Genetics

"Follow me and I'll bring you to the testing lab to see whats going on with that egg." Samantha said casually before leading the way through the building. Like the name of the building explained the place was a huge science lab effectively that was separated by the fields of research with Samantha's being on the third floor going down the stairs. "Why don't you have an elevator or teleporter?" I asked after we walked down the stairs. "First is for easier containment as each floor has a sealing method that keeps the more dangerous things here from getting out accidentally."-

"The second was that those working here rarely have time to get proper exercise so these stairs allow at least a small amount to be had." Samantha explained casually and I nodded in understanding. Soon we got to her lab and she pointed out a device that I didn't recognize that had a large cushioned space in the middle of it. "Place the egg in the empty space there so I can get a scan of it's genetic code to see what we are working with here." she said and I was slightly surprised but not entirely since cloning from DNA was a thing here.-

Opening my satchel I carefully extracted the egg from the incubation pocket and placed it in the machine. Birch , Watson and Samantha all examined it closely when I did. "That is certainly a strange design on the egg and the mix of colors and size are all off for the Feebas species." Birch said seriously and Samantha nodded in agreement. "Give it a moment to fully map out the genetic code of the egg and then compare it to the sample of a normal Feebas we have on file." Samantha said as she started typing and clicking on a computer nearby.-

The machines chamber light up softly as the machine whirred and did it's thing. A few minutes later the results came in and Samantha looked them over with a frown. "Well I have some good news and bad news so which do you all want first?" she asked seriously. "I've found that it's best to take the bad before the good , helps curb to stress of it." Watson said and neither Birch or I argued. "Well the bad news is that there is indeed human interference involved here."-

"I'm not talking minorly either because I can pretty easily figure out how I got these results and frankly the one or ones responsible are either psychopaths or idiots , maybe both. Do you know how variants are born normally?" She asked and Birch piped up "A correct mix of genetic and environmental factors correct?" he said and she nodded. "Yep but whoever did this chose to instead extract the genetic component for every known variation and forcefully inject them into the mother of this egg , likely before it evolved into a Milotic. Genetics is a fine and precise subject but this approach was brutal and likely highly fatal in almost all cases it was used in."-

"See each body is built with a very specific number of genes that varies from individual to individual but it is always the same ones in a different order each time barring natural mutations which are only theoretical at the moment since there has never been a recorded case. Anyways by forcefully adding duplicates of genes like this the genetic structure of the body is forcefully reconstituted to accommodate them as there was now too many genes in one body. Do this with a human and death is the only outcome."-

"However pokemon have an inbuilt safety mechanism that would grant a chance for survival , evolution. The mother of this egg was forced to evolve in order to survive the genetic restructuring and the shiny gene became dominant in it while the rest of the lingering changes likely caused madness and agony at all times. Hence while I said only an idiot or a psycho would do this , it's inefficient and wasteful with no real chance of success." She broke it down for us and we all looked disgusted when we understood what had been done.-

"You said there was good news as well?" Watson asked and Samantha nodded. "I'll be blunt with you all , this egg is a miracle given physical form. Somehow the mother had resisted the madness long enough to mate and create it which I can tell you is so low probability wise that it's difficult to put in words. But even more insanely all those extra genetics had fused together as a result of the mothers unstable genetics being mixed with the fathers stable ones. This egg possesses a brand new variation that is like no other in the world and likely will never be seen after it dies assuming that is even possible anymore." she said seriously.-

"Any clue what I should expect with this new variation?" I asked seriously as I had an idea what to expect from the normal variation but this was unexplored territory. "Well you know how I said it was a fusion of all of the other variations?" She asked and I nodded. "Well what I mean is that certain traits from each variation was taken while the rest were discarded but frankly speaking I have no idea what traits exactly it was that were taken only that they were positive in nature." she answered in a frustrated manner.-

I could understand why she was frustrated as for a scientist not knowing something like this was absolutely not a fun feeling. "Well if it helps I have been told to make regular reports on the little ones growth and abilities for the league so you should end up with the information at some point." I said and she sighed and shook her head. "That isn't why I am frustrated , it's that I can't keep the little thing myself since it was already promised to you! This thing is like the perfect partner for a biologist like me I'm so jealous!" she said losing her cool as she complained.-

I genuinely laughed at that as it was such an unexpected thing that I couldn't help being amused. Watson seemed the most surprised however but not by Samantha but rather from me laughing. "Oh so this is what he meant by recovering. Good for you lad." He said with a smile. Birch looked confused at the comment but I stiffened when I heard it as I knew what he was referring to. For a split second the thought of killing him crossed my mind and Watson picked up on it as he backed up in a defensive position with sweat appearing on his face.-

I saw this and apologized "Sorry about that! You just triggered my defensive instincts when you said that. I don't like it when my business gets spread around like that so I will be speaking to Stone about it when we are done here." I said and Watson looked like he understood. "Lad I can understand why your mind would jump to that direction but try not to give old folks like me such a fright." He said jokingly to cut the tension.