Outcasts and Gods

by Pam Uphoff

  "There have been several guards who died."

  "There have been several rapes, beatings, threats. Or just pervasive harassment. No one will protect us but ourselves. So we are. We won't just roll over and take it. The company can make it better, or worse. And worse will, in the end destroy them."

  "Everyone is afraid of the Tellies. This is why."

  "Everyone is safe. We attack only those who directly threaten us, and our rebellion will involve leaving, not fighting."

  "Leaving?"

  "Oh, come and have lunch, Harry." Wolfgang steered him back downstairs, the lobby of the building looked the same as always, the same as all the others. Mostly. Harry frowned at two ordinary doors, side by side. There was a closet for cleaning supplies . . . but he didn't remember the second door. Hadn't all the dorms been identical? Wolfgang led him through the second closet door. Into an alley, and out onto a side street. As they walked, memory clicked in. He knew this street.

  "This is Eau Clair." Harry swallowed, feeling unreal. What is happening? What are we, that we can do these things? They call us gods, as a joke, but the humor is starting to fade.

  "Yep. Remember where that alley is, there's an illusion over the corridor, but you can feel it. Once you're in it, you'll feel like you're suffocating until you get the door open at the far end. There's no lock on it."

  Harry nodded his acceptance of what amounted to permission to use the corridor.

  They ate at a small restaurant overlooking the Chippewa River. Wolfgang paid with a bank card, then cheerfully walked away. "Must get back to work, you know."

  Harry veered into a convenience store and bought a tosser phone. He called Mike Adamson in DC.

  "The Tellies aren't going to put up with the company treating them like trained monkeys much longer. They're already taking liberties and flaunting the company's inability to control them. The company isn't lightening up, and . . . it isn't going to end nicely. The government needs to step in and at least guarantee the Tellies some rights." Before they declare war and start killing people openly.

  "Harry . . . " Mike sighed. "The government isn't going to be any better. They honest to god have a bill in committee to exile everyone with any genetic engineering. Deliberately chose a gene for greater intelligence? Got your Mom's breast cancer gene swapped for a normal one? You'll never be allowed to drive a car or vote. It doesn't matter if the replacement is a natural, common gene. It's fricken' insane, Harry, but you and all your Tellies had better hunker down and weather the storm as best you can. Because if the kids out on the street with their parents—they're calling them partial-parents now—are facing prejudice, the gods are totally screwed. Try to call me once a week, and I'll try to give you heads up before the government moves to take over the company."

  "Cripes. Thanks Mike. I knew the politics were getting worse, I knew they were encouraging these colonies, but an actual forced exile . . . And including even the natural replacement genes . . . Cripes."

  What the hell will Wolfgang do?

  ***

  Whatever Chou's team had retrieved from the other world was apparently satisfactory. There were no more gates to nearby worlds. The various members of the Chou family who worked here left for brief vacations and returned looking the better for it. Even the regular office workers noticed, and rumors of a medical breakthrough started circulating.

  There were changes in gate traffic, as commercial exploitation expanded rapidly.

  Within weeks they were moving heavy equipment through. Excavators, mining equipment, ore haulers—sized to fit through the rings. Often in pieces. Wolfgang read a few minds and passed on to others how much the Company was raking in leasing 'rights.'

  "The Government is getting antsy, according to the news I pick up on dates. They can't resist getting their hands on something with this much political power." Jason got up and paced. "Anyone listening, Wolf?"

  Wolfgang got absent minded looking for a minute. "Not now. What evil are you planning?"

  "We are a critical, and easily moved piece of the gate mechanism. The company may try to relocate us somewhere outside North America if it looks like the government wants too much in taxes or control."

  Pax raised an eyebrow. "At the rate the computers are improving, I suspect they will dispense with our services quite soon."

  Wolf nodded. "Possibly. The new, more powerful, gate anchors make finding the right spot easy. Computers might be able to take over ordinary reconnections."

