Alien Genes 1: Daughter of Atuk

by Petra Theunissen

  “I...” she started to say, but found herself unexpectedly tongue-tied, unable to explain her presence outside of her room. She felt like a fool.

  To her surprise, he smiled and his green eyes were suddenly full of humour. Their gazes met briefly, and in that fleeting moment, she knew they were somehow allied.

  “If you were tired of spending time in your room, you should have said so,” he said.

  Feeling surprisingly humble and naked under his amused observation, she blushed.

  “Come, I'll have S'Tha bring you some clothes and then I'll show you around myself,” he offered. “It's about time you get out of that room.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, but she recoiled at the sensation, feeling a sting where he'd touched her. If he noticed anything strange, he didn't show it.

  Then, without warning he suddenly stopped. The expression on his face frosted over. It was as if was listening to something—something he didn't like one bit. She frowned, straining to hear to what it might be. At first, she couldn't detect a thing. The passage was filled with silence—but then she picked up on it too: the voiceless arguing. Eqin moved off, and she followed him without thinking. She could feel the presence of other people, but she knew they weren't aware of their presence.

  We shouldn't have taken her in. Her presence is endangering our position.

  There was a collection of mutters of agreement.

  She didn't recognise the first speaker, but she could sense anger. Another contributor was more familiar—the assistant who'd brought her the books earlier:

  I agree. I don't understand why you are showing so much empathy to one particular human. They are hardly at the same level of development as we are. If the Council finds out...

  Before he could complete his sentence someone interrupted him. It was S'Tha.

  The decision is Eqin's, not ours. And even if the Council finds out, we can't undo what we have done.

  The first person wasn't happy.

  She has been here several months, and we have learned nothing of use. We want her gone.

  A murmur rose from the group.

  Although her name hadn't been mentioned, Cathy knew they were talking about her. She glanced at Eqin. Judging by his expression, he was angry at the tone of the conversation, but he was still standing motionless; clearly not keen on making his presence known.

  S'Tha argued back, If she leaves the Facility, she'll die.

  Then she must die, the first speaker responded.

  Cathy flinched at the coldness in the retort. Did they really care that little?

  But there was more from the same source. There are enough of them on this planet. One isn't going to make a difference.

  Cathy glanced at Eqin. He clearly had heard enough, and he stepped into the room.

  Is that what you think of a human life? he asked frostily.

  No-one responded for a moment, then S'Tha replied, You weren't supposed to be involved in this discussion.

  No? Eqin's reply was sharp, assertive, When was I supposed to learn this then, S'Tha? When you decided behind my back what to do with Cathy?

  The assistant rejoined the discussion.

  You speak of her as if she is one of us. She is not. Her presence is a danger to us. Everything she learns about us she can use later to destroy us.

  An unspoken chorus of agreement rose from the crowd. It didn't impress Eqin.

  Why would she want to destroy us? For what reason? And even if she wanted to, how would she succeed? She has no means to do so.

  When no-one answered, he continued, Be honest with yourselves: you are not scared of her. You are scared of Hasan.

  The assistant wasn't easily convinced.

  It has been written that there will be the One who will return and avenge the demise of the Antediluvians. She will be from here—

  Eqin wasn't to be drawn down that path. Impatiently, he interrupted:

  Rubbish! Those are old wives’ tales, and not something with which an Algidan should keep himself occupied. Don't hide behind these stories. Just admit you're scared of the consequences of defying Hasan.

  The assistant tried again. You are wrong, Commander. She is the One. She has to go.

  Eqin's anger spilled.

  I will have no more of your insubordination! If you don't stop this instant, I'll have you returned home, and I'll inform them you keep yourself occupied with superstition.

  The assistant fell silent. Although Cathy didn't understand much of it, she knew the threat was serious.

  But S'Tha was angry too.

  So what if we are afraid of Hasan? Is that so wrong? He can destroy our careers even before they've started. We will be discredited. We cannot afford it. We don't want to afford it.

