by T. M. Catron
“Neither is a broken skull. Sit down.”
Sighing, Lincoln sank back to a sitting position. “How long will it be like this?”
“Longer if you keep trying to walk on it.” Grace handed a blanket to Carter as she passed him. When she arrived at Lincoln’s table, she eased him back to a reclining position.
Carter, however, was under no such orders to stay put. He grunted as he slid off his own table. Then he wandered around the room with the blanket around his shoulders, inspecting the tables, studying the machines. When he walked to the refrigerated storage, he asked, “May I?”
Grace shrugged an answer and sat on the table next to Lincoln, her legs dangling over the side. Then she looked at the hologram of Lincoln’s body.
“Your blood pressure is elevated. If you get up again, I’m going to put you under for the next two weeks.”
“You think it’ll take that long to heal?”
“No, but that’s how long you’ll be out of it.”
“Are you a doctor or something?”
“Or something.”
“Your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, Grace.”
“I thought you liked me?” Grace picked up his arm to examine the rash, which had disappeared and been replaced by dry, healing skin.
“Is that why Doyle left you here?”
“Ah. For that, I drew the short straw.” She smiled and let go of his arm. “Relax. It’s for your own good.”
“So are you really a doctor?”
“Mmm.” She shot him a glance.
“You aren’t allowed to tell me anything.”
“I’m allowed to tell you anything you want to know, actually. But I think it’ll be easier to put you in a coma.”
Finishing his inspection, Carter walked over to the both of them. “Lincoln will only wake up with more questions,” he said. “You can’t blame us for being curious.”
“No, I can’t.” Grace sighed. “And I don’t have anything else to do—I’m stuck here same as you.”
“They won’t let you out?” Lincoln asked.
“No—short straw, remember?”
“Why is Doyle so paranoid about where we go?”
“Well, for one thing, it’s a big ship. If you get lost, you will starve to death before someone found you.”
“I’m not buying that—a million hybrids are on board. He’s worried about some of them, isn’t he?”
“No,” she said. “They’re all loyal to him, or they wouldn’t be here.”
“How do you figure?”
“A few weeks ago, he saved all our lives.”
“All of them?”
“Almost. We were all loyal to Condar, but our masters ordered us dead. Doyle was supposed to do it. He even set the aether loose on the ship to hunt us down. At least, that’s what he told Condar it was doing. Instead, he asked the adarria to protect all of us in exchange for our allegiance to him. Not everyone survived, but almost. The ones who didn’t refused to swear loyalty to him.”
“He killed the ones who were loyal to your masters?”
“Yes. Or rather, he allowed them to die. It is what Condar wanted. And what they wanted.”
Lincoln mulled over this information. The idea of Doyle saving the lives of his fellow hybrids showed he had some compassion, maybe. Or another purpose, as evidenced by the lab they had seen.
“What are you thinking?” Grace asked.
“I only wonder if having more hybrids will create more problems than it fixes.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well… no offense…”
Grace frowned. “When someone says, ‘no offense,’ they usually plan to say something offensive.”
Lincoln hesitated. If all the hybrids were as volatile as Doyle, Baker, and Halston, he needed to proceed with caution.
“He means,” Carter said, “humans may not be too thrilled to share Earth once it’s all over.”
“But they’ve always shared Earth,” she said.
“And we could sit here debating the philosophy of sharing and what it means to be the dominant life form until the others get back, but for better or worse, humans are accustomed to using the planet as they see fit. And sharing it with other intelligent species isn’t something we’re good at.”
“Even if that species liberates them from annihilation?”
Lincoln smiled. “Especially if that happens. Humans like to be the heroes. But you probably know that.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed. But I have lived on Earth for years,” Grace said. “If you passed me on the street, you didn’t know me for what I was. I’m not much different from you.”
Lincoln thought he might have noticed Grace, for other reasons than her being a hybrid. She looked like a movie star. The other hybrids didn’t have half her looks. “And what were you doing there?” he asked.
Grace slid off the table. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“I eliminated problems. If there was even a hint of a leak, I was there to fix it.”
“Eliminate,” Lincoln said. “Assassin?”
She snorted. “Not if I could help it. That always causes more problems.”
“But sometimes?”
“Yes.”
The detached way she admitted to murder made Lincoln’s skin crawl. The answer didn’t surprise him but also didn’t make it any easier to hear. They were locked into the hospital bay with a psychopathic killer.
He cleared his throat. “I haven’t known Doyle long, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who draws straws and leaves things to chance.”
Grace studied Lincoln’s vitals again. “And your point?”
“Why are you here in this room?”
She looked back at him and smirked. Then she looked at Carter. “I’m also a good doctor. There’s no conspiracy here. I should know—I have been part of the biggest one in the history of mankind. I am simply here to care for you.”
Lincoln still felt unsettled.
“You did ask,” she said, reading his face.
“Yes. I did.”
Lincoln sighed and lay his head back to look at the dark stone ceiling. His neck was stiff from trying to look at everybody while they talked. He rolled his blanket and stuffed it under his head.
