Contents

Titel

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

Asking for a Review

Book Tip "Losing Ground"

Book Tip "Heaven Below"

Book Tip "Home Cocktails"

Bio

Imprint

CLONE

by

Christian Grahn

A SCIENCE-FICTION SHORT STORY

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY

CHRISTIAN GRAHN

I

Voices reached HIS ears. Dull, far away. HE could not understand them.

HIS eyes were closed. HIS world consisted of darkness and strange incomprehensible voices. HE tried to concentrate on the voices. After a few minutes HE could say with certainty that there were two voices; a deep one and a high one. A man and a woman. But HE still couldn’t understand what they were saying.

HE opened HIS eyes a crack, only to shut them tight immediately, blinded by light. The brightness was extreme, as if there were three suns above HIM. HIS brain sent the reflex to HIS arms, to lift themselves, to shade HIS face and eyes. HIS arms did not respond. What was going on here? Nervousness welled up in HIM.

One of the voices grew louder, as if it was calling to the other. Had they noticed the movement when HE had shut HIS eyes tightly? HE started a new attempt and opened HIS eyelids, this time very carefully. Again, there was this incredible brightness. But HE did not give up and blinked into the light, until it was bearable. The voices had fallen silent. Two people were to the left and the right of HIM, and were looking at HIM kindly. In the middle above HIM was the light. It was a big operating light.

HE tried to turn HIS head, to take in HIS environment. HE did not succeed, much as HE struggled. The man next to HIM gently put a hand on HIS chest, meaning HIM to remain calm, and moved his mouth and said something, but HE still couldn’t understand. As before, everything acoustic was strangely dimmed. The man smiled. He turned his attention to the second person and said something. The woman turned away and disappeared from HIS sight, to appear shortly afterwards with a tablet computer in her hands. She tapped around on the tablet, and then turned the screen in HIS direction. There was something written on it: whether HE knew where HE was? HE wasn’t sure if HE had an answer to this question. HIS head was strangely empty. Apparently HIS face showed a quizzical expression, because the woman tapped again on the tablet and then it read that HE was in HIS laboratory. This information calmed HIM, though HE couldn’t say why. HE couldn’t remember anything from the past, but HE instinctively felt that the two people next to HIM could be trusted, and the place where HE was was secure. On the tablet, HE read that HE should rest and try to get some sleep. The great light above HIM was shut off. HIS facial features relaxed. A pleasant residual light remained in the room. The man disappeared from HIS sight, the woman took a step closer, took HIS hand and squeezed it, smiling. Then she turned and left the room.

HE felt exhausted. These last few minutes had been very exhausting, even though HE had hardly moved, not been able to move. HE closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly.

* *

II

The bright light was still out. HE could open HIS eyes normally without being blinded again. HIS perception was right again. The veil that last time had dimmed everything was gone. HE heard the buzzing and beeping of various devices that stood around HIM in the room. Also HIS memory was back. HE was in HIS laboratory. HE also knew what HE was doing there, lying on an examination table. HE was the first human experiment.

Excitement spread through HIM, and HIS body began to pump adrenaline. HE turned his head to the left, and saw a guard, who sat reading the newspaper on a chair beside the door. He called to him to summon HIS team. The guard, startled, jumped and closed the newspaper with a rustle when HE gave the order. He had been so absorbed in his reading that HIS voice brutally ripped him from his thoughts.

When the guard had left the room, HE began to loosen the strap across HIS chest. HE pressed the button which raised the head of the bed. In a sitting position HE succeeded in removing the strap completely.

The door to the lab opened, and in came the two people who were present at HIS first awakening. HIS team. They smiled at HIM and came to greet HIM. Julia took HIS left hand in hers and held it for a short time. Alex put his hand amicably on HIS shoulder. They congratulated HIM. HE shook it off with a movement of HIS right hand and said that one should not rush. After all, this was the first attempt to perform the procedure with a human. It was always associated with risk, if you switched from animal experiments to human subjects, even if the animal experiments had been positive and promising.

HE asked Julia for a mirror. HE wanted to look at HIS face. She went to a workspace at the wall and returned with the mirror which had been lying there. With trembling hands HE took it from her.

