The Creature - Book Two of the Marcus II Series Read online

  The Creature – Book Two of the Marcus II Series

  By BJ Somerville

  Text Copyright@2013 BJ Somerville

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

  Cover Design by: Bonkers

  Cover Art provided by Shutterstock.com

  First Edition

  This Book is published by Chicagirl Publications

  ISBN 978-0-9916881-1-1

  Preface

  Deep in the forest

  Conrad Drummond awoke in the forest. The Pendek he’d been using as test subjects had gone berserk and smashed out of their enclosures. He’d made a desperate attempt at preventing them from escaping into the forest but he’d failed. The Pendek would not submit to his particular form of torture any longer. The pain he had inflicted upon them was beyond their tolerance. They would rather have died than let him continue. He knew he’d been wrong to expose such gentle primates to genetic testing but he’d been desperate.

  Most of the human samples had been destroyed. The crio-cylinders they brought from Terra had failed and not because they were defective but because he hadn’t taken the simple precautions necessary to ensure they were closed securely. There were protocols in place to prevent just such occurrences which he’d ignored. Not because he thought he knew better but because he’d been so tired when working one evening that he had taken a short cut. He knew better than to deviate from the prescribed procedure but it had happened. It had happened because he had been careless and he hated himself for that.

  His attempt at using the Pendek, the smaller of the two highly evolved primates had been successful but he’d underestimated one thing, their desire not to be a part of his experimentation. His plan had backfired and they had escaped. He’d followed them into the forest because he needed them to continue his research. Once he’d realized that the Pendek had enough similar genetic markers to be able to use fragments of their strands of chromosomes in place of human strands his research had taken off. He had worked day and night to create in a lab genetic samples that would be used to create human Pendek hybrids. If he was good enough, and he was good enough, they would never know the truth until several generations had passed.

  Conrad had been the highest-ranking geneticist on Terra when he left to help form the colony on Marcus II. He along with two hundred other scientists and their families were some of Terras most brilliant minds and they wanted to create a Utopia where humanity would live in peace and harmony with their environment. He’d been one of the developers working side by side with Dr. Moira Murray who was the brain trust for the entire Project. He respected her and would do almost anything to gain her approval. How could he have sunk so low? He couldn’t go to Moira and tell her the colony was doomed without sufficient genetic material to sustain and grow a colony far from civilization. A diverse gene pool was essential if the colony was going to survive far into the future. They were on their own and more importantly in his mind he would never admit his mistake. He was a proud man, an egotistical narcissistic flawed human being.

  The experiments with the Pendek were successful enough to spur him to do even more drastic and unconventional experiments. The offspring he created had enough similarity to humans and he knew that in a few short years he would perfect his technique enough to make them nearly indistinguishable amongst the human population. He would be able to implant genetically altered embryos into human subjects to be surrogate parents. He wasn’t sure how he would get human females to agree to this but he had enough time to figure that out or so he thought. The Pendek escape had thrown a monkey wrench into the entire project.

  Now Conrad lay on the forest floor after being savagely mauled by the Pendek in their attempt to escape. The Pendek had been gentle harmless highly evolved primates on the verge of an evolutionary breakthrough which meant that made them perfect test subjects. Conrad was now in grave danger himself. He had a high fever, had lost a significant amount of blood and some of his wounds had become septic. He could smell the infection but he was too weak to treat and dress his own wounds. He would probably die in the forest along with his dreams of rescuing the colony from a slow extinction.

  The Pendek watched the human from the trees. They didn’t hate the man it was not in their nature but they feared him. Not even the bravest of the group would approach the human who had hurt them. Some were injured themselves while others held in their arms or uteruses the proof of Conrad’s madness. If their hybrid off spring were fertile that just might be the evolutionary leap they needed. Conrad would have done in a few short years what nature would have taken thousands of years to do and something he hadn’t intended.

  In his delirium Conrad had opened his eyes to find food and leaves close by to dress his wounds and nourish his body. The leaves held medicinal value that had hardly been explored as of yet by the scientists of the colony. He knew very little of that as it was not his field of expertise but he did know they had antiseptic and astringent qualities. He ate the fruit and placed the crushed leaves on his many wounds before falling back into a fevered sleep.

  Conrad didn’t know how long he lay there slipping in and out of consciousness. Each time he awoke there were fruits and berries placed within easy reach. Eventually he began to feel well enough to open his eyes without seeing double. This morning he had awakened to find a Kubu sitting nearby watching him. It was another of the large primate species that inhabited Marcus II. The Kubu were also extremely evolved and on the verge of their own evolutionary leap. The things that distinguished them from the Pendek were they were indigenous to Marcus II and they hadn’t grown to fear humans. The Pendek had been brought from Marcus I in an attempt to rescue them from extinction after an asteroid nearly decimated their home world. What he had done with them was a totally different story and what he eventually did with them was completely reprehensible.

