Transcendence - 6 (Patreon)

6.1

Beth took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. She scribbled a quick note for Randy, placing it on the nightstand, just in case. Then, with one last glance at the peaceful figure in the bed, she quietly slipped out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest.

The hotel hallways were nearly deserted at this hour, the only sound being the soft hum of the air conditioning. Beth made her way to the elevator, her thoughts a chaotic mix of worry for Alex and the unease about this clandestine meeting.

As the elevator descended, each floor passing by felt like a step deeper into an unknown and potentially dangerous situation. She reminded herself why she was doing this – for the truth, for the horses, for what was right. But the comfort of those thoughts did little to quell the growing apprehension as she stepped out into the cool night air, heading towards the fountain where Alex had instructed her to meet.

6.2

Beth's footsteps echoed softly in the almost deserted corridors of the conference center as she made her way toward the exit leading to the fountain. The drive Alex had given her felt heavy in her pocket, a tangible reminder of the gravity of the situation. She rolled it between her fingers, realizing the risk of carrying such sensitive information.

As she passed by the main lecture hall, a thought struck her. The hall was quiet and dimly lit, the hustle and bustle of the day's events now just a memory. She glanced around to ensure she was alone before slipping inside.

The room was in the process of being rearranged for the upcoming board meeting. Chairs were neatly lined up, and a large table at the front was being set with name plates for each board member. Beth spotted her name plate, "Dr. Elizabeth Simpson," prominently displayed.

Making a quick decision, she approached the table and picked up the name plate. With a sense of urgency, she pulled out her multi-tool and carefully unscrewed the bottom of the plate. It was a perfect hiding spot.

She took the drive from her pocket and tucked it into the recess of the name plate. Her hands were steady, despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Once the drive was securely hidden, she replaced the bottom of the plate, screwing it back into place with meticulous care.

Beth stepped back, looking at the name plate now sitting innocuously among the others. No one would think to look for the drive there. It was the safest place for it until the board meeting.

With the drive now securely hidden, Beth felt a slight easing of the tension in her shoulders. She left the lecture hall, making her way back towards the exit. The night air awaited her, as did the meeting with Alex by the fountain. Despite the precaution she had just taken, the nerves returned, her mind filled with questions and apprehensions about what awaited her outside.

6.3

Beth found herself sitting on the cold, stone pedestal surrounding the iconic Brewer Fountain in Boston Common. The fountain, a testament to the city's rich history, depicted mythological figures with water gracefully cascading from their outstretched hands. Under the dim park lights, the figures seemed to watch over her, silent witnesses to the unfolding drama of the night.

As she waited, Beth glanced at her phone. Fifteen minutes still to go before the scheduled meeting with Alex. The night was quiet, save for the soothing sound of water flowing from the fountain, creating a serene yet surreal backdrop to her racing thoughts.

Her mind replayed the day's conversations — Janice's revelations about her concerns with genetic fusion at EquiGen, Alex’s urgent warnings about the prion disease, and her own work with equine neural physiognomy. The pieces were starting to form a disturbing picture, one that suggested a far-reaching and possibly dangerous misuse of genetic technology.

Beth thought about the potential implications of Janice's gene splicing research being co-opted for less ethical purposes. The thought of genetic experimentation without boundaries sent a chill down her spine. What if EquiGen was crossing lines that should never be crossed?

Alex's revelation about the prion diseases was even more alarming. The idea that EquiGen might be responsible for such devastating conditions in horses due to their reckless genetic manipulations was horrifying. The ramifications could be far-reaching, affecting not just the horses but potentially other animals and even humans.

Her own research into neural physiognomy, meant to heal and rehabilitate, seemed almost naive in the shadow of these revelations. The ethical landscape she had navigated in her work was being upended by the realities of what EquiGen might be doing.

As she sat there, the weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders. She felt a mix of fear and determination. She had the knowledge and the platform to make a difference, but the risk of standing up against a giant like EquiGen was daunting.

The minutes ticked by slowly, each second stretching out as she waited for Alex. The tension built with each passing moment, her heart beating a little faster, her senses heightened. Beth glanced around the dimly lit park, half-expecting to see Alex emerge from the shadows at any moment.

But the minutes passed, and Alex was nowhere to be seen. The uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach grew. Where was he? What if something had happened to him? The questions swirled in her mind, unanswered, as the night air grew colder around her.

6.4

The figure emerging from the shadows was not Alex, but Jerome Raskin, his presence like a dark cloud disrupting the tranquility of the Boston night. Beth's heart sank as she recognized him, a mix of anger and apprehension bubbling inside her.

"What are you doing here, Jerome?" Beth demanded, her voice laced with fury. "Where's Alex?"

Raskin approached with a calmness that only fueled her anger. "Alex is not your concern, Dr. Simpson. I'm here to discuss something far more important — your future with EquiGen."

"I have no future with EquiGen, and you know it," Beth shot back, her stance defiant. "I won't be a part of your unethical practices."

Raskin smiled, a cold, calculated expression. "Your work with neural plasticity is revolutionary, Dr. Simpson. Imagine how many more lives you could touch, how much more impactful your research could be with the resources and backing of EquiGen."

Beth shook her head vehemently. "I don't need EquiGen to make a difference. My work is based on ethics and integrity, something your company clearly knows nothing about."

Raskin’s demeanor shifted, becoming more serious. "You're making a grave mistake, Dr. Simpson. Refuse my offer at your own peril."

Beth's fear was quickly overshadowed by her resolve. "I won't be intimidated by you. I'm leaving." She turned to walk away, her heart pounding in her chest.

But before she could take more than a few steps, she felt a sharp prick in her neck. Her hand flew to the spot, but it was too late. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and her legs buckled beneath her. As she slumped forward into darkness, her last coherent thought was of Randy. How worried he would be, how she wished she could tell him she loved him one last time. Then everything went black, the night swallowing her whole.