The Kota

by Sunshine Somerville

  My illness was blurring my sight and slowing my brain from processing at normal speeds, but I saw enough to know something out of the ordinary was going on.

  I looked at my brother in the bright light. Lee’s face held an expression of command. He motioned for me to follow him along the balcony. As we walked, several passing doctors and scientist types nodded to him in respect.

  I began to get an uneasy feeling. “What is-”

  My demand for an explanation was cut short when Lee stopped before a glass door and opened it for me. I stepped inside to find a medical examination room with a pair of gurneys. Lee sat on one like he owned the place and motioned for me to sit on the other. Uncomfortable but figuring I had no other choice, I complied.

  “I hear it’s getting rough out there,” said Lee. “I’ve been stuck here a while, preparing things, so I haven’t seen much for myself. The news clips I’ve caught look pretty awful, though. Africa is devastated. Two million dead in the Euro Civil War. The DRK is taking out just as many.”

  I sighed. “Lee, what-”

  The door opened. A young man entered with a clipboard, which he handed to Lee. The man was in his twenties, pale, and thin to the point of being gaunt. A scar ran from behind his ear to the top of his shaved scalp. This was disturbing enough, but the sides of his throat were cut in slits like gills. As he spoke quietly to Lee, I saw them breathing. The young man glanced at me before looking away and hurrying to exit.

  Lee looked up from the clipboard, saw my expression, and went back to reading whatever the young man had brought him. “That’s Rion. He came to us from Boston after escaping from a research facility.”

  Shocked, I shook my medicated head, trying to shake off my stupor. “In Boston?”

  “Your bosses don’t tell you everything, Troy. They’re trying to keep up with research done overseas before the war. I don’t know much, but what Rion told us isn’t good.” Lee frowned and kept looking over the clipboard. “The Kota take in refugees seeking asylum from every danger you can think of. The remnant’s gone much more underground than we ever planned, but that’s allowed us to quietly protect these refugees. And we’ve learned things from them that the public doesn’t want to know.”

  I was lost. “What are you talking about?”

  “The U.S. government is funding…all kinds of research, Troy. It’s out of control. Genetic engineering’s been around for years, but with the genetic manipulations these scientists are attempting, it’s like they’re playing god. People with altered genes have intensified speed and strength capabilities, longer life spans, and a host of other abnormalities. It’s bizarre, but it’s within the reaches of known science too, you know? I just didn’t think anyone would dare go to these extremes.”

  “This is happening in the States? Are you sure?” I’d read allegations from crackpot conspiracy theorists on the blogs, but…

  Lee was serious. “I myself talked to a man who’d undergone experimentation in Georgia in the early days of these experiments. He’s now had children with genetic mutations. He’s not the only one. Rion, in fact, is second generation.”

  This can’t be true, I thought. But that Rion kid… He’s certainly real.

  “Like I said,” Lee continued, “the States are just trying to catch up with Euro breakthroughs. Overseas, they’ve been at this for even longer. According to a British researcher who came to us, there are more of these people in Eurasia’s population than anyone knows. The Euro scientists say they carry what they’re calling ‘mutate-genes.’ The theory is, mutate-genes will continue to spread to each generation until we reach a kind of equilibrium. They’re calling it ‘forced evolution.’” Lee glanced at my shocked expression and scowled as he read the clipboard. “You really didn’t know this was going on?”

  I shook my head.

  Lee nodded with sympathy for my shock. “Also, it sounds like the DRK really is a result of all this. Overseas, when ethically questionable research got out of hand, the authorities couldn’t control rogue laboratories. Every test-tube-happy geneticist ran with what they found. Somewhere along the way, the DRK popped out.”

  “That much I know,” I said. “The DRK’s origins were uncovered months ago. Not that it points us to anything like a cure, though. Eurasian authorities either don’t know anything or aren’t talking.”

  And how much has our government covered up? I thought. How much have they used me to cover up? If our government is secretly conducting experiments…

  I felt my palms sweating. “The Health Department has been secretive lately. I assume because of what you’re telling me. I’ve barely gotten updates from the CDC. Are they experimenting on these people with mutate-genes in relation to the DRK?”

  “Yes. Since there’s some link between the Euro genetic experiments and the DRK, leading American scientists apparently think the cure might be found in people who’ve undergone similar experiments.”

  “How are they keeping this quiet?”

  How have I not heard about this? I thought. Oh, shit. James disappeared after he went up to Boston…

  Lee frowned. “They’re secretly rounding up these poor people. That’s the real reason behind the riot in San Francisco last week. The government isn’t telling the public yet because there’d be nationwide outrage, but once the virus gets here…”

  I knew what he was thinking. “Most of the nation will clamor for more research if it means finding a cure. They’ll claim it’s for the greater good.” I felt sick. “But it’s inhumane.”

  “You have no idea. Those scientists in Boston cut into Rion’s head to study him. He didn’t exactly volunteer. And like I said, he’s not the only one who’s come to us. Six members of our community here came from Boston alone. There are more from Texas, New York, Georgia…”

  I saw in Lee’s eyes once again that he’d risen to a position of leadership, and he seemed concerned about these people. I was starting to sympathize.

