Biogen

Igina stared hardly at Cruler.

"Cruler!" scolded Igina, "You twisted little."

"Slightly demented self as usual. Don't get mad, Igina, he just talks that way," completed Darra with a slight smile. As department head of the genetic research department, Darra worked closely with Cruler Powers, the head of development. By this time, she had become used to Cruler's dark, and caustic sense of humor.

Darra looked upon her friends, in pity. They didn't seem to know, or care much about what happened. Blinded by *Gentech*'s concealing tactics they failed to recognize the connection between the *Biogen* project, and Tom's death. The board of *Gentech* vehemently guarded what happened behind the closed steel doors of B-13, the underground research wing. Why else would they hide the project from its own coordinator? This fact angered Darra, as well as the clear blue sky. "Mere deception," though Darra, as she glanced at the blue reflection on the glass building of *Gentech*. Merely blue deception.

Darra felt disgusted with her friends' ineptitude towards the obvious. She wanted out, but she needed and excuse. Darra thought quickly.

"Sorry, Igina, I have a lot of work to catch up on in the office." hastily stated Darra, "And Cruler, I'll catch up with you on Monday, capuche?"

Cruler nodded a blunted nod.

Igina, sensing Darra's nervousness gravely warned:

"Darra, good luck. But don't get too involved with the *Biogen* project. It may not be what you think." Igina looked Darra in the eyes, and for a moment, ceased smiling. Her face took on a sage-like, almost grave aspect.

Igina slowed down on the last four words, and let them trail, as a seer advises fatal warnings. Her tone of voice seemed to say to Darra: "Don't get involved in *Biogen*, it will cost you your life, like Tom." Before Darra could ask Igina why she spoke so gravely, her friends waved good-bye, and walked off to the company gym.

As if on cue, the clouds then moved over Darra casting a shadow over her.

Darra passed through the glass door, a crystalline barrier to another world, then let one of the security guards scan her ID badge for clearance. The unusually high and spacious marble foyer had a dome-shaped top, which showed the blue sky above, reminding Darra of a cathedral, when she stepped through the sliding glass doors. The building had a spacious air of peace, which reverberated on the cathedral-like ceiling. This world, ruled by chief stockholder and CEO Dr. Seth Daemon included the developers, and multitude of scientists who worked at *Gentech*. Darra never before viewed *Gentech* as a different world. Before, it seemed like a good, if not fun place to work, and do research. She spent countless hours heading the new genetic research, but she mostly enjoyed the long hours, and rigorous schedule. However, a suspicion of something hidden and formidable in this world, behind its placid appearance made Darra shudder. The same force that asked who killed Tom Chase. Conspiracy. "I've been watching too many conspiracy flicks," Darra muttered to herself, and rigidly turned left in the foyer, and climbed the spiraled steps leading to her office. The security guard noticing Darra's discontent made a cautious motion at his phone. Darra did not see what he did, for she disappeared around a spiral bend of stairs, and arrived on the second floor.

Darra sighed. As department head of the research and development wing she had to regularly report to Dr. Seth Daemon; a task that she loathed. She Daemon, a tall man in his mid-fifties for some reason struck Darra as incredulous. His gray hair and small, slanted, piercing icy cold blue eyes gave him the appearance of a devil.