"Besides being a former special ops officer, Colonel Reynolds is also a clinical scientist, Ms. Hayden," he says, emphasizing the formal title, his tone reminding me of the new status of our relationship. "He worked on that very special project in early 90s. I thought you two might have a chat and share stories."
"I wasn't directly involved in the research that was used on you," Reynolds says. "But on the larger project. I do know some who were."
Julien pulls up a chair and motions to me to sit. I do, glad to focus on something other than Julien and this icy chill between us.
"What we need to know is what they were using to alter my DNA so I could daywalk and how the drug was delivered."
"I think, from what I do know,” Reynolds says, “that it was done to regulate gene expression in the skin's immune system. They either turned on genes that were dormant in order to offset the effect of the deficient or mutated genes that vampires receive when they're infected, or insert corrected versions of the defective gene. How they did it? Nanotech to deliver to the cells, having discovered Bucky balls in the mid-80s."
"What do you know about the skin's immune system?" Julien asks.
"All I know," Reynolds said, "is that people with extreme light sensitivity are prone to extreme responses to the sun. Their skin literally bubbles when exposed to ultraviolet light in certain wavelengths."
I think for a moment. "The drug given to the daywalkers must activate or suppress the genes in some way," I say, remembering my class in immunology. "The drug must be delivered to the cells through the blood and is released into the cell, altering the DNA at the cellular level."
"Exactly," Reynolds says. "Genes that protect are either shut on or defective genes are shut off. I don't know which it was."
"I knew vampirism was a set of genetic mutations," I say, turning to Julien. "Not a curse from some vengeful god."
Julien nods but doesn't meet my eyes.
"Or a set of genetic mutations unleashed on mortals by a vengeful God," he says.
I shake my head at his willingness to put it all down to God.
"Military researchers seem to know a lot more about the genetics of vampirism than the rest of science," I say to Reynolds.
Reynolds smiles.
"The military started doing genome research at Los Alamos and through the Department of Energy in the early 80s – a kind of genetic Manhattan Project, and just as secret. Working for government directly gets results. The civilian genome project was years behind the military's own secret project. It was important to delay civilian research until the military could ensure any knowledge gained that could potentially be used for military purposes could be controlled."
"And used to create a super warrior," Julien says.
Reynolds turns to Julien. "You were in the first group."
I turn to look at Julien, who is leaning back against a table on which are a bunch of nasty looking implements. I realize they're used for torture. There are metal rods and knives and prongs and syringes in a black case. It looks designed for inflicting pain – a torture kit.
"I was given the drugs when I signed up for duty in the Persian Gulf the first time."
"You have to remember that this research started during the Cold War, when our biggest threat was from the Soviets," Reynolds says. "They were doing research. We had to do it so that there would be no gap."
"A genetics gap?" I say. "Or a vampire warrior gap?"
"Either. Both. Whatever they did, we did and vice versa," Reynolds says, a touch of humor in his voice. "The logic of mutual deterrence was inexorable. The idea of an enhanced warrior has always been the holy grail of the military – one who lacked the usual barriers to high performance. Other than their weakness to daylight and their need for blood, vampires are superior in every way to humans. Self-healing, ruthless, especially if they've lost a grip on their humanity, like psychopaths. Give them proper rules of engagement, proper weapons and wide latitude and they can get the job done. No qualms. No messy moral conundrums."
I cover my eyes with the heels of my palms. The horror of the whole project comes home to me once more. I shake my head, momentarily overcome.
Finally, I glance up, looking at Reynolds through blurry eyes.
"I hate you bastards."
Reynolds says nothing, shrugs. The room is silent for a moment.
Finally, I take in a breath, try to regain control.
"I wanted to go into medicine to study vampirism in order to prevent it, eradicate it. Your type studied it to refine it, exploit it."
"I was just doing research I thought would help prevent them from taking over. I only learned about its real use later. But I gotta tell you, as a military man, I came to appreciate what an asset it was for our side. The problem is that now the vampires out for Dominion have it, too."