The image in the mirror was overwhelming. HE knew that face, knew it by heart. HE had just not seen it for 35 years. HE ran his free hand in disbelief over his face. The feeling was indescribable. HIS skin was softer. The wrinkles were less. Unbelievable! HE turned his head slightly to the left and ran his right hand over HIS right temple. It was gone. It was really gone. At the age of twelve HE had an accident in a playground. Since then HE had a scar there. Just behind the eye. Not any more, as of today. The scar was gone. It had been a part of HIM for so long that in view of the now missing scar HE felt a little shudder. All other features were absolutely identical. Green eyes, with the small laughter lines at the outer corners of the eyes, bushy eyebrows, the slightly slanted nose, and lips that liked smiling and laughing so much, forming the small dimples beside the mouth. Nevertheless, the smooth right temple somehow made it feel strange.

It took some time before HE could tear himself away from the sight of HIS face and look at the rest of HIS body. It was just incredible. HE couldn’t find another word in HIS head to describe it.

Julia and Alex were standing beside HIM all the time, smiling. Alex said that there had been no difficulties during the procedure. Everything had gone exactly according to plan. Just as in the previous animal experiments.

He gestured to a screen in a corner of the room. HE should get dressed. Clothes lay ready.

HE swung his legs out of bed and stood up. Surprised by HIS new strength and energy, HE was a little too energetic. HE lost his balance and toppled forward. Alex beside HIM stretched out an arm and caught HIM. He reminded HIM of his cane, which stood at the end of the bed. HE wondered briefly if HE should take it for support, decided against it, let go of the arm of HIS colleague and slowly continued HIS way to the dressing area. HE had to concentrate on every step, but otherwise it worked fine. The motor skills must to some degree be relearned. But that was only a matter of time. They had observed this phenomenon on the rats in the test trials. But only now did HE know how it really felt and at what level one actually was.

HE changed without difficulty. HIS body obeyed HIM well. Now in normal clothes HE no longer felt quite like a lab rat. But basically HE was still just that. HE had taken a very high risk when HE decided to experiment on himself, but as the head of this line of research, only HE could be the first human test subject. HE could not expect it of anyone else. What if something went wrong? HE would never forgive himself if HE had persuaded someone to undergo this experiment and then have him on HIS conscience. HE could not reconcile this with himself. But there was nothing wrong. He felt great. Everything was perfect.

HE emerged from behind the screen. Julia handed HIM a lanyard with HIS employee ID badge, which was also the key for the doors in the building. She had kept it for HIM. HE accepted it and looked at HIS photo. They would need to change it. HE pocketed the badge and walked purposefully toward the second door of the room. But after two steps HE asked her for HIS cane. It made walking more comfortable. HE felt safer. HE would be able to walk normally again soon enough. Adjacent to the second door in the wall was a vertical card scanner. HE pulled HIS badge through and the door unlocked audibly. As HE entered the small room, the motion detectors triggered the lighting in the room. On the opposite wall stood two upright capsules, which were connected by means of a computer terminal. The capsules themselves each had a window at head height. In addition to the transfer unit there was the large tank in the corner in which they had grown the raw clone. Now the tank was as empty as the rest of the room.

The last phase of the procedure had started four months ago. In humans, more time was needed than in rats. The human body is more complex than that of rats. To grow a raw clone took three months. After insertion of the donor’s genetic material into the raw clone, it took another month until the clone developed the physical characteristics of the donor. Only then consciousness was transferred. Although HE knew that it was three days since HE stepped into the capsule for it, it felt like yesterday. HIS sense of time was completely messed up. HE had slept away the time since the transfer. The new body had to assimilate the consciousness which had been inserted into it. After the transfer the old body was left in the capsule and placed in stasis.

HE stepped closer, peering through the window of the left capsule, and saw himself. Had HE not seen HIS new face just now in the small mirror, HE would have thought he was standing before one now. HE checked the vital signs of HIS old body on the unit’s monitor. Everything was all right. All body functions were reduced to an absolute minimum. Just enough to keep the body alive. Without consciousness. It was just a shell. HE activated the electronic security system of the capsule and the small group left the room.

* *

III

HE spent the first couple of days in the laboratory. If there were complications, here you could react the fastest. The company doctor came by every day to check on HIS new body. Everything was as it should be. HE was in very good shape. All organs were performing their duties in an exemplary fashion.

When the doctor was not there, HE went through the normal day-to-day business with Julia and Alex. The glass boxes with the cloned rats and the other devices which were necessary for cloning the rodents were on the work surfaces and spaces on the walls of the laboratory. There was also of course a small transfer unit.

