Spotlight Feature of Killer Flies by William Hicks

William D. Hicks

Killer Flies and Twist

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Twist

As a boy growing up in 1953, Kevin Hull enjoyed playing games with his group of boyhood friends, like the game of “ledge.” After one such game with his friend Billy Hawkins, the two find themselves involved in a terrible accident that will forever change their lives. A work of short psychological horror from our Spectres line.

Killer Flies

The Army plans to use a new breed of flies to protect combat soldiers. But Dr. John Pankow, their creator, is worried that his killer flies are uncontrollable. Will Mother Nature’s most genetically-altered weapon be the ultimate armor, or the potential ravager of the entire world? A work of short horror from our Spectres line.

Excerpt – Killer Flies

“So, you created a vaccine?” General Donner asked.
“Yes, but its effectiveness is only twenty days, or less, depending on metabolic rate. Plus upon further testing this treatment doesn’t work on everyone.”

“Any more questions before I continue?” Pankow waited, no one’s hand went up. “Even though many of my colleagues see little harm in allowing the mix of killer flies with general house flies, I disagree. Currently interbreeding appears safe, because few can survive alone, and without ‘mothers,’ as we call the females, they can’t multiply. But that doesn’t prevent these flies from mutating and forming a new lethal strain. And this would be even more likely if one of the mothers escapes.”
“That won’t happen,” General Bider quickly interjected. “We have one room of mothers which is segregated from all the others.”
“But what happens if one does escape?” Carrie Jacobs, Dr. Pankow’s new research assistant, asked.
Before the doctor could respond, General Willard did. “We’ve taken precautions so that won’t happen; a full bee suit, a security access door, and researchers must go through a sealed room to get at those dangerous mothers. Pardon the pun.”
A slight giggle circled the room. It irritated Pankow. This was serious business, not a place for stupid puns.
“If one female escapes or gets into the wrong hands it will have dire effects. That is why all doors require a key card, and an electrical Flash-Kill system will be installed next year. Funding cuts, you understand, made it impossible to purchase this system until then,” General Bider said, giving no indication he was sorry about the funding issues.
“If one ever escapes it might mean the end of the world,” Pankow finished, allowing his last words to reverberate in their minds.

“I think Dr. Pankow is reading too many science fiction magazines.” General Bider laughed. “These flies will save our soldiers’ lives. We have them under control gentlemen. Are there any questions I can answer?”

Several hands shot up.