Chapter 4
Dr. Tara Russell was thoroughly enjoying her vacation...no pagers, no cell phones, no government cronies hovering over her. For the past 3 years, she had been tied to her laboratory like a slave, working on her genetic studies. She figured that a nice cushy government job was just what she needed after all those years working for nothing at the University. However, once the Department of Defense realized her specialty was human genetic engineering, they quickly transferred her to Fort Detrick, Maryland. There, 5 stories underground, Tara worked on the experiments she was assigned without question. Little did she know her reputation as a leading genetic researcher was growing. Her last study was the worst...she was told to use synthetic genetic material on volunteers with spinal damage. However, once the patients were infused, she was not allowed to monitor their progress. Instead, her superiors suggested that she take a nice long vacation.
So here she was....just her and Rusty, relaxing in a quiet, remote cabin in upstate New York. The weather was perfect - the leaves were starting to turn their various hues of red and gold. Tara rocked in her chair on the porch as she watched Rusty chase after geese that had landed to graze in the open field.
"This couldn't be more perfect," she said to herself, laughing as Rusty attempted to pounce on the birds.
She gazed at the sun as it made its way below the horizon. The sky was rust colored, dotted with pink clouds. Suddenly a loud noise broke the pristine silence. A dark shape appeared, growing to block the sun. Tara stood, hands at her brow, trying to discern the object in the sky. It appeared to be a plane of some sort, but before she could make out the details, Tara suddenly felt weak. She fell to the ground immobile.
The huge, black object came to rest in the field where Rusty had been chasing his prey. The landing gear barely missed the prone dog as he lay helpless in the field. With a loud whirring sound, a ramp extended from the side of the plane and 2 figures gracefully walked down. Tara's eyes beheld the wildest looking duo she had ever seen in her life. The blue-skinned woman slowly knelt beside her and touched her forehead.
"She is getting clammy. We'd better get her back before she goes into shock."
"Very well," the older man replied, "Place the bands around her."
The woman placed iron restraints on Tara's wrists and ankles. Then they turned and walked back to the plane. Suddenly, Tara felt her body lifted from the ground and she floated behind the two. Unable to comprehend her situation, Dr. Tara Russell blacked out.
