by Kewin, Simon
‘And what have you decided?’
‘It depends on you, on what you do now. If you carry on as before we’ll pursue you. You’ve had a fair warning; we’ve given you a chance to change. After this you’re own your own. Understand?’
‘And if I change?’
‘Then we won’t pursue you. If we’re convinced about you.’
‘Now you sound like Forty Days offering me the chance of redemption.’
The woman glanced at him, eyes narrowed. ‘We’re nothing like Forty Days. Nothing at all. Have they been talking you?’
Simms wondered what he should say. He shook his head.
‘Take my advice and stay clear of them,’ the woman said. ‘They’re dangerous people if you cross them.’
‘And you aren’t?’
The woman scowled before replying. ‘Make your choices, Simms. Decide what you want to be then face the consequences, OK? We’re giving you the freedom to do that.’
‘I’d like to see Kelly now. Please.’
There was a pause while the woman communicated brain-to-brain with someone. Then she spoke again.
‘Very well. She says she’ll see you. I hardly need tell you she can summon us in a moment if she needs assistance.’
‘You don’t need to worry about her. Kelly can look after herself, believe me. She’s no innocent.’
The woman held up her hand. ‘Please, Simms. We know what Kelly used to be. But she’s changed. You can too.’
The woman led Simms to one of the small houses in the compound. Some irrigation system had been set up here; the houses were clustered around a little oasis of sparkling water, the green fronds of some tree dipping into it. Standing in the doorway of one of the houses, dressed in a white cotton dress, stood Kelly. She looked well, the sun lighting her up. Last time he’d seen her she’d been lying in Cahn’s cell, she and Eloise, the two of them sedated. Did she know anything about that? Those hours she’d mysteriously lost just so the Director of MegaMeta had his bargaining chip? Probably best he never asked her.
‘I’ll leave you alone,’ said the woman. Simms walked around the pool of water towards his ex-lover.
‘Hello, Simms.’
‘Hello, Kelly.’
‘You found out, then?’ she asked. ‘You and Grendel.’
‘When did you know? When we were together?’
‘No, no. When I came here. They told me very recently. You must be feeling confused.’
He looked at her, looked away, suddenly not knowing what to say. At least she wasn’t so mad at him anymore.
‘I … I don’t know who I am any more, Kelly. Am I Grendel? Or me? I had parents, a family, everything. Except, now I know it was all a lie. False memories. I don’t know who’s done this to me. I don’t know why.’
She looked sorry for him. ‘I don’t know either. But I think you’re you, not him. You’ve always been you. A free individual. You’re not destined to be like him.’
‘But I am like him, aren’t I? I know what I am. Is that how I’m going to end up? Despised by everyone who knows me?’
She looked away from him. ‘Sometimes I think you will. When you’re working you can be pretty ruthless. But you don’t have to be. It’s up to you. You’re not a machine. Your genes are just your genes. Molecules. It’s what you do that’s important.’
‘So it doesn’t matter to you? Where I come from, I mean. It doesn’t matter to you that Eloise carries that DNA in her, too?’
‘No. A little. I mean, it troubles me, sure. But none of us can help where we come from, can we?’
He looked down at the ground, then back up at her. The sunlight sparkled in her hair. He longed for her to put her arms around him.
‘Is she here? Eloise?’
‘She’s inside. Sleeping.’
‘Can I see her?’
Kelly hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, granting him access. Inside the cool, quiet room, Simms could make out the low bed in which Eloise lay asleep, lying on her back, utterly peaceful. The sight of her, oblivious of him, oblivious of everything, seemed to stop Simms’ heart.
‘I’d like to see her again,’ he whispered. ‘Get to know her.’
‘Perhaps you can,’ said Kelly, standing behind him. ‘But I’m not letting Simms the genehunter anywhere near her, understand? You don’t care about anyone. You don’t even care about yourself. I’ll tell her about you, sure, but you’re having no access to her unless you change. Unless you damn well grow up.’
He didn’t reply. He could challenge her, sure, try and get legal access to Eloise. He knew it was futile. Everyone would side with her over a genehunter. And he wouldn’t blame them. His life was chaotic and dangerous and most days he could barely look after himself.
‘Can I have a picture of her at least?’
Kelly considered, then nodded her head. A picture of Eloise, smiling a wide smile and dressed as a princess, arrived in Simms’ brain.
‘Thanks.’
‘What you do is up to you, Simms. I hope you will change but if it’s not what you want, don’t do it. If it is, this is where we’ll be.’
Simms nodded, his eyes on their sleeping baby.