“You two answer a question,” Grace said.
Carter pulled himself onto the table next to Lincoln. “What’s that?” he asked.
“When this is all over, do you expect humanity to just pick up where it left off?”
“That’s a bit unrealistic,” Carter said.
“To put it mildly.” Grace smiled and leaned against Lincoln’s table.
She was good at putting people at ease, he thought.
“What are you getting at?”
“I think you know where I’m going. Having a hybrid army who can help rebuild civilization will be a significant advantage. Unless you welcome a return to the Stone Age.”
“It won’t be that bad. Enough people have survived.”
“Scattered across the globe, speaking different languages.”
Lincoln frowned. “Yes, thanks for that. We wouldn’t be in this predicament if—” What was the point in repeating it? He tried to rein in his temper, which was returning now that he felt stronger. “Grace, I’m having a hard time with this discussion right now, talking to you as if you didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“In a way, the hybrids are victims too.”
Lincoln and Carter both snorted.
She smiled. “We didn’t have a choice about our creation or our orders. What’s amazing is that so many hybrids have now chosen to be free from Condar’s rule. And our former masters have yet to even figure it out. We have the perfect element of surprise. But if we don’t work together, you can say goodbye to Earth.”
“What do they want?” Carter asked.
“We don’t know.”
“And what about Doyle?” Lincoln asked.
“What about him?”
/> “He seems a little too power hungry for my liking.”
Grace sighed. “All hybrids like power, but they also like order. At least the ones on this ship. The rogues are a different story.”
“Mina said Doyle was rogue.”
“Did she? I suppose we all are now—I’m still not used to the idea. But why are you worried about him? I would have thought that after he saved you and your sister, you would trust him.”
Lincoln shifted around, uncomfortable with her question and with the table. “He puts her in danger,” he said finally.
“Lincoln, we’re all in danger. Eventually, Condar will find out about the hybrids on this ship.”
“They didn’t figure it out after Doyle fought off those ships?”
Grace shook her head. “And they won’t stop hunting us even though we’re safe for now. The question is will we be prepared when they do? Doyle is trying to equip us.”
Lincoln didn’t feel much better about Doyle, but he was impressed with Grace’s loyalty to him. That had to count for something, right?
Branches scraped Mina’s face as they fell. Doyle landed on his feet, but Mina lost her grip and tumbled from his back. She lay on the wet ground a moment, glad to feel real Earth beneath her. Tree branches above were black against the night sky. And somewhere far away, waves crashed on a beach.
“Where are we?” she whispered.
“The big island—Hawaii. We might find one or two here near the volcanoes.”
“It really would be nice if they’d just fall in.”
“Not for us. Come on.”
Mina climbed to her feet and brushed off her clothes.
“Where are Nick and Li?”
Talk to me this way. And they’re already hunting on the mountain. We’re going to check out the beach.
I should have brought my bathing suit.
Sorry, we can’t stay for vacation. Doyle took her hand and led her through the trees.
You on vacation? I’d like to see that.
They walked a few minutes, Doyle’s eyes on their surroundings, Mina’s eyes on Doyle because he was the only thing she could see. Won’t there be survivors out here? Aren’t the islands perfect for hiding?
Sure, if they want to live on fish, seaweed, and coconuts.
Sounds better than hybrid food.
The ground turned sandy. They must have been closer to the water than Mina thought. As they approached the beach, the trees thinned, and the forest grew brighter. Then it ended in a steep embankment. Twenty feet below, the sand glowed white in the moonlight. Waves lapped the shore.
“Now what?” Mina asked.
Doyle sat down with his legs over the embankment. He eased back onto his elbows. “We’ll keep going in a minute.”
“How long has it been since you slept?” she asked, sitting down next to him.
“Couple of weeks. But I’m not going to now if that’s what you’re suggesting. The longer we’re out here, the more likely it is Condar will find us.”
“But we’re looking for Condar, or a Condarri, anyway.”
“Yeah.”
“I thought you said you could only go two weeks without problems.”
Doyle shrugged. “I did. But I’m fine right now. Do something for me.”
“What?”
“Stop worrying.”
“I will if you’ll get some sleep.”
Doyle sighed.
“You know you want to.”
“Mina.”
“I’m just worried about—”
Doyle suddenly shifted and put a hand over her mouth. Shh. Look. He pointed to a place near the water.
A person walked along the water’s edge. I thought Nick and Li were going up the mountain?
They are. And that’s neither human nor hybrid.
Mina stared at the moving figure. Doyle was right—it shimmered gold as it walked. They’d found one already? How lucky could they get? But something wasn’t quite right.
It’s too small for a Glyph.
Yes. Doyle sat very still with his hand still over her mouth. Mina looked at him. His own mouth was hanging open in shock.
What is it?
A young Condarri. I had no idea…
He let go of Mina as his eyes scanned the beach. Then without a sound, he slid down the embankment.
Doyle! What are you going to do?
