The Klotho Factor

The Klotho Factor

Author: Vern Hume January 3, 2026 Duration: 39:10
Original Science Fiction - Makeshift Stories
FictionArtsScience

Kenzo Tanaka, a washed-up intellectual property rights enforcer turned PI, takes a “lost dog” case from a woman he believes to be a dazzling biotech heiress. However, he soon discovers that the dog is a human-canine chimera growing a life-extending Klotho gland, which is highly illegal. His gene-hacker friend dies for the discovery, which leads Kenzo on a chase through the Great Plains Economic Zone’s lawless biotech underworld, ending at a mountain research compound guarded by weaponized hybrid dogs. As he escapes with the lost dog, Kenzo is confronted by his client, who turns out to be an organ broker working for a wealthy client. Although tempted by profit, Kenzo chooses not to hand over the dog and vanishes the prize for good.

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CREDITS

Written by Vern Hume (AKA Alan V Hare).

Read by Stephen Peterson.

Opening and closing were composed and created by Matthew Erdmann.

Produced by Vecada Studios.

Makeshift Stories is released under a creative commons non-commercial attribution, no derivative license.


Step into the world of Original Science Fiction-Makeshift Stories, an independent audio drama crafted by Vern Hume. This podcast is a monthly expedition into the vast territories of speculative fiction, blending elements of sci-fi and fantasy into original, self-contained narratives. Each episode is a new story, a fresh exploration of uncharted futures, strange realities, and the rebellious technologies that might define them. Listeners will hear fully-produced audio fiction, where character-driven plots unfold against backdrops of both wonder and warning. The focus is on immersive storytelling that asks "what if?" and follows that question down unexpected paths. It’s a podcast for those who crave thoughtful, original worlds built from sound and imagination, offering a regular escape into possibilities just beyond our own horizon. Tune in to discover what tomorrow might bring, one makeshift story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Original Science Fiction - Makeshift Stories
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