“I’m still a little confused about how others can make these changes. Sure, I can do it because I’m bonded and understand the nanites and can control them, but if someone doesn’t have the bond, they remain dormant, right?”
“I see I did not explain sufficiently. These nanites, the ones you changed, are the same ones that replicate throughout your body upon initial injection of the nanites. You do not have to bond to add the programming I guided you through. Anyone may do that. The problem arises in that most of humankind are unaware of the individual nanites in their bodies. It is why none of these people enslaved by my brother had any idea what was happening until it was too late.”
“How would we distribute a cure? It’s not possible, right? You’d have to—”
“Yes. I, or one of my kin, would need to manipulate their minds into making the change.”
“Ashazad, I—”
“I understand and do not intend to force my will upon anyone. This would be, in effect, the same thing my brother did to an entire colony of people, and we will not stand for it.”
“There’s got to be another way. What about some kind of electronic signal to alter them?”
“You would have to find a way for that signal to come from the host’s own mind. I honestly do not know if that is possible. Kirgor might have a better idea on that. Perhaps the work he and Pete are looking at will yield insight into that possibility.”
“So much for using the cure as a way to lure more to our cause,” Jared lamented.
“If we find the professor, or his equipment, perhaps we can effectuate a global cure. At present, I know of no other way to do it.”
“Thank you, Ashazad. Truly. It’s just disappointing. I’d hoped we’d cure everyone.”
“Do not fear. Look how far you have come in such a short time. With this new technology, anything is possible.”
“I appreciate the encouragement. You’re right, there’s no reason for me to act like this. It doesn’t help anyone. Actually, do you mind showing your brothers how to do this so they can help the others? Also, we’ll let the larger group know you can do this for them, but that you’d need to take over their mind for a short time. I’m not sure if everyone will agree to it given their…experiences.”
“I will share the knowledge and gladly assist those willing,” Ashazad promised.
Jared nearly disengaged from the meld, but something tickled the back of his mind. “You know, something still doesn’t add up for me. I thought Professor Igor said the nanites remain dormant until after the bonding?”
“That is not exactly true. The moment the nanites enter a host’s body, they replicate, eating the radiation poisoning, and sustaining the body. They are susceptible to this micro command you just gave them, but the host cannot control them directly until after bonding.”
“See, that’s what doesn’t make sense. How did I get Night Vision and the ability to survive extreme temperatures if I couldn’t control them?”
“That is easy enough to explain. The external stimuli influenced the nanites. Repeated exposure to circumstances that required the nanites to constantly heal or sustain your body in certain ways resulted in their alteration.”
“Then why didn’t everyone here gain Night Vision during their time in the water?”
“As I said previously, Razael encapsulated their nanites, forcibly preventing any external stimuli or commands.”
“Interesting. I wonder if Igor even knew of this possibility. If he did, why didn’t he fix it himself?”
“We may never know.”
Jared thought he’d feel liberated after getting a cure for the nanites plaguing his body, but he only felt indifferent. It could have been the fact they had enough boosters to last them a long time, or that Scarlet was able to temporarily block the corruption before Ashazad came along.
The whole experience put him in a melancholy mood. He rounded everyone up on auto-pilot, explained they could have the virus removed, and then retreated to the side away from everyone else to watch the proceedings. He wasn’t exactly sure everyone would want to have it done right away, but even the more hesitant got in line to have their bodies rid of the technovirus. Ridding their bodies of the virus wasn’t exactly right, either. Repairing was a more apt description. They needed to repair the nanite coding to facilitate the cure.
The first thing Ashazad did was mind meld with his brothers, showing them how to cure their companions. All but Ballog learned how to help their companions. Ballog was still unconscious, but Scarlet insisted he was fine so Jared shrugged it off. They’d wait for him to wake.
The curing process went long into the night. Each person became easier for Ashazad, but he still had to work through the thirty people not bonded and it took a while to get it done. He’d set a watch through the night, but it was probably unnecessary since Scarlet had tasked Kynderri with patrolling while she was in the mind meld. Kitty also kept up her roving patrol on the ground. They were as safe as they could be, but Jared planned to move out early the next day. Already, they’d stayed much longer than he wanted and he couldn’t risk delaying anymore.
The next morning brought with it a new day and everyone walked around with broad smiles on their faces. Apparently, the curing of their bodies proved a joyous occasion for them. It made Jared wonder all the more why he was so indifferent about it, but it didn’t really matter. There was a cure. It wasn’t ideal for the rest of the world, but at least those who joined their cause would benefit.
Shortly after the sun crested the horizon, Ballog and Jax finally woke. It’d been a little over three days since they started the bond. The dragon explained that the wound on his body had pushed him beyond his limits and it was everything he could do just to help Jax through the pain and changes. On the bright side, the wound where the phase round penetrated was almost healed.
Eager to get going, Jared gathered everyone together to talk through their next moves.