Doyle slipped along the edge of the sand, away from the young Glyph. Mina watched its approach with fascination. It couldn’t be mistaken for a human now. Its stone body glowed even in the dark. Its gait wasn’t natural either, the top half of its body moving out of sync with the bottom half.
Doyle!
Stay there.
He was out of sight now, hidden by the shadow of the bank. More than anything, Mina wanted to jump down and follow him. But she’d likely just draw attention to both of them.
The Glyph paused when it was parallel to Mina’s hiding spot. She flattened herself to the ground, but it turned out to face the water. What was it doing? If she hadn’t known the Condarri were cold and callous, always governed by logic, she would have thought the thing was admiring the view.
A twig snapped behind her. Mina started and turned her head back toward the trees. Everything was dark. And silent again. Was something watching her?
The hairs on her arm stood on end. Mina put her hands on the ground, ready to push off and run at a moment’s notice. Then, she turned her head to look at the Glyph at the water’s edge.
It had disappeared.
Her eyes flicked up and down the beach. No sign of the creature. Sweat broke out over her body. Come on, come on, come on. Where are you?
Mina’s skin prickled. Whatever had moved behind her was closer. She forced herself not to panic and turned her head again, back to the forest. Something glittered under the trees, not ten feet away.
Crap. Was it the little one again? Or a big one? Despite her best efforts, Mina’s chest began to constrict in panic. She didn’t take her eyes off the creature under the trees. What was it doing?
Doyle, she said. No need to go hunting. I have two of them right here.
Then get out of there!
Like she hadn’t thought of that. Too close.
Something shook the ground to Mina’s left, at the bottom of the embankment.
Oh no. No no no no no.
She ripped her eyes away from the one under the trees and peered down. The young Glyph, heavier than a man but no taller, was climbing up the slope. It was going to reach the top right at her hiding place. If Mina didn’t move, it would land right on top of her.
Gathering her courage, Mina shoved off the ground and ran forward along the precipice, the moonlight barely enough to light her way. Too much noise. They were going to catch her.
She forced herself to stop and, drawing her gun, turned to face her enemies. Her heart jumped into her throat.
Two young Glyphs stood within arm’s reach.
They were just a foot taller than Mina. How had they come up behind her without making a sound? She backed away until she hit a tree, gun pointed at the Glyph on the right. They followed without a sound. Black eyes peered out of blockish faces.
The last time she’d shot an invader, the only bullet that had done any good went into its eye. She aimed there. But she’d only be able to hit one of them. The other would strike.
This is it. I’m really going to die. The thought ran through Mina's mind without sinking in. I should have called Doyle earlier. Why didn’t I?
She glanced to her right, over the precipice. As far as she knew, sand covered the base. One of the creatures raised its arm. Mina squeezed her eyes shut.
And jumped.
The sensation of falling off the embankment was liberating. But all too soon, Mina landed hard on the sand with the air forced out of her lungs.
Get up get up get up get UP!
Mina staggered to her feet, looking up at the creatures above her. Then she turned and sprinted for the water. Sand fle
w into her shoes and weighed her down. Two thumps hit the beach behind her. She ran faster.
The beach was still thirty feet away. They were going to catch her. Why hadn’t they shot her?
A chilling thought crept up her spine, sending her running faster: They’re young—they’re toying with me.
Mina plunged into the warm water. Did Glyphs swim? She was about to find out. When she was deep enough, she dove under, praying they wouldn’t follow. She swam hard beneath the waves, straight out from shore. The current pulled at her, rolling her around.
Something hit her hand. A rock. But when Mina opened her eyes, she couldn’t see the bottom. A golden wisp caught her eye though, like yellow light shining into the water. Her lungs burned. She surfaced with a deep, gasping breath and flailed about, looking for her attackers.
The beach was empty.
“Oh God,” she prayed. They were in the water—had to be. She jerked around to look for them, but the golden light had vanished. Another powerful swell lifted her up and then pulled her farther out.
Doyle, she called finally. She should tell him she was sorry. No, more than that…
Light flickered to her right. She turned again, treading water, looking for it. When she faced the beach again, a single young Glyph stood at the edge of the water, looking out at her. Water streamed off its body, and it gleamed like polished gold.
“Please,” she said.
It cocked its head to the side.
“Can you understand me?”
If this is the end, why does it matter?
Can you understand me?
The creature roared, its mouth opening to reveal white fangs and a red forked tongue. It waded into the water, beating its arms on the waves.
Mina swam backward, hoping she didn’t swim straight into the second Glyph.
Please, she said. “Please.”
She wasn’t ready to die. The water and the sky and the beach all blackened in contrast to the golden blur growing in front of her. The creature advanced, screeching in a terrible language.
Then, darkness enveloped the creature, and it shrieked louder. Mina’s head cleared. No, not darkness, the aether. The aether was holding the Glyph back. Mina shouted in triumph and then fought the current as she swam for the beach.
The aether swirled and condensed on the water, drowning out even the piercing call of the young Glyph. For a moment, Mina felt sorry for it. But as she left the water and collapsed in the surf, all pity disappeared.