The Rebirths of Tao

by Wesley Chu

  “I know the woman in charge,” Roen said. “She’ll get the job done.”

  “What would prevent them from coming after us next?” Faust asked.

  “Nothing,” Roen admitted, “but at least it’s not our guys dying trying to break in there. The Keeper is going to reallocate the forces meant for the catalyst facility to busting out Rin. So there you have it, Jill. Use us wisely. Most of the squad commanders won’t get here in time, so we’ll have to relay the plan remotely, but I believe everyone is on board for first thing tomorrow.”

  This changes everything. The attack will have to change from a small-team infiltration to a fully-staged assault.

  The group in Faust’s tactical command center spent the rest of the evening devising a new plan. They broke for a late dinner and reconvened to coordinate their plans with the commander of the attack force flying in from Greenland.

  “At best, the rest of the attack force will rendezvous with us in the air,” Faust said, as they worked through the times.

  “Who’s leading the attack?” asked Jill.

  Faust looked down at his tablet and blinked in surprise. “Seems our favorite Aussie colonel.” He looked up and grinned. “I thought the bloody bastard retired.”

  “What?” she exclaimed. “Who dusted the mothballs off him? Shouldn’t he be on a beach drinking Mai-Tais and failing to hit on local girls?”

  “He should be. I attended his retirement party.” Roen frowned, shaking his head. “Old bastard can’t let go. If he’s un-retiring, I want that set of golf clubs I gave him back.”

  Marco shook his head. “Seems the old bugger is intent on coming back on his shield.”

  Dylan had retired from active operations two years ago, and no one had heard from him since. Supposedly, he was living out his golden years hunting poachers in the outback.

  I do not know how wise it is pulling another host into this operation, especially at Dylan’s age.

  “Baji, I am not telling Dylan ‘no.’ Besides, he’s probably still spry and strong as a bear.”

  On that we agree.

  At this point, Roen checked the time and excused himself, pulling her with him as he left the room. Jill led him to the upstairs balcony, where they snuggled on a hammock while looking up at the sky. A stead wind blew in from the ocean, just cool enough to make shared body warmth necessary, but not uncomfortable. The sky looked heavy, filled with large puffy clouds that blocked any sign of the moon or the stars. A breeze swept in from the ocean, and Roen could smell the salt in the air. For a few beautiful moments, they just lay there together, basking in the night. Roen gently put his hand on her face, turned it toward him, and kissed her. He pulled her in closer and she wrapped a hand around the back of his neck. There was a desperation in them, a feeling of relief mixed with a sense of dread.

  After all, they had each thought they had lost the other over the past few days. And now that they were together again, they were going off on another dangerous mission. The moment they shared right now was all they had. Tomorrow would be another day when this blasted war would threaten to take everything that meant anything in their world. They’d both lost so much already.

  Roen’s looked on the edge of tears.

  Jill stroked his chin. “Hey you, what’s going on inside that thick noggin of yours?”

  His voice broke as he spoke. “I’m sorry. I failed. Again. I should have been there. For you and Cameron. I let the Prophus lure me away again on an inane mission, and I wasn’t there to protect my family when you were in danger.”

  Jill could tell he was being harder on himself than usual. Ever since Tao had left him, he had been trying to overcompensate by being husband, father, and Prophus agent all at the same time. It was an impossible task. She hit him on the chest harder than she meant to. “Nonsense. I sent you away.”

  “I should have said no.”

  “You did say no. I ordered you to go.”

  It is times like this I like your husband. Seems he finally got through puberty after half a century.

  “Hush, Baji.”

  Roen shifted in hammock, swinging it precariously. Jill was pretty sure this thing wasn’t made to hold both their weights. “Don’t do it again. Please. In fact, after this, I’m done. I quit.” He paused. “Is that okay?”

  I love how he asks for permission.

  “Oh, Roen. Why don’t you hold off retirement plans until after this mission?” She kissed him again. “We should probably head back. They’re probably looking for us.”

