Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

     The North Korean military made it home in their boats. Joowon Yoon watched them from the top floor of the building towering over the dock. The military began unloading the cargo that they brought from America.

     Scientists in long, white overcoats were sent out to greet them. Quickly, they moved the cargo into the laboratory. Joowon looked at one of his military advisors.

     “See to it that they are gentle with the delivery,” he said. “We are already on a tight schedule and we do not want any mistakes.”

     The advisor bowed and exited the room. Joowon went to the laboratory to make sure that everything he requested was in order. So far, everything was going as planned.

     He walked through the large corridors leading to the lab with his advisors in tow. As he walked people who worked in the establishment stood and saluted him. He nodded and continued to walk.

     Joowon stopped at the entrance to the lab. A guard entered a code and the door slid open. Joowon entered the room full of white hazmat suites. Someone handed him a suit and he looked at it puzzled.

     “It’s to protect the materials and for your safety,” she told him.

     He didn’t want to taint the precious cargo. Joowon nodded and put on the suit while his advisors did the same thing. The door to the lab opened and they entered.

     A scientist with a clipboard was there to meet them, “Thank-you for coming over. We have started the process on a few samples. Would you like to see what we are working on?”

     “Yes, I am very interested in how this works,” said Joowon. “That is, if this will work on humans.”

     “So far, I am seeing an amazing breakthrough,” the scientist walked over to one of the tables.

     On the table was a glass box with gloves reaching inside. There were tubes of various liquids lining the inside of the box and a dish in the middle.  There were wires and tubes leading from the dish to a computer. Above the box was a microscope looking into the dish.

     “What is this?” asked Joowon.

     The scientist smiled, “This is where the DNA is put through a reproductive simulation. The DNA is extracted from the blood cells. We create an environment that encourages the growth of an embryo.” He pointed to the plastic tubes. “These supply the fluids that are typically in the womb. Those over there will eventually create a protective layer for the embryo to protect it as it develops.”

     “What is happening with this right now?” Joowon pointed at the dish.

     “It’s in the first phase of the regeneration process. Do you want to take a look?” the scientist moved away from the microscope.

     Joowon looked into the microscope. He saw red and white circles floating around and tiny sparks of electricity. The circles gathered into a larger circle.

     “The DNA is in the process of creating a human being,” he said.

     Joowon stepped back, “It looks like a circle.”

     The scientist nodded, “It will be hours before it takes its formal shape. It may be slower due to the fact that there is radiation in the cells. There is also the fact that we normally clone canines. Humans do not age as fast as canines.”

     Joowon looked at his advisors, “I need a full daily report on the progress. All samples must be sent in for the regeneration process. What happens next?”

     The scientist walked over to a giant black cabinet, “They will each be moved into a compartment in here.” He opened one of the doors. There were many empty squares that had a warm, red glow. “There are feeding tubes behind each square to feed them the nutrients that they need. There are sound waves that create an environment like they are in their mother’s womb.”

     Joowon nodded with approval, “What is the next phase after this?”

     “We have a nursery that they will be raised in,” the scientist led them down another large corridor. “They will have stimuli so they can learn to read and write.”

     “Why?” asked Joowon.

     “How else would they understand how to use weapons?” he asked. “If you want to ready them for combat they need fuel for attacking our enemies.”

     They approached another room. It was full of thousands of cribs. Joowon walked into the nursery that was full of the needs of children and the walls had big screen televisions.

     “How long is this process?” asked Joowon.

     “It depends on when you feel that they are ready,” he answered. “They will grow like a normal person. They will be actual humans.”

     Joowon looked at one of the advisors. “We will need the best to train them. I will allow no failures.”