  Cathy sensed feet shuffling—a discomfort through the group. Someone else tried to argue, but Eqin overode him.

  Don't you see what Hasan's doing? He is destroying everything we've stood for.

  Cathy could tell he was suddenly tired.

  It seemed S'Tha sensed his fatigue too.

  How can you say that? Hasan is one of the greatest Algidans alive. Your emotional involvement with this human has clouded your judgement.

  The accusation came as a bombshell to Cathy.

  Eqin is emotionally involved with me? Since when?

  It would explain, though, why he treated her differently.

  A sudden excruciating pain shot through her body, and she doubled over, biting her lip not to utter a sound—but she didn't quite manage. A moan escaped her lips as she fell to her knees.

  In an instant, the others were outside the room, but none of them did anything. Some backed away, clearly not wanting to be too close to her. S'Tha and Eqin pushed through and bent down to help.

  What is she doing outside her room? I clearly asked that she not be let out, S'Tha inquired angrily. Turning to Eqin, she added, You shouldn't have let her out of the room.

  I didn't.

  Disbelief seamed S'Tha's reply. Then who did?

  Without waiting for an answer, she looked up at her assistant. Get a hypo spray, she ordered.

  Cathy felt a brush on her shoulder, but instead of taking the pain away, it increased in intensity, leaving her literally paralysed. Unable to move or respond, she suddenly felt vulnerable. She was at their mercy. Then she felt another presence in the room—one she thought she'd felt before. It wasn't hostile like the others. It was different...

  After a few minutes, the pain eased enough for her to struggle to her feet with S'Tha's help. The others had already left, clearly unwilling to get involved with the human. She leaned heavily on S'Tha as they shuffled to her room.

  We can't keep her here forever, S'Tha commented, not knowing that Cathy could understand every word.

  Eqin was somewhat self-effacing. I know.

  The others are right, Eqin. She's becoming a danger to us all. You are too attached to her. You know the Council's ruling. Please, Eqin, let her go. S'Tha was almost pleading.

  I can't.

  S'Tha fleetingly looked at him, but she didn't add anything further. She helped Cathy onto the bed in her room and then she left. Evidently, she'd said what she wanted to.

  Eqin sat down on Cathy's bed. “How are you feeling?” he asked, apparently unaware that Cathy had understood their whole conversation.

  “Better,” she answered softly. She was still chewing on the revelation that he had feelings for her.

  She lay back and closed her eyes. She didn't want to let on that she'd understood every word they'd exchanged. Perhaps it was better to keep a few cards up her sleeve.

  In that moment, a scene flashed into her mind—the crash, the panic, the pain ... dark, cold eyes staring at her. A cold sweat broke out over her body. She started trembling feverishly. As if sensing her distress, Eqin placed a cool hand on her forehead. She could feel him in her mind, and felt strangely comforted.

  * * * *

  Several weeks after the incident Cathy was lying on an examination bed in
S'Tha's lab after having undergone some more body scans. She was no longer wearing the white gown, but a whitish, stretchy overall and plain white slip-on shoes just like the aliens at the Facility. That, she had figured, was their standard working dress. Although it lacked a sense of style, she found the clothes to be strangely comfortable.

  She learned that only when they left the Facility did they change their clothing style—to fit in and to remain undetected amongst the humans. She wondered what her kind would do if they knew aliens moved and lived among them. The thought made her smile—they'd never believe it.

  She looked at S'Tha and Taluk while they were going through the results of her scans. She watched the tiny spheres as they moved around in the air, displaying a complete holographic image, highlighting certain areas of her body. Whenever S'Tha or Taluk moved their hands, one or more spheres would change position. It was entertaining to watch, and she wondered how they managed it. She'd figured out that it had something to do with a combination of telepathic and telekinetic abilities.

  She observed S'Tha and Taluk's faces. They were remarkably pale, and it was clear they didn't spend much time outdoors.

  “Don't you ever leave this building?"

  Her question apparently came out of the blue, and S'Tha looked at her apprehensively. “Are you feeling cooped up?"

