Then she left him standing alone in the mist.
* * *
Chapter 13
Although Eqin had accepted Anya's answer, it nevertheless hit him like a bucket of cold water. What had he expected? He'd broken the law. All facts clearly pointed towards his guilt. How could he even have thought his course of action was the most fair and moral course to take, and that his own people would agree with him?
A dejected, but valiant man, he walked over to the old house, puzzled by its emptiness. It had a darkness surrounding it he'd never experienced before, and it made him feel ill at ease. Where could she have disappeared to? How could Hasan not have sensed her presence? He'd always been able to detect exactly where Cathy was. Could it have been possible that she'd actually been able to mask her presence as she'd predicted, or was the old man losing his powers as he aged?
Footsteps behind him caused him to turn around. Cathy! Their gazes locked, and at that moment, he knew the woman standing before him had changed into someone different from the person he met many years ago, and it filled him with an indescribable desolation.
She seemed tired, almost exhausted. “Are you looking for me?” she asked quietly.
“Cathy, where were you?"
“I was here all the time,” she said, and was seemingly unperturbed by his stunned look at her reply. She didn't offer an explanation and he didn't ask. He didn't need one. Whatever she'd done, she had become stronger than Hasan—but it clearly still took a lot out of her.
They walked a while on the beach without a word before she finally broke the silence. “I recognised him the moment I saw him. It brought back some memories...” she said haltingly.
Again, Eqin was taken by surprise. “You saw him? You were that close to him, and he didn't know?"
She smiled dryly. “No, he didn't. Actually, I was close enough to touch him if I'd wanted to. I suppose he may suspect ... but he's not sure. Actually, he's a bit confused and it's making him rather tetchy."
He shook his head in disbelief. “He must be losing it."
“No, I don't think so."
“Then how?"
“I don't know, Eqin. It's just something ... I can't explain it.” She paused. “I saw the necklace he held in his hand. I remember having one like that. Was it mine you were holding?"
The mist was finally lifting, and scant rays of the sun were peeping through the clouds. They reflected from the small waves breaking on the white sand. She'd taken off her shoes and was walking in the shallows. He watched her in silence. He was happy she'd regained some of her memories, but at the same time, it made him feel sad because it meant their time on the island was coming to an end.
“Yes,” he answered her question. Then he took her hand and gently placed the necklace in it. “I kept it for you to give at the right moment. Please wear it always."
She looked up at him, and then held it up for him to put it on. She didn't need to ask—he knew what she wanted and obliged.
Standing close behind her as he placed the necklace around her neck and fastened the clip, many memories came flooding back. He'd wanted to do this the first time around, but never got the opportunity. Hasan had outsmarted him with his greater experience and power. This time it was different. Hasan was no longer the threat he used to be. Or was he?
“How long have you been able to hide your presence from others like Hasan?” he asked. It was clear she'd developed abilities most of them seemed to be unaware about over the past months. What else had she been hiding?
She scoffed off his concern. “I don't know. Perhaps a few weeks or so. I didn't really take notice until now."
“And other things? Have you noticed any other abilities?” he pried. He had to be sure.
She hesitated, seemingly unwilling to talk about herself. “No. Not really,” she said.
“What do you mean, ‘not really'?"
“I ... I can't explain it. Sometimes I get these blackouts ... and I find myself somewhere else. I don't know how I got there,” she said.
“Hallucinations? Visions? Do you still get those?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not often. It's something else. I can't put it into words. It scares me sometimes.” She paused. “Eqin..."
He was still standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “Yes?"
“Some of my memories are coming back. When I saw Hasan ... I remembered when I visited him ... I remember being in the desert ... I wanted to ... There are other faces, other people ... I just can't piece it together."
“That's wonderful. In time, most of your memories may come back.” But Eqin couldn't manage to sound as enthusiastic as he wanted to.
“I also remember having a friend. I think he committed suicide. I remember seeing it..."
“Don't go there, Cathy. Those are memories you don't want to have,” he said quietly, removing his hands from her shoulders.
“But I do. They're part of whom I was, what I became. For months I've been trying to figure out who I was, and now ... But maybe you're right. Some memories I'd rather not have."
She suddenly realised something.
“My friend ... did he commit suicide because of Hasan? Was he one of those Hasan injected with the nanovirus?” she asked.
Eqin hesitated. How he wished she'd forgotten that part of her life. He wished he could lie to her, but she would know and that would make the truth—when it eventually came out—even more painful.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“And you knew?"
Eqin paused for a moment before he said, “Yes."
“And you did nothing?"
“No, I didn't. You were my main concern. Had I intervened, he would have targeted you,” he said quietly.
“So you let someone die?” she said, and he could hear the misery in her voice.
“It wasn't as simple as that."
He could see that she didn't fully understand. How could she? She had not been in his shoes, agonising over seeing yet another human die at the hands of an ambitious scientist. He had to choose—he could not save both. By choosing her he had bought her time—time to grow stronger. Perhaps one day she would value his decision.
“Eqin..."
“Yes?"
