Starfall

Chapter 37 - Clandestine

Wendy drove the jeep following Ford and Stanley in the Stan-Mobile. Stanley drove while Ford navigated and spoke to Dipper via Bluetooth. "I can track the Alien tech she is carrying. It emits a definitive spectrum of Wierdness energy I can isolate and triangulate with the Q.W.A.R.K tuner." Dipper spoke over the phone, "So what exactly is this 'Alien tech'?" Ford breathed in and out slowly.

"The tech is an Alien relic that can combine DNA to create a hybrid. As I mentioned before it combines DNA from multiple sources and creates a hybrid offspring in the form of an egg." Dipper frowned, "I just don't understand, how does a sixteen-year-old girl get that kind of tech?" Ford was silent for a long moment. "I suspect I know the reason why. Did you notice anything familiar about the girl?" Dipper snorted, "Of course, she looked like Pacifica but...but different."

Ford breathed in again. "I believe she is the hybrid and has returned for the relic in search of answers." Dipper's eyes grew wide. "She's the hybrid?!? B-but that would mean she has Pacifica's DNA and someone else's." Ford sighed, "Given the age of the subject and the growth rate the most likely source of the host DNA is Preston and Priscilla."

Dipper snorted, "But that's preposterous, she should look more like Pacifica then. Why does she look so different then?" Ford turned up ahead and Wendy turned to follow as they headed out of town. "I believe a third DNA was introduced." Dipper shook his head in frustration while Pacifica felt a cold sensation filling her body with numbness. Dipper spoke up, "Why would anyone try to create a hybrid in the first place? And why introduce a third source of DNA?" Ford replied, "I have a theory. First off let me say a word to Pacifica." Pacifica jumped as she was jarred out of her deep reverie brought back from the Marianas trench of contemplation. "She's listening," Dipper said.

Ford spoke softly, "Pacifica...I...I don't know what we will find and..." The line went silent for a moment. "No matter what we find it doesn't change who you are to us." It was now Dipper's turn to look confused, "Did I miss something." Pacifica laughed bitterly, "It's ok Dipper," she whispered softly. "A rational mind would stray so far from this path one could hardly fault you for missing the depths of its depravity." She paused as Dipper turned to face her intently. She swallowed and recomposed herself choking back emotion as she retreated into an exterior shell of fortitude and indignation. "My mother and father decided to play God. Perhaps only Preston now that I think about it. He's always wanted a son, he's made that viscerally evident my whole life."

Dipper's eyes widened with shock as did Mabel's. Even Wendy turned to look at Pacifica for a moment before turning her eyes back to the road. Dipper swallowed hard, "Are you saying your parents tried to create a son with this alien tech?" Pacific gritted her teeth and bared them as she curtly spoke through them, "It would appear so."

Dipper shook his head, "But I don't understand. If they wanted a son why introduce a third DNA?" Ford cleared his throat, "Mind you this is all hypothetical...I believe the introduction of the third DNA was not intentional. Somehow this other DNA was introduced, most likely without their knowledge." Dipper frowned, "Who would do that?" Ford sighed, "Those are questions we need answers to, for now, we should focus on finding the girl. She may be the key to unraveling this mystery."

Pacifica was looking out the window, a cold look or exacting acrimony etched her features as she looked towards the horizon and the lip of the valley. Dipper put a hand on her shoulder. She breathed in and turned to face him. His eyes said everything that needed to be said without words silently asking her if she was ok. Pacifica looked back out the window. "I want to find her. She deserves the answers. Even more than I do." The fierceness now entered her eyes like fire. "Sixteen years locked away like an experiment...like some animal..." her shoulders shook with indignation. "They have much to answer for." Dipper looked at her for a few moments more, and then squeezing her hand he resolutely said, "Then we'll find her." He left her in peace to brood with her thoughts.