Capítulo 9: Chapter 9
A month had passed since the snow began to fall without respite. What had initially been a light and fleeting layer had transformed into a white blanket that covered the entire landscape, accumulating with each passing day. Temperatures continued to drop, and the cold had become humanity's primary enemy. Cities, once vibrant and full of life, now resembled battlegrounds. People were beginning to grow desperate.
In some places, the situation had reached a breaking point. The news, which had initially urged calm and assured everyone that everything was under control, could no longer hide the reality. Looting, riots, and violence were spreading across the country. Food stores were the primary target, and in many areas, authorities could not handle the desperate crowds. Deaths were rising daily: first, victims of the cold and lack of resources, and later, from clashes between citizens and the authorities.
Alex watched the news from the comfort of his home, feeling a mix of relief and concern. On his farm, everything continued to function perfectly thanks to Ariel's foresight and the automated systems keeping the place in optimal condition. But the outside world seemed to be crumbling, and that worried him, especially for his family.
During those days, he had spoken with his father several times. Though the situation was complicated in the cities, his father assured him that they were in a government-created shelter, a well-protected place with provisions, heating, and a military presence. That information had given Alex a bit of peace of mind.
"We're fine, Alex," his father had said during their last call. "Don't worry about us. There are police and soldiers watching over us, and the government assures us that everything will be under control. Just stay safe on the farm."
While those words did calm him somewhat, part of Alex couldn't stop worrying. He knew things weren't as simple as the authorities claimed, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to trust what he saw on the news. The world seemed to be approaching a point of no return.
That day, Alex was sitting in his living room, watching the news with the dogs resting beside him. The headlines were still full of empty promises: "The government assures that temperatures will rise soon," "The armed forces maintain order in the cities," "There's no reason to panic." But what he saw in the background images was different: deserted streets, clashes between civilians, and looted stores.
Alex sighed. "How much longer are they going to lie?"
Just as he was about to turn off the television, Ariel interrupted his thoughts.
"Alex, there's a problem."
Ariel's voice was calm as always, but that simple phrase made Alex sit up straight immediately. "What's going on, Ariel?"
The TV screen suddenly changed. He was no longer watching the news, but a feed from one of the farm's external security cameras. In the image, a strange figure moved slowly near the concrete wall. Alex squinted, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.
It was an animal, but not one he had ever seen in that size. At first, he thought it was a large dog, but when the figure approached the camera, what he saw made him shiver. It was a squirrel, but not just any squirrel. This creature was at least the size of a medium-sized dog, and its appearance was disturbing.
Its fur, usually soft and fluffy on a squirrel, was matted and falling out in places. Its teeth, which should have been small, were enormous, protruding from its jaw at odd angles, sharp as knives. But the most alarming feature was its claws: long, curved, and visibly dangerous, each one as sharp as a blade.
The creature moved slowly toward the concrete wall, its eyes glowing with a mix of instinct and aggression. Its size and deformities made it even more terrifying. Every step it took left deep prints in the snow, and when it got close enough, it began scraping at the wall with its claws as if trying to find a way to climb it.
"What the hell…?" Alex muttered, still unable to believe what he was seeing.
The squirrel seemed focused on the wall, testing different spots with its claws, trying to find a place to climb. Although the wall was designed to withstand much more severe attacks, the presence of such a creature was unsettling. Alex had never seen an animal with such evident mutations.
"What's it doing?" he asked, unable to tear his eyes away from the screen.
"It appears to be exploring the wall for a way to climb," Ariel responded calmly. "This behavior may be related to resource-seeking or could be a response to the radiation emitted by the red suns. The mutations we are seeing in animals are a result of environmental changes."
Alex swallowed hard, watching the squirrel continue to try and scrape the wall. The security cameras captured every movement of the creature in detail, showing how its claws left superficial marks on the concrete. Though the wall seemed sturdy, the idea of mutated creatures roaming near the farm gave him no peace of mind.
"Is it dangerous?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"The creature is displaying hostile behavior and is equipped with claws and teeth that could cause damage if it manages to breach the wall. However, the farm's defenses are activated, and the security systems can neutralize any attempt at invasion."
Alex took a deep breath, feeling his body tense at the sight of the creature. He knew Ariel was right, that the farm was prepared to handle any threat, but even so, he couldn't shake the growing unease. If creatures like this were mutating and approaching the farm, what else could be waiting outside?
"It's trying to climb the wall," he said finally, his voice low but tense.
The camera footage showed the squirrel rising on its hind legs, pressing its claws against the concrete wall, searching for a spot where it could start climbing.
Alex watched with growing anxiety as the squirrel began to scale the wall. Its claws, which had previously only scratched the surface of the concrete, now gripped with surprising agility, allowing it to climb at an alarming pace. Despite its size and grotesque appearance, the creature was fast and efficient. In seconds, it had reached the top of the wall, and before Alex could react, it jumped into the farm's interior.
