The-X-Species-Graphic-Novel-Sample

The X Species
half-man and half-beast that outmaneuvered us at every
turn. In these ungodly conditions we - despite our
specialized military training - became easy prey at
the hands of the beast.' End quote.”
Another image materializes behind her. This one
of a bespectacled man, with a scholarly air,
delicately palming a partial skull. Workers at various
stages of the excavation process are visible to his
rear. “Ahminhar Cave, Eastern Nepal,” Sarah pauses
momentarily, part for dramatic effect, part due to
nerves. “Ahminhar Cave was Discovered in 1925 by
exiled Russian scientist Dr. Mikhail Ivanhoff,” Again
the slide changes, this time unveiling an antiquated
map on frayed, aged paper. Details of the planned
expedition route, topographical landmarks, and
Sarkowsky's faded scrawling are still visible.
“Ahminhar Cave sits just a quarter of a mile to
the East of where the Sarkowsky team went missing.”
Murmuring amongst the audience members.
“Intrigued by the encounters of Sarkowsky, as
well as Darwin's writings in The Origin of Species,
Dr. Ivanhoff began his foray into a series of highly
confidential genetic engineering experiments based on
his expedition finds. He did so, I might add, with the
blessing of the Polit Bureau of Moscow, and it is
rumored Stalin himself...”
Within a stones throw of the Kremlin, Dr.
Ivanhoff's clustered early twentieth century lab
fosters the perfect environment for hoped for advances
in human genetic engineering. Windowless, sparsely
decorated and heavily guarded, Ivanoff can work in
complete autonomy here. At this moment, Inga, a twenty
two year old pheasant from a neighboring village
cowers in the corner of the dingy laboratory. A
perfect specimen. Weary, and somewhat catatonic she
watches Ivanhoff from the shadows. Not even the smell
of feces from her neighboring primate cellmates, nor
her own vomit dried and caked beneath her, is enough
to rouse her drug inhibited senses. Her wrists and
ankles scarred and bruised from her cast iron
constraints, she has learned from times past that
escape is futile.
Neko Sparks 15