by Jon State
He met up with a very relieved Kaya.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Yes, but it struck so hard I thought it broke my back. Harmon smiled. He looked at the spreading vegetation, then at the ground and sky. "We need this freedom. Can you imagine being out here safe all the time?"
Kaya gazed at the now calm plants. "I can, and hopefully we will be doing this more often, strolling in the woods without a care."
"I wouldn't go so far as to say without a care. Now, let's go back and see what is what. I fear the Council will fight our right to coexist with the land, despite being able to, but try we will." He removed his helmet, and they kissed, vanishing like ghosts.
Chapter 50
Compromise
Terranova, USC
August 16, 4067
Doctor Spencer’s eyes remained fixed on the recording as he played it again. In it he witnessed Amelia’s arm snapping back as if it were a mere twig. Her husband’s once angered façade growing pale with concern. There was no doubt—the man's rage had somehow broken her arm. “This can’t be?” Dr. Spencer said, his eyes locking onto Amelia’s snapping arm. “He did this with his mind?” He remembered Johnson's gift and settled back in his seat. He felt the muscles in his stomach tightening.
“Spence,” Ben whispered and gave a tired sigh as if an added weight pressed down on his chest, “I’ve avoided sharing this with anyone who seemed attached to the notion that these mutations are benign.”
Dr. Spencer thought the man looked ten years older under the dim light. "How do you know they're not? This is only one incident."
“You grilled the two of us concerning what happened to her arm because you couldn’t find any bruises along the affected area. I found out the truth when Ruby told me. Amelia was not ready to reveal it, though. Then, when I confronted her with what I knew, she willingly gave me this vid. She said she’d become gradually fearful because her fiancé had anger issues. Had he lost full control, he could’ve easily broken her neck. And no, this is not an isolated incident. Where is Kassandra?" Ben noticed how Dr. Spencer paled. "You know how she manipulated people—some kind of hypnotic power. When she figured out we were on to her, she disappeared. No one speaks of her anymore. She must've done some massive group hypnosis to cause it," Ben said, unable to read the frown on the doctor's face. “Another one is April’s case. Her hearing loss came when she pissed off Roland. With one cry he ruptured her eardrums. We have confined him to his quarters since the incident," he saw the doctor go chalk white.
"I treated April. She said it happened when an experiment had gone astray, but I wasn't convinced. The damage appeared surgical, precise as if she'd stabbed her ears with something sharp, but I found no trace elements."
“There are more, Spence. Melisa the fire-starter is our latest chaotic victim. We caught her in time, though, and made her a fire-proof hovel. Before this, she'd burned down a tent and a shower stall, and yes, those also were reported as accidents.” He took the pad from Dr. Spencer’s weakened grip.
“How did you find out about the gifts?” The doctor's voice had become a whisper.
“Ruby was the first, at least, that is what she and I think—she told me about the others. The ones she can’t hear are usually the ones with the gift—sadly, this is not consistent.”
“I wonder why she can’t read some of the gifted.”
Ben shrugged. “All this—this place, the plants that move, the powers that possess people is all impossible to me. I’m still trying to catch up.” He lowered his eyes and tightened his lips. “I can surmise that the ones she can read are those with minor gifts, like Roland’s powerful vocal cords. She first studied the Dreamers because they were silent in her mind. It wasn’t easy for her—she watched and suffered in silence until she confided in me,” Ben said, shifting as if something was wrong with his seat.
“So there are more than the ones we know of?” Dr. Spencer thought.
“How do you think this is going to turn out? Normal humans facing mutated men and women who can cause injury at will, who can get into your mind, or hear anything you say. No privacy, not even in your mind. I thought this over at great lengths. Wait until the suspicions start to grow—the blaming, the fear. How about when those with powers want more, which currently is what you think I’m doing, and I have no powers. I'm sure you're thankful for that. The point is—who’s going to stop people who can throw you around like a toy or convince you to harm yourself or others?” Ben stood nearly hitting the squat dome above them. He came around the chair and placed his weight on the backrest. "You've been accusing me and causing folks to question the Council. I care less than you think about power!” he spat, “I have had my fall from grace before—sure—but that life is long gone, and I am grateful for this new opportunity. We have to work together, and the choices to be made here and now are tough—brutal, in fact. I need everyone on board, Spence.”
