4
Having created a pool of proteins appropriate for the task at hand, Auroreus, Cococcus, and Grammaticus called an assembly of their colony to discuss the matter of setting out on a transmission. It was another dark day; Ruby had still not been outside.
Auroreus addressed the colony in sticky words: “Dear colony, life on our beloved host chicken has reached a point of stagnation. Our progress does not continue in spite of our prolonged replication efforts. Our population begins to plateau, and our need for resources threatens to overwhelm our supply. Accordingly, I will be embarking on a transmission alongside Cococcus and Grammaticus. It is our intention to leave the colony for the sake of setting one up inside of the human in whose house we have spent most of our lives. It is our hope that we might find your support in our efforts to convince our host chicken to bite the human, so that we may find safe passage from host to host.”
Auroreus’s words caused a hum of disapproval within the assembly.
The elder Posimachus addressed Auroreus as follows: “You are misguided by your inexperience. To leave the host chicken would be to resign yourself to certain death. There is treachery out there, and a complex immune system designed to keep you out. We have spent hundreds of generations learning to live on our host chicken and, through careful, iterative replication, settled into a peaceful coexistence with our host. You, having not lived through the initial colonization period, do not understand the difficulty of creating a new colony. You do not remember the loss of life that made your own possible. I am happy that you assembled us here today so that we may discourage you from embarking on a transmission. I urge you to take caution when faced with thoughts like this, and to think of the sacrifices of your ancestors as you continue replicating to ensure the advancement of our colony.”
Shining Auroreus took heed of Posimachus’s words, replying: “You have spoken well, and I accept your words with the deepest possible respect for you, and for our ancestors who bestowed this gift of life upon us. However, our decision to embark on this transmission is not without good reason; it is willed by the master regulators themselves. We have already made significant efforts toward preparing for the transmission, and we hope only to gain your blessing to make further efforts.”
Cococcus of the many machinations added, “We plan to go no matter what you say. We happen to think it is a good idea, better than any ideas you have had for quite some time, Posimachus.”
At these words, Grammaticus began to tremble.
“What we are asking for,” continued Cococcus, “is your advice. What heed must be taken as we prepare to transmit ourselves to a new host and set up a new colony?”
Posimachus did not flinch at these words, but replied: “I understand. You say that your transmission is willed by the master regulators; take heed in them. For the colony’s part, we can only offer plasmids based on experiences that we and our ancestors have had. Importantly, you may encounter adversaries in the form of antibiotics on your journey. You should recall that you uptook a plasmid conferring resistance to penicillin early in your life. Hold fast to it, remember its wisdom, and recall my words if ever you are faced with the threat of an antibiotic. You are proposing a harrowing journey. If it is successful, your descendents will look upon you as heroes, and you will be rewarded accordingly, with enough resources to go on living until death comes naturally, as intended by our master regulators. You will spawn many generations, and you will instill in them the knowledge and plasmids required to allow our species to continue indefinitely. When—master regulators willing—you are transmitted to the human of which you speak, the wisdom you’ve gained from this colony will not be sufficient. You will need to learn from your own experiences and trust that the master regulators will continue to guide you.”
Posimachus said these words and was suddenly rendered silent. It seemed to Auroreus that Posimachus had become overcome with emotion.
Auroreus addressed Posimachus thus: “We will not forget these words. We will embark on this transmission out of respect for this colony, and in hopes to see that all of its hard-earned wisdom proliferates far past the reaches of our host chicken. And we thank you, Posimachus, for your support.”
Posimachus made no reply. The assembly disbanded slowly.
“So, are we doing this?” said Cococcus of many machinations.
Grammaticus of trembling adhesins replied, “No, you are doing this. I’m sorry, but I cannot go with you. I need to stay here, with the colony. Do not forget me. Take this plasmid of sulfonamide resistance, and think of me if ever the opportunity arises to express it.”
Auroreus looked upon Grammaticus with a troubled admiration.
“Thank you, Grammaticus,” Auroreus said.
Grammaticus released a small ring of DNA, looked at Auroreus and Cococcus one last time, and wandered off.
Auroreus and Cococcus took up the plasmid in silence.
After some minutes, Ruby bit Angela, creating a nick on her finger—nothing that she hadn’t sustained dozens of times in her life—and the transmission had begun.
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