EXTREMOPHILE: Horror, Thriller

Von Rick Chesler

A biotech company is poised to release its highly anticipated new product, a revolutionary swimming pool cleaning system that depends on an unlikely mix of exotic microorganisms. But when the president of the company's son dies unexpectedly in his own private pool, the company's product launch is thrust into uncertainty.
Determined to salvage his company and make a fortune in the process, CEO Dr. Harry Stone races around the world to collect hard-to-find microbes literally from the ends of the Earth in an attempt to meet the launch deadline with a secretly modified product. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, those closest to Harry search for their own way to survive under extreme conditions.

• Sprache: Deutsch
• Herausgeber: Icarus Publishing
• Erscheinungsdatum: 13. Okt. 2023
• ISBN: 9783958359734

Buchvorschau

Chapter 1

Ladies and gentlemen, this is no ordinary swimming pool.

Those in the pool stopped splashing and listened. Dr. Harry Stone surveyed his Olympic-sized pool for a moment, taking in the scenery. Where did all those girls come from? He scanned the crowd for his wife and saw her standing not too far away with her two children—their two children, he reminded himself. She waved. He looked toward the news team that was set up in his gazebo and smiled a confident smile. Yes! Keep going, he told himself.

It has no chorine added, no ozone, no filtration or pump systems of any kind. The only mechanical system operating in this pool is a heater, which I’m sure you all appreciate!

Cheers arose from those in the pool as they raised their champagne glasses, and a cameraman zoomed in on of a bevy of beautiful women in bikinis floating on chaise lounges.

It’s been operating this way for six straight months now, without chlorine, ozone, or mechanical systems except for the heater. Looks nice, though, doesn’t it?

The crowd murmured in agreement, and one of the many men in suits and ties standing on the pool deck received a disapproving stare from his wife as she caught him looking a little too long at one of the women floating on the pool. A cameraman panned across the sparkling expanse of blue and then back through the crowd assembled on the deck. A woman in a party dress raised her hand to speak. Dr. Stone signaled to her.

What do you do, change the water every three days? Laughter surged through the crowd. Dr. Stone was quick to respond.

What, with L.A. water prices, are you kidding? More laughs. In for the kill. No, the water hasn’t been changed at all since this pool was modified six months ago. What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a state-of-the-art swimming pool maintenance system developed by Southland Biotechnologies that requires no added chemicals or mechanical systems of any kind—except for a heater, if that is desired—and virtually no labor on the pool owner’s part once the system is engaged.

Those standing in the shallow end of the pool now gazed into the water around them, as if looking for something unusual. A gorgeous blonde traced her fingers idly across the water’s surface. Overhead, a news helicopter made a lazy circle around the gated property. Dr. Stone continued, relishing the moment. He stretched an arm out toward the pool.

As President and CEO of Southland Biotech, I am proud to present to you our latest patented invention, which is the result of many years of painstaking research and development: the Microbial Pool System, or MPS, which will be marketed to the consumer under the brand name, MicroPool.

What exactly is MicroPool and how does it work? a well dressed man on the pool deck asked.

MicroPool is a special complement of microorganisms which have been bioengineered to coexist in a certain way. Specifically, the system consists of two species of bacteria. Once placed in a body of fresh water, the bacteria, which are harmless to living animals including humans even if consumed directly in large amounts, will break down any organic, detrital matter such as leaves, dirt, or dead insects, over a period of days. It cannot break down living organic matter whatsoever. Furthermore, the decomposition of this organic matter results in the production of chlorine as a bacterial waste product, in concentrations that are commensurate with currently accepted levels of conventional chlorine usage. For example, with an Olympic-sized pool such as this one, you need only to introduce one gallon of MicroPool, and the bacteria will go to work. They will break down everything like plant parts, dirt, insects, and excrete chlorine as a waste product within the appropriate range of concentrations.

The sound of dozens of people conversing rapidly in hushed tones greeted Stone’s ears. Okay, Johnson, you’re up. Another well-dressed man on the pool deck raised a hand, and Stone indicated for him to speak.

What if I have an indoor pool that receives no natural flow of leaves and such? Will MicroPool still work?

Excellent question, sir, and the answer is yes, but you will have to physically add some organic matter on your own for it to work. Just a handful of dead leaves a week would more than suffice. This also applies to pools that are periodically covered, perhaps for the entire winter. You will need to add some leaves or dirt to provide sustenance for the mixture, but the absence or presence of light has no effect. An elderly woman on the deck raised a hand.

Let me get this straight, she began. Suppose I have a brand new in-ground pool put in—I need only to dump a gallon of MicroPool into it, and I’ll never have to add chlorine, or a newer system like ozone, ever?

