Life and Death

"Professor Erik Ullrich, you stand before this court accused of crimes against humanity. How do you plead?" asked the judge.

"Not guilty, your honor."

The judge's face contorted in anger, "We found your secret lab and the abominations that you have created. We found your notes, the ancient file archive, and the secret journals. Few cases are as open and shut as this one and you have the AUDACITY to proclaim your innocence before me?"

"Your honor, this research would benefit humanity. Disease could be eradicated, life could be extended, human suffering could be significantly reduced! I am guilty of violating the genetic research act, but innocent of crimes against humanity...rather I have done humanity a great favor. I am a hero of humanity."

"Silence!" snarled the judge. "You are one of the worst villains to ever appear within this court. Cruel, deluded and sick! Your vile abominations along with all the twisted knowledge you kept have been destroyed."

Erik gasped before he sighed to himself in disappointment. "What a great loss" he thought. "My 'Nine month" bacteria were eradicated. Now I'll never know how long they could live...I probably won't be far behind." he lamented. He had a close attachment to these bacteria and he often thought of them as a close friend of his. To him this was a greater loss than all of his other experiments and research notes. At the end of the day he still had everything locked up within his own brain, so aside from the time and money, it wasn't much of a blow.

"From your very mouth you have admitted guilt. Furthermore I see no shred of guilt or remorse for what you have done! I pronounce you guilty on all charges. You will be remanded to a federal penitentiary where you will pass your time in solitary confinement until you are put to death under the full authority of the law. May God have mercy on your wretched soul! Court is adjourned." The judge ended his pronouncement with a loud slam from his gavel that rang with the gravity of a death toll.

The courtroom lapsed into silence at his verdict. It had been decades since someone had last been sentenced to death. Suddenly the courtroom exploded into noise and activity as multiple cameras were trained on the professor. Reporters were excitedly recounting the sudden pronouncement and its implications.

Over the next few weeks the professor's name was dragged through the mud and his family was mercilessly harassed. Headlines such as, "Dr. Genocide receives the death penalty!", or "Villainous professor's family never knew they lived with a monster!" dominated the newscasts and online media.

It didn't take long before a divorce notice was delivered to his cell. He also received letters from his children effectively severing their relationship. After his friends and family severed their relationships his life was suddenly plunged into silence and loneliness. Solitary confinement consisted of 23 hours within his cell and one hour per day to walk in a small enclosure for "exercise."

As if being ostracized wasn't enough the professor also took sick. His body became feverish, his bones hurt and his head ached tremendously. As he lay drenched in sweat he laughed mirthlessly to himself, "Drinking the nine month vial probably wasn't a great idea. I really underestimated the lengths of their investigation..." He originally drank the vial to hide the immediate evidence as well as to keep them from getting their hands on it. As for offering it to the Dean, he already knew that he would refuse. Everyone already knew that Dean Milner was afflicted with diabetes and was very strict about his diet. It was a calculated gamble to allay their suspicions.

Although he had been careful by hiding his experimental lab and trying to buy items using cash, the investigators used some clever methods to track him down. By tracking his communication device's location history they were able to construct a model and discover where he was spending a large amount of his time when he was not at the University. From there it was easy to conclude that this was where he was performing his experiments. By locating certain private residences that he only visited once they were able to find and interview the owners of certain ancient devices that he purchased. Of course these individuals weren't suspicious and gladly shared the information regarding what was purchased.

Once they had all of this information they began several months of surveillance so that they had picture and video evidence of his activities. Although they knew where his experimental lab was they avoided raiding it so they could avoid raising the professor's suspicions. Everything culminated in a well orchestrated tactical strike where his lab was raided while he was being arrested. It was a well planned and perfectly executed operation carried out by Agent Hendricks.

Erik sighed miserably as he shifted once again, trying to get comfortable. It was already the fourth day of suffering. Due to the pain and misery he had been unable to sleep the entire time. Fortunately he finally lapsed into a troubled sleep several hours later.

When he woke up the following morning his mind was clear and the pain was gone. A smile slowly crept to his face before it suddenly froze. He suddenly smelled a foul odor. Looking down at himself he saw that he was covered in a black oily substance, from head to toe. Erik retched a few times before jumping out of bed. He took his clothes off and bundled them into his bedding and threw everything into the corner. Next he grabbed a washcloth and wet it in the small sink of his cell. He washed and scrubbed at the filth until he was clean. Luckily he was given two sets of prison clothing so he was able to get dressed after he cleaned himself off.

He gasped when he looked at his arms. He could tell that the wrinkles of age, although still present had receded. One of the small scars on his right hand had disappeared completely. Erik sunk into thought while he pondered what the implications of this were. Since human trials had never been done with this number nine genetic therapy he had no way to determine how it would affect him differently. Only time would tell...

Several hours later a guard stopped by to take him for his one hour exercise. "Jesus Christ Ullrich!" he shouted in disgust, "you're lucky I don't beat you to death. What happened in here? It smells worse than the back end of a donkey. If you hadn't cleaned up your mess, I'd make you suffer until you wish you were dead."

"You know I've been sick, I guess the fever broke last night." he shrugged

"Tell it to someone who cares, convict." spat the convict as he pointed down the cell block.

Erik shuffled out to the exercise yard. As usual he started his pacing. Today he felt more energetic and clear headed. It looked like he was out of danger, for the time being. If number nine wouldn't kill him, then the lethal injection would.

Once again his life lapsed back into a boring routine. After several months the routine was interrupted as his cell door jolted open. He was greeted by the grizzled stone faced man who originally arrested him.

Erik glanced at him from his bed, "Agent Hendricks, how unexpected. Are you moonlighting as an executioner now?"

"Come with me" the man said in a monotone voice.

After exiting the small cell Erik was suddenly blinded by a flash. After his momentary blindness faded he noticed a small group of people congregated outside. A reporter had just snapped a quick photo, while another man held a camera that looked like it was recording. Excitement was visible on their faces as they knew they had luckily obtained the scoop of the century. There were four prison guards arranged around the reporters. Another one approached Erik and placed shackles on his wrists and ankles.

Without further comment they began walking. After passing multiple checkpoints they stopped before an ominous metal door. As the door slowly opened it was about 30cm thick. Behind the door was a room bathed in white with a metal gurney inside. Next to the gurney were several trays with needles and vials placed in an orderly manner.

Agent Hendricks suddenly turned to the group and said, "Okay, the tour is over. You guys can leave."

One of the reporters immediately protested, "Aren't we here to film the execution? This is like cooking a meal and then telling us to leave when it is served."

A look of annoyance flashed on Agent Hendrick's face, "You are lucky I let you see this much. Is there no depth that you reporters will sink to? Let the man die with some dignity intact. Now go!"

A hint of appreciation blossomed in Erik's heart. Although this man was responsible for arresting him, he didn't blame him for doing his job.

Before they could be shooed away another reporter shouted out, "Professor Ullrich, do you have any last words?"

The question surprised him, but then he remembered a famous quote as a smile came to his face, "Nuts!" he said before he turned around and walked into the room. He was followed by Agent Hendricks. The large door slowly shut as the group of reporters were left standing there with a questioning look in their eyes.