by Wesley Chu
Shura walked to the nook and peered out the window overlooking the mansion’s inner courtyard. The giant beech tree remained, taking up the entire view of the window with its branches extending outward in every direction.
Her father hated that tree. Her mother loved it deeply and spent hours reading under its shade. Shura’s memory of her mama was hazy. She just remembered a beautiful, gentle woman who commanded every room she entered. A woman who moved with the grace of a falling leaf, who was equally skilled dancing the waltz or with the saber. This mansion was her family’s ancestral home.
Shura turned and studied the library once more, taking in each detail as her gaze swept the room. Yes, there were many happy memories here, but this was also a room filled with shattered dreams. In this room, her papa had met and declared his allegiance to Vinnick. Vinnick was going up against Enzo, Zoras’s previous vessel, for leadership of the Council and of all Genjix. That marked the beginning of the end of her family.
It was in this room that Enzo’s men had arrested her father. She walked to the window and looked outside. The weeping willow next to the lake was where they had shot her mother during the family’s escape. And it was inside that gazebo where Shura, newly embedded with Tabs, had killed her first human to save her father’s life.
This estate was the source of all her happy memories, but where her life had fallen apart as well. Shura took a deep breath and let the cold air burn her nostrils. She exhaled forcefully, pushing out of her body the last childish attachments she had clung to.
“Now I am done, Tabs.”
Bury your dead and move on. There is still much to do.
Tabs was right. The past was dead. Dwelling on it served little purpose for the future. Shura hurried down the stairs. She was met at the front door by Bashira Nishiki and a dozen of her newest Genjix Russian direct reports, who were waiting patiently for her orders. They bowed in unison.
“Your will, Adonis?” asked Popov, the lead architect.
“You may begin demolition of the mansion. I want the grounds excavated within the month, and my new headquarters ready for operation by year’s end. Spare the large beech tree. Under no circumstance should it be harmed.”
She signaled to Bashira to follow. Shura had taken the heir of the Aizukotetsu-kai under her wing as her protégée. The next step for the girl was to earn a Holy One, one who would be loyal to Tabs and Shura. The girl was raw but talented. If she had had a proper upbringing, she may have survived the Hatchery. It was too late for that now, but her connection with the yakuza was an important step in Shura’s plans.
Both India and Russia were now hers. Soon Japan would be as well. That would mark her within the top ten – perhaps five – most powerful and influential Adonis vessels in the world, well within a stone’s throw of the grand prize. To climb any higher at this stage, however, would be a much more difficult task. Standing at this level was a different sort of game, one that required more than territory and brute force.
One step at a time. You have surpassed my already-lofty expectations, my daughter. Take this time to consolidate your domain. The next phase of our ambition can wait.
A small smile emerged on Shura’s face as she walked by the bulldozers rumbling past. A moment later, the loud crashing of falling walls and caving roofs began to sing through the otherwise quiet morning.
“We shouldn’t wait too long, Tabs,” Shura thought to her Holy One. “Weston knows we’re coming for him next. Unlike Rurik, he will not underestimate me. He’ll be ready.”
Ella hated to admit it, but the life of a Genjix vessel wasn’t half bad. In fact, it was positively posh. After the events of Tokyo, she was whisked away to Shanghai. Within a day, she was given a bonkers apartment on the 109th floor of the Shanghai Tower, and a complete staff waiting on her every whim. A security detail was attached, although she suspected that had more to do with keeping her in line than it did with protecting her. This was the heart of Genjix power, where vessels were looked up to as almost divine beings. From that moment on, there was very little Ella wanted for. All she had to do was make Io available for whatever work the Genjix required of her.
As for Io, to Ella’s extraordinary surprise, the Quasing had blossomed right before her eyes, figuratively. Ever since they had met, Ella had known Io to be insecure, indecisive, pensive and – to be honest – sort of an asshole. However, as soon as she was placed in her element, working with the massive bio-comm receivers, which honestly looked like green and purple organs the size of buildings submerged in gooey red liquid in gigantic glass vats, Io became an entirely different alien.