For the next hour they talked about all of their plans, including moving farther from the city. Several people called out destinations. They had a few people suggest straight south, heading toward Florida and the Carolinas, but Jared overruled them and reminded everyone about the Daggers and what they’d almost done to him.
They couldn’t do anything more to him or Scarlet, but the same wasn’t true for everyone else in the group. A single stray bullet was all it would take to end someone’s life. Jared didn’t want to risk it.
A few more names entered the list, but only one received a near unanimous vote after he’d homed in on it.
“Is there anyone who has a good reason we shouldn’t go to Colorado?” Jared spread his arms to encompass the group.
“It’s too far?” a voice from the back chimed in.
“I’d argue that’s exactly why it’s a good option. Here’s perspective for you. Scarlet can fly from our old colony to New York City in less than an hour. That’s over two hundred miles. I don’t know exactly how far Colorado is, but it can’t be over two thousand miles. That means we can fly back here in half a day. It’s not that far when you put it into perspective. Even if she didn’t fly at full speed, we could easily make the journey back in a day. I’m counting on that, because once we’re ready we will go back to absorb the remaining nanites in the lake.”
There was no further questioning. Traveling so fast was a foreign concept to everyone. Vanessa had had a short flight on Scarlet, and Carla flew on Attis, but distance was a relative thing to most. They wouldn’t truly appreciate it until they rode atop their own dragon over a long distance. They could probably get the same experience in a drop ship, but until Pete figured out a way to intercept signals, they wouldn’t venture down that road.
“Okay, we know where we’re going, but now I’d like to address the other matter we talked about.” Jared looked at the dragons, specifically Scarlet. “I think it’s time we split up.”
Cries of astonishment and dissent rose from the humans present, but the dragons remained silent. They knew what needed to happen and relished the opportunity to see their extended family again.
“Hold up everyone, and let me finish explaining. Not all the dragons will go. Originally, I’d thought of sending the three oldest, but I think they should go in pairs.”
“Jared, that’s not—”
Jared looked back at Scarlet and switched to telepathy to explain himself. “I know it’s probably unnecessary, but I think it prudent that each of your brothers has another to cover his back. We cannot lose anyone else. I won’t lose anyone else.”
Scarlet weighed his words, eventually accepting his plan.
“Do you think sending the eldest is the best way to go, or would it matter?”
“Yes, it will show the others we are serious and lend credibility. Though, I do not think it will take much convincing.”
Turning back to the rest of the people, Jared resumed his explanation. “For those of you concerned with this, let me explain. Scarlet’s brothers will find the remaining dragons. The earth, air, and water dragons. We need every advantage we can get, and this is a surefire way to make sure we’re strong enough to take on the cities.”
Many of those recently bonded looked at their new companions in fear. It wasn’t his first choice to separate them so soon, but it would be a waste of time for everyone to walk to Colorado when Scarlet’s brothers might find their family and be back before the water folk reached their destination. This was the most economical use of the time they’d spend traveling.
The only pair that didn’t balk or look scared was Vanessa and Malsour. They hadn’t even flinched at the idea. Both knew the stakes, and they both had incredible poise. Seeing her stand tall and proud next to Malsour made Jared smile. She was an incredible woman, and he still had a hard time believing she loved him. A paranoid part of him wondered if it was just the complete lack of options for a partner, but he dismissed the thoughts lest they poison his view of her.
He believed she loved him for him, not because there were no other options. A part of him had a wriggling doubt, and he hated himself for it. If she’d been around back in his home colony, and expressed an interest like this, he wouldn’t think twice about it, but out here, after what he’d done for them, was a different story. Only time would tell if their feelings for each other were real or misplaced.
Jared realized he’d let his voice trail off and now stood staring awkwardly at Vanessa while everyone shifted from foot to foot casting glances between them. He felt a flush creeping up his neck and cleared this throat.
“Grab your things and be ready to move in half an hour.”
Jared watched all the newly bonded members of their group conversing with their dragon companions. He hadn’t said who was going yet other than at least the three oldest.
Malsour, Ashazad, and Kynderri looked ready to go, and Vanessa, Casey, and Marie made their way into the building they’d slept in to retrieve their belongings. The dragons must have already told their human counterparts about the journey.
Pete and Kirgor went back to examining the robots they had splayed out before them. Jared let him know they needed to pack up and move out soon, but Pete assured him they’d be ready and that they’d keep working until the moment they left.
“Scarlet, who will accompany your brothers?”
“I will leave it up to them.”
“I think Kirgor and Ballog should remain behind, if you don’t mind. We need Pete and Kirgor to crack the technology from the cities and Ballog needs to heal. I thought about asking Ashazad to stay behind since he can cure the technovirus, but now that the rest of your brothers know how, it’s not critical.”
“I do not believe Ashazad would stay behind even if you asked.”
“All right, let’s go ask them.”
Jared walked closer to her three eldest siblings. “Brothers—” Jared choked on the next words as a wave of warmth washed over him from Scarlet. Instinctively, he reached up to place a hand on her side as he continued. “We must decide who will leave in search of your kin.”
