Year 3000
Space Station X3
“You have done a good job, Jill!” The entire squad acknowledged Jill’s efforts over a phone call as the chief congratulated her.
“Let’s not celebrate already. I am only half way there. I hope Rintaro and Rakuten do not get overwhelmed looking at my transformation.” Jill paused, “Although it may seem like a basic bodily function for us, the people on Daikidageda are too timid to process it, when they see it with their eyes.” Jill said, trying to be too tough on herself.
“Yes, I can totally relate to you, Jill. I remember feeling frightened when I happened to see a homeless man grow his legs back, after being hit by a car.” added Prassaca.
“Huh! How similar are they to us, humans? I cannot comprehend the fact that even aliens have emotio-” Jinx exclaimed.
“Why do you think we are all the way here on this mission, Jinx? Please stop with these basic questions.” Mujika interrupted sternly.
The chief signalled Mujika to calm down. “We can go over this one more time. Jinx is the newest recruit and it is only fair for him to have such questions.” he added. “From our studies so far, we have concluded that Daikidageda is abnormally similar to Earth.”
“Like a replica of Ear-” Prassaca was cut short.
“Not a replica, dear. Daikidageda is abnormally similar to Earth. From what we have studied so far, there are a few minor differences, indeed. Here is something that we have been theorizing over the last couple of days.” Mujika paused, while she pulled up a hand-held device to cast some research findings on the virtual space, as everyone watched keenly, “The gravitational force on Daikidageda is slightly more, as compared to what we have on Earth.”
“Ah! This makes total sense; I have had to work quite a bit to walk without crouching and attract unnecessary attention. It is surprising that even a miniscule difference in the gravitational force makes you slouch.” Jill added awkwardly, since she never really got along with Mujika.
The chief resumed, “Coming back to your question, Jinx, the atmospheric composition of Daikidageda is quite similar to ours, consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, a little amount of Carbon-dioxide and other common gases. Topographically, it has a similar concept of land mass and water bodies, primarily saline. Climate and seasons are driven by the water cycle. Due to the fertility of the soil on most of the planet, agriculture is implemented heavily, which produces food stocks for daily consumption, which constitutes as the primary diet of people on Daikidageda. The essential element needed for survival of humankind - water - is available in abundance.” the chief paused. “Humans here are as intelligent as we are, and have evolved over the years. Their decision making is driven by emotions, logic and experience. Therefore, the concept of a society is pertinent on Daikidageda. Laws and orders are formulated and regulated by the society and are followed by the people, judiciously. Surprisingly , the languages spoken on Daikidageda are very similar to the ones we speak on Earth!”
“I could never really comprehend this part!” sighed Sayla.
“It has been theorized that humans from Earth immigrated here many years ago and that drove the exchange of culture and languages.” the chief stated, as everyone nodded their heads.
“Do you think their bodies will accept an alien DNA? Our DNA?” Sayla asked again.
“The DNA structure of the species on this planet is somewhat a replica of ours. We have three separate layers or data points in a DNA - one that stores the physical attributes, one that stores the emotional or logical attributes and last, but not the least, one that drives your instincts. This would mean that their bodies will accept a foreign DNA. However,” the chief paused for a moment, “They have a phantom fourth layer, which we do not know much about. We have not been able to theorize and conclude, yet, what this layer can do.” the chief responded.
“What does this entail? Are you indicating that they can accept our DNA, but we cannot accept theirs?” Jinx asked.
“Well, our bodies might just be able to accept theirs, but this poses a risk to our lives. You want to try one?” Mujika asked Jinx, with her typical smirky face.
“After you, deputy chief!” Jinx mocked. The squad went silent for a moment, as they tried to read more on the comparisons of the two planets on the large virtual space.
“I am curious to know which animals or birds would the people from Daikidageda go after initially.” Jinx broke the silence.
“Cheetah, shark and eagle were the most sought after species on Earth. An average human is greedy of power. Speed and voraciousness is usually associated with power. These animals provided means to expand our dominance on land, in air and underwater. After a few years, these attributes were deemed mundane due to their widespread popularities and we observed a cultural shift towards animals with a larger brain, allowing us to expand our dominance in the logical or the algorithmic department. Towards the end of this era, the popularity of animals that could blend themselves in the surrounding, increased. Octopus, chameleon, slugs were in high demand.” The chief looked at everyone and said, “I have seen almost all of it!”
“Even to this day, I take a moment to rationalize the fact that you have seen it all!” Jinx exclaimed. “Just how old are you chief, precisely?”
“Young man,” the chief began, as he placed his hand around Jinx’s shoulders, “Are you calling me old, now?” he added in a slight bullish tone.