Dr. Spencer lowered his head, blankly surveying the dusty floor. He pushed himself back. All this time he'd known and was working on a solution. How blind I've been, he thought. “What are you proposing to do with the gifted?”
Ben sighed deeper this time. “The man you sent to read minds may know this already—” He stopped speaking when he saw Dr. Spencer come to his feet.
“We did no such thing. In fact, we had Aron confined to the alleged test area, remember?”
“We were unsure what gifts he possessed at the time—Ruby can feel them, not know them. If you didn’t send him, he was self-motivated…" Ben paused, turning to face the doctor. "The creature we released would only scurry across the wall and make some fuss before the Alphas took it away, unharmed. It attacked faster than expected because Aron interrupted our plans. He was spying on us, and we had no clue there was someone out there. His presence angered the creature, so it moved on him, and he, in turn, ran toward the med tent. And as you may well have guessed, we were going to use this to scare people into not taking so many liberties. We also wanted to frighten those with powers too, so they would re hidden longer.”
"You can't quench these abilities or human curiosity. These people will eventually feel like trapped rats, and they will tare at their cage with their teeth until all that’s left is their bloody jowls," the doctor said, spreading both arms. "Those with powers may feel like fighting back as you said."
Ben lowered his eyes and sucked in a tired breath. "I know, and we have finally finished what we think will be a temporary solution.”
“What solution?” Dr. Spencer stared into Ben’s gray eyes quizzically.
“We’ve developed a serum we distilled from one of our popular fruits. The plant's natural narcosis we found in the—”
“The gala fruit, which is everyone’s favorite,” Dr. Spencer said first.
"Now you know why it's everyone's favorite. We have isolated the fruit's anesthetic agents. We tested this drug with different chemicals and created a way to make a person feel content. The side effect will amaze you…” he paused for effect and leaned in closer. “The process staunches in the process," he said, witnessing surprise and not anger on Dr. Spencer’s face.
“You can put a stop to them once and for all?”
"I'm afraid the serum only works when we administer small doses on a daily basis,” Ben said, shrugging.
“Have you field tested it?”
“Before you get angry—everyone we treated is fine. We had to try it on Kassandra when she came back. She’s currently in her lab and, besides some lethargy, she is as happy as a cat on catnip."
“Any other side effects?”
Ben noticed a notch of excitement in Dr. Spencer’s tone. “No.”
“I want to see her myself.”
“Of course. Look at this.” He handed the pad back to Dr. Spencer. “See this list—scroll to the end. The names with check marks have all undergone the treatment with a hundred percent success ratio.” He watched as Dr. Spencer's eyebrows rose.
“These many?"
“Y
es, and I believe you’ve treated some on this list.”
“I do see some familiar names. Do they know?”
“No. We’re using Alphas to provide their water. Our biggest dilemma is getting everyone on a general water supply,” Ben said, pursing his lips.
“So this is why you wanted to get all the plumbing zones completed.”
“Precisely.” A gush of wind hit the tent, and it snapped tight. Dr. Spencer rose. Ben looked up nervous. “It’s just the wind.”
"Are there any long-term effects?" Dr. Spencer dropped on his chair, partially alert and partially in thought.
Ben took the pad from Dr. Spencer and opened other folders. "See these readings? They’re Kassandra's. it shows an improved state in her metabolism and brain waves."
The doctor brushed at his scraggy chin. “Improved?”
