Gods and Monsters

Ep.8: Eugene McDonald (No.15)

Episode 8: Eugene McDonald (No.15)

Created and developed by Danny Richards

Scotland Yard, London

"Ever since your colleagues first met with my son, Detective Parker, I knew our paths would eventually cross," Jack said, his voice broken and croaky. "However, I admit, I did think it would be under different circumstances than those we currently find ourselves in."

Peggy looked back at the man in front of her. Defeated was the word that came to mind as Jack's head hung forward slightly. "Mr Canterbury, I understand that you wish to speak specifically with me?"

He looked up slightly, staring at the young redhead, only wishing that the situation had been different and the plan had been able to succeed, but now it was out of his hands. "Detective, before we begin, I hope you won't think of me as a bad man. I'll admit, I am by no means a good man, but I've always tried to do what I believe is right."

"Depending on what you tell me, Jack, it will probably be up to a jury to decide whether you're a good or bad man. Please, just tell me what you wanted me here for."

Jack sighed, knowing that the game was up. He had to do the right thing, not just for him, but for Maria too. "I imagine you won't be too surprised to find that there is more to my work with QT. We have some of the top scientists in the world among our ranks working on cures for diseases, innovative technology and more to improve our standard of life. Me and many others believe that posthumans are the key to our future. I saw them as a means to an end, their abilities helping to preserve and improve our future."

Peggy perked up at the mention of posthumans. The group had long suspected QT of suspicious dealings and certainly having more involvement in a few of their cases than they let on, but to actually hear it coming from the man himself was certainly something unexpected.

After pausing for a moment, Jack continued, "Underneath our offices in Canary Wharf, there is a doorway of sorts. A doorway to another universe."

Peggy's head spun as she tried to take in this whirlwind of information. She and Charlie had spoken about alternate universes a few months back but Peggy hadn't really thought too much about it since, believing the concept to be rather outlandish.

"Here, posthumans are known about and free to live their lives as they see fit," Jack continued. "I was the team leader in our first expedition to the other side. You have to understand Peggy that as scientists, this was an opportunity we couldn't pass up on."

She didn't respond, her face somehow remaining neutral as she absorbed what Jack was saying.

"Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. After gathering a sufficient amount of research from the alternate universe we attempted to head back through the doorway when we found a young man waiting for us. He had seen us and the doorway, he couldn't be trusted to keep quiet.  We needed to remain discreet in the other universe so we could return for further research. We had no choice but to bring him back through to our universe."

"So you're telling me you kidnapped a civilian from an alternate universe just so you could continue your research? You have to understand how bizarre this sounds."

"Trust me, I do. But I have proof. It was decided that the man from the alternate universe could be used to further our experiments. He was taken to a facility underneath my manor in Buckinghamshire where some of our scientists examined and tested him. Over time, more posthumans arrived at the facility and our operation grew from there."

"I take it the others didn't wander into the facility voluntarily, either?"

"No," Jack muttered, hoping that if he said it quiet enough it would cease to be true. "No, when we returned to the other side, we marked specific posthumans that we believed would aid our cause, drugging them and taking them back to our universe. Eventually, we decided to try and find posthumans in our own universe, ones who could be a danger to society here, but research teams still make regular expeditions to the other side."