The Vernal Memory: A Dystopian Sci-fi Novel (The Variant Saga Book 4)

by JN Chaney

  The door cracked open enough to reveal a set of hazel eyes. “Sergeant Finn,” said Short, totally surprised. She had a blanket wrapped around her. “What’re you doing here?”

  “You missed your injection,” he answered, nodding to Mei. “What’s the hold up? You doing something in there?”

  “No, I just fell asleep,” she said, quickly.

  John raised his brow. “Don’t suppose you know where Hughes is, do you?”

  Short’s eyes flickered away from the door. “No, I haven’t seen him.”

  “That’s too bad. We’ve looked everywhere. Might have to send the boys out to look for him. I sure hope he’s not dead.” He glanced at Mei and winked. “Right?”

  “It’s true,” said Mei.

  Metal clanged from somewhere inside the CHU. “Dammit!” snapped a voice.

  John grinned. “What’s that in there? Got yourself a visitor, Short?”

  The soldier squirmed. “No, it’s, uh…” She frowned. “Oh, fine.” She opened the door, revealing a man in the back corner of the CHU, his face covered with a shirt. He seemed to be struggling to get it on.

  “Hey, it’s Hughes,” said John. “Short, did you know he was back here?”

  She grimaced, closing her eyes. “Oh, God. Oh, God.”

  “Boss, is that you?” asked Hughes, trapped by his clothes. He finally managed to twist the shirt in the right direction, yanking it down.

  “Sure is. Good to see you aren’t dead after all.”

  “Heh,” said Hughes, scratching the back of his head. “We’re in trouble, huh?”

  “I’m sorry, Sarge. I was gonna tell you. I swear!” insisted Short. “We meant to stop. It just got out of control.”

  John chuckled. “What do you think, Mei? What should I do?”

  She opened the box and took out one of the needles. “I say you cut their rations and separate them,” she said, trying to sound casual. “Maybe send them home for further discipline.”

  “Wait, you’re taking our food?” A look of terror fell over Hughes’s face.

  “Who cares about rations!” barked Short, eying her accomplice. “I can’t get court-marshalled!”

  John chuckled. “Relax, you clowns. Nobody’s going back home. We’re just messing with you.”

  Hughes blinked. “Huh?”

  “We both already knew about your little scandal weeks ago,” said Mei. She took Short’s arm and wiped a cloth to sterilize the skin. “John’s just messing with you.”

  “But why didn’t you say anything?” asked Short.

  Mei inserted the needle into the woman’s arm. She barely flinched.

  “Been planning to bust you for a while, but didn’t get around to it until today. I wanted to catch you in the act, too. It’s more fun that way.” He grinned.

  “So you don’t care?” asked Hughes.

  “Depends. Are you both staying in this relationship?” asked John.

  The two glanced at each other, speechless.

  “It seems like they haven’t had the big talk yet,” said Mei. She put the needle back in the box and retrieved a second one.

  “Here’s the deal, and then you can talk it over—if you wanna keep this going, fine, but you can’t be partners. I’ll reassign Short to be Meridy’s spotter. If you break off the romance, you can stay a team. That’s the deal. Sound good?”

  “Yeah,” said Hughes, nodding slightly.

  Mei took his arm and proceeded to give him the injection. “Good luck,” she said.

  John and Mei left the couple behind to discuss their potential future together, then headed straight to the supply CHU to store the inoculation box. As soon as the door closed, John chuckled so much that his cheeks turned red.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?” asked Mei. She couldn’t help but smile. His laughter was infectious.

  “Are you kidding?” he asked, wheezing. “I’ve been waiting to do that ever since we heard them that night in Everlasting!”

  “You’re crazy,” she said, placing the box in one of the larger crates. “Why’d you let them off so easily? Isn’t it a big deal to fraternize when you’re in the same unit?”