“Indeed. In only four weeks she has reverted to a young adult’s health. Again, these are short-term findings. We thought we had a drug which would make people settle in quietly while we learned more about the world around us and, amazingly, we ended up with so much more—a serum, which improves health and eliminates the gifts or powers. We've come across a golden egg. We weren't expecting these results, but I'll take it, and I'm hoping you will too, Spence, because we need everyone in our circle to accept it. Only the Council and the Alphas will know about the serum in the water. Also, Ruby has volunteered to take the serum and step down.”
Dr. Spencer's face hardened. Ruby had no choice in keeping her position anyway. The Council would remove her, but her willingness to take the serum was worthy of note since Ben could still use her gift. He came to his feet pensive and paced around the dome, reflecting on the turn of events, the wheels in his mind spinning in all directions. “I will examine the data and the subjects myself, and I will keep it discrete," he said and added, "How about Malica?"
“We know she has a sensory gift. We have found that the serum does not disrupt relationships.”
“Unless she finds out I’m drugging her,” he snapped back.
"Yes, that's true, but does she want this gift, or does she suffer it?”
Dr. Spencer took a deep breath before answering, “She would like it gone. She tries to hold it back because she finds it so offensive to listen in on other people’s conversations. I confess that I do believe what grants these gifts is a deity and not an alien, but…" he paused as if having difficulty taking in a breath, then admitted, "We are not ready for such powers.” He met Ben’s eyes. “I am with you and the Council on this.”
“Thank you. I thought our friendship had come to an end, and I know I would live to regret it.” Ben smiled nodding.
“I believe I was acting rashly.” A glimmer shown in Dr. Spencer's eyes. "Will this in any way help the infertility issues we’ve been having?”
"Unfortunately, we have seen no sign that it has any effect at the embryo level. A few women on the serum are unable to achieve ovulation. I know you’ve tried to improve hormonal levels?”
“I’ve been unsuccessful so far.” The doctor frowned.
Ben closed his eyes and reopened them slowly. "Even with all our knowledge, we are no closer to finding a solution for the fertility issue. Perhaps, in the long run, the serum will help. At least I know it will not harm pregnancy odds since the serum enhances metabolical functions," Ben said.
"What do you want me to do once I've verified your findings?" Dr. Spencer said, straitening his shoulders.
“Right now we need to understand why Aron decided to come to the city. I hope he recovers. I’ll let you get back to our fertility dilemma. As for me, I will expedite the plumbing and building projects. Oh, and I forgot—we found a well,” Ben said.
“That’s great news.”
"It's crucial if we want to divide potable water from bathing water.” Dr. Spencer gave him a quizzical look. “We plan to introduce the serum through the potable water line.
“That makes sense," the doctor agreed, a bit startled at his response, but he had already started to wonder what the best delivery method would be for the serum.
"Alpha 5 came up with it when we found the water vain." Ben said, then added, "I feared to introduce it into the shower water because people would drink it and probably absorb too much serum.”
“How long do you think we can keep this from the people?”
Ben shook his head, “As long as it takes. The Council is in complete agreement about this. Believe me, the others in the Council can think for themselves, contrary to popular opinion. There will be a time for a transformed human genome, but seeing as these gifts scare me outta my sock--I know we're not ready. Sure, there is always some fear associated with change, but…" Ben paused, wearily surveying their surroundings. “Did you know that most people stay away from the Dreamers? I've inquired, and many are terrified of them,” Ben said.
“I’m not going to say I fear them, but after Aron came forward..." Dr. Spencer shook his head, combing his hair back as if to clear something from his mind. “I’ll admit, I didn’t want Malica to know, but I decided to start thinking in math and code when I was anywhere near Aron,” Dr. Spencer said.
“Me, I’m an open book to Ruby. I trust her. She wants her gift removed, and I don't blame her. I do think mathematically at times, but not to hide it from Ruby but from those developing the power to read minds.