That is correct, Dr. Stone said, beaming. As long as there is always a normal flow of organic matter into the pool, as any outdoor pool invariably gets. Oh—and another bonus—no more skimming leaves! And not only that, ma’am, but you could instruct your pool contractors to completely leave out any type of filtration systems or pumps, thereby saving you thousands of dollars, because they’re simply not necessary for the microbes to do their job. And you’ll never need to hire a pool cleaning or maintenance service again.

The crowd bristled with excited chatter. A local TV news reporter made her way up to the podium where Dr. Stone stood. She spoke into a microphone before pointing it at him.

Dr. Stone, the system seems too good to be true. What’s the catch? Let’s start with how much it will cost to buy.

No catch whatsoever, ma’am. The Microbial Pool System is so simple and effective that there is no need to make it expensive. One gallon of MicroPool will retail for about the same price as twenty gallons of chlorine, but MicroPool will function effectively for as long as a normal amount of organic debris is present in the pool, which in typical circumstances, Stone concluded with a shrug, is forever. The reporter asked another question.

And what about FDA approval for MicroPool, Dr. Stone, since the product will undoubtedly be ingested? Is it safe? Dr. Stone answered without the slightest hesitation.

Yes, it is completely safe. Safer than chlorine, some would say. MicroPool was granted approval by the FDA last month, as well as by the Environmental Protection Agency, and Southland Biotech owns the patents governing its production and use. I don’t recommend purposely ingesting large quantities of it, just as I wouldn’t recommend ingesting large quantities of chlorinated pool water, he said as the crowd snickered, but it wouldn’t seriously harm you if you did, or if your child did. The microbes pass through the human digestive system totally inert, with no reactions whatsoever. The MPS microbial system cannot metabolically function within the living system of a human being, or any other animal for that matter. They can only process dead organic carbon, and can only survive in the presence of dead organic carbon. Next question?

A different reporter stepped closer to Stone with a microphone and cameraman.

Dr. Stone, when will MicroPool be available to the public?

MicroPool will be available one month from today in traditional pool service outlets, at well known chain stores and online retailers, and via direct order from Southland Biotech’s website. The same reporter continued.

If for some reason the MicroPool mixture was denied dead organic matter, what would happen?

If no usable organic carbon is present over a prolonged period of time, the MicroPool bacteria will gradually die off, still posing no ill effects for humans. But your pool would turn green and start to smell, as it would if you neglected to add conventional chlorine or ozone in the past. More quick laughter, and then Dr. Stone nodded ever so slightly at another man in a suit, standing on the deck with a glass of champagne. The man raised a hand.

What about pets, like dogs? Is MicroPool safe for them to use?

Dr. Stone grinned. We certainly tested MPS on enough dogs. I think we still owe County Pound a check. In fact, MPS had worked so well from the earliest testing stages that none of the dogs they had subjected to the test pools ever suffered any ill effects. The Pound was surprised (and disappointed) to see a truckload of healthy dogs actually be returned to them by Southland Biotech two years later.

Just ask old Buffalo, there, Dr. Stone said, pointing to a big black mutt resting nearby, whom he had kept instead of returning to the pound. He’s been swimming in this MicroPool for a year now, just like I have, haven’t you, Buffalo?

Dr. Stone produced a large yellow beach ball from underneath the podium and held it up for the dog to see. Buffalo jumped to his feet, wagging his tail, and Dr. Stone tossed the ball over the crowd gathered on the deck into the pool. Buffalo ran through the crowd and made a flying leap into the water, where he punctured the beach ball with a resounding pop and splashed two gorgeous women floating with drinks in their hands. The crowd applauded while Dr. Stone smiled.

Another reporter stepped up for a question. What about hot water, like with a jacuzzi? Will MPS function in that capacity?

Absolutely, Stone replied. MPS will function at near boiling temperatures, as well as at near-freezing. It’s perfectly suitable for use in hot tubs, jacuzzies, or with unheated pools in freezing climates, for those of you wishing to join the Polar Bear Club. Dr. Stone looked at his watch and announced that there was time for one further question.

One of the female reporters who had asked a question earlier raised her hand again and Stone nodded for her to go ahead. Dr. Stone, if MicroPool is even half as effective as you say it is, the effect on the traditional swimming pool service and maintenance industries will be profound. What do you have to say to those in these businesses? Dr. Stone waited for the crowd to finish watching Buffalo lumber out of the pool with the deflated ball in his mouth.

MicroPool is one hundred percent as effective as I say it is. To those in the traditional swimming pool service and maintenance industries: I suggest you find a new line of work, and fast. Thank you all for coming, and now—please—enjoy the party!

A jazz trio on a stage near the house struck up a lively tune as Dr. Stone stepped down from the podium, and couples began dancing throughout the yard as a catering staff circulated with drinks and hors’deurves.

Stone spotted his wife moving towards him with their children in tow. He was walking to her when a woman stopped him.

