Cathy could see that the woman struggled to control her anger. An irrelevant notion flashed across her mind,
Well, at least I know where I got my temper. Then her thoughts jumped to another thread. But how could it? This woman is dead. Isn't she? She looked closely at the ancient woman. Was she a ghost? No, she seemed real enough. But how?
Her questions remained unanswered as Atuk continued.
Hasan had identified you as a carrier of our DNA and he was intent on using you for his own experimentation. Eqin was sent to protect you, and was able to sidetrack him temporarily, but he could not prevent Hasan from using you for his own experiments. He had to have sensed that your memories were very strong ... But he had no idea whose DNA it was that you carried, which was just as well.
Atuk paused a moment as if lost in her thoughts before she continued again, Then something happened that I had not foreseen. S'Tha's ambition inadvertently turned the wheel in our favour.
The stare from Atuk's dark eyes pierced Cathy soul and she felt a shiver go down her spine. She had an idea where Atuk was heading, but she wasn't sure that she wanted to hear it. And she sensed Atuk knew exactly what she was thinking. The woman continued,
S'Tha had accessed the tombs on Earth where the bodies of the slain Antediluvians lay embalmed, and stole the genetic material from one of them for her own experimentation. What she did not know was that it was my DNA that she had stolen, and without knowing or intending it, she actually strengthened my own genetic material in you, rewriting the code.
Atuk stepped towards Cathy. You no longer needed to mate with another. You were the One. You were my daughter. She hesitated. No, you are more than that, you are I.
Cathy frowned. You're kidding, right?
It was a fantastic tale. Yes, she knew that S'Tha had injected her with alien DNA and that it was partially to blame for whom she had become and was still becoming, but it was unbelievable it would make her into some ancient woman.
Atuk looked at her sharply. No, it is not a joke. When I was murdered I swore that I would be back to take revenge, and here you are.
Cathy tried to apply logic. You're mistaken. My DNA has been completely rewritten and it's still being rewritten. I'm not becoming you. I'm becoming something else.
No. You are a Chosen One. You are THE Chosen One, and you have the power in you to change this planet, and give it back to the Antediluvians. To let us reclaim our place on the Council and take revenge.
Cathy looked at the old woman, wondering if the years hadn't messed up her head. The woman was deluded. She noticed Anya was still standing quietly at the entrance, and gestured with her head towards her. Where does she fit in?
Anya? She is my servant, if you wish to call her that. I have taught and trained her. She serves here at the Sanctuary because of her past. She gestured towards Anya, who moved closer to them. Show your face, my dear.
Anya obeyed, and Cathy gasped as the younger woman took off her hood. How could that be? She'd never noticed that Anya's face was disfigured.
Atuk explained.
Anya was punished because her father was an Algidan who had met and married an alien woman. Because her father died and could not be brought to justice, she was judged in his place. Her punishment was to be burned to death in the Chamber of Flames.
Cathy looked at her, shocked. That's horrible!
In the people's eyes she was an abomination—the result of immoral and impure behavior of one of their own. She managed to escape and seek refuge here where she devoted her life to the Antediluvians. But as you can see, it still left scars.
Cathy didn't know what to say. The thought of being burnt to death horrified her.
Another thought—Is that what will happen to Eqin?
But how could Anya have judged Eqin if she knew what was going to happen to him?
Atuk continued:
They do not know who the Truth Seeker was. It is not convention to make their names public, and so we used the opportunity to send Anya so that she could get close to you. She has the ability to project any image she wishes, and when she was on Earth, she projected a perfect image of herself to allow her to integrate with the others at the Facility. Here at the Sanctuary she prefers to remain as she is.
Atuk motioned towards Anya, who, as if on cue covered her disfigured face in the shadows of her blue cape and retreated respectfully.
Cathy had to ask the question.
Is that what they're intending to do to Eqin?
Atuk seemed momentarily confused. Who?
Eqin.
It is likely, yes.
It struck her that Atuk didn't seem overly concerned, and she frowned. If she hadn't known better she would have thought that Atuk didn't care much about what happened to Eqin. Was she that cold-hearted?
We have to stop them. The thought that Atuk wouldn't agree with her didn't even cross her mind, and when the woman shook her head, Cathy was completely taken aback.
We cannot do anything for him. Our main concern is with YOU right now. You need to be trained, and prepared for the time that you will return the power of the Council to the rightful people—us.
Cathy didn't respond. Deep inside a feeling was stirring—a feeling of rebellion.
Atuk stepped even closer.
You have to develop your skills, and take over from me to lead our people to victory, she continued. I will not be around forever. I have battled for a long time, and it is time to rest. You have to restore the Order the way it was intended.
Cathy puckered her brow. She didn't like the way her discussion with Atuk was going. I have no intention of getting involved in your battles.
There was a moment of silence as if Atuk was weighing up her comment, and then she said, You will do as I say. Now go.
No.
You have to fulfil your destiny. Now leave me. I am tired.
But Cathy wasn't prepared to give up. I don't care what my destiny is. We have to help Eqin. He saved my life. I owe him.
The woman turned sharply, angry.