  He grunted, which was his way of giving a lukewarm affirmative. “I’m going to skip the rest of the meeting and let you brainiacs figure stuff out.” He paused. “I should have asked earlier. How’s Cameron?”

  Jill had hoped to delay his seeing their son as long as possible. She knew it was cruel not to tell him right away that Cameron was here, but she knew how he was going to react once he saw him, and she wanted calm Roen for just a little while. “He’s here, Roen. Sleeping. Look, he got kind of beaten up. It looks much worse than it is. Please don’t blow your top and freak out.”

  Roen sat up, almost dumping them both off the hammock. “What! Here? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I know what your priorities are in life. I mean it, though. Don’t freak out when you see him.”

  That just made him tenser. “I’ll keep that in mind, but it doesn’t mean I won’t freak out.”

  She led him to the other side of the warehouse, to the sleeping quarters. Faust’s cover was an old theater prop warehouse, so there were many nooks and turns. Jill had put Cameron in a small guest room on the top level. She led Roen to the door and opened it slightly.

  The light fell on her sleeping son’s face as they crept in. Jill had to prepare her husband for what he was about to see. She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Roen gasped when he saw Cameron’s bruised face, and his body stiffened, all his muscles tightening.

  “Remember, it looks a lot worse than it is.”

  She led him to the edge of the bed. Roen fell to his knees and brushed the hair away from Cameron’s face. She could sense the struggle raging inside him. He balled his hands into fists.

  She leaned over him and kissed him on the cheek. “You need some time alone with him?”

  He nodded. “Please.”

  She caressed his face and kissed him on the lips. “I’ll be back at the meeting. Let him rest if you can. And if it’s Tao, tell him to let Cameron rest as well.”

  39

  Father and Son

  Timestamp: 3422

  As good as Tao and I are at what we do, I don’t think either of us are prepared for how good Cameron is becoming. I haven’t been prouder and more terrified for his future than on the day I realized that he could kick my ass. With this new technique he and Tao have developed, he truly is becoming something more than human.

  Here is where I realized my mistake. I’ve helped mold him into a Prophus Adonis, but this will only drive him into more and more dangerous situations. In trying to keep him safe, I’ve doomed him to this life of danger, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

  * * *

  Roen knelt next to Cameron’s bed and held his son’s hand. His mind raced, bouncing between his own self-loathing for not being there to protect his child and his burning rage at that son-of-a-bitch Jacob Diamont. The two factions traditionally had an agreement about not touching families. Sure, Cam was a host, but he was a kid still and would always be that small baby in his arms. The longer Roen thought about it, the angrier he got.

  One of Cameron’s eyes opened, then the other. “I know you are beating yourself up something fierce right now. It is at the same time endearing and pointless, so cut it out.”

  “Tao,” Roen began, and stopped. He wasn’t sure if he should apologize to Tao or berate him for putting his son in this predicament. In the end, he took the easy route and let his ire show. “How could you let this happen to him?”

  Tao turned to his side and
frowned. “Excuse me? What exactly did you expect me to do? The farmhouse was attacked by Genjix, and I pulled your son to safety. Do not misdirect your anger because of your guilt.”

  Damn, that alien knew him too well. Roen admitted to himself that his fury was completely misplaced, and that he was yelling just so he could yell at something. He was certain Tao had probably saved Cameron’s life. Still, the cuts and bruises on his son’s face were more than Roen could handle. Without an outlet for his raw emotions, his body did the only thing it could think of; he began to cry.

  “Oh come on,” Tao began.

  Right now, Roen didn’t care what his stinking stupid alien mentor thought. With shoulder-wracking sobs, he hugged his son and cried more tears than he had since Sonya died. The thought of the consequences of every decision he had made putting his son in danger hit too close to home. He wanted to grab his wife and son, and steal them as far away from all of this as possible. Enough was enough. His family had paid the price for his sins for too long.

  “I’m sorry,” he sobbed.

  Tao frowned. “I forgive you, Roen.”