  "But what about us? What will the company do?" AK scowled at the paper she was reading.

  "Keep us for exploration? For power generation? Get rid of us?" Wolf shrugged. "We’ll have to see, and be ready to jump ship, if necessary."

  Jason nodded. "My idea is sort of along those lines. We can just barely see some shadowy areas, like the high branch, which is very like the empty worlds. We should stop referring to it separately, and act like any world we locate there is in the Empty Branch. If we can get away, then if they cloned us and got back to gating in fifteen to twenty years, chances are they wouldn't even notice the clump."

  "If, or rather, when, they exile all the genetically engineered people, as a group, how could we get them to designate those worlds for them?" AK smiled faintly.

  Pax smiled. "I’ll look into that. These handy little corridors, I think I can contact some sympathetic congressmen, make some recommendations."

  "There’s still the problem of getting the last Tellies through." Jason grimaced. "I don’t see how to do that."

  "A touch of mental persuasion, so the guards don’t interfere." Wolfgang’s teeth flashed in a brief smile. "Have you noticed the range on the wireless connections? We ought to be able to get close before the interference from the rings cut us off. Then the gate only has to last long enough for us to dash across. One point three two seconds from removing support to detuning. The only accident I observed, when the gate was in contact with a world when we shut it down as fast as possible, it went a bit slower, but still under two seconds. We’ll have to co-ordinate, and run together. Of course, with the new computers, we may have all the time in the world."

  "Crap. We could actually do it?" Jason paled, but his eyes were bright.

  "I'd like to get all the engineered out first, so they're away from the backlash. People are going to be pissed when we escape."

  Pax sniffed. "Relieved, more likely. Especially if the computers can keep up the regular contacts. In fact, if we get the computers up to speed first, we won't have to have this big dramatic escape. We can just walk through."

  Wolfgang narrowed his eyes a bit. "Maybe we ought to be sure we leave before the computers can take over. They'll get them up to speed fast enough, but if we wreck the beacons they'll never find us again."

  He knew how to keep the company, or the government, or anyone at all, from opening a gate for years. He touched one of the row of bubbles on his arm. Pity they didn't let me keep the nuke, but I've got enough other things, and enough knowledge of how to improvise . . . this place is remote enough that I won't kill too many people not associated with the company.

  I just hope I don't ever get desperate enough to set something off because I can't get away.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  NewGene Experimental Facilities

  Wisconsin, North American Union

  15 November 2116

  "So, the latest greatest computers can do the job of you ‘Tellies,’ eh?" Senator Wyse's Minneapolis office was nice, but not too rich. Must not upset the voters by "wasting their money." He leaned back and eyed the handsome young man across the desk. At least he was old enough to not be a disgusting little mess, like most children. And he looked normal. So long as you didn't look at his eyes. The golden eyes made the Senator's stomach twist.

  "They can do the routine parts of the job. And as fast as computers improve, most likely even the few Tellies the company is planning on keeping will be phased out."

  Pax waved the senator's expensive cigar in his right h
and. "The Tellies think they’ll be hiding from you, on their high range world." He took another puff and exhaled slowly, his eyes on the eddies in the smoke. "What they are actually doing is narrowing down the area that would have to be searched, should you need to recover any of them."

  "And these five worlds, are those?" Senator Wyse’s hands brushed the handwritten list of numbers.

  "Yes."

  The senator leaned back and eyed the creature across the desk. "I think we’ll need to create a liaison position, well paid, of course, between the . . . operators of the equipment and the government, once the government takes over the operation of these trans-dimensional gates. Even after the computers take over, having someone on payroll with expertise on the backup system would be prudent."

  Pax smiled. "Yes, that would help things run smoothly. Even after the computers take over. I trust you will consider me for the position."