  Lee sighed. “It’s not their fault the virus exists. It’s not even like they’re carriers. Your government friends have authorized horrible studies in search of antibodies, so far without success. The DRK infects them just like everybody else, but these poor people are getting persecuted. Those Boston scientists told Rion he deserved to be experimented on because, as someone with mutate-genes, he was to blame for the spread of the DRK. But that’s just nonsense, right?”

  “Yeah. The virus doesn’t travel in immune hosts. No one’s immune, so there aren’t antibodies. The virus spreads so rapidly because it infects everyone it comes in contact with. Experimenting on these people isn’t the answer.” I felt horrible for being in any way a part of this. “I had no idea this was going on, Lee. I swear to you.”

  “I know, Troy. It’s not like you could’ve stopped this even if you knew.”

  I was relieved he meant this, and I tried to remember all that had come across my desk. “I haven’t read anything concrete on a cure. Nobody has a clue. Not even the few Euro geneticists the CDC brought in when this mess first started. Few know how the virus works because most people are too afraid to study it. Death is one thing; factoring, quite another.”

  Lee shook his head in wonder. “The world’s a mess, and look how quickly it happened.

  ’The Virus

  When the mind of man abuses all known by him

  and calamity comes most unnatural,

  the sons of men shall be tested.

  Some will revolt from truth;

  others faithful will remain.

  Only the true Kota, the un-tainted,

  shall escape the curse of man’s corruption.’’’

  “Yeah.” It was all I could say.

  “We should’ve seen it coming long ago.”

  We sat with our own worries for a moment. Lee was no doubt thinking about the Kota, this prophecy, and the many people he was trying to save. I, for once, had to wonder which of us was the better man. I now had to reevaluate my work and the fact that I’d aligned myself with those j
ustifying these terrible actions.

  Now I really feel sick, I thought. Lee risked a lot by bringing me here to tell me this – I probably am being watched. The president herself worried I might side with the Kota and my brother. What am I going to do now? If I quit my job, they’ll suspect I know something. If I stay… Is the president hiding these experiments? Did she have something to do with James disappearing?

  With a sigh, Lee shook his head before growing more personal. “I’m sorry to dump this on you all at once. How’ve you been? What’ve you been up to these past months?”

  I snorted. “Oh, I've been fine. I trained Toto to fetch the phone when it rings.” I looked out the door at the rushing scientists on the level below. “You’ve certainly done well.”

  Lee laughed nervously. He was excited about something.

  I should let him get back to work, I thought.

  I stood from the gurney, although sitting had helped my pounding headache. “Thank you for telling me all this. I’m not sure what I can do about any of it, but… Sorry I was so upset you brought me here.”

  He scratched his beard. “Um, well, this isn’t exactly why I brought you here.”

  A large percentage of my earlier skepticism returned. “It’s not? Then why am I here?” I sat back down.

  “Well, I don’t know where to start, but I don’t have much time to explain.” Lee chuckled. “Actually, that’s kind of the point. First, I should tell you why our Kota volunteers went through China’s light swirl. Let me read that prophecy.” He pulled out a tattered book from his pocket and flipped pages.

  “Oh, I knew it.” I glared at the Kota writings in his hand. “Just like that, we’re back to your religious nonsense. That’s the book you got the Virus Prophecy from, isn’t it? It’s from that old man at Dad’s funeral who started this mess. Is this why you dragged me here?”

  Lee hesitated. “Troy…”

  I shook my head. “I’m not getting involved. You should know better by now. Okay, I see now that the Kota are doing a lot of good for people, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to swallow their prophecy bullshit. These people might be charitable nuts, but they’re still nuts. Clearly I have more important things to worry about – and, again, thank you for informing me – so let me get back-”

  “Hear me out, Troy.” Lee read from the book.

  “’The Signal

  When all arrives,

  time shall be opened.

  Heaven’s churning lights will be key –

  a sign unto the Kota.

  Through the doorway they shall pass,

  but some knowing truth will remain behind.

  Hope will come for Earth’s side of the gateway.’”

  So he does know something about the light anomalies, I thought. Well, it’s more of an answer than anyone else has.

  I tried to hold back my frustration by pinching between my eyes. “So that’s supposed to explain what these light anomalies are? They’re some kind of gateway? Like wormholes after all?”

  “Yes. I think we were given the Signal Prophecy to prepare us for the swirls just like we were given the Virus Prophecy to prepare us for the virus.”

  I mulled over the rest of what he’d read. “So your Kota volunteers went through China’s light anomaly because they believed that’s how they’d be safe from the DRK? The Virus Prophecy says only the Kota would be saved from the virus, so this was how they escaped it?”

  “Yes.”

  I made a face. “Sucks for the rest of you who stayed.”

  Lee chuckled. “Well, we have other work to do. We stayed to spread the truth and bring hope to the rest of humanity.”

  I ignored this for now. “Where’d they go? Why did the swirl vanish?”

  “We’re not sure. Until more is revealed to us, we’ll just trust Heaven has a plan.” He searched again in the book. “Anyway, other things go along with this. Here’s what pertains to why I sent for you.”