Depending on the test series, the consciousness of the animal remained in the new body, or it was transferred back again into the old body for testing. They had successfully carried out countless experiments.

In the evening Julia and Alex went home, and HE remained alone in the laboratory. For HIS safety, a security guard stayed up all night, stationed outside the laboratory. HE mostly went to bed early and read. He had long been looking forward to the time after the transfer, to finally be able to read a good book again at last.

Starting tomorrow, HE would live at home in his apartment. The doctor would regularly stop by and check HIS condition. HE would not work, but try out HIS new body in all possible situations of normal life. After HE had been reading for about three hours, HE noticed that HIS eyelids were getting heavy. He put the book aside and turned off the light which stood on a small table beside the bed.

The next morning, a new appointment was scheduled with the doctor. He should give the green light so that HE could go home. The doctor could only determine again that everything had gone just as everyone had imagined it. HE left the laboratory with HIS two colleagues, and together they took a second breakfast in the canteen, as they always did. Then they said goodbye, and HE made his way to HIS apartment. He rejoiced almost like a little boy who has come home on the last day of school before the summer holidays. For once, to be alive again and not to worry about or provide for anything important. In this mood, and with a wide grin on HIS face, HE got into his car and drove off.

* *

IV

With pleasure, HE bit into HIS roll, and read the ten names on the list yet another time. For a brief moment the names blurred before his eyes and he had to concentrate to restore the focus. They were the names of the subjects who were going to be born again today.

One year after HIS successful self-experiment, they had been able to convince the key decision makers to launch a human test series. Another six months had then been spent on preparations for this test series. Ten new transfer units had been built and nine tanks, in which the ten clones had been grown. They had selected people of all ages and across all walks of life. The only thing they had in common was that all either had a serious illness or a disability caused by an accident. Through the cloning process, the subjects were given a new body. One which had never had the disease, had never got into the car that had had the accident.

Three days ago the consciousness transfer had been performed, and today all subjects were to be awakened. HE stuffed the last piece of roll in his mouth, threw a jacket on and left the apartment to go to the lab.

The subjects were all housed in single rooms. They were anesthetized to determine the exact wake-up time. Today, HE, Julia and Alex wanted to awaken the subjects in succession, calm them down, and make sure that the change was running smoothly. With the exception of one subject’s small panic attack, all of them had made it through the transfer. Just like HIM one and a half years ago, they would spend the next few days in the laboratory, then be released into their new life. The day was very satisfying for HIM. HE felt happy. Finally HE could help other people with HIS many years of work.

After five days, the subjects were discharged. None had evidence of any side effects. All were happy to have a new functioning body. The older ones even had a bonus as their new bodies had, at the same time, been made a few years younger. They were all looking forward to a happy life.

On the evening of discharge day HE and HIS colleagues met at HIS home to toast their success. The last few months had been very stressful. It was hard work. The three had all taken a holiday for the next two weeks to recover. HE and Julia wanted to spend as much as possible of these two weeks together. During the last half - year they had become very close. They had told each other their feelings. They wanted to be together. Building a relationship. However, the work required a lot of time and concentration. So they came to an agreement to put personal happiness in second place, for the sake of the test series. Just to bring the project to a successful conclusion, then they would have enough time for themselves. They tried to hide their feelings for each other. However, Alex noticed right away what was going on. He addressed them on it, and assured them that it would remain between themselves. He was happy for the two of them, and having been happily married himself for several years, he knew what it was like when you had found the partner with whom you wanted to spend the rest of your life. So he politely excused himself after an hour and left Julia and HIM alone.

They sat together in the living room for a bit and drank the rest of the sparkling wine which they had opened for the toast. Then HE went into the bathroom to freshen up. The dizziness came suddenly. HE had to hold fast to the sink, in order not to fall. The last few weeks had taken their toll. HE was haggard, tired. The holiday really was deserved. The vertigo disappeared as quickly as it had come.

When HE went into the bedroom, Julia was already under the covers. At the foot of the bed lay her garments which she had taken off with each step. She looked at HIM seductively. HE undressed and climbed into bed with her. This night, neither would get any rest yet.

* *

V

It was the best time of HIS life. The relationship with Julia brought a new quality of life that HE had not known before. HE had never had a serious relationship. HE had always chosen HIS career. HE had never regretted it, but HE was overjoyed to have been given a second chance and HE wanted to use it. With Julia.