  “Yes, I do. I can't remember when I last saw sunshine and smelled fresh air,” she said, swinging her legs over the side of the levitated bed.

  Taluk looked at her with some superiority. “Our air is fresh,” he said coolly.

  Cathy grunted dismissively. “You call your recycled air fresh?"

  “You call your polluted earth air fresh?” Taluk responded, equally dismissively.

  “Well ... it's better than this,” she answered irritably. “At least one can get some sunshine.

  “There is our garden which you can visit,” S'Tha offered, apparently helpful.

  “It's holographic."

  Unaware that Cathy could pick up on their thoughts, Taluk caught S'Tha's eye and suggested, The human is bored.

  S'Tha was quick to respond.

  Amuse her, Taluk. She does not have our civility. Simple things entertain these creatures.

  Pretending she hadn't understood a word, Cathy picked up a small crystal sphere and played offhandedly with it. When S'Tha saw what she was doing, she rushed over clearly displeased. “Please leave that,” she said, addressing Cathy normally.

  “Why? What's it for?” Cathy asked innocently, but her words belied her knowledge. She knew exactly what it was for. Over the past weeks, she'd spent many hours learning their technologies and their way of communicating, finding that she had an uncanny knack for it. Besides, there was nothing else to do.

  “It's something that we use to record our findings. I think it's somewhat beyond your grasp,” S'Tha said, speaking to Cathy as if she were a small child.

  “You mean because I'm human or because I'm stupid?” Cathy said confrontationally. S'Tha glanced at her disdainfully.

  “Neither,” S'Tha answered, but Cathy could hear her think, Both.

  Pretending she hadn't heard S'Tha's thoughts, she shrugged her shoulders and dropped the sphere indifferently on the table. It bounced off, heading towards to the floor, but S'Tha managed to catch it just before it smashed to pieces.

  “Oops. Sorry,” Cathy said with an obvious lack of regret for her carelessness. Then she got up and flicked back her hair. Like a naughty child, she walked over to the other side where several spheres were suspended in the air.

  Before she could touch any, S'Tha rushed over to her. “Leave that,” she ordered.

  Cathy stood back dutifully, keeping a poker face. She could see that S'Tha was trying to control her temper, and smiled inwardly.

  Silly woman. Does she really believe humans are inferior beings?

  Taluk offered some advice: Let the Commander deal with her, S'Tha. He brought her here.

  S'Tha agreed, Good idea. Vocalising, she said, “Maybe I should arrange something with Eqin. Perhaps he could take you above ground."

  Cathy smiled. At least she knew now for certain that they were underground. The question was, where underground? “Yes, that would be nice,” she said. “I guess you never go above ground."

  “No. Why should we? It's dirty outside,” Taluk said. “But the Commander loves it. One would think that he were a human himself."

  Cathy glanced at Taluk. “Where's your home planet?"

  Taluk didn't look up from his work. “In the Orion nebula."

  “Oh.” Then, “So how do you travel there?"

  He didn't immediately react. After he a while, he said snootily, “It's much too difficult for you to understand. Perhaps Eqin can explain it to you. He seems to be better at it."

  It was such an obvious put-down that she found it hard to keep her emotions in check. What was it with them? They seemed to regard humans as just more intelligent than insects. What made them so much more superior?

  The mention of Eqin's name stirred up uncomfortable feelings. She was sure she knew him somehow, but every time she tried to recall how that could be, her memory failed her. He'd become more aloof towards her as if trying to protect them both from more accusations. It was noble of him, but she missed his presence.

  Suddenly a razor-sharp pain shot through her, but she resisted the temptation to give in to it. It would just fuel their perception that humans were weaker than they.

  S'Tha, however, had seen the change in her facial expression. “What's wrong?” she demanded.

  “Nothing.” Cathy squeezed out her answer through tightened lips, struggling to maintain an even tone of voice.

  “Are you experiencing pain again?"