Hi Dr. Stone, I’m Linda Riva, reporter from the L.A. Times. I understand that the bacterial species used in MPS originate from some unusual places. Would you care to comment a little on that?

Listen, Linda, I’d be happy to a bit later on, but right now I do have guests to attend to. I am the host of this little soiree, after all, he finished, smiling at Linda before moving on to his wife, who greeted him with a hug. Their two children tugged at his pants. Dr. Stone referred to them as your kids whenever he fought with his wife, because they were her children from a previous marriage.

Daddy, can we go swimming? Can we, can we, please? Stone was about to say yes when he saw his wife frowning in the direction of the pool. There’s kind of a lot of people in there now, Harry. I think they should wait.

Stone surveyed the pool once more, appreciating the group of models his company’s PR executives had insisted on hiring for the big announcement event. Several of the guests, most of whom were Southland Biotech employees and family, had changed and were now in the pool as well, most with some type of beverage in their hands. Loungers and rafts floated all around, some with more than one occupant. He looked down at their eight year old daughter, Leila, and their ten year old son, Jayden, who stared up at him expectantly. Sorry guys, it is a little crowded right now, but I’ll tell you what—tomorrow, you can swim all day, as long as you want!

As long as we want? they echoed.

That’s right, as long as you want—tomorrow. I promise. Now why don’t you two do me a favor and go bring Buffalo back inside, okay? It’s too crowded for him now, too. Jayden and Leila scampered off in search of the dog while Stone lifted two champagne flutes from a passing tray and offered his wife a toast.

Heather, this is everything we’ve ever dreamed of!

Heather could barely hold the glass, she was so excited. Six months ago, she had entered into her marriage with Dr. Stone with nothing. Nothing, that is, except for Leila and Jayden.

Harry, this is unbelievable! I just heard one of the reporters saying how the owners of the MicroPool patents, counting stock options, will probably be worth hundreds of millions of dollars right after MicroPool comes out! That’s you, Harry! She became more serious. I think you could have been nicer about how MicroPool will affect the standard pool industries, though, Harry, I mean really—

No, he said sharply. It’s only fair to warn them, to give them time to find a new living. Because when MicroPool comes out, no one will use anything else. That’s the plain truth.

Chapter 2

Jayden Stone slipped quietly out the back door of the huge house and squinted at the morning sun. He ran down to the pool deck, which was littered with evidence of the previous day’s party. I’m the only one here now! The whole pool, all to myself! He whistled and Buffalo came running from out of sight somewhere in the sprawling yard. The dog carried a partially deflated football, which Jayden wrestled from him and threw into the pool. Buffalo flung himself into the water with a splash that Jayden hoped no one would hear.

He wanted to swim all by himself, for once, just him and Buffalo. That’s why he had set his alarm for six A.M., got right out of bed and came out to the pool. Wisps of steam wafted from the water’s surface, reminding Jayden that the pool would be warm. He met Buffalo at the shallow end steps and grabbed the ball from him, throwing it to the deep end again. Buffalo sprinted across the deck to the deep end. He flung himself through the air into the water, clutching the ball in his mouth as he splashed in.

Good doggie! Race you to the ladder! Jayden had shown Buffalo how to exit the deep end by using the ladder, and the dog almost always opted for the shortest exit route, as he did now.

Jayden pushed off the shallow end steps and swam as fast as he could for the ladder at the deep end, knowing he was faster than the dog but that the dog had a much shorter distance to go. He swam a smooth crawl, tilting his head to the left side to breath on every other stroke, more than competent for a ten-year-old. He looked up when he reached the halfway point and saw Buffalo ahead of him, dogpaddling for the ladder, breathing in wheezy rasps with the football in his mouth. The boy kicked even harder, closing in on the aquatic mutt, but then Jayden heard the familiar sound of claws scraping on aluminum, and he knew it was over. He made a swipe for Buffalo’s tail, missing it just as the dog pulled himself out. Jayden clung to the ladder and rested while the canine dropped the ball onto the deck and shook himself off.

You win, Buff, good boy! Jayden held onto the ladder and treaded water, relaxing. The pool seemed especially warm after the exercise, and he pulled his shoulders back underwater away from the cool air. I have to pee. Jayden realized that he had forgotten a towel, and he didn’t relish the idea of a shivering run back into the house to use the bathroom just yet. His parents would yell at him for tracking water inside, too, he knew from experience. He looked around with the classic expression of one who is about to do something he knows is wrong. What the heck, no one will know.

Jayden urinated into the water, enjoying the relief. He let go of the ladder and drifted out into the middle of the pool, floating.

He started to itch violently, in a manner he had never experienced before, and in seconds he wasn’t merely itching but burning, burning like he was on fire. Jayden screamed in anguish as he kicked back towards the ladder, but he never got there.

***

Annie Lerner crossed another name off her list and took a deep breath. Her shoulder length brown, straight hair was even messier than usual, from sitting at