The nights they spent together were always in HIS apartment. Julia was an incredibly messy person. It took a long time to persuade her to show HIM her apartment. However, she needed two days to provide some degree of order. As they entered her apartment, HE got a coughing fit after a few minutes. The dust dispersed by the cleaning obviously troubled HIS lungs. HE had previously had no such problems. The new body might develop an allergy. It was not uncommon for adults to get allergies. It was a new body that reacted differently to the environment.

Their relationship became very harmonious. They enjoyed the time together. Going for a walk, having long discussions in the evening, watching a movie in the cinema. But the movies became increasingly less fun. HE had problems with visual acuity. Again and again the environment blurred in front of HIS eyes. This also happened to HIM outside during twilight. Apparently HIS eyes could not cope, when there was little ambient light. HE told Julia nothing about it. HE did not mean to worry her. But HE made a note of it and thought that HE would go to the optician if the problem got worse.

As well as the time together, both needed time for themselves. They had been loners for so long and could not change that lifestyle from one day to the next. They needed their freedom. Both had to have some time alone, also to continue to cultivate their friendships. However, they were going to try to merge their circles of friends. Both had met each other's acquaintances, and agreed that it would be a good match. Bit by bit they would introduce everyone to each other, and it would lead to a large circle of friends.

There came a weekend when Julia wanted to visit an old friend who lived in another city. They had not seen each other for a long time and had recently met by chance on the Internet in a social network. They both had time the next weekend, and spontaneously decided to get together to revive memories of old times.

Julia had asked HIM out of courtesy if HE would accompany them. HE had politely declined. It was her friend. HE knew that she would much rather go on her own and did not begrudge her this time. On Friday afternoon, after working in the laboratory, they said goodbye. They would meet here on Monday morning.

HE drove home to HIS apartment. HE felt powerless, limp. More than usual at the end of a working week. Everything was incredibly exhausting. It had been hard work to appear normal in front of Julia, so that she would not become suspicious. HE didn’t wanted to spoil her weekend, which she’d been looking forward to all week. The walk from HIS car in the parking lot in front of the door of HIS apartment strained HIM so much that HE got into a sweat. HE sat down in a chair in the living room. It took ten minutes for HIS condition to normalize.

HE decided to just relax the whole weekend. HE took a bath and stood naked at the foot of HIS bed and fell backwards. The soft cozy bed under HIM felt great. HE closed his eyes in pleasure, and fell asleep immediately, without getting under the covers. The eye closure apparently was the sign for HIS body to go to sleep. A switch that was pressed and triggered the familiar unconsciousness of sleep.

It was a dark, dreamless sleep.It seemed to HIM as if HE only had HIS eyes closed for a moment. The truth, however, was far from it.

* *

VI

Right after awakening HE felt that something was wrong. HE sat up and immediately noticed the wet smacking sound. HIS gaze wandered over HIS body. HIS eyes widened in panic and disbelief. Pulse and breathing quickened. All over his body, a clear sticky layer of mucus had formed. Threads drew from HIS arms and back to the places where they just had been lying. However, there was not only the mucus, but also HIS skin. The top layer of HIS skin had come loose and was glued to the bedspread by the sticky mucus. HE moved to get up and couldn’t prevent the skin at the back of HIS legs remaining stuck on the bedspread. The muddy sound of the dissolving skin layer was disgusting. HE uttered sounds of horror. HE could not believe what was happening to HIM. In the animal experiments, of which they had carried out dozens, such reactions had never occurred. This was something completely new. If there had been such a risk, HE would have forgone the self-test and they had perfected the procedure in animal experiments. But they were finished. The first significant human test series was also completed.

HE stood at the foot of HIS bed and did not dare to move further. But what else could HE do? To just stand here was not an option. HE touched HIS left forearm with HIS right hand. HE could push the whole skin of HIS arm back and forth as if it were on an oily layer. HE took HIS right hand away again, but HIS fingers didn’t come away from the skin. It detached itself in one large piece from HIS forearm and remained stuck on HIS fingers.

It was then too much. HE could feel the gag reflex growing in HIS guts and ran to the bathroom. HE bent just in time over the toilet bowl as HE vomited. Another shock: It was not the last meal that HE threw up, but a mixture of gastric juice, blood and a milky viscous substance. After the third dry spasm HE let out a whimper. HE was disintegrating not only from the outside, but from the inside.

