Which meant it was probably illegal for her to have even seen any of this. Even if she hadn’t stolen it.

She looked once more at the first page.

Darwin File #390AE202D80E

Summary: Using the Darwin Algorithm V3.4, we have found that the Gen + 15,000 results on Erythrura gouldiae (Gouldian finch) produced specimens with higher-than-normal resistance to fibrosarcoma. Morphology has remained somewhat true to the species, but flocking behavior changes have been noted. Per protocol, the computers are processing the algorithm for the next stage while further analysis on the current population is being done.

Team Leader:

Deidrick Müller, PhD.

Consultants:

    Hans Reinhardt, Bundesnachrichtendienst

Ian Wexler, DARPA - BTO

“Kathy!”

Kathy’s roommate, an energetic blonde named Jennifer, barged into the dorm room, rifled through a dresser drawer, and pulled out a one-piece bathing suit. “A bunch of us are going to the pool. Did you want to join us?”

Kathy shook her head. “I can’t right now, Jen. Maybe later.”

“You sure? If you need a bathing suit, I can let you borrow one of mine.”

Kathy imagined wearing a bathing suit in public, displaying the splotchy pink scars that still covered her body from head to toe. “I appreciate it, but I’m kind of nervous about some of my classes, and I really want to get in the habit of studying again. It’s been a while since I’ve had to do this.”

Jennifer gave Kathy a dramatic pout as she changed into her suit. “Maybe when I get back, we can help each other study?”

“I’d love that.”

Jennifer wrapped a thick white terry-cloth robe around herself and headed toward the door. “Well, have fun. I know I will!”

###

Professor Wilkinson’s booming voice reverberated throughout the auditorium. “That’s it for today. You have your study assignments. Let me remind you that in this week’s lab, you’ll be executing experiments that demonstrate substrate-level phosphorylation as part of our chapter on glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. As always, I hope you will have reviewed the material in advance so that you’re prepared to dive right in.”

After a few months in his class, Kathy knew that when Professor Wilkinson said “hope,” he was stating a firm requirement. Everyone said he was one of the toughest profs at the school and that his class was the epitome of the freshman “weed-out” class.

With only two minutes left in class, some of the students in the auditorium began packing up their things when the professor raised his voice, this time using his microphone to combat the din of the students. “Oh—one more thing. For those of you who are considering taking genetics next semester, tonight there’ll be a guest speaker at the University Conference Center talking about how genetics research advances today’s and tomorrow’s medicine. The talk begins at six, but you may want to get there early.”