The Dystopian Gene

by S. E. Meyer

  Anna smiled. “Read him his rights.”

  The team prepared to leave the mansion, escorting Richard through the front door followed by Wesley. Just before Anna stepped across the threshold, she turned to face Cornelius. “Oh, one more thing.” Anna grinned. “I caught your broadcast yesterday. After that fiasco, good luck with the upcoming election. Your move, Sir.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Checking in with the guards in front of Damarion's hospital room doorway, Anna showed her ID as one of the men scanned her face.

  “All right, you can go on in,” the guard holding the tablet said.

  Damarion was resting with his eyes closed as Anna sat in the chair next to the bed. Damarion stirred, smiling when he noticed her.

  “Good morning. How are you feeling?” Anna asked.

  “Better,” Damarion replied. “Although I keep having this thought, like a dream. I'm still in the Chamber and all of this is just another computer scenario to give me hope before crushing me again. Can't seem to shake it.”

  Anna reached over and squeezed Damarion's hand. “It will take time.”

  “How are you doing?” Damarion asked. “I feel terrible about what happened to you. It's my fault you took a bullet.”

  “I understand you had no choice. You had to get Isabelle out and we're all the better for it.”

  “I still can't forgive myself. I promised your mother I would look out for you and I almost got you killed.” Damarion let out a long breath.

  “Really. I‘m fine,” Anna replied with a reassuring smile. “But speaking of my mother, what do you know of Project Shield?”

  Damarion‘s eyes widened. “Project Shield,” he echoed while nodding. “It was your mother's idea. She got the rest of us on board. She found a doctor at Gentech that we could trust and would help us accomplish our plan to save the human race.”

  Anna raised an eyebrow. “I was told is it was in hopes of a Fleishman’s cure through genetic manipulation using CRISPR, but it failed.”

  “What? No. The Fleishman's trial was a success. We proved Fleishman's could be cured using the CRISPR method, but they scrapped it. The pharmaceutical companies wanted nothing to do with it, being there was more profit in the treatment then there ever would be in the cure, but that was separate from Project Shield.”

  “Then what was Project Shield all about?”

  “Forty years ago, not long after the walls went up, the Government initiated a program, adding a virus to everyone's Fleishman's treatments.”

  Anna nodded. “Yes. There was information about it on mom's smart drive. Isabelle explained it to me. They have been targeting babies and changing their genes.”

  “Yes. They've been using a next generation process similar to CRISPR, only the new process could change the DNA of millions of cells at a time, instead of only a few. The new process made it ideal for targeting all pregnant women, even up to three weeks gestation. The Government knew they could avoid future rebellion and resistance without costly civil wars and loss of life. Most importantly, without a disruption in money flowing through the economy. All they had to do was change one generation's genes to be more docile and suggestive, every generation thereafter would carry the same genetic mutation. Next, they would only have to wait for the older generations to die off to achieve full control of one-hundred percent of the population. Project Shield was initiated to combat that.”

  “Combat it. How?”

  “Do you know how CRISPR works, Anna?”

  Anna shook her head. “Not how it's done, no.”

  “CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Inter-spaced Short Palindromic Repeats. I'll save you the long description. Scientists essentially copied the technology from single cell bacteria. Bacteria are able to change their own DNA to make themselves immune to certain outside elements. That's why bacteria are able to become resistant to penicillin, for example. Scientists figured out how bacteria accomplish this and recreated the process to use it to manipulate DNA in other organisms.”

  Anna nodded.

  “So to answer your question, we fought fire with fire. We used the CRISPR method to change your DNA, shielding it from further manipulation. With Gentech's help, we discovered a way to lock the original genes shortly after conception through an embryonic injection so treatments would have no effect on you in the womb. We did it to protect and preserve original, unadulterated copies of the human genome. Twelve copies, to be exact. Now you know why I had no choice in getting Isabelle out of there.”

  “Isabelle and I are the only ones left,” Anna replied.

  “What?” Damarion asked lifting his eyebrows.

