The Mother of All Read online

  “So, can everyone be ready to go in 20 minutes. I am going to program the routes I want the drones to take today and I should be ready to go,” said my father as he began organizing his luggage, claiming a portion of the floor.

  “I’ll be ready to go when I feel like it!” said Donald jokingly, pretending he was about to wrestle my father.

  “Oh, Donald, mi amigo. You wouldn’t harm a sloth,” said my father jokingly. I bit my lip as I cracked a smile.

  “That would be a pretty intense fight. Donald versus a sloth. Although, I would give a slight advantage to the sloth,” said Marina as she chuckled and tied her boots.

  “I will show you sloth alright!” said Donald as he waved his fist in the air.

  Aerial drones were located at each of the seven research towers. They were roughly the size of a car tire. The drones were powered via satellite and were responsible for covering a large diameter of the jungle around each tower that we weren't able to on foot. While the drones were airborne, they were able to capture images and data that could be sent back to campus. The drones possessed lights and radars that were able to pick up the locations of previous species that had been marked and tagged during previous maintenance checks.

  The drones gave the L.R.R. an idea of dispersal patterns of many animal species and a way into the dense jungle. Each drone was able to release a smaller drone that was roughly the size of a mango. The smaller drones were able to get into smaller spaces and obtain more precise images and data, while the mother drones remained hovering in one location.

  While my father sat at the computer programming the routes for the drones, the rest of us made our way down the spiral staircase to the second floor of the tower. The second floor was where we stored the research suits, hard hats, boots, gloves, and research equipment.

  Abdi began to open a storage compartment that housed at least a dozen robotics that resembled an assortment of different animals.

  “What are they, Uncle Abdi?” I asked with curiosity.

  “They are Ani-cams. I just have to implant some chips into them quickly and give them a range. Each Ani-cam has a camera and is able to detect any animal we have tagged previously. They also mimic the animals of the jungle, so they blend right in with the wildlife. The bright paint we colored them with acts as a warning sign to other animals, so they don’t eat them.”

  I stared in amazement at how realistic the Ani-cams looked. Abdi continued to explain to me that the Ani-cams have been responsible for the discovery of many new species of monkeys and cats. He continued to explain that during the maintenance checks of the Solar Territory, a lot of the work consisted of locating the Ani-cams that had been sent out during previous checks. The chip only allowed for the Ani-cam to have a life of 90 days until the chip would die and the camera would stop retrieving data.

  “Do they ever break?” I asked.

  “No, actually they are pretty indestructible and were engineered by C.O.C.A. to be used as a military device to spy on their opposition,” said Abdi as he inserted a bubblegum size microchip into one of the Ani-cams.

  By the time Abdi finished placing a chip into the fifth or sixth Ani-cam, Marina walked towards one and picked it up.

  “I love these so much. C.C. used these to observe the Great Apes in the jungles of the African Alliance,” she said, holding an Ani-cam that resembled a black and red tortoise in her hands. “The gorillas and chimps would collect them and hide them. C.C. told me that he thinks the apes feared them for some reason,” said Marina

  Proper Protective Equipment or P.P.E. was always required to protect ourselves from the noxious insects and the harsh environment. The jungle was constantly evolving and so were its animals, plants, and diseases.

  Before doing field research in the jungles of the L.R.R., everyone was required to sign waiver forms. Stress from the humidity, along with heat strokes and dehydration, were far too common. There were just too many biological hazards to not have strict guidelines for all the L.R.R. field research participants.

  There were bright yellow posters on every floor to raise awareness about the risks of not wearing proper P.P.E. or following protocol. Each poster had a checklist on it and an image of a properly dressed research employee. The checklist consisted of basic safety equipment such as first aid kits, GPS, radios, P.P.E., flashlights, flares, and a small water purification kit.

  Once everyone was ready, each of us grabbed our research suits, boots, and the supplies needed to meet the checklist requirements.

  The research suits were state of the art. They appeared to be very large and bulky when you first put them on, but after a few short minutes the suits slowly molded to your body and aided in maintaining a healthy temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate. Most important of all, the research suits kept us dry and allowed us to maintain communication with one another.

  The floor was filled with silence as everyone looked over their equipment. Suddenly my father yelled down the spiral staircase. “I'm going to release the drones from the top of the tower, and I will be right down.”

  We could all hear the excitement in my father's voice.

  It didn't take my father long to release the drones and make his way down the staircase to the second floor. He dressed quickly in proper protective equipment. He then looked around the room at each of us and said: “Let's do this.”

  Chapter 5

  The Solar Tower Part 2

  We exited the tower with our hiking packs strapped to our back. I could see three drones dispersing in separate directions of the territory. The mild buzz they let out sounded like the daily chatter of insects from inside the jungle. Donald, Marina, Abdi, and my father were all holding dart guns. I didn’t have a dart gun but was carrying a large walking stick that I found near the exit of the tower, next to three or four enormous tortoise shells.

