Fallen Angels: Biogenesis

Kinkaid slowly stood up and turned to face Wills. Grabbing his outstretched hand, Kinkaid shook Wills' hand then moved past him to the podium. Reaching down to the table he grabbed his glass of water and placed it on the podium in front of him. "Thank you."

Kinkaid was a tall and wiry man with short thinning brown hair. His thick dark rimmed glasses were the most outstanding feature of his long plain face. Rubbing his hand across his forehead, he wiped the sweat off of it. Taking a long sip of the water, he sat the glass down and addressed the mic. "You'll have to forgive me, I've been feeling a little under the weather recently." He balled up his fist and held it in front of his mouth as he tried to stifle a cough. "As most of you know it's flu season." A small laugh rippled through the audience. Taking a deep breath, he decided to jump into his speech. "As Dan said, I am the main researcher here at the Wills Foundation. For fifteen years we've been striving to find a cure for cancer, to stop this deadly killer that fears no one. As some of you know-" He was cut off in mid-sentence by a wave of coughing. Trying to catch his breath, he took a long sip of water. Removing a handkerchief from his pocket he dabbed it on his flushed face. Finally composing himself, he tried to continue. "Excuse me." He dabbed the handkerchief on the back of his neck and loosened the top button of his dress shirt. "As I was saying, cancer fears no one. It is a plague on the face of the Ea.-" Another wave of coughing stopped him. A murmur of anxiety began to race through the audience. Placing his hand over the mic, he leaned over to Wills. "I'm sorry Dan, I didn't know I was this sick."

Wills patted him on the shoulder encouragingly. "Do what you can Rob. I think everyone will understand."

"Thanks Dan."

Lifting himself back up behind the podium, Kinkaid stared out into the audience. Lifting his hand above his eyes, he tried to block out the spotlight so he could see their reactions. Another coughing fit gripped his body. He felt his already tired muscles tense up as the dry heaves erupted. Looking into the crowd, his vision began to blur. Doubling over, he let out a gasp of pain.

Wills immediately jumped up and grabbed Kinkaid to keep him from falling over. "Rob! Are you okay!?!"

Kinkaid shook his head furiously as he tried to stop coughing.

Steadying Kinkaid against the wall behind them, Wills grabbed the microphone. "We need a doctor!" Several people stood up in the audience and quickly made their way toward the podium. Turning around, Wills glanced down at Kinkaid who had slid down to the floor. Dropping to his knees, Wills grabbed Kinkaid's face and turned it towards his. "Stay with me Rob. Help's on the way."

A large black man pushed Wills aside. "I'm a doctor. I can help." Reaching down, the doctor pressed two fingers to the side of Kinkaid's neck. "His pulse is very thready. We're loosing him! Call 911 now!" the doctor barked.

It was already too late for that. Robert Kinkaid's life quickly faded away lying on the floor behind the podium. The doctor ripped open his shirt and began to administer CPR. Looking down, the doctor watched Kinkaid's eyes roll back into his head as another coughing fit gripped his body. Thick yellow foam began to flow from his mouth choking him.

The doctor reeled back in horror. "What the hell is that?"

The group that had gathered around Kinkaid stood watching with their mouths agape as he died.