After HE had couched for about five minutes in a corner of the bathroom, HE went to the shower, got in and turned on the water. HE winced as the icy water touched HIM. Wildly HE turned the shower away from HIM, and waited until the water was warm. It felt good and washed the loose skin in large pieces from HIS body. Also the sticky mucus was washed off.

HE had pulled himself together again in the shower. Panic wouldn’t get HIM anywhere. This body was dissolving, so HE had to get HIS old one back. That was the only way. And the sooner the better.

HE walked over to the bedroom and looked at HIS alarm clock, which stood on the bedside table: 22:15. HE picked up the cell phone, which was next to the clock. HE dialed Julia's number. The mailbox picked it up and HE hung up with a sigh. To call Alex was not an option either. Two months ago, he had become a father for the first time, and at the same time as this event he had transferred to a different department, which offered more flexibility to spend time with his family. After the birth they had often met in the canteen for a second breakfast and you could see by the dark circles beneath his eyes that being a father had not only pleasant sides. Alex had said that he basically turned off his cell phone at night and at weekends so that he wouldn’t be woken up by a call or message. A newborn baby did this all by itself. The phone was not necessary to support the sleep disruptions. HE put the phone back on the bedside table.

HE stood in front of the big mirror in HIS bedroom and looked at himself. The sight was frightening, but as a scientist HE was also incredibly fascinated. HE could now see exactly what HE looked like beneath the discarded skin layer. It was not the raw muscles that were now on the surface. A very thin layer of skin remained. This was, however, completely transparent, so that it looked as if someone had skinned HIM alive. What was positive about the whole thing was that HE had no pain at all. HE tried briefly to imagine what it would be like, if on top of everything else, HE were in immense pain, and shivered. HE pushed the thought aside quickly.

HE got dressed, took at last a hooded sweater out of the closet. It was big, and with the hood HE could hide HIS face well. No one should see HIM in this state. Interestingly, the weakness that HE had felt before HIS nap had almost completely disappeared. Not entirely, HE was still limp, but no comparison to before. HE suspected that the decomposition proceeded in phases. Thus HE possibly had a little time until the next debility announced a further boost.

As HE was about to leave the apartment, HE almost tripped over the newspaper, which had been pushed through the mail slot in the door as always, and now lay on the doormat. HE was taken aback. There were two newspapers. HE furrowed his transparent brow. HE had put away the newspaper earlier today. A nasty suspicion arose. HE gathered up both newspapers and read the dates. They did not agree with HIS sense of time. The dates were in the future. HE had lain the whole weekend on the bed and slept. No one had noticed. No appointments and Julia was away. HE swallowed as HE tried to digest this latest shock. HE grabbed HIS hair with both hands, that is HE wanted to do it. That’s what HE always did, if HE had to pull himself together. This time, HE only felt HIS bald head. HE took a deep breath and had to cough immediately. HE held a handkerchief to HIS mouth. When HE was in control again, HE looked into the handkerchief. Blood and mucus. HE did not have forever. HE tried once more to call Julia, but again had no success. HE pulled the hood over HIS head, flung a jacket on, opened the door and made HIS way to the lab.

* *

VII

The half hour drive to the laboratory was unpleasant. HE had coughing fits again and again and realized that HIS power reserves were being depleted. Sweating returned. Twice the road blurred out of the blue before HIS eyes. HE had to blink and squint before HE was able to see normally again. The second time, HE almost strayed from the road.

HE parked his BMW after a fashion on HIS assigned parking space, took the employee ID card from the center console and went to the main entrance. With the hood pulled low over his face, HE walked to the card scanner at the reception. The guard raised an eyebrow as he saw HIM. It was not unusual that someone worked at night, when important experiments needed to be monitored. HIS appearance, however, did not suggest that HE was the leading scientist of HIS department. The scanner made a short beep as HE swiped the card. HIS data appeared on the screen of the security guard, his face relaxed and with a short greeting he let HIM pass.

The way to HIS laboratory was long. You had to completely traverse the building complex. Tonight it felt like an eternity. Near the security guard HE had tried to act as normal as possible. As soon as the security guard was out of sight, HE had to give in more and more to the degradation of HIS body. HE was sweating from every pore, progressed more slowly and had to hold on to the wall to keep from falling. After what felt like an Odyssey HE finally arrived at HIS department. HE looked around. There was no one else to be seen.