  There was a short pause, and then she felt his hand touch her shoulder. It slid gently down her arm. A moment later, he kissed her neck. She smiled and turned around to embrace him.

  John leaned in and gave her a deep kiss, hard and full, holding her for a long time.

  When they finally released, she saw him smiling, looking into her eyes with that intimate expression.

  “What was that for?” she asked, her voice slightly above a whisper.

  “Just a reminder,” he said as his eyes flicked from one part of her face to the other, studying it.

  “Of what?” she asked.

  “We grew up together. We were teammates together. I can’t fault someone for falling for their best friend. It happened to me.”

  “You’re such a softy,” she said, teasing, but kissed him anyway.

  He smiled. “It’s what you love about me.”

  ******

  After the Blacks had been inoculated, it was time to check their adaptability. Everyone lined up and, under careful observation from several of Mei’s team, removed their breathers and attempted to take their first breath of Variant air.

  Most of the soldiers were able to do this without issue, although Mickey seemed to struggle a bit more, due to some anxiety. “Just open your mouth and breathe,” said Track, who had already taken the plunge.

  Mickey stood with his breather off, holding his breath, somewhat terrified.

  “I promise, it’s easy,” said his friend. “Look. In, out. In, out. You got this.”

  Mickey nodded a bit reluctantly. Closing his eyes, he cracked his mouth and took in a fast, deep breath, then immediately started coughing.

  “What are you doing!” cried Track. “You were supposed to do it slow!”

  Mickey continued to cough until he was blue in the face with tears in his eyes. “I didn’t…mean to…ugh…it stings…!”

  Mei watched this with some curiosity. “Are you okay?” she asked, knowing the answer before he could give it. Her reports indicated a 99% conversion rate, so for anyone to have a negative reaction to the drug would be rare.

  Before Mickey could answer, Mei felt a tap on her arm. “Ma’am, if I could steal your attention for just a moment,” said Sophie Mitchell, her longtime assistant and friend. “Inoculations have been distributed to the science team as requested.”

  “Are there any signs of rejection?” asked Mei.

  “None,” responded Sophie, almost disappointedly.

  “Were you hoping for different results?” asked Mei, noticing the girl’s tone.

  “Some variety in reaction would have made for better data, I suppose,” said Sophie, but then shook her head. “However, the mission was a success. I have yet to witness any negative reactions.” She glanced at Mickey, who was now breathing normally, despite still looking terrified. “Even that one seems to have adjusted.”

  “We’ll have everyone keep their breathers on their person for the foreseeable future,” added Mei. “Just to be safe.”

  Sophie nodded. “Wise decision, ma’am. How long do you think it will take them to perfect the treatment?”

  “You mean, make it permanent?” asked Mei.

  “Quite so,” said the assistant.

  “I can’t begin to guess. To be completely honest with you, I’m still surprised we made it this far, but maybe that’s only because I haven’t had the opportunity to sit down and analyze the drugs yet.”

  “When were you hoping to begin?”

  “Tonight, actually. I need to learn everything I can about it before I leave for Everlasting.”

  “That gives us five days, I believe,” said Sophie.

  “Four,” corrected Mei. “The Leadership asked us to arrive a day earlier. Apparently, there’s a ceremony they wish us to attend.”

  “Then we haven’t much time to spare. That is,
if you’ll allow me to help.”

  “Allow?” asked Mei, somewhat surprised. “Like that’s ever stopped you before.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Ortego Outpost File Logs

  Play Audio File 1339

  Recorded: March 23, 2351

  MITCHELL: Regarding Lanrix, otherwise known as compound NX-20299-91, our initial analysis shows everything to be as it is described in Landis’s notes. The drug allows the user to breathe normally when immersed in Variant, but its effects begin to degrade after a week, requiring periodic boosters.

  As expected, a solution was not evident upon our initial examination, but Doctor Curie remains optimistic. The fault, she says, is in the source of the data. Landis’s research used several batches of cells from multiple humans and hybrids to achieve this end result, but he never examined anyone or anything from Kant. This was an understandable oversight, since our team did not discover Kant until Landis’s work was in its final testing phase.