  Since C.O.C.A. funded a large majority of the research, they had a series of standard operating procedures that needed to be abided by when conducting research and maintenance checks. The use of high-potent dart guns instead of lead bullets helped C.O.C.A. acquire data and implant tracking devices into new species without harming them. While the species were unconscious, our team of scientists would take a very small tissue sample of the animal. The tissue sample would then be analyzed. The DNA would be entered into the database and the cells would be frozen in a cell bank for research.

  New animal species were being discovered monthly. The tracking devices aided the Latin Research Resurgence and C.O.C.A. in understanding migration patterns of certain species. It was vital in trying to understand the ever-changing ecosystem of the jungle.

  Even when the jungle was dwindling in the past, new species of plants and animals were still being discovered. Since the growth of the L.R.R.’s jungle, it was expected that we would encounter something new every day. Every discovery would be recorded in an electronic log for The L.R.R. and C.O.C.A. to analyze on demand.

  “Alright everyone, remember to stay close to one another and make sure to keep your eyes peeled. If anyone spots anything of interest let the team know. Let's have some fun,” said my father as we all began to start our hike.

  My father was at the head of the line and Donald was at the end. Marina was behind my father, followed by myself and then Abdi.

  Our normal maintenance check of the research towers usually covered about an eight-mile radius. Each maintenance check usually lasted at least five hours. The maintenance check for each tower consisted mainly of fixing our camera system, gathering DNA samples, and documentation of newly discovered plants and animals.

  The jungle was thick and alive. As we started to follow an overgrown trail, the calls of birds and monkeys echoed throughout the jungle.

  The first animal we encountered was a large toucan. It was absolutely beautiful. I don't recall ever seeing one so large.

  “We don't need to shoot that damn bird, do we, Craigio?” asked Donald as he made an attempt to grab his dart gun.

  “No. No. No. W
e have bird banded and tagged plenty of toucans in this area,” answered my father, continuing to lead the way.

  The soft soil left our footprints in the trail. Each step made me feel like I was walking on a trail of pillows. About one mile into our hike, we arrived at one of the cameras. Like a vast majority of the cameras, this one was disguised as a plant.

  Abdi changed the battery and made an attempt to clean the lens. Marina checked a mammal trap that was an arm’s length away from the camera. The trap was empty, as expected. Normally, when an animal would trap itself inside, an alert would be sent to campus to notify our research team. The research team was then able to unlock the trap from headquarters, if needed.

  “I'm beginning to think that we need to just do away with all of these traps, Craigio. They may be outdated,” said Marina, a little disappointed.

  “Maybe the animals are just getting smarter,” said Abdi trying to troubleshoot the situation.

  “You both may be right. I will bring it up to Dr. Gruver at the next meeting,” said my father.

  After a brief moment, we continued on the trail. I felt so small down on the jungle floor. I could see a little waterfall in the entourage that was absolutely gorgeous. I took a few pictures so I could make an album to show my mother. She loved waterfalls.

  “Alright! Let's carry on!” yelled my father.

  We continued hiking along the damp trail, checking the traps and cameras. Along the way, I plucked an orchid off a nearby Connero tree. I noticed a few monkeys watching us from above. I couldn't help but feel like we were intruding or perhaps unwelcome. The hoots and hollers they let out did frighten me a little.

  Halfway through our hike, we approached another camera. A stone’s throw from it, Marina spotted at least a dozen exotic butterflies on the floor of the trail. The bright colors of their wings were absolutely jaw dropping.

  “They are beautiful,” said Abdi as he dropped to one knee and observed the bright colors of the butterflies.

  “Hey everyone, keep your heads up. Those butterflies are all feeding on urine. Not sure who’s urine, but could be a jaguar,” cautioned Marina.

  As we finished checking the camera, we could hear something in the bushes. Whatever it was quickly drew our attention. The jungle was silent for a few short seconds…or at least it was to me.

  The entire team drew their dart guns, expecting an ambush of some sort. A thousand thoughts rushed through my head. I wondered if it was a jaguar or armadillo...perhaps a howler monkey.

  I remained still, my hands gripping my walking stick. The entire team had their dart guns drawn and aimed towards the direction of the movement. The movement stopped. My heart rate was rising, and I could feel my research suit adjusting in an attempt to bring my heart rate back to a normal range. Suddenly I spotted thick black fur peeking out from a bush that had to be at least five feet tall. I suspected that whatever it was could sense our presence. After what seemed like twenty minutes, the largest anteater I had ever seen crawled from behind the bushes.

  I could hear the dart guns firing from numerous angles. The anteater immediately dropped to the soft soil of the jungle.

  “Would you look at that?” said my father, his eyes wide. He then proceeded to grab his biological device that allowed him to gather a few samples of the anteater’s tissue and blood.

  “Do you think it is half bear? I remember seeing a bear once around that size on the other side of these mountains,” said Donald with a little fear in his voice.

  I basked in the beauty of this anteater. Its muscular physique was unlike any species of anteater I have ever encountered; Donald’s question wasn’t too far-fetched.

  “Let’s carry on, team. This fella is going to be pretty pissed off once it finally wakes up,” said my father, eager to proceed.

  The rest of the maintenance check of the Solar tower was rather uneventful. We checked empty trap after empty trap.