  Conrad’s eyes fluttered and eventually began to focus. He knew he’d been helped by someone but had yet to see who it was. He would never have made it if not for the compassion shown to him. As he looked at the Kubu he wondered if it had been them who had supplied the leaves and food. How could an animal be compassionate? How would a creature like the Kubu know the medicinal use of such leaves? There were just too many questions for his recently fevered and delirious addled mind to comprehend at this time. It was enough to know that he was going to live. He laid his head back and rested watching his benefactor.

  In time he was able to make his way to the stream to wash and drink. The Kubu had continued to bring him food and leaves. One day he was thinking that he should have used the Kubu for his experiments. They were large and apparently even more docile than the Pendek. They seemed to show a nurturing side as well as being able to utilize the forest itself for survival. His scientific mind couldn’t help but wonder at the possibilities. Aside from their outward robust appearance they had denser bones and thicker muscles. He would have to look at their chromosomes more closely and do some comparisons to see if they would be as compatible as the Pendek. They might be exactly what he needed to launch his research in a new and very exciting direction. All he had to do was to persuade them to “donate” some genetic material.

  For now he would focus on getting back his strength. He was well on his way to recovery and it wouldn’t be long before he could get around without pain. He would build a shelter as soon as he was able and a laboratory would need to be constructed. He also planned to slip back into The Cove and liberate some of the equipment he would need to continue his work. With any luck he wouldn’t even be seen. It was better f
or him to do his work out in the forest away from prying eyes. He sat back and smiled at himself for his cleverness. He would save the colony after all… with the help of the Kubu. ~

  Chapter One

  The Creature spent most of its life in the forest canopy and lived a most solitary life. Lately she was drawn to the settlement. She knew it was dangerous not because the people had been unkind to her in any way, she just knew. All her life she’d lived on the periphery of humanity. She was like them but not like them. She couldn’t quite explain what was different but somehow she knew from a place deep within herself. Someone had called her Eno once when she was just a child. That is what she now called herself as there was no one else to call her that.

  Tonight the one they called Kaley was at her tree house with the other one. Eno liked Kaley because she was kind to the Pendek and the Kubu. The Pendek and Kubu were her friends. They were the only things that made Eno’s solitary life bearable. She could sleep in the trees alongside her friends. She could have someone to eat with but she wanted more, she needed more. Tonight she wished she could go inside the tree house. She’d been inside the tree house before but not when the people were there. She could sit close enough to hear what they were saying. She had learned their language from listening to the humans talk a long time ago. She must be very careful not to be found out but oh how she wished she could get closer to them. A single tear rolled down Eno’s face. ~

  Rachael’s rich auburn hair cascaded down and around her shoulders as she stood over Kaley. Kaley reached up and started to run her fingers through Rachael’s hair. She loved the texture of her lover’s hair. It was almost the complete opposite of her own silky white blonde hair. Kaley’s hands migrated down Rachael’s shoulders and back caressing and massaging as she went. In spite of the fact that they had been living together almost four years and knew every inch of each other’s bodies. Kaley still liked to take her time exploring Rachael. Especially in these past few months since Kaley had been artificially inseminated. In spite of that her libido never changed, she still wanted Rachael.

  She wanted to make love to Rachael just as much as she always did. Her desire while always being robust now included some aspects that weren’t there before. They continued to find ways to please each other while at the same time taking into account their changing needs. “Kaley I want to please you but I’m afraid. I don’t want to hurt you or the baby.” Rachael said. Kaley lay down on the mattress, her belly showing distinct signs of pregnancy. Rachael crawled up to lie beside her. “I love you so much Rach, pretty soon I won’t be able to see my own feet. I want to make love with you.” Kaley said softly. “I want you too. I can’t lie on you and you can’t lie on top of me. I’m not sure what to do.” Rachael took a deep breath. “Come here.” Kaley whispered as she rolled over onto her side. Rachael lay beside her, facing her.

  Kaley lifted her leg up and placed it over Rachael’s hip pulling her closer. Kaley started kissing Rachael gently at first and then more passionately, her tongue exploring every inch of Rachael’s mouth. She nibbled and sucked on Rachael’s lip while kneading her shoulders and back, down to her ass. Kaley held Rachael’s breast in her hand gently squeezing her hardened nipple. “Making you come will almost get me there.” Kaley took her leg down and got Rachael to switch places. She pulled Rachael’s thigh up onto her hip and slid her thigh between Rachael’s legs making contact with her clit. She could feel the wetness and heat against her thigh. “Oh baby you’re so beautiful.” Kaley closed her eyes and focused on her other senses. She could hear Rachael’s breathing quicken. She could smell her desire and with her fingers she could feel the raised goose bumps on all the places she had just touched on Rachael’s skin. Rachael moved to help her lover reach her nipples first with her fingers and then with her mouth. Rachael sucked air in through her teeth and scrunched her forehead. Kaley’s hand slid between Rachael’s legs cupping her in her hand. Kaley’s fingered slid down each side of her lover’s saturated clit caressing it. Rachael sucked in a deep breath. “Oh god Kaley, you’re driving me crazy. You’re going so slow I want you inside me… please.” Rachael whispered.