Fifteen minutes later, the clONE death squad leader escorted him back to the jump node.
‘So will we see you again, Simms?’
‘One way or another.’
‘What does that mean?’
Simms didn’t reply for long moments. ‘I need to know who I am,’ he said finally. ‘Who has done this to me. Who made me. If you count that as genehunting then we aren’t going to be friends.’
‘You know, I don’t think we’d worry about you doing that. We might even approve. We might even help. If you follow this trail, we both know where it will lead.’
He did. A collector’s zoo. The sort of place clONE spent their time finding so they could liberate those held inside.
‘And what do I call you should I wish to get in touch?’
‘You can call me Nemesis.’
‘Such a pretty name. And if I do this, what happens after? I’d be welcome here?’
‘Is that what you want?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Well, we’ll see. It’s all up to you isn’t it?’
He wouldn’t miss this climb up the stairs of his stacktower. The unrelenting grey concrete and the smell of stale piss. How come they could maintain a global jump network but not a couple of lifts? Still, it kept him fit.
As he climbed, his mind teemed with plans. He had a decision to make. Except, he knew he’d already made it. Genehunting had been fun. Now it was time to move on, do something else. It wasn’t like it was his destiny or anything. For one thing, he could go somewhere the sun actually shone and wasn’t some distant folk-memory. He’d had enough of rain.
He’d tell Ballard what little he knew about Forty Days and Boneyard. Then he’d be free to find out about his past. Find out who he was. And then, maybe, he could win Kelly’s trust. Or maybe do something else completely. He could do whatever he damn well wanted, couldn’t he?
As he approached his stackroom, a little out of breath, he automatically checked ahead there had been no alerts, that all his security was still in place. He was good. His dirty, messed up old room was waiting for him, his only sanctuary in a world of dangers. He’d miss it. He unlocked everything and stepped inside.
‘Mr. Simms. Good to see you again.’
Gideon Jones sat on the sofa, the same spot as before, the same grey coat and hat and reluctant smile.
It took Simms a moment to react. ‘What do you want? How did you get in here? I’ve already given you everything you asked for.’
‘Please, Mr. Simms. There’s no need for any unpleasantness. We’re very pleased with you. You followed our little trail very capably.’
‘I did what you requested. I don’t need payment. You can go.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you don’t understand. You see, we’ve decided to anoint you. Employ you. You are our
chosen one after all.’
‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘I’m talking about the sacred DNA we need. You’re to acquire it for us.’
‘Just fuck off, Jones. I’m not a genehunter any more.’
‘But Mr. Simms, I’m afraid that’s where you’re wrong. Because that’s exactly what you are. And it’s time we talked to you about Boneyard.’
The End
Thanks for reading The Clone who Didn't Know. Find out more or comment on the story at Amazon (UK), Amazon (US), Goodreads, simonkewin.co.uk or on Facebook.
Reviews on Amazon or Goodreads are especially welcome. They're an invaluable way to help writers find and build an audience.
Simms’ misadventures continue in Genehunter #4: A Soldier of Megiddo.
Simms is caught between clONE, Forty Days and the GMA, all of them wanting a piece of him. All he wants to do is uncover the truth of his own genetic origins. The answer to that puzzle brings him back in touch with some very familiar faces.
But with all this going on, he doesn't notice who else is on his trail, intending to shut him up permanently...
Volume 4 of the 5 volume Genehunter series. Find out more at amazon.co.uk, amazon.com, goodreads, simonkewin.co.uk or on facebook.
The Genehunter #5
Boneyard
Simms finally uncovers the truth about Boneyard. With Ballard's help, he hatches a dangerous plan to deal with Forty Days. Problem is, Simms isn’t even sure whose side he’s really on.
Meanwhile, he meets up again with both Devi and Kelly. One meeting goes well and one goes very badly indeed.
Simms walks a dangerous line. If he gets things wrong, many people will die. Worse still, he will die. And sometimes it seems that’s exactly what everyone wants...
The final volume in the Genehunter series. Find out more at simonkewin.co.uk or on facebook.
About the Author
Simon Kewin was born on the Isle of Man, but now lives in England with his wife and daughters. He writes SF, fantasy, mainstream and some stories that can't decide what they are. He can be hunted down at simonkewin.co.uk.
simonkewin.co.uk
The Genehunter #3: The Clone Who Didn't Know
Published: 25th December 2012
Copyright © Simon Kewin 2012
Simon Kewin has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This story is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the author, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Cover image DNA © Designersart | Dreamstime.com
Cover font Times New Yorker © D.O.C.S.