  Cathy shook her head. She wasn't going to admit to anything. The pain was nothing new. She'd been living with it ever since she had come to the Facility. It had become part of her daily life, and some days she wished she'd died.

  “Where?” S'Tha asked again.

  “I'm fine. It's no big deal,” she said.

  “It is a big deal. Why didn't you tell us?” S'Tha said, taking Cathy firmly by the arm. She was obviously displeased. “Come with me. I want to do a thorough scan."

  “You just did one. There's no point in doing another one,” Cathy protested.

  “Yes there is—you have bad pain. I can see it on your face. I want to do another scan. Perhaps we can see exactly what is causing it."

  There was no point in arguing. As much as she disliked S'Tha, the other woman had the upper hand. She had the medical knowledge, after all.

  So, a while later she was lying on the examination bed while the alien woman scanned her blood using a minute device. Staring blankly up at the roof, she listened absent-mindedly to S'Tha's scolding. She felt like a lamb taken to slaughter, at the mercy of others. No wonder she suffered bouts of severe depression. Besides not knowing who she really was or where she came from, they treated her like a lab rat.

  “We'll have to wait a while before we get the results. In the meantime I'm giving you a hypo spray for the pain,” S'Tha said, and started preparing a pinkish solution.

  Cathy turned her head to look at the hypo spray, feeling suddenly uneasy. There was something about that solution ... S'Tha was lying to her. It wasn't for the pain. It was for something else. But what?

  “Thanks, but I can manage without more drugs,” she said coolly.

  “Don't be silly. One more isn't going to make a difference. Take it,” S'Tha insisted, and walked over to her with the hypo spray in her hand.

  Cathy slipped off the examination bed. “No, thanks,” she said, and moved away from S'Tha. She could see that the alien was taken aback by her strange reaction.

  She suddenly folded double and collapsed. S'Tha rushed over and helped her up. “Is it getting worse?"

  She knew she couldn't deny it. It was too obvious that she was in pain, and hesitantly she admitted, “Yes..."

  S'Tha didn't seem surprised. “Let me give
you this...” she said.

  As the hypo spray headed towards her neck, Cathy recoiled with such force she nearly lost her balance. “No!"

  S'Tha stopped and stood away, caught completely off-guard by her reaction. “What's wrong? It's only a pain killer."

  Cathy looked at her sharply. “I want no more of your alien interference with my body. I'm sick of it. Just leave me alone."

  “You are in no position to make demands,” S'Tha said calmly. “Without our help you would have been dead.” She moved closer, but Cathy wasn't having any of it. She was suddenly overwhelmed with anger. Why wouldn't the damned woman listen to her? She didn't want any more of that stuff.

  She slapped the hypo spray out of S'Tha's hand. It slid across the floor, spilling the pink fluid. Within seconds, a sphere appeared out of the wall and swept up the broken hypo spray before merging into the building structure again.

  She could see that S'Tha was struggling to keep her anger in check when she walked over to fetch another hypospray. “You will take the injection,” she threatened.

  “No, I won't."

  S'Tha turned to face her, and their stares met. After a few moments, S'Tha turned away. “Very well. Do as you please."

  Through the pain, Cathy felt relief flood through her. She'd won that round. Without a further word, she left the room. She was tired. A rest would do her good.

  S'Tha watched Cathy as she left the lab. The human's refusal to take the injection had disturbed her. Why was she suddenly refusing treatment? She could not possibly know, could she?

  Her hand rested on the second hypo spray, frustrated she wasn't able to force Cathy to take the injection. She had to continue the treatment. They couldn't stop now. Not when they were finally making progress...

  Eqin entered the lab. He seemed concerned.

  I heard you took Cathy here?

  S'Tha motioned the hypo spray back into its place. Yes, she's been getting pains, and I wanted to double-check that everything was all right.

  How is she?

  I don't know yet. I'm waiting for Taluk to bring me the results.

  S'Tha sensed his worry, and felt forced to respond. I'll do everything I can.

  She noticed that he glanced at her strangely, and for a second she could have sworn her own brother didn't trust her.