A Mammoth Mistake?

"Sam Dumpty here for National Geoplastic Magazine. I am surrounded by the most prominent scientists and archeologists in the world. The occasion? The unveiling of the de-extincted wooly mammoth. To say that the level of excitement is to the moon and back would be an understatement. All have been briefed as to the science involved in resurrecting this ancient beast. In layman's terms, modern elephant DNA has been fused with well-preserved DNA from a wooly mammoth that had been frozen in time, thanks to a catastrophic and rather sudden ice age event. Ever since the dire wolf reappeared on the scene as a result of gene editing by scientists using CRISPR technology, the race has been on to bring back the wooly mammoth as well as the Tasmanian tiger. In a moment, all tuned in will see science at its apex in the form of a two-hundred pound wooly mammoth calf." "Attention attendees:(ahem) The moment the world has been anxiously awaiting has now arrived. This unique triumph, whom we have affectionately named Eve, is ready to make her debut. Are you ready?" "Dumpty here. For the first time in my life, I have a genuine tear streaming down my shell. Eve is the most amazing creature ever witnessed by human (and ovum) eyes. We have been forbidden to touch the creature, but our close proximity allows us to get a detailed view of the sheer magnificence of her. Not as much hair as you might expect and the tusks are a bit smaller than photos I've seen, but then I suppose that is to be expected of a hybrid between elephant and mammoth. As you can hear folks, there is a great deal of oohing and aahing over Eve. But as I watch the spectacle unfold, there is something that feels a bit off, something odd. As I peer deep into the beast's eyes I sense a coldness, a lifelessness. No one else is talking about the phenomenon, so maybe it's just a figment of my overactive imagination. Still, my gut is telling me this is wrong. She clearly does not want to be here. I was as thrilled as the rest to witness this monumental event. But in some way that I can't explain, her spirit reached out to me, touched me to my yolk. My God, what have we done? And what will this new creation bode for Earth's future? For now, this is National Geoplastic reporter Sam Dumpty, signing off." * contest sample ** Sam Dumpty is a character I created years ago and is older brother to Humpty. He wears many hats, including detective and reporter.