“No chief, what I mea-” an already terrified Jinx was cut short.
“I turned 374 last year.” the chief winked. “I was in Iceland, a long time ago, when Idiosyncrasy was gaining popularity. I was enjoying a peaceful and a happy life with my spouse. We were so full of life that we dreaded the idea of it ending one day. She often wished that she would stop ageing and continue having the same beautiful face, forever. At times we felt like locking ourselves up in a warm and comfortable space, which we can truly call ours, and living together for hundreds of years. Not lusting over power and speed, we chose longevity, something that would allow us to enjoy and explore every essence of life. We decided to use Idiosyncrasy with a quahog, especially the ones from around Iceland.” the chief paused before continuing. His tone changed from authoritative to miserable. “Little did we know that the acceptance of a foreign DNA varies from one person to another. The stronger somebody is at heart, the less effective would their body’s acceptance to a foreign DNA be. She was extremely adamant in nature and she was used to always having things done her way. Idiosyncrasy did not work well for her, owing to her resolute nature.”
“What do you mean by it did not work well, chief?” Prassaca asked, slightly concerned.
“In a few days after using Idiosyncrasy, I was able to breathe underwater. I was able to grow a hardened shell and lock myself in it. It felt as though my body ceased ageing. However, she could barely manage a few hours underwater, until her human instincts took over, which made her gasp for breath. As she grew older, her hair started turning white and skin started wrinkling and she did age with time.” the chief walked towards the window of the space station and stared at the blank universe. “When she was in her death-bed, I thought she would be a rather weaker human and that would invoke the instincts of her quahog; however, her adamant nature over the years had made the quahog’s DNA dormant in her body. She died in her early 80s.”
A long silence followed after this conversation. The chief walked back to his room, while the rest of the squad went to their respective work stations. Jill sighed as she disconnected her phone and hid it back in her hand bag.
Year 3000
Midohira, Daikidageda
“Psst, in here!” whispered Jill from behind a huge tree. Rintaro and a startled Rakuten began following her cautiously, trying to look around to confirm that they were not being followed.
“Do not panic; it will be very sudden.” Jill warned.
“What will be sudden, Jizen?” Rintaro asked, confused.
“Hah!” laughed Jill, as she turned around. “Why do you want to fly Rakuten? You seemed quite excited to fly when we spoke last.” she asked, looking towards Rakuten.
“Because I want to be free!” said Rakuten.
Jill donned a puzzled look on her face. “Are you not free right now, Rakuten? You are pursuing a challenging, yet benevolent career of teaching the blind. Someone who does not feel independent, would never have such aspirations.” Jill said.
“That is not what I meant, Jizen. Humans are intelligent species and they can help themselves. However, innumerable poor animals out there are not as privileged as humans are, and they are never taken into consideration. The concept of a society begins with humans - catering to their needs, improving their lives - and it also ends with humans. I want to free myself from these shackles of expectation of society. Moreover,” Rakuten paused with a slightly mischievous smile on her face, “I can run around in the park like a pup, I can swim in a river like a fish, I can even crawl around like a snake, but I cannot fly like a bird.” She jumped, trying to imitate the action of flying using her hands as imaginary wings. As she landed, she tripped over a small rock and fell down on the ground, mildly bruising her left arm.. Reflexively, Rintaro looked towards Rakuten, to try and help her, but he stopped mid way, shocked to see what he saw. He fell backwards on his hips and stared in awe and astonishment as he tried to process everything that was happening before his eyes.
Jill looked different. She was crouching, slightly and her legs were bent at a strange angle. Her eyes had rounded up and her ears were protruding outwards. She instantly leaped towards Rakuten and fondled her, trying to distract her from the pain by licking her wounded elbow. Juxtaposed to Rintaro, Rakuten was not surprised at all. She was trying to tickle Jill’s neck as Jill breathed heavily, wagging her tail.
“Awww! Jizen, you feel so warm and cozy!” she squealed, as she tried to hug a morphed Jizen.
“Ji-Jizen?” stuttered Rintaro as he tried to touch her fur with his trembling hands.
“Yawws, it is mowe in herew!” she answered.
“Unbelievable!” said Rintaro.
“You boelieve me noww?” She took a deep breath in to try and speak normally. “I am glad the people back on the Earth designed these special costumes that could take any shape and form without tearing apart.” she paused, “I need a moment to come back to my natural form now. Will you excuse me for a while?”
“Let’s go Rintaro!” Rakuten said, as she pulled his arm, prompting him to follow her out of the woods.
“Would you like to have dinner with us tonight, Jizen?” she asked, looking towards Jill.
“I would love to.” smiled Jill.
To be continued
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