“I have to go back,” she said.
He didn't immediately realise to what she was referring. “Back where?"
“Back home. I need to confront my past. Maybe it will help me to remember those bits that are still missing."
Eqin felt his heart miss a beat. He couldn't allow her to return to her old home. It would put her in too much danger. “I don't think that's a good idea,” he said.
“I don't care. I have to go,” she insisted.
“Cathy, everyone thinks you're dead. It's been almost two years now. How do you think they're going to react?” he said quietly.
“They should know I'm alive, Eqin. I can't allow them to believe that I'm dead, when I'm not. I may not be the same person, but nevertheless...” she said, almost hopefully.
“I can't protect you if you're not on the island."
Cathy glanced at him sideways. “It's not as if you're all rallying around me, Eqin.” Her tone was sharp. “I know that the rest of your people despise me and my presence here."
Suddenly she grimaced, and, concerned, he put his arm around her. He'd thought the pain was gone, but evidently, it wasn't. “Are you alright?"
“Yes. It comes and goes. Sometimes it's worse and sometimes not so bad."
He could see the pain in her eyes, and said, “You should have S'Tha see to it."
She recoiled, and he could have sworn there was hatred in her eyes. “No, thank you. She's the last person I want near me."
He frowned. He didn't understand her violent reaction. “I know she's ambitious, but she did save your life."
“No, she didn't. You did. You shared your life-energy with me."
He was dumbfounded. How did she know? No-one but he and S'Tha were by her side when she was dying, and
she certainly wasn't conscious at the time. How could she know he'd shared his energy with her?
“Did S'Tha tell you that?” he asked cautiously.
“No. She didn't need to,” she said. Her blue eyes stared into his and he felt a stab of concern.
How much does she really know?
“I've known for some time."
He didn't answer. There was really nothing he could say. Should the Council find out that he'd shared his unusual gift with someone so primitive, he'd surely be banished. In silence once again, they returned to the house, and then he excused himself to return to the underground Facility, consciously knowing it would probably be the last time he'd speak to her.
* * * *
The time for reckoning came sooner than he'd expected when a few days later Anya informed him about the decision she'd made.
He was sitting in a chair in his quarters, playing absent-mindedly with a tiny crystal ball similar to the one Cathy had purposefully liberated from S'Tha's office, and he was so engrossed in the hologram that he didn't immediately notice the doorway appearing.
As he turned around in his chair, his gaze caught that of Anya and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the hologram. The expression on her face was indecipherable and he wasn't sure if she had seen it. If she had, she certainly wasn't letting on.
Yes? He felt somewhat irritated by the interruption.
He could see she was there to bring him news, and without asking, he knew the time had come. There was no doubt she wasn't pleased, and she didn't even try to hide that she didn't believe in his guilt, which struck him as strange. A Truth Seeker would never judge a person before they were convinced of their guilt.
It's time, she advised him evenly.
He got up. He had to ask. Why do you judge me if you don't believe in my guilt?
Her expression remained neutral, and her dark eyes didn't give away her thoughts. You know why.
It was a frustrating answer—one that left the interpretation up to the person asking the question, and he frowned irritably. Actually I don't know why.
She was unperturbed. If you say so.
He tried the question again.
If you're truly a Truth Seeker, then why do you judge me when you know I'm not guilty?
For a few moments, she remained silent. Her expression hardly changed. You are guilty ... of falling in love with a human. It was as if she was trying to convince herself that it was the reason for his judgement, and he knitted his brow.
You don't believe that it is a good reason? he asked.
She didn't answer immediately, and then, It is your destiny to go before the Council.
His irritation was tangible. THAT'S my destiny? Great.
When he saw a hint of a smile around her mouth, he frowned irately, and said confrontationally, You find it funny?
No, I do not find your frustration funny.
I'm about to be sentenced to death, and you think it's funny.
I do not think it is funny. But you have known all along it would come to this, so why are you so surprised?
She seemed puzzled, and went on. Your task has been completed. You found the One, and she has survived, but you broke the rules when you fell in love with her.
He stared at her, knocked for a six. She could not possibly know, could she?
He queried her, Who are you? Who do you work for?
It does not matter. You will find out in due time. She paused, looked down. Then, You will leave soon. You will not have any more time to say goodbye to her.
But she needs to know...
I will tell her, she responded gently and he knew that it was part of what she had come to do.
She wasn't just there to judge him. She was there for Cathy.
* * * *
S'Tha sat at the head of the rectangular table. Her eyes scanned the remaining staff at the Facility. She addressed them assertively:
Eqin has been recalled to Krinis to be judged. I am your interim Commander. From now on you will take orders from me.
Is he coming back?
Her gaze diverted to the questioner and fixed coldly on him. No, she answered firmly, and changed the topic. The first thing we will have to do is to fix some of the mistakes he has made. Like allowing the human to live above ground.
She paused, then, We will get her and return her to the Facility.