  “Not to you, damn it. To my son. I’m his father. I should have been there to protect him. I let the Prophus lead me away from the people I love again. I’ve failed as a father and as a husband.”

  Tao, actually looking awkward, put his arms around Roen’s shoulder and patted him on the back. “There, there. Things are going to be all right.”

  “Shut up, Tao,” Roen snapped. “Things aren’t going to be all right. I’ve cursed my wife and child to a lifetime of this stupid war.”

  “You think being ignorant of the realities of our war would make this all go away? You of all people should know better than that, Roen.”

  “It’s all right to punish me. I’m a man. I can take it. Cameron’s just a kid.”

  “Roen,” Tao said, sitting up. “He got slapped in the face a few times. He’s had worse in training. Remember that summer when you sent him to Lin?”

  “That’s because Lin’s a grumpy bastard.”

  “He’s young. He heals quickly. He’ll be fine. By tomorrow, when we head to that loyalty haven –”

  Roen reared back. “No fucking way! When we go, not you. Cameron is not going within a thousand miles of that place.”

  “It’s not your choice, Roen. Cameron’s a host. I’m his Quasing. We make the call, and I say he’s ready.”

  Roen quivered with rage as he towered over Tao. “Over my dead body. You think he’s ready? He barely made it out alive last time. He’s obviously not ready.”

  Tao slapped himself in the face. Cameron yawned and blinked several times. Then he saw Roen and brightened. “Dad!” He jumped out of bed and threw his arms around him.

  “Hey, son,” Roen clasped him happily. “What did I tell you about running into trees?”

  “Ha ha. This time, that tree hit back really hard. Have I got a story for you?” His voice trailed off and then he furrowed his brow. Then he looked up, renewed intent in his eyes. “Dad, I’m going with you.”

  Damn that Tao.

  “Look, Cam, I know you want to help, but you’re just not ready. Not this time. You have a whole lifetime to join this war. This isn’t your fight yet.”

  Cameron shook his head and pointed at his face. “Sorry, Dad, like it or not, I’m involved now. Besides, Temujin fought in pitch battles when he was ten.”

  Roen threw up his arms. “Always fucking Genghis Khan. Do you know how many times he’s pulled that card on me? You know what? Tao’s Holy Grail of manliness was also a pretty shitty human being. Did he tell you that?” He leaned in. “Give it up, Tao. It’s ancient history.”

  * * *

  Cameron stood up and tried to intimidate Roen. “I’m ready, Dad.”

  Roen folded his arms in front of him and harrumphed. “I would rather let that scientist die than send my son to attack a Genjix base.”

  “Dad, Jacob is there.”

  “All the more reason to stay a million miles away.”

  “If we don’t take care of him now, he’ll spend the rest of his life hunting us. You know he won’t rest until he kills all of us. We’ll always be looking over our shoulders.”

  “Then I’ll take care of that bastard.”

  “No, you can’t. He’s gotten better. Stronger. Faster. You couldn’t beat him back then, you’re no match for him now.”

  Roen snorted. “Right, and you are. You’re no match for me, so what makes you think you can shake a stick at that asshole?”

  Cameron folded his arms. “If you leave me behind, I’ll be on a transport within an hour heading north. You can’t stop me from going.”

  “You’re staying, and that’s it,” Roen bristled. “Even if I have to lock you in a cell until we get back.”

  “You know that won’t work. I’m a host. I’ll outrank everyone guarding me. Heck, I outrank you, Dad.”

  Roen realized how few options he really had. There really was nothing he could do to stop his son from going, so he used the last card he had in his deck; he tried bribery. “Look, son, just wait until your seventeenth birthday, and I’ll personally add you to the network. We’ll go to Mexico together to that gunsmith you’ve always wanted to meet. We’ll get your own handmade pistol.” It almost sounded like he was pleading.

  Cameron rolled his eyes. “How about this, Dad? I’ll make you a bet. Hand-to-hand combat. You win, I stay. No complaints. I win, and that’s that.”