Quiet! You will not compromise my plans. I have waited a long time for this. Eqin was misguided. He should not have fallen in love with you, and now he has to pay the price.
Feeling her own temper rising, and knowing it would probably end in a stalemate, Cathy decided to back off for the moment. It had to wait for a more suitable time.
Reluctantly she followed Anya out the door. The incredible peace she had felt earlier was gone.
The voice crawled into her mind once more.
And Cathy...
Cathy stopped and turned. Yes?
From now on you shall be called a'Atuk, daughter of Atuk.
Before she could object, Atuk disappeared, and, with no other option, Cathy walked out into the courtyard. The sun was low on the horizon, and she realised a considerable length of time had to have passed. Strange, she thought, she hadn't noticed time passing. It felt as if she'd only been speaking to Atuk for a few minutes, but she had to have been in there much longer than she thought. It was peculiar.
She looked around at the men and women rushing along in their grey capes through the splendid courtyard. Although they seemed to take little notice of her, they kept a respectful distance. Once or twice, she saw someone glance in their direction, and whisper to the person closest to them. Then they bowed their heads again and rushed off through doorways that appeared in the walls.
“Anya..."
“Yes?"
“If Atuk was murdered, then how..."
She could sense the younger woman smiling under the hood of her cape. “Her essence was preserved in a necklace very similar to yours."
“How did it end up here?"
“The ancient Antediluvians had a strong support network. It was through them that the necklace was brought back here."
“So my necklace is an essence preserver?"
Anya shook her head. “No, the stone comes from a planet that has long since been destroyed."
“Oh.” Cathy felt somewhat d
isappointed.
Anya stopped in front of Cathy's room and gestured that she should go in.
Cathy frowned. “I don't think I'd like to go back to my room just yet. I'd like to look around first, and could I get some other clothes to wear?"
She could see Anya was caught off-guard—the hood moved slightly as she tilted her head in surprise. “Yes, of course. I will arrange that for you."
“Thanks. And ... what about something to eat?” she asked again, feeling suddenly ravenous. She hadn't eaten for ... she wasn't sure how long.
“I will arrange that too.” Anya gestured again that she should go inside. “It will be dark soon. It's better to be inside. You're welcome to look around more tomorrow."
“Why?"
“You may want to see more of the Sanctuary."
“No, I mean why do I have to go inside because it's getting dark?"
Anya kept her face hidden in the hood, avoiding a direct answer. “The nights can be very cold."
It was a perfectly plain explanation, had it not been that Cathy clearly sensed that something had been left unsaid—something Anya was in no hurry to share with her.
“Okay.” She'd try to keep to Anya's request, but she desperately wanted to see more of the place, learn what it was about, and see the three moons Eqin had described.
Anya seemed relieved that she gave in so easily, and said, “Good. I'll bring you suitable clothes in the morning. Sleep well.” She gestured towards the room and this time Cathy nodded.
When Anya left, Cathy went inside. She couldn't complain. It was reasonably well equipped, and the advanced biotechnology allowed her to cater for most of her wishes, but once again, she felt restricted, limited to her room. It was not a feeling she liked much.
Although she was desperate to find out what Anya wasn't sharing with her, she tried to keep her word and stay there.
Even so, it turned out to be a very long night. For a while she sat on a chair, playing a holographic game of some sort—she wasn't sure what it was, but whatever it was, she kept losing—then read a book, and stared into empty space; but sleep kept eluding her. After some time, she got up, and carefully examined every inch of the room. When she'd done that, she sat down again, staring up at the ceiling. After another hour had passed, she eventually got up and decided to disregard Anya's request and to venture outside into the courtyard.
Out in the courtyard there wasn't a single soul in sight. In fact, it was almost creepy how empty it was. Where was everyone?
She could smell the strong scent of jasmine and heard a soft trickling from the water feature in the middle of the courtyard. Why would they waste such a beautiful evening?
Still dressed in her grey robe, she felt the slight chill of the night as she walked around. The stones were hard and cold under her feet.
High up in the sky she saw a group of three differently sized moons—just as Eqin had told her. They cast a luminous light over the courtyard.
Suddenly Cathy felt a presence nearby and she momentarily stood still, trying to determine what it was and where it came from. The night was eerily silent. It was unnerving.
Then something swooped passed her head, close enough that she could have touched it if she'd wanted to. It uttered a shrill scream as it sailed across the night sky.
Cathy stopped in her tracks and looked up, observing the dark form soaring across the heavens. She watched closely as it circled and turned, and then swooped down again. She ducked as it streaked past her head, and could sense its sharp nails had been stretched out in attack. A second shrill scream echoed in the night sky, and Cathy stared as a second shape circled the sky.
What are these creatures?
They were huge—almost man-size.
Then, unexpectedly, someone pushed her to the ground just as a third creature swooped past in an attack on where her head had been moments ago. She didn't know it, but without the intervention she would most probably have been killed.
The person, obviously a man, dragged her up and urged her to the side of the courtyard. “Go!"
Without knowing why, she did as he'd ordered, only to stop short in front of the doorway to her room—or at least, where her doorway should be. It hadn't appeared in the wall yet because she hadn't willed it to be there. She wasn't going to run just yet, and turned to see who had saved her.