  I squirmed irritably.

  “’The Bearers

  The remnant, remaining to reveal the light, must strive on.

  Hope will come, as vowed by heaven.

  Through preservation, time shall hold the chosen brothers.

  The one will seed;

  the other will foster.

  And so, both shall bear.’”

  I sighed at him. “’The chosen brothers.’ I see from your face that means us.”

  He grinned at me.

  It was all coming together now. “That’s why you’re so respected by these people, isn’t it? This is ridiculous! What are you doing?”

  Lee waved his hand to indicate what was happening out the door. “They’ve found a way to preserve us through time, Troy.”

  “What? How-”

  “Cryogenics!” Lee reached over and slapped my knee. “It’s not a new concept. The WSP does it all the time. These Kota scientists have just perfected the process for our purposes. We can stay encased in cryogenic beds for up to a thousand years and only physically age ten to twenty. The Kota remnant will pass down our prophetic knowledge to future generations. ‘Through preservation, time shall hold the chosen brothers.’ We’re meant to do this until the time is right to bring hope to the world. Someday, when the time is right, the Kota remnant will revive us.”

  I looked around at the medical room. “Holy… You mean that’s why you brought me here?”

  Lee nodded.

  “Do you not hear how crazy this sounds?”

  “Troy, this is important. It could lead to saving everyone.” Again, out came the book.

  “’The Mark

  By the Bearers brought into time,

  fulfillment shall come in a Mark,

  and hope in four children born.

  Evil will flee Earth before the four Marked.’”

  “Well, that can’t be right.” I snorted a laugh. “Now you’re saying Earth’s only hope depends on children!”

  Is this a joke? I thought. Is he insane?

  Lee set the book at his side on the gurney. “Troy, this is crucial. The prophetic visions came to our people for a reason. Look at what’s happened – the virus, these churning lights, the Kota’s entrance into the swirl. You've seen these things for yourself. You can’t deny the world is falling apart, and it’s clear only a miracle will save it! These four Marked children are our hope to rid Earth of evil, and we think the prophecies mean the virus is the evil. These children might save the world from the virus, Troy! If they’re somehow to come from you and me, shouldn’t we do anything we can to make this happen? The Kota volunteers went through a swirl to escape the virus, and now it’s up to us to fulfill the rest of these prophecies so Earth can someday be safe too!”

  I was so tired of this nonsense. If I’d thought the Kota were crazy before…

  I stood from my gurney and heard my voice rising as well. “Cryogenic freezing? That’s what they’re getting ready to do here? To us! Okay, the WSP does it all the time, but we’re in the middle of the freaking wilderness!”

  Lee rolled his eyes. “The Kota scientists are experts, Troy. They-”

  “Aside from that.” I waved him off. “How can you be sure we’re the chosen brothers? I’m sure a few other Kota brothers stayed on this side of the light anomaly. Those prophecies, even if I did believe in them, are pretty vague. Why are you so convinced this is about you and me?”

  Lee looked up at me patiently. “Dad’s old relative tracked me down because he had a vision that told him I was one of the Bearers. I had my doubts too, by the way. I spent a lot of time with the Kota Council in Tibet. We spent months researching this. Finally we all agreed this would have to happen.”

  I scoffed.

  “Troy, I’ve had months to analyze and test this. For whatever reason, you and I are meant to carry on through time. You’re right; this is why these people respect me. And I believe the rest of the prophecies will be fulfilled someday. I don’t know how long it’ll take, but someday the Kota remnant will need to revive us so we
can bear these children. These four children will save Earth, Troy! We’re not one hundred percent sure how they’ll do it, but hopefully the remnant will find more answers between now and whenever the rest of this is to take place. Now is the time for the chosen brothers, you and me, to prepare ourselves. Somehow, the future of mankind depends on the decision we make right now.”

  Still on my feet, I shook my head. “You’re just eating up whatever these people dish out, aren’t you? Lee, you don’t know what any of this means. You don’t know how long we’d be frozen. There’s no guarantee these Kota people will survive to wake us up! They might die, and then we’d be frozen forever. Count me out. I’m sorry, but the world is falling to pieces out there, and I won’t hide inside an icebox while-”

  “Troy Kandoya, there’s a plan at work here! We have to do this!”

  I looked at my brother in surprise. It was the first time since we were children that I could remember him screaming at me. He was mad. I was madder.

  “No,” I said in my older-sibling voice. “I’m not letting some Kota prophet’s wacky dream journal decide how I live. Are you going to throw away what could be the rest of your life? Think about it, Lee. You told me yourself that the Kota aren’t one hundred percent sure about this. How can you claim we’re the only two men who can have children who’ll destroy all evil?”

  “I’ve studied the proph-”

  “And what are you calling this ‘evil,’ Lee? What are these children really supposed to get rid of? The DRK virus might be the great evil, and in that case I’m all for wiping it out. But are you sure that’s what your prophecies mean by evil? So far in history, religions have seemed to think the enemy is anyone who disagrees with them. If some kind of prophetic power did wind up in your hands, you people might wipe out anyone who-”