HE trudged down to HIS laboratory. With trembling fingers HE tried to pull the card through the scanner. HE missed the slot and the card fell to the ground. A sigh escaped HIM that was a mixture of frustration and emerging despair. With enormous effort HE managed to pick up the card and unlock the door. This mishap must not happen again. HE felt that HE would not make a further effort of this magnitude. Time was working against HIM. HE slipped the lanyard with the badge over HIS head. HE had never used it in this way before. HE always put the card in HIS pocket and let the lanyard dangle. But special circumstances required new tactics.

HE was almost finished. But also, HE was almost at HIS target. Only one more door!

HE staggered across the laboratory, supporting himself on the bed in the middle. It was the examination table, where HE had woken up after the transfer. Arriving at the door to the next room, HE banged against the wall with his shoulder, next to the card scanner. HE shortly wondered that HE felt no pain. With the force with which HE had slammed into the wall, HE would have had to feel something. The pain receptors to the brain could not send signals anymore. They were too badly damaged by decay. HIS mouth turned into a slight smile. At least HE was not on pain, even if nothing else was right.

HE fiddled with HIS fingers in his jacket pocket for the card, until HE remembered that HE had just hung it around HIS neck. Valuable time wasted. HE focused, put the card on the slot and then pulled it quickly down. The door unlocked with a clearly audible clicking sound. Finally!

In the next room everything was exactly the same as the day one and a half years ago, as he and his colleagues had left it after HIS awakening. HE dragged himself over to the transfer unit. A touch on the touchscreen brought it to life.

HE tapped through the menu on the screen and put the system to transfer mode. The second capsule opened in order to receive HIM in a moment. However, the old body previously had to be brought out of stasis. The computer was now ready to check HIS voice and fingerprint. HE put HIS thumb on the fingerprint reader. Nothing happened. The computer did not recognize HIM. There was no message that the fingerprint was not correct, the computer just did nothing. As if there was nothing on the scanner’s surface, as if it was still waiting for a thumb. HIS thumb. HE pressed it again and again on the scanner surface. The result was always the same: nothing happened. HIS fingers no longer had any prints. As a result of the decomposition process HIS fingers were completely smooth. The typical grooves of the fingers which produced the fingerprint had fallen off with HIS skin in HIS apartment.

HE groaned as HE realized the significance of this. HE would not be able to start the machine. Voice and fingerprint had to be entered. The order was not important, but both were mandatory. HE stared for a minute motionless at the screen. Then HIS despair changed into gallows humor. HE decided to try the voice recognition, although HE knew, that it was no use, even if it succeeded. HE opened his mouth and told HIS name to the computer. HE had a shock. Since HE had awakened in HIS flat and the decomposition had set in, HE had not spoken a single word. HIS voice was no more than a croak. No sound was understandable. The computer confirmed this observation by cheerfully telling HIM that there was no consensus and HE should please try again. HIS derogatory cough triggered a renewed attack. Beaten by HIS own security measures.The fact that only one person could set the machine in motion was thus taking its revenge.

It was the end! There was no way out. Exitus! HE knew it. But HIS subconscious didn’t want to believe it. It tried to cling to any straw.

In a last desperate act HE raised HIS fists and slammed them on the window of the capsule. Mucus and blood remained adhered to the glass. Otherwise, nothing happened. HE struck a second time. The third time, a cry such as HE had never heard before in HIS life accompanied the movement. Born out of anger and frustration. As HIS hands hit the glass again, they slipped off and the momentum made HIS body crash into the capsule. HE looked through the window at the face which had once been HIS.

HE slid down the capsule and collapsed beside it. Breathing was difficult. HIS thoughts were with Julia. HE remembered all the beautiful moments they had had together in the short time. Especially now that they had begun to make plans for the future. HE wanted to ask next weekend, at a romantic dinner, whether she wanted to move in with HIM. Fate, however, had a different plan. HE would leave Julia alone.

HE tried to push HIS thoughts of Julia to the back of HIS mind. The scientist came to the fore. The cloning project. Why had it not worked on HIM? Why had the decomposition set in after such a long time? Only now did HE become aware of the far-reaching consequences of HIS fate. The test series! They hadn’t kept the old bodies of the subjects. After their release, they had disposed of them. HE had thus condemned them to death. The decomposition was probably only a matter of time with them. HE rolled the problem back and forth in HIS head. In the rest of the time, that still remained to HIM, HE had to find a solution to save the ten subjects.

