Excerpt: Wildtype

The candles flickered as the newcomer gently pushed the door closed. The soft light created a multitude of shadows that danced randomly back and forth around the room. The sounds orchestral sounds of Bach from the music player barely muted the rhythmic chanting of the monks holding vigil outside of the room.

The Gregor looked back over his shoulder and glared at the intruder. Before he could speak, the woman lying on the bed moaned. Time was running out. The sedative effects of the tranquilizers were short acting and soon the euphoria that she was experiencing would be replaced by a dull throbbing pain from the procedure.

“You are late.”

As he advanced with the package, the apprentice gazed past the Gregor and stared at the woman.

The Gregor shook his head almost imperceptibly and pulled the sheet down to cover the exposed body. “There is much you need to learn about local customs. These villagers are more modest about their bodies than the women in the cities.”

The apprentice placed the ornate chest on the table. He pulled a cord from a hidden compartment at the back and plugged it into the outlet. He looked again at the contours of sheet. “She agreed to this and it’s not like I haven’t seen a naked body before.”

The Gregor stared at the apprentice. The intensity in his eyes forced the younger man to take a hesitant step back. “You will learn to act with respect if you intend to follow this vocation.”

The Apprentice struggled to break the gaze and diverted his look toward the jeweled chest. His face blushed as his youthful inexperience was displayed in front of his mentor. His breathing became more rapid as he waited for the next reprimand.

Focusing his attention to the chest, the Gregor lovingly caressed the finely detailed surface. He pushed, pulled, and twisted the jewels in a predetermined sequence known only to a select few in the order. As the lid swung open, the release of compressed air created a steady hiss. Illuminated from below, the probe containing the gift from the Creator appeared to hover.

As the ritual began, the Apprentice stepped forward silently.

The Gregor looked from the probe to the Apprentice. The boy had potential. His lack of maturity contrasted his superior technical skills. With time and experience he might develop the empathy necessary to advance in the Order. However, he would not be adding to his experience tonight. “You are dismissed. Go out and join the chanters.”

The Apprentice’s head slumped and his body sagged as if the air within it had been released. “I understand… I will send in someone else.”

“That won’t be necessary. I will do this alone.”

“But the ritual requires…”

The Gregor forced himself to glare at the younger man. The responsibility of mentoring the Apprentice was surpassed by the importance of the night’s events. The compassion that he felt could not be shown. The Apprentice had to be dismissed even if he had not acted improperly. There could be no witnessed to what was about to occur. The glare intensified as he willed the Apprentice to leave.

The Apprentice continued to deflate. Finally moving in the slow staggering steps, he left the room.

As the door closed, the Gregor looked cautiously around the room to confirm that he was indeed alone. A lifetime of commitment to the Order pulled at his soul. What he was about to do was unprecedented. He reached into his own traveling bag and pulled out a simple black box that he placed next to the chest.

As he leaned over the table, the medallion symbolizing his position swung forward and clang against the box reminding him of the magnitude of his decision.

“Almighty Creator, forgive me for what I must do.”

He opened the box. He carefully lifted the probe from the chest and delicately removed the Creator’s gift. He hesitated for a brief moment before placing the gift in the open slot in the black box. He removed the object that he had smuggled into the room. From all outward appearances it was identical to the Creator’s gift, but in reality it would set into motion a series of events that would forever change the world.

He placed the object into the probe and pulled back the sheet.