  Roen had to stop himself from laughing at his son’s brashness. “You spend a week by yourself, and suddenly you think you’re a tough cookie, eh? Fine, you’re on.”

  * * *

  Cameron walked to the door. “Come with me.”

  “What?! You mean right now? Get outta here. You should be in the intensive care unit, not on the sparring floor. Come on, get back to bed. This is ridiculous. Your mom is going to kill us.”

  “Come with me,” his son repeated and walked out of the room, giving Roen no choice but to follow. The two went up a flight of stairs and out to the roof through a metal door. They walked across the tarp roof down the length of the warehouse, past a row of generators and pipes to an area with a flat surface. Cameron scanned for protrusions on the ground and then turned to face Roen.

  Cameron held up his guard. “Attack me, Dad.”

  “Look, Cam –”

  Before Roen could say another word, Cameron attacked, covering the ground between them faster than he thought possible. Before he knew what was happening, his body reacted as the air near his face popped from one of Cameron’s punches. Roen threw his hands up and blocked three subsequent strikes, each one knocking him backward.

  “What the devil?”

  Then he noticed the throbbing pain in his forearm. Those hits hurt. In fact, Roen couldn’t remember being hit this hard since when he used to train with Lin. When had his kid turned into this? He barely had a chance to say anything as Cameron launched another flurry. His fists were blinding, swinging high and low, at the same time moving laterally outside Roen’s guard.

  Cameron was still fighting with Tao’s style, but he was doing it as if he was on steroids. Blinding speed mixed with expert positioning drove Roen back. He ducked when he could, blocked when he had to, and gave up ground faster than the French in World War II. Within seconds, he felt the railing on the edge of the warehouse hit his lower back. Then Cameron got a punch to the side of his head that flipped his entire body over onto the ground.

  “Ow,” was all he was able to get out as he gasped for breath.

  His son appeared and held his hand up. “Things are different now, Dad. You don’t have to protect me. In fact, you need me.”

  Roen picked himself off the floor and studied his son. This wasn’t the same son he had left a little over a week ago. He was different, more assured and hardened. What happened to him, and why did he want to go so badly? And most importantly, how did he get so damn good?

  “Tao,” he asked. “What did you do to my boy
?”

  “I’m still here, Dad.”

  “No one gets this good just like that.” He snapped his finger. “As far as I know, no pharmaceutical has invented a Kung-Fu pill yet. What gives?”

  Cameron hesitated. “Tao and I made a discovery. We’re more symbiotic than ever now.”

  The words sunk in, and Roen sputtered. “Wait, it’s Tao moving? That’s impossible.”

  “It’s still me. I can take over any time, but in spurts, he can take over without any loss of control.”

  Then Cameron explained to Roen how the two of them were able to combine the t’ai chi and meditation, and how Tao’s strong bond with Cameron enabled this ability. It was at the same time uncanny, evolutionary, and downright frightening. Roen hated it.

  “Is Tao controlling you now?” he asked.

  Cameron shook his head. “He’s sleeping. That minute of fighting we just did wore him out. It’ll be a little while before he comes around.”

  “Really?” Roen threw a jab at Cameron. His son blocked it, but the superhuman speed was gone. They threw a few exchanges and as Cameron said, he was a regular human again.

  “It works in spurts,” Cameron explained. “But Tao being in control will be the only way any of us can beat an Adonis Vessel.”

  “I don’t know, son. What you’re showing me is –”

  “What are you two idiots doing?” Jill yelled from across the roof.

  The two of them gave a start as she stormed in between them. She grabbed Cameron by the ear and pulled him away. “You should be in bed.” She turned to Roen, furious, and smacked him on the shoulder. “He should be in bed!”

  Roen held up his hands in a shrug. “I know! That’s what I was telling him. He dragged me up here.”

  “Dragged you? You’re his father.” If anything, she looked even more pissed off. She turned to Cameron. “You’re grounded.”

  “Yeah, you’re grounded,” Roen echoed.