"Ariel! We need to take it out," Alex said urgently, rising from his seat. He knew he couldn't let such a dangerous creature roam inside the safe perimeter.
"Activating neutralization protocol," Ariel responded calmly, as if there was no urgency to the situation.
On the screen, Alex saw one of the farm's robots, a simple but sturdy model, heading toward the squirrel. The robot, primarily designed for construction and maintenance tasks, was clumsy in its movements. It had a mechanical arm used for lifting heavy objects and making minor repairs, but it was clear that it wasn't prepared for a threat like this.
The squirrel, noticing the robot's presence, let out a shrill screech, baring its horrible teeth. With a leap, it lunged at the robot, slamming into its metal torso with unexpected force. The creature's claws scratched at the metal, leaving deep marks on the surface. The robot tried to defend itself, using its mechanical arm to push the squirrel away, but its movements were slow and clumsy compared to the animal's speed.
"It's damaging the robot," Alex murmured, watching as the creature continued its frenzied attack.
The screen showed the squirrel clawing and biting at the metal, almost as if it knew where to strike for maximum damage. The robot's mechanical arm moved awkwardly, trying to fend off the creature, but the squirrel seemed more resilient than they had anticipated.
Ariel intervened. "Sending reinforcements."
Another robot appeared, moving steadily toward the squirrel. This second robot, though just as clumsy as the first, had an additional arm that allowed it to grip objects with more precision. The two robots tried to coordinate, attacking from different angles to pin down the creature.
The squirrel leapt toward one of the robots, digging its claws into the metal with surprising strength. The second robot took advantage of the moment and used its extra arm to grab the creature by the back, slamming it to the ground with a heavy thud. Even so, the squirrel kept fighting, trying to free itself with sharp, high-pitched screeches that echoed in the air.
Finally, a third robot joined the fray. This one, equipped with a sturdier clamp, managed to fully immobilize the creature, gripping its hind legs tightly. With the three robots working together, the squirrel was finally subdued. One of the mechanical arms lifted the now-limp animal and set it down on the ground.
"Neutralization complete," Ariel announced in her usual tone.
Alex let out a sigh of relief, though he couldn't help but feel a mix of discomfort at how fiercely the robots had had to fight against a mutated animal that, theoretically, shouldn't have been that strong. However, the reality was that this creature was unlike anything he had encountered before.
"What the hell happened to that thing?" Alex muttered, staring at the squirrel's body through the cameras. The animal lay motionless on the ground, its horrid claws and teeth still visible.
"This type of mutation is unprecedented in my database," Ariel responded. "It is necessary to analyze the creature to obtain more information about its biology and the cause of its modifications."
Alex frowned, knowing what Ariel was suggesting. "You want to... dissect it?"
"Correct. Dissecting the animal will allow us to better understand the mutations it has undergone. This is crucial to assessing future threats and adapting the farm's defenses accordingly."
Alex stepped away from the screen, feeling an immediate revulsion at the idea. "I… I don't know if I want to do that, Ariel. I'm not a scientist, and I'm definitely not comfortable with opening up… something like that. Can't you use one of the robots to do it?"
"While the robots are useful for construction and maintenance tasks, their limbs are not precise enough for a detailed dissection," Ariel explained. "The animal's claws are sharp and may have damaged important internal parts that we need to analyze. Additionally, the robots lack the necessary delicacy to handle organs and tissues properly. It is necessary for you to perform the procedure."
Alex pursed his lips, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. He knew Ariel was right, but the thought of cutting open that thing made his stomach turn. He hadn't imagined having to deal with something like this when he decided to stay on the farm.
"This is insane," he muttered. "I can't believe we're talking about dissecting a giant squirrel."
"The current situation requires extraordinary measures," said Ariel without hesitation. "The mutations in animals near the farm represent a potential threat. If we do not understand them, we cannot effectively neutralize them in the future."
Alex sighed, resigned. "Alright… alright. If it's necessary, I'll do it. But for the record, I don't like this one bit."
"I will note your discomfort," said Ariel, her tone as neutral as ever. "I will begin preparing for the analysis and guide you through every step of the process."
Alex sighed again before heading to the workshop, where Ariel had already begun preparing the necessary equipment for the dissection. Though he had no desire to become an impromptu scientist, he knew Ariel was right. If that squirrel was just a sign of what was to come, he needed to be as prepared as possible for whatever came next.
The infirmary was impeccably organized. The steel tables gleamed under the white light, and the surgical instruments were arranged with precision. Ariel had done an excellent job setting up the space. In the back, several machines monitored the lab's conditions, ready to record any relevant data during the dissection. In the center of the room, on a steel table, lay the mutated squirrel, its body motionless but still imposing. The stench emanating from the creature was nauseating, filling the air with a rancid, putrid smell.
Alex approached slowly, adjusting his latex gloves and securing the mask over his face. The protective suit covered him completely, but the pungent odor was still unbearable.