  “Richard killed everyone else.”

  Damarion shook his head. “I don't understand how he found them.”

  “I think Gina Thorp may have helped him, although I'm not sure she realized what she was doing. In the end, Richard killed her too.”

  Damarion's jaw slacked. “This is awful news,” he whispered.

  “Also, I found Isabelle's mother, Victoria. She's alive.”

  “I know.”

  “You told Isabelle she was dead.”

  “I was trying to protect them both. Cornelius put Victoria in the Chamber for so long she lost her mind. She's not well.”

  Anna nodded. “So, that's what happened to her.”

  “Yes. It's horrible.” Damarion shook his head. “She was such a wonderful woman.”

  “So my mom started Project Shield to preserve original DNA. How will that save the Human Race?”

  “Our original human DNA is all we have Anna. It makes us who we are. All of our creativity, our drive, and ambition. Humanity's strength and will. They've stolen that and turned us into mind controlled slaves. Our plan has always been revolution. Once this Government is toppled, over time, we can slowly reverse the process and return to the Human Race what they took; our humanity.”

  Anna let out a breath.

  “I also found something on mom's drive about gene manipulation using messenger RNA. Isabelle said it has to be done often enough to be effective. I think they added it to our treatments, but do you have any idea why they would do that?”

  “That was added as a backup plan, to ensure everyone's DNA is changed. There's something else. Something I've been trying to convince Atticus to tell you.”

  Anna shook her head. “I already know about that. His lawyer told me. Atticus is my biological father.”

  Damarion's eyes widened. “I was not aware of that.”

  “Really? You didn't know? I thought that's what the two of you were talking about the morning Atticus went through the gates.”

  “No, but that explains a few things.” Damarion let out another long breath. “With everything that's happened I think it's time you know the reason we all swore an oath to protect you. You specifically. I said the Fleishman's trial was a success, but only for one of the twelve. And although we proved it could be done, we never told a soul that we accomplished it. If word got out that we had a cure, well, it would have put us all in grave danger, especially you.”

  Anna wrinkled her brow. “What are you saying?”

  Damarion reached out and took Anna's hand. “Ever wonder why your mother encouraged you to learn martial arts? Or why the world doesn't make sense to you and there's a gnawing in your gut you are different from everyone else? I'm saying, not only are you a genetically perfect Human, you're the only one in the world that's immune to Fleishman's. You're our biggest secret, our ace up the sleeve, a culmination of more than twenty years of effort. What I'm trying to tell you, is the cure for Fleishman's runs through your veins.” Damarion looked deep into Anna's eyes. “You're going to cure millions.”

  Anna shook her head. “How do you know?”

  “Atticus worked with a man by the name of Frank Anderson. He was a member of our group.”

  Anna nodded. “I met him. His son was part of the trial.”

  “Yes. Frank developed a cure using your blood, secretly taken during one of your treatment
sessions. How do you think Atticus, Jax and the rest of The Resistance were able to survive this entire time without treatments?”

  “I don't know. Atticus said if a person was healthy enough, they could survive Fleishman's.”

  “True, but not without a cure.”

  Anna's jaw slacked.

  Billy

  “So that means everyone who's ever been sent through the gates wanders around sick until Fleishman's eventually kills them?”

  Damarion nodded.

  Anna's eyes widened. “I don't understand. If we don't eat the food, and we skip treatments, why do we still get sick? It doesn't make any sense.”

  “Because Fleishman's isn't a virus at all, it's a DNA mutation, a flaw. Fleishman's was the cause of the uprising and the reason the walls were built. It was the reason treatments were mandated. What we still have not figured out is where that DNA mutation came from in the first place.”

  “Atticus gave me hope. Hope that there are survivors.”

  “There's always hope. Atticus has laid many plans and worked on them, along with your mother, for years. One of them being the cure within you. That cure reverses the mutation.” Damarion smiled. “Anna, you're going to save the world.”

  Anna hung her head, swallowing hard as Wesley stepped into the room.