And suddenly HE knew. The realization hit HIM with the force of a freight train and shocked HIM. At this moment, HE felt the organs in HIS chest collapse and merge into a nondescript mush. HIS heart still beat three more times before it liquefied.

* *

VIII

The next morning, Julia entered the lab. She immediately saw that the door to the next room was ajar, and frowned. She crossed the room, carefully stretched out her hand and touched the door handle. She felt a cold mucus, sparsely covering the top of the handle. She wiped her hands on her coat and pushed the door further open by pushing against it above the handle. She called a quick Hello in the room, but got no answer. She went in and the light turned on.

She looked over to the transfer unit. Her eyes widened. Behind the unit a pair of pants and a pair of shoes could be seen. She went on till she could see all around the transfer unit and audibly sucked in the air. Behind the machine on the wall were more garments. They were lying in a loose heap and mixed with mucus and remnants of bones. It was clear to see that this was a human body. On top of the mountain of mucus was an employee ID card, the lanyard still around the semi-decomposed skull. Carefully, she picked it up and read the name written on it. Instantly she let out a cry of horror. She dropped the card and had to suppress the rise of nausea. She pressed a hand to her mouth, staggered to the door and then ran through the laboratory into the hallway...

* * *

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Christian

LOSING GROUND

When alien beings reach the planet Djaril, the Mahl'Gun living there are faced with their greatest challenge: their existence must not come to light.

Yuka and his pack are sent to watch the strangers. What begins as a routine mission soon becomes a life-threatening hunt. But the danger of the strangers has to be eliminated. No matter the cost.

E-book available at Amazon and all other online shops,

paperback exclusively at Amazon.

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Heaven Below

Would you stick to your principles, even if it could destroy you?

Jim, a former investigator of the elite Downtown, lives a monotonous but hard life in exile in Uptown, which is marked by extreme weather and poverty.

When strange things happen, which even lead to the death of a colleague and friend, he takes the opportunity to escape his dreary everyday life to get to the bottom of the matter. He quickly realizes that he is on the trail of something huge. Despite the horrors he encounters in Downtown, he sees the opportunity for a new beginning that can bring more justice to all residents of Riveris. But not everyone wants to give up the existing system so Jim finds himself in the crossfire of the people pulling the strings.

E-book available at Amazon and all other online shops,

paperback exclusively at Amazon.

Home Cocktails

Cocktails are complicated, expensive and complex?

A look behind the magic of the delicious mixed drinks.

A treat for all senses with few ingredients.

Anyone can mix!

A guide to prepare delicious Cocktails for your home without much effort and money.

Available in print as softcover exclusively at Amazon.

About the author

Christian was born in 1978 in Kiel, Germany, grew up in Norderstedt, graduated school in 1997, military service in the army, apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker. After one year as a journeyman he took on the study of interior design in Detmold, which he completed in August 2008.

After graduating Christian worked for two years at a store/shop construction company in Oststeinbek. Since November 2010 he is working at a trade fair company in Barsbüttel. He designs and draws exhibition stands in 3D on the computer and creates the technical drawings for the construction of the stands.

He lives with his wife and his two sons in Henstedt-Ulzburg, north of Hamburg.

Christian came to writing relatively late. As an avid role player he liked to devise back stories for his characters, but only on a small scale. However, the interest in writing whole stories and novels gradually grew. Today, Christian uses his time, apart from work and family, to write science-fiction and fantasy stories and novels.

Who wants to know more, can visit Christian on his website www.christian-grahn.de. There you can also sign up for his newsletter. If you do, you get his novella »Losing Ground« for free!

Copyright © 2014 Christian Grahn

Jahnstr. 46, 24558 Henstedt-Ulzburg,

Germany

www.christian-grahn.de

All rights reserved.

Coverdesign: Christian Grahn

First publication of the German original: 12.11.2014

First publication of the English version:14.03.2015

Translated by: Christian Grahn

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations and events depicted in this story are drawn either from the imagination of the author, or are used fictitiously.

No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded, or in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, now known or to be invented later, stored in an information retrieval system without the express written permission of Christian Grahn.