"This is disgusting," he muttered, trying not to dwell too much on what he was about to do.
"It is necessary to conduct a full analysis of the creature," said Ariel in her usual neutral tone. "The drone I've activated will record the entire procedure for future reference. Additionally, the machines are ready to analyze the tissues, organs, and other biological components."
Alex glanced at the small drone hovering above, its lights blinking as it recorded every movement. "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes," replied Ariel. "The recording is crucial for understanding the creature's biology. The drone is equipped with multiple instruments that will analyze the gases emitted, tissue changes, and conduct a detailed evaluation of each part of the body."
Alex sighed, taking the scalpel firmly in hand. "I guess I don't have much choice."
He approached the creature, examining its features more closely. Its fur was a dark chocolate color, but it was matted and worn in several places. The tail, which should have been soft and fluffy on a normal squirrel, was long and thin, with tufts of hair scattered throughout. The teeth, sharp and yellowed, protruded unnaturally from its jaw, giving it an even fiercer appearance. And then there were the claws, sharp like blades, clearly designed to dismember prey or defend itself from enemies.
"Start with an incision in the abdomen," instructed Ariel. "The skin appears denser than on a normal squirrel. You'll need to apply more force than usual."
Alex nodded, placing the scalpel on the creature's abdomen and beginning to cut. As Ariel had said, the skin was incredibly tough, thicker and harder than he expected. The scalpel, though sharp, barely penetrated at first, forcing Alex to exert more pressure.
Finally, after considerable effort, he managed to make an incision in the abdomen. The skin parted, revealing firm, compact muscles underneath. Ariel immediately began analyzing the tissue, and a nearby screen started displaying data in real-time.
"The muscles are notably developed," Ariel explained. "The muscle fibers are thicker and denser, providing the creature with greater strength than a common squirrel. Additionally, the fiber arrangement suggests the ability to generate large amounts of energy in short bursts, consistent with its aggressive behavior."
Alex leaned in for a closer look. The muscles seemed tense even in death, as if they still retained some of the energy the creature had used during its attack. It was unlike anything he had seen in other animals.
"Continue the incision toward the chest," Ariel instructed. "We're going to expose the main organs."
Alex slid the scalpel upward, opening the squirrel's torso. As he separated the skin and muscles, he began to see the internal organs. The smell worsened, but Alex tried not to let it distract him.
The creature's heart was enormous compared to its body. It was housed in a cavity reinforced by cartilage, as if it had been protected to withstand impacts. Ariel quickly made an observation.
"The heart is significantly larger than that of a normal squirrel, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently and maintain high levels of physical activity. This adaptation could be the result of radiation from the red suns, which drastically altered its physiology."
Alex carefully cut, separating the organs to get a better view of the interior. The lungs were also notably large and covered by a fibrous membrane that seemed resilient. "The lungs seem more robust," Alex commented.
"Correct. The membrane surrounding the lungs may be designed to protect the organs from environmental fluctuations, such as extreme cold or exposure to toxic gases. It's possible this creature could survive in conditions that would be lethal to other animals."
Alex nodded, both impressed and horrified by what he was discovering. He continued the dissection, following Ariel's instructions.
"Now examine the bones," Ariel suggested. "Make an incision in the creature's forearm."
Alex grabbed a small saw and began cutting through the skin and muscles of the squirrel's arm. When he reached the bone, he noticed it was also denser than usual. Unlike the fragile bones of a typical squirrel, these were thicker and more resilient.
"The bones appear to contain an abnormal amount of calcium and other minerals," Ariel pointed out. "This gives them greater resistance to fractures and damage, making them almost impenetrable. It's likely the creature developed this type of bone structure to withstand the physical demands of its size and aggressiveness."
As the analysis continued, Ariel kept gathering data on the creature's various biological systems. The intestines were longer and more compact, allowing it to process large amounts of food quickly. The claws, when analyzed, showed a composition similar to human nails but with greater hardness, comparable to glass.
"It's like everything in this creature has been enhanced," Alex said as he finished examining the bones and muscles. "Strength, endurance… everything is designed to survive in an extreme environment."
"The mutation seems to have affected all of the creature's biological systems," Ariel confirmed. "Every organ, every muscle, every bone has been adapted to maximize its efficiency and resilience. However, these drastic changes may have also contributed to its death. It's possible the creature's body couldn't sustain these alterations for long."
Alex set the scalpel aside, staring at the mutilated body of the mutated squirrel. The dissection had been more disturbing than he expected, but at least now they had some information about the threat they were facing.
"What do we do with all this information now?" Alex asked, exhausted.
"I will continue analyzing the data to find patterns that can help us confront future threats," Ariel replied. "It is likely that other creatures in the area are also undergoing similar mutations."
Alex rubbed his forehead, feeling the weight of the situation. "This isn't normal… something else is going on, and we need to be prepared."
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