  “Good morning boss,” Wesley said, his voice floating into Anna's ears.

  Anna turned, offering Wesley a weak smile.

  “And a good morning to you too Special Agent Wool,” Wesley charmed.

  “Thank you Captain,” Anna replied, staring at her shoes. “But you can call me Anna.”

  “It's always great to see you, Anna.” Wesley's clean-shaven cheeks pulled into a grin, accentuating his dimples. He lowered his eyebrows. “Are you okay? You don't seem yourself.”

  Anna looked at Wesley. “I'm not sure. I just received some news that I'm unable to process right now.”

  “I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

  “Thanks for the offer, but no, I don't think so.”

  “Okay.” Wesley nodded. “Well, I'm glad I ran into you. Richard's wall ceremony isn't in the calendar, I'm guessing that's so we can keep it quiet.”

  Seeing Wesley, and hearing his voice, was a pleasant distraction from the information she just learned. She tried to compartmentalize, eager to push the feelings aside until she was better prepared to deal with them.

  “Yes. It's scheduled for this morning. I'm heading to the gates from here,”Anna replied.

  “Perfect. I'll go with you. As long as you don't mind.”

  “Mind? No. I would love that.”

  Anna cocked her head to one side, twisting a brown curl behind her ear.

  “I mean. That would be acceptable,” Anna blushed.

  Acceptable? Anna thought. What is wrong with me?

  “Good,” Wesley laughed. He turned and handed Damarion a tablet. “Here are the latest updates and what you missed while you were away. I'm looking forward to seeing you back at the office, sir.”

  “Thank you Wesley. As am I.”

  Anna moved close to Damarion. “I'm sorry you have to lose a son today. That must be hard to bear.”

  Damarion nodded. “It is. Cornelius poisoned his mind from a young age. My only mistake was allowing them to become close.” Pressing his lips together he looked up at Anna with wet eyes. “I've experienced my share of loss in my life. My sister died when I was a young boy. My father left because of it. The guilt I've had to bear over the loss of my own wife, while I was having an affair. And now my own son. As a parent, you never think your child will grow up to become a monster.” Damarion wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “In many ways, I still see a frightened little boy. Out of all the loss I've felt, the pain of watching your adult child deal with the consequences of their actions has been one of the worst.”

  Anna leaned in, hugging Damarion. “What can I do?”

  Damarion emptied his lungs. “I hate what he did, but tell him I love him.”

  Pulling away from Damarion Anna nodded. “I will,” she said, turning towards Wesley.

  “Are you ready?”

  ◆◆◆

  Anger brewed within Anna's heart and mind as her and Wesley watched the guards escort Richard towards the podium. She touched her fevered cheeks with the back of her trembling hand at the sight of the man standing before her. With head hanging low Richard drug his shackled feet, stopping in front of the judge.

  Wesley took Anna's hand in his, squeezing gently. She felt her pulse throb in her fingers. “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  “Yes,” Anna replied. “Richard is finally getting what he deserves.” Anna turned. Gazing into Wesley's eyes she squeezed his hand. “Thanks for being here.”

  “I wouldn't miss it.”

  “...and may God have mercy on your soul!” the judge finished. The guards escorted Richard towards the gates as they opened, revealing the Humvee waiting on the other side. As they walked passed, Richard made eye contact with Anna.

  Anna reaffirmed her grip on Wesley's hand. “Your father sends his love.”

  Richard scoffed. “What does that man know of love. My grandfather will come for me. This isn't over.”

  “Your finally getting what's been coming to you for a long time. You're finished, but you're right about one thing, Cornelius won't be far behind you. Cromwell's don't get what they want anymore. I'm making sure of that.”

  Dropping his shoulders, Richard returned his chin to his chest as the guards placed him in the Humvee. The gates closed with the familiar clang and Anna let out a breath.

  “There. It's done,” she said.

  “Anna, you‘re shaking. Are you sure you're okay?”