  The difference between the purity of Variant on Earth and that of Kant is small, but still important to the native population’s development. Thus, these native organisms are more adapted to the gas and could assist in discovering a better method of adaptability. However, this also means they are even further genetically removed from humans than, say, a kitoboro.

  Regardless, this has provided Doctor Curie and I with a place to begin our work. Having already mapped several genetic sequences of Kant’s animal population, we should be able to discover whatever is missing. We shall finish what Landis began.

  End Audio File

  Garden Headquarters

  March 23, 2351

  After weeks of living in the underground Garden bunker, Terry had developed a daily ritual. His morning routine was typical—wake up, get dressed, groom himself, and then get breakfast. He typically met Lena in the dining room at around this time. She’d quickly grown to be a close friend, and the two spent most of their time together. As outsiders to this place, they’d formed an early connection. Today, however, when it was time to meet for their morning meal, Lena was nowhere to be found.

  Maybe something came up with Jinel, he thought as he ate his food alone. Maybe she finally asked for Lena’s help.

  After breakfast, Terry walked around the facility, which he would normally have done with Lena. They would discuss topics of interest. Sometimes she might ask him questions about Earth, which he was happy to answer, and he would do the same with her about Everlasting. She was one of the most intelligent people he’d ever met, always ready to talk about a variety of subjects, driven by a natural curiosity. By comparison, he was far simpler, though she never seemed bored by his stories. On the contrary, she seemed to take great joy from them.

  Terry eventually made his way to the analytics room. This was where Garden analysts performed the bulk of their hacking, though they only had a handful of terminals at their disposal. To his surprise, he found Lena sitting there as well, quietly observing the technicians from the far back wall. “Hey,” he said when he saw her.

  “Good morning,” she answered, but without the typical smile he was so used to seeing.

  “I missed you at breakfast.” He sat next to her, and together they watched the analysts.

  “I apologize. I should have gone, but the thought of eating unsettled me,” she said.

  “You felt sick?” he asked.

  “Perhaps.” Her voice trailed with the word, growing distant.

  He wasn’t’ sure what to say. Something was bothering her, he could clearly tell, but the necessary words escaped him. If only he could understand—

  “They have me again,” said one of the analysts, waving his hand at the empty space above him. Each of them were using implants, so only they could see what they were doing. Lena had explained this to Terry a few weeks ago, but he still found it difficult to imagine.

  “If they get too close, cut your connection. Follow procedure,” said one of the others.

  “Dropping the link,” said the first analyst.

  “Hold on. We might be able to—”

  “I can’t wait any longer. I have to drop.”

  Lena leaned a little forward, focused on the analysts, an intensity in her eyes.

  “We lost it,” muttered the second analyst.

  “Apologies,” said the first. “There was nothing I could do.”

  The other analyst sighed. “Try again. We have to find a way through.”

  Terry nudged Lena. “You know what they’re doing?” he asked.

  She nodded. “It would appear they’re attempting to break into one of Everlasting’s security nodes.”

  “Is that hard?”

  “It depends on the level of security. The city’s network is open to most citizens, so access is simple enough, but the Leadership uses several layers of encryption for each of its departments, all with their own unique validation checks. In other words, there is no universal access code. The system is compartmentalized.”

  “Did they do that because of Garden?” he asked.

  “Not originally, but it would explain the recent network upgrades. I oversaw and participated in several of those, but we were never told the reasons. It makes sense in hindsight, however, that Garden would be the cause of such widespread changes.”

  One of the analysts threw his arms up in frustration, shaking his head. “We’ve tried this six times and nothing. I need a break.”

  “Keep going,” said one of the others. “Jinel Din needs the data. You heard what she said.”

  Terry glanced at Lena. “Can’t you do something?”