  "I can’t think of anyone better qualified." The senator shook hands with no sign of revulsion or hesitation, and walked the creature to the door. Back at his desk, he pulled up the newest report from the astronomers. An entire section of worlds with dangerous, frequent, impact events. He compared the registry numbers with the hand written notes, and smiled.

  Chapter Thirty

  NewGene Experimental Facilities

  Wisconsin, North American Union

  25 January 2117

  The mining companies were keeping them busy, all one hundred forty-five 'useful' Tellies broken up into thirty-eight teams. The rest were called up as needed for support. Most of the Tellies were on more than a single team. The power handlers were on four teams each, so every team had redundancy, there. The tuners were the most numerous. The drivers, for lack of a better term, worked best alone, but they'd found that weaker backups to hold contact allowed the principles to rest, and the gate to be held open longer.

  They were running three sessions a day, mid-morning, early- and late-afternoon. There were now twenty-five "worlds of interest." And plenty of mining and lumbering companies interested in them. Three government vetted colonies, now. They kept to a once a week contact schedule, for the settlements. In theory, by next year all three should be net food producers, and monthly contact sufficient.

  The mining companies were concerned that as more colonies were founded, the time available for moving ores would shrink. They were lobbying for a third gate, located near the hopefully reviving smelters of the west coast. So far Congress was adamant against cloning the gods. They considered it much better to find a way to control the gates through computers with no human input. Or with normal human controllers. They wanted to get rid of the engineered, altogether.

  The fatigue and low blood sugar were returning, as the gate time lengthened.

  "The energy we can pick up from out there can be used instead of our own energy, to some degree, but not completely. There is an upper time limit, unless we can swap out people one by one for food and rest."

  Wolfgang pried open an eyelid. Gisele was explaining to Kennedy. Probably not getting through. A tech brought Wolfgang a soda and he sipped, listened in.

  "Well, perhaps we should try IVs. Mainline some glucose."

  "Or we could acknowledge that human beings have limits."

  He could feel a line of alarm under Gisele's stubborn exterior. What's wrong with IVs? Not that he liked the idea, but what was the doctor's objection? Not objection, rejection. Horror.

  "You aren't human beings, and we'll do with you whatever we wish." Kennedy stared down at her.

  "Yes. I know." Her mind, always well guarded, was solidly closed now.

  A couple of the ubiquitous guards smirked, and looked her over. Wolfgang looked them over, so as to recognize them later. He looked back in time to see Kennedy lead Gisele off, still arguing. Aneurysms take too long to develop. I'll have to find something faster.

  One of the guards bumped him. "Get moving."

  And then there are all these new fellows. Who really need to learn some manners.

  Mark Hastings swaggered up and shoved past him to grab Rebeccah's arm and pull her to her feet. Jack Kelso's replacement wasn't much of an improvement. "Hey if you fall to your knees, I'm going to expect a blow job."

  Rebeccah pulled away from him and walked out. Charlie, as usual was out there waiting for her, and mentally aware of everything inside.

  Wolfgang could feel his fury. :: No, Charlie. I'm working on it already. You keep looking innocent, and don't let them know they can control you by threatening her. ::

  :: This time. But . . . ::

  :: I know. One year, maximum, before we are all out of here. I suspect Rebeccah would like you to share the pioneering experience with her. And I know you'll just love protecting her from lions and tigers and bears. ::

  Wolf felt his rueful agreement, and a faint tail of :: And Wolf. Oh my! ::

  :: She treats me like a big brother, and you know it. Pity AK thinks I'm such a nuisance. :: Wolf followed Rebeccah out the doors, and as soon as he was out of sight of the interior, warped light around himself. He ran for the main building.

  The office building security system answered to the same protocols as the DI security. He took the elevator to the top floor and trotted quietly to Kennedy's office. The lock turned to his mental prodding. Gisele was almost holding her own, but Kennedy had a fist full of hair and was backing her toward the couch. Wolfgang ghosted up and hit him with a stun spell. He dropped like a rock.