  Anna nodded. “Yes. Well, maybe not, but I will be. This is far from over. Richard was a pawn. I won't rest until the one who is responsible finds a similar fate.” Anna clenched her fists. “I want the Governor,” she whispered through gritted teeth.

  “That won’t be easy. He‘s a powerful man, but I will do everything I can to help,” Wesley offered. “So what do you want to do now?”

  Anna shook her head. “I don't know about you, but after the morning I just had, I could use a drink.”

  “Aren't you on duty?”

  “I have sick time accrued and well earned. I need to take the rest of the day off.”

  “Richard going through the gates really has you shaken.”

  “It's not just that. It's everything. I've just been blasted with too many things over too short a period of time. I was just told I'm supposed to save the world.” Anna threw her hands in the air. “I mean, come on, what is someone supposed to do with information like that? I need some down time and a distraction.”

  “It's a little early in the day, but I'm up for that. Do you want to come back to my place? I have a nice collection of wine and music at home,” he asked. “I also love to cook. I can make us dinner.”

  Anna dug deep within herself and found a smile. The man before her had a way of doing that. “Wesley, are you trying to seduce me with cuisine, wine and music?”

  “Too obvious?” Wesley replied, returning Anna's smile.

  “I just call it like I see it,” Anna blushed.

  “I'm just offering a distraction. So, what do you say?”

  Anna probed Wesley's athletic physique before turning her gaze to his eyes. Her heart skipped as she considered Wesley offer.

  It's a pretty solid offer.

  Anna's eyes sparkled.

  And I could use the distraction.

  Wesley slowly moved in close to Anna, placing a hand on her flushed cheek. He dropped his chin, pressing his soft lips to hers.

  Anna melted into Wesley's strong arms and warm lips.

  Wesley moved his hand below her brown ringlets, touching the nape of her neck. Anna's skin exploded into goose-flesh. She placed a hand on Wesley‘s muscular frame and pulled him closer.

  “I've wanted to do that since the first time I saw you,” Wesley said, pulling away
to gaze into Anna‘s eyes.

  Anna smiled. “Might have caused a scene, Batman making out with a French guardsman.”

  “Well, you know what they say. Any love is good love,” Wesley laughed.

  Anna joined him while slipping the hair from her forehead and tucking it behind her ear.

  “Thanks for that.”

  “For what, the kiss?”

  “Yes, and for making me laugh. I haven't had much to laugh about lately.”

  “Ready then?” Wesley asked. “Let's go share some food, wine and conversation. I would like to get to know Special Agent in Charge Anna Wool. Would that be um, acceptable?” Wesley chided, grinning.

  Anna's belly warmed. “I would love that.”

  Taking Anna's hand in his, Wesley led her to his car. “What does that mean, anyway? Special Agent In Charge,” he asked.

  “It means I'm in charge of special cases,” Anna replied.

  “You're a special case,” Wesley laughed.

  Anna raised an eyebrow. “You're not lying.” Anna shook her head. “I'm rubbing off on you, now you're telling it like it is.”

  Anna's phone rang.

  She looked at the screen. “Sorry Wesley, give me a sec, I have to take this.”

  Anna stepped away from the car as she tapped the call icon. “What's up, Jax?”

  “Anna. You have to get back here right away. We received a message from Atticus.”

  “What? Atticus?”

  “Yes, you have to get back here.”

  Anna blew the air from her lungs, shaking her head.

  There went my afternoon plans.

  “I'm on my way,” Anna replied before ending the call. “Shit!”

  “What is it?” Wesley asked.

  “I have to go,” Anna pouted.

  Wesley lowered his eyebrows. “You sure?” he asked, mirroring her disappointment.

  “Don't worry, I'm not turning down your offer.”

  Anna shook her head.

  Such a great offer.

  “Rain check?” she asked, tilting her head to one side.

  Wesley smiled. “Of course.”

  Anna raised herself to her tiptoes and kissed Wesley, this time probing his mouth with her tongue. “Give you something to think about,” she said through pink cheeks, dropping back to her heels.