She became decisive, competent, self-assured. The Genjix had provided her with a veritable army of scientists and engineers, and she organized and commanded them efficiently, like a captain of a battleship. Within the first few weeks, Io had all of the raw organic data of the bio comm facilities sequenced. Ella was shocked to learn the subspace communication signals were living creatures, their raw data imprinting onto the mindless Quasing living within the giant vats in each Bio Comm Array facility. Once imprinted, these Quasing were aggregated and then sent to Io in Shanghai by the tankers to compile into plain messages. The first message, less than two hundred words in Mandarin, required one oil tanker and six thousand Quasing to decipher.
This process went on for months. Io explained that in the past, she would work with thousands of other Receivers to process the data rapidly. Now, working by herself, it would take years. Still, that dribble of information gave Ella the chills, the exact opposite reaction from the rest of the Genjix.
As the weeks turned to months, Ella grudgingly became comfortable with her new life. She got used to the luxury of her position. She came to enjoy being important and special. Most of all, the awful reality of humanity’s future became normalized, an aftereffect of her everyday life. Part of it was because of Io. The Quasing was so euphoric and focused on her work that it bled into Ella. There was a joy and satisfaction radiating from her that Ella could feel every single day. Io was now fulfilling her destiny as a Receiver.
Being Genjix almost felt natural and normal.
Almost.
On the eve of their one-year anniversary as Genjix, Ella decided to go on vacation. It was well-earned. Io had forced Ella to work twelve-hour days for months trying to catch up on the mountain of raw organic data that the subspace communications were imprinting onto the live Quasing at each center. By this time, Io had earned enough trust from the Genjix Council for this to be allowed, as long as she stayed within their domain of control.
That trust and freedom apparently only went so far. No sooner had Ella checked into Lebua in downtown Bangkok than she received a call not three steps into her penthouse suite.
“Thailand is beautiful this time of year,” said Shura, her huge head floating in the air in the center of the living room. The Adonis vessel had blond hair again. It was now cut into a bob. It looked better this way.
“That’s what I hear.” Ella did her best to keep the edge out of her voice. She had only seen Shura twice since Tokyo. The Adonis vessel was now a very important person and was spending all of her time in Russia. That was probably best for both of them. “I figure, if I don’t get to go now before the rainy season, I won’t be able to for another six months. By then, the Western Hemisphere cache will be ready for processing.”
“Just two weeks?”
Ella nodded. “That’s all the time Io can spare. The Sector Six Bio Comm Arrays will have finished sequencing their Quasing by then. I’ll get back just in time to start extrapolating the message.”
“Very well. I hope you enjoy yourself.” Shura paused. “I trust you, Ella.”
She nodded. “Praise to the Holy Ones.”
“Praise to the Holy Ones.”
The screen went dark.
After settling in, Ella left her room and proceeded to the suite’s private elevator. The numbers on the elevator began to descend. It was a long journey down.
Are you
sure about this?
“That was the deal.”
It was. I will honor it. I am just saying. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. If you get caught, your life is forfeit.
“I’ve made up my mind, Io. What about you? What happens if I get caught?”
A gurgling growl grew out of the Quasing. Ella had long recognized that as Io’s way of chuckling. I am untouchable. No matter what you do, the Genjix and Prophus must now embrace me. I am the only Quasing on this planet who can decipher the organic imprints.
“So if I get caught, you can tell them to pardon me?”
If you get caught, they will execute you. Nothing can be done about that. They will then assign a fanatic to be my new host. Religious fanaticism in a host is obnoxiously tiring. I enjoy our independent streak and still prefer you as my host as long as it does not take me away from my work.