“What did you do that for?” she asked the stocky person in the grey robe.
He looked at her annoyed. “What do you mean ‘What did I do that for?'. I saved your life."
“But that thing—whatever it was—wasn't going to do anything to me.” She brushed the dirt off her robe. “What was it anyway?"
“You don't know?” He sounded puzzled. “How could you not know?” He paused. Then, “You aren't from here, are you?"
“No.” She scowled. “I'm not."
“It's called a volucris—a winged creature that hunts at night, and attacks anything that is warm-blooded. Including people.” He paused again, then rushed on with his explanation, sounding annoyed. “Didn't anyone warn you not to go out at night?"
She squirmed. She wasn't going to tell him directly that she'd ignored a simple request. “No ... yes ... I didn't think it was a problem. No-one told me why I should stay inside. It would help if you people were more direct."
“You people...? Oh, I see. You must be new to the Sanctuary. You should listen when someone gives you an instruction.” He clicked his tongue. “They will struggle with you. I can see that. You are a stubborn one.” He paused a moment. “Who are you anyway?"
“I'm...” she started saying, but then stopped mid-sentence. It was really none of his business who she was. “It doesn't matter. I'll go now. I won't go out again."
But she'd underestimated the Caretaker's observance. He grabbed her arm. “Wait a minute, I now who you are. I've heard rumours ... You are the one they say is the Chosen One; the one who comes from Terra."
He said the last word with so much disdain that Cathy frowned. “Yes, I come from Terra—Earth. Where do you come from?"
He threw back the hood of his cape, and the moment she saw his face, she realised that he wasn't from Krinis. His features were less refined, rougher and rounder, and he had the strangest yellowish eyes she'd ever seen on a human-like being.
“I'm a Caretaker. I come from Stogalea,” he said.
“From where?"
“Stogalea. It's a planet,” he said sarcastically, and she looked at him sharply.
“Really?” What type of answer was that? It was useless, and she found herself getting frustrated with the creature in front of her. He was definitely different to the aliens she'd met on Earth or on this planet. He was a smart-arse to say the least, and lacked complete refinement in his manners. Yet, she found herself liking him in an odd, annoying sort of way. She could imagine he would grow on one, like fungus, she smiled to herself.
“Are you actually a Caretaker here?” she asked.
“Yes, sort of. I don't do the day-thing. I move mainly at night, which is probably lucky for you or you would have been mincemeat."
He looked at her with his yellowish eyes. She noticed how the pupils enlarged like that of a cat as he looked out into the night sky. It was a very strange sight. He had another question.
“Do Terrans also move around at night?"
“To us it makes little difference whether it's day or night."
“Hm, interesting. The people on this planet move only during the day. They have some superstition about the night. Probably has something to do with their three moons,” he mused.
“Oh. Well, I found that some of them did move around during the night—on Earth, anyway."
He nodded in agreement. “Yes, on Terra, maybe, but not here. You, I can see, are different. Maybe you are the Chosen One."
Cathy cocked her head. “You don't believe it?"
“What? That you are the Chosen One?"
“Yes."
He shook his head. “There have been others. They al
l ended up dead. But still the Krinians keep on hoping that there will be someone to restore the old order. For such a technologically advanced race, they can be very naïve.” He scanned the night sky. “They're gone. Must go now. Go inside and don't go out again."
Suddenly he jumped as quick as a lightning bolt over the wall of the courtyard.
What a strange creature, she pondered. He looked almost human, and yet he wasn't. The encounter left her at a complete loss. She'd never met such a being before.
She mulled over what he'd said.
So, there've been many before me they mistakenly believed were the Chosen Ones. And all of them are dead. Is that where I'm going to end up too—dead?
* * *
Chapter 15
The next morning Anya brought her a new set of clothes. They were unlike the ones the people at the Facility back on Earth wore, but equally unflattering. She put on the drab, knee-length dress and sandals. No wonder they wore robes, she thought, as she covered herself. This was a fashion disaster.
“After breakfast we'll go and see the Sage so that your training can begin,” Anya announced.
Cathy puckered her brow. “My training? Training in what?"
“Your training to control your abilities."
It was said in a way as if she should know it, but she had no clue what Anya was talking about. “Right."
Breakfast consisted of a variety of exotic food. Some seemed very appetising, but other choices caused her to swallow hard. She wasn't sure that everything on her plate was completely dead. But she was ravenous, and beggars can't be choosers. So, she ate it all.
Afterwards she followed Anya across the Sanctuary's courtyard to a tiny passageway leading to a magnificent garden.
She marvelled. “This is beautiful."
Anya's tone was unimpressed. “It's all an illusion. Don't let it fool you."
She glanced at Anya. “What do you mean?"
Anya shrugged her shoulders. “The gardens, the courtyard, it's not real."
“What do you mean: it's not real?” she asked. She was confused. How could the flowers and plants not be real? It certainly seemed like they were.
But before Anya could explain, they'd reached a high wall at the edge of the garden. With a wave of Anya's hand, a doorway appeared and they walked through.
Alien Genes 1: Daughter of Atuk Page 23