There was an uneasy shuffle among the small contingent of staff. Clearly not everyone was keen on the idea of having the human back in the Facility, and S'Tha frowned. It wouldn't have been a problem if it hadn't been for Eqin. He'd messed it all up. But she would fix it.
Once she had Cathy back at the Facility she could study her and her DNA unhindered. There was still so much to learn. So much data to be collected.
One of the assistants cleared his throat. Do you think that's a good idea...
She looked at him insulted. Are you questioning my decision?
He seemed to shrivel under her gaze and shook his head. She sat back smugly. It felt good to be in charge.
Her gaze caught that of Anya. The young woman seemed to have something on her mind. S'tha confronted her.
Yes, Anya?
Anya's dark eyes were hooded. There was an emotionless, almost robotic lack of inflection in her reply.
You're making a mistake.
S'Tha lifted an eyebrow. Excuse me?
There was an uneasy hush in the room. She felt their gazes on her, waiting for her to react to the junior assistant's defiance.
But Anya seemed unaffected by S'Tha's authoritative stance. You don't know what you're up against...
S'Tha leaned forward threateningly.
Oh, I know what I'm up against. I'm up against a human—the lowest form of sentient life. She wasn't prepared to get into a discussion about her decision. Don't question my authority again or you'll be sent back before you can summon a light bubble.
Then she stood; her tall frame etched against the white background, and stepped towards the doorway. This meeting is over. Agron, you and Verdan come with me. Emali, you can prepare her room. Let's go.
Anya stood up, placed her hands on the table. You mustn't.
Flat unemotional tones again.
S'Tha spun around. Quiet! Not a further word from you! Then she marched out the room with Agron and Verdan on her tail.
Anya was not to be dismissed so easily.
S'Tha!
S'Tha stopped and gritted her teeth—her anger was threatening to boil over.
What is it with that girl? Can't she take a simple order? I will have to discipline her.
Before she could respond, Anya gave her a warning:
S'Tha, don't do this. Cathy ... she won't let you take her.
For a moment S'Tha hesitated, feeling slightly uneasy, recalling that Cathy had detected Hasan's arrival on the island and that she'd found the observation sphere. What if the rumours were true? No. It couldn't be. Cathy was no match for her, and she needed to be studied in a controlled environment. She turned to Anya.
Enough! Go! I will deal with you later.
Anya was about to say something more, but then changed her mind, turned and walked away. As S'Tha watched her leave, she suddenly felt apprehensive. Could Anya be right? The young woman seemed so convinced about her case.
Ignoring her doubts, she walked to the end of the passage. There was a flash of energy, and she and her two assistants were above ground. The sun was pleasantly warm and there was a gentle early morning breeze that smelt of ocean. She reluctantly had to admit that it was rather agreeable.
She glanced at the assistants, who didn't seem to share her short-lived appreciation for the planet's climate. Verdan stared irritably in the direction of the house, slapping irately at a small fly that zoomed past his face. Agron was brushing off a leaf that had blown onto his white overall. He seemed less than impressed, and she looked at them with some disdain. Is that how Eqin saw their people? Fussy creatures with little appreciation for life?
&
nbsp; Putting the disturbing thoughts out of her mind, she strode towards the house, clambering over some of the rocks in her way. Her assistants followed her, complaining and grumbling under their breath.
As they approached the house, she felt coldness run down her spine. It was as if the building were alive. As if it had been waiting for them...
* * * *
Cathy watched S'Tha and the assistants silently from her bedroom window. She knew they were there to force her back to the underground facility. Since Eqin's departure, it seemed that everything was coming to a head. She'd considered leaving the island, but where would she go? They'd hunt her down until they found her.
Cathy...
She turned and saw Anya standing in the doorway.
Anya! What are you doing here?
They are coming for you.
Really? Her reply was dripping with sarcasm.
We have to go.
Cathy was confused. Where? There's nowhere they won't find me.
Yes, there is. On Krinis.
What?
She looked at Anya, still standing in the doorway, realising that the younger woman was very serious.
No.
Anya stepped forward.
You have to go. If they get inside—
They won't.
Yes, they will, and you know what the house will do to them. It has bonded with you. It will not let them take you.
Well, then. In that case I'm perfectly safe, aren't I?
Cathy moved away from the window and brushed past Anya into the hallway. She wasn't about to run. Not now. Not ever. She'd done enough running.
No, Cathy. You don't understand...
Something about Anya's words made her turn and search the younger woman's face. What are you talking about?
Anya avoided her eyes. We do not have time.
Tell me!
Anya hesitated. I cannot...
Tell me!
The argument had ended—the younger woman walked up to her and touched her temple with the tips of her fingers, and Cathy felt Anya's mind reaching out to her. She jolted, trying to disconnect herself, but she was unable to resist the powerful force and found herself catapulted into memories that weren't her own. Or were they? She couldn't be sure.
She could see vicious battles, the destruction, the pain, the dead and the maimed. With a shudder she realised she'd seen it all before in her own dreams. As the memories unfolded, they slowly started making sense. Anya provided some words to complete the picture:
Alien Genes 1: Daughter of Atuk Page 21