about being religious. Unconsciously, their hands met in the middle of the table. The warmth of their hands together is magical. The evening sped by too quickly and is soon at its end.
    At the door to her apartment, Christine turns to Taylor. “I had a great time tonight.”
    “Me to, Can I see you again?”
    She smiled, “I would be mad if you didn’t.”
    Taylor’s heart leapt. “I’ll call you.”
    With a hug and a kiss, they said goodbye. Taylor is excited. Thinking of her, he didn’t remember the drive home. Christine felt lightheaded and dizzy and she couldn’t fall asleep for hours wondering if there would be a second date. She went to sleep, happier than she had been for a long time.
    In the predawn hours on Monday, the team assembled in the break room for donuts and coffee. Excitement is in the air as they anticipate starting the process of creating a creature that will make the world a better place for all.
    Devin, not missing an opportunity to shine, stands up. “This is what we have all been waiting for and I know we are ready to make history here. What we accomplish here will make our personal lives better and make the world a better place. It will help us compete in the world economically and make us stronger. That’s security for all of us.”
    Milar stands up. “When you left on Friday, I placed electronic seals, undetectable by normal means at the perimeters of the lab. Today, they are intact and security removed them, so that the project can begin. Nothing has been tampered with in those areas.”
    Devin had the look of surprise on his face. Taylor guessed that Devin thought he is privy to everything going on at the facility. Maybe it is good to have competing interests overseeing things here. One might be good and the other could have ulterior motives, but then again they could both have their own agendas.
    The team left the break room and entered the lab. Retrieving materials from the lab refrigeration system, the instrument is loaded with the stuff dreams are made of, or maybe nightmares.
    Trent checks the system monitors. “Systems are up, initialized and it’s ready to go.”
    Christine confirms her status. “DNA material, reagents and other reactionaries loaded. All systems report ready.”
    Taylor turns their way. “All temperatures are nominal, it’s a go. Hit the start button. It’s now or never.” The instrument whirs into life. It initializes and performs initial checks on itself. The fluid systems fill as the clear tubing shows the liquids slowly traveling, pushing air out of the system. The system, flushed and primed is ready. The process begins.
     

CHAPTER 5 - COWARDLY NEW WORLD
     
    Later that day, Taylor meets Christine in the break room for lunch. After some small talk, Taylor looks around to make sure they are alone. “I have that documentary, Unintended Consequences . Do you want to come over and watch it with me tonight?”
    With a worried look on her face, “Can they trace it to you?”
    “No, I got it from a fellow Christian by hand, not over the Net.”
    Christine is excited. “I’ll be there,”
    Back in the lab, early data shows that everything progressed well during the DNA sequencing steps. They proceed to the next steps in the process.
    Later that evening at Taylor’s apartment, Taylor is preparing snacks for the evening. Christine watches him from the sofa. She likes his sandy hair. He looks back and smiles at Christine. He seemed so genuine to her. Honest blue eyes and a strong jaw revealed a soul she wanted to know better. He’s tall, with a lean muscular build that exuded confidence. A byproduct if his past military experience. He returns to her, hands Christine a bowl of popcorn, and sits next to her. He starts the playback device. The strains of introductory music reminiscent of many of the informational programs they remember from their childhood greet them. The title, Unintended