“Aw, that’s the nicest thing you ever said to me.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to the ground floor. Ella put on her sunglasses and strutted out into the lobby as if she belonged there, because she did. It was amazing how quickly one could adapt to this highfalutin’ lifestyle. All a person needed was to be free from hunger, violence and need, and they too could easily change their outlook and demeanor.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ella caught sight of Peng, her handler, falling in line a dozen or so paces behind her. Peng was one of those fanatic Genjix operatives Io was so down on. His job was to protect Ella at all costs. Well, that was part of his job. She was pretty sure the other part of his job was to make sure she didn’t escape. The second part was easy. It was incredibly difficult to escape or infiltrate any area that was now considered the Genjix heartland, of which Thailand was definitely a part.
Ella stepped out onto the bustling Bangkok street and casually meandered across the intersection and through the busy shopping district. The crowds parted before her like the sea – the diamond emblem on her coat signifying her position and importance saw to that. Every citizen in Genjix territory recognized that emblem, and no one would dare bother or impede her path. She could shoot someone on the street without any problem.
The thing had been a novelty at first, but now it just made her feel lonely. Ella fought the urge to hide it. Peng would notice that for sure and grow suspicious. Out of habit, she glanced back; he was just outside of arm’s reach. Unobtrusive enough to never get in her way, but always close enough to protect her.
Peng was actually the thirteenth bodyguard assigned to her security detail over the past three months. For some reason, Ella had recently become very particular with her personal protection.
Fourteenth actually.
The first four were women. Ella had problems with all of them and requested a new bodyguard after only a few days with each. The next nine were an assortment of both genders whom Ella found varied reasons to replace. Peng, the fourteenth, however, was the right guy. It wasn’t that he was nicer to Ella or more lenient or more accommodating; far from it. Peng actually was sort of a droll grump. He was very good at his job. The Genjix spared no expense or resource to protect her. He had one specific trait, however, that Ella was looking for. One that made him acceptable where the other bodyguards were not.
She picked up the pace and turned the corner toward the night market. A cacophony of noise hammered her ears: vendors hawking, shoppers haggling and music blaring. Underneath all of it was the low buzz of a community going about their evening. Something spicy wafted into her nostrils. It was followed by the smell of something rotten, which was soon covered up by the sickly sweet scent of musk. A smile broke on Ella’s face and all her senses perked up. It felt like home.
She reached her destination at the dead-end of a busy street at the edge of the market and looked up at the glowing neon sign: Spirit Hands. The door jingled when she walked in. She didn’t know how Peng did it, but the guy somehow slipped in with her.
She walked up to the counter where a young-looking old woman or old-looking young woman was watching a Thai drama. She coughed.
“We are booked for the evening,” said the strange madam of indeterminable age. She gave Ella a lazy glance. Her eyes widened and she straightened. “My deepest apologies, mistress. I can kick one of my other clients out.”
“That won’t be necess… good, I mean. Kick them out now. I expect nothing less.” Ella still was not comfortable wearing the skin of someone important. She waited patiently as the madam kicked a half-dressed patron out of one of the back rooms and shooed him from the massage parlor.
A different woman, one definitely old, walked out a few moments later, bowing profusely and averting her eyes. “This way please.”
Ella eyed the woman up and down. She shook her head dismissively. “Those aren’t spirit fingers.”
Surprise and fear flashed across the madam’s face, if only for an instant. She probably hadn’t expected that phrase from someone like Ella. The pause was only a breath long, and then the madam shooed the old woman away. “Yes, yes, you are correct.” She held out her own hand. “These are spirit fingers. I will see to you myself.”
She motioned for Ella to follow. The madam glanced uneasily as Peng silently fell behind them. Ella was escorted to the room in the far back. Before she could enter, Peng pushed past her and did a thorough search of the premises. When he was satisfied, he stepped back into the hallway and motioned to her that it was safe to enter. Then he placed himself directly in front of the door outside.