  “I’ve been forbidden from engaging in such tasks,” she reminded him.

  “Even if you know you can do something?”

  Lena said nothing.

  Terry scoffed. He got up and went to the other analysts. Specifically, the only one he recognized. A man named Hob. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. Geno Hob, right?”

  The man flinched, surprised to see him. He’d apparently been too engaged in his work to notice Terry and Lena sitting in the back of the room, watching. “Oh, yes. Hello. Did you need me for something?”

  Terry shook his head. “I just wanted to ask, are you trying to get into a network? That girl over there knows how. She can help you.”

  Hob looked at Lena, curiously. “What?”

  “She’s a former analyst. She knows what to do,” explained Terry.

  “We are all former analysts.”

  “But the thing you’re trying to break into, she helped build parts of it. She might be able to help you out.”

  They all turned around to see the girl on the floor. Hob raised his brow. “Why haven’t I seen her before? Is she assigned to a different station?”

  “She’s only been here a few weeks. They haven’t given her a job yet. Now, are you going to let her help you?”

  “Are you certain you can get inside?” Hob asked her. “This isn’t the main network.”

  “Which is it?” asked Lena.

  The analysts exchanged glances. “The Master at Arms’ personal account.”

  Lena blinked. “Master Lao? He has at least seventeen levels of security safeguarding his files.”

  “We are aware. Does that mean you can’t do it?”

  She approached them. “My implant ID is 77-4201-3LS. Patch me in, please.”

  “Very well,” said Hob. He moved out of her way, allowing her to take his place at the terminal. His eyes dilated for a moment as he stood motionless. “There,” he finally said, coming back. “You’ve been granted level-3 access.”

  She nodded. “Understood.”

  Terry watched from a few steps behind her as she proceeded to touch the air, making motions and performing unseen tasks that were exclusive to her own eyes. One of the other analysts stiffened as he stared at the space in front of him. “She’s upgraded her account to level-8,” he exclaimed in disbelief.

  “Is that a big deal?” asked Terry.

  “The most anyone here has had is level-5
,” said the analyst. “Only those closest with the Leadership are given this level of access.”

  Lena gave no response. She simply continued her work, moving through the network in some unseen digital world. This was her area of expertise, Terry knew. This was Lena Sol in her element, the same as any warrior using the weapon of their choice. It was clear from the expressions on everyone’s face that, at least in this place, Lena Sol was without an equal.

  After a few minutes, Lena sat up. Her eyes went back to normal and she relaxed. “The files have been delivered to your basket. I deleted the footprints as well.”

  “You’re done already?” asked Terry.

  “Remarkable!” shouted Hob.

  “What is?” came a voice from the doorway. Terry turned to see Jinel Din watching the situation. She looked rather annoyed.

  “This woman,” answered Hob. “She was able to access the network and—”

  “What?” snapped Jinel. “You gave her access to a terminal?”

  “O-Of course,” said Hob, who was quickly realizing his mistake.

  “Calm down. Lena just helped you out. She did in two minutes what your people couldn’t do all morning,” said Terry.

  “What did she do, precisely?” asked Jinel.

  “The data you requested from Master Lao. We have it now, thanks to this woman,” said Hob.

  Jinel stared at Lena. “Is that so?”

  “Given enough time, I’m sure you could have managed it. All I did was exploit an issue I found several months ago, but never had the chance to repair. There are several files that perform security checks when accessed. When a very specific series of these files is opened in rapid succession, it sends a series of checks to the account, sometimes resulting in a full reset. When this happens, the account level is randomized to anything between level-1 and level-15. I simply performed the necessary steps to replicate this until it provided the necessary results.”

  “You mean you exploited a glitch?” asked Terry, thinking he understood.

  She nodded. “I had to do this five times before it worked properly, but once I had the appropriate access, the rest was simple.”

  “Impressive. I had no idea such a flaw existed,” said Hob.