“Agreed, little brother.” Malsour returned his greeting in kind.
The wave of emotion from Scarlet passed through their bond once again, only this time Jared’s own emotions mirrored hers. Though he’d only used the word brothers to address them all at once instead of being impersonal with dragons, they’d accepted him into the family.
“I will go to the water dragons with Kanundran. Ashazad will seek our kin of the air with Myndris, and Kynderri, and Braddra will seek our earthen kin.”
As Malsour called forth the names, his brothers stepped forward, preparing to leave.
Kanundran’s companion Dawn gave her new family one last look, sadness briefly crossing her features, before she went to collect her belongings.
Looking at all those who’d bonded, Jared realized he needed to spend more time getting to know them. He knew all their names, but he didn’t really know anything about them. Who was Dawn, and why had Kanundran bonded with her?
Braddra’s companion David was another mystery. Jared knew nothing about him, aside from the fact he cured all the animal hides they’d collected.
Myndris and Sean looked at each other. A quick exchange of words and Sean stepped back, leaving to retrieve his gear. Sean was another person Jared had spent little time with. The guy was tall, looked athletic, and of all the water folk had put the most amount of time into pushing his body to regain its strength.
Vanessa knew her people extremely well, but he hadn’t thought to ask her about their personal lives. He chided his lack of leadership skills and promised himself he’d resolve it soon. He could ask Vanessa, but that felt like a copout. No, he needed to put in the effort himself and work with all of those in their group. They’d go into battle eventually and without knowing their strengths and weaknesses, he couldn’t properly deploy them in a fight. His goal during their trek to Colorado was to get a better understanding of everyone in the group. They’d have three weeks with almost nothing else to do. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know everyone.
Scarlet’s six brothers spent a short moment saying goodbye and launched themselves into the air, headed in three different directions.
“Scarlet, I don’t think we have to tell them this, but they know to stay away from cities and human settlements, right?”
“Yes. I asked them to avoid any confrontation with them, but that they should continue to take down prey along the way to absorb more and more nanites.”
“Can you show me where they are going?” asked Jared.
His hand still on her side, his vision swam, and Jared sat down next to her to keep from falling over. The view showed a lush earth from a high vantage point. Looking down, Jared realized they were somewhere over North America. He saw the Atlantic off to the east, the Gulf of Mexico south, and land as far as he could see to the north and west.
The view zipped by until they came to the southernmost point in North America before following the land across a narrow strip into South America. Finally, the passing landscape paused somewhere near the southern tip of the continent. Then, the scene before him shifted again, and he was once again viewing the same exodus of the earth dragons from Alestrialia’s vision.
“Oh, man. I hadn’t even considered that they might be on a different continent. They can’t fly, so if they’d been in Europe or Asia, there’s no way they’d be able to get there. I can’t believe I didn’t think this through.”
“I saw no need to bring it up because they can get here over land. They need to cross a dense jungle, but it should pose no problem for them. Besides, they are masters of the earth and could just as soon burrow beneath any ocean.”
“Do you think they’d be a liability in a battle? If they can’t fly, they’d be sitting ducks for the d
rop ships.”
“Initially, you are right. Eventually, the battle will spread to the earth, and they will be invaluable. Also, the thick hide and bone covering the top of their body is nearly impenetrable. It may even be impervious to phase rounds.”
Jared recalled the vision Alestrialia had once shown him of the earth dragons and their slow plod into the mountain that swallowed them up. They’d looked ferocious and Scarlet’s explanation made sense looking at them.
“I hope your brothers can find everyone.”
“Knowing how stubborn they can be, I doubt they will return until they accomplish their mission.”
“Let’s hope that stubbornness doesn’t land them in trouble. What about your air and water kin?”
The scenes changed again, showing the ocean in all its glory: an ocean untouched by the war. That gave Jared pause. What if South America didn’t look like that anymore and Kynderri couldn’t find the earth dragons? He mentioned as much to Scarlet, but she didn’t seem overly concerned. The dragons were far beneath the surface, and anything that transpired above wouldn’t affect them.
After the view of the ocean, the scene changed one last time, rocketing over the ocean until it came to rest on a brilliant white visage. It showed a continent that looked entirely made of ice.
“Our air kin will be the most challenging to find. It should come as no surprise, but extreme cold will slow Ashazad and Myndris down.”
“They’ll make it though, right?”
“Yes, but it will not be a pleasant experience.”
“Well, we’ve got a few weeks ahead of us, anyway.”
Scarlet disengaged the memories and Jared stood back up. He had to blink a few times to get his bearing and regain his equilibrium. Once he’d steadied himself, he went to round everyone up.
Having the dragons accompanying them helped their speed greatly, since they could carry a lot of the equipment. Initially, they bristled at being nothing more than pack mules, but Scarlet squashed the indignation quickly. She only needed to remind them of the single phase round penetrating Ballog’s scales to refresh the need for urgency and speed.
Radioactive Revolution: A Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic Adventure Page 28