A small smile crept onto Ella’s face. That was why she had chosen Peng as her bodyguard. The man was so modest. All the rest would have waited in here while she got the massage.
Ella entered the room and closed the door. She let loose a long sigh, not realizing that she had been holding her breath the entire time. She shed her clothes and climbed onto the massage table. She waited. The next minute was the longest of her entire life. Finally, after forever, part of the wall swung open and a shadowy figure stepped out.
Ella sucked in her breath. “I didn’t realize you would come personally.”
He offered his hand. “Hello Ella. It’s been a long time.”
She threw her arms around his waist. “Hi, Cameron.”
“Are the Genjix treating you well?”
“Better than the Prophus ever could,” she joked. Ella glanced at the door behind her and then removed a small data chip hidden under her tongue. “We don’t have much time. Here is the newest cache of raw data from the Bio Comm Arrays. I included the aggregates this time.”
The chip disappeared on Cameron’s person so quick she didn’t even notice where he hid it. “What we really need is to shut down the Arrays. Can you give us the locations of the facilities? Can you provide those? What about access codes and logistics?”
Remember, Ella.
Ella hesitated, and then shook her head. “I can’t give you that.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t.”
Someone was shuffling just outside the door. She jumped back on the massage table. “Just put that information to good use. No matter what, though, you have to leave the facilities alone.”
“But…”
“That’s the deal,” she hissed. “Use the data any way you like, but the communication link has to stay open.”
Cameron looked as if he were about to say something else, and then nodded. Someone knocked on the door. His hands flashed to the gun at his hip.
“Mistress?” said the madam. “Are you ready? May I come in?”
“Just a minute,” called Ella. She shooed him away. “Go. Tell your dad hi for me.”
Cameron was about to leave when he stopped. He put his hand on her wrist. “Come with me. We’ll figure a way to smuggle you out.”
That is not part of our agreement.
Ella closed her eyes. To be honest, she wasn’t sure if that was even what she wanted. She shook her head. “I made a deal. I have to keep it. I have to stay with the Genjix. At least for now.”
>
“Why are you helping us?”
Ella’s face took a hard turn. “This is for Nabin.”
He nodded and squeezed her arm. “I miss him too. If you ever change your mind. Whenever you’re ready. You give the word. I’ll come for you.”
A moment later, Cameron Tan was gone and the secret door closed, as if he had never been there. The knob squeaked and turned, and the door swung open. Yellow light from the hallway flooded inside. The madam poked her head in. Relief flooded her face when she saw that Ella was alone. She became all business.
“Please lie on your stomach, mistress.”
Ella did so, catching Peng standing outside, averting his eyes from her naked body.
The madam began to knead her shoulders. “You are so tense. You need to relax more.”
Ella grunted and sighed. “Tell me about it.”
Acknowledgments
I dedicated my debut novel The Lives of Tao to my parents Mike and Yukie Chu. Now publishing my eighth book it feels way past time to do so again. Because let’s be honest; it’s almost impossible to give the people who gave us life and raised us, and who love us unconditionally despite all our faults enough credit.
For those who stuck with me through The Rise of Io all the way through to the end, you know the day I wrote those acknowledgements was a heck of a day. Well, it’s been a wild two and a half years since and everything has changed. We’ve left the plains of the Midwest for the beaches of the West Coast. I have to mow the lawn every week. I am also now terrified of nature (fire, earthquakes, traffic, and rattlesnakes oh my!). Most importantly, our family has grown to include Hunter.
Hunter is the joy of my life and for the first time I understand the work, effort and time my parents had to give to raise me and my siblings. I can reflect with a clear lens on my childhood and see how awesome my parents were and how difficult I was. I finally appreciate their sacrifice to nurture a (mostly) functional adult human being.
Paula and I are extremely fortunate my parents now live close by. They help take care of Hunter every chance they get, and it has been a lifeline. So now not only have they raised me, they’re helping raise him. Their support has meant everything.