  My father shared stories about how one of sciences’ greatest pioneers, Charles Darwin, studied finches and other animals on a series of islands about one thousand miles west of here. It was hard for me to imagine anyone doing research without the technology we have today. I admired the bravery that each and every one of them possessed. The courage to set sail from the eastern world knowing that each day could be their last. No satellites, no cellphones, nothing but a courageous drive and a dream.

  “Why don’t we ever go visit those islands?” I asked my father.

  He took a deep breath in preparation to answer my question.

  “Ever since C.O.C.A. was able to manipulate and edit the genes of the Galapagos tortoise and successfully transfer the plasmid into humans, they only allow C.O.C.A. officials onto the islands. That gene they edited from the giant tortoise is part of the reason the life expectancy of their citizens is 140 years old. The islands are actually guarded by their naval ships.”

  I continued walking with my father back to the tower. I had heard stories of how C.O.C.A. had made monumental strides in eugenics, organ harvesting and human testing. I just had no idea that their mastery of the DNA sequence was responsible for prolonging life for so long.

  As I gazed at some of the pretty plants and flowers throughout the territory, an enormous Chiriqui Condor soared above our heads. It’s pretty green feathers and fifteen-foot wingspan were a colorful gift to the human eye. I attempted to take a photograph when a small tremor in the ground quickly startled me. The tremor only lasted about ten seconds and wasn't unusual for this part of the L.R.R.

  “I think I just soiled myself. The combination of that tremor and that damn pterodactyl-looking bird literally scared the fecal matter out of me,” said Donald laying on the jungle floor.

  It always amazes me how the earth was able to release enough energy to move the tectonic plates of the world.

  I quickly realized that I was the only person on the team still on their feet. I looked at my father who pierced my soul with an angry glare.

  “Layka!” yelled my father. “If you are going to come along on these trips, you have got to follow protocol. Look around, you’re the only person standing up. Get it together!”

  An embarrassing feeling overwhelmed me as the rest of the team rose to their feet. My father rarely raised his voice. I knew he was only looking out for my safety, but I despise how he always treats me like a little kid, especially in front of the entire team.

  We began our trek back to Solar tower, gathering samples of unique plants we encountered along the way. The humidity of the jungle stimulated my ever-growing appetite.

  Once we arrived at the Solar tower, everyone let out a sigh of relief as we set our packs down and began to remove our P.P.E.. Marina placed the team’s biological devices into a small compartment in the first floor that sterilized everything inside. I was excited to clean myself up and search for something to eat.

  “Not going to lie, that was a little scary,” said Abdi as he started to remove his research suit.

  “I wasn't scared one bit. I was kind of hoping a jaguar or that damn condor would try to attack me! I would have let ‘em have it!” yelled Donald as he pretended to be a boxer before cracking open a can of beer.

  Marina let out a slight chuckle while my father rolled his eyes.

  “There hasn’t been a recorded jaguar attack on humans for at least 50 years,” said Marina. She and Donald argued for a few seconds about the matter before my father chimed in.

  “Is anyone getting hungry? Lina made some chili and sent it along for everyone. I can warm it up if everyone would like. I am about to head upstairs anyway,” said my father.

  “That would be awesome, Craigio. I think we are all starving,” said Marina as we all nodded in confirmation.

  “Great. Why don’t you all get cleaned up. Shower if you want to. I should have everything ready in about a half hour,” said my father making his way upstairs.

  I gathered a fresh set of clothes to change into after my shower. The towers did not have running water. However, they
were engineered with a device that would trap water from the rainfall that we used as an eco-friendly shower. There were only two in each tower, so we tried to take as quick of showers as we possibly could. This way everyone could shower.

  The smell of my mother’s chili filled the air. I quickly made my way upstairs to the table. Everyone except for Abdi was waiting patiently for their food. I could see Abdi was stretching, doing yoga on his mat before dinner.

  “Alright everyone, the food is ready, come grab a bowl,” said my father.

  Everyone, including Abdi, all grabbed a bowl of chili and sat down at the table. The room was completely silent, everyone devouring their food.

  “Hats off to the chef. Lina is an excellent cook, Craigio! Tell your wife thank you,” said Marina as she finished her bowl.

  Once we finished eating, we all washed out our bowls. With our stomachs full, we laid down on our sleeping bags to rest. The night was still fairly young.

  “Does anyone want to play cards or maybe a board game?” asked my father. The room was silent as my father’s suggestion drew zero interest. The sun and humidity seemed to drain us all of our energy. It wasn't long before the entire team was ready for bed.

  Chapter 6

  The Pachanga Tower

  The morning came quick. Abdi woke me to stretch as the rest of the team seemed to already be prepared for departure. I could see my father engaged in a pretty intense phone call. I quickly devoured a banana and began to stretch my legs. The stretching didn’t last long. After a quick 30 minutes, most of the research team was fastened to their seats inside the helicopter.

  After locking the tower, Donald made his way towards the chopper. He moved rather swiftly for a plump man. He did his usual safety lap prior to entering the pilot’s door. He reviewed the chopper’s control meters and gauges prior to notifying the team that we were clear for takeoff, when suddenly my father removed his headset.