Chapter 1

ONE

A sher Andrews stared at the rack of samples on her desk, double-checking the labels for the third time. The new batch from the Eastern European archaeological dig had arrived mixed in with her regular testing materials, and something about the paperwork felt off. She shrugged it off - paperwork wasn’t exactly a priority when you were racing against your own genetic expiration date.

“Note to self,” she dictated into her recorder, “begin analysis on Sample 247B. Apparently dying is great motivation for organization. Should add that to my next research paper.”

Her watch – a custom model courtesy of Lori’s cybersecurity company – buzzed with a morning check-in text.

Lori: Your vitals say you haven’t eaten breakfast. Again.

Asher: Some of us have actual work to do.

Lori: Don’t make me call your mother.

Asher: That’s fighting dirty.

She grabbed a protein bar from her desk drawer, taking an exaggerated bite as she snapped a photo and sent it to Lori. The sticky notes cluttering her workspace seemed to mock her morning rebellion: “Run cellular analysis” competed for space with “EAT SOMETHING (YES, THIS MEANS YOU)” and “CALL YOUR FRIENDS BACK BEFORE THEY SEND A SWAT TEAM!!!”

Dr. Garrison Bennett passed by her lab, pausing at the door. His usual composed demeanor seemed oddly strained.

“Careful with those new samples,” he said, adjusting his glasses nervously. “They might not be what you expect.”

“Just standard ancient DNA, right? The paperwork says-”

“Yes, well, paperwork can be...” he shifted uncomfortably. “Just... call me if you find anything unusual.”

Before she could question his strange behavior, he hurried off. She’d never seen her mentor so agitated.

Turning back to her work, she loaded the mysterious sample into the analyzer. The computer chimed minutes later, and she leaned forward, squinting at the results.

“That’s impossible,” she whispered. The sample showed cellular repair unlike anything she’d ever seen - damage literally healing itself as she watched. She ran the test again. Same results.

Her office phone rang, Lori’s name flashing on the display.

“Your heart rate just spiked,” Lori said without preamble. “What did you find?”

“How did you- never mind, I don’t want to know what other monitors you’ve hidden in here.” Asher couldn’t tear her eyes from the screen. “These cells... they’re repairing themselves. Fast. Like, impossible fast.”

“Where exactly did you say these samples came from?”

“Archaeological dig. Why?”

A pause. “My security systems are picking up some weird energy readings from your lab.”

“Probably just equipment interference-” The room suddenly tilted sideways. Asher gripped her desk, sending a rack of test tubes clattering to the floor.

Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Ramirez rushed over from their stations. “Dr. Andrews, are you all right?”

“Fine,” she forced a smile. “Just stood up too fast.” She hadn’t actually stood, but they didn’t need to know that.

Her phone immediately rang again. Kaylee this time.

“Lori’s program just sent me your vitals,” Kaylee said, dean-mode fully activated. “We’re coming to lunch. Now. No arguments.”

“I’m kind of in the middle of something-”

“Yeah, in the middle of passing out from low blood sugar. We’ll be there in twenty minutes. Try not to die before we arrive.”

“Your concern is touching,” Asher drawled, but Kaylee had already hung up.

Twenty minutes later, Lori burst through the lab doors like she owned the place, Kaylee close behind. They made quite the pair – Lori in her edgy tech CEO outfit complete with combat boots, Kaylee looking every inch the polished private school dean.

“The cavalry has arrived,” Lori announced, dropping takeout bags on Asher’s desk. “With Thai food and judgment.”

“Mostly judgment,” Kaylee added cheerfully, pulling up chairs. “But we brought extra spring rolls to soften the blow.”

“I’m in the middle of something,” Asher protested, but her traitor stomach growled at the smell of pad Thai.

“You’re always in the middle of something.” Lori’s fingers flew across her tablet. “Speaking of which, want to explain why my security systems are going crazy? These energy readings aren’t normal.”

“Since when do you have sensors in my lab?”

“Since my best friend decided to play Russian roulette with her health.” Lori frowned at her screen. “What part of the world did these samples come from again?”

“Eastern European dig site.” Asher pulled up the results. “Look at this – these cells repair damage instantly. It’s like they have some kind of built-in healing code.”

“And that doesn’t seem... suspicious to you?” Kaylee asked carefully.

“What’s suspicious is how invested you both suddenly are in my research.” Asher narrowed her eyes. “You never care about the science part.”

“We care about you getting your hopes up on another promising cure that turns out to be nothing. The last failure sent you into a depression for a month,” Lori muttered.

Asher reached for more spring rolls. Yes, the last trial had looked so good until she injected it into herself and nothing happened. And the mental downside was steep. She’d almost given up on everything at that point.

“But this could really be it – the key to fixing my condition. These cells repair genetic damage like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Lori and Kaylee exchanged that look again.

“Maybe you should run this by Dr. Bennett first,” Kaylee suggested. “Before you get too excited.”

“Already tried. He practically ran away when I mentioned the samples.” Asher’s office phone rang – her mother’s number. “And speaking of running away...”

“If you don’t answer that, she’ll call us next,” Lori warned.

Asher sighed and picked up. “Hi, Mom. Yes, I’m eating. Yes, I’ll be there for dinner. No, I won’t be late.”

“Tell her we’re making sure you eat lunch,” Kaylee called loud enough to be heard through the phone.

“Yes, the warden and her deputy are force-feeding me as we speak,” Asher said into the receiver. “Love you too. See you tonight.”

As she hung up, Asher noticed a security alert popping up on her computer screen.

Lori was already packing up the food. “Something in this room has strange vibes making the sensors go off. Time for you to focus on work that doesn’t set off my security protocols.”

“But-”

“No buts!” Kaylee steered her away from the new samples. “Be a good scientist. Run normal, non-alarming tests.”

As Asher returned to her work, she heard Lori step into the hallway, phone already at her ear: “Dr. Bennett? We need to talk...”