  Gisele jumped back and looked around wildly.

  Wolfgang released the light warp. "I guess all the rejuvenation therapy got his libido up. You know, if you get some of that date rape drug into him fast enough, he won't remember this. Or I could experiment, see if I can implant memories."

  She glared and hustled out.

  Wolfgang sat down at the computer and started reading Kennedy’s correspondence with the Chairman and the Board of Directors. Ah. With Jaejong himself.

  Ha! Dr. Cassidy and her colleagues were trying to get access, to study the Tellies and the dimensional physics. No mention of "bubbles" or "time dilation." Thank you, "Mom."

  And the Chou clan wanted a world of their own. One without humans. They were talking about what people they'd import for servants and farm laborers. They were planning on taking a dimensional setup through, with Tellies to provide power and guidance. Fascinating. They were already manufacturing the whole thing. It was nearly finished, save only the last bit of ring assembly, which would have to be done on the other side. Then they'd have their very own fiefdom, complete with dimensional travel.

  Gisele hustled back in, and bent over Kennedy for a second. "That should take care of him. Now what am I to do with you?"

  Wolfgang flashed a brief smile. "Nothing. Look, he's been talking with Jaejong about what world the Company ought to make their own. Interesting. I was afraid they'd move overseas. And now the Senate has a general agreement with the House on that bill to sterilize any genetically engineered person who does not emigrate to a world specifically reserved for the engineered. They should finalize and vote on it before the break, and everything should be ready to move them out early next year. All we have to do is figure out how to get all of us through that gate as well."

  Gisele rocked back on her heels. "Is that what you have planned? That's . . . there are about half a million engineered, say twice that number of normal people will emigrate to stay with family. They'll be a pretty high tech colony, right from the start."

  "And one free of prejudices. So long as we don't go to the world the Chou's want. There will be a society we can all be members of. Several actually, there are five separate colony companies organized by the engineered and or their families. Almost ready to go. Think about it. We'll need a university, so we don't lose knowledge. Biology, medicine, genetics, genetic engineering. Take your pick. Or take them all. Set up the College of Biological Sciences and the Medical School the way you want them run. Finally, finally, look to the future and see something to reach for, to fight
for."

  "My . . . greatest hope has always been for tolerance. For the World to not actively hate us."

  "Look further. See what could very easily be accomplished."

  She let out a long breath and finally met his eyes. "Yes."

  ***

  The Exile. Not that anyone but the Tellies called it that. No. Colonization was so much nicer.

  And of course there were exemptions for genetically engineered people in necessary positions, left unspecified. That Tellies were a necessary part of the trans-dimensional mechanism wasn't public knowledge.

  The bipartisan bill was bitterly fought, and passed by a hair. The President signed it.

  Fifteen worlds in the Empty Branch had been cleared for colonization. Five were assigned to the genetically engineered. Laws that were guaranteed to drive the engineered through the gates were enacted. But in truth, no matter the dangers on the parallel worlds, most of the genetically engineered population left voluntarily. Less than a million people out of a world population of twelve billion. Mostly the descendants of wealthy Americans who'd paid to make their daughters more beautiful, more blonde or more redheaded, their sons taller, more athletic. Smart kids, healthy kids, long lived kids . . . Second generation kids with unintended side-effects, especially as the engineered kids rebelled against their parents and just had whatever kids God or Mother Nature sent them. Most of the people who went had no engineering at all. But they went with their husbands, wives, children, siblings and more distant friends and relatives, glad to leave the prejudiced confines of Earth. They trusted the government mandated schedule of monthly gate connections to keep them in touch with the rest of humanity.

  And who was to say that those five designated worlds had environmental challenges that were not immediately obvious? Certainly not the governmental teams who cleared each world for colonization, nor the committees who assigned each colony group a specific world. Senator Wyse oversaw the whole process, personally, and was able to assure the media that all fifteen worlds were suitable for colonization.