"I have to confess that Malica is the one that overheard what Ruby said. She can hear at a great distance. I planted the non-functional surveillance guismo to keep Malica out of it. I didn't tell her and the others because if one of them slipped up, Ruby would have known. Only Mathew and I were in on it."
You caught me off guard. That was good thinking. We didn’t consider that Malica could overhear us because we didn’t know what type of sensory ability she had. One last thing—the serum's name is GX. G for gala fruit and X stands for the unknown compound combination that emits the calming frequency.” Ben shrugged.
“How long until GX is available for everyone?”
“We can’t do it all at once, so we’ll have to do it slowly. We’re setting up public faucets throughout Terranova until we can get all the homes completed. The Alphas are fast and strong, but we're still looking at months and possibly years before everyone has a home of their own. I wish they would have buried us with some heavy construction equipment. ”
“The Consortium considered it, but as we all know, time ran out," Dr. Spencer said.
There's still the matter of your people wanting my head on a platter. Perhaps if you tell them the Council has come to see flexibility, mainly due to these rising gifts, they'll believe you, and it will buy us some time."
Dr. Spencer stared at Ben for a moment, detecting sincerity in his eyes, then said, “I apologize for my shallow assumptions.”
“No worries. I was starting to have my own, too.”
Chapter 51
Duped
Terranova, USC
August 20, 4067
“Doctor, there’s someone here to see you,” Specialist Johnson said.
Dr. Spencer looked away from the microscope’s lit face-mask, the rim’s outline still etched around his features. “Who is it?”
"He said that you and he worked together before the end came. Name's Harmon Deloria.”
“The Nobel prize winner, our top biologists!” Dr. Spencer said, snapping his latex gloves off. “Charlie 4, I’m going to speak with someone. Continue sequence patterns.”
“Understood, Doctor,” Charlie 4 responded, his tone sturdy and youthful. His two mechanical arms switching samples.
"Harmon, it's been a while," Dr. Spencer said, holding out his hand, immediately noticing changes in Harmon. He looked sturdier and younger than the last time he'd seen the man as if he'd gone back in time, and that was strange since his name was not among those that had taken the serum
“I’ve been busy, cataloging and studying our amazing new world,” he said, releasing the doctor’s hand while giving Specialist Johnson a curt nod. “I
heard there’s still no word on the puzzling infertility issue,” Harmon said, following Dr. Spencer's gesture to take a seat.
“Sadly, that’s true. We are working this thing from every angle, but it seems Mother wants us sitting this one out, including our Dreamers. They haven't had a single vision concerning infertility. I’ve run into some dilemmas since we came here but nothing like this.
I…” Harmon paused and glanced at specialist Johnson.
“Johnson, can you assist Charlie?” the doctor said.
“Sure thing. Have a good one, Harmon,” Johnson said.
“How’s—” Dr. Spencer started to say.
“Kaya,” Harmon filled in. “Not pregnant, but she’s not dwelling on it. Let me get to the point. I am here on behalf of the people and Kaya,” he saw the doctor’s interest peek. “May I have your discretion on anything I reveal to you?”
“I would like to say yes, but the magnitude of variations this place presents forces me to side with caution,” Dr. Spencer said, cocking an eyebrow.
“Agreed. It concerns a way we can walk among the natural world, unhindered.”
Dr. Spencer nodded, trying to look as interested as possible. “Well, let’s hear it. I’m intrigued.”
"I've been working on an unsanctioned project that I have already field tested."
“Why are you telling me this, now?"
Harman leaned forward. “Let’s just say I have trust issues. And now that I have a successful prototype I have chosen to place my trust in you. In any case, I have created a repulse-suit, which can shock any foe, but poses no threat to the individual wearing it.”
“You said you field tested it. When?”
Harmon's gaze became steady. “Kaya and I scaled the wall.”
“How?” Dr. Spencer’s eyes widened.
"Kaya can mimic her surroundings.” He saw the doctor’s blank expression. “She can become invisible, or something similar to invisible.”