  Kaley made her wait only a moment longer before she slowly slid inside her. “Oh my god yes” Rachael gasped. She closed her eyes and laid her head on Kaley’s shoulder breathing heavily. Their lovemaking could never be called quiet or sedate but this wasn’t usual circumstances. These were two people who loved each other so much they had to find a way to please each other in an unconventional way. Rachael rolled her hips and arched her back to help Kaley who had limited mobility reach all the places she needed touched. Kaley’s strokes matched Rachael’s rhythm until she felt Rachael start to ride the wave of her orgasm. Kaley could feel her own body getting ready for her own orgasm. When Rachael’s muscle contractions subsided and her attention was once more on Kaley she felt her hand being guided between Kaley’s legs. They had once again switched places with Kaley’s thigh up and over hers. Kaley whispered in her ear. “I just want you on the outside this time. Don’t go inside ok.” Kaley asked. Rachael nodded. She would do anything Kaley wanted to help her come. Rachael almost came again when she felt how wet Kaley was. Her fingers slid effortlessly along her entire length. Kaley’s eyes slowly closed as Rachael found her rhythm. “Rach, just a little bit lower, that’s it.” Kaley instructed her. Rachael stroked her and every down stroke her finger barely entered Kaley’s opening. Kaley gasped. She was so close she came almost immediately in a long satisfying orgasm. When Kaley’s muscles finally relaxed Rachael noticed that her face and neck were red and tears were rolling down her cheeks. Rachael held Kaley for a long time running her fingers through her hair. When Kaley rolled over onto her other side Rachael spooned into her and soon they were dozing. Their hunger for each other sated for now.

  Shortly Kaley felt Rachael stir. “I saw something in the trees yesterday but I’m not sure who or what it was. It seemed to be watching me but when I tried to get closer to get a better look it moved away just out of range.” Kaley said. “It was probably just a Pendek.” Rachael said sleepily. “I don’t think it was a Pendek or Kubu.” Kaley replied. Rachael sat up slightly. “I thought you didn’t get a good look at it?” Rachael said. “I know it doesn’t make sense. I just know… I can feel it.” Kaley said emphatically. “I’m going to go outside for a while.” Kaley went to the door to the balcony of the tree house. When Rachael went to follow her she made a motion for her to stay. Kaley wanted to be alone to think. She went over to the hammock that hung between two trees on the far corner of the balcony and sat down on it. She swung her legs up and leaned back. Kaley took a deep breath, she loved the forest. She could smell the Littlewood flowers and hear the Oban bugs chirping in the distance. She loved the sound. It was like a lullaby from her childhood. Kaley eventually fell asleep listening to the forest. ~

  Eno watched the people talking. At night she could get close enough to see and hear everything in the tree house. The one called Kaley came out onto the balcony and went to the hammock and fell asleep. Eno was so curious she couldn’t resist. She snuck closer wanting to see the human up close, to be close to her. Eno took almost a half hour just to move the few yards to the hammock for fear of disturbing the human. If she was really quiet and she knew she could be extremely quiet, if she was quiet enough she would be able to sit almost beside Kaley without being noticed.

  The lights inside the house had been extinguished a long time ago but Eno could see almost as well as she did during the daytime. As she approached Kaley she could smell a mixture of Littlewood soap and a complex combination of other ingredients. She knew each one even though they were in minute quantities. Her sense of smell was very acute. She could also smell Kaley under the strong fragrance. She had her own unique scent, human but not human. Eno was so close she could smell the fruit she had eaten for dinner on her breath. She sat there with her head tilted to one side; this human was different. Perhaps Kaley could be a friend. She wished she could have such a friend. Kaley
and her mate fed the Pendek and Kubu but more than that the Pendek accepted her as one of them. That wasn’t quite right they trusted her much as they did Eno herself.

  Eno took a quick peek into the house to make sure Kaley’s mate was asleep. Her breathing was shallow and regular. Eno turned her attention back to Kaley. She reached out her hand and touched her long platinum hair and it was as soft as a Curry Mouse. Eno’s hand went to touch her cheek but stopped short. If she woke the human she would be found out and that could be a very bad thing, a very bad thing indeed. She wished she could curl up beside Kaley and feel the warmth of another being close to her. She imagined it would feel wonderful. Way in the back of her mind Eno could remember being with others like herself. At least she thought they were like her but she was so young. It wasn’t until much later that she realized she was not like most. She was not like Kaley, not really and she was not like the humans. She did remember the old woman but that was a very long time ago and a very long way from here.

  The human stirred and Eno jumped back trying to hide amongst the foliage. Her heart raced, she couldn’t tell if it was from the close proximity to the human or from being startled. Being close to Kaley felt wonderful. She’d been a member of a litter once or was it a pack? No she thought it was called a family. She had been a member of a family once but she was so young and it was hard to remember the details now.

  Finally Eno went to a nearby crook in a tree and wedged herself in as she sometimes did when she was away from her nest. She would hug the tree while sitting on a branch and fall asleep. She had done it many times and felt perfectly safe. She’d never been afraid of the forest only of the Humans. She wasn’t even sure why, maybe someone had told her to be afraid of The People. She couldn’t remember. ~